RECYLING USING MIXED MATERIALS OF ALL KINDS

[images from google images--just an assortment of recycled metal lanterns and glass lanterns--though the one with flowers, that is from Vintage Lifestyle--her link is on blog bar]

Greetings All,

not posting much---because I am Finally--Working, lol...on projects I've been procrastinating. And I'm excited!

I started working with Decoupaging 'glass jars'. I for so long have felt so much 'guilt' for throwing out glass jars, and thought, there Has to be Something I can do with these, and while browsing through some vintage sites, I saw these lovely 'jar lanterns that you can hang outside. What I Didn't know, is that you can decoupage Fabric onto jars-well,

That did it right there, LOL, I had been saving glass jars for about two months--when a good friend of mine, who cans everything from peaches to onions talked to me last summer about teaching me to can. A conversation we had Over jar recycling, she's a farm girl, Literally, grew up on the farm and knows just about every survival technique there is [she's in her eighties], well anyhow--not only was I saving some after finding an old 'canner' but another friend gave me tons of glass jars.

I thought, ok won't throw these out--that and I wanted to also do something with all these metal cans, we already recycle coffee cans, and I knew I could paint those, etc., so well anyway,

Lanterns, are the way to go. So, I took out all my decoupage materials, and started working on two small width jars, that I used to hold my incense sticks. I didn't want to use flower paper, and so I started to search the house--Lo and behold, I remembered I had some double copies of children's textbooks, that are somewhat vintage [70s, 60s] and thought, hey, try those,

Oh, Yes! The graphics and the fonts are just perfect, to make Cartoon like images, and I wanted to use black, white and red. Found the perfect images/font words and went to work--still have to varnish them, and embellish the wire with beading, and then will photograph them and post them here. They turned out great--not bad for first time decoupage on glass,

then, LOL, I became a bit 'addicted' and started decoupaging with fabric, tissue paper, even some old dried up glitter that I used as 'bits' that look like little bits of 'fools gold' on a small jar--to be used as a candle. So then creativity juices kicked in and what's the rocker is that its all RECYCLED, except for the Mod Podge and varnish-I will be using a Water based varnish---oil base will turn the 'white' images yellow--don't want that.

NOT sure about varnish on fabric, am going to hold off on that, do some experimenting on bits of fabric before applying to jar--

as for the hardened glitter--I had to put a lot of mod podge on them--and will be putting some double layers, I might even add a bit of adhesive, to keep them from rubbing off--as they are pretty thick. Thus far, they are staying on--knock on wood, but I didn't do a lot of research on how to keep 'embellishments' on glass, so trial and error there--for now.

Anyway--I love the black and white/comic images, and they are hip enough that they can be used in an office--what I was striving for, I went through tons of images online to get an idea of what I wanted, what I didn't want, etc. I was not that thrilled with the tissue paper ones I saw, but thought I'd try one anyway, I used silver, it still crinkled a bit--didn't get all the glue flattened but then, I sort of liked it--so kept it that way, and will be adding some stars and things from a winter wrapping paper. I left the blue around the stars, so they will be circles and will add tons of glitter--around them to 'blend' them in. I am doing these in sets and placing them together--

some will be candles, some will be lanterns, and some will be beaded hanging baskets. Then, while doing those---I have one of those light bulb ornaments, and thought, you know, Bet I could do something with old lightbulbs,

and so I will, just not sure What, yet.

One can make lanterns out of coffee cans too---a type of hole punch or metal punch, they are really pretty and they create light images/shadows on any surface the light hits. Here is an example, she sells hers on Etsy,

see link of artist recycled lamps on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MariposaAvenue">http://www.etsy.com/shop/MariposaAvenue

and where I found this idea, Among many Other GREAT recycling for Home Ideas--she has listed some AWESOME recycling projects, I shall be Busy Busy this summer--

http: //www.savvyhousekeeping.com/category/recycling/">http:
//www.savvyhousekeeping.com/category/recycling/

In fact, her listing is So Good I'm adding her to this blog, scroll through and see, the drawers turned into a bookshelf, the windows turned into a greenhouse, I mean these are some Brilliant Ideas! While I'll never have to shop again, LOL, except for podge and varnish and thread, LOL.

WHAT I PLAN ON DOING WITH MY 'PAINTED AND FABRIC LANTERNS--






So, anyway, so I'm getting inspired here, and have been, off and on, reading about 'natural dying' of fabrics, using berries, and LOL wouldn't you know, you need 'glass jars' to do this as well--and so, am adding another site to the blog-

where I first learned of natural dying with berries,

http://love-stitching-red.blogspot.com/search/label/Natural%20dyeing

and more 'detailed how to's' here: http://cathycullis.blogspot.com/2009/06/natural-dyes-part-one.html

Actually I first 'thought' of doing natural dying when cooking with blueberries, both canned and frozen, and I thought, hmmmm, wonder if I could dye fabric with these. And then, put it on the backshelf of my mind and then saw Love-Stitching Red's work with cranberries and elderberries, did some reading up on natural dyes and mordants [many company sold natural dyes aren't truly natural, so I found doing some research]. Alum is safe though--just not sure what to use it with-more research there needed,

anyway, I am going to experiment with some natural dyes this spring-summer, on little swatches of white and muslin colored cotton, from 'recycled' sheets/garments, see what I come up with. I want to try and use blueberry juice from frozen too, not sure how the 'sugar' content will effect, but what the heck--that and Pomengranites, why not? They stain everything on permanent, lol, and why not some wine?

Problem is, if I embroidery over them--bleeding, so might wash a few times, to check for that--and take it from there.

I like these mixed mediums, which I got into after learning 'crazy patchwork', because I had So many garments, that I was recycling and needed a way to incorporate them-with embroidery and well--now I'm incorporating more into my works. Thus far I've worked on purses and aprons [top segments or pockets of] and other items that can be used around the house--practical things, but sturdy enough to handle washing daily. I use aprons to clean---dishes, etc., but also to 'hold' those small items I pick up--why I got into aprons, making my own, because I don't like the ones that are flimsy after a couple of washes or that bind or that are well--just impractical. One idea leading into another--

and I wanted a background to embroidery my own artwork--that I could still sell and utilize in my activist work.

Its funny how one small idea can lead into a whole change of 'lifestyle', for me, its less consumption--meaning more funds to go where they are more needed, like relief work--less waste, and utilizing art for a cause. But who would think, that one can decorate an entire house-with Recycled projects?!!!!

I've done some recycling projects for the yard, garden, especially for Holidays, from scarecrows to flower arrangements using natural branches fallen from trees to straw found in trash--candle arrangements, so forth--then stopped for a year and a half, just no time...that and so busy with other work. But I've got the 'bug' again, now having done research and figuring just exactly 'how and where' I want to go with these types of projects, narrowing the focus down a bit so not to spread myself too thin OR accumulate too many 'things',

which is easy to do once you get into recycling--you can accumulate 'clutter' really fast if you are not careful. On that, I've learned to 'swap' and 'give away' materials that I know I Won't use--rather than having them clutter up my shed and garage. This goes for fabric too, I shop on Craigs now and then and at garage sales, esp those who are selling out their 'craft' or 'arts' business--often times I will have certain fabrics in a batch that I know I'll never use, e.g., fabrics with Native prints--just not the style I use in any of my work--and I found a woman that does 'landscape' quilting and she Does use those--so there you go,

and I get laces from her. Now if I could Just find someone who wants to unload buttons! They I think are some of the hardest things to find 'thrifty', in my area anyway.

Anyway, sometime this week I'll upload some photos, of these decoupage jars, they are fun to do and well

saving them from landfills, one jar at a time.

Oh, LOL, while learning how to 'crochet' [I could Kick myself for not paying attention when Nana attempted to teach me when I was a kid--that and tatting, arrrgh, though I did learn the embroidery], I have been seeing this 'felting' all over the place, and well, one day, I have just Got to learn this---I have tons of sweaters I could felt down--always find them in trash throw outs, people are so wasteful--anyhow, check out These cute little creatures, who can Resist learning how to make these!



kits sold here: http://www.achildsdream.com
/handwork_supplies/felting_crafts/needle_felting_kits.htm

What an Awesome way to recycle all those old wool sweaters and LOL, those shrunken wool pants of mine---shrunk by accident one fatal day.

Several of the embroidery-textile blogs use felting as a background of their artwork--its not something I want to do--but oh, those little birds and animals, can't resist learning to do those...and then using them in arrangements, of different sorts. It's really just amazing what one can do with a little bit of know-how, materials and recycled materials---with some labor. Those will be a later project however, can't take on too much at one time. But at least now--I can finally do something with the stained sweaters and shrunken pants, LOL.



Peace,

Jane

HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE YOU MIGHT ASK?

Well, One way--

is to be a wiser consumer--an ethical consumer. Another way, is to learn how to recycle, but not only recycle, how to RE=USE things, you might typically

throw away.

We hear all the time, re-use and recycle, but how many of us KNOW how to 're-use' and 'recycle'?

I'll give you an example, just this past month, I was cleaning out some old records. Now I had several, that I knew most likely I would not be able to get rid of. So, they've been sitting here,

and then, yesterday, I was browsing through Consumer Rebellion blog, and I saw this:




see how to's here: http://consumption-rebellion.blogspot.com/2009/04/rock-is-deadlong-live-paper-and.html

And then, This, from same blog [she's Brilliant btw, learning a lot reading her blog]




How to's here: http://consumption-rebellion.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-vinyl-record-crafting.html

Now, Who'd have thought you could do That?!!!!

So, then, last night, I'm cleaning out my 'stash' of beads and jewelry and junk, that I use for embroidery, and I have Tons, and really didn't want to hang onto any longer the metal jewelry, chains, etc., have way too much--so I thought,

hmmmm, maybe I could do something with them. But I really don't have the time, so I gathered what I know I won't use, this year, and am giving them away...but after I gathered them together I did some research, on using metals for mixed embroidery. I couldn't find many for embroidery, but I did find,

what they call 'Alt-Art', which one can use clay, woods, metals, paper, fabric, heck, Anything, and what these artists Do with these combinations is just awesome, from books to wall hangings to outdoor decor, you name it, they do it.

So, I am also, adding This today--its just one of many blogs, and I went ahead and posted it in a new 'blog' section, on the side bar, under How you Can recycle and create mixed medium art. The blog is: http://mixedmediamelange.blogspot.com/

I chose this blog because it shows a variety of different types of mixed media/mediums by different artists, so whether you have a lot of scrap booking materials [great for collages and it seems the big thing right now is reconstructing books], or if you use metals or jewelry, etc., this is a good starting place--on ideas of What to do, with all those extra's you may not use in your work--

these would also be good for teachers/homeschoolers, for community projects/group projects, so forth.

What is so great about these mixed mediums also is that Nothing is beyond re-use...AND its not just about creating 'junk' but real ART that one can use to decorate home or office. Some of these works go for quite a price in galleries, so,

with a little imagination, some inspiration and how-to's, who knows, even YOU can be, a Picasso! Later this month I will add some of the 'how-to's' blogs under the new section, to give you an idea of How to search...if you want to search now, I just put 'how to incorporate metals in mixed medium' or mixed medium paper art blogs...then I start searching from there.

IF no one picks up this bag of old jewels, which I do hope someone does, because I am not underestimating just how much 'stuff' I have and well if I work every single day--it still would take me about two years to use all that I have here, so hoping an alt-artist near me will take and enjoy [I'm giving them away--so don't have to do the whole sale thing, which is pain in butt anyway],

But if not, I think, this summer, I'll mesh them in bird houses and paint them. Or something--maybe some boxes, or something, not sure yet...I have seen how they used 'seashells' in clay and made boxes out of them. Bet you could do the same with old chains/jewels [that aren't in the best of shape] and paint them/plate paint or something...

anyway--just another way to Recycle, which is good, AND create works of art that can be given away as gifts or used in one's home or garden. I love the record-vases though, that is just Genius. Seriously Genius, and the Record Album 'gift' boxes--you know I bet you could cut up a lot of old record-cover albums too, collage/decoupage them and then make them into a book or journal cover, etc.

Anyway, IF you do decide to take up some projects like this, some advice, do your research first--so you know what materials to get, such as clays, etc., and if environmental safety is concern [and I hope it is] then do some research on the Indie-alt art blogs, on which things are not toxic or As toxic, etc., because these artists have been working on recycling for while, they know their stuff. I read a good article yesterday on Organic or Natural 'dyes',

many companies say 'natural' but they truly aren't, the mordants they use are highly toxic...I have found that many of the more informative sites on this topics are from the UK or from Australia, so its easier to look for blogs from those regions, saves you some time there.

Anyway, the more you know about the materials involved, i.e. what types of clays to use, glues, etc., you save money that way, since you aren't buying loads of things you may not need. Doesn't do any good to save income-consume less-and recycle if you are paying and buying for more prep materials than you need, etc. [I've gone though that, when learning decoupage, LOL, and the stores will sell you things you will never use--so you have to watch them, why its better to research first--Then shop for those prep-materials].

Also--see post below, I will be writing more on this, its too important to let fall by the wayside.

Till later,

Jane

WHY WE NEED TO LEARN ABOUT ETHICAL CONSUMPTION INCLUDING IN OUR CLOTHES

[see update--bottom]

Most, are aware of the sweatshops,

but, are we aware, of the abuses, of children, child labor--in the picking and producing of

cotton?

I will be adding some articles here, on the abuses, in some places where they are down right Horrid, in regards to the

COTTON SLAVERY

that we get our clothes from--

starting with Uzbekistan.

http://www.ejfoundation.org/page142.html

more on this to come later today and this week....so check back

Consumers should:

• Demand that all products containing cotton are clearly labelled stating the country of origin of the cotton fibre;
• Pick your cotton carefully - refuse to buy cotton products without certain knowledge that they have been produced without causing human rights abuses or environmental destruction;
• Choose products which have been certified as fair trade.

MORE INFO, ON THE INDUSTRY OF COTTON, AND THE SLAVERY-EXPLOITATION OF THIS MARKET...

http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/cotton-campaign

BTW, I first learned, of the 'cotton' exploitation, by stumbling on it, I was fully aware of the sweatshops and how that whole industry works, from corporate to the fashion industry, and I had wondered about the utilizing of what Could be, lands for agriculture for food, being used for cottons,

but I did not know, about the brutality, of the cotton industry, Until I was browsing through a photo archive, by one photographer who does a lot of photography [and who has been threatened by political Islamists because of his photos of brutality in many Islamic countries], and he had done a write up and photo essay of the Suicides, by Cotton farmers, in India. I will go back and pull that section up, to add on to here,

but I simply had no idea, but its like in the flowers [why I don't buy flowers for Valentine's day--another very exploitative slave market] and why I am switching over to Fair Trade chocolate, why I don't buy diamonds any more, because of the blood diamonds, but look, NOT like this is any sacrifice OK, not like I ever BOUGHT diamonds to Begin with, LOL, like Duh...ain't in that money level market, closest thing I get to diamonds is those nice little things called

Glaaaasssss

ah, but anyway, not big on diamonds anyhow, so like, not like here bragging on like these Huge sacrifices, because well, its not sacrifices for me/my family because well, we just don't shop much--no money, ya know,

but still, people need to be informed and well I always shopped either thrift stores or dumpster diving [yea, we Fregans] and well, other than my teen girls, not much of a clothes shopper either. But the reason I got so involved with the anti-sweatshop coalitions, was because of learning about the fashion industry and the ties to the slavery of women, in piece meal work, including in embroidery, which well, then That, that raised my eyebrows...and it took off from there,

long story, one day I might share it, but if you know sewing, you might not know, just the Extent, of the exploitation of Women, because of their caring for children, being more easily exploited, cheap labor, etc., of just how far that all goes, back in history, and how Deliberate the exploitation in Textiles has been. And well, its just corrupt beyond measure and the thing most people aren't aware of, is that Textiles, I do believe, is the second largest Global industry, according to the WTO and IMF. Don't quote me on that, its either second or third, but its way up there, as one of the top five largest,

and, the Most, exploitative and what is NOT really mentioned, is how Women--as CONSUMERS, actually have a lot of power here, and how, sadly, we, as Women, and on this, I blame that whole beauty market-patriarchal 'standard' to be 'accepted' to male desires/mores, actually, Feed into the Slave Market,

every time we shop IF we are not aware. And I say this, NOT to condemn, because many simply do not know,

but I will say, I have run into, those whom I Have informed, who after they do know, simply, do not care--and maybe that is why, I tend to get a little vocal in confronting Privilege, or better, the 'insistence' of protecting privilege and its here, that you really see the Geo-political racism, imperialism, American exceptionalism and well, class and before one says, yea its those white folks,

got news for you, there are Plenty of African Americans and Latinos, that have assimilated into that whole consumerist 'imperialist' exceptionalist culture just as much--Greed has no race--ethnicity or religion, or the rationalizations for, so,

well, lets just say,

its one thing to be Aware of these things, its quite another, to radically change whole consumption lifestyles, particularly if one has teens, long years of habitual shopping, because its NOT something, we like, think about, and may I also add,

often times, the 'ethical consumption' is more geared towards the upper middle classes, who can Afford the higher prices. And fair trade-etc., can be more costly--because they aren't in demand as much as cheap products. For working class--lower middle class to lower incomes--sometimes its simply not an option, to pay $70.00 for a shirt when they can pay $5.00 at Target or Walmart, and the thrift stores, while they are an alternative,

they don't always carry boys clothes, etc., so even if you thrift, you still depend on the 'markets' for clothing, etc. So, I just want to say,

because of this, I will be adding here, other alternatives, for ethical consumption, BECAUSE I know, what it is, to be low income and to also contend with trying to find alternatives--that one can afford, and sometimes its one of those things you just have to weigh, so, no condemnation here, OK,

because there ARE ways, in which we all can help, if anything, to make our voices heard and to Give support, to those who are working for Fair labor practices which btw, is Demanded, by Scripture, in both Old AND New Testaments.

While I'm in no way, Utopian, and believe that all these injustices will change in our lifetime, I do believe, we have a responsibility, at least some, to at least--make an effort, to be more fair, in our consumption, by fair, I mean, more ethical, in how our choices, lifestyles, may effect others, our neighbors, and again,

these are not things you just like overnight, change because consumption, IS after all, a habit. And some habits, are a bit hard to break...oh, you may not think so, but like with the chocolate,

once I started looking into buying only Fair Trade chocolate which there isn't any near us, without driving miles and with no car--you know, makes it kind of hard and the prices, don't help either, but what got me, was just how much, we really use Cocoa, its not just the chocolate but how many products USE cocoa, that is made by child-slaves. More than we think...

so, I decided, because the kids asked, that well, we might not be able to like, forever end all buying of cocoa...but we will do our best. And in meantime, write those letters, to Hershey and Nestle, demanding, that they change their labor practices, and work to inform,

because the MORE people are aware, the MORE social pressure, the MORE the DEMAND then begins to DEMAND, ethical labor practices. And it has to start somewhere...

and that means, Supporting those companies that Do take those cuts in Corporate Profits, when they do decide, to do more ethical and fair trade business. The more we support those, the more they become competitive, and the markets begin to change...

Personally, I don't know why we all can't just get a class action lawsuit and sue some of these Chocolate companies for Mental Cruelty, because to Think, that all those years, especially in my CHILDHOOD, I was eating chocolate that was made by forced slavery, of CHILDREN, who the same age as my youngest--

is Deplorable and I think, and outrage, and I think, that Hershey and Nestle and some of those companies, M&M included, OWE THE CHILDREN WHO WORK IN THESE SLAVE CAMPS, MORE THAN JUST AN APOLOGY--REPARATIONS, AND

THEY OWE AMERICA'S CHILDREN,

A BIG FAT APOLOGY--because if Children really knew, WHAT they were buying,

they wouldn't be too happy about it.

Both of my children, passed on Hanukkah's golden coins {we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah} this year Because, they didn't want to eat something, that reminded them of the horrible images of small children being beaten with chains, BY ADULT MEN, for not harvesting cocoa leaves fast enough. It has caused my one daughter some problems--seeing those videos [because she's older and has more understanding] and as a parent, yea, it sort of pisses me off,

because Corporations, are making big bucks, off ENSLAVING KIDS. Kids sold for $30.00 [BECAUSE OF OVERPOPULATION-PATRIARCHY=LOW STATUS OF WOMEN, WAR, AND POVERTY in Africa]...

why I DO support, Birth Control, oh yea...OK won't get into That issue--but well, when children, are sold for $30.00 to be beaten, so we can buy cheap consumer goods,

Something, is really Sinister and EVIL about the whole economic framework that institutes that.

Anyway, come to find, its not much different in cotton either, not only that but cotton, industry, pulls a LOT of resources, from land AND water due to irrigation, water in places where water is rare AND the people, are impoverished. AND as one, who has been a dumpster diver for YEARS and has first hand knowledge of the MEGA AMOUNT OF CLOTHES WASTE IN THIS NATION,

there is simply, no excuse for pillaging and raping the land--for cotton production and on top of that--to do this labor--via SLAVES?

so, yea, I'm gonna be posting a lot here, about these things because well, we need to know.

Let me close in saying, while I am dead set opposed to the unethical practices of capitalism, I in no way, any longer, support the left parties--or the political 'agendas' of those who Manipulate these issues, who are Just as despotic, as the imperialists and the capitalist-corporations are...and Why is that?

Well, will tell you, because many of them, have joined forces, with Political Islam--and they see nothing wrong with enslaving women [in the most brutal and Inhumane ways] and not only that, while they are opposed to Western Religions--due to the history of imperialism,

well, Ironically, in Islam, Slavery is not only tolerated--its condoned and supported by Hadiths. Look at Sudan--

and so, to say, on one hand, one is Marxist--and then, support a religion, that is pro-Slavery, well, its sort of an oxymoron...in my opinion...

you don't end slavery/wage slavery by embracing a system that is rooted in the beliefs of SLAVERY, like, uh, DUH, knock knock, anyone there? You know,

[and if one doesn't believe that, do some looking into the torture and oppression of the Communist Worker Party in Iran--and yet, we have idiotic 'leftists' and 'liberals' here in This country, who march along side, the very ones who one day, will yes, indeed, enslave them--the leftists in other nations, KNOW THIS,

but for some reason, there tends to be some either denial or complete stupidity in America AND in Europe over this. Even commies-socialists and union leaders in former Soviets, know a bit more, about the dangers of compromising with fundies on this one...[though, we won't get into the hypocrisy of the commies there--with that reality of capitalism for the elites--feudal Slavery for the masses, but eh, I speak as a one time, supporter of that whole ideology'.

Regardless, though, I never embraced capitalism nor will I--but I do believe, there has to be some other 'alternatives' other than state social engineering, selling out to the Dark Ages and/or embracing complete anarchy [been there, done that one too], LOL,

well--I think one solution, is women centered economics--another issue, another time,

and well, what DID surprise me, was the Voluntary 'communal' distribution in the Bible--from hearts of Love--not by coercion,

and it was one scripture, that Marx often quoted, many think its his own--to each according to his needs,

well guess what, its in the Bible--read the book of ACTS. It was, the First Church--who claimed that one.

Bet many didn't' know that, eh?????

One more thing, and this is another area where I really butted heads with many in the far left in those days [when I was a party member], and its on the state--protection of children, which often times, is really not protection, but is more exploitation on a whole other level. Allow me to explain,

one one thing, that I would disagree with, with the labor front--international, is in regards to child labor--its not 'enough' to say, end child labor WITHOUT replacing the NEED for that labor, with alternatives, because IF WE DON'T,

THEN THOSE SAME CHILDREN, ARE VULNERABLE TO TRAFFICKING-SEXUAL TRAFFICKING ESPECIALLY.

Now, the capitalist will USE that fact, to perpetuate the 'excuses' to justify child labor, or to sweep them under the rug, etc., and the leftists will use the children to target capitalism yet once the economy has been pulled out, even though yes its exploitative, they tend to leave the children vulnerable to Other predators and those predators are in the left as well as the right--so, this is where I think, a women centered or feminist [true women centered, not misogyny masked as feminism] economics-fair trade is in order. I would suggest, Until there is either a better market [labor] or means for families to make enough to support themselves, to make fair labor practices While cutting hours, and making education available for these children--that way, they aren't cut off at the knees OR exploited,

that is only one suggestion. I also think, this is Really, where Empowerment, Economic Empowerment for Women-Mothers really is important, because a lot of the child-labor IS due to the low status of women, who can't get work that pays enough, to support AND the patriarchal low status of women in many societies, that force women to be pregnant--in abusive marriages, etc., who can't work, because they always have young kids to care for--leaving the older Kids to have to work--to support families.

In other words, its an oxymoron to say on one hand, lets end child labor, but on the same hand, be tolerant or apologetic towards Cultures that oppress and subjugate mothers, e.g. women, and think, that child labor will end. It may end, but it won't end completely, it will only be transferred to trafficking,

which, one one hand, at Least--if children are employed locally, they can be monitored with Labor unions, if they are trafficked to other nations, with different languages, in sweat shops OR in worse--sex slavery-legalized prostitution [oh, Holland is the WORST] where there IS no rescue or help for these kids--

and they can't be monitored there--and many wind up dying, either of AIDS or torture/mutilation, etc., which is why, the support of Porn--the demand for legal prostitution which 'normalizes' that whole market--[which ironically, is supported by today's hypocritical LEFT], is also, a part of the whole problem--and I include this, because its that whole sex industry, that guess what,

is supported by big Corporate Lawyers and big business conventions all over the big cities--to entertain--those big business elites. Corrupt, you betcha,

it gets really nasty.

So like with many things, you can't end one form of exploitation and be 'sympathetic' towards another and Expect real change to come about--and what is so funny, both Marx AND Lenin, said as much,

and why they were opposed to the more 'liberal' forms of what they deemed as Bourgeoisie Liberal Socialism.

Hate to say it, but on Those points--they were 100 percent correct. So--taking All that in mind, there needs to be, a more wider solution, targeting the problems of economy, so that, in one form or another, these children AND their families, don't fall between the cracks. And part of that solution,

is where WE come in...demanding Fair Trade, Ethical Labor-Living Wages-and an end, to Fraudulent practices.

Jane

more on this later, Peace




Jane