GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No. 322, March 18, 2010
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Website: https://gpjanz.wordpress.com/
Contact details:
Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173 jbminto
Newsletter Editor & Website – Mike Treen 0295254744 mike
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Saturday, March 20, 12 noon, US Consulate, Citbank Building, Customs St, City
Protest the continuing occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Mark the anniversary of the Iraq invasion 7 years ago. Demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops, including and especially the NZ SAS and other military in Afghanistan. (Bring and old pair of shoes!)
Troops Out Now Poster
http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=gpjanz.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgpjanz.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2Ftroops-out-now-poster.pdf
10 Reasons to demonstrate on March 20 http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=gpjanz.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgpjanz.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F10-reasons-to-demonstrate-2010.pdf
CONGRATULATIONS TO INTREPID PLOUGHSHARES ACTIVISTS
Global Peace and Justice Auckland congratulates the intrepid activists from the Ploughshares group who were found not guilty by a jury yesterday in the Wellington District Court. The not guilty verdict relates to charges of burglary and intentional damage when they deflated one of the domes at the Waihopai spybase near Blenheim two years ago.
The defence the domebusters presented to the jury was well founded. The three freely admitted they did the damage claimed but their argument was an elegant and courageous expression of otherwise illegal action taken to prevent much greater crimes against people. The three told the Wellington District Court they acted to save the lives of those who are endangered by United States intelligence gathered from the base.
Waihopai’s activity threatens lives around the world and most recently it assisted the US strategy to help justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people have been killed as a result. The three activists have helped focus public attention on the immoral work of Waihopai.
Waihopai is New Zealand’s greatest contribution to US global strategies and ties us into the US war machine. It’s activity threatens lives around the world but it is also outside the democratic control of New Zealanders.
The spybase is nominally run by the GCSB (Government Communications Security Bureau) but is – in all but name – a United States spybase operating on New Zealand soil. It is clear from research here and overseas that it is operated in the US national interest – both militarily and commercially. Other similar bases are operated around the world with Waihopai being part of this secret global surveillance network set up after WWII under the UKUSA treaty which involves the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
The kiwi trio on trial this week deserve applause for their courage in stripping this base to its bare essentials and exposing its undemocratic and immoral purposes
MEDIA REPORTS
On the Waihopai Three Verdict, and East Jerusalem http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/18/campbell-the-waihopai-three-east-jerusalem/
Waihopai Three Trial Focuses Peace Activists http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00138.htm
Waihopai Ploughshares Trial – The Defence Case http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/print.html?path=HL1003/S00206.htm
Photos Of Waihopai Domebusters’ Trial Solidarity Activities http://www.flickr.com/photos/12492550@N03/
Monday, April 5, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
GPJA FORUM: Peter Murnane, defendent in the Waihopai Ploughshares trial
WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND
Saturday, March 20, 12 noon, US Consulate, Citbank Building, Customs St, City
Protest the continuing occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Mark the anniversary of the Iraq invasion 7 years ago. Demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops, including and especially the NZ SAS and other military in Afghanistan. (Bring and old pair of shoes!)
Sunday, March 21, 2pm, Trades Hall. 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
EYEWITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN NEPAL: Ben Peterson is a young Australian activist who spent a year in Nepal witnessing first hand the revolutionary struggle. He is touring NZ 21-26 March 2010.
Monday, March 22, 1pm, Function Room, (Over Quad Cafe), Auckland University
EYEWITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN NEPAL: Ben Peterson is a young Australian activist who spent a year in Nepal witnessing first hand the revolutionary struggle. He is touring NZ 21-26 March 2010.
Tuesday, March 23, 6.30pm, Cityside Hall, 8A Mt Eden Rd
Climate Camp Auckland Film Showing “He Ao Wera”. A documentary by Mike Smith and Hinekaa Mako about the effects of climate change on communities in Aotearoa. Free entry, light refreshments. Spread the word… its a very relevant topic! And……….Before the film (at 6pm) we will be making some plans for Fossil Fools Day (1st April)
Wednesday, March 24, 7pm, 8A Mount Eden Road
Say NO to mining the Coromandel & West Papua! -Film/slideshow and Forum evening with guest speaker. Visual presentation will be connecting mining destruction in West Papua to proposed further mining on Protected land in Aotearoa. There will be a campaign update and the chance to learn how to get involved! -Entry $5 or more, nobody turned away for lack of funds. -baked goods for sale, coffee, tea, etc. NB – the West Papua presentation is about Freeport: Speaker Maire Leadbeater
Saturday, April 3, 2pm, QEII Square, Outside Downtown Shopping Centre, cnr Queen and Customs St
Rally for Justice and Peace in PALESTINE On the First Saturday of Every Month. Come support JUSTICE and PEACE based on: 1. Ending 42+ years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank & Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem); 2. Ensuring the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees; 3. Sharing Jerusalem; 4. Vacating all settlement colonies in Israeli occupied Palestine; 5. Dismantling Israel’s annexation / apartheid wall in occupied Palestine. www.palestine.org.nz
Monday, April 5, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
GPJA FORUM: Peter Murnane, defendent in the Waihopai Ploughshares trial
Saturday, April 10, from 10am, St Columba Centre, 30 Vermont Street,Ponsonby, Auckland
QPEC Public Forum and AGM – all welcome. “2010 – a year of challenge foreducation”. Attacks on public education are coming thick and fast from theNational/ACT government. The QPEC public forum brings together key educationalleaders to discuss these serious threats to public education – especiallythe pernicious National Party policy of national standards. Everyone welcomefor a lively discussion with campaign planning to enhance education quality andopportunity for all New Zealanders. All welcome.
AGENDA: 10am Public Forum – “2010 – a year of challenge for education”.Speakers: Dellis Hunt – Spokesperson for PAL (Parents Against Labelling);Frances Nelson – President NZEI (New Zealand Education Institute); BronwenCross – Deputy General Secretary PPTA (Post Primary Teachers Association); TomRyan – President TEU (Tertiary Education Union); David Do and Pene Delaney -Co-Presidents NZUSA (NZ Union of Student Associations). 12noon Scone/muffinBreak. 12.15pm Forum continues with speakers: Martin Thrupp, Professor ofEducation from Waikato University; Ivan Snook, Emeritus professor of EducationMassey University; Ruth Mansell, QPEC National Vice Chair; John Minto, QPECNational Vice Chair. 2.30pm – Lunch. 3pm QPEC AGM. 4.30pm Finish. AllWELCOME
Tuesday, April 12, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, GreyLynn, Auckland
“Doctors Not Guns – Cuba’s Medical Aid to Haita and the Pacific” – Hear OdalysLpez Sarmiento, from the Asia-Pacific Division of the Cuban Institute ofFriendship with the Peoples, speaking on Cuba’s role in the aftermath ofthe Haiti earthquake and its contribution to healthcare in the Pacific.
Sunday, April 18, 2-8pm, Telstra Stadium, 770 Great South Rd,Manukau
A benefit gig, to raise awareness and fundraise for victims of the devastatingearthquake in Chile. In New Zealand, we can do our part to help our brothersand sisters in our homeland. Concert, Art Auction, Markets, KidZone. TICKETS:Adults:$25; Children 5-12yrs: $10; Under 5yrs: Free; Family pass(2 adults 3children): $60. Booking fee applies. Details to follow. Tickets on sale soonvia http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz. Date to be announced. With MC Cori Gonzalez-Macuer,DJ Bobby Brazuka, Calle Latina, Emcee Silva, Jah RedLion, Chico y susonora….more of the lineup to be announced soon…
ANNOUNCEMENTS
STOP THE SEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE BILL NOW!
Video footage of last month’s meeting in Auckland about the Search andSurveillance Bill has been loaded up to youtube. Here is the link
National Day of Action April 24th: Parliament will be discussing the Billagain at the start of May. On April 24th there will be a national day ofprotest action against the Search and Surveillance Bill. Updates will be postedon the Facebook group. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=204950191596
EYEWITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN NEPAL – NZ SPEAKING TOUR BY BENPETERSON, 21-26 MARCH 2010
Ben Peterson is a young Australian socialist who spent one year in Nepal inclose association with the revolutionary forces who recently overthrewfeudalism and are today confronting capitalism and imperialism. Ben is crossingthe Tasman for a speaking tour of New Zealand from 21-26 March. To find outmore about Ben’s experiences and the Nepal Revolution go to Ben’s blog: http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/Activists from the Workers Party and Socialist Worker are organising the tour,with meetings planned in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurchand Dunedin. We’re inviting other interested groups and individuals to supportand promote Ben’s tour. If you would like to help out, contact these regionaland national coordinators: Auckland – Daphna Whitmore, wpnz(at)clear.net.nz.Hamilton – Jared Philips, jared(at)unite.org.nz, 029-4949 863. Rotorua – BernieHornfeck, bernieh(at)clear.net.nz, (07)345 9853. Wellington – Alastair Reith,alastair.reith(at)gmail.com, 027-711 9591. Christchurch – Phil Ferguson,philp.ferguson(at)canterbury.ac.nz, 021-443 948. Dunedin – Andrew Tait,andrewmtait(at)hotmail.com, 027-606 9549. National coordination/publicity -Vaughan Gunson, svpl(at)xtra.co.nz, 021-0415 082. As meeting details arefinalised a full tour itinerary will be circulated. You can join the Facebookgroup: BenPeterson NZ Speaking Tour. More information and links will be posted there.A PDF publicity flyer can be downloaded here.LINKS ON THE NEPAL REVOLUTION: Mike Ely, Eyes on the Maobadi: FourReasons Nepal’s Revolution Matters. Introductory PDF pamphlet – ARevolution at the Brink: Stand with Nepal. More in depth PDF pamphlet – KasamaArticles: On the Maobadi and the Crisis in Nepal.
Ben Peterson’s Tour Itinerary
• Sunday 21 March – Auckland, 2pm @ Auckland Trades Hall, 147Great North Road, Grey Lynn.
• Monday 22 March – Auckland. 1pm @ Function Room (over Quad caf),Auckland University.
• Tuesday 23 March – Hamilton & Rotorua 1-2pm (followed bydiscussion) @ SUB G.20 (Guru Phabians room), Student Union Building, WaikatoUniversity. 7.30pm @ Ghandi Hall, 16 Gibson Street, (opp ten-pin bowlingalley), Rotorua.
• Wednesday 24 March – Wellington. 6pm @ Newtown Community Centre, 1Columbo Street, Wellington.
• Thursday 25 March – Dunedin. 1pm @ University Union Main Common Room,Dunedin University. 7pm @ Knox Church Hall, George Street, Dunedin.
• Friday 26 March – Christchurch. 1pm @ Steed Meeting Room (next to theInternational Room), UCSA building, Canterbury University.
• Saturday 27 March – Christchurch. 7:30pm @ WEA, 59 GloucesterStreet, Christchurch.
SPRING DELEGATION TO BOLIVIA- APRIL 20-22, 2010
Be part of history! Celebrate Earth Day and attend the Peoples’ WorldConference on Climate Change and Mother Earth’s Rights in Cochabamba,Bolivia. World scientists, academics, lawyers, and representatives ofgovernments that want to work with their citizens to save our planet will be inattendance. Before and after the conference, celebrate indigenous resistanceand explore food sovereignty issues in Bolivia, the first country in thehemisphere to be governed by an indigenous president. Learn about indigenousstruggles for sovereignty over food, land, and water. Meet with farmers,community leaders, government leaders, union leaders and others. Experience therich culture of the Andes and soak in the sights, sounds, people, and politicsin this historic moment in Bolivia. When: April 18-28, 2010 Where: StartCochabamba and end in La Paz; visits to El Chapare, Coroico (Yungas de La Paz),Oruro and Cost for Activities: $850. This will cover all lodging, all groundtransportation, at least 2 meals per day, and translation. Additional expensesduring the trip will be minimal.**Airfare not included. Possible group rateavailable for those traveling from NYC. Contact cbalbertolovera@gmail.com
ACT NOW! SUPPORT MINISTRY OF JUSTICE WORKERS
Workers at the Ministry of Justice have been taking industrial action sinceOctober last year in an effort to get the Ministry to address the fact it’sunderpaying its staff because it has a pay setting system that does not work.Many Justice workers are among the lowest paid public servants in New Zealand.The action is closing courts, forcing trials and hearings to be adjourned,backing up cases and disrupting other Ministry of Justice work around thecountry. In December the Ministry announced the negotiations were over. This isdespite the fact that no pay settlement had been reached. And despite thebargaining process agreement between the Ministry and the PSA stating that bothparties have to agree before negotiations are formally ended. The union tookthe Ministry to the Employment Court and won a ruling requiring the Ministry tore-engage in negotiations. However the Ministry is still refusing to engage inmeaningful negotiations. This dispute has the potential to adversely affect paynegotiations right across New Zealand’s public sector. Please help supportthese workers by sending off a message today – clickhere!
STUDENTS ARE WORKERS- WORKERS ARE STUDENTS!
Unite on Campus spreads its wings. Poverty and debt force many students intoworking their way through college, mostly in low paid jobs on or just above theminimum wage. In response, Unite Clubs are being set up on campus in theUniversity of Auckland, AUT, MIT, UNITEC, Massey Albany and in Polys and Unisthroughout the country, to organize students who are pro worker and pro union.The biggest task over the next two months will be to gather tens of thousandsof names in the lecture halls and on campaign stalls for the Campaign for aLiving Wage referendum. We need students, campus workers and academic staff tohelp us build these clubs and harvest the support that is out there. Are you onone of the campuses above? Would you be free to help on the stalls during Oweek and after? Can you organize for a speaker to come to your class or lecturetheatre? Please contact Living Wage Campaign Organiser Joe Carolan at 029 44 55702, email joseph@unite.org.nzThefinal phase – The Campaign for a Living Wage is now entering its finalphase, and is stepping up a gear or three! There’s been a huge growth ofsupporters on the campuses http://www.unite-news.org.nz/palpatine.html
LIVING WAGE PETITION – Stalls in your area:
AUCKLAND: Contact Joseph – 029 4455702 joseph@unite.org.nz
WHANGAREI: Contact Vaughan- 021 041 5082, email: svpl@xtra.co.nz
HAMILTON: Contact Jared- 029 494 9863 email: jared@unite.org.nz
COROMANDEL and THAMES: Contact Levi- 027 7746 278, email: whukoro@yahoo.co.nz
ROTORUA: Contact Bernie- email: bernieh@clear.net.nz , 07 345 9853
PALMERSTON NORTH: Contact Gerard- email: gerard@unite.org.nz , 06 3297 737
WELLINGTON: Contact Omar on 029 455 5789, email: omar@unite.org.nz.
CHRISTCHURCH: Contact Matt – 029 201 3837 email: matthew@unite.org.nz
DUNEDIN: Contact Chris- 027 781 0371, email: mr_matahaere@hotmail.com
2010 NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS: ‘EXPOSING AND OPPOSING MILITARISM ANDMILITARISATION’ – FRIDAY, 16 APRIL TO SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 2010
This is the initial notice to let you know that the 2010 National PeaceWorkshops (NPW) – the national gathering for people interested in peace, socialjustice, and human rights – will be at the Quaker Settlement in Whanganui fromFriday, 16 April to Sunday, 18 April. The theme of the 2010 NPW is ‘Exposingand opposing militarism and militarisation’ and the focus is on sharing storiesand experiences, workshops and participatory discussion with contributors whohave experience of community and individual non-violent resistance tomilitarism and militarisation in Aotearoa and overseas. The programme willinclude campaign updates from peace and related groups, follow up to theWaihopai Ploughshares trial, and the Peace Movement Aotearoa Annual GeneralMeeting.
Information about the programme, venue, accommodation, registration and traveloptions will be circulated in the last week of February and will be availableon the NPW web page at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw10.htmIf you, or your group, is interested in contributing a campaign update,leaflets or other resources, a donation, or being a co-sponsor of the 2010 NPW,please read the sections below. Campaign updates and resources from peacegroups: if you would like to update NPW participants on what your group iscurrently working on, space is set aside in the programme for campaign updates,but it is helpful if we can know as soon as possible what topic/s you wouldlike to cover. You are welcome to bring leaflets or other resources to the NPW,or if no-one from your group is able to attend, we can take them for you(details of when any material for the NPW needs to be in the Peace MovementAotearoa office will be included in the NPW update at the end of February).
Donations and co-sponsorship: whether or not you are planningon attending the NPW, if you are able to send a donation to assist with thecosts that would be gratefully received. Because these NPW are residential, weare providing substantially subsidised rates for low income participants toensure that anyone who wishes to attend is not prevented from doing so becauseof the cost. Donations will be used to help with the subsidised rates; and, aswith previous NPW, if there are any surplus funds they will be held in trust byPeace Movement Aotearoa for the next NPW. There is also the opportunity forpeace groups to co-sponsor the NPW: co-sponsorship comprises a minimum donationof $100, and in return co-sponsoring organisations are listed on publicitymaterial, on the 2010 NPW web page, and in any published report. If you areinterested in being a NPW co-sponsor, please let us know as soon as possible.Donation and / or co-sponsorship cheques should be made payable to ‘PeaceMovement Aotearoa: Special Projects’ and sent to the address below. Pleaseremember to include your name, address, and organisation (where applicable) ifyou would like a receipt.
Contact details: Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314,Wellington 6141. Tel (04) 382 8129, email pma@xtra.co.nz The National Peace Workshopsweb page is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw10.htm
BLACKBALL MAYDAY AND OPENING OF ’08 MEMORIAL AND RESOURCE CENTRE
May 1st. Registration form and further information, http://www.blackballmuseum.org.nz
JOIN THE 2010 NATIONAL ELECTIONS BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA SEPTEMBER 17 -28, 2010
The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s brigades to Venezuela are aonce-in-a-lifetime experience – the opportunity to see first-hand an unfoldingrevolution that is not only radically transforming the lives of Venezuelans,but challenging the greed, exploitation and destructiveness of globalcapitalism by showing that a better world is possible. A special feature of theSeptember 2010 brigade will be observing Venezuela’s vigorous democracyin action. The brigade will coincide with Venezuela’s next NationalAssembly elections, on September 26th, enabling brigadistas to observe the lastweek of campaigning – including the traditionally huge election ralliesheld on the weekend before – and polling day itself. As well as observingthe national elections, brigade participants will experience Venezuela’sparticipatory democracy at work, with visits to communal councils and communes.They will also visit worker-run factories and cooperatives; free, high-qualitypublic health and education services; Indigenous-run sustainable developmentprograms; and community controlled media stations. During the 10 days,brigadistas will have the opportunity to speak to a wide range of grassrootsorganisations, community activists, trade unions and government representativesabout the radical changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people. The 2010national elections brigade is the 11th solidarity tour to Venezuela organisedby the AVSN. Reports and photos from previous AVSN brigades are posted athttp://www.venezuelasolidarity.org. We are also happy to put you in touch withpeople who have participated in AVSN brigades, if you would like to find outmore.
Brigade registration and costs
The deadline for registering for the 2010 National Elections brigadeis July 1, 2010. To express interest in participating and obtain a registrationform, please contact brigades@venezuelasolidarity.orgParticipants will need to book their own international airfares, but the AVSNcan help with advice. Accommodation, transport and English-Spanish translationwithin Venezuela will be organised for all brigade participants. You will needto budget for a total cost of approximately $4000. This will cover:international return airfares and taxes (approximately $2500 from Sydney);accommodation (twin-share basis); transport and basic food while you are inVenezuela; and the brigade registration fee ($500 for workers, $300 forstudents or pensioners). For more information, email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.orgor phone Lisa Macdonald +61 413 031 108, Jim McIlroy +61 423 741 734 or RobertoJorquera +61 425 182 994.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“By saying that our leaders are power-drunk chimpanzees, am I in danger ofwrecking the morale of our soldiers fighting and dying in the Middle East?Their morale, like so many lifeless bodies, is already shot to pieces. They arebeing treated, as I never was, like toys a rich kid got for Christmas.”:Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Author
BEST ONTHE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
John Minto: Unelected positions spell trouble for ratepayers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10632417
Who’s the real money-hungry cult? http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/generalistimo/3408217/Whos-the-real-money-hungry-cult
GAG member on YouTube re Waitakere District Plan Changes
Auckland’s riches to be handed to corporate cronies By Matt McCarten http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10631825
John Minto: Death sentence for more New Zealand kids http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00130.htm
New Zealanders on ‘Health 43’: WE, CONCERNED NEW ZEALANDERS,join the Filipino people’s call for the dismissal of the fabricatedcharges against the 43 health workers who were arrested in Morong, Rizal, andsubsequently detained and tortured by their captors. We also call for theirimmediate release. http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100316-259097/New-Zealanders-on-Health-43
New Zealand’s internet filter goes live: Thomas Beagle, spokesperson foronline freedom lobby Tech Liberty says he’s “very disappointed that the filteris now running, it’s a sad day for the New Zealand internet”. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3434754/New-Zealands-internet-filter-goes-live
Gordon Campbell: The Economics of Mining DOC Land At yesterday’s Postcabinet press conference , Prime Minister John Key repeated thegovernment’s current defensive position on the proposal to extend miningwithin our national parks… http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/16/gordon-campbell-the-economics-of-mining-doc-land/
Scoop Review Of Books: Academia And Activism One place we might expect tolook for analysis of the women’s movement’s successes and failures,and for theoretical help advancing the cause, is the university… But on thatscore, a recent collection of feminist scholarship from Victoria UniversityPress – Rethinking Women and Politics: New Zealand and ComparativePerspectives – makes for depressing reading. http://books.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/08/academia-and-activism/
Gordon Campbell: On Fresh Evidence About The Gender Pay Gap An appropriatenewsflash yesterday for International Women’s Day. After analyzing InlandRevenue data, the Women’s Ministry has found that women almostimmediately begin to be paid less than men who have the same tertiary educationqualifications.That gender pay gap starts at 6% on average after the first yearin the workplace. and reaches 20% in some professions. http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/09/campbell-fresh-evidence-about-the-gender-pay-gap/
Valuing The Young – The right’s ideological crusade to bring backyouth rates http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/03/valuing-the-young/
REVIEWS
An Oscar For America’s Hubri By Robert Scheer – What a shame that theone movie about the Iraq war that has a chance of being viewed by a largeworldwide audience should be so disappointing. http://www.countercurrents.org/scheer110310.htm
An Afghan woman’s case against the U.S. war: Malalai Joya – A WomanAmong Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise HerVoice http://www.isreview.org/issues/69/rev-joya.shtml
Profits come before cures – Helen Redmond reviews Extraordinary Measures, anew movie that shows how the thirst for profit hinders drug companies fromfinding treatments and cures. http://socialistworker.org/2010/02/25/profits-come-before-cures
The Very Rich Hours – Two novels about money without morals. In both novels,shady financiers exult in secrecy as much as in gainby James Wood February 15,2010 – In his 1844 manuscripts, Karl Marx writes about money as an agent ofinversion. Once I have money, Marx says, I am no longer bound by myindividuality: “I am ugly, but I can buy for myself the most beautiful ofwomen. Therefore I am not ugly, for the effect of ugliness—its deterrentpower—is nullified by money. I, in my character and as an individual, amlame, but money furnishes me with twenty-four feet. Therefore I am not lame. Iam bad, dishonest, unscrupulous, stupid; but money is honored, and therefore sois its possessor.” In tone and rhythm, this is a cynical visiting of St.Paul’s invocation of charity in I Corinthians, with money substituted forcharity (a rewriting performed by George Orwell in his money-ridden novel“Keep the Aspidistra Flying”), and it culminates in Marx’smost comprehensive reversal: “If money is the bond binding me to humanlife, binding society to me, binding me and nature and man, is not money thebond of all bonds? Can it not dissolve and bind all ties? Is it not, therefore,the universal agent of divorce?” http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/02/15/100215crbo_books_wood?printable=true#ixzz0iDdAx6ig
Fidel Castro TV series charts 638 assassination attempts – He Who Must Livedocuments Cuban leader’s escapes from bacteria-infected hankie, exploding cigarand poisoned wetsuit http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/10/fidel-castro-television-assassination-attempts
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Film Review by Sian Ruddick. Director NielsArden Ople http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11202
Michael Lewis Takes Us Face to Face with the Investors Who Cashed in on theFinancial Collapse – Michael Lewis’s new book The Big Short and Joe Stiglitz’sFreefall expose how the winners cheat and cheaters win in the American economy.http://www.alternet.org/story/146056/michael_lewis_takes_us_face_to_face_with_the_investors_who_cashed_in_on_the_financial_collapse
FEATURES
A Culture Of Imperialism – Noam Chomsky on Obama’s Foreign Policy, HisOwn History of Activism, and the Importance of Speaking Out http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24986.htm
Recommit to women’s liberation – On International Women’s Day we launch amanifesto for 21st-century feminism http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/08/international-womens-day-manifesto
FILM: “No Way Through” – What would palestine style checkpoints look like inLondon
Has the World Social Forum been co-opted by capitalism? Does it have afuture? March 3, 2010 — Olivier Bonford and Eric Toussaint are members of theInternational Council of the World Social Forum (WSF) and of the the Committeefor the Abolition of the Third World Debt (CADTM). In this interview with MargaTojo Gonzales, they discuss the future and role of the World Social Forum as itenters its second decade. They also examine the relationship between the WSFand the call for a Fifth Socialist International by Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez.Translated by Vicki Briault and Christine Pagnoulle. http://links.org.au/node/1540
Clinton’s Latin American clangers – Offensive remarks on Honduras,gratuitous insults in Brazil – Hillary Clinton’s Latin American tour hasnot been a success http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/mar/05/hillary-clinton-latin-america
Latin America: US war on horizon? http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/830/42678
Who owns the Falklands? http://21stcenturysocialism.com/article/who_owns_the_falklands_01968.html
FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Bolivia summit to seek global climate change referendum http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jT-SkAutO2w_KTB7lEl_jQyEXQ_Q
Draft Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth to be discussed atWorld People’s Summit on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2010/03/draft-universal-declaration-of-rights.html
Study exposes massive outsourcing of emissions by rich countries – New studyreveals scale of “outsourced emissions” Around a third ofindustrialised countries carbon emissions are exported to developing nations http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=1870
The Obesity-Hunger Paradox http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/nyregion/14hunger.html?src=me
What Every Environmentalist Needs To Know About Capitalism By Fred Magdoff& John Bellamy Foster – Ecological crisis cannot be solved within the logicof the present system. The various suggestions for doing so have no hope ofsuccess. The system of world capitalism is clearly unsustainable http://www.countercurrents.org/foster070310.htm
The Wrong Kind Of Green By Johann Hari – How conservation groups arebargaining away our future by selling themselves off to some of the biggestpolluters on earth http://www.countercurrents.org/hari070310.htm
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
‘Beware! The end is nigh!’ Why global capitalism is tippingtowards collapse, and how we can act for a decent future. This 20,000 wordessay, by Grant Morgan of Socialist Worker-New Zealand. http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2010/03/grant-morgan-beware-end-is-nigh.html
Michael Moore: There’s Going to Be a Second Crash (And Glenn Beck Can F–kOff): There’s going to be another crash. The commercial real estate bubblehasn’t burst yet. That’s going to burst. The credit card debt is so huge rightnow, it will never be repaid. That’s a house of cards waiting to fall. So thecrash of ’08 is going to look like coming attractions. And we’re in for a much,much worse time. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/michael-moore-theres-goin_b_483508.html
The banksters bet on bankruptcy – Petrino DiLeo explains how Goldman Sachsand other major banks set the stage for the financial crisis in Greece–andthen figured out how to make money off it. http://socialistworker.org/print/2010/03/03/banksters-bet-on-bankruptcy
Toyota workers raised safety concerns with bosses in 2006 memo – The noticetold of worries about employees and vehicles over the automaker’s push to trimcosts and boost production. http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fi-toyota-canaries8-2010mar08,0,7087345,print.story
Time to Tax Financial Speculation – For those of us who want the financialindustry to serve people and the planet rather than dominate them, this is themost exciting reform under serious consideration on the world stage. http://www.yesmagazine.org/new-economy/time-to-tax-financial-speculation
Inside Alan Greenspan’s nightmare – News that wages are rising in China isgreeted with dread by those who share Greenspan’s unwarranted fear of risinginflation http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/mar/10/alan-greenspan-inflation-china
Corporate Debt Coming Due May Squeeze Credit – When the Mayans envisionedthe world coming to an end in 2012 — at least in the Hollywood telling— they didn’t count junk bonds among the perils that would lead toworldwide disaster. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/business/16debt.html
AFGHANISTAN
An Afghan Politician Pushes for a Comeback: The people who want to silenceMalalai Joya, the youngest elected politician in Afghanistan, are doing apretty good job of it in her own country. She has been expelled fromParliament. She has been barred from appearing in the Afghan media afterdenouncing the role of the warlords in politics. She calls for the immediatedeparture of foreign troops, even if it would lead to more violence in thecivil war. “It is better to leave us alone,” she said. “Wewill know what to do with our destiny.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/world/asia/15joya.html?ref=world
Afghan survivors: Women waved scarves to try to stop NATO air attack: Themilitary helicopters swooped in from behind the three-vehicle convoy as itwound through a remote road in southern Afghanistan, and survivors of lastweek’s deadly attack said they had no idea they were in danger until the leadfour-wheel drive vehicle exploded. http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20100303/wl_mcclatchy/3442141
Sinking deeper – DAVID WHITEHOUSE examines Obama’s new war plans forAfghanistan http://www.isreview.org/issues/69/feat-afghanistan.shtml
Will the Afghan Surge Succeed? http://www.palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15790
UN report criticises covert troops who committed Afghan killings: Coverttroops who killed two pregnant women and a teenage girl in eastern Afghanistanwent on to inflict “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” on the survivors ofa botched night raid, a report by the UN said. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7063184.ece
AUSTRALIA
How to get carbon-free power in Australia http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/829/42628
‘Cuba does it better’: doctor diagnoses ills in Rudd heath reform plan http://www.theage.com.au/national/cuba-does-it-better-doctor-diagnoses-ills-in-rudd-heath-reform-plan-20100315-q6w0.html
JOHN PILGER: Welcome To The World’s First Murdochracy http://www.countercurrents.org/pilger110310.htm
BOLIVIA
Bolivia, our beacon of hope – If the prospect of the election has you indespair, look to the inspiring example of Evo Morales’s Bolivian government http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/08/bolivia-evo-morales-election/print
Is Bolivia Heading for Andean-Amazonian Capitalism? by Eric Tousaint http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/2401-is-bolivia-heading-for-andean-amazonian-capitalism
Bolivia’s New Political Space: An Interview With Ambassador PabloSoln – Pablo Soln is Bolivia’s ambassador to the United Nations. He hasserved as President Evo Morales’s top ambassador on trade and economicintegration matters, the secretary pro tempore of the Union of South AmericanNations (UNASUR), and the Andean spokesperson for the “cooperationpillar” in negotiations between the Andean Community and the EuropeanUnion. Before taking governmental posts, Soln worked as an activist withindigenous movements, labor unions, student associations, and human rights andcultural organizations http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2010/03/bolivias-new-political-space-interview.html
CANADA
A VIEW FROM TORONTO – A HUB OF `ISRAEL DELEGITIMIZATION’ by RafeefZiadah – As a Palestinian refugee, the city of Toronto has always been a placeof exile to me. I usually think of it as a large (rather cold) waiting room onmy way back to Haifa where my grandparents were born. However, following thepublication of a recent report by the prominent Israeli think-tank, the ReutInstitute, I felt some pride for my adopted city http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1061
CHILE
NAOMI KLEIN: HOW SOCIALISM PROTECTED CHILEANS FROM EARTHQUAKE FALL-OUT -Wall Street Journal columnist makes an attempt to rewrite history that Chile’s”free-market” dictator Augusto Pinochet can be thanked for preventingdestruction there. http://www.alternet.org/story/145897/naomi_klein%3A_how_socialism_protected_chileans_from_earthquake_fall-out
Chile Death Toll Continues to Climb – The search for an undetermined numberof missing people continues, while many areas in southern Chile remain cut off,without running water, electricity or phone services. http://www.alternet.org/story/145853/chile_death_toll_continues_to_climb
The Social Earthquake In Chile By Roger Burbach – Chile is experiencing asocial earthquake in the aftermath of the 8.8 magnitude quake that struck thecountry on February 27. “The fault lines of the Chilean Economic Miraclehave been exposed,” says Elias Padilla, an anthropology professor at theAcademic University of Christian Humanism in Santiago. “The free market,neo-liberal economic model that Chile has followed since the Pinochetdictatorship has feet of mud.” http://www.countercurrents.org/burbach090310.htm
CHINA
China, capitalist accumulation and the world crisis By Martin Hart-Landsberghttp://links.org.au/node/1558
China – Obama’s dangerous game by Kate Hudson is Chair of the Campaignfor Nuclear Disarmament, UK http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/features/95-us-missile-sheild/4189-china-obamas-dangerous-game
CUBA
BBC interviews Ricardo Alarcon on Cuban Five and democracy in Cuba – The BBChave broadcast an exclusive 18 minute interview with Ricardo Alarcon, Presidentof the Cuban Parliament, the National Assembly of People’s Power. The interviewis another breakthrough in the news coverage of the campaign to free the CubanFive who are being held in US prisons. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8540218.stm
The dangers that are threatening us (Taken from CubaDebate) http://www.granmai.cubasi.cu/ingles/2010/marzo/lun8/10Reflex1-ing.html
Step-by-step guide to dance: Ballet Nacional de Cuba – Led by theindomitable Alicia Alonso, the ballet’s rise to fame has taken grit, tenacity… and revolution http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/mar/16/dance-ballet-nacional-de-cuba
Julie Webb-Pullman: Ricardo Alarcon on Cuba, Democracy, and the 2010Elections In 2008 Cuba suffered three devastating hurricanes within a matter ofweeks, followed hot on the heels by the world economic meltdown. Last week Iasked Ricardo Alarcon, President of the Cuban National Assembly ofPeoples’ Power, how the country and … http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00087.htm
GREECE
HOW THE MONSTERS AT GOLDMAN SACHS CAUSED A GREEK TRAGEDY By Jim Hightower,AlterNet – Greece’s crushing debt has exploded into a full-blown crisis, withthe country on the precipice of the unthinkable: the default of a sovereignnation. Thanks Goldman Sachs. http://www.alternet.org/story/145884/how_the_monsters_at_goldman_sachs_caused_a_greek_tragedy
GRENADA
Grenada Revolution Revisited http://www.trinicenter.com/kwame/2010/0703.htm
HAITI
Haiti’s Earthquake Victims in Great Peril By Roger Annis http://canadahaitiaction.ca/?p=1609
Haitians facing ‘intolerable breach of human dignity’–DoctorsWithout Borders http://www.msf.org.uk/articledetail.aspx?fId=twomonth_haiti_20100305
Haiti Reconstruction and Relief Watch http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/relief-and-reconstruction-watch/
HAITI’S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN PERIL by Roger Annis – It’s been nearly eightweeks since the devastating earthquake in Haiti and familiar patterns ofinterference and neglect and by the major powers that dominate the country arefirmly entrenched. http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1063
Haitian Women: Ra Dol vs. the Republic of NGOs http://www.huffingtonpost.com/georgianne-nienaber/haitian-women-rea-dol-vs_b_500516.html
ICELAND
Michael Collins: First Iceland, Then The World Who cleans up the mess whenignorant, greedy bankers rack up massive debt then go broke? The people ofIceland made a strong statement Saturday. The sins of big bankers andgovernment regulators shouldn’t fall on the citizens. By a 93% to 2% margin…http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00096.htm
IRAQ
Followers of Sadr Emerge Stronger After Iraq Elections: Their apparentsuccess in the March 7 vote for Parliament – perhaps second only to thefollowers of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki as the largest Shiite bloc -underscores a striking trend in Iraqi politics: a collapse in support for manyformer exiles who collaborated with the United States after the 2003 invasion.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/world/middleeast/17sadr.html?src=me
THE JEWS OF IRAQ By Naeim Giladi – I write this article for the same reasonI wrote my book: to tell the American people, and especially American Jews,that Jews from Islamic lands did not emigrate willingly to Israel; that, toforce them to leave, Jews killed Jews; and that, to buy time to confiscate evermore Arab lands, Jews on numerous occasions rejected genuine peace initiativesfrom their Arab neighbors. I write about what the first prime minister ofIsrael called “cruel Zionism.” I write about it because I was part of it. MyStory http://www.bintjbeil.com/E/occupation/ameu_iraqjews.html
2.8 million Iraqis remain internally displaced: Seven years after the March2003 US-led invasion, Iraq remains deeply divided. There are few prospects ofdurable solutions for the approximately 15 per cent of the population who aredisplaced inside and outside Iraq. It is thought that there are almost 2.8million internally displaced people http://snipurl.com/umunu
Disturbing story of Fallujah’s birth defects: Six years after the intensefighting began in the Iraqi town of Fallujah between US forces and Sunniinsurgents, there is a disturbingly large number of cases of birth defects inthe town. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8548961.stm
IRELAND
The Irish Famine Was Genocide By Francis Boyle – While there are manylegitimate subjects of debate surrounding the Famine, there is no doubt thatthe British Government committed genocide against the Irish People. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article25011.htm
MEXICO
Bloodbath in Mexico: Drug Prohibition Is to Blame for Thousands of Mexicanand Now American Deaths – There is war in our backyard that can match theviolence anywhere in the world, and that is the Drug War in Mexico. READMORE
Mexico: Stop union-busting at PEMEX: Union members are being informed thatin order to retain their jobs they are required to sign two documents, onecalling for the cancellation of the union’s registration and the other aresignation from the union. http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=654
MOROCCO
Morocco ‘violently’ repressed protests in W.Sahara: activist http://www.expatica.com/es/news/spanish-rss-news/morocco-violently-repressed-protests-in-w-sahara:-activist_30066.html
PACIFIC
MEN JAILED OVER BAINIMARAMA ASSASSINATION PLOT http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/05/2838232.htm
SOLOMON ISLANDS WOMEN ‘BARRIER BREAKERS’ TELL THEIR STORY http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/solomon-islands-women-barrier-breakers-tell-their-stories/
PAKISTAN
All the Things You Didn’t Know About Pakistan – Here’s a quick primer on theworld’s most misunderstood and demonized country — and one to which the UnitedStates is inextricably tied. http://www.alternet.org/story/145940/all_the_things_you_didn%27t_know_about_pakistan
PALESTINE
Apartheid in East Jerusalem – Daphna Thier describes a brewing struggle todefend Palestinian residents in a neighborhood of the city where she grew up.http://socialistworker.org/print/2010/02/25/apartheid-in-east-jerusalem
Truth And Consequences In The Gaza Invasion By Norman Finkelstein – Thisarticle is excerpted from Norman Finkelstein’s important new book about theGaza conflict, “This Time We Went Too Far” published this month http://www.countercurrents.org/finkelstein040310.htm
ZIONISM UNMASKED – A fairy tale that’s become a terrifyingnightmare http://www.alanhart.net/zionism-unmasked-a-fairy-tale-thats-become-a-terrifying-nightmare/#more-1146
The Truth About Israel As Only Gideon Levy Can Tell It – Gideon Levy writesfor Ha’aretz, the newspaper than enables some Israelis, sadly a minority,to cling on to their sanity. I have described him in the past as the conscienceof Israeli journalism. But he is far more than that. He is the conscience ofall Israeli Jews. http://www.alanhart.net/the-truth-about-israel-as-only-gideon-levy-can-tell-it/
Israel Is an Apartheid State and That Is Why It Is Losing Legitimacy http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1055
Quiet revolution that is freezing Palestinians out of Jerusalem – Evictionsand planning decisions on the ground are jeopardising prospects for a two-stateMiddle East peace deal http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2010/mar/07/palestinians-jerusalem-frozen-out
Israel’s Apartheid By Murray Dobbin – For the first two weeks ofMarch, Palestine’s supporters around the world focus public attention onIsrael’s continued brutal occupation of the West Bank and its even morevicious siege of Gaza. They do so through Israeli Apartheid Week and this isthe sixth year the public education campaign has taken place. http://www.countercurrents.org/dobbin090310.htm
“Peace Or Apartheid” Are Not The Only Options For Israel By AlanHart – The developing debate about Israel’s future offers two scenariosbut there is a third which, apparently, should not be discussed in the open, inpublic. So let’s do just that. http://www.countercurrents.org/hart060310.htm
PHILIPPINES
Morong 43 minus 3, lawyer fears http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100306-256947/Morong-43-minus-3-lawyer-fears
Appeals Court Decision on Morong 43 Sets Dangerous Precedent http://freethehealthworkers.blogspot.com/
SOUTH AFRICA
Cost of Stadium Reveals Tensions in South Africa http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/world/africa/13stadium.html
USA
37 years of solitary confinement: the Angola three – In 1972, three men in aLouisiana prison were placed in solitary confinement after a prison guard wasmurdered. Two of them are still there – even though many believe they areinnocent http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/mar/10/erwin-james-angola-three
At the Tea Party http://www.nybooks.com/articles/23723
Why health care reform is not a “huge progressive victory” http://www.tinyrevolution.com/mt/archives/003226.html
Full Text of Human Rights Record of the United States in 2009 http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-03/12/c_13208219.htm
VENEZUELA
Venezuela Celebrates Women’s Day, Discusses Abortion Rights http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/5178
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