Re: [MAPC-policy] revised city resolution

Re: [MAPC-policy] revised city resolution

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-10-27

it's me in your in box again...

> I've been thinking that a compromise on THAT might be to specifically
condemn
> the use of cluster bombs (on which score we can cite really unimpeachable
> sources like the ICRC and Princess Diana's Anti-Mine Fund ;) ) and
generally
> voices skepticism about the effect of bombing on the humanitarian
situation.

... only if we can get Elton John to introduce the resolution...

>>> WHEREAS,    70 percent of these people are women and children, and the
UN
>>> estimates 400,000 children under five will likely die this year, an
increase
>>> of over 30 percent from last year; and
>
> I don't think I like this phrasing, because it requires one to do a
> calculation.
>
> Instead: "UNICEF estimates 100,000 more children under the age of five
will
> die
> this winter than did last winter, and increase of more than 30 percent;
and" ?
>

I agree that it's better to make the number explicit...

>>>
>>> WHEREAS,     food aid shipments have been disrupted due to security
concerns
>>> around U.S. military actions in Afghanistan; and
>
> This would be an opportunity to mention bombing obliquely, if we so chose.
>

Isn't it already?  We could replace "military actions" with "bombing
campaign", but I don't see too much difference between the two.

> If we really wanted to give this resolution some sting (particularly
assuming
> that it might in fact get a bit of national press) we could finish this
off
> this a declaration like:
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the people of Madison, in solidarity with the
> international community and in their capacity as citizens of the United
> States,
> will hold the Government of the United States responsible for both the
> direct consequences of its military policy in Afghanistan and the results
of
> indifference to the priority of our humanitarian concerns.
>
> I don't think that's entirely clear, but I like it as a way to
unambiguously
> push
> on what I think will be a more vulnerable spot on the administration's
belly
> (the
> prioritization of humanitarian concerns) than condemning the bombing per
se.
> It
> also emphasizes the responsiblity we have, as citizens, to assert our
moral
> rights
> over the administration of our government, and emphasizes the distinction
> between
> the Government of the United States, and the citizenry of the United
States.

I support adding another clause along these lines (although I'd vote for
"considering" the government responsible instead of "holding" them
responsible - holding them responsible infers we'd DO something, which we
really can't, unless we can get the city to secede, which would be SO
great... I'd also suggest "military policy" be changed to "military actions"
and the last bit to "results of U.S. government indifference to the priority
of humanitarian concerns in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.").

Realistically, for the resolution to pass the Council, we'll have to either
water this clause down or take it out.  But I don't think there's anything
wrong with starting with something a bit more challenging and then adapting
it to the political reality.  And people in MAPC will love this clause.  In
all fairness, when we present the resolution to MAPC, we should let them
know that it's likely to be revised after we get input from Council members,
and get a sense of what sort of revisions they'd support.

-X

PS- I haven't raved in at least 5 years.
____________________________________________
X
East Timor Action Network field organizer   ETAN field office
Social Justice Center
office 608-663-5431                         1202 Williamson St
cell 608-347-4598                           Madison, WI 53703
home 608-255-4598                           fax 608-227-0141

Check out these internet sites!
the East Timor Action Network/US http://www.etan.org
Madison, WI - East Timor projects http://www.aideasttimor.org
Madison's Social Justice Center http://www.socialjusticecenter.org

"We struggled for more than 24 years for independence. We've learned the
lesson that even small people have a voice."
    -East Timorese leader Mari Alkatiri, during the August 30, 2001
Constituent Assembly vote

Saturday, October 27, 2001 6:28 PM

Re: [MAPC-policy] revised city resolution