Coloradoans honored for Green values

Poudre Valley gives 2008 Green Giant Awards

By the Green Party of Colorado

Poudre Valley Green Party has announced the winners of its 2008 Green Giant Awards. This award is given occasionally to individuals and groups in the community who exemplify the 10 Key Values of the Green Party. This year’s winners are Coloradoans Against Resource Destruction (CARD), Save the Poudre, Gailmarie Kimmel and Maury Alberston. Although winners do not need to be members of the Green Party, they all have expressed the essence of Green principles.

CARD has led the fight to protect groundwater, air quality and property rights from the possibility of uranium mining in Weld County.

The Save the Poudre coalition works to defend the endangered Poudre River from overuse and habitat destruction, focusing right now on the proposed Glade Reservoir that would take over half the river’s flow through downtown Fort Collins in an average year.

Gailmarie Kimmel has been a long-time leader in community-localization efforts, from working on the board of the Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Association, and starting the Local Living Economy Network, to producing the Be Local coupon book, among many endeavors.

Maury Alberston, Colorado State University professor emeritus, is best known as one of the founders of the Peace Corps, but continues to work on sustainable development into his late 80’s through organizations such as Village Earth, which he also co-founded.

The Green Giant awards were presented at the second annual Red, White, Blue and Green Party held July 4 at Avogadro’s Number in Fort Collins. “We celebrate on July 4th for two reasons,” said local green organizer Eric Fried. “First, renewable energy is national security, meaning Green is the new red, white and blue. Second, it’s time to put the party back in the Green Party.”

For information on the awards or Poudre Valley Green Party, please call 970-214-4548.

 

Film inspires reviewer to rap

Award winning documentary “After Innocence”

By Tha Truth, political rapper and New Jersey Green

As politically educated activists, we have no doubt seen many informative documentaries. Personally, I have seen countless well-done documentary films and many have added to my knowledge and evolution. However, the documentary After Innocence, directed by Jessica Sanders, is beyond compelling; this film is one of the most important films ever made.

After Innocence takes us inside a place many individuals would rather not think about. While many tend to ignore the conditions inside the U.S. prison system and tend to think the worst of incarcerated men and women, this film provides the opportunity to get to know those who have been locked away for decades. It is easier for many to ignore unpleasant topics such as this, yet often they are the most worthy of our attention and actions.

From meeting several ex-convicts in the film, we learn about their treatment on the inside and how the system operated in their resulting prison time. The shocking element of the film is—all of these men were released after serving years, because they were innocent (as proved in court years, often decades, later). Then, after being released, these wrongfully convicted individuals must deal with problems such as having to pay thousands of dollars to have their criminal records expunged, not being compensated financially for their suffering, trying to find a job with a criminal record, and living with the traumatic memories of isolation and inhumane treatment inside the prison walls.

It is beyond critical that Greens and any compassionate, politically educated individuals see this film and encourage others to see it. We often speak of the problems of the U.S. legal system, but this film provides irrefutable evidence of the drastic need to completely revolutionize U.S. law enforcement. The film examines the inhumane treatment of prisoners, the role of money and greed in the lawyer/courtroom process, and so much more. Fortunately those who made the movie are organized and active in helping to change the system. After seeing After Innocence viewers will no doubt be inspired to play a part in this crucial struggle. Far from being depressing, the film offers ways to get involved and portrays many courageous activists who are making a serious difference.

I have also written a song for my next political rap album called “The Injustice System,” which incorporates many of the film’s issues and themes. The song features lyrics such as “The movie After Innocence/After you witness it/You see the significance/of changing the whole system it’s/ The real Shawshank Redemption/ That needs attention,” and “Daryl Hunt was innocent/but served 20 years in prison/His innocence was presented/with DNA evidence.” The song’s purpose is to infuse themes from the film (in addition to my own research) to bring attention to the prison industrial complex, outrageous drug war, and lack of humane treatment in so called corrections. Additionally, the purpose of the song and my CDs is to quickly educate those who are not prone to watching documentaries like After Innocence or reading informative books.

For information on the film go to: www.afterinnocence.com
For info about Tha Truth’s music: www.cdbaby.com/cd/thatruth2
To contact Tha Truth by email:
thatruthmusic@yahoo.com

 

I’m Votin’ Green

I’m Votin’ Green
A political rally song

By Carl Lungren, Green Party of New York State

CHORUS:  I’m votin’ Green this year
Vote my hopes and not my fears
I know there’s got to be a better way
I’m votin’ Green this time
Our future’s on the line
So come and join me on Election Day

I’m votin’ for the values that mean the most to me
Rooted in the principles of democracy
Of peace and social justice, and of course, ecology
That’s where I stand
Those are my demands

CHORUS:  I’m votin’ Green for change
It’s time to rearrange
The way we order our priorities
I’m votin’ Green for sure
For a world that will endure
For a life that’s filled with possibilities

It surely is a shame when all we ever have to choose
Is the lesser of two evils, y’know we’re bound to lose
I won’t make that mistake again, gonna kick these votin’ blues
And make my choice
For another voice

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK

I’m tired of the liars and the hypocrisy,
Of the two-faced, double talking, double dealing duopoly
I’d rather hold my head up high and keep my dignity
Than vote for them
Ever again

CHORUS:  Let’s all vote Green this year
Vote your hopes and not your fears
Y’know there’s got to be a better way
Let’s all vote Green this time
Our future’s on the line
So come and join us on Election Day

And vote Green all the way

© 2006 Carl Lundgren
See Lundgren sing at The Wilder Side