THE RIGHT WAY TO SMALL SCALE GARDENING

Distributism believes in decentralization as a key tenet. Part of how it can be applied is in food production. Decentralizing food production to as many people and groups as possible ensures that it remains plentiful and local. It also make a nation’s food production less susceptible to terrorist attacks, since small local producers would be less tempting a target for them. Hence it increases security and safety in a national food supply.

Advances in hydroponic gardening over the decades has made the expansion of local food production more in reach of the average family and neighborhood. But there is a right way to go about it that can make it easier on the wallet. The British Columbia-based bi-monthly magazine Maximum Yield has an article by Tim Walker called Gardening For Profit. It contains good tips on what fruits and vegetables can be grown and sold to meet local demand, as well as generating income to help pay the bills.

Enjoy the article and, if you’re able, put it into practice in your neighborhood this season.

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HAPPY GILBERT'S DAY 2007!

Friends and neighbors,

We've reached another anniversary of G. K. Chesterton's birthday.

Distributism in America and worldwide has received a huge amount of body-blows this year.

But nonetheless, the great effort continues. It is an obligation that won't end until the day dawns that humanity sees a Distributist Earth.

We at the Review - Mr. Weismiller, Prof. Medaille and myself - wish to thank all our readers for their continued support of us. Even if it is only in prayer, it is appreciated.

Please tell your interested family and friends about the Review. We're averaging between 40 and 50 readers a day. This year, let's increase this to 100 a day. With your help and prayers, it will be done by this time next year.

Again, thank you all so much for your prayers and support of this weblog.

Continue your prayers and efforts to promote Distributism to all the Earth.

And Happy Gilbert's Day to you all!

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GOOD NEWS FROM HAWAII

This report, linked via Rense.com, is dated May 25th. It’s written by Jan TenBruggencate for the Honolulu Advertiser.

The Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, through it’s County Council, voted unanimously on Thursday the 24th to ban all so-called “big box” stores bigger than 75,000 feet. The Council voted 5-0 to stop building any more stores like Wal-Mart or Kmart, which are already on the island. Main reasons given were to preserve competition for mom-and-pop stores, protecting the local character of the rural community and reducing infrastructure costs. The Honolulu City Council is also considering a similar measure.

Though supporters of “big box” stores claim this will “reduce consumer choice”, they are again in the wrong. Consumer choice is expanded by having more competitors for the consumer dollar, not less. Giants like Wal-Mart destroys consumer choice and market competition by undercutting small shops and cooperatives. In a Distributist society, “big box” stores - whether owned by big government or big business - wouldn’t exist at all or would be severely restricted.

Another part of America now leans toward a Distributist society. It has a long way to go, economically and socially. But just as ancient Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither will a Distributist America. Let us learn from these Hawaiian’s example, and apply it to our neighborhoods.

Congratulations to the Council on their vote, and the people who fought for it!

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BRITISH THINK TANK ATTACKS LARGE FAMILIES

Via the controversial news and opinion website Rense.com comes this article, dated May 7th, from the Sunday Times of London. It was reprinted in the newspaper The Australian, and written by Sarah-Kate Templeton.

The Optimum Population Trust (OPT), a so-called “environmental think tank” based in London, claims that families with three children or more pose a threat to the world’s environment.

Prof. John Guillebaud, co-chairman of the Trust, claims that “the greatest thing anyone in Britain could do to help the future of the planet would be to have one less child.” He further notes that they should “take the environment into account” when having another baby.

This is Malthusianism run amuck. As noted Monday on the Review, Red Chinese peasants are rebelling against Beijing’s forced abortion policy. Many others in the world will do likewise if such idiotic policies the OPT advocate were made law or enforced.

In a Distributist society, large families are welcomed and encouraged. The economic and political structure are so shaped as to support and empower large families. Babies are not seen as an “environmental threat” as groups like OPT claim they are.

The dictionary’s word for such idiocy is “prolephobia” or “an irrational fear of children”. The OPT and other of their philosophic ilk suffer from this disease of the soul. A Distributist society rejects such baseless despondency, which has it’s roots in denying God’s existence and guiding Providence in providing for large families.

Defy groups like the OPT, Planned Parenthood and the like. Defend and promote large families. Reshape your neighborhoods and home countries to support large families. Pray and work for a future Distributist Earth, free from the Chicken-Little nightmares plaguing the minds of the OPT.

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RED CHINESE POOR RIOT OVER FORCED ABORTIONS

This report, dated May 21st, comes to us from Reuters news service.

A group of over 10,000 peasants in southwestern Red China attacked government officials, trying to enforce their blood "one-child only" population policy. The Communists have been forcing the nation's citizens to have small families, enforcing their will by mandatory contraception and forced abortions.

The angry villagers, at one point, burned cars, attacked police and even set fire to a part of the main government building. Protests have been increasing throughout Red China for some time now, usually on the increasing gap between rich and poor.

Chesterton said it best. "'Birth control' is neither birth, nor is it control!" Distributism is pro-life and pro-child from the word "Go!" Those who advocate the horrid practices of forced abortion and so-called "family planning" should be ashamed of themselves. Alas, for many, their consciences are seared.

But for those who still have living consciences, let them continue their efforts to protect life and the traditional family. Let them learn about Distributism and apply it to wherever they live, so that what is happening in Red China may not happen to them.

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“ATHANASIUS” ON ANNIVERSARY OF IMPORTANT PAPAL LETTER

Today, May 15th, is the 78th anniversary of Quadragesimo Anno, written by Pope Pius XI. Written forty years after Pope Leo XIII’s ground-breaking encyclical Rerum Novarum, Pius XI’s letter builds on and expands his predecessors’ teaching on economics and true social justice. In light of the recent condemnations of both Marxism and capitalism by the current Pope, Benedict XVI, while he visits Brazil, there is another excellent essay by “Athanasius” of the weblog Athanasius Contra Mundum.

Quoting extensively from Pius XI, Athanasius hit’s the current economic landscape hard, as only he can do. He also links the encyclical with the promotion of Distributist Thought and positive action done in light of it. There is much food for thought and discussion in his essay, which you can read HERE. Please do so, ponder it - and then act on what you ponder.

And congratulations again to "Athanasius" for another splendid essay!

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NEW NEWS LINK: LifeSiteNews

This being Mother's Day, and Distributism being pro-life and pro-motherhood, the Review is pleased to have LifeSiteNews.com as a new news link on our blog's sidebar.

This Canadian-based news site gets the scoop on many stories affecting the traditional and extended family in America, Canada and elsewhere. They are strong in reporting on efforts fighting the curse of abortion and the Sexual Revolution.

They deserve our prayers and - if resources permit - our financial support. Please let them know you heard about them from The Distributist Review. And thank you very much.

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URBAN GARDENING FLOURISHES IN CONGO

Via our colleague at The Western Confucian, we have this report - dated May 9th - from Stephanie Hanes of the pro-globalist Christian Science Monitor.

The people of the Congo - formerly Zaire - are now taking to planting small urban gardens, so as to supplement their diet and ease the threat of food shortages. Some are so successful at this, they sell their excess and are able to improve their lives. With more people worldwide living in cities than in the country, the need for safe, reliable food supplies are critical.

Ideas like urban gardens and CSAs - "community-serviced agriculture" - are gaining popularity and strength worldwide. The poor and middle classes work together to grow their own food locally, reducing dependence on imported or distant-grown produce.

Again, this is Distributism in action. No big government micro-management, no big business dominance. Such measures should be increased and supported as much as possible.

Congratulations to the Congo for setting a good example in urban gardening.

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CFR WRITER SLAMS ECONOMIC SOVEREIGNTY

This article, dated May 9th, is written by Jerome Corsi for the neo-conservative news giant WorldNetDaily.

Benn Steil, director of international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote a horrid piece in the current edition of Foreign Affairs magazine. It is the magazine of the behind-the-scenes group that has manipulated the American government for decades.

In his missive, Steil claims that "economic development outside the process of globalization is no longer possible." That is not so. In many places throughout the globe, the poor and middle classes are pulling themselves out of their economic doldrums. How? By implementing Distributist principles like cooperative businesses, decentralized government and more.

The globalists just don’t get it, or if they do, they don’t care. Their arrogance and greed blinds them to any possible future that doesn’t end up in a World State run by themselves. Such blindness will only hurt themselves in the future.

Fight groups like the CFR, whether in America, Russia or elsewhere. Fight any effort to force a World State down the throats of humanity. Work and pray for a Distributist future.

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‘FREE TRADE’ KILLS U.S. FACTORY JOBS

This article, originally dated April 20th, is written by Associated Press economics writer Martin Crutsinger and posted on the left-wing web log Breitbart.com. It was also posted on the controversial news website Rense.com.

Since the year 2000, when the infamous NAFTA treaty was in effect for a couple of years, America lost over three million factory jobs. During that same period, nearly nine million new jobs were added to the service sectors. But even these jobs are not secure, since these also are being “outsourced” to Third World nations.

As Crutsinger also notes, the flood of investment and such to Red China has fueled the decline in manufacturing even further. He writes that industries as diverse as paper and furniture and textiles have been hardest hit by the downturn.

Supporters of “free trade” - many of them neo-conservatives and libertarians - see this as something normal. They advocate schemes like worker re-training and such, while warning against the threat of so-called “protectionism”. Furthermore, with both parties in Washington controlled by globalist fanatics, dedicated to a World State run by a self-appointed “elite”, they have little incentive to reverse these current trends.

Which is why Distributists, wherever they are, have an opportunity to both lead and teach the public on escaping a horrid future thanks to “free trade” and globalism. Inform your neighbors about what Belloc, Chesterton and their legitimate successors taught.

Then get involved in local politics to begin reversing globalism’s effects in your neighborhood. Work to re-establish small-scale industry where you live, especially on a worker-owned and managed cooperative basis. Work and pray to get America out of NAFTA and the WTO for good. And if you have friends in Canada and Mexico, encourage them to do similar action in their homelands.

Working together, with prayer and God’s loving guidance, we can bring back industry to America. It will be one step closer to a Distributist America. And, hence, a better and stronger America.

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ANOTHER HIGH OFFICIAL LEAVES CHINESE COMMUNISTS

This article, dated May 4th, comes from Jiang Bo of China, and is written in The Epoch Times, owned by the Falun Gong cult.

Jiang Bo gives his brief testimony on how Red China is facing great struggles, both in her economy and society. Even within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), it’s appearance of strength is skin-deep only. As we reported in the past, thousands are leaving the Party daily, thanks in part to the devastating documents called Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party.

This is good news that is well needed today. The forces of globalism, whether Capitalist or Socialist, keep claiming that progress toward a World State is unstoppable. But they are wrong. For even it’s most fervent supporters today can abandon them tomorrow when they discover the truth and act upon it. And when enough do so, with God’s guidance and mercy, they can shatter the schemes of Hell in a moment.

Pray for men like Jiang and his family. And pray that someday, God willing, China will learn about Distributism and put it into practice nationwide

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JAPAN’S YOUTH TURN TOWARD DISTRIBUTISM

This brief article, posted on May 3rd, comes from the small blog “jessnjim.net”.

Japan’s young people are starting to renounce working for either big corporations or big government. They are rediscovering the traditional arts and crafts, keeping the ancient ways alive while putting their own new twist on them. Thanks to the Internet, they are able to sell their goods worldwide at a fair price. All without sacrificing quality, deftly combining the functional with the beautiful, as European artisans and craftsmen did during the High Middle Ages.

This couple reports on this growing trend in their web log HERE.

This is excellent news. Slowly but surely, these Distributist trends are getting stronger in a Japan still reeling from a decade-plus long recession. Let’s hope Japan’s youth will read up on Distributism and the works of it’s co-founders, Belloc and Chesterton. Then let them act on what they read and ponder. In time, with God’s loving guidance, they will lead Japan towards a bright future - a Distributist future.

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TELL CONGRESS TO VOTE “NO” ON FAKE HATE BILL

This notice is for our American readers. The Evangelical Protestant group Americans For Truth gives us the alert on this issue.

The U. S. Congress is planning to vote on two bills, H. R. 1592 and S. 1105. These bills, if passed, will chill First Amendment rights to publicly criticize homosexuality and the Sexual Revolution in general. Similar laws have been passed in Canada, Sweden and other countries. The effect has been that Christians, Jews and those of other religions in these nations may not criticize homosexuality, fornication, “same-sex marriage” and anything the Sexual Revolution supports.

If anyone does, the so-called “offenders” face fines and jail time. And all of this is done under the disguise of “fighting hate”. In truth, it persecutes anyone - no matter the race, creed, color, age or gender - who opposes or complains about the above.

The bill extends Federal power into local police enforcement, putting an additional burden on them and decreasing local sovereignty. This centralizes more power into fewer hands. Therefore, it violates “subsidiarity”, a key tenet of Distributist Thought. So the Review opposes these bills, and encourages our readers to do the same.

Click HERE to find out where to call your Congressmen and Senators to vote “NO” on these two bills. The House bill may be voted on as early as today, May 3rd. Time is crucial. Contact your representatives NOW.

And thank you very much.

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