EARTHJUSTICE
The Ox

SPECIAL NOTE ADDED 2/10/10: The people at EARTHJUSTICE, after about a week or so, still haven’t contacted me. Not a word. Is this another example of what my wife Sylvie calls 21st-Century Manners? Seriously, it is a VERY serious matter when such an organization fails to extend common courtesy. What kind of solidarity — so necessary for change — can come from such behavior? This should be highly instructive for one and all, for this experience with EARTHJUSTICE has been multiplied many times over over the last year… as I’ve offered to move in solidarity with tons of individuals and organizations on a basis that would serve their purposes. Don’t bother reading the article, though a glance at my question at the bottom might be worthwhile. EARTHJUSTICE does now seem like one of those organizations which has sold out to the powers that be whilst continuing to raise funds among those who need to feel like they’re contributing to change… whether or not they actually are. Which is not to say that individual members of the group are not well-intentioned. Not to say that the organization doesn’t do any good.

“Coal Ash is Hazardous to Our Health!
Despite the known threat to our health and environment, coal ash dumps remain unregulated by the EPA. Coal and power industry lobbyists are pressuring the White House to scale back plans to propose the strongest safeguards. Tell the White House to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste!”

The above is what I got by clicking on “Take Action” at the EARTHJUSTICE site. Admirable… and their efforts should be supported. But the whole shebang begs the questions posed in Joshua Frank’s recent piece on Coal Ash and the EPA. One of which is… how do we expect to pressure the White House… to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste?

With some letters? A petition? Following the usual paradigms for applying… pressure?

I mean, what else are we going to do? Clearly, something additional needs to be embraced. A fresh approach… to supplement the well-intentioned efforts following old models.

I’m only posting this piece ’cause — just tonight (2/4/10) — I contacted the EARTHJUSTICE people in Oakland, suggesting that they take me on board… to see what I might be able to do… to make a difference. The dilemma they face is typical. And it’s common that such challenges are not met because activists keep within the strict parameters permitted — carefully planned — by the powers that be. [Pause.] I figure that I can help EARTHJUSTICE — legally and nonviolently — to circumvent what handcuffs them.

But in order to do that, I believe EJ — all non-profit organizations working for significant, lasting change — must acknowledge the true horror of what we’re up against, which includes the disingenuous dynamic that goes on with the White House. For starters. The mendacity of the White House, regardless of who is the occupant, must register firmly, bypassing our collective national amnesia. And our deadlines must be seen in the clear light of day. So that we don’t proceed at the arthritic snail’s pace so characteristic of activists.

If your house, village or region is on fire, you don’t work 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, to secure water. Or to rid yourself of the arsonist who’s lying to you about the hose at your feet having holes. [I say this knowing that many EJ people work 7 days a week on their projects. I am addressing their support network here.]

Enter The Ox.

The lies and lack of urgency are just part of the problem, however. There’s something else in the mix which I don’t have a label for. Perhaps I should close with a fact that might help the reader to figure out what that is… and encourage the reader to move in solidarity with me.

FACT: In Bethesda, Maryland — where the National Institutes of Health carry on prestigious cancer treatment — and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota (also known for its top quality cancer center) the air is quite carcinogenic. Their counties, Montgomery and Olmsted, rank in the 90th percentile of the country for such toxicity.

That (uncategorizable) Alice in Wonderland scenario (so common in various realms today), coupled with The Corporate Takeover of Democracy says to me that EARTHJUSTICE could use my services to work some magic outside of the courtroom. To get the public opinion which is with them to manifest itself in new ways that will impact on their legal proceedings. As I simultaneously do the (easy) old stuff… like raising funds. [Pause.] Raising hell is the challenge.

Contact Richard Martin Oxman at tosca.2010[at] yahoo.com
P.S. I have tried to get my foot in the door to help others in a number of areas over the past year. Very proactively. No strings attached, my only proviso being that I be involved — to some degree — in following a new paradigm as I work in solidarity. The disappointing experiences have been very instructive. To be elaborated on, upon request.

Beginning about 13 paragraphs down in http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn02052010.html there’s a good capsule regarding non-profits, etc. which relates to counterparts in academia. I would like to know if readers feel any of that is germane to a discussion of EARTHJUSTICE’s agenda/soul. John Adams of the Natural Resources Defense Council — an organization which I believe EARTHJUSTICE has helped in the past — made a comment (in paragraph 14) which definitely begs for a little blah blah.