Raw Energy Hotline - October 2002

RAW ENERGY HOTLINE
October, 4, 2002
(212) 343-1152

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Hello, this is Rhio with the Raw Energy Hotline. If you are in the New York City area and would like to listen to an abbreviated version of the hotline toll-free, call (212) 343-1152, 24-hours a day. (Note: the telephone hotline has now been replaced by my weekly radio show at: www.TribecaRadio.net)

This month’s Hotline is about political activism. If you do not want to hear about political activism in a hotline primarily devoted to raw food issues and health and environmental matters, then, of course, please use your prerogative and click off. However, as history is now unfolding, matters of health for people and matters of environmental concern affecting our sacred EarthMother, the source of all life, are being shunted to the side in favor of investing in the already gluttonous US war machine. As history is now unfolding MANY health and environmental regulations that we have worked and fought for over the years have been outright aborted, delayed or weakened and funding is being slashed on others which, of course, takes the teeth out of any health and environmental protections that we still retain.

"No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare"

James Madison, April 20, 1795

"It is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along. That is easy, all you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same for any country."

Hermann Goering
Hitler's Reischmarschall

At this point in time we are in a unique circumstance in history. On the one hand we have an out of control US administration with little on its mind except the promotion of more wars (with about 15 "axis of evil" countries on its growing list), building more lethal (nuclear) weaponry, militarization of space with "star wars", and hegemony -- under the guise of fighting terrorism. (Hegemony: "aggression or expansionism by large nations {against smaller or weaker nations} in an effort to achieve world domination" Random House Dictionary). I give the dictionary meaning of hegemony because I had to look it up myself, as I’ve been seeing this word used more and more in regards to the US by foreign (and a very few American) journalists and political observers. We need to pay attention to the way US foreign policy is perceived by the rest of the world.

The Patriot Act has eviscerated our Bill of Rights, the very basis of US democracy, and a wimpy Congress has just handed the president autonomous powers to negotiate, without review, input or oversight (except for an up or down vote), a new free trade agreement called the Free Trade Area of the Americas covering the countries of Canada, US, Mexico and South America. That same Congress is now debating whether to hand the White House resident autonomous powers to wage endless war.

On the other hand you have a strong and growing worldwide anti-globalization movement (scarcely reported by the US media), made up of millions of working class people, which seeks to halt and restrain the proliferation of war, poverty, corporate power, GE foods, human worker abuses, loss of civil liberties, media manipulation, destruction of eco systems and damage to the environment, etc.

Even though the issues are gravely serious, what a fertile field we have to choose an issue and get to work. There is great satisfaction to be gained by becoming part of a movement that can reverse and set right some/most of the things that have gone awry in our society and world. There are also personal benefits in becoming an activist in behalf of the issue of your choice. You will meet many interesting and dynamic people (as well as a few strange ones), that you couldn’t possibly meet any other way. You will have many colorful and interesting experiences to recount to your great, great, great, great, great grandchildren. (As a raw food enthusiast this is not so far fetched). You will become knowledgeable In the area of your choice and learn to hone new skills to further the cause. You will have done your small, but irreplaceable, part to restore sanity and order to the universe, so that all people will have a better world to live in. A consciously envisioned future world where people matter, animals matter, our divine EarthMother matters. . . and out of control corporations, governments, corruption and greed are no longer tolerated.

There are many issues that a person can get passionate about. Those are the issues you could be working on. Find the one that moves your soul and let your passion flow.

Activism to reacquire and preserve true democracy is fundamental for the way of life to which we have become accustomed. We do not have a democracy here in America, only the brilliant framework for one. If we honor the framework, then we have a chance to experience freedom. Remember, while we are dozing, the people who have a very different vision of democracy are working overtime to get their agenda across. That’s why back in October of last year while most of the country was still grieving over the massive loss of innocent life – the Patriot Act was passed. Most of the congresspeople did not even have a chance to read the entire document that disemboweled our Bill of Rights. It was passed in the fervor of the moment. It was ill conceived and must be repealed. There are many ways you can support this effort. Inform yourself as to what the actual Patriot Act says. Alert others. Contact your Senators and Congresspeople and tell them you want the Bill of Rights and Constitution preserved for every person who lives in this country.

If ever there was a compelling reason to become involved, to exercise our hard won rights of freedom, it is now. We are so close to having our universe dissolve into an endless stream of bloodshed. It is the responsibility of people of conscience to do everything in their power to avoid war. War should never be pre-emptive. ‘We think you are a bad man, so that gives us the right to attack you and your people.’ And what do the people have to do with it anyway? Common people everywhere just want to be left alone, with a little shelter, food and water, to live their lives in peace. We attacked Afghanistan and common people, civilians, just like you and me, paid the price, with more than 5 or 6 thousand dead from "collateral damage". This is a euphemistic term that is dispassionately applied to people that have been ripped apart by bombs and guns and violence. There is nothing collateral about it. It is just plain savage, as is all war. And 5 or 6 thousand is only the number that has now been ascertained (through published reports) died from bombs and guns and violence. What about the thousands that died in refugee camps on the Afghan border for lack of adequate shelter, food, water and medicine?

Where are the true statesmen who are supposed to be doing everything within their power to:

engage,
persuade,
convince,
negociate,
motivate,
reason,
strategize,
peacefully influence,
encourage,
interest,
coax,
appeal,
urge,
charm,
inspire,
uplift,
boost,
entice,
seduce,
stimulate,
thought-provoke
nurture,
nourish,
win over
diplomatically deter,
contain,
restrain,
constrain,
circumvent,
de-accelerate,
enlist regional cooperation and
employ economic, political and diplomatic pressure to resolve conflict?

A primary law of the universe is that whatever we focus upon increases and multiplies. If we allow our US government to focus on war as a means of achieving peace or security, then we increase - not peace or security - but more war and more acts of terrorism. Hatred begets hatred, violence begets violence and War begets War. And children whose parents or relatives have been "collaterally damaged" will not become our allies and friends.

And what about the precedent that US policy will be setting for other nations with conflicts, like Pakistan and India? Will our pre-emptive war open a pandora’s box for other countries to justify doing the same? China, North Korea, Israel?

Yesterday, in Washington DC, a group of US Representatives, organized by Dennis Kuccinich of Ohio, held a press conference to voice their objections to passing a resolution giving the President carte blanche to wage endless war against Iraq and other countries on his list. Many spoke passionately.

Also yesterday, on the Donahue Show, and today on CSpan, Senator Robert Byrd of Virginia spoke vehemently against the administration’s plans for a pre-emptive strike against another nation. Senator Byrd said that the President has not presented any new evidence indicating that we are in imminent danger of attack by Iraq. He said that the situation with Iraq is as it was 6 months ago or a year ago. There is not a shred of evidence to connect Saddam to the factions that were responsible for 9/11. Senator Byrd said that the push to get a resolution passed before the November elections is obviously and blatantly politically motivated. What’s the rush? he said. Whether to go to war with another country is not an issue that should be decided under an arbitrary deadline set by the President. Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas voiced similar views on the Bill Moyers show this evening.

Why is the President pushing for this? In November, if voting machines can be trusted across the country, the balance of power in Congress may shift and then the President would not have the support that he now appears to have. New people, new blood will be coming in, and let’s pray that they will be men and women of courage. They will surely need it. . . and so will we.

The Washington switchboard that will connect you to the office of your senators and representatives is (202) 225-3121. Make the call and tell them what you think. If enough of us do it, and if we get out to the various marches for peace happening around the country, and/or if we write sincerely worded and thoughtful letters to our reps and also to editors of different publications, we can make a difference.
The Capital switchboard has been getting a lot of calls this week, so sometimes it is slow in answering but they will answer during office hours.

In Europe, as reported by foreign journalists, there have been huge peace marches -- in England, Italy and other countries. Even though Tony Blair supports Bush’s proposed actions, polls have shown that 7l % of the English people do not support going to war.

On October 26th, 2002, there will be a peace march in Washington, DC. Many peace loving groups from all over the country are organizing to be a part of it. Let’s make this one HUGE. More information is on the Events section of my website. (See address above.)

With Prayers for Lasting Peace. . . out of the chaos.

Rhio

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