Who Are We? Now that Peter Brown and his Howe Street cronies

have sik'd Gordo (Gordzilla) Campbell and his zombie minions on British Columbia in a crotch- kicking, eye-gouging attack of all out no rules dirty class war, it's imperative we remember who we are.

We who are the mulch of grassroots citizenry are typically vulnerable to our own self-deprecation, and the derision of those whose esteem feeds on delusions of superiority. However, in this time of crisis,we can i l l afTord this weakness, especially as oppressive forces concertedly target our confidence and legitim- acy as people. The neo-liberal puppet party works not for the

people of BC but for the upper echelon tinancial elite whose only measure of value is economic; a simpleminded dogma of numbers wherein money equals the human soul. It's a transparent farce.

The truth is that many individuals have progressed past the shallow, superficial illusion that money means fulfillment.

We are the poets, with or without paper, who

I r the DTES was created as a Valentine to the City of Vancouver from the Downtown Eastside. The response to the premiere has been so overwhelming and the feedback, immediate and ongoing, has been so positive that Savage God is remounting it in four different locations around Vancouver:

4 Repeat Performances of a remarkable event! Authentic, Passionate, frank Poignant Theatrical and FREE!

Monday April 8 Q 7pm/ Christ Church Cathedral / 690 Burrard at Georgia Saturday April 13 8 7pmlCanadian Memorial Church1 15th & Burrard Sunday April 14 Q.7pm / Ryerson United Church 1 2195 W. 45th Ave -April16th @ 7pm / S t James Church Ha11 I303 E. Cordova at Gore

'XAV- S I W to On Saturday. February 16th, 2002. in the spartan but hospitable quarters of St. James Anglican Church Hall, close to two hundredpeople, most of them residents of the Oowntuwn Eastside IDTES), witnessed a truly remarkable event. They watched and listend to a program of poet^ songs and text, much of it winen by the performers, themselves fellow residents of the OTES, allof it prompted by their musings on the subject of Love. This original performance p~ece was produced under the auspices of SAVAGE GOO: 0.E MO CRA CE

For further information call: 604.682348 ext 31

penetrate reality seeking deeper insights of truth than the commodified litter of corporate culture.

We are the children of the earth who cringe in pain as eco-rapists heartlessly violate our most sacred parts and places.

We honour the wisdom of our grandmothers and grandfathers, so afford them every consideration. We cherish our children limitlessly and our concern extends past our own futures to encompass theirs. We demand justice and equality in all fonns tbr our brothers and sisters around the world who suffer oppression.

We are artists and athletes, dancer and dreamers. We touch he planet lightly and are propelled through space by our own power. We talk to strangers and help those who ask. We shed our spare change with good humour. We're honest faces, integrity intact. Our resumes are heart and soul, and we carry the weak and sick gladly.

We're the best! We have to remember this in light ofthe lies projected upon us. Solidarity!

o f f w i t h � heir ~ e a d s ! There's no end to the vicious stupidity of Campbell, but he keeps getting his flunkies to take the heat. Following are bits from the Province, of all rags, about the sleaze of.loyce Murray, the Minister Responsible for BC's parks. Michael Srnyfh The Province 'Contrary to popular opinion, Gordon Campbell

may not be so mean as to steal the pencils from a blind man's cup. But apparently he is cruel enough to take away his camping pass. In its latest tacky swipe at people with disabilities the Liberal government has quietly gutted the Dis- abled Access Pass Program operated by BC Parks. lin place for the past 15 years, it allowed disabled people to camp for free in provincial parks. Imagine the thrill of a wheelchair-bound child

seeing our beautiful valleys and mountains. Or a blind person hearing an eagle's cry. Or a deaf person enjoying a lakeside sunset. It seems such a small thing for a decent society to provide some-one who got ripped off in life's lottery but not acc-ording to the Liberals. Too expensive, they say. The program will now be restricted to disabled

people on welfare -and that means about 4,000 to 5.000 disabled British Columbians are being

7 - kicked OK Robin Loxton, of the BC Coalition of People With Disabilities, states the obvious: A lot of people get by on small pensions or meager in-comes and aren't on BC Benefits, but they're not well-off. [CPP Disability, etc.] So how much will the government save by throw- ing all those deaf and blind freeloaders out of our parks? About $200,000 -- or about two-thirds of the wacko severance payment they gave to a fired health-care administrator just last week. There was no news release issued on this decision by the way. The only disclosure was this website: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/changes.htm "

The I WA forestry union is attacking the decision to take away park passes from disabled people. "This shows the shameless contempt this govern-

ment has for the disabled," said I WA spokesman Terry Tate, who called the move "a money grab" from disabled people.

The letter to all pass-holders came from the Assis- tant Deputy Minister. Joyce Murray is either too arrogant to do it herself or too ashamed to attach her name to this sleaze. (Not likely.. Campbell makes ministers of such people.. .) "Dear The criteria for this program have been changed..

to build consistency throughout government prog-rams that provide disability assistance.. .all exist-ing disabled access passes have been cancelled. To now qualifL for free

camping in provincial parks, please show one of the following to the campground operator at the park: - a Release of Information form issued by MHR confirming that you are receiving Disability Benefits Two from the BC Benefits Program. O R - a letter of eligibility issued by the Ministry of

Children and Family Development stating that your child is eligible for the At Home Program AND a second piece of ID."

I t goes on to list what campsites are now devoid of any services (45 of 'em) and the small number that previous governments made accessible to people with disabilities. Lynn Bremner at the BC Parks Disabled Access Pass Program (ph: 250-387-4660) is programmed to

- say that, due to their department's "commitment to efficiency" only those who have very little in the way of savings (and are eligible for DB2) will be eligible for this pass - 15,000 BC Parks Disabled Access Passes in total were issued before this cancellation. - 2,600 were issued for the year 200 1 .

Talk to Sandra Wesley, the Manager in BC for Canada Pension Plan Disability Program ( l-800- 277-99 14) and write Gwen Woytowich, the Special Services Manager for Income Security Programs at PO Box 1 177, Federal Bldg. Victoria,

And this from the same Robin Loxton at BCCPD: "Am I losing my mind? I just got a call from a Constituency Assistant at a MLA's office (Liberal of course) saying she just got a call from a disabled constituent who was upset that her BC Parks Access Card had been cancelled. The CA asked what I [as an advocate for people with disabilities] could do to help this person as she could no longer afford her annual holiday!!!

Apparently lots of folks have been phoning MHR Ofices cos they think, or have been told, that M H R will issue camping cards to people with disabilities. Ofcourse this will only work ifyou qualitjl for and receive DB2 benefits. At least MMR is used to telling people "no.""

It '.s grotvirig: " Like so many moves of this abysmal government, this one is both cruel and stupid. Given the cuts, and price increases, I've already decided not to stay at any BC parks this year. I'll tind my own campsite - federal, municipal, private, band, or just vacant crown land - and pay nothing to Camp- bell's collectors. Provincial parks without all those services aren't really parks anyway. I'm sure a lot of other campers will feel the same way."

B.C.'s top judge has delivered a scathing letter to B.C.'s attorney-general telling him the province's judiciary no longer has confidence in him.

Judge Carol Baird Ellan and two associate chief judges delivered the letter by hand to Geoff Plant in an attempt to prevent spending cuts that will close 24 courthouses. The letter, dated February 14, states, "The judiciary has reached the conclusion that government's finan- cial decision to close courthouses is unlawfd, since it was made without consultation and without due consideration of the principle of access to justice."

The letter is written on behalf of 146 judges.

The Court begins by saying that since the AG announced the closures, the Court conducted an assessment of the impact they would have. (i.e., they weren't consulted first.) The Court then points out its statutory and consti-

tutional responsibility for the fair administration of '

justice: "The Judiciary expects that issues arising from the

proposed courthouse closures will be resolved in the spirit of open communication and mutual respect that has been historically enjoyed between the Court and the Office of the Attorney General, in a manner that maintains contidence in the administration of justice, and ensures that the public is provided the optimum level ofjustice delivery and access as may be achieved within the applicable constitutional framework and the available resources." The preliminary assessment was completed and

given to the AG in February. It goes into some detail about the impact of the closures on people's access to justice. Plant is quoted as claiming in the news story that he worked hard TO DO HIS DUTY TO CONSULT (but only AFTER the closures were announced), he also confirmed that he wouldn't reconsider any of the closures. The initial failure to consult, coupled with the

retisal to take the Court's assessment seriously, finally drove the judges to conclude that the AG had lost their confidence. They gave him a second chance. and he blew it.

Historical Marker Project - Phase II

The Carnegie Street Program was yet again funded by Western Diversification to expand on the existing Historical Marker's that were installed in the Down- town Eastside last year. This year our goal is to create another 12 - 13 tile mosaics that display historical eras 1 events from our area.

People in the Markers project participate in health workshops, in literacy and adult basic education and in constructing the mosaic markers supervised by artists and craftspeople. Currently about 40 people participate as six teams through each of these programs. Each team is headed by our team leaders: Greg Funk, Dave Douglas, George Iwaszko, Chuck Parker, and Hollywood. In addition to other peer support leaders, Greg Liang and Michelle Lefebure, have been hired as external workers to recruit new people and to search for lapsed participants in the alleys and streets of the Downtown East side. These eight leaders are themselves co-ordinated by Earl Crow, the projects Lifeskills Coordinator and who also instructs the peer support workshop. Through the street experience of the leaders programs can be designed that acknowledge the kind of worlds in which participants live. One part of the project, "Decorating Challenge" has taken on a world of it's own - providing opportunity for solid teamwork. Each team selected one member of their team to have their SRO room decorated - for those who have a place to live. A grant of $100.00 is made following the preparation of a decorating and furnishing budget that is reviewed by the team. A connection and authorization form from the landlord is required if revision to the structure of the SRO was in the planning ( ie. painting walls or shelving). The team then assists the person in decorating their room. Quoles.from some leanrs: "It was surprising to see what an improvement to an SRO that $100.00 could make to the appearance of a room. Also the inout ideas of each member were valuable in future decorations in our own rooms. It was informative to find cheaper alternatives when we went shopping for items for the room.

"Shopping was a challenge and fun to pick out the items to improve the appearance of the room."

"This project made clear the possibilities that very little money and a little thought can do to improve an SRO room. Looks so much more livable. The small changes we made, made such a big difference not only to the appearance of the place but also probably to how the person feels about their place and their life."

"The SRO challenge was a challenge indeed. The room was a broken down shack. The mirror was broken, the curtains did not fit, the dresser was a broken mess. We decided to tix it up and perhaps even save the damage deposit"

"I hope that in the future, we can do more project challenges like this for others in the Downtown Eastside. I feel it will turn a hopeless, drab existence into a meaningful and purposefid new beginning."

Five teams were successhl in completion of the decorating challenge. Unfortunately the sixth team experienced difficulty with the 'rules of the hotel'. There were told that a $10.00 visiting fee would be charged per person / per day (this was during the time 1 lam - 3pm) if the team was to work there. These leaders and coordinators serve as role models They are very effective in cajoling, encouraging and supporting people to stay in the program. They are listened to with respect when they have to remind and enforce the rules about acceptable behavior and attendance. They are an example of the first step in harm reduction and in leading more personally ful- filling and socially rewarding lives. The enthusiasm between participants and peer leaders is contagious. The fact that the products of their work - the histori- cal markers - can be seen by friends and the general public is very important.

By SANDY McKElGAN

War Declared on Defenceless

"To be poor in our society is to suffer the most outrageous kinds of violence perpetuated by human

- beings on other human beings." - Ian Adams, The Real Poverty Report, 197 1

Gordon Campbell's long-declared war on the poor was actually just launched on April 1,2002. The first shots were fired through the implementation of

massi to welfare and legal aid. More will come. Think the B.C. Liberals changes are not a war?

Consider the following changes to welfare, which many on social assistance are probably still unaware of, though not for long. As of April 1. a single parent with one child apply-

ing for welfare must not have assets greater than $2,500 and not more than $250 in cash. As the Ministry of Human Resources kindly notes on its website: "Excess cash is deducted fiom first cheque." Excess cash indeed: before you can apply for welfare you must be abjectly impoverished and have sold off anything of liquid value other than your home. The new asset level has also been cut in half fiom $5,000. Single parents will have their monthly cheque cut by $50, while employable couples and employable recipients 55-64 will get a $50 to $ 1 00 cut. And then there's the new three-week waiting period. But don't worry: if you're hungry and starving there's a possible $20 a month crisis grant for food. Or you could beg an MLA for help: they get a daily cost-of- living allowance of $150 while sitting in the Legislature. Think you can tind a bit of work to supplement

abysmally low welfare rates? Forget it. As of April 1, the 25-percent earnings exemptions for employab- le clients and people with "level one" disabilities have been eliminated. These exemptions amounted to $ I00 per month for single recipients and $200 per month for those with children. What it means is that if you are on welfare and find

part-time or temporary work, any and all money you earn will be deducted fiom your meager social-assis- tance benefits. There is now no incentive to take a temporary or part-time job or other work totry to get back into the job market. This is a punitive 'n short- sighted decision that even the most ardent right- winger should disagree with, as it will discourage, rather than encourage, those down on their luck to seek work. And it's not just earnings exemptions from work that have been eliminated. Unbelievably, the Liberals will also take back any money welfare recipients get fiom family-maintenance payments, orphans' benefits (yes, orphans), Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. payments and even lottery winnings. If you are unfortunate enough to win 1 0 bucks on the Lotto 6-49, declare it and watch $1 0 disappear off your next cheque.

But don't worry too much about the tighter rules - you may well not be eligible anyway. If you're an employable single and total 24 months' worth of assistance within a five-year period, you're cut off. Got kids? We'll go easy on you and only cut your

welfare by $100 a month, but remember, you can only stay home till your child is three now, not till they're seven.

Try explaining all these changes to thousands of laid-off woodworkers or anyone else coping with a nine-percent unemployment rate in the B.C. Liberals' "New Era of prosperity." And there's even more draconian changes. Check

out the PovNet Web site (www.povnet.org), which has the latest news on social-assistance changes, as well as resources for those in need. The other part of the Liberals' war on the poor

comes with changes to legal aid that effectively eliminate any poverty law work. The Legal Services Society (legal aid) put out an astonishingly blunt assessment of the changes introduced by Attorney General Geoff Plant.

"Starting April 1, the Society will begin phasing out the following services, which will affect as many as 40,000 clients: legal representation for all family cases where violence is not involved; legal represen-

1 tation for all poverty law cases; and all summary advice services," read an LSS news release dated February 25. "Once all the cuts are in place, services will have been pared back to little more than legal representation here it is required by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the courts . . . " The war on the poor has begun. Casualty reports

are due shortly. Bill Tieleman, Georgia Straight

Is Irony Lost? ClDA (Canadian International Development

Agency) is putting $3.8 million into helping establish a Legal Aid system in China. Their description and reasons follow, and are almost funny in light ofthe stupidity of Geotf Plant (still pretending to be the Attorney General in BC) "The project will address the needs through a series of workshops, study tours, research studies and seminars in both China and Canada. While this project is not solely focused on women it will directly avect women, especially poor wo-men, and improve their quality of life by promot-ing and facilitating access to legal aid and comm.-unity legal services. The project will also increase women's participation in legal aid and community legal services management and service delivery. A strategy for people with "special needs" will be

developed, and implemented in selected project sites. In parallel. a public education and informa-tion sh.dk& will be developed and tested to de-termine its ability to raise awareness amongst the media, government, the legal profession and the public, etc'

I I COME ON TO 1 KARAOKE

with Gerald I I

11 Carnegie Community Centre Theatre 11

one-nighters and cigarette smoke living darkly

one last, quick look into sorrow such a life of death

one by one disappearing becoming dirt over guilt and fearful times

stop praying rebel against innocence

which nothing in this world justifies life wrecks all illusions the signs are all around like the flash from a gun

tell me a story it's very easy dark words

dark whispers shattered pieces that will be remembered

charles fortin 2""riday - May 10 - 7-10 pm

. Whereas the Government of British Columbia is commlned A R E A S O N F O R I lo negotiating workable, affordable treaty senlemenls that I I will provlde cerlalnty, flnally and equ~llty; I

Treews shoutd imdu~e medrmmslor hirmon~ung ! a d use pkmnlng y, ~3 t e * n e n Ab3ng;naI gwwnments ard reghbcurng W w v a l r n . 0 0

C O N C E R N

ABORIGINAL RIGHTZ

AND TITLE SHOULE

NOT BE DETERMINEE

BY A V O T E OF T H E

M A J O R I T Y !

THE LOWER MAINLAND COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ;. ASKS THAT YOU SEND YOUR SPOILED BALLOTS TO:

UNITED NATIVE NATIONS SOCIETY # A 10,425 CARRALL STREET

UNITED.NATIVE NATIONS VANCOUVER, BC V6B 6E3 Y

. .. :*

. . ,,. .

FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES CONTACT I I S C O T CLARK, PRESIDENT

Carnegie Community Centre Association is

604-21 9-71 90 OR one of the charities with 604-688-1 821 a license at Planet Bingo!

'--- The money is used for food and programs here.

The Potluck Cafi began as a place to get inexpen- sive food - but only if you lived at 40 W.Hastngs. People could learn to make food, both as volunteers and the odd paid work, but only people living art 40 West or friends could find out if it was any good.

Wendy Pedersen did and does the organizing, it expanded a bit to catering sandwiches to local meetings and other stuff hut the world finally said ENOUGH!! and the Potluck Cafe had its Grand Opening to the public (people who live elsewhere than 40 West) and a grand time was had. There were a few thousand pounds of salmon

donated, and an outdoor barbecue, refreshments, music and speeches. (Some people actually listened.. for awhile.. if they had nothing else to do.. ) but those giving words to digest knew that too.

It was definitely pre-planned to fall on the day when this rag gets put together and those saints who strive in dedicated bliss couldn't go ... [give it a rest]

Local business ventures are the result of much struggle, and the driving idea is to do it right. This in itself stops us short from adopting the practices of lots of competing places - paying shit wages, cutting corners in safety and working conditions, and so on. The Potluck Cafe is a welcome addition, along with Call 'n Post, Clothes Encounters, the Metropole Pub and the several ventures associated with United We Can. Yeah!!

PRT

Comments? Concerns?

Contact Jenny

Woi Ching Kwan, MLA

1070-1641 Cornmerclal Dr., VsL 3Y3 Phone: n s - 0 7 9 0 Fax: n5 -o f381

OMce hours: Tuesday-Friday yam-qpm

A TTENTZON frienris and Jenny 'I People get dragged through the system for sending

racist materials through the mailing system, emails and Newspapers. Please tell my why Geoff Plant and the Liberals are not in jail, for the millions ofdollars they spent getting out this racist ballot.

Margaret Prevost

- Imagine something both dumb and nasty, and the Liberals have either done it or are planning something even worse.

gj KITS CLASSICS AT CARNEGIE CENTRE

Angela Goddard, violin Reginald Quiring, viola

I Martina Smozal, Viola 1 Susan Round, Cello I I and Johanna Hauser, Clarinet

music by / Mozart and Beethoven

~f I Thursday, April lgth, 3:15 pm + ' 1 ,; Carnegie Hall, 401 Main Street

4

4

0

Scout's Honour By Jim Standford

For today's youth, born into an age of online trad- ing, building campfires and practicing first aid no longer makes the heart sing. So Canada's 200,000 boy and girl scouts can now earn a badge in "invest- ing." The new badge was unveiled this week by the Chair of the Ontario Securities Commission. It features a large gold dollar sign emblazoned on a white background, with a dark green border. To earn it, a scout must demonstrate knowledge of the stock market by tracking a company's share price, explaining compound interest, or performing some other simple investment-related task.

Forgive me, but the prospect of these earnest kids running off to play in the market seems too reminis- cent of lambs heading off to slaughter. The stock market is not a place where you stop to help a little old lady cross the street. The stock market is where you convince that little old lady to give you her life savings, which you then invest in a highly specula- tive technology start-up. If that company should fail and her savings are never seen again, then you help the little old lady: not to cross the street, but to read the tine print at the bottom of her prospectus (the part that says "returns can fluctuate"). Sending these youths into the market armed with

nothing more than stock tables and an appreciation for the magic of compound interest, is like sending a city kid into the northern wilderness with nothing more than a Swiss army knife and a compass: they'll be eaten by the bears before you can say "derivative. If Scout leaders really want to teach financial survi- val skills to a new generation, they need a much more hard-nosed approach. Their young charges will never make a decent dollar if they wander into

the market behaving like, well, like boy scouts. They have to know the real tricks of the trade. Here are badges that would help today's Scouts to

trade with the pros, and live to tell about it: Bre-X Badge Description: Khaki background, dark green border, featuring a pirate's treasure map with a prominent black X. Assignment: The Scout must register a claim on a randomly selected parcel of land in the Northwest Territories or on a remote Third World island. By circulating fake gold assay results. the scout arouses intense worldwide interest in the property before selling out to the highest bidder. Insider Trading Badge Description: A series of vertical black bars imposed on a light gray background, with a black border. Assignment: The Scout must loiter surreptitiously in coffee shops located near to the head ofices of selected Canadian technology firms (such as Corel or Nortel Networks). Based on overheard gossip about upcoming corporate developments, the scout structures a short-selling position that generates maximum return - while successfully evading phone

,,

calls from OSC investigators. Dot-Com Badge J Description: Coat of arms featuring a silicon chip in the top left comer, a stock option certificate in the top right, and an aerial view of the San Fernando valley across the bottom. Assignment: The Scout registers a web-site with a futuristic-sounding name, and posts details of an imaginary breakthrough in wireless switching technology. By participating in internet chat rooms and other venues, the Scout generates worldwide excitement in the invention. Using photocopied stock certificates, the scout must merge their company with any NASDAQ-listed corporation. If the new partner discovers the invention is worthless and writes off the whole value of the merger, the Scout is instructed to repeat the following phrase 50 times: "It's just goodwill; it isn't real money. It's just goodwill; it isn't real money." 62-Cent Badge Description: Similar to the original "investing" badge, with a gold dollar sign on a white background-except that just over one-third of the dollar sign is missing.

Assignmenr: The Scout must write a short essay explaining why the low value ofthe loonie reflects a national lack of intestinal fortitude, and arguing that any one of several right-wing policy measures (such as eliminating deficits. cutting taxes, or allowing Conrad Black back into the country) would boost the currency. The Scout must then write a second essay explaining why the selected policy measure did not boost the currency. and arguing instead that some additional right-wing pol icy measure will really boost the currency, this time for sure. Creative Disclosure Badge Description: Taupe background with a mustard border, featuring the silhouette of an oil rig. Assignment: The Scout is instructed to take $20 of their allowance, and structure an imaginary balance sheet which converts that $20 into a leveraged asset base of at least $1 billion, through the liberal use of debt swaps and other unreported transactions. A special gold-embossed version ofthe badge is awarded if the Scout can convince a senior partner in any well-known accounting firm to certify the validity of the balance sheet.

The Toronto Dominion bank is a leading sponsor of Scouts Canada. This may or may not have anything to do with the organization's rush to make mutual find customers of its young members. But there are plenty tdother corporate executives with experience in the preceding investment skills, and I'm sure they could be recruited as Scouts Canada sponsors, too- once they get out ofjail.

Poet's Alumni

On the CBC from Winnipeg I heard my 01' gal pal Cathy hailed as a poethovelist. She read, in a huskier voice than I remember. about George and his fiddle. Little Melody must be a teenager now, after 2 years of me and my madness took her from behind the counter at Country Style Donuts to a PhD in English years later. Hearing her voice made me pine for something but I don't know for what? Innocence ..lost times? Certainly not the Peg but maybe a gentler time back in a place that no longer exists except in my heart. Hearing her laugh left me warm as always. I miss her, our time together, the past we care to confess. -R.

Attention People on Methadone:

The First Annual General Meeting of the

british Columbia ~ssociationl

lpeople on ~ethadonel Wednesday, April 1 7"'. 2:00 PM

50 East Hastings St. the VANDU office

The purpose of the BC Association of People on Methadone is to improve the lives of people on

methadone. A voting member is a person who is presently on methadone or has been on methadone in the last 18 months. For more information call

604-683-8595.

Longwalker

B$ candlelight I stare at the photos dreambooks from the Camegie, a scene of a lone woman beside a campfire pitched up by a riverbank I teletransport and smoke escaping the concrete traveling with my son

I peer back at the prairies Medicine men adom my walls Photos of my children and haiku to holy men the TexMex flavour of my atmosphere the eternal window, flux fiom the haerbour

I'm lucky I guess I walk around Waking to the sunrise, honoured to be alive As I walk east in the morning I thank the Great Spirit for the second chance I seek to walk far and witness much Only the mystic and time will tell God knows. Personally 1 don't have a clue.. I just follow my heart.

R.Leowen

What's The Background To The Israel/Palestine Nightmare?

So many people have died in the Israel/Palestine conflict. So many people are dying each day. How did this nightmare begin? When will it stop?

Palestinians cry out for justice in their own land. Israelis grieve for those killed by suicide bombers. Many pkople, including Jewish people in Israel and around the world, link the violence of suicide bomb- ers to the violence of the thirty-five year occupation of Palestinian territories by the Israeli army. A poll taken in Israel in early December, 2001, showed that more than one-half of Israelis supported Middle East peace talks and the establishment of a Palestinian state. (1)

What's behind the terror of Palestinian lands being occupied by the Israeli army in so brutal a way that a black, South African theologian, Farid Escak, could say that even in the worst days under apartheid, he had never seen oppression like the Palestinians were undergoing? (2) "It's like being in a horror movie," said a Canadian nurse who spent eight months in the Occupied Terri- tories of Palestine. "They are living in a big jail." (3)

Before the First World War (1 9 14- 19 18), Arabs in the "Middle East" (a Western phrase, don't forget) had lived under the rule of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire for 400 years. During the First World War, the British, hoping to stir the Arabs up against the Turks, promised Arab independence in most of the Arab provinces ofthe Ottoman Empire. At the same

time, in order to obtain international Jewish help in the war, the British issued the Balfour Declaration in November, 191 7. It promised a "National Home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. So much for the div- ide and rule hypocrisy of empire. This Balfour Dec- laration was made by a European power (the British Empire) about a non-European territory (Palestine) in disregard of the presence and wishes of the native majority in the territory. We have to go back further in history to understand

the pattern of oppression in Palestine. This pattern has a 500 year history of European Empires, starting with Christopher Columbus in 1492, and it involves dispossession, displacement, and racism. The indiff- erence of aggressive Jewish nationalists (called Zio- nists) to the human rights of Palestinians is "an in- difference linked to European supremacy" (4) - as is the indifference of the American Empire to the human rights of Third World peoples.

To calm the fears of Arab peoples about empires and Zionist ambitions in Palestine, the British and French issued the Anglo-French Declaration of 191 8. It stated that the goal of both the British and . French governments was the complete liberation of peoples oppressed by the Turks, and the setting up of national governments that would derive their authority fiom the free choice of the indigenous populations. The British and French, however, had no intention of honouring this Declaration. These two ageing empires were undoubtedly aware of the oil potential in the Middle East. The politics of oil had played a part in World War One. It would be- come a major force in the foreign policy of the American Empire. I wonder if Lawrence of Arabia, who made promises to the Arabs about self-rule on behalf of the British during the First World War, killed himself on his motorcycle because he couldn't stomach the hypocrisy of empires.

By SANDY CAMERON to be continued

four articles on this subject ( 1 ) "Middle East situation takes turn fbr the worse." Catholic New Times, December 16.2001. (2) "Palestinian pmtor runs into Canadian roadblocks," by Ted Schmidt, Catholic New 'rimcs, Novcmbcr 18, 2001. (3) "Forum on Palestine arouses the emotions of SFlJ students," by Saaligh Gabicr. The Peak, March 4. 2002. (4) The Question of Palestine, by Edward W. Said, Vintage Rooks, 1992, p.82.

What is the meaning

Of love? Is it E = Mc Light that is as fast as desire Enera that, focused, develops Into pictures alive and sensate That reward with beauty incarnate That soothe or stimulate That beckon and formulate Life with a divine attire? Or is it too profound to fathom The reason we grope and fight Too sad to believe we order A plate of delicious repast With but a whim not a blast And err with vengeful regret We lose while we win the bet And the meaning, so near,

out of sight

Cups

they were with us since the first moment we stood in concentrated effort almost wholly apart. we're here now

unmatched, in competence that vies with the sun itself and with the carelessly dropped bus pan, the spilled reservoir of deportment. by which I mean the way we cringe at the cheers, or the noise or perhaps cheering as well when the shattering's done

we notice a tiny shard of bright porcelain, a miniature arrow on the floor beneath us, pointing squarely here, but a long way down

if the floor were as new as the cup had been, we'd have seen nothing, but as in a photograph

To the women missing . .. Twinkle, twinkle little star

How 1 wonder where you are While I'm looking up for you Are you looking at me, too?

You didn't have to be taken away I don't care what they may say

To me, you're beautiful, inside and out "Why did you have to go?!" I shout.

Those evil perverts, they have some nerve One day they'll get what they deserve

I hope they rot in a prison cell Then they can go straight to hell.

The man in the moon smiles at me --My girl," he says, "just wait and see.

All of those frightened little doves Are in God's arms, safe in His love."

Joan Chevillard

of long grey dirt, one white paper, yes, I think a page From a letter of unraveling

which all our stories are, now cradled in earth, the marrow of its telling dissolved, rained to a perfection we dream, or nightmare, depending

changes everything in the picture and by that singular patch of white only we know the true gravity of the situation

whether or not we say yes, I have stumbled nosily in crowded rooms yes, I have spilled something precious the instruction is as plain as the broom , the mop and the bucket that carry, finally, even this long and helpless foretaste of stasis From us

Dan Feeney

Legal challenge establishes right to panhandle By Pat Mac Donald The City of Vancouver has had a long history of

passing panhandling by-laws. It first banned panhan- dling in 1974.This provision was challenged in court and struck down. In 1998, the business community voiced its concerns about panhandling to the City of Vancouver and asked them to take action to regulate persons who panhandle. The City passed By-law 7885, which was supposed to regulate panhandling but actually had the affect of banning panhandling in the downtown core.

End Legislated Poverty (ELP), federated anti-

poverty groups of bc (fapg) and the National Anti- Poverty Organization (N APO) challenged this By- law. Two weeks before the hearing was to take place and after receiving the group's legal arguments, the City of Vancouver determined that By-law 7885 might infringe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The City repealed it but then passed By- law 8309. This one also regulates persons who panhandle but is less strict than Bylaw 7885. AAer careful review of By-law 8309, ELP, fapg and NAP0 decided to continue its challenge asking the court to determine whether the City of Vancouver has the ability to pass by-laws regulating persons who panhandle. A two-week hearing was held in July 2001 arguing that By-law 8309 was not a legitimate exercise of the City's powers to pass by- laws and that the By-law was in violation ofthe following rights contained in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: section 2- freedom of expression, seetion 7- right to life, liberty and security of the person and section 15 - right to equal benefit and protection of the law.

The Court has confirmed that persons have a right to panhandle and has limited the City's ability to regulate those who do. Mr. Justice Taylor of the BC Supreme Court has determined that By-law 8309 is aimed at regulating street obstruction, not persons who panhandle, and is therefore constitutional. Therefore, persons cannot panhandle in a manner that causes an obstruction of the street, which is defined as:

panhandling while sitting or lying down in a man- ner that obstructs the passage of other pedestrians

continuing to panhandle from a person who has indicated or said "no"

panhandling in a group of three or more persons panhandling within 10 metres of banks, credit un-

ions, trust companies and ATMs and panhandling in a manner that obstructs the passage

of street trafic. There are some other positive aspects to the ruling:

1. The court stated that the first panhandling bylaw (Bylaw 7885) regulating panhandling was "draconi- an" and would have struck i: down. 2. The Downtown Vancouver Business Improve- ment Association's Downtown Ambassadors act without any legal authority when they "move along" panhandlers. 3. The ability to provide for one's self is an interest protected under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The court accepted our arg- ument that if people don't have the ability to provide for the necessities of life, the scope of other constitu- tionally protected rights becomes meaningless. 4. The reasons for panhandling are as diverse as the ways people panhandle. The most important reason people panhandle is out of need and an inability to provide for one's self either through employment or social programs. 5. The panhandling bylaw does not affect squeegee kids or persons who sell the "Spare Change" maga- zines because they offer a service for payment.

All three groups will determine whether to appeal the decision over the coming weeks. However, we are pleased that the court has recognized the rights of persons who panhandle and is prepared to limit the City of Vancouver's ability to regulate persons who panhandle.

Firsr appeared in E L P S The L o n ~ Haul April 2002.

HARRY

About 1998 o r 1999 1 saw Har ry Rankin walking up Alexander Street with a lady I presumed was his wife. Her arm was curled into his, and from across the street I could see a slight, contented smile on Harry's face. As I recognized him I had the urge to t ip my hat but he wasn't looking my way so I didn't.

Why did I want to t ip my hat out o f respect?

I suppose, on the surface, it may have been because Harry had been a media celebrity since I was an adolescent. But analyzing further I think i t was because he gave many o f us a direction to follow regarding the human condition, and what might be done to improve it.

By example, he taught some o f us "losers" that we could speak up for ourselves without getting stoned by the right wing elitists who would merely react with red-purple faces at such uppity speakings of socialism. Yeah, he was quite a teacher.

Only once did I have interaction with Mr. Rankin. A few years earlier, General Motors had caused death and injury to dozens o f people by not recalling vehicles with "Sidesaddle" fuel tanks. General Motors was getting away with corporate murder and this deeply affected me. Anyway, when the new hockey Arena for the Canucks was named General Motors Place I almost crapped my pants out o f disgust

I wanted legal advice to see if there wasn't a way to legally prevent the infamous name o f General Motors from being placed on a building in my city. I decided to write a letter to Harry Rankin at his office asking this question. I sent a self-addressed envelope, which returned to me some weeks later containing my original letter. A t the end o f my letter Mr. Rankin wrote: "No."

I still have the letter amongst my treasures, and i t still helps to maintain my boycott against G M Place.

Garry Gust

THE CHANGING MIND

Today Fred Thomas took a brain test and was shocked to f ind out he had a left-brain bias. For years he was certain that his right brain lobe dominated his character and personality traits.

But there i t was, in black and white: 'Left-Brain Bias 102, Right-brain Bias 67.'

Fred gave his head a shake then put the test score paper on a neat pile below his desk. Everything looked neat i n the apartment today because the annual inspection o f suites was being conducted between 9 and 4. Fred knew they would start on the top floor and work their way down, so he still had a b i t o f time before they arrived at his door.

The inspection notice slid under his door two days ago had its usual affect o f first, surprise, then anxiety and dread, and finally, resolution.

Fred had a hard time keeping things tidy and neat, after al l he was right-lobe dominated; more creative

'

than industrious. But, that was before the facts were out. Fred spent his yesterday zeroing his focus on the stove and fridge for stains and smudge marks that weren't really noticeable unt i l company was coming o r there was an annual inspection. He armed himself with scouring pads and paper towels then began his awful battle to br ing spotless order to the world. A knock on the door came. Fred rushed over and opened up to see three people standing there: a woman, a Chinese man, and a tal l Caucasian. The Caucasian stepped in with a large pad and pencil. He had a stern looking face as he inched through the kitchen, l iving room, bedroom and back to the door where he nodded curtly, then left. Fred sat back down at his computer desk then heard a quick knock and turned to see the door open. The Chinese man stuck his head through the half- opened door, smiled, and said, "Thank you.."

Fred tried to relax, and started pondering that now al l he could do was think o f how he should approach l i fe as a Left-Brain Biased person.

G.L.G.

DOWNTOWN STD CLINIC - 219 Main; Monday to Friday, loam - 6pm EASTSILIE NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main; 8:30am - 8pn1 every day YOUTI1 NEEDLE EXCHANGE VAN - 3 Routes: A( "TI VITIES - 5:45pm - 1 l:45pm SOCIETY Overnipht - 12:30arn - 8:30am

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DEYAS-$125 RayCam-$25 LSS-$200 Articles represent the views of individual

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Welfare problems; Landlord disputes; Housing problems; Unsafe living conditions;

me to the Dera office at 425 Carrall Street or hone us at 682 - 0931

This article is to raise awareness, and maybe raise some money, for a well-kept secret haven of creativity - the Art Studio at 19 10 Quebec St There will be an Open House and Art Sale by members on Friday April 26 from noon 'ti1 eight. This school/ workshop is mandated to be a safe place for mental health consumers who also happen to be artists. You won't find a sideshow ofcircus freaks. It isn't a club house or a drop in centre where the focus is on cigarettes and coffee and card games to pass the time. Nor is it full ofdrooling would-be psychotics weaving baskets and finger painting.. .although Sinead, one of the 160 full time members and a planning committee rep, finds that blurring the edges of her vibrant pastel drawings with her thumb gives them a mystical, dream-like quality. The focus is on artists healing through their artwork.

The scheduled classes range from structured watercolour lessons where you're told the green goes here and the yellow goes there, to wide-open "do yr thang" classes where the teacher may tell you to turn it upside down! Sadly, mental patients are usually represented in

mainstream media as knife-waving and wild-eyed victims of police-assisted suicides, riddled with bullets at their final showdown with the powers-that- be. Craig, another productive and vocal member, laughs; "we're raving lunatics without medication and back-up support!"

People with mental illness are perceived differently by ditrerent segments of society. They don't fit the stereotype and are often considered "odd and weird" "less than" the rest of "normal society" if there is such a thing. What's Normal? We see a lot of homeless /street people with a history of mental illness, and it's a commonly held belief that they are unable to take care of themselves. This then translates into a fear that they are dangerous, when in fact what they are is extremely vulnerable. 20% of all schizophrenics attempt suicide, and half of them succeed. Mental illness is often self-medicated with street drugs, and suicide can be seen as the most fail-proof form of pain relief What's usually not seen are the people who call themselves - "survivors". Because they have been through the worst of mental illness, they can deal with their own

and each other's problems. Many of them live in poverty, not because they're

"lazy" but because their inability to connect ideas with action or clinical depression makes it nearly impossible to hold a full-time job. But they can create great beauty which brings great joy to every- body. One un-informed visitor looked at the art on the walls and said "these paintings don't look like they were done by crazy people"!

The Art Studio provides them with a community and gives them a break from the frantic "normal world". People can talk openly about their illnesses. Access to quality lessons and materials show them that they can learn, when so often they internalize society's labels of "hopeless" and "useless". They can realize their full potential as unique human beings, and bring their own light to this gloomy "normal" world!

by Diane Wood

\ I 1 R a ven

Raven Trickster What could amuse you But yourself

Like any GOD you formed the Earth from your own droppings Set your heart in the sky to burn with claritjling pain

Dreamt us And woke with a wry smile

Bill Easlie (for Rill Reid)

rmation and links to welfare changes and rules and strategies/responses to the Aboriginal :ferendum fiasco being put out by the fascists

(my description, not Povnet's)

What's coming is half here

The Ministry of Human Resources held a meeting on Friday morning with reps from many groups and organizations that do advocacy for people on welfare It was by invitation only, and was not a discussion. The senior bureaucrats in the system in Vancouver gave front-line advocates the changes that are supposed to be in effect April I, 2002. The legislation has not been passed yet, but the

response to that is that it will be passed "this summer" and just made retroactive(?). DERA normally has its monthly meeting on the 1''

Friday, but held off until the first available time in Carnegie's theatre following this MHR meeting so a comprehensive public information meeting could be .held. On Wednesday morning the five advocates came and Lilly Loncar went over 10 of the first 16 changes - the ones that most directly affect people in the Downtown Eastside. An additional 21 changes were referred to but not even the senior bureaucrats at the Ministry knew much (or would say much). Adjectives to describe these range from mean to

vicious to stupid to 'a reason to get a gun' 1. Applications - everyone must wait a minimum of 2 1 days. During this time you must conduct a "reasonable" job search. The only way to shorten this time is to meet the criteria laid out for ENA - Emergency Needs Assessment. If all of the points

aren't satisfied, every applicant must shelter and feed themselves for 3 weeks regardless. 2. New Rates are in effect with virtually everyone being reduced to the lowest rate for single "employ- able" people. Even if you are 60-64, you get the same rate as someone who is 20. 3. Crisis Grants are capped at $20/month. There are no extenuating circumstances. Clothing is set at $100/yr or $400/yr for a family. The total crisis money for anyone for a year cannot exceed $1020 4. Homemakers for shut-ins and the disabled, paid for by welfare, are cut. Unless it can be arranged through a doctor. the service is gone. 5. Security Deposits are limited to 2 per client. If one is paid by welfare and isn't returned - for whatever reason or even for no reason (standard practice) a 2"" deposit will be paid by welfare. That's it. If you move anytime for any reason, it is up to you to get the deposit back, because welfare won't pay for a 3rd. If the landlord just keeps it (standard practice) people have to go to Burnaby to the only Residential Tenancy Office, pay for the bus at least 4 times ($12) and pay the $50 filing fee just to dispute any claims made by landlords. Any deposit not recovered must be repaid to MHR @ $20/month by the recipient. 6. Earning Exemptions are gone. Singles @ $ I00 and families @ $200 are now $0 for both. Any money earned via part-time or temporary work is deducted dollar-for-dollar from a monthly cheque. If you are permanently disabled your earnings exemption has gone from $200 to $300/month. 7. Assistance in work entry - clothes for a job, work boots, transportation to a worksite - is now zero. 8. Assets are limited to $1 500 in value. You may not have more than $1 50 in cash when applying. The maximum value of any property (car, furniture, equipment) cannot exceed $5000. If you sell any or all &what you own, you are then not eligible for assistance until you have no more than $1 50 in cash. 9.24 months - 2 years - is the maximum time that anyone can get assistance in a 60 month (5 year) stretch. If a doctor says you can't work for a few months due to injury or illness then that time is not counted towards the 2 years. 10. Child Care Subsidy is reduced or cancelled. Diet supplements, even if approved by a doctor, are reduced or cancelled.

I 1. Disability is under examination and some things are being taken out. Several of the changes relate to specific recognized disorders, but the current DB1 classification is gone.

The anger and disbelief are palpable, yet the Ministry and their Liberal masters seem self-right- eous in telling advocates that "this will make your jobs harder but that's it." Apparently there was an expectation that each would offer thanks? Simply put, they know and expect there to be anger

and disbelief; and this has led to hiring more security guards at Ministry offices. At this point, there are literally thousands of people

who are going to be hit by some or most ofthese changes. The main thing to be careful of is not to lose your temper or cool in a welfare ottice. This will delay any claim and hurt your status. Campbell and the Fraser Institute will pay for this.

Lists of every MLA's email, address, phone and fax are available. Public outrage must be sustained.

By PAULR TAYLOR

A In a hastily called press conference, Campbell, Col-

lins and Plant just announced that all welfare and legal aid cuts were being rescinded immediately. Campbell said that he'd been lurking on this email list for the last couple of months, and was truly moved by the stories about the desperation and suffering that would be cause by the cuts. "From now on I'm going to be kinder, gentler Premier," he's quoted as saying. To pay for the increased benefits, the corporation

tax and the tax on stockbrokers are being restored, and income taxes will increase in the higher brackets only. Campbell blamed the government's misguided policies on the Fraser Institute, and said that the next, time Michael Walker knocks on his door, he will have the security staff personally deposit Walker in the Fraser (River). 0 yes, he also announced that PovNet would hence- forth have unlimited funding to keep up its absolute- ly crucial work for the good of British Columbians.

Jim Sayre

Good story about the Carnegie . . . . yesterday I'm coming home (on the Main St bus)

from the dentist. Three heavy drug users talk their way on without paying. They sit down behind the driver. In the first seat behind the driver on the other side is an older person who (rightly so) is bemoaning the increase in fares to the driver. The three others get into the conversation, agreeing that it is impossi- ble for they, the poor to live. One then pipes up (great pun!) that the price of rock is going up to $1.5. This produces major moaning among the three. ..two others on the bus join in, all agree that living will be very tough with rock at that price ... and that Gordon Campbell is to blame (I'm NOT making this up!). Several of us on the bus are trying to keep a straight face as we listen to the tive talking about where they are going. Turns out all are headed for the Carnegie to score. All are talking about what they are going to buy.. .one is trying to get two for eighteen, another is looking for half rock, a third is looking for a "two dollar toke"

They are oblivious to everyone else on the bus. As we get closer they start complaining about dealers no longer hanging around the Carnegie's front. By the time we're across the street there's major bitch- ing that it's just like the previous weekend as there's no dealers out there. As they leave the bus they are talking the root of the problem. It seems it's two fold, the new Carnegie washroom construction and Gordon Campbell's Liberals. I guess it's really tough to live in these new times.

From Diane MacK. (!!)