Today is Earth Day. At one time this international day of awareness about the environment, ecology and conservation had a much higher profile here in the U.S., but now in an age of sport utility vehicles coupled with rising fuel prices, relaxed or unenforced environmental safety standards, and global warming, government acknowledgement of the day seems hypocritical if it comes at all.
There are activities going on across the country and around the world however.
Organized labor news similarly fights for public attention. This past week here in New York, doormen and building superintendents in some of the city’s more upscale neighborhoods, members of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ averted a strike by reaching agreement with the Realty Advisory Board, which represents building owners. They may work in affluent neighborhoods but they certainly can’t afford to live there, and the issue as usual was over a living wage and benefits. (I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Local 32BJ. In 2000, when I was on strike for 5 months as a member of the Screen Actors Guild against commercial producers, 32BJ members came to our rescue one day on the picket line in a display of unity that literally brought tears to our eyes.)
But a new radio show on Air America hopes to give working people a voice. Workin’ It is a weekly, one-hour radio magazine focusing on working life in America. Hosted by comedienne, author, and former union organizer Jackie Guerra, the program promises to make you think, laugh, and do something about the declining state of workers’ rights. It debuts today and if you miss it, you can listen online or even subscribe to a podcast. It is produced in partnership with the workers’ rights advocacy organization, American Rights at Work.
While opponents of the war in Iraq gear up for a major march next week, a new documentary opened this week about an anti-war movement from an earlier era, not of civilians but of military soldiers during Vietnam. Sir! No Sir! debunks the popular notion that opposition to the Vietnam War occurred only on college campuses or on America’s streets. A quite widespread network of dissenters grew among the ranks as men were drafted or joined but later became disillusioned about the purpose for the war and this country’s ability to end it successfully. Not unlike grumblings being heard today.
The film is in limited release nationwide.
Finally, because it is never too early to talk football, my Giants scored a major coup today, signing former Washington Redskin LaVar Arrington to a 7-year $49 million contract. He’s gonna get a chance to sack Redskin quarterbacks at least twice a year now.
And the world goes round and round.
2 comments ↓
you’re excited about that malcontent being signed? Hmm! That contracts a bit high wouldn’t you say?
LaVar was upset because he was with an inferior franchise. He was stuck playing for micro-managing owner Danier Snyder and had an undefined role in Joe Gibbs’ defense. His role with the G-men–at least twice a year–will be to tee off on Redskins. Ooooh, I can’t wait!