12/22/00
10:07:01 PM
SUCCESSFUL FARMING MAGAZINE December 2000 Across the Editor's desk
The World Grows Hemp; U.S. waits
By Loren Kruse Editor-in Chief
While most farmers await the naming of a new agricultural secretary, a much smaller group of agriculturalists awaits new leadership in another area of government. They are more concerned with who will head up the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
These new administrators may hold the key, the agriculturalists believe, to the return of the crop once grown on many US farms and an industry once prominent in America-industrial hemp.
The growing of hemp has been illegal for nearly 40 years. It is classified the same as marijuana another plant of the genus cannabis. Both plants produce a psychoactive compound called THC.
Why Hemp is not pot
Proponents argue that industrial hemp varieties contain very low levels of THC, less than 0.3% while marijuana contains levels of 15%-25% THC. So in other words you could smoke industrial hemp all day and never get high. Still the DEA holds firm that hemp and marijuana are equally bad for society.
A few of your families may have grown hemp to aid the war effort in the 1940s. Remnants of a hemp mill still remain in my hometown.
Why hemp was made illegal is not exactly clear. Growing marijuana was one reason. However it is also believed that the rapidly emerging industries centered around petroleum based synthetic products were involved.
These industries included very powerful players. They felt threatened by the potential of a bio-based industry that would provide energy and new synthetic products from renewable biomass.
What's ironic is that the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper. The crop was so important that three colonies had laws requiring that farmers grow hemp!
Hope for hemp
More than 30 countries, including Canada, now allow industrial hemp production. The industry is growing with hundreds of products including paper, construction materials, clothing, carpeting cosmetics and food. Most of these products are exported to America or processed here.
So why not just let American farmers grow the hemp? That's the questions more Ag leaders are asking. At the least they would like to relax the rules to allow research.
"Farmers need alternative and profitable crops," says NPO president Paul Olson, "It's time to put politics aside and use common sense to give this a chance."
Growing hemp may also contribute to the demise of marijuana. "With hemp pollinating marijuana across America, hemp would be like paraquat to a marijuana crop." quips (former CIA Director) James Woolsey, a legal adviser to the North American Industrial Hemp Council. *Contact NAIHC at (608) 258-0243 or at naihc.org on the web.
Sucessful Farming's website at http://www.agriculture.com
12/22/00
10:05:35 PM
FAIR-L Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting Media analysis, critiques and news reports
MEDIA ADVISORY: Media Lovefest for Gore, Bush and Centrism
December 22, 2000
The end of the presidential race has produced one thing media can virtually all agree on: The time for fighting is over. Reporters like Tim Russert had predicted a potential "political civil war;" when it didn't happen, that seemed reason enough for celebration. Unfortunately, for many reporters the "ceasefire" in the ballot battle signaled an end to tough reporting as well.
The media's bipartisan joy was overwhelming-- so much so that conservative CNN pundit Tucker Carlson (12/14/00) mocked: "The morning after has come, and it's all puppies and lollipops." The day after Gore's concession, Chris Matthews (CNBC, 12/14/00) was more patriotic: "What was good about last night, if you like this country, is that both parties-- the vice president and the new president both agreed on basically ending the war, at least signing an armistice for a while." After Gore's concession, NBC's Tom Brokaw found Bush's acceptance "another graceful speech from the new President-elect talking about the issues, specifically, around which Democrats would have a hard time not uniting."
The central issue facing the country after one of the most hotly contested U.S. elections in history, according to the near-endless media repetition, was whether or not any "work" could get done in Washington: "Given that division and the protracted presidential race, can anything be accomplished?" (NBC Nightly News, 12/13/00)
Of course, the election raises serious questions about the electoral process, and real differences do exist among elected officials-- that's politics, and political reporters shouldn't be hoping for an end to it, as Time's Eric Pooley (12/25/00) appeared to do when he wrote that "this time there's so much at stake that only [Bush's] most churlish enemies could root against him."
"Healing"
In that spirit, much of the media saw the close of the presidential campaign as a time to heal wounds and move on; anyone raising critical questions about legitimacy or policy was marginalized. One CNN report (12/14/00) explained that "as the players prepare to write election 2000's final chapter, not everyone wants to close the books"-- illustrated, naturally, with a clip of Jesse Jackson. When Newsweek's Howard Fineman (CNBC, 12/13/00) explained that "Jesse doesn't mean that much in himself," Chris Matthews interrupted: "Would you like to address that letter to him, please, at some point?"
If Jackson was criticized for insisting that the problems with the Florida vote were meaningful, Al Gore won instant media approval for his concession. In descriptions that bordered on the absurd, pundits and reporters showered Gore with adoration for "this quiet, beautifully delivered speech in which you were reminded, this is a human struggle" (ABC's Jackie Judd, 12/13/00). NBC's Tim Russert thought Gore struck "the perfect tone.... It was personal and poignant, incredible." CNN's John King marveled at this "great moment in history," while historian Douglas Brinkley reminded viewers that Gore "always has been a great healer."
Even conservative pundits could hardly contain themselves: Laura Ingraham, appearing on Fox News Channel (12/13/00), praised Gore: "This was the best speech that I've ever heard Al Gore give. Didn't seem snooty. He seemed like a natural, normal person, and you know, how odd it is that this is the time that we see Al Gore the man."
A gracious, defeated Gore was the candidate the media finally praised, but it didn't take long to be reminded why they had less interest in the "other" Gore. As Cokie Roberts explained, "So often during the campaign, when he came on TV, he was annoying. There was nothing annoying about this." Moments later, Roberts gave some indication of what might have annoyed her about Gore-- she seemed to think Gore's campaign strayed too far to the left. Gore "was very instrumental in trying to bring the Democratic Party back to the middle," said Roberts, but "then in this campaign, he seemed to move back." Roberts offered similar advice to Clinton after the 1994 election (11/8/94), urging him to "move to the right, which is the advice that somebody should have given him a long time ago."
A similar post-game analysis came from MSNBC's Chris Matthews (12/13/00): "One of the reasons many people-- well, I'm one of them-- who believe that Al Gore didn't roll up the score against Bush and win his own state and everything else was that he ran a negative populist campaign based on resentment, especially class and economic, even ethnic resentment, and that the American people just wanted to tune that out." Matthews seems to have forgotten that Gore won over 300,000 more voters than his closest competitor.
The media's post-campaign advice for Gore was similar to some of their advice for president-elect Bush-- namely, that Bush needed to chart a centrist course to be effective. CBS' Bob Schieffer (12/17/00) recommended that Bush resist the more conservative members of the Republican Party and "find a middle ground occupied by friends, allies and-- if I may say so-- most of the American people. It won't be easy, but only from there and with them can he hope to get anything done."
Ignoring the "distracting details"
In their quest to heal, the media was often eager to forgo tough questions in favor of showing sympathy for the president-elect. After Bush's victory speech, CBS's Bob Schieffer was optimistic: "Let's hope he succeeds. It will be the best thing for the country." (12/13/00)
CNN's Candy Crowley declared: "But this is not about politics or even philosophy. This is now about practicality. George Bush will need to move this nation forward. But first, he must pull it together." (12/14/00)
Bush's campaign seemed to rely on creating low expectations for the candidate, and the media have done their part to put a positive spin on that strategy. Bush is a "a man of great self-confidence," according to CNN's Crowley, someone who is "not one of those that is threatened by power around him." Time's Walter Isaacson (12/25/00) noted that Bush is "impatient with distracting details," whatever that might mean.
Newsweek observed that Bush's hands-off approach dates all the way back to college, where Bush was known to sit in the back of many of his classes. Newsweek explains that such students "sat back and listened, taking in the scene, contributing consensus-building observations from on high." Newsweek adds: "There is a doggedness to him, the willingness of a man only too glad to recognize his limitations and operate accordingly."
Given Bush's hostility to "distracting details," his Cabinet choices are crucial, but his early picks have received little critical scrutiny. Naming Colin Powell as secretary of state was widely praised throughout the media. Though many outlets did criticize points in Powell's foreign policy doctrine, certain facts about his record have generally been omitted.
For example, Powell played a role in whitewashing atrocities committed by American soldiers in Vietnam, including the My Lai massacre. In response to a soldier's letter describing attacks on civilians by the Americal's 11th Brigade, which included the unit that carried out the My Lai massacre, then-Major Powell replied dismissively in a 12/13/68 memo: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between American soldiers and the Vietnamese people are excellent." (For more background, see: http://www.fair.org/extra/9601/powell.html .)
According to Newsweek (12/25/00), "Powell's sensitivity to the world's disadvantaged is a theme running throughout his career." That was certainly not true in the case in Vietnam, and it's doubtful it will apply to the U.S. position on sanctions in Iraq, which Powell vowed to "re-energize."
Newsweek also offers the president-elect some advice on handling the media: "Start meeting with small groups of reporters. Mix big shots and little, but surprise media with accessibility. Promise that everyone will get his turn. Avoid giant pressure-packed East Room press-conference deals until you're ready."
Bush may take Newsweek's advice on handling reporters to heart, but with kid glove media coverage like this, one wonders what he'd need to worry about.
12/22/00
10:02:11 PM
SOLSTICE - 12-21-00
CHRISTMAS PRELUDE
"Joy to the world... Let heaven and nature sing!"
The beautiful Christmas carols heard at this special time of the year make this a time when even on the street people smile more and are more friendly.
There is profound symbolism in Christmas and it has inspired the world's greatest music. As we approach a new millennium, we hear on radio, "Hark, the herald Angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn king.'" We suddenly remember, "Peace on Earth, goodwill to all." Our best hope for the future is found in the Angels ancient message.
When our hearts are filled with goodwill, we see new opportunities for resolving conflicts, achieving economic justice and ways to a sustainable future.
Christmas was originally celebrated on the Winter Solstice. This is the shortest day of the year. In ancient times people noted that in the Fall, the days kept getting shorter and shorter. There was fear they would keep getting shorter until there were no days. But on the Winter Solstice they would start getting longer: A cause for celebration!
In folklore, and perhaps in fact, Jesus was born on the solstice. This adds to the joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Darkness, symbolizes ignorance. Light, symbolizes understanding. In John 8:12, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world."
Throughout the centuries that followed, the greatest examples of brotherhood and peaceful progress have come from individuals and groups that saw in Jesus the light of the world. "This Freedom Whence" by John Wesley Brady, documents the social progress that followed great revivals of Christian faith. Major universities, charitable organizations and governments found in the Bethlehem story guidance and inspiration for altruistic policies and programs.
As we leave the mistakes of the past and enter a new millennium of opportunity, may the light of Christmas light our way to a better day.
John McConnell - www.earthsite.org 1933 Woodbine St. Ridgewood, NY 11385
Celebrate: Circle the globe with this message!
12/22/00
9:47:18 PM
There's lots of new material at http://www.thenation.com currently:
ON VERDICT 2000:
GORE VIDAL: Democratic Vistas http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010108&s=vidal
DAVID CORN: Questions for Powell http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010108&s=corn
WILLIAM GREIDER: Clinton Follows the Money http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010108&s=greider
ERIC ALTERMAN: Let the Whitewash Begin http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010108&s=alterman
ON THE DEATH-PENALTY:
ROBERT SHERRILL: Death Trip: The American Way of Execution http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010108&s=sherrill
BRUCE SHAPIRO: A Talk with Governor George Ryan http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010108&s=shapiro
MARION GROSS: Thou Shalt Not Kill http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20010108&s=gross
12/22/00
9:45:34 PM
Here are today's Reuters 'World Environment News' headlines, proudly brought to you by Planet Ark.
Doing environmental research? Search our news archives at: http://www.planetark.org/searchhome.cfm
UPDATE - US to issue clean diesel fuel, engine rules - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9367
Clinton diesel pollution rules likely to be challenged - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9369
UPDATE - Bush wants OPEC to raise oil production - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9373
Swiss green activist feared dead in Borneo - SWITZERLAND http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9371
Russia votes to accept foreign nuclear waste = RUSSIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9374
Dutch regulator details domestic 2001 energy rules - NETHERLANDS http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9372
ANALYSIS - Germany's emission reduction targets seen ambitious - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9368
German upper house backs commuter subsidy plan - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9370
Brazilians pour into cities, census shows - BRAZIL http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9366
12/22/00
9:38:46 PM
George Harrison Says 'The World Is Going Mental'
By Dean Goodman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former Beatle George Harrison is so concerned about the state of the world that he's jokingly thinking of calling his next album ``Your Planet is Doomed, Volume One.''
``The world is just going mental as far as I'm concerned,'' Harrison told Reuters Wednesday. ``It's speeding up with the whole technology and everything that's happening.''
Having survived both a home invasion by a knife-wielding maniac last Dec. 30 and a throat cancer scare in 1997 -- incidents he declined to discuss -- 57-year-old Harrison could be forgiven for seeing life in shades of black.
To remind himself of the bright side of things, Harrison has re-recorded his ode to peace, love and Hare Krishna, ``My Sweet Lord,'' which topped the American and British charts in 1971. It will appear -- along with the original -- on a 30th anniversary re-issue of his ``All Things Must Pass'' triple album, set for release on Jan. 23 via Capitol Records.
``I just like the idea and the opportunity to freshen it up, because the point of 'My Sweet Lord' is just to try and remind myself basically that there's more to life than the material world,'' Harrison said.
``Basically I think the planet is doomed,'' he said with a laugh. ``And it's my attempt to try to put a bit of a spin on the spiritual side, a reminder for myself and for anybody who's interested.''
Harrison added that while pessimistic about the environment, he is positive about ``my place in creation ... and I don't have any worries whatsoever about that.''
``All Things Must Pass,'' originally released in December 1970 as the Beatles were breaking up, served as a much-needed creative outlet for Harrison, whose songwriting efforts were overshadowed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Musicians on the sessions included Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, keyboardist Billy Preston, guitarist Dave Mason and an uncredited Eric Clapton.
Besides the original album's 23 songs, the reissue also contains an unused song from the sessions, ``I Live For You,'' different versions of the tracks ``Beware of Darkness'' and ``Let It Down,'' and a horns-heavy instrumental version of the single ''What Is Life.''
Harrison produced the album with Phil Spector, whose ``Wall of Sound'' technique, in which songs were given lush orchestral treatments, sounds outdated today, he now claims. But it worked well at the time. ``All Things Must Pass'' ended up selling about three million copies worldwide.
Harrison was later dragged into court when it was claimed that ``My Sweet Lord'' sounded a lot like the Chiffons' ``He's So Fine.'' He was judged to have unknowingly plagiarized the earlier song.
Harrison's son, Dhani, a 22-year-old university student, plays acoustic guitar on the updated version, and is also helping his dad a little for an album of new material, Harrison's first since 1987's ``Cloud Nine.''
Harrison said it would possibly come out next October or November. He plays most of the instruments, with session drummer Jim Keltner, and has produced it himself so far, though may bring in an outsider for some finishing touches. A free agent, he has talked to a number of labels about distribution.
Needless to say, the album will be computer-free. ``My music doesn't seem to belong to any particular period,'' Harrison said. ``I just make it the same way as we made it back in the sixties, which is analog tapes, microphones and guitars, bass, drums, pianos.''
12/22/00
9:30:07 PM
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE (ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We Cover the Earth For You"
Weather Experts: Year 2000 Continues Global Warming Trend
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 21, 2000 (ENS) - The global climate continues to be warmer than normal, the World Meteorological Organization said in its year end analysis. The year 2000 has continued the run of warm years in spite of the persistent cooling influence of the tropical Pacific La Niña.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-21-01.html
EPA Issues New Pollution Rule for Diesel Trucks, Buses
By Brian Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC, December 21, 2000 (ENS) - In a bold move that drew accolades from environmental groups and objections from the trucking industry, the outgoing Clinton/Gore administration today unveiled a new air pollution control rule. It will force drastic reductions in heavy duty truck and bus emissions over the next decade.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-21-15.html
YELLOWSTONE BISON BENEFIT LITTLE FROM NEW MANAGEMENT PLAN
By Cat Lazaroff
WASHINGTON, DC, December 21, 2000 (ENS) - Bison in Yellowstone National Park and the state of Montana may not have much to be thankful for this winter. A new Joint Management Plan for bison was released Wednesday by three federal agencies, but environmental groups say the plan does little to protect the animals from hazing and slaughter.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-21-06.html
Austria Sees Pollution Fall, Despite Truck Traffic Rise
BRUSSELS, Belgium, December 21, 2000 (ENS) - An ecopoints system set up to protect Austria's fragile Alpine valleys from increasing road freight traffic has reduced exhaust emissions by more than 55 percent in the last decade.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-21-11.html
Europe's Soil Degradation a Silent Disaster
BONN, Germany, December 21, 2000 (ENS) A "forgotten issue" and a "silent disaster" is how a report this week describes the degradation of Europe's vital soil resources.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-21-10.html
Environment News Service AmeriScan: December 21, 2000
Exxon Mobil Fined $3.5 Billion for Defrauding Alabama
Reviews Ordered for Jet Ski Use in National Parks
Two New Laws Benefit Laboratory Animals
Comprehensive Plan for Coastline Management Released
Caribou Scientists Call for Protection of Arctic Refuge
Wisconsin Man Convicted for Role in Shooting Bald Eagle
"Santa" Delivers Forest Friendly Messages
Los Angeles Utility Wins Tree Protection Award
New Meat Tenderizer, Sterilizer Is Dynamite
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-21-09.html
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE WORLDSCAN: DECEMBER 21, 2000
Destruction of Mangroves for Shrimp Farming Outlawed in Ecuador
Canada Appoints Gilbert Parent Ambassador for the Environment
Argentina Moves to Conserve Southern Right Whales
Trips Inside Virtual Plants Possible at New Australian Center
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-21-14.html
TO BIOTECH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
BioExchange Security Report: How Safe is your Genome?
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Dec. 21, -/E-Wire/-- The following is a security report issued by www.BioExchange.com:
With the escalation of Internet-based genomics and proteomics products and tools and the inevitable rise of so-called ``personal genomic'' technologies, it is increasingly important to insure genomic security and privacy to both companies and individuals. There is currently a half-dozen online genomics companies focused on providing commercial-grade research tools and proprietary data sources of not just human, but fly, worm, mouse, pig, and other model organisms. Other companies want to analyze and store your own personal genomic information for research and health.
CONTACT: BioExchange.com, Eric Stone, 888/320-7090 ext. 402/
Web site: www.BioExchange.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/21Dec0005.html
TO BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Waste and Recycling Industry Hauls Trash Onto The Internet Using Bidland Systems' Online Auction Technology
- Equipment valued at $500,000 is auctioned off by Wastebid.com using Bidland's dynamic commerce platform -
SAN DIEGO, CA, Dec. 21, -/E-Wire/-- Bidland SystemsSM announced today that Wastebid.com is using its online auction technology to create a one-stop shop for buyers and sellers in the nation's $50 billion solid-waste collection, recycling and disposal industry.
CONTACT: Jan Loomis Bidland Systems (858) 292-6616, jloomis@bidland.com or Bonnie Shaw McQUERTERGROUP (858) 450-0030, email: bonnie@mcquerter.com
Web site: www.bidland.com
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/21Dec0002.html
TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Startech Environmental Announces Opening of New Sales Showroom
WILTON, Conn., Dec. 21 -/E-Wire/-- Startech Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: STHK), the world leader in plasma waste remediation and recycling technology announced today the opening date of its new Sales Showroom located in Bristol, Connecticut for January 18, 2001. The 6,000 square foot Showroom now houses a new 10,000 pound per day Startech Plasma Waste Converter (PWC) Closed-loop Elemental Recycling System.
CONTACT: Robert L. DeRochie for Startech Environmental Corp., 203-762-2499, or fax, 203-761-0839, starmail@startech.net/
Web site: http://www.startech.net/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/21Dec0001.html
TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Enviro-Recovery Announces Completion of Conference Room at Ford Motor Co. World Headquarters
ASHLAND, WI, Dec. 21, -/E-Wire/-- Enviro-Recovery, Inc. (OTCBB:EVRE - news; ``OTC-EVRE'') is pleased to announce the completion of the executive conference room at Ford Motor Company's World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
CONTACT: LakeShore Strategies Corp., Tim Mikula, Tel: 888/233-1871, Email: tim@lakeshorecorp.co or Enviro-Recovery Inc., Jeff Schwartz, Tel: 888/653-5647/
Website: www.timelesstimber.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/21Dec0003.html
TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Aluminum-Power's Fuel Cell Featured in Scientific American Report Performance exceeds all conventional batteries
TORONTO, Ontario, Dec. 12, -/E-Wire/-- Canada's Aluminum-Power Inc. today announced that its breakthrough aluminum-air fuel cell for portable energy applications is featured in the December, 2000 issue of Scientific American's monthly "Fuel Cell Industry Report".
CONTACT: Rafael Ferry, 416-929-3262 ex 224, rferry@aluminum-power.com/
Web site: www.aluminum-power.com
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/21Dec0002.html
12/22/00
9:26:20 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. December 21, 2000
PRO-HEMP RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES AT WASHINGTON DC MEETING
At its winter meeting on Dec. 13-15, the National Conference of State Legislatures adopted a resolution on the subject of hemp. The resolution contains the following recommendations:
- The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) strongly urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to collaboratively develop and adopt an official definition of industrial hemp, as per those nations currently producing hemp.
- NCSL also strongly urges Congress to amend US Code sections 21 U.S.C. Sec. 812 (10) and 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841 to distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana varieties of cannabis as they relate to production, possession, delivery, and intended use.
- NCSL requests the USDA and the DEA to review the procedures under which their Canadian counterparts are authorized to sanction the commercial development of industrial hemp.
- NCSL also strongly urges Congress statutorily to direct the DEA to revise its policies to be less restrictive and to allow states to establish state regulatory programs, thus fostering the development of domestic hemp production by American farmers and manufacturers.
- Toward this end, a copy of this resolution will be sent to members of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Acting DEA director Donnie R. Marshall, the office of ONDCP, and the President of the United States. (END)
The NCSL is considering whether it will comment on the new proposed rules regarding the treatment of hemp products, which are to be published in the Federal Register.
Rep. Jon Nelson (R-N.D.) introduced the resolution before the Agriculture and International Trade Committee. The meeting, moderated by Rep. Maxine Bell (R-Idaho) offered a debate, with John Howell of Hempwell Inc. speaking on behalf of the resolution, and Col. Robert Maginnis of the Family Research Council speaking against it, followed by a lengthy question and answer period. After the presentation, a voice vote was taken and the measure passed by over the required three-quarters majority.
The next day, the full plenary session conducted a lengthy debate and again, passed the measure by voice vote with a more than three-quarters majority.
This resolution was the result of a similar presentation at the NCSL's annual meeting, held in Chicago in July. A display booth of hemp products was presented by Hempwell Inc. and was supported by The Body Shop, Eco Fields retail store, EcoDragon, Hemp Basics, Artisan Gear, and Living Tree Paper Company. Over 1,200 legislators, staff members, policy makers, and lobbyists passed through the hemp informational display. Following this meeting, John Howell of Hempwell was invited to speak on behalf of the resolution at the winter meeting in Washington D.C.
For more info contact: jhowell@hempwell.com
12/22/00
9:24:18 PM
THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE
On Christmas Day, 1914, in the first year of World War I, German, British, and French soldiers disobeyed their superiors and fraternized with "the enemy" along two-thirds of the Western Front. German troops held Christmas trees up out of the trenches with, signs, "Merry Christmas." "You no shoot, we no shoot." Thousands of troops streamed across a no-man's land strewn with rotting corpses. They sang Christmas carols, exchanged photographs of loved ones back home, shared rations, played football, even roasted some pigs. Soldiers embraced men they had been trying to kill a few short hours before. They agreed to warn each other if the top brass forced them to fire their weapons, and to aim high.
A shudder ran through the high command on either side. Here was disaster in the making: soldiers declaring their brotherhood with each other and refusing to fight. Generals on both sides declared this spontaneous peacemaking to be treasonous and subject to court martial. By March, 1915 the fraternization movement had been eradicated and the killing machine put back in full operation. By the time of the armistice in 1918, fifteen million would be slaughtered.
Not many people have heard the story of the Christmas Truce. Military leaders have not gone out of their way to publicize it. On Christmas Day, 1988, a story in the Boston Globe mentioned that a local FM radio host played "Christmas in the Trenches," a ballad about the Christmas Truce, several times and was startled by the effect. The song became the most requested recording during the holidays in Boston on several FM stations. "Even more startling than the number of requests I get is the reaction to the ballad afterward by callers who hadn't heard it before," said the radiohost. "They telephone me deeply moved, sometimes in tears, asking, `What the hell did I just hear?'"
I think I know why the callers were in tears. The Christmas Truce story goes against most of what we have been taught about people. It gives us a glimpse of the world as we wish it could be and says, "This really happened once." It reminds us of those thoughts we keep hidden away, out of range of the TV and newspaper stories that tell us how trivial and mean human life is. It is like hearing that our deepest wishes really are true: the world really could be different.
Excerpted from David G. Stratman, We Can Change the World: The Real Meaning of Everyday Life New Democracy Books, 1991 Available for $3.00 from New Democracy Books P.O. Box 427 Boston MA 02130
12/21/00
12:59:35 PM
Action Alerts
DEA to Ban Hemp Food/Oil in Name of Integrity of Drug Testing System Oregon treesitters speak out to save 500 year-old rainforests! Close the Loopholes in the Forest Service's Roadless Forest Protection Plan
DEA to Ban Hemp Food/Oil in Name of Integrity of Drug Testing System
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 14:45:09 -1000 Subject: DEA to Ban Hemp Food/Oil in Name of Integrity of Drug Testing System From: David Frankel <dfrankel@4thwavelaw.org>
DEA is banning any hemp product that might result in any amount of THC entering the human body ~ in the name of preserving the integrity of US drug testing.
THIS EMAIL CONTAINS A COMPLETE SUMMARY AND RELEVANT INFO - BUT THE FULL FLAVOR IS IN MCCAFFREY'S REMARKS BELOW TO REP. JOHN SHIMKUS:
In Barry McCaffrey's March 17, 2000 Letter to Rep. John Shimkus re: Shimkus' letter of March 6 - McCaffrey says in part
"In fact, the amount of THC in some hemp products is significant enough to cause positive drug tests. To maintain the integrity of the US drug testing system, we cannot allow the legalization of products that may be consumed to contain THC. Our drug testing system keeps the public safe by demanding that employees in safety sensitive positions be tested. It also has provided great benefits to drug-free workplace programs in the States across the country, in the Armed Forces, at the Department of Transportation and in the Federal workforce. We must strive to preserve its integrity. Although the single species, Cannabis sativa, can be sub-optimized for fiber or marijuana production, existing Federal law does not differentiate between low or high THC content. It is the existence of THC that places the substance within Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act."
He goes on to say that he is empowered by Congress to "take such actions as are necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance (in any form) that is listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and has not been approved for medical use (21 USC 1703(b)(12))."
"Finally, the Federal government is concerned that the importation of products containing THC or the cultivation of Cannabis sativa plants in the United States for hemp will become the stalking horse for the de facto legalization of marijuana. Cannabis sativa cultivation under the guise of agricultural economics cannot be allowed to undermine the prohibition against domestic production of marijuana for use as a drug and the viability of our drug testing system. This principle must and does guide our drug policy decisions." Namaste :)
DEA is about to pass an three "Interim Rules" restricting products made from non-drug industrial hemp foods and oils ("Hemp Food/Oil Ban") which will be effective immediately without public comment upon publication in the Federal Register (which is threatened to occur in the next 30 days). I am attaching copy of the Notice (part of the Unified Agenda, published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 231, Page 74025).
The Notice proposes three new rules which the DEA deems "nonsignificant" but which are quite significant and which may constitute an unconstitutional taking:
New Rule #1: The DEA's interpretive rule that existing law covers organic THC ~ contrary to every decided case on this issue, the DEA has found this interpretation.
New Rule #2: The DEA intends to change Schedule I to add organic THC to the list of controlled substances to codify its interpretation set forth in New Rule #1.
New Rule #3: The DEA writes "the interim rule will not allow ``hemp'' products that result in THC entering the human body" and will exempt hemp fiber crops.
The Interim Rules are now being reviewed by other agencies - PLEASE IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THESE AGENCIES ASKING FOR THERE TO BE USUAL RULEMAKING INCLUDING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THESE RULES: Raymond Kelly, Commissioner U.S. Customs; Jacob J. Lew, Director, Office of Management and Budget; Lawrence H. Summers, Secretary, Department of the Treasury; and Norman Mineta, Secretary, Department of Commerce.
To see the complete story go to <A HREF="www.egroups.com/group/bay_area_activist "> www.egroups.com/group/bay_area_activist</A> and see entry # 7504/DEA to Ban Hemp Food/Oil
Please take a moment to review this and post everywhere and send to all lists ~ a sample letter to Congress and relevant US agencies is included.
Oregon treesitters speak out to save 500 year-old rainforests!
Before its too late, contact the Whitehouse and demand the cancellation of the CLARK, WINBERRY, EAGLE and SNOG timber sales. These are the last four unresolved tree villages on National Forest lands!
Since April 1998, Pacific Northwest treesitters have held ongoing vigils in the tops of threatened old growth trees. In more then a dozen locations we took to building treehouses, as well as connecting neighbor-trees with rope walkways. A thousand different people have climbed up to help us save these trees. Hundreds of news articles have documented our plight.
We've endured three logging seasons at heights of 200 feet. We will not come out of the trees until they are saved. We are unmovable witnesses for the cancellation of Clark, Winberry, Eagle and Snog. They are the most corrupt of all the current timber sales.
Our defense is simple, we put our safety on the line, forcing the Forest Service to slow down and be cautious. Our tree villages often hold off logging long enough to allow for legal injunctions, wildlife surveys and cancellations of sales. On rare occasion they just ignore our safety and cut all the trees that we have yet to tie in.
With the White House going to the Bush administration, the Clinton/Gore administration has one final month to intervene. The outgoing administration has a reputation for ordering the cancellation of a select number of controversial old-growth sales. The incoming Bush administration will do the opposite!
Please help while we still have a chance! The need for your voice is urgent!
To see the complete story go to <A HREF="www.egroups.com/group/bay_area_activist "> www.egroups.com/group/bay_area_activist</A> and see entry # 7506 CALLS NEEDED! support Oregon tree sitters
Close the Loopholes in the Forest Service's Roadless Forest Protection Plan
Contributed by Natural Resources Defense Council
Responding to the single largest outpouring of public comment in conservation history, the Forest Service announced on November 13 that its expanded new plan to protect currently roadless areas in national forests will now include the crown jewel of the national forest system, Alaska's Tongass National Forest - but not until 2004. While the announcement signals that the Clinton administration heard and took to heart the public's outcry to protect our nation's forests, the newest proposed plan still contains serious flaws that could jeopardize the future of our last wild places.
Last October, President Clinton directed the U.S. Forest Service to develop a plan for permanently protecting up to 60 million acres of national forests. The president called on the Forest Service to significantly change the way the United States manages publicly owned forests to preserve stretches of national forests that have not been scarred by roads.
Responding to this avalanche of public opinion, the administration added the Tongass to its most recent version of the plan. While this is a huge step forward, the problem is that the plan does not call for the Tongass to be protected until 2004 - and the timber industry is at this moment gearing up a new mill to take advantage of this loophole and devour the Tongass' virgin old growth valleys. By 2004, irreparable harm will have been done and in the meantime industry will increase pressure on Congress and the new administration to unravel the plan's protections.
Call to action
Tell President Clinton to adopt a final forest protection plan that will ban logging in all roadless national forest areas and include the Tongass rainforest in Alaska now, not after it's too late. Even if you've written to the president or the Forest Service about the roadless area protection plan before, please write again now as he and his advisors weigh the options for the last time.
Dear President Clinton,
I was encouraged by your administration's November 13 announcement to include the Tongass National Forest in your upcoming Roadless Forest Protection Plan. While a great step forward, loopholes in the plan must be closed if this historic initiative is to truly and permanently protect our country's public forests.
The final plan *must* expressly prohibit logging. Furthermore, the Tongass rainforest needs to be included in the plan now. Waiting until 2004 gives timber companies far too long to run the Tongass' old growth through their mills and destroy this magnificent part of our country's wild heritage.
Please ensure that your initiative is truly historic and truly saves our last best public forests, by banning all logging in them and fully including the Tongass rainforest now, not in 2004.
Sincerely,
www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm
12/21/00
12:55:46 PM
Here are today's Reuters 'World Environment News' headlines, proudly brought to you by Planet Ark.
Doing environmental research? Search our news archives at: http://www.planetark.org/searchhome.cfm
Offshore Arctic oil project sparks Greenpeace suit - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9361
UPDATE - US shoppers to soon find USDA organic food labels - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9363
UPDATE - Bush wants OPEC to raise oil production - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9364
European scrap body launches shredder group - UK http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9360
Norway okays building of three wind farms - NORWAY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9362
UPDATE - Israel denies dumping toxic waste in Golan - ISRAEL http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9365
Animal rights group targets Indian circus shows - INDIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9359
12/21/00
12:54:51 PM
Please distribute this via your networks, have it signed by as many individuals and organizations as you can, and e-mail to: mari999@jk9.so-net.ne.jp.
The first collection will be until the end of the 20th Century (December 31, 2000) Thank you for your help in preventing and reducing the danger of nuclear hazards harming our health, environment, and generations to come!!
For further information, contact me at:
Nuclear Power Free World for 21st Century (NPFW 21)
Mari Takenouchi, Representative
6-5-8, Koganehara, Matsudo, Chiba 270-0021, Japan Tel: +81-90-4002-3959 Fax: +81-47-341-2023 E-mail: mari999@jk9.so-net.ne.jp
PETITION ADDRESSED TO GE, WESTING HOUSE, HITACHI, TOSHIBA, MITSUBISHI, BNFL, SIEMENS, JNF, COGEMA AND ALL NUCLEAR RELATED COMPANIES
We the undersigned organizations and individuals express our extreme concern that nuclear power related technologies and products are being manufactured and exported to countries in Asia, South America, and Africa. This, in spite of the fact that the trend in most advanced nations, which are also manufacturers of nuclear power, is to phase out this energy resource within their own boundaries.
Even without mentioning Chernobyl, which was an unacceptable catastrophe under any circumstances, accidents happen. In fact, the number of accidents is increasing as more nuclear power plants are constructed all over the world and as older reactors age. We have to prevent future nuclear catastrophes by any and all means and this requires prompt and dramatic action.
Moreover, it is contrary to the interests of nuclear related companies to continue with their current practices. Selling products might bring profits for a short-term period if no large accident happens in the near future, but considering the problems of waste, maintaining aging power plants, the constant release of deadly "low-level" radiation, decommissioning plants, and the possible occurrence of major accidents, this industry cannot bring benefits in the future. We believe that related companies are already well aware of this fact. Before it is too late, you should seriously address the problems immediately.
It is also contrary to the interests of countries that require sustainable, clean, mostly decentralized, low-cost energy systems, adapted both to their needs and their use of capital, resources and labor. Also it is feared that all the importing countries, due to limitations of structural and technical capabilities that exist to various degrees, cannot handle nuclear facilities in a proper manner. This is also the case of advanced nations.
Nuclear power is also contrary to global environmental issues such as global warming and pollution roblems[ http://www.geocities.com/mothersalert/globalwarming2.html]. The vast amount of waste hot water from nuclear power plants is raising the temperature of rivers, lakes and seas in areas near nuclear facilities. Radioactive emissions from facilities, even under permissible levels, have and will continue to accumulate in the environment world wide. There is no safe level of any ionizing radiation. Dr. John Gofman, world reknown nuclear health expert states that there is no safe level of ionizing radiation: http://www.geocities.com/mothersalert/gofman.html Dr.Gofman has testified in court in the USA that "acceptable" radiation levels constitute "planned deaths" by the nuclear industry. There are a number of cases of nuclear facility workers exposed to radiation, and some experts even state that the rate of children who develop leukemia[http://www.geocities.com/mothersalert/childrencancers.html] went up around some of these facilities. In particular Joseph Mangano of "The Radiation and Public Health Project $B!I (B has discovered a sharp decrease in infant mortality around 5 reactors shortly after these reactors ceased operating. See: http://www.geocities.com/mothersalert/infant.html & http://www.radiation.org
At the same time, there is no concrete measure established for controlling high-level nuclear waste in any country in the world. Geological disposal is a possible option right now but many geologists have great doubts whether highly toxic radioactive material could be contained for more than tens of thousands of years. Even if they can the radioactivity of much of this nuclear waste will be lethal for more than one million years. Additionally, earthquake prone countries and their neighboring area might see an irreversible catastrophe caused either by the geological disposal/storage of nuclear waste, transportation of fuels/waste or normal operation of nuclear power plants in conjunction with violent seismic activity.
The impact of radiation contamination goes beyond generational and national boundaries, and can bring eternal suffering and damage to all living creatures and the environment. Shortsighted economic interests or business aspirations should not supercede the chain of life on Earth, which is unrecoverable once damaged by a radioactive catastrophe or catastrophes.
Therefore, we the undersigned organizations and individuals call upon all nuclear related industries and companies to immediately stop operating, transporting and manufacturing their products and halt exporting these technologies and products to other nations.
NAME:
ORGANISATION:
FULL ADDRESS:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
Again, please send Sign-Ons to:
mari999@jk9.so-net.ne.jp
Please dissemenate widely.Thanks!
12/21/00
12:51:58 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Obesity Epidemic Threatens Health in Exercise-Deprived Societies
WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 20, -/E-Wire/-- Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, afflicting a growing number of people in industrial and developing countries alike. It is damaging human health, raising the incidence of heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer, arthritis, and adult onset diabetes. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 300,000 Americans now die each year from obesity-related illnesses.
/CONTACT: Reah Janise Kauffman, PHONE: (202) 452-1992 x 514, FAX: (202) 296-7365, EMAIL: rjkauffman@worldwatch.org/
/Web site: www.worldwatch.org/alerts/indexia.html
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/20Dec0005.html
TO BUSINESS, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Blue292 Appoints Technology Sales Veteran to Senior Vice President of Sales
Former National Director of Enterprise Sales at Symantec Corporation to Oversee Enterprise Sales Operations for eBusiness Application Provider
DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 20 -/E-Wire/-- Blue292, the world's leading provider of environmental, health and safety (EHS) eBusiness application software, today announced the appointment of Ms. Scottie O'Reilly Oliver, a former national sales executive with Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), to the position of Senior Vice President of Sales.
/CONTACT: Jennifer Kelaher of Robinson Lerer & Montgomery, 212-484-7313, jkelaher@rlmnet.com , for Blue292/
/Web site: http://www.blue292.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/20Dec0002.html
TO BUSINESS AND MEDICAL EDITORS:
Monsanto Issues 1999/2000 Corporate Environmental Report As World-Wide-Web Document
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 20 -/E-Wire/-- Monsanto Company has issued its most recent corporate environmental report (CER) as an electronic document. Titled the "1999/2000 Report on Sustainable Development and ES&H," the document is available exclusively on Monsanto's internet homepage at http://www.monsanto.com .
/CONTACT: Dallas A. Meneely of Monsanto Company, 314-694-3862/
/Web site: http://www.monsanto.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/20Dec0003.html
TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Air Quality Sciences, Inc. Earns Distinguished AIHA Accreditation
ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 20 -/E-Wire/-- Air Quality Sciences, Inc. (AQS) is pleased to announce that its microbial laboratory, under the direction of Dr. Elliott Horner, has earned accreditation by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) in its Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP). AQS is the only laboratory in the world to be ISO 9002 registered and EMLAP accredited, and is the most advanced indoor air quality testing laboratory in the industry.
/CONTACT: Todd Lowenthal, 770-933-0638, extension 238/
/Web site: http://www.aqs.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/20Dec0004.html
TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Court Urges BLM to Take Steps to Prevent Slaughter of Adopted Horses, Reports The Fund for Animals
RENO, Nev., Dec. 20 -/E-Wire/-- In a recent hearing before the U.S. District Court in Reno, Judge Howard McKibben told the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that it is moving too slowly and not working hard enough to implement "very simple steps" to prevent adopted wild horses from ending up at slaughterhouses. Judge McKibben asked the BLM to submit more information within 60 days on the number of horses slaughtered in the last two years and whether it has prosecuted those cases, and to state for the record that it will no longer title horses unless the adopter signs a sworn attestation not to use the horse for slaughter.
/CONTACT: Andrea Lococo of The Fund for Animals, 307-859-8840; or Howard Crystal of Meyer & Glitzenstein, 202-588-5206/
/Web site: http://www.fund.org/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/20Dec0002.html
12/21/00
12:49:57 PM
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE (ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We Cover the Earth For You"
U.S. FINALIZES NATIONAL ORGANIC FOOD STANDARDS
By Brian Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC, December 20, 2000 (ENS) - More than 10 years after being mandated by federal law, the U.S. government today unveiled its final national standards for the production, handling and processing of organically grown agricultural products.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-20-15.html
$73 MILLION CLEANUP TARGETS CONTAMINATED OCEAN FLOOR
TORRANCE, California, December 20, 2000 (ENS) - Four companies will pay $73 million to clean up contamination from the pesticide DDT and restore the ocean environment off the coast of Los Angeles. The settlement with the United States and State of California, filed Tuesday, ends a 10 year suit over the world's largest DDT pollution site.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-20-06.html
BIOTECH'S MERITS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PUBLIC TRUST
WASHINGTON, DC, December 20, 2000 (ENS) - A report commissioned by U.S. President Bill Clinton and European Commission President Romano Prodi calls for greater openness by governments over biotechnology issues or risk a public backlash.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-20-11.html
U.S. Forges Novel Environmental Deal with Steel Maker By Brian Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC, December 20, 2000 (ENS) - A North Carolina based steel company has agreed to spend nearly $100 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it failed to control pollution released from its factories in seven states. The agreement, finalized on Tuesday with the Justice Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), represents the largest and most comprehensive environmental settlement ever reached with a steel manufacturer.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-20-16.html
WINE MAKERS CONSIDER A NEW TWIST
By Pat Agnew
NAPA, California, December 20, 2000 (ENS) - Once upon a wine, a screw cap meant labels like "Night Train" and "Cannonball Express," brown bags and drinking in the alley.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-20-01.html
LONDON'S BLACK CABS CATALYST FOR GREEN UPGRADE
LONDON, United Kingdom, December 20, 2000 (ENS) - More British than spotted dick, London's black taxi cabs are being fitted with pollution cutting catalytic converters in a trial that could see all 20,000 of the famous vehicles going green.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-20-10.html
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: DECEMBER 20, 2000
Study Finds No Link Between Cellular Phones, Cancer
Major Donation Benefits Sea Turtles in Florida
Wilderness Bills for Year Pass Million Acre Mark
Lasting Protection For Rivers In Eight States
Next President Will Face Major Trade, Environmental Issues
Alabama Students Seek New National Monuments
New York City Buys Hybrid Electric Buses
Model Forecasts Effects of Selenium In San Francisco Bay
BLM Urged to Prevent Slaughter of Adopted Horses
Live Nativities Can Be Cruel to Animals
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-20-09.html
12/21/00
12:46:11 PM
What would have happened if the three wise men had been women?
1.. They would have asked for directions 2.. They would have arrived in time 3.. They would have helped to deliver the baby 4.. They would have cleaned the stables 5.. They would have cooked a delicious casserole, and 6.. There would be Peace on Earth
12/21/00
12:42:36 PM
how to build community
turn off your tv.........
.......leave your house
....... know your neighbours........greet people
.....look up when you're walking.......sit on your step
.........plant flowers and vegetables......use your local library
.........play together
buy from local merchants.......share what you have
help a lost dog....take children to the park
......honour elders
........support neighbourhood schools
.......fix it even if you didn't break it.......
hold 'pot lucks'.........garden together
pick up litter ........read stories aloud......dance in the street
......talk to the postman.......listen to the birds
.........put up a swing........help carry something heavy
.........barter for your goods........
start a tradition.........ask a question
hire young people for odd jobs..........organise a street party
bake extra and share........ask for hep when you need it
.....open your curtains.......sing together.......share your skills
..........take back the night
..........turn up the music
........turn down the music
listen before you react to anger
.........mediate a conflict..........seek to understand
......learn from new and uncomfortable angles
know that no-one is silent
though many are not heard
......work to change this
From a community postcard by Syracuse Cultural Workers scw@syrculturalworkers.org www.syrculturalworkers.org
12/21/00
12:38:38 PM
GOD OVERRULES SUPREME COURT VERDICT
Bush to be smitten later today
In a stunning development this morning, God invoked the "one nation, under God" clause of the Pledge of Allegiance to overrule last night's Supreme Court decision that handed the White House to George Bush.
"I'm not sure where the Supreme Court gets off," God said this morning on a rare Today Show appearance, "but I'm sure as hell not going to lie back and let Bush get away with this bullshit."
"I've watched analysts argue for weeks now that the exact vote count in Florida 'will never be known.' Well, I'm God and I DO know exactly who voted for whom. Let's cut to the chase: Gore won Florida by exactly 20,219 votes."
Shocking political analysts and pundits, God's unexpected verdict overrules the official Electoral College tally and awards Florida to Al Gore, giving him a 289-246 victory. The Bush campaign is analyzing God's Word for possible grounds for appeal.
"God's ruling is a classic over-reach," argued Bush campaign strategist Jim Baker. "Clearly, a divine intervention in a U.S. Presidential Election is unprecedented, unjust, and goes against the constitution of the state of Florida."
"Jim Baker's a jackass," God responded. "He's got some surprises ahead of him, let me tell you. HOT ones, if you know what I mean."
God, who provided the exact vote counts for every Florida precinct, explained that bad balloting machinery and voter confusion were no grounds to give the White House to "a friggin' idiot."
"Look, only 612 people in Palm Beach County voted for Buchanan. Get real! The rest meant to vote for Gore. Don't believe me? I'll name them: Anderson, Pete; Anderson, Sam, Jr.; Arthur, James; Barnhardt, Ron..."
Our Lord then went on to note that he was displeased with George W. Bush's prideful ways and announced that he would officially smite him today. In an act of wrath unlike any reported since the Book of Job, God has taken all of Bush's goats and livestock, stripped him of his wealth and possessions, sold his family into slavery, forced the former presidential candidate into hard labor in a salt mine, and afflicted him with deep boils.
Dick Cheney will reportedly receive leprosy.
From Paul Cienfuegos <cienfuegos@igc.org> Director, Democracy Unlimited www.monitor.net/democracyunlimited (grassroots organization challenging corporate rule and promoting democratic participation)
12/21/00
12:33:09 PM
Turn your Back on Bush!
Please forward this message to everyone you possibly can.
NONVIOLENT NONCOOPERATION WITH EVIL: TURN YOUR BACK ON BUSH!!
"To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the Consent of the Governed."
"Consent of the Governed" is the very cornerstone of our democracy. Yet that cornerstone has been dislodged, and the edifice is trembling.
George W. Bush and a partisan Supreme Court have overthrown democracy in Florida; as a result, we will never know the "consent of the governed" in Florida.
Through cynical manipulation, Bush and his allies on the Court have blatantly thwarted democracy and stolen the election. And so far, with the sheepish complicity of the corporate media, they have gotten away with it. So what can we do?
Here is what I recommend: On Usurpation Day (formerly "Inauguration Day"), January 20, patriotic citizens of the (former) United States of America--all who still believe that just power derives from *consent of the governed*--should go to Washington D.C. to bear witness to the illegitimacy of this "president." Find a place along the motorcade route (Pennsylvania Avenue) or in front of the speaker's platform at the Capital.
THE NEXT PART IS IMPORTANT: Wear no buttons. Make no noise. Conduct yourself with quiet dignity. Do nothing that would let the Bushmen know your politics. Wear a nice suit, or get your hair coiffed, so that you look like a rich Republican.
Mingle with the crowd. But then--when the Motorcade comes by, or when George Bush steps up to the mike to address the crowd, simply TURN YOUR BACK, to bear witness of your disapproval of his theft of the election, and to show that you do not acknowledge him as your president.
This is an example of what Gandhi called "Satyagraha"--nonviolent noncooperation with evil, or what the Quakers call "speaking Truth to Power."
Imagine the effect when hundreds of thousands of citizens turn their backs simultaneously, first in a rippling wave down both sidewalks as the motorcade approaches, then en masse as Bush steps up to the mike. The TV cameras will not be able to avoid showing it, and the Bushmen will have no idea how many of us intend to turn our backs until the moment we do it.
But--I can't emphasize this enough--do it with DIGNITY. Don't yell or curse. Don't be disruptive in any way, for if you are, you will simply give Bush's goons the excuse they want to bash your head in, and you will allow the corporate media to marginalize us as a bunch of crazy anarchists (as they did in Seattle).
The purpose of nonviolent noncooperation is not to show hatred, but love-- to simply show him that we don't acknowledge his authority--that he has abrogated democracy, and we don't approve. So perform this action with dignity and love in your hearts for all of life, including George W. Bush. If between now and Usurpation Day, the results of the Florida recount become clear, and Bush respects the results and acts accordingly, whether they give him or Gore the presidency, we will call off our action with gratitude. But if he persists in usurping power--let's let him know, firmly, that we are not amused.
Turn your back on Bush!!
12/21/00
12:28:35 PM
Inauguration Day General Strike
INAUGURATION DAY GENERAL STRIKE Saturday, January 20, 2001
There are some great protest posters at this web site: http://www.free-radical.org/issue13.shtml
Let us all join together to counter the UNPRESIDENT with no buying, no TV, no work - Instead, maybe we could make it a day of writing letters, telegrams, whatever to our elected officials, the supreme court, local newspapers, etc.
http://www.presidential-inaugural.com
12/21/00
12:27:44 PM
Supreme Court Attacks Civil Rights, by Prof. Margaret Burnham
This story ran on page A23 of the Boston Globe on 12/14/2000
A Cynical Supreme Court
http://www.workforchange.org/burnham.txt
AND ALSO From: Mark Graffis <ab758@virgin.vip.vi> Subject: Kevin Phillips on Stealing Florida
On 13 Dec 13 2000, the "Morning Edition" program on National Public Radio included a scathing commentary by Kevin Phillips on Stealing Florida. The audio can downloded at:
http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/me/20001213.me.14.ram (14 KB/S)
http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/me/20001213.me.14.rmm (28 KB/S)
Conservatives like Phillips are to be admired for speaking up
12/21/00
12:24:11 PM
Live From the Peace Room
"Live from the Peace Room" with Barbara Marx Hubbard is now on Wisdom Internet Radio.
December 27: VALUES CO-CREATING THE NEW WORLD with Richard Barrett, author and international consultant and keynote speaker in the field of vision-guided, values-driven cultural transformation.
Live from the Peace Room, hosted by evolutionary futurist and visionary, Barbara Marx Hubbard, features renowned guests in all fields of endeavor including science, medicine, spirituality, relationships, psychology, the arts, politics, health, etc., in an ongoing dialogue about the evolutionary potential of humanity and Earth at this unprecedented period of quantum shift -- our birth as a universal species.
Live from the Peace Room airs every Wednesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time/8:00 PM Eastern on Wisdom Media's internet radio at http://www.wisdommedia.com, and will also be available on-demand after the live broadcast.
***** What you need to listen to the program through your computer *****
WISDOM¨Media uses the latest technology to stream their radio programs over the Internet. They use Real Network's RealPlayer G2, which is completely free and can be downloaded at http://www.real.com/products/player/downloadrealplayer.html. There is a more advanced version of this program called RealPlayer Plus G2, which can be purchased from Real Network's site.
Live from the Peace Room is a production of the Foundation for Conscious Evolution whose purpose is the education, communication, and application of the world view of Conscious Evolution so as to ignite the unique creativity of each person, calling forth the best of our scientific, technological, cultural, and spiritual capacities in alignment with the evolutionary impulse of creation for the benefit of all life.
For more information about the Foundation, please visit our website at http://www.peaceroom.org, or email us at fce@peaceroom.org.
Please feel free to forward this announcement to others whom you feel would appreciate knowing about Live from the Peace Room.
12/21/00
12:21:32 PM
From: http://www.simedia.org/new/foodday.html
Food day at the dawn of the new millennium
World Food Day focuses public attention on the 826 million people around the world who do not get enough to eat, and encourages greater action to end hunger.
On 16 October 2000 World Food Day was held under the auspices of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). For two decades now, the Day has been observed across the world to heighten public awareness of the problem of world hunger and focus attention on food security for all.
"A Millennium Free from Hunger" was this year's theme for World Food Day and TeleFood 2000, an annual campaign of broadcasts, concerts and other events dedicated to mobilizing public awareness and global solidarity to end hunger.
Negative consequences
In his World Food Day message, FAO's Director-General Jacques Diouf stated: "The scourges of hunger and poverty are morally unacceptable and have to be defeated. Hunger and chronic undernutrition diminish human life. The lack of physical or economic access to safe, nutritious and healthy food at all times leads to negative consequences for peoples and nations."
The depth of world hunger is examined in FAO's The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2000 report, starting with an overwhelming question: "Just how deep is the hunger suffered by the world's more than 800 million undernourished people?" A new tool for assessing the severity of want has been introduced by FAO. This is a measure of the per-person food-deficit of the undernourished population within each country. Measured in kilocalories, it aims to assess just how empty people's plates are each day.
According to the report, 826 million people around the world do not get enough to eat - 792 million people in developing countries and another 34 million in industrialized countries and countries in transition. These figures represent essentially no change since the last count - a sad indictment of the world's failure to respond adequately in a time of unprecedented plenty.
FAO estimates that the number of hungry people in developing countries was declining by 8 million a year in the first half of the 1990s. But if we are to fulfil the pledge made at the 1996 World Food Summit to reduce by half the number of hungry people in the world by 2015, that number must reach 20 million a year.
Some progress
Although these figures (826 million undernourished - 792 million in the developing world and 34 million in the developed world) represent no change from the previous reporting period, new projections for 2015 and 2030 suggest some progress, even without additional efforts. By 2015, for example, the number of undernourished in the developing world should fall to around 580 million. This still lies far short of the World Food Summit goal of reducing the number to 400 million. That goal will not be reached until 2030 according to current projections.
12/21/00
12:18:49 PM
FDA To Allow Dietary Supplement Health Claims
USA - Washington, DC - In a move which surprised many in the alternative health community, the US Federal Drug Administration recently published a notice in the Federal Register stating that dietary supplement manufacturers will be allowed to market their products with health claims that are not unequivocally supported by scientific evidence. Full Story: http://www.savesite.net/gvnr/articles/120100_8.html
Environment & Ecology Eco Activists Network
Want to make your voice heard? A network formed by Environmental Defense and 24 other nonprofit groups and coalitions will send you alerts about the eco-issues that interest you the most. You simply click REPLY to these email messages to generate a letter (which you can edit) that will be delivered either as an email or a fax to the appropriate parties. The network already boasts 400,000 activist...
Science & Technology New Energy Sources
http://www.cseti.org/position/addition/oulist.htm
In a 1988 experiment, an unconventional solid-state vacuum triode amplifier developed by the late Floyd Sweet continuously discharged 1,200,000 times more electrical power than was fed into it. It also exhibited anti-gravity properties. This is one of many such devices described at this website.
12/21/00
12:17:17 PM
Go to http://www.savesite.net/gvnr
To find out what we are all about and why you will find world news here that you won't find in the conventional press.
To subscribe mail to: subscribe-gvnr@list.internetgazette.net
Published Monthly By Network 2012
Michael Lightweaver, Editor
12/21/00
12:16:08 PM
SWEDE DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE
Last weekend, 122 nations took steps to reduce the use of 12 persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Sounds good, but that's only a start. Check out what's going on in Sweden, where the government is proposing to ban any organic or inorganic substance that is persistent and bioaccumulates. Swedish industry would have to pick up the tab for the testing of some 2,500 chemicals now in use. And guess what? Industry isn't objecting. Read more on the Grist Magazine website.
Sweden takes steps to ban chemicals by Donella Meadows
http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/citizen/citizen121500.stm
12/21/00
12:14:22 PM
Happy New Millennium
"The challenge of the new millennium is to reunite the secular with the sacred, the inner world of spirit with the outer world of service. With the very survival of people and the planet at risk, we hear the cry for a conscious integration of spirit into all aspects of our lives. The health of our civilization depends continually on the enlivened wholeness and spiritual freedom of its citizens. We cannot address the larger issues of our society without simultaneously freeing our own inner lives.
"Perhaps, as we reflect back on this century, we will come to realize that it is not enough to want to do good. It is not enough to convince our nations to do good. We must learn a great deal more about the wisdom of doing good.
"Let us enter this new age with the hope that, when we see clearly, we will discover what the great spiritual traditions have taught for centuries; simply that as we enhance our inner capacity for wholeness and freedom, we strengthen our outer capacity to love and serve.
"Let us pray to live from our hearts. Let us pray that we enliven what the old Hasidic tradition defines as dawn -- that when we look into the face of another human being and have enough light to see ourselves, then we have awakened, then we have opened the living moment of compassion where night ends and day begins."
Robert Lehman The Fetzer Institute, Michigan
12/20/00
9:28:18 PM
Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting Media analysis, critiques and news reports
ACTION ALERT: Fox Reporter on Florida Ballots: Burn Them or Shred Them?
December 20, 2000
Several news organizations have begun the process of evaluating the disputed ballots in the state of Florida. Reporters intend to use a variety of methods to help answer lingering questions about who might have actually won the vote in the state if a hand recount had not been halted by the U.S. Supreme Court.
One prominent journalist at a national news outlet, however, advocates a different approach. John Gibson of Fox News Channel (12/15/00) would rather not know what really happened in Florida: "Is this a case where knowing the facts actually would be worse than not knowing? I mean, should we burn those ballots, preserve them in amber, or shred them?"
Journalists are supposed to criticize government officials for suppressing information or destroying evidence-- not advocate such actions. If journalism is to contribute to a democratic society, it must frequently expose the country to unpleasant truths. But for Gibson, guest-hosting Fox's popular "O'Reilly Factor" program, the point of journalism is to preserve the legitimacy of those in power: "George Bush is going to be president. And who needs to know that he's not a legitimate president? Al Gore? Jesse Jackson? His political opponents? How does it do any good for the country to find out that, by somebody's count, the wrong guy is president?"
Gibson did suggest that the pursuit of truth could merely be delayed until it no longer mattered: "How about, if you want to do this thing, we lock those ballots up until George Bush is not president, so nobody can go use these ballots to undermine his position, to undermine the position of this country, to throw this country into chaos. If you want to know, if historians want to know, fine. Know some day in the future. You don't need to know now because he is president now."
Looking at public records is a crucial aspect of newsgathering-- a right that media outlets and journalists go to court to protect and preserve. It's distressing when a prominent journalist thinks the public's right to know should not infringe on the prestige of the president-elect.
While Fox News Channel strenuously disputes the idea that it has a right-wing tilt, Gibson's comments do seem to put the political health of a Republican office-holder ahead of normal journalistic principles. It's hard to imagine Fox suggesting that embarrassing facts about Bill Clinton should not be reported because they might make him seem less "legitimate."
ACTION: If you think media need to pursue stories that sometimes upset the status quo, let Fox News Channel know that you'd like to see that attitude in their journalists.
CONTACT: Fox News Channel mailto:comments@foxnews.com
"The O'Reilly Factor" mailto:oreilly@foxnews.com
12/20/00
1:58:37 PM
Here are today's Reuters 'World Environment News' headlines, proudly brought to you by Planet Ark.
Doing environmental research? Search our news archives at: http://www.planetark.org/searchhome.cfm
GM report says emissions down 24 pct - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9350
Nevada lawmakers accuse DOE of bias in nuke waste dump - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9351
USDA to unveil national organic standard Wednesday - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9352
UPDATE - Bush worried about possible looming energy crisis - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9354
US had above-normal temperatures in 2000 - US govt - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9356
World still gripped by warming trend - UN agency - SWITZERLAND http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9348
Whale meat of banned species sold in Japan-survey - JAPAN http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9358
EU says GMO "ban" to stay until at least mid-2001 - EU http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9353
UPDATE - US rejects fresh talks on climate change - EU http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9355
Sweden to use EU presidency to push climate deal - EU http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9357
China sees population peak at 1.6 bln in 50 years - CHINA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9349
12/20/00
1:57:12 PM
Dec. 19, 2000
Leaked Memo Reveals DOE's Bias for Establishing a Radioactive Waste Dump; Congressional Investigation Demanded
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Public Citizen, the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) and members of Nevada's congressional delegation called Tuesday for a federal investigation into the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) attempt to help the nuclear industry win approval for a nuclear waste dump in Nevada. The group also requested Energy Secretary Bill Richardson to immediately disqualify the site from consideration.
The call for intervention by the U.S. General Accounting Office and Richardson -- and a renewed call for a DOE Inspector General investigation -- came at a press conference held Tuesday. It was triggered by a recent DOE memo attached to an overview of the DOE's Site Recommendation Considerations Report, which is to be released later this month. The memo -- a note to reviewers that has been removed from subsequent versions of the overview -- states that the document "provides information that potential supporters can use in expressing support for a site recommendation." Such pro-industry bias is highly improper for an agency charged with making energy policies in the public's best interests.
The DOE is studying Yucca Mountain to determine if it is suitable to be a permanent repository for 70,000 metric tons of high-level radioactive waste from commercial reactors and weapons facilities across the country. Congress is under intense pressure from the nuclear industry to approve the site. Currently, nuclear utilities are responsible for on-site storage of the radioactive waste generated by their reactors. But if the Yucca Mountain proposal is approved, DOE would assume responsibility -- and thus liability -- for the waste after it leaves the reactor sites.
"This outrageous memo demonstrates that the DOE's 'impartiality' in assessing Yucca Mountain's suitability for a high-level radioactive waste dump is a joke," said Wenonah Hauter, director of Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program. "Congress should investigate how DOE and its contractors are secretly colluding to lobby for the nuclear industry."
The GAO investigation will be requested this week by Rep. James Gibbons (R-Nev.).
"It is time that the public knows exactly what is going on at the Department of Energy," Gibbons said in a prepared statement. "The apparent bias on behalf of the DOE and its contractors with regard to approving Yucca Mountain as a high-level nuclear waste storage site, before a suitability study is completed, shows gross negligence and cannot be tolerated."
The letter to Secretary Richardson, sent Tuesday, was endorsed by nearly 100 organizations. It urged Richardson to "exercise [his] clear authority under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to disqualify the Yucca Mountain site based on its unsuitability."
Speakers at today's press conference also called upon President-elect Bush to give serious attention to the issue of DOE's questionable conduct. The new administration is likely to make critical decisions about proposal for a high-level waste repository. While campaigning in Nevada in September, Bush vowed to base any decision on sound science.
Sen. Richard Bryan (D-Nev.) said he was "not very surprised" by the latest revelations of DOE bias.
"Clearly, the relationship between the DOE and the nuclear power industry represents an unholy alliance that only continues to threaten the health and safety of hundreds of thousands of Nevadans," Bryan said. "In the end, we need greater accountability not only from the DOE but its contractors as well."
The Yucca Mountain proposal represents an enormous subsidy for the nuclear industry at the expense of public safety, Public Citizen and NIRS said. Approval of the proposal would launch an unprecedented nuclear transportation scheme, with radioactive waste shipments passing through 43 states to get to Nevada. The waste will remain dangerously radioactive for 240,000 years. Not only does the plan pose dangers to those along the transportation route, but many are concerned that the waste will contaminate the groundwater at Yucca Mountain or be released during an earthquake. Nevada ranks third in the nation for current seismic activity.
"The latest evidence of industry bias within the DOE is extremely discouraging to members of the public who have conscientiously participated in the various hearings and comment periods to raise legitimate concerns about the repository proposal," said Michael Mariotte, executive director of NIRS. "It now appears that public participation has been solicited merely to lend legitimacy to a process in which the selection of Yucca Mountain is a foregone conclusion."
One Nevada senator has already requested action. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Dec. 8 asked the DOE's Inspector General to investigate the DOE's apparent bias. The IG informed Reid late Monday that it would launch an investigation.
"It is imperative that science precedes politics and that the Department of Energy maintains the highest degree of integrity while conducting its evaluation process," Reid said. "The Inspector General's investigation will focus on whether the DOE has already acted inappropriately, and I will continue watching every single step of the way to make sure there is ample time to guarantee an independent, objective assessment of the site."
Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) has circulated a "Dear Colleagues" letter to other House members calling attention to the issue.
"I am disturbed by the memo that was recently brought to light, which clearly states DOE's intention to approve the Yucca Mountain Project before all scientific research has been completed," Berkley said. "It is absolutely essential to the future health and safety of Nevadans that the DOE's research is based on sound science rather than biased political ambition."
Equally concerned are several Nevada citizens' groups, which held a parallel press conference on Tuesday morning in Las Vegas, Nev.
"The recently leaked memo only confirms what we have always known: that the DOE and the nuclear industry have stacked the deck to ensure Yucca Mountain becomes the world's first high-level nuclear waste dump experiment," said Kalynda Tilges, nuclear issues coordinator for Citizen Alert.
In Washington, D.C., Hauter added, "Pro-industry bias within the DOE seriously undermines the integrity of the Yucca Mountain site characterization process. The public cannot be expected to have confidence in a process conducted by an agency that so obviously fails to maintain impartiality."
12/20/00
1:56:21 PM
In 1555, Nostradamus wrote:
"Come the millennium, month 12 In the home of greatest power, The village idiot will come forth To be acclaimed the leader".
12/20/00
1:55:37 PM
Here are today's Reuters 'World Environment News' headlines, proudly brought to you by Planet Ark.
Doing environmental research? Search our news archives at: http://www.planetark.org/searchhome.cfm
Scientists suggest new threat to Antarctic ice - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9343
It is thousands of years old and has the power to cure - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9346
Scientists drill for clues to dinosaur extinction - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9347
UK minister wants climate deal while Clinton lasts - UK http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9344
Greenpeace says metals pollute HK drinking water - CHINA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9345
12/20/00
1:53:52 PM
From: "diane d'arrigo" To: <Dianed@nirs.org> Phone:202-328-0002 Ext. 16 Sent: Monday, December 18, 2000 5:42 PM Subject: ALERT:DOT Ok-ing Weakened Global Regs:Paves Way for Atomic Waste+Materials in
ALERT:DOT Paves Way for Atomic Waste/Material in Everyday Items: Ok-ing Weakened Global Regs
The DOT is re-classifying some radioactive materials as "not radioactive" for transportation purposes. By exempting some of every radionuclide from regulations and labeling, DOT is enabling radioactive material to enter the marketplace and daily-use items and raw materials.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT), as of January 1, 2001, is adopting, by reference, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suggested regulations, ST-1, that include NEW EXEMPTIONS OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS AND WASTES from labeling and regulation and other WEAKENING OF NUCLEAR TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS.
This is just one of several problems with the radioactive part of the DOT's proposal. DOT is amending its Hazardous Materials Rule (HM-215D) for international commerce. NIRS has only reviewed some of the radioactive provisions. We have not reviewed the rest of the changes regarding hazardous chemical transport. DOT is adopting this as of Jan 1 2001 for international commerce, unless public opposition is voiced loudly NOW. Both DOT and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission plan to announce adoption of these nuclear regulations and exemptions for national commerce (within the US) in the spring of 2001.
DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: 65 Federal Register 205:63293-63435, Oct. 23, 2000
Harmonization of With United Nations Recommendations (IAEA ST-1), International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMO DGC) and International Civil Aviation Organizations Technical Instructions (ICAO TI): Proposed
Deadline for public comment: Received by DOT by 5 PM Friday, December 22, 2000
Docket # RSPA-00-7702 (HM215-D)
Mail Address for comments: Dockets Management System (2 copies are requested) US Dept of Transportation Room PL 401 400 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20590-0001 Website Addresses for Electronic Comment Submission**: http://dmses.dot.gov/submit/BlankDSS.asp http://dmses.dot.gov/submit/Comment.asp?session_id=65132
[**don't always work Email contact to be announced]
Fax Comments to: 1-202-366-3753 FAX
Phone Number for DOT Docket office: 1-800-647-5527
Actions Suggested:
--Comment to DOT by December 22, 2000.
--Contact DOT Secretary Rodney Slater to let him know what DOT is doing-helping the nuclear industry release and recycle nuclear power and bomb waste into daily commerce and household items. FAX 202 366-7202
--Demand public access to proposed regulations-actual documents being adopted "by reference" Ask for printouts of the ST-1, the ICAO Technical Instructions and the IMO Dangerous Good Code pertaining to transport of radioactive materials and wastes.
--Send copies of your comments to your local, state or federal officials (such as emergency responders, governor, elected reps and senators) from yourself and your organizations.
DOT Proposed Rulemaking: The proposed rule (HM-251 D) is an amendment to the Hazardous Materials Regulations which covers both radioactive and hazardous materials shipments and applies to International Transport. Both DOT and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be moving to adopt this and more for Radioactive Transport Within the US in the Spring of 2001.
As part of a larger set of changes to the Hazardous Materials Regulations, The DOT is exempting quantities and concentrations of radioactivity in shipments and packages,
The exempt concentrations (being adopted by reference and listed in Table I of ST-1) were derived by nuclear proponents, to legalize the release and recycling into general commerce of radioactive wastes from nuclear power and weapons facilities around the world. They claim that the levels of contamination will pose a "trivial" risk, not worth the resources to regulate.
Under the guise of "harmonization," international radioactive transport regulations are being changed to allow unregulated transport of radioactive waste and materials from nuclear power and weapons into unrestricted commerce, raw materials and consumer goods. The change is "needed" because the UN International Atomic Energy Agency is encouraging release and recycling of nuclear materials as if they were not radioactive. The current international transport regulations (SS-6, which are currently "harmonized" around the world) require labeling and regulatory control of the materials.
Two new columns are being added to the chart of radionuclides (isotopes of radioactive elements). Column 3 lists Exempt Concentrations. These are the very same concentrations that the nuclear establishment is trying to get adopted in every country to allow radioactive waste release and recycling. US DOT and the rest of the world all currently have a uniform exempt concentration for any radioactive materials (70 becquerels per gram). NIRS does not support any level of exemption, but this is the existing world value. Now, based on "science," the nuclear establishment wants to change these numbers-and well over half of them GO UP, thereby increasing the exempt concentrations for the majority of radionuclides.
In addition, Column 4 has been added to exempt given amounts or quantities of radioactive materials in entire shipments. There are no exempt amounts currently in the DOT or international codes. There should be NO EXEMPT AMOUNTS added to these tables. Further, the amounts listed appear to have the potential to result in doses near or exceeding allowable worker inhalation doses in the US. (Internationally, workers are limited to lower doses than in the US.)
Since the US NRC refers to DOT regulations for some of its labeling requirements, these DOT exemptions may have greater ramifications than DOT alone.
The US does have some differences in its existing code from the International regulations. It is imperative that the US DOT reject the exemption provisions in ST-1 for international commerce, and for commerce within the US.
OTHER ISSUES of CONCERN IN ST-1
High level radioactive waste: Already inadequate criteria for Type B containers, used to transport irradiated fuel, are being reduced further.
Uranium Hexafluoride: Packaging requirements for Uranium Hexafluoride are being weakened.
NIRS Conclusion: We demand that there be no reduction in current protections and that current protections be increased if they are changed. NIRS opposes any changes that increase allowable concentrations or amounts of unregulated radioactive materials. We oppose any changes that weaken already existing standards, even though we may be critical of those existing standards. Greater public knowledge, involvement and access to rulemaking are essential.
More Information: Diane D'Arrigo, dianed@nirs.org Nuclear Information and Resource Service 202 328-0002 ext. 16
12/20/00
1:50:05 PM
53% Increase In Early Childhood Cancers Near Nuke Power Plants
Please see list at bottom for other epidemiological studies around the world. If there's no quality study or studies of cancer & other immune suppression related diseases at reactors in your continent, country, area, people might organize to plan just such a study[s]. This is one of the best ways to get these things finally shut down- have accurate study[s] conducted & get this out to the local communitties most effected.
http://www.geocities.com/mothersalert/childrencancers.html Childhood Cancer in the Vicinity of German Nuclear Power Plants Alfred Körblein, Ph.D., Wolfgang Hoffmann, MD,MPH
Abstract
An epidemiologic study published in 1997 reported no significant rise in childhood cancer rates around West German nuclear power plants. The conclusions of this study were extensively used by politicians and lobbyists as proof of no increased cancer risk around nuclear power plants. A reanalysis of the data, however, reveals a statistically significant increase of childhood cancers (all malignancies) when the evaluation is restricted to commercial power reactors, the vicinities closest to the plants, and children of the youngest age group (0-4 years). The findings remain unchanged when the Krümmel reactor, with its known leukemia cluster, is excluded from the analysis. [M&GS 1999;6:18-23]
In November 1997, the German Minister for the Environment and Nuclear Safety announced to the media the results of a new investigation dealing with the incidence of leukemia and other malignant diseases in children living near nuclear power plants (NPPs) [1]. According to the Minister, the investigation had unequivocally proven that no risk exists. The study's conclusions were quoted extensively in the media and were readily exploited by lobbyists and supporters of nuclear power in the ongoing debate about health risks of NPPs in Germany.
The new study was essentially an update of an earlier study [2, 3] carried out by the Institute of Medical Statistics and Documentation (IMSD) in Mainz, Germany. The first study, covering the years 1980 to 1990, had found a significant increase in early infant leukemias within 5 km of all nuclear installations. The authors of the extended study (1980-1995) concluded that these risks were no longer significant. Furthermore, they claimed that no further research was necessary, since the new study had been based on more than 2,500 cases, and that the hitherto controversial issue was finally resolved.
In several previous studies in Germany and in other countries, however, increased leukemia rates near nuclear installations had been observed. Increased leukemia rates were reported for children living in the town of Seascale [4,5], near nuclear weapon factories in Great Britain [6], in the vicinity of the nuclear installation of Dounreay, Scotland [7], near the French nuclear reprocessing plant of La Hague [8], and for several locations in Germany [9]. Recent results from Japan, though based only on mortality, seem to confirm the general association [10,11]. A comprehensive study around nuclear power plants in England [12,13], again revealed significant increases in cancer mortality rates.
Conflicting Conclusions
The results of the first IMSD report [2,3] were generally in line with the observations referenced above. The negative findings in the updated report prompted a re-evaluation of the evidence and of the IMSD conclusions. To date, the new study has not been published in the scientific literature. The re-evaluation presented here is therefore based on a Technical Report provided by the IMSD [1].
In 1990-91, an unprecedented time-space cluster of childhood leukemia cases was observed in the immediate vicinity of the Krümmel nuclear boiling water reactor (BWR) [14,15]. Clusters in the vicinities of two other German BWRs (Lingen and Würgassen) had been reported earlier [16-18] and were reviewed [9]. These observations raised some concern about possible systematic differences in the emissions of the two reactor types. Unlike pressurized water reactors (PWRs), which have a secondary cooling circuit separating the radioactive primary water from the turbines, BWRs pass the steam in the primary circuit directly through the generating turbine. Due to this technical difference, BWRs are generally considered to release more radiation to the environment than comparable PWRs.
Based on data from the IMSD, the authors investigated whether childhood cancer rates (all malignancies) and in particular, childhood leukemia rates near the 15 sites of German commercial nuclear power reactors show increases compared to the defined control areas [1]. The 15 NPP sites were further subdivided into 7 BWR sites and 8 PWR sites. All sites with both types of reactors were considered BWR sites. To see whether a possible increased risk around NPPs is solely due to the Krümmel site with its known cancer cluster, the analyses were repeated with the Krümmel NPP excluded.
Material and Methods
Since 1980 all incident childhood malignancies are registered in the National Childhood Cancer Registry at the Institute of Medical Statistics and Documentation (IMSD) in Mainz, Germany. The data are used in epidemiologic research projects conducted by the IMSD. They are, however, not released to other scientists. The authors of the IMSD studies on childhood malignancies in the vicinity of German nuclear power plants were contacted, but access to the original data was not granted. The present analyses are therefore based on tables of data published in the appendices of the IMSD Technical Report [1]. Upon special request, site specific data for children below age 5 were also obtained from the IMSD in an aggregate form (i.e. all nuclear facilities, all 15 NPP sites, and all BWR sites, respectively).
In the IMSD report, the study areas around NPPs were compared with matched control areas with similar population densities and social structures. Standardized incidence rates (SIRs) were calculated for the study areas and the control areas. SIRs were defined as the number of observed cancer cases divided by the number of expected cases. Expected cases were calculated based on the population size in each age stratum and the average age-group-specific childhood cancer incidence rate in Germany. The relative risk is defined as the ratio of the SIR in the study group, divided by the SIR in the control group.
In all calculations, the hypothesis H1--that there is an observed increase in childhood cancer rates around the sites of nuclear power plants compared to control areas--is tested against hypothesis H0--that the number of observed cases is less than or equal to the number of expected cases.
The method described in the earlier IMSD study [2,3] was used to test for statistical significance. A statistical test provides a "p-value," which is the probability that the test result occurs by chance. According to a generally accepted convention, a p-value less than 0.05 is considered statistically significant and, hence, sufficiently unlikely to be due to chance. The more recent IMSD report provides two-sided p-values. These p-values correspond to the question whether the cancer rates near NPPs differ from the expected rates, irrespective of the direction of the difference. No mechanism has so far been discovered through which the presence of a nuclear power plant could reduce childhood leukemia risk. The authors believe, therefore, that the hypothesis under study is whether childhood cancers are significantly increased around NPPs; that this hypothesis is a genuine one-sided question; and that, consequently, a one-sided p-value should be provided. This approach is consistent with the earlier IMSD study, which had also calculated one-sided p-values [1].
In addition to sites of commercial nuclear power plants, the authors of this earlier study included sites of two nuclear research facilities (Karlsruhe and Jülich), one small research reactor (Kahl, capacity 16 MW) that was decommissioned in 1985, one prototype high temperature reactor (Hamm-Üntrop, 307 MW) that operated for a total of about 400 days, and a commercial reactor (Mülheim-Kärlich) that operated for several months (Table 1).
Since the radioactive inventory of research reactors is only 0.01-0.001 times that of typical commercial reactors, the authors were reluctant to evaluate both groups together. Power reactors with a very short time period of operation were also excluded, since their contribution to the overall population exposure was small compared to the remaining reactors that were operated on average for more than 15 years. Hence, this analysis was restricted to the 15 sites of commercial reactors.
In all analyses, IMSD's matched 15-km control regions were retained for each of the respective nuclear sites. While the study areas were subdivided into concentric regions of 0-5, 5-10, and 10-15 km radius, these were always compared with the complete 15 km control regions. Results
Both IMSD studies included all 20 sites of nuclear reactors in Germany. Sites were chosen as the unit of observation rather than nuclear reactors since, at a few of the sites, multiple nuclear reactors are, or have been, in operation for various periods of time between 1980 and 1995. All nuclear installations under study are listed in Table 1. At some of the sites, both pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors were operated. These sites are categorized here as BWR sites.
This paper focuses on the 0-5 km regions of the 15 commercial NPP sites. After evaluating the risks for all children below age 15, the authors further restrict the analyses to early childhood cancers (i.e. children less than 5 years of age). The results of these calculations are presented in tables 2-5.
All childhood malignancies (0-14 years): In agreement with [1], no excess risk is yielded when all 20 nuclear facilities are taken together (RR
1.04; p0.345). A significant (22%) increase of childhood cancers (all malignancies), however, was found around the 15 commercial power reactors (p0.047; Table 2). There are 93 observed vs. 74.9 expected cases in the study area and 578 vs. 566.8 in the control area. The increased overall risk around NPPs is essentially attributable to the BWR sites where the RR is 1.40 (p0.021), while the RR is only 1.05 around the PWR sites. The increased RR around the BWR sites remains statistically significant even when the Krümmel BWR is excluded from the analysis (RR1.40, p0.035; Table 2).
Acute childhood leukemias: The increase in acute childhood leukemias is 34% around the commercial NPP sites. Due to small numbers, this increase is not statistically significant (p0.073; Table 3). The incidence rate around all 20 nuclear facilities is considerably smaller (RR1.12; p0.258). Without the Krümmel NPP, the RR around all commercial reactors is 1.13. All BWRs yield an RR of 1.45 (p0.098). After exclusion of the Krümmel BWR, this RR becomes 1.0. Hence in this analysis the statistically nonsignificant (45%) increase of acute leukemia risk near BWRs is entirely attributable to the BWR Krümmel.
12/20/00
1:49:35 PM
Early infant malignancies (0-4 years): Around the 15 commercial reactor sites, a statistically significant (53%) increase of cancer rates (all malignancies) was observed; the corresponding p-value is p0.0034 (Table 4). The increase is more pronounced around BWR sites (RR1.70, p0.008) compared to PWR sites (RR1.40, p0.085). Exclusion of the Krümmel BWR does not substantially change the RR (RR1.53, p0.006).
Around the other nuclear facilities, the risk is significantly reduced compared to the control areas (RR0.48). This explains the nonsignificant overall risk for early infant malignancies around all 20 nuclear facilities provided in the IMSD report (RR1.10, p0.258).
Early infant leukemias (0-4 years): In this age group the increase of acute leukemia incidence (RR1.76, p0.012) around all commercial sites is somewhat more pronounced than the increase for all malignancies (Table 5). There is no substantial difference in risk near BWRs (RR1.86, p0.038) and PWRs (RR1.71, p0.087). Even when evaluating all 20 nuclear facilities, the increase is statistically significant (RR1.49, p0.029). Excluding the Krümmel BWR, the relative risk around commercial reactors is 1.49 (p0.077), and 1.33 around BWRs (p0.276).
All childhood malignancies; dependent on distance: Table 6 gives the numbers of all malignancies in children below age 15 in the three distance rings from the 15 NPP sites. As already pointed out, the increase is 22% in the 5 km zone, while no increase is found in the two outer distance rings (5-10 km: RR1.01; 10-15 km: RR0.92). This analysis reveals a significant direct relationship between RR and the inverse distance from the site (p0.028, one-sided test). The incidence rate in the inner 5 km zone was also compared with the rates in the combined two outer zones (5-15 km); the combined two inner zones (0-10 km) were then compared with the outer zone (10-15 km). Using the binomial test, the incidence rates in the inner zones were found to be significantly higher in both cases than in the outer zones (p0.017 and p0.034 respectively, Table 6).
Discussion
In this reanalysis evidence was observed of significant increases of early childhood cancer incidence and, particularly, leukemia rates near German commercial nuclear power reactors in the time period 1980-1995. The overall increase cannot be accounted for by the known leukemia cluster at the Krümmel BWR since the RR remains high even after exclusion of the Krümmel site. These findings contradict the conclusion of the official IMSD report [1].
Since a beneficial effect of ionizing radiation on childhood cancer is considered impossible, a one-sided significance test was applied throughout these analyses. Nevertheless, the results for early chidhood cancers (p0.007) as well as for acute leukemias (p0.024) would remain statistically significant, even were the two-sided test used. For all malignancies in children below age 15, the two-sided test does not achieve statistical significance around all 15 commercial nuclear reactor sites. For BWR sites alone, however, a significant increase is observed.
The numbers of cases are small: for children below age 15 there are 19 excess cancers in the 16-year study period. The same excess is obtained with children below age 5. It should be understood that due to the ecologic nature of this study, increased relative risks merely represent associations and must not be interpreted as a proof of causality. Nevertheless, the results are consistent with an actual influence by German nuclear power plants on childhood cancers:
a.. The IMSD findings are generally consistent with published results from Germany and other countries. b.. The increased risks are confined to the immediate vicinity of the plants. This would be expected if NPPs were in fact point sources of any actual risk factor (e.g. radioactive emissions). c.. Relative risks are higher around BWRs, which are known to release higher quantities of radionuclides than PWRs [19]. d.. Relative risks are higher for acute leukemia for which a radiogenic etiology is firmly establishede.. Relative risks are higher for younger children. This again would be expected since it is known that radiosensitivity is higher in early childhood and even higher prenatally [20-22]. The observed 53% increase of early infant cancer rates in the vicinity of NPPs is much greater than expected based on the estimated radioactive releases by German NPPs. Extrapolation of radiogenic risk from higher doses to the very low dose range under the prevailing assumption of a linear dose-response relation would not result in any detectable excess risk. Radiobiological knowledge about the effects of very low cumulative doses and dose rates (dose per unit time) of ionizing radiation is inconclusive, however, and data is virtually lacking. Instead, there is an ongoing controversy among experts about the quantitative effect of very small doses, especially with respect to incorporated radionuclides. Some experts claim that there might be a highly increased sensitivity of the human organism at very low doses and that the extrapolation from high doses underestimates the low dose effect of radiation [23].
To clarify whether or not low levels of ionizing radiation pose a health risk to the general population, analytical instead of descriptive epidemiology is required. Two recent analytical studies seem to support an actual health risk. In a case control study, Morris and Knorr [24] observed a statistically significant positive association between risk of leukemia (all forms except chronic lymphatic leukemia [CLL]) and individual accumulated exposure to airborne emissions from the Pilgrim BWR (Massachusetts, USA). Another case control study observed an increased leukemia risk around the La Hague reprocessing plant (LaHague, France) [25]. There, the excess leukemia risk was found to be associated with use of local beaches and local shellfish consumption.
Conclusion
The 1997 IMSD report [1] presently provides the most detailed analysis of childhood cancers around nuclear power plants in Germany. Its negative conclusion, however, need to be questioned.
The observed increase in the cancer rate for the most vulnerable (youngest) subgroup near commercial nuclear reactors deserves particular attention. The issue of adverse health effects in the vicinity of NPPs is far from resolved and definitely requires further study.
12/20/00
1:49:05 PM
References
1. Kaletsch U, Meinert R, Miesner A, Hoisl M, Kaatsch P, Michaelis J. Epidemiologische Studien zum Auftreten von Leukämieer-krankungen bei Kindern in Deutschland. Bonn: Der Bundesminister für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, 1997. [Return to text]
2. Keller B, Haaf G, Kaatsch P, Michaelis J. Untersuchungen zur Häufigkeit von Krebser-krankungen im Kindesalter in der Umgebung westdeutscher kerntechnischer Anlagen 1980-1990. IMSD Technischer Bericht. Mainz: Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Dokumentation der Universität Mainz, 1992. [Return to text]
3. Michaelis J, Keller B, Haaf G, Kaatsch P. Incidence of childhood malignancies in the vicinity of West German nuclear power plants. Cancer Causes Control 1992;3:255-63. [Return to text]
4. Gardner MJ. Review of reported increases of childhood cancer rates in the vicinity of nuclear installations in the UK. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society 1989;152:307-25. [Return to text]
5. Gardner MJ, Hall AJ, Downes S, Terrell JD. Follow up of children born to mothers resident in Seascale, West Cumbria (birth cohort). BMJ 1987;295:822-7. [Return to text]
6. Roman E, Beral V, Carpenter L, Watson A, Barton C, Ryder H, et al. Childhood leukemia in the West Berkshire and Basingstoke and North Hampshire District Health Authorities in relation to nuclear establishments in the vicinity. BMJ 1987;294:597-602. [Return to text]
7. Heasman MA, Kemp IW, Urquhart JD, Black R. Childhood leukemia in northern Scotland [letter]. Lancet 1986 Feb 1;1:266. [Return to text]
8. Viel J-F, Pobel D, Carré A. Incidence of leukemia in young people around the La Hague nuclear waste reprocessing plant: A sensitivity analysis. Statistics in Medicine 1995;14:2459-72. [Return to text]
9. Hoffmann W. Review and discussion of epidemiologic evidence for childhood leukemia clusters in Germany. In: Schmitz-Feuerhake I, Schmidt M, editors. Radiation exposures by nuclear facilities. Evidence of the impact on health. Münster: Gesellschaft für Strahlen-schutz (German Society for Radiation Protection), 1998:86-117. [Return to text]
10. Iwasaki T, Nishizawa K, Murata M. Leukemia and lymphoma mortality in the vicinity of nuclear power stations in Japan, 1973-1987. J Radiol Prot 1995;25(4):271-88. [Return to text]
11. Hoffmann W, Kuni H, Ziggel H. Leukemia and lymphoma mortality in the vicinity of nuclear power stations in Japan 1973-1987 (letter). J Radiol Prot 1996;16:213-5. [Return to text]
12. Forman D, Cook-Mozaffari P, Darby S, Davey G, Stratton I, Doll R, et al. Cancer near nuclear installations. Nature 1987;329:499-505. [Return to text]
13. Cook-Mozaffari PJ, Darby SC, Doll R, Forman D, Hermon C, Pike M, et al. Geographical variation in mortality from leukemia and other cancers in England and Wales in relation to proximity to nuclear installations, 1969-78. Br J Cancer 1989;59:476-85. [Return to text]
14. Dieckmann H. Häufung von Leukämieer-krankungen in der Elbmarsch. Gesundheits-wesen 1992;10:592-6. [Return to text]
15. Hoffmann W, Dieckmann H, Schmitz-Feuerhake I. A cluster of childhood leukemia near a nuclear reactor in northern Germany. Arch Environ Health 1997;52(4):275-80. [Return to text]
16. Stein B. Krebsmortalität von Kindern unter 15 Jahren, Säuglingssterblichkeit und Tot-geburtenrate in der Umgebung des AKW Lingen. Berlin: Arbeitsgruppe Umweltschutz Berlin e.V., Eigenverlag, 1988. [Return to text]
17. Prindull G, Demuth M, Wehinger H. Cancer morbidity rates of children from the vicinity of the nuclear power plant of Wurgassen (FRG). Acta Haematol 1993;90:90-3. [Return to text]
18. Demuth M. Leukämieer-krankungen bei Kindern in der Umgebung von Atomanlagen. In: Köhnlein W, Kuni H, Schmitz-Feuerhake I, editors. Niedrigdosisstrahlung und Gesundheit. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 1990:127-35. [Return to text]
19. Widermuth H, Kainz M, Haubelt R. Strahlenexposition der Bevölkerung durch mit der Fortluft aus Kernkraftwerken emittierte Radionuklide. In: Jahresbericht 1996. Salzgitter: Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, 1996. [Return to text]
20. Shimizu Y, Kato H, Schull WJ. Studies of the mortality of A-bomb survivors. Mortality 1950-1985: Part 2. Cancer mortality based on the recently revised doses (DS86). Radiat Res 1990;121(2):120-41. [Return to text]
21. Stewart AM, Gilman EA, Kneale GW. Radiation dose effects in relation to obstetric X-ray and childhood cancer. Lancet 1970;2:1185-8. [Return to text]
22. Schmitz-Feuerhake I, v.Boetticher H, Dannheim B, Götz K, Grell-Büchtmann I, Heimers A, et al. Strahlenbelas-tung durch Röntgendiagnostik bei Leukämie-fällen in Sittensen im Landkreis Rotenburg/ Wümme. In: Lengfelder E, Wendhausen H, editors. Neue Bewertung des Strahlenrisikos: Niedrigdosis-strahlung und Gesundheit. München: MMV Medizin-Verlag, 1993:93-101. [Return to text]
23. Nussbaum R, Köhnlein W. Inconsistencies and open questions regarding low-dose health effects of ionizing radiation. Environ Health Perspect 1994;102:656-67. [Return to text]
24. Morris MS, Knorr RS. Adult leukemia and proximity-based surrogates for exposure to Pilgrim Plant's nuclear emissions. Arch Environ Health 1996;51(4):266-74. [Return to text]
25. Pobel D, Viel J-F. Case-control study of leukemia among young people near LaHague nuclear reprocessing plant: The environmental hypothesis revisited. BMJ 1997;314:101-6. [Return to text]
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Professor J. Michaelis at the ISDM for providing the data, Hagen Scherb for his help with the statistical treatment, and John Otranto for help with the translation and valuable comments.
Alfred Körblein is Senior Scientist, Umweltinstitut Muenchen (Munich Environmental Institute), Munich, Germany. Wolfgang Hoffmann is an epidemiologist and Scientific Assistant, Bremen Institute for Prevention Research, Social Medicine and Epidemiology. Address correspondence to: Dr. Alfred Körblein, PhD, Schwere-Reiter-Str. 35/1b, D-80797 Muenchen, Germany; email: ak@umweltinstitut.m.shuttle.de
12/20/00
1:45:24 PM
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE (ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We Cover the Earth For You"
FIRING OF EPA INVESTIGATOR CALLED POLITICAL REVENGE
By Brian Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC, December 18, 2000 (ENS) - A federal investigator whose revelations about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were damaging to Al Gore's unsuccessful bid for the White House was relieved of his duties last week by a political appointee of the outgoing Clinton administration.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-16.html
CONGRESS APPROVES PROTECTIONS FOR SEA LIONS, FISHERS
WASHINGTON, DC, December 18, 2000 (ENS) - The U.S. Congress has finished its work for the year with the passage of a massive bill funding several federal agencies and government programs. The legislation passed Friday after Alaska Senator Ted Stevens ended efforts to attach a rider to the bill suspending restrictions on Alaska's ground fisheries.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-06.html
NEW FACTORY FARM RULES PRAISED, CRITICIZED
By Brian Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC, December 18, 2000 (ENS) - Tougher rules designed to regulate water pollution generated by large industrial farming operations were issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday. A top agency official told ENS that the new regulations will "do a much better job of protecting public health and the environment" from water pollution generated by factory farms, but a conservation advocacy group called the new measures "grossly inadequate."
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-15.html
NEPAL SUPREME COURT INTERVENES FOR CLEANER AIR
By Deepak Gajurel
KATHMANDU, Nepal, December 18, 2000 (ENS) - The Supreme Court of Nepal has encouraged environmentalists in their campaign for cleaner air by ordering the government to justify its recent decision to allow polluting vehicles into the country.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-02.html
SWEDES SEARCH FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN METEORITE CRATER
ESKILSTUNA, Sweden, December 18, 2000 (ENS) - Sweden will spend at least $777,000 to investigate the possibility that an old meteorite crater contains enough energy to heat the city of Stockholm.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-01.html
UK GROUPS TARGET TURKEY IN CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGNS
LONDON, United Kingdom, December 18, 2000 (ENS) - Greenpeace UK has released results of a survey into where consumers can buy GM-free turkeys this Christmas. Meanwhile, another group, called Animal Defenders, detailed the gruesome conditions inside turkey farms today.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-11.html
TROUBLE IN PARADISE: SOUTH AFRICA ARRESTS DEVELOPERS
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, December 18, 2000 (ENS) - The South African government has ordered the arrests of 11 people and taken legal action against 25 others for building holiday homes on the Transkei Wild Coast, a conservation area on the Eastern Cape revered for its largely unspoilt wilderness.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-10.html
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: DECEMBER 18, 2000
$89 Million in Grants Supports Outdoor Recreation
EPA Can Issue Penalties Against Federal Facilities
Airborne Nitrogen Pollutes Estuaries
Air Pollution Costs California Utility $17 Million
North Carolina Coastal Aquifers Running Dry
Ten Cheese Companies Correct 264 Environmental Violations
Website Helps Diesel Truck, Bus Fleets Run Cleaner
El Niño Events Are Reshaping the California Coastline
New York Estate Protected as Nature Preserve
Nature Conservancy Invests in Chocolate
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-18-09.html
12/20/00
1:41:47 PM
PEACE: Personal, Global -- Bush and Gore Christmas 2000
In an amazing statement that brought global attention, Vice President Gore conceeded the election to Governor Bush and said, he would "do everything possible to help him bring America together." He added,"God bless his stewardship of this country."
Governor Bush, spoke from Austin Texas stating they had spoken and agreed to meet and do their best to heal the country.
A sense of stewardship by leaders and laymen is what we need. Let us pray that each of us will find what we can do to aid this goal. In this Christmas season let us capture the real meaning of Christmas. "Peace on Earth" was the message of Christmas.
The word "Peace" (Pacem in Latin) means to agree. Filled with the love and joy of Christmas we now have an opportunity to find common ground that will bring us to higher ground -- and new ways to cooperate for mutual goals.
We can make the new millennium a new beginning of great promise for ourselves -- and the whole human family. The Earth Trustee Agenda points the way.
May peace and faith for a better future reign in our hearts this momentous Christmas season.
John McConnell Earth Day Founder -- www.earthsite.org
http://www.earthsite.org/peaceday.htm
MINUTE FOR PEACE DAY December 22 Prelude to Christmas
THINK FOR YOURSELF
No one seems to realize that in today's world almost no one thinks for himself. Everyone's mind is being manipulated through mass media by someone with money power, fame power, government power or corporate power. It is tragic that no one seems to know about this.
The organized political, social and religious institutions of our time persuade individuals not to arrive at their opinions by their own thinking - most of the time. Today, too many people's beliefs and convictions reflect the ready-made opinions of the power elite.
Global attention is needed for a common cause - the rejuvenation of Earth with fair benefits for all its people. How this is done should be a local decision -- guided by reverence for life and aided by the power of prayer and devine love.
Let each person prove the value of his faith by what he does to benefit people and planet.
12/20/00
1:36:21 PM
A Politically Correct Holiday Poem
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck... How to live in a world that's politically correct? His workers no longer would answer to "Elves", "Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves. And labor conditions at the north pole Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul. Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety, Released to the wilds by the Humane Society. And equal employment had made it quite clear That Santa had better not use just reindeer. So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid, Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid! The runners were taken from off of his sleigh - The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A. And people had started to call for the cops When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops. Second-hand pipe smoke made workers quite frightened. His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened." And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows, Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation, Demanding millions in over-due compensation. So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife, Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life, Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz, Demanding from now on her title was Ms. And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion That making a choice could cause so much commotion. Nothing of leather, nothing of fur, Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her. Nothing that might be construed to pollute. Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot. Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise. Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys. Nothing that claimed to be gender specific. Nothing that's warlike or non-pacific. No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth. Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth. And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden, Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden. For they raised the hackles of those psychological Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological. No baseball, no football...one could get hurt; Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt. Dolls are so sexist, and should be passe; And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away. So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed; He just could not figure out what to do next. He tried to be merry, tried to be gay, But you've got to be careful with that word today. His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground; Nothing fully acceptable was to be found. Something special was needed, a gift that he might Give to all without angering the left or the right. A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision, Each group of people, every religion; Every ethnicity, every hue, Everyone, everywhere...even you. So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth... "May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."
12/19/00
8:28:20 PM
Dear Santa,
My name is Benjamin Mann and I am 5 1/2 years old. I want a Scooter and a game boy with pokemon gold and silver. I have been a good boy.
Thank you,
Ben.
P.S. I will leave you a cookie, milk and cheese.
12/19/00
6:47:13 PM
Hello. Thanks for providing this special space to express ourselves to others about the EARTH and all of it's probs. One issue that is of great concern is that of great misunderstandings regarding the use of thermal nuclear devices and the adverse affects on this Ol' Dirt Ball Earth. Point being: Has anyone taken notice to the mysterious Earth Quakes that seem to come about "After' a nuclear device has been tested underground in the state of Nevada? (Specifying in the State of California) That after long years of thinking things were "Ok" after WW11 and Hiroshima and Nagasaki how some pretty nasty Earth Quakes occured Globally?? ( China, Turkey, etc.) In the old ways of thinking...it was blamed on techtonic plates settling and the earth's natural courses of adjusting things deep beneath it's structures. Now it makes me wonder.....how many more underground or even above ground detonations can Dear Ol' Mother Earth withstand???? Something to consider......
12/18/00
10:43:18 PM
Greetings my fellow beings of planet earth.
I wish to comment, in the hopes of contribution to concience and contemplation. The earth is like a living organism, and when we become like parasites to it, it will use it's natural defenses to rid us of it, or at least to it is healthy again, just as your body does germs. Now i don't believe that people are germs, just our behaviors. Because of peoples nature, we will always consume more then what is good for us, and you will always have the poor and starving. you will always have a disease that is incurable. you will always have those who delite in that which is "evil". A coined frase that i heard is think Global, act Local, how and why should i feed millions of people starving in some foriegn land, when there's people starving in my neiborhood, I propose this question, is it better to devide a gallon of water amongst ten drought stricken men in the desert who will surely die, or amoungst five men who dwell on furtle ground where there is shade? it's common sense. Do i feel bad?, Yes i feel bad that people are suffering, and i wish i could save every one. But the facts are that i can't. the iniquity of man has already set the wheels in motion. Is it to late? I don't think so. am I opptamistic that the fate we weave will change? No. If your not into faith or religion, then just read the bible as a philosipher, and see what it says about mans ways, and what is to come, then you may be at peace, "may". i'll contribute to the good of all humanity. but what will be will be. O yeah did i mention we're about a million years over-due for a extinction level asteroid?
12/18/00
10:39:27 PM
Greetings my fellow beings of planet earth.
I wish to comment, in the hopes of contribution to concience and contemplation. The earth is like a living organism, and when we become like parasites to it, it will use it's natural defenses to rid us of it, or at least to it is healthy again, just as your body does germs. Now i don't believe that people are germs, just our behaviors. Because of peoples nature, we will always consume more then what is good for us, and you will always have the poor and starving. you will always have a disease that is incurable. you will always have those who delite in that which is "evil". A coined frase that i heard is think Global, act Local, how and why should i feed millions of people starving in some foriegn land, when there's people starving in my neiborhood, I propose this question, is it better to devide a gallon of water amongst ten drought stricken men in the desert who will surely die, or amoungst five men who dwell on furtle ground where there is shade? it's common sense. Do i feel bad?, Yes i feel bad that people are suffering, and i wish i could save every one. But the facts are that i can't. the iniquity of man has already set the wheels in motion. Is it to late? I don't think so. I'am I opptamistic that the fate we weave will change? No. If your not into faith or religion, then just read the bible as a philosipher, and see what it says about mans ways, and what is to come, then you may be at peace, "may". i'll contribute to the good of all humanity. but what will be will be. O yeah did i mention we're about a million years over-due for a extinction level asteroid?
12/18/00
12:15:13 PM
PROTECT THE ARCTIC FROM OIL DRILLING: http://www.npca.org/take_action/action_alerts/ The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska includes the last remaining stretch of coastal arctic wilderness that has NEVER BEEN TOUCHED BY DEVELOPMENT. It is the biological heart of the last unspoiled Arctic ecosystem in North America. The Gwich'in Indians ("caribou people") call this area "the sacred place where life begins." Every year, more than 150,000 of the famous Porcupine River caribou travel hundreds of miles each year to the coastal plain, where they deliver their young. Polar bears, grizzly bears, musk oxen, wolves, whales, 36 species of fish, and more than 150 resident and migrant bird species, including the golden eagle, call this untouched 20 million acre landscape home. But, it's in trouble because oil industry supporters want to open ANWR to roads, pipelines, processing plants, ports, and other facilities. TAKE ACTION! Until 1/20/01 President Clinton has the executive right to provide National Monument status to the ANWR. Write the President today and urge him to take this historic action. Send an electronic message to President Clinton right now by going to http://www.npca.org/take_action/action_alert
12/18/00
12:09:17 PM
Dec. 18, 2000
Public Citizen's Constitutional Challenge to Jefferson County, Ky., Charitable Solicitation Ordinance Forces County to Rewrite Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The national consumer advocacy group Public Citizen announced today that it has dismissed its lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Jefferson County, Ky., charitable solicitation ordinance because the county had rewritten the law to remove the objectionable features.
Public Citizen filed its lawsuit in federal district court in Louisville, Ky., on June 26, joined by the environmental group Greenpeace and two umbrella organizations * American Charities for Reasonable Fundraising Regulation and the National Federation of Nonprofits. They joined because their members and supporters also were affected by the law being challenged and laws of other jurisdictions that have a similar impact on interstate charitable fundraising. Before any litigation occurred, however, the county proposed changing its ordinance so that compliance with Kentucky law would satisfy the county. After the county enacted an amendment on Nov. 21 (copy attached), the parties agreed to dismiss the case, and the court entered its order of dismissal on Dec. 13.
"This is a total victory, not only for Public Citizen, but for all charities," said Alan B. Morrison, director of the Public Citizen Litigation Group and lead counsel for the plaintiffs. "The county wisely recognized that it could not defend the indefensible, and so it took the quick and inexpensive way out."
The plaintiffs did not seek to recover their legal bills, but the defendant has agreed to repay the $150 filing fee.
The amendment states that "there may be some redundancy" between the county's requirements and those of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The amendment also acknowledges that Kentucky law, which requires a charity only to send the state copies of the Form 990 (which must be filed annually with the Internal Revenue Service), "provides the relevant information for essential compliance with" the county's ordinance. The new law further notes that the change is being made so that the ordinance is "non-redundant and not burdensome," which were the two basic problems that Public Citizen had with the prior version of the law.
"Unfortunately, there are other localities as well as states that impose extremely burdensome and costly reporting requirements on charities that solicit by mail, and we intend to bring another lawsuit in the near future to test those laws," said Morrison. "The latest threat is that certain places are claiming that if a charity accepts contributions on its Web site, the charity is soliciting in its jurisdiction, since the Web is accessible throughout the United States. Obviously, we do not intend to let that position go untested."
Several aspects of the old Jefferson County ordinance were unusually burdensome and invasive of the privacy of the officers and employees of charities. Under the prior law, the county demanded plans about a charity's fundraising that went far beyond what other jurisdictions and the IRS require.
For example, Public Citizen would have had to disclose the names, home addresses, telephone numbers and Social Security numbers of employees who have control over funds raised and disbursed from all solicitations. In addition, the law required charities to submit detailed projections of revenue to be raised and the costs of doing so, seemingly tied to each separate fundraising campaign. Changes in information on a registration form, such as the home telephone number of a listed employee or the addition of a new bank account where solicited funds are deposited, had to be updated within five business days. To top it off, the county insisted that charities file their reports on a calendar year basis, while Public Citizen keeps its books and files with the IRS on an October 1 fiscal year basis.
Jefferson County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are not alone in seeking to regulate charitable solicitation; 38 states and the District of Columbia require charitable organizations to register if they intend to solicit. The nature of what must be reported varies widely, with many states imposing significantly more burdensome registration requirements than Kentucky.
"Since our IRS 990s are on our Web site, we don't think we should have to send copies to Jefferson County or anyone else," Morrison said. "Now that so many organizations post their 990s on the Web, we hope that states will eliminate requirements that are burdensome both for the states and charitable organizations."
12/18/00
12:07:03 PM
Here are today's Reuters 'World Environment News' headlines, proudly brought to you by Planet Ark.
Doing environmental research? Search our news archives at: http://www.planetark.org/searchhome.cfm
Scientists suggest new threat to Antarctic ice - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9332
UN panel issues warning on Caspian sturgeon - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9333
Scientists study threat of huge volcanic eruptions - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9341
UK Ofgem increases fossil fuel levy in Scotland - UK http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9337
Throw out the boiler, home fuel cells are coming - UK http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9338
Romania limits diesel fuel sulphur content - ROMANIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9336
EU cyanide report an ace for court case - Hungary - HUNGARY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9342
EU environment chief sees new mining waste rules - EU http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9334
FEATURE - Egypt pours money into desert reclamation - EGYPT http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9340
China's power capacity seen growing over 5 years - CHINA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9339
Australian botanists find "living fossil" tree - AUSTRALIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9335
12/18/00
11:57:26 AM
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Editorial November 9, 2000
ONLY HAGELIN SAW GENETIC PERIL
One of the key issues that never got discussed in the presidential debates this campaign season was the most serious one facing us today. The fact is that our democracy has been stolen by the powerful lobbies of the special interests. The most conclusive and blatant example of this has been the dangerous experiment being conducted by the biotech industry on the American people. They have genetically manipulated our food supply so that 60 percent of the food on our supermarket shelves has been genetically engineered. The most outrageous thing is that they did it without the knowledge or consent of the American people.
Forty years ago, most scientists thought DDT a safe and promising addition to agriculture. Thalidomide was given to pregnant women by their doctors. Nuclear power was touted as the cleanest energy source on Earth. Marketed prematurely, each of these technological innovations brought unforeseen, unwanted and tragic consequences that could have been easily avoided through proper long-term safety testing.
Haven't we learned anything from our mistakes?
From soil to superviruses: In 1994, a genetically engineered bacterium developed to aid in the production of ethanol produced residues that rendered the land infertile. New crops planted on this soil grew three inches tall and fell over dead.
The food chain: In 1996, scientists discovered that ladybugs that had eaten the aphids that had eaten genetically engineered potatoes died.
The immune system: In 1998, research by Dr. Arpad Pusztai uncovered the potential for genetically altered DNA to weaken the immune system and stunt the growth of baby rats.
Monarch butterflies: In May 1999, researchers at Cornell University discovered that monarch butterflies died unexpectedly from eating milkweed plants that had been dusted with the pollen of genetically engineered Bt corn.
Pregnant mice: A 1998 study showed that DNA from the food fed to pregnant mice ended up in their intestinal lining, white blood cells, brain cells and their fetuses. This suggests that the genetically engineered DNA in the food we eat can end up in our own cells.
Honeybees: Last May, a leading European zoologist found the genes from genetically engineered canola jumped the species barrier and were picked up by the bacteria in the digestive tracts of bees. This indicates that antibiotic-resistant genes in genetically engineered foods can cause the bacteria in our own intestines to mutate into superbugs that cannot be killed by antibiotics.
Superviruses: Viral promoters are invasive agents used by genetic engineers to trick a cell into accepting and integrating an alien gene into the cell's own DNA. Some scientists predict that releasing viral promoters into the gene pool could lead to the creation of superviruses and novel infectious diseases for organisms at every level of life--from bacteria to humans.
These are just some of the dangers that are discernible in the premature marketing of genetically engineered products. The biotech industry is eager to point to their so-called successes while keeping their failures under raps.
Next is the story of rBGH, recombinant bovine growth hormone (or the story of genetically engineered milk). A Monsanto lawyer drafted a letter to the FDA to get rBGH approved. He then stepped down from Monsanto and took an appointment as FDA deputy commissioner for policy. He then pened his own letter and helped draft the FDA's 1992 policy on genetically engineered food and rBGH. The law that followed, in true violation of First Amendment rights, states that it's illegal to say rBGH is in milk and it's illegal to state that it's not in milk. The lawyer returned to corporate life and became Monsanto's vice president for public policy.
Incidentally, rBGH is banned in Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand--all major dairy producers. It is also banned in other countries. I quote Neal D. Barnard, M.D., president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, from a magazine entitled Safe Food News (to get this magazine and to sign the national Genetically Engineered Food Alert petition, call 1-800-REAL-FOOD).
"Monsanto's rBGH increases milk production. It also increases udder infections (mastitis) and reproductive problems in cows and shortens their life span. To treat the mastitis, farmers have to give their cows antibiotics. Studies have shown that milk from rBGH cows often contains residues from those antibiotics. And because rBGH-induced mastitis leads to increased amounts of white blood cells--or pus--this is also secreted into rBGH milk. But the risks of rBGH go far beyond even this. More troublesome is the fact that rBGH has been linked to increased risk of breast, prostate and colon cancers."
From pizza to chips, soda to infant formula, ice cream to cookies, vitamins to candies, genetically engineered organisms are in the foods we feed our kids every day. Virtually every food you can think of is in the genetically engineered pipeline. And coming soon . . . rat genes in your lettuce, cows that make human milk, and bananas with vaccines.
The only presidential candidate who brought this issue to the forefront of his campaign and informed the American people of the hazards of genetically engineered foods has been the quantum physicist John Hagelin of the Natural Law/Independent Party. As he traveled the country during the campaign speaking in public forums, he talked frankly about the long-term consequences of such experimentation, asking the question: "Who gave the biotech companies the right to threaten our food and environment? The Clinton-Gore administration and our 'Republicrat' Congress, awash in biotech money. We need mandatory labeling and safety testing of genetically engineered foods, plus a moratorium on the release of these experimental lifeforms into the environment until proven safe."
John Hagelin's message is urgent and of utmost importance. It is essential that the American people act without delay to preserve their own health and that of future generations.
Don Lovejoy, who has a doctorate in health and human services, is an educator based in Cranston.
12/18/00
11:56:58 AM
Hagelin's EPA Testimony
HAGELIN STUNS THE EPA WITH STIRRING "STARLINK" TESTIMONY
On Tuesday, November 28, Dr. John Hagelin presented a powerful statement about the hazards of genetically engineered foods to an open meeting of an Environmental Protection Agency panel in Arlington, Virginia.
The Scientific Advisory Panel for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) held the meeting to consider the possible allergenic effects of StarLink corn on human health. Starlink, a variety of genetically engineered corn that has not been approved by the EPA for human consumption, was recently discovered to have contaminated corn products being sold at supermarkets around the country.
Dr. Hagelin's testimony created an explosion of concern among the largely pro-genetic engineering audience at the open meeting and created a fresh wave of scientific scrutiny about the hazards of GE foods. His testimony is reprinted below, along with an editorial from the Providence Journal about his leadership in the effort to protect our food supply.
STATEMENT FOR THE FIFRA SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL OPEN MEETING ON STARLINK CORN Arlington, Virginia November 28, 2000
JOHN HAGELIN, Ph.D. Director, Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy
I speak to you as a scientist who is striving to ensure that our best scientific knowledge be applied for the solution-- and prevention--of society's problems. I am a nuclear physicist who has published extensively in superstring theory and, during the last three elections, I have been the Presidential candidate of the Natural Law Party.
I want to address an issue much deeper than whether the CRY9C protein in StarLink corn is likely to be allergenic.
I want to address the assumptions that underlie the entire agricultural bioengineering enterprise. I am deeply concerned that life scientists are implementing bioengineering technologies without adequately understanding the lessons we have learned from the physical sciences. One of the key revelations of modern physics is that phenomena unfold in a far less linear and predictable fashion than eighteenth and nineteenth century thinkers assumed.
Today we know that there are inherent limitations on our ability to make precise predictions about the behavior of a system, especially for microscopic systems and nonlinear systems of great complexity.
Numerous eminent molecular biologists recognize that DNA is a complex nonlinear system and that splicing foreign genes into the DNA of a food-yielding organism can cause unpredictable side effects that could harm the health of the human consumer. Yet, the genetic engineering of our food-- and the widespread presence of genetically altered foods in American supermarkets --is based on the premise that the effects of gene-splicing are so predictable that all bioengineered foods can be presumed safe unless proven otherwise. This refusal to recognize the risks of unintended and essentially unpredictable negative side effects is just plain bad science. It is astounding that so many biologists are attempting to impose a paradigm of precise, linear, billiard-ball predictably onto the behavior of DNA, when physics has long since dislodged such a paradigm from the microscopic realm and molecular biological research increasingly confirms its inapplicability to the dynamics of genomes.
Moreover, the premise of predictability is not just scientifically unsound; it is morally irresponsible. The safety of our food is being put at risk in a cavalier, if not callous, fashion, not only in disregard of scientific knowledge, but in disregard of recent technological history. Here, too, lessons should have been learned from the physical sciences. Time and again, the overhasty application of nuclear technologies led to numerous health and environmental disasters.
For example, in the early days of nuclear technology, the rush to commercialize led to the sale of radium tipped wands designed to remove facial hair. Nine months later the cancers came.
Similarly, the failure to comprehend the full range of risks and to proceed with prudence has led to many disasters in the nuclear power industry.
In the case of genetic engineering, even greater caution is called for: a nuclear disaster only lasts 10,000 years, whereas gene pollution is forever--self-perpetuating and irreversible.
The irresponsible behavior that permitted the marketing of bioengineered foods has not been limited to the scientific community, but includes the executive branch of the federal government. The FDA's internal records reveal that its own experts clearly recognized the potential for gene-splicing to induce production of unpredicted toxins and carcinogens in the resultant food. These same records reveal that these warnings were covered up by FDA political appointees operating under a White House directive to promote the biotech industry.
It is unconscionable that the FDA claimed itself unaware of any information showing that bioengineered foods differ from others, when its own files are filled with such information from its scientific staff. And it is unconscionable that it permits such novel foods to be marketed based on the claim they are recognized as safe by an overwhelming consensus within the scientific community, when it knows such a consensus does not exist.
The StarLink fiasco further demonstrates the shoddiness of the government's regulation, since the system failed to keep even an unapproved bioengineered crop out of our food. Indeed, the contamination was discovered not by the government, but by public interest groups. The FDA had no clue and had taken no measures to monitor. This incident also demonstrates how difficult it will be to remove a bioengineered product from our food supply if it is eventually found to be harmful and, therefore, how important it is to prevent the introduction of new ones and to phase out those currently in use.
It is high time that science and the truth be respected, and that the false pretenses enabling the commercialization of bioengineered foods be acknowledged and abolished. I call upon the members of this panel to uphold sound science so that you can hold your own heads up as the facts about the hazards of bioengineered food become increasingly well known.
I call upon you not only to resist the pressures to approve the pesticidal protein in StarLink Corn; I call upon you to honestly acknowledge the inherent risks of genetic engineering and to affirm that, due to these risks, neither StarLink nor any other bioengineered food can be presumed safe at the present stage of our knowledge.
12/17/00
6:15:37 PM
Greenpeace wants all Chernobyl-type plants to shut
LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Environmentalists Greenpeace said closure of the last working reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine must be followed by shutdowns at similar plants in Russia and Lithuania.
The former Soviet republic is expected on Friday to shut Reactor Number Three at the power station near Kiev, scene of the world's worst nuclear accident in April 1986.
"The closure of Chernobyl's last reactor comes more than 14 years after Reactor Number Four shrouded the world in a radioactive cloud," said Tobias Muenchmeyer, nuclear expert at Greenpeace International.
"We cannot afford to wait another 14 years before the remainder are shut down."
Greenpeace said a dozen other water-cooled reactors of the Chernobyl design located in Russia and Lithuania posed a continuing threat to Europe, as did the region's 200 nuclear reactors of all types which it wants closed.
"The crumbling Chernobyl sarcophagus stands as a testimony to the collapse of the nuclear dream, it is a symbol of the failure of nuclear power," Muenchmeyer said.
The pressure group said three million children require treatment as a result of the disaster, thyroid cancer among adolescents jumped tenfold in affected areas and birth defects and growth problems in children more than doubled in Ukraine.
Greenpeace also renewed its attack on European plans to help fund two replacement nuclear reactors in Ukraine.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development last week agreed a $215 million loan to finance the plants and the European Commission added $585 million to the project on Wednesday.
The EU defended the decision, saying the replacement reactors were the safest of dozens of options studied.
"It is an utterly cynical decision by the EBRD and the European Commission to fund more nuclear reactors in a country which suffers more than all others from the Chernobyl catastrophe," Muenchmeyer said.
Greenpeace has attacked the $1.5 billion plan to furnish the two replacement reactors, quoting a report which showed them to be "highly hazardous."
Muenchmeyer said Ukraine should instead meet its energy capacity needs through renewable energy sources and improving efficiency.
12/17/00
6:14:16 PM
E-mail campaigners urge the Bush electors to change sides FROM JAMES BONE IN NEW YORK TWO California college students are leading an Internet campaign to bombard members of the Electoral College with e-mails imploring them to switch their allegiance from George W. Bush to Al Gore, because he won the most votes nationwide.
Even though neither voted Democrat, David Enrich and Matt Grossman are hoping to find three Bush electors who will change sides when the Electoral College votes on Monday and hand the presidency to Mr Gore.
Mr Enrich is a registered independent and Mr Grossman supports the Natural Law Party. “We are not Democrats and we did not vote for Al Gore,” Mr Enrich said. “The candidate that wins the most votes nationally should be the next President. The electors should put patriotism above partisanship.”
Mr Gore won over 300,000 more votes than Mr Bush across the country, which is more than President Kennedy’s 118,574-vote margin of victory in 1960. But after the US Supreme Court this week cleared the way for Florida’s 25 delegates to swing behind Mr Bush, the Vice-President’s popular vote translated into only 267 Electoral College votes, compared with the 271 backing the Texas Governor. Mr Gore would need only three defections to win.
In his concession speech, Mr Gore made clear that he did not intend to sway any members of the Electoral College, but there are 140 Bush electors who are not bound by state law or a signed pledge to vote for him as President and the other 131 can take comfort from the fact no “faithless electors” have ever been prosecuted for changing sides. Only 20 states have laws requiring electors to vote for the candidate who carried their state. New Mexico, Oklahoma and South Carolina prescribe criminal penalties, while North and South Carolina and Michigan simply nullify “faithless” votes.
The last mass defection took place as recently as 1960, when six Alabama electors pledged to Senator John F. Kennedy were persuaded by a segregationist lawyer to vote instead for Senator Harry Byrd, a Virginia Democrat. One Oklahoma elector switched from Mr Kennedy’s opponent, Richard Nixon, to Senator Byrd.
The two students, who are studying government at Claremont-McKenna College, began to campaign for electoral reform two years ago when they established www.truedemocracy.org, a website focused on campaign finance reform, voter turnout and voter registration, as well as the Electoral College. Their new website — www.votewithamerica.com — provides e-mail, telephone and postal contacts for 172 electors in 18 states that went Republican and points out that most states do not prohibit electors changing sides to follow their conscience.
“Conscientious electors are America’s only chance to stop an unfair and anti-democratic institution from overruling the will of the American people,” Mr Enrich said.
The campaign is concentrating on four Republican electors in particular, who were identified by The Wall Street Journal as possibly willing to change sides.
None of them answered their telephones yesterday, although Frances Sadler of Virginia left a message on her answering machine saying simply: “If you are trying to reach Fran Sadler about the Electoral College, she is aware of the website and she will be voting for George W. Bush.”
One of those targeted is Joe Arpaio, an Arizona sheriff who made headlines when he housed 1,400 of his 7,300 prisoners in a tent city, required female convicts to work on chain-gangs and forced troublesome male inmates to wear pink underwear. “No way would I switch,” he said.
12/17/00
6:12:27 PM
TO NATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
EPA Proposes Strict New Controls to Reduce Water Pollution From Large Industrial Feedlot Operations
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 -/E-Wire/-- EPA today is proposing strict new controls to protect public health and the environment from one of the nation's leading causes of water pollution -- animal wastes from large, industrial feedlot operations.
CONTACT: Robin Woods of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-7841
Web site: http://www.epa.gov Web site: http://www.epa.gov/owm/afo.htm/
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TO NATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
EPA Decides Mercury Emissions from Power Plants Must Be Reduced
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 -/E-Wire/-- To protect public health and the environment, EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner yesterday announced that the Clinton Administration will require reductions, for the first time ever, of harmful mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants -- the largest source of such emissions in America. After extensive study, EPA determined mercury emissions from power plants pose significant hazards to public health and must be reduced. The agency will propose regulations by 2003 and issue final rules by 2004.
CONTACT: Dave Ryan of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-7827/
Web site: http://www.epa.gov Web site: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Dec00/15Dec0006.html
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TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Something's Fishy with Columbia Chinook: Females Carry Male's Genetic Signature
MOSCOW, Idaho, Dec. 15, -/E-Wire/-- Samples in 1999 from fall chinook salmon in the Columbia River's Hanford Reach show that four-fifths of the females spawning there apparently began life as males.
The finding could provide an important clue in sorting through the complex reasons for the decline of Northwest salmon runs, although the Hanford's wild fall chinook run is among the healthiest. The researchers ruled out radiation as a possible cause of the apparent sex reversal but suggested environmental contaminants that mimic hormones or water temperature changes could be the culprits.
CONTACTS: James Nagler, UI assistant professor of zoology, (208) 885-4382, jamesn@uidaho.edu; Gary Thorgaard, WSU School of Biological Sciences director, (509) 335-7438, thorglab@wsu.edu, and Dennis Dauble, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory technical resource manager, (509) 372-6313, dd.dauble@pnl.gov; Bill Loftus, UI University Communications, (208) 885-7694, bloftus@uidaho.edu, or Kathy Barnard, UI University Communications, (208) 885-7725, kbarnard@uidaho.edu/
Web site: www.uidaho.edu/salmon
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TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
New Report Suggests that Climate Change May Have Serious Impacts on National Water Resources
OAKLAND, CA, Dec. 15, -/E-Wire/-- In a report released today, Water: The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change, (available at: www.pacinst.org/naw.html) the National Water Assessment Group concludes that climate changes in this century may have serious implications for U.S. water resources. The assessment is the culmination of more than two years of work by representatives of the government, corporate and non-governmental organization sectors to evaluate the implications of both existing climate variability and future climate change on national water resources.
CONTACT: Peter Gleick or Wil Burns, 654 13th St., Oakland, CA 94612, Phone 510.251.1600, Fax 510.251.2203, wburns@pacinst.org, www.pacinst.org
Web site: www.pacinst.org
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Pulsatron Technology Answers World Pollution Woes
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 -/E-Wire/-- As the industrialized nations of the world debate how to control the world's worst pollutants, a technological breakthrough has emerged which has the capability of eliminating up to 99 percent of these harmful chemicals.
CONTACT: Godfrey Harris of Pulsatron Technology Corporation, 310-278-8037, fax, 310-271-3649
Web site: http://www.Pulsatech.com/
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TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
EARTH Establishes Enhanced Production Facility in Canada
MONTREAL, Quebec, Dec. 14 -/E-Wire/-- Continuing its drive to develop cutting-edge technology for oil remediation and create a world-class organization, the management of EARTH (Canada) Corporation (CDNX:EAR - news) is pleased today to officially announce the establishment of a licensed production facility for the manufacture of RPA®, its proprietary Reusable Petroleum Absorbent, in Iberville, Quebec, Canada.
CONTACT:EARTH (Canada) Corp. Charlie Lee, 514/522-5550 or 877/4RPA-TEC Investor@earthcanada.com
Web site: http://www.earthcanada.com/
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12/17/00
6:04:27 PM
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE (ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We Cover the Earth For You"
GLOBAL WARMING COULD MAKE WATER A SCARCE RESOURCE
OAKLAND, California, December 15, 2000 (ENS) - Global warming could have serious impacts on water resources in the United States, and some of those effects are already being felt, a new report released today concludes. To counter those effects, government and water management officials must act now - a prescription that may be a hard sell under the new George W. Bush administration.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-15-06.html
OMBUDSMAN PROBES EPA REMEDY FOR CONTAMINATED BATTERY SITE
By Brian Hansen
THROOP, Pennsylvania, December 15, 2000 (ENS) - A federal ombudsman has been asked to review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's controversial plan to remediate a hazardous waste site in northeastern Pennsylvania by entombing more than 500,000 tons of lead tainted soils under a 10 acre clay and cement cap.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-15-15.html
AUSTRALIA TO DRAW ENERGY, CARBON AND OIL FROM EUCALYPTUS TREES
PERTH, Australia, December 15, 2000 (ENS) - A unique process of biomass energy production will be used in a demonstration plant planned for Western Australia.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-15-01.html
CHERNOBYL SHUTS DOWN: NOW THE HARD WORK BEGINS
KIEV, Ukraine, December 15, 2000 (ENS) - More than 14 years after one of its reactors exploded, causing the world's worst nuclear accident, Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear plant permanently shut down today.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-15-11.html
DISASTROUS ROMANIAN CYANIDE SPILLS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE
BRUSSELS, Belgium, December 15, 2000 (ENS) - January's Baia Mare mine cyanide spill in northwestern Romania should serve as a wakeup call for regulators and mining companies throughout Europe, the head of a European Union task force set up to investigate the accident said today.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-15-02.html
SWEET DEAL MIRRORS AUSTRALIA'S CHANGING FUEL POLICY
SYDNEY, Australia, December 15, 2000 (ENS) - Australia has finally caught up with the rest of the developed world by introducing the country's first mandatory, national fuel quality standards.
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-15-10.html
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: DECEMBER 15, 2000
Salmon Sex Change Surprises Biologists
Former EPA Employee Sues Agency for Discrimination
Chicago Bans MTBE
Enviro Groups Contest Moratorium on Endangered Species Listings
Suit Challenges "Flaws" in Canada Lynx Listing
Groups Seek Additional Protections for Steelhead
BLM Publishes Final Rule on Wilderness Activities
DOE Lab to Stimulate Wind Power
Reston, Virginia Designated as Community Wildlife Habitat
"We Know They're Around Here Somewhere..."
For full text and graphics visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2000/2000L-12-15-09.html