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November, 2003 Vol.4. NO.11.......................................................Pages 6 and 7
HOLD THE WATER The
OCA spearheaded a major press event in Washington DC last
week as members of the natural products industry gathered
at a national trade show called Expo East. OCA’s
press conference focused on the fraudulent practice of a
number of leading body care corporations who are
advertising their products as “organic” by
including water as an organic ingredient. Covered by a
variety of media, including the Washington Post, Indy
Media, and Mothering Magazine, the press event preceded a
meeting of the Personal Care Task Force (PCTF), a
committee of industry leaders that are slowly hammering
out organic body care standards for recommendation to the
USDA. OCA was also in attendance at the PCTF meeting,
announcing that it is currently working with Rutgers
University on a scientific analysis of diluted hydrosols.
The results of the study will finally reveal specifically
how much added water is being included as a so-called
“organic” ingredient in these products. Stay
tuned. http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/
Santa Fe New Music 2003-2004 Season Santa Fe New Music’s 2003-2004 season presents an exciting panoply of musical explorations with music from the early 20th century to the present, including several World Premieres. Led by Artistic Director John Kennedy, SFNM’s concerts and events will convene artists from both coasts, as well as present some of Santa Fe’s most distinguished musicians and composers in what will surely be among the most unusual and stimulating musical events of the year. SFNM will present a total of seven performances of its five productions, as well as additional programs by the SFNM Youth Ensemble. The
2003-2004 season debuts on November 14 and 15 at 8:00
p.m. with a program of music by John Cage. One of the
most provocative artists of the last century and a
seminal figure in modernism for all artistic disciplines,
Cage found deep affinity with the soundscapes of the
natural world. SFNM’s program will explore the quiet
and gentle beauty of several of Cage’s later pieces,
which evoke and celebrate a form of environmental
consciousness. The
works are for varied instrumentation and media, and will
include “Branches,” “Inlets,” and
“Child of Tree”. Mezzo-soprano Kirsten Lear
will be featured in “Ryoanji” and “Forever
and Sunsmell”. Also on the program is the 1961
tape-piece “Where Are We Going? And What Are We
Doing?”, which is perhaps even more relevant today
than it was new. The concerts will be held at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe, heralding a new partnership between SFNM and the CCA. “The time is right
for SFNM to present concerts at the Center for
Contemporary Arts, which has long been at the vanguard of
presenting experimental performing arts in Santa
Fe,” says SFNM Artistic Director John Kennedy.
“Both institutions are confident that through this
new collaborative relationship, new audiences will come
to enjoy both the music SFNM presents and performs, and
the CCA as a venue for first-class performance.” SFNM’s own twist on the pre-concert lecture, the “post-concert charla,” or chat, will follow the concerts, giving interested audience members the opportunity to talk directly with the musicians in a relaxed environment.
UDALL WORKS TO INCREASE He
Backs Bill to Require Paper Records WASHINGTON - As the 2004 election approaches, U.S. Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., recently announced that he is cosponsoring legislation that would require all voting machines to produce an actual paper record so that voters can check the accuracy of their votes and to enable election officials to verify votes in the event of a malfunction, hacking, or other irregularity. Udall is one of 44 House members backing the Voter Confidence and Increased Accountability Act of 2003 (H.R. 2239). "Voters should have the confidence that their vote counts and that every legal vote is counted correctly," Udall said. "Producing a voting 'receipt' would help ensure an accurate vote count and help avoid the chaotic election scenarios that too many states have experienced. With a presidential election looming, we need to get this bill passed fast." The 2000 presidential election and the consequential actions of Congress and the states are dramatically changing the American election process. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) passed by Congress in 2002 mandates a reform of the election processes of all states. Among its requirements are a revamp of the voter registration system, the replacement of all punchcard systems, and the addition of electronic voting methods that allow the handicapped to vote without assistance. Two provisions that HAVA does not require are open-source software in electronic voting computers and a paper record of each ballot, verified by the voter at the time the ballot was cast. Because of the omission of these two provisions, among other reasons, Udall voted against HAVA when it was passed by Congress in October 2002. After the November 2000 election, several studies raised concerns about current voting technologies, centering on accuracy, ease of use, and security. In helping states replace problematic and antiquated machines, more and more states are turning to direct recording electronic systems (DREs) that have the potential for other flaws. There is controversy about how secure these systems are from tampering by voters, election personnel, Internet "hackers," or even manufacturers. Most of these critics say that electronic touch-screen machines should be outfitted with printers to create tangible ballots that each voter could verify. The paper record, which would not leave the polling place, would serve as a backup if problems arose with the electronic count. The question of whether to require a paper record to accompany each ballot cast on new electronic voting machines has become a recommendation of many election experts and voters that were disenfranchised in 2000. Udall said H.R. 2239 seeks to incorporate such a paper trail by amending HAVA immediately. Among other provisions, the legislation also requires mandatory surprise recounts in .5% of domestic jurisdictions and .5% of overseas jurisdictions. As Congress completes the annual appropriations process, Udall also said that funding for HAVA must be increased. An important provision of HAVA authorizes $3.9 billion over three fiscal years to assist states in meeting the new commitments to voters. So far, Congress has appropriated $1.5 billion of that amount, and of that amount, $830 million still has not reached the states. States are poised to receive only $500 million under pending appropriations for fiscal year 2004, which would result in a total of $1.86 billion in unappropriated funds that the states still need to ensure better elections. "The strength of this country depends on fair and accurate elections. We need an elections system that allows voters to make sure their ballot reflects their true intentions, and we need a paper audit trail so that recounts can be more than just an electronic re-tabulation of the same potentially flawed information. This bill will help provide the necessary safeguards," Udall concluded. H.R. 2239 awaits action by the House Committee on Administration. WHY TAKE ACTION? Kraft is putting genetically engineered ingredients in our food, experimenting with our health and the environment, and hurting family farmers. Kraft's products are found in 99% of U.S. households, and Kraft refuses to label these untested foods, despite the fact that between 85 and 95% of Americans want labeling. Many of Kraft's products, such as Boca Burgers, Lunchables, Post cereals, Taco Bell taco shells and Stovetop Stuffing, have been found to contain untested and unlabeled genetically engineered ingredients that may put our families and the environment at risk. Risks include health hazards, such as new allergies and plant toxins, as well as environmental threats, like harm to wildlife, creation of "superweeds" from cross-pollination, and increased pesticide use. In addition, experimental "biopharm" crops, engineered to produce pharmaceutical drugs and industrial chemicals, threaten to contaminate our food supply. Kraft is aware of the health and environmental risks posed by GE foods. Kraft has moved to avoid genetically engineered ingredients in their products in Europe, showing they could be doing the same around the world. However, Kraft continues to use questionable engineered ingredients in the U.S. Tell Kraft that you don't want to be part of the experiment! GET MORE INFO AND GET INVOLVED: http://www.organicconsumers.org/kraft Call or write Kraft today! Betsy Holden, CEO Kraft Foods, Three Lakes Drive, Northfield, IL 60093 1-847-646-2000
261 McCurdy Road, Espanola, NM 87532
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