Peace and Justice of La Luz

From Public Citizen

Water Privatization Overview

A worldwide crisis over water is brewing. According to the United Nations, 31 countries are now facing water scarcity and 1 billion people lack access clean drinking water. Water consumption is doubling every 20 years and yet at the same time, water sources are rapidly being polluted, depleted, diverted and exploited by corporate interests ranging from industrial agriculture and manufacturing to electricity production and mining. The World Bank predicts that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population will suffer from lack of clean and safe drinking water. (more…)

ONE IN SEVEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICTS DO STUDENT DRUG TESTS WITHOUT ANY CAUSE

NORML One in seven public school districts randomly drug tests their student body, according to survey data published this month in the American Journal of Public Health. The percentage is approximately 50 percent higher the total number of schools that reported performing suspicionless drug testing five years ago.

Among the schools that employ random drug testing, 93 percent test student athletes, while 65 percent test students who engage in extracurricular activities - a practice that was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2002 in a 5-4 decision. (more…)

We Must Work Together to Solve Our Social Problems

By Linda Henderson
Published March 18, 2007
in The Peace Alliance

Linda is Michigan State Coordinator for the Department of Peace Campaign. She wrote this column for the Lansing State Journal.

The World Health Organization says we spend $300 billion a year due to interpersonal violence in this country alone. More than $400 billion is spent on the Pentagon each year, with an additional $500 billion spent on the present conflagration we have pre-empted our way into internationally.

It is time for a level of maturity in ourselves and our government that reflects a deeper, more responsible wisdom. We need to quit reacting to our fears and become proactive in our desire to effectuate a safe and secure environment. (more…)