Gaza Strip 2009 - some voices across the Internet

(December 18 2008) -- US Central Intelligence Agency information about Gaza -- High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external security controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA)- even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifada in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed to address security concerns in Israel, disrupted labor and trade access to and from the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offered some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, but continued Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive after Hamas violently took over the territory in June 2007, have resulted in widespread private sector layoffs and shortages of most goods.

(December 28) -- Jewish Voice for Peace joins millions around the world, including the 1,000 Israelis who protested in the streets of Tel Aviv this weekend, in condemning ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza. We call for an immediate end to attacks on all civilians, whether Palestinian or Israeli.

(January 2 2009) -- Amnesty International calls on Israeli forces to immediately halt the unlawful attacks carried out as part of the escalation of violence which has caused over 400 Palestinian deaths and 2000 injuries since Dec. 27. Amnesty International also condemns the rocket fire by armed Palestinian groups including Hamas which resulted in 4 Israeli deaths with several dozen injured. This is the highest level of Palestinian fatalities and casualties in four decades of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Scores of unarmed civilians, as well as police personnel who were not directly participating in the hostilities, are among the Palestinian victims of the Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip....

(January 5) -- Code Pink Women for Peace In similar situations around the world, civilians caught in the midst of conflict would have the option of seeking safety in neighboring countries as refugees. Gazans have no such option, as both Israel and Egypt restrict access for Palestinians to their territory. They are trapped.... Some 300 babies are born every day in Gaza, but pregnant women are being forced to deliver outside hospitals as all available beds are reserved for war injuries and other emergency cases....

(January 5) -- The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross has said that wounded people are dying while waiting for ambulances in the Gaza Strip.The Swiss-run ICRC, guardian of the Geneva Conventions on humanitarian law, said late on Monday that as the number of casualties continued to rise, it was focusing on arranging safe passage for Palestine Red Crescent ambulances, which collect the wounded and transport them to hospitals.

(January 6) -- Save the Children strongly protests the continued violence in Gaza that has now claimed the lives of more than 100 children. "Recent attacks on two United Nations shelters set up for families forced from their homes in Gaza have killed additional innocent children and family members", said Annie Foster, who heads Save the Children's emergency response in the region. "This crisis continues to have an enormously devastating impact on children and families, many of whom have left their homes and have no safe place to go. We are calling on the Israeli government and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire, if only for the sake of the children. The international community also needs to urgently accelerate its efforts to bring about an end to hostilities."

(January 6) -- AUSTRALIA'S largest telecommunications provider says it won't charge for phone calls to the Gaza Strip, but the offer could be in vain as the region's telecommunication services teeter on the verge of collapse in the face of the military assault by Israeli forces. Israel began its attack on Gaza on December 27 after Hamas had declared an end to a shaky six-month truce between the two sides. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed during the campaign.
Telstra says it will offer free phone calls for more than a week to the affected area. The offer applies to calls with the 0011 970 8 area code and is valid from January 7-15.

(January 6) -- Queen Rania of Jordan, Israel's immediate neighbour, says the deaths of Gaza's children are unacceptable. "The children of Gaza, the dead and the barely living, their mothers, their fathers, are not acceptable collateral damage," she said. "Their lives do matter. Their loss does count. They are not divisible from our universal humanity. No child is. No civilian is." UNICEF says the children of Gaza are being denied fundamental human rights, like protection from violence and access to education and healthcare.

(January 7) YNet News -- Following the international criticism following the Israel Defense Forces strike near a United Nations school in Jabalya, which left dozens of people killed, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday night announced the opening of a "humanitarian corridor" for the Gaza Strip. According to the announcement, areas in the Strip would be opened for limited periods of time to allow the Palestinian population to equip itself and receive aid.

Photo found at SwissInfo

We haven't forgotten you, Mr. Monsanto

It has been a while since North Coast Voices ran a post on Monsanto, the US-based biotech giant which dominates around 95 per cent of the global genetically modified seed market.

Here are some recent items:

Gene-altered crop studies grow

Labs move beyond corn and soybeans into rice, wheat

Worst Companies in the World: US, Monsanto, Peabody and Barrick

The United States was voted the Worst Company in the World, followed by Monsanto, Peabody Energy Corp. and Barrick Gold

Monsanto acts quickly to resolve harvest mistake
Monsanto Co. has claimed responsibility and pledged "to take appropriate actions," to prevent experimental cotton and cottonseed from entering the marketplace as either fiber, livestock feed or oil products.

Anger over first large-scale GM canola trial

OPPONENTS of a commercial trial of genetically modified canola in WA say there is no guarantee the 1000 hectare operation can be contained.

The State Government announced yesterday that 20 farmers would be involved next year in WA's first large-scale trial of GM canola.

It will be carried out by global seed and pesticide giant Monsanto, the Department of Agriculture and Food in WA and private grain carrier Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH).

MADGE Mothers Are Demystifying Genetic Engineering

MADGE is a network of individuals interested in how our food is grown and the effects it has on our health. We are concerned about the lack of adequate labelling and testing of GM foods.
We advocate on behalf of consumers for the right to know what is in our food. We promote information on natural foods and healthy farming practices.
Click here to receive our weekly newsletter.

Historical photograph found at Google Images.

* This post is part of North Coast Voices' effort to keep Monsanto's blog monitor (affectionately known as Mr. Monsanto) in long-term employment.

Gans and Quiggin on climate change and emissions trading

Before the last federal election Joshua Gans and John Quiggin made a submission to the Prime Ministerial Task Group on Emissions Trading.

Put simply, when there is uncertainty, action should be taken if the risks outweigh the costs. Scientific uncertainty has been diminished. The critical feature of this is not that the extreme risks have been revised but that the probability that no significant change will occur has been revised downwards; arguably to zero. That means that the possible upside associated with doing nothing has been eliminated only making the case stronger for action. Those who focus purely on the most extreme risks and their likelihood miss the point. The case for action is compelled by the fact that it is now clear that change is occurring.

This submission has an excellent section giving a brief history of climate change theory, science and disinformation campaigns.

PDF copy of submission here.

That tinnie Malcolm Turnbull!

There's a site called Website Outlook which will quote a dollar value on websites indexed by the large search engines.
I've just run the Federal Leader of the Opposition's own www.malcolmturnbull.com.au through the mix and Truffles' little blog is worth around US$5635.6 in today's values.
His sidekick, Deputy-Leader Julie Bishop's www.julie-bishop.com is priced at an estimated US$2000.2 and Nationals Federal MP for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker's website is worth about US$1679.
By contrast the Labor Federal MP for Page Janelle Saffin's site www.janellesaffin.com.au is only worth around US$146.
The Nationals State MP for Clarence doesn't get a look in as he has opted for what appears to be a hosted page and is therefore worth nothing on the market it seems.
However, the major Aussie blogs beat the pollies hands down with Club Troppo coming in at US$5978.7, and Larvatus Prodeo at a whopping US$14381 to name two examples.

Did you hear the one about the chamber of commerce?

Something you don't hear all that often.

A certain Clarence Valley chamber of commerce has got itself in such a fix that it has apparently allowed its incorporation to lapse, doesn't remember exactly how many financial members it has and, is in the rather strange position of being financially viable but otherwise up the creek without a paddle when it comes to effectively representing local business in the town.

Australia Day 2008 celebrations on the NSW North Coast

"Australia Day, January 26, is the biggest day of celebration in the country and is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories.

On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future." http://www.australiaday.com.au/

In the Clarence Valley:

Whoever you are, wherever you live, you are invited to CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA DAY IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBOURHOOD by hosting a BBQ in your backyard, street, cul de sac or park and Council will pick up the bill.

This Australia Day, we are taking the party to your door - you just need to stick your hand up with a "I'll have one of those mate".

I'm in - how do I get the snags?

To apply for a BBQ package, call Council's Events Coordinator on 6645 0229, email edu@clarence.nsw.gov.au or download an application form from clarence.nsw.gov.au before 7 January 2009. BE QUICK, limited number of packages available. Individuals, households and community groups based in the Clarence Valley are all welcome to apply.

So have some fun in the sun with your neighbourhood on Australia Day, while the snags sizzle, the hamburgers fry and the backyard cricket shouts howzat!..........

A casual yet sophisticated and joyous celebration, honouring all the 45 amazing nominees for the Australia Day Awards.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Grafton Community Centre and celebrate with our worthy citizens and their family and friends between 12 noon and 3pm on Monday 26 Janaury 2008 at the Grafton Community Centre, Duke Street, Grafton.

At Ballina:

It's a double celebration…. Australia Day and the Ballina Bowling Club Centenary Celebrations!
Join us on Monday 26 January in Hampton Park (Moon & Bentinck Sts) between 9am and 5pm and help us celebrate all things Oz.
The day kick starts at 9am with a special breakfast... so get here early! At 10am the official award and citizenship ceremonies will get underway.
After the official ceremony, grab the kids and don't miss the fun of the jumping castle, merry-go-around and ferris wheel. If they love animals and reptiles then head over to Old McDonald's Farm and Reptile Park and delight in their squeals of delight as they get to know the animals and reptiles a little better.
Relax and sit back and tap your toes to the live entertainment from Fossil Rock and enjoy aboriginal dancers, rock 'n' roll dancers and individual buskers and performers vying for your attention.
A number of food vans including the Lions Club BBQ and a licensed drink tent will be available on the day to satisfy your Aussie thirst and hunger pains.

At Tweed Heads:

Held at Uki Sports Club House, Kyogle Road, Uki this Australia Day Celebrations begins at 10.30am with Musical Entertainment by Ian Holston & Ayesha Gough followed by an Official Program with speeches by the Australia Day Ambassador and Federal and State Members, and the presentation of the Australia Day Awards.
Councillor Joan van lieshout, Mayor of Tweed will then conduct the Citizenship Ceremony. Finishing around 12.30pm with the singing of the National Anthem and a light lunch.

In the Richmond Valley:

A community celebrations with attractions to surprise any age.
Enjoy good food, music, markets and activities for the whole family between 10am and 3pm on Monday 26 January.
Staged in and around the New Italy Museum on the Pacific Highway just south of Woodburn.

At Coffs Harbour:

The official Coffs Harbour celebrations this Australia Day started with a Flag-raising Ceremony at the cenotaph in Vernon Street at 8.30am, followed by a Citizenship Ceremony inside the Coffs Ex-Services Club, after which the 2008 Australia Day Awards were presented to the winners by Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades.
At the Citizenship Ceremony, 59 residents of Coffs Harbour coming from 18 different countries became Australian citizens by pledging allegiance to Australia. Each was presented with their certificate of Australian citizenship and a gift. Read more about citizenship ceremonies here.

Obama and Biden promise but others deliver

Obama and Biden are promising that they "will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty and hunger around the world in half by 2015, and they will double our foreign assistance to achieve that goal. This will help the world's weakest states build healthy and educated communities, reduce poverty, develop markets, and generate wealth."
So what will that mean?
An increase in foreign aid as a percentage of US Gross National Product from around 22% of one per cent to 44% of one per cent?
With most of it targeted to flow into Iraq or Afghanistan and out again in the pockets of American corporations?
Well whoopee.......the US might just retain its position as second last within DAC for this statistic.

Think we Aussies with a population of only about 21 million do a bit better than that in percentage terms.
According to the OECD:
"Australia has made substantial, positive changes to its aid programme since 2004, reinforcing its focus on reducing poverty, on promoting the MDGs, and completely untying its aid programme. Its aid volume was USD 2.67 billion in 2007, representing 0.32% of its gross national income (GNI). Australia has committed to contributing 0.5% of its GNI to official development assistance (ODA) by 2015/16."

Of course the sheer size of the American economy up to 2007 has meant that the US was at, or near, the top of the table for total of actual dollars contributed when you include its debt forgiveness to countries it unlawfully invaded, politically destabilised etc., and its low-interest loans.

Aid at a Glance charts for all donor countries are found here.