[Italy] Homefulness

re-posted from Save Feral Human Habitat

Off the Streets and Onto the Farm, 01/22/10
By Chris Johnson, Victoria Independent Media Collective

A dream is taking shape on the Saanich Peninsula. Inspired by the work of the San Patrignano Farm in Italy, Richard LeBlanc and a team of dedicated volunteers are converting a piece of farmland in Central Saanich into a therapeutic community that will become a refuge for people experiencing homelessness.

LeBlanc and the Creating Homefulness Society took possession of the198 acre property in June of 2009. Woodwynn Farm, which has recently been used for mostly for hay crops, was developed by the Woodward family, formers owners of a department store chain.

Woodwynn Farms has already faced it’s share of challenges even before taking possession of the farm. When LeBlanc and supporters set about to purchase the property, some of the nearby residents formed the Farmlands Trust, and with support of the Land Conservancy, set out to buy the farm to keep the homeless people out.

Central Saanich council has also put up it’s share of obstacles to the idea, refusing to allow any of the homeless people to actually live on the farm.

LeBlanc and everyone else involved with Woodwynn are optimistic however. They’ve already seen changes with some of the people who have come to visit and pitch in on the farm, and are committed to convincing the community of the great benefits this project can provide.

Below is a selection of media articles to help you learn more about the project.

Also visit the Woodwynn Farms website at www.creatinghomefulness.org

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Woodwynn Shows the Way, Times Colonist – March 20, 2009 (scroll down on that page)

Advocates for the homeless raise funds to purchase Woodwynn Farm in Central Saanich – Times Colonist, March 19, 2009

Woodwynn Farm sold for homeless solution, Peninsula News – March 18, 2009

Homeless Farm Plan Sparks $6 Million Race, Times Colonist – May 22, 2008

Native Band Sues Crown Over Title to Woodwynn Farm, Times Colonist – September 20, 2008

Woodwynn Neighbours Close to Raising Down Payment, Times Colonist – September 17, 2008

Central Saanich Nixes Proposal for Homeless Working on Farm, Times Colonist, February 12, 2008

New Role Sought for Famed Farm, Times Colonist, January 13, 2008

[Germany] Bans Monsanto GMO Corn

Been a long time... And this news is a pretty old now. I'm catching up on old emails. But still good news. --ianna.

re-posted from Action Spark

Germany Bans Monsanto GMO Corn, posted by Kyra, 04/14/09

Germany just recently joined a number of other European countries who have banned Monsanto GMO (Genetically Modified) corn from being grown in the country.

Monsanto corn has until now been the only GMO crop grown somewhat widely in Europe, the EU having been wary of GMO crops overall since their introduction to the global food market. This is definitely a win for the the movement against spreading GMO crops.

GMO’s are problematic for many reasons. First off, many people have psychological barriers to the idea of eating a tomato with genes from an elephant. There’s just something a bit strange about the idea. For some people this is a religious matter based on humans meddling with God’s work. However there are also major health concerns regarding GMO’s, and huge political battles being waged over the way companies handle and patent them. It is the case that we do not know how GMO crops will affect the environments they are introduced to on any kind of long term basis, nor how fiddling with our foods genetic makeup could affect the health of humans consuming it. While hybrid species are often capable of growing back into natural or heritage varieties, it is unlikely that GMO plants be able to rid themselves of genes not related in anyway to their species. Is there any research suggesting that GMO plants could be reintroduced into the environment and returned to their original strain over time?

The main argument against GMO’s is that there isnt enough conclusive evidence to show they are not harmful. It is also the case that many companies have taken advantage of genetic modification to patent and charge exorbitant prices for different disease resistant strains of GMO crops, such as Monsanto’s corn. It is possible for these companies to sue farmers living next door to GMO crop sowing neighbours if some of the seed blows over into their field and takes root.

Companies also often make these seeds so that they cannot reproduce on their own.Thus farmers are obliged to buy and rebuy seeds each year, making more money for the companies, but strangling the workers of the agricultural sector across the globe.

To read a brief BBC article on the recent banning of Monsanto corn, go here.

CA court says no tasering for fun/convenience

Appeals Court Ruling Curbs Use of Tasers

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A ruling that a California police officer can be held liable for Taser-related injuries will force reviews on stun gun use, a police conduct expert said.

Experts said the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, if it stands, would set precedent for when police could use Tasers and force departments in California, and possibly nationwide, to revise policies governing Taser use, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

Michael Gennaco, a police conduct expert who has reviewed stun gun use for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said Monday's ruling bars officers from using Tasers in a variety of situations, limiting their use to instances when a person poses an obvious danger.

"This decision talks about the need for an immediate threat," Gennaco told the Times. "Some departments allow Tasers in cases of passive resistance, such as protesters who won't move (which) is out the door now with this decision."

The three-judge panel's unanimous ruling arose from a 2005 encounter between a former Coronado, Calif., police officer who stopped a man for not wearing a seat belt while driving. The man sustained injuries and lost several teeth when he struck the ground after being Tasered by the police officer.

The appellate court did not rule on whether the police officer acted appropriately, but cleared the way for a civil case against the officer and the city of Coronado in a lower court, the Times said.

In their decision, the judges established legally binding standards about where Tasers fit in the types of force available to police officers and spelled out guidelines for their use.