Volume 5 Issue 8…Dedicated to the Dialogue on Race…March 1, 2002

by Yohannes Sharriff Smith

Standing on the shore of reality,

I observe with impaired vision.

Eyes curved with the salt and heat of experience,

slightly blurred,

the vision is never quite able

to focus totally on absolute truth.

In a world colored shades of gray,

truth is point of view.

It is a sunset,

no matter where you are.

You see its beauty,

but for every place you stand

you see a different picture.

Bit of History

Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests the Ogoni have inhabited Africa's Niger Delta for at least 500 years. Their origins are not well known. One theory suggests they migrated to the region from across the Imo River. A second theory is they came in boats from Ghana and settled here. Adherents of this theory suggest the name by which most Ogoni refer to themselves (Khana) is a pointer to their Ghana origins.

An agrarian people, the Ogoni established an organized social system under a monarchy in which men and women of courage and ability enjoyed a special status. During the slave trade, Ogoniland lay on the slave route from the hinterland to the coastal slave markets. However, no Ogoni man or woman was taken as a slave. Ogoni customs and tradition forbid marriage with a neighbor, except the Ibibio. This allowed them to live in relative isolation during the slave trade era. When other forms of trade were introduced into the region in the second half of the 19th century, weapons were purchased and wars became the order of the day.

After the Berlin Treaty of 1885, Nigeria came under British colonial rule, but it was not until 1901 that British forces arrived in Ogoniland. Cultural differences led to Ogoni resistance, but they were not strong enough to defeat the British and were finally subjugated in 1914. The British saw Nigeria in terms of three major ethnic groups: the Hausa-Fulani, the Yoruba and the Igbo, thereby ignoring more then 250 smaller groups, including the Ogoni. The Ogoni people were regarded with contempt by all other Delta region groups and were often relegated to the bottom of the social ladder.

In 1958 Shell Oil Company struck oil in Ogoniland. This discovery set in motion a process that dramatically altered not only Ogoni society, but Nigeria as a whole. Formally an agrarian nation that exported products, such as peanuts and cotton, today, oil makes up more than 90% of Nigerian export earnings and 80% of government revenue. Oil controls Nigeria's economy. The land of the Niger Delta is the source of over 90% of that oil. For the Ogoni, the environmental and social costs of oil exploitation are painfully high. To organize their protests against the land's degradation, in 1990, they established the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP). MOSOP's first president was the well-known Nigerian writer and poet Ken Saro-Wiwa.

In 1993, Shell withdrew from Ogoniland, because of the local community's opposition to its activities. Later that year, Shell returned under the protection of the Nigerian military. The Ogoni's protests against building another pipeline were answered with gunfire. In February 1995, after months of detention, Saro-Wiwa and other leaders were brought before a special military tribunal and hanged on November 10, 1995. (Source: Http://www.unpo.org/member/ogoni/ogoni.html)

by nopossesion1@yahoo.com

Capitalism depends on the uncritical acceptance of dishonest politics in order to gain your consent to the legalized robbery of wage-slavery.

Caught in the trap of dishonest politics, we can only expect the circus of opportunistic politicians to bury our ambitions and aspirations under a glut of misery and deprivation with their empty rhetoric. This simply means the fat cats share among themselves the wealth we create, while we are left to make the dismal comparison between existence and survival.

Fear comes from insecurity, both emotional and physical. Insecurity is the inescapable lot of the wage-slave. The constant threat of unemployment, repossession, homelessness and related problems are persistent reminders of the profit system's instability. Global search for profitable markets totally disregards the indigenous victims and the environmental consequences of a quick buck economy.

Let us get one thing clear: this state of affairs will continue unless we are prepared to withdraw our support for the profit system of global exploitation and everything connected with it. This entails putting no trust in leaders, whatever their political colors. It means recognizing that capitalism can only benefit the minority owners of wealth, and that the working class majority is expected to scramble over the scraps.

It will mean taking political control and replacing the profit system with one based on need, not greed. It will mean establishing a society of free access globally, with production for use - so resources are conserved and recycled - not wasted in the pursuit of short-term expediencies. It will mean placing all social and natural resources under the democratic control of society as a whole. It will mean a revolution...

About Me: Student/part-time worker living in London, I am a member of the Socialist Party of Great Britain. Our companion party in the USA is the World Socialist Party USA on the web at www.worldsocialism.org.

Post 9-11, most disabled, poor and elderly Americans on fixed incomes are experiencing a perilous existence. Employment opportunities shriveled like "A Raisin in the Sun." Applying for energy assistance is one way some Americans make it through the cold season. Although Georgia experienced relatively few very cold days, when the thermometer hovers in the thirties and forties, even with extra clothing, heat is required.

Energy assistance, as everything else in Georgia, is a scam. Politicians use the program to funnel money to supporters posing as referral agencies. Compounding the problem, all referring agencies get referral fees for their services, even though all referrals go to the same sites. Assistance is given on a "first come first served" basis. Consequently, referral fees take a big bite out of assistance funds that should go to pay energy bills. This is what can be expected with "faith-based initiatives," like Enron more money goes to middlemen.

Georgia is one of a few states that "deregulated" natural gas under the guise of fostering competition and lowering prices. The legislature created a bloodsucker system that forced Atlanta Gas Light (AGL), a public utility, to allow private companies, such as Shell Energy and Scana, to bill gas consumers. In turn, Atlanta citizens, owners of AGL, now must pay gas middlemen. These companies are nothing more than fly-by-night Enrons. They own nothing and they produce nothing. They simply bill consumers and tack on hefty fees to the already high prices Atlanta citizens were paying AGL.

Rather than creating competition and lowering prices, consumers are now captives of these billers. They are not allowed to shop for the lowest price, which is essential in a free market. Broker fees, deposits and other charges are not uniform, conditions for interrupting service vary from biller to biller and none have local customer service offices. Complaints must be handled over the telephone or by mail. This keeps irate customers away from these bloodsuckers, when they impose arbitrary deadlines, demand outrageous deposits and impose ridiculous waiting periods before reconnecting their service. Deregulation in Georgia has resulted in higher prices, less choice, worse service and citizens are poorer to boot. Gov. Roy Barnes says, "We can't go back to regulation." Why not? He brought the slavemaster Robert E. Lee back to the Capitol rotunda! John 2002

Is America just gifted and blessed? Or, is it the most wicked and powerful force the world must reckon with? Perhaps, its military control over whatever the world has to offer is both a blessing for its citizens and a curse on the rest of humanity. For example, at a time when the rest of the world pays dearly for its gasoline, Americans drive petroleum-guzzling SUVs as though it is nothing. Relative to the rest of the world, gas is cheap for Americans. Even their European cousins, the French, British and Germans, pay more for petroleum.

America demanded its freedom from Great Britain. Today, it uses its military might to freely exploit everything else, which includes enjoying cheap gasoline. Before Bush's war on terrorism, gas prices at the pump exceeded two dollars a gallon in some urban areas. Prices are down; Bush's approval ratings are sky high.

Many buy into America's efforts at unilateral control of the world's natural resources. Discounting as collateral damage the deaths and ecological destruction, these Americans support drilling for oil everywhere, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as well as Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah, off the shores of Florida and other unexploited regions. Under Bush, nothing will be left pristine in the quest of oil and profit; the U.S. economic engine must fire on all pistons. Its military might is used to quell opposition! So, God bless those standing in America's path to cheap gasoline.

Disgruntled wants to know: Telecommunications giant Global Crossing filed for bankruptcy protection. Insiders cashed in $1.3 billion in stock before its value fell from $64 a share to less than a buck. Aided by deregulation and secure in the influence purchased with campaign contributions, companies, like Global Crossing and Enron, manipulate markets and con consumers. In Georgia, natural gas customers wonder how much gas marketers gave Ralph Reed, state GOP chairman, PSC Commissioners, Gov. Roy Barnes and state legislators?

Disgruntled says: Tripping in China, Korea and Japan, Bush downplayed his axis of evil statement. In an inspired moment, he said 'devaluation' rather than 'deflation' in reference to Japan's depressed economy; the Nikkei tumbled. Learning loose lips sink ships, while holding billions in US debt, the Japanese wonder if Bush jawboned down or made a Freudian slip?

Disgruntled feels: Marginalized! All life is precious! But, thousands die daily in Africa of hunger and disease; many are babies. More die on the West Bank; most are victims of US-supplied helicopter gun ships and tanks. Hundreds are killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia and other Third World countries. USA media never mention their names; they are collateral damage. Yet, the world knows "Danny Pearl," a lone white person; his life is more precious than the sum of all those cited above.

Descendants of European gentlemen soldiers, who claimed honor as a code of conduct, American commanders faced their enemy. "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." However today, America's military reflects the character of its Commander-in-chief, who hid out in a National Guard unit to avoid facing his share of killing in Vietnam. Raining nuclear bombs from the stratosphere, they make war on defenseless women and innocent children. Lady Liberty hides a tear-stained face lamenting the slaughter for $1 per gallon gasoline. Content to send other men to face what he feared, G. W. Bush relishes the role of "world conqueror."

A disabled Vietnam veteran, I watched Bush strut before American troops in South Korea. Oozing testosterone, his performance was more reminiscent of a "Josephine Baker" burlesque routine than an American statesman. I could not help but wonder where was all his bravado when he used daddy's connections to escape the killing he is thrilled to send other young men to do?

Americans are held prisoner by thoughts of what is happening in the world, not by what is being done in the world. Their self-portrait will only allow them to see what is done to them, not what they do to others. Constantly blinking away images on the periphery, Americans wink at a devilish reality. They project their fears and motives onto others as an "axis of evil." Terrified by their stereotypes, Americans justify horrible acts to wipe out "evildoers." Ironically, like workers in a slaughterhouse, America's appearance reflects whether or not it is a healer or killer. Personifying Pontius Pilate, Bush's condemnation of Al Qaeda will not wash the blood of thousands of Afghani, Palestinian and Iraqi children from his hands. Baby Killers!!! John 2002

News You Use

In July 2001 National Interest correspondent Cudjoe Kpor interviewed Canadian University Professor Terisa Turner, a UN-based International Oil Working Group expert, on the situation in the Niger Delta following a fact-finding visit to the region. The group found extensive environmental degradation due to oil spills, which are seen as detrimental as the Alaskan Valdez spill, pipeline explosions and gas flaring, which has caused soil fertility problems from acid/alkaline rain. Basically, the region will never be the same again.

According to Professor Turner, Shell is criminally negligent. Its claims about sustainable environmental development are laughable, "when in actuality it is making billions and billions of dollars from a shoddy, substandard, environmentally racist practice of oil production, transport and exploitation. Shell violates all conventions of petroleum operations, violates all oil company best practice codes, violates all codes of conduct, which govern transnational corporation activities, principles of human decency, human rights, social justice and commonsense, and it is criminally indicted here. I will not rest. My organization will not rest. And, I call on others, concerned individuals and organizations, to join us in the struggle to boycott Shell internationally, to renew the embargo on all Shell products until justice is done in the Niger Delta, as stated by the people and organizations themselves - and not by Shell. We cannot trust Shell's words."

Closer to home, Shell is a Georgia natural gas marketer. It is fleecing Georgians with the assistance of the state government and the Georgia Public Service Commission! We encourage Georgians and others around the world to join Professor Turner, the Ogoni People, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Niger Delta Women for Justice and other organizations in the international boycott of Shell Oil Company.

In Georgia, those who have been bilked by Shell are encouraged to file formal complaints with the PSC online at gapsc@psc.state.ga.us. Letters can be sent to 244 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30334 or send a FAX at 404-656-2341. Local consumers can call in their complaints to 404-656-4501, and long distance to 1-800-282-5813. Help end the exploitation of those abroad and at home. Boycott Shell and send Georgia State legislators and the governor a powerful message.

Email: alexrobbin@juno.com "Puts" are bets that the value of a stock or other security will decline. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) is investigating puts made prior to 9-11. Also, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) are trying to identify those responsible for the unprecedented level of short-sells and put activity on airline and hotel stocks.

Based on before 9-11 options, Phil Erlanger, a former Fidelity Investments analyst, found "the footprint for taking advantage of prior knowledge of the attacks is definitely there." While not a sure sign of illegal activity, "it's so out of the ordinary that it's walking like a duck and quacking like a duck." More than 4,000 American Airlines puts were sold on 9-10, compared to an average of 200 per month. If one person carried out this transaction, he netted a $4.8 million profit." Investors betted against American Airlines using "naked call selling in which investors pledged to sell stock they did not own." Normally, in selling calls the investor actually owns the security. If a naked call sell goes sour, the losses could be huge. In the wake of American Airlines stock tumbling, making money on naked calls "was a lay-up; it was easy money." After almost six months, we still do not know who made all this money.

Politics Y2K2

DeKalb County Commissioners voted to protect the 100% HOST over CEO Vernon Jones' objections. They also denied the Hickory Ridge Landfill rezoning request given overwhelming community opposition.

On HOST, according to Commissioner Elaine Boyer, "In the past, the Commission spent the additional millions of dollars received from taxpayers and used it to increase the size of government. This year, we are committing to use the additional revenue to reduce the millage rate. In the end, taxpayers will get the 100% HOST and no increase in the millage rate."

With some success on HOST, DeKalb voters are reminded to go to the polls and defeat SPLOST (Special Local Options Sales Tax), the school system sales tax. Annually, DeKalb schools get a budget increase through a higher tax digest, since the board rarely decreases the millage rate. End the bloodsucking! On March 19, 2002 vote NO to extending SPLOST in DeKalb County.

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