GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 473, AUGUST 18, 2013
Holding the Prime Minister to account – Monday Night, Auckland Town Hall, 7pm
By John Minto
With the notable exception of John Campbell, the mainstream media have been utterly pathetic in holding the Prime Minister to account for his outrageous misrepresentation of the GCSB and TICS (Telecommunications Interception Capability and Security) bills currently before parliament.
John Key has been keen to talk about anything other than the GCSB bill but then finally turned up for an interview on Campbell Live and used a mixture of bluff and bluster to tell the country the new GCSB bill is merely a tidy-up of the old bill which had led the GCSB to break the law. When confronted with an avalanche of criticism that the bill allows for wholesale spying on New Zealanders Key says everyone else is wrong and he is right.
The mainstream media went into something of a frenzy a few weeks back when they learned a journalist’s movements around parliament and cellphone records had been passed over to a Prime Ministerial investigation without the permission of anyone involved. It’s a pity they couldn’t find the same energy for the much more serious issue of the introduction of across-the-board spying on New Zealanders by the GCSB.
This conflict has dragged on for many weeks but no-where has there been a serious journalistic critique of the claims made by either the Prime Minister or his critics.
This week it’s been left to Dr Rodney Harrison QC and Dame Anne Salmond to point out the Prime Ministers carefully spun misrepresentation of the bills. Rodney’s piece in yesterday’s New Zealand Herald is here:
Dame Anne Salmond’s leading letter in the Herald on Saturday (not online unfortunately) also takes the PM to account where journalists have failed.
It’s more important than ever that we hold the Prime Minister to account at the URGENT PUBLIC MEETING TO STOP THE GCSB BILL – AUCKLAND TOWN HALL THIS MONDAY 19TH AUGUST AT 7PM.
There’s nowhere else to be Monday night.
(See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/18/holding-the-prime-minister-to-account-monday-night-auckland-town-hall-7pm/#.dpuf)
Letter from Anne Salmond to NZ Herald
Dear Sir,
In assessing the Prime Minister’s performance on Campbell Live, rather than admiring the style, it is important to weigh what was said. He assured New Zealanders that if the GCSB bill is passed, they will not be subject to wholesale spying.
In the bill, however, it says that the Director may apply in writing for an interception warrant or an access authorisation, and the scope of these permissions is sweeping.
In the case of warrants, the communications that are intercepted may be “made or received by 1 or more persons or classes of persons” – all teachers, or nurses, or trade unionists, perhaps, plus all the people with whom they communicate?
In the case of access authorisations, the Director may seek access to “1 or more specified information infrastructures or classes of information infrastructures” – all telephone or internet services, for example, or the Southern Cross Cable?
If XKeyscore is used, with its capacity for 3-hop analyses, a warrant for an individual (let alone a class of person) gives access to the communications of tens of thousands of people. If the Guardian is to be believed, New Zealanders are already subject to surveillance under this system.
Contrary to the Prime Minister’s assurances, it seems that the GCSB bill does make wholesale spying on New Zealanders legally possible. This further undermines trust in the oversight of our intelligence system.
The Prime Minister has added that in the first instance, he would not allow the GCSB to access the content of the communications that are intercepted. Are we supposed to be grateful? Metadata can still be analysed. For such assurances to be relied on, they must be written into law.
More than ever, I think that a thorough and independent review of the intelligence agencies, and those who authorise the surveillance of New Zealanders is needed before any new legislation is drafted. Our democratic rights are at risk, and must be defended.
Yours truly
Anne Salmond
URGENT Appeal for donations to pay for Town Hall Hire:
The GCSB Public meeting in the Town Hall will cost6 close to $7,000 for the venue alone – $4500 +GST for basic hire and $1750 + GST for compulsory security, ushers and sound.
We collected $3000 on the GCSB March but we urgently need $4,000 which must be paid BEFORE the meeting. Can you help?
Donations can be direct credited to: Global Peace and Justice Auckland
Account Number 38-9000-0099726-00
NZ – GCSB
Rodney Harrison: Wholesale spy power is precisely what GCSB bill means for Kiwis http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10913479
Tech Liberty on GCSB Bill http://thestandard.org.nz/tech-liberty-on-gcsb-bill/
TPPA & the rise of the mass surveillance state By Prof Jane Kelsey – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/16/tppa-the-rise-of-the-mass-surveillance-state/#sthash.j4v6V3gd.dpuf
Were we watching the same program? http://thejackalman.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/were-we-watching-same-program.html
Key forcing ‘Mickey Mouse’ GCSB Bill amendment – Labour http://www.3news.co.nz/Key-forcing-Mickey-Mouse-GCSB-Bill-amendment—Labour/tabid/370/articleID/309333/Default.aspx
Unanswered questions About The GCSB’s NSA Relations http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/12/unanswered-questions-about-the-gcsbs-relations-with-the-nsa/
For a world without spying http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/for-world-without-spying.html
Māori subject to spying http://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_story_id/NTA5Nw==/National/story/M%C4%81ori-subject-to-spying
Note to John Key: Zaoui was innocent http://www.kiwipolitico.com/2013/08/note-to-john-key-zaoui-was-innocent/
Fishermen upset over proposed snapper cuts http://www.3news.co.nz/Fishermen-upset-over-proposed-snapper-cuts/tabid/423/articleID/308305/Default.aspx
Does the new GCSB Bill give them the power to spy on New Zealanders? http://techliberty.org.nz/gcsb-spying-on-new-zealanders/
Russell Brown: The GCSB Bill: We at least have to try http://publicaddress.net/8703
Trailer for Feature Film Documentary MEGA CONSPIRACY http://vimeo.com/72122747
PRISM collects, GCSB looks http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/prism-collects-gcsb-looks.html
Cost of GCSB Bill could be hundreds of millions in lost opportunity for NZ ICT industry http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/cost-gcsb-bill-could-be-hundreds-millions-lost-opportunity-nz-ict-industry-ck-144560
Citizen A This Week: With Martyn Bradbury, Dr Rodney Harrison QC & MP Grant Robertson http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/16/citizen-a-gcsb-special-with-dr-rodney-harrison-qc-grant-robertson/
Nanny National: In John Key, has Big Government found its most devoted servant? by Gordon Campbell http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/08/nanny-national/
PM forced to admit GCSB can read NZers’ inbox http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00264/pm-forced-to-admit-gcsb-can-read-nzers-inbox.htm
David Rovics:
The GCSB roadie continues http://www.3news.co.nz/The-GCSB-roadie-continues/tabid/817/articleID/309016/Default.aspx
WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
Friday, August 23, 12pm at Albert Park (opposite Auckland University) in the Auckland CBD
Teddy Bear’s Picnic to Support Paid Parental Leave 26 weeks! And to say a very big loud: DON’T VETO THE BILL, BILL! To date our confirmed speakers are Sue Moroney, Jan Logie, Marama Davidson and Carmel Sepuloni https://www.facebook.com/events/196478883847114/
Friday, August 23, 7.30pm, OUSA Recreaction Centre (formally Clubs n Socs), Albany Street, Dunedin.
Come and join us in part one of our surveillance film and discussion series! Organsied by Disintermedia.net.nz, The Organisation for Global Nonviolent Action (OGNA) and Students for Free Culture. Currently in Aotearoa/NZ the GCSB bill has disturbing implications for both individual privacy and civil liberties. It gives the state increased powers of surveillance that allow it to be increasingly intrusive and challenge freedom of speech. Beside the fact that it infringes on human rights there is also no evidence of necessity or effectiveness. This kind of activity has been a global trend within the last decade. The series will have three parts: The first week we will focus on moving beyond the problem, and lay out a vision of where we want to go. The film will be “V FOR VENDETTA”. The second week we will focus on the problem and the challenges of reaching our end goal. The film will be “WE LIVE IN PUBLIC”. And finally we will focus on possible solutions to the issue and what action we can take. The film will be “FREE THE NETWORK”. We aim to create a space where anyone can come and openly discuss important issues that have an impact on our society. Through discussion we aim to find solutions to global problems , and afterwards turn our proposed solutions into action. We see this discussion as an opportunity for people to clarify their own ideas as well as present and be exposed to possible solutions.
Monday, August 26, 6pm, Case Room 3, Owen Glenn Building, University of Auckland
Narratives for Auckland 2 – Building Liveable Cities. I would like to invite you to the second seminar in our Narratives for Auckland Series. The ingredients of a liveable city (affordable housing, modern public transport, great public spaces, urban renewal and the celebration of creative diversity) cannot be delivered by the market. It takes many hands working with councils, communities and the private sector. Phil Twyford MP will discuss the role of government in facing these challenges, Denise Bijoux and Paul Grimshaw will outline what they learned on good urban development from their recent visit to Seattle, Victoria and Portland. Phil Twyford is Labour’s spokesperson on Housing, Auckland Issues and he is Associate Environment spokesperson with a focus on cities. Phil is the Member of Parliament for Te Atatu, and was first elected to Parliament in 2008. Before politics he spent 15 years with the international humanitarian organisation Oxfam. Denise Bijoux works in community-led development to create effective models of partnership, participatory community development, sustainable healthy housing, placemaking and Asset Based Development. She has worked with Inspiring Communities & manages the Neighbourhoods Programme for Beacon Pathway. Denise led the study tour to North America. Paul Grimshaw is a lawyer with 25 years experience who has specialises in construction disputes and Building Code compliance issues. Over the last 10 years he has acted for approximately 6,000 owners who have been affected by the leaky building disaster. His experience has provided him with valuable insight in to the current state of housing in New Zealand. And more … as a follow-up session for activists for community level organising, there is a workshop, Thursday 29th August 6pm at the Polish Society Room, Morningside. Jim Diers on “The local is everything in the lively city” $20 cover charge + lite food + a bar. See Jim here http//www.neighborpower.org/ and here http//www.abcdinstitute.org/faculty/diers Warm regards, Phil Harington, For the New Zealand Fabian Society
Sunday, September 8, 6pm, The Victoria Theatre, 48-56 Victoria Rd, Devonport
‘FRANCES HA’ – MOVIE NIGHT: Come to the movies with us on 8th September and help support us and the Auckland Womens Centre. There’s a choice of 2 tickets:- $20 Movie Ticket Only; $25 Movie Ticket + Glass of Wine or Ice Cream. Contact the Office on 444 4618 or email us at women.ctr to get your ticket. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or direct credit. Alternatively tickets can be purchased through Auckland Womens Centre Ph: 376 3227 ext 0 or email info or – if you’re in the Ponsonby area – at the Womens Bookshop. A bit about the film ….. Frances (Greta Gerwig) lives in New York, but she doesn’t really have an apartment. Frances is an apprentice for a dance company, but shes not really a dancer. Frances has a best friend named Sophie, but they aren’t really speaking anymore. Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Frances wants so much more than she has but lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness. FRANCES HA is a modern comic fable that explores New York, friendship, class, ambition, failure, and redemption. (c) IFC Films
https://www.facebook.com/events/196478883847114/
Wednesday, September 11
LEGAL SEMINAR ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT – PRESENTED BY GALVIN LAW: This seminar will be beneficial for women who are, or have been affected by, domestic violence as well as community workers, counsellors and anyone supporting women in this situation. This seminar is a women only event. Cost: $10 (waged) or $5 (Community Services Card/Unwaged). Call the office on 444 4618 to register your place.
Friday, September 20, 7pm, 3 Pearce St, Onehunga, Auckland
You are invited to join us for an exciting night of Culture, Live music with Calle Latina, Cuban Accent, with Special guest Mallarauco and Traditional dances by Macondo , The Cuban Grove , food, bar and much more!! Estas invitado a participar en la celebración de la Fiesta de Chile que estará llena de cultura, música en vivo con Calle Latina, The Cuban Accent, tradicionales música con Mallarauco bailes con Macondo y Bailes de Salsa con The Cuban grove, comida, bar y mucho mas… buy you Ticket now!! $10 Entry only cash https://www.facebook.com/events/423572647757106/
JOIN THE 2013 SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA – DECEMBER 4-13, 2013
Witness a people’s revolution in action. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s 14th international solidarity brigade to Venezuela this December is a very special opportunity to observe, learn about and be inspired by the Bolivarian revolution that is transforming Latin America and challenging the greed and exploitation of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible. Since 1998, when the late Hugo Chavez was first elected president, the Bolivarian revolution has achieved remarkable things by putting control of Venezuela’s politics and economy back into the hands of the poor majority. Despite the challenges created by Chavez’s death last March and the right-wing’s campaign to undermine new President Nicolas Maduro, this people-power driven revolution continues to flourish and defy all attempts by the imperialism-backed opposition to destroy it.
Brigade registration and costs
The registration deadline for the 2013 brigade is September 1, 2013. Accommodation, transport within Venezuela and English-Spanish translation throughout the brigade will be organised for all participants by the AVSN. Participants will need to book their own international airfares. Please do not purchase your tickets before the registration deadline of September 1. In addition to your international airfare, you will need to budget for approximately $1200. This will cover your brigade registration fee ($500 for waged workers or $350 for students/pensioners), and your food, transport and (shared) accommodation in Venezuela.
To register or for more information: EMAIL: brigades
www.venezuelasolidarity.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DAVID ROVICS TOUR CANCELLED: “You are not welcome in New Zealand”
http://songwritersnotebook.blogspot.jp/2013/08/you-are-not-welcome-in-new-zealand.html
PROCHOICE HIGHWAY
Many thanks to all for a great 24 July Auckland launch of Fighting to Choose: The Abortion Rights Struggle in New Zealand. The follow-up book tour-cum-roadshow, Prochoice Highway, kicks off next month, and runs till the end of the year. If you’d like to follow the Highway via occasional email updates, this link will take you to a page where you can sign up. Otherwise your in-box will be left in peace from now on (unless, that is, you already happen to be a subscriber). Ngā mihi nui, Alison McCulloch
COROMANDEL WATCHDOG
Please see attached our Winter Newsletter. It has been a busy year for Hauraki/Coromandel with the Manaia campaign, closely followed by the Regatta and most recently the protest to protect Parakiwai, as well as expanding threats of mining in areas that are totally inappropriate. The government continue to present short-sighted committment to facilitating the mineral industry over and above communities and the environment. Thank you for being part of protecting the Coromandel, we know that communities deserve better than short-term unsustainable economic solutions and together we can save the Coromandel from this. Do not hesitate to get in touch with your ideas and/or to volunteer your time. Kind Regards, Renee Annan, Coordinator, Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki. m: 0220181764 www.watchdog.org.nz Newsletter: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18076151/Newsletter%20Winter%202013%20for%20email.pdf
ROGER AWARD
Nominations are open for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa – New Zealand in 2013. Download a nomination form here http://bit.ly/13RBjuT
LIVING WAGE TO FEATURE AT LOCAL ELECTIONS
Candidates will be asked by communities to step up for a Living Wage at this year’s local body elections in Auckland, Wellington and beyond. The Living Wage Movement will hold seven meetings in Auckland with communities that want to see employees and contracted workers at Auckland Council paid a Living Wage. Living Wage Aotearoa NZ will join with the following Auckland communities to call for a Living Wage and to support other critical issues that really matter to their communities:
Unions @ Papatoetoe Cosi Club | August 22, 4-6pm
Women @ Columbus Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby | September 3, 6-8pm
Youth @ Auckland University quad | September 4, 12.30-1.30pm
Migrant and Refugees @ Mays Rd Memorial Hall | September 7, 4-6pm
Faith-based groups @ Columbus Centre, Ponsonby | September 10, 7-9pm
West Auckland communities @ Tuvalu Church, Aetna Pl | September 18, 6-8pm
Pacific Communities @ Pacific Island Church Otara | October 4, 5-7pm
And for Wellington they are:
St Peters on Willis, 7-9pm, Monday, 23 September
Victoria University, 1pm, 25 September
Pacific Islander Presbyterian Church, Newtown, 2-4pm, Saturday 28 September
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Egypt prayers to show solidarity http://www.3news.co.nz/Egypt-prayers-to-show-solidarity/tabid/423/articleID/309441/Default.aspx#ixzz2cI12E8Xg
Auckland Egyptians plead for peace http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9057171/Auckland-Egyptians-plead-for-peace/
Egyptians in NZ rally against the massacre of protesters http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00244/egyptians-in-nz-rally-against-the-massacre-of-protesters.htm
Gordon Campbell on putting profit potential ahead of human potential http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/08/14/gordon-campbell-on-putting-profit-potential-ahead-of-human-potential/
Dotcomming The TPP: Does what the government is saying inside the TPP contradict its support for Dotcom’s prosecution? by Gordon Campbell http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/08/dotcomming-the-tpp/
Trust lost, disability advocates warn Govt http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10911611
Radical musician barred on way to Nelson gig http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9055435/Radical-musician-barred-on-way-to-Nelson-gig
Government’s announcement on RMA reforms are troubling http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00153/governments-announcement-on-rma-reforms-are-troubling.htm
UK paper rubbishes NZ’s green claims as ‘pure manure’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10910644
Minto would slash mayor CEO’s salaries http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10911097
300 rally against National at conference http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9027029/300-rally-against-National-at-conference
Environmentalists may occupy Denniston http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10910678
Widespread opposition to RMA changes http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/widespread-opposition-rma-changes-5530667
National attacks environmental protection … again … http://thestandard.org.nz/national-attacks-environmental-protection-again/
Report highlights disparity in health system for Maori http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10910616
Hospitals miss target for urgent treatment http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9027526/Hospitals-miss-target-for-urgent-treatment
Telcos rail at internet proposal http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10910165
The Anglers’ Revolt http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/the-anglers-revolt.html
GI Housing Protest – Breaking Ground https://www.facebook.com/jdarroch/media_set?set=a.4654815708931.1073741833.1849470749&type=1
How much of a scam is Auckland Transport? http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/14/how-much-of-a-scam-is-auckland-transport/
East Coast iwi considers legal action over oil exploration http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/217039/east-coast-iwi-considers-legal-action-over-oil-exploration
Labour needs a boot up the backside By John Minto http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/14/labour-needs-a-boot-up-the-backside-2/
NZ Can and Must Aim Higher With Emissions Target http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00237/nz-can-and-must-aim-higher-with-emissions-target.htm
New Zealand Imperialism in the Pacific http://iso.org.nz/2013/08/13/new-zealand-imperialism-in-the-pacific/
The road to genuine social change and peoples power By Mike Treen – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/16/the-road-to-genuine-social-change-and-peoples-power/#sthash.qGS3WMQ3.dpuf
Songwriter’s Notebook: This is my blog! Here I post stories from the road, announcements about tours and campaigns, reflections on life, death and politics, and more… http://songwritersnotebook.blogspot.jp/2013/08/update-on-my-efforts-to-enter-new.html
Gordon Campbell on the smelter deal, Fonterra and Iran http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/08/09/gordon-campbell-on-the-smelter-deal-fonterra-and-iran/
Lynley Hood: Pora case highlights need for long overdue pardon http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10912405
NZ – POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
Poverty Watch 43 http://thestandard.org.nz/poverty-watch-43/
Biggest child abuse offender is the government http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00242/biggest-child-abuse-offender-is-the-government.htm
Time to abandon the ‘Tall Poppy’ notion http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/time-to-abandon-tall-poppy-notion.html
Ten Myths About Welfare – the politics behind the government’s welfare reform process by Gordon Campbell http://werewolf.co.nz/2011/02/ten-myths-about-welfare/
More Beneficiary Bashing: An interesting study has come out of Victoria University – showing that the Government writes off tax debt much more easily than it does welfare debt.
http://thestandard.org.nz/more-beneficiary-bashing/
Govt accused of bias with debt collection http://www.3news.co.nz/Govt-accused-of-bias-with-debt-collection/tabid/1607/articleID/308839/Default.aspx
Welfare debt tackled more than tax fraud http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9037885/Welfare-debt-tackled-more-than-tax-fraud
The powerless & poor are the first casualties of neofascism, not social media citizens – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/16/the-powerless-poor-are-the-first-casualties-of-neofascism-not-social-media-citizens/#sthash.hT47P4Oc.dpuf
AAAP Newsletter – Making an impact http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f2a9240607eceef83f0a18200&id=f685a1bd6b&e=a5393c087e
Health check up finds free after-hours visits for under sixes improving but more progress is needed http://www.cpag.org.nz/in-focus/report-release-after-hours-health-care/
NZ – ECONOMY
Robert Wade on ‘Inequality and the West’
More Kiwis working beyond pension age http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10912509
Tiwai deal puts business over health http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/9047395/Tiwai-deal-puts-business-over-health
The opportunity cost http://thestandard.org.nz/the-opportunity-cost/
NZ – WORKRIGHTS
Workers: We could not leave at night http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10912087
Worker gets $12,000 over wrongful dismissal http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10910541
Facebook used in worker dismissal http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9027510/Facebook-used-in-worker-dismissal
Living wage for all workers doing council work to be funded by heavy cuts to council management salaries http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1308/S00265/living-wage-for-all-workers-doing-council-work.htm
Disabled People Discriminated Against In Employment http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00175/disabled-people-discriminated-against-in-employment.htm
CTU: Survey confirms it’s time for a Living Wage http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00194/survey-confirms-its-time-for-a-living-wage.htm
International attention on National’s removal of employment rights http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00220/international-attention-on-nzs-removal-of-employment-rights.htm
Don’t let yourself be intimidated by bullying in the workplace http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10893643
Ranfurly House owners threaten workers with the sack if they don’t accept massive pay cuts http://www.nzno.org.nz/activities/media_releases/articletype/articleview/articleid/1536/ranfurly-house-owners-threaten-workers-with-the-sack-if-they-dont-accept-massive-pay-cuts
Aged care operator disappointed with picket http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbbus/969053135-aged-care-operator-disappointed-with-picket?s=315
Workers stage wage protest http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/workers-stage-wage-protest/1984924/
93 Redundancies announced at Solid Energy http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/we-have-turn-solid-energy-around-chairman-5533796
Miners ‘screwed’ at the coalface http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9048964/Miners-screwed-at-the-coalface
Coal imported as miners laid off http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9048805/Coal-imported-as-miners-laid-off
Sex-pest test means instant dismissal http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/9056831/Sex-pest-test-means-instant-dismissal
STATS OF THE WEEK
- Percent of New Zealanders with not enough money to make ends meet: 15 (another 33% have just enough). Percent unemployed: 6.4
- African Americans, who are 14% of U.S. drug users, are not only 37% of the people arrested for drugs but 56% of the people in prison for it
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Welfare cuts that are meant to get the jobless back to work are driving down the living standards of hundreds of thousands of people who are in no position to find a job, an assessment of the Coalition’s welfare reforms says today.” http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-real-cost-of-benefits-squeeze-1600-per-family-8756554.html
FEATURES
The road to genuine social change and peoples power By Mike Treen – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/16/the-road-to-genuine-social-change-and-peoples-power/#sthash.qGS3WMQ3.dpuf
Federico Fuentes on socialism in the 21st century and revolutionary leadership in Latin America http://links.org.au/node/3475
Software that tracks people on social media created by defence firm http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/10/software-tracks-social-media-defence
Gwynne Dyer: Spying mess will change internet http://www.nzherald.co.nz/international-politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503226&objectid=10911985
Richard Dawkins does it again: New Atheism’s Islamophobia problem http://www.salon.com/2013/08/10/richard_dawkins_does_it_again_new_atheisms_islamophobia_problem/
John Pilger: Manning will inspire others to stand for truth – See more at: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54713#sthash.dlUJlG4c.Tp7bDqfX.dpuf
End Prohibition Now: The Definitive Argument Against Criminalizing Drugs http://www.filmsforaction.org/news/end_prohibition_now/
Of course all men don’t hate women. But all men must know they benefit from sexism http://www.newstatesman.com/2013/08/laurie-penny/men-sexism
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg: Globalization And Inequality http://blogs.lclark.edu/hart-landsberg/2013/08/13/globalization-and-inequality/
Tom Mills discusses the contemporary folly and the deep historical roots of austerity with Mark Blyth, Professor of International Political Economy at Brown University in the United States and the author of Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea. http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/print_article/power_prejudice_the_politics_of_austerity_part_1
The Shocking Amount of Wealth and Power Held by 0.001% of the World Population – The level of inequality around the world is truly staggering. http://www.alternet.org/economy/global-power-elite-exposed
Fracking: dangerous, destructive, unnecessary http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/analysis/16590-fracking-dangerous-destructive-unnecessary
LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT
Awakening the Dreamer: Changing the Dream (2011): Wake up to your own role in creating a new future. This new perspective of the current state of our planet features top scientific, indigenous and activist minds from around the world. Now available for the first-time ever on video, The Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium empowers participants to respond to the urgency and the opportunity of our times with action and informed, grounded optimism. http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/awakening_the_dreamer_changing_the_dream_2011/
The Great Rift: Capitalism and the metabolism of nature and production http://links.org.au/node/3470
JPMorgan scandal: Wall Street gets rich off climate inaction – See more at: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54734#sthash.nCN1aa0J.dpuf
A dirty black hole: From Wales to Colombia, the scourge of opencast coal mining is being driven by our continued dependence on this dirtiest of fossil fuels, writes Kelvin Mason http://www.redpepper.org.uk/a-dirty-black-hole/
Yep, We’re Screwed: Top Ten Recent Climate Change Findings that should Scare You http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/screwed-climate-findings.html
The Future We Don’t Want: ILO Discussion on “Green Economy” is out of step with many unions and social movements by Maité Llanos http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/863.php
Beware of Monsanto’s evil plan http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/8998463/Beware-of-Monsantos-evil-plan
CULTURAL DISSENT
Matt Damon Elysium interview http://www.3news.co.nz/Matt-Damon-Elysium-interview/tabid/312/articleID/309323/Default.aspx
Science Fiction Tricked Hollywood Into Making the Year’s Most Radical Film Read more: http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/elysium-science-fiction-tricked-hollywood-into-making-the-years-most-radical-film#ixzz2c0qWw6y2
“Elysium”: A Working Class Fantasy http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/3962
NZFF Review: He Toki Huna – NZ in Afghanistan (5 stars) + interview with Director – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/12/nzff-review-he-toki-huna-nz-in-afghanistan-5-stars-interview-with-director/#sthash.pCogrcLZ.h3AdulI5.dpuf
Propaganda is a Christchurch -produced film. It won the best film award at the Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan last week, a festival co-founded and curated by Oscar-winning director, Michael Moore. – See more at: http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/propaganda.html#sthash.EAuMdZow.dpuf
Questlove on His Musical Upbringing, Hip-Hop’s 40th, Soul Train and New Memoir, “Mo’ Meta Blues” http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/14/questlove_on_his_musical_upbringing_hip
Review: A Bitter Pill: A Lenny Moss Mystery http://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2013/08/review-bitter-pill-lenny-moss-mystery
The Rich Get Richer (Dear Corporation)
AUSTRALIA
Slaughter on stolen lands – While we remember our casualties in overseas wars, no toll exists for Aboriginal deaths during the brutal colonisation of Australia. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/slaughter-on-stolen-lands-20130808-2rhcq.html#ixzz2biuffZoX
Union fight was necessary to keep university strong – Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/union-fight-was-necessary-to-keep-university-strong-20130812-2rrzz.html#ixzz2bpJGyrSk
PNG solution deepens Australian neo-colonialism http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54738
‘Rocking the Foundations’ — the story of Australia’s pioneering red-green trade union http://links.org.au/node/3476
Contempt charges dropped against unionist Bob Carnegie http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/contempt-charges-dropped-against-unionist-bob-carnegie/story-fnihsrf2-1226698230939
Aboriginal groups welcome refugees http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54726
Hero, traitor, critic – Vietnam celebrates Burchett’s centenary in pictures Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/hero-traitor-critic–vietnam-celebrates-burchetts-centenary-in-pictures-20110921-1kl9l.html#ixzz2cIeGwKDs
BOLIVIA
Exploring ‘market justice’ in Bolivia http://boliviarising.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/exploring-market-justice-in-bolivia.html
BRAZIL
Samsung Brazil violated labour laws, prosecutors allege http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23689836
BURMA
Defiant Myanmar activists expect jail over oil/gas protest http://www.trust.org/item/20130814122522-1eg2h/?source=shfb
Burma’s Political Prisoner Problem http://www.thenation.com/article/175770/burmas-political-prisoner-problem
CANADA
International human rights delegation to investigate treatment of First Nations http://tinyurl.com/mcvwuho
Nova Scotia’s crackdown on cyberbullying goes too far: Editorial http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/08/11/nova_scotias_crackdown_on_cyberbullying_goes_too_far_editorial.html
Nova Scotia’s awful cyber abuse law makes bullies of us all http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/08/08/nova-scotias-awful-cyber-abuse-law-makes-bullies-of-us-all/
Kevin Washbrook makes coal a burning issue http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/kevin-washbrook-makes-coal-a-burning-issue/article13707013/
Another step in the crazed march of Canada’s fossil fuel industry http://www.rogerannis.com/another-step-in-the-crazed-march-of-canadas-fossil-fuel-industry/
CHINA
China’s Young Workers Fight Back at Foxconn http://www.labornotes.org/2013/08/china%E2%80%99s-young-workers-fight-back-foxconn
EGYPT
Egypt’s shameful day: Bloodbath on the Nile http://www.rogerannis.com/egypts-shameful-day-bloodbath-on-the-nile/
Egypt on Aug 14, 2013: ‘Worst attack on civilians’ in the history of the country http://www.rogerannis.com/egypt-on-aug-14-2013-worst-attack-on-civilians-in-the-history-of-the-country/
Murdering the Wretched of the Earth http://www.truthdig.com/report/print/murdering_the_wretched_of_the_earth_20130814/
Massacre in Cairo: Egypt on Brink After Worst Violence Since 2011 Revolution http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/15/massacre_in_cairo_egypt_on_brink
Dozens Dead as Egyptian Forces Commit 3rd Mass Killing of Pro-Morsi Demonstrators http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/14/dozens_dead_as_egyptian_forces_commit
Egypt’s Transition Has Failed: New Age of Military Dictatorship in Wake of Massacre http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/transition-military-dictatorship.html
Appeal for solidarity after steel workers arrested by army http://menasolidaritynetwork.com/2013/08/12/egypt-appeal-for-solidarity-after-steel-workers-arrested-by-army/
Egypt: we may despise the Muslim Brotherhood, but a coup is a coup http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/17/egypt-unrest-west-response
Only democracy can end Egypt’s bloody crisis http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/17/observer-editorial-egypt-muslim-brotherhood-army
Algeria and the Paradox of Democracy: The 1992 Coup, its Consequences and the Contemporary Crisis http://www.algeria-watch.org/en/articles/1997_2000/paradox_democracy.htm
The return of the military Pharaohs – http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/international/16597-the-return-of-the-military-pharaohs
GERMANY
German Economists Rehearse a Rebellion by Ingo Schmidt http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/862.php
INDIA
Indian Indigenous Activist and Journalist Dayamani Barla In Her Own Words
JAPAN
Water leaks at Fukushima could contaminate entire Pacific Ocean http://rt.com/op-edge/japan-fukushima-contamination-environment-229/
KOREA
Workers in Ulsan end 296-day aerial protest at Hyundai factory http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/598971.html
Samsung Outsources Fatality Risk To Contractors http://stopsamsung.wordpress.com/2013/08/10/samsung-outsources-fatality-risk-to-contractors/
PACIFIC
Scott Hamilton: 10 years since the Australian-led occupation — the politics of fantasy http://links.org.au/node/3471
Media academic seeks stronger journalism empowerment over climate change http://cafepacific.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/media-academic-seeks-stronger.html
Thought Fiji was paradise? Think again http://destinationfiji.org/
PALESTINE
Israeli Gov’t mocks ‘Peace Talks’ with announcement of 1200 New Squatter homes in Occupied Palestine http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/announcement-squatter-palestine.html
Robert Fisk: Any other ‘statesman’ who negotiated peace like John Kerry would be treated as a thief http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/robert-fisk-any-other-statesman-who-negotiated-peace-like-john-kerry-would-be-treated-as-a-thief-8760028.html
Futile Peace talks, again: The Jewish State’s Bottom Line http://www.palestinechronicle.com/futile-peace-talks-again-the-jewish-states-bottom-line/
PHILIPPINES
ITF condemns Philippines killings http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/9358
Another labor leader killed; second this month http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/08/05/18740988.php
SAUDI ARABIA
Defecting Saudi Prince: Royal Family in Panic at Arab Revolts, Thousands imprisoned http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/defecting-thousands-imprisoned.html
SOUTH AFRICA
Marikana: a wake-up call still ignored http://terrybellwrites.com/2013/08/15/marikana-a-wake-up-call-still-ignored/
Terry Bell: Sectarian shame of the SACP http://terrybellwrites.com/2013/08/16/sectarian-shame-of-the-sacp/
SRI LANKA
Israel advises Sri Lanka on slow-motion genocide http://electronicintifada.net/content/israel-advises-sri-lanka-slow-motion-genocide/12644
SYRIA
Damascus: What’s Left http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/aug/02/damascus-whats-left/
Troubled Kurds Draw Closer http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/08/troubled-kurds-draw-closer/
UK
The real cost of benefits squeeze: £1,600 per family – Devastating research finds only one in eight households facing cuts will be able to find work http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-real-cost-of-benefits-squeeze-1600-per-family-8756554.html
Welcome to the new dystopia, where children are charged for their own care http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/14/worcestershire-council-children-care?CMP=twt_gu
Scotland: reform of land ownership is long overdue http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/10/editorial-scotland-land-reform
‘Land ownership is at the root of economic woes’ http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman-2-7475/business/land-ownership-is-at-the-root-of-economic-woes-1-2833529
Zero hours contracts are a threat to all workers http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/analysis/16594-zero-hours-contracts-are-a-threat-to-all-workers
USA
Abortion, Against the Tide – why is access to abortion under such fierce attack in the United States? by Ruth Rosen http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/08/abortion-against-the-tide/
California prison inmates continue protest http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/08/20138951936678733.html
Californian hunger strikers fight on despite death http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54735
8 Signs the Rich Have WAY Too Much Money http://www.alternet.org/economy/8-signs-rich-have-way-too-much-money
Neoliberalism Fail: Top 8 Ways Privatization has Harmed us All (Buchheit) http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/neoliberalism-privatization-buchheit.html
Workers ROC the Restaurant Industry http://www.thenation.com/article/175763/workers-roc-restaurant-industry?rel=emailNation#axzz2c5Yf4yFj
Time to March on Washington—Again: Fifty years after King’s historic march, the struggle for racial justice faces unprecedented challenges. http://www.thenation.com/article/175757/time-march-washington-again
Chicago Teacher Organizing Lessons Go National http://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2013/08/chicago-teacher-organizing-lessons-go-national
USA – FAST FOOD WORKERS REVOLT
McDonalds workers protest the low wages while customers want garbage cans http://www.examiner.com/article/mcdonalds-workers-protest-the-low-wages-while-customers-want-garbage-cans
USA – SPYING SCANDAL
EXCLUSIVE: Owner of Snowden’s Email Service on Why He Closed Lavabit Rather Than Comply With Gov’t http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/13/exclusive_owner_of_snowdens_email_service
NSA Violated Surveillance Rules Thousands of Times, Intercepted All 202 Area Code Calls By Accident http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/16/nsa_violated_surveillance_rules_thousands_of
VENEZUELA
134 Indigenous Students to Study at Venezuela’s Latin American University of Medicine http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/9924
“Revolutionary Solidarity” as New Commune is Created in Venezuela http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/9935
YEMEN
U.S. sharply escalates Yemen drone war – Yemenis are increasingly scared of the strikes, which are often based on imperfect intelligence http://www.salon.com/2013/08/09/u_s_sharply_escalates_yemen_drone_war/
The Un-Revolution: Yemen’s Mediocre Transition http://www.palestinechronicle.com/the-un-revolution-yemens-mediocre-transition/
GPJA 