From: Barbara Deutsch Subject: Remembering Hiroshima , rec'd this from Western States Legal Foundation <wslfweb.org> where you can also find Hiroshima-Nagasaki action alert (which lists August 9 as a national call-in day); same alert/leaflet posted with UFPJ statement of solidarity sent to Hiroshima and Nagsaki here: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2517 http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2516
The City of Hiroshima PEACE DECLARATION August 6, 2004 "Nothing will grow for 75 years." Fifty-nine years have passed since the August sixth when Hiroshima was so thoroughly obliterated that many succumbed to such doom. Dozens of corpses still bearing the agony of that day, souls torn abruptly from their loved ones and their hopes for the future, have recently re-surfaced on Ninoshima Island, warning us to beware the utter inhumanity of the atomic bombing and the gruesome horror of war. Unfortunately, the human race still lacks both a lexicon capable of fully expressing that disaster and sufficient imagination to fill the gap. Thus, most of us float idly in the current of the day, clouding with self-indulgence the lens of reason through which we should be studying the future, blithely turning our backs on the courageous few. As a result, the egocentric world-view of the U.S. government is reaching extremes. Ignoring the United Nations and its foundation of international law, the U.S. has resumed research to make nuclear weapons smaller and more "usable." Elsewhere, the chains of violence and retaliation know no end: reliance on violence-amplifying terror by North Korea, among others, buying into the worthless policy of "nuclear insurance" are salient symbols of our times. We must perceive and tackle this human crisis within the context of human history. In the year leading up to the 60th anniversary, which begins a new cycle of rhythms in the interwoven fabric that binds humankind and nature, we must return to our point of departure, the unprecedented A-bomb experience. In the coming year, we must sow the seeds of new hope and cultivate a strong future-oriented movement. To that end, the city of Hiroshima, along with the Mayors for Peace of 611 member cities in 109 countries and regions, hereby declares the period beginning today and lasting until August 9, 2005, to be a Year of Remembrance and Action for a Nuclear-Free World. Our goal is to bring forth a beautiful "flower" for the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings, namely, the total elimination of all nuclear weapons from the face of the Earth by the year 2020. Only then will we have truly resurrected hope for life on this "nothing will grow" planet. The seeds we sow today will sprout in May 2005. At the Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to be held in New York, the Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons will bring together cities, citizens, and NGOs from around the world to work with like-minded nations toward adoption of an action program that incorporates, as an interim goal, the signing in 2010 of a Nuclear Weapons Convention to serve as the framework for eliminating nuclear weapons by 2020. Around the world, this Emergency Campaign is generating waves of support. This past February, the European Parliament passed by overwhelming majority a resolution specifically supporting the Mayors for Peace campaign. At its general assembly in June, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, representing 1183 U.S. cities, passed by acclamation an even stronger resolution. We anticipate that Americans, a people of conscience, will follow the lead of their mayors and form the mainstream of support for the Emergency Campaign as an expression of their love for humanity and desire to discharge their duty as the lone superpower to eliminate nuclear weapons. . . . . The Japanese government, as our representative, should defend the Peace Constitution, of which all Japanese should be proud, and work diligently to rectify the trend toward open acceptance of war and nuclear weapons increasingly prevalent at home and abroad. We demand that our government act on its obligation as the only A-bombed nation and become the world leader for nuclear weapons abolition, generating an anti-nuclear tsunami by fully and enthusiastically supporting the Emergency Campaign led by the Mayors for Peace. We further demand more generous relief measures to meet the needs of our aging hibakusha, including those living overseas and those exposed in black rain areas. Rekindling the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we pledge to do everything in our power during the coming year to ensure that the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings will see a budding of hope for the total abolition of nuclear weapons. We humbly offer this pledge for the peaceful repose of all atomic bomb victims. Tadatoshi Akiba, Mayor The City of Hiroshima *** Things being somewhat equal I opt for essays by mainstream sources. They are always deeply concerned with mass appeal and reflect that which will not disaffect their base of profit. In Time's case, on a national level. This article is well-written, strong and incisive. Thanks again to RSN, the newbie on the internet. Read along with folks in Iowa. . Ed From: ReaderSupportedNews Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 9:33 AM Why California's Gay Marriage Ban Was Struck Down "Instead of 'gay marriage,' said US District Judge Vaughn Walker in a 138-page ruling, there is just marriage - and everybody is entitled to it, no matter what gender they and their would-be spouse happen to be." By Michael A. Lindenberger TimeMag.com:Thursday, Aug. 05, 2010 Read more: http://www.readersupportednews.org/off-site-news-section/53-53/2595-why-californias-gay-marriage-ban-was-struck-down ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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