Weekly Justice Highlights

St. Vincent inspires each of us to be in solidarity of his ministry as he worked with those living in poverty and advocated with them.   U.S. citizens are invited to ask presidential candidates to support affordable rental housing, stop needless foreclosures and revive a sustainable path to homeownership.  

Challenging Unjust Structures:  Urge Walmart and NFI, the warehouse operator, to be transparent in addressing serious concerns about broken equipment and high injury rates in the warehouse where a leaked document was found stating the problem was fixed (according to the workers it has not been fixed).   

In the Spirit of St. Vincent:  Urge the moderators of the presidential debates to ask the candidates about poverty.  

Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge PBS’s Jim Lehrer to spend some time during the first presidential debate speaking to campaigns and big money and how the candidates plan to fix the problem.   (Act by September 28)

Elections 2012:  President Obama and Governor Romney share how they will help hungry and poor people.  Individuals are encouraged to view these videos and let them know that eliminating hunger and poverty is an important election issue.  

Election 2012: Catholics Vote for the CommonGood, the Platform for the Common good for each state is available.  Locate the platform, sign it and urge others to support it.  Take a group of signatures to your candidates running for office as well.  

Immigration: Here are the links to the two Need to Know episodes(These are about Violence at the Border and about 20 min. each):
Part 1 is located here.
Part 2 is located here.

Nazareth:  On October 3, Nazareth will host a candidate forum for KY House District 50 that begins at 6 p.m. in Columba room.  The public has been invited.  Questions can be addressed to Joetta Venneman, PBVM at 348.1557.  

Upcoming Debates

October 3: @NewsHour (Moderator Jim Lehrer, PBS News). 9-10:30 p.m. EST. University of Denver. Topic: Domestic Policy

October 11: @MarthaRaddatz (Moderator Martha Raddatz, ABC News). 9-10:30 p.m. EST. Centre College, Danville, KY. Vice Presidential Debates: Domestic and Foreign Policy

October 16: @crowleyCNN (Moderator Candy Crowley, CNN). 9-10:30 p.m. EST. Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY. Town Hall format: Domestic and Foreign Policy

October 22: @BobSchieffer (Moderator Bob Schieffer, CBS News). 9-10:30 p.m. EST. Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL. Topic: Foreign Policy

 

Weekly Justice Highlights

Care of Earth:  Urge President Obama to impose tough safeguards on oil and gas drilling (Hydraulic Fracking).     

Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge NBC and ABC to stop blackout coverage of the bank manipulation of a critical interest rate (LIBOR).  LIBOR is used as a benchmark for short-term interest rates globally and was heard about briefly a few months ago. 

Child Labor: Support union workers in Seattle and cocoa kids in West Africa by demanding that Whole Foods and UNFI (Whole Foods Distributor) respect workers’ rights and join other natural food stores in pointing out to Hershey that ethically sourcing a small amount of the company’s overall chocolate, does not erase the fact that most of Hershey’s profits are earned at the expense of children.    

Care of Earth:  Urge the Environmental Protection Agency to set stronger standards and limit toxic pollutants for all PVC plants. 

Challenging Unjust Systems:  Urge CA Governor JerryBrown to sign the Farm Worker Safety Act of 2012 (AB2346) and the Humane Treatment of Farm Workers Act (AB2676) that are now on his desk and have been approved by the Senate and the Assembly. 

Urge U.S.Representatives to oppose the Stop the War on Coal Act (H.R. 3409) that would repeal major controls on pollution and protections for public health and property across several landmark federal laws including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.  Additionally, this bill would prevent the EPA administrator from protecting public health, private property, clean air and clean water. 

Individuals are invited to take and spread the Iran Pledge of Resistance that demands no attack on Iran and includes taking actions toward this effort.  

Urge U.S.corporations to place human rights before profits in Myanmar.  

Elections 2012:  President Obama and Governor Romney share how they will help hungry and poor people.     Individuals are encouraged to view these videos and let them know that eliminating hunger and poverty is an important election issue.   

Louisville: An Intensive Workshop on Nonviolent Communication will be held on September 30, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Plymouth Community Renewal Center (1626 W. Chestnut street in Louisville).  The fee is $30 an includes lunch.  Please send check and name to Interfaith Paths to Peace (425 S. 2^nd Street, Louisville, KY 40202). 

Weekly Justice Highlights

Human Trafficking:  The September issue of Stop Trafficking co-sponsored by the SCN’s if available here. 

Care of Earth:   Urge President Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to end the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rubberstamping of new genetically modified organisms in crops.   

Holding Corporations Accountable:  Hurricane Isaac showed that much of the BP oil remains in the soils and just below the waters of the Gulf.  The oil remnants are not the responsibility of the Coast Guard.  Urge the Coast Guard to make all responsible parties clean up resurgent oil.  

Death Penalty:  The execution of Terrance Williams is scheduled in Pennsylvania next month.  Individuals are invited to take action to help stop this execution (look to right for petition).

Death Row Inmate Support:  Support Reggie Clemons as is case is reviewed on September 17 by a judge for the last time.   

Urge the U.S. International Trade Commission and the EU Trade Commissioner to drop coal and oil subsidies and to oppose solar tariffs.   

Urge President Obama to support reforms by updating the Specially Designated Nationals List that ensures business investments in Burma are not used to reward or enable those committing abuses.

2012 Election: Debate Curriculum Daily Lesson Guide developed for the debates is located here.    

Sojourners is proud to present a new short film called The Line.  Written and directed by Emmy award-winning producer Linda Midgett, it chronicles the very real stories of four real people struggling with real poverty in America today.  The Line premieres at 8 p.m. (EST) Oct. 2 — the night before the first presidential debate and the trailer can be found here.    

Many participated in Election 2012: Catholics Vote for the Common Good project.  The Platform for the Common good for each state are available here.  Locate the platform, sign it and urge others to support it. 

Kentucky:  Urge the KY Blue Ribbon Tax Commission to provide KY families with a sustainable and healthy clean energy economy by urging them to get serious about diversifying our economy.

Louisville:  On October 13, 2012, the 13^th annual Healthy Foods, Local Farms Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the KY Country Day School.  Registration before September 15 is $30/day.  After September 15, the registration is $40/day.  More information can be found here. 

Weekly Justice Highlights

Care of Earth:  Urge 17 of KY’s rural electric co-ops to energy efficiency and renewable energy by September 7. 

Challenging Unjust Systems:  Urge members of Congress to support the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012 (S. 3453/H.R. 6211) that would restore much of the lost value of the minimum wage and boost the paychecks of low-wage workers in the U.S.

Care of Earth:  You are invited to join in thanking and encouraging the Obama administration to continue strong climate action.  On August 28, new vehicle fuel-efficiency standards were announced.  

Challenging unjust corporate systems:  Walmart workers in Southern California are working in metal containers that reach over 100 degrees and have inadequate access to clean drinking water and ventilation.  Sign a letter to Walmart asking their executives to meet with warehouse workers and live up to their own Standards for Suppliers.  

Urge President Obama to designate the Arctic Refuge as a national monument and permanently protect this priceless national treasure for future generations.   

Recently, the Securities Exchange Commission released rules to implement the Cardin-Lugar Amendment – putting into place a set of new transparency standards that requires oil and mineral companies to open their books and stop hiding secret payments to local governments.  Thank Senators Cardin and Lugar and otherCongressional leaders for leading the way on transparency and accountability. 

September is Hunger Action Month when the Feeding America network encourages action on behalf of the nearly 49 million people facing hunger nationwide.  Donate food you would eat at one of the many food banks around the country.

Many participated in Election 2012: Catholics Vote for the Common Good project.  The Platform for the Common good for each state are available here.  Locate the platform, sign it and urge others to support it. 

Advent 2012, Paths to Peace by Terri MacKenzie, SHCJ with a focus on air is available here.   This free and ecumenical guide integrates the New Universe Story with matters of concern to our planet.  They follow the week’s Scripture readings.  

September 2012

September 2012
International Peace Day

First celebrated in 1982, International Peace Day (September 21) is a day that provides an opportunity for all individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace. The theme for this year’s International Peace Day is “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future.” In Rio+20 this past summer, world leaders made a commitment to sustainable development. Building on sustainable development is that of sustainable peace. According to a United Nation's website, “The root causes of many conflicts are directly related to or fuelled by valuable natural resources, such as diamonds, gold, oil, timber or water. Addressing the ownership, control and management of natural resources is crucial to maintaining security and restoring the economy in post-conflict countries. Good natural resource management can play a central role in building sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.” The outcome document,  The Future We Want allows individuals, organizations and groups to reflect upon how concrete actions and plans can lead us to a sustainable future. Additionally, Millennium Development goal (#7) speaks of working to ensure environmental sustainability.
First celebrated in 1982, International Peace Day is a day that provides an opportunity for all individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace. The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future.” In Rio+20 this past summer, world leaders made a commitment to sustainable development. Building on sustainable development is that of sustainable peace. According to a United Nation’s website (http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/), “The root causes of many conflicts are directly related to or fuelled by valuable natural resources, such as diamonds, gold, oil, timber or water. Addressing the ownership, control and management of natural resources is crucial to maintaining security and restoring the economy in post-conflict countries. Good natural resource management can play a central role in building sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.” The outcome document, The Future We Want (http://www.un.org/en/sustainablefuture/) allows individuals, organizations and groups to reflect upon how concrete actions and plans can lead us to a sustainable future. Additionally, Millennium Development Goal number seven speaks of working to ensure environmental sustainability (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG_FS_7_EN.pdf).
First celebrated in 1982, International Peace Day is a day that provides an opportunity for all individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace. The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future.” In Rio+20 this past summer, world leaders made a commitment to sustainable development. Building on sustainable development is that of sustainable peace. According to a United Nation’s website (http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/), “The root causes of many conflicts are directly related to or fuelled by valuable natural resources, such as diamonds, gold, oil, timber or water. Addressing the ownership, control and management of natural resources is crucial to maintaining security and restoring the economy in post-conflict countries. Good natural resource management can play a central role in building sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.” The outcome document, The Future We Want (http://www.un.org/en/sustainablefuture/) allows individuals, organizations and groups to reflect upon how concrete actions and plans can lead us to a sustainable future. Additionally, Millennium Development Goal number seven speaks of working to ensure environmental sustainability (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG_FS_7_EN.pdf).
First celebrated in 1982, International Peace Day is a day that provides an opportunity for all individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace. The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future.” In Rio+20 this past summer, world leaders made a commitment to sustainable development. Building on sustainable development is that of sustainable peace. According to a United Nation’s website (http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/), “The root causes of many conflicts are directly related to or fuelled by valuable natural resources, such as diamonds, gold, oil, timber or water. Addressing the ownership, control and management of natural resources is crucial to maintaining security and restoring the economy in post-conflict countries. Good natural resource management can play a central role in building sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.” The outcome document, The Future We Want (http://www.un.org/en/sustainablefuture/) allows individuals, organizations and groups to reflect upon how concrete actions and plans can lead us to a sustainable future. Additionally, Millennium Development Goal number seven speaks of working to ensure environmental sustainability (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG_FS_7_EN.pdf).

Reflection/Action:

• Express “Peace” in artistic media or poetry.
• Read and reflect on Pope John XXIII’s encyclical, Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth).
• Write a prayer for peace and/or plan a prayer service for peace.
• Contact a local government official and ask what s/he plans to do in the civic community to celebrate the International Day of Peace.
• Write a letter to the editor expressing your hopes for peace in your local community; in the world.
• Plant or re-dedicate a peace pole in your community, parish, school, etc.     
• Plant a rock for peace.  
• Write peace statements on paper and turn them into objects of art.
• Educators can obtain a booklet on  "Peace Lessons from around the World."   Contact Sr. Caroljean at the NGO office at cjwilliengo@gmail.com for an entire page of suggestions for educators.
• Reflect on a peace quote.
• Join with people throughout the world for a one minute “Pause for Peace” in your geographic location.

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U.S. Elections, Faithful Citizenship and Framing - Part I

Election time has circled around again and no doubt many of us remember the document Faithful Citizenship from the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The document states that, "Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." In addition to the Faithful Citizenship document that exists from the U.S. Catholic Bishops, attentiveness to the signs of the times and critical thinking are imperative to conscious formation and decision-making. The media and candidates tend to frame issues in such a way that the public is attracted toward these messages. It is important to consider how issues are framed and what language we hear in that framing. Recent reading indicates that America's two-party system is more divided than ever and that consequences exist no matter who ends up in the White House in January. The two most dominant framing models in today’s political conversations are those of the “Strict Father” and the “Nurturing Parent.” Below are the power beliefs of each:

The Strict Father:

• We live in a dangerous world with constant competition.
• Morally there are absolute rights and wrongs.
• The strict father is THE moral authority in the family and knows what to do.
• The father's authority and decisions are not to be challenged.
• Obedience to the father is moral and disobedience is immoral.
• Children are born undisciplined and are taught through rules.
• Rewards and punishments are the key to learning.

The Nurturing Parent:

• We live in a complex world.
• Apart from some basic rules (i.e. don't kill), right and wrong are complex issues that each person needs to develop a conscience to assess.
• Moral authority is nurtured in each person and shared in the group.
• Challenging authority is nurtured in each person and shared in the group.
• Not engaging in dialogue and hearing your conscience is immoral.
• Children are basically good and need to be nurtured to empathy.
• Empathy and solidarity are the keys to learning.

With continued reflection on the issues and the candidates as election time nears, critical analysis in the form of questions based on Catholic Social Teaching.  Thus, each of us are invited, amidst our contemplative time, to be with these potential questions:

• What combination of the above frameworks did I experience while growing up? Do I still operate from these frames? How difficult or easy is it to change these frames?
• Where is Jesus’ historical life amidst these two models? As he relates to Abba Father? As he relates to his followers?
• The document from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops entitled Faithful Citizenship and a vast array of materials for use in a variety of settings.
• How is the document Faithful Citizenship framed? What value does this have for the common good?
• What is the current reality in institutions such as my national government? The Catholic Church? Media? The environment where I minister?
• How does my language and the way I frame what I say add to the extremes of these frameworks?
• Where is the potential bridge that connects these two frameworks?

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U.S. Legislative Updates with Global Impacts

In this election year, little time remains for legislative action amidst an abundance of issues. Among the issues in need of resolution are the FY 2013 budget, the 2012 Farm Bill, the Violence Against Women Act, and Human Trafficking legislation. The U.S. House plans to be in session for 8 days during September. Amidst legislative priorities, campaigning and partisan divide, there exist some approaching legislative deadlines.

• With regard to the Federal Budget, plans are to pass a 6-month continuing resolution in September that will keep the government running into FY 2013. Several coalition groups including NETWORK and Coalition on Human Needs are circulating a letter calling upon Congress to promote the common good, protect vulnerable persons, and rebuild the economy. In addition, U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact their legislators before September 10, with regard to budgeting.
• The Farm Bill expires September 30. The Senate has already passed a farm bill; the House Agriculture Committee has written one. This legislation includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/food stamp. Other programs that support farms and rural communities and work to fight hunger in our country and around the world are also included in this legislation. U.S. citizens are invited to contact their federal legislators urging them to support a Farm Bill that prioritizes money to alleviate domestic and international hunger, supports conservation of the land, promotes rural development and reduces farm subsidies.
• The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) expires on September 30.
• Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits expire on December 31.
• Personal income tax rates as per the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are set to expire in December 2012. These are the income tax cuts that have benefited the top 1-2% of the population.
• Individuals may remember that late in 2011 (The Budget Control Act), a super committee (Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction) was put together to decrease the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion. The committee failed to do this leaving what we call sequestration (automatic spending cuts) to take place on January 1, 2013. These automatic cuts DO NOT reach Social Security, Medicaid, or many other programs for low-income Americans. Any Medicare cuts would affect payments to providers, not beneficiaries. The automatic cuts that are scheduled would affect defense and non-defense programs equally and unfortunately, would include discretionary programs that specifically serve low-income people.
• It has been nearly a year since the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) expired and there have been over 1.29 million domestic acts of violence committed since the expiration. There have been 253 members of Congress who have voted to protect perpetrators. Urge federal legislators (1.202.224.3121; charges apply) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to support and pass the Violence Against Women Act (S. 1925) as soon as possible.
• There are four pieces of legislation related to human trafficking in need of action. These are highlighted by Polaris Project with action. They include the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2011(S. 1301); the Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act (H.R. 2759); the Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act (H.R. 2730) and the End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act of 2012 (H.R. 4259/S.2234). September 4 is a national call in day for S. 1301.