The current conflict between the indigenous Wabanaki and the State of Maine reminded me of the need for better cross-cultural communication made possible by unmediated understanding. One tool in conflict resolution is the Values Orientations Method developed by the Florence R. Kluckhohn Center. Stepping back from misunderstanding and misanthropy to examine conflicting cultural orientations is something we all can benefit from, although, it works best when all parties participate with an open mind.

US agencies contribute $125 million to support white oligarchy of Bolivia attempting to steal 97% of Bolivia’s natural gas reserves. Real News reports on right-wing landed class secession movement.

Independent writers continue to experience brutal incarceration in Cuba and China. PEN looks at individual cases worldwide of journalists and authors tortured for criticizing tyrannical governments.

Ainu people of Hokkaido seek resolution with Japanese government under UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

While the British economic model of global pillage continues under its US progeny, indigenous parliamentarians at the UN offer a new model for living.

Aboriginal leaders in Australia meet to discuss building an indigenous future.

American Friends Service Committee has a special Youth and Militarism webpage to help protect young people from becoming fodder for the arms industry.

Americans are so helpless. They complain about war and violence, and then whine that there’s nothing they can do. But there is; it’s called civic involvement.

If they want to stop militarism and the associated violence against women, people in the US can start or join groups in their communities to prevent military recruitment and indoctrination in their public schools. They can educate their children to reject violent behavior and boycott violent consumer products. They can oppose siting of military bases and arms industry factories in their counties. They can inform others about the connections between militarism, pornography, prostitution, human trafficking, and violence against women. They can demand that their political candidates reject bribery from these industries in the form of campaign contributions.

With so much to do, who has time to be cynical?

Real News TV looks at the challenge to Tibetan cosmology and autonomy from the indigenous independence struggle.

Mapuche building political party to confront Chilean state. Inviting non-Mapuche to join in constructing regional autonomy key to plan for decentralized democracy.