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

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

No Justice Anywhere

Click here to access article by Arij Riahi from The Dominion (Canada).

The author from this online publication, which is a member of the splendid Media Co-op network in Canada, gives us an example of how Western mining companies operate with impunity in third world countries. This is independent reporting at its best.
Anvil Mining later admitted to assisting the Congolese Military during their deadly operation in Kilwa. The company confirmed to the UN Mission that it provided transportation for the soldiers and supplied them with food rations. In an interview with an Australian television channel in June 2005, Anvil’s Managing Director Bill Turner admitted the company also helped the military get to Kilwa.