Fox Valley Sierra Group
Iraq Resolution
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Fox Valley Sierra Group
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In the 1950's, tens of thousands of people sent small bags of rice to President Eisenhower convincing him not to attack China. Now a nationwide effort has been launched to send the same message to President Bush about Iraq. If we are going to send something to Iraq it should be food, not bombs. Read about the current Rice For Peace campaign from Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. Mail a half cup of uncooked rice to President Bush in a plastic bag and padded envelope with the message "Rice for Peace - No War On Iraq" on the outside of the package. |
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A note from one of our members, a Post Office employee: Use heavy padded, plastic-lined mailers or small, securely-taped boxes.... Please warn people about a common mailing problem that has resulted from this campaign. Working at the 549-area post offices, we're already seeing the trouble caused by damaged and bursting rice packets, even though this idea has just recently reached the Midwest. (It started on the West coast, where they've already seen a lot of damage and alerted the rest of the post offices in the country). Since most mail moves through an automated stream of computerized cancelling and sorting equipment, these rice packets are getting jammed in the machines. If you're taking part in this protest, be sure to use heavy padded, plastic-lined mailers or small, securely-taped boxes. NEVER use regular paper or even manila flat-sized envelopes to mail any lumpy or easily scattered items that can rip in automated machinery. If you must use paper envelopes to mail jewelry, candy, pens, keys or key chains, or other items, be certain to take the item directly to a window clerk at a post office window, and ask them to segregate the mail piece, so that when it gets to the processing facility, it doesn't end up or damaged or even shredded, or creating a hazard to other mail pieces that get damaged in jammed equipment. We are approaching the season when hundreds of small envelopes with candy valentine hearts inevitably create similar problems. The rice is even more damaging because it's not as easily pulverized by the machines and can cause costly breakdowns and injury to employees. Hope you'll pass this info on, since this well-meaning campaign is creating a greater challenge for those of us who try to get the mail delivered both on-time and intact. Read the mailing alert. |
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ENVIRONMENTALISTS OPPOSE IRAQ WAR Coalition Launches New Website |
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Environmentalists Against War, a coalition of environmental organizations opposed to a U.S. attack on Iraq, has just launched a new website to raise awareness of the ecological costs of a second Gulf War. The site - www.EnvirosAgainstWar.org - contains dozens of articles and reports, links to campaigns and organizations, and action tools for the public.
"The first Gulf War was the biggest environmental disaster in recent history," said Gar Smith, former editor of Earth Island Journal and a spokesperson for Environmentalists Against War. "Unfortunately, with advances in military technology, a new Gulf War has the potential to be even worse."
Such a thought does not rest well, considering these facts about the 1991 Gulf War:
"As organizations and individuals working for the environment and environmental justice, we have watched with increasing concern as the US government moves closer to an all-out attack on Iraq," said China Brotsky, a co-author of the 1991 report "War in the Gulf: An Environmental Perspective." "During the first Gulf War there was considerable discussion about its environmental impacts, but this time around the dialogue has been virtually nonexistent. Our goal is to raise awareness and encourage positive action."
A coalition statement titled "10 Reasons Environmentalists Oppose an Attack on Iraq" has been endorsed by more than 80 organizations, including Greenpeace, Earth Island Institute, The Ecologist and Rainforest Action Network.
"All our signers realize that war will have devastating environmental impacts," said Gar Smith. "We encourage people to visit our website to learn more about the issues and what they can do."
NOTE: Now that the war has been declared and is in progress, Sierra Club members will want it known that we are supporting our troops. But we are still opposed to the war.
On March 20, 2003, Carl Pope, Executive Director for the Sierra Club, sent out a memo which began with the following two paragraphs:
We are at war, and Americans will be paying attention to little else for at least the next two weeks. It is a serious time for our nation. Americans are putting their lives on the line, and nightly news will reveal the daily destruction and death toll on both sides. These tragic events will preoccupy the hearts and minds of the American people.
But as this war proceeds, the rest of the world will not stand still.
The Congress and state legislatures will still meet and cast votes on
critical environmental issues. Corporations, federal and state officials,
and judges will still make decisions that will impact the environment.
Some will cynically use the distraction of the war as an excuse to step up
efforts to reduce environmental protection. And the American people have a
job to do on the home front -- taking care of America the Beautiful.
Statement from the Sierra Club president.
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