home of the wildlife conservation environmental and freedom activist

Support Action Network and over 35 years of environmental leadership and activism.  Join Environmental Defensetoday!

Dear Friend of Wildlife,

Thank you for all you've done this past year to save America's
imperiled wildlife and habitat and to protect the environment we
share. Working together and with our allies, we were able to once
again stop oil lobbyists and legislators from opening for drilling  
America's greatest wildlife sanctuary -- the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge.

When the Senate returns in January, however, we expect this
legislation to again be considered.   The oil industry is only a
handful of votes from victory, and they're spending millions of
dollars to prevail.

The 2002 DEN Annual Fund Drive will help cover the cost of using
e-mail updates and alerts to defeat this legislation.   

We need to raise $275,000.   If you haven't already, I hope you
will consider us as you make your final year-end contributions.  
With your extra-generous donation of $25 or more, we'll thank you
with our popular wolf T-shirt.  

You can make a credit card donation at our secure site
http://www.defenders.org/den/annualfund or call 1-800-385-9712
from 7am-midnight (ET), 7 days a week, or you can mail your tax
deductible check to: DEN Annual Fund Drive, Defenders of Wildlife,
PO Box 1553, Merrifield, VA, 22116-1553.

Thanks again for all you have done, and Happy New Year!

Rodger Schlickeisen
President       

P.S. Worth magazine has named us one of the nation's best 100
charities. We take great pride in how we effectively spend  
contributions.  You can view our accomplishments over the past
year at http://www.defenders.org/results  


To subscribe, visit Defenders' website at http://www.defenders.org/den
or send an e-mail to denlines@defenders.org and put the word SUBSCRIBE
in the subject line.  
====================================================================
Defenders of Wildlife is a leading national conservation organization
recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for
wildlife and its habitat and known for its effective leadership on
saving endangered species such as brown bears and gray wolves, Defenders
advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that protect species
before they become endangered. Founded in 1947, Defenders is a nonprofit
501(c)(3)organization with more than 420,000 members and supporters.

                       Defenders of Wildlife
                  1101 14th Street, NW, Suite 1400
                       Washington, DC 20005
                     http://www.defenders.org
                     http://www.kidsplanet.org

*******************************
* WILD ALERT
* Wednesday, December 26, 2001
*******************************

Dear WildAlert Subscriber,

It has been quite a year.  If only because of the terrorist attacks
of September 11th, we will not soon forget this year.  As before, our
thoughts and sympathies go out to all those affected by those
attacks. We know the WildAlert community went out of their way, as
did so many Americans, to assist those in need, and for that, we are
thankful.

But we hope the year is remembered for more than its tragedies.  
Since January 2001, there have been many accomplishments along the
path to creating a nationwide network of wildlands.  Though the Bush
Administration unfortunately continues to undermine many land
protection laws and policies, we believe there is much to celebrate.

So happy holidays from all of us at The Wilderness Society.  And
THANK YOU for making this another great year for our nation's
wildlands.  The WildAlert community came through again and again --
and your actions *do* make a difference.

*************************************************
1. BITTEROOT NAT'L FOREST: JUDGE HALTS TIMBER SALE
In late November, we wrote to you about Forest Service Chief
Bosworth's efforts to circumvent the public participation process on
a huge "salvage" logging sale on Montana's Bitterroot National
Forest.  On December 17th, Agriculture Under-Secretary Mark Rey, a
former timber lobbyist, agreed to the Chief's request and signed the
Record of Decision allowing the salvage sale to proceed without
public appeals.

The Wilderness Society and American Wildlands immediately sued the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (which oversees the Forest Service).  
The *very next day,* U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy issued a
sharply worded Temporary Restraining Order stopping the sales pending
a hearing on a preliminary injunction on Jan. 3.

Judge Molloy issued a series of sharp rebukes to the Forest Service,
saying the agency acted outside the law and, by its own actions,
delayed what it sought to accelerate.  

Read the reaction and the judge's ruling:
<http://www.wilderness.org/newsroom/rls121901.htm>

*************************************************
2. FINGER LAKES NAT'L FOREST: FOREST SERVICE DECIDES NOT TO OPEN UP
FOREST TO GAS DRILLING
In our "Too Wild To Drill" report (issued in July), we featured
Upstate New York's Finger Lakes National Forest as one area at risk
from the President's energy policy.  The forest is a haven for
recreationists and rare birds.

On December 19th, the Forest Service announced that there will be no
gas development -- a significant victory.  Given the opportunities
for 'directional' drilling on nearby private land, there is no reason
to destroy the natural beauty and ecosystem health of the forest by
turning it into a patchwork of derricks, well heads, and pipelines.

Forest Service press release:
<http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/gmfl/Oil_Gas/News%20release_12-14-01.pdf>

*************************************************
3. PELICAN BUTTE (OR): SKI RESORT PROPOSAL WITHDRAWN
Two years ago, we wrote to you requesting help in stopping a planned
ski development on the Pelican Butte roadless area on the Winema
National Forest in Oregon's Klamath Basin.  In November, the company
that was seeking to build the resort decided to withdraw its
application, because of continuing uncertainty as to whether the
project will ever be allowed.

Opponents of the resort, which included numerous conservation groups
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, claimed that the project
could harm creeks that flow into the Upper Klamath National Wildlife
Refuge, as well as birds and fish protected by the Endangered Species
Act, such as northern spotted owls, bald eagles, shortnosed suckers,
and Lost River suckers.

*************************************************
4. ARCTIC NAT'L WILDLIFE REFUGE: SENATE STOPS LATEST ATTEMPT TO ALLOW
OIL DRILLING IN REFUGE
On December 3, the Senate voted 94-1 on a procedural vote that killed
an amendment that would have opened the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge to oil drilling. The amendment would have been added to the
totally unrelated Railroad Retirement Security bill.  This was yet
another attempt by pro-oil interests in Congress to force through a
provision to open up the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.  Your calls
and letters definitely made the difference in this important vote.  
But it's not over -- stay tuned!

Reaction: <http://www.wilderness.org/newsroom/statement120301.htm>
Background: <http://www.wilderness.org/arctic/>

*************************************************
5. TARGHEE NATIONAL FOREST: LAND SWAP BLOCKED
Ninety percent of the ski resorts in the West are on national forest
land, and many of them want to expand, primarily to add shopping and
condos.  A major test came in Idaho, where the Grand Targhee Resort
wanted to build on land important to grizzlies, elk, and lynx.  In
August, a federal judge blocked a land exchange necessary for the new
construction.  He ruled that the Forest Service failed to assess the
impact on development around Grand Targhee.

More info: <http://www.wilderness.org/targhee.htm>

*************************************************
6. SIERRA NEVADA: FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN UPHELD ... FOR NOW
On November 16th, Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth upheld the
Sierra Nevada Conservation Framework -- a landmark plan that would
helps protect the remaining old-growth forests in California's Sierra
Nevada.  It also would reduce the risk of wildfire near homes and
communities in the region through prescribed burning, strategic
thinning, and brush removal.  While the decision was a mixed one --
it still leaves the door open for the Bush Administration to
undermine the plan -- the decision is an important step towards
protecting the Sierra Nevada national forests.

Press release: <http://www.wilderness.org/newsroom/rls111601.htm>

*************************************************
7. NATIONAL MONUMENTS: NEW DESIGNATIONS
On January 17th, in the last days of the Clinton Administration, a
number of new national monuments were established by the President
under the Antiquities Act, including:

Sonoran Desert National Monument, AZ
Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument, MT
Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
Minidoka Internment National Monument, ID
Pompeys Pillar National Monument, MT
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM
U.S. Virgin Island Coral Reef National Monument (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Buck Island National Monument (U.S. Virgin Islands/expansion)

Designation of these national monuments helped ensure that the great
landscapes and rich history of our nation remain intact and preserved
from pollution, development, sprawl, off-road vehicles, loss of
natural sound, logging, overgrazing, and mining.

Read more: <http://www.wilderness.org/new-monuments.htm>


***************************************************************
For a full list of Action Items, visit
http://www.wilderness.org/whatcan/takeaction.htm

***************************************************************
An archive of past Wildalerts can be found at
http://www.wilderness.org/wildalert/wildalerts.htm

***************************************************************
To make a gift online to The Wilderness Society, click here
https://secure-net.com/tws/join.asp

***************************************************************
WildAlert is an email action alert system brought to you by The
Wilderness Society to keep you apprised of threats to our wildlands --
in the field and in Washington.  WildAlert messages include updates
along with clear, concise actions you can take to protect America's
last wild places.  You are welcome to forward Wildalerts to all those
interested in saving America's wildlands.

FEEDBACK: If you need to get in contact with the owner of the list,
(if you have trouble unsubscribing, or have questions about the list
itself) send email to <action@tws.org>.

TO SUBSCRIBE: If you have been forwarded this message and would like
to subscribe to the list, visit
http://www.wilderness.org/forms/subscribe.htm or send a message to
wildalert@tws.org with 'SUBSCRIBE' in the subject line.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send an email to wilderness-alert@alert.wilderness.org from
alerts@earthhopenetwork.net with the word "remove" in the subject line.

Or visit the TWS unsubscribe page at:
http://www.wilderness.org/unsubscribe.asp?email=alerts@earthhopenetwork.net

Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to protect America's
wilderness and to develop a nation-wide network of wild lands through
public education, scientific analysis and advocacy.  Our goal is to
ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water,
wildlife, beauty and opportunities for recreation and renewal that
pristine forests, rivers, deserts and mountains provide. To take
action on behalf of wildlands today, visit our website at
http://www.wilderness.org

Green Party of New York State E-News Vol. 1, No. 12, December 31, 2001

In this issue:

1. Introduction

2. Action and Activity alerts (AAAs)
-       Sign-on to Eliminate Dioxin Releases of Open Waste Fires
-       Park Slope Antiwar Vigil
-       Educational Presentation on Afghanistan/Islam/Middle East
-       Positive Actions You Can Take Against the War
-       Positive Actions to Save the Environment

3. Meetings and Events
-       People's Agenda Call To Action  January 2, NYC
-       Next Greenspeakers Toastmasters Meeting  January 8, NYC
-       Rally Against the World Economic Forum /
Globalization  February 2, NYC

4. Featured Local
-       North Brooklyn Greens Go the Distance

5. Election Specials
-       Greens Make Electoral Gains; New York Candidates Break New Ground,
by Ann Link
-       New York Greens Run More Candidates In 2001 Than Any Other State In
U.S. Green History, by Masada Disenhouse, Downtown  Brooklyn Greens & Howie
Hawkins, Syracuse Greens

6. News, News Links, Press releases, Resources
-       Green Mayoral Candidate Calls on New Yorkers to Support Postal Workers
-       Vercolen Post-Campaign News Clipping
-       Breyman Calls Upon County Legislature to Adopt the Pesticide 
      Neighbor Notification Law
-       Record Number of African-American, Urban, and Young Candidates Run
             on the Green Party Ticket for Public Office in 2001
-       Green Party Names Names; Greens Promise that Fast Track Support 
      Will Be Top Campaign Issue
-       Boston Nader Rally
-       Terrorism and the Municipal Utility District
-       US Buys Up All Satellite War Images
-       London anti-war protest - 100,000 March Against War in Afghanistan
-       Greens Demand Invitation of Afghan Women to Bonn Talks on the
          Future of Afghanistan
-       Fleeing Refugees Turn Against US Over Gunships
-       Energy Future Rides on U.S. War; Conflict Centered in World's Oil Patch
-       Afghanistan/Oil Connection
-       German Greens Patch Rift And Support Use of Military
-       Getting ready for a post-Kyoto world Changes lie ahead after
          agreements at Marrakech conference
-               Greg MacArthur, Philanthropist and Green Party Supporter, 53, Dies


7. Letters, Editorials, Speeches, Opinions
-       The New Green Direction
-       Letter re: Green Party Press Release Condemning Bombing of Afghanistan
-       Nader on "How Can We Honor the Victims?"
-       Nader on "Corporate Patriotism"

********************************************************************
********************************************************************

1. INTRODUCTION

On Nov. 5, Green Party candidates ran in elections across the country. Two
special articles in this issue of E-News focus on the New York State
elections. E-News editor Ann Link interviews some of the candidates for
their perspective on the races. E-News editor Masada Disenhouse and
Syracuse Greens member Howie Hawkins write about Green Party growth in New
York in an article published before the election for the national Green
Pages. And we continue to bring you news about Green actions and events
including those supporting peace and democracy in Afghanistan.

Our goal is to update Greens across the state about important issues, news,
events, and resources. We welcome your comments, contributions and
assistance. Send your news, events, and Alerts for the next issue to Cathy
Sadell at csadell@prodigy.net and let us know if you would like to help
write the next issue. Deadline for submissions to next issue: Friday,
December 28. If you would prefer not to receive the newsletter, please
notify Masada Disenhouse at masada@akula.com. To learn more about green
issues work in New York or to contact your local Green chapter please visit
www.greens.org/ny. For information about green party electoral work in New
York, including state committee news, representatives and elections, please
visit http://www.gpnys.org/.

Happy New Year!

********************************************************************
********************************************************************

2.ACTION AND ACTIVITY alerts (AAAs)

SIGN-ON TO ELIMINATE DIOXIN RELEASES OF OPEN WASTE FIRES

Dear New York State Greens,

Please consider signing a letter to the state legislature against open
waste fires. For a copy of the letter, please contact me at
canceraction@hotmail.com. I plan to print it out and mail a packet of such
letters to various influential members of the NYS Legislature.

Thanks for considering helping to eliminate open waste burning in Nature,

Donald L. Hassig
Cancer Action NY
St. Lawrence River Valley Greens

********************************************************************

PARK SLOPE ANTIWAR VIGIL
For those in the NYC metro area, join the Vigil For Peace, every Thursday
(except holidays) from 5-7pm at Flatbush & 7th Aves.(at the Q train stop)
in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Signs and flyers are provided, but feel free to
bring your own signs, information, candles etc . . . but most of all,
please bring yourself! Contact Dani at dliebling@excite.com for more
information. Together, we can make a difference!

********************************************************************

EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION ON AFGHANISTAN/ISLAM/MIDDLE EAST

Hello, my name is Richard Wachs, and I was the Montana field coordinator
during the Nader campaign. In response to September 11th and subsequent
U.S. military attacks on Afghanistan, my partner Janet Kowles and I have
put together a Powerpoint presentation entitled "A Journey Into
Understanding -- The Human Face of Afghanistan, Islam and the Middle East."
It has turned out to be a very powerful, emotionally moving presentation,
and we're showing it at high schools, universities, churches and community
centers around Montana and receiving a tremendous response. It's really
getting people thinking. The presentation is neither political nor
politicized, and we have been careful not to take sides or say who's right
or wrong (more complete description below.) After we show it, we facilitate
a discussion on goals and consequences of U.S. foreign policy, and
distribute a resource guide that we've developed. We'd very much like to
get this out there as widely as possible, and to that end we're wondering
if you or anyone you know might be interested in bringing this presentation
to your own communities or states. We'd be happy to share the complete
presentation with anyone who wishes to promote and/or show it on an
educational/non-profit basis.

Please contact me if you'd like to learn more, and feel free to forward
this to anyone else you think might be interested. Thank you very much!

Sincerely, Richard Wachs, Missoula, Montana, 406-722-3298,
prwachs@blackfoot.net

********************************************************************

POSITIVE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE AGAINST THE WAR, including actions from a
list by Molly Brewton

*Prayer circle for the world, 2-5 minutes/day -- "Everyday at 1:00 P.M.
eastern time, stop for at least 2-5 minutes and pray or send good energy or
whatever it is that your faith suggests, for all the people of the world
(yourself included). Pray that we find love instead of fear and
understanding instead of hate. Pray that we will find a peaceful solution
to the situation we find ourselves in. There is strength and power in
numbers -- Let us all pull together and focus our energies to heal."

* Call on Leaders to Stop the bombing and bring bin Laden to justice
through international law. Talking points that respond to common pro-war
sentiments can be found at http://www.zmag.org/poduranswers.htm. A list of
world leaders' telephone numbers is available at
http://www.9-11peace.org/reps.php3#phone.

* Fly the UN Flag as a symbol of global unity and support for international
law. You can buy a UN Flag at
http://www.progressiveportal.org/resources/flags.html and a portion of the
cost will support the Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan and
other organizations.

*View a List of Suggested Actions at http://www.9-11peace.org/action.php3
and make a commitment to do some of them. Here's a sample of actions at the
site:

Conserve Energy, especially Gas and Oil
Write Lots of Letters
Join the Virtual Candlelight Demonstration
Visit a Mosque
Donate to Aid Refugees
Host an exchange student

*Check out another website for action at
http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/current_actions.cfm. Some of their
most recent suggestions for action include:

Oppose Military Tribunals
Don't Rush Judgment on Judicial Nominees
Include Women in Afghan Democracy
Act Now to Make Kabul an Open Capital

*See a new website, The Green Man Ark website -- currently focused almost
exclusively on the Afghanistan/"War on Terrorism" issues with articles on
the Front Page providing background to the current world/US crisis and
existing and potential consequences of US actions. The Front Page is
uploaded daily with new material from sources worldwide. All Front Page
editions since September 11, 2001, are archived for easy retrieval/review.
Content basically falls within the overall ethos of the Green Party. Green
Man Ark is available at <http://quicksitebuilder.cnet.com/applemag/greenmanark/

*Investigate this website with articles, news stories and press releases on
peace issues at http://nys.greens.org/peace.

*Lastly, check out "The 9-11Peace.org Bulletin", a weekly newsletter
providing resources, news, and action ideas to over 14,000 people around
the world. See http://www.9-11peace.org/bulletin.php3. Following is a list
of alternative news sources from the Bulletin:

The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk), a newspaper from the UK,
explaining and analyzing the history and international relations landscape
surrounding these events and the US response.

Alternet (http://www.alternet.org) is an online magazine and digest that
mixes articles and editorials from other news sources with original work.
(http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=11647).

Znet (http://www.zmag.org) is the online version of Z Magazine, a political
commentary journal. They've posted a number of responses to September 11 by
folks on the left and the events that have followed.

********************************************************************

POSITIVE ACTIONS TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT, compiled from a list by Molly Brewton

*Sign up for Heritage Forests Campaign, to help save forests such as
Alaska's Tongass National Forest, at:
http://actionnetwork.org/Heritage_Forests/join.html?r=E1zO_vp1uc-DE

*Oppose Hasty Fast-Track Trade Legislation -- At a time when most of the
country and Congress are united behind the common goal of fighting
terrorism, the Republican Party is pushing controversial "fast-track" trade
legislation (H.R. 3005) through the House of Representatives. Urge your
representative to oppose this bill and focus instead on higher priorities,
such as responding to the terrorist attacks, addressing the deepening
recession and passing the overdue budget. To take action:
http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?ItemId=12131

*Urge Senate Majority Leader Daschle to Stand Strong and Resist the Bush
Energy Agenda. We should not allow this time of international conflict to
provide a smoke screen for impractical decisions such as passing an
irrational energy plan. The public should look skeptically at a plan that,
in the name of addressing terrorism, will lock the United States into an
increasingly vulnerable fossil fuel and nuclear dependant future. Senator
Tom Daschle will be drafting a "balanced" energy plan that will eventually
be brought up for a floor vote. Take action, fax your congressional
representatives and Senator Daschle to make sure that America's energy
future is one focused on safe renewable energy sources rather than fossil
and nuclear fuels. Take action now:
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/save/alerts/daschle-direct.htm

*Investigate Death Threat Against Greenpeace Forest Campaigner. Just weeks
after the murder of Amazon forest activist Ademir Alfeu Federicci, a death
threat was made against Greenpeace's Amazon Campaign Coordinator, Paulo
Adario. Greenpeace believes this threat is a direct response to fresh
evidence of extensive illegal logging deep in the heart of the Amazon
released by the organization on September 26th. Thank you to the 4,000 of
you who sent emails to Brazil's Minister of Justice asking for an
investigation of Federicci's murder. Now we are asking you to contact
Brazil's President and Minister of Justice and call on them to investigate
this new death threat, end illegal logging and guarantee safety for
environmentalists working in the region. Take action now:
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/save/alerts/paulo-direct.htm

*Join a listserve inspired by the "Steps to a Sustainable Ithaca"
presentation by Rob Young; and further inspired by the small group
brainstormin'/networking session that followed. Everyone's overlapping
experiences, projects, ideas and dreams created quite a bit of enthusiasm.
Michael Burns created a listserv for anyone with email access who could use
this networking tool. To subscribe, simply send an email to
SustainableIthaca-subscribe@topica.com and wait for an automated response
that will give further (easy) directions.

*Read about Solar Cell Technology at
http://www.solaraccess.com/news/story.jsp?storyid=838

*Tell Your Representatives to End Nuclear Power  Don't Subsidize it Even
More! After September 11th, it has become increasingly evident that nuclear
power should have no role in our energy future. However, Congress is still
looking to pass an energy bill that will give additional money to the
nuclear industry and extend the licenses of creaky old reactors. The
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th made many American's re-examine the serious
threat that nuclear power represents. An accident at a power plant could
kill tens of thousands of citizens, make parts of our landscape
uninhabitable and cost taxpayers billions of dollars. These plants will
always be subject to accidents and sabotage. Now is the time to make sure
your representatives in Congress put an end to this dangerous source of
electricity. Contact your Representatives and Senators today at
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/save/alerts/nuclear-direct.htm

*Find out more about the risk nuclear power from Greenpeace's new report,
Risky Business: The Probability and Consequences of a Nuclear Accident. See
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/nuclear/

*Check out a whole new website devoted to the 30 year anniversary of
Greenpeace at http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/30anniversary-direct.htm

********************************************************************

3.MEETINGS AND EVENTS

PEOPLE'S AGENDA CALL TO ACTION  January 2, NYC

It's the 1st Day on the Job, for
Mayor Bloomberg and the New City Council
Be there, to put the needs of our communities on the top of the agenda!

January 2nd @ 4pm
on the steps of City Hall
4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall, N/R to City Hall, A/C/E/1/2 to Chambers St

* Schools not Jails
* Jobs not Corporate Tax Breaks
* Social Services that Serve the People
* Quality of Life for All Communities

Initiated by: Center for Immigrant Families, Community Voices Heard,
Families United for Racial & Economic Equality (FUREE), Good Jobs NY, Jews
for Racial & Economic Justice, FIERCE!, NYC Coalition Against Police
Brutality, NYC AIDS Housing Network, Prison Moratorium Project, PRLDEF
Institute for Puerto Rican Policy, Same Boat Coalition, United NY Black
Radical Congress, Youth Force, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice.
(NYC Greens are a member organization of the SameBoat Coalition).

For more info Call: 646.336.6789
--
PEOPLE'S AGENDA CALL TO ACTION
Eight years of Giuliani have wreaked havoc on the lives of New York's
people of color, immigrant, youth, poor and working people, people living
with AIDs, disabled, women and LGBTST communities. During this time,
intolerance, discrimination, and state violence grew, as did official
indifference and inaction.

The question that many have felt compelled to ask is, "We Love New York,
But Does New York Love Us? As we rebuild and regroup in the aftermath of
September 11th we face an important crossroads: there has been massive
turnover in the City Council and the election of a new mayor. In the coming
days, we will see which way this new administration proceeds; now is the
time to ask critical questions.

* Will low-test scores, high dropout rates, overworked, under-trained and
underpaid teachers, overflowing classes, and deteriorating school buildings
continue?
* Will monies that should be allocated for building and maintaining
classrooms continue to be used for building prison cells as we incarcerate
thousands of nonviolent offenders each year?
* Will corporate tax breaks take precedence over jobs at livable wages and
with dignity and respect? Will the unemployed and homeless grow more
desperate as the recession deepens?
* Will harassment and racial profiling of immigrants and racial profiling
become even more widespread?

We hope our presence at City Hall on the new Mayor's first day of work will
encourage the new administration to put the needs of those most
disenfranchised and disadvantaged first-especially as they design the
budget and proceed with the post September 11th recovery effort. We are
calling on the people of New York to come together. We can make a
difference. We call on other social justice organizations on January 2nd,
and also to unite during the succeeding 100 days to hold our Mayor and new
City Council accountable to our communities.

******************************************************************************

JAN 8: NEXT GREENSPEAKERS TOASTMASTERS MEETING

Mark your calendar now!

Feel comfortable, gain confidence speaking to groups.

Learn, practice, and fine-tune your public speaking with Greenspeakers.
You’ll enjoy and be supported by our group’s interaction using the
Toastmasters format. No need to prepare a speech  just bring your self,
bring a friend.Practicing with Greenspeakers equips you to speak up when
you have the opportunity.Be ready to share vital information on your
issues, and to build the Green movement and party.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 7-9 PM

For more information: Rachel Friend, greenspeakers@yahoo.com, 718-633-4181
Greenspeakers is a project of the NYC Greens Education and Skills-Building
Committee

********************************************************************

RALLY AGAINST THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM / GLOBALIZATION
(with A.N.S.W.E.R. ,  a project of the International Action Center)

February 2, 11 AM
The World Economic Forum Park Ave., between 49th and 50th in NYC

Join us in creating a Green presence at this important rally.

Bring signs, puppets, street theater, noise-makers, and your creativity.
NO to war!
NO to corporate-centered globalization!
YES to jobs, education, health care, and civil rights!

The WEF is a meeting of the worlds most powerful corporations and
politicians where in the name of "global development", they make
"suggestions" to the IMF/WB and WTO. Many of these suggestions then wind up
on the agendas of these institutions of global capital. There have been
protests all over the world against the WEF and an international network
exists based in Switzerland.The WEF has decided in the name of "solidarity"
to meet in NYC. We in NYC have suffered enough destruction to again be
forced to witness the planning of even further global devastation.

For more information visit http://www.internationalanswer.org/
To join the Green presence at this event / get info on where we’ll be
meeting contact Gina Feldman at zozomoran@hotmail.com

********************************************************************
********************************************************************

4.FEATURED LOCAL

NORTH BROOKLYN GREENS GO THE DISTANCE, by Anya Szykitka with assistance
from George Sempepos

Here in North Brooklyn  that means Greenpoint and Williamsburg  sometimes
it feels like the community has its finger in the dike, holding off a tidal
wave of power plants, waste transfer stations, truck traffic, and other
environmental degradations. Although the neighborhood has become one of the
hottest on the map, with trendy clubs and shops sprouting weekly, it also
has one of the highest asthma rates in New York City, an unusually high
cancer rate, and a patchwork of zoning left over from the heyday of heavy
industry that leaves residents vulnerable to even more noxious problems.

Fortunately, there are a lot of folks who are working hard to slow the
wave, many of whom are long-time residents with a history of community
activism.
And that's where the North Brooklyn Greens come in. Since its beginning two
years ago, when one of the first meetings was attended by members of
Community Board #1  the local planning board  and other neighborhood groups
asking for help in fighting a power plant proposed by Con Edison and
KeySpan Energy for the East River, the Green local has been committed to
helping activist groups.

That organizing effort was an amazing success (the plant was defeated) and
set the tone for the North Brooklyn Greens, whose members, over the next
year and a half, responded to requests from neighborhood organizations for
help with anything from writing a letter requesting a public hearing on an
electrical power-generating barge, to speaking against subway cutbacks at a
meeting with the Metropolitan Transit Authority, to researching landmarking
a defunct garbage incinerator to prevent its demolition  and the possible
release of dioxin.

Currently, the North Brooklyn Greens are engaged in a new battle, this one
to stop yet another power plant from being built on the East River. The
coalition of community groups originally formed to halt the Con Edison
plant  now known as Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks and
Planning, or GWAPP, and of which North Brooklyn Greens is a member  is
spearheading what is expected to be a two-year campaign to block
certification of the facility. Much of the work will be unglamourous,
involving information gathering, filing of comments, and attending public
hearings, but it's that kind of labor on behalf of the neighborhood that
has made the North Brooklyn Greens an integral and respected component of
the local activist community.
In fact, one of its members was just elected to GWAPP's board of directors!

In addition to all of the issue work, the North Brooklyn Greens have been
highly involved in election efforts and community outreach. Throughout the
summer and fall of 2000, the local registered hundreds of new Green Party
members and contributed to the Ralph Nader/Winona LaDuke campaign with
house parties, street events, and sidewalk tabling. Then, in the beginning
of 2001, a massive mailing to registered Greens and former volunteers in
Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and North Bushwick brought out almost one hundred
people for a community forum where half a dozen prominent North Brooklyn
activists addressed some of the district's most pressing problems, such as
the loss of affordable housing, unfair labor practices, and, of course,
those ubiquitous environmental abuses.

Most recently, North Brooklyn Greens campaigned on behalf of Craig Seeman,
who ran for City Council in the 33rd council district, which includes much
of North Brooklyn. Craig garnered 11% of the vote overall, but received
totals as high as 20% to 30% in some of the election districts in
Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

The North Brooklyn Greens usually meet the first Tuesday of every month at
the Polish National Home in Greenpoint. For more information, please send
an e-mail to aszykitka@aol.com or mborino@yahoo.com or write to North
Brooklyn Greens, P.O. Box 220225, Brooklyn, New York, 11222.

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5.ELECTION SPECIAL

GREENS MAKE ELECTORAL GAINS; NEW YORK CANDIDATES BREAK NEW GROUND
Candidate comments collected and edited by Ann Link.

2001 was the best year ever for Green Party candidates, according to Mike
Feinstein, Mayor of Santa Monica, who tracks Green Party election results
around the country. There were more Green Party candidates running for
office in 2001 than any previous year, with more winning than ever before.
Although results are still coming in, New York had 106 Green Party
candidates run for office in 2001, more than any other state! Across the
country, at least 31 Greens won races in the November 2001 elections, with
a total of 52 winners for the entire year. Combined with winners of
previous elections, at least 120 Greens in 20 states hold elected office as
of November, 2001. In Pennsylvania, 11 Green candidates were reported
elected, placing them in third place after California, which has 38 Greens
in office, and Wisconsin, which has 16. In Minneapolis, MN and New Haven,
CT, Greens won two City Council seats in each city. There are now ten U.S.
cities that have had at least two Greens on the City Council. See
http://www.greens.org/elections for nationwide election results.

Regarding New York, Craig Seeman, New York State Party Chair who ran as a
candidate, reports, "Although many people think of us as a "third" party,
in many parts of the state dominated by one party, we're becoming the
number two party. Many of our local candidates matched or exceeded the
numbers Nader had last year. When you consider these candidates don't have
Nader's name recognition, it means the public is starting to vote for the
Green Party because we present viable solutions to community problems."

A survey of a number of New York candidates reveals both success and
disappointment in the recent elections, with many regarding the endeavor as
an invaluable learning experience.

RUNNING ON THE ISSUES

Annemarie Zwack, Common Council candidate from Ithaca, got 41% of the vote
running against an independent incumbent. She comments, "One of the major
issues in our race was development. The incumbent favored bringing in a
Target store across from Buttermilk Falls State Park to increase the city's
tax base. I proposed attracting sustainable business and locating downtown
with bike and pedestrian accessibility." Zwack feels the 41% of the vote
she got shows how many people are dissatisfied with short term development
strategy. She plans to stay involved in politics and continue to raise the
issue of sustainability.

Mike Vercolen, mayoral candidate from Binghamton, ran on three issues:
"living wage campaign, hiring more black police officers, and forming a
municipal electric company." He received a lot of media coverage on the
living wage issue, but found that the issue of hiring more black police
officers was completely "off the table," with no one interested in covering
it. There was some interest in the municipal power issue, and Vercolen
feels this will increase in the future.

Don DeBerardinis, Board of Trustees candidate for Ossining Village, got 40%
of the vote (20% for each of two trustee positions), coming just behind the
Democratic winner and the Republican (although the Republican beat him only
by running on two lines). His campaign issues included, "managing parking
and development issues in the heart of town," representing people who don't
want to "lie prostrate before the developers." Additional issues included
"preserving and enhancing access to the Hudson River, preventing
gentrification of affordable housing stock, and supporting more
representative government." (Candidates are currently elected "at large,"
instead of from each district.) DeBerardinis had previously worked with
other residents fighting a Sprint cell phone tower. These alliances helped
him in his campaign -- he had "Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives,
Liberals" and members of other parties supporting him on the issues.

MONEY MATTERS

Lack of funds is a big challenge for candidates. Because Green Party
candidates don't accept corporate money, they have a distinct disadvantage
compared to candidates from the major parties. At a recent Green local
meeting, Gloria Mattera, City Council candidate from Brooklyn who got 10%
of the vote, stressed the importance of the 4/1 matching funds she
qualified for by New York City law. She raised $40,000 for her campaign by
initially raising $5000 from more than 50 contributors in her district.
This enabled her to print many more brochures and signs, which were
distributed throughout targeted neighborhoods. In addition, coalition
building was essential to her campaign efforts -- she had the support of
labor groups and socialists as well as Greens, which provided over a
hundred volunteers on election day.

Candidates in districts with low Green enrollment experienced difficulty
qualifying for the public financing. Lori Zett, City Council candidate from
Queens, found it "impossible" to generate the initial $5000 required to
qualify, saying, "Public Financing, instead of opening the process, limits
it with a myriad of rules and regulations that are no problem for the
professional politician who has the money for a full-time paid treasurer
but presents hazards of fines (I have been fined $275 for late reporting)
and threats of penalties for the non-professional."

Don DeBerardinis was able to raise contributions by assigning a "district
leader" for each election district, who was responsible for fundraising,
among other things. Also, he got contributions from people he had worked
with in previous community actions.

ATTRACTING THE EYE OF THE MEDIA

NYC matching funds enabled Craig Seeman, City Council candidate from
Brooklyn who got 11% of the vote, to run campaign advertisements on TV in
the last few days of the campaign. This showed viewers that he was running
a serious campaign in an area where a Democratic victory is generally taken
for granted, in addition to publicizing his campaign issues. Seeman says,
"My TV spots reached a potential Brooklyn/Queens audience of 800,000
people. When you consider that most people who live in a NYC Council
District work with people all over the city, that kind of visibility adds
significantly to both our citywide and in district credibility. We [Seeman
and Mattera] both had large ads in the local newspapers too. Our media
blitz was very important.

Mike Vercolen got stories in several newspapers, including editorial
mention in the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin. In the case of one
reporter, he called to complain about his name being left out of a story on
campaign contributions. After their conversation, he found the reporter
subsequently gave him more coverage. Vercolen's campaign paid for an insert
to run in the newspaper in areas where his campaign volunteers hadn't
leafleted. Unfortunately, the newspaper sent the insert instead to
neighborhoods where they had leafleted. Vercolen thinks this, in addition
to a poor position on the ballot, may have contributed to his getting just
under 5% of the vote, despite the positive media coverage.

Jerry Kann, City Council candidate from Queens who got 3% of the vote,
says, "You have to be aggressive when you're a Green. I talked to an
organization called the Hellenic Federation in Astoria and got them to
invite all the candidates to another debate in August. . . . Later on (in
October) at least [two candidates] came to a debate sponsored by one of the
local papers. But I get the feeling that even that debate would not have
taken place if I hadn't made several calls to the publisher. Forums are not
always easy to find. None of the tenants associations I spoke to would let
me address their meetings, for instance. But persistence pays. I met an
activist from a large housing project . . . . When I saw her a few days
later at another meeting, she invited me to speak to her seniors' group. On
another occasion, when I was taking my poster around to stores, the manager
and I got into a long philosophical talk. He referred me to a church in the
neighborhood that he attended; I went there and simply asked the pastor if
I could address the congregation, and he gave me five minutes to make my
pitch. It's not easy finding people who will listen your message, but I
found that the more I reached out, the more response I got back in return."

NEED FOR STATE AND NATIONAL SUPPORT

Robert Jereski, City Council Candidate from Manhattan who received 1% of
the vote, was disappointed that the state party was not able to assist more
with his campaign, financially and otherwise. He also experienced problems
with the election process itself, saying, "I'm pursuing a complaint against
the Board of Elections because of a number of significant irregularities
which occurred on election day."

Francisco Pena, City Council candidate from Queens, felt national support
was lacking. He suggested that well-known candidates such as Ralph Nader
should have press conferences to support local candidates. Pena also found
it difficult to break through the "republicratic" mind set of people, to
get them to see another political possibility.

Don DeBerardinis received support and assistance from members of the NYS
Greens, who helped him network and form alliances with other Greens on
local issues, which became the centerpiece of his campaign.

Jerry Kann suggests that prospective candidates ask for help. "Experience
is the best teacher, but future Green candidates don't have to start from
scratch. They should feel free to come to us and take advantage of the
knowledge that we gained this year, just as we took advantage of the
experience of several of the more senior Greens who ran for office in
previous years . . . . Greens who want to run for New York State Assembly
or Senate in 2002 should start getting their campaign committees together
RIGHT NOW. I urge anyone who's 'thinking about it' to try and make a firm
decision about it -- one way or the other -- as soon as possible."

POWER IN NUMBERS

Jim Farney, Orange County Legislator candidate who got just under 2% of the
vote, stressed the importance of running candidates for more than one
office. He says, "We had over 5% of our registered Green voters running for
office (21 Orange County candidates) this election. In almost every area,
it was the first time that there was a local Green candidate running for
office. Don Hickok (Orange County Executive Candidate) did much better in
areas where other Green candidates ran." As a group, most of the candidates
supported the same issues, including a county living wage ordinance,
affordable housing, and closing the Indian Point Nuclear Plant.

Francisco Pena agrees. "The Green Party is not a well known party in our
community [in Queens]. Running a campaign individually is not effective."

THE SHADOW OF SEPT. 11

In the weeks following the World Trade Center bombings, candidates found
their political message ignored. Judy Malstrom, Dutchess County Legislator
candidate says, "The events of Sept. 11th changed just about everyone's
focus. The public didn't care about politics at all, fund raisers were
poorly attended and many were called off." A major issue in her area was
biased redistricting, by which Republicans openly planned to maintain
control. Although it seemed to be a solid campaign issue, low voter
turn-out left the Republicans in control. In addition, Malstrom was
subjected to dirty tricks -- political signs were stolen, and opposition
flyers were distributed with lies about her campaign.

In her campaign, Gloria Mattera "came early and strong against any military
escalation in Central Asia as retaliation against the terrible attacks on
Sept 11th." Although she was "verbally abused and insulted" for her
position by some, she was praised by other residents for her "courageous
stand."

TURNING LOSS INTO VICTORY

Keegan Cox, Onondaga County Legislator candidate from Syracuse who won 17%
of the vote, points out, "Greens can still claim victory on this campaign
because: 17% of the vote on a 'third party' line is very substantial in
this heavily Democratic town; we registered hundreds of folks to vote; we
garnered great media coverage; and we connected with hundreds of Syracuse
residents as we went door-to door."

Eric Daillie, City Council candidate from Troy who got 11%, observes, "It
has been an uplifting experience. Our campaign just became a logical
extension of our on-going community organizing, going deeper to the
grassroots, to the disillusioned and the disenfranchised. We ran on the
issues and received a great deal of support. We gained experience and
recognition. In the next two years we will expand our base, continue our
work as a watchdog for the community. We will reach out to other
independent voices in the City to build a people's movement and present a
full slate of candidates at the next election."

Jim Farney also has plans for the future. "For the gubernatorial election
next year, we are thinking of setting a goal of getting a minimum of 2,000
votes out of Orange County. Obviously, we have our work cut out for us as
we are in Republicanland. However, with the lessons learned, we think it is
possible. Also we are going to encourage each Green to try and register
five new Greens over the next year. We have to do something effective to
keep ballot status."

Jerry Kann says, "I really do think running for office is something we
Greens should be doing as often and as aggressively as possible. Election
campaigns give us the opportunity to present the Green platform and the
Green philosophy to our fellow citizens. It gives us invaluable practice in
articulating the Green message and it gives voters the chance to consider
Green proposals."

For some, the campaign has inspired ideas for future activism. Judy
Malstrom reports, "I'm thinking of setting up a 'Shadow Legislature' based
on the votes but reinterpreted by proportional representation. Also, I'm
thinking of establishing a program in schools that would teach proper
voting procedures."

Lori Zett plans to write a paper on "Class. How it Works." "My focus will
come from the Federalist Papers and the concern of how to keep the masses
from voting their interests. Surely this election was a great demonstration
of how well the means that those in power chose, worked."

Mike Vercolen hopes that Greens will run strategically in congressional
races; a win would "encourage other Greens to run" and make Democrats
realize, "Uh oh, we have a serious threat here."

For a more complete list of Green Party candidates who ran in New York, see
http://www.panix.com/~levner/devdb/cgi-bin/list-candidates.cgi.

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NEW YORK GREENS RUN MORE CANDIDATES IN 2001 THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN U.S.
GREEN HISTORY, by Masada Disenhouse, Downtown Brooklyn Greens & Howie
Hawkins, Syracuse Greens

No where has the dynamism of the 2000 Nader/LaDuke campaign make itself
felt more than in New York state, where a U.S. Green Party record 95
candidates will run in 2001. This is as many Greens running in just one
state, as ran in the entire country in 1997, which was the previous high
nationally for an odd-numbered year before 2001. This is especially
significant because most races in New York State are partisan, even
municipal and county ones, compared to other states.

Green Party voter enrollment is also on the rise in New York, up more than
500% since the beginning of the Nader campaign in February 2000. Why such
growth in New York State? The answer lies in the New York Greens¹ present,
as well as in their past.

See the full article at http://www.greenpages.ws/v5i3/newyork.php .

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6.NEWS

GREEN MAYORAL CANDIDATE CALLS ON NEW YORKERS TO SUPPORT POSTAL WORKERS
Press Release, 10/27/01

Demand equal protection for postal workers!

New York, N.Y., Dr. Julia M. Willebrand, the Green Party Candidate for
Mayor of New York City, today asked New Yorkers to support the New York
Metro Area Postal Workers Union who are going to court to close down Morgan
Station, New York City's largest mail sorting center. Despite the fact that
anthrax spores were found in four sorting machines at Morgan Station, the
United States Postal Service has not closed the building to decontaminate it.

"When the Capital was infected, members of Congress stopped work and left
the building. Longworth House Office Building has been closed for a week.
Several sealed tractor-trailers full of Congressional mail have been
shipped to a private company in Ohio for decontamination. The State
Department shut down its twelve mail distribution sites to seal and test
them. The C.I.A. has closed its mailroom in Langley, Va. The mailroom at
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research has been closed for further testing.
Aren't postal workers in New York City entitled to equal protection?" Dr.
Willebrand asked.

In order to pressure the USPS to clean Morgan Station, William Smith,
president of the New York Metro Area Postal Union, advised 5,500 members
not to report to work there. While federal employees do not have a legal
right to strike, they do, Mr. Smith said, have the legal right to refuse to
work in unsafe conditions.

Mr. Smith said that the Union needs all the support it can get. USPS has
not developed a response plan if workers test positive for anthrax.
Instead, he said, "The USPS lies to us. Our lawyer has met with the
government and they have developed no response plan if a worker tests
positive. We want testing; we want a response plan; and we want the USPS to
be truthful with us."

Dr. Willebrand, the Green Party candidate for Mayor, said she and members
of New York City Greens, a confederation of 27 Green Party locals in the
five boroughs, support the Union's requests. She called on all New Yorkers
to contact Senators Clinton and Shumer to insure equal protection for New
York City's postal workers. (Schumer: 212-486-4430; Clinton: 212-688-6262)

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VERCOLEN POST-CAMPAIGN NEWS
The News, Binghamton edition, 11/8 to 14, v. 2, no. 45

Bucci Re-Elected as City of Binghamton Mayor, by Daniel Wolfe

As of 9 pm, Nov. 6th, the unofficial results of named Richard Bucci as
Mayor of Binghamton for his third consecutive term. . . . Michael Vercolen,
the Green Party candidate, was not deterred when the polls closed. "We're
like Timex," Vercolen said. "We take a licking and we keep on ticking." "We
ran the most efficient campaign," Vercolen added. "We got the most votes
per dollar. If we could have raised $150,000 like the mayor, we would have
won in a landslide." Adopting a more serious tone, Vercolen said of the
future, "It's a long road and it's all uphill. The Green Party is the only
party that understands what's going on in America." Elaborating, Vercolen
said, "Corporations have too much power. The result of corporations having
too much power is that poor people get screwed and the planet gets
trashed." [two paragraphs on the re-elected mayor's immediate plans.] As
for Vercolen's plans, he said simply, "Tomorrow I'm going to rake my leaves."

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BREYMAN CALLS UPON COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT THE PESTICIDE NEIGHBOR
NOTIFICATION LAW
Candidate Press Release, 11/27

Karl Breyman, the Green and Working Families Parties candidate for
Rensselaer County Legislature in District 2, today called upon the
Legislature to adopt the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law. The County
Legislature has been considering the bills for months but has delayed a
vote on the proposal until after the election is over. Breyman believes
that county legislators should make voters aware of their positions before
the election.

"People are often exposed, without knowledge or consent, to hazardous
pesticides applied on neighboring properties. Pesticides can pose serious
health and safety risks to people, particularly children, pregnant woman,
the elderly and the infirm. Advance notice will allow citizens to take
common sense precautions to minimize pesticide exposure to themselves,
their families, pets, gardens, backyard wildlife and property," stated Breyman.

After years of advocacy by breast cancer, environmental and children's
health groups, the State Legislature passed the Neighbor Notification Law
to require neighbors to be notified 48 hours before certain lawn pesticide
applications (farms are exempted). Pesticides are designed to kill. They
contain various dangerous neurotoxins known to cause cancer and other
serious health effects. Unfortunately, the law only takes effect when the
local County Legislature votes to adopt it. Rensselaer County legislators
Kathleen Jimino (now County Executive), Cynthia Engel and Lynne Mahoney
sponsored a local law to make Neighbor Notification a reality in our area.
While Albany County has already passed and implemented the law, Rensselaer
County is still "studying the issue".

"The fact took state legislative leaders so many years to even agree to the
small step of notifying residents before toxic chemicals are applied next
door shows the power of special interests in the state Legislature. We are
now seeing the same special interests having their way with our County
Legislators. Chemical lawn applicators from outside our community are
coming in and using scare tactics so
they can continue to poison our neighborhoods without even taking the
simple step of notifying adjoining residents," stated Breyman, who has
worked for the Citizens Environmental Coalition the last few years.

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RECORD NUMBER OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN, URBAN, AND YOUNG CANDIDATES RUN ON THE
GREEN PARTY TICKET FOR PUBLIC OFFICE 2001
US Green Party Press Release, Oct. 31

The record number of Green Party candidates competing in the November
election includes more African-American candidates running for state and
local office than ever before, including city council incumbents and a
candidate running for Governor of New Jersey. "Not only has the party's
growth manifested itself in a vastly increased number of candidates in
2001, but it has included a growing presence in the nation's urban cores
and its largest cities, alongside an increasing racial diversity among
Green candidates," said Mike Feinstein, Mayor of Santa Monica, California,
who tracks the party's election campaigns.

See the full release at http://www.gpus.org/press/pr_10_31_01.html

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GREEN PARTY NAMES NAMES; GREENS PROMISE THAT FAST TRACK SUPPORT WILL BE TOP
CAMPAIGN ISSUE
US Green Party Press Release, 11/19

As Congress heads for a one-week recess, Green Party officials issued a
blunt warning to six congressional incumbents today, promising that Green
Party challengers will run aggressive campaigns against them based upon
their support for Fast Track legislation currently before Congress.

"Green Party congressional candidates will fight to defend American
sovereignty against anti-democratic trade pacts, and we will campaign to
hold congressional incumbents accountable for their betrayal of working
people and the environment," said Ben Manski, Co-Chair of the Green Party
of the United States. The Green Party released a list of six targeted
Democratic and Republican members of Congress against whom they intend to
run serious challenges. . . .

See the full release at http://gpus.org/press/pr_11_19_01.html

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BOSTON NADER RALLY, by Matt Parish
IndyMedia Center, 11/12

New England activists and curious Ralph Nader supporters packed the Orpheum
Theatre in Boston Saturday night in a five-hour rally and fundraiser that
mixed the big marquee names of Nader and Patti Smith with the Boston
line-up of usual suspects in the "anti-globalization" scene. New England
activists and curious Ralph Nader supporters packed the 2,700-capacity
Orpheum Theatre in Boston Saturday night in a five-hour rally and
fundraiser that mixed the big marquee names of Nader and Patti Smith with
the Boston line-up of usual suspects in the "anti-globalization" scene.
Nader made his appearance after three hours' worth of speakers and a Patti
Smith performance, proclaiming the need for no less than a complete
overhaul of the United States' political system. "If you don't start a
civic revolt against these politicians," he said, "you should be ashamed of
yourself.". . . Nader denounced the war in Afghanistan, doubting the
reports of President Bush's sky-high approval ratings and noting that
Senator Russ Feingold, the only senator to vote against Bush's anti-terror
bill, went home to Wisconsin and found that his own popularity actually
increased for his vote.

See the full article at http://boston.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=3985

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TERRORISM AND THE MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT, by Medea Benjamin
San Francisco Bay Guardian, 10/3

WHAT DO THE Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have to do with San Francisco's upcoming
public power initiative, Measure I? A lot, actually. If Measure I passes,
San Francisco will form a municipal utility district like the ones that
have helped Sacramento and Los Angeles keep their electricity rates low and
their service reliable. Our MUD - and every MUD it inspires around
California and the country - will also help ease tension in the Middle East.

See the story at http://www.sfbg.com/News/36/01/01oped.html

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US BUYS UP ALL SATELLITE WAR IMAGES, by Duncan Campbell
The Guardian (London), 10/17

The Pentagon has spent millions of dollars to prevent western media from
seeing highly accurate civilian satellite pictures of the effects of
bombing in Afghanistan, it was revealed yesterday. The images, which are
taken from Ikonos, an advanced civilian satellite launched in 1999, are
better than the spy satellite pictures available to the military during
most of the cold war. The extraordinary detail of the images already taken
by the satellite includes a line of terrorist trainees marching between
training camps at Jalalabad. At the same resolution, it would be possible
to see bodies lying on the ground after last week's bombing attacks.

See the full story at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/waronterror/story/0,1361,575594,00.html.

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LONDON ANTI-WAR PROTEST - 100,000 MARCH AGAINST WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
Stop the War Coalition press release, 11/18

Some 100,000 anti-war protesters marched in London today, doubling last
month's turn-out of 50,000, indicating the full depth of opposition to the
war in the UK. Trade unionists, Muslim organisations, community groups,
anti-racists, human rights activists, anti-globalisation activists,
students and MPs heard a wide range of speakers condemn the US-led military
action in Afghanistan.

See the full release at the British Stop the War Coalition website at
www.stopwar.org.uk.

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GREENS DEMAND INVITATION OF AFGHAN WOMEN TO BONN TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF
AFGHANISTAN
US Green Party Press Release, 11/27

Activists and organizers of the Green Party of the United States are
demanding that women be represented in international talks on the future of
Afghanistan beginning this week in Bonn, Germany. Party members were
angered to learn that the Revolutionary Association of the Women of
Afghanistan (RAWA), which has worked to end the suppression of women's
rights and abuse of women in Afghanistan by both the Taliban and the
Northern Alliance, was not invited to join U.S. officials, United Nations
representatives, and five Afghan groups in the talks.

Read the full release at http://www.gpus.org/press/pr_11_27_01.html.

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FLEEING REFUGEES TURN AGAINST US OVER GUNSHIPS, by Catherine Philp
The Times (London), 10/18/01

Chaman  The bearded young man had barely made it over the border before he
dropped his bag in the dust and stood in front of me. "This is a coward's
war you people are fighting," he barked,wagging a grimy finger in my face.
"You tell your soldiers to come down on the g round to fight us and then
they will see what a real war is," he added. Behind him, scores of other
refugees struggled across the border, their expressions alternately dazed
or angry, after fleeing threedays of devastating attacks by US jets and
helicopter gunships over the city of Kandahar. The campaign by low-flying
AC130s mounted with machineguns and cannon, has sent a new wave of panic
and anger through the city's remaining residents, sending thousands more
fleeing to the countryside and across the border with Pakistan.

See the rest at http://commondreams.org/headlines01/1018-04.htm.

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ENERGY FUTURE RIDES ON U.S. WAR; CONFLICT CENTERED IN WORLD'S OIL PATCH,
Frank Viviano
San Francisco Chronicle, 9/26/01

Paris -- Beyond American determination to hit back against the perpetrators
of the Sept. 11 attacks, beyond the likelihood of longer, drawn-out battles
producing more civilian casualties in the months and years ahead, the
hidden stakes in the war against terrorism can be summed up in a single
word: oil. The map of terrorist sanctuaries and targets in the Middle East
and Central Asia is also, to an extraordinary degree, a map of the world's
principal energy sources in the 21st century. The defense of these energy
resources -- rather than a simple confrontation between Islam and the West
-- will be the primary flash point of global conflict for decades to come,
say observers in the region. "You cannot discuss the violence of this
region outside the context of oil, " says Vakhtang Kolbaya, deputy chairman
of the parliament in the republic of Georgia. "It's at the heart of the
problem."

Full story at
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/09/26/MN70983.DTL

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AFGHANISTAN/OIL CONNECTION

1998 -- Testimony of vice president of UNOCAL before Congress.

"A second option is to build a pipeline south from Central Asia to the
Indian Ocean. One obvious potential route south would be across Iran.
However, this option is foreclosed for American companies because of U.S.
sanctions legislation. The only other possible route option is across
Afghanistan, which has its own unique challenges. The country has been
involved in bitter warfare for almost two decades. The territory across
which the pipeline would extend is controlled by the Taliban, an Islamic
movement that is not recognized as a government by most other nations. From
the outset, we have made it clear that construction of our proposed
pipeline cannot begin until a recognized government is in place that has
the confidence of governments, lenders and our company. . . . Although
Unocal has not negotiated with any one group, and does not favor any group,
we have had contacts with and briefings for all of them. We know that the
different factions in Afghanistan understand the importance of the pipeline
project for their country, and have expressed their support of it." (Full
text at http://www.house.gov/international_relations/105th/ap/wsap212982.htm)

2000 -- UNOCAL subsidiary Pure Resources, Inc. donates $125,000 in soft
money to the Republican Party (www.opensecrets.org).

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GERMAN GREENS PATCH RIFT AND SUPPORT USE OF MILITARY, by Edmund L. Andrews
New York Times, 11/24

Rostock, Germany -- Members of Germany's Green party defied their pacifist
roots and voted overwhelmingly tonight in favor of sending German soldiers
toAfghanistan. The vote, which came with a seemingly easy show of hands,
patched over an agonizing internal debate that had threatened to break
apart Germany's governing coalition between the Greens and the Social
Democratic Party of Chancellor Gerhard Schroder . Mr. Schroder has
adamantly insisted that Germany offer to send 3,900 troops in Afghanistan,
and he had the full support of Joschka Fischer, the Green party leader who
is Germany's foreign minister. But many rank-and-file Greens were bitterly
opposed and wanted to force the Green leadership into quitting the
government. On Nov. 16, a slender majority of Green members in Parliament
fell in line behind Mr. Schroder after he called for a vote of confidence.
. . .

Full story in 11/25 NY Times.

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GETTING READY FOR A POST-KYOTO WORLD; CHANGES LIE AHEAD AFTER AGREEMENTS AT
MARRAKECH CONFERENCE, by Arthur Max
AP, 11/11

From insulation hidden behind walls at home to highly visible power plants
outdoors, the first international treaty to fight global warming is poised
to change landscapes, and lives, around the world -- except in the United
States. In the final moments of a two-week conference in Morocco,
negotiators from 165 countries agreed on hard-fought rules for implementing
the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which calls on about 40 industrialized nations to
limit carbon emissions or cut them to below 1990 levels. As a result,
mountain ridges and coastlines are likely to sprout plantations of steel
windmills. With nations under pressure to cut pollution, new cars,
appliances, even the simple light bulb will have to be designed to save
energy. And carbon dioxide -- we exhale it with every breath -- will be a
controlled gas and a marketable commodity with a price. Scientists believe
the carbon that humans let loose in the atmosphere, mostly from factories
and vehicles, has upset the natural balance, sending temperatures up and
changing the climate. Already, glaciers are melting, sea levels rising and
severe storms becoming more frequent. The agreement on the Marrakech rules
-- scores of pages of complex legal text -- cleared the way for the
landmark treaty to be ratified, probably some time next year, and become
binding law for its signatories. The United States, however, has rejected
the accord, calling it harmful to the U.S. economy and unfair because it
excused heavily polluting developing countries like India and China from
obligations. In Washington, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said
Saturday that President Bush took note of the rules agreed upon in
Morocco."He agrees with the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. His
Cabinet review is under way, to determine a way that can be done without
forcing America into a deep recession,'' Fleischer said. Bush has said the
United States will take independent action to combat global warming. He has
set up programs to further study climate change and encourag research on
new technology. The Kyoto Protocol sets tough targets for slashing carbon
emissions. Japan, for example, agreed to cut them 6 percent from the 1990
level -- but its emissions have grown 17 percent since 1990, making that
task more formidable. To ease the burden, the protocol establishes
mechanisms to let countries partly offset their targets. They can earn
credits for proper management of forests and farmlands that absorb carbon
dioxide -- so-called carbon sinks -- and for helping developing countries
avoid emissions. The accord also allows for emissions trading, letting
countries that cannot meet their targets buy the right to pollute from
those that come in under their quota. However, negotiators agreed that such
mechanisms can only supplement real emission cuts -- not replace them --
and countries will have to adopt energy-saving measures to meet their
targets. That means old houses should have their electrical wiring redone,
their windows triple glazed and their walls insulated to conserve energy.
Solar panels may appear on more rooftops, and new refrigerators made to
will run on one-tenth the energy of old ones. . . .

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GREG MACARTHUR, PHILANTHROPIST AND GREEN PARTY SUPPORTER, 53, DIES
New York Times, December 6, 2001
By WOLFGANG SAXON

Gregoire C. R. B. MacArthur, a member of one of America's wealthiest
families and a supporter of human rights and liberal causes, died Nov. 18
at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He was 53.

The cause was a heart attack, his family said.

Mr. MacArthur came to public notice when he formed a group called Citizens
for Strategic Voting to back Ralph Nader and the Green Party in the 2000
presidential election. Its full- page newspaper advertisements sought to
reassure voters that "voting for a candidate who can't win is the smartest
thing you'll ever do."

"And don't worry," the ads said. "A vote for Nader is not a vote for Bush."

Mr. MacArthur's group tried to garner Green Party votes by contacting
independents; supporters of John McCain, the senator and presidential
candidate who lost the Republican nomination to George W. Bush; and
"disgruntled Democrats."

Mr. MacArthur was a director of the J. Roderick MacArthur Foundation, which
his father established in 1976 to further social justice and civil rights.
His father, known as Rod, created the annual "genius grant" program of the
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, one of the richest
foundations in the country; it, in turn, was set up by his father, John D.
MacArthur.

Greg MacArthur founded a London-based group known as Article 19, the
International Center on Censorship, in 1987. The year before, he
established the MacArthur Justice Center, a nonprofit public-interest law
firm affiliated with the University of Chicago Law School.

Mr. MacArthur's interests extended to television productions with social
and political themes, including the films of Michael Moore and the
satellite television network Free Speech TV.

Gregoire Christian Roderick Bruce MacArthur was born in Paris. He graduated
from Goddard College in Vermont in 1972. He started a career as a reporter
for the City News Bureau of Chicago and later reported for The Associated
Press from France and North Africa.

In December 1984, he returned to the United States upon the death of his
father, a Chicago businessman and philanthropist, to help look after the
family interests.

Mr. MacArthur is survived by his wife, Gina MacArthur of Manhattan; their
two children, Henry, and Grace; his mother, Christiane L'Entendart
MacArthur of Manhattan; a brother, John R. MacArthur, also of Manhattan;
and a sister, Dr. Solange MacArthur of Washington.

"He was a very versatile philanthropist who went beyond charity to support
groups working for systemic justice," Mr. Nader said. "He was very informed
about the recipients of his grants, and he often networked with other
philanthropists to support various initiatives."

As for the Green Party, Mr. Nader added, "He advised the party, and he
called people we could not reach, celebrities we wanted to appear at events."

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7. LETTERS, EDITORIALS, SPEECHES, OPINIONS

THE NEW GREEN DIRECTION, by John A. Newell
The Greens Should form new Democratic clubs, advertise for applicants for
office then use rigorous tests to select the best.
See the full article at www.home.earthlink.net/~jnewell957 (See article 23)

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EMAIL LETTER RE: U.S. GREEN PARTY PRESS RELEASE CONDEMNING BOMBING OF
AFGHANISTAN

. . . . The Green Party's condemnation of the bombing of Afghanistan is
meaningless. And furthermore it ultimately undermines the party's ability
to grow and gather support.

The most frequent thought on the minds of most American citizens today is:
- "does that plane sound too low?"
- "Should I open my mail?"
- "What's next?"

What Americans want is security, safety and the ability to watch the World
Series in peace (Go Yankees!) I personally wrestle with the actions in
Afghanistan  and I am pained at the indiscriminate lost of life  be it a 40
year woman in her burqa or an 18 year old conscripted Mujahadeen. I
honestly don't know how much longer I can take this. WAR - BAD. We all know
that. It's been said  WAR IS HELL. What we don't know is - what's a better
option. We know that 5,000 people were murdered in NYC on 9/11 by an
implacable foe  who would - oops I mean - WILL murder 5,000 more the next
opportunity they get. I will submit that our foe has valid reasons for
their animosity towards the USA. But whether or not their feelings are
valid  our immediate duty as human beings is to protect ourselves.

How do we do that?

One solution is to kill the people who threaten your safety. That's the
action we are witnessing in Afghanistan. That's what the bombing is about.
The problem with the Green Party and your condemnation of the bombing is
that you're against the current solution to protect our safety - but you
offer no alternatives that I have heard. The press release you emailed -
opaquely says the perpetrators should be dealt with via international law.
Are you suggesting that we deliver subpoenas to Osama and Mullah Omar and
wait for them to show up at the Hague? Would you have found it tenable if
instead of the 101st Airborne we sent the Brooklyn DA after Hitler? Maybe
Mordecai Goldstein of Poland could have made a citizen arrest? I give you
more credit than to accept the notion that you believe that mere legal
petitioning will save American lives. So I say - I don't care what you
condemn. It offers me nothing useful. Instead I ask:

Do you agree that it is paramount that we do the utmost to ensure that our
citizens are safe (in both the short and long term)? And if you agree with
that and you disagree with the methods of the Bush Administration, I ask
how would you do it? We stand at an interesting crossroad in our
history  confronted by a real threat - which way should we go? George W.
Bush checked his moral (or immoral) compass  and said that we should take
the road to battle. Which way would the Green Party lead? I firmly believe
that what we DO NOT need from our political parties are mere condemnations
of existing policies. That makes the party seem reactionary  and almost out
of touch with reality. It takes a party that won only 3% of the
Presidential vote  and makes them seem even more on the fringe. I believe
leadership is idea generation. I believe leadership is the ability to
provide and promote a vision. I believe that the American public does not
want to support a policy that will cost additional innocent lives American
or Afghan  yet also they don't want to live in fear. They will listen to a
vision that can provide security in a more humane way. But you have to
present one. Not just condemn one. Understanding today's political climate
- and the need to provide for the security of our citizens - we know you
would not bomb - what would you do?

The Green Party has some ideas and core values that I believe are valuable
and worthy of support. But if you want to expand your followers. You must
do more than react - you must LEAD. We are listening with open ears and
hopeful hearts.

Sincerely,
Cairo Kenan Marsh
Armchair Coach, Monday Morning QB, Backseat Driver and Wave Rider
Extraordinaire

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HOW CAN WE HONOR THE VICTIMS?, by Ralph Nader
speech, 10/11

Now let's talk about the massacre of September 11th and the aftermath. How
many of you,  just be very candid with yourself,  how many of you since
September 11th have wanted to express an opinion that was something other
than what the stampede thought-police wanted? How many of you wanted to
express an opinion to a friend or publicly, and just swallowed it? How
many? You see, this is the sign  of what happens after every
crisis, truth is the first casualty. Candor is the first casualty.

And before we even discuss this, we've got to lay down some ground rules,
that this country is based on the vigorous use of civil liberties and
constitutional freedoms and freedom of speech, because this country is
based on the premise that when governments don't get enough input from
people around the country, the people are going to have to pay the price.
Some of them. Government is going to make bad mistakes.

Listen to the full speech at
http://www.democracyrising.org/multimedia/SF_Rally_media/Nader_sep11_p1.html

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CORPORATE PATRIOTISM, by Ralph Nader
article, 11/10

U.S. corporations aren't even subtle about it. Waving a flag and carrying a
big shovel, corporate interests are scooping up government benefits and
taxpayer money in an unprecedented fashion while the public is preoccupied
with the September 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan. Shamelessly, the
Bush Administration and Congress have taken advantage of the patriotic
outpouring to fulfill the wish lists of their most generous corporate
campaign donors. Not only is the Treasury being raided, but regulations
protecting everything from personal privacy to environmental safeguards are
under attack by well-heeled lobbyists who want to stampede Congress to act
while the media and citizens are distracted. Only a handful in the
Congress--members like Senator Russell Feingold of Wisconsin and
Representatives Peter DeFazio of Oregon and Barbara Lee of California--have
shown the courage to question the giveaways and the quick wipeout of civil
liberties and other citizen protections. In most cases, such as the $15
billion airline bailout and corporate tax breaks, legislation has been
pushed to the forefront with little or no hearings and only fleeting
consideration on the floor of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Read the full story at http://www.nader.org/interest/110901.html. For More
Information see www.citizenworks.org.

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