Counterpunch, December 30, 2008
How "Yes, Sir" Necessarily Becomes "No, Sir"
Ted Downing and Troublemaker Anthropology
By BRIAN McKENNA
Censorship and suppression of one's work are among the worst things
that can happen to a writer, bureaucrat or cultural worker.
Ted Downing, former Society for Applied Anthropology President
(1985-87), experienced this and more. In 1995, Downing wrote an
evaluation report describing the s evere social and environmental
impacts likely to be suffered by Chile's Pehuenche Indians from a
proposed dam project underwritten by the World Bank. After his report
was censored Downing demanded that the World Bank publicly disclose
his findings. The Bank responded by threatening "a lawsuit garnering
Downing's assets, income and future salary if he disclosed the
contents, findings and recommendations of his independent
evaluation." (Johnson and Garcia Downing). As a result of his
whistleblowing, Downing was blacklisted from the World Bank after 13
years of consulting service.
"Personally, I was blackballed for 10 years for filing, what turned
out to be 3 human rights violations charges against the IFC (private
sector arm of The World Bank)," said Downing in an interview. "The
experience left me only the devil's alternative, to get involved in
politics." Literally.
Downing went on to serve two terms in the Arizona legislature from
2003-2006. He rejected corporate contributions and collected hundreds
of $5 contributions to qualify for public campaign financing. Downing
introduced bills to protect the integrity of the election system,
co-authoring a bill requiring hand count audits of electronic voting
machines. He increased financial support for university and community
college students, protected animal rights, improved energy efficiency
and more. Eighty-six of Ted's co-sponsored bills became law, a
spectacular achievement for a Democrat in a Republican controlled legislature.
full: http://www.counterpunch.com/mckenna12302008.html
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