Search Results for Toward Freedom Journal

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George Russell: The Song of the Greater Life

Rene Wadlow June 17, 2008 Rene Wadlow

George Russell
At a time when rising food prices have become a global concern and food riots are weakening governments, we need to look beyond short-term measures to deeper structural reforms. It is important to understand the political and cultural background of necessary changes, and it is appropriate to look at the contributions of earlier reformers. George Russell (1867-1935) helped create agricultural cooperatives in Ireland after Independence as part of a larger aim of spiritual awakening to a greater life.

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Polarizing Bolivia: Santa Cruz Votes for Autonomy

Benjamin Dangl May 8, 2008 Benjamin Dangl

Photo: Bolivia Indymedia
A vote for autonomy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia was passed by approximately 82% of voters on Sunday, May 4th. The vote endorses a move by Santa Cruz to, among other things, gain more control of gas reserves in the area and resist the central government's break up of large land holdings. Clashes during the vote in Santa Cruz left 35 injured. One man died from asphyxiation due to tear gas fired by police forces. The vote and conflict marks a new phase in the polarization of Bolivia, and a new challenge for the region. 

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Crisis in Burma: A Constitution is More Than a Document

Rene Wadlow May 7, 2008 Rene Wadlow

The tropical cyclone Nargris which struck the Burma Irrawaddy delta on May 3, and the incompetent military response for relief efforts, could be the equivalent of Katrina in New Orleans in showing the incoherence of Myanmar's military government and its disregard of the welfare of its people. Prior to the cyclone, the government was planning to hold a referendum on a government-drafted constitution for the country.  If all goes as in now planned, the referendum will be held on 10 May in most of the country and in the storm-ravaged areas on 24 May.  Were people to vote freely, it is likely that the military constitution would be swept away. 

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Vermont Peace Activists Occupy General Dynamics Weapons Plant

Benjamin Dangl May 2, 2008 Benjamin Dangl

On May 1st, International Workers’ Day, ten peace activists in Burlington, Vermont entered General Dynamics and locked themselves together in the main lobby of the building in protest against the company’s weapons manufacturing and war profiteering. University of Vermont student Benjamin Dube, one of the dozens of other activists present at the event, leaned out a window of the lobby, and pointed to the GD building, explaining, “This is the gas tank of the war machine, and we are the sugar.” read more

From globalexchange.org

“Free Trade” & the Battle for the Soul of the Democratic Party

Mark Engler April 25, 2008 Mark Engler

"Free trade" has produced some of the most contentious political debates of our times. In a famous April 2000 article in the New Republic, economist Joseph Stiglitz argued, "Economic policy is today perhaps the most important part of America's interaction with the rest of the world. And yet the culture of international economic policy in the world's most powerful democracy is not democratic." During the Bush years, economic policy received far less attention in political discussion than before; the use of military force took center stage.