a land of Tibet

Through My Eyes

With the demonstrations and the season's work in the Grove I still haven't had time to work on the sculpture of Tara Drolma. I thought I'd bring us another of the letters that I hope will help. This one is to the leaders of the AFL-CIO ( American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations) labor union.

Greetings,

I am writing to ask for both your support and wisdom as a fellow union member.

I am with PS &T, bargaining unit number five.

The matter of which I am speaking may seem exotic yet I hope I can convey how close to our way it is. This is the behaviour of the communist Chinese government in Beijing and it's blatant disregard for human life and dignity particularly in the nation of Tibet whose country it stole in the 1940's. I have been studying this matter for over ten years so this statement represents my considered opinion.

In addition to oppressing,murdering, and deceiving their own people, this regime has engaged in a program of religious oppression and cultural genocide in Tibet whose cruelty defies description. I can provide more supporting information on request. Simply put, they practice evil. Yet this nation continues to support the Beijing regime. Everywhere I go I see items “made in China” and indeed I have tremendous difficulty purchasing anything made in America anymore. And, unless we can prevail, or his mind changes, our President is going to share the stage for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics with Hu Jintao. Tibetans call Hu a “butcher” and with good reason. His rise to power was gained following a ruthless crackdown on peaceful protests in Lhasa in 1987. Eighty seven thousand Tibetans were brutally murdered simply for standing up for their rights.

Why should we be financing this monstrousity at the expense of American jobs? Why did this country receive the Olympic torch while every ideal we stand for is being spit on in Tibet?

I believe the union to which you and I belong is and always has been about fairness. It has always been about pride in one's work, human dignity and a good life for those who work for it as well as their families. Can we stand by silently while the loss of American prosperity is used to bankroll the torture and murder of the families of innocent courageous people?I have stood alongside Tibetans for some time now and the stories I have heard are the kind that make your throat thicken and your eyes fill with tears in the middle of a workday in an unguarded moment.

I say let us show the Chinese government what “Made in America” means. Made in America, freedom. Made in America, fairness. Made in America, human dignity and pride.

I was present during a protest in Washington recently. There were really only a relatively few Americans standing beside the few thousand Tibetans that had come from hundreds of miles to stand in the rain outside the White House. Someone had gotten some umbrellas and they were giving them out . And they were made in China. Naturally Tibetans returned them, by tossing them high over the crowd onto the threshold of the Chinese embassy where protests were later held. They were Americans too after all and that's what we do under such circumstances- is that not so?

Please help give the brave and peaceful people in Tibet a shelter made in America. Let us speak with one voice to inform our nations leaders that we won't support this destruction of our ideals with our hard won livelihood. I believe we had best face evil now while we still can and while a unique and precious culture and people yet exist on earth.

I earnestly look forward to your reply and hope to meet with you in person to discuss what specific steps we might take.

I am,

Yours in Solidarity,

Alan Lorefice

Labor unions are very much about people standing up for one another. Historically they have done much to reverse the oppression of hardworking people by those for whom wealth meant more than humanity. I think Tara Drolma would approve of that! We'll send this off and see what happens. There's a lot more to add but as usual two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one!

* courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions. The information for

the sketches is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje.

( please click here to return to my spinning for you!)


	Through My Eyes * With the demonstrations and the season's work in the Grove I still haven't had time to work on the sculpture of Tara Drolma. I thought I'd bring us another of the letters that I hope will help. This one is to the leaders of the AFL-CIO ( American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations) labor union. Greetings, I am writing to ask for both your support and wisdom as a fellow union member. I am with PS &T, bargaining unit number five. The matter of which I am speaking may seem exotic yet I hope I can convey how close to our way it is. This is the behaviour of the communist Chinese government in Beijing and it's blatant disregard for human life and dignity particularly in the nation of Tibet whose country it stole in the 1940's. I have been studying this matter for over ten years so this statement represents my considered opinion. In addition to oppressing,murdering, and deceiving their own people, this regime has engaged in a program of religious oppression and cultural genocide in Tibet whose cruelty defies description. I can provide more supporting information on request. Simply put, they practice evil. Yet this nation continues to support the Beijing regime. Everywhere I go I see items “made in China” and indeed I have tremendous difficulty purchasing anything made in America anymore. And, unless we can prevail, or his mind changes, our President is going to share the stage for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics with Hu Jintao. Tibetans call Hu a “butcher” and with good reason. His rise to power was gained following a ruthless crackdown on peaceful protests in Lhasa in 1987. Eighty seven thousand Tibetans were brutally murdered simply for standing up for their rights. Why should we be financing this monstrousity at the expense of American jobs? Why did this country receive the Olympic torch while every ideal we stand for is being spit on in Tibet? I believe the union to which you and I belong is and always has been about fairness. It has always been about pride in one's work, human dignity and a good life for those who work for it as well as their families. Can we stand by silently while the loss of American prosperity is used to bankroll the torture and murder of the families of innocent courageous people?I have stood alongside Tibetans for some time now and the stories I have heard are the kind that make your throat thicken and your eyes fill with tears in the middle of a workday in an unguarded moment. I say let us show the Chinese government what “Made in America” means. Made in America, freedom. Made in America, fairness. Made in America, human dignity and pride. I was present during a protest in Washington recently. There were really only a relatively few Americans standing beside the few thousand Tibetans that had come from hundreds of miles to stand in the rain outside the White House. Someone had gotten some umbrellas and they were giving them out . And they were made in China. Naturally Tibetans returned them, by tossing them high over the crowd onto the threshold of the Chinese embassy where protests were later held. They were Americans too after all and that's what we do under such circumstances- is that not so? Please help give the brave and peaceful people in Tibet a shelter made in America. Let us speak with one voice to inform our nations leaders that we won't support this destruction of our ideals with our hard won livelihood. I believe we had best face evil now while we still can and while a unique and precious culture and people yet exist on earth. I earnestly look forward to your reply and hope to meet with you in person to discuss what specific steps we might take. I am, Yours in Solidarity, Alan Lorefice Labor unions are very much about people standing up for one another. Historically they have done much to reverse the oppression of hardworking people by those for whom wealth meant more than humanity. I think Tara Drolma would approve of that! We'll send this off and see what happens. There's a lot more to add but as usual two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one! * courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions. The information for the sketches is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje. ( please click here to return to my spinning for you!)