I don't want to start a political debate on the list, but the comments about
what's going on re the WTO here in Seattle are way off the mark. Quickly,
the protestors are *not* against world trade. That's absurd. Here's some of
what they *are* concerned about (according to abcnews.com.):
----------
SWEATSHOPS - Labor groups including the AFL-CIO and Teamsters say the World
Trade Organization's push for free trade encourages developing countries to
exploit one of their biggest advantages: a large pool of workers willing to
accept abysmal working conditions and low pay.
FOOD SECURITY - Farmers in many countries worry that the WTO's goal of
reducing tariffs on imported food will threaten farmers' livelihoods and
endanger the security of heavy food-importing nations.
ENVIRONMENT - Demonstrators say the organization contributes to the deaths
of thousands of sea turtles every year. They cite a WTO trade-dispute panel
that ruled last year in favor of Southeast Asian countries that challenged a
U.S. law requiring turtle-excluding devices on boats selling shrimp to the
United States.
CHINA AND HUMAN RIGHTS - The Clinton administration supports China's recent
bid to join the WTO, saying membership will boost China's economy and bring
it into line with Western standards of human rights. But labor and
human-rights activists say China is likely to continue human-rights abuses.
----------
Obviously, even half-jokingly, the Europa airplane is or would not be a bone
of contention. Although you may consider your hangar to be a sweatshop
during the bird's construction! Certainly, the wages are paltry.
- Dan Davids
Seattle
> From: "Kevin Pilcher" <kpeng@waverider.co.uk>
> Subject: Europa ant the WTO
>
>
>> Just a quick note from Seattle.
>>
>> If you haven' been watching the news (busy building or flying I hope)
>> there is a large protest and riots etc. etc. going on in Seattle about the
>> world trade organization. Apparently the WTO is a bunch of smart guys in
>> suits who talk about world trade and don't really do much of anything.
>>
>> The protestors don't like world trade very much and think we should all
> keep
>> to our own countries or something like that. They also like to break
> things
>> and some were dressed like turtles (I think they were from New Zealand).
>>
>> I find it ironic that right now a container full of Europa kits (5 kits)
> is
>> arriving in Seattle - directly from Europe - in the midst of all this
> junk,
>> and this Saturday Cliff Shaw and I will unload and distribute them to
> their
>> new owners. I guess we are sneaking them in right under the protestors
>> noses!!
>>
>> Free trade lives!! Also I have made lots of friends all over the world now
>> because of this plane and want to thank all of you (especially Tony K -
>> sorry for the turtle thing) for all your help in building one great little
>> airplane!!
>>
>> Bob (duck hear comes some tear gas) Jacobsen
>> Proudly building A131
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