Weekly Justice Highlights

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: As people of faith committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice, individuals are invited to sign on to a statement on why we need to protect programs for the poor entitled, Circle of Protection.

Challenging corporate systems: Urge U.S. legislators to take action to support the Environmental Protection Agency’s tough new Mercury and Air Toxics rule that will protect Americans and hold corporate polluters accountable.

Other Potential Actions:
Sign a petition to President Obama that reads, “Count me as a person of faith for clean air. I am standing alongside people of all faith traditions urging your leadership on this issue. Stop Congress from blocking the EPA from doing its job, protecting the public from dangerous air pollutants.”

Urge U.S. Representatives to sign two important letters relating to human rights in Latin America. The first is to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to pressure the Honduran government to end human rights abuses in Honduras. The second is to President Obama requesting him to issue an executive order closing SOA/WHISC.

Urge U.S. Representatives to vote NO on legislation that aims to weaken environmental protection by throwing out drilling safety standards here in the U.S. (Click on take action to protect coasts)

Sign a petition to U.S. legislators demanding an end to 501©3 nonprofit status for U.S. organizations that provide funding to promote the construction of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank (Scroll down).

Call Senators (202.224.3121, charges apply) asking them to support farm ownership loans at the program level of $600 million, and direct farm operating loans at program level of $1.05 billion. Beginning farmers need access to affordable credit for the purchase of land, livestock and equipment and for annual operating expenses.

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May 6, 2011 – April 6, 2012: On the first Friday of each month for the next year, Catholics are invited to take part in “First Fridays for Food Security” by limiting meal spending to the amount allotted for a family of their size in the USDA Modified Thrifty Food Plan. This food plan is used as the basis for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps).  Although this information comes from a U.S. perspective, we pray with those around our world who are food insecure.

Louisville: Paula Gonzales will speak at Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light Annual Awards Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on May 13 (First Unitarian Church, 807 South Fourth Street). Tickets are $25/each and include an organic meal. She will present a workshop Climate Change and Faith on May 14 from 9:30 to 4 p.m. (Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church, 318 W St. Catherine St.) Tickets are $45. For additional information or tickets contact 502.210.8920

May 2011

What Would Our World Look Like If Nature Had Rights?

During the Earth Day celebrations last month at the UN, Maude Barlow, Shannon Biggs, the United Nations and other activists were asking, “what if Mother Earth had rights?”

Maude Barlow and Shannon Biggs among others were in New York that week to promote the release of a book titled, The Rights of Nature: The Case for a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth (published jointly by The Council of Canadians, Fundacion Pachamama and Global Exchange).

A day earlier, the UN General Assembly discussed implementing new international standards that afford rights and legal standing to nature and ecosystems.

This movement for an international declaration for rights for Mother Earth originated out of the failure of the 2009 climate change summit in Copenhagen. About 32,000 participants gathered in Bolivia to discuss what next in April 2010. It is out of this gathering that the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth was born along with a call for the United Nations to adopt it.

Since then, there are 125+ cities that have recognized the legal rights of nature. Pittsburgh became the first major city to recognize the legal rights of nature. According to Barlow, “Bolivia is set to pass these legal rights and Ecuador has adopted a resolution protecting nature. India has declared that its rivers are sacred and have rights.”

According to an excerpt from The Council of Canadians website, this is an effort to bring together the voices of acclaimed authors, progressive thinkers, political leaders and environmental and community activists from around the world who share their passion for such a Declaration with the focus on the above question.

In placing the rights of nature above those of corporations and our current neoliberal systems, a major paradigm shift is required. Currently, nature is viewed as human property. In the U.S., legislation protects many rights yet none relate to nature and ecosystems. Since the BP oil spill a year ago, not one law has been passed in favor of nature’s rights. To view nature as having rights is to take into account what anyone does to harm nature and ecosystems. To adopt this mentality and bring a legal case before the courts would allow lawyers to represent ecosystems.

Efforts such as these to “balance our economic and development systems” are directly related to the limitations Earth has and human species actions that destroy Earth. As human species continue to consume, individuals are beginning to experience what happens when we hold no value for Earth and deny Earth rights.

Reflections/Actions:
• Reflect upon the question, "What would our world look like if nature had rights?" What insights do I gain?
• Read, reflect and share the proposed Universal Declaration of the Rights for Mother Earth.
• How might I encourage my community/city/country to adopt this Declaration?
• It is hoped that this document can stand as a companion to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights someday. In what concrete ways do I currently hold these as companions?
• How have I shaken myself off the "Modern World" dream and changed personal assumptions that lead to consumption of resources?
• Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream is a symposium that works to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet. It is a call from indigenous peoples that complements the movement of Rights for Mother Earth. Joetta Venneman in the Office of Global Ministries has been trained as a facilitator. To learn more or host a symposium, contact her.

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The Financial Transaction Tax

The Financing for Development Committee at the United Nations and the Sisters of Charity Federation are asking membership to support this bill. The Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) would impose a small fee, approximately 0.005% on the sale or transfer of stocks, bonds and other financial assets. H.R. 755, Investing in Our Future Act of 2011 that was recently introduced by Peter Stark and would tax all currency transactions made by or on behalf of a US person above the aggregate value, in excess of $10,000 made during a calendar year. This fee would be inconsequential for the average person investing in stocks, bonds or other assets for a reasonable period of time, but would place a much heavier burden on speculators. According to economist Dean Baker, "It raises money in a way that comes primarily at the expense of speculation....It's a very progressive tax that discourages nonproductive activity."

The money from this bill would be used for:
• Child Care Assistance Trust Fund
• Multilateral Global Health Programs
• Global Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
• Deficit Reduction

Actions:
• To read the bill by typing in the bill number H.R. 755.
• U.S. citizens are urged to contact their U.S. Representative urging her/him to co-sponsor this legislation.
• Non-U.S. citizens are invited to pray for passage of this legislation and the work of advocacy.

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Is the American Dream Disappearing With Decisions About the U.S. Debt Limit and FY 2012 Budget?

Two U.S. events that are already engaging much discussion include that of the debt limit and the FY 2012 budget.

Before any decision is made, individuals would be wise to step back and examine the larger picture of America’s moral vision and the importance of the many systems present in our everyday realities.

What forms America’s moral vision at the beginning of our nation’s history and today? Individuals may state that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution provide evidence of our founding values. In the Declaration of Independence, it states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all (people) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Constitution begins, “We the People…”

What about Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness?
Is it found in the 40 million Americans living in poverty?
Is it found in the tens of millions living near poverty?
Is it found in the 46 million uninsured?
Is it found in the six million people forced from homes?
Is it found in the corporations who avoid taxes through loopholes?
Is it found in increased spending on weapons and the U.S. military?
Is it found in __________________________ (You fill in the blank)?

Today, there exists, “We, the corporations…, We, the wealthy 0.1 percent of Americans…, We, the media….”
Have our President and legislators become irrelevant?
Who writes U.S. legislation? Who gets it passed?
Where are the intellectual forums for genuine political discussion and debate?
Have individuals become a “Me, the People…”?

Acknowledging the fragmented society I live in, might the “I” need to become part of the “WE” and examine how making a decision affects others in my human community? After all, the debt limit solution and our budget deficits and spending do not occur in isolation of “we, the people.” What “we, the people” desire are facts and informed dialogue from our government, corporations, and the media. With regard to the FY 2012 budget, “we, the people” desire a strong economic recovery and a greater distribution of wealth such that we are able to sustain a strong recovery.

Examining any debt limit or FY 2012 budget and work to reduce budget deficits and spending must take into consideration the larger picture of our American values. Failure to do so leaves the government system unable to protect and empower “we, the American people with rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Reflections/Actions:
• What values do I hold as a member of my country when it comes to legislation?
• As I reflect upon the decisions to be made by U.S. legislators, what actions can I take to nurture and promote the American Dream
- of fairness?
- of happiness?
- of a measure of security for all?
- of the well-being of us, as community?
- for future generations?
• Visit Pay Up Now to send a personal message to those who pay little or no taxes. Is there a way I can avoid purchasing from these corporations/individuals?
• Urge U.S. Senators (202.224.3121 – charges apply) to oppose FY 2012 budget plans that
- cut and/or alter the structure of Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps (SNAP) and other safety net programs
- cut safety net programs supporting low-income families especially those struggling to make ends meet
- cap global spending and will cause across-the-board spending cuts
- do not fully fund the Affordable Care Act and preserve the health insurance coverage expansion of 32 million individuals

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Human Trafficking and Nepal

A documentary, “The Cost of Living,” show the plight of Nepali migrant workers trafficked to Gulf countries. Trade unions are pioneering to address this modern day slavery in domestic, construction, and other work in Gulf States.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Human Trafficking: Urge Hershey to work to trace the production of it’s cocoa and demand fair labor practices.  (International Action is available)

Death Penalty: Connecticut is working to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty. Urge Connecticut lawmakers to pass this legislation.

Water: Urge President Obama to stand for public health and protect drinking water against fracking in the Delaware River Basin.

Other Potential Actions
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will decide the fate of over a dozen aging nuclear reactors in this country any day now. Tell NRC Chairman Jaczko to stop re-licensing these dangerous old nuclear reactors.

Tell Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that his leadership is needed to help prevent the Sudan elections from becoming violent.

Urge the U.S. President to insist on real movement toward a definitive agreement in the Holy Land that embodies peace, justice and security for all.

Urge U.S. Senators to help ensure a clean and safe future for the Gulf Coast and the world.

Thank President Obama for refusing to renew the Bush-Cheney tax cuts for the wealthy. 

May 6, 2011 – April 6, 2012: On the first Friday of each month for the next year, Catholics are invited to take part in “First Fridays for Food Security” by limiting meal spending to the amount allotted for a family of their size in the USDA Modified Thrifty Food Plan. This food plan is used as the basis for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps). See this flyer with more information.  Although this information comes from a U.S. perspective, we pray with those around our world who are food insecure.

Louisville: Paula Gonzales will speak at Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light Annual Awards Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on May 13 (First Unitarian Church, 807 South Fourth Street). Tickets are $25/each and include an organic meal. She will present a workshop Climate Change and Faith on May 14 from 9:30 to 4 p.m. (Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church, 318 W St. Catherine St.) Tickets are $45. For additional information or tickets contact 502.210.8920

Weekly Justice Highlights

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: FY 2012 (Rep Paul Ryan’s Budget) passed the U.S. House late last week. This budget cuts Medicare, Medicaid and other programs that support low and moderate income families. It also includes tax breaks to millionaires and corporations. See “How to Talk about the Budget." More on NETWORK’s response to the budget can also be found here

Death Penalty: The Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center’s Families That Matter program is working with the family of Shawn Hawkins. He is scheduled for execution on June 14th in Ohio. He has a very credible innocence claim yet because no usable DNA was found the Innocence Project is not involved. His family is working to collect a minimum of 5000 signatures on a petition to Governor Kasich asking for clemency for Shawn. Visit the center (click on death penalty program and look for “Upcoming executions and petitions” on the left side. It is not necessary to be an Ohio resident to sign the petition.

Immigration: Test your Immigration IQ with the Immigration Myths and Realities Quiz.

Abolishing Slavery: An application is available for smart phones and droids that grades products to be purchased. Once the application is downloaded, individuals are able to scan the store item that provides information to consumers on company evaluation in an effort to work toward abolishing slavery.

Other Potential Actions:
Contact U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to speak out against the Columbian Fair Trade Agreement. (please adapt message)

Adapt a message urging Congress to pass legislation that will rebuild a sustainable gulf coast a year after the BP oil spill.

Methyl Iodide- a known human carcinogen that can disrupt the thyroid is too dangerous to be used in our fields and farms. Urge the Environmental Protection Agency to ban methyl iodide.

Louisville: Paula Gonzales will speak at Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light Annual Awards Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on May 13 (First Unitarian Church, 807 South Fourth Street). Tickets are $25/each and include an organic meal. She will present a workshop Climate Change and Faith on May 14 from 9:30 to 4 p.m. (Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church, 318 W St. Catherine St.) Tickets are $45. For additional information or tickets contact 502.210.8920

Weekly Justice Highlights

Nuclear Disarmament: HR 1334, a bill entitled, Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Economic and Energy Conversion Act of 2011 was recently introduced by Eleanor Holmes Norton. This bill requires the United States to negotiate an international agreement to disable and dismantle its nuclear weapons by 2020 and for the funds used toward these weapons to be redirected toward human and infrastructure needs. The bill also requires strict control of radioactive waste and fissile material used to make nuclear weapons. Urge Representatives to co-sponsor this legislation.

Care of Earth: Contact Judge Newbery, McCracken County (KY) Fiscal Court at 270.444.4769 (charges apply) sharing with him your name and city with a message that our community, rivers, and tourism are more important than the potential benefits of a massive coal terminal and coal to liquid gas plant that is proposed to be built in Western KY.

Other Potential Actions:
Contact U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to place Pentagon spending (proposed to increase to $516 billion) on the table amidst the numerous cuts being proposed and made that influence low-income people.

Call and urge U.S. Senators and Representatives (202.224.3121, charges apply) to oppose the Columbia Free Trade Agreement that expands NAFTA policies to yet another country. (Talking points)

Two bills have recently been introduced in Congress that would eliminate oil and gas industry loopholes that put clean air and water at risk. Urge members of Congress to support them.

Iranian students continue to face egregious forms of repression and human rights abuses due to Iranian authority clamp downs on those oppose their policies. Support those who speak out at great risk.

As part of the compromise for funding the remainder of FY 2011, the Senate will vote this week on a resolution to block funding to implement the 2010 healthcare reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Urge Senators NOT to dismantle the law. If you would like to know more about the bill, click here.

Read a summary of the key concerns about Ryan’s budget proposal.

Make sure President Obama knows you support clean air and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Call U.S. Senators (202.224.3121 charges apply) urging them to support Senator Lautenberg’s Secure Chemical Facilities Act and Secure Water Facilities stating that our communities deserve to be safe from chemical disasters.

Louisville, KY: A 1.5 mile Walk for Justice (Stations of the Cross) will be held on April 22 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. beginning in front of the Mazzoli Federal Building (south side of Chestnut between 6th and 7th Streets) and conclude at Founders Square Park (on 5th between Muhammad Ali and Liberty). Parking is available in a garage located next to the Cathedral where the walk ends.

Weekly Justice Highlights

Care of Earth: The Indian Government is in a hurry to approve the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill in the upcoming Parliament session. According to one version, the bill can clear genetically modified (GM) foods thus threatening food safety and the environment. Write Prime Minister Manmohan Signh asking him to stop the BRAI bill. (International action available)

Immigrants: Sign a petition asking President Obama to stop deporting our DREAMERs and the parents of U.S. citizen children. (scroll down to sign petition)

Working and Praying for Peace: The Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Union of International Superior Generals invites individuals to participate in a Global Day of Action on Military Spending on April 12. Individuals are invited to pray for peace, become more aware of global military spending, share information with others, write their country’s Defense personnel, and engage in other creative ideas. You may visit the Global Day of Action on Military Spending website for factsheets and other information.

Other Potential Actions:
Call on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to use its windfall to fund debt cancellation for impoverished countries in crisis. This petition will be delivered during the April 15-17 IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington, DC.

This week Congressman Paul Ryan introduced a FY 2012 budget resolution that slashes $1.43 trillion from Medicare and Medicare, putting seniors’ health and financial security at risk. Included in this proposal are tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. Send House Leadership (i.e. Paul Ryan, John Boehner and Eric Cantor) an email asking what they have against seniors.

Congress has still not agreed on legislation to fund the federal government for the rest of this fiscal year. The Senate has offered an additional $20 billion in cuts to the already $10 billion while the House leadership has not budged from the demand for $61 billion in cuts. Urge Senators and Representatives to do better with a sample message for editing located here.

Louisville, KY: A 1.5 mile Walk for Justice (Stations of the Cross) will be held on April 22 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. beginning in front of the Mazzoli Federal Building (south side of Chestnut between 6th and 7th Streets) and conclude at Founders Square Park (on 5th between Muhammad Ali and Liberty). Parking is available in a garage located next to the Cathedral where the walk ends.

During this Lenten season among the many aspects to reflect upon is that of Jesus’ resistance to the Roman Empire who controlled his country at the time. As the “struggles” in the Middle East continue, reflection on the potential reality is not difficult to imagine or pray about. Complementing this reflection is an article entitled, This is What Resistance Looks Like

April Action Alert

Being Sustainable Means Celebrating Earth Day Everyday

Earth Day 2011 will mark the 41st year of celebrating Earth and various actions taken to sustain Earth. This year’s theme is “A Billion Acts of Green.” According to the campaign, this theme, “calls for people of all nationalities to commit to an act that helps reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.”

Many in our world would say that humanity is in the midst of creating an awareness and transformation of society known as the third revolution, sustainability. Yet, what is meant when individuals speak of sustainability?

The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations, the Great Binding Law of our Native Americans, state, “In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation…” For others, the Earth Charter outlines what it means to be sustainable. The four parts of the Earth Charter offer us many opportunities for acting on this shared vision. As a result of praying with these statements, it is hoped that each citizen in the community of human species do something to bring about a more sustainable approach to life at the local level.

No doubt many individuals have made efforts to become more Earth friendly and sustainable such as:

• Washing clothes in cold water so that energy is not used to heat the water for warm or hot water settings
• Avoiding genetically modified food and purchasing fair trade products
• Eating more plants thus using less resources than those used to grow meat
• Carpooling and combining errands for reduced gas consumption
• Learning about where my water comes from and taking actions to protect the water
• Extending the life of a product by finding other uses for the product
• Educating others to the benefits of reducing, reusing and recycling

While these are wonderful contributions to being sustainable, many individuals do not yet view all life through the lens of Earth species. The Universe Story invites each individual to cultivate a relationship with the universe and the many species living harmoniously. For if each of us truly understands and breathes in the fact that we are all one and connected to all species, the result is sure to hold continued deepening actions toward greater Earth sustainability.

Sustainability must include both personal and communal acts. As a human species, communities have greater capacity for action to be sustainable and to change the assumptions that so many individuals have that lead to lack of sustainability. As the closing remarks of The Earth Charter state, “Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life.”

Actions/Reflections:

• What specific ways does The Universe Story shape my life? Where does integration remain?
• What personal and communal assumptions must be challenged to promote sustainability?
• What fresh action have I heard of or thought of with regard to Earth sustainability?
• What communal action for sustainability have I partaken in this past 6 months?
• When individuals speak of the cost in being sustainable as prohibitive, what is unconsciously said to future generations?
• How have I challenged the groups I am a part of to greater sustainability?
• In what ways do I challenge governments/businesses to sustainability

Women's Empowerment Principles

One of the 2008 General Assembly directives speaks of empowering women. The collaboration between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM – part of UN Women) and the United Nations Global Compact produced a set of Women’s Empowerment Principles. These Principles for business offer guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

The Principles seek to point the way to best practice by elaborating the gender dimension of good corporate citizenship, the business’ role in sustainable development, and the UN Global Compact (committed to aligning practices with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption).

The Principles in Brief include:

• Establishing high-level corporate leadership for gender equality
• Treating all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination
• Ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers
• Promoting education, training and professional development for women.
• Implementing enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women.
• Promoting equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
• Measuring and publicly reporting on progress to achieve gender equality

As well as being a useful guide for business, it is hoped that Principles will inform other stakeholders, including governments, in their engagement with business.

Action: Ask corporations and businesses with whom you do business with if they have signed on to the Women’s Empowerment Principles. If not, consider giving/sending them the following message:

Equality in the workplace is not just the right thing – it is also good for business. The full participation of women in enterprises and in the larger community makes sound business sense now and in the future. A broad concept of sustainability and corporate responsibility that embraces women’s empowerment as a key goal will benefit us all. The Women’s Empowerment Principles will help us realize these opportunities. Therefore, I urge you to sign on to the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Thank you.

More information can be found here or here.

United States FY 2011 Budget Resolution Still Lingers

The U.S. FY 2011 Budget resolution expires on April 8. Legislators are facing the fact that deficit reduction is a must. What legislators seem to be responding to at this time are stories. Stories are real and concrete and put a face on the abstract numbers that legislators are circulating in Washington, DC. Facts, while helpful, are not what is having an impact on the newest legislators. So, what can individuals and organizations do?

• Acknowledge legislators tough financial choices.
• Share stories from your ministry highlighting the ways that federal programs successfully build economic security and meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Another perspective is to share how cuts in current and previous programs have harmed individuals/families lives.
• As part of the story, share with legislators that you find it unacceptable that those most vulnerable among us (i.e. those with whom we minister) should feel the greatest impact of future reductions.
• Ask legislators to reduce the deficit by considering more than spending cuts such as closing corporate tax loopholes and tax giveaways and making the top income earners pay their fair share of taxes.