Dear cj & rn,
New Year's resolutions are a bit puritanical for my taste, but I do
recommend an end-of-year review, meditation, tarot session, or whatever
works for you. If anyone comes up with end-of-year insights, please send
them in. Many thanks to those who sent in responses to the recent
`retrospective' postings (see below).
On p. 25 of the "Whole Earth Catalog" (30th anniversary celebration
edition), Jay Kinney gives an incredibly great mention of yours truly, cdr
(citizens for a democratic renaissance), and our lists.
His article is called "Whithering politics?", and he is credited as being
"Editor or Gnosis and former editor of CoEvolution Quarterly and Whole
Earth Review". His whole article can be considered a promo of ideas
developed on our lists, with a special emphasis on building alliances
across the left-right chasm, and other such divisive rifts. Here are some
excerpts:
...Why is it so hard to even conceptualize a truly alternative
politics? The pundits, policy wonks, and activists, our political
protectors, have a vested interest in keeping things within familiar
bounds....
The good news is that there are signs of non-aligned alternative
politics coalescing from the bottom up. Two current examples are
Demoracy Unlimited of Humboldt County (DUHC) in California, and
the node of activity developing around the renegade politcial
philosopher Richard K. Moore. Both defy traditional left-right
pigeonholes and speak to concerned activists across the polticial
spectrum. They are analyzing the present malaise, networking with
other grassroots groups, and identifying practical arenas where
small changes can begin to be made...
Richard K. Moore, a retired Silicon Valley software engineer living
in Ireland who now devotes his time to socio-economic inquiry, is
the most provoking non-orthodox theorist at work today. Moore
focuses on how the process of economic and political globalizaiton
is rapidly evolving to benefit transnational corporations and allied
elites as it dismantles the sovereignty of nation states. He
identifies an authoritarian impulse in the steady erosion of
civil liberties, privacy, human-scale enterprises, and democratic
participation, a kind of "stealth fascism" ripening under the guise
of anti-terrorism and the drug war. This, no doubt, sounds extreme
and paranoid, but Moore's reasoned analysis avoids most of the
pitfalls found in the conspiracy theories retailed by the John
Birch Society or the Montana Militia.
As befits the late nineties, both DUHC and Moore's materials are
readily available on the Web. Moore has a very active email
discussion list were a remarkably varied network of activists
refines his theories and puts them to the test. Only time will
tell whether these flegling groups carry the seeds of a wider
political movement to come or whether the steamroller of history
will run them over. My hunch is that if people of good will from
both the left and right can find sufficient common ground to work
together towards changs that both agree upon, things could really
start rocking.
Does anyone know how to contact Jay Kinney? I'd like to send him a note.
The next several days will be in the Santa Cruz mountains, encamped with
the San Francisco Folk Music Club. Talk to you again in the new year.
all the best,
rkm
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Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 08:49:40 +1200
To: •••@••.•••
From: Howard Scott <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#885> annual reassessment; rkm's model of world
Richard
I have three questions.
1. How many people do you have on your global E Mail FORUM.
2. How many counties are they resident in
3. Have you considered encouraging all of your E Mail recipients to
communicate with each other as a LIVING experience of your global
DEMOCRATIC revolution
There is empowerment in participation - for example - I am sure that many
of us also have our own E Mail FORUMS - which could be added on to yours so
that the absolute number of people receiving your E Mail journal could
probably be extended about 100 fold - if a little planning went into it.
Perhaps ths should be an objective for you for 1999. It is after all - very
practical
Cheers
Howard
http://www.futurepacific.co.nz/TheSenate.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998
To: •••@••.•••
From: Frederick Noronha <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#884> resend: 1998 New Years Greetings
I am an Indian journalist, and just write in this short note to say that
one is repeatedly inspired by RK's postings and thoughtful promptings. It
goes a great way in encouraging people like me to try out new and
meaningful directions in life. Keep up the good work! Rgds, Frederick.
>I think I was 40 when it first occurred to me that life is finite; only
>after that did I consider that "what I really want to do" could be an
>actual option in life. Before that I thought it was my job to always pick
>the most advantageous option that came my way, to maximally exploit my
>skills -- perhaps what Bob Dylan meant by "to be nothing more than
>something you invest in".
# ****************************
# frederick noronha, freelance journalist, •••@••.•••
# near lourdes convent, saligao 403511 goa india ph 276190 or 278683
# ****************************
# News from Goa http://www.goacom.com/news/
# Photos from Goa http://www.goa-world.net/fotofolio/
# GoaResearchNet http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1503
# ****************************
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Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 00:05:17 -0800
To: •••@••.•••
From: Oscar and Mary Priem <•••@••.•••>
Subject: RKM's Model
Dear cj,
"rkm's model of revolution & democracy" (Isn't it the twin of "rkm's
revolutionary manifesto?") was an eye opener and inspiration for me when I
read it early this year. It rings very true. It has the real goods. I
reread it periodically. It carries truths that voters need to know, but
which the general voting public might find shocking, other-worldly or
"anti-American" given the depth and success of the elite propaganda machine
throughout many years. But a small number of us are believers and more are
ready although focused on narrow (but extremely important) issues such as
saving giant redwood trees. I have given out many copies of rkm's model to
progressive friends and will continue to do so.
I wish that the content of rkm's model could appear in various forms and
reading levels. School children need to know about these things; how good
politicians help people and how bad politicians don't; how good businesses
treat workers fairly and bad businesses trash their workers and the
environment. How about voters who are relatively uneducated or are
immigrants with lesser English skill. How do we get this crucial message
to them in printed form?
In paragraphs 2 (g) and 2 (h) Richard talks about the importance of
electing people who will legislate and enforce real democratic reform.
Isn't that the key? It seems that various groups such as
environmentalists, social justice activists, end-corporate-dominance
activists and the like would deem it worthwhile to band together so that in
strength they could elect good people. In my experience, each seems to be
going its own way.
But meanwhile there is some excellent political action being carried out by
The New Party. They are not quite the new movement Richard speaks about,
but they believe in the same politics that most of us do. And they have an
effective plan of action that is working. I am a member and an active
worker in The New Party. If you are not very familiar with The New Party,
please check out the two brief pieces below.
All the best
Oscar
The New Party is a progressive political organization taking
root around the U.S. By starting small and thinking long-term,
we're building a multi-racial, lively and creative political
organization that can, over time, break the stranglehold that
corporate money and corporate media have over our political
process.
For the last five years we have focused on local elections, and
have won more than 200 of our first 300 races. This fall, for
example, we won 7 of 7 races in Little Rock - electing New Party
members to the City Board, County Board, and State Legislature.
We now have 4 members on the 10-person City Board, and are
launching a major campaign to end urban sprawl and invest in
poor neighborhoods.
And in Montgomery County, MD, we helped elect the former
director of Common Cause to the County Council, unseating a
15-year incumbent conservative. We now have 4 members on the
9-person council and are fighting to win an ambitious Living
Wage and Responsible Development ordinance.
We're doing the same thing in other cities across the country -
from Chicago to Missoula, Long Island to Minneapolis. We're
demonstrating that by building strong coalitions, recruiting a
real membership base, and focusing on the issues people care
about, progressives can win and govern effectively.
Browse through the documents on our strategy, program, and
ongoing campaigns. Enjoy. And if you like what you read, join.
We want to build a government that is more democratic, more
accountable, and more responsive to the needs of the governed.
But we can't do it without you.
The New Party Principles
The New Party believes that the social, economic, and political
progress of the United States requires a democratic revolution
in America -- the return of power to the people. Our basic
purpose -- reflected both in our own governance and in our
aspirations for the nation -- is to make that revolution happen.
At present, in America, the people do not rule. And they must,
if we and our children are to lead lives of dignity, decency,
and fulfillment.
Our commitment to democracy comes from our recognition of the
moral equality of persons. People really are created equal, and
their free deliberation is the best hope for achieving the
blessings of liberty. The same recognition fuels our commitment
to fairness in social life -- not letting such moral
irrelevancies as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, country
of origin, or inheritance determine one's life chances. A
commitment to democracy, finally, implies commitment to building
the popular democratic organizations -- clean, effective, and
accountable government, democratic unions and community
organizations -- necessary to any democratic society.
We are thus saddened and outraged by the present corruption of
our public institutions; the deliberate weakening of unions and
other popular democratic organizations; the short-sighted and
cruel economic policies now destroying our cities and
communities, increasing inequality, lowering living standards,
and wrecking the earth; the special burdens this society still
places on women, people of color, and children; the violence it
inflicts on the rest of the world.
To promote equality, freedom, and prosperity, we dedicate
ourselves to the following:
* Full public financing of elections, universal voter
registration, proportional representation, free party
competition.
* The establishment, defense, and facilitation of worker,
consumer, shareholder, and taxpayer rights to democratic
self-organization.
* The creation of a sustainable economy based on the responsible and
reverent use of earth's resources -- taking no more than we need, replacing
and reusing all that we can.
* A society in which we all take seriously our responsibilities as
parents, workers and citizens.
* The democratization of our banking and financial system --
including greater accountability of those charged with public
stewardship of our banking system, worker-owner control over
their pension assets, community-controlled alternative financial
institutions, and full disclosure of lending practices.
* A Bill of Rights for America's Children, guaranteeing true
equality of opportunity by providing equal access to comparable
education, health care, nutrition, housing, and safety.
* Community-control and equitable funding of our public schools, within
which we seek not just equality, but excellence.
* Full employment, a shorter work week, and a guaranteed minimum income
for all adults; a universal "social wage" to include such basic benefits as
health care, child care, vacation time, and lifelong access to education
and training; asystematic phase-in of comparable worth and like programs to
ensure gender equity.
* A progressive tax system based on the ability to pay.
* Rebuilding our cities and metropolitan regions -- the
cornerstones of a high-wage and ecologically sustainable economy
-- through community-led programs of comprehensive, democratic,
high-wage, and low-waste economic development.
* Communities in which residents, neighborhood organizations,
businesses, police, and local officials cooperate as equal
partners to provide a safe and secure environment in which to
live and work and study.
* A reduction of national military spending to that necessary to the
defense of the United States, and an end to unilateral
military interventions.
* Trade among nations consistent with mutual improvement in living
standards, reduced cross-national inequalities,and sustainable development.
*In all aspects of our economy and social life, an absolute bar
to discrimination based on race, gender, age, country of origin,
and sexual orientation, and absolute security in reproductive
rights, fundamental liberties, and privacy.
These are our principles. It will take time and experience to
work out the details of sound policies and procedures based upon
them, but there is no better time to start than the present. We
believe that if we enunciate our principles clearly and firmly,
with honesty and conviction, the New Party will set a new
standard for political behavior, and be worthy of the people of
these United States.
Released by the New Party Interim Executive Council (IEC) in
September 1994 for review and ratification by local chapters,
these revised Principles were formally adopted by the IEC in
July 1995.
Please reproduce and distribute widely.
A Fair Economy.
A Real Democracy.
A New Party.
The New Party
88 Third Ave., Suite 313
Brooklyn, NY 11217
email: •••@••.•••
phone: 1-800-200-1294
The New Party
www.newparty.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
and now for something completely different...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From: •••@••.•••
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 10:07:09 -0600 (CST)
To: •••@••.•••
Subject: New L.A.-CIA Coke Pipeline
The recent CIA investigation into the contra-cocaine controversy stumbled
upon evidence implicating a CIA employee in a plot to smuggle cocaine into
Los Angeles. According to U.S. government sources, this cocaine pipeline
operated from 1988-90 and was distinct from the earlier contra-L.A.-coke
pipeline described by Gary Webb in his Dark Alliance series for the San
Jose Mercury News.
The CIA employee under suspicion was connected to the CIA's Los Angeles
"station" at the time of the alleged cocaine shipments, but the employee
had previously worked with the Nicaraguan contra rebels. According to one
senior government official, the evidence of the 1988-90 pipeline was
included in the classified appendix to the recent CIA inspector general's
report. However, it was withheld from the declassified version released on
Oct. 8.
CIA headquarters refused to confirm or deny the existence of the classified
appendix. But former inspector general Frederick Hitz acknowledged that
the allegations are under current review.
The CIA-coke-pipeline story is in the new issue of The Consortium at
http://www.consortiumnews.com
The Consortium is a free Web site. We urge those who wish to support our
investigative journalism to subscribe to our bi-monthly print publication,
iF Magazine, for $25 a year. A subscription can be ordered with
Visa/Mastercard by calling 1-800-738-1812 or 703-920-1802 or by e-mail. Or
a check can be sent to The Media Consortium, Suite 102-231, 2200 Wilson
Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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crafted in Ireland by rkm
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A community will evolve only when
the people control their means of communication.
-- Frantz Fanon
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