March 4: Hidden Wars of Desert Storm
A showing of the documentary film
Hidden Wars of Desert Storm followed by open discussion.
Longmont Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
March 17: Patriot Act
Join us for a video about Patriot Act II and a talk by
reporter, documentary film-maker and activist Doug Vaughan.
More details available.
Longmont Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Feb 4th 2003: The US Patriot Act and the Assault on our Civil Liberties How about joining 23 other cities in formally opposing the Patriot Act. Bill of Rights Defense Committee
December 18: Hidden Wars of Desert Storm
A showing of the documentary film
Hidden Wars of Desert Storm followed by open discussion.
Longmont Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Only six of us but it's STILL a good video.
October 23: Habitat for Humanity in Ethiopia
Jointly sponsored with
HFH, St. Vrain Valley.
Brenda Ruth, Deputy Director of Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia, will talk about her experiences and the challenges of building low-cost housing in Ethiopia. With a combination of slides and stories Brenda will share that houses are the means that Habitat builds communities and the long term effect of decent housing on this needy country. She will also give you ideas on how to participate in eliminating poverty housing at home and worldwide.
We had about 10 people. Brenda gave a slide show and discussed the difficulties of working to raise local funds (in addition to donations from the U.S.) in a developing country.
October 9: Campaign Finance Reform
Wednesday, October 9, 2002 7:00 p.m.
About 15 people came to hear about Proposition 27.
Ron Forthofer, Ph.D., Green Party candidate for Governor, will discuss his campaign and some of the important issues facing us today.
Dr. Forthofer will focus on
In summary, human need, not corporate greed!
About 25 people listened to Ron Forthofer explain his positions on the issues - univeral health care , election and political funding reform, and education. He also pointed out that a Green vote is not wasted but sends a message about the progressive needs of the state and the country.A 45 minute presentation was followed by about 40 minutes of lively questions and answers.
Consumerism and the Conpiracy of Forgetfulnesss:
Sweatshops in the new Corproate-managed Global Economy
A talk by Ann Krohn Rick, Longmont resident and activist.
Longmont Public Library meeting room west side
Question and answer to follow.
Free and open to the public.
About 15-20 people attended. The talk was centered on the sweat shop use particularly in the garment industry.
Long working hours 16-18 hours are not unusual because workers have to meet their production quotas and if that means long hours then that's what they do. Ann a video where the film maker managed to sneak in a factory which makes clothing and was able to interview some workers and have them talk about work conditions.
The major problem is the fact that the profit margins resulting from this practice are huge and paying workers adequate wages would not have a significant impact on retail prices. Ann made this point clear. Also the fact that CEO's are being paid obscene salaries when their products are being manufactured under those conditions makes it even more unethical and inhumane. She talked about the culture of forgetfulness and how sweat shops were also present in the US.
There were very good comments and questions from the audience. Ann made the point that there are campaigns to bring justice and dignity to those workers and encouraged people to join a campaign.
Middle East: Myths and Realities
A talk by Dr. Charles Beall, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Denver and our own Aref Nammari.
Longmont Public Library meeting room west side
Question and answer to follow.
Free and open to the public.
Dr. Beall presented some history of the region from the late 19th and early 20th century. Aref related the experience of himself and his relatives living under the Israeli occupation more recently. This talk was well attended: about 30-40 people, and a lively discussion followed.
What happens to democracy when corporations rule?
Come to a talk: "Globalization" -just what is it?
- Who wins? Who loses? How do decisions by multinational corporations
affect
YOU, and your community?
- Where do the environment and social justice fit in?
- What can we do?
Globalization has become a buzz-word of many meanings which depend on who says it and for what purpose. Bob Zimmerer, a retired physicist and long time student of the many components of Globalization, will share his understanding of who promotes it, who wins, and who loses.
A scientist at the Boulder Laboratories of the National Bureau of Standards for 5 years, Mr Zimmerer left to start one of the first high-tech companies in Boulder. He has two patents for products his company manufactured. He consulted for over 10 years at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver helping physicians develop noninvasive diagnostic tests.
After retiring from his company, Mr. Zimmerer continued some consulting and became active in civic matters which led him to investigate the myths and reality of how our economy functions
Join us for a talk by Robert Zimmerer. Some quotes from Robert:
"The driving force behind Globalization are Multinational Corporations. Corporations roam the world, defining their own goals, pursuing political and economic power, forming alliances among themselves and now under Globalization, forming a corporate world state in which Nation States are doing their bidding."
"The weapon of choice to achieve Globalization is money, financial power wielded to compel obedience to Multinational Corporate plans."
"Corporations are legal structures created under man-made laws, structures that can be changed. There is nothing preordained about their present role in human affairs."
Longmont Public Library meeting room west side
Question and answer to follow.
Free and open to the public.
Are you furious about the state of health care in our country? Come join us for a talk by Bruce Robinson
As the health care crisis continues to worsen in this country and in Colorado, it is important to learn more about our health care "system."
Must we continue to pay more and more for less and less?
Can the price of drugs be reduced?
Is it possible to choose your medical care provider?
Can small businesses survive and still cover their employees?
Is there an alternative to this sick situation?
Mr. Robinson will give a brief presentation that will address these and other questions.
Where: Longmont Public Library meeting room west side
Question and answer to follow.
Free and open to the public.
Sat. 3/16. Alan Rosenfeld spoke at the Longmont Senior Center, 3:15 p.m. He is the social justice democratic candidate for the new 11 th congressional district and Leona Stoecker (republican) is running against him. He has been a lawyer in Boulder
website: http://www.alanrosenfeld.com/
Longmont Public Library conference room
"To Baghdad and Back"
How a local peace activist, who has been to Iraq twice in the last ten
years, views the impending war against Iraq.
Dan Winters commented on the 20 minute video
"Silent Weapon" and spoke about his visits to Iraq and Palestine.
Question/Answer session to follow
Free and open to the public.
We had about 30 people. Disucssion also covered the Israeli invasion of Palestine. Iraq: Sanctions--The Silent Weapon
" Sanctions are war! They are the most brutal form of war because they punish an entire population, targeting children, the future, most of all. Sanctions are a weapon of mass destruction. From 1990, when sanctions were imposed on Iraq until 1995, half a million children under the age of five died of malnutrition and preventable diseases. Sanctions impose artificial famine. A third of Iraq's surviving children today have stunted growth and nutritional deficiencies that will deform their shortened lives."
Dan works with Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace
Sponsored by Longmont Citizens for Justice and Democracy.
More Info: 303-678-1801