save the world

Today I went to Chapter’s, sat down and started reading a book my husband picked up randomly from the shelf. A graphic novel about war. I have always been attracted to novels about war like a moth to the light. I pick up random books by authors who lived the war, not the ones who theorize about it in the safety of their office. I’m transfixed by their experience, the horror… It is unbelievable, horrendous, that humankind can get to this – a war.
I was reading this book (a poignant, well written graphic novel) and just got pissed. I’m pissed that people do this: invent elaborated machines to kill, dismember, poison, burn, suffocate other people. I’m pissed that all the presidents of the countries in war dictate the moves and actions their soldiers should take for “the good of the country” in their posh houses, wearing cologne, sounding so patriotic on the news. Would they have guts to be in the first lines? Second? How about in the aviation since its considered the less painless way to die and soldiers hope to get to that “safest” position when they can?
I’m pissed because soldiers do follow the leader’s command and live the horror in the trenches, the post-traumatic stress disorder after they get out of trenches, for the rest of their lives. It gets me so mad, that so many people (the numbers are unimaginable) have died, are dying, will continue dying for some cause the leader thinks is worth fighting over.
I don’t believe it’s worth it. When it comes down to it, it’s a pride thing: god forbid we will look week if we don’t attack. God forbid we will return our troops home while these guys still have their extremities intact. I dream of future when our prime minister will call our troops to invade some foreign country and no soldier will show up.

If you want to make an impact on the worlds major issues in politics and climate change visit “Avaaz.org”: http://www.avaaz.org/en/videosads.php

Dear Friends,
Oxfam needs your help. Saturday December 16th has been declared the Starbucks Day of Action. We are looking for some activists who can assist us with a 30 minute action.
We want Starbucks to honour its commitments to Ethiopian coffee farmers.
SHOCKING FACTS:
- Ethiopian coffee farmers get on average 3 cents per cup of
coffee that Starbucks sells.
- The profit disparity in a cup of coffee is such that 90% goes
to foreign importers, distributors and roasters. 10% returns to Ethiopia.
- 15 million farmers in Ethiopia depend on coffee to feed and take care of their families.
- Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world where 1
in 4 live on less than $1 a day.
- Coffee is critical to Ethiopia’s economy as it accounts for 40
to 50% of the country’s export earnings.

WHAT WE WANT:
- We want Starbucks to sign a licensing agreement with Ethiopia
that would give Ethiopia control over the names of its coffees: Sidamo,Harar and Yirgacheffe.

WHAT WOULD THIS ACHIEVE?
- Securing these rights would allow Ethiopia to capture more
value for their premium coffee. Control of the name brands could ultimately increase Ethiopia’s coffee export income by more than 25% – $88 million (US$) annually.

THE DAY OF ACTION:
On Saturday, December 16 people in countries around the world will hold stunts in front of their local Starbucks
Time: your convenience daylight hours
Time needed: 30 minutes
Plan of action:
The EASY action – 5 or 6 people visit your local Starbucks store with photocopies of the attached documents (MythFact and StarbucksAd) and a couple of bristelboard sheets – see attached ‘Starbucks actions’.
1. Discuss with potential Starbucks patrons the issue at hand.
“Starbucks is making billions of dollars in profit and yet refuses to recognize Ethiopian’s rightful ownership of its coffee names. It’s time Ethiopian coffee farmers got a fair price for the premium coffee they grow.”

The FUN action: Same as above but you also have some Ethiopian coffee in some thermoses and in front of your local Starbucks you sell Ethiopian coffee for 3 cents a cup. (Don’t forget the cups)

NOTE: The MythFact sheet has a place where patrons can sign their name.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
- Actions are planned in many cities in the US, Australia, NZ, the UK and
Canada
- 85,000 folks have sent emails to Starbucks telling them to recognize Ethiopia’s rightful ownership of its names.

ARE YOU ABLE TO TAKE ACTION?
- Oxfam will prepare a press release on Thursday highlighting this action and the cities on board. Are you in?

Note: I am available for questions and am willing to organize a
conference call on Thursday evening to go through these materials.

Thanks
Bill Hynd
Campaigns Coordinator
Oxfam Canada

http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/how_help/tips_savearth/tips_save.html
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/earth_move_010207.html
http://www.nrdc.org/air/default.asp