4 Mar 2005: The Power of One: Coca Cola Stopped by Eight Peace Activists
It has been an inspiring week. Reading Dietrich Fischer's article "We Can Help Create A Better World" shows us that individuals can make a huge difference in the world, for instance by motivating the abolishment of the army in Haiti or informing the public of the US Government's true policies during the Vietnam War. Today I was also inspired by the group of peace activists who non-violently stopped truckloads of Coca Cola from leaving the factories in Bristol, UK. Demonstrating against Coca Cola's infamous involvement in the death of trade unionists in Colombia and environmental degradation in India, in addition to all other crimes against humanity in which Coca Cola has been implied, a small group of individuals successfully stopped the TNC giant. Read more in Peace News. Some good links on what Coke is doing are killercoke.org, cokewatch.org and indiaresource.org
26 Feb 2005: Norwegian Peace Efforts Financed by Arms Sales?
I am so ashamed. Terrified. In disgust. The Norwegian daily Dagsavisen reports today that Norway, according to the UN, is the world’s sixth largest exporter of arms. By selling billions of kroner worth of weapons, tanks and ammunition to Spain, Turkey, Thailand, the US, the UK, Australia, Tanzania and others, Norway can surely finance its peace work in Sri Lanka and Sudan... A reminder to Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, a dedicated priest: Weapons are used to kill or maim people. Even in “defense”, that is what weapons are made for. Perhaps it is time for confession?
26 Feb 2005: The Hipocrisy or Ignorance of Bush Protesters
We have seen millions of people all over the world protesting against George W. Bush and the foreign policy of the Bush Administration. At the same time, many of these very same protesters continue paying for Bush’s election campaign. Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Exxon/Esso, Kraft, Philip Morris (Marlboro), Chevron and McDonalds all contributed financially to the re-election of Bush. Consumerism is responsibility. Your money is a vote. Find an alternative. And do not complain about Bush if you ever touch a Coke, a Pepsi, a Marlboro cigarette or eat at McDonalds. Your money elected him. (Read more on www.boycottbush.org)
24 Feb 2005: Increasing gap between rich and poor in Egalitarian Norway
Sadly, I read in Norwegian papers today that women continue earning less than men and that the richest 10 percent of Norway’s population increased their salaries by 40 percent from 1997 to 2004, while the poorest 10 percent only had an 18 per cent increase. In this wonderful, egalitarian society the gap between rich and poor is increasing. Oh, and did I mention that we have a Conservative coalition government which specialises in privatisation and tax cuts for the wealthy? A point of minor importance...
20 Feb 2005: Culture of Peace no priority for Norway
At least my Government replied when I sent an e-mail asking how they would contribute to the debate Kofi Annan calls for on a Culture of Peace in September. In their e-mail, they stated that Norway is already doing so much to promote the principles of a culture of peace that it would be too time-consuming to write a report. Fair enough. Efficiency. And at least they are coherent, too. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Norway did not want the UN to fund a special Culture of Peace programme. Very coherent – as they have also cut funding for the main peace organisations in Norway. No contradiction, whatsoever.