Weekly Justice Highlights
Weekly Justice Highlights from the Sisters of Charity Office of Global Ministries…September 2, 2009 President Obama 202.456.1111; Congress 202.224.3121 or 800.828.0498 Challenging unjust corporate systems: Many poor countries are rich in natural resources, but their people rarely share in that wealth. Income that governments receive from gold mines, diamond extraction, natural gas, and oil is propping up dictators, fueling violence, and deepening poverty because there's no accountability. When corporations pay governments in secret, the money has no trail. Urge Congress to help millions of poor people by requiring these companies to publish what they pay by clicking here.
Care for the Earth: Urge Lowell McAdam of Verizon Wireless to issue a public apology and withdraw from co-sponsorship of a pro-coal rally this Labor Day at http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/verizon_massey/
Other Potential Actions:
Pledge to pray a minute for peace on September 21, Intl Peace Day at www.odysseynetworks.org
For the last two years, Congress has banned Chinese chicken imports. This year, agriculture giants like Smithfield, Tyson and Cargill have been lobbying Congress to lift the ban. They want to process poultry in China because costs and standards are lower there, then import the chicken back here and sell it for a hefty profit. In addition to ongoing problems with China's food safety standards and inspection system, U.S. inspectors have found grossly unsanitary conditions in Chinese poultry processing facilities. This issue will be decided in the Congressional budgets this year. Both the House and Senate have passed budgets for USDA, and the House version keeps the ban on Chinese chicken, while the Senate version does not. In September, a conference committee will have to negotiate a final version. This week, urge Congress to continue the ban at http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/741/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1373
Watch for a new documentary entitled, Paradise Faded: The Fight for Louisiana. It is due to be released soon and is a compelling look at the causes, effects, and solutions to the largest environmental disaster in American history; the loss of Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands and the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. More information can be found at http://www.paradisefaded.com/synopsis.html
The USCCB has launched a new Web site promoting our support of truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity. The site, www.usccb.org/healthcare, includes letters from bishops to Congress, videos, backgrounders, facts and statistics, frequently asked questions, and links for contacting members of Congress. Please use and promote this new resource.
Co-op America has 13 ways to go green and save money at http://www.greenamericatoday.org/programs/shopunshop/13waystogogreen.cfm