HAVOC Summer 2006 - CONTENTS
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HVEC Update
Starhawk on Sustainability
Vegan Recipe
Combat Wombat
Weld Echo
Web Stuff
Gunns 20 Update
Weld Campaign Update
1080 in the Huon
Racism in Australia
The Black GST
Arundhati Roy on Turkeys
Retail Update
Indie CD's

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Last year was an amazing year for the Huon Valley Environment Centre. There was a hugely successful art exhibition for the Weld Valley, the Organic Herb Expo in Cygnet, the Weld Valley camp blockade, a very successful campaign against 1080 in the Huon, and much, much more.

In November we received the exciting news that we were to receive a $3500 community grant from Australian Ethical & Superannuation. This is the second time the HVEC has received an Australian Ethical grant, and we are incredibly grateful for this grant, as it came at what is always the hardest time of the year (just before Xmas). Check out Australian Ethical's website www.austethical.com.au/ - if you go to 'Press Releases' you will see a story about the latest round of community grants, which mentions the HVEC. The other organisations that received grants are fantastic, and we feel privileged to be thought of amongst these groups. These grants have certainly made us appreciate the power of investing ethically. The grant has helped us update our office with a few new computers, a fax machine and laser printer, and broadband! Speaking of which, we have a new email address: centre@huon.org, if you would like to contact us via the web.

Coming up this year there is an exhibition in Darling Harbour, Sydney, that the HVEC has been involved in. This is a collaborative exhibition, including works from national and international artists reflecting their experiences with the Tasmanian Wilderness. A number of artists have visited the Weld Valley, and stayed at the camp, to make works for the exhibition. We have been told that some of the money raised from the exhibition will come to the HVEC for the Weld campaign, which is a very exciting prospect! Recently we have had a competition going for a new logo. We haven't had any contributions yet, so we've kept it open for as long as it takes to get a few good entries. If you are interested, bring your logo(s) along and put them in the competition box on the counter. You could win a $50 voucher for the HVEC shop!

Finally, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Lilia Letsch, and over the past 6 months I've been supervising a work for the dole activity here at the HVEC. We've been growing lots of plants, which you can come and buy. I am a new member of the Management Committee, my role is the Education and Research Coordinator. My tasks include Membership Coordinator and Editor of HAVOC newsletter.

We all hope that you enjoy summer, and you will hear from Havoc again in the beautiful season of Autumn.

Best wishes,
Lilia Letsch
Havoc Editor/Layout

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To create a sustainable culture and society, we need to change our understanding of how the world works. The mechanistic model of the world that underlies many of our most unsustainable practices sees the world as a fixed, static thing made up of isolated parts that interact in simple, cause and effect relationships. To create not just sustainability but ongoing abundance, we need to understand that the world is a web of dynamic relationships, that everything exists in communities and nothing stands alone. We can't benefit one part of a community at the expense of another and expect that community to last. We can't orient our economy, our agriculture, our forestry and our science to produce profits for the few, and expect our system to survive. But if we consider how to create beneficial relationships among all aspects of a community, the health and abundance of the entire system will increase.
A forest is not just a factory for producing doug firs*-- it's a community of plants, animals, birds, insects, soil micro-organisms, mycorrhizal fungi, and human beings. A business is a community that includes the whole biological community that creates the resources used, those who do the work and make decisions and ultimately use what is created.
I practice permaculture, the art of designing beneficial relationships to produce systems modeled on natural systems, in my home and gardens, and find it a useful lens for looking at any system. I also practice magic, "the art of changing consciousness at will." One tool I find useful for thinking about sustainability is the magic circle of the four elements, air, fire, water and earth, with spirit in the center. When making a decision, we can ask:

+ How will this affect the air, the climate? The birds and insects? Will it bring inspiration and refreshment?

+ How much energy will this use, and where will it come from? Will it use more energy than we take in? How much human energy will it require? Will it energize or drain us?

+ How will this affect the water? The fish, sealife, and water creatures? Will it use more water than we have? How do we feel about it?

+ How will this affect the earth? The health of the soil? The microorganisms and soil bacteria? The plants and animals? The forests?

+ How does this affect our human community? Will it benefit the poorest and least advantaged among us? Does this reflect and further our deepest values? Will it feed our spirit?

Sustainable abundance is a goal we can move towards. No one in this society can lead a totally sustainable life today, but if we ask the right questions, we will begin to move in the right direction.

(* Starhawk writes from Northern California, where the Douglas Fir is one of the mightiest of the forest trees. You can find more of her writings at: www.starhawk.org)

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Quinoa (KEEN-wa or kee-NO-a) is known as a pseudo-cereal crop. Although technically neither a grain nor a cereal, it is generally considered to be a grain crop. Its leaves may also be eaten as a leaf vegetable, much like amaranth. Quinoa comes from the Andean region of South America, where it has been an important food for 6,000 years. It can be easily cultivated in the Andes up to about 4,000 meters. the United Nations has classified it as a supercrop for its very high protein content. Unlike wheat or rice, quinoa contains a full complement of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete foodstuff. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which provide benefit to the heart.
Black Bean and Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup corn
2 spring onions chopped
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green capsicum'
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Dressing:
3-4 tablespoon light olive oil
2 tablespoon lemon juice and/or balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic minced
salt and pepper to taste
coriander or parsley

Directions:
Soak quinoa for five minutes then drain. Cook either in vegetable stock or water for 15 minutes. Drain and cool. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour the dressing in and mix well. This is good the next day as well. Best if served cold. Substitutions can be made for the vegetables...red onions, grated carrots, etc.
Serves: 4-6.
Preparation time: 30 min.

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On Saturday 12th Feb Combat Wombat are visiting the Weld Valley camp to play a gig on the fantastic pirate ship. Combat Wombat are an outspoken troupe of hip hop punks mainly located in Melbourne. Combat Wombat delve into issues of national identity, the government's treatment of refugees, indigenous sovereignty, US military force and uranium mining with a sense of urgency that is balanced by their ability to turn words into action. They've collaborated with various people on their journey so far including Ozi Batla (The Herd) and Seed MC (TZU). The group is made up of: Monkeymarc, Izzy, DJ Wasabi and Elf Tranzporter. Don't miss out on what is sure to be a wicked gig! Check out Weld Valley Online for a map to the Weld camp, or drop into the HVEC for a copy.

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Weld Echo art exhibition was held at Mawson's Place in Hobart on 2-8 September 2005, and was a resounding success. Black Sassy Collective, the organised body for the exhibition, and creative arm of the Huon Valley Environment Centre, said they were extremely happy with the outcome, and hope that it is the first of many exhibitions to come supporting Tasmanian, and especially Huon, based artists.

The exhibition included a very diverse range of works, from photography to paintings and collage, hand-dyed and hand-woven textiles, free-standing sculptures and ceramics. Weld Echo opened on a Friday evening, and over 250 people turned up for what was a most enjoyable and lively ceremony. Senator Bob Brown officially opened the exhibition, and spoke with heartfelt emotion and resounding clarity about the Weld Valley and why it should be protected as World Heritage.

"While a lot of people, me included, got a lot of hope last year, when the issue of Tasmania's fantastic forests came on to the election agenda, I suppose none of us were hoodwinked by the claims that Tasmania's old growth forests would be protected by the Prime Minister. But when the agreement was revealed, much more was left out than was left in...and one of the places that was totally left out...was the beautiful Weld Valley. The creativity in this hall is incredible...it's up to us to put a human heart in the way of the destruction, and here tonight is a human heart and a human mind, and a human caring. These works are phenomenal ­ what a range! What a magnificent thing the creative human being is provided it has got the stimulus. And what is the greatest stimulus for all of us? Its this beautiful planet and all of our fellow creatures and we who live on it...it speaks about our relationship with this beautiful island, and what we're doing to it and what it could be. There's a huge amount of work, initiative, creativity of giving in these works. You have brought your feelings for the Weld in so many diverse ways to this hall in downtown Hobart...and that's critical."

The exhibition was followed up by an auction later in the week, where most of the pieces were sold and a percentage of all the sales went to the Weld Valley campaign. Jake Primo took to the stage as a very debonair auctioneer, and even managed to auction off the mallet in his hand! Stiff Gins made a special appearance also, and between their beautiful voices and the success of the auction, a great night was had by all. Black Sassy Collective estimates that over $4500 was raised for the campaign, but are even more pleased with the exposure for both the artists and the Weld Valley that came as a result of the exhibition.

Keep your eyes and ears open for more Black Sassy events in the near future, and a huge thanks to all those involved!

Black Sassy Collective
Check out the Black Sassy website for some images and more info.

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TASCCL ­ The Tasmanian Council for Civil Liberties
The Tasmanian Council for Civil Liberties is a council that has been set up in Tasmania, with the aim of helping to protect basic human rights and freedoms which are slowly but surely being taken from us. Visit the website for membership, events, mailing list, documents of interest, and more.
www.tasccl.org.au

GetUp! - Action for Australia
GetUp is a new political movement to build a more progressive Australia.
GetUp brings together like-minded people who want to bring participation back into our democracy. GetUp members use the latest online tools to act on the most important issues facing the country. By signing up for updates, GetUp members will receive emails alerting them to new campaigns and providing ways of taking effective action. Whether it is sending an email to a member of parliament, calling a talk back radio station, or helping to get a television ad on the air, GetUp members will always be asked to take targeted, coordinated and effective action.
www.getup.org.au

Tasmedia
The local Indymedia website. Here you will find Tassie related stories and events, and you can post your own! Tasmedia has recently been through a revamp, with lots of new services and tools.
www.tasmedia.org

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Heidi Douglas (#5) wins International Film Award!
Heidi Douglas has won a Katherine Knight Award at the Earthvision Environmental Film Festival, held in Santa Cruz California.

The award was given for her short film "Tasmania's forests: A Global Treasure, A National Responsibility" (The Wilderness Society, 2004).

Katherine Knight along with her partner Ed Scehl founded the Earth Vision International Environmental Film and Video Festival in 1998. This award is in honour and appreciation of individuals, like Katherine, who spend their lives in pursuit of raising consciousness about environmental issues -informing, inspiring and involving those around them. CONGRATULATIONS HEIDI!

Case Update
On 18 July 2005, Justice Bongiorno of the Victorian Supreme Court struck out Versions 1 and 2 of Gunns' Statement of Claim (SoC). The SoC contains the allegations of fact and the legal basis upon which Gunns are seeking financial compensation through the proceedings they have initiated against the Gunns 20.
on 15 August 2005, Gunns submitted the third SoC. On 9 November 2005, all defendants notified the court of their intention to strike out Version 3.

In applying for a strike-out of the SoC, the defendants are effectively saying that the SoC is so faulty that they should not be required to respond to the claim in court.

There are a number of grounds upon which a SoC can be struck out, including that it is frivilous, vexatious or embarrassing.

The first two versions of Gunns' claim were struck out by Justice Bongiorno on the grounds that they were 'embarrassing'. The legal term 'embarrassing' suggests a claim is drafted such that defendants can't work out what they are being accused of, and thus can not defend themselves against the claim.

Version 3 of the SoC is very similar to Versions 1 and 2. Julian Burnside QC (defence counsel) observed at a court hearing in August V3 is "...like a Rubik's cube that has been twisted around a few times; all the same bits are there, they are just in different places..."

Some of the notable (and less legally complex) differences between V3 and V1 and V2 include:
Version 3 claims $500,000 more in damages than the earlier versions, taking the total damages claim to $6.895 million (up from $6.4 million). *The allegation that defendants were engaged in 'guerilla activities' has been removed.

*The allegation that defendants were involved in criminal conspiracies has been removed.

A number of defendants are no longer included in several of the allegations of criminal activity set out in the claim:

Small business owner, grandmother and Lucaston local, Lou Geraghty (#14) is no longer accused of the following offences (as she had been in V1 & V2):
Filling 12 culverts in an area to be logged with rocks, timber and debris
Placing a lock on a boom gate
Ramming mud into the dozer exhaust
Putting a rag into the hydraulic system of the dozer
Affixing signs to a fence eg. 'John Gay is a bully'

Independent filmmaker Brian Dimmick (#16) is no longer accused of the following offences (as he had been in V1 & V2):
Constructing a barricade
Ramming mud into the exhaust of a dozer
Putting mud/dirt into the transmission of a dozer
Affixing signs to a fence e.g "Huon Council licks John Gay's bum"
Artist Simon Brown (#9) is no longer accused of the following offences (as he had been in V1 and V2):
Placing a lock on a boom gate installed by Gunns
Ramming mud into the exhaust of a dozer
Putting mud/dirt into the transmission of a dozer
Affixing signs

Filmmaker Heidi Douglas & the Huon Valley Environment Centre (#5 and #17) have been dropped entirely from the Banks Action, in which they were formerly accused of attempting to injure Gunns by pressuring various financial institutions to withdraw their services and investments from Gunns Ltd. Gunns allege some defendants interfered with their relationship with a number of financial institutions. Westpac has been added to this list of institutions within the third claim.

Where to now?
The date for the strike out application on the third Statement of claim is yet to be set. It is likely to go for four or five days in the New Year.

A Year In Review
14 Dec 2004 ­ Writ is served
Defendants served with writ & version one of the Statement of claim.
11 March 2004 ­ Directions Hearing
Plaintiffs don't attend. Case is moved to major torts list. Judge expresses concern about statement of claim (SoC)
30 March ­ Plaintiffs lawyers (EMA legal) write to all defendants seeking to adjourn Directions Hearing set for 8 April 2005. Defendants reject this request for delay.
8 April 2005 ­ Directions Hearing
Timetable is set for request and provision of further and better particulars. Strike-out hearing foreshadowed for July.
22 April ­ Deadline for defendants to request further + better particulars.
10 June ­ Deadline for plaintiffs to provide further + better particulars.
15 June ­ EMA file proposed revision of timetable to delay date for Strike Out.
4-8 July 2005 ­ Hearing for Strike Out Applications
Defendants 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 & 20 apply to strike out claim. Defendants 2, 6, 9, 13 & 18 reserve their rights to choose to apply for the SoC to be struck out.
18 July 2005 ­ Judgement on Strike Out
Justice Bongiorno strikes out both first and second versions of the SoC in their entirety and give plaintiffs 4 weeks to re-plead.
15 August 2005 ­ Version 3 is served
17 August 2005 ­ Mention
Costs awarded to defendants for 8 April Hearing and strike out application. Timetable set for request & provision of further & better particulars.
14 September ­ Deadline for defendants to request further + better particulars.
26 October ­ Deadline for plaintiffs to provide further + better particulars
9 November ­ Defendants notify court of their wish to apply for version 3 of the SoC to be struck out.
www.gunns20.org

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The Weld Valley Community Blockade resumed action on 24th September 2005, several weeks prior to the end of a six-month moratorium that was negotiated with Forestry Tasmania in April. The moratorium resulted from direct action undertaken in coupe BB21A and on a logging road, Eddy Spur 2, between January and April this year. The current blockade is a continuance of this action, and is preventing forestry roading operations that will open up around 2000ha of pristine wilderness that adjoins the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Lower Weld Valley contains large tracts of old growth forest, including tall eucalypt forest, leatherwood and myrtle tracts, blackwood wetlands, sub-alpine forest, sites of high significance to Tasmania's Indiginous people,and one of Tasmania's last wild river's, the majestic Weld. On Saturday, the 24th September, a forest gathering was held in the Lower Weld, with around 100 members of the Huon Valley community turning out to support the re-establishment of the blockade. Camp Weld consists of a number of tree-sits, tripods, dragons, fort walls and associated infrastructure in order to prevent the continuation of roading and forestry operations. The structure's at the blockade are constantly evolving, with the extension of a full sized road-blocking pirate ship/band stage being currently undertaken. On Saturday 7th January a Pirate Party is being held at the camp to celebrate the official launch of ship, and there is an open invitation to any bands who are keen to play a show on a pirate ship in the midst of an old growth forest. In the forest adjoining the blockade an Upper Canopy Research Station has been established in order to examine the behaviour of invertebrate species in and above the canopy, and to search for as yet undiscovered species. This innovative research has only been undertaken once previously in Tasmania.
Events at Camp Weld so far have included well-attended Community Open days, bus trips organised by local community groups, a visit from Senator Bob Brown, interstate artists and film-makers, an acoustic set by Magic Dirt on the pirate ship, and an influx of local, interstate and international activists. SWAG is working to make the Lower Weld Valley a focal point of forest activism over the coming summer, and we welcome any activists and community members to come stay, help out or hang out, in a beautiful, under threat old growth wilderness.
Hope to cya's soon!!
by Wazza

For more information regarding the Lower Weld Valley:
www.huon.org/weldvalley
savetheweld@planet-save.com
Huon Valley Environment Centre: (03) 62641286

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1080 In The Huon

Residents in Cradoc, Judbury and Glen Huon were notified recently of a plan to drop 1080 poison baits in their area. Forest Enterprises Australia (FEA) planned the drop for early November, and notified some residents before having acquired a permit. Concerns were raised and a public meeting held in Huonville, and as a result Forest Enterprises Australia aborted original plans instead embarking on a two-month trial period of intensive shooting.

1080 is the trade name for monosodium fluoroacetate, a poison that is found in some Western Australian plants. This poison affects a mammal's ability to metabolise energy and an animal's cardio-respiratory system or their nervous system, delivering a slow death that can take up to 20 hours. Chopped carrot bait laced with 1080 is laid to kill Bennetts Wallabies, Pademelons and Brush-tailed Possums that browse on plantation seedlings, pasture or crops.

Residents' were concerned that dead and dying wildlife may be encountered on their property, that the local water supply may be contaminated by decomposing carcasses and the potential risk of pets taking the baits by mistake. Over 100 people attended the public meeting and resolutions included a request for Forest Enterprises Australia's directors to come to the Huon to discuss people's concerns and to adopt existing humane alternatives instead, and called on the government to stop subsidising the use of 1080 for the destruction of wildlife instead declaring the Huon Valley a '1080 Free Zone'. Conservation groups believe there are many alternatives available to 1080 use, and have discovered that a range of factors contribute to the
effective growth of a plantation, it is not limited to simply the browsing/eradication of native animals. Tasmanian Conservation Trust conducted a joint project with Forest Enterprises Australia, started in 2002 and finishing this year. Two over-riding conclusions were reached as a result of these trials:

- Non-lethal alternatives to 1080 exist today; and
- Environmental variability within a plantation and the assessment of risks and associated management decisions can be more important than targeting browsing animals.

The most significant conclusion that can be drawn two years after planting is that the quality of the site has a huge impact on the quality of the plantation. This was also a conclusion of the one-year report. There was a large difference in environmental conditions between the four sites, in particular regarding aspect, slope, quality of soil and proximity to bush edges. In addition to these environmental conditions, there were differences in plantation management that affected the health of seedlings, such as the time of planting, drift of spray from herbicides and mechanical damage at the time of planting.

By Anthea Brescianini

ALERT / UPDATE / FANTASTIC NEWS!!!
1080 Free Zone in the Huon Valley
At the ordinarny meeting of the Huon Valley Council held on Wed 14th Dec 2005, a majority of Councillors resolved that Huon Valley Council will prepare a report on the options available for achieving '1080 free' status for the Huon Valley, giving in-principle support to the idea. The report will be prepared for the March 2006 Ordinary Meeting of Council. For more info visit: www.huonvalley.tas.gov.au

Thanks to Councillor Liz Smith for tabling the '1080 free' motion, and well done to everyone involved in the campaign to stop 1080 poison in the valley!

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After many years of dormancy, 2004/05 has seen a drastic upsurge in the activity of race-hate groups in both Australia and New Zealand. In Western Australia, Jack Van Tongeren and his associated Australian Nationalist Movement thugs embarked on a massive campaign of racial violence and vandalism. A campaign which saw a number of their members put behind bars. In New Zealand, the National Front gathered the dregs from ten years of racialist inactivity and united them under the one banner. As expected, the re-emergence of Kerry Bolten and his head bovver boy, Kyle Chapman also coincided with physical assaults on refugees and on Maori cultural symbols.
In Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle, the notorious Jim Saleam was back to his old tricks with a new group of impressionable youth under his wing, the Patriotic Youth League. Re-hashed National Action stickers and posters began popping up and in Newcastle at-least, physical assaults on international students followed. This upsurge in activity also encouraged the smaller fringe groups like the White Pride Coalition in Australia and the New Zealand Nazi Militia to rear their heads up. All was looking good for the racists until a dedicated group of activists from both New Zealand and Australia came together to Fight dem back! A large part of our success lies in scratching the surface of any 'nationalist' and 'patriotic' group and revealing the hardcore racist within.
There are some on the racist-right who contend that Fight dem back! is a campaign against free speech. We fully accept that freedom of speech is a fundamental human right, but one that shouldn't be abused. If you argue that you should be allowed the freedom of speech to promote policies that deny that very same right on the basis of skin colour or nationality, then actually no, we don't believe you have a legitimate complaint when your posters are torn down and your meetings picketed. FDB comprises people from many cultural and political backgrounds. We are a melange of various left-leaning groups, religious and cultural groups, unions, mums, sons, dads and daughters. We are brought together by the strong belief that all people, regardless of race, religion or creed, are created equal and by our uniform opposition to all groups who would seek to propagate racial hate and division.
Our members reflect the intrinsic benefits of multicultural understanding and tolerance. We are Muslim, Jew and Christian; Anglo, Asian, and African; blackfella and whitefella; Maori and Pakeha; Aussie and Kiwi - together.

(Article taken from the Fight Dem Back website)

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The Black GST began as a discussion group in North Fitzroy, Melbourne. It is a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who are concerned and the current political situation confronting Indigenous Australia.
The Black GST has tapped into and heard the widespread discontent and disaffection that today is felt in all Aboriginal communities.
The Black GST seeks to provide an outlet for that discontent by posing the question, "Should the 2006 Stolenwealth Games be seen as an opportunity to again focus national and international attention of the ongoing failure of successive Australian Governments to resolve issues of sovereignty, land justice and self-determination for Indigenous people?"
The Black GST reminds all people of the long history of indigenous people taking advantage of high profile international events to draw attention to injustice in Australia. This style of actions began with the 1938 Day of Mourning, and includes the 1970 Sydney 'Celebration' of Cook's arrival in Botany Bay, the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and the 1988 Bicentennial Celebrations in Sydney. With the exception of Brisbane in 1982, each of these occasions have been a solemn and dignified expression of indigenous solidarity and determination.
The Black GST points out that the current political reality for Black Australia is that both major political parties now have developed populist, anti-indigenous policies; and that with the destruction of ATSIC the indigenous community has no elected political voice for the first time since 1973.
The Black GST points out that the current political reality for Black Australia is that both major political parties now have developed populist, anti-indigenous policies; and that with the destruction of ATSIC the indigenous community has no elected political voice for the first time since 1973.
The brutal reality is that indigenous people are in effect in political limbo.
It is now time to remind the state and federal governments of the words of Gough Whitlam, who in 1972 stated that while the historical injustices
perpetrated against indigenous Australians remained unresolved, it 'would continue to diminish ALL Australians'.
How can you get involved?
Black GST Spokesman Targan asks supporters to "Come to Melbourne and help us expose the racist nature of Australian society that continues 20 years after Brisbane to deny us our basic human rights! Let's Stop the Genocide, Assert Aboriginal Sovereignty and Negotiate a Treaty!"
www.kooriweb.org/gst/

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(Cut from Arundhati Roy's talk with David Barsamian in Seattle on 8.17.04)
Like Old Imperialism, New Imperialism relies for its success on a network of agents - corrupt local elites who service Empire. We all know the sordid story of Enron in India. The then-Maharashtra government signed a power purchase agreement that gave Enron profits that amounted to 60 percent of India's entire rural development budget. A single American company was guaranteed a profit equivalent to funds for infrastructural development for about 500 million people!

Unlike in the old days, the New Imperialist doesn't need to trudge around the tropics risking malaria or diarrhea or early death. New Imperialism can be conducted on e-mail. The vulgar, hands-on racism of Old Imperialism is outdated. The cornerstone of New Imperialism is New Racism.

The best allegory for New Racism is the tradition of "turkey pardoning" in the United States. Every year since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the US President with a turkey for Thanksgiving. Every year, in a show of ceremonial magnanimity, the President spares that particular bird (and eats another one). After receiving the presidential pardon, the Chosen One is sent to Frying Pan Park in Virginia to live out its natural life. The rest of the 50 million turkeys raised for Thanksgiving are slaughtered and eaten on Thanksgiving Day. ConAgra Foods, the company that has won the Presidential Turkey contract, says it trains the lucky birds to be sociable, to interact with dignitaries, school children and the press. (Soon they'll even speak English!) That's how New Racism in the corporate era works. A few carefully bred turkeys - the local elites of various countries, a community of wealthy immigrants, investment bankers, the occasional Colin Powell or Condoleezza Rice, some singers, some writers (like myself) - are given absolution and a pass to Frying Pan Park. The remaining millions lose their jobs, are evicted from their homes, have their water and electricity connections cut, and die of AIDS. Basically they're for the pot. But the Fortunate Fowls in Frying Pan Park are doing fine. Some of them even work for the IMF and the WTO - so who can accuse those organizations of being anti-turkey? Some serve as board members on the Turkey Choosing Committee - so who can say that turkeys are against Thanksgiving? They participate in it! Who can say the poor are anti-corporate globalisation? There's a stampede to get into Frying Pan Park. So what if most perish on the way?

As part of the project of New Racism we also have New Genocide. New Genocide in this new era of economic interdependence can be facilitated by economic sanctions. New Genocide means creating conditions that lead to mass death without actually going out and killing people. Denis Halliday, who was the UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq between 1997 and 1998 (after which he resigned in disgust), used the term genocide to describe the sanctions in Iraq. In Iraq the sanctions outdid Saddam Hussein's best efforts by claiming more than half a million children's lives.

In the new era, apartheid as formal policy is antiquated and unnecessary. International instruments of trade and finance oversee a complex system of multilateral trade laws and financial agreements that keep the poor in their bantustans anyway. Its whole purpose is to institutionalize inequity. Why else would it be that the US taxes a garment made by a Bangladeshi manufacturer twenty times more than a garment made in Britain? Why else would it be that countries that grow cocoa beans, like the Ivory Coast and Ghana, are taxed out of the market if they try to turn it into chocolate? Why else would it be that countries that grow 90 percent of the world's cocoa beans produce only 5 percent of the world's chocolate? Why else would it be that rich countries that spend over a billion dollars a day on subsidies to farmers demand that poor countries like India withdraw all agricultural subsidies, including subsidized electricity? Why else would it be that after having been plundered by colonizing regimes for more than half a century, former colonies are steeped in debt to those same regimes and repay them some $382 billion a year?

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Since the HVEC moved behind Glo Organic Cafe the shop may have less of a profile, but sales are still going really well. We are still selling all the favourites, including recycled printer paper, wilderness diaries and calenders, beautiful hemp soap, laundry and dishes detergent, Bokashi products, organic sanitary products, incense, candles, children's toys, political stickers, a great range of books and magazines, and cards (including a beautiful range of wilderness nudes and wildlife cards by Kirsty Pilkington). We are also selling a number of great CD's and DVD's, including The Recherche Baybes, Peter Hicks, the Tal.loon.ne compilation, Spondooli Brothers and more. DVD's include 'Messages from the Tarkine', and 'Australian Atomic Confessions: twice in a lifetime'.
Our newest addition to the shop is a huge range of sweat-shop free singlets and hoodies hand screen printed with a local designers images.
Is there anything you would like to see in the Huon Valley Environment Centre shop? If there is, please let us know by emailing as at: centre@huon.org, or give us a call on: (03) 6264 1286.

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