The Green Diamond
e-newsletter - vol. 5-35
October 22, 2005
a publication of
The Green Party of Delaware
(www.gpde.org greenpartyde@yahoo.com)
Grassroots Democracy - Economic & Social Justice - Nonviolence/Peace - Ecological Wisdom

Join the Revolution!
Become a card-carrying Green
 
FOR $36* A YEAR YOU CAN HELP BUILD A POWERFUL, PROGRESSIVE GREEN PARTY.

Buy Your Green Party Card Online

www.gp.org 
Email: info@greenpartyus.org
Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 
202-319-7191 or toll-free (US): 866-41GREEN

(P.S. Don't forget the Green Party of Delaware in you contributions!)

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Green Party of the United States

Green Pages Call for Op-eds, Green News and/Caucus/Committee Reports

GREENS VOW TO SUPPORT BRUNSWICK, GA., MAYORAL CANDIDATE ELAINE BROWN IN HER FIGHT AGAINST DISQUALIFICATION




Green Things

Join Us for America Unchained!

Mirror Dance





Green Action

Some Impeachment Hope

PeacEmail
 



Letters to the Editor and Editorials

Editorial: Green Opposition to Nuclear Power




New! Area Organizations/Projects of Potential Interest to Green Party Members and Sympathizers



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Green Party of the United States

Green Pages Call for Op-eds, Green News and State/Caucus/Committee Reports

Green Pages, the national newspaper of the Green Party of the United States, is looking for concise opinion pieces (op-eds) for the winter, 2005 issue, as well as timely reports from states, caucuses, and committees. (Please see reports guidelines below.)
 
Opinion submissions are evaluated by the entire editorial board on the basis of relevance, timeliness, writing quality, research quality and diversity. A publishable opinion piece is informative, grounded in fact, and uses logical argument to make its case. Topics specific to Green issues preferred.

DEADLINES AND WHERE TO SEND YOUR GREEN NEWS

-Op-eds (max 800 words) and letters to the editor (max 200 words) should be sent by November 1 to cvar@oregonvos.net.
-Unsolicited news briefs (max 350 words) should be sent by November 1 to cvar@oregonvos.net.
-Cartoons, illustrations, and charts should be sent by November 1 to estereditor@mosquitonet.com.
-Photos for op-eds, photos of Greens in action for unsolicited news briefs, with captions and photographer credits, should be sent by November 1 to danielstarling@hotmail.com. Please indicate which story they are for.
-Head shots for op-eds should be sent by November 10 to danielstarling@hotmail.com.
-State reports (max 300 words) should be sent by November 10 to greenpages@greens.org.
-Caucus and committee reports (max 300 words) should be sent by November 10 to greenpages@greens.org
-Photos for state/caucus/committee reports, with captions and photographer credits, should be sent by November 15 to danielstarling@hotmail.com, Please indicate which report they are for.

***If you have story ideas that don't fall into the above categories, get in touch with us at greenpages@greens.org.

***All text should be sent as an attached Word document. Include a byline indicating your Green affiliation (i.e. what state, if any, you are registered in). Word counts will be strictly enforced. Submissions that are
longer than the word counts suggested above or that are received after the due date will not be considered.***

REPORTS GUIDELINES

Whenever possible, we strongly encourage you to identify Greens from your state/caucus/committee with a journalism/media background to prepare the state report and photos. In most cases, the person/s who have knowledge about what has happened in the past couple of months would best be used as a source for the reporter rather than actually writing the report.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

-Reports should be kept to a maximum of 300 words. If you have a longer feature in mind about major events in your state, or a profile of a Green officeholder or activist who has accomplished something of note that would make a good feature story for Green Pages, please contact Deyva Arthur at darthur@nycap.rr.com as soon as possible with a brief query.

-Reports should have an emphasis on newsworthiness. Some examples: accomplishments, recognitions, trends, major plans (e.g., the state plans to run a full slate of candidates next year), new projects in the works, etc.

-Think about your piece visually and find out early on who can provide a photograph to run with the text. If you need any assistance obtaining photos, or any kind of guidance with photos, please contact Daniel Starling at danielstarling@hotmail.com.

-Reports are news briefs and should follow basic journalism standards. In general we suggest that reports follow traditional inverted pyramid format (i.e. the most important information should be at the top-if the editors
need to cut the report due to space constraints, they should be able to cut the last paragraph first, then the second-to-last paragraph, etc.)

-Use the third person ("they"), not first person ("we") in reporting about your states/caucus/committee activities. Avoid editorializing in the reports-just report on the facts about what's happening in the state/caucus/committee. Stick to the basics: what, when, where, why, who, and how.

-Consider using brief quotes to give voice to Greens, to offer different viewpoints and perspectives, and for reader interest.

-Be concise! Edit out any extra words or phrases. Identify somebody ahead of time who can edit your piece to cut out the fat.

-Avoid cliches. We get a lot of reports that include lines like, "It isn't easy being Green in XX state," or "XX state is working hard and is Green and growing," or other generalizations. While we appreciate the sentiments, space for reports is limited, and we ask that you focus on issues and actions.

-Avoid long lists and other information that make for dull reading.

-Plan accordingly. Identify one or more writers, photographers, and editor/coordinators early on. We really appreciate early submissions. Late submissions cannot be accepted.

-Submit text as a Word document. Include a byline indicating the reporter's Green affiliation (i.e. what state, if any, they are registered in).

-Photos should be JPGs, 200 dpi or larger, at a physical size (height and width) that they should be printed at. Minimum size is 1.875 inches wide (one column wide--for head shots, for example. Submit larger photos if they include many people or complicated activity.). Include who should be credited for the photo, and the photographer's Green affiliation (i.e. what state, if any, they are registered in). Be sure to include a one-sentence caption with the photo to explain the content of the photo to readers.

For complete submission guidelines, the Green Pages editorial policy and a style sheet, visit: http://www.gp.org/greenpages/submissions.php

Still have questions? Reach us at greenpages@greens.org.

Green Party Delaware members:  I am on the staff of Green Pages now, so it might help to contact me if you want to submit anything to Green Pages.
David McCorquodale, mccorq@comcast.net.


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GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@greens.org
Anita D. Collins, Elaine Brown Campaign Manager, 912-262-9811


GREENS VOW TO SUPPORT BRUNSWICK, GA., MAYORAL CANDIDATE ELAINE BROWN IN HER FIGHT AGAINST DISQUALIFICATION


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders pledged support for Elaine Brown, Green candidate for Mayor of Brunswick, Georgia, after the Glynn County Board of Elections announced that Ms. Brown was disqualified from participating in the November 8 election.

The board voted on Friday, October 14, to disqualify Ms. Brown, claiming that she had not lived in Brunswick long enough to be a candidate.

"It's obvious that Elaine was seen as a significant threat to powerful wealthy interests who wanted her removed from the race," said Rev. Zach Lyde, a member of the Glynn County Green Party. "We believe these same interests influenced the Glynn County Board of Elections."

"Elaine Brown was running a people's campaign, defending Brunswick's majority African American and poor population against 'Blueprint Brunswick', a development plan according to which the city will evict thousands from their homes, using sweeping powers of eminent domain," Rev. Lyde added. "This was a Republican hatchet job against a strong, credible candidate seen as a viable threat. We will assist in whatever way we can with Elaine's legal challenge in Glynn County Superior Court."

Ms. Brown has asserted that her residency was sufficiently established by November 5, 2004, when she registered to vote in Brunswick, in accord with the one-year residency requirement for a candidate to appear on the ballot on November 8, 2005. Ms. Brown has cited a Georgia Supreme Court decision confirming that registration in time for the election in which a candidate seeks to participate is sufficient for the purpose of seeking local office.

According to The Brunswick News ("Brown tossed from ballot," October 15), "Board members said their decision was based on a feeling that, for the purpose of elections, residence is best defined as a place of domicile. They agreed with Brown's assertion that an individual can have more than one residence -- as she contended she did -- but felt she did not sufficiently prove she moved to Brunswick in November rather than December."

"The Brunswick News article on the 'feeling' of the elections board reveals that its decision was entirely subjective, and based on patent bias against someone they consider an upstart candidate," said Nan Garrett, co-chair of the Georgia Green Party. "Ms. Brown's disqualification recalls not only the vote manipulation and obstruction documented in Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004, but also the collusion between Democrats and Republicans to keep third party and independent candidates off ballots across the U.S."

Green Parties throughout the U.S. have fought to overturn restrictive ballot access laws. Greens noted in September, 2004, that while Democrats attempted to disqualify independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader in Florida on technicalities, a 'gentlemen's agreement' between Democrats and Republicans allowed the state of Florida to ignore the fact that George W. Bush's campaign had missed the September 1 filing deadline to place Mr. Bush on the ballot. Greens have faced similar double standards in numerous races <http://www.gp.org/press/pr_09_13_04b.html>.

Elaine Brown, a leader of the Black Panther Party in the 1970s, received an endorsement for her 2005 campaign from Rev. Al Sharpton in August. Ms. Brown's Republican opponent in the race is Bryan Thompson, president of Blueprint Brunswick.

"The outcome of the mayoral race in Brunswick will determine whether thousands of low income African American residents get to remain in their homes or get thrown out," said Rev. Zach Lyde. "With the decision to disqualify Elaine Brown, the election is now fixed."


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Elaine Brown for Mayor of Brunswick, Georgia http://www.elainebrown.org
2802 Altama Avenue, Suite B, Brunswick, GA 31520
Telephone 912-262-9811
Facsimile 912-262-9813

Georgia Green Party http://www.greens.org/georgia

The Brunswick News http://www.thebrunswicknews.com


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Green Things
 
Join Us for America Unchained!
Nov. 19th

I'm writing to invite you to join us on November 19th for America Unchained. This is a national one-day educational campaign to highlight the economic and community benefits of locally- owned businesses and to encourage people to ditch chains for the day.

The campaign is being organized by our friends at the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) with support from many other organizations, including the Institute for Local Self Reliance, the American Booksellers Association, the American Specialty Toy Retail Association, and the National Main Streets Center.

There are many easy ways you can participate and bring this message to your community. You do not have to be an AMIBA affiliate to participate.

Just go to America Unchained and click Sign Me Up. You'll be added to the participant list and gain access to the information and materials (logos, templates for promotional items, press release, and more) you'll need to get involved.

Sincerely,

Stacy Mitchell
New Rules Project
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
1313 5th St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Office: (612) 379-3815
Direct: (207) 774-6792

http://www.newrules.org

To sign up for the Hometown Advantage Bulletin, a monthly email with the latest news on efforts to rein in corporate chains and strengthen locally owned business, visit http://www.newrules.org/retail/ebulletin.html

Submitted by David McCorquodale
mccorq@comcast.net


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Mirror Dance

There will be a special advance showing of the documentary MIRROR DANCE at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Trabant University Center Theater of the University of Delaware. MIRROR DANCE is the story of Cuban-born twins Ramona and Margarita de Saá, who become estranged through politics when one moves to the U.S. and the other remains behind. Set within the context of the turbulent dynamic between the two countries, MIRROR DANCE focuses on the twins' story of division, difference and ongoing efforts at reconciliation.
 
The Oct. 25 screening followed by a panel discussion with Margarita de Saá, one of the subjects of the documentary, her husband, John White, and film coproducers, Frances McElroy and Maria Rodriguez. MIRROR DANCE will be broadcast on Independent Lens on Tuesday, November 15 at 10:30 PM (check local listings).
 
At age 11 identical twins Ramona and Margarita de Saá were dancing with Alicia Alonso and mentored by master teacher Fernando Alonso. Enter the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro pledged a strong commitment to the arts, especially ballet, a commitment that continues to this day. The twins flourished under Castro's support of the arts. Margarita married John White, an American who was recruited by Alicia Alonso to dance with the newly formed National Ballet of Cuba. Ramona married Santiago, one of Fidel Castro's close associates.
 
Using old family photographs and archival footage of their days as young dancers in Havana, MIRROR DANCE introduces viewers to the twin sisters and their worlds.  Archival and super 8 footage further suggest Havana in the turbulent ‘50s and early ‘60s when the twins were growing up, during their respective courtships and marriages, and through the political events leading up to their dramatic separation. A soundtrack of original music composed by Cuban-born Elio Villafranca and traditional ballet music further evoke the era. 

Following the marriages, the twins began to grow apart. In 1964, concerned about the changing political environment, Margarita, her infant son and husband, now a ballet master, made the painful decision to leave their life, careers and family in Cuba. Ramona remained in Havana. A self-described "revolutionary woman," she was dismayed by her twin's lack of commitment to the Revolution. Believing Margarita was a traitor, Ramona refused to have contact with her.

In the forty years since the sisters' separation, Margarita and John opened a small dance academy in Narberth, near Philadelphia, where they remain committed to helping young dancers pursue their dream. Ramona has become Director of the Cuban National Schools of Ballet.  It was not until 2000, that Margarita began to think seriously about returning to Cuba. Finally, on February 28th, 2004, Margarita, her husband John and daughter Melinda depart for Havana. In a touching scene at Jose Marti Airport, Margarita, Ramona and their brother Jovito are finally reunited. But once again politics intervene in the twins' relationship.  In June 2004, the U.S. Government tightened travel restrictions to Cuba. Now Margarita must wait until 2007 to see her sister again. Like the ongoing political situation between the U.S. and Cuba, the twins' story still awaits an outcome.

Submitted by Roger Horowitz
<rh@UDel.Edu>





Green Action

PeacEmail

September 11th Coalition for Just & Peaceful Initiatives, a project of Pacem in Terris
302-656-2721    www.depaceminterris.org

Witness against the continuing war every Friday from 5-6 p.m.
Delaware Ave. across from Trinity Church

In this issue:

- Vigil planned when 2,000 U.S. serviceperson is killed in Iraq war

- Col. Ann Wright's visit

When the 2,000 U.S. serviceman/woman is killed in Iraq war

Events are being planned nationwide when this occurs. We will be having a special vigil from 5:00-6:00 p.m. (candlelight, when it starts getting dark) the day AFTER it is announced that the 2,000 has been killed in Iraq. Anyone who can come at 4:30, please do. The traffic is already heavy at that time. 

The vigil will be at the same place we have our weekly vigils because the commuter traffic is so heavy – Delaware Avenue at Adams Street – across from Trinity Episcopal Church. We hope to have enough of a turnout to cover two blocks. After the vigil, we will process across the street to the parking lot at the church for a short ceremony and reflection.

As I write this, the number is 1,976. You should hear it announced on the news when the number hits 2,000, or you can keep track on www.icasualties.org,   Sally will put it on the office answering machine also. If there is any question, call her at 656-2721 or send me an email.

Since this is a special vigil, please bring signs calling attention to the 2,000 dead Americans troops and all the others killed in the war. We will have some signs there.

Except for a bell that will toll 2,000 times, we would like to make this a SILENT vigil so we ask that those who are there to spread out and try to be reverent, reflective and quiet.

Col. Ann Wright's Visit to Wilmington – October 20-28

As you probably know, Col. Ann Wright will be here to speak at the Pacem in Terris Annual Dinner on Thursday, October 20. The dinner starts at 6 p.m., and she will be speaking at 8 p.m. If you can't come to the dinner, you are invited to come hear her speak. 

Below is her schedule while she is in the Wilmington area. If you can't come on the 20th, there are other opportunities to hear her.

October 21 – She will speak in Philadelphia at American Friends Center and stay with Celeste Zappala for the weekend.

October 24 -

10:00 a.m. – University of Delaware Political Science class

7:30 p.m. - Voices of Progressives radio talk show on WUDV 91.3 FM from the Univ. of Del., with Alan Muller and Ellen Lebowitz

October 26 –

1:00 p.m. – Wesley College, Dover

7:00 p.m. - Open to the public - Sponsored by Progressive Democrats for Delaware, Democratic Headquarters, Basin Road, New Castle (directions below)

State Party Headquarters
19 E. Commons Blvd., 2nd Floor

New Castle, DE 19720

Directions: From I-95 South, take Exit 5A  - Route 141 South towards New Castle.  At the second traffic light, turn left onto E. Commons Blvd.  The State Party Headquarters is in the second building on the left.  Please use the side entrance to the building.

From I-95 North, take Exit 5A - Route 141 South towards New Castle.  At the first traffic light, turn right onto Route 141.  At the next traffic light, turn left onto E. Commons Blvd.  The State Party Headquarters is in the second building on the left.  Please use the side entrance to the building. 

October 27 –

11:00 a.m. – Wilmington Friends Peace Studies classes

7:30 p.m. -  Open to the public - University of Delaware, 204 Gore Hall – sponsored by Campus Greens in cooperation with College Democrats 


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Some Impeachment Hope
 
http://www.bushcommission.org/
http://www.millionphonemarch.com/impeach.htm
How much would you give to see this regime publicly indicted for high crimes in a way that cannot be ignored or dismissed? The first session of the Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity committed by the Bush administration will open in one week, and it has to potential to bring together the voices who can do just that -- if you help make it possible!

This historic first session will set forth the indictments and present the opening arguments and witnesses for the people on: Wars of Aggression, Torture and Detention, denial of Global Warming, and genocidal Sabotage of International Programs that protect people from AIDS. Plus--a special session on the government's response to Katrina.

In doing this we will ignite an discussion and debate that is long overdue in this country: Is the administration of George W. Bush guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity? How much would you give to make THIS the raging debate of the day?

Here are the four step you can take:

1) Make a serious contribution today at http://www.nion.us/NSOC/sign.htm. We still do not have the full amount needed to make this happen. We have been speaking to former GIs from Iraq, ex-government officials, victims of government detention, and eye witnesses and survivors from New Orleans. It will take thousands of dollars to bring them to New York from around the country to give their testimony, and funds are urgently needed to make this happen.

Checks can be made to Not In Our Name and mailed to NION, 305 West Broadway, #199, New York, NY 10013.

2) Be there and bring your friends. You can register on line at http://www.bushcommission.org/dateplace.htm or by calling 212-941-8086. Admission can also be purchased at the door if space permits. (If you can't be there, register anyway to take a stand.)

3) Download and distribute materials from the Commission web site at www.bushcommission.org/downloads.htm. These include posters, the Commission charter, and public service announcement to play on community and campus radio. Make sure everyone knows about this event.

4) Send to your whole e-mail list the information on the Commission

Session I of the 2005 International Commission of Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity Committed by the Bush Administration of the United States will be held

Friday, October 21, 6 pm, and Saturday, October 22, 10 am in the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center, 311 W. 34th Street, New York City

The Saturday session will include a major section on witnesses from New Orleans who will give vivid testimony to how the people were left to fend for themselves, how ordinary people heroically carried out the rescue of thousands, and how in turn the were viciously slandered as criminals and looters by racist governmental officials who actually blocked aid efforts.

As the Charter states: "When the possibility of far-reaching war crimes and crimes against humanity exists, people of conscience have a solemn responsibility to inquire into the nature and scope of these acts and to determine if they do in fact rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Suggested admission of $30 includes both days of Session I. Admission for a single day is $20. Sliding scale for students and low income.

Participants in the Commission proceedings include:

-James Abourezk, former United States Senator
-Amy Bartholomew, professor of law at Carleton University
-Rev. Luis Barrios, associate professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice & Anglican Priest
-Steven Bronner, professor of political science, Rutgers University
-Dennis Brutus, professor emeritus in the Department of Africana Studies and South African poet
-Larry Everest, author of Oil, Power & Empire: Iraq and the U.S. Global Agenda
-Denis Halliday, ex-UN Assistant Secretary-General, former head of UN Humanitarian Mission In Iraq
-Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst
-Camilo E. Mejia, member of Iraq Veterans Against the War
-Barbara Olshansky, Center for Constitutional Rights and coordinator of Guantanamo detainee defense
-Malik Rahim, leader of the Common Ground Collective, New Orleans
-Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights
-Marcus Raskin, co-founder of the Institute for Policy Studies and member of The Nation's editorial board
-Jeremy Scahill, correspondent for Democracy Now!

A special message from Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States plus survivors of Hurricane Katrina, former government detainees, and video testimony from Iraqis under the occupation.

New endorsers of the Commission include Phyllis Bennis from the Institute for Policy Studies, commentator Michael Eric Dyson, professor emeritus of international law Richard Falk, and literary iconoclast Gore Vidal. For a complete list see the Commission Charter.

The Commission's web site is www.bushcommission.org. E-mail address is commission@nion.us.

The Commission is sponsored by the Not In Our Name statement of conscience.

"No election, whether fair or fraudulent, can legitimize criminal wars on foreign countries, torture, the wholesale violation of human rights, and the end of science and reason."

Submitted by Ellen Lebowitz
<ellenl@ellenlebowitz.com





Letters to the Editor and Editorials

Editorial: Green Opposition to Nuclear Power

The Green Party calls for the early retirement of nuclear power reactors as soon as possible - in no more than 5 years. Here are some reasons why:

1. There is no such thing as nuclear waste 'disposal'. We deny there is such a thing as safe disposal of nuclear waste. All six of the nuclear waste dumps in the US have leaked. There is no technological fix on the horizon to effectively deal with nuclear waste. Thousands of generations face the consequences of radioactive toxins in our environment from the production of nuclear waste generated by the nuclear power industry.
2. Nuclear energy is NOT cost effective. If it weren't for the enormous subsidies the US government provides the nuclear power industry, few if any companies would be building or operating nuclear power plants.
3. In my view, nuclear energy directly supports the building and deployment of nuclear bombs. Without the enriched radioactive material produced in the process of making nuclear energy, nuclear bombs would be much more difficult to produce.
4. Nuclear power plants are unsafe. Many in the US have now exceeded their safe 'life span'. Low-level nuclear accidents happen frequently throughout the US. Three Mile Island and Chernobyl are reminders to us when there are major nuclear accidents - thousands of people and their lands are radioactively contaminated and hundreds have died from various forms of cancer resulting from this contamination. The Three Mile Island reactor remains unapproachable and a dangerous monument to an even more dangerous nuclear power industry.
5. Next door to us are the Artificial Island Salem I and II reactors. Tens of thousands of people live within a 10-mile radius of these aging plants that have a terrible safety record. When brave employees try to tell the public how dangerous it really is for us, they get fired and 'hushed up'. If these reactors malfunctioned and went critical, how many people would die? A 1982 report (Consequences of Reactor Accident (CRAC-2) Report) put initial deaths at 200,000 people, 145,000 injured and 80,000 'peak cancer deaths' with $285 billion in damage.
6. Nuclear power is a peace issue in addition to being an environmental issue. Most people, on the political right or left, believe that nuclear proliferation is a major problem and concern. Enormous effort is spent attempting to limit or prevent further proliferation (at least 10 countries currently have nuclear weapons). If the US really wants to prevent further proliferation and perhaps even eliminate these 'doomsday' weapons, shouldn't we take the lead and physically demonstrate our commitment to this goal? How can we expect other countries to honor the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty when we continue to maintain nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons? Let's follow the lead given to us by South Africa, who once had nuclear weapons then eliminated them, and be an example for the rest of the world.

So, what does the Green Party offer as an alternative to nuclear power and the weapons it makes possible?

1. First, Americans must dramatically increase their conservation of energy. With less than 5% of the world's population, the US consumes more that 25% of the world's energy resources resulting in major damage to our land, air, and water in addition to wars and human rights abuses in many countries. REDUCE is a vital part of the environmental call to Reduce - Reuse - Recycle which, unfortunately, and Delaware in particular, we have failed miserably to address adequately. For example, the federal government has not insisted that US automakers build more fuel-efficient automobiles in over 20 years. Homes today are around 25% larger on average than homes built 20 years ago, increasing overall energy use despite energy saving technology. Sprawl in Delaware has resulted in people commuting 30% further to work than they did 25 years ago. In contrast, Europeans consume less than half the electricity consumed per capita in the US. We can be similarly more energy efficient with a strong commitment to and a focus on an environmentally safe and peaceful future that we all want for ourselves.
2. To replace nuclear energy, I would like to see an allocation of financial resources to clean renewable energy on the scale of the Marshal Plan that rebuilt a war-devastated Europe after WWII. Current support to make photovoltaic (solar), wind power, and hydrogen fuel-cell technology widely used are inadequate. The Green Party calls for government commitment to the mass-production of cheap, non-toxic solar photovoltaic technology to enable the widespread deployment of solar power. I think environmental safe use of wind-power and hydrogen fuel cells are also very feasible. With this commitment, nuclear power becomes obsolete.
3. On a personal note, my family purchased a fuel-efficient hybrid (gas-electric) car in 2001 that gets around 50 mpg yet has room to seat five comfortably and even has a spacious trunk. New hybrids get around 60 mpg. If you need a new car, consider purchasing a hybrid. In this vein, I would like to see the state and county governments of Delaware commit to replacing outgoing fleet vehicles with these fuel-efficient cars. However, eventually, the Green Party calls for far more support for the rapid development, testing and production of hydrogen fuel cell cars and development of affordable, efficient, and effective mass transit systems. Hopefully, the hybrid car is just a significant, but short-lived, transition technology towards even more environmentally sustainable forms of transportation.
4. Finally, the Green Party strongly supports moving in the direction of decentralized regional electric grids by promoting energy efficient and localized clean renewable energy. Enormous amounts of electrical energy are 'wasted' in the current system of transmission over hundreds of miles. So-called 'micro-grids', where electricity is generated at the local community level, drastically reduces this type of loss and serves to prevent the huge power black and brown outs we are experiencing more and more frequently.

Individual Americans can do only so much in an effort to conserve energy and government must take a lead in the effort. But whenever possible, people can help. For example, by replacing old and very inefficient home heating systems with highly efficient heaters now on the market you can save a lot of energy. Other ideas include buying a home nearby to where you work. If building a new home, face it in a Southerly (or Northerly) direction so you can take full advantage of solar power.

In my own home, when the 35-40 year old heater failed a couple of year ago (it had a 60% efficiency in its combustion of the fuel), we replaced it with a furnace that is 93% efficient. We have (aging) triple pane windows, some of which have been replaced some with so-called low-E windows that use multiple panes of glass filled with argon or other gases to increase their 'R' value. We are currently saving money to install roof mounted solar panels on our home this spring and, if financially possible, a solar hot water system.

I hope our individual efforts at home and those of the Green Party help put the nuclear power industry out-of-business.

This statement was made in preparation for an interview with Ian Palkovitz, a journalism major at the UofD, for an story he is writing on nuclear energy for the Review. Frieda Berryhill, long-time activist against nuclear power and Green Party member , was also interviewed. I wish to thank the several other Greens who reviewed and commented on my statement.


         
Share your ideas and actions for a better community and world. Submit your letters to the editor at jcannon11@comcast.net.



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Area Organizations/Projects of Potential Interest to Green Party Members and Sympathizers

Pacem in Terris 
Pacem in Terris is a non-profit organization that strives to facilitate the active participation of people and organizations on the Delmarva Peninsula, especially the religious community, on the issues and projects relevant to the quest for peace and justice throughout the world. Through seminars, activities, and experiences, we seek to change community attitudes and help people understand that peace is not a dream, but a necessity, now and in the future.

A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI)
The Philip Randolph Institute was founded in 1965 by Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin . Funded by the AFL-CIO the main objective of the organization is to bridge the gap between the African American community and the trade union movement. Activities included local civil rights campaigns, voter registration and job training.

Latin American Community Center
LACC provides social services; information and referral; emergency food closet; family and individual therapy; substance abuse prevention, and education programs; AIDS education; pre-employment preparation and occupational training.


GreenViews 
GreenViews present a magazine on TV from the Green Point of View. See us Every Third Sunday at 7pm on Comcast Channel 28 in New Castle County, Delaware. Although not an official Green Party project, a number of Green Party members play key roles in producing and hosting the program. 

This is an initial list of area organizations/projects that the Green Diamond wishes to recognize and bring to the attention of its readers. Other organizations/projects will be added to this list in the near future with on-going additions as deemed appropriate by the Green Diamond Advisory Board and it's editor. This list does not mean the Green Party of Delaware endorses the listed organizations/projects.  However, with this list we do recognize the straightforwardness and general progressive spirit with which they approach their missions.


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