Weekly Justice Highlights

Death Penalty:  Urge the Prime Minister of India to abolish the death penalty (International Action available). 

Challenging Unjust Systems:  Urge CEOs of GAP, H&M and other fashion brands to make safe buildings for their garment workers (International Action available). 

In the spirit of St. Vincent:  Urge U.S. Representatives to protect children and vulnerable people from hunger by maintaining sufficient nutritious food through SNAP, WIC, TEFAP and other programs. 

Care of Earth:  Urge President Obama to oppose fracked gas exports.  

Promoting Peace: Urge Secretary of State Kerry to support the Salesian Sisters of Peace who will lose most of their land and be surrounded on three sides by the Israeli separation wall.   

Promoting Peace: Urge U.S.Representatives to improve background checks on guns as part of gun violence prevention legislation by co-sponsoring H.R. 1565 (legislation identical to Manchin-Toomey amendment).  

GM Foods: Urge Congress  to pass a genetically engineered food labeling bill in 2013 -- support the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act.   

Urge U.S.Representatives to oppose H.R. 1406 (Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013) that would give workers less flexibility and less pay.  

Louisville: On May 9 at 6 p.m., citizens of Louisville are invited to fill the Metro Council chambers (City Hall at 601 W. Jefferson) in support of affordable housing.

KY:  The Catholic Conference of Kentucky will host two workshops on comprehensive immigration reform. With signs of Congress being ready to act, so must we.  Each day will begin at 9:30 am with registration. Presentations will start at 10:00 am and will conclude no later than 3:00 pm. Registration is ESSENTIAL because we are providing a free lunch.  THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013-- Gather at St. James in Elizabethtown, 307 W. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701-1701. Here is a link to help you drive there: http://bit.ly/10PCtl0   THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013--Gather at Pax Christi in Lexington, 4001 Victoria Way, Lexington, KY 40515. Here is a link to help you drive there: http://paxchristilex.org/index.cfm/map.   Register easily online by visiting this link: http://bit.ly/14q711X/  If you prefer to register by phone you can call Karen in our office at 502.874.4345 to register.  

Bardstown:  A Faithful Citizenship Luncheon will be held on May 21 at St. Joseph Flaget Hall (110 N. 5^th St. Maloney Room) at noon with the topic, 2013 KY General Assembly and a Look Beyond by Jason Hall.  For more information, call 502.331.4545

Weekly Justice Highlights

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Let U.S. Senators and Representatives know how disappointed you are that not only were they unable to find a just and smart alternative to sequestration, but that they created a piecemeal approach to help themselves and their wealthy donors by excluding the Federal Aviation Administration from the impacts of sequestration and did nothing to protect those living in poverty.   

Challenging Unjust Systems: Urge Walmart, Sears, JC Penney and major American brands to ensure basic safety and human rights of workers in Bangladesh who are supplier factories.  Urge them to work with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s government in Bangladesh to allow workers to form unions and improve safety and health inspections in their supply chains.   

At least 100 detainees have gone on a massive hunger strike in protest at Guantanamo.  Urge President Obama and Congress to support closing Guantanamo now.     

Urge the Environmental Protection Agency to protect children from premature death and respiratory illnesses by keeping strong vehicle emissions and fuel standards in an effort to reduce air pollution.   

Urge U.S. Representatives to support the Inclusive Prosperity Act (H.R. 1579), a financial transaction tax on Wall Street for large transactions (0.005% to 0.5% depending on type of transaction).  

Urge Congress to co-sponsor the Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act (H.R. 1554).   

Urge Morgan Freeman NOT to glorify those supporting abuses of Palestinian human rights when he accepts his award May 6 from Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, an institution complicit in Israeli apartheid.  

Louisville:  On May 9 at 6:30 p.m., Michael Dowd on “Beyond Sustainability: A Realistically Inspiring Vision” will be guest speaker at the annual KY Interfaith Power and Light Awards Dinner to be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lousiville.  Reservations can be made here.   

KY:  The Catholic Conference of Kentucky will host two workshops on comprehensive immigration reform. With signs of Congress being ready to act, so must we.  Each day will begin at 9:30 am with registration. Presentations will start at 10:00 am and will conclude no later than 3:00 pm. Registration is ESSENTIAL because we are providing a free lunch.  THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013-- Gather at St. James in Elizabethtown, 307 W. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701-1701. Here is a link to help you drive there. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013--Gather at Pax Christi in Lexington, 4001 Victoria Way, Lexington, KY 40515. Here is a link to help you drive there.   Register easily online here.  If you prefer to register by phone you can call Karen in our office at 502.874.4345 to register.

May Action Alert

May 2013
Fair Trade: Empowering Local Economies Rather Than Trade Agreements

Celebrated the second Saturday in every May is World Fair Trade Day. In addition to increased awareness, the day emphasizes the connecting of fair trade producers and customers around the world.

While no official definition exists for the term, fair trade, most individuals who purchase fair trade agree that those producing the products are justly compensated for their time and efforts. As a result these individuals influence the community in which they live, including Earth, positively. Transparency is also highly valued. As a way to examine other priorities of fair trade, individuals are invited to:

Take some time to reflect upon your “typical” day from start to end examining the foods, beverages, clothing, and materials that you consume/use throughout your day. If so desired, individuals are invited to form a list.

Consider the following with regard to each item on the list…

• Who helped bring this item to me in the harvesting and production process? What face(s) do I imagine in my mind?
• What do I know about what the environment cost to bring this item to me and the compensation of the individuals in the process of bringing this item to me?
• What type of an exchange (cost) was made for this item? How fair and just is the exchange/cost based on my demand and the supply of the item?
• What type of accountability exists between where I obtained the item and me, the “purchaser?” What type of shared responsibility exists with regard to sustainability of Earth as part of my consumption/use?

Based on reflection on the above questions, what priorities are emphasized as aspects of fair trade?

Promoting local economies offers an alternative to global economies when examining the priorities of fair trade. Additionally, fair trade examines the common good and creates opportunities for all involved.

In contrast, current U.S. trade agreement goals include eliminating taxes on incoming and outgoing goods. However, most trade agreements also contain rules about intellectual property rights, the regulation of companies by governments, privatization, and financial decisions. One might say these trade agreements tend to focus on corporate needs and competition.

In the current Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) being negotiated (highlighted in the April Action Alert) Citizen’s Trade identifies the following leaked needs of corporations:

• Cheaper Labor Costs                                                 
• Longer Drug Patents
• Special Powers to Attack Environmental Laws          
• Further Financial Deregulation
• Concentration of Global Food Supplies                    
• Caps on Food Safety Protections
• Dismantling of “Buy Local” Preferences                  
• Lower Taxes

Reflection/Action:

• What insights were gained from the above materials? What action is brought to individual attention as a result of this reflection?
• In Solicitudo Rei Socialis, John Paul condemns actions and attitudes in economics “which are opposed to the will of God,” especially the “all consuming desire for profit and the thirst for power, with the intention of imposing one’s will upon others.” (# 37)
• Fast Track allows trade agreements to circumvent ordinary Congressional review, amendment and debate procedures. Congress must oppose Fast Track, and should instead assert its constitutional authority to set the contents of U.S. Trade Policy. U.S. citizens are invited to call members of Congress (202.224.3121; charges apply) urging legislators to publicly oppose Fast Track for the TPP and the Obama administration to publicly release the draft text of the TPP negotiations.
• The Fair Trade Resource Network has resources located here.  

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International Day for Biological Diversity 2013: Focus on Water

 May 22 commemorates the International Day for Biological Diversity. The theme Water and Biodiversity coincides with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. The goal of the day is to increase awareness on the theme and to increase actions toward that theme. Additionally, 2005-2015 is also the International Decade for Action, Water for Life.

Water is fundamental to all life on Earth. No living organism can survive without this precious resource. The Millennium Development Goals (reduce in half those who do not have access to safe water and sanitation) further share how human health and the preservation of the environment also depend on this resource.

How many individuals take water for granted? What about children of today? Using water as if it were limitless is an indicator of this. Yet, what happens to aquifers and the sources of our urban water? How can we nurture water as gift from God and create a set of morals around this precious resource?

As Christians, the Bible indicates several places where water is a sacred gift from God (i.e. Genesis 1:1-2, Genesis 1: 9-10; John 7: 37-39; John 4: 7-14; etc). As stewards of God’s gifts, individuals might ask, “What is sustainable stewardship when it comes to water?” There is so much talk about being sustainable and green, yet where does “blue” come into the sustainability question? How do individuals/businesses/groups choose what tradeoffs are acceptable in the search for environmental sustainability?

Knowing that many of the products we eat and use begin with or require water is known as “hidden water.” What hidden water exists in an individuals’ lifestyle, a groups’ buildings and grounds, business operations, and government structures and functioning? How might individuals and groups reduce this burden of hidden water? How might water be underpriced or unpaid for in total when it comes in a local water bill or when purchasing any product for consumption or use? What does this speak of with regard to how water is valued?

Thus, developing a personal value of water and acting out of this personal value implies examining daily life on hidden and unhidden levels, our local water aquifers, and our childhood experiences with water. How did childhood experiences with water shape our thoughts about water today? Perhaps our current connection to local water influences further thoughts about this relationship? What of this relationship is being passed to today’s generation of children and to others in need of insights with regard to the sacredness of water?

On this day of biological Diversity and throughout this year of Water Cooperation, individuals and groups are invited to examine their relationship with water and reflect upon the set of ethical principles each has with regard to water. Writing these morals down and posting them is of the essence if each desires to continue to change actions so that water continues to be held as God’s gift, precious to all.

Reflections/Actions:

• In a Message to the Bishops of Brazil in 2004, Pope John Paul II wrote, "as a gift from God, water is a vital element essential to survival, thus everyone has a right to it.” Without realizing this truth and developing morals around the sacredness of water, water becomes only a product to be consumed. Which of my actions speak of sacredness; which actions speak of consumption as a product?
• What would a water ethic for our world or country look like? What aspects of sharing, keeping water local, maintaining coastlines, maintaining enough water in aquifers, and leaving enough for nature exist in this ethic?
• Does my city/village or state have a water ethic? What role might I be able to play to make this a reality? Examples of water ethics exist on the web.
• Water Cooperation 2013 website is located here. The UN website on water is here.
• Further useful information, including a calculator for your individual and national water footprint, is located here.
• Resources and tools for understanding and improving our use of water is here (Hidden Water, Water footprint, and many other resources).

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Comprehensive Immigration Reform Update

 A bill entitled, Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 (S. 744), was introduced by the Gang of 8 (Senators Schumer, McCain, Menendez, Rubio, Durbin, Graham, Bennet and Flake) on April 17. While there are those who are happy that legislation on immigration reform has finally been introduced, there are others who question various components of the bill. A bipartisan group of legislators in the House are also working on a bill.

Individuals may visit the following websites for a variety of perspectives on the proposed legislation:

• Farmworker Justice (Scroll down, click "more" to April 17 article)
• National Immigration Law Center
• Leadership Conference of Women Religious    
• Sisters of Mercy     
• U.S. Catholic Bishops Migration Chair     
• Catholic Relief Services

Reflection/Action:

• The U.S. Catholic Bishops’ guidelines for comprehensive immigration reform is here.
• Take action for comprehensive immigration reform here.       

Weekly Justice Highlights

Empowering Women: On 19 April 2013, a five-year old girl was abducted and brutally raped in Delhi, by her neighbor and another man for 48 hours. She had gone out to play with her friends when one of the men who lived in the same building kidnapped her and eventually left her unconscious and bleeding after trying to strangle her.  Advocate in solidarity with others for justice and safety.  (International action is available)  

Promoting Peace:  U.S. citizens are asked to thank or express their disappointment at the action of U.S. Senators (1.202.224.3121; charges apply) last week with regard to legislation that would have required background checks on those purchasing guns.  To see how U.S. Senators voted, click here.  

Care of Earth:  Urge President Obama, Congress and the Foodand Drug Administration to put a halt on any approval of AquaBounty GMO salmon.  (Act by April 26)   

Bottled Water: Urge Coke CEO Kent to end interference in National Park policy and to allow parks to make decisions with regard to bottled-water sales doing what is right for the environment, taxpayers and the tap.   

Immigration: Many groups continue to analyze the “gang of 8” Senate immigration bill released last week.  There are also reports of a group of bipartisan legislators working in the House of Representatives on a second plan of immigration reform.  Urge Senators that as they debate they make sure that there are enough visas to keep families together and that there is a reasonable path to citizenship for immigrants.   

Hunger in America:  To help legislators understand hunger in America, individuals are asked to urge members of Congress to schedule a visit to a food bank in 2013.  

U.S. citizens are invited to contact their member of Congress to close the School of the America’s for good.  

Louisville:  On May 9 at 6:30 p.m., Michael Dowd on “Beyond Sustainability: A Realistically Inspiring Vision” will be guest speaker at the annual KY Interfaith Power and Light Awards Dinner to be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Louisville.  Reservations can be made by clicking here. 

Weekly Justice Highlights

Empowering Women: Currently, the Afghan Government is holding peace talks with the Taliban and the US Government - but women are not at the negotiating table.  Individuals are invited to urge the Afghan, U.S.,and Australian governments not to forget Afghan women in the current peace negotiations.   (International actions is available)   

Empowering Women:  Tell Victoria Secret and Limited Brands’ communications team and board of directors to stop sexualized marketing to younger girls (this objectifies woman, denies her value and disrespects the woman).  

Care of Earth:   Offer President Obama and Secretary ofState John Kerry a reason to reject the Keystone XL pipeline in an effort to protect resources for future generations and protect Earth from climate change.    

Challenging unjust government systems:  U.S. citizens are invited to call members of Congress and President Obama urging them to take social security cuts in the form of smaller cost-of-living adjustments off the table in the FY 2014 budget.  Social security has nothing to do with the deficit and thus I oppose all efforts to cut social security and to increase taxes on wealthy individuals and profitable corporations. Action can also be taken by clicking here.   

Challenging Unjust Corporations: Urge Nike to stop doing business with Daewoo International, a company that knowingly profits from forced labor in Uzbekistan.  

Farm Bill Reauthorization:  Individuals are invited to call (1.202.224.3121; charges apply) Senate Agriculture Committee members ( Senators Michael Bennet, CO ; Saxby Chambliss, GA; Tom Harkin, IA; Charles Grassely, IA; Joe Donnelly, IN; Mitch McConnell, KY; Pat Roberts, KS; William Cowan, MA; Debbie Stabenow, MI; Amy Klobuchar, MN; Thad Cochran, MS; Max Baucus, MT; John Hoeven, ND; Heidi Heitkamp, ND; Mike Johanns, NE; Kirsten Gillibrand, NY; John Thune, SD; and Patrick Leahy, VT) urging them to write a new farm bill that provides struggling families in need of food with additional funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and oppose any cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

Nuclear Weapons:  U.S. citizens are invited to call U.S. Representatives (1.202.224.3121; charges apply) to co-sponsor H.R. 1506 (the Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act) to save money by cutting wasteful nuclear weapons spending. 

Care of Earth:  Urge President Obama to take action for climate change as stated boldly in his inaugural and State of the Union addresses. 

An Earth day prayer service prepared by the Sisters of the Holy Cross Justice office.

Immigration:  The newly released Senate bill is located here.

KY:  On April 22, Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light is offering a program entitled, Cool Harvest: Food, Faith and Climate at the Church of Epiphany (914 Old Harrod Creeks Road, Anchorage, KY) at 7 pm.  The program explores the realities, the possibililities and our responsibilities around food, faith and our environment.  More information is located here.  (Scroll down)

Weekly Justice Highlights

Challenging Unjust Corporations:  Urge ExxonMobil to release all the information about the pipeline and spill that spewed tens of thousands of barrels of oil with tar sands crude in Arkansas.

Challenging Unjust Corporations: Individuals are invited to sign a petition urging the governments of Germany, France and the Netherlands to protect our everyday vegetables and fruits from Monsanto and Co. who desire growers to pay them and risk being sued if they don’t.  (International Action available)

Promoting Peace: It is not too late to contact U.S.Senators (202.224.3121; Charges apply) on the topic of gun violence.  Urge them to enact universal background checks and pass other needed gun violence prevention measures such as bans on semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, gun trafficking laws, and improved access to mental health services. 

Promoting Peace: Urge President Obama to stop the flaunting of U.S. military might and seek diplomatic avenues to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.  

Death Penalty: Abdullah al-Qahtani could soon be executed in Iraq for a false confession as four of the six co-defendants were executed this week.  Abdullah is a Saudi Arabian man convicted of robbery and murder under Iraq's Anti-Terrorism Law. Amnesty is monitoring his case closely due to the very serious concerns that have been raised by his lawyers about his treatment in detention and the fairness of his trial.  Take action in support for life and basic human rights of Abdullah and others who face the death penalty in Iraq. 

President Obama has endorsed cutting Social Security and veterans’ benefits by using the “chained CPI” to lower the cost-of-living adjustment in his proposed FY 2014 budget.   The Congressional Budget Office says the amount saved would be $163 billion over ten years.  Urge President Obama and Congress to cut the Pentagon budget (end war in Afghanistan, cut the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and cut Pentagon contracting) instead of cutting Social Security and veterans’ benefits.   

Urge U.S. Representatives to protect the SNAP (Food Stamps) program by encouraging more members of Congress to co-sponsor H. Res 90, that proposes NO more cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

With the release of the President’s proposed FY 2014 Budget, individuals are invited to thank President Obama for the early childhood education initiative (expanding voluntary home visiting programs, investing in partnerships between Early Head Start and child care programs and provide all low-income families access to high-quality prekindergarten programs). 

KY: Cathy Jarboe, Director of Catholic State Networks and Organizations for the Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty, will speak in Bardstown and Elizabethtown on April 16 (St. Joseph Basilica at 110 N. 5th St. in Bardstown in Flaget Hall, NOON - 1pm (light lunch served, please register); and St. James Catholic Church at 307 W. Dixie Ave in Elizabethtown, 7 - 9 pm.) AND in Louisville on April 17 (The Maloney Center, 1200 S. Shelby in Louisville from 2 - 4 pm; and 7 - 9 pm.). Staff from the Catholic Conference will also present, as will a representative of the Ky. Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.  Archbishop Kurtz is planning to attend the April 17 2 p.m. session.  Anyone wishing to attend the above sessions is asked to send NAME, PHONE NUMBER, EMAIL to Sharon Schuhmann at sschuhmann@archlou.org  Cathy will also be on Nazareth campus at 3 pm on April 16 in the 2^nd floor community room of the Motherhouse.

Louisville:  On April 30, from 1 to 4 pm at the Holiday Inn (Hurtsbourne/I-64East) will host a Free Fair Housing Training.  It will focus on basic fair housing law and will also include a brief diversity session. The event is being sponsored by the Lexington Fair Housing Council, the Kentucky Housing Corporation and the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission.  To register for the training go to: http://lexingtonfairhousing.com/services, call (859) 971-8067, toll free: 1-866-438-8617, or send an e-mail to: crosbylfhc@hotmail.com

Weekly Justice Highlights

Good News: The Arms Trade Treaty was adopted by 154 nations at the United Nations on April 2.  This treaty will help monitor and control the flow of arms and ammunition across borders. Send a thank you to the U.S. delegation for their work.  

Promoting Peace: Urge President Obama to stop the flaunting of U.S. military might and seek diplomatic avenues to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. 

Immigration:  Justice for Immigrants has informed us that U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s office is being flooded with anti-immigrant messages.  We can change that by urging Senator Rubio to use his leadership on this issue and continue support for immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented.  Call Senator Rubio’s office at 202.224.3041 (Charges apply) OR email him.  Thank him for his outstanding work with the Gang of Eight and encourage him to continue his immigration reform efforts.

Immigration: The LCWR has become aware that the Senate bipartisan proposal is likely to eliminate certain family-based visa categories-siblings and adult children in particular. Please tell both your senators (1.866.940.2439; no charges) that you oppose eliminating or weakening any of the current family categories and immigration reform must prioritize family unity.  For information on how to get more involved in the push for immigration reform, as well as talking points on family unity and the IIC's recommendations to Congress, click here. 

Promoting Peace:  April 9^th is an interfaith call-in day to prevent gun violence in the U.S.  Individuals are invited to call Senators (888.897.1074; NO charges).  Tell Senators and Representatives you are a member of a faith community and to require universal background checks for all gun purchases (including online and gun shows); ban semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; make gun trafficking a federal crime and improve access to mental health services.  The US Catholic Bishops also have a message for editing here. 

Care of Earth: The State Department recently released a new Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline, leaving us less than a month to weigh in on the pipeline before the project proposal goes to President Obama for approval or rejection.  Submit a public comment and urge President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to reject the Keystone XL pipeline.

Care of Earth:  Urge the CEOs of Anglo American and RioTinto to break with their predecessors and abandon their disastrous plans for the Pebble Mine. 

Nuclear Weapons: Urge President Obama to commence good faith negotiations for a treaty banning nuclear weapons in accordance with our obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.  

Recently the Associated Press stopped using the term “illegal,” urge the New York Times to stop calling people “illegal” by clicking here. 

Sign a petition supporting the Congressional Halt in Pay Increases and Cut Congressional Pay Act (HR 398) that would cut Congressional pay by 10% and repeal the current automatic pay increases. 

Call Senator Mitch McConnell (202.224.3121; charges apply) and urge him to fund the Value Added Producer Grant Program at $30 million for FY 2014.  These dollars will directly help farmers in our community improve their operations, create new jobs, and meet local demand for their products.”

KY: Cathy Jarboe, Director of Catholic State Networks and Organizations for the Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty, will speak in Bardstown and Elizabethtown on April 16 (St. Joseph Basilica at 110 N. 5th St. in Bardstown in Flaget Hall, NOON - 1pm (light lunch served, please register); and St. James Catholic Church at 307 W. Dixie Ave in Elizabethtown, 7 - 9 pm.) AND in Louisville on April 17 (The Maloney Center, 1200 S. Shelby in Louisville from 2 - 4 pm; and 7 - 9 pm.). Staff from the Catholic Conference will also present, as will a representative of the Ky. Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.  Archbishop Kurtz is planning to attend the April 17 2 p.m. session.  Anyone wishing to attend the above sessions is asked to send NAME, PHONE NUMBER, EMAIL to Sharon Schuhmann at sschuhmann@archlou.org  Cathy will also be on Nazareth campus at 3 pm on April 16 in the 2^nd floor community room of the Motherhouse.

Louisville:  On April 30, from 1 to 4 pm at the Holiday Inn (Hurtsbourne/I-64East) will host a Free Fair Housing Training.  It will focus on basic fair housing law and will also include a brief diversity session. The event is being sponsored by the Lexington Fair Housing Council, the Kentucky Housing Corporation and the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission.  To register for the training click here, call (859) 971-8067, toll free: 1-866-438-8617, or send an e-mail to: crosbylfhc@hotmail.com