For the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to collapse would be tragic. But for it to continue when everyone knows it is a lie is a moral and mortal affront to the people of the world, writes TF board member Robin Lloyd, who attended meetings this month of the 10th Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations.
On the 75th anniversary of the first nuclear chain reaction experiment, pacifist and mathematician Brad Lyttle looks back on the history of nuclear deterrence. “The human species has created the machinery to destroy itself," Lyttle explains.
The War on Drugs condones a form of macho violence. In earlier decades, that violence was played out between cops and robbers, then cowboys and Indians, and now the DEA and narco traffickers. The War allows men to find an excuse to be violent and to militarize societies. Women lose in time of war.
Late April witnessed three centennial events related to WW1, all happening in the same week 100 years ago: the international Congress for Women at the Hague (April 28), the use of chlorine gas by Germans at Ypres, Belgium (April 22), and the start of the British and ANZAC (Australian- New Zealand Army Corps) attack on Gallipoli, in Turkey (April 25).
Now that the triumvirate of public intellectuals from Burlington has passed on – social ecology theorist Murray Bookchin, peace activist Will Miller and world citizen Garry Davis – who will replace them? It’s a hard act to follow. Nevertheless, one place to look is amongst the Vermonters who got themselves to the Left Forum this year.
This year’s World Social Forum was considered a success by many of its organizers. Held for the first time in an Arab country, it was called “the forum of a new generation” by one delegate of the WSF International Council during an evaluation the day after it ended. “We’ve shown that the Arab Spring is not over.”
Copyright Toward Freedom 2019