The opinion piece “Suing the Olympia Food Co-op is Anti-Olympia,” Sept 23, 2011, once again avoids the elephant in the room that is Israel’s human rights abuses against Palestinian. It is sidestepping the crux of the lawsuit to not discuss Palestinian human right when the lawsuit is about the boycott of Israeli goods. It is Oly-er than thou to think a local paper is above conflict in our community by claiming both sides are wrong.
The article asserts that the boycott is insignificant. This makes no sense. Last month investigative journalist Ali Abuninmah uncovered the meeting between Israeli Consul General Akiva Tor, right-wing StandWithUs, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, and local pro-Israel activists. This was Tor’s second visit to Olympia since the boycott passed. He also visited The Evergreen State College in September 2010 because of student vote in support for divesting from companies that support Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
Since the boycott of Israeli goods passed, it is now illegal for Israeli citizens to vocalize support for boycott, divestment and sanctions and if Israelis break this law, they face substantial fines. It seems the Israeli government is attempting to export this kind of silencing to Olympia.
Yet we deal with our own kind of silencing in Olympia. It is the kind of silencing that refuses to take a stand on the Israel /Palestine conflict. It is the kind of silencing that blames the person who raised the question or took the action, instead of the person who is perpetrating the abuse.
What is worse is OPL’s assertion that people who support the boycott just care about their “issue.” Palestinians aren’t an ‘issue.” They are human beings who are no different than people who live in Olympia. To refuse to see that every human life matters, whether living in Olympia or Palestine isn’t just provincial, it’s borderline jingoism.
People who support the boycott are co-op members and care about Olympia. It isn’t shameful or anti-Olympia to also care for Palestinians and see them as equally human beings. Actually, caring for people equally reflects our shared values.
Next time OPL has a choice of acting Oly-er than thou or being proud Olympians and global citizens, let’s hope OPL chooses the later.
Anna-Marie Murano
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As a result of reading issue #44 of Olympia Power and Light my thoughts and feelings about the Co-op’s Israeli boycott finally crystallized. (Thank you Olympia Power and Light; it feels good to finally have an opinion!)
David Langstaff’s letter printed in that issue reports that:
“Activist members who advocated for the boycott of Israeli goods, such as myself, did so precisely because it aligns with the Co-op’s admirable mission to join the provision of healthy, local food to the work of creating a more just and sustainable world.”
I read a few pages later in the Events Calendar that there are two films within two days being shown at the Capitol Theater having to do with justice and sustainability: Farmageddon and Fresh. As I read the blurbs about the films’ content I have my “aha” moment: Farmageddon and Fresh are concerned with justice and sustainability in regards to—food! The production, distribution, availability, and consumption of local, sustainable, health-enhancing food free from the jack-booted thug tactics of federal agencies designed to suppress said activity.
Now as heart-rending as the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is, I am dismayed as a South Sound consumer that finds it really challenging to procure, say, pastured chicken eggs or butter from grass-fed cows, to discover that the only obvious outlet for such products, the Co-op, is apparently supposed to focus its limited resources on intractable political situations in the far-flung reaches of the globe.
Why not instead work positively here in South Sound to support justice and sustainability in “the provision of healthy local food” by connecting local consumers with local producers in as many retail outlets as can be created to support the changing food paradigm. The more people that become consumers of sustainably-produced and locally-sourced food the better chance we have to overthrow the food oligarchy that threatens our health and the health of our planet.
Michele Kelly, Olympia
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While an editorial is, well, your opinion, it should be based on facts…or at least make reference to facts. Isn’t that what you (rightly) take the Olympian to task for? The recent editorial on the Food Co-Op lawsuit stating your opinion on how lawsuits are not always the best way to settle disputes is, I believe, right on. It’s the reason I no longer practice law. However, to claim that to sue is not the “Olympia Way” is not only a stretch and revisionist but also woefully naïve.
I have no idea about the specifics of the suit nor any relationship with the parties involved. The “Olympia Way” to the extent there is one, is in fact protest first and talk (if at all) later. History is replete with many examples, often involving Evergreen students and faculty, who protest first and then try to figure out what is the goal(s). Olympia “principles”? Come on. Sure it would be beneficial if at times if the world, much less Olympia, worked that way but it doesn’t often happen and there are many instances where it shouldn’t. Aren’t you the ones who often comment about the frequent deleterious effects of the “Northwest Nice” pattern of delay and avoidance in the name of bipartisanship?
Bitch about the substance of the suit and prognosticate its likelihood of success, but to chastise the plaintiffs for allegedly saying that they “screw talking” and are violating some mythical code in Olympia seems to indicate more of your animus about the cause then indignation at the method.
Oh, and by the way the right to sue is NOT in the Constitution. It is derived from statutory and common law and is in fact an indispensable component of a fair and just society.
Russ Lehman
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I am writing as a new community member and resident of Olympia. I’m moving here from farther north and chose this area because of it’s rich, and generational community of justice and peace. I discovered your paper just the other day and read the editorial titled “Suing the Olympia Food Co-op is Anti-Olympia.” I had a personal involvement in one aspect of the history of this local issue and was impressed with the viewpoint expressed in the article and how it represents what I hope to be moving into; a collaborative heartfelt community. My experience with this issue was as an outside neutral who did not live in this community. I took part in one specific moment that was overlooked in the editorial, yet I believe supports it’s message. There was a community meeting during this dialogue, and occurred prior to the new board election, and prior to the unfortunate lawsuit.
While I assume the good intent of the community was the driving force behind this public meeting where over 300 neighbors showed up to voice their opinions on the topic, the planning and forethought put into this meeting was lacking and the dialogue failed. It was conceived more in a crisis mode than as a well-thought out strategy. As one who works and lives in this spirit of collaboration (as it seems those at this newspaper also live), I want to further the discussion of healing and resolving the community divide over this issue.
I’d like to suggest with a deep breath, and a moment of pointed intent that a better planned collaborative process for resolving this issue is still possible. This is my suggestion and plea as a once-outsider, newly found member of the Olympia community.
This too is the kind of Olympia I believe we all want.
Marc Steiner
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A journey back through Olympia City Council’s recent history reminds us of an era rife with controversy, divisiveness and a brand of Jersey politics that was out of sync with our community’s values. In 2009 Olympia voters reacted, and we elected new councilmembers who promised to engage and listen to the community in a respectful way, while working towards a vision of a thriving downtown free of special interest money. Stephen Buxbaum was one of those candidates and this year he is running for mayor.
Olympia has a “weak mayor” form of government (where the mayor lacks full executive and veto power). This doesn’t mean our mayor’s role is merely ceremonial as Dick Pust has publicly proclaimed. He sees the job as one of city ambassador. We need and must insist on more from our mayor as they will set council agenda and be one of seven votes, two very important points to remember when considering your vote.
While Pust’s love of Olympia is indisputable, it does not uniquely qualify him for the job of mayor. In fact, he has yet to clearly outline where he stands on important issues and assure voters that he has the
leadership skills necessary to lead the council.
In contrast Buxbaum has consistently shown a clear understanding of the many aspects of city government and, through his work the past 2 years, has demonstrated the ability to navigate the choppy waters of an often fragmented council.
As in 2009, I hope Olympia voters will carefully consider their vote and select the candidate who has an already impressive record of city accomplishments, strong leadership skills and the vision necessary to move our city forward. That candidate is Stephen Buxbaum.
Darren Mills