Martyred by a Martyr

We are told that extra security for Bhutto was ignored by Mushareff and therefore is considered complicit in the assassination. The question has to be asked, if Bhutto was America’s, and all of Democracy’s, ‘shining light’, how is it that Bush did not see to it that her protection was assured to the best of it’s capabilities to protect its interests in this nuclear armed country?

Bhutto was aware of the risks, after the last horrid attempt on her life, and despite the threats from all extreme Islamic radical groups and the military, one is led to believe that her knowledge and acceptance of these risks verges on a death wish or in our Christian fundamentalist terms, martyrdom.

Everyone knew full well the rage and destruction that would result in the successful attack on her life. Everyone knew the disastrous effect it would have globally in the “War on Terror” particularly timed to disrupt the national vote there in two weeks and the election year in The States. And above all everyone knows that when you mess with Pakistan that you are playing with nukes.

I can see at this moment Naomi Klein furiously writing a revised edition of her latest book, “The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism”.

Why martyrdom might work
Dec 29, 2007 04:30 AM
Mitch Potter
EUROPE BUREAU

Bush, Musharraf, and the Slaying of Bhutto

Environ Mental #6 dot 1 – Special Short Issue

Environ Mental #6 dot 1 – Special Short Issue

I feel the presence of the Philosophers’ Stone when copper turns into gold!

Results are in!




Perhaps Alter Eco is not so mental after all, but I wouldn’t go so far as to change the Newsletter title. Mental processes can hardly begin to describe the fuzzies on being recognised with an award underscoring our 5 year’s vision and work - awareness of our impact on the environment and all the humanitarian consequences.

I was informed today by Diane Blackburn of the Recycling Council of Ontario, that the results of the Awards had just been posted to their website and I could hardly contain myself to share it with all of you have been so supportive of Alter Eco’s efforts.

The 2007 Ontario Waste Minimization Awards Gala

I share this award with all of you!

Cheers!

John

STOP THE PRESSES!



This just in: We have gone beyond the fuzzies and are experiencing the buzzies! Alter Eco has been published in the “Resource/Art” category of Coach House Books’, “GreenTOpia: Towards a Sustainable Toronto”. We are more than thrilled to be associated with this publisher for the high quality of their works.

The book will be launched Sunday, November 11, with a day-long book launch. The party begins at the Gladstone Hotel at 2:00 p.m

For more information go to their website: http://www.chbooks.com/

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There's Gold in Them Thar Copper!!

Recycling Council of Ontario Gold Ontario 2007 Waste Minimisation Award for Excellence and Committment to a Sustainable Environment!!
This recognition is a giant step for Alter Eco for which I am truly thankful to my creative partner and wife, Marie Van Schie, for her years of committment to the effort and initiating the recycling of copper for her jewellery making. We would secondly like to express our appreciation to Rhonda Nolan Designs for promoting us to the RCO. And to Diane Blackburn of RCO for your business, support and encouragement over the past two years.

Pictured above is Joanne St. Godard, Exective Director, the Recycling Council of Ontario presenting the award to Alter Eco.

Environ Mental #6

Environ Mental #6
Alter Eco Newsletter
October 17th, 2007

Halloween is fast approaching! A scary reminder that time, along with the leaves, flies.

Since the last newsletter in January we have been quietly and not so quietly, developing the art and music.

On May 3/07 I played ***live*** at the Lakeview Lunch, 1132 Dundas St W, @ Ossington, a genuine 40’s diner and almost in it’s original condition – like me! It is an open mic organised by Maria Kastaan, a genuine singer-songwriter and an original Yorkville denizen. I got to play all the songs on the CD in 2 sets.

I was feeling alright.
I coulda played all night.
But my pickin hand
Had a case of stage fright.

Down at the Lakeview Lunch

Came off well but room for improvement. All enjoyed it and were very supportive. More on that in the near future.

Also launched the new music website, "This Old Guitar". It can be accessed from the main Alter Eco website. It is still under construction, but has pics and other content. Check it out!

The BIG story, of which we are extremely pleased and honoured, is that we have been asked to be part of an advisory council at the Recycling Council of Ontario, for matters relating to the arts. This is the first year that they have expanded their Awards categories to the arts.

From their website:
“The Recycling Council of Ontario is a not-for-profit organization committed to minimizing society's impact on the environment by eliminating waste. RCO's mission is to inform and educate all members of society about the generation of waste, the avoidance of waste, the more efficient use of resources and the benefits and/or consequences of these activities. Since its inception in 1978, RCO has actively assisted municipalities, corporations, other organisations and individuals in reducing their waste.”

And bigger and more exciting yet is that we have been nominated for an Award to be presented at their Gala Event Thursday, Oct 18th. So by the time you read this history will have unfolded as it should!

Upcoming shows we are doing are the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film and Video Festival, Community Eco Exchange
Saturday, October 27th & Sunday, October 28th, 11:00am – 5:00pm, Innis College (2 Sussex Avenue, in the University of Toronto) - Free Admission

Also on Thursday, November 29th, 10am – 5pm, we are doing the CBC Christmas Crafts Sale. It is located in the CBC Atrium at 250 Front St W. – Free Admission

We look forward to seeing you there and in the mean time hope you are all well and too busy to be scared and check the art website for the results of tomorrow night!!

Cheers as always,
John

Environ Mental #5 – Special CD Issue

Environ Mental #5 – Special CD Issue
Jan 17/07

Are you racing while others are lacing? Or was it the other way around? Hey! It’s snowing!!

You know that CD I have been on about, “Trying to Keep an Open Mind”? Well it’s done…What’s the connection between the CD and the weather? I was hoping to get it done for the Winter Solstice and celebrate it with the track “Standing Still Sun” but unplanned things happened. So, appropriately as I watch the snow falling and the temperature is going to plunge for the second time this winter (sic) here in Toronto, it will be welcomed in with the track “Wintertime” not to mention the rapidly approaching Groundhog Day. This Groundhog Day is particularly auspicious as it coincides with a full moon and you must hear “The Groundhog Day Slaughter”. A damning indictment of NAFTA, Global Warming, conspicuous greed, revenge, sex, conspiracy…sex? Have I got your attention?

This is what I’ve been doing during my 18 month sabbatical but did manage to do a wonderful commission for the Recycling Council of Ontario supplying copper frames for their awards. See one for the Royal York Hotel. Many thanks to Rhonda Nolan for the recommendation.

As some of you know, I have been writing songs and poems on and off since puberty but was sparked by a comment from an old friend I hadn’t seen for decades who melted my heart when she told me that “Night Trains” was a favourite of her daughter’s. Soon after I heard that TVO (TV Ontario) was having a songwriting competition and decided to enter it. It was a ‘winner’ in the sense that I committed myself to putting together all my songs & poems and recording them with a cool, open source, recording software Kristal Audio Engine, my trusty computer, Darthcricket productions (me - my alter ego), Marie’s patience and all the Angels that reside in “This Old Guitar”.

In the next few months I will be developing a website for the music but in the meantime I have an online publisher, Lulu.com, where you can hear all the samples and enjoy them - hopefully enough to buy individual tracks or the whole album, 13 tracks (37 mins) as mp3’s. You can purchase it directly from me a personal copy for $15.00 playable in any CD player. If you think that you know someone who is interested, passing it on to them is very appreciated.

So I hope you are all waxing your skiis and sharpening your edges because it will go a long way to reducing the damage to the ozone and turn commuting into a healthy pursuit.

Cheers and all the best to you in 2007,

John aka Darthcricket