Global Archive #2

Global Issues Archive # 2 (June-August 2001)

Rhetoric Versus Reality: the Role of U.S. Arms Transfers in Human Rights Violations [8-30-01]

The U.S. is the world's major supplier of arms - providing 54% of all weapons delivered to the world in 1999. While we proclaim loudly our commitment to human rights, our actions as weapons-supplier to the world make those claims look like major hypocrisy.

The World Policy Institute web site provides strong evidence for this in its posting of the testimony of William D. Hartung, Director of the Arms Trade Resource Center of the World Policy Institute at New School University. He spoke to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, House International Relations Committee, on March 7, 2001.

School of the Americas demonstrators sentenced

Dwight Lawton, a member of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, reports on the sentencing of 26 people who were arrested for demonstrating last November against the School of the Americas. He also reflects on the reasons for their action. The Peace Fellowship also announces plans for another action this coming November. [8-28-01]

Some getting richer, some getting poorer, and (almost) all in denial [8-28-01]

As the rich-poor gap in American society continues to grow, our habit of denial helps us keep on believing that we live in a land of equal opportunity. {"While the average worker's pay in 2000 was lower than in 1980, adjusting for inflation, CEO pay was 10 times higher.") Molly Lanzarotta writes in the political zine, IMPACT Press, that some people - especially women and minorities - are catching on. Those concerned for economic justice, she implies, need to help people see the economic realities, and present the American ideal in more convincing ways.

WCC Asia consultation urges churches to find alternatives to globalization [8-22-01]

A mid-August consultation in Fiji, sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the Pacific Conference of Churches, gathered representatives from 29 countries to struggle with the phenomenon of globalization and its effects. The meeting ended by calling on churches to be more prophetic in their opposition to the distortions of economic globalization, while urging them to seek viable alternatives that won't increase suffering and poverty, exploit workers or destroy the environment.

Relentless violence hurts, haunts children on embattled West Bank [8-22-01]

Presbyterian journalist Alexa Smith gives a long look at what Palestinian Christians are experiencing in the not-so-little town of Bethlehem, on the West Bank of Israel/Palestine, primarily through the eyes of Viveca Hazboun, the only Christian psychiatrist and the only female psychiatrist on the West Bank.

The First Annual National ASK Day was observed on Monday, August 20^th - and we missed it!

The idea is magnificently simple: asking people to pledge that they will ASK if there is a gun in the home before sending their children over to play at someone else's house. [8/20/01]

A report from Ghost Ranch

Crisis in Our Global Neighborhood [8-16-01]

Fifty-five people from across the U.S. gathered at Ghost Ranch August 6-13 for an intensive seminar on the looming crisis of economic globalization and militarism. The seminar was sponsored by the Witherspoon Society, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, and Presbyterians for Restoring Creation.

The group agreed on a need for our church to focus education and action on three areas of concern: the US involvement in the conflict in Colombia; the US-Mexico border; and the School of the Americas.

Energy: a really big addiction?
Peter Sawtell of Eco-Justice Ministries recently posted a thought-provoking look at America's biggest addiction: Energy. And, he says, it's time for a big-time intervention. [8-16-01]

Sandra Olewine, Methodist Liaison in Jerusalem, reflects on increased violence in that tormented city, and the need for a wider view [8-13-01]

She begins: On the morning after a horrific afternoon in Jerusalem, words seem a bit superfluous. Today many Israelis will say goodbye to family and friends, infants, children and parents, as the dead are buried. Prayers for comfort seem a small offering to such tragedy.

And later she comments: In such days, we must return to the root cause of the violence in order to break the cycle. Addressing only the symptoms ensures our continuing horror at senseless death in this region. The root cause of the violence of the last 11 months is the on-going Israeli occupation and control of the West Bank and Gaza. After 32 years, it most come to a stop.

Toward a global peace force [8-11-01]

One of the overtures considered by the 113^th General Assembly was number 01-64, from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, which called on the church to support efforts to create a Global Nonviolent Peace Force. This would be "an international nonviolent, standing peace force [which would be] sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle nonviolently, enter into dialogue, and seek peaceful resolution."

The Assembly's Committee on Global Issues recommended, and the Assembly approved, action to endorse research and development of such a "global nonviolent peace force," and asked the Peacemaking Program to follow developments, to participate in research and development efforts "as appropriate," and to make recommendations for actions to later Assemblies.

Now Sojourners magazine reports on an already existing effort along these lines: Christian Peacemaker Teams, which have been working in Israel/Palestine, and are now operating in Colombia.

WCC Consultation on Israeli-Palestinian conflict decides on coordinated ecumenical action [8-11-01]

50 participants gathered in Geneva to seek ways of moving toward action in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and identified 7 potential areas for coordinated action.

Do we really need more religion in public life? [8-9-01]

Religious conservatives often lament the lack of religion in public life. Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen offers a thoughtful view that while "it's true, of course, that prayer -- not God -- has been banished from the public schools ... [yet] for the most part, America -- alone among the major Western democracies -- remains an exceedingly churchy country where religion plays a large and unashamedly prominent role."

As a secularist, Cohen expresses concern about "the religion of religion becoming the quasi-official religion of the state." One consequence, he says, seems to be that "both Bush and Ashcroft are setting an implied religious qualification for office -- not a particular religion, mind you, but a requirement that you believe in something."

In a time of private prosperity, the public good has suffered

The L.A. Times has published an article by staff writer Peter G. Gosselin revealing more clearly than we may have seen it before, just how skewed has been the U.S. economy during the recent economic boom. Private wealth has grown, and private living standards have improved. But public investment in boring things like highways and water supplies has lagged seriously. [8-6-01]

Update on the Middle East: A Lutheran professor reports from on the spot in Jerusalem, where the violence is real and ugly.

Witherspooner Darrell Yeaney has forwarded a report from Dr. Fred Strickert, who teaches Religious Studies at Wartburg College in Waverley, Iowa. As Darrell's note concludes: Read and weep. But then, cry out for truth and justice. [8-3-01]

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney speaks out on need for US participation in UN Conference Against Racism This strong statement by a Member of Congress has been shared with many Presbyterians by our Washington Office. [8-2-01]

Back to the wars in Central America?

[8-2-01]

The New York Times has recently added more details to earlier reports of the number of veterans of Ronald Reagan's covert wars in Central America who are now being nominated by the Bush administration to high foreign policy positions.

See "Bush Latin America Nominations Reopen Wounds," on the Times web site for August 1, 2001. People committed to peace and justice may want to express your concern to the White House, or to members of the Senate who will be called on to confirm many of these nominees.

This article will be available on the NY Times web site for one week free of charge (though you have to register to use the site). After that, you will be asked to pay a small charge for downloading it from their archives.

Bush advances a "values campaign"? [8-2-01]

Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has issued a press release detailing what he sees as the many channels through which President George W. Bush is attempting to "merge religion and government" by advancing a "values campaign" which includes advancing religious revival, presenting himself as a moral leader, dealing with religious leaders to decide the question of stem cell research, urging abstinence-only for sex education ... and of course pushing his "faith-based initiative" and religious-school vouchers.

Presbyterians for Restoring Creation urges people to contact representatives in Washington regarding the flawed energy legislation now coming up for debate [8-2-01]

An invitation to expanding horizons: Hosting high school students from other nations. [8-2-01]

The 2001 Peacemaking Conferences have provided both a celebration of diversity and exercises in doing diversity. Here's the PNS report on the conference in Estes Park, Colorado, July 21-25. [7-31-01]

Reflections on the Genoa G8 meeting [7-31-01]

The G8 summit meeting in Genoa, Italy, with the battles in the streets and George Bush's steadfast (to use a polite word) insistence that the US will do things its own way, needs more reflection after the event. Here are two reports that have been flagged by Utne Reader's Webwatch:

African-American bishop feels disillusioned by Bush "faith-based initiative."

"There is open conflict between what's being said and what's being done," he says. [7-27-01]

Bush energy plan heading for Congressional debate. Presbyterians for Restoring Creation urges communicating with congress people. [7-27-01]

US threatens to stay away from UN racism conference, and progressive groups are urging messages of protest. [7-27-01]

PBS will feature a new documentary, "In the Light of Reverence," on Native American struggles to protect landscapes of spiritual significance. [7-27-01]

Stem cell research is a big issue today in Washington -- but the PC(USA) has already done good thinking on the questions, specifically in an overture approved by the 213th General Assembly. [7-25-01]

The Rainforest Action Network -- an activist environmental group -- is being challenged by the conservative Frontier Freedom Foundation (FFF) - heavily supported by tobacco, oil, and timber money. [7-25-01]

In this week when even U.S. Senators worry about America's "arrogance" in the world of nations, it might help us to be aware that the U.S. is not entirely perfect -- even relatively. A recent survey of national levels of corruption may help remind us. [7-25-01]

Washington Office offers update on late changes in Faith Based Initiatives bill, being debated today [7-18-01]

Recent changes make it more threatening than ever to church-state separation. A response is given to administration claims that the Clinton administration supported "charitable choice"

UCC Justice and Peace Ministry provides a brief call for action to resist new increases in military spending, while budgets for social needs are being cut. [7-18-01]

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), have introduced S. 955, the "Immigration Fairness Restoration Act of 2001," a bill that seeks to roll back the remaining inequities of the 1996 laws. [7-18-01]

Campaign finance reform still has a chance ... but action is needed
[7-16-01]

The Presbyterian Washington Office has sent this urgent note: Contact your member of the House and ask that they not allow procedural maneuvering to keep them from a vote on this crucial issue.

A full report from Common Cause details recent maneuvers in the House.

Bush 'faith-based' initiative clears House Ways and Means Committee

Americans United sees the measure as a "battering ram" aimed at the separation of church and state. [7-16-01]

The Presbyterian Washington Office reports on juvenile justice legislation just introduced in the Senate [7-16-01]

The Salvation Army and subsidiarity
(and what?? Read on!)

The recent claim by the Salvation Army of an agreement by President Bush to exempt religious groups from local and state civil rights laws affirming equal right for gay and lesbian people is just the most current example of how important the old notion of "the principle of subsidiarity" can be even today.

Gene TeSelle explores how this concept is used both to justify and to limit an active role of central governments in local matters.

He also considers its application in the development of European Union policies.

For the first report in the Washington Post of the Salvation Army statement, click here. And for the Post's report on White House denials of such a "deal," click here.

And for other points of view:

Equal Partners in Faith issued a statement on July 10, opposing the use of government funding to permit discrimination.

And Christianity Today sees the Salvation Army as victims of attacks, rather than as perpetrators of discrimination.
[posted here on 7-11-01]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State says even without the possible "deal" with the Salvation Army, the proposed "faith-based initiative" would still permit discrimination by religious groups. [7-13-01]

A constitutional amendment defining marriage??

A coalition of conservative religious groups plans to propose an amendment to the US Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. An interfaith group in the Philadelphia area has issued a statement critical of the idea, calling it "a desperate and completely pointless attempt to settle questions of religious debate and local governance through the US Constitution." [7-13-01

Religion, Culture, and Family Project at University of Chicago urges a combined 60-hour work week for couples with children. [7-13-01]

A world of concerns [7-10-01]

The Worldwide Ministries Division hosted a gathering just before and after General Assembly, with over 50 ecumenical guests from 27 countries sharing a wide variety of concerns (religious persecution, the imposition of American military presence, exploitation by foreign oil companies, the US rejection of the Kyoto global warming treaty, and much more), and explored the meaning of partnership between the PC(USA) and their own churches.

UCC Justice and Peace Ministry points to a Congressional move to help victims of violence [7-11-01]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State calls for action on "Charitable Choice" proposal in House of Representatives [7-7-01]

Tuesday July 10 has been set as Campaign Finance Reform National Phone-in Day [7-2-01]

Majority excluded from global decision-making
Ecumenical consultation on economic globalization in central and eastern Europe [7-2-01]

The World Council of Churches (WCC), the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and its European Area Committee (EAC), brought together nearly a hundred participants and observers in Budapest, Hungary, from 24-28 June, on an ecumenical consultation on economic globalization.

Off the Fast Track and onto the Right Track
A Tennessee group sets forth a clear statement on President Bush's proposals for the restoration of "fast track" for international trade deals. They call especially for rethinking the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas. [7-2-01]

Washington Office urges strong action to get US to participate fully in UN Racism Conference

Also: Washington Office notes Colin Powell's efforts to limit UN Conference on Racism [6-29-01]

UCC Justice and Peace Ministry provides information for those wanting to urge Congress to remove the Charitable Choice provision from H.R. 7, now in Congress. [6-27-01]

Washington Office sends alert on two key gun control bills. [6-21-01]

The Presbyterian Washington Office urges supports for two bills in Congress, dealing with the death penalty. [6-13-01]

McVeigh dies, and sister churches protest [6-11-01]

As Timothy McVeigh was put to death today by the government of the United States, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches issued a statement today in which it "reaffirms its unconditional opposition to the death penalty."

Now's the time to support an increase of $1.50 in the minimum wage [6-5-01]

Presbyterian minister Henry G. Brinton has offered some suggested lessons for U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft's daily staff Bible study. (We rather doubt the Atty Gen. is making much use of them, but if you think the death penalty is a matter for concern, take a look!) [6-4-01]

Ohio Presbyteries form advocacy network [6-4-01]

The Summer 2001 issue of Peace Notes, published by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, reports that seven Ohio presbyteries have created a new organization called Ohio Presbyterians For Public Policy Advocacy (OPPPA), with the goal of providing information and support that will help Ohio Presbyterians act to influence certain legislation in their state. Issues currently of concern include school funding, the death penalty, and gun control.

Talk of "completed Jews" by director of one of Bush's favorite faith-based organizations gives rise to new concerns. [6-4-01]

Leaders of Equal Partners in Faith have expressed renewed concerns about President Bush's efforts to give tax-payer money directly to religious groups and organizations that provide social services.

This came partly in response to comments by John Castellani, executive director of Teen Challenge International, one of President Bush's favorite faith-based organizations. During testimony before the House Government Reform subcommittee, which was investigating the effectiveness of religiously provided social services, Castenelli reported that his organization has converted Jews to Christianity, thereby making them--in his words--"completed Jews."

Washington Office urges support for legislation to end racial profiling [6-2-01]

Anti-abortion web site will now target patients as well as providers

[6-2-01]

Researcher and writer Fred Clarkson reports on the latest efforts of the anti-abortion "Nuremberg Files" web site to broadcast video shots of abortion providers and patients over the Web, and to wrap its actions in the First Amendment.

Web-master Neal Horsley has gained notoriety for providing a "hit list" of abortion providers (with names of those murdered crossed out in black).

Stories from September through December, 2001, are archived in Global Archive # 3. For the most recent stories, go to Global and Social Concerns.

Check out earlier stories on social and global issues, indexed in Global Archive # 1.