[statecom-discuss] "think and act locally and globally"

[Betty H. Zisk]

Thanks Mike. I see once again that punctuation matters (an analog wld be the argument over whether a hyphen or a slash should go into the then newly named GRP!) I just didnt realize how loaded these various terms cld be. I dont oppose a stand simply because of geography but I do think that we should take advantage of the fact that we are part of a national party--and share to the degree that we agree with them--in a division of labor. So that we can concentrate on issues about which we have some chance because they are less controversial perhaps, though I hardly think the five issues I listed earlier, espec prisoners rights', stand a chance of approval. (I also have problems with some supporters of Palestinean rights because I am a convinced pacifist). Even to the degree of having a lot of problems with the "right of self defense." But we can save that argument for another day. Clearly most in GRP disagree with me. Here's to civilized discourse. Betts (I encountered, in my lengthy interviews on peace and environ activism, a statement from three different people on West coast to the effect that "my job is to be faithful, not to be successful." I didnt realize at the time (late 80s)that they were quoting Mother Teresa. I have long been troubled by that statement. The pragmatist in me wants to accomplish change in my lifetime--while being as faithful as I can. I love Don Quixoti but I am not about to spend the rest of my life tilting at windmills. No it isnt a matter of age. It is a matter of saving what is left of this planet unto the 7th generation. Love BZ)

-----Original Message-----
From: statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org
[mailto:statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org]On Behalf Of Mike
Heichman
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 3:19 PM
To: Discussion List for StateCom members
Subject: [statecom-discuss] "think and act locally and globally"


Hi Betts,

I think that there is a difference between the two quotations.

Some people in the party advocate that we not address (some) national 
issues, like Palestine, and focus more on state and local issues. I 
summed up that point of view as "think globally, act locally".

I said that there was another perspective which is shared by other 
members of the party, which says that it is desirable to address issues 
that are national (and controversial), like Palestine. While these 
issues are definitely national and international (global), they also 
have statewide and local significance. I summed up this point of view as 
"think and act globally and locally".

I believe that both perspectives are valuable and it is also valid to 
debate what issues we should focus our work. I am opposed when anyone 
argues that it is wrong to focus on this or that issue because of its 
geographic location.

Mike Heichman


Betty H. Zisk wrote:

>I am honestly puzzled at what the difference in the two phrases might mean. I apologize for misunderstanding your original question (I find my own students are sometimes pretty uninformed about history of slogans or even of biblical quotes and I just made unwarranted assumption). Far from thinking my way is the only way as well. Betts
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org
>[mailto:statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org]On Behalf Of Mike
>Heichman
>Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 11:10 AM
>To: Discussion List for StateCom members
>Subject: Re: [statecom-discuss] Fwd: No Fees on Offenders
>
>
>Hi Betts,
>
>This is not what I was asking. I believe that most of us (on State Comm) 
>have heard many times the saying, "Thing globally, act locally."
>
>More recently, probably a few years ago, I heard the saying, "Think and 
>Act Globally and Locally". I did spend (just a few minutes )  searching 
>on  the  computer  for  the author.
>
>The reason why I brought it up  was because  I see it as a way to 
>visualize some of the philosophical differences in the party. There are 
>those who I believe have been calling for a more "Think globally, act 
>locally" perspective. There are others (and I include myself) in this 
>camp who believe in the later quote.
>
>I believe that  we should continue this discussion. However, it is my 
>hope that we will do with the spirit that both are valid and debatable 
>perspectives instead of "my way is the correct way and your way leads us 
>in the wrong direction".
>
>Mike Heichman
>
>
>Betty H. Zisk wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I think the phrase went "Think globally, act locally" and that it was first publicized by German Green Party in their stunning victory in 1983. I have seen it all over the place since then (including on bumper stickers in Maine and Western Mass.) I know it was attributed to various sources along the way. Aarne Nass? I can look it up (in Stretnak and Capra study) and will but it might be faster if you googled it. Betts
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org
>>[mailto:statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org]On Behalf Of Mike
>>Heichman
>>Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:53 PM
>>To: BillCunningham; Discussion List for StateCom members
>>Subject: Re: [statecom-discuss] Fwd: No Fees on Offenders
>>
>>
>>Who was it who said?, "Think and act locally and globally."
>>
>>I would like this to be one of our GRP mottos.
>>
>>Mike Heichman
>>
>>
>>BillCunningham wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>    
>>
>>>Hi email fans,
>>>
>>>The Bridge tries to cover most of the issues Betty mentions. Those and other issues live simultaneously in four or five dimensions, from neighborhood to international. So articles focusing on Palestine, for example, will generally have a more than superficial "local news angle." 
>>>
>>>Our Mystic local has developed informal relations with SHaRC and Jericho Boston, local prisoners rights groups. (Check out  www.Bridgenews.org  keywords prisons and police.) Grace's campaign also developed such relations.
>>>
>>>BTW, Governor Patrick has said TWO things about prisoners. (1) He wants to charge inmates a fee to pay for more cops. (2) He intends to cross-reference databases so that as inmates become eligible for release, they will be promptly deported to their countries of origin whenever possible.
>>>
>>>Sadly, state and local issues can be just as contentious as international. For example, GRP has a distinctive housing position—for rent control. I didn't notice we raised that in the election.
>>>
>>>The bipartisan "War on Drugs" has been the key to quadrupling the prison population. A state or a national issue? Let GRP start a campaign to legalize drugs, and watch the crap fly both amongst and against the Party. 
>>>
>>>Not all issues are "issues." Not to put too fine a point on it, we couldn't sharply criticize candidate Patrick because he was an African American so-called liberal. Our friends would be appalled! First Israel—or Gore—and now Deval! 
>>>
>>>Ole Uncle Slammer snows the rubes just one more time, with the latest "Working Class Hero" who's "learned how to smile as he kills."  Fun to hum along with John Lennon, but to fill in the names locally, here and now? Not fun.
>>>
>>>Palestine and The War—a local issue: every village and neighborhood pays in blood and treasure. Anti-Arab racism—a local issue; the bipartisan "War on Terror," the long night of human rights and freedom—local right down to the unanimous resolutions of the oh-so-progressive Cambridge City Council,—local right down to the widow going mad in her lonely room; and our SACRED DUTY is to confront it squarely and figure out how to bring it down.
>>>
>>>The ecological crisis—utterly local and utterly global. All things are connected. That is our message. 
>>>
>>>The "Ashley Case" raises questions that we must be willing to confront, if GRP is to develop a political strategy worthy of the name. The rights of the voiceless, the right and duties of the family, the role of media in defining issues, the worship of technology and its priesthood, the technicized professions. 
>>>
>>>Frankly, I am pleased with this discussion, although it has been a little narow. At least it's really about people and politics for a change, and not just about process. Oh sure, it's aggravating too, it goes on and on. Sometimes I just want to chuck it with all the emails.... But at least we're not in Fallujah.
>>>
>>>I agree that the most important issues for us are the most local ones, but ONLY because we can organize most effectively at the local level.  
>>>
>>>So far we organize almost entirely in the electoral arena. They don't call it an arena for nothing. We can win some games in that arena, but to change the world, we have to go out where the real world is. The question of local versus international is much less important to me than the kind of organizing we have to do. The primary "issue" is not issues; it is organization. 
>>>
>>>harrumphh....
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>>>From: "Betty H. Zisk" <zisk at bu.edu>
>>>>Sent: Feb 2, 2007 3:10 PM
>>>>To: Discussion List for StateCom members <statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org>
>>>>Subject: RE: [statecom-discuss] Fwd: No Fees on Offenders
>>>>
>>>>Here is finally a position with which I can agree wnoleheartedly. Perhaps
>>>>because I know the inmates' dependence on outside support and the poor
>>>>families trying to support them against all odds. I speak from two yr's
>>>>experience having ccordinated the Alternatives to Violence program in
>>>>Norfolk, before Weld shut it down; and alas a four year relationship
>>>>following that, with a man serving a life sentence at Norfolk (okay you
>>>>didnt know this about me). I essentially supported him to the tune of more
>>>>than $100 a month during those yrs because his family couldnt. (Yes I still
>>>>care--but relationship ended when the threat of strip searches for me became
>>>>all pervasive.)  This fee is an outrage because it is levied on those
>>>>families who are quite poor to begin with.
>>>>
>>>>I realize that prisoners rights arent a sexy or urgent topic right now.
>>>>After all, they are behind bars for a reason, etc etc. A few organizations
>>>>like the Legal Services group and the AFSC are behind this cause (on very
>>>>minimal basis because of budget constraints.)I support those efforts from a
>>>>budget stretched thin on so many efforts.
>>>>
>>>>I wld like to suggest, in the mildest possible way, that we try very hard to
>>>>stick to local or regional issues when we take a stand. I would like to
>>>>suggest as well that when our national GPUS has taken a stand on foreign
>>>>policy we support them rather than taking our own stand--unless for urgent
>>>>reasons we disagree with them.Maybe Elie and Jamie could print a summary of
>>>>GPUS stands to help us along.
>>>>
>>>>I find plenty to criticize in Mass politics (and I am sure Grace can add
>>>>chapter and verse.) I could name about five issues that I think deserve a
>>>>lot of our attention: the lousy health care program that Romney proposed is
>>>>one; prisoners rights (and the terrible conditions at MCI Walpole in max
>>>>security) is another. Lack of affordable housing statewide is a third. And I
>>>>guess my fourth and fifth would have to do with ecology--for example
>>>>overfishing and the resultant deaths (two boats lost lately) because of the
>>>>pressure to get it fast, regardless of safety. And (#5) the continuing
>>>>pollution of our outmoded plants. I realize all of these are tame issues in
>>>>comparison with stopping the war or issues about Palestine. But please note
>>>>that they are all local. We seem to have forgotten that.
>>>>
>>>>Please I dont want to demean anyone working on other issues. But I urgently
>>>>suggest that we start with local issues. And I urge the AdCom to take a
>>>>stand on prisoners rights just for starters.
>>>>
>>>>I am slowly getting back into shape. I will be glad to help wth drafting a
>>>>few statements if that will help--I just cant attend mtgs right now. With
>>>>respect--for all that Statecomm has done, and all of the mediating efforts
>>>>that people like Grace and Jill have tried. I love the GRP and I dont want
>>>>to leave it. I hope and pray that we can keep on track. And this isnt meant
>>>>to stifle opinions. I was a proudcarryng member of ACLU long before Mike
>>>>Dukakis was hesitant about admitting his membership. Poor Mike. I am glad I
>>>>never ran for office) Betts Zisk (the longest statement you will ever hear
>>>>  
>>>>
>>>>     
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>>from me).
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>From: statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org
>>>>[mailto:statecom-discuss-bounces at green-rainbow.org]On Behalf Of
>>>>Gracegrnrnbw at aol.com
>>>>Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:10 PM
>>>>To: statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
>>>>Subject: [statecom-discuss] Fwd: No Fees on Offenders
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Wow, the things that happen that ouodn't hear about because you go away!
>>>>See below and then google "Patrick safety fees" if you want to read the
>>>>press
>>>>coverage at the time...
>>>>
>>>>I don't know how much people are following developments with the new
>>>>adminstration but Patrick has pretty consistently proposed regressive
>>>>taxes - this is
>>>>certainly yet another one.
>>>>
>>>>And what is the appeal of another fee on those who get convicted?
>>>>Overwhelming low-income folks, overwhelmingly people of color?   Given that
>>>>white
>>>>collar crime is rarely prosecuted, this just continues the criminal justice
>>>>system's bias.
>>>>
>>>>but what I really find staggering is that the only appeal I see here is the
>>>>right wing tough-on-crime = people of color as criminals subtext.   didn't
>>>>we
>>>>just hear all this outrage when Healey used that angle to try to win an
>>>>election?   But it's okay as the basis of tax/fee policy?
>>>>
>>>>Love, grace
>>>>
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>>>>  
>>>>
>>>>     
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>Bill Cunningham
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>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>      
>>>
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