Well everything,particularly when its used in conjunction with the words trade and trade agreements.
Yeah, they all do it. The headline is “Business, Labor Groups
Gird for Free-Trade Battle.” Why couldn’t they just call it a “trade battle?” I thought that headline writers tried to save words.The point is that the deal is not actually about “free trade.” Many barriers to trade will still exist after the deal is in place, most importantly restrictions on trade in highly paid professional services that continue to make it difficult for Colombians in highly paid professions, like doctors and lawyers, from competing with their counterparts in the United States on an even footing. The deal also increases some forms of protection, most importantly by imposing stronger patent and copyright protection.
But one thing the “free-traders” don’t have to concern themselves with,are pesky union organizers/activists that would so “selfishly” take the free out of trade.Because in Columbia they just kill em by the hundreds.
But on the positive side Columbia is a “budding democracy”,unlike the “terrorist supporting” Chavez .
Which has me” wondering” why Native Americans are organizing to try and stop a congressional resolution that would designate Venezuela as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Everything by hook,crook or violence….
Tucked away in drawers at the University of California-Berkly are the looted remains of thousands upon thousands of native-Americans.
Remains which the University is loath to return,to their respective Nations,for proper burial.
To put some perspective on the scope of the looting-well let’s just call it for what it is-grave robbing….
In all California there are approx 620,000 natives from 107 Tribes.In the draws of Berkly there sit the remains of over 200,000 of their ancestors.
“if there were remains of my ancestors,European Americans,in the Hearst Museum at one of the most respected Universities in the country ,there would be an absolute outcry from people,I guarantee something would be done about it quickly,” Steinberg said,the L.A Times reported.”But because they’re Native American remains somehow that’s different”
This despite the provisions of NAGPRA[1990] which calls for the repatriation of all remains to their respective tribes.
Where there is a will there is away to sidestep the law.And apparently that is the path the University has chosen.
What’s ironic about all this,is that Berkly is usually thought of as being one of the more “liberal/progressive” Universities in the U.S.
Read ; “Senators accuse UC-Berkly of discrimination and secrecy over ancestral remain”
The Constitutional reforms reforms proposed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez were defeated by a very narrow margin.
“I thank you and I congratulate you,” Chávez said calmly, referring to his opponents. “I recognise the decision a people have made.” Turning to supporters, some of whom were weeping, he added: “Don’t feel sad.”
The No’s taking 51% of the vote,the Yes side 49%.
Regardless of the results.
The referendum proves for the thirteenth time that the charges of dictatorship and authoritarianism that are constantly being leveled against Chavez by his opponents are baseless.Coming from elements which supported the attempted coup against Chavez,quite laughable.
Overall the defeat of the Constitutional reforms is definitely a set back.
But with Chavez’s Presidential term set to run until January 2013,plenty of time remains to figure out what went wrong and correct any short comings.
The results should also help quell any lingering doubts inside Venezuela in regards to the fairness & impartiality of the electoral process ,contrary to the much ballyhooed claims of the upper-classes which get replayed day after day.
Overall Chavez’s support & popularity remains high and there is no reason to expect that fact to change anytime soon.
Also be sure to check out Matthew Good’s,“Now Comes The Test” for a little context and perspective.
Todays referendum on Constitutional change will be the 13th election Venezuelan president Chavez has faced(since 98).
Not only was Chavez elected & then re-elected.Every major change Chavez proposed has been put before the people(I believe they call that democracy),”dictator” indeed.
Exist polls seem to suggest that Chavez’s proposed Constitutional changes might just pass.
Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, is heading for victory in a referendum on allowing him to remain in power as long as he keeps winning elections, two government-linked sources said citing exit polls.
One of the most “controversial” changes being one that would allow Chavez(any Presidential candidate) to run for re-election as many times as he or she so desires.Much as is the case in some western countries,i.e France,Germany,and Australia.
The fairness of the referendum process is also not in doubt,but none the less it is being observed closely by independent observers.
About 100 electoral observers from 39 countries in Latin America, Europe and the US are on hand, plus hundreds of Venezuelan observers, the National Electoral Council said.
Filed under: Activism, America's, Canada, Culture, History, Human Rights, Indigenous, Popular Culture
And when it comes to Indians(First Nations)Germans seem to have a particular infatuation with all things Indian.
At powwows — there are dozens every year — thousands of Germans with an American Indian fetish drink firewater, wear turquoise jewelry and run around Baden-Württemberg or Schleswig-Holstein dressed as Comanches and Apaches.
Those that study such cultural phenomena,trace much of this back to the most popular of German writers,Karl May (1842-1912).
May’s hero was Winnetou, a fictional Apache chief, a household name here. To Germans Winnetou is like Paul Bunyan, Abe Lincoln and Elvis rolled into one. During the World Cup last year, an occasion for the Germans to debate, as they often do, the pitfalls of reviving their nationalist spirit, Der Spiegel, the leading newsmagazine, published an article titled “The Land of Winnetou.”
Although this German/Indian attraction has a long history and pedigree.It is not unique to Germans.First Nations culture,history and traditions,seems to strike a cord with many Europeans and those of European extraction.
Obviously some of this admiration or respect,what ever one wants to call it,does stem from popular culture,and the portrayal of Native Americans in novels,and films.That said,much of it also stem from the reality and actions of First Nations peoples themselves.
After all they are far from a dying or disappearing people,indeed they have never stopped living,resisting and struggling.
What ever the case maybe.This admiration is warranted and would stand up under any,fair and open-minded,examinations of the historical record.In fact one could not but,come away with a sense of awe and new found respect.
Many would be quite surprised,just how much,the indigenous peoples of the Americas have(and continue to) contributed to Canada,America & the world.From canoes,kayaks,architecture,art,political organization,sustainable farming technics,food stuffs i.e chocolate,potatoes,beans,corn,squash,peppers… ,environmental knowledge,land and resource management,medicinal knowledge,the uses of plants and herbs,the list is endless…
Since the “awakening” of native activism in the 1960’s which resulted in the birth of ;Red Power,AIM,and many similar organization.A native political & cultural renaissance has been ongoing ever since.A renaissance(Fourth World) we should all,indigenous & non-indigenous alike, embrace and encouraged.
Read more on “Germans and Indians”…
