OVERVIEW of the CO-OPERATIVE FILM PROJECT Joan Russow Global Compliance Research Project Contact jrussow@gmail.com

Imagine their is just one root problem in the world focusing on which will make you come to a possibility that addresses all the symptoms like financial greed, overpopulation, mass poverty, inequality, trashing of human life, human-trafficking, pollution and destruction of habitat, small farmers and farmland, natural diversity, hunger, infant and children mortality, disease, global warmin

Penticton $9.7 million provincial grant secured BEFORE project presented to public; Langley $15 million provincial grant secured BEFORE project presented to public, project modified to maximize grant; Abbotsford $0.00 provincial grant secured BEFORE project presented to public.

 In the Friday Abbotsford Times much gnashing of teeth and cries of “we was robbed” by Abbotsford City Hall. Common sense dictates, for those possessing common sense (which evidence suggests is nonexistent at Abbotsford City Hall) that your maximum leverage on a senior level of government for grants is before you fund the project when they (province; federal) can be blamed for the project not proceeding. This was the case in the recent extortion of $2 million each from both the federal and provincial governments for Stanley Park restoration making Vancouver’s contribution $ZERO$.

 When asked during the referendum campaign why they had not and if they should not have gotten grants BEFORE coming to the taxpayers for approval, as any rational, fiscally responsible City (i.e. Langley, Penticton) would do, Abbotsford City Hall blew off those posing the questions as “naysayers” and “negative people”.

Free Speech, citizen’s right to access information in city records and the right to hear or express dissenting views seem to have been added to the long list of things, such as fun, forbidden in Abbotsford.

 Apparently City Hall and Council are continuing their assault on these rights. It looks as though the Post’s behaving like a newspaper rather than a cheering section for the City has upset city hall and city politicos. Once upon a time not long ago those unfortunate souls who did not receive the Post delivered to their homes could drop by some of Abbotsford’s city facilities and pickup their copy of the Post. Nevermore.

On Tuesday January 9, 2007 I sent a letter to CanWest and various newspapers expressing my thoughts on the complete lack of judgement evidenced by Global’s Vancouver television station and their telethon for Stanley Park. With all the important issues that need funding and public awareness it was to aggravating to remain silent on the insult offered to all those in true need of assistance.

For me the weeks around Christmas have always been a period of desolation and darkness, my focus to simply survive. This past week has been a struggle to overcome the urge to close the blinds, turn up the music and retreat under the covers. It has been an act of self-discipline to merely get out of bed and out the door into the world.

I was thrilled to read what Lincolnposte had to say about social change and how we as humans seem to be trying to go about it. And Jodi Taylor's brave post about changing the world made my heart smile.

I feel really good about talking about change from the roots on up. In other words changing ourselves before trying to change others. For me, learning how to do this has been a real struggle. How do I do this gently and with kindness? (the tendency has been to be violent and impatient with myself I.e "what's wrong with you, self? Hurry up and stop being so judgmental" or whatever the change in question may be. The point is do you notice how silly it is to try to combat the judgemental thing with self-judgement being the starting point?

For me there is no change until there is systemic change.  As long as we have the corporate, fiat/fractional reserve monetary system we will only chase the horrible crashes (eco, economic, social) that are inevitable when everyone has a car (uses that systems).  Our current economic ideological economic appartuses, which are predicated on exploitation, competition and greed will never imbue direct democracy, social justice and sustainability.