Barber, one of the pioneer critics of global capitalism, has long warned that the spread of western-style consumerism, what he calls McWorld, undermines democracy, destroys indigenous cultures, and creates the anti-Western terrorism which brought down the World Trade Center. Through the new lens of 9/11, it is clear to Barber just how dangerous unchecked global capitalism has become. Barber will share his ideas before the World Economic Forum at its annual meeting. “In its own way, globalization is just as deadly a jihad,” warned Barber, noting that the slow starvation and exploitation of labor in poor countries kills at least as many people as terrorism. This may be hard to accept for Americans deeply shaken by terror attacks, but reforming foreign policy is the only way that the U.S. can protect itself, according to Barber, who said President Bush’s war on terrorism could not be won. “No amount of military intelligence operations can cure the world of terrorism,” Barber said. “Terrorism is only a tumor caused by the deep malignancy of globalization.” If you cut it out, and do not treat the cause, he reasoned, you cannot cure the patient. For the anti-corporate-globalization protesters who plan to demonstrate outside the World Economic Forum’s meeting Barber also has a word of advice. It is no longer feasible to oppose globalization. Rather, protesters should demand a broader agenda —the globalization of healthcare, environmental protection and human rights rather than just the globalization of Coke and Nike. This is a critical juncture for protesters, he concluded. And he warned that in the current political climate the public would not tolerate the ruckus that some groups have promised. “Don’t raise a hand against the New York Police Department,” he warned. “If people see protesters hurt a hero of 9/11, the movement will be done.” While we now distribute 12,000 free copies in New York, a free press isn't free -- we need help from our supporters. Please consider donating funds today and help keep independent media alive. A one-year subscription is available for $20. Checks can be made to the NYC IMC PRINT TEAM.