Sec. 1. FROM THE EDITOR
  Making the News
Sec. 2. EVENTS
  Landlords Celebrate Annual Media Blackout of Earth Day
  Man Vs. Nature: Finally a Clear Winner?
  UK Georgist Epidemic
  American East Coast Asking Henry
  Feminist Economics
Sec. 3. INFO-WAR
  NEWSPEAK UPDATE: Socio-Literary Manipulation in the News
  "Ethnic Cleansing" or Earth-nic Cleansing
  Racist Demagoguery to Avoid Reporting the News?
  WATCH-WATCH: Flushing Out 'Alternative News' Decoys
  Worldwatch Institute Produces "The State of the World"
  GEO-MEDIA ADVANCES: New Georgist Media
  The Progress Report
  The Secret Life of History
  Important Book Near Completion
Sec. 4. NETWORK NEWS
  Lindy Davies and Mumia Abu-Jamal
  Human Rights (and Wrongs)
Sec. 5. COMMENTS, REMINDERS AND PERSONAL NOTES
  Major Georgist Events this Summer

Dear Georgists, I apologize for my recent absence. In my defense, aside from other 'paying-the-rent-related' activity, I was busy trying to make some Georgist news of my own (see below)! I'll have you up to date shortly, though. {= )

Georgists should know well the socially destructive effects which normally arise through historical revisionism, so I plead with you once again to rebuke the false testimony regurgitated in news periodicals and elsewhere regarding Earth Day. Look for "History of Earth Day" on any search engine and you will be thoroughly showered with a completely false, yet now popularly believed, history of Earth Day. More than 9 of 10 references to "the first Earth Day" in either print, broadcast or other media claim it was April 22, 1970. (If it was not March 21, 1970, one month previous, I will eat this laptop.)

Not all Georgists see why I and others think this is so important. Check into it, though, and ask yourself why it's so important to some folk that the public be thusly misguided. For the same reason history books omit Henry George, the Earth Day hoax is furthered by the press and other landed interests - because public awareness thereof would change the world.

George Truly,
Adam Jon Monroe, Jr.
Editor, The Georgist News
212-613-5766
georgist@aol.com

PS - Due to this edition's tardiness and the number of important, but pending updates I have for you, this must be sent in two parts. In addition, another issue is likely soon.

In the dark of night, Saturday, March 20, hundreds of people, including ambassadors and other international dignitaries, UN and NGO representatives and those of many environmental and social welfare groups walked across 1^st Ave. and stood quietly on the grounds of the United Nations Building in a grassy area around the UN Peace Bell. At exactly 8:46 PM, the bell was rung thrice, while, at the same moment, other Peace Bells in cities around the world were so rung, to mark Earth Day (the vernal equinox and first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere). Other groups and individuals around the world also participated in various ways. All of this was overtly ignored by press organizations despite their annual notification for the past quarter century and again this year.

The significance of the mass observance of this event is understandable, perhaps, only from personal participation. This might explain why, yet, only a small percentage of Georgists have come to the aid of long-time Georgist and Earth Day father, John McConnell, in his struggle against the 4^th estate's conscienceless historical revisionism regarding what is probably the greatest idea he has ever had, the idea which popularized environmentalism*, Earth Day.

* [Environmentalists are taught Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring, started the modern environmental movement, but very few people have ever heard of it. Meanwhile, space flight and the photos produced therewith, of Earth, to which McConnell attributes the "Earth Day" idea, naturally, sparked a deep public interest in the preservation of our ecosystem. Plus, Earth Day was an overnight grassroots sensation in 1970 and remains a major cultural landmark, even vying for the subject of US postal stamp recently.]

Unlike the April 22 version of Earth Day, where corporations promote the voluntary removal, by children usually, of litter and trash from vacant urban lots, the equinox (and original) Earth Day is meant to be a solemn and sacred, yet joyous and inspiring moment of cognitive union between the life-giving force of the universe and every race, religious group, nationality and creed of humanity—not, in essence, a day for reminders to recycle, but for a reminder that we share this planet as one. The two dates are of no comparable significance whatever.

The Spring Equinox was specifically chosen for Earth Day because it is a shared geo-astronomical event taking place all over the world at one precise moment, the idea being to publicly demonstrate the transcendental significance of our relationship with Earth over 'manufactured human divisions.' [1] This is why it has been locked in the dungeon of public awareness for the past 30 years, where Henry George keeps it company: landed interests don't want people to realize they have an equal right to Earth.

This was the 28^th Earth Day observance by the UN, Secretary General U Thant having proclaimed the vernal equinox Earth Day in 1971, inspired by John McConnell's vision, first realized the previous year, of an annual worldwide celebration to recognize our mutual inheritance. Thus far, repeated attempts by April 22 organizers to persuade the UN to change the date of its observance have, happily, failed.

This year, media attendance was, as usual, slight if at all (present company excepted), but the fake "Earth Day" can expect plenty of coverage in about a week. Some say it's common knowledge that national holidays' dates are often changed to prevent international celebrations. April 22 organizers shrink from the idea that there is any connection with such manipulations though most admit their promotions may sometimes mislead. Some have been told to consider this necessary in order "to humor the old man," former US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who "likes to think of himself" as Earth Day's creator. Nelson has admitted more than once, verbally, that he did not originate it, but his many essays on the history and origins of Earth Day vigorously declare otherwise and make no reference whatever to the original or to McConnell. The third paragraph of this, one of Nelson's many lie-ographies about Earth Day, is shockingly Orwellian: http://www.earthday.org/mission.htm

"For establishing the first Earth Day in 1970," Sen. Gaylord Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 1995. [2] Yet, ... he didn't establish the first Earth Day, either in 1970 or any other year. [3] Why this huge emphasis on lying about Earth Day? Georgists should know better than to think all this has nothing to do with Earth.

Unfortunately, GlobaLink TV [4] was forced to postpone the launch of their global video channel. Their first global broadcast was scheduled for Earth Day, March 20, and was to cover music and cultural events from around the world called "Rockin' for Freedom." Earth Day activities at the United Nations and other related musical events were to be included in GLTV's broadcast. The directors of GLTV still want to help our project, though, and have offered their contacts and other assistance.

Also, your editor, I, Adam Monroe, performed my arrangement of John McConnell's song, "Earth Day"! (Did you know I'm a soon-to-be rock star?) I had hoped to do much more to raise attention for the real Earth Day, but I'll try again next year, hopefully with more help from other Georgists.

Now, for the odd, but 'possibly' good news: more than one person has recently come up with the idea that Earth Day should become "Earth Month" to include both March 20 and April 22 or "Earth Quarter" to extend the form to June 5, "World Environment Day." [5] Having read the idea at Jill Remington's web site, Worldwide Servers [6] I asked San Diego April 22 organizer, Ian Burke, about "Earth Month," and he liked the idea, but wasn't sure what other April 22 organizers might think. Burke also agreed that McConnell has been treated unfairly and, in fact, that the Vernal Equinox is a superior date for Earth Day. He even tends to agree, he says, with the reason your editor believes the landed media has participated in the hoax.

Keep checking the Georgist News for further developments in that story, but meanwhile, boycott the fake Earth Day (April 22) or better yet, expose it as a tool of land rights obfuscation and public misdirection by the 4^th estate.

Three American activists who had had been trying to help the U'wa retain possession of their ancestral territory were killed recently, presumedly by FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia). FARC has been associated with oil corporations seeking lands in Columbia.

The consistent reverence for nature found with 'less civilized' cultures may suggest that such respect is innate with human beings, helping the argument that government, not human nature is to blame for social and environmental spoliation. While many well-funded "environmental" organizations bemoan human nature's lack of concern for Earth, the U'wa threaten mass suicide if their land is violated: http://www.ran.org/info_center/aa/uwa_update.html

[From reports by Tony Vickers,
Henry George Foundation of Great Britain]

In early March, ex- (but soon-to-be-again?) Councilman from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Ben Howels heated up the Georgist fire 'roaming' the United Kingdom, especially in England and very especially in Scotland where significant public attention is on impending land reform. US/UK relations also improved markedly on a Georgist level (with the help the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation) with Mr. Howel's London and Edinburgh presentations.

Young people in Scotland were notably impressed and wavering Councillors were able to hear from, essentially, one of their own how the land tax shift is turning around his city, once an internationally recognized paragon of urban decay, the infamous "Allentown":http://www.smart.net/~hgeorge/allentown.html

In London, Howels spoke alongside Professor Nat Lichfield of London University and Owen Connellan of Glamorgan University as they presented the findings of their Lincoln Institute funded study "The Prospects for LVT [Land Value Taxation] in Britain under New Labour" in the august environment of the Lloyd George Room at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall, London. A broadly sympathetic audience of about 40 welcomed the proposals on the whole. [The Georgist News invites your comments on Lichfield and Connellan's proposals. Find them listed in a sidebar at the end of this item.]

It's amazing how two countries with a common heritage can be separated not only by a common language but by a common phenomenon called democracy. The idea that a city or county—let alone borough—could decide how to raise its taxes is totally foreign to Brits. And to Yanks, the idea that a single national authority could regulate not only taxes but also property valuation, setting of property rates, fees for planning permission, map specifications and the colour of satellite dishes (I think I made the last one up!) for 50 million people is impressive. Truly, Howels and I each wanted a good deal of what the other already had but didn't want!!

The Euro will lead to a common tax structure across the whole continent of Europe. So they say, the Euro-skeptics. If true, how come the US of A has a single currency but such a huge range of taxes within subsidiary governments?

If they are right though, perhaps Europe will elect to have a continent-wide land tax! One man who wants that could be elected to the Strasbourg Parliament in June: Christopher Huhne, a former economics correspondent of the London "Guardian," now No. 2 on the Liberal Democrat Party list for South East England in these elections.

Huhne chaired the afternoon session at a seminar in Edinburgh entitled "Funding Multi-layer Democracy." In an upbeat manner, he introduced the senior economist of the English LGA (Local Government Association), John Blundell. The latter went on to suggest that our Labour Government has given up on the current formula for sharing out centrally collected revenues to local authorities (over 300 of them) and has instructed officials to produce a new, fairer system by year 2001.

By that time, we expect power at the LGA (representing all elected councils in England and Wales) will have shifted away from Labour and the pro-LVT Lib Dems will hold the balance. Head of the Lib Dem staff at LGA, young Councillor Wyn Evans, believes strongly in 'single tax' theory. Evans, Huhne and myself will be meeting later this month to decide tactics in the wake of Howels' visit and other changes here.

At an invitation-only meeting convened by the National Economic Research Council (NERC) on 1 March, I asked the Minister for Regions and Regeneration if he thought that a tax reform that gave a boost to local economies without costing his Treasury a cent might be of interest. I said it works in Pennsylvania and that builders in New Jersey are asking for it. He wants to know more: Richard Caborn's city is Sheffield, of "Full Monty" fame, so he'll get the uncensored version!

Another British Government initiative is Lord Richard Rogers' Urban Task Force, which reports in June to say how we can make our cities more pleasant and successful. Their interim report admits our tax system is unimaginative, then goes on to suggest 'tax breaks' for developers. This gave us a good excuse to issue a press release from HGF linking the PA two-rate tax, Ben Howels' visit and our thoughts on rating reform. At least one local government journal printed it, judging by the queries that have started coming into our office about site value rating.

This year is the 350^th anniversary of the founding of the "Diggers," revolutionary Scottish squatters who, even today, organize urban "occupations" to secure land access for the poor. Their modern incarnation calls itself "This Land Is Ours!" and is another Scottish land reform group which advocates the land tax:http://www.oneworld.org/tlio

Ed Iglehart, a life-long Scottish resident, makes a big deal about the land tax at his home page. Georgists will probably enjoy this example of his writing, from a common man's perspective, on the obvious necessity for the public collection of land rent:http://www.tipiglen.dircon.co.uk/taxation.html

The Scottish Green Party is currently the most vocal in their promotion of the land tax:http://www.scotweb.co.uk/environment/scotgreenparty

- Proposals from Lichfield and Connellan's Lincoln Institute funded study, "The Prospects for LVT in Britain under New Labour":

Nearly all the best and most well known American East Coast Georgist leaders were specifically invited by Rep. Arnone to address House members and other hearing participants. Thanks, at least in part, to some of these same individuals, like Schalkenbach Foundation Director, Ted Gwartney and Josh Vincent from Center for the Study of Economics (Arnone's primary land tax consultant), the bill was passed unanimously earlier this year by the Subcommittee studying it (Sec. 2-GN 1/6/99).

"It went well," according to Ted Gwartney. Opposition is "limited," he said, to such as absentee landlords and the super-rich, among the latter of whom, of course, many are industrialists. Mr. Gwartney believes the political power of wealthiest group will possibly, therefore, balance out to some degree, between productive and nonproductive sectors. If so, an informed populus may again be the key to another Georgist victory.

Christine Todd Whitman, Governor of the US' most 'urban' State, has taken a strong anti-sprawl stance publicly, but it's yet unknown whether or to what degree she will support passage of Arnone's bill. Barring outside pressure, resistance is unlikely from any but New Jersey's wealthiest, but as Mr. Gwartney also points out, "those few hold inordinate sway."

If the New Jersey battle holds true to form, our success will depend on public awareness, which acts as a cushion against false advertising and journalists' fear of employer reprisal. Luckily, Georgist Admirals from the Pennsylvania Theater (currently America's most Georgist-leaning State) are nearby to help local activists secure this important bill for New Jersey.

With not only New Jersey, but Virginia and Maryland now turning ripe for real land reform (Sec. 2-GN 1/6/99), a major window of opportunity is opening for US Georgists' East Coast contingent.

STORY UPDATE: from Bill Batt, expanding the above list -

A long-time advocate of site value taxation in the New York State Senate, Owen Johnson ® of Babylon, Long Island, has introduced enabling legislation that would allow municipalities to tax land at higher rates than structures.

Though the unmatched power of American aristocrats may tend to daunt even Georgists, our chances for success, in fact, grow in other US States, too, such as Minnesota, where the Reform Party Governor's common sense is inspiring John Burger's clan, Utah, where morality, economics and the open-space debate clamor for a holistic vision, Colorado where massive land set-asides have pounded the urban poor and working classes, California, where one of the nation's most litigious populations forces public awareness of economics/ecology and New Hampshire where, as in Scotland, a smallish population is embarking on major land reform.

To make use of these opportunities, Georgists may need to reach great numbers of people very soon. To these ends, it should be noted (as well as the results, thereof), Arnone's group may even run TV ads to promote the land tax shift. Yes, ... !
Rep. Arnone's proposed Constitutional Amendment: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/9899/Bills/acr/145_r1.htm

Josh Vincent, Arnone's principal Georgist advisor, has a great deal of experience (and success to show for it) in securing public understanding about Georgist reform: http://www.smart.net/~hgeorge

International Women's Day (IWD) was observed around the world on March 8. This is another relatively modern holiday, dating back to around 1909. The UN also promotes observance of this event. This seems a good site for learning more about IWD: http://www.igc.org/igc/wn/hg/iwd.html

The UN's Commission on the Status of Women also met this month at UN headquarters in New York. No conclusive statements were announced therefrom, but there are still a great many voices stating that gender equality would be a prerequisite for, rather than a result of, economic equality:http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/43sess.htm

The International Association for Feminist Economics will be holding its 8^th annual conference June 17 to 19, 1999 at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. They're inviting papers, roundtable and panel discussion suggestions on all topics relating to feminist economic research or gender and economics. Contact Frances Woolley for more information:frances_woolley@carleton.ca

Many Georgists are aware that Carrie Chapman Catt, Founder of the League of Women Voters, was first woman to run for Presidential office in the US. This might not be so had she not run on the Georgist ticket, The Commonwealth Land Party, because historians, apparently, aren't even aware of her political campaign. Strangely, out of the great number of Internet web sites where she is featured prominently, none make any note of it; not even the Women's Rights Movement's "Detailed Timeline," while praising Catt's purpose for the LOWV, "to educate the newly enfranchised voters about the issues."

"There are two kinds of restrictions upon human liberty—the restraint of law and that of custom. No written law has ever been more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion." - Carrie Chapman Catt ['Unwritten' is the word, alright. - AJM]

Here's a big list of women's rights web sites:http://www.oneworld.org/beijing/beijing_partner.html

NEWSPEAK* UPDATE

Media companies are providing non-stop coverage of NATO's attempt to end/reverse Serbian extrication of Albanians from Kosovo. Very, very few, though, ask what Slobodan Milosevic hopes to gain by killing people in Kosovo and driving others out of the country. With what will Serbian soldiers be rewarded? Virtually zero news reporters discuss the purpose of "ethnic cleansing." Is the population being "cleansed" of their ethnicity? What is being "cleansed"?

Random samplings of other news sources by the Georgist News finds a ratio between the use of words such as "territory" or "land" and the use of words such as "race," "religion" and "ethnic" at higher than 10 to 1 in favor of the latter group.

Milosevic isn't Hitler; he's just a (former?) banker. Why are journalists so afraid to expose the use of the phrase "ethnic cleansing" as a form of newspeak* [1] for what is actually just a land-grab? Why does their journalistic fervor fail them all when explaining what these "ethnic" groups (isn't everybody "ethnic" somehow?) are fighting over?

If any readers are able to locate a mainstream or alternative information source (other than The Progress Report [2]) which accurately describes the current Balkan conflict, please, send the reference to: GNewsdesk@aol.com.

NEWSFLASH! Here's one: http://www.wowzone.com/kosovo.htm

WATCH-WATCH: Exposing Fake Alternative Media

While it's usually a pleasant surprise to see the land tax differentiated from property tax, the recently released 1999 edition of "State of the World" does an, unfortunately, worse than lousy job thereof.

The book is full of statistics, many of likely interest to Georgists, but even though the book heaps laurels upon its own head and upon the powers that be for our "new economy," the Georgist News must report this book rather a paragon of misguidance. Trying to wade through it to collect possibly useful data may not even be worth the frustration to some Georgists.

There are so many specific instances of land tax distraction, the book seems nearly designed for no other purpose. A tribute to the modern Georgist Movement, but also indicative of the rise in public use of alternate news sources is that this year's edition was unable to avoid a begrudging reference to a "novel" (the oldest idea in economics is "novel" to these 'experts') tax shift idea (from buildings to land). Beyond this unbelievably gargantuan ignorance of the entire history of economic thought, there is no reference to even one of the many land taxing localities around the world.

SOW's small land tax paragraph ends with an assertion that it "will only work" in conjunction with an urban growth boundary (a combination never yet tried ... ) and weirdly asserts that a tax shift that "can stimulate construction on central sites" would require a whole new law to "protect surrounding forests and farmland."

How long does it take a Georgist to ascribe a peculiar percentage of mistakes such as these to "sloppy research"?

It isn't enough that their one, tiny reference to the land tax is grotesquely reminiscent of so many indicted in the 1994 Shepheard-Walwyn release, The Corruption of Economics. "Land" in the index says only "see cropland loss; cropland productivity" and under "taxes," the listing for "land use," page 43, says nothing about it ... at all ... The "tax shifts" reference does not refer to page 150 which contains the paragraph I discuss above and the one for page 150 is to "urban redevelopment" (every environmentalist's favorite subject—they're being directed to "save the gardens").

[ If the Georgist News' critique seems to imply corruption on the part of those who produce "The State of the World," let me make it clear that scientifically speaking, I have no way of knowing for certain at the moment whether the book's tragic faults are actually due to corruption, negligence, amazingly coincidental widespread stupidity or some combination thereof. I can report, however, that there are known to me but these possibilities. If another exists, I hope readers will let me know (georgist@aol.com). ]

GEO-MEDIA ADVANCES: And in this corner, the challenger ...

The Progress Report, the Georgist Movement's Internet flagship web site, has just gone through the biggest change in its history. Don't be fooled by the dramatic new style, though; it not only looks very different, it is very different. Happily, regarding neither form nor content will Georgists likely have any complaint.

Stylistically, Hanno Beck's web site has practically gone from horn-rimmed bifocals and a sleeveless sweater to hippy-shades and a shark-skin jacket. It really works, too, simultaneously much flashier, yet much easier on the eye. Still, despite PR's truckload of new flair, its other aspects seem enhanced, not diminished. Though much more visually stimulating, the layout is actually simpler, and, thus, easier and more fun to use and explore.

Format changes at The Progress Report are anything but superficial however. Beck has already shown how the Internet can broaden our movement in more than one way. Now, he shows how it is increasingly directable and directed through the use of web-based information due to the vastly superior speed of information transfer thereon. This, in turn, forces a democratization of our movement's leadership, exponentially improving its vitality, creativity and effectiveness.

For instance, Hanno has now coordinated an array of his primary sites into "The Economic Justice Network." Though a simple outline variant, this change expands the core site significantly, multiplies its access options and enhances its utility. Communication about the Georgist web presence will increase from Beck's skillful work.

There is also, with these changes, a greater emphasis allowed to grace the Georgist Movement's forays into both activism and (gasp!) commercial activity. Check it out! - www.progress.org

History being generally the history of territorial conflict and geographic possession, it may be the most Georgist subject taught in regular schools. The Secret Life of Money, a program from the cable TV channel, A&E (Arts and Education) TV, whether inadvertently or not, tells the story of civilization from a very Georgist perspective. Georgist educators may find some of it quite useful when using progressions of historical events as lessons in economics (and vice-versa).

For a long time, Georgists have eagerly awaited a book Michael Hudson has been preparing, to contain all manner of Geo-relevant land, rent and real estate statistics and analysis. Mr. Hudson was kind enough to allow The Georgist News to review some of his notes to give our readers an idea of what they can expect.

For a demonstration, consider this penetrating opening paragraph from GN's copy of a rough draft sample chapter: "The analysis of any market should start by examining the vested interests that shape its rules. A market is more than just a set of supply and demand relationships. It is an institutional system - a set of economic, fiscal, legal and political regulatory structures that vary from one generation to the next and from country to country. These market structures reflect lobbying by the vested interests to promote their own wealth-seeking activities through tax favoritism, special legal rights and economic regulation (or often in recent decades, by deregulation)."

With such lucid exposition "rough draft" and the extensive statistical data we can expect, GN feels safe reporting Georgists could find Mr. Hudson's new text even exceeding our high expectations thereof. It may not be long before the final product is ready to go. See coming issues of The Georgist News for further details on this book and it's availability.

A technical problem kept several editions of The Georgist News from appearing on the web site, but thanks to Scott Kroyer, that's all fixed up: http://www.kroyer.com/gns/archive.html

We can be assured April 24 will see numerous large gatherings and demonstrations, especially in Philadelphia, for Mumia Abu-Jamal, the outspoken journalist many believe has been framed by Philadelphia police and railroaded into an unfounded conviction for murder. Though nearly all Georgists, it seems, are strongly opposed to capital punishment, they may wonder if Mumia's is actually a case of political injustice. Here is a document Georgists may find compelling in that respect: http://www.peoplescampaign.org/mumialabor.htm

A recent e-mail interview with Lindy Davies reveals some interesting facts about Mumia Abu-Jamal, his connection with Georgists and the upcoming edition of the Georgist Journal, which Lindy edits.

First, though, a correction to the March 1 edition of GN from Lindy Davies regarding Mumia's Georgist connection: I described Mumia as "a sometimes Henry George School correspondence course teacher," but, as Lindy explains, "the Henry George 'School' has not offered correspondence courses since the late 60s. In fact, it was partially due to the HGS's abandonment of that successful, cost-effective, self-sustaining activity that the Henry George Institute was founded in 1971. The Institute has offered the correspondence courses ever since. Mumia Abu-Jamal has been on death row since 1981 and never attended the Henry George School nor was he ever on its faculty."

Institute! Institute! Got that, readers? Make those tax-deductible checks payable to the Henry George "Institute"!

GN - Lindy, you said Mumia took correspondence courses, and went on to teach 47 students via mail; who were his students? Were they other prisoners?

LD - Some have been prisoners. But most have been from various countries in Africa—he expressed interest in teaching African students as soon as he found out we did that. Others are just over-the-transem correspondence students from wherever. Fewer prisoners for him, though, because of the logistical problems of prisoner-to-prisoner mail.

GN - How did he find out about it?

LD - In a "directory of prison resources" in which our course was listed, without our knowledge. It was years before we even saw a copy of this source. Now, we have a number of such listings (all free).

GN - Who was Mumia's teacher?

LD - I was. And we've kept up a sporadic correspondence over the years. When it started, I was halfway through the second course with a student named M. A. Jamal before I learned (on the radio) who he was. He's currently enrolled in the "Liberation Theology" course but had to suspend it because of his current precarious situation.

GN - Are you going to mention Mumia in the Georgist Journal? Have you in the past? If so, when?

LD - There was a description of the trip Mike Curtis [of the Philadelphia HGS] and I took to visit him and other HGI students in Huntingdon, 7 years ago, in the Henry George News [published by the Henry George School of Social Science] ... There will be an article by Mumia in the upcoming GJ, along with a special 24-page section on "Teaching and Learning in Prison."

OK, people, if you aren't subscribed to the Georgist Journal, do so quickly!

A few months ago, the European Parliament issued a call to all nations, especially the US, to abandon the death penalty. Part of that was "an urgent appeal the Governor of Pennsylvania not to sign a fresh warrant setting an execution date," which, unfortunately, he did anyway. They also "call for a re-trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal and for the death sentence passed on him to be commuted": http://www.amnesty-usa.org/amnesty/abolish/dpeuresolution.html

While political candidates in the US more than ever proudly flaunt a pro-death penalty position, there is a rising international voice to ban capital punishment worldwide. All Georgists, I feel safe reporting, will be in support of this effort or, at least, the independent national abandonment of that absurd and barbaric government practice.

(I also feel Georgists would tend to agree that the true purpose of an enlightened criminal justice system is not to punish criminals, but to protect the innocent. Don't you think?)

Page 2 of The Progress Report currently contains a good, relevant article: http://www.progress.org/death05.htm

E-the People is a popular new site, the unique format of which actually does seem to foster activism and networking. One petition there is to abolish the death penalty in the US:
http://www.e-thepeople.com/petition.cfm?PETID=114154

Another there is about Mumia Abu-Jamal:
http://www.e-thepeople.com/petition.cfm?PETID=108899

And here's another petition to ban capital punishment in America. This one seems to be collecting quite a number of signatories:
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~mellis/dp/npedp.html

March 22, the UN Commission on Human Rights held their annual conference in NYC. Activists and the public are being told by journalists that the commission's statements regarding China are of the greatest interest even though a far larger and more viciously inhumane program is underway planet-wide with the guidance of international bankers. Georgists work toward the day when equality in access to land, the only means of ending economic slavery, is widely recognized as a basic human right.

Due, we might assume, to the general need on the part of intendedly humanitarian and environmental organizations to compartmentalize issue foci (lacking any cohesive, holistic perspective), human rights groups rarely complain about corporate globalization and less about economics. Noting this delinquency might help Georgists persuade human rights activists to look into the Georgist paradigm.

Initial meetings last month among representatives of non-governmental organizations and others who intend to hold a global millennium peoples' forum were attended by Georgist correspondents, including your editor. This is a very new project (they don't even have a web site yet!), but one with possibilities to put international attention on the real source of social ills. Interested Georgists should contact me Georgist@aol.com.

Section 5 COMMENTS, REMINDERS & PERSONAL NOTES

The Georgist news desk has been graced with what will apparently be a positively thrilling promotional flyer going out to Georgists around the world soon, the first official, printed invitation to the 1999 Annual Conference of the CGO (Council of Georgist Organizations). Be looking for them because, as always, there are a process of deadlines for making various kinds of arrangements and they'll begin shortly.

Seriously, friends, this pamphlet is so well done and the event planned, so exciting, many of us should consider circulating copies as widely as possible among possibly interested parties. It appears Georgists could achieve a thrilling advance into public discussion and administrative consideration and utility by making the most of this event.

With the CGO focus on conference planning becoming more and more skillfully employed every year, progressively substantial conferences are being produced, demanding and getting greater and greater media coverage (See GN 8/16/98). With Georgist reform in use and under consideration by more and more jurisdictions around the world despite the science fiction-like forces with which we grapple for logic and verity, a concerted effort is requisite the Georgist Movement to make sure every pol, pundit, journalist and activist on Earth are thoroughly aware of what is written in this 1999 CGO conference flyer.

If you don't receive one very soon, contact Sue Walton:swalton@interaccess.com
The Council of Georgist Organizations:http://www.progress.org/cgo

"Nice work ... socko edition of the Georgist News. I used to skim them, but now I read them!" - Lindy Davies

Thanks, Lindy! Now, if I could just talk you into writing them! (I'm trying, folks, honest!)

We rely heavily on volunteer correspondents and writers. Potential news items, press releases and story references for The Georgist News can be forwarded to: gnewsdesk@aol.com

The Georgist News is grateful to the following web sites for providing their visitors with a link to our home page.

The EarthSharing Home Page: http://www.earthsharing.org.au

The Georgist Educational Association: http://www.multiline.com.au/~georgist

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