A look at the Bush Administration and the long-reaching arm of globalization.

A few notes:
1) The watery picture is a shot of oil floating on the water after the Exxon Valdez spill.

2) Some people have asked me: why the pictures of Darfur and the protests against China? Well, our influence and our choices affect everyone. Africa is ripe for the plundering - both America and China want those resources badly. Civil war, genocide, and the destruction of autonomous states all help one or both nations get what they want. So while poor people in places like Darfur are starved and murdered, we look the other way; making deals with subtle prowess as we court our financial allies.

3) The map: dark blue indicates the countries that are already members of the World Trade Organizaton, and the light blue indicates those nations that were in "talks" to join the WTO, as of 2005. The WTO has historically encouraged such brutal policies as the formation of "free trade zones" where national and international labor laws do not apply. See "sweatshops" and "slave labor".

That being said. This is a video I have long wanted to make. If we do not face up to the fact of our inescapable interdependence, we will not change the fate that must be shared by all. Rampant greed, lack of a sustainable lifestyle, over-use and exploitation of the natural resources of the planet... these bring war famine death and disease! WE are the four horsemen... but we can wake up, and we can change our destiny. Let's do it. Now.




Credits:
music: "Train in Vain" by The Clash from the cd London Calling c. 1999 Sony Entertainment/Epic Records

Images are all from Wikimedia Commons.

**I claim no ownership of the music used in this video.**
Video Produced by Li Li Parsons 2008.