To be sure, Naomi Klein’s book is fundamentally concerned with how to
bring about a more equal economic order, and her noble conviction that
governments must equitably share the global carbon-cutting burden is
entirely informed by the needs of poorer countries. In her own words,
she writes that “poverty amidst plenty is unconscionable”, and “there is
simply no credible way forward that does not involve redressing the
real roots of poverty”. But nowhere in the book is there an impassioned
plea for ordinary people to rise up
and demand that governments irrevocably end hunger and life-threatening
conditions of deprivation wherever it occurs it in the world, and as an
international priority above all other priorities.
Without this heartfelt concern for the immediate needs of the very
poorest people in mostly developing countries, Klein’s case for using
the language of morality to build a global citizens’ movement for saving
the planet – with everyone together speaking “of right and wrong, of
love and indignation” – in the end rings hollow.
-- Adam W. Parsons, "Where's the Missing Part, Naomi Klein?" (Dissident Voice)
NEW YORK — A closed disciplinary board at the military
correctional facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, last night found
Chelsea Manning guilty of four charges, including possessing prohibited
material and disrespecting a prison officer.
Manning was punished with a 21-day restriction on her activities
including gym, library, and time outdoors. This conviction can be cited
in future hearings concerning parole or clemency, and it is expected to
delay her transition from medium security to minimum security custody
status by years.
The following comment can be attributed to Chase
Strangio, attorney in the American Civil Liberties Union’s Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV Project, who represents Manning in
her federal case:
“Not only does this punishment mean the immediate loss of library and
recreation for Chelsea, but she also will carry these infractions
through her parole and clemency process and will be held longer in the
more restrictive custody where she is now incarcerated. No one should
have to face the lingering threat of solitary confinement for reading
and writing about the conditions we encounter in the world. Chelsea's
voice is critical to our public discourse about government
accountability and trans justice, and we can only preserve it if we stay
vigilant in our advocacy on her behalf.”