Hey…I hope everyone had a safe 4th of July and little bit of fire was lit in your lives last night. :)

I wrote about the financial reform bill last week in Friday’s “Flap Your Lips…”. Here is something that some of you may not be aware of, and something for all of us to be quite excited about. We all know about the devastation in Congo because of the conflict minerals. Well last week many advocates pressed key senators to ensure that an amendment on Congo’s conflict minerals was included in the financial reform bill. It was one of the most imprtant moments for Congo in the U.S. Congress in years.  Here’s a blurb from Enough Project:

At around 10:30 last night, after a full day of considering potential amendments, the conference committee accepted the conflict minerals language introduced by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) into the final version of the bill. Not only was it accepted without opposition during the voice vote, key provisions around independent audits were strengthened.

The House and Senate still need to vote on the full financial reform legislation (slated for next week), but advocates can claim an important victory for helping ensure that the conflict minerals component – with the strong provisions we advocated for – is part of that bill.

And now here’s the latest:

This post originally appeared on Huffington Post.

Score a win for the grassroots against special interests. Last week, thousands of people across the country wrote and called their senators asking them to support a section in the Wall Street reform bill that addressed ‘conflict minerals’ from Congo, the new blood diamonds. They even posted thousands of comments on senators’ Facebook pages, requesting that they not pander to special interests and pass this important provision. And while the final victory is yet to come, they won the battle.

As we speak, conflict minerals are helping fuel the deadliest war in the world since World War II, the conflict in eastern Congo in which 1,100 women are raped every month, and 1,500 people die every day. The main armed groups that orchestrate the violence make hundreds of millions of dollars by trading in four minerals - the 3 Ts of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold. These minerals are then bought by electronics and jewelry companies and are used in our cell phones, laptops, and gold necklaces.

Readers: Over the past two years I have not only dedicated some of my writing time here, but I too have written letters to Congress with respect to the conflict minerals…and I know you have too. So I want to say thanks and congratulations to all of you for letting Congress know that you support strong action to end this horrific trade. I think we’re on our way.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Peace out…

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

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Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

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For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

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Slept late…keeping it brief.

I received an e-mail from Organizing For America. Two nights ago the House passed Wall Street reform by a vote of 237 to 192. Another huge victory for the Obama Administration and all of you who helped make this happen.

I have to admit I have not been as informed as I would’ve liked to have been in regards to the Financial Reform Bill. However I do believe in it, and I am hoping that it will get passed by the Senate.  We all want consumer protection, and I, as well as many of you, have had it up to here with the too big too fail.

If you’ve been ranting about the big banks, and I certainly have…if you’ve been demanding reform but haven’t done your part, now is the time to do it. Take a moment now to write your Senators, and start demanding to them that the Financial Reform Bill gets passed. We are so close. Even Maria Cantwell who opposed has now flipped, in favor of the bill.

One of the two Senate Democrats opposed to the pending financial reform bill flipped Thursday and announced that she would back a bill she had until now steadfastly opposed for being too weak, potentially bringing Democrats to within one vote of the 60 needed to end Senate debate and secure passage.

I can tell you that I may have not put much time into this bill but I have put weekly countless hours of time over the past 2+ years, corresponding with my bank, Wachovia/Wells Fargo, and Sen. Barbara Boxer in regards to the millions of people who have lost their homes to foreclosure. I have been writing to, and receiving letters from Sen. Barbara Boxer and the office of the Controller Of The Currency, in regards to my own home mortgage modification, and on behalf of many of you who have received the same responses of denial, or modifications that do very little in reducing your payments.

I conclude that bank loan modification programs such as MAP ( Wachovia/Wells Fargo) aren’t working to help people stay in their homes. Folks are foreclosing and the banks are benefitting. No revelation there. What can be changed so that the banks and the homeowners, are both winners? It has been a slow process getting answers but I hope to have that answer soon. I feel I have gained some ground, and am hoping that my results will have a ripple effect. Many thanks go Sen. Barbara Boxer for sticking in their with me, and supporting my concerns.

And speaking of loan modification programs, have you read the recent? An article just came out in the HUff Po yesterday, claiming that thousands who were denied loan modifications via Obama’s HAMP program, were improperly denied because of a high percentage of errors!  A good discovery but….Oops a bit too late. Many people have already lost there homes that possibly could’ve been saved. This is just unacceptable. This article is a must read, and I encourage you to do so.

I’ll end with a video that is uplifting and a great way to go into the weekend.  Thanks to Rachel Maddow who shows us just how much our president has done for this country.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Readers: There is much to talk about this morning. Start flapping your lips. Blog me.

Democratic Party / Donna: I was going to post the e-mail that you sent me to help bring Kagan to the finish, but I see that you already posted the e-mail. Thanks. Readers: GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah and GOP Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, are opposing Kagan’s confirmation. Please make sure that you support Elena Kagan’s confirmation into the Supreme Court.  Thank you again!

Anna: Thanks for the addition. I don’t know why I couldn’t find it. Hafa Adai.

Hi Zen Lill.

Happy Friday everyone! If you’re headed out to enjoy the long 4th Of July weekend, be safe and have a ton of fun! See ya tomorrow.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good Morning.

Readers: I am sure many of you have been watching or listening to the Kagan hearings. I have, but not as much as I would’ve liked to. What about you?

I did however get the opportunity to hear Sen. Sessions grill her in regards to the statement that Kagan restricted the military from entering the career services office. And I have to say she held her ground, took the attack pretty calmly, and answered the questions well; firmly, but also pretty politely. (updated 9:15 am)

I give Kagan kudos. I think she’s in command and I like her honesty and sense of humor. I supported Obama’s nomination not knowing too much about Kagan, but now I can say that I think I know a little more about her and I’m looking forward to her confirmation into the Supreme Court. Yes!… another woman!

As I write this I’m listening to the live news feed from the 3rd day of the confirmation hearings and Sen. Sessions is back at it in regards to ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.  So I am going to politely excuse myself and sign off.

I’m looking forward to your comments. Peace  out.

Doug: I am laughing too – Yeah what is on your mind?

Zen Lill: Get one – you will love it.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

A little over a week ago I read an article in the NY times online about untapped mineral deposits being discovered by the U.S. in Afghanistan…to the tune of 1 trillion dollars. Just reading the title of the article, without even venturing to read the article, my mind was already starting to think in so many different areas, and questions began to arise. As I began to read, my questions were no different than the ones posed in the article. How would this discovery affect the Afghan people? What effects will it have on their economy?…The war? What does it say about our involvement with Afghanistan?

I’ve written about the minerals Tantalite and Tungsten, and the part they play in the lives of the Congolese. But what about the people of Afghanistan?

The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium — are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world, the United States officials believe. An internal Pentagon memo, for example, states that Afghanistan could become the ‘Saudi Arabia of lithium’, a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries for laptops and BlackBerrys”. 

Afghanistan has no mining industry and infrastructure in place. As much as it would take decades to exploit the minerals, what happens in the mean time? This is like discovering gold. And when you have a country whose economy is based largely on opium production, and narcotics trafficking, not to mention a country where corruption is already rampant, and then you toss in 1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits when Afghanistan’s gross domestic product is only about $12 billion.…what do you think the discovery of these minerals would create? Not to sound negative but in my opinion, the salivating will begin, the fingers will get itchy, and greed will no doubt step in. What will that greed look like and what actions will greed take?

The other day I found another article that addressed some of the questions I had: 

$1 Trillion in Minerals May Change Afghanistan’s Future

Last week, the New York Times reported that more than $1 trillion worth of mineral deposits (some experts put the figure as high as $3 trillion) had been found in Afghanistan, including deposits of iron, copper, gold, and most notably, lithium, a key component in the batteries that power laptops and cell phones. According to the Times, an internal Pentagon memo describes Afghanistan as “The Saudi Arabia of lithium.”

Yet Afghanistan is also one of the world’s poorest and most undeveloped countries, with a gross domestic product of around $12 billion and an agriculture-based economy that is dependent on opium production; it is also dependent on international aid, including from the United States. Massive mineral exploitation could upend all that, and the jockeying and power-playing has already begun. On June 21, Afghan President Hamid Karzai (Hon.’05) promised priority mining rights to Japan, snubbing the United States. Thomas Barfield, a College of Arts & Sciences professor of anthropology and president of the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies, says Karzai’s move was “just an example of his fickleness. He has no such power to deliver.”

Still, there is no guarantee that U.S. mining concerns will get what they want. China secured copper mining rights in Afghanistan 18 months ago.

Are the mineral riches really good for Afghanistan? And what does publicizing their existence mean for the war effort? BU Today asked Barfield to put things in perspective.

BU Today: Were you aware of this vast mineral wealth before it was reported on the front page of the New York Times?
Barfield: The lithium seems to be a new discovery, but certainly the iron and copper are very well known. The U.S. government did have the old maps, and it appears it conducted its own more intensive survey; when it finished hasn’t been exactly clear. About a year and a half ago, the Chinese plunked down $3 billion to develop the copper mines. Even in the 1960s and ’70s, it was well-known that iron and copper and a few other minerals, as well as precious and semiprecious stones, were in Afghanistan. The Afghan government at the end of the 19th century had surveys done to see what was there, but then they made sure not to allow the British to build railways, and without railways there’s no way to get the minerals out. It was a deliberate policy of not exploiting mineral wealth on the grounds that if the country didn’t have anything, then foreigners wouldn’t want the place. It was shortsighted, even then.

How significant is the lithium find?
In the 19th century, people weren’t looking for lithium; they were looking for copper and iron. If it’s as big as people say it is — that it’s the second biggest around, although that needs to be confirmed — that’s incredibly significant in that you’re serving the world. So it’s not just one or two minerals, and the Afghans could start playing off different countries by spreading a bunch of opportunities among many nations. Historically, Afghanistan has tended to play world powers off one another. That’s how they maintained their independence between British India and the Tsarist empire; during the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States competed with development projects. The Afghans do understand that it’s a good idea to distribute your resources to different and often-competing powers.

Can you characterize what this development means for Afghanistan’s economy and overall quality of life?
It could really go in a lot of different directions. I’ve read stories that have talked about how diamonds ruined Africa. But you can’t just walk in, collect this stuff, and walk out. There are some gemstone deposits in Afghanistan that people have been exploiting for a long time, like emeralds and lapis lazuli, but potentially a trillion dollars worth of minerals could absolutely transform Afghanistan’s economy.

On the other hand, you have to have the infrastructure to be able to take it out, and that requires a huge amount of capital investment. That investment is not going to go into Afghanistan until there is some kind of security, so you know you can get your infrastructure built and get your profits out.

So could this calm the military conflict?
People have said this war will not be won on the battlefield. Some of the things are how can you change Afghanistan so that it doesn’t go back to civil war or managing to trump the Taliban by saying, “We can offer you something the Taliban can’t.” The Taliban certainly have no policy for developing the country. They didn’t do anything when they were in charge, and they certainly wouldn’t do anything if they came back. One of the things that’s perceived as a game changer in terms of stabilization is bringing other countries into Afghanistan. China could play a big role in this. They’ve already invested in the copper mines, and they promised to build a railway to get it out. Of course, if they build a railway to China, then all the stuff goes to China.

That probably wouldn’t please the United States.
Not necessarily. China’s buying up minerals all over the world. Since China is one of the few allies of Pakistan, along with the United States, that gives another bit of leverage over Pakistan’s support of the Taliban. Because if the Taliban started shooting up Chinese engineers or interfering with Chinese investment, I’m sure there would be some calls from Beijing to Islamabad asking, whose side are you on?

Will all this potential international intervention have an effect on Afghan traditions and culture?
Afghanistan was never colonized. Consequently these aren’t people who are easy to push around. The parts of the culture that could change are the things that happen in any rapidly changing economic development, but the Afghans have a better sense of themselves than other peoples, partially because of their history.

What are the implications for the environment?
They need to be very careful. The Afghans have no experience with preventing the poisoning of rivers or what you do with the waste. This is where the international community could play a large role — in insisting that all these operations meet international standards and get this started in a way that in 10 or 15 years we aren’t asking, well, how did this happen?

Will Afghanistan’s inexperience in large-scale mineral extraction make them too vulnerable to unscrupulous developers?
We’ve seen with oil that for 50 years, the oil companies dominated the contracts. Today, it’s the countries that own the resources that get the lion’s share of what comes out. Same thing with minerals. I don’t care what kind of contract you sign, particularly after you put in the investment in the railroads. If the government says this is an unfair contract and we’re not going to let these minerals go out, you’re kind of screwed. They’re as much holding you hostage as vice versa. That’s one reason I’m not as concerned that Afghanistan could be a big loser in this. No matter how these contracts get started, you have to look to the long term. I don’t think the Afghans would have any hesitation abrogating a contract that they felt was not written in their interests. This is the land of the ancient Silk Route. These people are not unfamiliar with the intricacies of bargaining.

Do you feel confident the wealth will trickle down to the people?
The idea that a central government would abuse the regions, which we see with oil in Nigeria, where the government takes the oil out and the people who live in the region don’t get anything — that’s far less likely in Afghanistan because the Karzai government doesn’t have that type of power. They need the cooperation of the local people to get the development in.

As far as corruption, you’re dealing with more international players, and they have the capacity to push back on corruption. And sure, you could buy a sweetheart deal, but could you get it delivered five years down the line when the Karzai government is no longer there? As long as the international community is there, and particularly the United States, there’s going to be an awful lot of scrutiny of these deals.

But even leaving the revenue aside, because that’s 10 years down the line, the work needed to put in the infrastructure and the side effects — better transportation systems, electricity, jobs for people — that’s going to have an enormous impact well before we get to the question of payment of royalties.

Readers: So…lots of questions that I had were addressed but one thing that wasn’t even broached was the subject of women. How can we be aware that the minerals in Congo greatly affect the livelihood of women, and not question how the discovery of minerals in Afghanistan could affect the women in Afghanistan? Now I don’t want to create anything, and I’m certainly not an economist, and I’m not saying that Afghanistan is like Congo, but I can not help but think of women. The devastation in Congo is  horrific. I just don’t want any repeats. We don’t need to support any more conflict minerals. Let’s just hope my fear is way off base. That being said, we can not not ask the question. 

I’ve got to run. I will reserve my thoughts from your comments yesterday,  tomorrow. In regards to today’s write, what are your comments? Blog me. 

Have a beautiful day!

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

           

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

 

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Wow, the power of intention works wonders in so many ways, especially when the intention is working on a collective level. I was just commenting about computers the other day to Hamilton, and I then I received this in my e-mail yesterday. If people were not aware about the tragic role that the minerals in their computers contribute to the plight of women in Congo, they do now. 

Activists Press Apple to go Conflict-free

Protesters pressing Apple to commit to making conflict-free products were front and center at the grand opening of Apple’s first store in Washington, D.C., last Friday. The new Georgetown location opened its doors at 5PM to a line of hundreds of people waiting for a chance to purchase the latest products and receive a free t-shirt. Enough supporters added to the excitement by gathering at the front entrance with Lisa Shannon, activist and author.  Overtaking the street-side view of the store, protesters displayed a bright red banner reading “Guarantee Conflict-Free.” 

The purpose of the event was to educate Apple consumers about the conflict in Congo and the relationship between our electronics, the conflict minerals essential to those devices, and the war in Congo, the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II. As consumers who love Apple products, we must demand that Apple act responsibly and verify that the minerals used in their products are not fueling the war in Congo. We want to be able to continue purchasing Apple products and be confident that they are not helping perpetuate a conflict in which Congolese civilians are raped and killed each day.

As one of the world’s leading electronics companies, Apple has the trend-setting power to influence the entire industry. If every electronics company ensured that the minerals used in its products were conflict-free, rebel and militia groups would be denied the estimated $180 million they make each year and use to terrorize the communities of eastern Congo.

The advocates who turned out in front of the new store on Friday conveyed this message by handing out informational brochures and talking with people in line about Apple’s use of conflict minerals in their products. Other activists held signs that read “iPhone4Girls in Congo” and “I’ll Pad You on the Back for Conflict-Free.”

The crowd was very interested in the issue and a few customers said they planned to email Steven Jobs directly or mention the cause before purchasing their new iPads and laptops. The protest at the store opening spread awareness to Apple consumers and turned up the pressure on Apple to commit to guaranteeing conflict-free minerals.

It’s Interesting how some people would believe that Apple doesn’t have any idea that their use of minerals is killing women in Congo. I think Apple is awesome too, but believe me they know. It is also interesting that people are happy that their neighborhood is now graced with an Apple store bringing hope for a better economy to their community. Yeah, but what about the communities in Congo? Once again, some people are only concerned about me and mine.

But hey, it is a start. If you hit ‘em where it hurts, taking a bite out of their bottom line, perhaps Apple will smarten up to the speed of their computers and do something. Do you realize that even though tech companies have admitted it would cost one penny per product to ensure a conflict-free supply chain, lobbyists for manufacturing companies continue to argue that even this penny is too expensive. Amazing. One Penny to save lives. Again, it’s all about me and mine. Disgusting. 

But in the meantime, many people are doing something. And events such as the one depicted in the video above is only one. I think the Enough Project should promote these events at every Apple store in the country that they can. People don’t know, and they need to know that they are contributing to a conflict that has already left more than 5 million people dead. It’s one thing to have collective intention, which I believe in its powers, but it is equally important to take collective action. 

Need some motivation?

Lisa Shannon, an activist for the Congolese women, shares how her travels to Congo led her to the writing of her book, My journey to the worst place on earth to be a woman, ‘A Thousand Sisters’.

I had a great life—a successful business, a fiancé, a home, and security. But in the wake of my Dad’s death, and soon-to-be thirty years old, I found myself depressed, camped out in my living room watching Oprah. It was there that I learned about Congo, widely called the worst place on earth to be a woman. Awakened to the atrocities –millions dead, women being raped and tortured, children starving and dying in shocking numbers –I had to do something.

A Thousand Sisters chronicles how I raised sponsorships for Congolese women, beginning with a solo 30-mile run, and then founded Run for Congo Women. Despite countless warnings, with no credentials, I abandon my quickly collapsing home life and plunge into an unlikely lone journey through eastern Congo on a mission to ignite a movement for the world’s most forgotten women, to meet hundreds of my sponsored “sisters,” and hear their stories firsthand. But in a place where no man with a gun is the good guy, I confront militias, massacres, murder cover-ups, and unspeakable horror. Along the way I am forced to learn lessons of survival, fear, gratitude, and love from the women of Congo. A Thousand Sisters is a portrait of the world’s deadliest war through the intimate lens of friendship. It is a story of passion, hope, and my journey to carve out human bonds that cannot be touched by terror.

Want to do more?

Here’s what Shannon suggests:

1. Change her life. And yours. Sponsor your own Congolese sister. 3 minutes, $27 per month|WomenForWomen.org

2. Run (or walk or bike or swim or whatever) for Congo Women.

Do what I did and dedicate a solo run to women in the Congo. Or register for a Run for Congo Women near you. Or ask 12 friends to join you on a short run, each of you pitch in $30 and—ta-da!— you have enough to sponsor and change a woman’s life.
1 hour–6 months, starting at $30|RunForCongoWomen.org

3. Join the Raise Hope for Congo Campaign. 1 minute|RaiseHopeForCongo.org

4. Share A Thousand Sisters with friends. Start a book club. Available on preorder at www.Amazon.com now at great savings. 2 hours

5. Order a copy of Lisa Jackson’s film The Greatest Silence. Host a screening in your home, then ask your guests to sponsor a woman in Congo. 2 minutes to order the film, plus 2 half-days to plan and host the gathering, $29.95|TheGreatestSilence.org

6. Protect Congo’s forests. Support conservation work in Congo through Eric’s North American partners Zerofootprint. 2 minutes|ZeroFootprint.net

7. Urge President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to craft and implement an intelligent, comprehensive, diplomatic strategy to permanently deal with the Interahamwe, a.k.a. the FDLR. 2 minutes|Whitehouse.gov/contact

8. Friend me on Facebook. I post the latest news from Congo daily. 2 minutes|Friend me on Facebook!|Become a fan of A Thousand Sisters on Facebook!|Become a fan of Run For Congo Women on Facebook!\

9. Dream up something all your own, like I did!

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

Readers: If all you can do is make a few phone calls to Congress, that’s good too. Click here to leave a message to Senators on their Facebook page. Don’t do Facebook? No problem. Just go to the left-hand column of my blog, where I have information on how to contact your Senators, and give them a quick call. Here’s an easy script, thanks to the Enough Project:

“Senator {Insert Name}, a penny per product is a worthy price for ensuring that our consumer purchases aren’t supporting a bloody and rapacious war in Congo. We all must recognize the full cost of our consumer products, and a penny is a small price to save human lives. Please join a bipartisan coalition in voting to keep conflict mineral audits and penalties in the Congo language that is part of the financial reform bill.”

Thank you!

Fatemah: Nice to hear from you. It has been awhile – I hope all is well!

Norman: Well I guess you got your question answered. Obama didn’t even give him the chance to step down – McChrystal was fired, ousted…and well deserved it was. I agree with you Doug, I too was hoping that Obama would simply jettison his ass.

Zen Lill: I know you can think of a great project for Lily’s school to bring about awareness. 

Peace out….

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

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