1.02.2013
***** GET THIS STORY SEEN. DAY 35 HUNGER STRIKE. DIANE WILSON.
Why I'm On A Hunger Strike-Environmental and Injured Workers Activist And Advocate Diane Wilson
Background:
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WILSONALAMOBAY AT AOL COM
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Diane Wilson is a long time environmental activist, author and injured worker advocate on the Texas Gulf Coast.
She is presently on a hunger strike to stop Valero from investing in the Canada tar sands.
She is a cofounder of Texas Injured Workers www.texasinjuredworkers.org and a board member of the Injured Workers National Network www.iwnn.org
For more information on the hunger strike go to http://tarsandsblockade.org/13th-action/
Workers! Demand Valero divest from tar sands. The life you save may just be your own.
I’m
a fourth generation fisherwoman from the Texas Gulf Coast. For forty
years I have made a living on a shrimp boat plying the Gulf Coast
waters, but for the past twenty-five years, I have fought a long and
difficult battle with industry to preserve the health and wellbeing of
our Texas bays and marine life for our children and our children’s
children.
Today
I am involved in one of my most difficult challenges. I am on the 35th
day of a hunger strike that I began to convince Valero to divest from
Canada’s tar sands.
Many
stakeholders have been pulled into this fight that is so colossal and
mind boggling that it can almost be called biblical and not be an
exaggeration. The indigenous tribes of the First Nation in Canada, land
owners, cities’ water supplies, communities surrounding the refineries,
and the very planet that we call home are all being threatened by the
extraction of tar sands and the XL pipeline that is snaking its way from
Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Workers
in the refinery don’t get mentioned much and that’s pretty surprising
given that workers are ground zero for exposure from the refining of tar
sands.
When
a refinery uses a bitumen blend from Canada’s tar sands, it is using a
raw material that contains large quantities of sulfur. This means U.S.
refineries using tar sands generally produce more intense sulfur dioxide
air pollution that is, today, not adequately regulated. The result is
heightened health risks not only to communities living near tar sands
refineries, but also to the workers inside.
In fact, workers are the most direct line for sulfur dioxide poisoning.
A
few statistics from publicly available sources indicate that, in
general, tar sands refineries spew more sulfur dioxide pollution per
barrel produced than refineries that do not use tar sands. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), short- term
exposure to elevated sulfur dioxide levels is associated with reduced
lung function, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath,
respiratory illness, deterioration of the lung’s defense systems, and the aggravation of cardiovascular systems.
In
addition, a refinery’s processing of tar sands leaves a toxic cocktail
of 20 by-products (often at 1,000 times above the safe limit) that
include the cancer-causing chemicals benzene, toluene, and hydrogen
sulfide.
Now
I know what some workers are going to say when they read this. I know
because I’ve asked them and they say, “Smells like money to me!” or “Not
me! I’m healthy! ” Or “That’s why I have two life insurance policies.”
Then stuff happens.
The
experts say 870,000 workers get sick and 55,000-60,000 die each year in
the United States from an occupational disease. Then the experts add
the caveat that these numbers are undoubtedly underestimates. How much
of an underestimate? Well, as much as 69 percent of illnesses and
injuries never make it to the Bureau of Labor statistics. And the vast
majority of workers with an occupational illness never receive any
benefits from workers compensation.
Ask
any injured worker who’s developed an illness brought on by exposure to
a chemical and he can recite a litany of reasons why help never comes.
Work
related illnesses are difficult to identify, especially those with long
periods between exposure and illness. Part of the problem is simply an
absence of data on the health effects of hazardous exposures.
Absolutely nothing is known about potential toxicity for more than
85percent of chemicals in use in industry. In addition, routine
training on known hazards and their effects is lacking. The average
doctor receives 4 hours or less of training in occupational medicine in a
4 year medical school curriculum.
But
the major reason is Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s
(OSHA) reliance on employers self-reporting. Employers have strong
incentives for underreporting illnesses or not at all. Businesses with
few illnesses on the job are least likely to receive inspections from
OSHA, they have lower worker compensation insurance premiums, and they
have a better chance of winning government contracts.
There
are other reasons. Employers and Worker compensations Insurers have
major incentives to deny a connection between a workplace exposure and
disease. Every occupational disease that is not recognized saves them
money by socializing the cost on to someone else, mostly injured
workers, their families, and taxpayers.
Workers
themselves may not want to suggest their health problem is work
related, fearing they might lose their job or suffer retribution from an
employer angered by a Workers Compensation claim. Workers report
widespread harassment and intimidation when they report an injury or
illness. Reports, testimonies, and new accounts show that many
employers fire or discipline workers who report injuries or illnesses or
complain about a safety problem. Other employers add demerits to a
workers record for reportable illnesses or injuries or absenteeism that
resulted from an alleged safety violation.
This is all just to say: Workers! Demand Valero divest from tar sands. The life you save may just be your own.
1.01.2013
nd 'FEW PEOPLE CHOOSE WAR, THE NEWTOWN SLAUGHTER, FAMINE, ECOCIDE, POVERTY, INJUSTICE.... WE CHOOSE TO WORSHIP OUR FLESHLY SPIRIT. THESE ARE JUST THE CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES.' Loving
nd 'FEW PEOPLE CHOOSE WAR, THE NEWTOWN SLAUGHTER, FAMINE, ECOCIDE, POVERTY, INJUSTICE.... WE CHOOSE TO WORSHIP OUR FLESHLY SPIRIT. THESE ARE JUST THE CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES.' Loving
nd ' 'Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth.' This was not Jesus threatening punishment. This was Jesus warning us of the self-inflicted pains of worshiping our Fleshly Spirit.' Loving
nd ' 'Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth.' This was not Jesus threatening punishment. This was Jesus warning us of the self-inflicted pains of worshiping our Fleshly Spirit.' Loving
nd 'What did Jesus mean, 'You say 'Lord, Lord, but your Hearts are far from me? I don't know you.' You speak, live, act... from your dead Flesh, but not your Soul, your Heart, the Creator's Kingdom.' Loving
nd 'What did Jesus mean, 'You say 'Lord, Lord, but your Hearts are far from me? I don't know you.' You speak, live, act... from your dead Flesh, but not your Soul, your Heart, the Creator's Kingdom.' Loving
nd 'Our western society - the bloodiest, Deadliest of gauntlets for the Spirit of Loving. Kills our kids.' Loving
nd 'Our western society - the bloodiest, Deadliest of gauntlets for the Spirit of Loving. Kills our kids.' Loving
nd 'Most all western children die, in Soul, Heart, by 13 or so. Few ever to be re-born.' Loving
nd 'Most all western children die, in Soul, Heart, by 13 or so. Few ever to be re-born.' Loving
nd ' 'most all western marriages are 'still-born.' At most one partner with any capacity for Loving.' Loving
nd ' 'most all western marriages are 'still-born.' At most one partner with any capacity for Loving.' Loving
nd 'My Family - Daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, mother, father...: Those devoted to our globally Neediest Family.' Loving
nd 'My Family - Daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, mother, father...: Those devoted to our globally Neediest Family.' Loving
12.31.2012
nd 'Biko, lynched blacks of the 30's... inspired emulators only AFTER their death.' Loving
nd 'Biko, lynched blacks of the 30's... inspired emulators only AFTER their death.' Loving
nd 'Hallmarks of the Fleshly Spirit worshiped: Selfishness, Fear, Anger, Cowardice, Ego.' Loving
nd 'Hallmarks of the Fleshly Spirit worshiped: Selfishness, Fear, Anger, Cowardice, Ego.' Loving
***** nd 'THE SOLE PURPOSE OF LIFE, EVERY BREATH: HELP PEOPLE HAVE MEANINGFUL LIVES.' Loving
***** nd 'THE SOLE PURPOSE OF LIFE, EVERY BREATH: HELP PEOPLE HAVE MEANINGFUL LIVES.' Loving
nd 'Nonviolence: Exacts a Massive Political Price for Violence. Violence (of any form), by activists gives Carte Blanche. Insanity. Unconditional Defeat.' Loving
nd 'Nonviolence: Exacts a Massive Political Price for Violence. Violence (of any form), by activists gives Carte Blanche. Insanity. Unconditional Defeat.' Loving
nd 'Loving's not what we've been taught. Loving's what we do from the Heart for our very Neediest. Lusting is all the rest.' Loving
nd 'Loving's not what we've been taught. Loving's what we do from the Heart for our very Neediest. Lusting is all the rest.' Loving
12.30.2012
nd 'Those that Stood with Jesus: A. Right, B, Ctr, C. Left, D. None of the above.' Loving
nd 'Those that Stood with Jesus: A. Right, B, Ctr, C. Left, D. None of the above.' Loving
nd 'Of COURSE I've been rejected by near all. I'm of a completely different family; not Fleshly, any longer; but Loving.' Loving
nd 'Of COURSE I've been rejected by near all. I'm of a completely different family; not Fleshly, any longer; but Loving.' Loving
nd 'Nothing matters now that's less than a one, by one..., Revolution of Priorities - from Flesh to Loving, Heart. 1800 years we've worshiped Flesh. How has that worked for ya?' Loving
nd 'Nothing matters now that's less than a one, by one..., Revolution of Priorities - from Flesh to Loving, Heart. 1800 years we've worshiped Flesh. How has that worked for ya?' Loving
nd Corinthians 13: NOTHING - every act, thought, breath... that is without Love.
nd Corinthians 13: NOTHING - every act, thought, breath... that is without Love.
NOTE: Little added to Tracking Plan B. There's no news, just HIstory. We've known what was needed for 30 years or more now.
NOTE: Little added to Tracking Plan B blog TPB
. There's no news, just History, re-written by the millions of words per day - pure intellectual masturbation - McKibben, Romm, et al. We've known what was needed for 30 years or more now. We obviously want NOT to act, but to run out the clock on our Affloholic binges.
Who gives a f*ck about our kids, and grand kids. NOT US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OBVIOUSLY.
Who gives a f*ck about our kids, and grand kids. NOT US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OBVIOUSLY.
12.30.12 'Early, painful Death without Chemo, Now. Impossible to stop the vigil, Now. - My "Inconvenient Truth."' Loving
An "Inconvenient Truth," Get it? LOL!
Seriously, that IS my inconvenient truth. And yours? What is stopping You from giving 100% to avert eternal Ecocide for our next 200 billion kids?
I've learned quite a bit about staying warmer out here and have adjusted my procedures accordingly - carefully carry as much heat from my sleeping-bag body into my sweaters, coat, socks, each pant leg, mittens... as I dress in the morning. Second's count! If I'm too slow or lax, and it is a cold arm, or let, I put into cold clothing, it may take me all day to warm up again.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
An entire day about 3 days ago, deeply cold, damp... caused me to do some learning.
Plus, my body is acclamating. Our physiology is amazing. Things physically change, after days. 2 weeks ago where 45 degrees felt realllllly cold, now it is 34 degrees.
And, keep out the wind, with a tarp, jackets, object to block the wind. Just 5 mph of wind drops the effective temperature 5-10 degrees.
The last 3 days or so have been near 100% prayer, meditation, reflection... for me. This is extremely unusual, but not unprecidented for me. The several weeks prior when I read and re-read the INDISPENSIBLE creators of Gandhi and MLK Jr - Leo Tolstoy's "Gospel," and "Kingdom of God...", it is like they were a near body-crushing (in a Good way) work-out for my nervous system, and it has taken at least these last 3 days for my nervous system to adjust, digest, grow, and recover. Astonishing. Am I recovered enough today to begin further study? Don't know yet.
Seriously, that IS my inconvenient truth. And yours? What is stopping You from giving 100% to avert eternal Ecocide for our next 200 billion kids?
I've learned quite a bit about staying warmer out here and have adjusted my procedures accordingly - carefully carry as much heat from my sleeping-bag body into my sweaters, coat, socks, each pant leg, mittens... as I dress in the morning. Second's count! If I'm too slow or lax, and it is a cold arm, or let, I put into cold clothing, it may take me all day to warm up again.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
DON'T LET YOUR CLOTHES GET DAMP.
An entire day about 3 days ago, deeply cold, damp... caused me to do some learning.
Plus, my body is acclamating. Our physiology is amazing. Things physically change, after days. 2 weeks ago where 45 degrees felt realllllly cold, now it is 34 degrees.
And, keep out the wind, with a tarp, jackets, object to block the wind. Just 5 mph of wind drops the effective temperature 5-10 degrees.
The last 3 days or so have been near 100% prayer, meditation, reflection... for me. This is extremely unusual, but not unprecidented for me. The several weeks prior when I read and re-read the INDISPENSIBLE creators of Gandhi and MLK Jr - Leo Tolstoy's "Gospel," and "Kingdom of God...", it is like they were a near body-crushing (in a Good way) work-out for my nervous system, and it has taken at least these last 3 days for my nervous system to adjust, digest, grow, and recover. Astonishing. Am I recovered enough today to begin further study? Don't know yet.
12.29.2012
nd 'Ritualization, etc: Brilliant scheme for Castrating Jesus' teachings about Living.' Loving
nd 'Ritualization, etc: Brilliant scheme for Castrating Jesus' teachings about Living.' Loving
nd 'Loving, Spirit of: Uses it's body like an revered, but Expendable avatar, a respected tool.' Loving
nd 'Loving, Spirit of: Uses it's body like an revered, but Expendable avatar, a respected tool.' Loving
nd 'God is, =, is the Spirit, Force, of Loving, in you, others, the Universe.' Loving
nd 'God is, =, is the Spirit, Force, of Loving, in you, others, the Universe.' Loving
nd 'The only timeframe in which any of us matter: Eternity.' Loving
nd 'The only timeframe in which any of us matter: Eternity.' Loving
nd 'In every transaction you either: A. give a 'fix,' or B. give Life, Meaning, Loving.' Loving
nd 'In every transaction you either: A. give a 'fix,' or B. give Life, Meaning, Loving.' Loving
Gang Rape Victim Dies: "Unless a seed falls to earth and dies it does not bear fruit." Jesus
Our bodies are nothing. NOTHING. God, I know how nuts, quaint, cute,
shallow, callous... that sounds. But it IS NOT; in the only time-frame that matters, Eternity, our bodies mean NOTHING, count for NOTHING, matter NOT AT ALL. Our Spirits, what Force, Loving, we can
be the conduit for, IS EVERYTHING.
With Luke watching, remember when Obi Wan lowered his sabre to allow Darth's blow?
Did Obi Wan cease to exist at that point? He got stronger. "Unless the
seed falls to earth and dies, it bears no fruit."
Now, that 'death,' (GIVING 100% TO OUR NEEDIEST) may take place over 80+ years, like Teresa of Calcutta, over 21 years like Rachel Corrie, 50 years like Diane Wilson, or `15 like Malala... but it is only in dying for our global neediest that we find Life, Joy, Peace of Heart - "dying for" meaning - giving 100%, every last breath, out of Love, for the Joy of it.
As Victim of Gang Rape Dies, 6 Men Are Charged With Murder
| New York Times | - |
NEW
DELHI - As protests grew in India on Saturday over the death of a young
woman who was raped in New Delhi this month by several men in a moving
bus, the police said six men accused of attacking her had been charged
with murder.
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