rn: J18 (Canada): let’s ask our leaders the big question

1999-06-12

Jan Slakov

Dear RN list,                 June 12

PGA, the People's Global Action, is spear-heading efforts to make June 18 a
day of opposition to corporate globalization. 

As far as I can tell, here in Canada not much will be happening, but I have
had the impression that in some countries there will be acts of civil
disobedience to "take over" banks and other institutions of globalization.

I would appreciate getting more reports of what is planned....

Meanwhile, here is one report from Aaron Koleszar, a young Canadian activist. 

all the best, Jan
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Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 09:41:32 -0700
From: Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
Subject: J18 - Let's ask our leaders the big question


from: •••@••.•••

When the seven most powerful heads of state meet at the G-7 Summit in Koln,
Germany this June 18-20, there should be plenty for them to talk about.

Like the trillions of dollars a day in foreign exchange transactions that
have turned the global economy into an ungoverned casino which may fail
anyday. Like the rising global temperatures, ozone depletion and extreme
weather phenomena that suggest a major climate change is underway. Like the
document signed by 1,500 scientists (including half of all living Nobel
prize winners) warning that humankind is proceeding down an unprecedented
and catastrophic path by destroying the life-support systems of the planet.

Oddly, these issues hardly ever come up at the Summit.

This year, culture jammers will make sure they do. On posters, T-shirts and
billboards, in newspapers, radio and TV spots, we will dare our leaders to
confront The Big Question: Is economic "progress" killing the planet? Those
six words will blaze in the public imagination. Ordinary citizens will think
about them. Policy makers will debate them. Students will confront teachers
with them.

Then, at the closing press conference in Koln on June 20, before a worldwide
TV audience of millions, a reporter will stand up and say: "Mr. President, how
do you measure economic progress? How do you determine if the economy is
healthy or sick?"

Clinton will probably skate. He'll formulate some answer about how America
has a pretty good report card, what with rising GDP and the bull run on
Wall Street. He'll try to move on. But a few reporters will demand a better
answer - a real answer. Should we consider the Exxon Valdez spill a
"success" since it boosted GDP? What other measures of progress besides the
GDP are being used? How are losses of natural capital like the disappearing
salmon fisheries of the Pacific Northwest being factored into the national
accounts? Are the costs of climate change being considered? What about
ozone depletion? Desertification? Biodiversity loss?

A point will be reached, either right there at the G-7 press conference, or
at some future press conference, when it dawns on the world that these
seven men can't be trusted with the farm. They don't know the answer to the
simplest and most fundamental of all questions about the economic system
they manage: Are we moving forward or backward?

And so it begins. Over the next few months, we will undertake to catalyze a
millennial moment of truth - a mindshift from economics to bioeconomics -
from which old-guard thinking will never fully recover.

Join us by asking The Big Question wherever you go.

http://www.adbusters.org

<snip>

**********************************************************
Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
___________________________________________________
"...and yes I recognize the irony - the system I oppose affords me the
luxury of biting the hand that feeds.  That's exactly why privileged fucks
like me should feel obliged to whine and kick and scream till everyone has
everything they need."    -Propagandhi

Prince Edward Island PROPAGANDA JOURNAL 
look at http://www3.pei.sympatico.ca/brad/