Ethical Living Review

Relief Beads for Darfur

2008-08-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

Relief Beads are handmade African bracelets being sold to raise awareness and money for Relief International's humanitarian efforts in Darfur.

In 2007, Relief International supported tens of thousands of refugees in Darfur and donated more than $14 million to crises worldwide.

Relief International's programs are essential to stability in Darfur: they operate the
second largest refugee camp, administer medical care to thousands, provide life-saving
therapeutic care to malnourished children, and fund educational costs for thousands of
students.

To learn more about Relief International's efforts in Darfur visit www.ri.org.

MARCIA CROSS, MANDY MOORE, JESSICA BIEL, JESSICA SIMPSON,
PAULA ABDUL, RANDY JACKSON, PATRICK DEMPSEY, ZAC EFRON
VANESSA HUDGENS and many more celebrities have endorsed Relief Beads.

Relief Beads are handmade from sand in Africa so each and every one is unique.

Relief Beads are $8 and available at Fred Segal and www.reliefbeads.org.

Every bracelet purchased provides a significant contribution:

1 Relief Beads provides two months education
1 Relief Beads feeds a malnourished child for one week
8 Relief Beads supply essential medicine for 100 refugees
25 Relief Beads provide healthcare for 100 conflict-affected refugees
100 Relief Beads save the lives of 20 children

Source: Relief Beads & Relief International

Kenyan government pushes traditional crops for food security

2008-07-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

About time too. For far too long Kenya has played and pandered to the world market producing virtually nothing but “cash” crops instead of food for the people.

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Kenya's government began giving farmers seeds for traditional food crops recently, hoping to shore up stocks in the face of rising prices and shortage fears.

Poor rains, a bloody post-election crisis at the start of 2008 and fast-climbing prices for inputs such as fertilizer have slowed food production in east Africa's largest economy.

The country will import 3 million bags of maize this year to cover forecast shortages.

"These crops are known to perform well in dry areas where food insecurity is a common feature due to inadequate rainfall," Agriculture Minister William Ruto said as the distribution of cassava, sweet potato and sorghum seeds got under way.

He said production of crops like these had all declined in Kenya due to lack of planting materials, low interest among seed companies and changing eating habits.

The ministry is partnered in the 150 million shilling ($2.26 million) project with the Kenya Seed Company, Kenya Agriculture Research Institute and Agricultural Development Corporation.

"With good crop management this is expected to produce a further 24,100 tons of seeds with a market value of 360 million shillings by April 2009," Ruto said.

The Minister William Ruto said that production of crops like these had all declined in Kenya due to lack of planting materials, low interest among seed companies and changing eating habits. That is a load of dung, and every one knows that, I should think.

We all know too well, I am sure, that Kenya's major problem in regards to food and food security for its people are not just any or all of the above listed problems. The true problem lies with the fact that too much of the country's agriculture is geared to produce “cash crops”, such as coffee (I do like my coffee, so please do not get me wrong, but Fair Trade please). There there are the green beans. Sorry, French “organic” green beans from Kenya is not my way, regardless of whether it gives them an income or not, and it is not green, as in environmentally friendly either. Those crops are gotten to Europe by aircraft and that is an environmental footprint that is about the size of the Yeti x 1000, I should think. In addition to that there are the roses and other cut flowers – again “organic” - that are grown in Kenya for the European market while, at the same time, the country has problems feeding its people. Duh? It has nothing to do with a lack of planting materials, low interest among seed companies and changing eating habits but everything with what I said before and something, sure, does not compute here.

Therefore it is about time that the government of that country did something as to seeds for the farmers. It must also encourage the farmers to think first and foremost of feeding themselves and their families and then the rest of the country with the crops that can be grown on their land.

First and foremost a country's agriculture, and that includes that of that of the developed nations, like the UK and the USA, as well, should grow food for the country's people. And then, and only then, should export be considered. The own people first before export.

Unfortunately that does not seem to be the way the agricultural industrial complex works the world over. It is money for shareholders and profits per se that are considered above the food security of the nation. This must be changed again. The home country must come first, and, I am afraid that also means that aid only goes out then to foreign countries as and when that food is not required in one's own country.

This is not being selfish. This is being practical and realistic.

© M Smith (Veshengro), July 2008
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Ascension – Funky, Affordable & Ethical

2008-06-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE

Adili.com, the one-stop-eco shop, has acquired the eco casualwear label Ascension and is relaunching the brand this month. Certified by the Soil Association and approved by SKAL, Ascension shows that ethical fashion can look cool and be easy on the wallet.

Good for the planet and good for your pocket, Ascension heralds a new era of guilt-free shopping.

Aimed at a younger market than Adili’s online retail site, Ascension is a casual urban label that’s hard to beat on price or ethics. Organic cotton printed Ts start at £19, organic cotton hoodies at £38 and organic cotton jeans at £45.

Read the rest here...

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English Teaching Volunteer Work

2008-06-04T01:33:00.001-07:00

Peruvian Orphan Children's Fund

www.peruvianorphanchildrensfund.org.uk

English Teaching Volunteer Work

POCFUND works with orphans and very poor families in Puno, Perú, not only to alleviate their poverty and sometimes starvation, but most importantly to assist them with education. At this moment, the main focus of our work is the rebuilding of the only school in the Cancharani community. We would welcome English teachers, university leavers and gap year students, to come and work with the children at our school. Usually you will teach about 18 hours of timetabled English lessons per week.

You will also need to prepare your lessons, and mark your student’s work. Volunteers may choose to help out in other areas too, taking students for extra-curricular activities like sport, drama, literature, history or music lessons for example. But, remember you are your primary resource.

Anyway, you are not likely to have problems getting your pupils’ attention. They want to learn English well so that they can get into good universities, get better jobs, have a better life. While your pupils want to learn English, you will probably find that the teachers are just as keen – and they will practise their spoken English with you. This is, of course, part of the benefit of your placement.

The volunteers will have to pay for their board and lodging (you are very welcome to stay at the volunteers’ room, next door to the school), as well as their return fare to Peru, they would also need a reserve of pocket money to do anything else that they might wish to do during their stay. We would welcome funds that you may raise through any activities you organise on behalf of POCFUND, prior to your departure. Minimum stay, 3 weeks.

I believe that any volunteer, would find the work very rewarding, since they would see very quickly, the change that it brings about in these children’s lives.

Equally, the volunteer would gain a sense of proportion about the privileged life they enjoy in the West.

Furthermore, Peru is a country of breath taking beauty and rich in ancient history and archaeological sites. There would be ample opportunity, for the volunteers to have a couple of breaks during their stay, in which they can discover the country.

Elena Day
Chairwoman
www.peruvianorphanchildrensfund.org.uk
pocfund[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

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Rising Fuel Prices... Who is behind it?

2008-05-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Yes, I asked who and not what...

What we are seeing here, in my opinion, is nothing but a repeat of the Oil Crisis in the 1970's, the one that never was, only with different means.

This is another way for the governments continue the anti-car agenda?

While I cannot prove this, obviously, for even the powers that be do not leave a trail of evidence in this matter, it has, however, all the hallmarks of yet, like the Oil Crisis of the 1970's, another attempt of people control.

The “Oil Crisis” in the 1970's, the one that was about as real as Alice in Wonderland, happened just a very short time, something like a week or so, after the great speech by Henry Kissinger, then Secretary of State of the USA, in which he stated, and I paraphrase “if you want to control nations you have to (be able to) control fuel, and if you want to (be able to) control people you have to control food (and water)”.

If you want to be able to control, however, where people live and work you have to control fuel and have to get them off their personal means of transport, namely the motorcar.

Enter the global warming myth. ... MORE

Armed Forces Day; Proposed

2008-05-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The UK Government – or is it just a few Labor MPs? - proposes an Armed Forces Day and a law making it illegal to discriminate against members of HM Forces in uniform.

While I concur and totally agree that service men and -women should not be discriminated against or harassed when wearing uniform in public and also that they should wear their uniform in public (why should they not?) I am not entirely sure as to a day celebrating the military.

I mean if we want to do that then why don't we also bring back the “Empire Day” as well. Come to think about it; why don't we just get the Empire back. It has become obvious that those former colonies just cannot do and are doomed without us, their once colonial masters. We should, I think, start with the wayward America. Did we ever sign a peace deal with them? The next country to be brought back into the Empire and the fold and under British rule is Rhodesia. We can see where independence has got it.

Yes, folks, I am being sarcastic and facetious.

I do think that, while there is nothing whatsoever to be said against giving our military personnel in or out of uniform the respect that most of them deserve for the job that they are doing, the theaters of operation in which they risk their lives, though, for one, are more than questionable.

Both Iraq and Afghanistan are places where our forces – as well the those of the USA – have no right to be. Both are illegal wars but aside from that Britain's previous involvement in Afghanistan some centuries back should have taught us that Afghanistan is best lest alone.

Seeing that, when British soldiers fell victims to the particular sniper who now accounts for a significant number of casualties amongst the British Forces in Iraq and the local population seeing him go down laughed, it is time to get out of that country as well. Not that we should have ever been there in the first place but, alas, Britain had to follow the US like a dog follows his master. The people there see the British as much as the Americans as occupiers and have no love for them.

The fight against terrorism is as fictional as is Alice in Wonderland, maybe more so even and to follow the Americans like a dog, or slave, follows his master is not a good idea. Who and what are we really fighting for?

But, I digressed a little, as seems to be a tendency of mine.

We were really talking here about the British Labor – now there is a joke – government (dictatorship more like) suggesting a National Armed Forces Day, Home-Coming Parades for our Boys, and all that jazz. While I certainly am not against another Bank Holiday and nor against a day that would honor our men and women in uniform, but whether it should be done in such a way is questionable to the extreme.

While I am very much for our Military in its right setting I am against a standing army for starters and especially against this militarization of British society. Is this intended as a way of desensitizing us to seeing (uniformed) military personnel on our streets so that, if something is being done against the liberties of the people the people do not notice until it is too late?

I rest my case...

May questions and no real answers...

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

Is Ethical Shopping Becoming the Victim of the “Credit Crunch”?

2008-05-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

There appear to be signs on the horizon that indicate that shoppers may abandon ethical shopping in the fact of rising prices, especially cost of food and fuel.

Organic foods and fair trade goods are being bought less, already, it would appear, than it was only a few weeks back.

Concern for others less well off and especially for growers and producers of coffee, tea, cotton and such, and concern for the environment are the first to suffer and go out of the window when it comes to prices, in general and especially for food, going up. Then even BOGOF offers not longer cut it and it is straight forward price reductions that shoppers look for.

Where does this leave Fair Trade and organics and green produce and products, as well as services and suppliers?

Considering that, more often than not, fair trade and other ethical products, goods and services are somewhat more expensive – in some case a lot more expensive – than “ordinary” ones people vote, in times of economic “hardship” and recession, even if it is only perceived “hardship” and recession, with the pocketbooks and their feet. That is to say they buy other goods that are not fair trade or organic or green or ethically produced. They will then go, mostly, for non-fair trade products which are significantly cheaper that any ethical goods and products. This is with the exception of some produce such as tea and bananas at Sainsbury's in the UK, for instance, where all of their own brand tea and all of their bananas are fair trade and the price remained the same as before.

While I am well aware, as I am sure other people are too, that a fixed price and premium is paid to the producers under the fair trade agreements, ate times, I am more than certain, retailers do put a nice little profit margin onto fair trade and other ethical goods, knowing that the ethical shopper is prepared to pay extra to have the money go to the producers. Most are not aware of how high that profit margin is, at times.

Not surprising at a time when such products are demanded by the buying public and the same is true for anything recycled and “green” and for any environmentally friendly goods. Here too, in the recycled and environmental friendly product sector, because of demand, many makers, manufacturers and sellers have added a rather big margin to rake it in. Is that ethical? No!

It is therefore not surprising that at times like these when fuel and food costs are going up and up shoppers are not prepared to pay through the nose often and therefore go for the non-fair trade and other products.

While the fair trade premium paid to the producers is one thing, in many of the other cases the costs are that high because the sellers know full well that people want to be and be seen to be green and to have a conscience. People who want to be seen to be thus are therefore also quite willing to pay such premium while the economy is more or less booming but, as it seems to ease their consciences to do so and to do “their bit” for the poor or for the environment. However, when there is a downturn and the economy throws a wobbly such ethical principles soon are abandoned and no such goods and produce are being bought, or at least they are bought less.

I must say that, with some of the prices charged for “green goods” I am not surprised that under conditions of perceived hardship people will not buy them. Some are a rip off as far as costs are concerned. There was a saying that one cannot get money for old robe. Today this, however, no longer holds true. I am not sure about getting money for old rope but some green “designers” and crafts people sure ask money for old rope (see my article elsewhere).

Sainsbury's has recently fought, it would seem, a price war with the likes of Tesco and ASDA as regards to “Delight” chocolate and, as far as can be seen from the restocked shelves, has now deselected the Divine fair trade brand and has gone for a much more expensive brand that is not all fair trade and I am sure we can see here, yet again, that money begins to speak against the principles that that company was claiming it had.

The truth is, and that applies to supermarkets and retailers as much as to the shopper, that the bottom line is all that the majority are concerned with and only when it suits them will they, the majority that is, be interested to be seen to be green or ethical. There will remain some that will stay true to their principles but I doubt that many retailers will. The same will also be true for many shoppers. To the seller any fair trade that does not sell is a loss-leader and something to be replaced, period. To the shopper who has to watch his pocketbook it is the price that counts for the food or what-have-you in times of economic wobble and not whether or not he is green or does good. That is the bottom line. Now where does that leave fair trade and the green sector?

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

Record set for World's Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break!

2008-05-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

On May 10 2008, a grand total of 12,128 people in more than 150 locations from coast to coast in the USA convened to set the record for the World's Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break. An estimated 50,000 people participated in more than 200 events taking place throughout North America during Fair Trade Fortnight (May 3-18).

These World Fair Trade Day celebrations contributed to efforts in 70 countries worldwide marking the importance and benefits of Fair Trade. Together, Fair Trade Resource Network, Fair Trade Towns USA, and other leading Fair Trade organizations made WFTD 2008 the largest celebration in American history!

Thanks for all your great work making this the largest Fair Trade event in North American history. And here's to breaking the record next year. CHEERS!

BOGO LIGHT - Advertisement

2008-05-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

Britons wasting £10 Billion worth of food a year, research says

2008-05-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

We’ve already heard lots about the food crisis that is threatening global development, and we have had plenty of debate about how eating no meat, a little meat, fake meat and even the plain old potato might help ease global hunger, stop global warming, and generally make life easier for all of us. But let’s forget about what we do eat for a moment – a new report coming out of the UK shows the staggering costs of what we don’t eat:

The British people are throwing away £10 billion worth of food that could be eaten each year, £2bn more than estimates have previously suggested, a government-funded programme to cut waste has revealed.

And that folks, is ten billion Pounds Sterling as in British billion and not US billion. In other words the calculation that someone made of this being equal to US$20 billion is off as the US has a different billion to the UK, so at least I have always understood that. Apparently the US billion is a thousand million and the other billion a million million.

The average household, ranging from a single older person to a group of students, is throwing out £420 of such food each year and the sum rises to £610 for the average family with children.

About £6bn of the wasted annual food budget is food that is bought but never touched - including 13m unopened yoghurt pots, 5,500 chickens and 440,000 ready meals dumped in home rubbish bins each day. The rest is food prepared or cooked for meals but never eaten because people have misjudged how much was needed and don't eat the leftovers.

Well, I guess I must be one of the odd ones out, as very little gets thrown out; at least not into the trash can. The important thing is to make sure that one;'s food is in date and rotate supplies, be those cans or other stuff.

Leftovers, if perfectly good, goes in the frigde and is used next day. Cans the contents of which has only been used half, say, also can be saved in that one uses food saver containers and, again, keeps the stuff in the fridge till the next day.

The problem is though that most people cannot cook from scratch anymore, at least not in this country, that is to say in Britain, and either entirely rely on ready to do meals or such. And even if they cook from scratch they just cannot think of what to do with leftovers. Children turn their noses up at something cooked from leftovers but there is nothing wrong with it and if the person doing the cooking has imagination and flair in cooking and often all that is needed is just a little then nice meals can be made from such leftovers.

The complete £10bn consists of food that could have been eaten, not including peeling and bones, the researchers say. Tackling the waste could mean a huge reduction in CO2 emissions, equivalent to taking one in five cars off the road.
The figures have been compiled by WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme, which previously made the £8bn estimate and has warned we are throwing away a third of the food we buy, enough to fill Wembley stadium with food waste eight times over in a year.

Food waste has a significant environmental impact, and that not only from having to go somewhere. The research confirms that it is an issue for us all, whether as consumers, retailers, local or central government. This will, I believe, spark, and so it should, a major debate about the way food is packaged, sold, stored at home, cooked and then collected when it is thrown out.

While I have just mentioned the way food is packaged the food packaging here as waste, is and was not even the issue, but could also be mentioned when it comes to waste per se. That, however, could be another story all together.

What is most shocking here the most is the cost of our food waste at a time of rising food bills, and generally a tighter pull on our purse strings. It highlights that this is an economic and social issue as well as how much we understand the value of our food.

Consumers' wastefulness is costing them three times over. Not only do they pay hard-earned money for food they do not eat, there is also the cost of dealing with the waste this creates, and they pay for that through their council taxes and such. Then there are climate change costs to all of us of growing, processing, packaging, transporting, and refrigerating food that only ends up in the bin.

In addition to that there is the ethical bit, so to speak. We waste tons and tons of food daily while there are 1,000s upon 1,000s in this country and elsewhere in the developed world – I do not even want to mention the poor in the developing world, the are I still call Third World – who go hungry. I must say that I, like probably many of my generation, was raised with the adage of not wasting food, whether on the plate or elsewhere. Being of Romani-Gypsy stock may have something to do with that too as food was not always plenty.

When it comes to food waste though and it having to be dumped it is time to start thinking seriously about municipal composting programs like those in Mexico, Seattle and San Francisco, and on an individual level we can all take responsibility by biting off only what we can chew - check out some of the helpful tips on everything from portion sizing to storage to using left overs at Love Food Hate Waste, the campaign that commissioned the original report.

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

Kantha Collection Released by Rising Tide Fair Trade

2008-05-24T02:04:00.000-07:00

Unbeknown to, I am sure, many of us, Fair trade company, Rising Tide Fair Trade, introduces artisan-made kantha quilt bags to the U.S. with the debut of its Spring line, in NYC in Februart 2008.

Rising Tide Fair Trade (RTFT), distributors of fair trade fashion to the U.S.A., on the 20th February announced the release of its signature kantha collection – a limited edition line of carryall bags hand-crafted from vibrant vintage Indian quilts and cruelty-free dark brown suede.

Each bag is an original, designed exclusively for RTFT under the direction of company co-founders, Virginia Dooley and Nicole Jones. The cotton kantha textiles are sourced from a fair trade womens’cooperative in West Bengal, where the bags are all hand-crafted. Kantha artisans earn a living wage to support their families. RTFT individually chose each quilt for the collection from the cooperative’s wares.

The finished product, a combination of vibrantly colored floral and geometric patterns woven together with the finest kantha embroidery, embodies the adventurous spirit and stylish sensibility that puts Rising Tide at the forefront of the American fair trade marketplace.

“Nicole and I want fashionable women to realize the impact of the purchases they make. In the past, environmentally and socially conscious fashion meant traditional handicrafts, burlap and Birks. We created Rising Tide to help integrate fair trade fashion into the main stream, so modern women can embrace a people and planet friendly lifestyle and great style.”

Each kantha bags measures H 12” x W 20” x D 8”. Two 12” cruelty-free suede straps fit easily over the shoulder. The bags retails at $220.

Dooley and Jones plan to expand their line of limited edition bags by rolling out seasonal collections based on specialized textiles native to specific global regions. Plans for lines featuring fabrics of Uzbekistan, Cambodia, Senegal, and Bolivia are already in the works.

The Kantha collection is available on line at www.rtfairtrade.com.

In Bengal any garment or cloth with kantha embroidery, a running stitch which forms or outlines decorative motifs, is dubbed a kantha garment. Kantha is prevalent on saris in Bengal where women wrap themselves in decorative fabrics with its intricate embroidery. The stitching is also used in simple quilts for daily use. Women in Bengal often compile old saris and cloths and layer them with kantha stitch to make a light blanket or throw, especially for children. Also known as “rilli” (derived from the local word meaning to mix or connect) kantha quilts are often collected as a status of wealth and used for a daughter’s dowry.

Rising Tide Fair Trade was founded in 2004 by Virginia Dooley and Nicole Jones, two friends united by an obsession with exotic textiles and a belief that fashion and sustainability should go hand in hand.

Dooley and Jones realized their common interest while studying together in London, where they were inspired by the prevalence of fair trade goods in the U.K. and the lack of such products in the States. Determined to fill a hole they saw in the U.S. market and to disseminate fair trade labor practices to mainstream shoppers, the friends launched Rising Tide in June 2004. After testing a variety of clothing and accessories, Dooley and Jones decided to feature weekend bags as their signature item.

All Rising Tide bags are made with the highest quality craftsmanship and most eye-catching raw and recycled materials available from fair trade cooperatives across the globe. No two pieces are the same. Call or visit their website for more information, www.rtfairtrade.com

Bluetooth: A Danger to Privacy

2008-05-11T02:33:00.001-07:00

Bluetooth leaves you open to intercept by anyone

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

If you are concerned about your civil liberties and privacy then it may come as a shock to you to discover that you may have, unwittingly, been allowing your phone to signal your every move to the great wide world, including your communications.

Bluetooth, which is, as most will know, a wireless link built into many mobile telephones, makes our movements trackable by anyone equipped with a PC and an appropriate receiver. And this means ANYONE, not just the security services and the police, if that would not already be bad enough. Anyone, as the word says, can listen in and track where you are if they have the right equipment.

Vassilis Kostakos at the University of Bath in the UK placed four Bluetooth receivers in the city's centre. Over four months, his team tracked 10,000 Bluetooth phones and was able to "capture and analyse people's encounters" in pubs, streets and shops.

Bluetooth is now more of a privacy threat than the more frequently publicised RFID chips, Kostakos says. "If people are worried, they should turn off the Bluetooth function on their mobile phones."

Not everything, as we can, yet again see, that is supposedly good for us, is so.

“Oh, but without my 'Bluetooth' I cannot make phone calls on the move”, I hear some complain. “Can we not just make those things safer?”

Well, we probably could and could add encryption, if you, the consumer, is willing to pay the high costs then.

What is wrong with safely stopping your car, motorbike or your bicycle, to take or make that call? Also, no call is that important that it cannot wait until you get to a safe location where to return the call or make a call.

If you are concerned about your privacy, as said, turn the Bluetooth function off. While it may be something that can and does make life easier it also, yet again, is something that can be used to invade our privacy and to spy on us.

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

Downsizing from Tractors to Camels

2008-05-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The world is finally, even in the developing world, waking up; in Rajastan, India, at least.

There farmers are giving up on their gas- and diesel-guzzling tractors and are returning to using their trusty camels for haulage again, as they have done in times not so long ago.

Due to rising fuel prices farmers are rediscovering the "ships of the desert", and this is good too. Why they ever gave up the use of the camel for haulage is a question that can only be answered by them, but I would assume that they encountered the kind of salesman that can sell refrigerators and freezers to the Eskimos.

The price of a good camel has gone up sharply as a result: two years ago camels, good camels, were almost the same price as goats, now they are three times the price.

A good male camel will live for 60 to 80 years and costs about £500.00 while the cheapest tractor is £2,500.

This is good news according to the League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development because the camel population has been falling over the past ten years and this could lead to a revival of this age-old usage. So, let's hear it for the camel!

Camels have a long and regal history in India. They were, traditionally, used by Maharajahs and had great status and so did their breeders. Now decreasing amounts of grazing land and lack of investment in the existing lands have resulted in inadequate nutrition and lowered the resilience of the herds. Camel slaughter is forbidden in India but in fact sources believe that it is rampant, with the meat exported to Bangladesh. Not only is the use of camels being promoted but also its by-products such as camel milk, camel leather handbags and camel bone jewellery.

Well, this is in Rajastan, India. What about the Arab countries for camels and some of our countries, such as the USA, the UK, and countries in the EU for horses, mules and donkeys, once again?

The Amish in the USA still use the horse and many of their farms and businesses are, in their way, far more productive than many of the modern ones. In the UK in a number of areas the horse is making a comeback as a foresters timber moving animal and its use is beginning to spread. While a horse, alas, does not live as long as a camel, it nevertheless, I am sure, beats a tractor in acquisition and running costs.

Fair enough, you do not have the power of a tractor, but then you neither have the noise, the cost of fuel and maintenance – not that a horse may not need the vet or the farrier at times and neither of them are cheap – and neither the other associated problems you have with running a motor vehicle.

In Egypt and some other countries thereabouts the donkey is still in use as a means of haulage and in some of the new EU member states so is the horse, and not just by the Romani People in those countries. In Poland in the rural districts the horse and wagon are still a normal sight and they can even, at certain days, be found in the larger towns.

This might be something that we all should look at again. We also must not forget the ox and the bullock and others...

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

British Police out of control?

2008-05-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

British cops get away with murder – literally!

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

First – well, was it the first one? – we have Jean Charles de Menezes in 2005, just after 7/7 and the other aborted attempt of suicide bombs in London some weeks later, who was gunned down by armed police officer of the anti-terrorist unit mistaken for a terrorist. The question here is as to whether that actually were cops and not SAS men. The entire operation had the signature of security services and SAS all over it.

And then we have had in 2006 the murder of the Nigerian businessman Frank Ogboru, 43, in London on holiday, who was sprayed with CS gas and pinned down after a minor row. Witnesses said officers had their "knees and feet'' on him as he "wailed like a dog".

But the CPS decided there was insufficient evidence" for any officers to be charged in connection with the death in Woolwich in 2006. What a surprise – NOT!

In both cases the cops got away scott free with killing someone. In the latter instance the CPS has decided NOT to press charged despite all the CCTV video and other evidence that clearly the police officers were extremely heavy handed and that their action directly contributed to the death of the person.

A pathologist even gave: “asphyxia during restraint" as the cause of death but the CPS decided "a jury would find that the restraint was not unlawful”. How come the CPS knows what or what not a jury would find unless the judge would, as is so often the case in court cases in this country, instruct the jury that they must find this way or that and cannot find any other way.

Then again, we all know that British Justice is the best that money can buy, if you have the money, that is.

Are cops in Britain now above the law?

Theoretically they are not and should not be but the more of this that we are seeing the more we must ask the question as to whether they – one – think that they are above the lay and – two – whether, somewhere along the line they are made more and more to be above the law.

I remember years ago already cops that we still rather wet behind the ears banding about comments like “I am the law”, also to yours truly, upon which I informed one officer of the truth with the comments “No, officer, you are NOT the law. You are but a law enforcement officer”. But the attitude was creeping in then in the late 1970's but it may have been there already, though I remember old officers who never seem to have had that attitude. Now, though, it would seem that even the highest officers have the attitude that they are above the law and, again and again, it seems to be borne out by the fact that no actions are taken even when it is truly murder or at least manslaughter.

Methinks it is high time that the law makers and the public, through their elected bodies and otherwise, put a stop to the abuse of power by the police. The abuse of power and powers that they do not have and should not have either. The actions during the Olympic torch relay in London as well showed this heavy-handedness that has become the common culture and currency in the police services across the UK, it would appear. Some of our police, and other agencies, are beginning to act like those agencies in countries with repressive regimes and which we, including our politicians – at times, rightly condemn. We have begun to head down a very slippery slope towards a police state. The surveillance state we already have and are, considering that the UK has more CCTV cameras per head of population than any other European country. Not something that we should be proud of, especially since it has made not one iota of a difference, a fact even admitted by police forces up and down the country, in fighting crime and deterring it. So much for the great hype.

Now the Independent Police Complaints Commission will decide on whether action should be taken in respect of the officers involved in the manslaughter or even murder of Frank Ogboru. The very same commission that basically found that no one was responsible for the murder of the Brazilian electrician at Stockwell Tube station. A whitewash and a farce is all that that is going to be, yet again. It is time, I should think, that one might examine actually as to how independent the Independent Police Complaints Commission actually is.

Many question, I think, but I doubt that we will ever get honest answers.

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

Vestergaard Frandsen Commemorates World Malaria Day and the Potential of Cross-Border Collaboration to Defeat Malaria

2008-04-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

Local Zambian Child Receives 135 millionth PermaNet® Bed Net

Vestergaard Frandsen, a world leader in the development of disease-control textiles, observed the first-ever World Malaria Day with a series of events in Livingstone, Zambia on April 24 and 25, 2008.

In collaboration with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM), Vestergaard Frandsen participated in a press conference in Livingstone, Zambia to profile the Zambezi Expedition, a two-month tour of countries in Africa designed to demonstrate that coordinated cross-border strategies and actions will prove successful in the fight against malaria.

The theme for World Malaria Day is “malaria: a disease without borders.” In recognition of this observation and in celebration of the company’s commitment to defeat malaria, VF staff will presented their 135 millionth PermaNet® brand bed net to a local child in the pediatric ward of the Livingstone Hospital. Additionally, all children at the hospital were given free PermaNet® bed nets on April 24th.

The donation of the 135 millionth PermaNet® demonstrates the success that Vestergaard Frandsen has made in scaling-up production to meet the growing needs of people at risk for contracting malaria in the developing world.

“We are proud to be official sponsors of the Zambezi Expedition, and its role in attracting worldwide attention to both the malaria crisis and the preventable nature of this disease,” said Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO of Vestergaard Frandsen. “I firmly believe that the global burden of malaria calls for a global response, and cross-border strategies provide the best approach to beating malaria and insuring a brighter future for all of Africa’s children. By increasing production of our lifesaving PermaNet® product, Vestergaard Frandsen has bridged the global LLIN supply-gap, saving countless pregnant mothers and children from the ravages of malaria.”

The press conference was also meant to draw attention to the Zambezi Expedition, which passes through Livingstone during World Malaria Day. Sponsored by the SADC and other RBM partners, the Expedition was launched on 27 March 2008 and will navigate its way through Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It will stop in each country to take on board local malaria control staff and journalists for a fact-finding tour of remote river communities exposed daily to life-threatening malaria-carrying mosquitoes. By highlighting both successes and challenges of fighting malaria in these six countries, the Expedition aims to demonstrate that only coordinated cross- order strategies and actions will prove successful in the fight against malaria.
The Expedition will distribute donated PermaNet® brand bed nets in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Malaria kills more than a million people worldwide each year—90 percent of them in Africa, and 70 percent children under the age of five. While being a preventable and treatable disease, malaria causes loss of income and productivity on a scale large enough to slow a country’s economic growth. In such context, World Malaria Day will be a major opportunity for malaria-free countries to learn about the devastating consequences of the disease, for new donors to join a global partnership in the fight and for the scientific community to illustrate advances to both experts and the public.

Vestergaard Frandsen: Vestergaard Frandsen is an international company specializing in complex emergency response and disease control products. The company operates under a unique Humanitarian Entrepreneurship business model. This “profit for a purpose” approach has turned humanitarian responsibility into its core business. Vestergaard Frandsen was founded in Denmark in 1957. From its humble beginning weaving synthetic fabrics for use in work-wear, the company has evolved into a multinational leader focused on helping to achieve the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. For more information please visit: www.vestergaard-frandsen.com.

For more information about the Zambezi Expedition please visit: http://www.zambezi-expedition.org/index.html

For more information about the Roll Back Malaria Partnership please visit: http://www.rbm.who.int/

Trashe Bolsas Bags – Product Review

2008-04-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Brilliant Recycled Bags

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Trashe Bolsas Bags are environmentally friendly as they keep tons and tons of advertising banners which are made of fabric covered with plastic out of the landfills in the Philippines or from being illegally dumped or illegally burned.

In the Philippines giant billboards promoting all manner of products and services line the highways. In offices, schools, hotels and shops, banners do the same.

Some of those advertising banners, as far as I can see from some photos that I have seen, are extremely large, much like the huge electronic billboards found in the USA and other countries, and often are the size of walls.

These billboards and banners are printed onto tarpaulins or ‘tarps’ made from canvas coated with polycarbonate.

These tarps, designed to withstand the scorching heat and torrential rain of the tropics, are non-biodegradable.

When the tarps are finished with, they either end up in landfill or are burned, thus releasing harmful greenhouse gases – either way, they contribute to an ever increasing threat to the environment.

Trashe Bolsas is a Livelihood Project that operates within the Earth Day Network, an NGO whose aim is to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Trashe Bolsas transforms used tarps into unique, strong, durable bags giving an income to women living the temporary housing an income, enabling them to become independent.

I met the two ladies and founders who are the moving force behind this project at the recent Promotional Marketing Exhibition in London and had the opportunity and great pleasure to talk with them, see the bags and take a sample home with me.

All bags are cut out from patterns individually by hand and are then individually sewn on sewing machines by the women in the project, many of who have only recently learned how to sew and especially how to sew using a sewing machine.

For that being the case I have to say that I found the quality of the stitching rather good, especially given also that material such as this used is difficult to sew at the best of time and even by professionals with industrial machines.

As the bags are made from advertising banners are all unique and vary in colors. No two bags will ever, I should think, be alike. This means that while this or that bag may be this or that color on the website it does not mean that the bag you order may be the same color. This is something that must be understood and, in my view, makes those bags so great. Any bag anyone may buy from Trashe Bolsas is different and everyone will be getting a unique one of article.

I can but recommend anyone to purchase one (or more than one) of those unique and wonderful bags.

Check out their website at: http://www.trashebolsas.com

© M Smith (Veshengro), Tatchipen Media & Trashe Bolsas, April 2008

BOGO LIGHT - Advertisement

2008-04-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

London Olympics of 2012 'will not benefit' East London's poorest residents

2008-04-21T09:31:00.001-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

As I have basically predicted concerning the Olympics and the poorer and underprivileged people of that area a study now shows that there will be little if any benefit for the poorest residents of East London.

While the Olympic ministers and all those are telling the world what great benefits the locals will have from this, this is all a load of hogwash, as usual, and they know and knew this very well.

The so-called “trickle down” effect does NOT work and never ever has worked.

The 2012 London Olympics will fail to leave the promised positive local legacy for the poorest residents of East London unless cast-iron guarantees are built into plan, according to a new study.

The Games have been presented by the Government and the Olympic delivery bodies as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help regenerate one of the UK’s most economically disadvantaged areas, London’s Lower Lea Valley.

But the Fool's Gold report by the New Economics Foundation (nef) claims that previous Olympics and other ‘flagship’ UK regeneration projects, whilst boosting international tourism, transport, leisure and telecommunications infrastructure, have failed to improve the lives of the poorest people in host cities.

This is just as we assumed and predicted when it all began, and we can be sure that no good will come of it, no lasting benefit, for the disadvantaged people, especially the young people, of East London. All that is going to happen is that all those venues, that is to say the sporting venues, will become out of reach for any of them to use and, like the Dome, they will either become a white elephant or simply a commercial venture that was paid for, yet again, out of the pockets of the poor men and women in this country, that is to say, the honest taxpayers.

Fool’s Gold identifies the ‘trickle down’ economics that underly the approach to regeneration at the heart of the Olympic bid as the root cause of the problem.
This assumes that investment flowing into deprived areas will stay put. In practice, as nef research has shown, it leaks out to consultants, developers and large companies which are best able to exploit new commercial opportunities.

In other words, the poor residents will get no benefit whatsoever but the rich will get even richer, especially those companies that are making a killing from it already.

Small local enterprises are unable to compete and local people who don’t own their own homes are priced out of the housing market because gentrification inflates the cost of living well above their income levels.

Fool’s Gold identifies clear warning signs that London 2012 may be going in the same direction as previous Games in its failure to live up to regeneration promises:

The enormous debts built up by Olympic delivery will have to be repaid, and the easiest way to do this will be to sell off Olympic land to the highest bidder.
Serious doubt has already been cast on the projections used by the Government to calculate the £1.8 billion to be raised by land sales after the Games to repay public and National Lottery money used to buy land for the Olympic site.

A problem the current slowdown in the housing market will only accentuate, placing yet more pressure on the London Development Agency to maximise revenues.

There also remains the other question as to whether the 2012 Olympics can be held in 2020? Why that question? This is quite simple, methinks, for we have yet to see a project such as this to be finished on time and within the budget.

I would love to be able to, come the time, to report that everything has been finished within the set time frame and with the budget not having overrun and also that the locals have benefited and will be benefiting for many years and decades to come from the new infrastructure and that that has been set up. But, I must say that I am not that optimistic and this report certainly does not make me optimistic in that department at all. In fact the opposite is the case. Not as much as to the fact as them getting all the tings ready; that is not really the issue here anyway, but as to the fact of benefits for the poorest of the residents of East London and, like that report, I am afraid that I cannot see it.

Surprise? No... this is New Labour we are talking about... a pink party that has about as much to do with the real Labour party and a party for the people as the state of Israel has with the Israel of the Torah.

© M Smith (Veshengro), April 2008

Nazi tactics of the Israeli Security Forces

2008-04-20T03:57:00.000-07:00

Nazi-style collective punishment tactics used by Israel against Gaza civilians.

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

After an incursion of Israeli military into the Gaza strip and while those forces, after wreaking havoc were withdrawing, they came into an ambush by Hamas fighters. During the ensuing firefight 3 IDF soldiers were killed.

In retaliation for this Israel, in its usual Nazi tactics, launched air strikes up and down the Gaza border against civilian targets, though obviously the Israeli military and government yet again claim that they were attacking only terrorist strongholds.

This smacks very much of the way the German Fascist war machinery acted against the civilian population of occupied countries as and when partisans and resistance fighters fought with the Nazi military or had attacked some infrastructure targets.

So Hamas partisans and resistance fight against the incursions by Israel occupation forces into the Gaza strip and the Israelis retaliate with Nazi methods against the civilian population of Gaza. This is nothing but collective punishment. The same kind of collective punishment that was so favored by the German Nazis in their fight against partisans and resistance fighters.

And Israel still maintains and claims that this is not something that is akin to the collective punishment tactics of the Nazis who, supposedly, killed six million Jews.

I am afraid to say that it is, it is the very same tactics that the Nazis used and in using such tactics against the population, the ordinary Palestinians, men, women and children and the old, Israel is no better than Nazi Germany of that dark era in the 20th century. What Israel is doing is exactly the same as what the Nazis did and it is genocide.

I think, and I am sure that I am not alone here, that the Western governments should rethink in the way they interact with Israel and the so-called Jewish state. This is no way that a free and democratic country, which Israel claims to be, should act.

While the West is always very quick to boycott countries, be this trade sanction or diplomatic sanctions, that oppress their population, as has been done in the case of Zimbabwe – though they seem to be unwilling to do more – when it comes to Israel, which is not better, as in fact the ones oppressed are firstly not even in their country but on territory illegally occupied or reoccupied – if even for a few hours or days, in the fight against terrorism, supposedly – they are not even willing to condemn such actions against the Palestinians in any way shape or form. Talk of double standards. Surprising it probably should not be seeing the influences and lobby that the supporters of Israel, in the form of the Jews themselves and then those Christians that could not be more pro-Israel if they even tried because they believe that the “rebuilding” of Israel heralds the imminent Second coming of the Christ, who supposedly is the Messiah. Politicians in the Western world just do not dare to say anything too powerful or act against Israel as they might just lose the support of those powerful voters. It has nothing to do with ethics but all to do with power.

So, if the politicians are not willing to do anything maybe then people power is required. If no official sanctions and trade boycotts then it is up to us as ethical shoppers to boycott as and wherever possible Israeli goods and services, and may be more than just Israeli goods and services. Maybe including the services of any other supporters of the illegal state of Israel (and I do not care that that state has been officially accepted by the UN at that time). Israel is founded on stolen land.

© M Smith (Veshengro) & Tatchipen Media, April 2008

Let's hear it for the South African Dockworkers

2008-04-20T00:08:00.000-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

It would appear that in South Africa and Southern Africa the only people willing to stand up against the tyrant Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe are the “little” people in that region, in this case ordinary dockworkers and, it would appear also, the police of the port of Durban. The former for refusing to unload the Chinese vessel with a cargo of weapons bound for the security forces of Zimbabwe and sending the vessel packing again and the latter for not enforcing the unloading of said ship.

The vessel is now, so it would appear, headed for the port of the Angolan capital. Let us just hope that dockworkers and other there have the same courage to refuse to unload the ship.

If the rest of the dockers in the area where the ship could dock to unload and police would do the same, that is to say, refuse to let the cargo be unloaded then sooner or later the ship will have no option as to return with its cargo as undelivered come undeliverable.

While food and other “humanitarian” shipments should not be boycotted, anything that could aid the dictator and his clique in Zimbabwe should be blocked from ever reaching the country. It cannot be that difficult.

It is rather a shame and a shame on them that the politicians in that region just do not have the same courage and the same ethics as do “ordinary” workers and even police officers and their commanders. The politicians of SADEC and the other African political bodies and especially the leaders in the neighboring countries, with President Tabo Mbeke in the forefront, should be ashamed and should go and do penance.

So, let's hear it for the dockers of the port of Durban and their Union and also for the police that did not interfere in the name of “free commerce”.

© M Smith (Veshengro)

TUC welcomes South African union action on Zimbabwe

2008-04-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Commenting on the refusal by South African dock workers to unload a shipment of arms destined for Zimbabwe's armed forces, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'While others just talk about Zimbabwe, unions in South Africa are actually doing something.

'The dock workers' refusal to unload arms destined for Mugabe's thugs is a positive move. It should shame politicians around the region to stop talking and start acting on Zimbabwe's crisis.

'The TUC supports fully the South African trade union movement's practical solidarity with Zimbabwe's trade unions.'

What's wrong with the British Labour Party?

2008-04-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Maybe it would be better for this question to be “what's right with the British Labour Party? For there the answer would be simple; little to nothing. This is no longer the Labour Party we had grown to love.

The very party that came out of the struggle of the labour unions and others for a decent life all and here especially for the working classes, those that were always downtrodden, has definitely thrown all its principles to the wind to such an extent that the founders and especially the old stalwarts of the likes of Hardy, Bevan, Brockway and Salter would turn in their graves if they but knew. The British Labour Party of today has committed high treason on the working classes of this country.

The Labour Party, or New Labour, as it re-branded itself under Tony Blair, is new indeed. So new that real Labour men and women would never ever recognize it again. It is more right wing nowadays than parties that were once seen as on the right, such as the Tories, for instance. Over the last decade or so Labour, and especially the Labour government of this country, has developed more and more as a party and the government of Britain a people control complex, needing to more and more put the people of this country on a tight reign, with an attempt of a National ID card system, something that freedom-loving Britain has never had, except during the crisis of World War II, in an attempt to know the whereabout of most people most of the time in an instant, and of every subject of Her Majesty as to where they go, what they do, etc.

It may be high time that Her Majesty, our Queen, made use of the Powers that are Hers by right of being the Sovereign, to “do the right thing for the people and by the people” from the principle that the Sovereign can do no wrong.

DNA databases of all people, starting with the youngest children already is not the way to go. The people must realize that themselves by now, I am sure, and it is they that must do something about it.

Traditional and long established freedoms and such are being eroded by this government in the supposed attempt to fight terrorism. What terrorism? This is not a government for the people; this is a government against the people. What the Nazis could not achieve in this country, in that our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, etc, gave their lives in order to retain the freedoms in this country, the government is now taking away. Hitler and his ilk would be proud, that is all I can say.

When a minister of a Labour government can publicly state that the “Freedom of Speech” in the UK, that we all, and especially those of us in the media, take for granted and have taken for grated for ages and centuries, is not a freedom and right of the people but just a privilege granted to them that can as easily be curtailed or revoked then we must sit up and take note and realize as to what is going on, for then we are in serious trouble of entering a fascist state.

There was a time when Labour was the party of the little man, of the downtrodden man, the man who was oppressed. This is not longer the case, it seems. Rather it is Labour, in government, who now is doing the oppressing.

© M Smith (Veshengro), April 2008

We need power to detain people longer demands Home Secretary

2008-04-14T08:19:00.001-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Thirty terror plots the British Home Secretary claims to be active against Britain and that is, why she claims, the police need and demand more powers and the powers to detain suspects for longer.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told a British Sunday tabloid – to call it a newspaper would do injustice to those papers that are indeed newspapers – that the security services were investigating 30 active terror plots as she made the case for giving them extended powers to combat extremists.

Smith said the threat from Islamist fanatics was growing at such a rate that the police would be unable to cope within a year unless they were given new powers to detain suspects for longer.

"We now face a threat level that is severe. It's actually growing," Smith told the News of the World weekly tabloid.

This is, obviously, just the right – and right is the operative word here – tabloid to tell such scare stories to, as it will get the great unwashed to believe that we indeed face such threat and it also will increase racial and ethnic tension. Thanks, Home Secretary, for being that thoughtful.

"There are 22,000 individuals who are being monitored. There are 200 networks and 30 active plots."

Now is that indeed so Home Secretary? Then why don't you tell Parliament and the public more details. Each and every time it is this vague “x-amount of terror plots aimed against the UK” or “x-amount of terror plots stopped”, etc. Never more than that. This is not the truth, is it. What is going on is that we, the people, are being further softened up to have more of our liberties eroded and more of our freedoms taken away by a government of a party that once was the party of the little man. Now all that Labour is is the party of people control.

Smith is facing a backbench rebellion in the governing Labour Party over plans to extend the time terror suspects can be held without charge from the current 28-day limit to 42 days.

If there really is a need for longer detention maybe we need to adopt a European model of the “investigative detention”, known in Germany, for instance, as Untersuchungshaft. Everyone suspected of a crime can be held in prison proper – in Untersuchungshaft – until either evidence is there to charge that person or he or she has to be released, and then with apology.

Tony Blair suffered a damaging defeat in 2005 over plans to extend the limit to 90 days and Gordon Brown, his successor as prime minister and Labour leader, could do without a repeat, though it would be nice if Labour MPs would have enough guts to stand up against the whips and such like and make their voices hear that they will not go along with this, and together with the opposition parties tell their leader and the other control freaks where to stick it.

"The danger has increased over the past two years," Smith said. "Since the beginning of 2007, there have been 57 people convicted on terrorist plots.
"Nearly half of those pleaded guilty – so this is not some figment of the imagination. It is a real risk and a real issue we need to respond to.

Now, who are you trying to kid? Accuse me of conspiracy theories but we only have the word of the government to go on that those people (1) did plead guilty and (2) that they are indeed “terrorists” and not some government setup.

"Because we now understand the scale of what is being plotted, the police have to step in earlier – which means they need more time to put evidence together," she explained.

"If they (the police and security services) say to me it's getting more and more difficult, we need more time to investigate thoroughly, it is my duty to provide them with the tools they need."

Why then, Home Secretary, is it actually the case that whenever the senior officers of police and security services go on the record on this matter that most of them, if not indeed all of them, state that they have enough time and enough powers? Why, Home Secretary, are you asking, officially on their behalf, to give them more?

Let's tell the public the truth: the reason is that the current Labour government, ever since ex-PM Blair led the Labour Party into government a little over a decade back, the Labour government has been working on some hidden agenda to enslave the people of this country and to erode more and more of the freedoms that we have come to take for granted.

As I said, freedoms that we, the subjects of Her Majesty, have come to take for granted. The are not rights, however, as the people always understood them, so it seems. A minister of her department even said that as much as regards to the “Freedom of Speech” issue when she said that against all popular belief it was not a right of the people actually but just a privilege and that it could easily be curtailed or even revoked.

The real truth about all the “anti-terrorism” issue is nothing but trying to get the British people to believe in that and therefore allow themselves to be stripped of all those freedoms which may, or may not, actually be rights granted to the general public. We all know, though apparently the majority of the population don't, that the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights were never meant for the ordinary people, the serfs, the villains, but were just for the nobles, the aristocracy. The majority of British people have come to understand, and as precedences have been set I am sure that those privileges actually, through common law, are now rights of the people, that those are their enshrined rights, enshrined in an unwritten “constitution”.

She added: "There is a massive increase in the way they (terrorists) are using technology and encrypting evidence. It takes time to get the evidence you need to charge somebody."

If the stuff is encrypted the law says that the person assumed to be a felon has to hand over the encryption key. So, if that is what the law states make them do so. If not then, fine, charge them with that as an offence for starters and what we need in addition, is the permission to continue investigation past initial charging, maybe. As I said before, we may need to consider the system of “investigative detention” - for lack of a better English term, so far.

The Home Secretary said she would announce on April 16 a new deal struck with the Pakistani government allowing moderate Islamic clerics to come over to Britain to help imams fight extremism.

She said the vast majority of Britain's Muslims were of Pakistani origin and working with the Pakistani government could help both combat radicalisation and spread "the right messages about what it means to be a British Muslim."

© M Smith (Veshengro), April 2008

Beware when throwing away Promo CDs

2008-04-10T09:34:00.001-07:00

UMG says throwing away "promo" CDs is illegal

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

In a brief filed in federal court recently, Universal Music Group (UMG) states that, when it comes to the millions of promotional CDs ("promo CDs") that it has sent out to music reviewers, radio stations, DJs, and other music industry insiders, throwing them away is "an unauthorized distribution" that violates copyright law. Yes, you read that right – if you have ever received a promo CD from UMG, and you do not still have it, then UMG thinks you're a pirate. That you have committed and act of “unauthorized distribution” of their music.

UMG seems to argue that the “first sale doctrine” does not apply to prom CDs to which it slapped the label of “promotional use only” and any subsequent sale, even if those have been found or whatever, infringes copyright law. The Supreme Court first recognized the first sale doctrine when a book publisher tried the same thing with a label stating "may not be sold for less than one dollar,” and we've seen patent owners trying the same trick, unsuccessfully, as far as we know, on printer cartridges.

UMG apprently thinks that by simply slapping the "promotional use only" label onto a CD it somehow gives it "eternal ownership" over the CD. While this might make sense to a goblin living in Harry Potter's world, it is not the law under the Copyright Act.

According to the first sale doctrine, once a copyright owner has parted with ownership of a CD, book, or DVD, whether by sale, gift, or other disposition, they may not control further dispositions of that particular copy (including throwing it away). It's thanks to the first sale doctrine that libraries can lend books, video rental stores can rent DVDs, and you can give a CD to a friend for their birthday. It's also the reason you can throw away any CD that you own.

I mean, erm, excuse me for a moment. It was sent to me, to review, I no longer wanted it and threw it in the trash but by doing so I break the law? Someone somewhere is having problems in the upper ranges of his or her body, methinks.

However, despite the fact that this may be the law, e.g. regarding the “first sale doctrine”, no doubt this is not going to be the last time that someone, some huge company, will try this trick, especially on someone smaller than themselves.

I personally have seen the stamps in review copies of books that stated “review copy only – not for resale”, and in some cases the mere acceptance of the book, it was claimed, for review, was agreement to this policy and that any gifting and especially sale of such a book would be a felony under copyright law, etc.

I must say that, in general, I very rarely ever part with books, CDs, etc. that have come my way for review but I am damned if I allow some such statement to have any influence on me as to what I do with this book or whatever product that, by virtue of having been given to me for review on the understanding that it become the reviewer's property – we do not do reviews of articles loaned – it is then up to me what I do with the book or product afterwards. Ownership has passed to me from the previous owner, whether it is a publisher, manufacturer, or vendor, and this even whether or not a review is forthcoming.

So, folks, don't get yourself browbeaten by the big boys. If need be get good legal advice and there are enough precedents set to fight such lawsuits.

© Tatchipen Media, April 2008

UNESCO promotes use of free software in Latin America and the Caribbean

2008-04-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Montevideo, Uruguay, April 8, 2008

UNESCO Office in Montevideo, Uruguay, in cooperation with the network of Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) in Latin America and the Caribbean, published the Guía práctica sobre software libre: su selección y aplicación local en América Latina y el Caribe (Guidelines on free software: how to choose it and apply it locally in Latin America and the Caribbean).

Authored by Fernando da Rosa and Federico Heinz, the book has its genesis in the regional FLOSS conference LACFREE 2005 organized in Recife, Brazil, where the need for such publication was discussed.

This easy to read and practical guide promotes FLOSS contribution to sustainable development. It gives practical advice on the selection of adequate FLOSS solutions with the requested functionality and addresses the issue of migration from proprietary software to FLOSS. To facilitate the exchange of experience, the book offers a list of organizations and country related contacts. It also gives an overview of the thematic and regional landscape of the FLOSS community through the hints on annual FLOSS conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to Richard Stallman, founder of Free Software Foundation and the GNU Project, who wrote an introduction article for the book, the society "needs information that is truly available to its citizens - for example, programmes that people can read, fix, adapt, and improve, not just operate". FLOSS offers today a broad spectrum of programmes covering various areas: audio, video and design; networks and connectivity; office applications; file management; operating systems; mail and web server management, etc. FLOSS applications contribute therefore to digital opportunities in education and public administration, and support social inclusion of people with special needs.

The Guidelines were presented and distributed in several regional FLOSS events and are available online on many local websites. To download the book in Spanish, please click here.

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The Olympic Torch, Beijing Olympics and Police Brutality

2008-04-08T10:59:00.001-07:00

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

On Sunday, April 6, 2008, during the Olympic Torch relay that took place on the streets of London, England, we saw how much malign influence China has over the free West.

During this Torch Relay the brutality of the British Police, in this case primarily Metropolitan Police of the Capital, that we saw used again those few and in no way really violent protesters of the Free Tibet Movement was something akin to what we saw in the last decades of the last century when the Poll Tax riots were in full swing.

In addition to that the Olympic Torch was surrounded by a phalanx of young Chinese men in blue track suits which the BBC claimed, initially, to be Chinese Olympic athletes. Olympic athletes my foot. Anyone who believed that statement, I am sure, must also believe in the Easter Bunny and in the Tooth Fairy.

Mind you, by Tuesday, April 8, 2008, we were finally be told the truth and it was being openly admitted that whose were indeed personnel of the Chinese crack anti-terrorist commandos, in other words, agents of the Chinese security apparatus. They too did their share of the beating of protesters, it would seem, and especially in France.

The question that we all must ask of our governments, whether here in the UK or across the Channel in France, is why thugs of the Chinese security apparatus were permitted to act as guardians of the Olympic Torch here on the streets of both the British and the French capital cities?

In their attempt to stop protesters reaching the torch and especially this was the case in Paris, it would appear, where together with the CRS and others units of the French Gendarmerie many of the protesters, according to pictures seem, were beaten bloody, with one protester bleeding profusely from his mouth, for instance.

The police and security personnel tried to stop filming of such brutality, even to the extent of gloved hands of CRS personnel attempting to cover up the lenses of camera crews.

Why, why is the “free” West allowing this to happen? This has nothing to do with upholding the Spirit of the Olympics and the Torch to pass freely but it has everything to do with communist Chinese influence.

Britain, once the bastion of liberty in the enlightenment and France, the country of “liberte, egalite et fraternite”, both showed where they stand. Business interests are put before the interests of the people, at home and abroad, and especially here in countries where they are being oppressed.

It is a shame that we cannot even call for a boycott of Chinese made goods, for instance, as we would then have, literally, nothing that we could buy anymore, bar a few small exceptions. Even the parts of the very computer, for instance, on which this article has been written are “Made in China”.

© M Smith (Veshengro) & Tatchipen Media, April 2008

Coca-Cola Aims for 'Water Neutrality'

2008-04-04T08:43:00.001-07:00

Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) released a report recently detailing the evolution of The Coca-Cola Co.'s water management strategy.

The report, "Drinking It In: The Evolution of a Global Water Stewardship Program at The Coca-Cola Company" follows the company's efforts to achieve "water neutrality" across its worldwide operations while facing challenges from global water quality, availability and access.

During the past five years, so it is said in the report, Coca Cola has begun developing a more holistic look at its water strategy because of three issues: it has acquired water brands; communities in India protested as regards to a Coca-Cola bottler there because of appropriation and pollution issues; and it began reporting water issues as a material risk to investors.

The company, Coca Cola, they say in the report, created a survey for its plants and bottlers to gather information on efficiency, compliance, watershed, supply reliability, supply economics and social and competitive contextual information.

By the year 2007, the Coca Cola developed an integrated water strategy focused on plant performance (water use efficiency, water quality and wastewater treatment), watershed protection, enabling access to clean drinking water and working to drive global awareness and action to address water challenges. Its system-wide goal is to return all water used in its operations back to nature. Its mantra: reduce, recycle and replenish.

For the year 2008 Coca Cola has set itself a goal of becoming the most efficient company in the world in terms of water use in the beverage industry. It plans to be fully aligned with global wastewater treatment and reuse standards by the end of 2010. It will support projects and investments that focus on rainwater collection, reforestation, protecting water sources and local access to them and the efficient agricultural use of water.

I am not sure as to whether one should laugh or cry here. This is nothing but GREENWASH of the highest order. One can but wonder how much Coca Cola did pay the so-called researchers who did this report. This about a company who uses tap water and “reverse osmosis” and then sells it at huge profits in cans and from a company whose operations in India have lowered the water table by meters and this lowering of the water tables and other issues are the cause of drought conditions in the area where they have operated.

Anyone believing in Coca Cola's green credentials must have just fallen off the turnip wagon or, alternatively, be the recipient of large substantial hand-outs from the company or its agents.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Citizen Journalists to be Curtailed

2008-03-24T14:09:00.001-07:00

France bans citizen journalists from reporting violence

The French Constitutional Council has approved a law that criminalizes the filming or broadcasting of acts of violence by people other than professional journalists.

This law could lead to the imprisonment of eyewitnesses who film acts of police violence, or operators of Web sites publishing the images, one French civil liberties group warned in March 2007.

The most worrying part here, obviously, would also be how far this would spill over to other countries in the EU and, indeed, elsewhere. This could be the first step to silencing citizen journalists, e.g. Bloggers, altogether. For, only the official media really, can be government censored. When, however, the work of the likes of us on Blogs is outlawed and the writing and publishing of new stories is – back – in the domain of the professional journalists then governments can rest assured that they can control what goes out and what not.

Apparently, so it is claimed, Senators and members of the National Assembly had asked the council to rule on the constitutionality of six articles of the Law relating to the prevention of delinquency. The articles dealt with information sharing by social workers, and reduced sentences for minors. The council recommended one minor change, to reconcile conflicting amendments voted in parliament. The law, proposed by Minister of the Interior Nicolas Sarkozy, is intended to clamp down on a wide range of public order offenses. During parliamentary debate of the law, government representatives said the offense of filming or distributing films of acts of violence targets the practice of “happy slapping,” in which a violent attack is filmed by an accomplice, typically with a camera phone, for the amusement of the attacker’s friends. And it was meant to curb the filming of such incidents only.

Right, yes, sure, and why is there a squadron of pigs preparing to take of at RAF Brize Norton?

The broad drafting of the law so as to criminalize the activities of citizen journalists unrelated to the perpetrators of violent acts is no accident, but rather a deliberate decision by the authorities. We must be very concerned that the law, and others still being debated, will lead to the creation of a parallel judicial system controlling the publication of information on the Internet.

The government has also proposed a certification system for Web sites, Blog
hosters, mobile-phone operators and Internet service providers, identifying them as government-approved sources of information if they adhere to certain rules.

The journalists’ organization Reporters Without Borders, which campaigns for a free press, has warned that such a system could lead to excessive self censorship as organizations worried about losing their certification suppress certain stories.

Seeing that this comes from a country that is a “leading light” in the European Union, I am sure, we can see where this may be leading.

The council chose an unfortunate anniversary to publish its decision approving the law, which came exactly 16 years after Los Angeles police officers beating Rodney King were filmed by amateur videographer George Holliday on the night of March 3, 1991. The officers’ acquittal at the end on April 29, 1992 sparked riots in Los Angeles.

If Holliday were to film a similar scene of violence in France today, he could end up in prison as a result of the new law. Anyone publishing such images could face up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (US$98,537), potentially a harsher sentence than that for committing the violent act.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Berry Nutty – Product Review

2008-03-23T02:58:00.000-07:00

Berry Nutty are a new range of Fairtrade certified Peanut & Raisins and Salted Peanut snacks that were launched at the Fairtrade Fortnight Fairground a couple of weeks ago at the Southbank of the Thames in London; on Sunday, February 24, 2008, to be precise.

Having had the opportunity to test both the Peanut & Raisins (the raisins are Fairtrade from South Africa, by the way) and the Salted Peanuts I can but recommend both. The Peanut & Raisin more so, probably, but then that is my personal taste, I should guess.

I must say that I was a little apprehensive and reluctant at first as to the salted peanuts when Iain Paiton, the Marketing Director of “Trigon Snacks Ltd” suggested I give them a try because normally I find salted peanuts of whatever brand simply too salty. I must say, however, that, having tried the Berry Nutty version, I am most pleasantly surprised and could become a consumer of salted peanuts again, as long as they were the ones I have had a chance to test.

“Trigon Snacks” is probably known to most of us more through their more “usual” brands, such as “Planters”, “Big D”, “Vermont Gold”, and others. The Berry Nutty range which, so I believe, is going to hit the stores and especially the pub scene shortly, are a nice addition and especially as this range is Fairtrade certified, meaning that it gives back to the growers a decent living price for their produce.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign - Advert

2008-03-21T11:21:00.001-07:00

Fairtrade and other Ethical Labels

2008-03-21T11:18:00.001-07:00

The blue & green though often just black & white, though very distinct, Fairtrade label in the only one, as far as I can see, that guarantees a minimum income to the producers, the farmers and the workers. Other labels in what is slowly but surely becoming confusing array of “ethical” labels, that have followed in the wake of the Fairtrade label, cannot be seen in the same light. In fact, the cloud the issue, rather. Consumers are being bamboozled by the proliferation of bewildering labels claiming to be ethical, without, often, further explaining this. What, for instance, do those other labels stand for?

Why did not Kraft – with Kenco Coffee – go with the Fairtrade label? Because, no doubt, the Fairtrade rules are too rigorous for its liking. So, instead, they opted for an easier one; one that does not benefit farmers and workers, at least not in the same way as Fairtrade does. To the likes of Kraft, it appears to me, it is a matter of profit, yet again. At least Nestle, whatever one may like to say against it, and there are many things, went the whole hog with the Partner Blend instant coffee in that the product got the Fairtrade label. While this may, so far, only be one product of the Nestle range, it is a step in the right direction. Why, though, I would like to ask, is Nestle chocolate not all, by now, Fairtrade? If the Co-Op can have great Fairtrade chocolate at a very reasonable price why can not all Nestle's chocolate products be Fairtrade by now without any increase in price. A company the size of Nestle can do it. Profits and shareholder dividends, however, yet again seem to get into the way. Shame. But we all know that Nestle can do more and at the same price as they do it without Fairtrade and this is where consumer power comes in.

The same is true with other companies, such as Kraft, in the case of Kenco Coffee. If the consumers stopped buying Kenco because it is not Fairtrade and opted for those that are instead the message would be received soon loud and clear at Kraft HQ. Many local governments in the UK, for instance, buy Kenco Coffee, often because of the ethical label that it now has, seeming to think that they are doing their part, that they are doing good buy buying that brand. It is again down to us, in this case as residents, as local tax payers, to tell the town halls that we are not happy with the brand of coffee or whatever else that they are using. Education of the councillors here is the key and of council leaders and officers. We can do it.

Let me please stress at this point that I do not get paid in any way, shape or form, though chance would be a fine thing, by the Fairtrade Foundation, nor do I work for them in any way. I believe, however, that we must make the distinction clear to all as the differences between the labels. As far as it is public knowledge the Fairtrade label is the only one that actually guarantees a minimum income to farmers and workers who grow the cocoa, the coffee, the tea, etc. and by means of this guaranteed income Fairtrade enables those people to better themselves without the need of charity and aid.

It would appear to me that someone needs to write a guide of sorts – for the consumer – to all those “ethical” labels, be they “Rainforest Alliance” certification, or whatever. Without such a definitive guide, I believe, that the consumer will get confused, and this could be a confusion to such an extend even that he or she will become disillusioned with it all and no longer bother looking for or demanding Fairtrade.

Part of the success of Fairtrade has been to put social and environmental issues and the plight of farmers and workers on to global agendas, encouraging companies to see that consumers are not only concerned with price – that instead of always competing to offer the cheapest commodities, they can put real value back into our food and drink (and other goods). So, obviously, any and all improvements that benefit producers, e.g. farmers and workers, are welcome. But there is a flipside to this coin.

We must ensure that the gains the Fairtrade Movement has won by fighting hard and serious battles are not chipped away and undermined by companies opting for this previously mentioned proliferation of labels that confuse the public ; none of which carry the same guarantees as the Fairtrade label.

Some of the alternative schemes have a lot attraction: many of them are addressing issues such as the environment that are very important indeed and are sometimes doing a good job in many ways.

However, in most instances it is the companies, and NOT the producers, that are in the driving seat. Those schemes make fewer demands on the companies; usually even the largest plantations can enter and – most importantly – such schemes do not cost the companies much, as said already, because there is no minimum price to pay; no guaranteed income for the growers and/or workers.

They are not, I know, and have never claimed to be either, Fairtrade programs. In comparison Fairtrade must seem hard work and expensive to companies. But Fairtrade is THE ONLY scheme that works to address the root causes of farmers' and workers' poverty and it is the only one that has an organized global movement behind it. The movement's years of campaigning has given the mark an immense recognition to the extend that eight out of ten people in Britain know about the mark and about Fairtrade and what it stands for. This, in turn gives great power to the Fairtrade Movement to persuade traders and supermarkets to act, and this is what gives the Fairtrade Label its legitimacy, as well as its strength and makes it very special.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

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2008-03-20T05:25:00.001-07:00

Child Labor

2008-03-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

The Portuguese magazine, Expresso, has alleged that top Spanish fashion group Inditex, probably best known in the UK for its Zara brand, was exploiting child labor.

Child labor is endemic in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, the allegations that young children are being exploited closer to home can be seriously damaging to the reputation of manufacturers and also and especially retailers

A spokesperson for the Portuguese Footwear Union claimed that children were paid less than 30 Euro per day and that such "miserable" pay was often the sole family income.

In 2001, the Portuguese government estimated that 7000 children were employed by third parties, some for several hours a day, six or seven days a week.

Inditex responded quickly to the statements denying evidence of child labour in Portugal and the company requested the establishment of a working table with the Portuguese Labour Ministry and with Trade Unions in order to assess the "social and labour reality of the Felgueiras area".

Nike and Gap have sustained consumer backlashes after revelations of using child labour and Oxfam believes that most Nike goods are still manufactured in countries where independent trades union representation is outlawed.

It does not seem to matter much what the European Union legislation says to this, it would seem. Those companies, in the perpetual hunt for more profits for less payouts could care little about this.

There is only one way to deal with this and that is “consumer power”, in the same way as the consumer demand has brought products with the Fairtrade label into the big supermarkets. If we, the shoppers, refuse to buy brands associated with bad practice, be this the exploitation of children, the exploitation of workers, the exploitation of animals, of the environment, or whatever else. It is the power of the consumer, of the user, that can change the attitude of the manufactures and retailers.

Labels, even “ethical” labels, mean little if the consumer does not know what actually stands behind it. With the Fairtrade label we all know. With others we do not, in fact, know. What are the criteria that allow this or that product to bear this or that “ethical” label, must always be the question. Anyone wishing to know the Fairtrade deal can learn that best from the book “Fighting the Banana Wars and other Fairtrade Battles”. Do we have the same chance to know how the worker benefits, or the environment, with all the other, by now very confusing, schemes that claim this or that?

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Credit card data stolen from supermarket chain

2008-03-18T10:03:00.001-07:00

A computer hacker or computer hackers stole thousands of credit card numbers after managing to breach security at two U.S. grocery store chains owned by Belgium-based Delhaize Group SA, the companies admitted.

Nearly 2,000 cases of fraud have been linked to the breach, but no personal information such as names or addresses was accessed when the hacker broke into the Hannaford Bros. stores in Massachusetts, New England and New York, and Sweetbay customers in Florida, Hannaford claimed in a statement. The question is, how do they know that no other information was accessed.

According to Boston's WBZ radio 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen. Company officials were not immediately available to confirm the number of stolen card numbers. In other words, officials of the company were not prepared to admit that the is so large. They are working on so-called “damage control”, I am sure.

Hannaford, headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, said that it had become aware of unusual credit card activity on February 27 and began an investigation. It said the data was illegally accessed during the credit card authorization process. And how is this possible? If it is that easy to access such information then, maybe, we better all went back to cash payments and, maybe, checks. This definitely does not make for inspiring confidence in the systems that are in place to safeguard information that companies (and governments) hold on us. Time to put the breaks on this, methinks.

Hannaford Chief Executive Ron Hodge offered an apology for the intrusion. There are 165 Hannaford stores in the U.S. Northeast and 106 Sweetbay supermarkets in Florida.
"We sincerely regret any concern or inconvenience this has caused," Hodge said in a statement. "We have taken aggressive steps to augment our network security capabilities."

The breach is the latest at a big U.S. retailer and comes after U.S. retail group TJX Cos Inc disclosed last year that data from 45.7 million credit and debit cards were stolen by hackers over a period of 18 months, as well as personal information for 451,000 people.

A group of banks later asserted in court documents that the number of consumer accounts were affected was closer to 94 million, a charge Massachusetts-based TJX denied.

But, how can this be? The data we give out is supposed to be so secure. Yes, I am being sarcastic; a trait I am well known for. Our data is simply NOT secure on an such systems that can be accessed from the “outside” so to speak, whether business or government. This is yet another reason for for us all not to trust the governments with our personal data for any kind of national ID card scheme, whether in the UK or in the USA. With all the information in digital for cloning it is all so much easier and NOT harder, as they try to tell us all the time.

Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Sport Relief - Register - But HURRY!!!

2008-03-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

Get active and do good at the same time!

Click on the button below to register for the Sport Relief Mile!

Hurry up! It is this Sunday, March 16th.

Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign - Advert

2008-03-10T01:38:00.000-07:00

Fighting the Banana Wars and other FAIRTRADE Battles - Book Review

2008-03-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

Fighting the Banana Wars and other FAIRTRADE Battles
Harriet Lamb, CBE
Foreword by George Alagiah
© Fairtrade Foundation
Published February 2008
Published by Rider, an imprint of Ebury Publishing
ISBN 978-1-84-604083-2
Price: GBP 10.99

This is a most interesting and informative book about the beginning of the Fairtrade movement and the Fairtrade Foundation and about the ongoing battles to this very day; and eye-witness account from someone who has been there from the first hour.

This book is, in my opinion, a must read for anyone remotely interested in this subject and especially for anyone wishing to support and promote Fairtrade.

All royalties from the sale of this book go to the Fairtrade Foundation so, therefore, in buying this book you aid a good cause.

The writing style of this book is so open and easy despite the fact that it is a factual book and is quite full of humor and human warmth. One can nearly hear the voices of the people whose words are reproduced.

I can but recommend this book and must say that I have learned a great deal as to how it all started from just the first pages of the book and as to why and it can but make one incensed as to the way the poor farmers and worked, whether in the banana plantations or the tea gardens, we, and to a degree, especially where Fairtrade is not at work as yet, are still being treated. We still have a very long way to go before all will get a fair price for their produce and their work. The lack of a fair price for their produce could even apply to the farmers in countries such as the UK, seeing that milk is cheaper than bottled water, the latter which so often is but repackaged tap water.

I can but say that I did not realize what struggle has been to get the first Fairtrade bananas, for instance, onto the shelves of stores, and especially supermarket, in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

It is my opinion that we must work to bring Fairtrade also to and into other “industries”, such as rubber, cotton, clothes, carpets, crafts; the list is endless, methinks.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Terrorist Attack on Yeshiva in Jerusalem

2008-03-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

While, I am sure, we all condemn, as we indeed must, the terrorist attack and murder of the rabbinical students at the Yeshiva in Jerusalem the other day one must, nevertheless, wonder how it can be that the government of the United States of America and and that of the United Kingdom ONLY every condemn attacks by Palestinians on Jews but never, it would appear, the other way round.

Those two countries, with Germany in addition, only ever come out in the defense of the Zionist state of Israel and its citizens and nothing is said of 100s, including children, being murdered by IDF actions against the civilian population of Gaza, for example. Nor are the targeted assassinations of Hamas officials, who, after all, won the election in Gaza, with even the observers from Western nations stating that the elections were fair, open and free, and often, during those assassinations innocent bystanders are killed or even the wrong people all together, again, often including children.

But, no condemnation from the states that immediately are very vociferous when it is Jews that are killed. Nothing is ever said against the Jewish terror, and terror it is, against the Palestinians of Gaza and elsewhere, and the blockade of Gaza, with people being forced to live off aid, having no electricity, etc.

Is it any wonder that the rest hates the West, and with West we here, obviously, predominately mean the USA and Great Britain? It certainly is not.

As in my previous article I call upon the readers of this journal to join me, and others I hope, in a boycott of Israeli companies, products and produce.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Mozzo Coffee – Product Review

2008-03-08T05:33:00.000-08:00

This is a very smooth coffee, in my opinion, the grind of which is, theoretically, intended and designed for use with caffetieres. However, it does work equally well with filter machines that use the metal foil filters, the so-called “Gold filters”. Whether there would be a problem with filter machines using paper filters I cannot say. Then again, I would recommend anyone still using paper filters to get one of the metal foil inserts for their machines. Much better for the environment and for the pocket.

Pros:
A very good smooth coffee that I really enjoyed.

Cons:
None found

Verdict:
Very good and can definitely recommend.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Ubuntu Cola – Product Review

2008-03-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

Ubuntu seems to become a rather favorite term for a number of things right now, from a computer operating system to now a cola drink. Both are good in their own rights, but the computer program is not what we shall be looking at here, however. The Cola, on the other hand, is.

I had the opportunity to, for the first time, I must admit, try this Cola drink at the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight on Sunday, February 24, 20087 at London's South Bank, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised as to its taste.

Generally, I no longer drink Cola or Cola-like drinks simply because of the “after bite”, for lack of a better word, from the over-carbonation that often takes your breath away, literally.

Ubuntu Cola appears to have a great deal less carbon dioxide in it than do most other Colas and therefore, in my opinion, has a much more pleasant taste and goes down far more smoothly than others.

The one thing that still will not make me come back to drinking Colas, even Ubuntu Cola, though, is the fact that Ubuntu Cola too, like all other Colas, list phosphoric acid in its ingredients. Personally I do not like the idea of drinking, if I can help it, any substance that is used to clean metals, for instance, as phosphoric acid is.

Pros:
Very pleasant taste due to lower amount of carbon dioxide used.

Cons:
Like all Colas, it contains phosphoric acid.

If you do like Cola, however, and don't, unlike me, mind the phosphoric acid which, as said, is an ingredient in all Colas, as far as I can see and also in Dr. Pepper, then Ubuntu Cola is the one I would recommend to you. I will chose it should I decide that, for some reason, I do want to drink a Cola, that is for certain.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Israel's Nazi Tactics Against Gaza Residents

2008-03-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

The tactics used by the Israeli government and its so-called Defense Force, the IDF, against the residents of Gaza can only be described as Nazi tactics and are nothing short of collective punishments, in the same way as when partisans attacked the Germans, killed one or two soldiers, and whole villages, men women and children were indiscriminately massacred. Israel's behavior against the people of Gaza is no better than what the Nazis did. The Israelis are using the selfsame collective punishment ideas and the main victims are, yet again, the innocents, in the same way as was the case with the partisans on the Eastern Front.

While one cannot condone indiscriminate rocket attacks against population centers in Israel by Hamas fighters one can only wonder how any of us would react and respond if our lands had been taken by force and a state established thereupon, as it is in the case of Palestine.

While America will stand behind Israel with most of its population, and half the world, probably, may be condemning what I am about to say but: Palestine was a country that Zionist Israel stole from the people by force. People did indeed live and work in that country and it was NOT empty and barren and devoid of people, as many Zionist Jews, including and especially the late Golda Meir, claim and claimed.

Israel's behavior towards the Palestinians, Muslims and Christians alike, is no better than was the behavior of Nazi Germany in the territories it occupied; collective punishments, targeted assassinations, detention without trial (then again even the UK has those now), withholding of food, water, power and aid.

How can Israel claim the moral high ground about defending itself. It is so deep in the gutter that it does not even seem to notice it. Then again, with powerful allies such as the United States, which is politically dominated by misguided Christians and by Zionist Jews, and others such as Germany, who feel obligated to that country, and other like them, Israel has nothing to worry about.

While the West screams blue murder about Iran developing a nuclear program not a word is being said against Israel, which already has nuclear weapons ready to roll, and which, so it says, it is quite prepared to use also. There seems to be one law for Israel and another for all other countries.

Does Israel, as a nation, have the right to exist? It is not my place to judge. History and the God will do that, I am sure.

Let me say one thing though: Israel of today, and let me state that most categorically, has absolutely nothing to do with Israel of the “scriptures” and with “God's chosen People”, as many s-called Christians have been led to believe and would like to claim. The state of Israel if the Zionist State, the dream of Theodore Herzl and his Zionist Socialist friends come true and it is a secular state, founded on Zionist socialism, originally. Though it suits Israel to play to the audience of gullible “born-again” Christians all over the place but especially in the USA. The Zionists are all, bar a few exceptions, Ashkenazim, who are the descendants of a Caucasian/Turkish people who became converts to Judaism around the fall of Masada , and most of them have about as much claim on the land of Israel, from a racial-religious/ethnic standpoint as the proverbial Emperor of China.

While, when it comes to my People, the Romani-Gypsy, I often say that we, the Rom, can learn from the Jews, the same as we can learn from the African American and the Native Americans, as to emancipation of our People, I cannot see how anyone can support the state of Israel, especially not when they rain down collective punishments on men, women and children in an indiscriminate manner exactly as did the Nazis. This puts the government of Israel in the same league as Hitler's henchmen, no more and no less. The lovers of Israel will not like me saying this but so be it. The truth often hurts.

AS I said already, the judgement as to the state of Israel's right to exist, especially on stolen land, belongs to history and the God and not to man, whether Palestinian, Iranian, or other.

Personally I cannot, morally, see myself supporting a country that behaves in the same was as did Nazi Germany and therefore must ensure that I will not support this nation that is established on land stolen from others by either my purchases or whatever.

Therefore what I am going to do in this publication is to ask you, the readers, to join me in this boycott of Israeli goods and produce, with the pledge not to – knowingly – by Israeli products or produce.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

BOGO LIGHT - Advertisement

2008-03-01T05:01:00.000-08:00

Football match to promote Fairtrade and recycling

2008-03-01T05:00:00.002-08:00

Exeter City Football Club will be working hard to promote both Fairtrade Fortnight and the importance of recycling at their match against Altrincham on Saturday 1 March.

The players will be wearing Fairtrade T-Shirts prior to the match and will kick ten signed Fairtrade footballs, courtesy of The Co-operative Group, into the crowd. The club also sells Fairtrade drinks and snacks in their match day catering and conference facilities.

In addition City Council recycling officers will be offering advice on recycling and giving away My Green Bag jute bags. The City Council has recently been working with Exeter City's club management, advising on a number of environmental issues, including the best way for the club to recycle its waste and save money. Sponsorship for Saturday's match is being provided by Perry's Recycling, who have also been working with the City Council.

Exeter's Lord Mayor will also be attending to show her support for both important initiatives.

Cllr Greg Sheldon, Lead Councillor for Economy and Tourism said: ". We are delighted that Exeter City Football Club are helping to promote both the importance of recycling and also Fairtrade Fortnight.

The production of footballs is a good example of how the Fairtrade system can make a difference - to make a football requires around 690 stitches, which means an experienced stitcher can only make three to five balls per day.
This greatly limits the amount of money they can earn. However, under the Fairtrade system, workers receive a wage which is around 50% higher than the usual pay rate, making a huge difference to their earning ability."

Now let us just hope that other football clubs and sporting venues, such as race courses, etc. take a leaf out of Exeter City FC's book and follow suit, and NOT ONLY for Fairtrade Fortnight. Fairtrade coffee and tea, hot chocolate, chocolates and other goods, should be and become the standard at all venues of that nature and also at all town halls and government offices. It is time, especially, that the likes of local governments, as well as central government put their money where their mouths are in regards to Fairtrade and environmental issues. In most case, however, including the Mayor of London, it would appear to be a case of “do as I say but not as I do”.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign - Advert

2008-03-01T05:00:00.001-08:00

Papapaa DVD and photo pack for schools – Review

2008-02-29T10:11:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank the kind folks of Comic Relief, especially Laura Falk and Kate Jones, for letting me have a copy of this pack for review purposes here on the “Ethical Living Review”, which I was kindly given at the Fairtrade Fortnight launch event on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at the South Bank in London.

I have now, finally, have had the time to watch the DVD and get down to reviewing the pack.

The photos are brilliant in illustrating, away from the DVD, the issues about cocoa growing, chocolate and Fairtrade, and the DVD is highly informative and I must say that even I, a writer and journalist, have learned a great deal about this issue, e.g. the production of cocoa and chocolate.

The DVD and photo pack support the Pa Pa Paa interactive website. Order the pack and you will receive:

• 35 minute modular DVD film explaining how cocoa is harvested, traded, processed and retailed; and how one school used Fairtrade chocolate to launch an awareness campaign
• 30 minutes of DVD extras - including harvesting, chocolate production, nutrition and Fairtrade
• 20 high quality A4 images illustrating the cocoa journey from bean to bar, plus other images of characters introduced on the website showing where they live and work

Information on the DVD is most suitable for Key Stage 3 but many sections are great for Key Stages 2 and 4 as well.

The DVD and photo pack costs £8.00 including postage and packing.

ORDER BY PHONE, FAX OR POST

Phone 01795 427614 (credit card payment required)

Send a cheque made payable to “Comic Relief Education Distribution Service” or purchase order to:

COMIC RELIEF EDUCATION DISTRIBUTION SERVICE
Education House
Castle Road
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME10 3RL

To order by Fax you will need to download the official order from from the website here (this is a PDF document) and then Fax with an official purchase order to 01795 437988.

The Dubble chocolate bar that is mentioned and referred to in the DVD and the pack I have reviewed here.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

Dubble Chocolate Bar – Product Review

2008-02-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

The “description” by the makers goes like “smooth milk chocolate, crispy crunch, guarantees rair play for cocoa growers... dubbly good!”

Dubble is a smooth milk chocolate bar with crispy rice and is produced under the Fairtrade label. So, what can one say about a chocolate bar other than recommend it or not and I surely can recommend this one, and that for a couple of reasons:

One – it tastes great, and I mean it (I could do with a case of it or two – hint, hint) and – two – it is Fairtrade, which means that the cocoa growers in the developing world get a fair price for their produce that make up this chocolate bar.

I doubt that there is more that can or could be said about this product with the exception – go and buy some; it is for a good cause, in more than one sense of the word.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

Fair Trade and the Bottom Line

2008-02-27T13:05:00.001-08:00

Many more people, I am sure, would love (to be) able to buy most if not indeed all of what they buy, as far as this is possible, under the Fairtrade label but the prices of the products too often are rather prohibitive. This is especially so for those on a so-called “fixed income”, e.g. those in the lower income brackets, including us poor writers. You think I am joking as regards to writers, but I am not.

It appears to me, though, that if Sainsbury's can sell Fairtrade certified and labelled bananas under its white Basics label at around 99pence a bag them other retailers add a premium here somewhere.

The same is true for tea and coffee. Sainsbury's recently went over to Fairtrade certification with its Red Label tea, loose and teabags, at no extra costs (so far). If it can be done by Sainsbury's then I am sure other larger retailers can do the same without having to reduce the amount that the producers get.

Now, the point that I am trying to make here is this: Why do Fairtrade certified and labelled products and goods cost so much more from other manufacturers and retailers? Is someone out there really trying to make us believe that they who have a larger price tag on their products share a greater proportion of their profits from the sales of their Fairtrade labelled goods and produce with the producers and makers? They must really think that the consumers have fallen off the turnip wagon somewhere along the line. Or are there some people out there who are really that gullible?

I think we, the consumers and we from the media, must remind those companies that we are not silly and that we do know about the bottom line and about shareholders.

While I can understand smaller companies who sell Fairtrade goods being more expensive than the large outlets, whether Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, or whoever and whatever, as the smaller the company the harder the overheads and everything bites, and also the transport costs and all that, I cannot understand why we are being fleeced by the big boys, especially by those of which I am certain that they do not contribute more to the producers than the absolute required minimum under the appropriate schemes.

This is the same not just with the Fairtrade label, is it now? The same is true with the “organic” label, whether on food or on other items. While there may be some additional costs in organic food production or cotton production, due to the fact that neither artificial fertilizers nor pesticides are being used or are allowed to be used and therefore there may be some losses and such, the premium in general, I am sure, does not equate those factors. In other words; it is the consumer, who wants organic or Fairtrade, or environmentally friendly, who is being fleeced by the companies, yet again.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

BOGO LIGHT - Advertisement

2008-02-24T12:58:00.001-08:00

Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign - Advert

2008-02-24T12:53:00.001-08:00

Big Nationals and Multinationals joining the Fairtrade Family

2008-02-24T11:54:00.001-08:00

On the very eve of the launch of the Fairtrade Fortnight we have seen Tate & Lyle, one of the world's largest sugar refiners, jump onto the Fairtrade bandwagon, joining other big names such as Sainsbury's and Starbucks, to mention but a few.

Sainsbury's only recently began using Fairtrade for its own products including the probably best bananas that I have eaten from them in a awhile, and that under their own white Basics label, at 99pence a bag. In addition to that not more than a couple of weeks ago they added their own brand, an old and longstanding one, Red Label tea to the list of Fairtrade certified own label products.

Sainsbury's was then, not long after, joined by Starbucks in them, that is Starbucks, offering some of their coffee as “Fairtrade certified”.

Call me a cynic, if you like, but I am asking myself as to what is going on.

While it is very good to see all those large nationals and multinationals, such as Sainsbury's, Tate & Lyle, Starbucks, and so on, join the Fairtrade family, and it can only be commended and we can only encourage others to follow suit, I am a little concerned that there is more to this than meets the eye. As I said, I am a cynic and always look for the hidden agenda and as to whether the wool is being pulled over the public, and here especially the consumer's eyes.

Let's look at one company in particular, namely Nestle, and here Nescafe. I do know that that instant Fairtrade certified coffee of theirs, which, by the way, is very good for a instant coffee and even someone like myself who only drinks instant if really forced to, so to speak, quite enjoyed it, has been around for a little while. The question, however, that I am asking, as the cynic that I am, is, why is not everything then of Nestle, coffee, chocolate, and what-have-you, Fairtrade? Is this just "greenwash", so to speak, and trying to throw sand into the eyes of the consumer? As a cynic I am suggesting that the reason Nescafe has jumped, whenever this was, onto the Fairtrade bandwagon, was in order to ease their conscience, and may be not even that. The bottom line is what they are interested in and therefore the hope is and was to add a little Fairtrade certificate here and there might get the consumer to look a different direction and, also, to actually cash in on the market share of the Fairtrade buying consumers. That, in my opinion, is what is behind the likes of Nescafe joining the Fairtrade bandwagon. The bottom line is all that counts for them, their bottom line, not that of some poor producer in some developing country. That is just window dressing.

I do not want to suggest that others are on the Fairtrade label for the same reason and companies such as Cafedirect who are a Fairtrade only, as far as I can see, company certainly could not be accused of such activities. However, one can but wonder as to the reasons of some of the large players on the national and multinational field. While I do not wish to suggest that Sainsbury's or Tate & Lyle, the latter who want to do all the sugar now as Fairtrade, are in the same league as those that only want to ease, as it would appear, their conscience by having some of their products under the Fairtrade label, I would still suggest that all of us keep a very close eye on all of those big players as to how they live up to what they have begun to promise us.

We, the media, who also are consumers, and all of you readers out there, can influence the companies' behavior in the field of fair trade for all and a decent living for all concerned. If, and it is shown that they do it, Sainsbury's can sell Fairtrade bananas under it's white Basics label at around the £1 mark or thereabouts and the Red Label tea that has gone under the Fairtrade label recently without increasing the price to we the consumer then others can also produce at an affordable price, especially the very large players in the various games, and give a decent return to the growers of the coffee beans, the tea leaves, the cocoa, the cotton, etc.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

Fairtrade Fortnight Launched

2008-02-24T11:48:00.000-08:00

London, Sunday 24, 2008 – Today saw the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 with a Fairtrade Fairground on the Southbank of the Thames in London.

The launch was well attended by the public, especially also due to the fact that it was taking place in a public thoroughfare, more or less, and there was lots of “passing trade” and it was well supported by various vendors and producers of Fairtrade labelled products.

The event also saw the launch of the Fairtrade certified “Berry Nutty” range of peanut snacks produced under the “Planters” label in the UK. More about the product itself in the Ethical Living Review shortly.

A very nice address was given by the BBC's George Alagiah that set the tone and scene as to what the Fairtrade Foundation and this Fortnight is all about, and which was very well received by all present.

The weather too held off with the forecast rain until later in the afternoon and initially the day was bright and even sunny at times. By early afternoon, however, the skies began to darken over and the wind made itself up a little more that before.

Nevertheless, I am sure, everyone had a great time and the Fairtrade Fortnight got well and truly launched.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

Tate & Lyle goes “Fairtrade”

2008-02-23T05:51:00.000-08:00

London, February 23, 2008 – Tate & Lyle, one of the largest sugar companies, has announced on the eve of the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight that it is producing sugar now under the Fairtrade label.

It is Tate & Lyle ambition to move its entire retail cane sugars range to Fairtrade, marking the largest ever switch to the ethical labelling scheme by any major UK food or drink brand.

It is reckoned that In the first year alone, the switch will create a return of at least £2 million in Fairtrade premiums for cane farmers.

The first product to be licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark will be Tate & Lyle Granulated White Cane Sugar, sourced from Belize; Tate & Lyle’s first accredited grower-partner, from whom it has purchased sugar for over 35 years.

The major scale of Tate & Lyle’s conversion to Fairtrade sugar has involved two years in planning. The company has worked in partnership with the UK-based Fairtrade Foundation and its international organisation to help cane farmers in Northern Belize meet Fairtrade standards. This includes working with the sole sugar processor in the country, Belize Sugar Industries, and over 6,000 smallholder farmers, represented by the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association.

Steven Hermiston from Tate & Lyle Sugars said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Tate & Lyle. Now, every time you buy a pack of Tate & Lyle Fairtrade cane sugar, farming communities will benefit. Over the years, these communities have been hit by higher input prices, changes in the EU market, not to mention challenges thrown up by natural disasters such as last year’s Hurricane Dean. Our commitment will help ensure a livelihood for farmers and the Fairtrade premium will be invested to improve their long-term prospects. We are only at the beginning of this journey but are ambitious to have all our retail cane sugar range bearing the FAIRTRADE Mark by the end of 2009.”

Fairtrade Foundation Executive Director Harriet Lamb comments: “Fairtrade is already making a big difference to the lives of more than seven million people in the developing world, but there are millions more we’d like to reach. In terms of size and scale, this is the biggest ever Fairtrade switch by a UK company and it’s tremendous this iconic UK brand is backing Fairtrade. We’d now like to encourage other companies of the same size and scale as Tate & Lyle to think actively about making a similar commitment. The more we can make Fairtrade the norm, the more its positive impact can be felt by farmers and their communities across the developing world.”

Giovanni Loria, Chairman of Corozal (district) Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, said: “Fairtrade is like a door to a great opportunity within our community. Investments in education will generate more opportunity and Fairtrade can help us build schools, health centres, clinics and much more. For us, Fairtrade is a new beginning.”

For more information visit: http://www.tasteandsmile-fairtrade.co.uk

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

The BoGo Light – Product Review

2008-02-10T05:04:00.001-08:00

The BoGo Light is a concept that brings light into the darkness, and here especially in the developing world, but not only there, as the BoGo Light is also great as an emergency light source.

I received the review sample of the cute orange BoGo Light in the beginning of February 2008 and due to the lack of sunlight in our areas at this time of the year to fully charge the light is a slight problems as, theoretically, it requires a full day of sunlight to fully charge the replaceable rechargeable batteries (three at, what I would assume to be, 1.2VDC each). Otherwise, however, the light is brilliant, literally, and this pun was, also, by the way, intended.

The first thing that I was taken with was the fact that when opening the battery compartment to install the three supplied Ni-cads that there was a proper waterproof seal present that stayed in place and resealed the compartment once the cover was screwed on again. Having had some bad experience with a cycle light that took water during rain and then having pointed out that the instructions state that the light must not become exposed to rain and wet it is rather refreshing to see those seal in this flashlight. Then again, we must not forget that Mark Bent, the CEO of SunNight Solar is a former Marine and we military guys know how things need to be in such cases.

While the BoGo Light may, primarily, be intended for Third World countries, oops, sorry, countries of the Developing World, this light would equally be useful and helpful for the Romani People who live in similar situations to those poor in Africa and India, and other such places, e.g. with no means of light other than candles, kerosene lanterns, or battery powered flashlights and, maybe, just maybe, a gasoline-powered generator. The latter is, however, often only an option for those that have a little more money. Personally, as a Rom myself, I would love to have the BoGo Light available for Romani NGOs to distribute to those of the community that could make good use of them.

In addition to this the BoGo Light is the ideal for general preparedness and for survival situations, whether floods, hurricanes, ice storms, or what-have-you. Even in the event of a “normal” power outage such a light would come in extremely handy. The light can sit, until it is needed, quietly, on the windowsill soaking up daylight and is therefore always charged and ready to go as and when needed for a number of hours without, like with wind-up lights, having to crank a handle every thirty minutes or so for around a minute. By no means am I trying to diminish the idea and invention and concept of the wind-up/dynamo charged lights, far from it; I am just stating a fact while making an observation. They equally have their place in this world as does the BoGo Light.

The term BoGo stands for Buy one – Give one, and it is this principle upon which the light is being sold. You buy one for US$ 25 plus shipping from SunNight Solar in Texas – only via their website – and another one will be sent to the charity of your choice in Africa or to US troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Having now had the unit here for a couple of days, and, having allowed it to get charged on the windowsill in our dull winter daylight plus from electric light in the evening at home I have been able to give it a little try and am very favorably impressed. The six LEDs are extremely bright and the light, with even the low powered charge that the Bogo Light could obtain from this very dull daylight around here, lasts for a number of hours. It would, I assume, require the real amount of sun hours to obtain the six hours or so of light from the BoGo Light.

All in all I can but recommend this light to anyone, and I mean anyone, however, those that are preparing for the eventuality of an emergency of whatever kind and for homesteaders and such the BoGo Light is a light that should be on the shopping list as a stand-by for the as and when or even for general daily use.

The BoGo Light is a scientific, eco-friendly breakthrough that is making an impact worldwide. From Cairo to Cape Town, from the Caribbean to the Amazon, it is improving the lives of individuals, families, and entire villages by replacing costly kerosene, candles, and disposable battery flashlights with an affordable, long lasting, solar flashlight. BoGo means Buy one, Give one. Mark Bent and SunNight Solar Ltd want their lights to benefit the less fortunate; therefore, with each light purchased in the developed world, a second identical light will be donated to an organization that will distribute it in the developing world with the company's direct financial support. Give the Gift of Light, and Help Change the World!

So, go to the website and buy one and donate one to a worthy cause, whether this is for some of the poor in the developing world (and maybe we could even get a Romani NGO equipped some day with those) or for the US troops serving abroad in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Erm, and, erm yes, before anyone suggests it I must admit, I have fallen in love with the BoGo Light.

Some more information as to the history and such of the BoGo Light shall also follow soon.

Reviewed by Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

ROLL UP FOR FAIRTRADE FUN THIS FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

2008-02-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Roll up, roll up!

Members of the public can enjoy a fairground with a difference at the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight 2008. The two-week annual campaign (25 Feb – 9 March) celebrating products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark kicks off with an action-packed event on London’s South Bank on Sunday 24th February 2008 (11am – 4pm).

A Fairtrade tea cup ride, a towering Helter Skelter, a Fairtrade coconut shy, candyfloss made with Fairtrade sugar and a Fairtrade fortune teller are just some of the games and activities that will be bringing all the fun of the fair to the South Bank. Organised by the Fairtrade Foundation and backed by organisations, charities and businesses that support or sell Fairtrade products, the day will give visitors the opportunity to sample some of the 3,000 Fairtrade items now certified and to learn more about Trade Justice. A series of talks by Fairtrade producers from countries around the world will give visitors a chance to meet the farmers and workers behind the products, and learn first-hand the difference that Fairtrade is making to their communities.

Fairtrade Foundation Executive Director Harriet Lamb said: “We hope that people roll up to join in the fairground fun, and learn about the serious message behind Fairtrade as well.

“Millions of farmers and workers are walking the delicate tightrope of international trade. When market prices wobble they risk falling into devastating poverty. Fairtrade offers them stability, so they have the confidence to look ahead and move towards a better future.”

All aboard!

Visitors will quite literally have the chance to jump aboard the Fairtrade movement at the event where the new Choose Fairtrade Bus will be launched. The specially adapted open-top campaign bus will set off from London on a grand tour of eight Fairtrade Towns and cities across the UK during the Fortnight, spreading the word about Fairtrade and calling on local people to Change Today, Choose Fairtrade - the theme of Fairtrade Fortnight 2008.

The Choose Fairtrade Bus will travel to Ipswich, Leeds, Sunderland, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Bristol. The bus will be the focus of interactive displays and activities, live music, discussions, competitions, and the opportunity to sample delicious Fairtrade products and meet Fairtrade producers. The bus experience will inform ‘passengers’ about Fairtrade, inspiring them to choose Fairtrade products in their daily shopping and give a better deal to disadvantaged producers.

Harriet Lamb continues: “Fairtrade is already making a big difference to the lives of more than seven million people in the developing world, but there are millions more we’d like to reach. 2007 was a phenomenal year of growth forFairtrade bananas, for example, with one in every five bananas bought from supermarkets now Fairtrade certified. On the other hand, this means four in five bananas still aren’t Fairtrade, and we’re determined to change those odds.

“With the Choose Fairtrade Bus we aim to drive change across the UK and we need as many people as possible to jump onboard!”

Local Fairtrade campaign groups in each location will be hosting high-profile events to complement the onboard activities. The tour is a new addition to Fairtrade Fortnight, the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual campaign which brings together producers, campaigners, retailers, licensees and NGOs in a nationwide effort to promote products arrying the FAIRTRADE Mark. Last year an estimated 10,000 separate activities and events took place during Fortnight, with everything from Fairtrade parades, concerts and debates to tea dances, fiestas, fashion shows and family days.

Inspiring reads

Two new books will hit the shelves in time for Fairtrade Fortnight, aimed at foodies and philosophers alike. The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook introduces a compilation of the nation’s best-loved Fairtrade recipes from chefs, celebrities and members of the public. Fighting the Banana Wars and other Fairtrade battles by Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, explores how Fairtrade has grown to become an important global movement that is revolutionising the way we shop.

The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook, edited by leading food writer and TV chef Sophie Grigson, pulls together mouthwatering new recipes using delicious Fairtrade ingredients. Containing over 150 recipes from Fairtrade supporters plus high-profile chefs and celebrities including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Antony Worrall Thompson, the book is a must for Fairtrade foodies everywhere. The Fairtrade Foundation teamed up with publisher Dorling Kindersley to source original recipes using Fairtrade ingredients from aspiring cooks across the UK through a public competition launched last Fairtrade Fortnight:

“In the pages of this book you will find recipes that have been contributed by a few of the burgeoning community of people who include Fairtrade ingredients in their daily diets. I know you will derive great pleasure from delving mongst them safe in the knowledge that you are making the world a better place”, said Sophie Grigson.

As well as showing readers how easy it is to eat Fairtrade foods every day and at every meal, the book introduces ndividual producers from around the world, giving an insight into how their communities have benefited from Fairtrade.

In Fighting the Banana Wars and Other Fairtrade Battles, published by Ebury, Harriet Lamb relives the dramatic campaigns and victories that have brought Fairtrade to where it is today. Harriet outlines the hurdles still to be overcome and shows what we can all do to help achieve global Fairtrade.

The annual Fairtrade Fortnight campaign is promoted by networks around the country including charities, trade unions, student groups, churches and other faith-based organisations. There are now more than 300 Fairtrade Towns and Cities across the UK, as well as 60 Fairtrade Universities reaching out to students, nearly 4,000 Fairtrade Churches and 35 Fairtrade Synagogues.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is the only independent consumer label that ensures farmers in developing countries receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow that covers the cost of sustainable production, as well as additional income for farmers and workers to invest in the future. Retail sales of Fairtrade certified products topped £290 million in 2006 and have grown 40% year-on-year over the past five years. Awareness levels of the FAIRTRADE Mark among the UK population reached their highest level last year at 57% (TNS Omnimas).

Fairtrade Fortnight - Advertisement

2008-02-08T08:14:00.001-08:00

BOGO LIGHT - Advertisement

2008-02-07T12:33:00.001-08:00