MC USA Convention in Columbus, Ohio

June 30, 2009

Mennonite Church USA is hosting its semi annual convention in Columbus, Ohio this week (June 30-July 5).  MCC’s Washington Office will be leading several workshops throughout the event:

July 1, 6:15 Peacebuilding in Palestine/Israel (Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach and Tim Seidel) Room C115

July 2, 4:15 Colombia: Faith and Hope Amidst Conflict (Theo Sitther) Room D233

July 3 and July 4, 1:45 (Youth) The United States: “A country of immigrants” or “A country under siege”? (Tammy  Alexander and  Saulo Padilla) Room E151

July 4, 1:45 and 4:15 (Youth) Middle East 101: Beyond the News (Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach and Tim Seidel)           Room C124/125

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Posted by Mary Stata

Capital Quote 6/30/2009

June 30, 2009
Melissa Engle/MCC

Melissa Engle/MCC

Arrests need to be made immediately of known rapists and war criminals at the highest levels.  The United Nations must stop supporting military actions, because they are doomed in Congo.  And the root economic causes of the war need to be addressed with the leaders of countries in Africa’s Great Lakes region who commit violence to reap benefits from Congo’s minerals, as well as their Western corporate partners.  They, too, are liable for these atrocities.

- Eve Ensler, playwright and activist, urging action to end gender based violence in eastern Cogo.  Read the article here.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Capital Quotes | Permalink
Posted by Mary Stata

AFRICOM Working to Counter Terrorism

June 29, 2009

Established in 2007, AFRICOM is the US military command devoted to Africa.  AFRICOM was the source of much controversy following its inception, due to concerns over US interests in oil reserves and increasing military aid to African countries.  A recent NPR report featured an interview with General William Ward, the head of AFRICOM.   The report highlights AFRICOM’s efforts to counter terrorism on the continent and details recent military aid to Somalia.

Mennonite Central Committee continues to advocate for policies that improve the lives of the impoverished and disempowered in Africa, rather than policies that increase military might.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Militarism | Permalink
Posted by Mary Stata

Climate Bill Passes House 219-212

June 26, 2009

Earlier this evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy & Security Act, HR 2454, a bill to address climate change and promote renewable energy.  According to the New York Times:

The vote was the first time either house of Congress had approved a bill intended to curb the heat-trapping gases scientists have linked to climate change, and its provisions could lead to sweeping changes in many sectors of the American economy, including electric power generation, agriculture, manufacturing and construction. The House vote also establishes a marker for the United States when international negotiations on a new global climate change treaty begin later this year.

Read the full article here.

Leave a Comment » | Environment, Legislative Updates, News Stories | Permalink
Posted by Tammy Alexander

Health care for all?

June 25, 2009

Tammy Alexander wrote on the personal impact of health care reform in a PeaceSigns article, sharing about her sister’s experiences with a chronic condition and reflecting how health care reform may affect the lives and  concerns of millions of people.

I spoke with my sister recently to get her thoughts on health care reform. She is not a health care provider. She doesn’t work for an insurance company or a pharmaceutical manufacturer. No one would consider her an ‘expert’ on health care policy. However, she knows more about how the health care system actually works than anyone else I know.

My sister raised several concerns about the reforms being bandied about in the news–concerns I hear echoed by many others. If there were an individual mandate, requiring everyone to have health insurance, how would she afford the premiums? Would her premiums be higher due to her preexisting illness? Would the bureaucracy for getting subsidized health insurance be as problematic for her as wading through the Medicare morass?

The decisions made in the next few months will affect millions of people, many of whom will not have a voice in the debate. Let’s make sure that policymakers hear the voices of everyone who has a stake in the process–and not just those who stand to profit from it.

The full article is available at PeaceSigns.

Leave a Comment » | Health Care, Issues, U.S. Economic Justice | Permalink
Posted by dfoxvog

Climate Bill Vote Soon

June 25, 2009

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, H.R. 2454, as early as tomorrow. The bill, as written, is far from perfect, but is an important first step toward addressing climate change. MCC is supporting the bill but asking representatives to strengthen many provisions – particularly those which will affect low-income communities in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, and to send a letter to your representative, see this action alert.

Leave a Comment » | Action Alerts, Environment, Legislative Updates | Permalink
Posted by Tammy Alexander

TRADE Act Introduced

June 25, 2009
Noe Reyes Navarrete helps to plow the family field outside Teticic, Mexico. (Matthew Lester/MCC)

Noe Reyes Navarrete helps to plow the family field outside Teticic, Mexico. (Matthew Lester/MCC)

On June 24 Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME) along with 105 original co-sponsors reintroduced the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act (H.R. 3012). The TRADE Act was first introduced last year as a way to offer an alternative to current U.S. trade policy.

“This is an exciting day for trade policy,” said Michaud.  “Last year, we had 74 cosponsors of the TRADE Act and this year we have 106.  Members are sick and tired of being against trade agreements and they want to stand for something.  I have no doubt the number of cosponsors have increased because the American people are demanding a new course on trade. The TRADE Act is a tremendous step forward in the debate and could help shape the future of our trade policies.”

The TRADE Act offers a way forward to reform U.S. trade policy, which is often guided by narrow national self-interest, which translates into seeking the interests of U.S.-based capital, corporations and agribusinesses. This has had a detrimental impact on poor communities all over the world. Millions of family farmers have lost their livelihoods, their lands and have been forced to migrate. Trade policies must work to advance the common good rather than the interests of a few.

Click here for more information on the TRADE Act (H.R. 3012).

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Posted by Theo Sitther

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