Music is an international language. Jazz, in particular, allows everyone to have their say and to be understood by everyone else, regardless of their race or nationality. Jazz is at its best when people listen to each other and contribute their own ideas to something which is a creation of all their efforts - a musical and emotional experience.
In short, jazz is about co-operation and co-operation is the opposite of conflict. If politicians from every country were jazz musicians we would live in a more peaceful and equitable world. Well, in theory, at least!
When a country resorts to violence and destruction, or even just the threat of unleashing such forces upon others, it is a sign of its own failure to resolve crises or to further its own ends in a more grown-up civilised manner. War now is nothing more than mass murder. The vast majority of people who die in wars are civilians, particularly the weak, the infirm, the elderly and the very young. War does not solve problems: it creates new ones.
As a musician who attempts to create new things, I firmly oppose mindless destruction, however glossy and glamorous the weapons of war may appear to others. As a human being who cherishes life, I deplore the killing and maiming of other human beings. And when it is done in my name by my own country, I utterly deplore it and will protest against it however I can.
I have been very lucky to have been able to travel widely and to have lived and worked with people from many other countries.
Co-operation with others from other backgrounds leads to a One World philosophy, which I passionately believe in. We have enough problems in combating global warming and other ecological disasters without wasting valuable resources in nationalistic behaviour at the expense of others. We have no choice left now but to co-operate and find lasting solutions to problems which effect everyone, the world over.
For those who are interested then, here are some links to some
worthwhile organisations, many of which have branches worldwide or useful links:
OXFAM
War on Want
Campaign against the Arms Trade
World Development Movement
Greenpeace
Friends of the Earth
The Carbon Neutral Company
Amnesty
Human Rights Watch
New Internationalist Magazine
Center for Alternative Technology
Stop the War Coalition
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
The We
We, the World
Sustrans
Energy Saving Trust
Stop Climate Chaos
Here is a document from the Project for a New American Century. Ever wondered what's behind the thinking of the Bush administration? Read this.
There are lots of things that have not been explained about the attack on the World Trade Center. Was the official version of the events satisfactory to you? If not, read this.
Here is an eye-witness video of the events of 9/11. Warning - this may be distressing to some people.
The terrorist attack on London on 7/7/05 also left a lot of questions unanswered. To find out more and to see what is happening in Britain, watch this video
A video about the Iraq war by US high government and intelligence officers. Uncovered: The Whole Truth Of The Iraq War
Read about what US troops get up to in Iraq in their own words. Is this the way to win hearts and minds?!
The Iraq war was illegal and immoral. The US and UK governments lied in order to justify this attack upon a sovereign country. The real reason for going to war was that the US, backed slavishly by Britain, wanted to get its hands on the oil fields. The cost in human lives in Iraq caused by the war and civil unrest since then has been horrendous. Here is an estimate of the numbers killed.
Find out about the war in Afghanistan: things that the mass media doesn't tell you.
To find out about the aftermath of the Israel-Lebanon conflict, read this.
One of the features of the Israeli-Lebanon conflict was the large number of cluster bombs dropped. Find out about these horrific weapons which kill civilians long after the conflict is over. How can anyone who calls himself or herself a human being justify manufacturing or using these things. More information on this issue from a former Director of the US Army Depleted Uranium Project. Sign the petition to ban them here.
The repression by the Burmese government following the peaceful uprising has been brutal. This unelected military government should be forced out of office and the leaders should be put on trial as war criminals. Read about what things have happened in Burma in this report for December 2007.
Want to know more about "extraordinary rendition" and other euphemisms for torture carried out by or on behalf of the US government? Watch this. Here is an interesting article about torture in the USA.
Find out about things the US government would prefer you not to know - what is being done in your name.
US secretly developing biological weapons
There is so much hypocrasy and so many double standards with regard to nuclear weapons. The major nuclear weapon states have reacted hysterically to Iran manufacturing nuclear weapons and to North Korea testing a nuclear weapon. However under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty all nuclear weapon states have agreed to get rid of these weapons. (See the IPPNW Statement.)
Instead of disarming, the nuclear weapon states have upgraded their weapons or are in the process of doing so. To give one example. The United Nations Security Council (or should that be the United States Council of Lapdogs) has now imposed sanctions on Iran and there is a build-up of American and British naval forces in the area. Does this mean that a conflict there is on the cards? All it needs is a pretext which could easily be found in this volatile area. Don't let the buggers start another war! More information and petition here.
Here's something easy you can do - sign the World Court Declaration against nuclear weapons.
The line between using nuclear weapons and not doing so has become very blurred. You don't need to detonate an atomic bomb to create some of the same effects. In Iraq, the US military has used depleted uranium shells which cause cancer. So much for the morality of Western Governments!
In fact, governments world-wide have failed to bring security to the world's population, failed to provide enough resources to rid the world of preventable diseases which kill many thousands of people, failed to do anything about the yawning gap between rich and poor countries and failed to do anything drastic about global warming. Furthermore, when governments make a big thing about responding to an international emergency, they often fail to honour what they have pledged, as shown in this article about the 2004 tsunami. Don't leave it up to power-hungry, corrupt governments with short-term nationalistic interests to change matters. Get stuck in and do something about these issues yourself.
Adopting green alternatives is not only good for the environment, it's cheaper in the long run, healthier and more fun. Think about getting a solar radio or solar panel or walk or cycle instead of getting in your car for short journeys.
Even small changes make a big difference. If every household in the USA replaced just one traditional light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFI), it would be the equivalent of taking 1 million cars off the road. Talking about cars, don't forget to give a lift to someone else if you're going to the same place.
And don't forget to think about alternatives to flying, since aircraft are major polluters. If you do have to fly, you can at least think of planting a tree to soak up some of the carbon emissions.
The unfairness of global trading is highly complex, but you can get up-to-date articles about it on all the development charities websites as well as in magazines such as New Internationalist.
To find out more about fair trade and to do something about it, click here. This is an excellent easy-to-read and understandable website run by OXFAM.
If you live in the EU, you can send an email to Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor and current holder of the EU Presidency, to show your concern at proposals which would force 75 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region to accept unfair trade agreements with the EU. Click here. There are also other campaigns you can get involved with at this website. Here is an example:
A predatory commercial company seeking to scavenge a staggering $55 million from Zambia after buying up a ‘bad debt’ of $3.3 million has been reluctantly awarded an estimated $15 million by a British court.
The judge was unable to dismiss the whole claim but it is clear that while the actions of Donegal International were not strictly illegal, they were immoral. When a country is as poor as Zambia, in desperate need of money to pay for basic services like health and education, it is outrageous to pursue an inflated claim for a debt that should have been written off years ago. Donegal should not take the money.
In the 1970s, Zambia borrowed money from wealthier governments, including $15 million from Romania in 1979, to buy things like agricultural machinery and vehicles. By the 1990s, because of crushing poverty it was unable to repay these debts and became eligible for the process to qualify for debt relief, and began negotiating with its creditors about partial payment of old, bad debts.
In 1999, as Zambia was trying to negotiate paying back part of the debt they owed to Romania, Donegal swooped in and bought up the debt - originally worth $15 million - for a knockdown price of $3.3 million. They have been suing Zambia for the full amount of the debt. But that's not all. They sued for interest and costs, making a staggering total of $55 million!
These rich pickings might be just business to Donegal International. But for Zambia, it represents vitally needed doctors, nurses and hospitals.
Bad timing?
Donegal International launched proceedings against the Republic of Zambia in the British Courts in March 2005. What makes this case so unfair, is that Donegal sued just one month before Zambia finally qualified for debt relief after it had spent years struggling to meet the stringent economic conditions needed to qualify for debt .
If Donegal had been awarded the full $55 million, Zambia would have lost the equivalent of more than six months of its annual health budget. Even payment of the reduced award, will have a serious impact on Zambia’s poorest people.
Donegal need to do the right thing and not take the money. You can help by emailing the vultures. Click here.
Finally, look out for FAIR TRADE items in supermarkets to do your bit. There are also several organisations such as Traidcraft which sell goods which give manufacturers a fair deal for their goods.
If you have to buy a present for someone who doesn't want anything or need anything in particular? Then, have a look at the OXFAM Unwrapped catalogue. This is also available from OXFAM in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It's such a good idea.