Fw: Edwards Move Makes Trade '08 Centerpiece

This is BIG -- John Edwards is sticking up for the working people on the Peru Trade Deal. Please read David Sirota's great article below. (David Sirota is a favorite of mine, now also published at http://www.creators.com/, fyi.)

(Also, Edwards is anti-nuke plant because he recognizes that between it high economic and environmental cost -- it takes lots of energy and money to build and put them into production PLUS uranium is limited AND of course the most important safety/security factory. Remember that the 9-11 Commission reported that the 9-11 terrorists first had their eyes on the Indian Point nuke plant but figured it had to be so well protected that they nixed the idea.)

Edwards is against another ginned up invasion, this time of Iran, too. So I say again: Edwards: Hurrah!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

-----Forwarded Message-----
From: "David J. Sirota"
Sent: Oct 29, 2007 12:28 PM
Subject: Edwards Move Makes Trade '08 Centerpiece

Link to original

Edwards Move Makes Trade '08 Centerpiece

By David Sirota
Working Assets, 10/29/07

The Financial Times headline this morning says it all: "Edwards' Attack on Peru Deal Shifts Debate." The story summarizes John Edwards (D) announcement that he is opposing not only the Peru Free Trade Agreement, but the entire package of White House-backed deals designed to expand the job-killing, wage-destroying NAFTA trade model into South America and Asia - the package of deals that a small handful of Democrats endorsed back on May 10th in a secret pact with the Bush administration. Edwards said the agreements do "not meet my standard of putting American workers and communities first, ahead of the interests of the big multinational corporations, which for too long have rigged our trade policies for themselves."

The move, consistent with Edwards' economic populist campaign, drives a wedge right through the heart of the Democratic presidential primary.

Last week, as noted at Working Assets, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) announced his support for the Peru deal, and then tried to obfuscate his position under harsh questioning. Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) hasn't said anything about the Peru deal.

As Public Citizen's Lori Wallach said, Edwards move now puts the spotlight on the divide between the progressive movement and what I have called the Money Party (and Edwards has called the Corporate Democrats).

"This is where the rubber hits the road and we find out how far Hillary thinks she needs to go on trade to court the Democratic base," she said. "Peru is about to go to a Senate vote so she can't duck the issue."

You can be sure we'll be hearing a lot of noise about how this deal is supposedly great for average Americans and Peruvians alike. But remember, no major labor, human rights, anti-poverty, environmental, consumer protection or religious group in either the United States or Peru have endorsed the deal. In its international version (not online) the Financial Times, in fact, points out that Edwards announcement was welcomed by, among others, "the heads of Peru's labor movement and Pedro Barretto, the country's archbishop."

Iowa is a state that has been hard hit by lobbyist-written trade deals and that has a history of trade/globalization issues roiling presidential primaries. Edwards' move will likely ensure that's the case again this year, especially considering how split the the Democratic cardidates are in terms of their allegiances to the progressive movement and the Money Party in Washington.

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Get the just-released paperback of David Sirota's New York Times bestseller Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government and How We Take It Back. Former Vice President Al Gore says of Hostile Takeover: "Every politically engaged citizen should read this book." The paperback includes a brand-new analysis of the 2006 elections. To order the book, go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Powell's Bookstore. To subscribe to Sirota's regular newsletter, go to http://www.davidsirota.com/ and sign up on the left hand side.

Out for Peace Today, Tomorrow, Every Day

It is 55 degrees in NYC and a bit grey and bleak but we are determined to get out for peace tomorrow for United for Peace and Justice's big eleven city demonstration. See www.Oct27.org for more info. I plan to be there in NYC with my friend Gail Harper with the Fellowship of Reconciliation contingent. Despite the stormy forecast, please try to join us. Now, I gotta get out and hand out a few more flyers on the way to work.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

PS As an FOR member, I wish the UFPJ would have emphasized the positive, coming out FOR peace rather than "antiwar":

"This coming Saturday, October 27, people from all walks of life will gather in 11 cities around the country in a national expression of the breadth and depth of antiwar sentiment in this nation. For many people, it will be their first step in transforming their antiwar feelings into antiwar action...."

I prefer asking people to join a peace demonstration. Besides, UFPJ, it is an OCCUPATION, not a war. And God knows we have to speak out for a peaceful resolution of the rather contrived Iran mess as well. Let's make the world a bit sunnier and safer -- come out for peace October 27th -- and every day. MORE HUGS!

Phone Troubles -- and a Parting

I lost my cell phone -- the good news is that it needed to be replaced anyway BUT what agita! And then there is the learning curve of a new phone as if I don't have enough to do. I will manage to learn the basics of my new Sync -- through AT&T and Samsung -- but I suspect the frills will come in dribs and drabs as time allows.

* * *

Leaving the earth plane, but still working for peace and justice, I have no doubt just the same is my friend, John Azzali. Former Senior Warden at All Saints' Sunnyside, John went on to become a priest in a liberal Catholic (non-Roman) tradition while working for peace with the Queens Coalition for Peace and Justice. To say he will be missed is to put it mildly. Still, his energy lives on. I've already started saying prayers through John and requesting his assistance -- "Hey, John, help!"

Fr. John Azzali

I give thanks to God for gracing me with John in my life and little things like a good phone to replace my other. NOW -- Much to do for peace, justice -- and for my own personal life. Yes, I do have one. SMILES!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne