Hi:
You're response makes a lot of sense and says what I was going to say more or less.
It's important for us all to do the best we can to make the best choices and decisions about who to support and who to boycott from the information we do get about corporations. I think that people could be more proactive in seeking out information about corporations-their practices, affiliates, products etc. I've been looking for more sources of info. to find out truths about the corporations behind the products I buy. Consumer information groups are a great resource for getting the inside scoop about items I consume. I also want more information about measures and the such which I'm voting for or against. Beyond the voter's pamphlet, I've read The League of Women's Voter's opinions on measures, read The Eugene Weekly's opinions on measures, read the register guard's opinions on measures, talked to the student body government about their opinion on different measures, and recently, I've asked the teacher's and faculty of the elementary school where I've been doing a work study this term and last term, what their opinions are regarding different issues. Additionally, I've spoken to parents of kids at the elementary school to get their opinions of measures. As it turns out, some of the parents are quite active in coordinating protests and the such to raise awareness of issues affecting our community and the world, and to make positive changes. These parents are good living examples of people doing the right things and standing up for what they believe in. They mentioned something you did about the larger the group of people in protest who boycott products and cause corporations to lose large amounts money, the bigger effect we'll have on society, on making positive changes in society. I'm glad I'm meeting people who think and live these ways. I can learn from them and with them how to take good positive actions to produce positive changes in our world. It's a good idea for each person to get informed about issues and get together to change things which need to be changed. I noticed that Jim has a bulletin board outside his office with an article or flyer or something giving us a number to call for information regarding measures to vote for. This seems like another good source of information; of opinions to gain before voting specifically.
I've circulated initiative petitions about: mad cow disease, medical marijuana, percentage of lottery dollars going for parks etc, sustainable forestry, as well as worked on the toxic right to know campaign educating people about the chemicals used to make products from Hyundai for instance, and having people join together to require Hyundai and other such corporations to disclose lists of chemicals they use, in what quantities, for what, and when. I've also attended workshops about Indonesia's economy; their part in the big global corporate economic structure, and about East Timor's plight to be a nation independent of Indonesia. (I just heard a report a couple of week's ago that East Timor just celebrated their first Independence Day, so they were successful in gaining the independence they were striving for. This is an encouraging turn of events to me!)
I've attended workshops teaching me about the oppression of the Native People's of Big Mountain Arizona who are being forced off their land so the government can mine it for coal deposits, for the diamonds within the coal. If any territory is found to have a precious natural commodity to it, the us government most often tries to get their hands on it regardless of the consequences, of who it effects negatively, at anyone or anythings expense.
I've sent supplies to protestors who were at Fall Creek protesting the cutting down of some of our old growth forests. I was working full time so I couldn't go there myself, so I sent supplies. This is an example of what you can do to help even if you're working full time. I purchased a couple boxes of food and supplies cost effectively at the grocery outlet or maybe it's called the canned food warehouse at 14th and main in Springfield. I dropped the supplies off at 454 Willamette str. where the organizers took it out to the protestors. Sometimes people will even come to your house or business and pick up the supplies.
I've also attended a workshop about the CIA and drug smuggling from Colombia and other related topics.
The University or Oregon and Lane Community College are great places to get information about issues and what one can do to change things for the better. I totally support people getting informed and doing whatever good responsible reasonable safe and healthy especially community, family oriented things that people can do to help better our society, our world, our planet.
It's good if we can shop for goods locally made and produced in good ways, at least then we know what we're getting and from whom. There are farmers markets downtown on Tues. and Saturdays as well as a farmers market outside of the Meridian shopping center, corner of 18th and willamette, on thurs.
Good Luck to everyone. Have a great summer.
Signed, Shaunasi