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Forum Post: Stop Corp Water Grab!!!

Posted 11 years ago on Feb. 20, 2013, 11:46 a.m. EST by repubsRtheprob (1209)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

The corp 1% oligarchs will not be satisfied until they control and charge for the air we breath. Phone your congresspeople, inform yourself, add articles on this topic here.

Get in the street!! Support the 99% in the fight against the corp Water grab.

Please sign the petition,

http://www.change.org/petitions/st-louis-city-board-of-estimate-apportionment-say-no-to-veolia-in-st-louis-5

122 Comments

122 Comments


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[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23769) 10 years ago

Water is one of the most important issues that faces mankind. Water should never be privatized under any circumstances.

Back in the fall of 2011 when OWS was at its height and trolls abounded here there were people posting here who were strong advocates of commodifying water. "What the Looming Global Water Crisis Means to Investors" from a Canadian geopolitical "analyst" who had ties to a very popular poster from back in the fall of 2011. Read his "analysis" on how to profit from water.":

http://mediaserver.fxstreet.com/Reports/42903b7e-d898-47bf-a4d0-fd1dd8f30d0a/7e23edd4-df61-417a-82f0-87c36030efcf.pdf

So, don't be fooled. These evil people are out there and greed will cause them to never give up. We need to fight evil with love. Fight evil with every fiber of your being.

Water is not a commodity. It should never be a commodity. It is the source of life and all people, no matter how poor or how rich, how healthy or how sick, how intelligent or how ignorant, have a right to as much as they need to live on this good earth.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Whoops there it is.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/25308-big-players-promoting-water-privatization

"Americans used to take water for granted, but the water shutoff in Detroit has taught us all-important lessons. We now know that the private sector is willing to be ruthless in denying access to the most basic needs of living beings, and we also know that even those who have the least resources can also have power - if they are organized."

[-] 6 points by beautifulworld (23769) 9 years ago

"What the Looming Global Water Crisis Means for Investors" National Bank of Canada, Pierre Fournier

http://mediaserver.fxstreet.com/Reports/42903b7e-d898-47bf-a4d0-fd1dd8f30d0a/7e23edd4-df61-417a-82f0-87c36030efcf.pdf

This evil doing has been underway for a while. There is a big plan in place to profit hugely off of water. Complete moral turpitude. Is the air we breathe next?

[-] 3 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

"Is the air we breathe next?"

You should read The Feed. Air is actually not only charged for, but its trademarked!!

Very good reflection of where we are heading as a world. In the book, fashion trends change daily, kids have no ability to appreciate anything that isnt moving/doing something, all the adults talk like teenagers, air is made in factories... And the pollution is so bad that people get these weird sores. If the ones on your face line up attractively, its considered semi acceptable.

Very real and disturbing book. English teacher made us read it at MCC.

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23769) 9 years ago

Capitalism exploits for profit and creates a society and environment that is unlivable, where humans are alienated from each other and meaning is lost, as the pursuit for material goods and money prevails.

[-] 1 points by cometotheparty (-66) from New York, NY 9 years ago

This is true to a certain extent, but more so in US than other countries.

There are places where capitalism is strong, but where people are not alienated. Where things like family and community matter. Capitalism plays part in the individuality found in US, but it is not the only factor. Have you travelled to africa, asia, south-america, etc... Basically, US is the most individualistic society. Anywhere else in the world is more communal.

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[-] 2 points by Nevada1 (5843) 9 years ago

Water Weaponized

[-] 0 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Privatization of Air is underway.

The turpitude soaks our society

[-] 6 points by beautifulworld (23769) 9 years ago

Capitalism creates moral turpitude in it's march toward profit. Even air can't escape the exploitation. Will people have to pay to breathe someday?

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Baltimore water privatization is another front.! Wish the protests were larger & news coverage real.

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=12245

Won't end until more people get involved.

[-] 0 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Not quite Baltimore but certainly water related, and definitely a high priority problem.

Nice

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[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23769) 9 years ago

Pierre Fournier is addressing global water as an investment, not anything about Canada's water.

He states: "Growing water scarcity in several regions of the world could increasingly make water-rich countries look more attractive as investment locations to companies in water-intensive sectors. Adequate water reserves could one day even be seen as important as labour costs, taxes, corruption levels and the quality of transportation infrastructure when it comes to deciding where to locate manufacturing operations."

"Much has been written about the crucial role oil plays in lubricating the global economy. Yet there is another even more important natural resource that is often overlooked: water."

Gee, seems to me that water is in a different category than oil and corporations should have no place in controlling water supplies for human beings. Water is different than oil in that water is a human right.

http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/human_right_to_water.shtml

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[-] 3 points by Renneye (3874) 11 years ago

The Global Water Grab: Meet the “New Water Barons”

"Market Oracle reported that “[t]he new ‘water barons’—the Wall Street banks and elitist multibillionaires—are buying up water all over the world at unprecedented pace.” The report reveals two phenomena that have been gathering speed, and that could potentially lead to profit accumulation at the cost of communities and commons —the expansion of market instruments beyond the water supply and sanitation to other areas of water governance, and the increasingly prominent role of financial institutions."

Full article...

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-global-water-grab-meet-the-new-water-barons/5322412

[-] 4 points by Renneye (3874) 11 years ago

Thanks 'Iman'!

Water resources are of imminent importance. The corporate water grab has been going on for quite a while, but it has picked up momentum, and is now in full swing. Privatization of water is a disgusting concept. All fellow human beings should have a right to drinkable water.

Here is a website that works globally to bring awareness to the problem...

http://www.tni.org/primer/global-water-grab-primer#private

Who are the water grabbers?

Many different actors, both old and new, are involved in the global water grab. These include specialised water-targeted investment funds, transnational water companies, and the whole array of actors whose activities depend on the trade in ‘virtual water’.

One of the most striking developments in recent years has been the creation of private investment funds in which water features as a significant component of the investment portfolio. In 2008 Rabo Farm Europe Fund, a private equity fund of the Dutch Rabobank, and the Swiss Sarasin Bank set up the ‘AgriSar Fund’. It includes investment in water assets as one of its key objectives, stating that “The monetisation of water is just beginning as a previously free asset gains scarcity value and we see opportunities for companies able to secure and manage supply”.12 It is clear that for private equity funds such as AgriSar the ‘global water crisis’ represents a lucrative investment opportunity.

A similar trend can be observed within the global water industry as private corporations spent much of the last decade seeking control over former public water services in countries such as Peru, Bangladesh and South Africa. Huge monopolies exist within this global water industry with two French water corporations, Vivendi and Suez, dominating about 70% of the world water service market.13 The imposition of a for-profit water service model based on the ‘ability to pay’ and geared towards greater levels of water consumption does not bode well for pro-poor outcomes nor for water conservation. However it has also faced considerable resistance, with many communities successfully stopping privatisation.14 A growing number of cities are now ‘remunicipalising’ their water.15

[-] 2 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Excellent. Thanks so much for the link and the good words.

[-] 4 points by Renneye (3874) 11 years ago

Thanks again 'Iman. I'd like to give the 'Water Barons' all the water they want. I thought perhaps it would be nice if we gathered them all up, and dropped them out of the sky into the South Pacific....somewhere between, say, Chile and New Zealand. 'Cause I'm just kind of generous that way.

[-] 3 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Maybe near the "great pacific garbage patch". Maybe they would feel at home.

[-] 4 points by Renneye (3874) 11 years ago

Lol!! Sure, so long as the water isn't too cold. A quick death would be too good for them. What??? Who said that?!

[-] 3 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

I'll never tell. LOL.

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Add'l Water privatization info.

http://www.tni.org/multimedia/video-through-empty-tap-water-privatisation-jakarta-0

And a good site for water info. (but mainly a bump for this critical issue)

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Celebrate world water day.

http://www.grassrootsonline.org/

[-] 3 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Action alert! Saving water is one way to address the growing water shortage crises that represents as big a problem as the economic inequity we continue to fight against.

http://blog.nature.org/conservancy/?src=e.gp

And I'm sure Americans waste more water than anyone.

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

INFO: Support Water Warriors

http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/index.php (1 of many groups)

FYI (& shame full bump of water thread)

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Excellent article. Thanx

[-] 3 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Most endangered resource!!! Make no mistake water WILL be the reason for wars to come.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-054

[-] 5 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Excellent and very important post, links & thread & to follow :

Also as a very important aside, re. goings on in Libya lately - have you ever heard of "The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer" and "The Great Manmade River" ?! But be warned ... it'll flip you for real, yo !!

fiat lux et fallaces sunt rerum species ...

[-] 3 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

Ever heard of "The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer" &/or "The Great Manmade River" ?! It really puts the whole Libyan fiasco into an uneasy context !!

Thanx for your interesting link, from which I quote : "Given the many connections between energy and water, the choices we make in the near future about how we produce and use energy will determine not only the extent to which we mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, but also how resilient our energy system is to the variability of our water resources and the many competing demands for it."

respice, adspice, prospice ...

[-] 2 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

We have great challenges ahead of us

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

Water IS a human right.

http://www.nationofchange.org/nestle-ceo-water-not-human-right-should-be-privatized-1366813196

Nestle and corp water merchants must be stopped.

UPD, & bumped to remind us.

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Haven't heard of them I will look.

Great links.

Thanks for the response.

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[-] 2 points by LeoYo (5909) 10 years ago

"Human Beings Have No Right to Water" and Other Words of Wisdom From Your Friendly Neighborhood Global Oligarch

Friday, 26 April 2013 00:00 By Andrew Gavin Marshall, Andrew Gavin Marshall's Blog | Op-Ed

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/16015-human-beings-have-no-right-to-water-and-other-words-of-wisdom-from-your-friendly-neighborhood-global-oligarch

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Yeah baby! That's what I'm talkin' about.

grassroots action! Confronting concentrated wealth with superior people power.

Detroit is an extreme illustration of oligarchal exploitation.

A front line in the battle against economic predation & inequality.

Solidarity with Detroit

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 9 years ago

http://www.occupy.com/article/detroiters-put-bodies-line-stop-privatization-their-water

Although still shying away from the L word, at least it's now understood that what I've been saying since Snyder got elected, is a VERY real threat..

These are the first shots fired in an attempt to privatize the most extensive water distribution network in the World.

Privatization is what libe(R)tarians do.

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Insidious, diabolical, misusing libertarianism to cut services to low income/working class Americans.

Good to see occupiers getting involved

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 9 years ago

That's what libe(R)tarianism is.

It attempts to profitize/privatize.........everything.

[-] 0 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

No doubt, & in recent decades so called 'libertarian' efforts rooted in the desire to cut govt programs that serve minority Americans.

Since desegregation/civil rights laws were passed/enforced by Fed govt, the silent majority have been manipulated to push for 'smaller govt/states rights' in an effort to go back to pre civil rights era oppression.

The leaders of this effort may or may not be racist but clearly have successfully incited racist hatred to cut govt spending for minority/elderly/women/etc.. & transfer those savings to tax cuts for themselves & their fellow oligarchs.

So it isn't necessarily about racism, but rather about wealth. Using racist tendencies to enrich themselves is the evil libertarians perpetrate.

Some written thoughts on it:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/04/29/does-small-government-conservative-ideology-have-racist-roots-academics-offer-a-history-lesson/

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 9 years ago

It was their own fault for being poor.

Pass the caviar.

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Detroit front against austerity:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/180625/against-austerity-detroit-water-human-right#

"Do you grey poupon?" The forces against reg Detroiters are definitely caricatures of gluttonous, gilded age, fat cats.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 9 years ago

The austerity measures imposed on Detroit began in earnest during the tenure of Governor Engler. A Koch Industries intern and "formative member" of ALEC, now serving as an adviser to Governor Snyder..

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Detroit, Progressive Bloggers, Netroots 14

http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2014/07/live-from-detroit-netroots-nation-2014s-opening-night-in-photos.html

Should provide inspiration, direction, & momentum for this frontline battlefield in the war on economic inequality, & predation.

Coalescing with likeminded groups/individuals is critical if we are to defeat the right wing, libertarian, corp oligarchs.

[-] -1 points by freakzilla (-161) from Detroit, MI 9 years ago

Yeah! Let's do what Detroit did! That'll show 'em!

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 9 years ago

Asshole.

[-] 2 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Water wars: Educate yourself on the coming water shortage and corporations are position to make a killing.

http://ivn.us/2013/02/18/texas-water-wars-foreshadow-nationwide-trend/

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 9 years ago

The US Just took back control of Iraqi Damn

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

Signed. Thanks for the head's up, V.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Ask if President Obama has the Power to force national Referendums. I mean he can do his survey, he can poll on line ... if he knows what the people want ... then force in a national vote in like Novemember 2013. Like yes or No Questions.

Do you think Food, Water & Electricity should be protected as a utility even more than it is today to remove them permanently from Commodity Futures Trading ... to protect our common Future, Our Common Food Sources, ... our common life, Yes or No?

Do you want to end the war in Afghanistan, yes or no?
Do you want to pull out American Mercenaries in Iraq, yes or no?

Do you want to limit or curtail the number of US bases or camps in Foregin Countries by 60%, yes or no?
Do you want to close secret bases used for US or NATO Enhanced Interigation techniques, yes or no?
Do you want to end US CIA & Military use of all Enhanced Interogation Techniques, Yes or No?

Do you want to close US Bases in Germany, yes or No?
Do you wnat to close US Bases in Japan, yes or no?
Do you wnat to close US Bases in Spain, yes or no?
Do you want to close US Bases in Italy, yes or No?

The bigger point is to engage all US Voters in what we are doing, start national dialog, and reveal the deeper history and deeper backgrounds ... almost like a FOI request.

Do you want to audit the CIA programs and find out what they have been doing since the Vietnam War, what their mission is, what their operations ahve been, what kind of goals they have for different regions of the world, yes or no?

[-] 3 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Non partisan water news.

http://www.nature.org/ourscience/sciencefeatures/ask-the-conservationist-march-2013.xml?src=e.gp

The growing water shortage crises is as important as the economic inequity we must correct.

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Good link. Water can be a beautiful part of our lives. And Water is a utility. I don't know much about it ... but utilities have limits on what they charge consumers by regulation. They can't gouge people with big mark ups. Hopefully they limit the executive compensation as well so we don't pay for corrupt career people who will set up deals for their buddies. Anyway, construction jobs are good. Clean water is good. Helps to watch the environment too. Water jobs are win - win for everyone.

[-] 2 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Who could argue.?

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

Corps stealing water worldwide.

http://www.grassrootsonline.org/news/articles/crosshairs

FYI (& bumped for reminding)

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 10 years ago

I have to amend my previous statement on Water. Banks probably can fix prices on Water to Gouge us. Matt Taibbi just published new article in Rolling Stones Magazine that proves this.

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

I trust Matt. I will look for it.

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

I would support a referendum/survey on these important issues, I'd suggest more questions on the self destructive economic inequity as well,(outsourcing, living wage, transaction tax, green jobs, infrastructure jobs etc)

[-] 0 points by DSamms (-294) 11 years ago

I like all of your questions (and think I might know an answer or two). Would you care to talk?

[-] 3 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

I just want to keep Democracy Discussion Alive and pass on Ideas. I'm not really an activist. As far as the CIA, NSA, DHS, and other agencies go ... I think they use contractors and assets to compartmentalize activities and allow for "plausible deniability" If there is no Control over the Federal Budget, and Banks do what they want Democracy is Gone. Everything is Secret. The Media is dominated by Corporate Media and the Influence of the Wealthy and Government. Free Speach is dead as is Transparent Government.

[-] -1 points by DSamms (-294) 11 years ago

I agree and it pisses me off too. Wanna do something about it? Something radically democratic (for this country) and in support of the Constitution?

Nor am I a typical activist (whatever that is ;>), but am looking for folks who think for themselves and are not in thrall to the twin party cults of personality...

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

I'm a nervous nelly when it comes to sticking my neck out. I have a couple of things in my past where I got Spanked. Not sure what you have in mind. I don't really Trust Congressmen. And try not to get on Lists.

[-] 0 points by DSamms (-294) 11 years ago

I agree, especially the congressmen and lists parts. Well, I guess we're all sinners here; the only saints I know "somehow" get the corporate media to wash their dirty laundry.

Nor do I blame you for not wanting to stick your neck out. Most sane folks with any real experience do not. I've been considering that very problem for sometime in relation to our present circumstances. Do you mind if I provide a link, I think you might find it interesting...

http://occupywallst.org/forum/keep-searching-for-ways-to-screw-the-corrupt-syste/

Consider it a rough draft, a work in progress. I'd appreciate your thoughts...

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

Take EZ action to save oceans

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/do-your-part/rippl.html

spread around

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Please understand this issue! visit this site. Educate yourself.

http://www.wetlands.org/Whatwedo/Waterscarcity/tabid/2877/Default.aspx

[+] -5 points by BlueMonday (-154) 11 years ago

how much are you being paid to be on here?

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago
[-] -1 points by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA 11 years ago

Digging again.

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

We can't dig enough to find water

http://www.care2.com/causes/water-water-is-not-everywhere.html

(worthwhile bump??)

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago
[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 11 years ago

Water for ALL, not for profit.

http://www.grassrootsonline.org/news/blog/celebrating-world-water-day

This is a current event. Added to an important thread that serves as a repository for many good actions, and articles.

You contribution to the thread is just a meaningless personal attack, because you are a small, shallow man who apparently has no interest in the kind of activism Occupy has encouraged.

You don't support occupies efforts to put people over corp water monopoly profits.?

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Are you a corp shill? You support corp efforts to grab the rights to water in anticipation of the coming shortage crises.

Are YOU being paid by those corps?

[+] -6 points by BlueMonday (-154) 11 years ago

i asked you a question and you didnt anwer it,........you responded with a question.

[-] 2 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

How does that make you feel?

[+] -5 points by BlueMonday (-154) 11 years ago

feel about what?

[-] 2 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

That I disregarded you stupid, offensive question. How did that make you feel?

[+] -7 points by BlueMonday (-154) 11 years ago

since you are nothing, i feel nothing regarding you.

[-] 2 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

I see. How do you feel about corpoRATions grabbing water rights in an effort to exploit the people when there are water shortages.

[+] -5 points by BlueMonday (-154) 11 years ago

i wouldnt give an answer to anything you present as a fact, you're not reliable, neither are your sources.

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

Is that what your corpoRAT paymasters have approved for you to say?

Leave our water alone.!!!

[+] -9 points by BlueMonday (-154) 11 years ago

i can always count on the useful idiots of ows for a good laugh,...you're funnier than most.

[-] 1 points by imagine40 (383) 11 years ago

Students doing the hard work analyzing the worldwide water crises, and searching for solutions.

http://chapelboro.com/Student-Run-Organization-To-Hold-Banquet-Concernin/15624660

counting on useful college students

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

But not a word about the water issue.? Just one insult after the other. YOU are a USELESS idiot. LOL

[-] -2 points by OTP (-203) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Keep the water in the hands of sold out politicians, or hand it over to corporations. Either way its going to get messy soon.

[-] 0 points by imagine40 (383) 11 years ago

And India! Water crises are everywhere because of climate change and the pollution of the western world.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/emergency-pumps-dusted-anticipating-water-crisis/article4443585.ece

[-] -1 points by redandbluestripedpill (333) 10 years ago

Without ART5, all we can do is plead and beg for the resource preservation. We have no leverage over corporate activities. GATT & NAFTA need to be rescinded. With ART5 we can do that. Stop the wto.

Petition Signed

[+] -4 points by kandy4 (-81) 10 years ago

I'm running my shower twice as long today as a sign that I don't give shit

[-] 2 points by gsw (3407) from Woodbridge Township, NJ 10 years ago

Better dig a deep hole and put your money in it. Cause were coming to redistribute it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOegA8MgC2o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[+] -5 points by kandy4 (-81) 10 years ago

Every-fucking-thing on planet Earth is endangered according to you liberal assholes. It's what you do. You shriek CRISIS!!!, and then have either the government pay you, or put a gun to the head of private industry to give you money. You run an extortion ring.

[-] 3 points by gsw (3407) from Woodbridge Township, NJ 10 years ago

You have a bad mouth. Didn't you have a mom to teach you some manners?

The banksters were the ones shrieking crisis, give us you money.

So was bush takin us to freakin Iraq

Youre not making sense.

You don't want industry to pay taxes. Well great free thinking to you