Marian's Blog

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Food: from fuel to riots as Reuters covers agflation

The current global food crisis makes me remember being in Jamaica in the last quarter of 1977. Michael Manley was prime minister. For some reason, the U.S. government did not consider Mr. Manley a friend. Somehow I sensed that perhaps it was more than coincidence that the same tense political period between Washington and Kingston witnessed empty shelves in all of Kingston's local food shops. This is no exaggeration. There was no rice and no beans ("peas" in the Caribbean). It's painful to remember, particularly in contrast to my eventual return to the States and walking into a supermarket as though it were the first time. I experienced culture shock. In fact, I wept as I saw aisle after aisle of so many brands of the same products, and much of it junk. Literally nothing to buy on grocery shelves a few short miles away in Jamaica, and row after row of food and junk on U.S. shelves. More often than not the items on the American shelves consisted of something manufactured for human consumption; so much of it in a category we've been conditioned to call "snack" foods. Fast forward to now. I'm not sure if Reuters coined the term "agflation" but they use it in this article on the soaring costs around the globe for people to feed their families and communities. This week in Haiti it was food riots and looting that resulted in several deaths. At the beginning of this year it was tortilla riots in Mexico, and last fall, some of India's poorest protested middlemen's alleged stockpiling for profit of food designated to help feed the most hungry. Amid so many concerns around food and agriculture politics globally and in the U.S., the American public needs to pressure Congress and federal and state governments to re-consider the idea of further converting land and crops used for food to the expansion of biofuel. A related matter is the fact that it's far cheaper and more efficient for people themselves to eat grain rather than raise large animals (beef livestock, for example), feed them enormous quantities of grain, and then slaughter these animals in order for people to eventually eat them. In most U.S. households for 30 years or so, the idea of the practicality of vegetarianism caused little more than a casual or bemused stir (or maybe an argument) over lunch or dinner. Today, however, with heightening contradictions of food, fuel and other costs vs. survival, this discussion hopefully will take on new life and new meaning.

Genuine Progress Indicator? Measuring economies as if society mattered

As so many consumer and exchange economies teeter on the brink, here's a fascinating index that could prove more useful to more people. Many of us are in the same time familiar with, yet put off by, words and terms like "GNP", "GDP", and "economic indicator." For over a decade a group called Redefining Progress has been working on what they call the "GPI" - the genuine progress indicator.

"... The GPI starts with the same personal consumption data that the GDP is based on, but then makes some crucial distinctions. It adjusts for factors such as income distribution, adds factors such as the value of household and volunteer work, and subtracts factors such as the costs of crime and pollution. Because the GDP and the GPI are both measured in monetary terms, they can be compared on the same scale. ..." - Redefining Progress

Thank you to John and Elizabeth Edwards, 2008 Campaign

My thank-you to John Edwards and family, and everyone who worked so long and hard on this campaign. It will have been one for the history books.

As the Edwards campaign notified the press today, one news commentator noted that the U.S. "has never elected a populist."

As Americans that's nothing to brag about; in fact, it is our collective loss. How many Americans still would prefer that people tell us what some of us would like to hear? Things like we - the 'collective we' - can go right on self-centered and selfish, while simultaneously claiming to be king of the global hill. But our more and more frankenstein-like creation has little if any remaining sense of being one society. And that's just here in the US, let alone how we relate to the "outside world" which many of us can't find on a map let alone know.

It was late last year when a Southern scholar-friend of mine tried to school me about the USA. He said our country would not have any truck with a populist. I really didn't want to believe it.

Someone famous once said something like: There is no hell like the one we create for ourselves.

John Edwards knows it's the economy, not just Iraq

As the candidate said last night in New Hampshire, I too am on the John Edwards grassroots campaign bandwagon right through my ancestral South Carolina, called "the Black Primary", and the other 47, right up to the Democratic Party convention next August in Denver. John Edwards all along has been addressing what's touching, and crushing, the majority of Americans, middle- and working-class/working-poor and poor. I scoffed when I read a Washington Post headline quoting George Bush saying how 'good' the economy looked. I was wondering what planet he was visiting or what he'd been ingesting. That was only about ten days ago. Now Bush has backtracked, acknowledging there are issues with the economy, and today CNN (MSM - mainstream media) reports we're in a recession since the final quarter of 2007. I hear all the candidates. I'm supporting John Edwards.

It's Iraq, the economy AND the Constitution, "Stupid"

I'm certainly not calling anyone "stupid". That was part of a very accurate and effective Democratic campaign slogan a few elections back. But mid-term Election 2006 is about Iraq. It is about the U.S. and global economy - which also partly is about Iraq, especially for the U.S. economy already in the toilet - and it is about whether the U.S. Constitution is worth the paper it was written on. Even Alice in Wonderland never went to a tea party like the one all of us are at. In spite of assessments of many, many Americans, Mr. Donald Rumsfeld tells us again: he doesn't plan to go anywhere. Could someone, anyone, please show Mr. Rumsfeld to the District of Columbia line? Who is taking marching orders from whom? If, like me, you're an American, for God's sake vote - and vote progressive. Everyone else in the rest of the world, please pray, or just send some good energy our way.

WAR as "tax", only worse, & the U.S. 2006 elections

We're into the countdown to the 2006 U.S. mid-term elections. Tuesday, Nov 7, is election day, and if you're registered, I urge you to vote. On t.v. one of the usual political talking heads tries to "remind" us that "if Democrats win, they'll institute taxes."

What the heck?! Is that supposed to be an argument?

Isn't war a huge, bloody, tax???

No amount of taxes or other money that any of us pays will bring back one life lost in this war. Don't forget to add in billions going to some rather shadowy private corporations to "rebuild" the country where the war is. Then we hear not much really is being built. So we don't even know where the money has gone. "Your tax dollars at work." But in the Washington, DC metro area - mainly suburban Maryland and northern Virginia - you hear from reliable sources that so many of the people with money to buy big homes work (or do contracting) for Defense Department and "Homeland Security". So please don't talk to me about Democrats and "taxes". Let's vote.

Color of wealth: what's the racial wealth divide?

The Color of Wealth is available June 2006. Subtitled "The Story Behind the US Racial Wealth Divide", authors include my girl Rose Brewer along with Rebecca Adamson, Meizhu Lui, Barbara Robles and Betsy Leondar-Wright.

Woman of colour and M.I.T.-trained economist Julianne Malveaux reviews TCoW: "... shows how contemporary wealth differences evolve from pivotal points in our history, and explains how public policy, even when well meaning, reinforces existing inequality. This book is an important contribution to critical work on race and economics.” Julianne's most recent book is Wall Street, Main Street and the Side Street: A Mad Economist Takes a Stroll.

The Color of Wealth press release explains that for every 100 cents (dollar) owned by an "average" US white family, an "average" US family of color has just 18 cents. "Why do people of color have so little wealth? The Color of Wealth lays bare a dirty secret: for centuries, people of color have been barred by laws and by discrimination from participating in government wealth-building programs that have benefited white Americans." This includes, for example, "post–World War II GI Bill programs [that] helped whites only—The Color of Wealth is the first book to demonstrate the decisive influence of government on Americans’ net worth."

The Hummer: Militarized American family car

I vividly remember. It was summer 2003. I was in the US, with family, and traveling a highway through Virginia. At first maybe I thought I was having a 'flashback' of a visit at Camp Dobol in eastern Bosnia, or remembering what it was like driving an OSCE armored vehicle on the road between Fushe Kosov/Kosovo Polje and Pristina. But no. There before me coming down a civilian highway in northern Virginia, USA was the military vehicle we call a "Humvee". That was the first time I laid eyes on its commercial equivalent - a freak of marketing - known as a "Hummer." Being rather militarized itself, northern Virginia seems a likely locale for observing the unprecedented blurring of military transport with the need to pick up dish liquid and a newspaper. What is the Hummer owner's demographic profile? Is this ostensibly the next evolutionary step up from the SUV? I've seen one Hummer ad on US TV. It depicted a kid being dropped at school, and by mom no less, as he cheerfully exits the vehicle's passenger side. All this seems highly unlikely. In my book, anyway.

Impostor: Richard Nixon, George Bush - What's the difference?

Now for a history moment. What's the difference between George Bush and Richard Nixon? In my book - Nixon was impeached. In November 1973 Nixon spoke to a large group of Associated Press editors in Florida, stating, "People have got to know whether or not their President is a crook...." He added he was "not a crook." The American public disagreed. In 2006 it would seem reasonable that US citizens have a civic responsibility to be interested in knowing not only whether their president is a 'crook' but also whether he is competent. US citizens need to know whether our legislative branch (Congress) and the judicial branch (Supreme Court) of government are even exercising their check and balance functions. We're supposed to know who actually is running the US government, and whether or not those actions truly represent the will of the American people. If the answer to any of those things is no, we're in it deep. In October 1973 the Nixon administration appointed special prosecutor Archibald Cox to investigate the break-in at Democratic Party national headquarters then located in Washington's Watergate complex. (The late Frank Wills was the security guard who discovered the break-in.) Within days Nixon had decided to fire Cox. This led to October 20, 1973's "Saturday Night Massacre." The firing was temporarily halted by US Attorney General Elliot Richardson and deputy AG William Ruckelshaus as both chose to resign rather than obey the order to fire Cox. These days who would have that much integrity? Let's not mention courage. Enter Robert Bork, Nixon's Solicitor General in 1973. Later as Supreme Court candidate he was "borked."  After the demission of Richardson and Ruckelshaus, Bork voluntarily carried out the order to fire Cox. That was then and this is now, as another conservative by the name of Bruce Bartlett has published a rousing book titled Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy. I have absolutely no nostalgia for Mr. Reagan or his "legacy", but unfortunately before long more of us probably will agree with the first part of Bartlett's premise. - "Whether ours shall continue to be a government of laws and not of men is now for Congress and ultimately the American people." - Archibald Cox

"What About the People Who Can't Eat?"- The Injustice Index, Drum Major Institute for Public Policy

"With all due respect to gay rights or abortion - What about the people who can't eat??!" - Kristina Borjesson, Feb 3rd, 2006, speaking to a small, live audience at New York Open Center, broadcast on CSPAN2 Book TV. Editor of Feet to the Fire - The Media After 9/11: Top Journalists Speak Out.

Injustice Index US domestic stats from Drum Major Institute for Public Policy:

*pounds lost by George W. Bush in first 7 months of 2005: 8

*growth in number of hungry US households since 1999: 43%

*income at which a US family of 3 qualifies for food stamps: $20,376

*average yearly wage of "sales associates" at Wal-Mart: $14,787

*number of Wal-Mart employees in USA: 1.2 million

*net worth of five (5) Walton family heirs to Wal-Mart fortune: $77.9 billion

Bush does not squeak by in Virginia and New Jersey elections

It looks like Virginia Democrat and current lieutenant governor Tim Kaine has defeated Republican Jerry Kilgore in the state's governor's race. So much for Mr. Bush's political support on the heels of his Summit of the Americas junket (and street protests) in Mar del Plata, Argentina. In New York City Republican incumbent billionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg has been elected to another term, defeating challenger Fernando Ferrer. By late October Bloomberg's campaign had spent nearly 67 million dollars on his mayoral campaign. In New Jersey voters have selected US Democratic Senator Jon Corzine to be New Jersey's new governor over challenger Douglas Forrester. With a three hour time difference separating California from the East Coast US, not much news has arrived yet from out there. More later.

Bush: "Very important" to learn relationships between federal, state, local US Governments

George Bush says he "wants to learn" or understand the relationships between US federal, state and local governments as they pertain to national emergencies. He might have benefitted from a few US civics lessons and some neighborhood volunteer work (not including self-interested glad-handing to win some office for himself or one of his brothers or his dad). This issue is not just about national emergencies; and there is not much left of federal-state-local 'relationships' that once existed, after 30 years of political and financial attack, neglect & general dissing and destruction of progressive public policies. Oh. And not to mention a few assassinations of various national and local political leaders in the USA. Sad to say but in 2005, education, jobs, poverty, hunger, housing, and medical care have all long since become national emergencies themselves. Surprise, surprise. I fully realise this may be new and unfamiliar information to Mr Bush, even as he and his GOP Congress prepare to repeal the estate tax to help the "haves and have mores" - Bush's self-proclaimed base; while closing off bankruptcy options from the middle and working classes along with the poor.

Superstorm catches Bush the bookless jock "by surprise" - Millions Now Pay Price

Americans have been lied to so much in the last six years. We are told George Bush can't be bothered - day after day after day- to speak with the mother of a dead 24 year old, even as "mainstream" US media tout the occasional scenes of Bush riding bicycles, grinning, swaggering, and chopping wood. The nation's attention is diverted by a much-hyped space flight - yet none in the mainstream media has the guts to ask - let alone utter - how many people lost their lives in Iraq this week, or how many more billions have just been spent on "Iraqi freedom" - even though supposedly the war ended over two years ago. Bush does not allow thoughts of either an impending hurricane season or something called global warming to ruin his day. And he doesn't read books anyway. Was Hurricane Katrina intensified by global warming?? And please - spare us the self-serving photo-ops of George Bush off the ranch - the so-called "Western White House" - just long enough to go stand among the ruins. The ruins in Mississippi will be perfect for this. You do realise Bush's pal, former Republican chair Haley Barbour "just happens" to be governor of Mississippi. My mouth just about dropped open when I saw his face yesterday on TV. Millions in Mississippi and Louisiana have been abandoned to fend for themselves, faced with illness, birth, death, thirst, flood, hunger, frightened animals including venomous snakes, darkness, insecurity and crime. And long-term homelessness. The list goes on. A doctor at LSU in Baton Rouge says as people cling to their roofs for dear life they are exposed to the Gulf air thick with mosquitoes, and West Nile fever outbreaks probably will come next. I am ashamed. The American people and the world are watching as the US federal government again abandons its responsibilities, both to its citizens and to humanity. And hurricane season is not over.

U.S. militarism

I've never lived in any other country as militarised as the US. Is constant, full-blown 'military preparedness' a normal way to live? Do Americans realise the tentacles being spread across the world in their names? We're busy waxing our SUVs and such. In some countries I've lived in the biggest military presence is the USA, though it's not US soil. I remember 1950's president Dwight Eisenhower's seemingly unheeded warning: Americans beware of "the military-industrial complex" (1961). Deaf ears... apparently drowned out by surround sound. I was deciding whether or not to blog this when what popped on the telly this a.m. but two - 2 - military commercials all in a row. These weren't your average, overkill ads for recruitment. The first was 'soft': a string of mostly middle aged to elder faces saying things like, "I'll never forget him," meaning others who died on military duty. Among the men was a single lady who managed reference to a 'her'. At the end was the word "Boeing" since they sponsored the spot. Next was a straight up, hardcore Northrup Gruman ad - not disguised by sentimentality. It showed 'men at work' on an aircraft carrier. It advertised "being ready" and some kind of high tech weapon system. In the past 40 years how much "ready" has ever been enough? They used gibberish techie jargon the ordinary public, including me, would not understand, though our taxes cover part of the bill. All this in less than 5 minutes. But we never see ads of our public schools that stand in ruin - with our children inside. Of American neighborhoods - mostly Black, whether middle, poor, or working class - disinvested and abandoned by Big Capital during the same last 40 years but now invaded by wealth and outsiders who by far are not Black. I'm sick of it all. Those of us who care have to change these things for the better.

U.S. President Eisenhower, 1961 - This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. ... (continued below)

TV Now: Book TV, CSPAN 2- "The New American Militarism," Andrew Bacevich

I've got to read this book. This guy is talking about a "technology-hyped mood" toward war.

Some Balkan American guy named Andrew Bacevich (bah cheh vitch) is on C-Span 2's Book TV at this moment, telling "too much truth." [Now they're discussing what he said.] His new book is, The New American Militarism. He's using words & phrases like, the old view of war was "barbarism, brutality, ugliness, and waste" ... while today we have hi-tech warfare - "smart weapons, new vision of war new lexicon" - war was becoming "surgical, frictionless post-modern abstract, virtual," ... 'cost-effective', 'humane', even 'thrilling' ...we're in the midst of a "technology-hyped mood" toward war.

What Tiiiime is It? Counter-Inaugural Week USA

There's an online calender full of things going on right now to mark the Bush re-coronation on Wednesday, 20 Jan. Activities have been going on every day since 2 January. A Progressive Democratic Summit will happen Jan. 21-23.

Some activities starting Wednesday morning the 20th include: 

Student Walkouts, anarchist mobilisation, a protest on the inaugural parade route... and other events like "Blue Flu Day", "Cost of the War", "Turn Your Back on Bush", people's Town Hall meeting, the Anti-Inaugural, and "Billionaires for Bush" morning & evening. There's much much more so check the calendar.

Confusing this with some Other U.S. Economy

Percentage of American households that “argue about money related topics on a regular basis”: 95 percent

Number of U.S. private sector workers who have lost their job since March 2001: 2.3 million
Number of high-ranking members of the Bush economic team who have lost their job since March 2001: 3
Percentage of Americans that “always or sometimes worry about money”: 4 in 10
Percentage of U.S. Senators with assets in the millions of dollars: 4 in 6
Number of “white collar” professionals who almost lost the ability to receive overtime [pay] as part of the President’s Fair Labor Standards Act modification of 2003 defeated in Congress: 8 million
Approx. tax-payer financed pension George W. Bush will receive every year after leaving office: $148,400
Average amount of debt assumed by a recent graduate of a four-year public college after financing his/her own education: $16,100
Ratio of personal bankruptcy filings to heart attacks suffered by Americans in 2002: 1.5:1
Percentage of the 43 million Americans without health insurance that is “middle class”: 43.   Excerpted from politically progressive Drum Major Institute's aptly named Injustice Index, Feb 2004.