KPFT Notes

It Is Our Duty to Save Our Species
By FIDEL CASTRO RUIZ

D ear compatriots and friends from all over the world:

In this period I have worked intensively ensure the objectives set for our country in the Proclamation of July 31st.

Currently, we are facing an adversary who has dragged the United States to such a disaster that the American people are almost sure to prevent him from completing his presidential term.

In thinking how to address you, intellectuals and prestigious personalities from the world, I found myself in a dilemma, since we could not assemble in a small room. It was only in the Karl Marx Theater that all the guests would fit but, according to the doctors, I was not yet ready for such a challenging engagement.

I opted for this way to address you all. You are well aware of my identification with Marti’s ideas about honor and glory, when he said that all the glory of the world fits in a kernel of corn.

Your generosity to me is truly overwhelming. There are so many people whose names I would like to mention here that I chose not to do that either. I beg your pardon for only mentioning one name, that of <>Oswaldo Guayasamin, since he embodied many of your greatest virtues.

He painted four portraits of me; the first in 1961. That one is lost. I have looked for it everywhere but it has not appeared. It was particularly painful as it became apparent to me what an exceptional person Guayasamin was. The second one, which he painted in 1981, is preserved at Guayasamin’s House in Old Havana. The third one, painted in 1986, is kept at the “Antonio Nunez Jimenez Foundation of Man and Nature”. When we met, we were very far from even imagining that his fourth portrait would be his birthday present to me on August 1996.

His words were inspirational when he said: “In Quito or any other corner of the Earth leave the lights on, as I will be coming back late.”

At the inaugural ceremony of the Man’s Chapel, I said about Oswaldo Guayasamin: “He was the noblest, most honorable and humane person I ever met. He created his work at light-speed and his human dimension defied all limits.”

The work of creators will never be lost while this planet exists and human beings can breathe.

Today, thanks to technology, the works and knowledge created by man in thousands of years are within everybody’s reach, even if the impact of radiation from billions of computers and cell phones is still unknown.

A few days ago, the prestigious organization World Wildlife Foundation, based in Switzerland and considered the most important NGO in the world to monitor global environment, acknowledged that the set of measures implemented by Cuba to protect the environment made it the only country on Earth to meet the minimum requirements for sustainable development. This was for our country an encouraging honor, albeit one of limited world impact due to the low significance of its economy. Therefore, on November 23, I sent a message to President Hugo Chavez that read:

“Dear Hugo:

“The adoption of a Comprehensive Energy-Saving Program would make you the world’s most prestigious defender of the environment.

“The fact of Venezuela’s being the country with the largest oil reserves is of enormous importance, and would influence other other energy consumers to do the same, thus saving incalculable sums in investments.

“Just like Cuba, a nickel producing country, can mobilize resources amounting to billions of dollars for its development, Venezuela, a hydrocarbons exporter, could mobilize trillions.

“If the industrialized and wealthy countries were to succeed in achieving the miracle, of reproducing on the planet, solar fusion within the next decades, after first devastating the environment with their hydrocarbon emissions, how could the poor peoples that make up the immense majority of mankind live in this world?

“Hasta la victoria siempre!”

Finally, dearest friends who have honored us immensely with this visit to our country, it is with great sorrow that I bid you farewell for not being able to personally thank you and embrace every one of you. It is our duty to save our species.

It Is Our Duty to Save Our Species
By FIDEL CASTRO RUIZ

D ear compatriots and friends from all over the world:

In this period I have worked intensively ensure the objectives set for our country in the Proclamation of July 31st.

Currently, we are facing an adversary who has dragged the United States to such a disaster that the American people are almost sure to prevent him from completing his presidential term.

In thinking how to address you, intellectuals and prestigious personalities from the world, I found myself in a dilemma, since we could not assemble in a small room. It was only in the Karl Marx Theater that all the guests would fit but, according to the doctors, I was not yet ready for such a challenging engagement.

I opted for this way to address you all. You are well aware of my identification with Marti’s ideas about honor and glory, when he said that all the glory of the world fits in a kernel of corn.

Your generosity to me is truly overwhelming. There are so many people whose names I would like to mention here that I chose not to do that either. I beg your pardon for only mentioning one name, that of <>Oswaldo Guayasamin, since he embodied many of your greatest virtues.

He painted four portraits of me; the first in 1961. That one is lost. I have looked for it everywhere but it has not appeared. It was particularly painful as it became apparent to me what an exceptional person Guayasamin was. The second one, which he painted in 1981, is preserved at Guayasamin’s House in Old Havana. The third one, painted in 1986, is kept at the “Antonio Nunez Jimenez Foundation of Man and Nature”. When we met, we were very far from even imagining that his fourth portrait would be his birthday present to me on August 1996.

His words were inspirational when he said: “In Quito or any other corner of the Earth leave the lights on, as I will be coming back late.”

At the inaugural ceremony of the Man’s Chapel, I said about Oswaldo Guayasamin: “He was the noblest, most honorable and humane person I ever met. He created his work at light-speed and his human dimension defied all limits.”

The work of creators will never be lost while this planet exists and human beings can breathe.

Today, thanks to technology, the works and knowledge created by man in thousands of years are within everybody’s reach, even if the impact of radiation from billions of computers and cell phones is still unknown.

A few days ago, the prestigious organization World Wildlife Foundation, based in Switzerland and considered the most important NGO in the world to monitor global environment, acknowledged that the set of measures implemented by Cuba to protect the environment made it the only country on Earth to meet the minimum requirements for sustainable development. This was for our country an encouraging honor, albeit one of limited world impact due to the low significance of its economy. Therefore, on November 23, I sent a message to President Hugo Chavez that read:

“Dear Hugo:

“The adoption of a Comprehensive Energy-Saving Program would make you the world’s most prestigious defender of the environment.

“The fact of Venezuela’s being the country with the largest oil reserves is of enormous importance, and would influence other other energy consumers to do the same, thus saving incalculable sums in investments.

“Just like Cuba, a nickel producing country, can mobilize resources amounting to billions of dollars for its development, Venezuela, a hydrocarbons exporter, could mobilize trillions.

“If the industrialized and wealthy countries were to succeed in achieving the miracle, of reproducing on the planet, solar fusion within the next decades, after first devastating the environment with their hydrocarbon emissions, how could the poor peoples that make up the immense majority of mankind live in this world?

“Hasta la victoria siempre!”

Finally, dearest friends who have honored us immensely with this visit to our country, it is with great sorrow that I bid you farewell for not being able to personally thank you and embrace every one of you. It is our duty to save our species.

Congratulations to your 2006 KPFT Station Board Delegates

Michael Woodson
Alfonso Rivera
Curtis Green
Susan Young
Bill Crossier
Mike Martin
Wendy Schroell
Teresa Allen
Ken Freeland
Bob Sanborn
Joseph Kaye
Wesley Bethune

Next Tuesday, 8-5. KPFT will air a special live gavel-to-gavel broadcast of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Full Committee Hearing on the nomination of Robert M. Gates to be Secretary of Defense. Gates is President Bush’s pick to replace Donald H. Rumsfeld. He is currently the President of Texas A&M University, but has a long history of serving under five presidents in various national security and intelligence positions, including Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) from 1991-93. His nomination hearings for DCI in 1991 were very controversial due to sharp testimonies by CIA analysts on his reputation for pressuring them to manipulate and slant intelligence to support policies and his suspect role in the Iran-Contra scandal.

Radio Sagarmatha, the pioneering Kathmandu-based community radio broadcaster, has been awarded the AMARC International Solidarity Prize 2006 in recognition of its outstanding work in defence of human rights and democracy in Nepal.

The AMARC International Solidarity Prize, which is awarded every four years, as presented to Radio Sagarmatha at a ceremony in Amman, Jordan on the occasion of the Ninth World Conference of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC 9).

Radio Sagarmatha, launched in 1997, is the first independent community radio broadcaster to be established in South Asia. It has led the way in opening up the airwaves in Nepal. On 1 February 2005, when King Gyanendra of Nepal declared a state of direct rule, Radio Sagarmatha and other independent radio stations in Nepal were occupied by armed soldiers who enforced a ban on all news programming.

Throughout the period of direct rule, Radio Sagarmatha and other independent radio stations, grouped together in the Save the Independent Radios Movement, pushed the boundaries of Royal decree and military restriction. Through on air campaigns, street protests and judicial proceedings they remained on air, regained the right to broadcast news and information and made a pivotal contribution to the defence of human rights and in the eventual restoration of democracy in 2006.

The AMARC International Solidarity Prize was accepted in Amman by Mohan Bista, Durga Karki and Raghu Mainali on behalf of all of the independent radios in Nepal.

From New Orleans activists:
For all those who oppose the demolition of 5000 desperately needed, virtually undamaged apartments, HUD and the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) are required to listen to your opinion! The federal judge hearing the case against the demolitions has required HANO to hold a consultative meeting with residents and supporting organizations. You don’t have to be a resident to give your opinion to HANO. Write an email or send the attached sample to the address listed below today, and cc: survivorsvillage@gmail.com, so we can print your emails and bring them to HANO’s meeting on November 29th. Visit www.survivorsvillage.com or www.justiceforneworleans.org for more information.

All written comments should be sent to: info@hano.org. You may also call 504-670-3300, but emails provide documented support!

Lafitte Development is the most pristine looking of all the public housing complexes in NOLA. Paradoxically, it is the first one slated for demolition! Even an architect for the developers said he admired the structures and condition of the buildings, and DOESN’T think they should be torn down. Many think that if HUD can succeed in demolishing this beautiful site, the others will be easy game. The property is also extremely valuable, only a few blocks from the French Quarter and the Central Business District.

In August HUD announced two major partners in its plan to destroy this immediately inhabitable housing – Enterprise Community Partners and Providence Community Housing. Enterprise has a long history of assisting the ‘downsizing’ of low-income housing across the nation. Providence is a new organization associated with Catholic Charities whose president was party to the destruction of St Thomas development of NOLA. Developers turned St Thomas into River Gardens, in the process permanently displacing approximately 900 families but giving Wal-Mart a new home. The few families who could return describe the new neighborhood complaint system and it’s restrictive rules as ‘like living in prison’. Send the attached sample to the email addresses below, and then call the folks on their direct lines listed below and tell them to end their support for HUD’s ‘Campaign of Homelessness’. Tell them that they must withdraw their support for the demolition of Lafitte and let people come home to their undamaged homes NOW! If you live nearby, deliver your letter in person – maybe with a group! Remember, they will lie to you, just like they lied to the former residents of St Thomas development, where 900 families were promised new homes they never received.

Aaron Weisner, aweisner@enterprisecommunity.org
410-772-2621 New Orleans Project Lead
Enterprise Community Partners, American City
Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Maryland
James R. Kelly, jkelly@archdiocese-no.org
504-592-5683 President Providence Community Housing,
1050 S. Jeff Davis Pkwy, Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70125

You may also want to talk to Tom Costanza tcostanza@archdiocese-no.org (504-596-3097), the Director of the Office of Justice and Peace for Catholic Charities, and tell him what you think JUSTICE looks like.

Connie Andry candry@archdiocese-no.org (504-310-8738), the head of the Homeless Services project for Catholic Charities might want a heads up that she’s about to get a lot busier if Providence helps evict all the Lafitte residents.

via: claude@freedomarchives.org:
I went to visit political prisoner Robert Seth Hayes on November 19, 2006, as we had received alarming news that his cell had been ransacked by guards in an incident similar to what recently occurred with Russell Maroon Shoats.

Seth told me he returned from the gym to find his cell had been ransacked. He is missing his 2006 Certain Days calendar, the 2007 Certain Days calendar he had just received from the Calendar Committee, the Buffalo Forum sent by supporters in Buffalo, some of his personal letters, and his phone list.

Seth was told he was going to be written up for the infraction of having “contraband” literature, despite the fact that the calendars and the Buffalo Forum had already been approved by the prison before he received them. As Seth said, “And my phone list is certainly not contraband, but maybe they want to share it with the FBI.”

Of course, since Seth is currently appealing his fifth parole denial, he is sure the prison would love to be able to place any infraction in his record. He is asking that people call the warden at 716-937-4000 and demand that the items taken from his cell be returned to him. Be sure to mention his DIN number: 74-A-2280.

It would also be great for Seth to receive letters of support at this time. Please write to him at:

Robert Seth Hayes #74-A-2280
Wende Correctional Facility
Wende Rd., PO Box 1187
Alden, NY 14004-1187

Phone Campaign for Robert Seth Hayes

The National Security Agency is not required to release details about its secret wiretapping program, a federal judge said this week.

The People for the American Way Foundation, a liberal advocacy group, sued to obtain records under the Freedom of Information Act. The group sought to find out how many wiretaps were approved and who reviewed the program.

President Bush has acknowledged the existence of the program, which he calls the Terrorist Surveillance Program. The National Security Agency monitors phone calls and e-mails between people in the U.S. and people in other countries when a link to terrorism is suspected.

Source: AP via First Amendment Center
*

Communities within hip-hop are some of the most coveted constituencies in the political and social landscapes. Many wonder how this sub-culture can maintain the international appeal and stay effective in building local coalitions. Authors, professors, artists, lawyers, activists, analysts and teachers of Hip Hop will convene at the University of Houston main campus for the discussion forum – Hip Hop Politics: Race & Religion “Communities Creating Coalitions” on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 4pm – 7pm in the University Center – Houston room co-sponsored by UH NAACP chapter.

The panelists will include: a hip-hop music founding father DJ Kool Herc, Why White Kids Love Hip Hop author Bakari Kitwana, Angry Black White Boy author Adam Mansbach, Dead Emcee Scrolls author and poet Saul Williams, Campus Progress research associate John Alexander Burton, National Hip Hop Political Convention internal chairperson Troy Nkrumah, The Prison & Jail Accountability Project executive director Nicole Porter, South Park Coalition founder K-Rino, Texas Holy Hip Hop Achievement Awards founder Tre9, A.C.T.I.O.N. CDC minister Eric Muhammad, HipHop Against Police Brutality executive director Kenavon Carter, Divine Voices radio host Sonja Elise “Queen Diva” Freeman and moderated by KPFT 90.1 FM program director Ernesto Aguilar.

“Hip Hop communities continue to use the ability to build coalitions across race & religion.” says event coordinator Akil Head. Various topics are planned including the Darfur genocide, civic involvement, spiritual inspiration, student debt and community networking.

The discussion forum is free and open to the public. The forum opens the 5-day hip hop event series of the 2006 B-Boy Ho Down which includes breakdance & graffiti competitions, MC battles, spoken word, DJ demonstration workshops, a concert and a film festival.

For more information call (713) 261-2261 or visit www.hiphoppolitics.org or www.bboyhodown.com or www.hiphop.meetup.com/246

Word has come that KPFT’s sister station KPFK has not made its quorum and will extend its elections process.