Keep
it Wild Party to Benefit Arctic Wildlife Refuge
To
the Editors:
Amidst
the recent turmoil, tears and fears, inspiration, organization and
calls for peace over war, or war over peace, Ive sometimes
felt strange continuing my work on environmental issues. But despite
the difficulty, I know that now, more than ever, we must work to
protect our environmental laws and victories from rollback. A couple
of legislators have already tried to take advantage of the recent
tragedies to push their own agendas, such as opening up the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge in the name of national defense.
First, Senator Murkowski (R) from Alaska tried to tack an amendment
onto the National Defense Budget Bill, which called for immediate
opening of the Refuge, but denied it soon after immediate national
uproar. Then Senator Inhofe (R) from Oklahoma tried the same thing,
except this time attaching the entire controversial Bush energy
plan. After an even greater uproar 50 handwritten letters
were generated in one day in Oberlin alone he too has begun
to flip-flop, and though the amendment currently stands, its passage
faces decent bi-partisan opposition.
Dont let this fool you. With the attention of the nation turned
towards going to war or averting it, Bushs energy plan,
which, on top of opening the Refuge, involves increased subsidies
of nuclear and coal power, rolling back the clean air act, and drilling
in national monuments, has a better chance than ever of passing.
For this reason, among others, 5,000 students from all across the
country will be assembling in Washington D.C. for Econference2001.
Happening on the first weekend of Oberlins Fall Break, Oct.
19-21, Econference2001 will feature lots of great speakers, such
as Ralph Nader and Lois Gibbs, issue briefings, trainings and workshops,
followed by a day of lobbying our Representatives and Senators from
home and school. The lobbying will be coordinated with a marching
picket on K street, home to the most powerful industry lobbyists,
and a meeting with them. All of this will be happening right before
the Senate energy votes.
Many Oberlin organizations hope to send a total of 60 students to
Econference2001. To do this, weve been fundraising to pay
for registration, transportation, lodging and food. This Saturday,
well be holding Oberlins first Keep It Wild Party to
raise money for Econference2001 and public comments regarding important
environmental issues such as protecting the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge, and the 60 million acres of National Forest previously protected
by the Clinton administration.
The Keep It Wild Party will feature Freeform Technotic, the tightest
band on campus. They will be playing live improvised techno dance
grooves at Fairkid Co-op on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 p.m. to 11
p.m. for your dancing and political action needs. There will hopefully
be free food and hot drinks. Well be suggesting a $3 donation
at the door, with $1 off by writing a letter to the U.S. Forest
Service, urging them to protect our National Forests. Who says saving
the world cant be fun?
Ben
Newhouse
College sophomore
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