We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Monday, June 7, 2010

Bhopal campaigners condemn 'insulting' sentences for men convicted over disaster

from the Guardian. Once again, convicted corporate criminals face a different justice system than do ordinary people. I've noticed that justice for the ruling class criminals always uses the tactic of delay in the legal system. The crimes were committed over 25 years ago, and these criminals' lives have gone on as normal since then. The same tactic applies to violations of labor laws by corporations. The same tactic was used against Exxon-Mobile after its oil spill in Alaska waters. And I expect the same justice will be served against BP.
"These men have been convicted of the equivalent offence of causing a road traffic accident. The government of India has shown it cares more about the corporations than the people."