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 ***************************************************************** 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/
