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| Slavery is still a reality -- even here.
But we can get beyond hand-wringing about it.
Good
news: Something is being done! The "Trafficking Victims Protection Act of
2000" has just passed the House.
[10/7/00] |
Some weeks ago we added to this web a short book
review by Jean Rodenbough of Disposable People:
New Slavery in the Global Economy, by Kevin Bales. This
book offers clear evidence of the continuing reality of modern slavery
-- the trafficking in human beings, usually for sexual exploitation or
labor exploitation in sweatshops.
Click here for the
review.
Soon after that review appeared here, we noted the
release of a CIA study which confirms the reality of this evil -- from a
source not usually given to handwringing over the sufferings of the
poor.
Now in the U.S. Senate a bill has been introduced to
take very specific steps toward limiting this terrible practice. Sen.
Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota) has introduced a bill (S.2414) entitled
"Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000."
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, in a lead
editorial published on April 21, 2000, noted that the bill (and two
similar ones) would "use foreign-aid funds to educate women and
children about the risks of dealing with people who promise them
employment in some prosperous country," and would authorize
sanctions against foreign governments that allow trafficking. And within
the U.S., "the legislation would authorize stiff penalties -- up to
life in prison -- for those convicted of trading in human beings. To
make convictions more likely, the bills would allow victims to remain in
the United States long enough to receive counseling or other treatment
and to testify against their tormentors."
Click here for details in a press release
from Sen. Wellstone's office.
Click here for a summary of
the bill, furnished by the Senator's office.
Click
here for a summary and the full text of the bill. At the
"Thomas" site, find the search box "By Bill Number,"
type in S.2414, and you're on your way!
As more information on this subject becomes available,
we'll add it here.
 Do you have comments, arguments, ideas? Send a note
from here!
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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