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| That choking haze and orange mid-morning sun we saw here in Pennsylvania are mild hints compared to what has happened, hints of the horrific and widespread heart-breaking devastation as far away wildfires burn in Canada. |
Natural disasters (storms- fires- floods) bring loss, huge personal
and public loss and life long suffering. Loss of life, homes, loved
ones, cherished places and valuable things. That choking haze and orange
mid-morning sun we saw here in Pennsylvania are mild hints compared to
what has happened, hints of the horrific and widespread heart-breaking
devastation as far away wildfires burn.
Man-made devastation from terrorism and state sponsored violence lasts longer than any storm or wildfire ever known.
Bully tactics and modern war in our post-1948 world of international
law, UNIVERSAL human rights, and sophisticated technology are always the
worst choice with increasingly terrible consequences.
In the 1930s & 40s IBM's technology was part of the Nazi
Holocaust. At that time computer technology was quite primitive and
much less invasive compared to computer technology, data processing and
automation now. All tools can be misused. IBM did not set out to make
machines that tyrants could use to calculate who to harass, who to
imprison, and who to kill. But it happened. Newspapers did not set out
to be the purveyors of ugly antisemitic cartoons and opinions. But it
happened.
What is happening in our world today...
Pollution from weaponry, starting with the mining of rare earth
minerals, through every stage of production, and the transport, and then
the deployment of all types of bombs, missiles, & toxic poisons.
Don't forget all the water & electricity hungry Data Centers used by
the military-industrial complex. It all adds up into multiple "bad"s
escalating into atrocious crimes against civilians.
Some people profit from war, but most people suffer because of war.
They pay with their lives, their loved ones' lives, or their homes. And
we are forced to fund war and injustice with our taxes. Taxes that
should be paying for people's needs and a better way forward for all our
communities near and far.
Jobs created by the weapons industry bring temporary economic relief
to some- while inflicting immense pain and suffering on many many many
more.
Trillions have already been spent on modern wars. How much more money will be wasted on our war mongering ways? !!!!
Jobs created by empathy centered sectors such as schools, libraries,
museums, farms & farm markets, parks, land management, weather
forecasting, environmental protections, repair shops, and every other
life affirming and helpful career (including the creation of good books
and magazines as well as news-you-can-use great journalism and charity
for "others") are all good for the economy, good for America, good for
the planet, good for diplomacy, and good for peace... A pervasive,
inclusive peace where all children have a chance for a hope filled
future.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
Notes
*"Rare earth elements enable advanced radar, sonar, laser guidance, communication, and propulsion technologies, ensuring superior precision, stability, and resilience in combat environments." https://www.sfa-oxford.com/knowledge-and-insights/critical-minerals-in-low-carbon-and-future-technologies/critical-minerals-in-defence-and-national-security/
* NPR: When journalists talk about 'great journalism,' here's what they mean- Describing excellent journalism is the first step to being a good journalist https://www.npr.org/sections/npr-public-editor/2025/05/01/g-s1-63806/when-journalists-talk-about-great-journalism-heres-what-they-mean
NOTES
https://anniesnewletters.blogspot.com/search/label/Notes
‘They want to break our will’: Gaza flotilla activist tells of rape in Israeli detention... Anna Liedtke files criminal complaint in Israel over alleged attack by female guards and says abuse was intended to silence campaigners
Why does the US want to ‘dismantle’ the international criminal court? Marco Rubio has offered nonsensical rationale in attacking the court. The Trump administration’s real goal is impunity
Near daily Israeli attacks have continued in Gaza despite a ceasefire announced in October, killing 1,127 Palestinians and injuring 3,643 since then, according to the Gaza health ministry. In its daily report, the ministry said four people were killed in the past 24 hours, and 28 were wounded.
MIFTAH: Targeting the Witness Not the Crime... The issue is no longer confined to Palestine. It becomes a question about the future of international law and accountability for EVERYONE. Protection of civil society, lawyers, and human rights defenders is NOT OPTIONAL, it is essential for truth, justice, and the demand for accountability
Tent of Nations (ToN) is an educational and ecological family farm committed to nonviolent resistance, environmental stewardship, intercultural education, and connecting people with the land. It serves as a living model of nonviolent action and faith-based community building, within the context of Palestine and the world.
"The Nasser family are a Palestinian Christian family who have owned this farm for over 100 years. But 35 years ago, the Israeli authorities declared his farm and the surrounding area to be State land. Ever since then, the family have been engaged in a struggle to register and protect their farm. And with each passing year, settlements encroach on more and more of their land. But the Nassars continue their Tent of Nations work with steadfast nonviolence and faith, living their message every day: “We refuse to be enemies.” They are an example of creative, hopeful, Christian resistance to injustice and they need the support of Christians around the world. During my visit today I had the honour of planting an olive tree on the Nasser farm. At a time when many Palestinian Christians are leaving, olive trees are a symbol of their deep roots in this land..." Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury
In Israel’s prisons, torture and death have become a norm that it barely tries to hide: The suffering of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya is no isolated case. The abuse of Palestinian detainees is happening in plain sight, yet nothing changes
RED CROSS ICRC: In armed conflicts, AI systems can fail, be manipulated or produce unreliable results. That is why decisions involving the use of force must remain under meaningful human control. Machines may support judgement. They must never replace human responsibility.
The ICRC is concerned that the use of AI in the military could accelerate the pace and scale of warfare, increase unpredictability and reduce human control over the use of force, creating serious risks for civilians.
AI systems are particularly vulnerable to failure in adversarial environments, where opponents may deliberately try to deceive or manipulate the systems, such as by tampering with data or exploiting weaknesses.
The ICRC emphasizes a human-centred approach because humans – not
machines – remain legally responsible for decisions involving the use of
force. Human judgement is essential to ensuring compliance with IHL and
protecting civilians. AI systems should support human decision-making,
rather than impair or replace it.
Bea Foster tells MEE she was left 'heartbroken' after being forced out of anti-racism charity [that she helped to found] over Facebook post in which she called Israel an 'apartheid state' ... "APARTHEID – IT WASN'T OKAY IN SOUTH AFRICA. IT WASN'T OKAY IN NAZI GERMANY. WHY IS IT OKAY IN PALESTINE?"
NPR: Israeli forces have been pushing deeper into Gaza in recent months. At the start of the ceasefire in October, the military controlled around half of the territory, along what is called the "yellow line." Israel's military now controls nearly 70% of Gaza [PALESTINE]
"We believe that all people are born free and equal, and advocate for everyone to have the same basic human rights, regardless of their race, sex, nationality, religion or any other status."
The Power of BDS: Our Impact So Far In 2026 ... DIVESTING from Genocide
"At the very moment that the Israeli regime, with the support of the United States, is pursuing the dismantlement of UNRWA in violation of international law, there can be no accommodation of political projects designed to facilitate its replacement. UNRWA was established by General Assembly Resolution 302 because the international community failed to implement Palestinian refugees' rights under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194. Its mandate therefore remains exclusively under the authority of the General Assembly until those rights—including return, restitution, compensation, and reparation—are fulfilled. It cannot be transferred, conditioned, or terminated through political arrangements." Statement by BADIL and GPRN “Dismantling UNRWA: “The Board of Peace” Agenda”
DEAR AMERICA
Pushing all commerce online to "Save A Tree" ends up decimating numerous forests and fields for energy and water hungry Data Centers. CEOs and our elected leaders take huge profits while taxpayers are left with escalating losses, including the surging loss of land and water for hyperscale Data Centers.
Anti-immigrant legislation and excessive funding for ICE are more about protecting wealthy people and corporations, who can hire illegals knowing that the workers and their families will be too afraid to complain about dangerous working conditions, low pay, long hours, and slum landlord housing.
You can't win a modern war. You can destroy homes & families, you can usurp land & resources from the rightful owners, and you can undermine & destroy a free press and the fourth estate- but people worldwide have memories, as well as a sense of right and wrong that cannot be bombed into oblivion.
STOP THE BOMBS and the bigotry, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop accepting bribes & propaganda & bad advice from a very foreign country that seeks to destroy support for UNIVERSAL human rights and the rule of fair and just laws.
Along the way we learned that slavery is wrong. We learned that domestic violence is wrong. We learned that racist hate is wrong. SO WHY are we funding Israel and why are we bombing Iran for Israel!!!
Violence is a problem- not the answer
"Attacks on critical infrastructure are not only about what is destroyed, but also about the people left without what they need to live. Even wars have limits and they must be respected." ICRC Red Cross
The power of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the power of ideas to change the world. It inspires us to continue working to ensure all people can gain freedom, equality and dignity...
In 1945, 50 nations came together in San Francisco to create a new organization for peace, prosperity & human rights- the United Nations
"The United Nations is the only place on Earth where all the world's nations come together to discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. This intergovernmental organization born out of the ashes of the Second World War remains indispensable to the pursuit of world peace, justice, equality and sustainable development" https://www.un.org/en/
The right of refugees to return to homes and lands they were expelled from is an individual right and cannot be unilaterally abrogated by third parties. https://imeu.org/resources/resources/fact-sheet-palestinian-refugees-the-right-of-return-under-international-law/441
"Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world..." https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
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