LIFE-NET NEWS
by Ret Z.
Covering Poverty Widely in a Net of Many Voices
2003 February 19 No Profit; No Proceeds
Volume 6 Number 5 All-Volunteer

"Give a family a fish, and they'll eat a meal;  give them a Net, and they'll have fish for Life."

Global Day of Protest: The Other Side
      "To march against the war is not to give peace a chance. It is to give tyranny a chance. It is to give the Iraqi nuke a chance. It is to give the next terrorist mass murder a chance. It is to march for the furtherance of evil instead of the vanquishing of evil," wrote Michael Kelly. (Washington Post Writers Group)
      "How do the protesters who claim not to be anti-American explain the virulent anti-Americanism of principal organizer ANSWER? Wouldn't the reasonable among them ask themselves why they are marching side by side with people in organizations that stand for everything that is antithetical to America?" wrote David Limbaugh. (Creators Syndicate)
      "[It] reminds parents like me of the teenager who stomps and yells 'I hate you!' when things don't go his way. The parent thinks to himself, fine. Hate me if that's the price I must pay for doing what's best for you regardless of the cost to my own happiness at the moment," wrote Kathleen Parker. (Tribune Media Services)
      "Majority public opinion seems opposed to war with Iraq regardless of the circumstances, much as it was in 1930's Europe in the face of Nazi Germany's aggression. Had public opinion prevailed then, people today would not have the right to protest about anything," wrote Paul Finn from England. ( BBC Talking Point )
      "Sure, it's an anti-war gathering. But it is heavily anti-Bush as well. Don't confuse the two issues. They are not the same. And for some, the marches are nothing more than an anti-America rally," wrote Michelle. ( A Small Victory )
      "Over four million members of the Al Qaeda terrorist network emerged briefly from hiding at various locations around the world today, chanting anti-American slogans and denouncing the United States' upcoming war against Iraq, bolstering the Bush administration's evidence of Iraqi-Al Qaeda collusion," wrote Adam Felber. ( felbers.net )
      "Not one sign, placard, or protester I saw gave any indication of a real world solution," wrote Janet S. from Cincinnati. (BBC Talking Point)

Living Large On Donated Money
      In a 2000 survey of nonprofits, the median CEO compensation, including cash benefits, was $75,000. The larger the organization, the more robust the CEO pay--and the more money diverted away from programs.
      In June 2001, the St. Petersburg Times reported that the CEO of Neighborly Senior Services was paid $162,000--well above the $82,600 cap imposed by the state of Florida on nonprofits receiving government funds. While he was requesting reimbursements for extravagant expenses, the agency was laying off over 100 workers because of "budget woes."
      At one time, nonprofits were viewed as charities that helped poor people and relieved suffering, but that is not the reality today. One example of this shift in service is the YMCA, a former source of refuge for inner-city homeless people and poor travelers, turned spa/health club provider.
      Increasingly, nonprofit boards search the for-profit sector for CEOs, pushing up nonprofit CEO compensation. Between 1990 and 2000, for-profit executive pay skyrocketed by 571%--towering 531 times above the average worker's pay.
      What would be a more just salary for nonprofit CEOs? United for a Fair Economy, University of California economist John Isbister, and others propose a salary ratio of 8:1. Based on that ratio, if the lowest-paid employee earned the minimum wage ($10,712 per year), the highest-paid employee would earn $85,696. If a nonprofit wanted to pay the CEO more, it would have to give raises to those on the bottom--a true rising tide that lifts all boats.
      Source:   Econ-Atrocity Bulletin

Bolivia Blows Up
      La Paz, capital of Bolivia, turned into a battlefield last week when a demonstration against an unpopular measure adopted by the neo-liberal administration of Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada ended in tragedy. Clashes turned deadly after students and civilians joined striking police officers gathered in the main square of La Paz to protest against the government.
      Government troops repressed the protest provoking chaos all over the city. Rioters burned seven public buildings, including the Ministry of Labor, Vice-President's office and the headquarters of the main political parties. In the outskirts of La Paz and other major cities as Cochabamba, Sucre and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, starved people looted supermarkets, factories and shops.
      The country's long running social crisis exploded when President Sanchez de Lozada introduced a new 12.5% tax on worker's skimpy salaries. Such legislation had been imposed by the International Monetary Fund to reach an agreement with the impoverished country.
      Source:   Pravda

Parable Teaches Neighborly Attitude
      In the parable of the Good Samaritan we see several attitudes.
  • The Lawyer, or expert in Moses' law, in the story only wanted to discuss the wounded man and was trying to test the Lord by his questioning.
  • The thieves in the story only wanted to use and exploit the wounded man as we see from their attack on him.
  • The Priest and the Levite were unconcerned about the welfare of the wounded man and passed him on by without showing any compassion.
  • The innkeeper was interested in the money which he would be paid for the care of the man and his fee for care and room in the inn.
  • The Samaritan was the only one who had a true heart of compassion and care. Although the Lawyer probably felt the Samaritan would have been the one least likely to be a "good neighbor" to another because of the bad chemistry between Jews and Samaritans, the Lord showed the Samaritan as the only one who had compassion on his neighbor and actively showed it.

From the parable we learn four principles about love for our neighbor.

  • People easily rationalize lack of love.
  • Our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed or social background who may be in need.
  • Love means acting to meet the need instead of passing it by.
  • We must help one even if they have brought the problem on themselves.

      Source:   J.P.'s Inspirations

What 'Detention' Means in Occupied Palestine
      There are approximately 20 detention centers in which Palestinian political prisoners are held in Israeli custody, scattered throughout occupied Palestine. Some of these detention centers are buildings, while others are merely tents erected within military camps. Archaic prisons from the British mandate period have been reopened.
      All of these detention centers are extremely overcrowded. Detainees sleep on wooden planks covered by thin mattresses. Covers are rare and often provided by the families of detainees and human rights associations when items are allowed to enter the detention facilities. Electricity is sparsely provided.
      The food is of poor quality and provided in small quantities. Until May 2002, detainees were provided with frozen food that they were only able to defrost by sunlight. Hot drinks and meals are very rare. Basic food necessities such as olive oil, coffee, and sugar, are provided by detainees' families and human rights associations, when possible. Getting these supplies through Israeli checkpoints is extremely difficult, and it is often lawyers who are able to carry these items in with them to detainees.
      Detainees are not provided a change of clothing by the prison administration. Those injured during their arrest are forced to stay in blood-soiled clothing for several months, and those who were detained in their night clothes or underwear also do not receive a change of clothing.
      Soap is rationed by the prison administration, and other personal hygiene items are offered infrequently and are often unsanitary. Hot water is seldom available. Each section of 120 detainees receives one bar of soap each day, and none on Friday and Saturday.
      Mattresses used to sleep on are extremely worn, often from second hand military equipment, with some infested with vermin. Supplies to clean prison sections are offered infrequently and are insufficient. Garbage is removed irregularly, and the sewage system is in extreme disrepair.
      Source:   Free Arab Voice

Felons: The American Worker's Newest Competitor?
      Amid a labor market recession, a proposal was made by some members of Congress that would increase competition for extremely low-wage American workers in the domestic market. The Federal Inmate Work Act of 2001, a bill that died in committee, would have created an experimental program to allow private companies to employ federal prisoners to produce goods currently made outside the United States. Although it is unlikely that this particular bill will be resurrected and become law, lawmakers periodically entertain similar programs.
      As of December 2001, over 3,700 inmates in 36 states were working in private-sector companies. In addition, approximately 23,000 federal prisoners presently work for Federal Prison Industries (FPI) in various production and service capacities. Although this is a small percentage of the 157,000 federal inmates in the United States, this number would likely increase significantly if the aforementioned bill or a similar program became law.
      FPI pays federal prisoners between $0.23 and $1.15 per hour, with the average federal prisoner making $0.92 per hour. Inmates, however, keep only a fraction of their wages, as approximately 80% is withheld for restitution, to offset incarceration costs, and to support their families, among other things. Thus, the average "take-home" wage of a federal prisoner is about $0.18 per hour. State prisoners' wages range from $0.23 per hour to $7.00 per hour, depending on the state in which and the company for which they work. Like federal prisoners, state prisoners take home only 20% of their wages. Federal prisoners' hourly wages, even before deductions, do not compare favorably to either the federal minimum hourly wage of $5.15, or the average hourly production wage of $14.32. Furthermore, FPI currently receives preferential status when bidding for federal contracts, as there is a mandatory sourcing requirement to sell to the federal marketplace.
      Source:   Economic Policy Institute

More Legal Protections for Mail-Order Brides
      Sparked in part by the murder of mail-order bride Anastasia King two years ago, lawmakers are pushing for legislation to further protect would-be spouses from other countries.
      Gov. Gary Locke last year signed into law a bill tightening rules for matchmaking services that bring foreign brides into the United States, said state Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle. The new law requires that people seeking companions through such international services undergo criminal-background checks and divulge their marital history. The prospective brides are then notified the information is available, translated into their own language. Such background is required of the brides coming into the United States, said Kohl-Welles.
      This year's bill, SB 5532, would strengthen the law by broadening the personal-history requirement beyond marital history to include annulments and dissolutions; founded allegations of child abuse or neglect; and any existing no-contact or protection orders.
      Liz Swope, with the Salvation Army's Homeless Family Assistance Program, testified in support of the bill at the Senate Children and Family Services and Corrections Committee hearing this month, telling the story of two young foreign brides who could have benefited from such laws. One came to Swope's program severely abused and later found out she was her husband's third mail-order bride. The other had to spend a week in the hospital after "horrific" sexual abuse by her husband.
      Source:   Seattle Times

Life-Net News Extras

An Update on the Working Poor
      The proportion of poor children whose parents make a substantial work effort decreased from 43 percent in 2000 to 40 percent in 2001. This is a reversal of trends during the most recent era of welfare reform when the percentage of poor children in working families rose from 32 percent in 1996 to 43 percent in 2000.
      One of the major goals of the 1996 welfare reform law, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), was to move more poor families with children into the labor force. Work can be an important step out of poverty, another important goal of welfare reform. Many low-income working parents and their children, however, remain poor even after meeting the work thresholds used in PRWORA (at least 20 hours per week for a single-parent family and at least 35 hours per week for a two-parent family).
      Children in working poor families are substantially less likely to receive TANF or Food Stamps than poor children whose parents do not meet the work threshold. They are about equally likely to be covered by health insurance, a positive change from the mid-1990s when they were less likely to be covered. Working poor families with children are also somewhat more likely to own their homes than other poor families with children, though they lag far behind their nonpoor counterparts in this measure of wealth.
      There is no generally accepted definition of "working poor" even though the term is widely used in discussions of policy. In this indicator, working poor families are defined as families whose income is below the official federal poverty level ($18,104 for a family of four in 2001) and in which either two-parent family members work a total of at least 35 hours per week or a single parent works at least 20 hours per week.
      Between 1995 and 2000, the percentage of poor children living in working poor families rose steadily from 32 percent to 43 percent, before falling to 40 percent in 2001. This recent decline happened during a period when child poverty remained constant at 16 percent overall. These trends are also evident for children living in single-mother families.
      Among all children (poor and nonpoor), the percent living in working poor families has stayed constant at six to seven percent.
      Source:   Child Trends DataBank

Filmmaker Stone Shows 'Human Side' of Castro
      James Hirsen's Left Coast Report gives us an angle we haven't shown on Cuba:
      Guess we’re all supposed to feel really relieved. Conspiracy buff Oliver Stone says that in making a documentary about Fidel Castro, he didn’t let the despot’s alleged charm affect his objectivity.
      Stone, who rarely trusts anything that comes out of the U.S. government, let loose with this statement on the Cuban oppressor-in-chief: "We should look to him as one of the Earth's wisest people, one of the people we should consult." Yeah, if we ever want to know the most efficient way to torture mass numbers of people and subjugate a nation.
      As is typical of left-leaning nincompoops, Stone was eager to tell the press about the glorious triumphs of the Castro regime. You know, things such as the extraordinary educational system and other services it has developed. He forgot to mention the innovative way of getting prisoners to talk using the lit end of the finest Cuban cigars.
      Stone also talked about the U.S. economic policy, saying that the embargo was based on "vengeance and obsessiveness."
      Source:   NewsMax

Homeless Council Head Tries to Break Deadlocks
      It's no surprise that people get cynical seeing the homeless legions grow despite a steady increase over the last decade in federal money to help them. Americans would be wrong, however, to conclude that the problem is intractable. And some of the cynicism would fade if more people could see the hopeful glint in the eyes of Philip Mangano as he speaks of meeting the president's aim to "end chronic homelessness" in this decade.
      Mangano, who once managed Buffalo Springfield and Peter, Paul and Mary, runs the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the federal crew responsible for deciding how taxpayer money should be spent on state and county efforts to help people find long-term shelter.
      Unfortunately, two rigid views still monopolize the debate. One insists that only ending poverty will solve the problem of people sleeping on sidewalks; the other argues that sweeping these "vagrants" into jail would do the trick. Mangano could bridge the divide.
      One of his models is Philadelphia, which five years ago passed a "sidewalk behavior ordinance" that criminalized street living but also required the city to respond to vagrancy promptly and humanely -- not by arresting people but by sending out a "rapid response team" of police and social workers trained to nudge people into shelters and treatment programs. Philadelphians can call an 800 number to rouse the teams. They usually show up within 20 minutes and have reduced the number of indigents in Philadelphia's Center City from 850 to below 300. Only three people have been sent to jail.
      Source:   Los Angeles Times

Amerindians Skeptical about Iraqi Oil
      American Indians must be laughing themselves sick.
      More than a century ago, Uncle Sam took control of Indian assets--including oil and gas fields. The government also took control of Indian grazing leases, timber rights and so forth, promising to hold the assets in trust for the Indians.
      But the government never kept proper track of the money, such as basic bookkeeping and legal errors that if committed by anyone else, would have landed the trustee in prison. Among other things, the government mixed funds owed to some people with other accounts, failed to bill oil companies and other leaseholders for royalty payments and didn't keep tabs on payments to the Indians.
      Today, more than 300,000 American Indians nationwide may be owed a total of $10 billion, say lawyers for the Indians who sued the federal government over the issue. The case has dragged on through two presidential administrations and more than a half-decade. The government simply has not figured out how to fix the mess, despite installing a fancy new computer system and making innumerable promises to Indians and to Congress.
      The punchline: The U.S. government is assuring the world it can properly hold Iraqi oil fields in trust.
      Source:   Fredericka J. Joseph, USEPA Office of Civil Rights

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