From: Barbara Deutsch
Subject: Re: Remembering Hiroshima ,
rec'd this from Western States Legal Foundation <wslfweb.org> where you can
also find Hiroshima-Nagasaki action alert (which lists August 9 as a
national call-in day); same alert/leaflet posted with UFPJ statement of
solidarity sent to Hiroshima and Nagsaki here:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2517
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2516
The City of Hiroshima
PEACE DECLARATION
August 6, 2004
"Nothing will grow for 75 years." Fifty-nine years have passed since the
August sixth when Hiroshima was so thoroughly obliterated that many
succumbed to such doom. Dozens of corpses still bearing the agony of that
day, souls torn abruptly from their loved ones and their hopes for the
future, have recently re-surfaced on Ninoshima Island, warning us to beware
the utter inhumanity of the atomic bombing and the gruesome horror of war.
Unfortunately, the human race still lacks both a lexicon capable of fully
expressing that disaster and sufficient imagination to fill the gap. Thus,
most of us float idly in the current of the day, clouding with
self-indulgence the lens of reason through which we should be studying the
future, blithely turning our backs on the courageous few.
As a result, the egocentric world-view of the U.S. government is reaching
extremes. Ignoring the United Nations and its foundation of international
law, the U.S. has resumed research to make nuclear weapons smaller and more
"usable." Elsewhere, the chains of violence and retaliation know no end:
reliance on violence-amplifying terror by North Korea, among others, buying
into the worthless policy of "nuclear insurance" are salient symbols of our
times.
We must perceive and tackle this human crisis within the context of human
history. In the year leading up to the 60th anniversary, which begins a
new cycle of rhythms in the interwoven fabric that binds humankind and
nature, we must return to our point of departure, the unprecedented A-bomb
experience. In the coming year, we must sow the seeds of new hope and
cultivate a strong future-oriented movement.
To that end, the city of Hiroshima, along with the Mayors for Peace of 611
member cities in 109 countries and regions, hereby declares the period
beginning today and lasting until August 9, 2005, to be a Year of
Remembrance and Action for a Nuclear-Free World. Our goal is to bring forth
a beautiful "flower" for the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings,
namely, the total elimination of all nuclear weapons from the face of the
Earth by the year 2020. Only then will we have truly resurrected hope for
life on this "nothing will grow" planet.
The seeds we sow today will sprout in May 2005. At the Review Conference
for the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to be held
in New York, the Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons will bring
together cities, citizens, and NGOs from around the world to work with
like-minded nations toward adoption of an action program that incorporates,
as an interim goal, the signing in 2010 of a Nuclear Weapons Convention to
serve as the framework for eliminating nuclear weapons by 2020.
Around the world, this Emergency Campaign is generating waves of support.
This past February, the European Parliament passed by overwhelming majority
a resolution specifically supporting the Mayors for Peace campaign. At its
general assembly in June, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, representing 1183
U.S. cities, passed by acclamation an even stronger resolution.
We anticipate that Americans, a people of conscience, will follow the lead
of their mayors and form the mainstream of support for the Emergency
Campaign as an expression of their love for humanity and desire to discharge
their duty as the lone superpower to eliminate nuclear weapons.
. . . .
The Japanese government, as our representative, should defend the Peace
Constitution, of which all Japanese should be proud, and work diligently to
rectify the trend toward open acceptance of war and nuclear weapons
increasingly prevalent at home and abroad. We demand that our government
act on its obligation as the only A-bombed nation and become the world
leader for nuclear weapons abolition, generating an anti-nuclear tsunami by
fully and enthusiastically supporting the Emergency Campaign led by the
Mayors for Peace. We further demand more generous relief measures to meet
the needs of our aging hibakusha, including those living overseas and those
exposed in black rain areas.
Rekindling the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we pledge to do everything
in our power during the coming year to ensure that the 60th anniversary of
the atomic bombings will see a budding of hope for the total abolition of
nuclear weapons. We humbly offer this pledge for the peaceful repose of all
atomic bomb victims.
Tadatoshi Akiba, Mayor
The City of Hiroshima
***
Things being somewhat equal I opt for essays by mainstream sources.
They are always deeply concerned with mass appeal and reflect that
which will not disaffect their base of profit. In Time's case, on a
national
level. This article is well-written, strong and incisive. Thanks again to
RSN, the newbie on the internet. Read along with folks in Iowa.
.
Ed
From: ReaderSupportedNews
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 9:33 AM
Why California's Gay Marriage Ban Was Struck Down
"Instead of 'gay marriage,' said US District Judge Vaughn Walker in a
138-page ruling, there is just marriage - and everybody is entitled to it,
no matter what gender they and their would-be spouse happen to be."
By Michael A. Lindenberger
TimeMag.com:Thursday, Aug. 05, 2010
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