Table of Contents

I. EDITOR'S NOTE
Promote Georgist Conferences

II. ACTION
Georgist Movement Convenes This Week
Land Power Resurgent in Georgist Territory
*Geo-Reform "Under Threat" in Republic of South Africa
*Queensland, Australia Land Tax Rebate Tripled
Schalkenbach Foundation Declares Electronic All Clear
*Director: E-Invasion Most Likely a "Kid's Prank"
World Bank Approves Loan for Pop. Transfer in Tibet
*Inspection Panel Might Slow Funding Process
Clinton to Businesses: 'Invest in America's 3rd World'

III. WORD
NEWSPEAK UPDATE: Success of "Air War"
PRESSWATCH: Independence Day Quiet in US
WATCHWATCH: What's FAIR?
GEOWATCH: Georgist Foundation Director on TV
IV. NETWORK TOOLS & OPPORTUNITIES
US Bankers Discuss the Cause of Business Cycles

V. OTHER NOTES
Woody Guthrie a Georgist?

Dear Georgists,

This is an important moment for the Georgist Movement. As widely as possible, please circulate press releases about the conference series in Gaithersburg and Arden. Feel free to use the one in Section II, ACTION (below).

Georgist news is plentiful already, but it's assured much more will come to light as reports are made and papers filed by conference attendees. The Georgist News will be on site, therefore, at both, to sample the flavor and events for readers unable to attend. To the rest of you - see you there!

George Truly,
Adam Jon Monroe, Jr.
Editor, The Georgist News   georgist@georgist.com   212.613.5766 (VM)

Georgists to Convene in Dual Conference

USA (GNS) - The 19th North American Conference of the Council of Georgist Organizations officially kicks off Thursday, July 8 at the Hilton in Gaithersburg, Maryland just outside Washington, DC and runs through July 11. That evening, The Henry George Institute and the Arden Guild will begin a Georgist Education Conference in the land tax community of Arden, Delaware, ending July 13. Transportation between the two events is available. The Gaithersburg Hilton phone number is 301-977-8900. Please, mention the conference when making reservations.

CGO Conference Schedule
Wednesday, July 7: For Organizers - Pre-conference Meetings & Registration
Morning/Afternoon - 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Common Ground-USA (members-only meeting). Chair: Pres. Nadine Stoner
Evening - 5:00-7:00 Registration; 7:30-9:00 Informal Reception and a Welcome from the Mayor of Gaithersburg

Thursday, July 8:
Morning
8:00-9:00 Registration
9:00-9:15 Formal Opening by Conference Coordinators and CGO Officers
9:15-10:15 Reports from member organizations of the CGO
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:45 Reports continued
Afternoon (The Economic Justice Afternoon)
12:00-1:15 Catered Lunch: Special Guest Speaker on Corporate Welfare, Ralph deGennaro, Executive Director of Taxpayers for Common Sense
1:15-2:45 Panel on the Citizens Dividend - What is Humanity's Common Heritage and How Can Everyone Benefit From It? Top Experts - Marc Wetherhorn of the Corporation for Enterprise Development, Jeff Smith of the Geonomy Society, Gar Alperovitz (invited) of the National Center for Economic Alternatives, Norm Kurland of the Center for Economic and Social Justice
2:45-3:30 Dessert and coffee in Exhibit Room
3:30-4:30 Panel on Environmental Tax Shifting David Roodman of the Worldwatch Institute, Peggy Duxbury, Consultant
4:30-5:30 Panel on Federal-Level Issues Courtney Cuff, Legislative Director of Friends of the Earth, on Green Scissors, & Jamie Love of the Consumer Project on Technology on Intellectual Property Rights
Evening:
7:00-8:30 Georgist Jeopardy with Ed Dodson of the School for Cooperative Individualism
8:30-??? Georgist Singalong with New Souvenir Songbook; Adam Monroe, emcee

Friday, July 9: Property Tax Reform Summit
Morning
8:00 Bus leaves hotel for Washington, DC;
9:30 - 12:00 Tax Reform Summit in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building with Congressman Patrick Toomey, Robert Schalkenbach Foundation President and Virginia Polytechnic Institute Economics Professor, Nicolaus Tideman, New Jersey Assembly Representative, Michael Arnone, Deborah Katz, Ben Howells and Richard Rybeck. [More details on the Property Tax Reform Summit are available through the offices of the Henry George Foundation of America at 410-740-1177.]
Afternoon (Local Tour)
12:30 Bus leaves for Fairfax, Virginia (will swing past US Capitol, Washington Monument and White House)
1:30 Lunch in Fairfax Town Hall. Welcoming speeches from the Mayor and Pro-Georgist legislators
3:00 Bus departs from Fairfax and drives short distance to first major battlefield of the Civil War
3:30-5:15 Tour of Bull Run Civil War Battlefield (and gift shop, of course)
5:15 PM Bus returns to Gaithersburg. You can get out at the Hilton or continue on to Olde Towne Gaithersburg (less than a mile away).
6:00-8:00 Wander and dine in historic Olde Towne Gaithersburg.
Evening
8:00-10:00 Georgist Pool Party with Karaoke & Refreshments.

Saturday, July 10:
Morning
9:00-10:30 Panel: Election Politics, Third Parties and Who's Worth Voting For Special Guests include Jennifer Ellingston of the Green Party, Lorenzo Gaztanaga of the Libertarian Party and Elizabeth Christman of the Reform Party 10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 1:00 Board meeting for the Henry George Foundation of America and the Center for the Study of Economics 10:45 - 12:00 Panel: Georgism and the Prison-Industrial Complex Special Guests include Jenni Gainsborough from The Sentencing Project, Mike Curtis of The Arden Georgist Guild and Lindy Davies, Henry George Institute Director
Afternoon
12:00-1:00 Membership meeting of the Henry George Institute
1:30-3:30 CGO Annual Business Meeting
3:30-4:30 Open Mike Session (focusing on CGO goals and efforts)
Evening
6:00-7:00 Reception and Cash Bar
7:00 - 10:00 Banquet. Speaker: Attorney, Real Estate Expert and Georgist Activist, Rick Rybeck.

Sunday, July 11:
Morning
8:30-9:30 Open Mike, chaired by Don Hurford
10:00-11:30 Brunch, toasting and farewells. Transportation to the Georgist Education Conference in Arden, Delaware (see following item) will also be available.

For more details on the CGO Conference, contact Sue Walton, who is already in Gaithersburg. Her number there is 301-977-8900.
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*The Georgist Education Conference in Arden, Delaware will begin promptly thereafter. The following is from the web site of The Henry George Institute.

The Henry George Institute and the Arden Georgist Gild will host a conference in the single tax community of Arden, Delaware, on July 11 - 13, 1999. We will focus on the tactics and techniques of education in every venue: in the classroom, by correspondence, through the Internet, and to targeted audiences such as Greens, Libertarians, Local Politicians, Religious groups, and more. Presenters will include experienced Georgist educators as well as activists with track records of success at reaching different constituencies. Panels will focus on the information that Georgist educators need to handle today's questions, and workshops will demonstrate teaching techniques hands-on.

Arden's experiment in land value taxation is the oldest and most successful of its kind in the United States. You will learn more about Arden and its unique past and present at this conference. This "Single Tax Town" is a delightful residential community with a unique ambiance and a distinctive history. It is just north of Wilmington, Delaware, off Interstate 95.

Schedule (as of June 21st)
Sunday, July 11th
7:30 PM - Reception and opening program. Welcome from hosts Bob DeNigris, Ardentown Trustee, Sadie Somerville, Arden Georgist Gild and Lindy Davies, Henry George Institute. Presentation by Arden Archivist Mark Taylor on Arden's history.

Monday, July 12th
9:00-10:45 - Panel on Reaching Targeted Audiences. With Jeff Smith (Greens) -- Alanna Hartzok (Progressives/NGOs) - Dan Sullivan (Community Activists) -- Hanno Beck (New Media) - Sam Venturella (Religious Groups) - Josh Vincent (Local and State Politicians).

Doing Georgist Education: (concurrent sessions)
9:00-10-00 - Mike Curtis demonstrates his seminar on "The Urban Dilemma".
10:00-11:00 - Ed Dodson showcases his course, Liberty and the Just Society.
11:00-12:00 - More Than Just Economics. Discussion, led by Pat Aller, on the Georgist philosophy in culture and history: how to broaden our focus to strengthen our message. 12:00-1:00 - Lunch
1:00-2:00 - Two Vital Books, The Corruption of Economics and The Losses of Nations will be reviewed and summarized by Dr. Don Hurford and Ken Ford, of the Philadelphia Henry George School.
2:00-3:00 - The All-Consuming Rent Theory: Myth or Fact? Discussion, Led by Dr. Jerome Heavey of Lafayette College.
3:00-3:45 - Dr. Robert Andelson, President of the International Georgist Union, reports on his trip to South Africa, and how the political situation is affecting LVT reforms there.
3:45-4:30 - Time for participants to apply their minds to a mind-stretching written exercise devised by the HGI (see below).

Doing Georgist Education: (concurrent sessions)
3:00-4:00 - Lindy Davies Reveals his strategy for intriguing new students: "The Problem".
4:00-5:30 - Two Master Teachers, Sam Venturella and Mike Curtis go head-to-head, taking their best shots at The Law of Rent.
4:30-6:00 - Arden walking tour, led by Rodney Jester.
7:00 - Banquet. Special Celebrity Guest Emcee. Awards, kudos and pans. Speaker: Lindy Davies on "The Joyful Noise of Social Justice".

Tuesday, July 13th
9:00-10:15 - What You Need to Know about Assessment. Lecture and discussion led by Ted Gwartney, Director of the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation and assessment expert, also featuring Mike Curtis and Rodney Jester on Arden assessment issues.
10:15-11:15 - New Texts for Old Insights? Discussion, led by Chuck Metalitz, Director, Henry George School of Chicago, on what materials to hand today's students.

Doing Georgist Education: (concurrent session)
10:15-11:15 - Mike Curtis presents his acclaimed seminar on "International Trade".
11:15-12:00 - Open Mike.
12:00-1:30 - Lunch, followed by results of the HGI written exercise.

Henry George Institute Written Exercise
The main educational work of the HGI is done remotely, through the written word. There are plenty of issues, questions and techniques to be discussed about this method of doing education. In earnest of this, your conference package will include a written "exercise" dealing with Georgist education that you may choose to participate in, at your own pace, during the course of this two-day conference.

Conference papers are requested from all participants. Great benefit can come from sharing the written record of such a heady event as this. So, we plan to make conference papers available to all - either free, over the internet, or on hard copy, for the cost of copying.

Our conference fee is $100. Due to the generosity of our Arden hosts, we are able to offer this low price, which includes: Sunday evening reception, Monday snack, lunch and banquet, Tuesday snack and lunch, and all sessions. Attendees of the Council of Georgist Organizations 1999 Conference in Gaithersburg, Maryland will receive an additional 10% discount!

Send your registration to:
The Henry George Institute
238 Hadley Mill Road
Brooks, ME 04921
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Aristocrats Gaining Ground in Georgist Territory (RSA & Australia)

Georgist Policy In Republic of South Africa "Under Threat," According to Godfrey Dunkley, Former UN/NGO President

Cape Town, RSA (Godfrey Dunkley/GNS) - A National Rating Bill will be placed before the RSA Parliament some time this year. In other countries, this might be good news, but here, it has a more and more ominous aura everyday.

Overview:
Things have changed in Cape Town. Land valuation and rating ordinances are under legal attack and the Central Government is promising to change them. As a result Cape Town and adjoining Municipalities have suspended implementation of SVR (Site Value Rating). There appears to be no way out of this predicament.

Central Government:
For some 10 - 15 years there has been talk of legislation to standardise the system throughout the whole of RSA. This actually goes back to the old Nationalist Government. The new ANC (African National Congress) Democratic Government seems to have taken up the same idea but for seemingly totally different reasons.

It has always been difficult to find out what goes on behind the scenes here. Earlier, we were to understand that SVR was under threat but were never able to engage in discussion with those planning the legislation. The National Party (NP) represented most farmers and also property owning organisations. As none of them really had any sound knowledge on the benefits of SVR and LVT, it is possible that they saw both as a threat.

The ANC, Communist Party and Trades Union Alliance Government all see property from the wrong perspective. They all tend to describe their policies as "leveling the playing fields." It appears none understand the significance of land values nor how they're generated. Immovable property is, of course, a sign of wealth and ruling bodies here seem to believe that all property (including homes and buildings) should be taxed in order to provide land and facilities for the previously disadvantaged. The superficial view of property neo-classical economists promote is taking over. To the untrained eye and mind, it is easier to recognize the wealth in magnificent buildings than the market value of the land beneath. Meanwhile, we've much advice from the same ilk as "helped" Russia and Japan recently.

There have been a number of Americans here advising both the Central and Municipal Governments on rating. They seem to have been sponsored by some form of overseas aid, but it isn't known from whom.

While the emphasis is on "uniform" methods of valuation, it is expected that rating will include improvement values. It's difficult to contact those guiding the bill.

Western Cape:
The Cape Metropolitan Area, consisting of six municipal areas including Cape Town, is by far the major economic region within the Western Cape Province. Following the decision by Cape Town and South Peninsula Municipalities to change their rating systems to SVR and to prepare valuation rolls based on site values only, the Cape Metropolitan Council agreed to do the same.

Soon there was a reaction from three of the municipalities that had relatively up-to-date valuation rolls with both site and improvement values. They did not wish to prepare new valuation rolls and objected to SVR. This resulted in the CMC reversing its decision.

The Western Cape Provincial Ordinance on rating was amended to allow for valuation rolls based on land values only. This was done in haste, leaving many weaknesses. The 1993 ordinance defined "Land" as including improvements on, in, over or under such land. This error was allowed to remain.

Cape Town, Blaauwberg to the north and South Peninsula to the south, all prepared new valuation rolls. Blaauwberg's Valuation Roll was completed early in 1998 and made public and open for appeals. Most were handled right away.

Cape Town and South Peninsula had almost completed their Valuation Rolls which showed large increases in land values, particularly in the more desirable and affluent areas or suburbs. A group of affluent property owners, startled by the increases, started legal proceedings against Cape Town based on technicalities in the Ordinance. After taking legal advice from various sources Cape Town were advised not to go to court. They then decided to suspend further action on the land-only valuation roll.

Cape Town decided to continue using the existing roll for the time being and South Peninsula Municipality followed suit, but, this has left both in a very difficult position with the impending new system.

South Peninsula imposed a 19% across the board increase in assessments, which were challenged in court by ratepayers from some less affluent areas, on the basis that it is against their constitutional rights which call for equality and equity.

A corrective formula was applied that reduced the existing rateable values in some areas and increased them in others. After these corrections are applied there will be a general increase of approximately 10%, the final amount still to be determined by the needs of the proposed budget. This was accepted by the court as a one-time provisional measure.

The Cape Town Problem:
The City of Cape Town has a major problem that applies to only a small degree in the other municipalities. The existing valuation roll is badly out of date and extremely inaccurate. Land values have soared since the last proper valuation of land took place and this compounds the injustice. This injustice discriminates against the less affluent areas and favors the most affluent.

The last detailed valuation of property values was in 1963. Subsequent Valuations were established by common percentage increases. Since 1963, site values have increased considerably, on average some fifty times. The increases in market values have varied much more when considering different geographical areas and different types of usage. The extremes by area, not individual properties, covers a range from eighteen times to a hundred and fifty times.

During that same time span, there have been two new approved valuation rolls. For the 1973 and 1979 rolls, values were increased by overall percentages and without making full corrections for market value changes. There are diverse opinions on what actually took place. The 1979 valuation roll, which still forms the basis of rating, already had large inconsistencies, mainly in favor of the higher priced properties.

Unfortunately a valuation roll that was compiled in 1993 was defeated in court on the basis that valuers did not enter the houses. It had to be declared invalid after spending about R17M. This action was also instigated by the more affluent members of society and aided and abetted by one of the political parties representing them.

Cape Town has just announced that as an interim measure, it will increase general rates an average of 8%. This is only a correction of 16%, compared to the rating discrepancy, which, in many cases, is well in excess of a thousand percent.

Perceptions:
Public meetings, held by South Peninsula municipal officials in order to explain the situation, revealed some interesting aspects of public perception. In the more affluent areas the prevalent idea is that rates cover municipal services and that the proceeds should be spent where they are collected. Some maintain that every household should pay the same amount for these services and object to subsidizing poor areas. Others stated that the cost of running the municipality should be added onto income tax and that there should be no rates on property. A city councilor commented that it was obvious there is a great need for voter education.

Cape Town has a bigger problem - delay. Whatever the solution, it can only be a minute step towards justice and the day of reckoning will be postponed deeper into the future.

Conclusion:
In retrospect it may appear to be unfortunate that an attempt was made to convert to SVR at this particular point in time, as there are too many factors against it. However there is now a much greater awareness and acceptance of the deeper principles involved. Many municipal officials see the wisdom of SVR, but are powerless to do much about it at the moment.

The threat of a national bill on valuation and rating is far more serious and could cause many problems. Johannesburg has been a thriving city with its SVR, but, in the last ten years, there has been a great influx of people. Initially, most are without the necessary qualifications for employment in a first world situation and crime has escalated dramatically.

Hawkers line the pavements forcing pedestrians onto the streets. Muggers have made it unsafe for employees and clients to reach offices in the center of town. Businesses are moving to the suburbs and property is only partly occupied. Even the Stock Exchange has left the central business district.

If the rates are changed by government legislation and improvements included in the rating account, it will be very difficult to restore the city's economy to where it was a short time ago.

Meanwhile, both government and municipalities are being advised, and very possibly deceived by US "experts." Since over 70 percent of local government rates come from site value rating only, it would make good sense to standardise this system of rating rather than that recommended by folks with personal agendas. They can always fly out when their recommendations lead to chaos. We'll be the ones who have to live with it.

Godfrey Dunkley is the Immediate Past President of the International Union for Land Value Taxation, a United Nations Non-Governmental Organization and resides in Cape Town, RSA.
-------------------------
Queensland, Australia (GNS/Gavin Putland) - The government here has announced that the 5% rebate of land tax, to which property owners are entitled by a 1997 amendment to the Land Tax Act of 1915, will soon be tripled to 15%.

The conservative coalition in Queensland (National Party and Liberal Party), has a policy of phasing out the State land tax altogether and, when in power, established the "general rebate," as it's called. The Labor Party declined to match the conservatives' long-term commitment and was narrowly elected in June of last year.

Yet, when the 10% increase in the rebate was announced, it was said to be honoring an election promise. That promise must have gone somewhat under-reported.

Apparently, the press nor the people understand the problem. The recent increase in the land tax rebate, along with the understandable glee of the property industry, was blandly reported by the Brisbane COURIER-MAIL. There was no analysis, impact projections nor reference to the implications of this trend.

Here are sites for details about Queensland legislation http://www.qld.gov.au and Australian Federal and State legislation http://www.austlii.edu.au

Good web sites for keeping up with the Georgist effort in Australia:
http://www.taxreform.com.au
http://www.earthsharing.org.au
http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm
http://www.multiline.com.au/~georgist
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Earth (GNS) - Despite much protest, World Bank last week approved a $160 Million loan to China. The funds are designated for relocating Chinese people into areas traditionally considered Tibetan and/or Mongolian territory.

The ICT (Intl. Campaign for Tibet), however, filed a claim with World Bank's "Inspection Panel" that should delay funding and implementation of the project. Both World Bank and Chinese officials were surprisingly acquiescent to the Inspection Panel requirements that the process take place under careful observation.

It's feared observers will be Chinese and World Bank officials and affiliates. The ICT web site is http://www.savetibet.org
-------------------------
New York (GNS) - The unauthorized access of Robert Schalkenbach Foundation Director Ted Gwartney's email account June 18 appears to have resulted in near zero damage!

Ted reports his password was probably "too easy to figure out" and that all the intruder did was to email an advertisement for a pornographic web site to about 800 email addresses, a few of whom wrote back to complain.
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USA (Edward Dodson/GNS) - President Clinton is traveling the nation to visit impoverished areas said to have "missed out on the boom." Joining him are some corporate CEOs the President is encouraging to invest in these poorer communities. The idea that poverty is a valuable resource for corporate investment is a popular one right now. Clinton seems to have taken his cue for the use of this theme from US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Director Cuomo.

A recently issued HUD report identifies the following ten cities as having the highest poverty rates in America: (1) Benton Harbor, Michigan 64.3%; (2) East St. Louis, IL 44.3%; (3) Camden, NJ 44.2%; (4) Miami, FL 42.8%; (5) Augusta, GA 42.7%; (6) Brownsville, TX 39.9%; (7) Fort Pierce, FL 39.3%; (8) SanBenito, TX 39.0%; (9) Mission, TX 37.5%; and (10) Hartford, CT 35.2%.

The report was titled, "Now Is the Time: Places Left Behind in the New Economy."

PRESSWATCH: Independence Day Losing Popularity in US?
What wasn't in the news? A lot of hype about Independence Day in the US. Sure, there were fireworks, there's a heat wave going on here, traffic was bad. What about the 4th? Are we excited?

The mood here is increasingly one of suspicion and disillusionment, rather than patriotism. George Washington, we're told, was just some rich guy. The prevailing US attitude seems to be that it's time for world government, not independence.

Americans trust the press, pols and educators less and less.

NEWSPEAK UPDATE: True Meaning of Phrase, "Air War"

USA (GNS) - The week prior to Milosevic's agreement with NATO terms for ending the war, mainstream media here began reporting the relocation of many more NATO nation troops to countries bordering Kosovo. After the agreement, however, media reports were that the infamous and much-maligned "air war" had "succeeded."

There's an old expression: "The pen is mightier than the sword, but it's nice to have a sword nearby, just in case." Whoever coined the phrase, it's true.

Sure enough, as soon as the airwaves were declaring that NATO might be ready to do a little "ethnic [land] cleansing" of their own, Serbian pens went into action checking boxes next to NATO provisions for ending their brutal "air war."

That should serve as a lesson to any other potentially territorially challenged Third World dictators out there: "Our TV station is bigger than your TV station."

And, now that "the air war has succeeded," soldiers are being sent into the land of Kosovo ... Now that's some fancy newspeak.

WATCHWATCH: The Watchdog's Watchdog's Watchdog

Many Americans and others have heard of the organization named FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting), which reports on inaccuracies and bias in mainstream media products. Somehow, though, FAIR gets very good press. So, why is FAIR so popular?

Here's a fun experiment you can try at home to find out just how 'alternative' a self-professed media bias watchdog organization really is. The effectiveness of the test depends, in part, on the effectiveness of a site's or site network's search feature.

Test Procedure: FAIR Result:
1. All terms, case insensitive: land -->gt; 231
2. All terms, case insensitive: tax -->gt; 142
3. All terms, case insensitive: land tax -->gt; 61
4. Check results for any reference to the oldest and most destructive media bias, i.e., regarding property in land. FAIR Result -->gt; 0
5. As a phrase, case insensitive: land tax -->gt; 0

Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting is, purportedly, at http://www.fair.org>.

GEOWATCH: What's New with Georgist Media
New York (GNS) - Robert Schalkenbach Foundation Director, Ted Gwartney, appeared recently on "Interviews with Harold Channer." Channer is a venerable American TV producer whose program is seen in various locations and, on occasion, nationally, by educational and private cable and independent TV stations.

Mr. Gwartney said the interview went extremely well and that Channer seemed rather interested in Georgist reform and in the Georgist Movement. The 1 hour program was broadcast on cable TV in the New York Area.
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USA (GNS) - Look out for the upcoming issue of "Groundswell," the publication of Common Ground-USA.

Among other important items will be Mary Rose Kaczorowski's report on the 17th Session of the Commission on Human Settlements (UNCHS 17) in May at United Nations Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya. Kaczorowski is Common Ground-USA's Non-Governmental Organization representative to the United Nations.

Also in that issue will be the "Human Settlement and Land Access Strategies" presentation that was prepared by Kaczorowski and Schalkenbach Foundation's Ted Gwartney and Mark Sullivan.

Some of Groundswell's most important and well-written pieces appear on their web site, http://www.progress.org/cg
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From Adam Monroe, GN Editor - The Georgist News is moving to http://www.georgist.com/gn>. Scott Kroyer, who already has a lot of other Georgist projects, has a new job that prevents him from keeping up with everything he used to. [It's a communist plot!] So, please, give us a few weeks to get it all updated.
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Internet (GNS) - JFK U. Global Economy Professor and Senior Editor at Geo-Flagship, The Progress Report (http://www.progress.org), Fred Foldvary, has a new URL for his home page: http://geo.to/foldvary

Internet (Edward Dodson) - The Boston Federal Reserve Bank has recently published the proceedings of a 1997 conference titled "Beyond Shocks: What Causes Business Cycles." The full text is available at http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/conf/confere.htm or by email requests to boston.library@bos.frb.org

Ever wonder about Woody Guthrie's song, "This Land is Your Land" and whether Guthrie was a Georgist? Lindy Davies, Director of The Henry George Institute, recently posted the following on Dan Sullivan's Land-Theory Discussion List.

We have an album of Woody's songs for little children. Very fun, whimsical stuff. One is about the incessant tendency of little kids to ask WHY... It's full of those kinds of silly questions that toddlers ask and Woody's silly responses. "Why can't a mouse eat an elephant?" and so on.

But in the middle, we get these verses (and up to now, Woody has been able to supply a response to each query):

"Why does the landlord take money - why oh why oh why?
I don't know that one myself! Goodbye, goodbye goodbye.
Why are there no pennies for ice cream - why oh why oh why?
We put all the pennies in the telephone! Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye."
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See you in Gaithersburg and Arden!

Sincerely George,
Adam Jon Monroe, Jr.
Editor, The Georgist News
georgist@georgist.com

*   *   *

The Georgist News relies heavily on volunteer correspondents! Email potential news items, press releases and story references to georgist@georgist.com

This edition of The Georgist News and archives are available at our home page, http://www.georgist.com/

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

The EarthSharing Institute: http://www.earthsharing.org.au The Georgist Educational Association: http://www.multiline.com.au/~georgist The Social Justice & Economic Freedom Site: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm

There are many ways you might be able to help this project grow and improve. If you'd like to become further involved or if there is any way The Georgist News might be of greater use to you or your related projects, please, contact Adam Monroe at georgist@georgist.com or 212-613-5766.

The Georgist News is grateful for support received from:
The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation (Publishers of Henry George)
149 Madison Ave., Suite 601, New York, NY 10016-6713
212.683.6424 Fax 212-683-6454
schalkenba@aol.com   http://www.progress.org/books/