For Better or Worse -- Part Two

More changes for the better ...

• In the US there is a move increasingly against capital punishment for minors, "handicapped", cases of likely racial/ethnic/political discrimination, due to numerous cases proved innocent via DNA and other new tests.

• The US, Canada and European countries are returning artifacts and physical remains to indigenous groups (or from sites of classical civilizations -- Greek, Roman, etc.) for their possession and ceremonial receptions.

• Pressures increasing for the USA to "rejoin the world" regarding commitment to treaties, removal of military bases, reversal of "imperial" policies.

• Developments in Latin America to create their own continental media, trade agreements, inter-national commitments of diverse natures, vs. USA dominance.

• Tobacco smoking has decreased remarkably in USA (though commercially "pushed" in Third World countries), due mainly to education and working on the "demand" side, not the supply side.

• Environmental movement is beginning to alter our behavior and those of other peoples, some of which are "way ahead of us" in making changes.

• The International Criminal Court (ICC), Truth Commissions, and domestic tribunals are arising to bring violators of "human rights" to accountability.

• The USA Interior Department is being forced to recognize the maltreatment of Native Americans re: lands, culture, languages, religion, millions of $$ never paid them for timber, mining, and other royalties due them.

• The number of American students "studying abroad" has been rising, or language fluency more often expected, and "Third World" being involved.

• Japan recently changed its policy so that women can "ascend to the throne"!

• Women have increasingly held top political positions (Presidents, Premiers) in other nations; and in the USA women have increased their representation in Congress and legislatures, as Judges and Governors, and in Cabinet offices in recent times.

• Under President Chorea, Ecuador has included in its new Constitution, wording that recognizes environment being in care of its citizens, to be protected, preserved. (Though corporations have a way of pressuring "citizens" to agree to projects that will violate their environments.)

Versions of this article have previously appeared in the North Country Peace Builder (November, 2008) and the newsletter of the Twin Cities Friends Meeting (January, 2009).