From the Stacks: March 10, 2006

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The pages of the latest Earth First! reverberate with reactions to the recent arrests of environmental activists. Talk of 'snitches' abound as Earth First!ers wonder where to go from here. One writer, 'Josh,' makes the argument that 'this Green Scare is a public relations scheme' meant to distract people from recent political scandals. While there has been tough talk of treating these ecoteurs as 'terrorists,' Josh points out that the defendants were never charged under terrorism statutes. But the March/April issue highlights some positive developments too. 'EF! In the Big Easy?' centers on one member's humanitarian activities in post-Katrina New Orleans, while 'Peak Opportunity!' finds optimism in the prospect of 'peak oil.' -- Bennett Gordon

The March issue of New Mobility, the monthly magazine about 'Life on Wheels,' has two wonderful artist profiles: impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir and DJ $hortness (Rynita McGuire). The juxtaposition of these two talents might seem jarring at first, but it all comes down to the essence of art. 'The pain passes, but the beauty remains,' Renoir said of painting through the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. A century later, DJ $hortness tells New Mobility, 'Music and creating things are deep in my soul. I love sharing a part of me with the world. When I'm up there doing my thing, I'm more than that girl in the wheelchair.' -- Beth Petsan

The newest issue of The Chronicle of Philanthropy covers the charity workers in Iraq who are truly 'in harm's way.' In a place where help is sorely needed, humanitarian workers are facing grave danger from bomb attacks, shootings, and kidnappings. The biweekly newspaper profiles one group, Christian Peacemaker Teams, which employs the strategy of physically 'getting in the way' of potential harm. The pacifist organization has been in the headlines since four of its members were abducted in November. (As of March 9, they had not been released, though Al Jazeera aired a video of three of the men two days earlier.) Most relief groups in Iraq are trying to keep a lower profile, the impetus for which is explained in an article entitled 'Charity Under Fire.' The special section on the war also contains a moving memorial, 'The Wounds of War,' with pictures of some of the people who have lost their lives in Iraq for the sake of humanitarian causes. -- Bennett Gordon

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