Issuu

five years!

Dear F o l k s , Time i s supposed t o f l y when y o u ' r e having f u n .

I n t h e beginning.

According t o c a l e n d a r s , Ye Olde Carnegie N e w s l e t t e r h a s been h e r e s i n c e August 1 5 , 1986 - 5 y e a r s . There was no i s s u e on December 1 o f t h a t y e a r , no i s s u e on August 1 i n '89 & on n e i t h e r Sept.15 n o r O c t . 1 i n '89. (For t h e new k i d s on t h e b l o c k , i t ' s come o u t on t h e 1st & 1 5 t h s i n c e i n c e p t i o n . ) Some. of you may remember a s m a l l paper c a l l e d he F u t u r e of Carnegie". This was born a s "FOCUS", a c u r r e n t e v e n t s - i n Carnegie s h e e t t h a t d e a l t s p e c i f i c a l l y with t h e problems caused by t h e 1-vote m a j o r i t y on t h e Board. A l l t h e c r a p g o t t o be t o o much f o r j u s t one s h e e t and, despite several attempts t o k i l l the Carnegie N e w s l e t t e r by t h e s e 8 p e o p l e , more & more appeared i n t h e N e w s l e t t e r i t s e l f . Following t h e o u s t e r o f t h i s 8-person b l o c a t a S p e c i a l G e n e r a l Meeti n g , by a v o t e of 131-1, t h e r e w a s a s e a change i n Carnegie. The Board was no longer s p l i t i n t o warring f a c t i o n s , t h e f i n a n c i a l mess was waded i n t o and c l e a n ed u p , t h e A s s o c i a t i o n soon e s t a b l i s h e d i t s e l f a s a r e s p e c t a b l e and dynamic p a r t of t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e ; we were no l o n g e r r e g a r d e d a s a s i c k -i o k e .

a n y t h i n g p o l i t i c a l - i . e . c a l l i n g him a n e x c u s e - appeared he c o u l d t h r e a t e n t h e s t a f f w i t h d i s m i s s a l . Libby Davies asked i f h e wanted t h e Thought P o l i c e h e r e and h i s motion was d e f e a t e d 10-1. But, t h e r e we were, b e i n g d i s c u s s e d a t C i t y Council by p e o p l e h a r d l y anyone had h e a r d o f . It soon became c l e a r t h a t t h e d e c i s i o n s made were seldom i n t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f low-income r e s i d e n t s h e r e ; the p o l i t i c a l party calling i t s e l f the Non-Partisan A s s o c i a t i o n (NPA) was (and i s ) t h e farm team f o r t h e s o c r e d s .

P o l i t i c a l games P o l i t i c a l games c o n t i n u e d , b u t w i t h their i n s i d e C a r n e g i e , i t was a h e l l of a l o t easier t o see them on t h e City, Provincial & National l e v e l s . The f i r s t focused on was t h e e x c u s e on C o u n c i l , Ralph C a r a v e t t a . H e t r i e d t o e s t a b l i s h a c e n s o r s h i p r o l e , whereby t h e N e w s l e t t e r would have t o go t h r o u g h C i t y S t a f f hands b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n . Then, i f

L i k e a f o o l , I a s k e d who o r what was a s o c r e d ? . ..and t h e s h i t s t a r t e d h i t t i n g t h e f a n . P e o p l e had s t a r t e d w r i t i n g and e x p r e s s i n g c o n c e r n s o v e r s c o r e s of i s s u e s from abominable h o u s i n g t o yout gangs. Treatment by S o c i a l S e r v i c e s , t

d i s m a l w e l f a r e s y s t e m and t h e demeaning g u a n t l e t o f food l i n e s a l l found e x p r e s s i o n i n t h e p a g e s of t h e Newsletter.

The power of p o e t r y While t h e p o l i t i c a l l a n d s c a p e t o o k on d e f i n i t i o n , p o e t s and t h e i r p o e t r y t o o k t h e p a g e s by s t o r m . Soon t h e r e was a Canada C o u n c i l g r a n t t o f u n d p a c k s o f poets f o r t r i p s a l l over t h e province. t o s c h o o l s , c a f e s , community c e n t r e s and more. P o e t r y N i g h t s happened i n C a r n e g i e e v e r y few months, d r a w i n g l a r g e r a u d i e n c e p a r t i c i p a t i o n than anything ever t r i e d . T h i s o f c o u r s e had r e p e r c u s s i o n s . One n o t a b l e e x p e r i e n c e was t h e p r i n t i n g o f a work t h a t w a s d e c r i e d as p o r n o g r a p h i c ; people t o o k s i d e s and, n o t f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e ( o r l i k e l y t h e l a s t ) my r e s i g n a t i o n was demanded. The woman a u t h o r wanted t o f o c u s p e o p l e ' s a t t e n t i o n on t h e d e g r a d i n g t r e a t m e n t g i v e n women i n g e n e r a l and i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e i n p a r t i c u l a r and i t worked! The n e x t p u b l i c m e e t i n g was on t h e i n c r e a s i n g number o f s l e a z e - s t o r e s , 2 5 ~peep shows, and s o on on H a s t i n g s S t . One was p r o c l a i m i n g i t s e l f "Open 24 Hours" and was b r e a k i n g a number o f by-laws i n t h e way i t was b e i n g r u n . Because o f t h i s one woman's p o e t r y s e v e r a l i n s p e c t o r s were s e n t t o a l l s u c h s t o r e s and e a c h was made t o conform t o a l l p e r t i n e n t by-laws.

Postal district on east side called poorest Residents of Vancouver's V6A postal district have the lowest median income in Canada, according to Statistics Canada. They live in the lower east side of the city, near the docks and Gastown, and StatsCan's latest analysis of personal incomes shows their median income is $5.900. (Median income is not an arerage but means that as many p!wple

earn more than the figure as earn less than it.) A comfortable distance away in V7W, in West Vancouver, there was a median income of $27,709. According to the StatsCan figures, that's one of the largest disparities to be found in Canada's major centres.

Pulling the wool over your eyes is thew busmess. Ever s i n c e t h e N e w s l e t t e r s t a r t e d t h e r e h a s been a n o n g o i n g e x p o s u r e g i v e n t o t h e c a u s e s / e f f e c t s o f p o v e r t y . Most o f u s have b i t t e r e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h p e r s o n a l t i m e s of n o money, y e t i t s t r e n g t h e n s u s t o d e a l w i t h t h e f e a r , i g n o r a n c e and narrow-minded a t t i t u d e s of t h o s e without such experience. The o m n i p r e s e n t method u s e d by t h e nonpoor i s t o blame t h e v i c t i m s o f s p e c i f i c & calculated p o l i t i c a l decisions for t h e i r p o v e r t y . Even t h e b r i e f e s t , most s u p e r f i c i a l l o o k a t p o l i c i e s & programs of any l e v e l o f government shows how p e r v a s i v e i t i s . What t o do? J e a n Swanson d e m o n s t r a t e s what can be done w i t h End L e g i s l a t e d Pove r t y . The name i t s e l f i s t h e s t a t e m e n t of p u r p o s e ; i t b e i n g a c o a l i t i o n of 20-some community g r o u p s p r o v i d e d a good b a s e and t h e government i t s e l f p r o v i d e s ammun i t i o n .

A s i c k man.. Clod Richmond s e n d s l e t t e r s t o 49,000 p e o p l e c l a s s i f i e d a s "employable", t e l l s them t o f i l l o u t j o b - s e a r c h f o r m s , l i e s t o t h e media a b o u t p o s s i b i l i t i e s , numbers, b e n e f i t s a v a i l a b l e . . . s o ELP o r g a n i z e d l o t s of g r o u p s & r e s i s t a n c e b a s e d on f a c t s is t h e o r d e r o f t h e d a y . A c t u a l government f i g u r e s on t h e number of unemployed, a n g e r & e v e n r a g e from n u t r i t i o n i s t s and t h e m e d i c a l community w i t h c l e a r proof t h a t i t c o s t s more j u s t t o g e t t h e minimum d a i l y d i e t a r y r e q u i r e m e n t s o v e r a month than e i t h e r s i n g l e people o r families get i n t h e same month f o r f o o d , c l o t h i n g and a l l o t h e r e s s e n t i a l s i n t h e same m o n t h . . & on & on & on. Richmond w a s removed a s t h e M i n i s t e r w i t h i n a month. The l a s t we h e a r d

from him was a l e t t e r t o t h e N e w s l e t t e r s a y i n g he found i t "impossible t o unders t a n d why we had b i l l e d h i s m i n i s t r y f o r over $5,000 ELP member groups had s p e n t " doing t h e m i n i s t r y ' s work f o r i t !

1. ..not

alone1

A11 of t h e ELP s t a f f ' s r e s e a r c h showed t h a t Richmond wasn't an i s o l a t e d i d i o t . . he was implementing an agenda of m u l t i n a t ional c o r p o r a t i o n s & Big Business - f o r c e l o w income people t o t a k e any job a t any wage, undermine c o l l e c t i v e agreements and p u s l ~wages d ~ w n / ~ r o f i up. ts As time goes on, i t becomes more & more obvious t h a t t h i s c o r p o r a t e agenda under1 i e s every a c t of l e g i s l a t i o n and i s t h e c o r e of t h e "Free" Trade Agreement. I t was and i s d a u n t i n g t o keep up w i t h t h e ways c o r p o r a t i o n s spanning s c o r e s of c o u n t r i e s p l a y a t being p o s i t i v e w h i l e a l l normal people ( t h a t ' s us) pay t h e p r i c e .

Acting l o c a l l y - when l i t t l e background i s a t your f i n g e r t i p s , t h e f i r s t a c t i o n can b e l i t t l e more t h a n a knee-jerk rea c t i o n . T a l k i n g about ' g u t f e e l i n g s ' i s t a l k i n g about i n t u i t i o n . A s t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e Duck once s a i d , "Why c a n ' t t h e y e v e r g e t i t r i g h t ? " T h i s i s where c o a l i t i o n s can be awesome.

A c l a s s i c exampie was t h e Resource Rip-off P l a n t t h a t George P u i l & Wastet e c h t r i e d t o f o r c e on Vancouver $n gene r a l & o u r neighbourhood i n p a r t i c u l a r , It was made f o sound l i k e t h e g r e a t e s t t h i n g s i n c e t h e i n v e n t i o n of t h e wheel b u t , a s c i t i z e n s and groups went t o research s t u d i e s , p r a c t i c a l assessments & e n y i r o m e n t a l impact r e p o r t s . . a c t u a l l y c h a l l e n g i n g t h i s s t r e a m l i n e d con j o b & overwhelming t h e narrow i n f o b e i n g used by P u i l e t a 1 w i t h s c o r e s o f docuwents and b a s i c common s e n s e . P u i l crows about how c l e a n i t w i l l be; one guy walked t o t h e proposed s i t e & checked t h e warehouse , businesses surrounding i t e v e r y one was a food d i s t r i b u t i o n v e n t u r e . R a t s breed i n garbage..35 t r u c k s a n hqur..max;Ir4um of 20% c o u l d be skimmed f o r recycling..80% is s t i l l garbage f i g u r e i t out. The N e w s l e t t e r followed each r e v e l a t i o n o f t h e scam p o t e n t i a l and had i t ' s l a r g e s t paper e v e r (40 pages) o u t a f t e r t h e l a s t p u b l i c meeting. The o n e a c t i n g a s mayor g o t s c a r e d and canned i t . It was a v i c t o r y , b u t t h e l a r g e r war c o n t i n u e s . S h e i l a B a x t e r , a u t h o r of "No Way To L i v e - Poor Women Speak Out" and t h e soon-to-be-released book on t h e s p e c t r e of homelessness "Undey The Viaduct", w r o t e an a r t i c l e f p r t h e v e r y n e x t i s s u e of t h e N e w s l e t t e r . Xn i t s h e d e s c r i b e d h e r e x p e r i e n c e a t t h e Uniyersi t y of V i c t o r i a w i t h s t u d e n t s going b t o s o c i a l work.

...

I t ' s never been balanced t o t h i n k o n l y g l o b a l l y w i t h o u t a c t i n g l o c a l l y . I f you do not c l e a n up your own a c t i t ' s p o i n t l e s s t o even t r y t o c l e a n up someone e l s e ' s . A t t h e same t i m e , u s i n g o n l y a s u b j e c t i v e approach ( t h i n k i n g , speaking & a c t i n g o n l y i n your own s e l f - i n t e r e s t ) without e q u a l e f f o r t towards o b j e c t i v e a d j u s t m e n t ( l i v i n g i n an i n f i n i t e u n i v e r s e w i t h everyone and e v e r y t h i n g b e s i d e s y o u r s e l f ) i s f h t i l e .

''I wanted them t o l o o k a t t h e i r own i d e a s , a t what t h e y had been s o c i a l l y c o n d i t i o n e d t o t h i n k about poverty. X asked them t o l i s t a l l t h e l a h e l ~theytdj ( ~ o n t . ~ g 17) .

ABORIGINAL [ E N !

Being a "Narrior" i s what most Aboriginal m n l l k e to identify A aarrior i s a person who provides protection and caring i n his fumily and community. Traditionally, a warrior endured t m d s h i p s und made sacrifices for his people. A warrior e-rf encea love, fear and many other feelings. A warrior i s not angry, violent and abuslm. A varrior accepts responsibility for his actions and &es not hum a need to control others. E?e strives to resolve conflict. uith.

I b

Helping Spirit L e e w i l l be offering a "Closed Healing Therapy Group". This i s a f ~ i l violence y focus group. This is not a "generic" group, meaning we are not going to solve a l l of your problems! Eowever, we can assist you i n endinq violent and abusive behaviors i n your f w i l y and relationships.

To begin this path of self-dismvery and for program and referral information call and ask for Bob, Phone 8726649.

Vhe Program begins in early September, 199W

Helping Spir.itLodge Suite 205 - 96 East Broadway, Vancouver, B.C.

V5T 4N9 Ph: (604) 872-6619

Maybe some r e a d e r s would l i k e t o know more about t h e h i s t o r y of t e l e v i s i o n technology. Most e l d e r Canadgans became acquainted w i t h TV t n t h e e a r l y 1950's. I n t h o s e days, t h e f i r s t person i n t h e neighbourhood t o have a s e t could expect a rush of evening y i s i t o r s . TY t r a y s and TV dtnn e r s were invented. I n a c t u a l f a c t , t e l e v i s e o n began i n Europe i n t h e '309s The B e r l i n Olympfcs of 1936 were t e l e c a s t i n t h a t c i t y . The sets r e c e i v i n g t h o s e broadcagts were much d t f f e r e n t , though. The e l e c t r o n gun t h a t makes today's p i c t u r e tube possi b l e had n o t been gnvented, The sets i n t h o s e days contained a p e r f o r a t e d d f s c behind a g l a s s gcreen. Behind the d i g c was a v e r y b r i g h t l i g h t . The incoming s i g n a l c o n t r o l l e d t h e opentng & c l o s i n g of t h e many l i t t l e h o l e s i n t h e d i s c . LigbJ-.would p a s s throggh open ones and s t r i k i n g t h e coated g l a s s s c r e e n , would produce t h e l i g h t e r shades up t o white. A mass of c l o s e d h o l e s would produne black. These s e t s produced a very poor p i c t u r e and were very hard on t h e eyes. World War I1 came and i n t e r r u p t e d t h e developmdnt of t e l e v i s i o n . But a t some p o i n t , t h e e l e c t r o n gun was invented, a gizmo t h a t f i r e d a stream of e l e c t r o n s . This made p o s s i b l e t h e i n v e n t i o n of t h e e l e c t r o n microscope t h a t was g r e a t l y superi o r t o s t a n d a r d microscppes which work by bending l i g h t rays. The e l e c t r o n gun a l s o made p o s s i b l e t h e i n v e n t i o n of t h e p i c t u r e tube f o r TV's. Back i n t h e 1950's and 603s TV s e t s gene r a t e d a l o t of h e a t because they depended on t h e i r working ( a s d i d r a d i o s i n t h o s e days) on t h e vacuum tube. Those t u b e s o f t e n contained elements which glowed when they were working, hence t h e h e a t . I n essence, a vacuum tube i s a g a t e which w i l l a l l o w through c e r t a i n p a r t s of a TV s i g n a l but n o t o t h e r s . I n a process t h a t s a w "Hybrid" s e t s c o n t a i n i n g some vacuum t u b e s and some t r a n s i s t o r s , t r a n s i s t o r s replaced vacuum tubes. T r a n s i s t o r s a r e much s m a l l e r and simpler and do t h e work ofvvac-

uum t u b e s without g e n e r a t i n g heat. Basic t o t h e TV s i g n a l t h a t reaches your s e t is t h e " c a r r i e r wave." The c a r r i e r wave is broadcast a t a c e r t a i n assigned frequency s o each channel always appear a t t h e same p o i n t on t h e d i a l . Added t o t h i s c a r r i e r wave a r e o t h e r f r e q u e n c i e s c o n t a i n i n g a l l t h e information t h e s e t needs. For example, t h e frequency c o n t a i n i n g t h e sound informafion i s one of t h e f i r s t s t r i p p e d o f f t h e c a r r i e r wave and shunted through i t s own system t o emerge a s sound from your speaker. A s t h e c a r r i e r wave moves through t h e system, t h e o t h e r f r e q u e n c i e s a r e s t r i p p e d o f f , e v e n t u a l l y reaching t h e B;~eEeckon.;guns a t t h e p o i n t y end of t h e p i c t u r e tube. These e l e c t o r n s guns go back & f o r t h and up 6 down, each of them drawing a l i n e acr o s s t h e back of your s c r e e n 500 times a second. (The Japanese a r e now making T V ' s i n which t h e stream of e l e c t r o n s from each gun c r o s s e s t h e s c r e e n 2,000 times p e r second f o r a c l e a r e r p i c t u r e . ) The i n s i d e of t h e b i g end of t h e p i c t u r e tube i s coated w i t h m i l l i o n s of t i n y chemi c a l d o t s which glow when t h e streams of electrons h i k s t i t . I n a c o l o u r s e t , t h e chemical make-up of t h e s e d o t s v a r i e s s o t h a t a p a r t i c u l a r kind of d o t responds onky t o e l e c t r o n s fwom a p a r t i c u l a r electmon gun, o r combinations of guns. For example, d o t s produPing a pure b l u e glow respond only t o a s h o t from t h e b l u e and green gun. A l l of t h e c o l o u r s , shades, shadings and t i n t s o t h e r than b a s i c r e d , b a s i c b l u e and b a s i c green a r e c r e a t e d by up t o 3 e l e c t r o n guns f i r i n g i n unison & s c o r i n g a b u l l s e y e an every microscopic d o t every time, causing t h a t d o t t o glow. TV s e t s a r e taken f o r granted nowadays & we become vexed & grumble when they bfeak down, buti'Qor s u r e , a TV a t work i s a modern-day miracle..marvellous both i n i t s c complexity & i n i t s r e l i a b i l i t y . We should a l l t i p our h a t s r e s p e c t f u l l y i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e n e a r e s t such s e t . I ' m s t i l l a v a i l a b l e t o h e l p Carnegie patt o n s w i t h t h e i r TV problems, when my small s k i l l s & knowledge make i t p o s s i b l e . P l e a s e l e a v e a n o t e a t t h e Information Desk i f you're having problems. By E R I C ERICKSON

" i

GUNS ARE MADE FOR KILLING

Inside the Van,a woman, Who soon would see her fate; There deep inside the muzzle, Of a loaded Thirty-eight.

Police cars are blue and white, The Needle-Van is green; All guns are made for killing, There is no in-between.

A very frightened woman, Who felt an icy dread; Which was to be expected, When guns were at her head.

Desperate men do desperate things, The way it has to be; Always is and always was, That is reality. One Out Two And

Their only explanation, Would be an uttered curse; She emptied out the contents, That were inside her purse.

evening in the twi-light,' there on Hastings Street; men robbed a tiny store, quickly would retreat.

The air was filled with terror, Death was her only thought; There in the alley,meanwhile, Two suspects had been caught.

While down upon the corner, The Needle-Van was parked; Dispensing hypodermics, As night was growing dark.

There were no apologies, No one to fix the blame; The attitude of the Police, Will always stay the same.

The men who robbed the tiny store, Had disappeared from sight; Police cars were everywhere, Their colours,blue and white.

Police cars are blue and white, The Needle-Van is green; All guns are made for killing, Tnere is no in-between.

It was then,two Officers, Converged upon the Van; Their Thirty-eights were drawn, To shoot whoever ran.

Michael James McLellan

LONELY

It seems so strange when you stop to think Along life's lonely way My life has past, I'm alone at last I didn't plan it that way. I try to think of yester years Bring something back from those days But the thought disappears, I'm alone with my tears I didn't plan it that way. I sit alone in a lonely room I look up to God and I pray Be merciful to me, I'm so lonely I didn't plan it that way So if out there, somewhere be you And youhre lonely both night and day Reach out take my hand, as we'll both understand We didnt5tplan it that way. Big Eagle

A room for a room

i n g i n s e v e r a l "single-room-occupancy" h o t e l s on G r a n v i l l e S t r e e t . The maximum s h e l t e r p o r t i o n f o r a s i n g l e person on G A I N i s $300. One f o r one, t h e v a s t m a j o r i t y of t h e s e p e o p l e a r e already i n t h e l e a s t e x p e n s i v e housing available. Campbell s a y s "one-for-one" replacement i s t h e NPA's bottom l i n e , b u t makes no mention of t h e c o s t d i f f e r e n t i a l between r e n t s now and r e n t s i n w h a t ' s coming. The VLC s c e n a r i o i s a good s t a n d a r d : A y e a r a f t e r Poole g o t t h e go-ahead from Campbell, Campb e l l ' s v e r s i o n of p u b l i c p r o c e s s , Poole came back t o Council and s a i d h e c o u l d s e t r e n t s a s low a s $800 a month f o r 1-bedroom u n i t s . Next came t h e b r i l l i a n t plan t o c u t t h e spaces i n h a l f , t o make s e l f - c o n t a i n e d bachel o r u n i t s t h e s i z e of 2 p a r k i n g s t a l l s and r e n t e a c h f o r $475 a month. New s u i t e s c o s t more, s o t h e 110 new u n i t s Mayor Gordon Campbell VANCOUVER a t t h e C o n t i n e n t a l , t h e 32 u n i t s a t t h e new McLaren House won't b e / c a n l t Mayor Gordon Campbell, i n h i s l e t be f o r t h e same p r i c e as e x i s t i n g ter p r i n t e d Aug. 6 , a c c u s e s DERA of u n i t s . Campbell's " p u r s u i n g t h e possmiel"mis1eading t h e p u b l i c " w i t h "proi b i l i t y " & "currently considering repaganda", t h e n goes on w i t h a c a r e f u l f u r b i s h i n g " i s r h e t o r i c . DERA h a s t o l y worded chunk of h i s / t h e NPA's "prod e a l w i t h t h e r e a l i t y of hundreds of paganda on t h e redevelopment of Downp e o p l e , many s e n i o r s o r o v e r 50, who town South. (To be grammatically corcannot a f f o r d any of t h e r e p l a c e m e n t s r e c t a n end-quote mark should a p p e a r Campbell t a l k s o f . a f t e r t h e l a s t "propaganda", b u t L i t t l e c h i l d r e n can do a r i t h m e t i c . Campbell's a r i t h m e t i c a l r e a s o n i n g h a s Adding up Campbell's numbers g i v e s t h e same gaping h o l e a s t h e p o l i t i c a l 290 u n i t s . Over 1,000 are d i r e c t l y r e a s o n i n g employed t o deny DERA t h e threatened. That l e a v e s a t least 710 $60,000 g r a n t t o do advocacy i n t h e .somewhere. area. Campbell h a s i d e a l i s e d h i s r e l a t i o n DERA h a s e a r n e d nation-wide and some w i t h t h e s o c r e d s as a " r a p p o r t " . Funny international respect f o r getting t h a t no t a l k o r even concern about ret h e f a c t s i n t h e p u b l i c ' s eye. With instituting rent control enters h i s ,he s p e c t r e of Los Angeles i n mind, glowing p r o s p e c t s f o r h i s " e x e c u t i v e where 25,000 p e o p l e a r e homeless and c i t y , " When up t o 1500 p e o p l e are l i v i n g on t h e s t r e e t s , DEW i s f i g h t l e f t homeless i n Downtown South, w i l l ing f o r the h o l i s t i c social s t a b i l i t y h e s a y "1t's n o t my f a u l t ! " o r " t o o of t h i s neighbourhood. A few thousand bad"? What's t h e matter Gordie, t r u t h low-income p e o p l e c u r r e n t l y have houshurt? PAULR TAYLOR

The Downtown South propaganda pushed by DERA is misleading to the public and intimidating to Downtown South residents. As early as 1988 city council established as the core of the Downtown South Plan the social stability of the neighborhood. The NPA council secured, for the first time in tl-3 city's history, development cost charges that would provide for replacement housing for the existing "single-room occupancy" hotels. Council is building the new 110-unit Continental Hotel as well dS pursuing the possibility of renovating 108 units in the existing Continental. The 32-unit McLaren House has just opened. he city is currently considering refurbishing over 40 units in the recently purchased Gresham Hdel. The Downtown South Plan gives developers a "bonus" for retaining single-roomoccupancy hotels and heritage buildings. I fail to see how "one-for-one': replacement of housing units reflects the extravagant statements of destruction of the neighborhood peddled by DEW and reported by the media.

GREY POWER

The C o a l i t i o n o f S e n i o r C i t i z e n ' s is O r g a n i z a t i o n s (cOSCO) of B . C.

I want t o complain.

b e i n g g u t t e d and u s e r f e e s a r e n e x t . On Monday, August 2 6 t h . t h e r e i s g o i n g t o b e a b i g d e m o n s t r a t i o n by t h e p r e m i e r ' s Conference. w i l l a l s o be t h e r e .

mag s h i n e above t h e r e s t b u t why d o n ' t you c a l l y o u r s e l f "BOA" and r e s t r i c t Women's l i b e r a t i o n i s n o t a p a s s i n g

Mulroney

should b r i n g a lunch f o r a p i c n i c , & w i l l head back i n t h e l a t e a f t e r n o o n . I f you'd l i k e t o go, c o n t a c t Paul T a y l o r a t C a r n e g i e soon. A l s o , i f you a r e r e a d i n g t h i s on

i s n o 1st r a t e magazine on t h e west c o a s t , a s opposed t o head o f f i c e back

Yours, Wendy Thompson

be l a u n c h e d t o n i g h t a t Robson S q u a r e , s t a r t i n g a t 7:00, Room 3 .

~ ' r n s u r e you a r e f u l l y aware of a l -

coho1 a b u s e i n o u r Downtown E a s t s i d e . S i t t i n g here, a list of s t u f f the a l c o h o l i c h a s used o v e r t h e y e a r s began t o r u n t h r o u g h my mind - i t r e a d s l i k e a g r o c e r y l i s t . So, hang o n t o your h a t s , o r t o u p e e s .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

ANTI-FREEZE Old r e c o r d s (78's) SHOE POLISH VANILLA EXTRACT SHAVING LOTION (Bay Rum) LISTERINE RUBBING ALCOHOL STERN0 3 Snakes GINSENG Stomach B i t t e r s HAIR SPRAY COUGH SYRUP COLOGNE Anyone f o r a n a f t e r n o o n c o c k t a i l ? P e t e r Eastman

T h e r e a r e hun-

And we climbed t h e h i g h e s t h i l l t h e view o f t h e s h i p s i n t h e s t r a i g h t t h e a i r crackin' with dry pine needles and b l u e b e r r y t e a my mouth SO d r y even t h e h u c k ' . e b e r r i e s c o u l d n ' t quench t h e t h i r s t a n g e r i n e b e r r i e s s o i n v i t i n g & sweet were i n a p p r o v a l s t i n g i n g n e t t l e s t o r t u r e my c a l f s my arms a s s a i l e d by m o s q u i t o e s f o l l o w t h e f l a s h i n g o r a n g e s and r e d s b l u e s and p i n k s t o o

A t l a s t t h e way down walk l i k e peewee, i t h e l p s l o o s e s h a l e and t h e a n g l e of t h e s l o p e danger a t every t u r n would t h e y send o u t a s e a r c h p a r t y with refreshments t o s l a k e t h i s t h i r s t would t h e y come and c a r r y me home?

Well we made i t on t i m e anyway. Taum

From a s p e e c h by Dick C a l d w e l l Most of what I r e a l l y need t o know a b o u t how t o l i v e , and what t o do, and how t o b e , I l e a r n e d i n k i n d e r g a r t e n . Wisdom was n o t a t t h e t o p of t h e graduate school mountain, but there i n the sandpile a t nursery s c h o o l . These a r e t h e t h i n g s l e a r n e d : S h a r e e v e r y t h i n g . P l a y f a i r . Don't h i t p e o p l e . Put t h i n g s back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't t a k e t h i n g s t h a t a r e n ' t yours. Say y o u ' r e s o r r y when you h u r t somebody. Wash y o u r hands bef o r e you e a t . F l u s h . Warm c o o k i e s and c o l d m i l k a r e good f o r you. L i v e a b a l a n c e d l i f e . Learn some and t h i n k some. And draw and p a i n t and s i n g and d a n c e and p l a y and work everyday some. Take a nap e v e r y a f ternoon. When you go o u t i n t o t h e w o r l d , watch o u t f o r t r a f f i c , h o l d hands and s t i c k together. Be aware of wonder. Remember t h e l i t t l e s e e d i n t h e p l a s t i c cup. The r o o t s go down and t h e p l a n t g o e s up and nobody r e a l l y knows how o r why; b u t we a r e a l l l i k e t h a t .

G o l d f i s h and h a m s t e r s and w h i t e mice and even t h e l i t t l e s e e d i n t h e p l a s t i c cup - t h e y a l l d i e . So do we. E v e r y t h i n g you need t o know i s i n t h e r e somewhere - t h e Golden Rule and l o v e and b a s i c s a n i t a t i o n - e c o l ogy and p o l i t i c s and e q u a l i t y and sane l i v i n g . Take any one of t h o s e i t e m s and e x t r a p o l a t e them i n t o sophi s t i c a t e d a d u l t t e r m s and a p p l y them t o your f a m i l y l i f e o r y o u r work o r your government o r y o u r w o r l d , and t h e y h o l d t r u e and c l e a r and f i r m . Think what a b e t t e r world i t would be i t we a l l - t h e whole w o r l d - had c o o k i e s and m i l k a b o u t t h r e e o ' c l o c k e v e r y a f t e r n o o n and t h e n l a y down w i t h o u r " b l a n k i e s " f o r a nap. O r Canada and t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f Ameri c a had a b a s i c p o l i c y t o a l w a y s p u t t h i n g s back where t h e y found them and c l e a n up t h e mess. And i t i s s t i l l t r u e , n o m a t t e r how o l d you are, when you go o u t i n t o t h e w o r l d , i t i s b e s t t o h o l d hands and s t i c k t o g e t h e r .

1 1

DOWNTOWN

YOUTH

- ?Ionday t h r o u g h F r i d a y , Yam - b p m . FREE HEDICAL CLINIC - Mon, Wed, F r i , 5:30-7 :30 NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main; e v e r y day - 9am-5pm Needle exchange van - on t h e s t r e e t Mon-Sat e v e n i n g s . N.A. meets e v e r y Monday n i g h t a t 223 Main S t r e e t . N a r c o t i c s Anonymous (NA) meets a t Dugout, 57 Powell, 7 :30 F r i . S'TU L L L N ! ~

199 1 DONATIONS : Charley B. -$30 Hazel M.-$25 Oly(Sven) -$20 Cement Masons -$I75 Wendy -$20 Mendel R.-$15 Marilyn S .-$36 NEWSLETTER ~ m w l Heather M.-$15 Darren L.-$50 Herman L.-$10 F o r e s t Lawn -$20 K e i t h C.-$30 E t i e n n e s .-$20 TIIT:: N : ~ , ~ ~ S I . E T T ISI : R A P L I B L I C A ' Y : ~01 ~. ~'TII:. LjRN',.CII! ('OEDIVNITY CICNTRE hS:iOCl ZTIIJN. Sandy C.-$35 Nancy W.-$75 Next 1 s s u e ' s A ~ t l c l c sr r p r c s e n t t h e v l e w s o i i n t l i v i d u n l A r t VL -$5 T e r r y T.-$200 c o n t r i b u t o r s and n c t o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n . Brenda -$5 Vishva A.-$15 DEADLINE J a n e t B.-$20 E l l e n -$5 FREE - D o n a t i o n s a c c e p t e d . 28 August L i l l i a n H.-$20 Sue H.-$50 C i t y Inlo s t a f f c a n ' t ac: ,-pr Wednesday C o l l e e n E.-$25 Donald M.-$5 d o n a t i o n s F O K t h i s N e w s l e t t e r , SO ii you can h e l p , f i n d Paul T a y l o r Dave - $ l o B i l l T.-$20 and h e ' l l g i v e you a r e c e i p t . Nancy J.-$10 A n n e t t e R.-$30 Thanks e v e r y b o d y ! William B.-$20 Rhinos -$3.03 Laughing Bear -$200 A l b e r t H.-$8 S a l v a t i o n Army C h i l l i w a c k -$30 ? Legal S e r v i c e s S o c i e t y -$500 F i r s t United Church -$500 The Downtown Eastslde Ilesidents' hi;soc!atto~l Anonymous -$38 Bruce D. -$5 CEEDS -$50 can help you with!

NkWI 1lI!3J3

* +

* * +

any melfure problerrm Information on legal rights disputes w i h landlords unsnie living conditions ICLCOII~C tax UIC problems

Cotnc intu thc DEHA Offlcc a t !1 I h t HnstJngs St. or phone 11sa t (in%-O!l:ll. !

~ . ~ ~ ~

"That 's our problem, C h a r l i e , t h e more we g e t , t h e more we w a n t . "

F i r s t United Church, t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , c o n t i n u e s t o h i d e . . a t l e a s t from being h o n e s t w i t h r e a d e r s of t h i s newsl e t t e r . R a t h e r t h a n respond t o many q u e s t i o n s asked i n t h e l a s t 5 o r 6 issues, H i l l s o n & E l l i o t a r e determined t o p l a y dumb, p e r h a p s hoping t h a t t h i s w i l l be i n t e r p r e t e d a s innocence. I ' v e h e a r d v e r b a l l y of H i l l s o n b e i n g t h e s u b j e c t of an i n t e r v i e w t h a t r a n i n t h e S a t u r d a y Review s e c t i o n of t h e Vancouver Sun l a s t week. The p a r t s t h a t appeared a s d i r e c t q u o t e s were r e a d t o me over t h e phone, b u t I a m p r e s e n t l y unable t o t a k e r a p i d d i c t a t i o n . The g e n e r a l d r i f t had H i l l s o n a d o r i n g a l o v i n g J e s u s , and s t a t e m e n t s of how i m i t a t i n g him i n h i s r e p o r t e d empathy with t h e meek and o p p r e s s e d and weak had brought him c l o s e r t o t h e l e s s e r of h i s b r o t h e r s . . o r something l i k e t h a t . The p e r s o n r e a d i n g i t d e s c r i b e d t h e s w e a t s h i r t worn by H i l l s o n a s one dep i c t i n g N a t i v e s t r u g g l e w i t h Land Claim: ..and t h e r e a d e r a l m o s t choked. He had been c l o s e t o H i l l s o n f o r some t i m e a t FUC and n e v e r saw him t r e a t any N a t i v e people a s e q u a l , w i t h r e s p e k t From H i l l s o n ' s d e a f e n i n g s i l e n c e i n r e g a r d s t o f o r c i n g t h r e e community adv o c a t e s t o l e a v e , maybe h i s image i s j u s t t o o i m p o r t a n t . Maybe E l l i o t ' s emp i r e is crumbling. Maybe t h e p e r s o n doing t h e s p e c i a l " V i s i t a t i o n " w i l l make a n i m p e r a t i v e recommendat i o n t o both H i l l s o n & E l l i o t t o d e a l w i t h t h i s -with t h e community a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s i n a (heaven f o r b i d ! ) open & h o n e s t way

By PAULR

TAYLOR

p d a t e on MSSH and t h e Job Program

A long-time a r e a r e s i d e n t and Carnegie s e r came i n w i t h a d i s t u r b i n g r e p o r t I few days ago. J o e P a u l had g o t t e n work a t S t . V i n c e n t le P a u l ' s warehouse through t h e 6-month lrogram s e t up by w e l f a r e . T h i s i s t h e me where t h e government s u b s i d i z e s 112 .he wage f o r 6 months; t h e n t h e employer :an e i t h e r h i r e o r f i r e t h e person.. br t h e p e r s o n can q u i t . According t o J o e , h e ' d done 5 314 mo. md was i n h i s l a s t week. He'd had no :rouble f o r t h e e n t i r e t i m e , y e t i n t h e Last week h e g o t t e n s t r a n g e c r i t i c i s m s from h i s b o s s , A l , and even s t r a n g e r s u g g e s t i o n s - J o e r e p o r t e d t h a t A 1 had repeated s e v e r a l t i m e s : " I f you d o n ' t Like i t , q u i t . " The program i s open t o t h i s k i n d of I f t h e employer o n l y zxploitation. # a n t s t o pay 112 t h e wage, h e ' d have t o r e p l a c e t h e person s e n t by MSSH e v e r y 6 nonths. I f t h e p e r s o n i s f i r e d w i t h o u t a r e a s o n , Labour R e l a t i o n s would t a k e a very dim view of i t . I f t h e p e r s o n q u i t s t h e n a new r e c r u i t would b e s e n t o v e r by MSSH and t h e whole p l a n c o u l d b e gone through a g a i n . I c a l l e d A l , asked him, h e s a i d J o e was l y i n g , t h e n s a i d I should t a l k t o h i s b o s s P e t e . When I reached P e t e he w a s angry t h a t I w a s " q u e s t i o n i n g ( h i s ) i n t e g r i t y . " He r e f u s e d t o s a y how many p e o p l e w e l f a r e had s e n t t o him on t h i s 6-monthfhalf-wage d e a l . To my mind, i f you r e f u s e t o answer s i m p l e q u e s t i o n s you have something t o h i d e . More soon.

By PAULR

TAYLOR

WHAT LITTLE LADIES Now t h e t i m e was e a r l y summer, The beginning of J u l y ; When s o f t , f i l m y c l o u d s were f l o a t i n g On a c r o s s an a z u r e sky. Gentle breezes k i s s e d t h e d a i s i e s I n among t h e b u t t e r c u p s , That grew b e s i d e a p r e t t y pond F u l l of f l u f f y , b a b y ducks. Where you laughed 6 played,my d a r l i n g , Like l i t t l e l a d i e s always do, By chasing orange b u t t e r f l i e s Under s k i e s of m i s t y blue. Now t h e time was e a r l y summer, The beginning of J u l y ; On t h a t day,you were married, Sadness s l i p p e d i n t o my eye. There w e r e t e a r d r o p s i n my f o o t s t e p s When I walked you down t h e a i s l e ; You were s t i l l my baby d a u g h t e r , But mine only f o r awhile, Though you h e l d my arm s o g e n t l y , Like l i t t l e l a d i e s always do, Your poor f a t h e r ' s h e a r t was k u r t i h g , When you spoke t h o s e words "I do." Now t h e time is e a r l y summer, The beginning of J u l y ; I ' m a l o n e and slowly walking There beneath an a z u r e sky. W i s t f u l memories of d a i s i e s , And of f l u f f y , b a b y ducks, Of p r e t t y orange b u t t e r f l i e s I n among t h e b u t t e r c u p s . Thinking of a baby daughter Under s k i e s of m i s t y b l u e ; Who grew up and l e f t h e r f a t h e r , Like l i t t l e l a d i e s always do. Michael James McLellan

Simple and Simon"

Right v e r s u s wrong, Law v e r s u s outlaws Sheep v e r s u s I n d i v i d u a l s , Learn "What t o think", Not how t o t h i n k . Simple and Simon Came by wagon t r a i n , B i b l e i n one hand, Shotgun i n t h e o t h e r When Simple married Simon The Conservative and Social Credit Parties were born. Brian Wagget

A STRANGE EXPERIENCE: Someone had given me a cap or organic mescaline & I decided Wreck Beach was a good place to do it. This was years ago when the beach was still natural, before the tourists found out about it. I got there in the late afternoon, found a spot where I could be alone, took off my clothes & dropped the mescaline. I went in the water, & as I came out all I could see was beach & trees no buildings, as if Vancouver didn't even exist. I lay down & began to feel my body come alive in the wind & sun. As I watched the sunset a great peace & perfect contentment came over me. It seemed that the Earth was paradise & this moment would last forever. The sunset was so beautiful I forgot that darkness would follow. In the fading light I suddenly realized that the tide had come up all around me & the beach between where I was & the entrance to the trail was n mass of floating logs. I had to walk across these moving slippery logs. It was getting dark very rapidly & it seemed like there were totem designs carved on the logs, then they became the backs of strange sea creatures swimming in the choppy water. From paradise on earth I was suddenly forced into a sort of mythological test. I walked across these moving rolling logs in bare feet. A few times I thought I would fall, but I didn' t. The entrance to the trail was hard to find. It was almost dark & several huge trees looked like enormous totems carved with powerful animal-like figures. One I remember was a huge bear that seemed to have a fire in its belly. I had to remind myself not to panic as I searched for the trail & finally found it. As I entered the bushes it got much darker; in fact it soon became pitch black. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. But in my mind monstrous faces & strange masks were emerging out of the darkness, rushing towards me, one after another. I had to get down on all fours & feel my way up the trail in total darkness. It was very steep & narrow, but I kept going

T h e was gone so X had no idea how long I'd been climbing when I finally had to sit down in the dark & rest. As I sat there catching my breath, the whole top of my head seemed to open up & I went into another world where the sky was a beautiful lilac colour. There was a crowd of people there all smiling & laughing, extending thefr hands to me, saying Oh, you've come back to us. As I reached out towards them I noticed they were dressed in feathers & beads & beautiful costumes. They all looked about 16 years old. I knew somehow that they lived as children did, in a playful & ritualistic manner & they recdgnized me & were welcoming me home. As r reached out towards them they began to fade & I descended back into my body. As I did so I could hear what seemed to be two of these bequtiful children, a man & a woman, coming down the trqil above me in the dark, They were talktng excitedly in some wonderful foreign language. Gradually I realized they were speaking French. They were surprised to see me there in the middle of the trail. Apparently they could see better in the dark than I could. They were very concerned & asked me if I was alright. I told them I was just resting for a minute before I started climbing again. I said everything was okay & they'd never know how beautiful they were coming down that trail. They said alright - you take care now & disappeared into the dark, still speaking French very excitedly all the way down. I continued climbing on my hands & knees & soon made it to the top. There was more light there & the wind moving the bushes made them look like hundreds of weird faces talking to me, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. I continued walking for hours - all the way back to East Vancouver. By the time I got home the trip had mostly worn off & I was almost normal, but I couldn't forget that climb up the trail & those people in that place somewhere up there who had been so glad to see me. TORA

I - learning. -

heard applied to poor people & we agreed t o call this listtt'W@lfare Stereotypes":

S t a t i c stereotype Lazy Welfare Bums Drunks Stupid Freeloader Students Bag Lady Down and Out Paupe~s Systems People Helf Breed Single Parent Lazy SOB Able Bodied Disgusting Losers Unmotivated Hustlers Uneducated Leeches Dumb Slut Poor Bum Indians Scammers Liars Vultures Bad Parents Drugee Underpriviledged Scwn Latch Key Kids Low Life Irresponsible Couch Potato Parasites Lor Self-Esteem Boat People "Mixed" Race Loafer Mental Mooch Lazy Whore Pathetic Dirty Rip-off Artists Bad Tenants Street People "With this An front of us, L asked them about the realities of poverty both facts and factoxs:

factors was very positive. To complete the discussion, we looked at responsibilities: - make problems politica1,:not~~personal; - know policies of those voted for; - challenge discrimination 6 stereotypes; - educate kids not to discriminate/label; - value contribution of women & children; - Organise: Select 1 goal like rent control or subsidies; - use media to educate the public; - know own values and limitations; stop classism & competition amongst us; - no change without risk takers;

'%luch of our thinking is conditioned into us unconscious~y.We have to fight the labels given to the poor. I'

S e n t i e n t a c t ion

* 50-70% o f income goes to housing * Xnadequate student loans & debts * Alcoholism as a sfckness * 20% of people have .4% Bf wealth * Part-time, low-paying jobs * Food Banks * 3 out of 5 Single Moms are poor * 63.4% of poor people work * 35.55% of men over 65 are poor * 1 in 3 single parent families rely on welfare for income * 1 in 6 kids lives in poverty * stigma against children * learning disabilities * segregated housing * Trapped..forced poverty * Lost livelihood - both Rural & Urban * Inadequate Daycare * Capitalism; restrictive policies * Labelling & hungry kids in schools

Sheila brought to focus what's been the starting point for hundreds in working for social change in every school in BC & across Canada, kids go hungry. Child Poverty Action Committees form & fight for universal, non-stigmatising lunch programs in schools. Vancouver has gone from having no such program to having it in four elementary and one high school. School Board Trustees have gone from denying even the possibility to stating that lunch programs are a "cherished part" of their budgets.,

"The outcome of comparing the first list of labels so the second list of facts &

and the

Public Sector

when we give one another joy by loving, by sharing, then we manifest a power they cannot touch. We can be the artisans of a joy they never imagined." Imagine our joy when a member of the establishment was so disgusted with soonto-be ex-premier Vanderzalm sent hearty greetings to 100 rabidly loyal socreds and offered them a night of fun & frolic - and the best seats in the house to see a play about poverty - at Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. On our handout were words spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. & a question asked for centuries by people all over the world: "There is nothing new about poverty. m a t is new however, is that we now have the resources to get rid of it. "Today, therefore, the question must read: WHY SHOULD THERE BE HUNGER AND PRIVATION IN ANY LAND, IN ANY CITY, AT ANY TABLE, W N PEOPLE HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE SCIENTIFIC KNOW-HOW TO PROVIDE ALL HUMANITY WITH THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE? "There is no deficit in human resources; the deficit is in human will."

...

The c o r p o r a t e agenda Every issue written about, discussed, is intimately connected with other issues, but progress in one makes regression in others cause for expanding action, for getting involved and making connections. Daycare was unceremoniously sacrificed by the federal government, bills were passed to cut U.I. & education & medicare & clawback seniors pensions & gut the Canada Assistance Plan to trash social programs & on & on. Reports on every known aspect of the why and wherefore of this corporate agenda almost overwhelm you, but considering its vastness can either cripple or strengthen your spirit. Inspiration can enlighten you and can come from anything. A mountain of dire consequences can be greatly reduced in its capacity to make you feel alone & helpless. Like the following by a monk named Thomas Merton:

"Celebration is crazy. The craziness of not submitting even though hey" , "The Others", the ones who make life impossible, seem to have all the power. CClebration is the beginning of confidence, therefore of power. "When we laugh at them, when we celebrate, when we make our lives beautiful,

...

Our 'prime d i r e c t i v e ' ELEVATE THE DIGNITY OF WOMEN & RAISE THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF HUMANITY. Unique happenings occur at rare times; When the socreds are being pressed to deal directly with chiddren going hungry because thousands of single parents get insufficient assistance, 100 of them put up $2500 each for a night on the town with the premier. The same day as this obscenity occurs, a postcard comes in the mail bearing these words: "WHEN I GIVE FOOD TO THE POOR, THEY CALL ME A SAINT. WHEN I ASK WHY THE POOR HAVE NO FOOD, THEY CALL ME A COMMUNIST."

A glimmer of l i g h t comes ffom O n t a r i o when t h e s l o g a n "Down With The P o v e r t y Premier'' h e l p s p u t a p r o g r e s s i v e government i n power. Back h e r e a r e s o many s c a n d a l s i n v o l v i n g s o c r e d m i n i s t e r s i t ' s a l m o s t boring. On t h e m u n i c i p a l l e v e l , t h e NPA s p e n d s a few m i l l i o n d o l l a r s t o b a r e l y squeak a 1-vote m a j o r i t y on C f t y Council, u s f n g a c t o r s f o r t h e i r "citizen-on-the-street1' commercials and p r i n t i n g hundreds o f t i 1 thousands of f a k e C'oannsunity'' newspapers. P o l i t i c a l c o n n e c t i o n s s o l i d i f y , from federal treason t o provincial obscenity t o m u n i c i p a l c h e a t s & liars. Tt happens i n a "democratic" system t h a t h a s s o convinced p e o p l e t h a t t h e i r v o t e i s u s e l e s s about h a l f o f t h o s e e l i g i b l e do so.

T h e i r 'prime d i r e c t i v e '

One more q u o t e i n c a p i t a l l e t t e r s : I

(

"THE WINNERS ARE AT W WITH THE LOS':: SRS AM) THE FJX I S ON. THE P~OSPECTSFOR PEACE ARE AWFUL."

That is from K U t~ Vonnegut Again t o t h e new k t d s on t h e b l o c k i t may sound l i k e t h e r e i s n o t h i n g b u t p o l i t i c s tn t h e Carnegie Newsletter. No, but p o l i t i c i a n s - a r e e x p e r t a t word u s e s t h a t h i d e s i m p l e t r u t h , The p r h e concern i n a l m o s t e v e r y t h i n g appearkng i s ax z e a l o u s p u r s u i t o f j u s t i c e and a b a s i c moral i m p e r a t i v e . Be q u i t e s u r e ue want J u s t i c e , n o t c h a r i t y . C h a r i t y La a bandaid, not a solution. Economics c a n n o t b e viewed s e p a r a t e l y from p o v e r t y , from w a r , from h o u s i n g o r

women's r i g h t s o r r a c i s m o r . . . . " D i s c r i m i n a t i o n i s t h e t o o l of t h e r i c h . I f you took t h e p r o f i t o u t of raci s m , you j u s t might n o t have i t any more"

While s t o r i e s on a l l of t h e s e i s s u e s a r e i n each i s s u e , deep w r i t e r s l i k e Anne Rayv a l s keep t h e b a s i c s of human n a t u r e c l e a r and g i f t e d writers l i k e Sandy Cameron t a k e time t o s a y some n i c e t h i n g s about t h i s r a g . I d e a t i o n h a s t o be s t r o n g i n t h e f a c e

o f " l e g a l " d e c i s i o n s on N a t i v e Land Claims when a "judge" d i s c o u n t s t h e i r r i g h t s bec a u s e t h e y have no p i e c e of paper s a y i n g t h e y own t h e l a n d t h e y ' v e been on f o r thousands of years. It n e v e r s t o p s - t h e r e are a few thousand k i d s s t i l l g o i n g t o s c h o o l hungry even though t h e problem was exposed 2 y e a r s ago ..and C i t y Council r e f u s e s t o fund a n adeq u a t e l u n c h program. More s t u f f comes around a g a i n , i n c l u d i n g l e t t e r s t o "employables" on w e l f a r e ; i f you a r e 59, h a v e n ' t worked i n 1 5 y e a r s , y o u ' r e s t i l l r e q u i r e d t o go o u t and comp e t e w i t h 18-year-olds f o r t h e same minimum wage job. The s o c r e d s j u s t change t h e name o f t h e scam whereby t a x p a y e r s pay f o r 1 / 2 t h e wage o f p e o p l e h i r e d f o r l o w - s k i l l l a b o u r (who were on w e l f a r e ) and wages are k e p t low on purpose. T h i s p l e a s e s t h e corp o r a t i o n s immensely as p r o f i t s are high.

* * * *

federal funding for the unemployment insurance system has been eliminated; federal contributions to medicare are being phased out; post-secondary education is losing its federal funding; federal-provincial cost sharing for welfare & social assistance will be terminated over 10 years; * contracting out by the federal government has increased to +$4 billion a yr. * agricultural marketing boards (like the Wheat Board) are being gutted; * Public broadcasting has been undermined. CBC regional programming has been cut; * the transportation industry has been effectively deregulated; * the communications industry is beginning to suffer de-regulation; * over 20 Crown Corporations (including Air Canada) have been privatized; A little more light - Vanderzalm is fin- * post offices, including 191 in rural Canada, have been shut down in preparaally caught red-handed and has to resign. tion for privatizing the postal service. * the GST Every now and then the mental disease The trade deal commits Canada to an ecocalled greed gets too crude for words. nomic program in which the role of govt. A Downtown Eastside Poet, Claudius Ivan is sharply reduced & the role of big busiPlanidin, helped by putting this down: ness is greatly expanded.

If language is culture

b i r t h to i n f i n i t y

is communication is universe is everything, From Shrii Shrii Anandamurti it's urgent

"Struggle is the essence of life."

I listen to the words I use.

"There is, in the living being, a thirst for limitlessness .I1

love is all there is By PAULR

TAYLOR