History of Events & Postings
April 2008
Iraq War Statement (as published in the Cortez Journal):
After five years of military involvement in the Iraq war, the members of the Green Party in Southwest Colorado, can no longer remain silent about this colossal mistake carried out in our names. Our concerns are based upon the Ten Key Values of the Green Party of the United States.
1. Grassroots Democracy: In a democracy, an informed electorate is necessary to guide elected officials. We have received misinformation on Iraq from our leaders from the beginning, and it continues to this day. Lies prevent informed decision-making.
2. Social Justice and Equal Opportunity: The elite in this country, both in government and business, have started and directed a war to be fought and financed by others for the benefit of the elite. In a true national emergency a military draft would be employed to equally distribute the burden. At a spending rate of $12 billion per month, 40 thousand $10,000 scholarships could be awarded every single day, instead, primarily lower and middle class citizens are killed and maimed.
3. Ecological Wisdom: Iraq’s oil will eventually make it to market no matter who is in control of the country. The enormous cost of this war could have been used in developing sustainable energy resources at home instead of fighting over diminishing supplies of crude oil.
4. Non-violence: The Green Party is not pacifist and allows for the possibility of war under certain circumstances; however, our initial aggression towards Iraq, as well as our continued occupation are unjustified.
5. Decentralization: The decision to invade Iraq was made by a few in the Executive Branch. Congress did not declare war, as the Founding Fathers intended. After the war started, Congress was cowed into inaction, and the will of the majority of the people to leave Iraq has not been heeded.
6. Community Based Economics and Economic Justice: The number of soldiers from rural and poor areas is disproportionately high. It is a war fought by the poor to enrich the wealthy. The staggering cost of this war could be used to bring economic opportunity to many areas of our own country.
7. Feminism and Gender Equality: We support all of the women and men who choose to serve in the armed forces and regret that they are asked to risk their lives in an unjustifiable war.
8. Respect for Diversity: Our assumption that Iraq wanted and needed United States style democracy was flawed and condescending. Our efforts to force this type of government on them have resulted in chaos and divisiveness throughout their country.
9. Global Responsibility: We can only lead the world if we have the moral credentials to do so. In our invasion of Iraq, however, we have lost the moral authority given us by the 9-11 attacks. Our standing in the eyes of the world has been degraded by our use of excessive force. We must restore the belief that the United States is an honorable as well as powerful country.
10. Future Focus: The action of the United States in Iraq was undertaken with little, if any, consideration of the outcomes. As a result, we have squandered our one time government surplus. The Iraq war is a disastrous chapter in our country’s history. We must, with all due haste, end our military involvement there. If we do not, how many generations will end up paying for their elder’s costly blunder?
March 27, 2008
Rally to end Iraq War, Mancos, at Hwy’s 187 and 160.
April 24, 2008
Dr. Theo Coborn, of TEDEX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange), spoke on the health effects of chemicals and products used in natural gas production.
October 26, 2007
Annual High School Forum: “Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport”.
April 21, 2007
Free showing of Al Gore’s movie, “An Inconvenient Truth”.
February 15, 2007
Food Forum: Eating at Home, A Movement to Restore a Local Agricultural Economy
The Southwest Colorado Greens sponsored a public panel discussion on the future of local agriculture, featuring the economic viability of small independently owned businesses that supply farm produce to the community. The panel consisted of five small local producers and one retailer, who were asked to focus on the types of local products, outlet choices, the current organizational network, obstacles to local marketing, and the perceived opportunities available to local producers
Panelist included John Sutfliffe of Sutcliffe Winery, Mellisa Betrone of Rude Becky’s Flower Farm, Sara Wakefield of Zuma Natural Foods, Rosie Carter of Stone Free Farm, Cindy Dvergsten of Arriola Sunshine Farms, and Josh Boren of Lazy R/Z Ranch. Jim Dyer facilitated the discussion.
How does supply compare with demand. Statistics offered by Jim Dyer.
Montezuma County spends about 2 million on beef, 2 million on fruit, and 2 million on vegetables annually.
One of the major problems defined by the panelists and audience is that maintaining a year-round supply of many food items is not possible because of the climate and short growing season. Local producers can somewhat keep up with demand for local beef and lamb but local poultry is not possible because there is no USDA processing plant. Otherwise, the supply of local growers is insufficient to meet seasonal demand for eggs, all fruit except apples, and most vegetables. Some panelists mentioned the conflict between offering affordable products for local consumers while maintaining an acceptable profit margin.
Retail businesses that sell local farm products are Zuma Natural Foods in Mancos and the Dolores Food market. Several area restaurants buy local farm produce. Some of the liquor stores sell locally made wines and beers.
2005
Alternative Energy Forum
In November of 2004, Colorado voters passed the Colorado Renewable Energy Initiative, requiring state utilities that serve over 40,000 customers to generate or purchase at least 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2015. With the passage of this bill, the first state-wide vote of its kind, Colorado is on its way to cleaner air and energy independence. While the initiative may introduce some challenges, it also provides the incentive for new economic opportunities in renewable technology and will give energy consumers more clean-energy options.
In 2005, the Southwest Colorado Greens sponsored a panel discussion to promote public awareness of the renewable and alternative energy technologies available to the community. The response from prospective panelists was enthusiastic! Participants included representatives of our own electric coop who discussed Empire Electric’s “Green Power” program. Other panelists provided information on biodiesel technology, solar technology, wind-generated power, energy efficient construction, and energy conservation
With the support of citizens, Colorado has the opportunity to become a leader in renewable and alternative energy technologies. The more businesses, organizations, institutions, government entities, and individuals that get involved in renewable energy, the faster these technologies will evolve and become affordable alternatives to imported energy. Be part of the solution.
October 15, 2004
Southwest Colorado Greens voting guide/ recommendations.
July 10, 2003
Auto Insurance Forum, on Colorado’s change from no-fault to tort system.
June 27, 2003
Annual summer picnic, featuring local beef from Richard Kipp of Pleasant View, processed in Yellow Jacket by Dick Lee.
April 26, 2003
Hosts for Green Party of Colorado State Meeting, in Cortez. 53 people from 11 Chapters attend.
February 27, 2003
Forum on Iraq with background history provided by Tom Eckenrode, Fort Lewis College.
February 12, 2003
Organizational meeting to form a Durango area Green Party chapter.
October 8, 2002
Sponsored County Commission and Sheriff candidate debate at Dolores Community Center. 125 people attend.
September 17, 2002
First annual High School Forum, held at Montezuma Cortez High School.
July 2, 2002
Sponsor coffee for Allison “Sunny” Maynard, Green Party candidate for Colorado Attorney General.
November 28, 2001
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge slide show and discussion.