Japan Earthquake Aid and democracy

Some of my activist elders have sent me links to different orgs working on the earthquake situation. Rather than leaving them in my inbox, I thought I would share them with whoever reads this blog:) Donations are often a major need for these non-profit organisations but I would like to encourage people to get involved and take action. Without action very little is accomplished.

I think there are parallels of disappointment between those who voted for Obama with excitement and hope, and those who voted for the non-Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) option, the Democratic Party of Japan, in order to set a new direction in Japan after pretty much 54 years of LDP monopoly until 2009. Both emphasised a "new direction" and a bunch of wonderful ideas that seem within our reach if we just had the right leader......but I think the heart of the problem is that our democracies are weak. Many seem to believe that democracy is about not having a dictator, being able to vote, and having choice. But how much of a choice is 2? Thats a different point.

What I want to encourage people to think about is what is democracy in its fullest expression and how do we get there? A government by the people for the people. What does that mean? Does voting take care of our political responsibilities in a democracy? Do citizens really understand how their "democratic" country operates? How democratic is lobbying, censorship, executive decisions, and TWO parties?

To have a democracy we need to understand it and practice it.
We need to take responsibility for a government "by the people for the people."
We are the leaders, and we are the party.
DIY democracy.
Actually its more like DIO, Do It Ourselves, democracy.
Think national, activate locally.
Lets do more than vote, lets live democratically!

The energy and security issue is something we need more citizens to get involved in.
Is our energy consumption worth nuclear disasters, wars and terrorism in the middle east, and life-threatening pollution?
If you have or care about children, just think what kind of world we leave for them.
It time, here and now, time for activism.

1. United Earth Kizuna Aid Project
From Mayumi Oda (artist and environmental activist)

"while I was in Japan, I became acquainted with a group called United Earth --- a network that oversees organizations doing direct aid in areas affected by disasters. These are people who have been working continuously since the Kobe earthquake in 1995. This group will continue their excellent efforts in Japan for many years to come. So, for those of you - my dear friends and colleagues - who would wish to make an additional donation for Japanese disaster relief - I highly recommend United Earth. When you give to them, you can know that your donation will actually reach the people who need assistance on the ground. Their website in English is:

http://united-earth.jp/en/

2. Citizen`s Nuclear Information Center (CNIC)

Fwded from Andy Couturier (author of A Different Kind of Luxury)
Based in Tokyo, we are the Citizen`s Nuclear Information Center (CNIC). With a network of scientists, activists, and common citizens, we work to create a nuclear free world.

Their website in English is:
http://www.cnic.jp/english/

Here's how to support them:
http://www.cnic.jp/english/cnic/support.html

People outside Japan should send an international postal money order made out to Citizens' Nuclear Information Center. Please specify the purpose of the money order as 'Donation'. Alternatively, you can ask us to send you details regarding bank transfers.
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center
3F Kotobuki Bldg., 1-58-15 Higashi-nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164 Japan
Tel: 81-3-5330-9520; Fax: 81-3-5330-9530

3. Green Action Japan

I saw a representative speaking on DemocracyNOW! the other day and it seems like they are working actively with the nuclear abolition side of things. Check them out.

http://www.greenaction-japan.org/modules/entop2/

Una cosita mas.
I recently received an email from Bill Keisling, the author of the linked article, about an article he wrote and the need for a Japanese translator. If you can help you can email me or find him on the interweb. Check out his article.

The Fukushima Experiment

"The nuclear meltdowns at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi atomic power plant reignited deeply personal memories for many of us in central Pennsylvania who lived through 1979's Three Mile Island incident, which happened 32 years ago this March 28.
Some of the similarities of both nuclear accidents are obvious: the utility executives who seem clueless about what's going on inside the reactor and who seem unable to provide reliable information to the public or to speak truthfully about it; the government officials who seem equally clueless about what's going on in the reactor and who send equally mixed signals; and the spectrum of equally posturing talking heads in the media who alternatively predict Armageddon, and then offer the incident as proof that nuclear energy is safe and friendly. So what's going on here?
Yardbird.com writer Bill Keisling was the first writer/journalist on the scene of the TMI accident, and is the author of several books about it. He's put together a provocative list of 8 Rules to help you better understand nuclear meltdowns and why they happen."

To read more visit:

http://www.yardbird.com/meltdown_the_fukushima_experiment.htm

or visit their Meltdown page at:

http://www.yardbird.com/meltdown.htm