FROM OCCUPY AUCKLAND PROTEST SATURDAY, 3PM
Defend the Right to Protest in Auckland- stand up for democracy and civil liberties. Rally at Britomart this Saturday Jan 28th at 3pm – forward widely. Occupy Auckland Thursday: 22 people arrested, with 8 people charged with willful trespass. 2 people still held, and 1 person to be deported. Most tents and communal gear seized and confiscated by Auckland Council.

PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE

Helen Kelly: Workers accept flexibility in port dispute http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10781153

CTU: Port of Auckland Dispute http://asms.org.nz/Site/News/Top_Story/20_Jan_2012.aspx

Sign up to help the workers at the Ports of Auckland http://union.org.nz/

Matt McCarten: It’s time to step up, Mr Mayor http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10778767

Ports of Auckland vs 400,000 wharfies http://thestandard.org.nz/ports-of-auckland-vs-400000-wharfies/

Ports action puts businesses and jobs at risk – CTU http://www.guide2.co.nz/money/news/business/ports-action-puts-businesses-and-jobs-at-risk-ctu/11/23055

Redundancies expected at port http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10779988

Ports dispute ‘top CTU priority’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6264117/Ports-dispute-top-CTU-priority

Ports ‘on brink’ of ‘port of convenience’ declaration http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/ports-brink-port-convenience-declaration-4694387

ITF warns Port of Auckland is on brink http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/itf-warns-port-auckland-brink/5/112781

Unions call on public to rally against port plans – Business – NZ Herald News http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10779669

Video- Auckland Community support for Wharfies http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/video-auckland-community-support-for.html

New AntiCapitalist- Victory to the Wharfies! http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-anticapitalist-victory-to-wharfies.html?mid=580

Port dispute spiralling out of control Union http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/port-dispute-spiralling-control-union-4690245

Ports dispute intended to ‘break’ union – expert (3:47) http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/port-dispute-spiralling-control-union-4690245/video?vid=4686605

Auckland board members weigh in on port dispute http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/6270650/Auckland-board-members-weigh-in-on-port-dispute

Chris Ford: Why I’m siding with the Auckland wharfies http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/chris-ford-why-im-siding-auckland-wharfies/1273/112774

Port and Government support for privatisation of Port of Auckland made clearer http://union.org.nz/news/2012/port-and-government-support-privatisation-port-auckland-made-clearer

Mana – We Support the Wharfies http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1201/S00052/mana-we-support-the-wharfies.htm

Auckland wharfies find friends on city’s boards http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6272419/Auckland-wharfies-find-friends-on-citys-boards

Ports of Auckland’s agenda: Casualisation, union-busting and privatisation by Denise Roche http://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/01/14/ports-of-auckland-agenda-casualisation-union-busting-and-privatisation/

Harawira wades into port dispute http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8405622/harawira-wades-into-port-dispute

Scott Hamilton (Reading the Maps): Return of the cossacks http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2012/01/return-of-cossacks.html

US Port dispute: ILWU’s stand in Longview – A struggle that will shape the future for dockworkers around the world is coming to a head in Longview, Wash. http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/18/ilwus-stand-in-longview

ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOTE FOR FREEPORT NOW
Greenpeace and the Berne Declaration will contribute again the Public Eye Awards in 2012 for the most irresponsible, exploitative and polluting company of the year. The vote starts today! Vote mining giant Freeport as worst company in Public Eye’s worst company award: http://www.publiceye.ch/en/vote/freeport/
SUMMARY: Precious metals in exchange for death and exploitation: The Arizona-based mining corporation has operated the Grasberg Mine, the world s largest gold and copper mine in West Papua, for 45 years without regard for nature and people. The mine produces 230,000 tons of tailings contaminated with heavy metals every day, resulting in a blanket of copper-laden waste covering over 200 square kilometers (90 square miles) and up to 15 meters (50 feet) deep that kills everything in its path and threatens a World Heritage site. In a large strike at the end of 2011, two strikers were shot dead by the police and union members received death threats. Switzerland is the fifth-largest trading center for Freeport s precious metals (after the U.S., Japan, Indonesia and Spain).
ABOUT FREEPORT MCMORAN: Headquarters: Arizona, USA; Industry: mining; Revenue / Profit: USD 19 billion / USD 4.3 billion (2010) Owned by: publicly-listed corporation; Employees: 29,700; CEO: Richard C. Adkerson; Website: www.fcx.com
IRRESPONSIBLE CORPORATE BEHAVIOR: Freeport McMoRan has been exploiting West Papua for four decades. Thanks to 1967 deal with then-dictator Suharto, the corporation has been able to brazenly help itself to the vast gold and copper reserves of West Papua . As a result, Freeport contaminates the environment, drives the indigenous population into slums, and ruins their religious and cultural sites. They have removed a mountaintop considered sacred by local indigenous people to create the world s largest copper and gold mine. The activities of Freeport lead to social disintegration and the creation of ghettos. This form of economic colonization inhibits the development of society, drives people to prostitution, and promotes the sharp rise in HIV infections in the West Papuan population.
CONSEQUENCES: The mine produces 230,000 tons of tailings contaminated with heavy metals every day, resulting in a blanket of cement-like waste covering over 200 sqaure milesand up to 15 meters (50 feet) deep that kills everything in its path. The Lorentz National Park, a World Heritage site, is increasingly threatened by Freeport s toxic waste. The displaced population lives in slum-like conditions: In the mining town of Timika, more than half the population lives below the poverty line. Crime, prostitution and HIV infections are steadily rising. The corruption of military and police adds oil to the fire in West Papua s already unstable political climate. The potential for conflict surges, with repeated riots, injuries and deaths. More than 160 people have been fatally shot by the military in the surroundings of Freeport s Grasberg Mine.
CURRENT STATUS AND DEMANDS ON THE COMPANY: Thousands of underpaid mine workers went on strike at the end of 2011, temporarily paralyzing the mine. In light of Freeport s catastrophic practices, the company s financial partners must distance themselves from Freeport; the Norwegian Government Pension Fund has already taken this step. The Indonesia Human Rights Committee claims Freeport cannot operate the Grasberg Mine without committing human rights violations and irreversible environmental destruction, and therefore calls for the closure of the mine.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Indonesian Human Rights Committee: www.indonesiahumanrights.org.nz
Occupy Phoenix against Freeport:
Asian Times on the 2011 strike: www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/MK02Ae01.html
The Norwegian Government Pension Fund s Disinvestment from Freeport: www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/fin/press-center/Press-releases/2006/Two-companies
Statement on the operations of the Freeport McMoran Mine in West Papua, Indonesia http://www.etan.org/news/2008/09freeport.htm

VII "MAY DAY" INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE FROM APRIL 22ND, TO MAY 6TH, 2012
Dear friend: Receive a cordial and warm greeting on behalf of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples that affectionately summons you to participate in the sixth edition of the International Brigade of Volunteer Work and Solidarity with Cuba on the occasion of the International May Day. As in previous editions, it will be integrated by friends from all continents. Brigade’s aim is to provide a wider understanding of Cuban reality as well as carrying out some voluntary work sessions, as a support to agricultural development and productive sphere in our country. Program includes visits to historical, economical, cultural and social places, not only in Havana but also in other provinces, lectures about national issues as well as meetings with representatives of Cuban organizations. Staying includes 10 nights in the International Camp Julio Antonio Mella (CIJAM) located in the municipality of Caimito, 45 km from Havana City and 4 nights in tourist facilities in Pinar del Rio province. It will cost 295.00 CUC which includes accommodation in shared rooms for up to 6 people in CIJAM, three meals daily, transfer in-out and transportation to all program activities. Agricultural work sessions will be carried out in areas near CIJAM. The camp, founded in 1972, has appropriate conditions for community life and for satisfying needs of friends who visit us from around the world. Registrations are open for those interested until March 30th, 2012. Confirmations of participation as well as information about date, flight number and airline to which you are scheduled to arrive and departure from Cuba, should be sent to asia.norte and director.dao Looking forward your enthusiastic participation with our people in this proletarian celebration of the May Day. See you then! Asia and Pacific Division, Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples.

CALL FOR THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM FREE PALESTINE, NOV. 2012 IN BRAZIL
http://www.bdsmovement.net/2012/call-for-the-world-social-forum-free-palestine-nov-2012-in-brazil-8603

Occupied Palestine is part of every free heartbeat in this world and her cause continues to inspire solidarity across the globe. The World Social Forum Free Palestine is an expression of the human instinct to unite for justice and freedom and an echo of the World Social Forum’s opposition to neo-liberal hegemony, colonialism, and racism through struggles for social, political and economic alternatives to promote justice, equality, and the sovereignty of peoples.
The WSF Free Palestine will be a global encounter of broad-based popular and civil society mobilizations from around the world. It aims to:
1. Show the strength of solidarity with the calls of the Palestinian people and the diversity of initiatives and actions aimed at promoting justice and peace in the region.
2. Create effective actions to ensure Palestinian self-determination, the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and the fulfillment of human rights and international law, by:
a) Ending Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
b) Ensuring the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
c) Implementing, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
3. Be a space for discussion, exchange of ideas, strategizing, and planning in order to improve the structure of solidarity.
Exactly sixty-five years after Brazil presided over the UN General Assembly session that agreed upon the partition of Palestine, Brazil will host a different type of global forum: an historic opportunity for people from all over the world to stand up where governments have failed. The world’s people will come together to discuss new visions and effective actions to contribute to justice and peace in the region.

We call on all organizations, movements, networks, and unions across the globe to join the WSF Free Palestine in November 2012 in Porto Alegre. We ask you to join the International Committee for the WSF Free Palestine, we will establish as soon as possible. Participation in this forum will structurally strengthen solidarity with Palestine, promote action to implement Palestinian’s legitimate rights, and hold Israel and its allies accountable to international law. Together we can raise global solidarity with Palestine to a new level.
Palestinian Preparatory Committee for the WSF Free Palestine 2012. Secretariat members: • PNGO Palestinian NGO Network; • Stop the Wall Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign; • OPGAI Occupied Palestinian Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative; • Alternatives represented by: Alternative Information Center, Teacher Creativity Center; • Ittijah; • General Union of Palestinian women. Coordination office: PNGO Palestinian NGO Network, Tel: +970 2 2975320/1, Fax: +970 2 2950704, E mail: samahd

TREATY RESOURCES CENTRE NEWSLETTER
There are some events and activities coming up that may be of interest to you:
Exploring Pākehā Identity seminar: This seminar explores what surveys say about us: Do we see diversity as a positive value? What is the first language spoken in our homes? Do we value te reo Māori? How does the ‘we’ vary by age, gender, ethnicity and geography in New Zealand? Introduced by Carl Chenery, with Kate Terry, Director, Client Services Media NZ and Anca Cernic from the Nielsen Company. 6 to 7:30pm, Thursday 2nd February, Whare wananga, Level 2, Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne St. For more details: Treaty Resource Centre
Elevate and celebrate the Treaty of Waitangi: Various Presentations and workshops sponsored by the Auckland Libraries February 7th to 10th, 2012. For more details: Auckland Libraries Free Treaty Workshops. We are running a number a free Treaty workshops between February and April. One 12 hour workshop: Glenn Innes, 14th,15th, 16th February Three 6 hour workshops: Manukau, 15th February; Warkworth, 24th February; and Glenn lnnes, 2nd March. For more details:
Treaty Resource Centre TRC Digital Resource Library: Our digitised library is up and ready to go. We have an archive of resources and papers from the anti-racism and Treaty movements dating back to the early 1970s. Many of these are now in our digital library. Try it out and see how it works! For more details: TRC Digital reference library
Educational resources to support primary teachers incorporate Te Tiriti into the curriculm: These are being drafted — please tell us if you know anyone who could trial them. Contact: TRC co-ordinator
Review of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements: In the previous term the Government made a commitment to review New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements. The review will include public consultation on a wide range of matters, including the Treaty of Waitangi. We will post updates on Treaty Topics— but in the meantime you can find information and resources on the Peace movement Aotearoa website. Happy new year, Treaty Resource Centre team.

WHAT’S ON

Saturday, January 28, 6pm, 8 Mount Eden Road, Auckland.
Contagious Strikes: Talk on workers’ struggles in China. In mid-2010 a strike wave rolled through China’s factories, the most widespread and militant struggle of China’s internal migrant workers so far. The struggle shook the Chinese regime and provoked a world-wide debate: Is this the beginning of the end of the low-wage-model that stands behind China’s rise to the "factory of the world" and provides the rest of the world with cheap consumer products? The workers’ strikes continued in 2011, and together with riots and peasant uprisings they are indicators for the increasing pressure for social change in China. Come along to a talk and discussion evening given by a German-born activist living in China on Saturday 28th January, 6pm at Cityside Hall, 8 Mount Eden Road. The talk will focus on the social conditions behind the strikes, the formation of a new working class movement in China, and the implications for social struggles around the world.

Sunday, January 29, 1pm until 5pm, Unite Union, 6a Western Springs Road, Morningside, Auckland
Bloody Sunday (Irish: Domhnach na Fola) was an incident on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, in which 26 unarmed civil-rights protesters and bystanders were shot by soldiers of the British Army. Thirteen males, seven of whom were teenagers, died immediately or soon after, while the death of another man four-and-a-half months later was attributed to the injuries he received on that day. Two protesters were also injured when they were run down by army vehicles.[4] Five of those wounded were shot in the back.The incident occurred during a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march; the soldiers involved were members of the First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (1 Para). Bloody Sunday remains among the most significant events in the Troubles of Northern Ireland, chiefly because it was carried out by the army and not paramilitaries, in full view of the public and the press. Join the Connolly Club of Auckland as we look at the background events leading up to the massacre- the Orange State, the Civil Rights Movement, the autonomous zone of Free Derry, and the revolutionary wave that spread across the world in 1968 that led to a mass movement in the North of Ireland. Discussion forum will be followed by a screening of the movie Bloody Sunday, starring James Nesbitt. For more info, contact Joe Carolan at 029 44 55 702.

Sunday, January 29, 1pm until 2pm, Wellington People’s Centre. 2 Lukes Lane, Wellington
Peter Dunne: Stop Asset Sales! Did you know the proposed (partial) asset sales could be stopped by one vote? Peter Dunne, leader and sole MP for United Future (Ohariu) has the deciding vote in National’s proposed asset sales? Believe it or not, if Mr. Dunne were to withdraw his support, the government should not be able to sell our assets. Why Peter Dunne? Mr. Dunne entered parliament in 2011 as the Member for Ohariu by a very slim margin, making him more suceptible to pressure from his constituents regarding controversial issues such as partial asset sales. So, this campaign focuses on Peter Dunne, his single vote can halt asset sales in their tracks. What can you do? Here are some ideas: * First, tell your friends and family who live in Crofton Downs, southern Tawa, Ngaio, Khandallah, Johnsonville, Newlands, Korokoro, Maungaraki and Normandale to write, call, email or meet Mr. Dunne to express their opposition, to remind him of his duty as the member for Ohariu and to vote against the government’s asset sales; * Organise leafleting and public speaking in the shopping areas of Ohariu; * Contact MPs Charles Chauvel (Labour) and Gareth Hughes (Greens) ask these two fine men to support in whatever way they can – leafleting, speaking, resources; * Write letters to MPs, to the media, newspapers etc; * Write press releases and send to all media; * Organise drive-bys (horn tooting, noise makers, whistles, pots/pans/wooden spoons, flags etc), organise protests – occupations in Ohariu – maybe outside Mr. Dunne’s house? * Create your own news programmes – questions prepared, video cameras, interviews with people in Ohariu; * Let the entire country know through media, emails etc – grow support against asset sales. If you think this is an issue worth fighting for let’s meet to discuss the practical possibilities this Sunday in Wellington – ALL WELCOME

Monday, January 30, 7.30pm, Alexander McMillan Room, Dunedin Community House, 283 Moray Place, Dunedin
Contagious Strikes – Talk on workers’struggles in China: In mid-2010 a strike wave rolled through China’s factories, the most widespread and militant struggle of China’s internal migrant workers so far. The struggle shook the Chinese regime and provoked a world-wide debate: Is this the beginning of the end of the low-wage model that stands behind China’s rise to the ‘factory of the world’ and provides the rest of the world with cheap consumer products? The workers’ strikes conitinued in 2011, and together with riots and peasant uprisings they are indicators for the increasing pressure for social change in China.

Tuesday, January 31, 6pm, The Pegasus Arms (Oxford Terrace, down from the Christchurch Hospital), Christchurch
January Books & Beers: Pro-Feminist Men Fellow Travelers or False Friends? ‘Books and Beers’ invites you to a reading/social group dedicated to good ideas and good beer. Every so often we will be getting together at a pub to discuss a chosen paper, zine or book. From topical themes and radical history, to ideas around organising and other random rants, we hope to gain some knowledge, exchange ideas, and have a few beers while doing it. Our first reading for 2012 will be a paper translated from the French: ‘Pro-Feminist Men: Fellow Travellers or False Friends’ (read it or download it here: http://issuu.com/garagecollective/docs/pro-feminist_men ). Have a read, then join us in a conversation, hot chips, and a brew. Books & Beers is an informal, open space and anyone interested is welcome to take part.

Saturday, February 4, 8pm, Kings Arms, Auckland
ANTI POVERTY BENEFIT SHOW $10 waged/$8 unwaged. • Heart Attack Alley blues trio Caoimhe Macfehin (The Drab Doo-Riffs) on vocals, Kristal G on guitar, and Karl Steven (Supergroove, the Drab Doo-Riffs) on blues harp; • Shitripper fast and energetic hardcore punk with Justin, Kylie, Josh, Kolya, Berry and Brogan; • Lubin Rains (of Vietnam War) singer/song writer/guitarist doing his solo thing, country and folk inspired; • Tina Turntables Queen of DJ; • Moppy Lofi electronic sounds – ‘the twisted side project from Thom Burton of the Wilberforces.’ Help us raise money for AAAP, as well as joining us in a great night out all welcome! We look forward to seeing you soon and hope you’re having a great summer despite the weather Best wishes, Karen, Chris, Sarah and Sue, for AAAP.

Saturday, February 4, 7pm, Fred’s, 46 Frederick St (between Taranaki and Tory St), Wellington
Contagious Strikes – Talk on workers’struggles in China:

Saturday, February 11, 7pm, Orakei Community Centre, 156 Keepa Rd, Orakei, Auckland

Fiesta Latina: Latin American drinks, music, show. $10 entry.

Monday, February 13, 9am 12noon, Auckland High Court, Cnr Waterloo Quadrant & Parliament Street, Auckland.
Free the Urewera Four Drop All the Charges. Taame, Rangi, Emily and Urs, are the last to still face charges from the state terror raids of 15th October 2007 and their trial will start on 13th February 2012 in the Auckland High Court. This date has been confirmed which means we all have less than ONE MONTH to get ready and do what we can to support. There is plenty of things you can do. Here are a few ideas: 1. Talk to your whanau, friends and workmates about the trial and get them signed up to this email list (email us their address) and ‘like’ our facebook page to stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/pages/October-15-Solidarity/25598818522 2. If you are in Auckland or planning to come to Auckland for the trial (or some of it – it is expected to last three (!) months), have a think about what you could do in terms of political and practical solidarity. 3. If you are a member of a union or a political group, get a story about this trial printed in your magazine to make the links between this trial and political activism and aspirations for tino rangantiratanga. 4. Write a letter to the editor – a great way to keep this show-trial in the public’s mind. 5. Watch ‘Operation 8′ – you can get it at many Video stores and libraries. Or you can buy a copy here: http://cutcutcut.com/Operation8.html

Thursday, February 16, 8pm, Auckland Rioalto Theatre, Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland.
Brother Number One – preview film screening for Amnesty International. Public Event for Amnesty International Auckland Central. In 1978, when future Kiwi Olympian and transatlantic rowing champion Rob Hamill was 14, his older brother Kerry disappeared. Two years later the family … http://brothernumberone.co.nz/

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget. " – Arundhati Roy

"We’re losing public goods available to all, supported by the tax payments of all and especially the better off. In its place we have private goods available to the very rich, supported by the rest of us." Robert Reich, former U.S. secretary of labor, The Decline of the Public Good, January 4, 2012

“The real science of political economy, which has yet to be distinguished from the bastard science, as medicine from witchcraft, and astronomy from astrology, is that which teaches nations to desire and labour for the things that lead to life: and which teaches them to scorn and destroy the things that lead to destruction.” John Ruskin, Unto This Last (1860)CYFs shut down Aupouri Program

"Today is a sad day for the rule of law and for those who believe that the courts should protect American citizens from torture by their own government," – "By dismissing this lawsuit, the appeals court handed the government a blank check to commit any abuse in the name of national security, even the brutal torture of a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil. " - Ben Wizner – ACLU National Security Project Litigation Director 01/23/2012 – http://bit.ly/wLv6kP

"In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act." – George Orwell

"All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting." – George Orwell

STATS OF THE WEEK

· Since 2000, says a new GMI research group study, 21 U.S. CEOs have pocketed severance packages worth over $100 million. The chief executives averaged only 13 years with the companies they exited.

· In 2010, notes Syracuse University tax expert Len Burman, the average American earning under $200,000 had a capital loss, not a gain. Those Americans making over $1 million had $258 billion of the $261 billion of the year’s net capital gains.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Matt McCarten: Cheerful free-market ride about to nosedive http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10780225

2Johns2Cups the infamous teapot tapes

Twenty arrests as Occupy Auckland evicted http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sixty-police-move-in-oust-occupy-auckland-protesters-4702272

Additional trespass notice for Occupy Auckland protesters http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6298753/Additional-trespass-notice-for-Occupy-Auckland-protesters

CTU: Government needs change in policy direction http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00122/government-needs-change-in-policy-direction.htm

Auckland police probe after Occupy arrests http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6301469/Auckland-police-probe-after-Occupy-arrests

NZ slips out of top 10 for freedom in the media http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10781445

Gordon Campbell: On Kim Dotcom’s bail application http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/01/24/gordon-campbell-on-kim-dotcoms-bail-application/

CYF shuts down trust’s free lunches for pupils http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10780696

Waihopai Valley spybase protest http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6294623/Waihopai-Valley-spybase-protest

Waihopai dome buster says ‘sorry’ http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/waihopai-dome-buster-says-sorry-4696033/video

New blood in spy base protest http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/6298414/New-blood-in-spy-base-protest

2.7% rise for the firefighters; 70% for their boss http://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/2-7-rise-for-the-firefighters-70-for-their-boss/#more-1421

Party leaders battle for crucial Ratana blessing http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6297660/Party-leaders-battle-for-crucial-Ratana-blessing

Teen becomes leading voice on child poverty http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6258305/Teen-becomes-leading-voice-on-child-poverty

Inflation low, but so is the growth rate http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/6286589/Inflation-low-but-so-is-the-growth-rate

No Corporate Welfare for Coca Cola &Transnational Bludgers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00072/no-corporate-welfare-for-coca-cola-transnational-bludgers.htm

Tom Frewen: NZ on Air Spooked by Political Interference http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1201/S00086/tom-frewen-nz-on-air-spooked-by-political-interference.htm

CPI increase still leaves need for big wages catch up http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00067/cpi-increase-still-leaves-need-for-big-wages-catch-up.htm

Government urged to take note of damning Australian childcare study http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1201/S00027/government-urged-to-take-note-of-damning-childcare-report.htm

Poverty trap set at birth study http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10779433

PressTV doco on the successful Viva Palestina5 international aid convoy to Gaza in Sept/Oct 2010, which included a 6-person Kia Ora Gaza team of Kiwis.

Inequalities can no longer be justified http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/194588/inequalities-can-no-longer-be-justified

Union says immigrants forced to accept pay below minimum wage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10778932

Rena anger grows http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/rena-crisis/6258692/Rena-anger-grows

The $2.7b debt could cost Kiwis http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/latest-edition/6257550/The-2-7b-debt-could-cost-Kiwis

Probe call as supermarket profits exceed food costs http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/latest-edition/6258700/Probe-call-as-supermarket-profits-exceed-food-costs

NZ houses rated ‘highly unaffordable’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/economy/news/article.cfm?c_id=34&objectid=10780453

NZEI: Urgent action required to support early childhood education in Christchurch East http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1201/S00051/urgent-action-for-early-childhood-education-in-chch-east.htm

FEATURES

The International Context of Global Outrage (in 5 parts): Looking back on the movements that preceded the Arab Spring, the Indignados, and Occupy Wall Street by Eric Toussaint http://www.cadtm.org/Looking-back-on-the-movements-that

Richard Branson: End failed war on drugs http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/6305150/Richard-Branson-End-failed-war-on-drugs

Patrice Lumumba: 50 Years Later, Remembering the U.S.-Backed Assassination of Congo’s First Democratically Elected Leader http://www.democracynow.org/2011/1/21/patrice_lumumba_50_years_later_remembering

Lupe Fiasco – The End Of The World (Occupy Wall Street Anthem Song) #OWS ft. M83 Midnight City http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PDDCmHr0G2E

The Distinguishing Features of Latin America’s New Left In Power – The Governments Of Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales And Rafael Correa By Steve Ellner http://www.zcommunications.org/the-distinguishing-features-of-latin-america-s-new-left-in-power-by-steve-ellner

Out of the Backyard: New Latin American and Caribbean Bloc Defies Washington http://quotha.net/node/2051

Whose hands are behind those dramatic YouTube pictures? The Newsfakers by PATRICK COCKBURN http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/01/16/the-newsfakers/print

Why Now? What’s Next? Naomi Klein and Yotam Marom in Conversation About Occupy Wall Street http://tinyurl.com/6vmt2mk

Obama Increases Hostility Toward Venezuela: It’s an Election Year http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/obama-increases-hostility-toward-venezuela-its-an-election-year

John Pilger: Media lies fuel war drive http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49727

Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson on Engineered Inequality – In this show segment, Moyers & Company dives into one of the most important and controversial issues of our time: How Washington and Big Business colluded to make the super-rich richer and turn their backs on the rest of us. http://www.truth-out.org/jacob-hacker-paul-pierson-engineered-inequality/1326819737

The Networked Era – An Interview with Michael Nielsen by Lindsey Gilbert: The Internet may well have its downsides, but it also has the potential to make us collectively smarter, according to open-science advocate Michael Nielsen. http://www.bostonreview.net/BR37.1/michael_nielsen_reinventing_discovery.php

Interpol faces legal threat for helping oppressive regimes hunt dissidents http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/23/10167327-interpol-faces-legal-threat-for-helping-oppressive-regimes-hunt-dissidents

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

The Green Economy: the Wolf in Sheep’s clothing BY Edgardo Lander: The fundamental flaw at the heart of UNEP’s report "Towards a Green Economy" is its failure to analyse the extraordinarily unequal power relations that exist in today’s world, and the interests at play in the operation of this global economic system. http://www.tni.org/report/green-economy-wolf-sheeps-clothing

Worth Framing: Future World Bank president explains why Africa is ‘vastly underpolluted’ http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6394#more-6394

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

How Hayek helped us to find capitalism’s flaws by Occupy London http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/89d242b0-4687-11e1-89a8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1kau2fIna

The Perils of 2012: When Austerity Bites Back: In this article, Joseph Stiglitz speaks of 2011 as a year that will have serious negative consequences for the world economy, and predicts that 2012 will be even worse http://tinyurl.com/7lm9x6j

Stewart Lansley: Enrichment at the top is deepening the recession http://tinyurl.com/84mdkyg

Neoliberalism and the End Of Shorter Work Hours by Christoph Hermann http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/590.php#continue

The Perils of 2012 by Joseph E. Stiglitz http://tinyurl.com/7p8ufcj

The rise of the overclass – We’ve all heard of the ‘underclass’: now its mirror image a super-rich elite that is equally cut off from the rest of us is defining the political debate http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9027846/The-rise-of-the-overclass.html

Are the wealthy paying too much in taxes? http://tinyurl.com/89sju8e

Tax Cuts, Privatization and Deregulation Disguised as Public Policy by Paul Kahnert and Sam Gindin http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/587.php

CULTURAL DISSENT

The Slavic Punk Rock Connection http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/slavic-punk-rock-connection.html

Hint: Abolish copyright: By the same token, preempt theft by eliminating private ownership. Dean’s been advocating his "artistic freedom voucher" formula for a

while, but it just feels that people are now more receptive to these messages. No? http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/the-surefire-way-to-end-online-piracy-end-copyright

Greedy Lying Bastards: Best movie title of 2012! A new documentary film exposes the environmental destruction, illness and death caused by the fossil fuel industry http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6427

Review: Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights http://tinyurl.com/7zsfeek

Offender of the Rich and Powerful – The Politics of Upton Sinclair by RON JACOBS http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/01/20/the-politics-of-upton-sinclair/

ARGENTINA

Argentina hits back at David Cameron over colonialism jibe http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/19/argentina-david-cameron-colonialism

AUSTRALIA

Gillard and Abbott were never really threatened by aboriginal protestors http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/gillard-and-abbott-were-never-really-threatened-by-aboriginal-protestors/

Aboriginal activists speak on Tent Embassy 40-year milestone http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49759

ASIO rulings put refugees’ lives in limbo http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49749

Speech by member of Australasian brigade to Cuba Jan 2012 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Brigade%20speech%202012.pdf

Trade Unions Have Been Good For Australia (67%), But Membership Must Be Voluntary (87%) Say Clear Majority Of Australians http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2012/4739/

CANADA

Canadian Labour At The Crossroads? By Doug Nesbitt: A wage cut of fifty per cent. An elimination of pensions. Cuts to benefits. These demands have inevitably led to a major showdown at a locomotive factory in London, Ontario between the 700 unionized workers of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) and Caterpillar, a massive U.S.-based corporation. The workers, members of Canadian Auto Workers Local 27, responded to the employer’s demands with a positive strike vote of 97 per cent. The employer, Progress Rail, a subsidiary of Caterpillar, locked out the workers on New Year’s Day. http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/586.php

Strategizing the Resistance: A Conversation with Manny Ness: “In 2012 workers in Toronto face a large coordinated attack on jobs and services. We must resist, again, as workers have resisted throughout history.” http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls127.php

COLOMBIA

U.S. Fueling Human Rights Abuses in Colombia By Dan Kovalik – Human Rights Watch (HRW) just released its annual human rights report on Colombia, and it is not pretty. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30360.htm

CUBA

Cuba’s truths: OVER the last few days, the media and representatives of certain governments traditionally committed to anti-Cuba subversion have unleashed a new campaign of accusations, unscrupulously taking advantage of a lamentable event: the death of an ordinary prisoner, which possibly only in the case of Cuba, is converted into news of international repercussion. http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/23enero-Editorial.html

The Paradox of Cuban Agriculture BY Miguel A. Altieri and Fernando R. Funes-Monzote http://monthlyreview.org/2012/01/01/the-paradox-of-cuban-agriculture

Speech by member of Australasian brigade Jan 2012 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Brigade%20speech%202012.pdf

Give Guantánamo Back to Cuba http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/opinion/give-guantanamo-back-to-cuba.html?_r=1

CHILE

Did the Mapuche Cause Wildfires, or Was It Climate Change? http://weeklynewsupdate.blogspot.com/2012/01/wnu-1113-whos-to-blame-for-chiles.html

CHINA

Questions for Li Qiang of China Labor Watch http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/q-and-a-with-li-qiang-of-china-labor-watch/

EGYPT

Tahrir trembles again with the Egyptian revolution http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/tahrir-trembles-again-with-egyptian.html

Tahrir One Year Later: The Fight for Egypt’s Future http://www.thenation.com/article/165735/tahrir-one-year-later-fight-egypts-future?rel=emailNation

GRENADA

Savage Lockout at Grenada Breweries! http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/1363

GUATEMALA

Cruel experiments on Guatemalans: Jason Farbman reports on another terrible chapter–one the Obama administration doesn’t want told–in the suffering the U.S. government has inflicted on Guatemala http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/23/experiments-on-guatemalans

HAITI

Haiti two years on: Beyond relief, beyond belief http://canadahaitiaction.ca/content/haiti-two-years-beyond-relief-beyond-belief

INDIA

Beware the ‘gush-up gospel’ behind India’s billionaires By Arundhati Roy http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/925376ca-3d1d-11e1-8129-00144feabdc0.html

INDONESIA

Locating the power of labour – Workers are not a dominant force in political life, but they are far from being powerless by Benny Hari Juliawan http://www.insideindonesia.org/feature/locating-the-power-of-labour-23012885

Still an age of activism – Left-wing politics are fragmented, but left-wing ideas are surprisingly influential by Edward Aspinall http://www.insideindonesia.org/feature/still-an-age-of-activism-22012883

IRAN

‘Guerrilla assault on Iran well underway’

Bring on the Sanctions. Send in the Clowns By Robert Fisk: We’ve been here before – and it suits Israel that we never forget ‘Nuclear Iran’. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30352.htm

IRAQ

Diary BY Tariq Ali: In this podcast, Tariq Ali reads extracts from his Diary about North Korea. The full article is below. http://www.lrb.co.uk/v34/n02/tariq-ali/diary/print

KOREA

Bleak Blockbusters: Korean directors are making dark, cynical films about the war with the North—and audiences can’t get enough of them. http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2012/01/the_front_line_why_do_koreans_love_bleak_war_movies_.html

LIBYA

Libya Protests Spur Shake-Up in Interim Government http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/world/africa/protests-shake-libyas-interim-government.html

Gaddafi loyalists take back Bani Walid: Reports say at least four people killed in clashes between besieged NTC forces and well-organised pro-Gaddafi fighters http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/23/gaddafi-loyalists-bani-walid/print

In Libya, a Fundamentalist War against Moderate Islam Takes Shape: Libyans are discovering that their hard fought battle to win freedoms is at risk. Puritanical Muslims known as Salafis are applying a rigid form of Islam in more and more communities. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2104578,00.html

MEXICO

Do the United States and Mexico Really Want the Drug War To Succeed? http://monthlyreview.org/2012/01/01/do-the-united-states-and-mexico-really-want-the-drug-war-to-succeed

PALESTINE

‘Israeli economy on verge of collapse’ – Interview with Ralph Schoenman, author of ‘The Hidden History of Zionism’ http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221395.html

The ‘Invented People’ Stand Little Chance By Robert Fisk: His statement that the Palestinians were an "invented people" marked about the lowest point in the Republican-Christian Right-Likudist/Israel relationship. So deep has this pact now become that you can deny the existence of an entire people if you want to become US president. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30257.htm

PORTUGAL

Indignados march hits Lisbon again

RUSSIA

SPAIN

Spain’s "Indignados" and the Globalization of Dissent
NIGERIA

A rising of the poor http://tinyurl.com/73pzfqm

Nigeria: The state versus the people — 10 million join general strike, protests; Unions condemn state killings http://links.org.au/node/2697

ROMANIA

‘One solution, another revolution!’ the slogan as thousands protest austerity in Romania http://tinyurl.com/7k5obc5

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa: ANC centenary a display of elite power http://links.org.au/node/2696

SYRIA

Between popular resistance and foreign intervention http://links.org.au/node/2698

Most Syrians back President Assad, but you’d never know from western media – Assad’s popularity, Arab League observers, US military involvement: all distorted in the west’s propaganda war http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/17/syrians-support-assad-western-propaganda

TUNISIA

The Bouazizi Spark: The Beginning of a Long Revolutionary Process http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/bouazizi-spark-beginning-long-revolutionary-process

UK

The scandal of low-paid care workers http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/gavin-kelly/2011/12/minimum-wage-paid-care-pay?mid=5809

How to… pay the living wage in your borough – Islington is one of England’s most deprived boroughs, with a huge divide between rich and poor but it has committed to paying and promoting the London living wage http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2012/jan/17/islington-pay-living-wage

Olympics: free tickets for corporate sponsors, rationing for the masses http://tinyurl.com/7h4fqrk

USA

More Lockouts as Companies Battle Unions http://www.cnbc.com/id/46100610

The Modern Immigrant Rights Movement http://www.cipamericas.org/archives/6080

We’re still 10 million jobs short of boom times by MARK WEISBROT http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/19/4199029_were-still-10-million-jobs-short.html#storylink=cpy

Alan Greenspan’s ship of fools – The Fed’s FOMC is supposed to steer the US economy to prosperity. As we now see, it was completely rudderless in 2006 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/jan/18/alan-greenspan-ship-of-fools

Wall Street, Small Business, and the Limits of Corporate Personhood: An Interview with Doug Henwood http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2012/henwood210112p.html

ILWU’s stand in Longview – A struggle that will shape the future for dockworkers around the world is coming to a head in Longview, Wash. http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/18/ilwus-stand-in-longview

The Torture of Mumia Abu-Jamal Continues off Death Row – Supporters Demand Transfer to General Population by Hans Bennett http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/588.php#continue

Outlawing dissent: Rahm Emanuel’s new regime – On the pretext of policing upcoming G8 and Nato summits, Chicago’s mayor has awarded himself draconian new powers http://tinyurl.com/856mq4d

Noam Chomsky Response to Ron Paul at CNN/Tea Party Debate

Survey Finds Rising Perception of Class Tension http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/us/more-conflict-seen-between-rich-and-poor-survey-finds.html?ref=us

Standing Up to Indiana’s Attack on Unions by Tithi Bhattacharya http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/591.php

For Too Many African-Americans Prison is a Legacy Passed from Father to Son By Gary Younge Today is Martin Luther King Day. But with more African-American men facing jail than were enslaved in 1850, there is little to celebrate. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30264.htm

GPJA SPECIAL FORUM: HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THE AUCKLAND PORT WORKERS? THURSDAY 19TH JANUARY, 7.30PM AT TRADES HALL, 147 GREAT NORTH ROAD.

Auckland waterfront workers face an all-out assault on their employment and conditions of work. The port company (owned wholly by Auckland City) says the union must either accept a new roster which removes workers’ rights to decent employment or the company will contract out their jobs. The workers are fighting back and need widespread support. The government and media are on the side of the port company – the progressive movement must get behind the workers. The outcome of this dispute will have big implications for all workers – either positive or negative – depending on who "wins" this dispute. This forum will have speakers from MUNZ (the Maritime Union of New Zealand) which represents the workers and will canvass what we can all do to ensure a win for the workers in this dispute.

PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE

MUNZ: Ports of Auckland dispute about job security – not wages http://www.munz.org.nz/2012/01/04/ports-of-auckland-dispute-about-job-security-not-wages/

Facts on the Ports of Auckland dispute – The Maritime Union and the Council of Trade Unions have released a fact sheet on the Ports of Auckland dispute. http://www.munz.org.nz/ports-of-auckland-dispute/

Matt McCarten: It’s time to step up, Mr Mayor http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10778767

Socialist Aotearoa: On the Waterfront http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-waterfront.html

Chris Trotter: The Auckland Ports Dispute: An Injury To All http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2012/01/auckland-ports-dispute-injury-to-all.html

CTU: Port and Government support for privatisation of Port of Auckland made clearer http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00039/port-and-govt-support-for-privatisation-of-port-of-auckland.htm

Port Union releases latest offer to Port of Auckland http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00037/port-union-releases-latest-offer-to-port-of-auckland.htm

Why wharfies are striking – in their own words (+ photos) http://www.strongertogether.info/hdadhd/2012/01/11/wharfies-on-the-wharfie-strike/?mid=5782644#.TxIf1IGPm9I

Expert says council is behind wharf strife http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10777921

Port is ‘creating a monster’ – striking workers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10777840

Matt McCarten: ‘Greedy wharfies’ tale hides ambitions for port http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10777330

Jobs not wages the issue, claims union http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10776995

Port bosses sensitive to show of union power http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/chris-trotter/6218262/Port-bosses-sensitive-to-show-of-union-power

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST SATURDAY JANUARY 21st – END NZ INVOLVEMENT IN US WARS

People from all around New Zealand will be converging on Blenheim and the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spybase, in Marlborough, on Saturday January 21st. Waihopai deals New Zealand into America’s wars in countries such as Afghanistan and is an integral part of a global network of such facilities which exist to ensure American military and economic domination of international politics.

The war in Afghanistan, in which the NZ military is directly involved (with the SAS being the most high profile component) has continued to get dramatically worse. Simultaneously, the US is pushing for a Free Trade Agreement, via the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (which the US wants to be concluded this year) as NZ’s “reward” for supplying our troops as cannon fodder and hosting the Waihopai spybase.

The theme of the Anti-Bases Campaign’s activities, both at the spybase and in Blenheim, will be anti-war. The US says that intelligence is the key component of all the wars that it is fighting (such as Afghanistan), or planning to fight (such as Iran), throughout the world. The Anti-Bases Campaign (ABC) points out that Waihopai, an important source of intelligence for the Pentagon, is New Zealand’s most important contribution to the American war machine. Much more so than any other token NZ commitments, such as the SAS. Our protest is also in solidarity with the Ploughshares peace activists who deflated one of Waihopai’s domes in 2008. They were acquitted of criminal charges but this year face a civil trial for damages.

Waihopai, of course, is a “NZ” base – or so the Government says. But the fact is that, in everything but name, it is an outpost of American intelligence – paid for by NZ taxpayers. Well over $600 million of public money has been spent on the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (the agency which runs Waihopai) in the two decades of Waihopai’s operation. The GCSB’s 2012 budget is $56 million, and another $35 million was recently spent on a new GCSB headquarters in Wellington. That money could have been much better spent on eradicating NZ’s shameful child poverty, rather than on spying on behalf of Uncle Sam.

On Saturday 21st we will be in central Blenheim’s The Forum (corner of Market and High Streets) from 11 a.m., with speeches from 12 at the band rotunda in the Forum. This will be followed by a visit to the Waihopai spybase itself at 2 p.m. Information will be provided on the function of the base and there will be a peaceful protest, calling for its closure. Speakers, either in Blenheim and/or at the spybase, will be: Adrian Leason, one of the three acquitted Ploughshares peace activists; Steffan Browning, Blenheim’s own newly elected Green MP; John Minto, of the Mana Party; and Murray Horton of ABC.

Waihopai does not operate in the national interest of New Zealand. In all but name it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil, paid for with hundreds of millions of our tax dollars, and involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. (For details on Waihopai and what it does, go to our Website www.converge.org.nz/abc).

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012

The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish.

The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.

First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens.

Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.

How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.

Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Email cafca for more details.

KEEP THE COAL IN THE HOLE SUMMER FESTIVAL – MATAURA, SOUTHLAND, NZ. 20-23 JANUARY 2012

You are warmly invited……to gather for a Summer Festival and camp. We will share ideas, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and take action now to oppose lignite mining in the Mataura Valley. This event will be fun, friendly and 100% coal-free! We’ve got the Festival Kaupapa, detailed Festival Information and our Programme. For more information or to get involved in Festival organising please Email Us.

WHAT’S ON

Thursday, January 19, 7pm, Sunnyvale Community Hall, Sunnyside Rd, Sunnyvale, Auckland
Sunnyvale Films: better information, better decisions. The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil Category | Organic Agriculture. Cuba gave the fingers to U.S. imperialism in the 60s. So, when the Soviet Union collapsed in the 80s Cuba faced a time of reckoning – its ‘Special Period’ – without oil. It recovered from crippling food shortages by adopting self-sufficient organic agriculture methods on a national scale. Important lessons for the rest of the world can be learned from how it coped beyond its oil-dependency. Organic farmers in Cuba now get 2-3 times more than doctors … primary health care at its best! More details:

http://sunnyvalefilms.wordpress.com/on-next/jan-15/ About how Cuba coped without its oil shock – and flourished.

Saturday, January 28, 6pm, 8 Mount Eden Road, Auckland.
Contagious Strikes: Talk on workers’ struggles in China. In mid-2010 a strike wave rolled through China’s factories, the most widespread and militant struggle of China’s internal migrant workers so far. The struggle shook the Chinese regime and provoked a world-wide debate: Is this the beginning of the end of the low-wage-model that stands behind China’s rise to the "factory of the world" and provides the rest of the world with cheap consumer products? The workers’ strikes continued in 2011, and together with riots and peasant uprisings they are indicators for the increasing pressure for social change in China. Come along to a talk and discussion evening given by a German-born activist living in China on Saturday 28th January, 6pm at Cityside Hall, 8 Mount Eden Road. The talk will focus on the social conditions behind the strikes, the formation of a new working class movement in China, and the implications for social struggles around the world.

Monday, February 13, 9am – 12noon, Auckland High Court, Cnr Waterloo Quadrant & Parliament Street, Auckland.
Free the Urewera Four Drop All the Charges. Taame, Rangi, Emily and Urs, are the last to still face charges from the state terror raids of 15th October 2007 and their trial will start on 13th February 2012 in the Auckland High Court. This date has been confirmed which means we all have less than ONE MONTH to get ready and do what we can to support. There is plenty of things you can do. Here are a few ideas: 1. Talk to your whanau, friends and workmates about the trial and get them signed up to this email list (email us their address) and ‘like’ our facebook page to stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/pages/October-15-Solidarity/25598818522 2. If you are in Auckland or planning to come to Auckland for the trial (or some of it – it is expected to last three (!) months), have a think about what you could do in terms of political and practical solidarity. 3. If you are a member of a union or a political group, get a story about this trial printed in your magazine to make the links between this trial and political activism and aspirations for tino rangantiratanga. 4. Write a letter to the editor – a great way to keep this show-trial in the public’s mind. 5. Watch ‘Operation 8′ – you can get it at many Video stores and libraries. Or you can buy a copy here: http://cutcutcut.com/Operation8.html

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"The world is full enough of hurts and mischances without wars to multiply them." — J.R.R. Tolkien (The Return of the King)

"Everybody, my friend, everybody lives for something better to come. That’s why we want to be considerate of every man–Who knows what’s in him, why he was born and what he can do?"– Maxim Gorky (The Lower Depths)

"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood." – — Martin Luther King, Jr

"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder." — Albert Einstein

STAT OF THE WEEK

As of noon, January 3, Canada’s top 100 CEOs had already pocketed, on average, $44,366 for 2012, more than average Canadians make in a year. Canada’s top 100 CEOs average $8.38 million. Typical CEOs at the top 500 U.S. firms take home $8.93 million.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Selling State Assets To "Mum & Dad". It’s A Con Trick Because They Already Own Them http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00285/selling-state-assets-to-mum-dad-when-they-already-own-them.htm

TEU: Govt must ensure Destiny University does not open floodgates http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00020/govt-must-ensure-destiny-university-does-not-open-floodgates.htm

MOM … Show me the money! by David Beatson – John Key’s hottest line from the last election campaign could come back to haunt him as he ploughs ahead with the expansion of the “Mixed Ownership Model” by selling shares in a batch of state-owned assets. http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/mom-%E2%80%A6-show-me-the-money

The reality of poverty http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/life-style/6224788/The-reality-of-poverty

Milk and Honey off the menu http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2012/01/milk-and-honey-off-the-menu/

Bryan Gould: Blind faith in market robs nation of its full potential http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10778102

CTU: Productivity Commission Report flawed as well as biased http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00032/productivity-commission-report-flawed-as-well-as-biased.htm

Tuhoe says unification the key http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/tuhoe-says-unification-the-key/1232997/

A beautiful banner hangs at 128 Abel Smith Street in Wellington. Have a look here: http://october15thsolidarity.info/sites/default/files/images/drop_the_charges_small.jpg

Matt McCarten: New Year resolutions don’t always go to plan http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10776169

Bureaucrat’s snout in trough (about Christchurch City Council CEO Tony Marryatt’s massive pay rise): http://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/city-council-ceo-defends-68129-pay-rise/

FEATURES

UN issues first report on human rights of gay and lesbian people http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/19session/A.HRC.19.41_English.pdf

One hundred years ago today, on January 12, 1912, thousands of workers at a textile mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, shut down their looms and walked out on the job. Half of the workers were girls between the ages of 14 and 18. They were barely getting by on $8.76 a week, when a new state law that reduced the workweek for women and children from 56 to 54 hours went into effect, resulting in a paycut. This meant that workers could afford even less bread than before. The strike quickly spread to mills across the city. By the end of the week, more than 20,000 textile workers were participating in the historic stike. To learn more about the history of the strike and about the parallels with today’s garment industry, check out our new flier, "Bread and Roses: Garment and Textile Worker Organizing, Then and Now."

Classic doco: ‘With babies & banners’ — 75 years since the Flint sit-down strike Watch at http://links.org.au/node/2681

Guantánamo: Ten Years and Counting http://www.thenation.com/article/165443/guantanamo-ten-years-and-counting?rel=emailNation

In Pictures: Guantanamo, a decade later: Ten years after Bush opened facility and two years after Obama called for its closure, 171 detainees remain. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/01/201211014393734323.html

Do Private Military Contractors Have Impunity to Torture? http://dissidentvoice.org/2011/12/do-private-military-contractors-have-impunity-to-torture/

Dead men talking By ARUNDHATI ROY http://www.isreview.org/issues/80/feat-deadmentalking.shtml

Jesus the revolutionary? Phil Gasper tells the history of a Jewish revolutionary opposed to Roman tyranny http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/14/jesus-the-revolutionary

Tariq Ali: Arab League pathetic, works as West’s NGO

Robert Fisk: France’s shamefully forgotten allies http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-frances-shamefully-forgotten-allies-6283364.html

In 2012 the Arab Spring will blossom into the springtime of nations http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11204248-in-2012-the-arab-spring-will-blossom-into-the-springtime-of-nations

Global rebellion: The coming chaos? Global elites are confused, reactive, and sinking into a quagmire of their own making, says author by William I. Robinson http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/11/20111130121556567265.html

Which tyrant will fall next? The Year of Revolution: As the leaders of Syria and Bahrain cling to power, Patrick Cockburn explains how they have managed to resist the protesters – and wonders whether they can survive another 12 months by Patrick Cockburn http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/which-tyrant-will-fall-next-6282494.html

The U.S. Double Standard on Elections in Latin America and the Caribbean https://nacla.org/news/2011/12/22/us-double-standard-elections-latin-america-and-caribbean

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

Food as a Commodity by Fred Magdoff http://monthlyreview.org/2012/01/01/food-as-a-commodity

Durban conference a climate disaster; Cochabamba agreement the antidote http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49718

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Deutscher Prize Lecture 2011 David Harvey London — 11 November 2011. History versus Theory: a Commentary on Marx’s Method of Capital http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls125.php

Contracorriente: Discussion with Michael Lebowitz http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls126.php

The economic idiocy of economists – The American Economic Association’s annual meeting is red-letter day for ‘the dismal science’. And dismal it proved http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/jan/10/economic-illiteracy-of-economists

Michael Lebowitz: `The Four Rs’ of global capitalism http://links.org.au/node/1519

The Perils of 2012 By Joseph E. Stiglitz http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30235.htm

The Foreclosure-to-Rental Screwjob By Mike Whitney http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30237.htm

CULTURAL DISSENT

Girl re-booted: Does the world need a second The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo film? Yes, says John Rees. http://tinyurl.com/77hy4fh

Dickens: more than Victorian values http://tinyurl.com/7qtbbzu

Film: The Company Men http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/the-company-men/

CANADA

More militant defence of good jobs could mean widespread labour unrest in 2012 http://ofl.ca/index.php/news/index_in/labour_prepares_to_bar_scabs_from_london_plant/

London Day of Action declared for Saturday, January 21 at 11 am http://ofl.ca/index.php/news/index_in/ofl_to_mobilize_massive_rally_in_london_against_caterpillar_inc/

First nations fiercely opposed to Northern Gateway http://www.vancouversun.com/news/first%20nations%20fiercely%20opposed%20northern%20gateway/5937416/story.html

Michael Ignatieff: Intellectual hypocrisy – As Canada’s Liberal leader, the intellectual- turned-politician became an uncritical supporter of Israeli aggression. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/12/20111229111051709479.html

CUBA

Rainbow Cuba: the sexual revolution within the revolution http://links.org.au/node/2671

CHILE

Chilean Students End Protests, Plan for 2012 http://weeklynewsupdate.blogspot.com/2011/12/wnu-1110-chilean-students-end-protests.html

CHINA

Wukan: villagers negotiate agreement but unrest continues http://tinyurl.com/7vsj6fq

China: Misery in Santa’s workshop — inside China’s toy factories http://links.org.au/node/2665

China: Workers’ action and collective awakening — the 2010 auto workers’ strike wave http://links.org.au/node/2672

Reformed revolutionary, or revolutionized reformist? http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2011-12/30/content_14355525.htm

COLOMBIA

Colombia rising? http://links.org.au/node/2673

GUATEMALA

Marching towards the past in Guatemala http://www.rightsaction.org/action-content/marching-towards-past-guatemala

HAITI

Schuller-Schwartz exchange on aid and reconstruction in Haiti following the earthquake http://canadahaitiaction.ca/content/schuller-schwartz-exchange-aid-and-reconstruction-haiti-following-earthquake

Where the Relief Money Did and Did Not Go – Haiti After the Quake http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/01/03/haiti-after-the-quake/

Displaced Haitians are actively claiming the right to housing through advocacy and alternative housing models http://www.otherworldsarepossible.org/another-haiti-possible/home-displacement-camps-community-haiti

Two Years Later, Where Is The Outrage? http://ijdh.org/archives/24026

INDONESIA

As Indonesia Grows, Discontent Sets in Among Workers http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/27/business/global/as-indonesia-prospers-discontent-sets-in-among-workers.html?pagewanted=all

IRAN

Iran: The Neocons Are At It Again By Ralph Nader – It is past time for the American citizenry to wake up and declare: Iran will not be an Iraq Redux!. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30223.htm

IRAQ

Mass Poverty and Sectarian Strife – Are We Witnessing the Final Disintegration of Iraq? http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/01/02/are-we-witnessing-the-final-disintegration-of-iraq/

LIBYA

Why the Libyans Have Fallen Out of Love with Qatar http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2103409,00.html?xid=gonewsedit

KOREA

End of Cold War? ‘US hate dies with N.Korean leader’

Kim Jong-il Leaves Nuclear Legacy As Military Regime Names Youngest Son "Supreme Leader"

MEXICO

John Pilger: Mexico’s universal struggle against power and forgetting http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49670

PACIFIC

Military Entrenches Dictatorship with New Laws http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1201/S00153/fiji-military-entrenches-dictatorship-with-new-laws.htm

PALESTINE

Israeli Companies Can Profit from West Bank Resources, Court Rules http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/03/israeli-companies-west-bank-resources

Ethnic cleansing of invented people: At age 22, the wife of a young army officer with little means and with two small children, she refused a beautiful spacious home, offered to her completely free because she could not bear the thought of living in the home of a family that was forced out and now lives in a refugee camp. “The coffee was still warm on the tables as the soldiers came in and began the looting,” she told me. “Can you imagine how much those families, those mothers must miss their homes?” http://mikopeled.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/ethnic-cleansing-of-invented-people-by-miko-peled/

Seven-month old Gaza baby dies awaiting Israeli permission for operation http://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/seven-month-gaza-baby-dies-awaiting-israeli-permission-for-operation/

PORTUGAL

Portugal: government on the rampage http://tinyurl.com/7mxm494

RUSSIA

The struggle emerges in Russia http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/14/struggle-emerges-in-russia
NIGERIA

Fears of oil shutdown as Nigerian strike continues – Threat of shutdown in fifth-largest oil exporter to US could shake oil futures amid concern about worldwide supply http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/15/oil-nigerian-strike

Niger Delta: a quiet resistance http://www.redpepper.org.uk/niger-delta-a-quiet-resistance/

PHILIPPINES

Philippine Airlines is a Scrooge, says international labor rights group http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11140244-pal-is-a-scroogeinternational-labor-rights-group

SOUTH AFRICA

Reclaiming the South African dream www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/584.php

A Poisoned Chalice Liberation, ANC-Style http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/585.php#continue

Bandile Mdlalose talks to Lorna Stephenson about Abahlali baseMjondolo, a radical poor people’s movement in South Africa http://www.redpepper.org.uk/shack-fightback/

TIMOR

East Timor celebrates medical milestone, with Cuba’s assistance http://links.org.au/node/2674

TURKEY

Kurds in Turkey: arrests and violence threaten to radicalise a generation http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/28/kurds-turkey-arrests-violence-radicalise

Turkish Air Strike Kills More Than 30 Civilians – War planes bombarded a group of villagers in the border region with Iraq, claiming that they were PKK rebels. http://www.bianet.org/english/human-rights/135084-turkish-air-strike-kills-more-than-30-civilians

Talking About Dissent in Turkey? Hush, Hush! By Simten Coşar and Gülden Özcan http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/583.php

USA

Conflict between rich, poor strongest in 24 years: Tensions between the rich and poor are increasing and at their most intense level in nearly a quarter-century, a new survey shows. Americans now see more social conflict over wealth inequality than over the hot-button topics of immigration, race relations and age.

http://yhoo.it/AAyJAo

Factory Jobs Gain, but Wages Retreat http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/business/us-manufacturing-gains-jobs-as-wages-retreat.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print

Over Fifty Citizens on Ten Day Fast for Justice Carry Guantanamo Cell to President Obama’s Front Door http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2012/01/09

The bogus case against the minimum wage hike – The action in eight states will help 1 million workers and won’t cause job loss http://www.salon.com/2012/01/04/the_bogus_case_against_the_minimum_wage_hike/singleton/

Down and Out: Measuring Long-Term Hardship in the Labor Market http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/measuring-long-term-hardship-labor-market

What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland’s School Success http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/what-americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/250564/

Tax Benefits From Options as Windfall for Businesses http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/business/tax-breaks-from-options-a-windfall-for-businesses.html?hp

YEMEN

Notes by Noon: Yemen’s ongoing and parallel revolution: Yemeni blogger Noon Arabia writes on the ongoing revolution as demonstrations and strikes against corruption hit governmental and public, academic, commercial and medical sectors. http://tinyurl.com/6sxy96z

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is humanity’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion." — Oscar Wilde, Soul of Man Under Socialism

“Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.” -Rosa Luxemburg

"The ruling class has the schools and press under its thumb. This enables it to sway the emotions of the masses." – — Albert Einstein – (1879-1955)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012

The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

KEEP THE COAL IN THE HOLE SUMMER FESTIVAL – MATAURA, SOUTHLAND, NZ. 20-23 JANUARY 2012

You are warmly invited……to gather for a Summer Festival and camp. We will share ideas, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and take action now to oppose lignite mining in the Mataura Valley. This event will be fun, friendly and 100% coal-free! We’ve got the Festival Kaupapa, detailed Festival Information and our Programme. For more information or to get involved in Festival organising please Email Us.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

No mandate for charter schools: Ian Leckie, president of education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa, says the biggest question New Zealanders should be asking about charter schools is – why? http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6159455/No-mandate-for-charter-schools

New figures reveal work kills 1000 a year http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/6158769/New-figures-reveal-work-kills-1000-a-year

Mr Harawira’s speech

GI Eviction protest album http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150412151331325.364951.534976324&type=1

Matt McCarten: Our most valuable asset is the right to protest http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cultures/news/article.cfm?c_id=105&objectid=10773868&mid=5572205

Kete Kupu #20: Almost a Majority for Reducing Inequality – Post-Election Analysis http://www.nzccss.org.nz/uploads/publications/KeteKupu%2020%20%28print%29.pdf

Fonterra seeks partners for Milk for Schools http://nz.finance.yahoo.com/news/Fonterra-seeks-partners-Milk-irnnewstalk-322307514.html?x=0

From Aotea to Tahrir- Solidarity with the Egyptian Revolution – Egypt Protest – American Consulate in Auckland, New Zealand 20 Dec 2011

New Zealand sea lion slides towards extinction http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00249/new-zealand-sea-lion-slides-towards-extinction.htm

Health, Safety and Accountability – CTU President Helen Kelly talks about Pike River and the death of security guard Charanpreet Singh Dhaliwal and what these tragedies tell us about employer accountability for health and safety in the workplace. http://thestandard.org.nz/health-safety-and-accountability/

Wrongly sacked teacher won’t get job back http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12439156/wrongly-sacked-teacher-won-t-get-job-back/

Time for Govt to get back into insurance business – CAFCA http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12446067/time-for-govt-to-get-back-into-insurance-business-cafca/

Claim school gap in rich and poor areas growing http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/94429/claim-school-gap-in-rich-and-poor-areas-growing

NZEI: No appetite for charter schools in south Auckland http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1112/S00116/no-appetite-for-charter-schools-in-south-auckland.htm

Government rushing full speed ahead on charter schools Government rushing full speed ahead on charter schools

New Blenheim Green MP to Speak at Waihopai Spybase Protest http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00283/new-blenheim-green-mp-to-speak-at-waihopai-spybase-protest.htm

CTU: Know Your Rights in Holiday Period http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00277/know-your-rights-in-holiday-period.htm

NDU: Here we go again, say retail workers – As Christmas Day approaches, one of only 3 and ½ days of guaranteed time-off for retail workers, a shop worker says she is gutted that she will again have to fight off attempts to take away family time at Easter for workers in her industry http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00276/here-we-go-again-say-retail-workers.htm

PSA: Health Minister wants to short-change Cantabrians http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00272/health-minister-wants-to-short-change-cantabrians.htm

CMP Workers back to work http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1112/S00798/cmp-workers-back-to-work.htm

Update on the iCAN ANZ ‘Call for action to abolish nuclear weapons’ petition to parliament http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/update-ican-anz-call-for-action-to-abolish-nuclear-weapons-petition-to-parliamen/281369305243779

CTU: Housing Affordability about incomes as well as house prices http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00209/housing-affordability-about-incomes-as-well-as-house-prices.htm

FEATURES

John Pilger answers Obama’s claim that US military is "finest fighting force in history"

Mike Davis: SPRING CONFRONTS WINTER – In great upheavals, analogies fly like shrapnel. The electrifying protests of 2011—the on-going Arab spring, the ‘hot’ Iberian and Hellenic summers, the ‘occupied’ fall in the United States—inevitably have been compared to the anni mirabiles of 1848, 1905, 1968 and 1989. http://newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2923

An exchange on Vietnam, China and the meaning of their present territorial tensions http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23799

End of Iraq War is a Victory for Peace Movement – But What a Heinous Crime Was Committed http://tinyurl.com/c48fvoa

The ‘Arab spring’ and the west: seven lessons from history: Drawing on the British Pathé archive, Seumas Milne picks out the recurrent themes of imperial efforts to control the Middle East http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/19/arab-spring-seven-lessons-from-history

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Contradictions of Finance Capitalism by Richard Peet http://monthlyreview.org/2011/12/01/contradictions-of-finance-capitalism

Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg: Tax Dollars And The War – Here is a short (less than 4 minute) video that illustrates the fact that 53% of our tax dollars, conservatively estimated, go to finance our military. http://tinyurl.com/88333no

Crisis as Capitalist Opportunity by Ursula Huws http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/581.php

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

Shock as retreat of Arctic sea ice releases deadly greenhouse gas http://tinyurl.com/757yz46

Barry Commoner: Ecology and Social Action http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6272

CULTURAL DISSENT

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Class Struggle http://monthlyreview.org/2011/12/01/alfred-hitchcock-presents-class-struggle

You Can’t Always Get What You Want: On Stephen King http://www.thenation.com/article/165310/you-cant-always-get-what-you-want-stephen-king

AUSTRALIA

Rich keep getting richer http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/rich-keep-getting-richer/2392165.aspx?storypage=0

BRAZIL

Brazil faces ‘tyranny of depth and darkness’ in drilling for deep-sea oil http://tinyurl.com/8yh8fwn

CANADA

Québec solidaire struggles to define its space in shifting political landscape http://lifeonleft.blogspot.com/2011/12/quebec-solidaire-struggles-to-define.html

Why Canada’s nuclear cleanup will cost billions of dollars and take decades to complete http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/atomic-wasteland/index.html

Union of BC Indian Chiefs Applauds UN Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women http://www.mail-archive.com/natnews-north@yahoogroups.com/msg10162.html

Ottawa proposes first nations property ownership – Conservative MPs are proposing a fundamental change to Canada’s reserve system, advocating legislation that would allow natives to own private property within the communal land of reserves. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-proposes-first-nations-property-ownership/article2271788/

Novatel occupation http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls123.php

CARIBBEAN

Commentary: A public relations disaster for the US By Norman Girvan on Cuba-CARICOM Summit in Port of Spain on December 8. http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Commentary%3A-A-public-relations-disaster-for-the-US-9202.html

CHINA

Wukan villagers form own administration: “In the besieged village of Wukan in Southern China, the residents govern themselves completely outside the state’s control in an atmosphere reminiscent of the early days of the Paris Commune.” http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/6f975d8e-2983-11e1-a066-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1gwpP278K

China: ‘Down with corruption, reclaim our land’ — Call for support for Wukan http://links.org.au/node/2664

China Debts Dwarf Official Data With Too-Big-to-Finish Alarm http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-18/china-debts-dwarf-official-data-with-too-big-to-complete-alarms.html

China’s Real Estate Bubble May Have Just Popped http://www.foreignaffairs.com/print/134044

CZECH

Vaclav Havel and the struggle for socialism in Czechoslovakia http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/vaclak-havel-and-the-struggle-for-socialism-in-czechoslovakia/

EGYPT

Protesters battle for control of Egypt’s Tahrir Square http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/19/world/meast/egypt-unrest/index.html?mid=559

Egypt’s labour movement takes a tumble http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23805

GREECE

THE GREEK CAULDRON: The escalation of the Eurozone crisis in the closing months of 2011 has produced spectacular upheavals in the political landscape. http://newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2924

Greek woes drive up suicide rate to highest in Europe http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/18/greek-woes-suicide-rate-highest

IRAQ

Iraq on the brink of civil war

Junkyard Gives Up Secret Accounts of Massacre in Iraq http://www.ocala.com/article/20111214/ZNYT03/112143018/-1/NEWS?p=all&tc=pgall

No, the U.S. is not leaving Iraq http://www.salon.com/2011/12/17/no_the_u_s_is_not_leaving_iraq/

KAZAKHSTAN

News reports of killing of striking workers http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/show_news.pl?country=Kazakhstan&langcode=en

London listed oil company at centre of Kazakh crackdowns http://blog.platformlondon.org/2011/12/16/london-listed-oil-company-at-centre-of-kazakh-crackdowns/

Oilmen stay home, hospitals full after Kazakh riots http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/12388306/oilmen-stay-home-hospitals-full-after-kazakh-riots/

LIBYA

Libyan scramble for £100bn in assets fractures the peace at Tripoli airport http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/17/libya-tripoli-airport-assets-un/print

PALESTINE

The Unknown Hell of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/3490/the-unknown-hell-of-palestinian-refugees-in-lebano?mid=55328

Critical Health Issues in Gaza http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2011/12/11/gaza-critical-health/?mid=5532

The daily ordeal of getting to school in Hebron http://electronicintifada.net/content/daily-ordeal-getting-school-hebron/10698?mid=559

‘Tears of Gaza’ – The Movie http://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/tears-of-gaza-lest-our-tears-dry-up/?mid=55

RUSSIA

Russia: An awakened sense of dignity; December 10: A new page in history http://links.org.au/node/2656

USA

The Case of Occupy and the Longshoremen’s Union: A Reply to Critics By Cal Winslow http://www.zcommunications.org/the-case-of-occupy-and-the-longshoremen-s-union-a-reply-to-critics-by-cal-winslow

With Port Actions, Occupy Oakland Tests Labor Leaders http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/us/occupy-oakland-angers-labor-leaders.htm?_r=2

In Gilded City, Living Wage Proposal Still Stirs Fears http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/nyregion/in-gilded-city-living-wage-plan-still-stirs-fears.html

VENEZUELA

Venezuelan Government Incorporates 1,723 Subcontracted Workers into Sidor, Nationalises Companies http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6702

RALLY TODAY 6.30PM TO PROTEST THE CLOSURE OF RAPE CRISIS – QE2 SQUARE AUCKLAND
As sexual violence surges in New Zealand, thousands join last-ditch campaign to restore funding for Auckland’s 24/7 sexual violence help centre. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W_cNOe3mFNeUAA0wX6SYvCt0j8ad7p2vap3mB2QZTm8/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1
Petition: Stop the closure of Auckland’s 24/7 sexual violence crisis service http://www.change.org/petitions/new-zealand-government-stop-the-closure-of-aucklands-247-sexual-violence-crisis-service
24/7 sexual abuse helpline faces closure http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6144719/24-7-sexual-abuse-helpline-faces-closure http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/shock-as-retreat-of-arctic-sea-ice-releases-deadly-greenhouse-gas-6276134.html

ANZCO CMP LOCKOUT – 0900LOCKOUT PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD
Hi All, As you are aware, over 100 workers have been locked out since 19 October. ANZCO, a multinational, locked them out because they wouldn’t accept 20% pay cuts. The workers offered to sacrifice 10% of their pay but ANZCO refuses to budge and wants to starve the workers into accepting the full cuts. This is wrong, and especially at this time of the year. We need to step up the fundraising efforts to support these families, and give the kids of the locked out workers a Christmas.

Please spread the 0900 number – 0900 LOCKOUT to get more information and to make a $5 donation. Thanks, Helen Kelly, President NZCTU.
Send a message: Lock out of New Zealand meat workers entering its 3rd month http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/1290
AUCKLAND FUNDRAISER – SAT DEC 17, 12 NOON, MIDCITY MCD’S, 260 QUEEN ST
Help stop the ANZCO grinch from stealing Christmas from the 100 children of locked out CMP Rangitikei workers. Join us in Auckland at the Midcity McDonalds at 260 Queen Street at 12 noon on Saturday 17 December. Midcity McDonalds is a ten minute walk up Queen Street from Britomart. (Google map here: simon.aart.oosterman or on 09 817 9222. Yours, Simon Oosterman
DEC 17 FUNDRAISING AND PICKETTING: GIVE LOCKED OUT KIDS A XMAS
On December 17 we will fundraise outside of McDonalds nationwide to buy presents for the children of locked out ANZCO CMP workers and continue to put pressure on ANZCO customer McDonalds. On October 19 ANZCO stopped three-year-old Tarshay’s mum, Tasha, and 100 of her co-workers from working. The multinational locked them out because they wouldn’t accept 20% pay cuts (which wouldn’t apply to managers). The workers offered to sacrifice 10% of their pay to help the company but ANZCO refused to budge and wants to starve the workers into accepting the full cuts. Tarshay and a hundred other children and grandchildren of the locked out workers face a bleak Christmas. ANZCO is a primary supplier of meat patties to McDonalds. We want McDonalds to help us get ANZCO to end the lockout and resolve the dispute fairly. Your help will make a difference. On December 3, supporters held actions at McDonalds from Whangarei to Invercargill. We raised over $1,000 and received widespread media coverage. We can do it again with your help.
1. Find a picket in your town – see below or see www.union.org/anzcolockout for further details
2. RVSP on Facebook and let us know which McDonalds you can picket here: http://goo.gl/CH15Z or contact the picket organizer
3. Organise a picket in your town if there isn’t already one by emailing us or calling on 027 501 6880
4. Prepare for the picket by following the instructions on running a succesful picket here: http://goo.gl/Alfu6
5. Download our poster: http://goo.gl/jr5MK (don’t forget to put your even location in the empty box!) and paste up around town and put it up at work or church. Learn how to make wheat paste here: http://goo.gl/tkWWM
6. Download our flyer: http://goo.gl/7ws4a
Here are the details for events around the country on Saturday December 17th and the organisers’ contact details:
Auckland: @ Midcity McDonalds at 260 Queen Street at 12 noon on Saturday 17 December. Simon Oosterman 021 885 410 simon.aart.oosterman
New Plymouth: 11.00am @ McDonalds New Plymouth. Sam Jones, 027 544 8563, sam.jones
Palmerston North: Meet at 12pm in the middle of the Square for a fundraising picnic with music and speeches followed by a march and picket at McDonalds. Tali Williams, 021 204 4087, tali.williams
Wellington: TBC. meet at 11. Heleyni Pratley, 029 494 9865 heleyni
Hamilton: Time TBC, Jared Philips, 029 494 9863, jared
Christchurch: 11am, McDonalds Linwood, contact – Georgie McLeod 0275016880
Hastings: 11.30 – 1.30 @ Hastings McDonalds. Contact Thomas O’Neil 0272046350
Dunedin: 12 – 2pm George St McDonalds, Andrew Tait 0276069549
Invercargill: Invercargil McDs, time TBA. Contact: Barbara Anderson, Barbara.anderson or 0272097436
Please let me know as soon as possible if you can help co-ordinate an action in your area. Yours, Georgie McLeod, Communications and Campaigns Advisor, Council of Trade Unions – Te Kauae Kaimahi, ph: 04 802 3817; cell: 027 501 6880.

OCTOBER15THSOLIDARITY.INFO NEWSLETTER
Tena koutou, you probably haven’t heard much in recent weeks about the upcoming trial for Taame, Rangi, Emily and Urs. The four are the last to still face charges from the state terror raids of 15th October 2007 and their trial will start on 13th February 2012 in the Auckland High Court. This date has been confirmed which means we all have less than TWO MONTHS to get ready and do what we can to support. There is plenty of things you can do. Here are a few ideas: 1. Talk to your whanau, friends and workmates about the trial and get them signed up to this email list (email us their address) and ‘like’ our facebook page to stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/pages/October-15-Solidarity/25598818522 2. If you are in Auckland or planning to come to Auckland for the trial (or some of it – it is expected to last three (!) months), have a think about what you could do in terms of political and practical solidarity. 3. If you are a member of a union or a political group, get a story about this trial printed in your magazine to make the links between this trial and political activism and aspirations for tino rangantiratanga.

4. Write a letter to the editor – a great way to keep this show-trial in the public’s mind. 5. Watch ‘Operation 8′ – you can get it at many Video stores and libraries. Or you can buy a copy here: http://cutcutcut.com/Operation8.html 6. If you are in Wellington, go to the book launch this Saturday, 7pm at Thistle Hall. Some Justice, a book of political poems and lyrics by local Wellington punk poet and songwriter Ken Vicious, will be launched. The www.October15thSolidarity.info website is regularly updated. The website aims to be multilingual and gives background information aswell as updates on legal proceedings. There are poster, newsletters and leaflets available here: http://october15thsolidarity.info/en/node/236 A DROP THE CHARGES leaflet can be downloaded here: http://october15thsolidarity.info/sites/default/files/drop%20the%20charges%20A4.pdf

APPLICATIONS FOR 2012 PEACE SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
White Poppies for Peace – 10 December 2011: Applications for White Poppy Peace Scholarships for research during the 2012 academic year opened today, Human Rights Day, on the sixty-third anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Peace Scholarships comprise at least two grants that are awarded each year to assist students at any tertiary education institution in Aotearoa New Zealand with research into the impacts of militarism, militarisation and warfare; alternatives to militarism, militarisation and warfare; or collective non-violent responses to state violence. The formatted edition of this message is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/psdec2011.pdf

WAIHOPAI PLOUGHSHARES APPEAL
This appeal is available online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/waihopai-ploughshares-appeal/273935145987195

On 30 April 2008, a Christian Ploughshares team – Adrian Leason, Father Peter Murnane and Sam Land – entered the grounds of the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) / US National Security Agency spy base at Waihopai and punctured the dome covering one of the two antenna to disable and draw attention to the role of the base – part of the US government’s global spy network – in the ‘war on terrorism’. They then built a shrine and prayed for the victims of the war with no end while waiting to be arrested.
In March 2010, after an eight day trial, the Waihopai Ploughshares were acquitted by the jury. In response, in October 2010, the Attorney-General lodged a civil claim for $1.2 million, on behalf of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB). In August 2011, following a hearing in the High Court in Wellington, Associate Judge David Gendall issued a summary judgement awarding $1.2 million damages in the government’s favour, as well as court costs. A more detailed chronology of the events leading to that point is included below.
Since then, the Waihopai Ploughshares have lodged an appeal against the summary judgement – if the decision stands, it will be a major setback in terms of defences available in future for people acting on their conscience and taking non-violent direct action against military or signals intelligence bases.

Waihopai Ploughshares are now fundraising for the $6,000 required for the court fees so that the appeal can be heard. If the fee can be raised, the appeal will most likely proceed in March 2012.
This message, sent on behalf of Waihopai Ploughshares, is to ask you to consider contributing towards the cost of the court fees for the appeal. If you can assist, you can make a donation as follows: • by cheque: send your cheque, payable to ‘Peace Movement Aotearoa’, to Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141, with your name and address so we can send you a receipt, and a note saying your donation is for Waihopai Plougshares; or • by internet banking or direct credit: make your donation to account 02 0536 0323908 08 – please put your name or organisation and ‘Ploughshares’ in the payee details / identifier section so we know who it is from and what it is for, and email pma with your physical address so we can send your receipt. Thank you.
Waihopai Ploughshares: chronology of events
On 30 April 2008, the Waihopai Ploughshares – Adrian Leason, Fr Peter Murnane and Sam Land – entered the grounds of the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) / US National Security Agency spy base at Waihopai and punctured the dome covering one of the two antenna to disable and draw attention to the role of the base – part of the US government’s global spy network – in the ‘war on terrorism’. They then built a shrine and prayed for the victims of the war with no end while waiting to be arrested. Their statement is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/plshares.htm
The Waihopai Ploughshares trial started on 8 March 2010. Their defence was based on ‘claim of right’ (widely misreported by the media as a necessity defence) and on 17 March 2010, the trial jury acquitted the three defendants. An overview of the trial with links to more information is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/plupdate.htm On 7 April 2010, the Attorney-General announced that the government would not appeal the verdict, but was considering suing Waihopai Ploughshares for (at that time) $1.1 million.
In October 2010, the Attorney-General lodged a civil claim for $1.2 million, on behalf of the GSCB – see for example, ‘$1.2m Crown seeking includes beer, pies’ at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10679078
On 3 November 2010, the government announced that it would be limiting the ‘claim of right’ defence so that it could not be used in similar circumstances in future.

On 8 August 2011, there was an all-day hearing in the High Court as to whether the government would be awarded summary judgement of $1.2 million damages for the costs of repair of the spy base dome (and food and drink for the workers who repaired it) or whether the matter would proceed to trial – the decision hinged around whether or not the judge considered the three defendants had a chance of successfully arguing a case against the awarding of damages to the government. A brief overview of the defence case, which was based in part on the defences of necessity and self-defence / defence of another and in part on ex turpi causa, is available at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=217666044947439
Associate Judge David Gendall’s decision was released on 31 August 2011. His judgement was that the defence did not have a case, and that summary judgement of $1.2 million damages was therefore awarded in the government’s favour, as well as court costs. The media release from Adrian Leason in response is available at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=228892570491453
Waihopai Ploughshares are now appealing the decision if the decision stands, it will be a major setback in terms of defences available in future for people acting on their conscience and taking non-violent direct action against military or signals intelligence bases.
If you would like a copy of the High Court decision, please contact Peace Movement Aotearoa email pma

This chronology is available at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/waihopai-ploughshares-chronology-of-events-leading-to-wednesdays-decision/229649693749074

INSIDE CHILD POVERTY
‘Inside New Zealand: Inside Child Poverty’, it will only be online for a limited time period at http://ondemand.tv3.co.nz/Inside-New-Zealand-Inside-Child-Poverty/tabid/59/articleID/4761/MCat/342/Default.aspx

ASK JOHN KEY TO KEEP HIS GOVERNMENT’S PROMISE ABOUT MINING OUR CONSERVATION LAND
From: Forest & Bird [mailto:enews] December 2011. Forest & Bird E-Alert. Helping you take action for your environment. Ask John Key to keep his government’s promise about mining our conservation land. This week the new government signalled that mining on public conservation

land is again on its agenda. It has broken the promise made last year to give all New Zealanders a say about significant mining projects on conservation land. On Monday, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson sent a letter to Forest & Bird saying the government will not publicly notify the access arrangement

for a planned 160-hectare open-cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau. This would allow all New Zealanders to have a say on whether the mine should go

ahead. The Denniston Plateau is an extraordinary and wild part of New Zealand, with a unique ecosystem that is home to great spotted kiwi, kaka, West Coast geckos, giant land snails, bonsai rata and many other special plants and animals. For more information, see here.

http://royalforestandbirdprotectionsocietyofnewzealandinc.cmail3.com/t/r/l/ijtjird/aatumdj/d/ You can help. Please send this e-card

http://royalforestandbirdprotectionsocietyofnewzealandinc.cmail3.com/t/r/l/ijtjird/aatumdj/h/ to Prime Minister John Key today to ask him to keep his

government’s promise. Thank you very much from Forest & Bird. Forest & Bird NZ – Level One, 90 Ghuznee Street, PO Box 631, Wellington, New Zealand, Phone + 64 4 385 7374

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. You’ll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WHAT’S ON

Friday, December 9, 2.30pm -5.30pm, Ellerslie Events Centre, Auckland Racing Club, 80 Ascot Avenue, Remuera, Auckland
For Human Rights Day, the Human Rights Commission and the Netherlands Embassy invite you to a screening of There Once Was An Island;Te Henua o Nnoho, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers.

Friday, December 9, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland
Militant Labour Forum: “Documentary ‘The Green Chain’ How sawmill workers fought to expose company use of dangerous chemicals”. The Green Chain documents the fight by sawmill workers in the Bay of Plenty to bring to light the disastrous impact on their health of exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) – a chemical used in timber processing. Long-term effects have included high levels of cancer, respiratory problems, and heart and liver disease. The workers have continued their fight for more than two decades, winning some recognition of the harmful effects of the chemical and concessions from the government. This recent documentary features interviews with the workers who are leading the fight. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd. Militant Labour Forums are held each week. Phone 369-1223 or email milauck To browse and buy Pathfinder Press books and the Militant newspaper, the hall is open one hour before the forum. For viewing at other times, call to make an appointment. On the web: Pathfinder Press books and pamphlets: www.pathfinderpress.com; The Militant: www.themilitant.com

Sunday, December 11, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, Ponsonby, Auckland
You are invited to attend the Peace Movement Aotearoa Annual General Meeting With special guest Carol Archie, and a screening of ‘Family Land’. This invitation is available online at pma AGM Agenda: Apologies and remembrances, Minutes of the last AGM, Overview of Peace Movement Aotearoa’s work since the 2010 AGM, Presentation of the 2010/11 Financial Statements, Election of Working Group, General business, and Date and place of the next Annual General Meeting. Call for nominations to the Peace Movement Aotearoa Working Group (management committee): Working Group members should have a keen interest in peace and social justice issues, enthusiasm, a professional approach, a commitment to good employment practices, and be a Peace Movement Aotearoa member. If you wish to add items to the AGM agenda, send apologies, or nominate yourself or someone else to go on the Working Group, please contact email pma Peace Movement Aotearoa member group representatives: If you will be representing a Peace Movement Aotearoa member group at the AGM, please email pma in advance and let us know which group you are representing. Thank you.

Wednesday, December 14, 4.30-6pm, CTU, Level 7 Education House, 178 Willis Street, Wellington
PLEASE JOIN US TO FAREWELL OUR BURMESE STUDENTS: We hope you can join us for the graduation of and farewell to the students from the 2011 intake of the Burma Young Community Leaders programme. Please RSVP by December 9th to Karin Currie on 385-1334 or email: karinc

Saturday, December 17, 7pm, Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington
BOOK LAUNCH: Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics Hosted by Rebel Press. Rebel Press would like to warmly invite you to celebrate the launch of Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics by Ken Vicious, and to celebrate the end of 2011 and the birth of a new year. The party is on Saturday 17 December at 7pm at Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington and features readings from the book, along with music from Dead Vicious followed by dancing with DJs Frittermix and Snowpony. Some food and refreshments provided, but feel free to BYO, and pass this invite to other friends, comrades and family. Some Justice is a fundraiser for October 15th Solidarity and a proportion of the sale price of each book will go towards the fund. Cheers, the Rebel Press Collective

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“So distribution should undo excess, and each man have enough.” [King Lear, Act 4, Scene 1] –William Shakespeare, English playwright (1564-161)
“Behind every great fortune is a crime.” – Honore de Balzac French novelist (1799-1850)
“It is reasonable to ask whether the people of Iraq will notice any change.” — US Congressman Dennis Kucinich on President Obama’s pledge to withdraw troops from Iraq but leave thousands of armed contractors and State Department employees.
“When you have a great deal of market power in the hands of one or two retailers, you will have abuses of power. That’s in the nature of things.” — British retail expert David Hughes on the Australian food retailing industry, dominated by Coles and Woolworths.
“YOU’RE right, we did it. But thanks to you, we won’t do it again.” Future Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speaking to Milton Friedman in a speech celebrating the Nobel laureate’s 90th birthday in 2002. He was referring to Mr Friedman’s conclusion that central bankers were responsible for much of the suffering in the Depression.
“This will become known as the lost decade of the fight against climate change. Genocide and ecocide will reach proportions that we have not yet seen.” — Pablo Solón, Former Bolivian ambassador to the UN
"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have: three meals a day for their bodies, – education and culture for their minds – and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits" – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." – – Albert Einstein — (1879-1955) Physicist and Professor, Nobel Prize 1921

STAT OF THE WEEK
“Data from tax returns show that the top 1 percent of households in the United States received 8.9 percent of all pre-tax income in 1976. In 2008, the top 1 percent share had more than doubled to 21.0 percent.” http://inequality.org/inequality-data-statistics/

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

24/7 sexual abuse helpline faces closure http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6144719/24-7-sexual-abuse-helpline-faces-closure

Murray Horton: Welcome to Johnkeyistan! Don’t Worry, She’ll Be Right (In Every Sense Of The Word) http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00166/welcome-to-johnkeyistan.htm

Good public education is at risk http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/6134611/Good-public-education-is-at-risk

Big fish-hooks in educational vision http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/190702/big-fish-hooks-educational-vision

PSA: New study warns of the danger to industry training funding cuts http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12354720/new-study-warns-aof-the-danger-to-industry-training-funding-cuts/

On the coalition agreements http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/12/12/gordon-campbell-on-the-coalition-agreements/

Rich-poor gap is NZ’s shame http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10772328

A Decent Job – Right or Privilege http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1112/S00332/a-decent-job-right-or-privilege.htm

Show us where the money is coming from for charter schools John? http://i.greens.org.nz/press-releases/show-us-where-money-coming-charter-schools-john

Why do we need charter schools? http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/6110717/Why-do-we-need-charter-schools

Otara orchestra hits all the right notes http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6121831/Otara-orchestra-hits-all-the-right-notes?mid=54

Petitionto the New Zealand Government: Stop the closure of Auckland’s 24/7 sexual violence crisis service http://www.change.org/petitions/new-zealand-government-stop-the-closure-of-aucklands-247-sexual-violence-crisis-service

Nicky Hager Interview On "Other Peoples Wars" http://plainsfm.org.nz/on-demand/earthwise05dec11/

Matt McCarten: A battle between popularity and experience http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10772324

Bennett accused of ‘beneficiary bashing’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6122067/Bennett-accused-of-beneficiary-bashing

RNZ: Insight for 11 December 2011 – Housing Affordability (audio)

Brian Rudman: Sth Auckland’s kids forced to be guinea pigs in school experiment http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10772596

Tapu Misa: Secret of successful schools of concern to us all http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10772559

In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians … Tigilau Ness and Roger Fowler at the Kia Ora Gaza fund-raising event in Mangere, South Auckland, New Zealand 26 Nov 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SXZv7ZY04Fc&mid=54

Outspoken stands needed on global warming http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/opinion/6124963/Outspoken-stands-needed-on-global-warming

Hundreds of low paid aged care workers to hit the streets today http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12318086/low-paid-aged-care-workers-to-hit-the-streets-today/

What is the Fijian Govt trying to hide? Australian and NZ unions to go ahead with visit despite reported ban

Harawira: Maori Party lured by baubles of office http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6126671/Harawira-Maori-Party-lured-by-baubles-of-office?mid=5504

Gordon Campbell On the Labour leadership change http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/12/13/gordon-campbell-on-the-labour-leadership-change/

State Of It: No Crystal Ball Needed To Define Ideology Plan by Selwyn Manning http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1112/S00050/state-of-it-no-crystal-ball-needed-to-define-ideology-plan.htm

David Shearer New Labour Leader – Presser Audio/Video/Pics http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1112/S00081/david-shearer-new-labour-leader-presser-audiovideopics.htm

Jon Stephenson & Glenn Williams Discuss NZ Media & Reporting On Afghanistan http://livenews.co.nz/2011/12/jon-stephenson-glenn-williams-discuss-nz-media-reporting-on-afghanistan/

Retaining skilled rail workforce needs to be a priority for Transport Minister http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00175/retaining-skilled-rail-workforce-needs-to-be-a-priority.htm

PEACE RESEARCHER ONLINE

Contents Page Online: http://www.converge.org.nz/abc/prcont42.htm

The Covert State Must Not Be Severely Embarrassed! Part 1: Government Sues Domebusters & Changes Law To Rule Out Their Defence – by Murray Horton

The GCSB: How Much Do We Pay? – by Warren Thomson

The Covert State Must Not Be Severely Embarrassed! Part 2: Government Drops Charges Versus "Terrorists" & Changes Law To Legalise Illegality – by Murray Horton

Spooky Bits – by Warren Thomson

The Bougainville Peace-Broking Experience Revisited – by Maire Leadbeater

Military Spending: Out Of Control – by Warren Thomson

Australia’s Military – Growing Power, Growing Ambition – by Warren Thomson

More Media Warmongering – by Dennis Small

Reviews by Jeremy Agar "Other People’s Wars" – by Nicky Hager ; "A History Of The World Since 9/11" – by Dominic Streatfeild

Obituary by Kate Dewes Patricia Morrison

CAFCA/ABC Organiser Account 2010/11 – by Warren Brewer

New Treasurer For Organiser Account: Warren Brewer Replaces Bob Leonard – by Murray Horton

Biggest Ever Donation To The Organiser: Thank You, Ron Resnick by Murray Horton

NZ ECONOMY

Opinion: Bernard Hickey argues the RBNZ should nudge the banks to ‘burn some profit fat’ rather than pass on higher funding costs to borrowers and savers. http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/57077/opinion-bernard-hickey-argues-rbnz-should-nudge-banks-burn-some-profit-fat-rather-pass

Latest manufacturing results confirm problems in wood industry http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1112/S00303/manufacturing-results-confirm-problems-in-wood-industry.htm

Bernard Hickey: What’s all the noise about the global downturn? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10772316

Taxman chalks up a big win against overseas ‘tax avoiders’ in NZ$300 http://www.interest.co.nz/news/57129/businessdesk-taxman-chalks-big-win-against-overseas-tax-avoiders-nz300-mln-plus-case

Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie: Inequality will lead us to a grim future http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10772838

BusinessDesk: Kiwi households save money for the first time in 11 years http://www.interest.co.nz/print/57197

OCCUPY AOTEAROA
Occupy trespass case adjourned http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6102227/Occupy-trespass-case-adjourned
Pitch your tents somewhere else, Occupy protesters told http://www.3news.co.nz/Pitch-your-tents-somewhere-else-Occupy-protesters-told/tabid/423/articleID/235815/Default.aspx#ixzz1gBwTYsrh
Auckland: Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck
Wellington: Occupy Wellington http://www.facebook.com/OccupyWellingtonNZ
Christchurch: Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch
Dunedin: Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

OCCUPY WALL STREET
Michael Moore: The Winter of Our Occupation …a proposal http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23685

The Future of the Occupy Movement http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23684

Global Inequality: Tackling the Elite 1% Problem http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/nov/28/global-inequality-tackling-elite-national

Global rebellion: The coming chaos? Global elites are confused, reactive, and sinking into a quagmire of their own making, says author William I. Robinson http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/11/20111130121556567265.html

The ancestors of Occupy: Paul LeBlanc is a history professor at La Roche College in Pittsburgh and the author of numerous books, including most recently Marx, Lenin, and the Revolutionary Experience: Studies of Communism and Radicalism in an Age of Globalization. In mid-November, he spoke at Occupy Boston, as part of the movement’s Howard Zinn Lecture Series. http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/12/the-ancestors-of-occupy

FEATURES

The Great Depression: lessons from the past http://tinyurl.com/7geh9xh

The Stop Online Piracy Act: Class War in Cyberspace by Dean Baker, Truthout http://www.truth-out.org/stop-online-piracy-act-class-war-cyberspace/1323095436

Feeding The Monster – Militarization And Privatized "SECURITY" In Central America http://upsidedownworld.org/main/international-archives-60/3347-feeding-the-monster-militarization-and-privatized-security-in-central-america

Class and Capitalism in the Gulf – The Political Economy of the GCC by Adam Hanieh http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/578.php#continue

Legal Scholars Release Critical Analysis of U.S. Proposals for Intellectual Property and Pharmaceutical Chapters of the Trans Pacific Partnership http://infojustice.org/archives/6360

Fidel Castro: Genocidal cynicism (Part 1) http://www.granma.cu/ingles/reflections-i/reflection-12nov-1.html (Part 2) http://www.granma.cu/ingles/reflections-i/14NOV-47Reflex2.html

Marching Off the Cliff By Noam Chomsky – To gain perspective on what’s happening in the world, it’s sometimes useful to adopt the stance of intelligent extraterrestrial observers viewing the strange doings on Earth. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29914.htm

Assange On Mass Surveillance: ‘You are all screwed!’ – Video – Wikileaks founder Julian Assange speaking to journalists and students at a press conference at City University London in central London on December 1, 2011

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

2011 COP17 succumbs to Climate Apartheid! http://www.climate-justice-now.org/2011-cop17-succumbs-to-climate-apartheid-antidote-is-cochabamba-peoples%E2%80%99-agreement/?mid=54

Declaration of the indigenous peoples of the world to COP17 http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6179

Capitalism and the Accumulation of Catastrophe by John Bellamy Foster http://monthlyreview.org/2011/12/01/capitalism-and-the-accumulation-of-catastrophe

Global carbon emissions reach 10 billion tonnes – Global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels have increased by 49 per cent in the last two decades, according to the latest figures. If this continues, catastrophic climate change is inevitable http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6199

A vicious attack on the poor – Instead of confronting the system that creates poverty and causes environmental degradation, the population controllers aim to eliminate the poor. http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6183

Outing the oligarchy: The billionaires who benefit from today’s climate crisis – New report identifies the 50 ultra-rich individuals whose investments benefit from climate change and who block efforts to phase out pollution from fossil fuel http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6157

‘Climate smart’ agriculture’ – another World Bank resource grab targets Africa’s poorest farmers http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6152

Greening Work in an Age of Uncertainty: Is There Something Worse than Climate Change Denial? By Steven Tufts http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/579.php

Fukushima crisis raises nuclear energy costs to level on par with thermal power generation http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23762

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Soros: World Financial System on Brink of Collapse http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2011/12/01/soros-world-financial-system-on-brink-of-collapse/

General Analysis on Inequality of Wealth and Income Distribution http://tinyurl.com/7n7yg7j

British and Greek Workers Strike for All of Us http://inequality.org/british-greek-workers-strike/

Factories stall worldwide, U.S. jobless claims rise http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/01/us-global-economy-pmi-idUSTRE7B00WJ20111201

Lessons of the 1930s – There could be trouble ahead http://www.economist.com/node/21541388/print

Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg: European Nightmare http://tinyurl.com/7x56njk

The End of Capitalism? – David Harvey (Penn Humanities Forum, 30 Nov 2011)

Robert Fisk: Bankers are the dictators of the West http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-bankers-are-the-dictators-of-the-west-6275084.html

Depression and Democracy By PAUL KRUGMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/opinion/krugman-depression-and-democracy.html?_r=1

CULTURAL DISSENT

Capitalism Makes Me Sick http://www.brooklynrail.org/2011/11/express/capitalism-makes-me-sick

Important we should still hear the call of the Wilde http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3715610.html

New Pappe book highlights plight of forgotten Palestinians http://electronicintifada.net/content/new-pappe-book-highlights-plight-forgotten-palestinians/10668?mid=54

CANADA

Dossier on the Housing and Shelter Crisis in Attawapiskat and Other Indigenous Territories in Canada http://rogerannis.weebly.com/indigenous-peoples.html

Gitxsan chiefs’ treaty office taken over in Enbridge pipeline protest http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Gitxsan+chiefs+treaty+office+taken+over+Enbridge+pipeline+protest/5820676/story.html

Gitxsan History of Resistance http://www.gitxsan.com/our-history/history-of-resistence.html

CHILE

Camila Vallejo, Chile’s iconic student leader, loses election – Left-wing candidate Gabriel Boric elected to lead Universidad de Chile student federation.

http://www.santiagotimes.cl/chile/education/23042-camila-vallejo-chiles-iconic-student-leader-loses-election

CHINA

Shanghai strike enters 8th day amid wave of unrest in China http://tinyurl.com/7lk9bwc

Strikes spread amid economic slowdown http://chinaworker.info/en/content/news/1673/

Sit-in strike by Hitachi workers in Shenzhen http://chinaworker.info/en/content/news/1676/

Shanghai Hi-P strike: Protest against company’s strike-breaking methods http://chinaworker.info/en/content/news/1675/

The Global Crisis Reaches China: Unrest Spreads as Growth Stalls: China’s leaders are currently contending with declining demand, rising debt and a real estate bubble. Some factories are laying off workers, suffering financial losses or even closing as orders from crisis-plagued Europe dry up. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,802308,00.html

CONGO

Mineral profits fuel Congo violence http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49676

CUBA

Human rights in Cuba: A reality for all and every Cuban http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1112/S00337/human-rights-in-cuba-a-reality-for-all-and-every-cuban.htm

GREECE

Shipowners thrive despite crisis http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite2_25700_07/12/2011_417765

GUATEMALA

Guatemala investigation yields 2,082 victims of US syphilis experiments, finds 6 survivors: A Guatemala investigation of a 1940s U.S. experiment that intentionally infected people in the Central American nation with sexually transmitted diseases says the number of victims is higher than previously thought. http://wapo.st/tkhtqk

HAITI

Haiti Grassroots Watch/Ayiti Kale Je has just published a groundbreaking, seven-part study on the past, present and future of sweatshop factory investment in Haiti. It is titled, Haiti "Open For Business" http://haitigrassrootswatch.squarespace.com/haiti-grassroots-watch-engli/2011/11/29/haiti-open-for-business.html

A text version of the study is posted to the Canada Haiti Action Network website. It includes a printable pdf, which is 30 pages. This version contains the most important information that is displayed in the charts, notably figures on the minimum wage and on average salaries of factory workers. http://www.canadahaitiaction.ca/content/haiti-%E2%80%9Copen-business%E2%80%9D

INDONESIA

Strikes and protests as discontent rises http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23712

Indonesia’s crisis of leadership http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23711

IRELAND

Reports from the Economic Front – by Martin Hart-Landsberg: Ireland: “Good” Countries Finish Last http://tinyurl.com/ckfy7ts

IRAN

War on Iran has already begun. Act before it threatens all of us – Escalation of the covert US-Israeli campaign against Tehran risks a global storm. Opposition has to get more serious http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/07/iran-war-already-begun

ITALY

Italy’s unions dig in over proposed austerity measures

KAZAKHSTAN

Mass strikes and protest action by oil workers in Mangystau Province http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23755

LIBYA

Tripoli in lockdown as Libya authorities try to drive out militias http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/07/tripoli-lockdown-libya-militias

Libyan commander: ex-rebels needed in Tripoli for now http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=49451

Thousands protest in Benghazi, Libya http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20111212/benghazi-libya-protest-111212/

Libya One killed as "rebels" attempt to assassinate country’s new army commander http://bit.ly/tJcISW

Protest in Libya capital against former rebels: Hundreds of residents and policemen in Tripoli protested jointly on Wednesday against former rebels who toppled Moamer Kadhafi but are still camping out in the capital and parading their weapons. http://bit.ly/uS8WCX

MEXICO

John Pilger: Mexico’s universal struggle against power and forgetting http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49670

PACIFIC

Solidarity with the Freeport workers: Six thousand of our comrades at PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) have been on strike since September 15. They are demanding a wage increase to US7.5 per hour…. http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2403

PAKISTAN

Tariq Ali: What next for Pakistan’s President Zardari? There is little doubt that Pakistan’s army want him out, so Asif Ali Zardari’s trip to Dubai could well spell the end of his presidency http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/07/memogate-pakistans-terrible-mess

Rare Photographs Show Ground Zero of the Drone War: Be advised: Many of these pictures are disturbing. Some of them show dead children. http://bit.ly/rYK1f0

Pakistan Says U.S. Drones in its Air Space Will be Shot Down By NBC News – According to the new Pakistani defense policy, "Any object entering into our air space, including U.S. drones, will be treated as hostile and be shot down," http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29946.htm

PALESTINE

Artists Violating Cultural Boycott of Israel: Moral Inconsistency and Logical Incoherence http://www.pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1582

Shocking Clip: Israeli Checkpoint Cruelty

Gaza: reflections on resilience by Jonathan Chadwick – There is a danger in giving an account of the human damage sustained there that an image will be given of Gaza as a society of victims. Gaza is an exceptional social, political and economic space full of extraordinary paradoxes. It is not a bomb-site. http://www.opendemocracy.net/jonathan-chadwick/gaza-reflections-on-resilience?mid=54

Amnesty: Record number of Palestinians displaced by demolitions as Quartet continues to talk http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/record-number-palestinians-displaced-demolitions-quartet-continues-talk-2011-12-13?mid=5519

New report documents children under fire in Gaza – AlertNet: Twenty-eight children have been shot at near the border fence http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/new-report-documents-children-under-fire-in-gaza?mid=551

Thousands protest Israel Bedouin relocation plan http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=444101&mid=551

Thousands mourn protester killed at Nabi Saleh http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=444045&mid=551

Terrorists control The White House

Record number of Palestinians displaced by demolitions as Quartet continues to talk http://palsolidarity.org/2011/12/record-number-of-palestinians-displaced-by-demolitions-as-quartet-continues-to-talk/

Nedal, 14 years old, collected metal to support his family – they shot him from behind http://palsolidarity.org/2011/12/nedal-14-years-old-collected-metal-to-support-his-family-they-shot-him-from-behind/

RUSSIA

Russia’s revolt against Tsar Putin http://tinyurl.com/7og3nrc

Making the Case Against the Kremlin BY Amy Knight http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2011/dec/06/making-case-against-kremlin/

Russia’s Great December Evolution http://www.thenation.com/blog/165102/russias-great-december-evolution?rel=emailNation

SAUDI ARABIA

Amnesty: Protesters and reformists targeted in name of security http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-protesters-and-reformists-targeted-name-security-2011-12-01

SYRIA

Bullets & bombs ‘humanitarian aid’ to help Syria?

NATO dreams of civil war in Syria By Pepe Escobar http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ML15Ak03.html

THAILAND

Peua Thai Government lines up with the Military http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23746

UK

Bagram jail detainee unlawfully held, court rules: Appeal court tells British ministers to ask US to end Yunus Rahmatullah’s seven-year ordeal at notorious Afghan prison http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/14/bagram-jail-detainee-yunus-rahmatullah

USA

Mumia’s supporters continue to push for freedom

Senate Panel’s Probe Of CIA Torture Program Concludes It Was "Far More Widespread And Systematic Than We Thought": It could have been big news, if U.S. torture weren’t so anathema to the press corps, such that reporting upon it is considered either a fruitless and unprofitable enterprise http://pubrecord.org/torture/9912/feinstein-senate-panels-probe/

Beyond Guantánamo, a Web of Prisons for Terrorism Inmates: It is the other Guantánamo, an archipelago of federal prisons that stretches across the country, hidden away on back roads. Today, it houses far more men convicted in terrorism cases than the shrunken population of the prison in Cuba that has generated so much debate. http://nyti.ms/ua0TGl

Land of the free, home of the hungry – Nowhere is the chasm between America’s political class and its working poor more vast than in the demand to cut food stamps http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/dec/09/land-of-free-home-of-hungry

An Open Letter from America’s Port Truck Drivers on Occupy the Ports http://cleanandsafeports.org/blog/2011/12/12/an-open-letter-from-america%E2%80%99s-port-truck-drivers-on-occupy-the-ports/

VENEZUELA

Chavez: 2012 will be the October revolution http://venezuelatranslatingtherevolution.blogspot.com/2011/12/chavez-2012-will-be-october-revolution.html

VIETNAM

Enterprises attack draft Labour Code http://www.intellasia.net/news/articles/legal/111349237.shtml

YEMEN

Yemenis protest in thousands against Saleh loyalists in new cabinet: Tens of thousands of Yemenis marched in the streets of the Yemeni capital today, chanting "no partnership with murderers", in reference to former regime loyalists that have been appointed to the newly formed unity government. http://bit.ly/tKQnbH

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

KEEP THE COAL IN THE HOLE SUMMER FESTIVAL – MATAURA, SOUTHLAND, NZ. 20-23 JANUARY 2012

You are warmly invited……to gather for a Summer Festival and camp. We will share ideas, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and take action now to oppose lignite mining in the Mataura Valley. This event will be fun, friendly and 100% coal-free! We’ve got the Festival Kaupapa, detailed Festival Information and our Programme. For more information or to get involved in Festival organising please Email Us.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012

The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

OCCUPY AUCKLAND VS AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL – WE WALK FROM AOTEA SQUARE TO THE DISTRICT COURT AT 9:30AM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, JOIN US!!! We need your help, support and aroha. On Thursday morning we are once again in Court to defend our right to protest, and the right of future protests. Auckland Council is trying to tell us that protest actions should be limited in time, scope, impact and place. If Council wins this court case can you imagine what could happen in the future when other Authorities say to protestors, sorry youve already had your say, you cant protest here or now. Let’s not focus on the Occupy Movement, but on the possible ramifications of what happens if Occupy Auckland loses… As I said before we need your help. We NEED to show the Courts, and especially the Media that there is wider opposition to this Council action than just from the people residing in Aotea. Now is the time to show your support, more so than ever, more so than nearly 8 weeks ago when 3000 of us came together at the start of the Occupation. PLEASE PLEASE take a couple hours out of your day to support the people heading to Court. I personally am going to do my little bit to defend our rights, and I feel nervous and heavily burdend right now. Let us all share the load by turning up in numbers and showing our families, communities, country and the world that the rights of the people are the most important rights in our society.

PROTEST MARCH, SATURDAY, 12 NOON, DEC. 10, FROM BRITOMART: STOP THE EVICTIONS DEFEND GLEN INNES
10am meet GI Library, Line RD Carpark to train into the city together. Contact Marion Peka on 09 521 9539 or 021 123 9525

INSIDE CHILD POVERTY
‘Inside New Zealand: Inside Child Poverty’, it will only be online for a limited time period at http://ondemand.tv3.co.nz/Inside-New-Zealand-Inside-Child-Poverty/tabid/59/articleID/4761/MCat/342/Default.aspx

ASK JOHN KEY TO KEEP HIS GOVERNMENTS PROMISE ABOUT MINING OUR CONSERVATION LAND
From: Forest & Bird [mailto:enews] December 2011. Forest & Bird E-Alert. Helping you take action for your environment. Ask John Key to keep his government’s promise about mining our conservation land. This week the new government signalled that mining on public conservation

land is again on its agenda. It has broken the promise made last year to give all New Zealanders a say about significant mining projects on conservation land. On Monday, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson sent a letter to Forest & Bird saying the government will not publicly notify the access arrangement

for a planned 160-hectare open-cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau. This would allow all New Zealanders to have a say on whether the mine should go

ahead. The Denniston Plateau is an extraordinary and wild part of New Zealand, with a unique ecosystem that is home to great spotted kiwi, kaka, West Coast geckos, giant land snails, bonsai rata and many other special plants and animals. For more information, see here. http://royalforestandbirdprotectionsocietyofnewzealandinc.cmail3.com/t/r/l/ijtjird/aatumdj/d/ You can help. Please send this e-card

http://royalforestandbirdprotectionsocietyofnewzealandinc.cmail3.com/t/r/l/ijtjird/aatumdj/h/ to Prime Minister John Key today to ask him to keep his

governments promise. Thank you very much from Forest & Bird. Forest & Bird NZ – Level One, 90 Ghuznee Street, PO Box 631, Wellington, New Zealand, Phone + 64 4 385 7374

KIA ORA GAZA – URGENT APPEAL
In the first quarter of 2012 Kia Ora Gaza will join an international aid convoy to Gaza led by UK charity Viva Palestina. The convoy intends to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza by linking up with Cairo’s democracy movement and entering through Egypt’s land gate. This strategy could well lead towards the permanent opening of Egypt’s gateway to Gaza, thus fatally wounding Israel’s cruel siege. That would be a truly world historic event. How can you reach out to the 1.5 million Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza? By donating towards our $50,000 Gaza Appeal to fund a four-person Kiwi Team and their humanitarian aid. Kia Ora Gaza has a proven track record. Our team was on last year’s Viva Palestina convoy which broke the Gaza blockade and delivered NZ$7 million in medical supplies. Can we do it again? That’s where you come in. Please donate generously to our $50,000 Gaza Appeal – and spread the word! To see how to donate, go to the sidebar of our website: office

PLAY: THE PITMEN PAINTERS
Lee Halls play is ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see. The Times. The Pitmen Painters is the true story of a group of English miners whose after-work art class reveals a wealth of hidden artistic talent. They are propelled overnight from the humble mines of the North East to a rich, intellectual art world. The pitmens raw, unpretentious paintings of mining life are an unexpected sensation. With a wealthy patron keen to take them under her wing, the miners are forced to choose between their working class roots and the lure of fame and success. (potent pause) PRODUCTIONS present the Auckland premiere of this internationally acclaimed play by Lee Hall, the Tony award-winning writer of Billy Elliot. Projections of the original paintings bring this story to life for art lovers and theatre fans alike. The Pitmen Painters is a humorous and arresting testament to the power of individual expression and collective spirit. Would you leave behind the world you know for a chance at fame? Proudly supported by: Auckland Council Arts Alive http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/the-pitmen-painters

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. Youll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This years program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WHAT’S ON

Friday, December 9, 2.30pm -5.30pm, Ellerslie Events Centre, Auckland Racing Club, 80 Ascot Avenue, Remuera, Auckland
For Human Rights Day, the Human Rights Commission and the Netherlands Embassy invite you to a screening of There Once Was An Island;Te Henua o Nnoho, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers.

Friday, December 9, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland
Militant Labour Forum: Documentary ‘The Green Chain’ How sawmill workers fought to expose company use of dangerous chemicals. The Green Chain documents the fight by sawmill workers in the Bay of Plenty to bring to light the disastrous impact on their health of exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) – a chemical used in timber processing. Long-term effects have included high levels of cancer, respiratory problems, and heart and liver disease. The workers have continued their fight for more than two decades, winning some recognition of the harmful effects of the chemical and concessions from the government. This recent documentary features interviews with the workers who are leading the fight. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd. Militant Labour Forums are held each week. Phone 369-1223 or email milauck To browse and buy Pathfinder Press books and the Militant newspaper, the hall is open one hour before the forum. For viewing at other times, call to make an appointment. On the web: Pathfinder Press books and pamphlets: www.pathfinderpress.com; The Militant: www.themilitant.com

Sunday, December 11, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, Ponsonby, Auckland
You are invited to attend the Peace Movement Aotearoa Annual General Meeting With special guest Carol Archie, and a screening of ‘Family Land’. This invitation is available online at pma AGM Agenda: Apologies and remembrances, Minutes of the last AGM, Overview of Peace Movement Aotearoa’s work since the 2010 AGM, Presentation of the 2010/11 Financial Statements, Election of Working Group, General business, and Date and place of the next Annual General Meeting. Call for nominations to the Peace Movement Aotearoa Working Group (management committee): Working Group members should have a keen interest in peace and social justice issues, enthusiasm, a professional approach, a commitment to good employment practices, and be a Peace Movement Aotearoa member. If you wish to add items to the AGM agenda, send apologies, or nominate yourself or someone else to go on the Working Group, please contact email pma Peace Movement Aotearoa member group representatives: If you will be representing a Peace Movement Aotearoa member group at the AGM, please email pma in advance and let us know which group you are representing. Thank you.

Wednesday, December 14, 4.30-6pm, CTU, Level 7 Education House, 178 Willis Street, Wellington
PLEASE JOIN US TO FAREWELL OUR BURMESE STUDENTS: We hope you can join us for the graduation of and farewell to the students from the 2011 intake of the Burma Young Community Leaders programme. Please RSVP by December 9th to Karin Currie on 385-1334 or email: karinc

Saturday, December 17, 7pm, Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington
BOOK LAUNCH: Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics Hosted by Rebel Press. Rebel Press would like to warmly invite you to celebrate the launch of Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics by Ken Vicious, and to celebrate the end of 2011 and the birth of a new year. The party is on Saturday 17 December at 7pm at Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington and features readings from the book, along with music from Dead Vicious followed by dancing with DJs Frittermix and Snowpony. Some food and refreshments provided, but feel free to BYO, and pass this invite to other friends, comrades and family. Some Justice is a fundraiser for October 15th Solidarity and a proportion of the sale price of each book will go towards the fund. Cheers, the Rebel Press Collective

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.": P. J. O’Rourke – (1947- ) US humorist, journalist, & political commentator
"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget. " – Arundhati Roy

STAT OF THE WEEK
If average American families today were still receiving the same share of Americas national income that average households earned in 1980, veteran venture capitalist Nick Hanauer noted last week, each average family today would have an astounding $13,000 more in income. Hanuaer, an original investor in Amazon, wants to see the nation tax the rich like we once did and use that money to spur growth by putting purchasing power back in the hands of the middle class.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Meatworkers urge ANZCO/CMP to enter facilitation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1112/S00200/meatworkers-urge-anzcocmp-to-enter-facilitation.htm

Helen Kelly on the ANZCO/CMP Lockout

Charter schools: using the poor to advance the rich http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00075/charter-schools-using-the-poor-to-advance-the-rich.htm

"We will help the Poor to fight the Rich": At the Mana Movement’s Post Electoral Hui in Otara on Sunday October 4th, newly elected President Annette Sykes declares war on poverty in Aotearoa, promising that Mana "will move this country decidedly to the Left" and that "We will help the Poor to fight the Rich". http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/12/we-will-help-poor-to-fight-rich.html?mid=5472

Matt McCarten: Shearer the one to lead Labour resurgence http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10770709

Roger award finalists named http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6088759/Roger-award-finalists-named

2011 Roger Award Finalists Named http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00038/2011-roger-award-finalists-named.htm

Huntly mine’s response to gas level a ‘cover up’ miner http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/huntly-mine-s-response-gas-level-cover-up-miner-4583823?ref=facebook&mid=5406

Huntly ‘timebomb’ disturbing: Little http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10770123&mid=540

Editorial – Miners blew the whistle http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/editorials/6074752/Editorial-Miners-blew-the-whistle

John Minto: Otahuhu Debate 22 Nov 2011

Tigilau Ness & Roger Fowler at KiaOraGaza fund raising 26 Nov 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SXZv7ZY04Fc&mid=5439483

Petition to Stop Asset Sales by the National Government http://www.averagekiwi.com/?page_id=651

To Hell with this- Voices of Struggle from the Unite Conference http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/12/to-hell-with-this-voices-of-struggle.html?mid=5434113

Gillard pledge offers catch up challenge to NZ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00766/gillard-pledge-offers-catch-up-challenge-to-nz.htm

Privatising welfare not the answer http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1112/S00039/privatising-welfare-not-the-answer.htm

Charter schools should be subject to full parliamentary scrutiny http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1112/S00026/charter-schools-should-be-subject-to-full-scrutiny.htm

ACT used as a Trojan horse to push through unmandated education policy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00047/act-used-as-a-trojan-horse.htm

Hone will be sole Mana member http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/hone-will-be-sole-mana-member/1188384/

Matt McCarten: Labour’s love lost to Green http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10769093

Tapu Misa: Key could do with element of doubt http://www.nzherald.co.nz/election-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503012&objectid=10769199

NZ ECONOMY

NZ rich-poor gap widens faster than rest of world http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10771388

Revamp won’t pull rich down http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6032321/Revamp-won-t-pull-rich-down

Government looking after the 1% http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00043/government-looking-after-the-1.htm

CTU: OECD report suggests steeper income taxes on high incomes to reduce inequality http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00066/oecd-report-suggests-steeper-income-taxes-for-inequality.htm

More job losses in wood how many more before Govt notices? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1112/S00079/more-job-losses-in-wood-how-many-more-before-govt-notices.htm

OCCUPY AOTEAROA

Marama Davidson on Occupy Auckland

Auckland

Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck

Wellington

Occupy Wellington http://www.facebook.com/OccupyWellingtonNZ

Christchurch

Occupy tautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch

Dunedin

Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

OCCUPY WALL STREET

Global revolt in 2011 a historic turning point By Roger Burbach http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49671

The growing tension between capitalism and democracy http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-growing-tension-between-capitalism-and-democracy/2011/11/22/gIQAuYOitN_print.html

Protesters Reflect Vast Majority on 99 Percent of Most Major Issues http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/protesters-reflect-vast-majority-on-99-percent-of-most-major-issues

Bill Maher on Occupy Wall Street [New Rules]

African Americans and Occupy: A convergence of interests http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49690

Theory and Event. (journal): Slavoj Zizek, Wendy Brown and the usual suspects on Occupy. Franco Berandi on Economics and the European Union. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/theory_and_event/toc/tae.14.4S.html

Police arrest hundreds of Occupy LA activists: Officers enter encampment after protesters ignore mayor’s midnight deadline to leave park near City Hall. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/11/20111130135229385287.html

FEATURES

Julian Assange: ‘People want the truth’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49627

Tony Benn – Don’t Attack Iran – Stop the War Coalition 06.12.11.mpg

Audacity, More Audacity by Samir Amin – The historical circumstances created by the implosion of contemporary capitalism requires the radical left, in the North as well as the South, to be bold in formulating its political alternative to the existing system. The purpose of this paper is to show why audacity is required and what it means. http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/577.php#continue

How private prisons game the system – Corporate jails are corrupt, violent and costly. And they’re lobbying hard to get more people behind bars www.salon.com/2011/12/01/how_private_prisons_game_the_system/

Earth’s wild ride: Our voyage through the Milky Way http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228411.500-earths-wild-ride-our-voyage-through-the-milky-way.html?full=true

Just Legalize It: Ending the War on Drugs Conference in Washington https://nacla.org/news/2011/11/28/just-legalize-it-%E2%80%98ending-war-drugs%E2%80%99-conference-washington

Decisions without democracy: Eamonn McCann examines the way that democracy is being overridden in Europe in order to force through austerity measures on the working class. http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/01/decisions-without-democracy

In Search of the Voice of the South by VIJAY PRASHAD http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/12/05/in-search-of-the-voice-of-the-south/

Arundhati Roy: ‘The people who created the crisis will not be the ones that come up with a solution’ By Arun Gupta – Democracy no longer means what it was meant to. It has been taken back into the workshop. Each of its institutions has been hollowed out, and it has been returned to us as a vehicle for the free market, of the corporations. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29884.htm

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

Carbon credits pricing crashes and burns http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/6081834/Carbon-credits-pricing-crashes-and-burns

TOO MANY PEOPLE? A book review from New Zealand http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5824

System, not consumers, the big green problem http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49654

Pablo Solon: Climate negotiators are committing ecocide http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6136

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

The Left’s Responses to the Crisis in Europe and North America http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls119.php

Raise Taxes on Rich to Reward True Job Creators: Nick Hanauer http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-01/raise-taxes-on-the-rich-to-reward-job-creators-commentary-by-nick-hanauer.html

Economics and Inequality by Kenneth Arrow http://www.bostonreview.net/BR36.6/kenneth_arrow_occupy_movement_future.php

Secret Fed Loans Gave Banks $13 Billion Undisclosed to Congress http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-28/secret-fed-loans-undisclosed-to-congress-gave-banks-13-billion-in-income.html

How Rich Are the Superrich? A huge share of the nation’s economic growth over the past 30 years has gone to the top one-hundredth of one percent, who now make an average of $27 million per household. The average income for the bottom 90 percent of us? $31,244. http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph

Castles made of sand – Our interactive overview of global house prices and rents http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/11/global-house-prices

Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg: Occupy Wall Street: Changing Minds http://media.lclark.edu/content/hart-landsberg/2011/12/01/occupy-wall-street-changing-minds/

A Very Good Reason to Tax the Very Rich by Paul Buchheit – A hedge fund manager who makes $5 billion in a year is making enough money to pay the starting salaries of 100,000 firefighters. http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/12/01-0

Secret diary of an investment banker: in the beginning http://tinyurl.com/7wvrg6p

An Overview of Growing Income Inequalities in OECD Countries: Main Findings http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/40/12/49170449.pdf

CULTURAL DISSENT

Streets of the imagination: At the front of the crowd in the Gordon riots of 1780, William Blake would have seen much that he recognised in the events of this summer, writes Mike Marqusee http://www.redpepper.org.uk/streets-of-the-imagination/

David Rovics – Here’s my "Song for Bradley Manning": www.youtube.com/drovics#p/f/5/ljh5RRrPHsQ

Uniting Struggles: Critical Social Research In Critical Times, Alternate Routes 2012 http://vimeo.com/33161863

Malefactors of great wealth in three new films: 1. "The Big Fix": a documentary on the cover-up of BP’s continuing crimes in the Gulf of Mexico. AN ABSOLUTE MUST-SEE. 2. "Khodorkovsky": a documentary about the imprisoned Russian oligarch. 3. "Margin Call": a fictional film on the 2008 financial crisis that is head and shoulders over everything else. full: http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/malefactors-of-great-wealth-in-three-new-films/

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan women: the story behind the propaganda http://tinyurl.com/d65xgx8

In Bed With Lola and Gulnara By Craig Murray – The Afghanistan conference in Bonn is a farce. There are no representatives of the Afghan resistance to the occupation, so it is not negotiating peace. Karzai’s corrupt and effete presidency, obtained by massive electoral fraud, expires in 2014.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29900.htm

ARGENTINA

The Assassins of the Landowners http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/3337-the-assassins-of-the-landowners

Mapuche occupy US-owned gas plant http://ww4report.com/node/10613

AUSTRALIA

We are all Keensians now http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2011/12/we-are-all-keensians-now/

CAMBODIA

Women hotel workers in Cambodia fight illegal mass firings http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23677

CANADA

Dealing with comments about Attawapiskat – A Mtis blogger answers the ignorant (and racist) charges made by Harper and others against the Indigenous community of Attawapiskat: http://apihtawikosisan.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/dealing-with-comments-about-attawapiskat/

Social Democracy and the Economic Crisis: The Saskatchewan Case http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/576.php

One analyst’s take on how the economic-equality gap got so large http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/analyst+take+economic+equality+large/5790279/story.html#ixzz1fiMuxFIs

CHILE

Homage to a Criminal in Chile https://nacla.org/news/2011/12/1/homage-criminal-chile

Chilean Student Protesters Vow to Continue Marches http://latindispatch.com/2011/11/30/chilean-student-protesters-vow-to-continue-marches/

CHINA

Police officer ganged up by Chengguan in Henan http://www.chinahush.com/2011/11/20/police-officer-ganged-up-by-chengguan-in-henan/

COLOMBIA

Tony Lloyd MP Letter on Colombia Human Rights Published in The Observer http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/news/article/1151/Tony-Lloyd-MP-Letter-on-Colombia-Human-Rights-Published-in-The-Observer

Peasants in Meta Denounce Army Abuses http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/news/article/1148/Peasants-in-Meta-Denounce-Army-Abuses

CUBA

Translation (Cuba): Raul’s unpublished Congress remarks http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2011/0416central-report-communist-party.htm

EGYPT

Egypt: military rulers repress strike wave http://tinyurl.com/7wh4dat

GUATEMALA

"This Land Is Ours!" Land Theft as Legacy of Genocide in Guatemala http://ww4report.com/node/10577

HAITI

"Haiti–Open for Business" http://haitigrassrootswatch.squarespace.com/haiti-grassroots-watch-engli/2011/11/29/haiti-open-for-business.html

Controversy over Haitis development http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/controversy-over-haiti%E2%80%99s-development-0021890

World Bank Allocates $255 million for Haiti Reconstruction http://latindispatch.com/2011/12/02/world-bank-allocates-255-million-for-haiti-reconstruction/

Blacklisted Contractor Continues Receiving Government Money Through Haiti Contracts http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/relief-and-reconstruction-watch/blacklisted-contractor-continues-receiving-government-money-through-haiti-contracts

Interview: Cuba’s Health Care Miracle in Haiti http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/3330-interview-cubas-health-care-miracle-in-haiti

IRAN

Sanctions are only a Small Part of the History that Makes Iranians Hate the UK By Robert Fisk – Woodhouse brought weapons into Iran for a still non-existent "resistance" movement and he eagerly supported the CIA’s project to fund the "bazaaris" of Tehran to stage demonstrations (in which, of course, hundreds, perhaps thousands, died) to overthrow Mossadegh. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29860.htm

LIBYA

Rival militias wage turf war near Libyan capital http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/03/180667.html

JORDAN

Jordan Starts to Shake by Nicolas Pelham http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/dec/08/jordan-starts-shake/?pagination=false

PACIFIC

West Papuan defiance tips political scale against Indonesian control http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/

Freeport strike continues http://aawl.org.au/content/freeport-strike-continues

Build a sovereign economy for the Papuan people http://kprm-prd-english.blogspot.com/2011/11/build-sovereign-economy-for-papuan.html

PAKISTAN

Challenging Precarious_Work@Nestl.Kabirwala.com http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/1265

US evacuating Pakistan air base: Pakistan’s top command ordered the US out of Shamsi air base in the wake of the November 26 bombing. US Ambassador to Islamabad Cameron Munter told a Pakistan television channel on Monday: "We are complying with the request." http://www.asianage.com/international/us-evacuating-pakistan-air-base-538

PALESTINE

Unequal under the law http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/01/unequal-under-the-law

Kadimas Black Flags and Israels Image Problem http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/575.php

Highlight: Interview with Norman Finkelstein

Home demolitions in Beit Hanina executed with Volvo and Hyundai equipment http://electronicintifada.net/blog/adri-nieuwhof/home-demolitions-beit-hanina-executed-volvo-and-hyundai-equipment?mid=5471354#.Tt1xklYqm9I

The Real Enemy of the Palestinians http://www.intifada-palestine.com/2011/10/the-real-enemy-of-the-palestinians/?mid=5463

SPAIN

Resistance Takes Root in Barcelona, Hilary Wainwright http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/573.php

UK

Inequality, poverty and riots http://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/inequality-poverty-and-riots/

Britons face new era of austerity: AS UP to 2 million public-sector workers took to streets across Britain to protest against pension changes, a leading think tank warned that families will be worse off in 2016 than they were 14 years earlier as they cope with more than a decade of austerity. http://bit.ly/vM7CrW

USA

Foreclosure battle: A new hope – As Occupy gears up for a foreclosure campaign, state attorneys general show backbone in tussle over bank fraud http://www.salon.com/2011/12/03/foreclosure_battle_a_new_hope/singleton/

Alpha Natural Resources To Pay $209M in 2010 deaths of WV Coal Miners; Owner of Subsidiary Massey Energy http://tinyurl.com/7hgx8xw

VENEZUELA

Summit in Venezuela opens ‘new phase in history’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49664

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

KEEP THE COAL IN THE HOLE SUMMER FESTIVAL – MATAURA, SOUTHLAND, NZ. 20-23 JANUARY 2012
You are warmly invitedto gather for a Summer Festival and camp. We will share ideas, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and take action now to oppose lignite mining in the Mataura Valley. This event will be fun, friendly and 100% coal-free! Weve got the Festival Kaupapa, detailed Festival Information and our Programme. For more information or to get involved in Festival organising please Email Us.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealands role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealands most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealands Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this Echelon has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in Americas wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

SOLIDARITY WITH LOCKED OUT MARTON WORKERS DAY OF ACTION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
Dear supporters, We need your help at McDonalds around New Zealand this coming Saturday, from 11am on Saturday 3 December. McDonalds is a major customer of ANZCO Foods. ANZCO stopped 100 of their employees from working and earning an income at their CMP Rangitikei meat procesing plant on October 19 because they wouldn’t accept pay cuts of up to 20%, shift changes and cuts to allowances. The workers, who earn on average $45,000 and as low as $23,000 have agreed to sacrifice 10% of their pay but ANZCO, a multinational company with revenue of $1.2 billion, and and CEO Sir Graeme Harrison want bigger cuts. McDonalds has refused to help us resolve the situation. (For more info visit www.nzctu.org.nz/ANZCOlockout) These workers and their families need your financial and moral help. We will be fundraising and running informational pickets/protests at McDonalds through the country to help. We’ll start at a target store at 11am and then run smaller actions at other McDonalds in each area at 12 noon.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
If you would just like to join us at a store, please write which store you would like to target below. If you would like to help us co-ordinate actions in your area, let us know below and contact me directly with your contact details and where you live so we can get you in touch with others. I will update a lits of regional contact people as they come in. We have five days to pull this off – start spreading the word!
In solidarity, Simon Oosterman
NZCTU Community Organiser cmplockout 021 885 410http://www.facebook.com/groups/211101752294033/

Locked out workers reject new offer, lockout continues http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00748/locked-out-workers-reject-new-offer-lockout-continues.htm

HENDERSON SQUARE (CATHRINE ST) IS NOT FOR SALE. KEEP IT AS PUBLIC SPACE.
Dear community groups and concerned individuals, Citizens against Privatisation intend to address the Henderson/Massey Local Board at 6pm Thur Dec 1st at the Council Chamber Henderson. We will demand that the Board abandon any plans to lease/privatise Henderson square (Catherine street). Please attend and support this event. Bring your issues and have your say! See below and SPREAD THE WORD by email, Facebook, Twitter and Text. Many thanks
Meredydd Barrar CAP.
CITIZENS AGAINST PRIVATISATION PRESS STATEMENT – HENDERSON SQUARE (Cathrine St) is not FOR SALE. Keep it as PUBLIC SPACE. Super City, Hendeson/ Massey Board intend to lease/privatise the Square to corporate Mall owners Westfeild and other private interests. CAP says. "The Super City Board is doing exactly what it was set up to do,putting corporate profit before us the community. We are calling on young and old, community groups annd residents to rally at the council chambers (Henderson} Thur 1st Dec at 6pm. "They ( the Board) are using the behaviour of a small number of young people to deprive us all of a public space". "We fear private security guards will be used to clear the Square. Will it be a case of being Maori/Pacifc Islander means your guilty? CAP believe the council already has the power to trespass or ban anyone for anti social behaviour. What are Maori Wardens for?" "Henderson Square is mostly a colourful place, with Buskers and a safe place for young and old to meet.God knows Kids have little money and few choices these days. Community groups use it to distribute literature hold meetings/rallies and much more.500 plus people gathered there to succesfully demand a Full Public Hospital for Waitakere. Just try and do any of these things on Westfeild property, you will last about 5mins,before being threatend off. If Westfeild and other interests get control of the Square we believe all these activities will be Trespassed off. Despite any assurances they or the Board make, we predict our rights will be denied "
Meredydd Barrar CAP

WEST PAPUA SOLIDARITY EVENTS ON 1 DECEMBER
Kia ora, there are two sections in this message: 1) information about West Papua Independence Day and the solidarity events in Wellington and Auckland on Thursday, 1 December; and 2) information about the Messages of solidarity for the people of West Papua initiative, something you can do wherever you are.
1) West Papua Independence Day, 1 December
West Papua has been occupied by the Indonesian military since it was handed over, against the will of the indigenous population, to Indonesia in 1963. For the past forty-eight years, the people of West Papua have been subjected to gross human rights violations including rape, torture, cultural genocide, murder and massacre – more than 100,000 West Papuans have been killed. Many live in exile because it is not safe for them to go home.

Multi-national corporations in cahoots with the Indonesian authorities have exploited West Papua’s natural resources to an extraordinary degree. This has caused massive social dislocation, devastation of rain forests, pollution of streams and rivers on which the local people depend for their survival, and serious human rights violations in areas where multinationals operate. 1 December is West Papua Independence Day, the anniversary of the 1961 West Papuan Declaration of Independence from Dutch colonial rule. In West Papua, people mark Independence Day in a variety of ways, including raising the Morning Star (the West Papuan flag) – despite the threat of arrest and murder. In previous years, the Indonesian military and police have responded with increased violent oppression around this day, arresting and killing those they perceive as pro-independence activists. West Papua Independence Day is marked by solidarity events around the world, including in Wellington and Auckland (see details below).
Wellington: Thursday, 1 December, at 1pm – Gathering in solidarity with the people of West Papua: join us to fly the Morning Star flag, with the opportunity to write a personal message in support of justice, peace and self-determination for West Papua if you wish. At 1pm, Parliament grounds, Wellington. You can RSVP to this event at pma
Auckland: Thursday, 1 December, at 12 noon – join the annual flag-raising of the Morning Star at midday at Aotea Square in front of the Town Hall, Auckland. Organised by the Indonesia Human Rights Committee, for more information contact email maire Thursday, 1 December, at 7pm – the Indonesia Human Rights Committee Annual General Meeting, including a power point power point presentation about West Papua, will be held at 7pm at the Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City; for more information contact email maire
2) Messages of solidarity for the people of West Papua
You are invited to add your voice to those of people around the world who are calling for justice, peace and self-determination for the people of West Papua by writing a message of solidarity to go on the web page at pma [* only the town / city part of your address will be put on the web page, not your full address]. If you can help distribute ‘Messages of solidarity’ forms from stalls, or in newsletters or other mailouts, the printable copy of the form is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wpsol.pdf Thank you.
West Papua is in crisis
On October 19, heavily armed police opened live fire on a peaceful Congress in West Papuas capital. Participants were beaten and kicked in a brutal assault that killed at least 3 people the number may be as high as 17. Hundreds were detained. The crime? The banned Morning Star flag was displayed at the gathering, and the people symbolically elected their President, Forkorus Yaboisembut. But he is now in jail with five other leaders facing serious charges including treason. They will be in the company of many other political prisoners, including Filep Karma jailed for 15 years for his role in a 2004 December 1 flag-raising ceremony. A menacing security force presence is also ongoing near the remote Freeport McMoran mine, where an American multinational makes vast profits from the largest recoverable reserves of gold and copper in the world. Some 8,000 workers have been on strike since September seeking to lift their wages from the current hourly rate of around NZ $1-80 to $3.60 to parity with the wages paid to Freeports workers in other parts of the world.

Petrus Ayamiseba, one of the striking workers, was shot dead by the Indonesian police on October 10, provoking Papuan outrage and an unprecedented level of international union solidarity for the Freeport workers. Shootings and other violent deaths have taken place subsequently. Freeport is also under challenge for making cash payments to the police. www.indonesiahumanrights.org.nz

KIA ORA GAZA – URGENT APPEAL
In the first quarter of 2012 Kia Ora Gaza will join an international aid convoy to Gaza led by UK charity Viva Palestina. The convoy intends to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza by linking up with Cairo’s democracy movement and entering through Egypt’s land gate. This strategy could well lead towards the permanent opening of Egypt’s gateway to Gaza, thus fatally wounding Israel’s cruel siege. That would be a truly world historic event. How can you reach out to the 1.5 million Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza? By donating towards our $50,000 Gaza Appeal to fund a four-person Kiwi Team and their humanitarian aid. Kia Ora Gaza has a proven track record. Our team was on last year’s Viva Palestina convoy which broke the Gaza blockade and delivered NZ$7 million in medical supplies. Can we do it again? That’s where you come in. Please donate generously to our $50,000 Gaza Appeal – and spread the word! To see how to donate, go to the sidebar of our website: http://kiaoragaza.net/ Or send a cheque to Kia Ora Gaza, PO Box 59007, Auckland.

Email: office

DOROTHY BROWN DIED PEACEFULLY AT HOME ON MONDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2011.
This is a time of deep sadness for us here at Peace Movement Aotearoa, for the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, the Aotearoa New Zealand Peace and Conflict Studies Centre Trust, and the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, as well as the many other organisations and networks Dorothy was involved with, and everyone who knew her. Dorothy was a keenly committed and passionate advocate for peace and justice – as a life-long educator and, as those who know her know so well, working tirelessly for the establishment of a Peace and Conflict Studies centre here in Aotearoa New Zealand. An energetic, articulate, thoughtful, and caring woman with a great sense of humour, Dorothy was, and is, an inspiration to everyone whose life she touched. We will miss her very much. Our thoughts are with Dorothy’s family and friends at this time. Dorothy’s funeral will be held at All Saints Church, 284 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland, on Friday, 2 December at 1.30pm. No flowers please. Donations to the Aotearoa New Zealand Peace And Conflict Studies Centre, PO Box 56719, Dominion Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1446 or left at the service. All communications to the Brown Family, PO Box 90088, Auckland.

The NZ Herald online guest book for Dorothy is at http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/nzherald-nz/guestbook.aspx?n=dorothy-brown&pid=154815388&cid=full

KEEP THE COAL IN THE HOLE SUMMER FESTIVAL – MATAURA, SOUTHLAND, NZ. 20-23 JANUARY 2012
You are warmly invitedto gather for a Summer Festival and camp. We will share ideas, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and take action now to oppose lignite mining in the Mataura Valley. This event will be fun, friendly and 100% coal-free! Weve got the Festival Kaupapa, detailed Festival Information and our Programme. For more information or to get involved in Festival organising please Email Us.

PLAY: THE PITMEN PAINTERS
Lee Halls play is ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see. The Times. The Pitmen Painters is the true story of a group of English miners whose after-work art class reveals a wealth of hidden artistic talent. They are propelled overnight from the humble mines of the North East to a rich, intellectual art world. The pitmens raw, unpretentious paintings of mining life are an unexpected sensation. With a wealthy patron keen to take them under her wing, the miners are forced to choose between their working class roots and the lure of fame and success. (potent pause) PRODUCTIONS present the Auckland premiere of this internationally acclaimed play by Lee Hall, the Tony award-winning writer of Billy Elliot. Projections of the original paintings bring this story to life for art lovers and theatre fans alike. The Pitmen Painters is a humorous and arresting testament to the power of individual expression and collective spirit. Would you leave behind the world you know for a chance at fame? Proudly supported by: Auckland Council Arts Alive http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/the-pitmen-painters

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. Youll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This years program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WHAT’S ON

Friday, December 2, 5:30pm, Central Library Mezzanines Room, Wellington
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba would like to invite you to the first evening of a series of film screenings. There will be shared snacks and refreshments.

Feel free to bring your friends, everyone is welcome. Movie Trailer: secretaria

Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington.
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx

Saturday, December 3, 5.30pm 9pm, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 474 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland.
Join Kia Ora Gaza and friends for an evening of music, art and culture at the Grey Lynn Community Library Hall, THIS SATURDAY. Be entertained, and support a cause fundraising to send Kiwi’s to Gaza in early 2012, break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza, and deliver much needed medical aid. Our team was on last year’s Viva Palestina convoy which broke the Gaza blockade and helped deliver NZ$7million in medical supplies. Kia Ora Gaza plan to do it again. Come down this Saturday, 3rd Dec, and show your support! "In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians"

Monday, December 5, 7.30pm, St Marks Catholic Church, 334 Pakuranga Rd, Pakuranga, Auckland
Remembering Fr. Fausto Tentorio: Pontifical Mission Society priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio was recently assassinated in Mindanao, the Philippines. Fr. Fausto was prominent in opposing exploitative practices of mining companies in Mindanao. Thirteen priests have been killed in Mindanao since 1970. The St Marks Catholic Justice & Peace Group will celebrate Fr Tentorios courageous work with the poor and indigenous people. We will pray the Office of the Dead and Amie Dural-Maga of Auckland Philippines Solidarity will speak on Fr Tentorio’s work for social justice.

Sunday, December 11, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, Ponsonby, Auckland
You are invited to attend the Peace Movement Aotearoa Annual General Meeting With special guest Carol Archie, and a screening of ‘Family Land’. This invitation is available online at pma AGM Agenda: Apologies and remembrances, Minutes of the last AGM, Overview of Peace Movement Aotearoa’s work since the 2010 AGM, Presentation of the 2010/11 Financial Statements, Election of Working Group, General business, and Date and place of the next Annual General Meeting. Call for nominations to the Peace Movement Aotearoa Working Group (management committee): Working Group members should have a keen interest in peace and social justice issues, enthusiasm, a professional approach, a commitment to good employment practices, and be a Peace Movement Aotearoa member. If you wish to add items to the AGM agenda, send apologies, or nominate yourself or someone else to go on the Working Group, please contact email pma Peace Movement Aotearoa member group representatives: If you will be representing a Peace Movement Aotearoa member group at the AGM, please email pma in advance and let us know which group you are representing. Thank you.

Wednesday, December 14, 4.30-6pm, CTU, Level 7 Education House, 178 Willis Street, Wellington
PLEASE JOIN US TO FAREWELL OUR BURMESE STUDENTS: We hope you can join us for the graduation of and farewell to the students from the 2011 intake of the Burma Young Community Leaders programme. Please RSVP by December 9th to Karin Currie on 385-1334 or email: karinc

Saturday, December 17, 7pm, Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington
BOOK LAUNCH: Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics Hosted by Rebel Press. Rebel Press would like to warmly invite you to celebrate the launch of Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics by Ken Vicious, and to celebrate the end of 2011 and the birth of a new year. The party is on Saturday 17 December at 7pm at Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington and features readings from the book, along with music from Dead Vicious followed by dancing with DJs Frittermix and Snowpony. Some food and refreshments provided, but feel free to BYO, and pass this invite to other friends, comrades and family. Some Justice is a fundraiser for October 15th Solidarity and a proportion of the sale price of each book will go towards the fund. Cheers, the Rebel Press Collective

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
When pay for senior executives is set behind closed doors, does not reflect company success, and is fueling massive inequality, it represents a deep malaise at the very top of our society. http://highpaycommission.co.uk/uncategorized/final-report-of-the-high-pay-commission-published/ Deborah Hargreaves, chair, UK High Pay Commission, November 22, 2011, upon the release of the executive pay panel’s final report
"Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone." - John Maynard Keynes
"All tyrannies rule through fraud and force, but that once the fraud is exposed they must rely exclusively on force." – George Orwell
"When injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty." - Anonymous

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND
Peer Protesters Convictions Quashed http://www.jwire.com.au/news/peer-protesters-convictions-quashed/20381
1 million didn’t bother to vote http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10769246
On the election outcomes http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/28/gordon-campbell-on-the-election-outcomes/
Rout & Ruin http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2011/11/rout-ruin.html
The Mori Party and tino rangatiratanga http://starspangledrodeo.blogspot.com/2011/02/maori-party-and-tino-rangatiratanga.html?utm_source=BP_recent&mid=53
Mixed feelings about score of 20,000 votes http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10769530
Moerewa at sharp end of punitive approach to National Standards http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00722/moerewa-at-sharp-end-of-punitive-approach.htm
New evidence shows stagnating incomes and greater rent burden http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00715/new-evidence-shows-stagnating-incomes-greater-rent-burden.htm
Gillard pledge offers catch up challenge to NZ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00766/gillard-pledge-offers-catch-up-challenge-to-nz.htm
Immortal Technique comes to Auckland http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/immortal-technique-comes-to-auckland.html?mid=53
But will they vote? A Marxist analysis of Election ’11 http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/but-will-they-vote-marxist-analysis-of.html
Kindergarten teachers to vote on whether to accept or reject final pay offer http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1111/S00206/kindergarten-teachers-to-vote-on-final-pay-offer.htm
18 per cent of Maori now live overseas http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10769488&mid=53
Auckland’s ethnic make-up will get shake-up by 2051 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10769489&mid=53
Rena: A deadly combination of tar and feathers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10769558&mid=53
POLICY WATCH, the fortnightly e-newsletter from the NZ Council of Christian Social Services. http://christiansocialservices.blogspot.com/

OCCUPY AOTEAROA
Auckland: Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck
Wellington: Occupy Wellington http://www.facebook.com/OccupyWellingtonNZ
Christchurch: Occupy tautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch
Dunedin: Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

OCCUPY WALL STREET
Paul Le Blanc addresses #Occupy Boston: History, power, demands and the Occupy movement http://links.org.au/node/2612
Time to Retake Politics From the One Percent in Both Political Parties http://www.truth-out.org/time-retake-politics-one-percent-both-political-parties/1322491435
The Democratic Promise of Occupy Wall Street by: William Greider, The Nation http://www.truth-out.org/democratic-promise-occupy-wall-street/1322509172
The Occupy movements are the realists, not Europe’s ruling elites – The protesters realise our post-cold-war settlement is at stake unlike a political class in thrall to a defunct market utopia by John Gray http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/15/occupy-realists-europe-ruling-elites
We Are the 99.9% By PAUL KRUGMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/25/opinion/we-are-the-99-9.html?_r=2&ref=opinion
The Rich Get Richer Off the Backs of the Poor http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3986&Itemid=224
Pepper-Spray Creator Decries Use of Chemical Agent on Peaceful Occupy Wall Street Protesters
Reports from Occupy: 11/30 http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/30/reports-from-occupy-11-30
OWS and the Power of Creative Protest http://www.alternet.org/story/153215/ows_and_the_power_of_creative_protest?akid=7907.145638.yR4u1Q&rd=1&t=12

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT
Ecosocialist Resources, 31 http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6009
Indigenous statement condemns REDD http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6020
The peoples democratic struggle and the struggle for the environment. An interview with Fred Magdoff http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6016
Patrick Bond: Welcome to Durban (excerpt from new book, Durbans Climate Gamble) http://links.org.au/node/2620
The Scandal Of Global Hunger By War On Want http://www.countercurrents.org/fsr261111.pdf
Saving And Sharing Food: World produces enough food for the year 2050. The problem is access and distribution By Devinder Sharma

http://www.countercurrents.org/dsharma261111.htm
Arctic Sea Ice Shrinking At ‘Unprecedented’ Levels By Emily Chung http://www.countercurrents.org/chung241111.htm
Trends And Tipping Point In The Climate System: Portents For The 21st Century By Andrew Glikson – This paper examines deep-time perspectives of 20th to early 21st centuries trends in the atmosphere-ocean system with reference to future climate change projections http://www.countercurrents.org/glikson241111.pdf

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Tax avoidance by multinationals: this shameful game must stop http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/news_details/2022
Why Iceland Should Be in the News, But Is Not http://www.truth-out.org/why-iceland-should-be-news-not/1322327303?mid=53
The next banking crisis http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/30/the-next-banking-crisis
The End of Poverty? Documentary – Filmmaker Philippe Diaz examines the history and impact of economic inequality in the third world, and makes the compelling argument that it’s not an accident or simple bad luck that has created a growing underclass around the world.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29844.htm

FEATURES
West is ‘slouching towards Tehran via Damascus’ http://www.ufppc.org/us-a-world-news-mainmenu-35/10706/
Disruption, yet community reconstitution: subverting the privatization of Latin American plazas http://www.springerlink.com/content/x7715g2006rj1743/
ALBA giving hope and solidarity to Latin America http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49622
Portugal and the drug war – The decriminalisation of drugs in Portugal has been a success, but austerity measures may threaten drug treatment. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/11/201111211444824612.html
U.S. Intervention in the Middle East – This partial chronology of U.S. intervention in the Middle East illustrates the lengths to which the U.S. power structure has gone to gain and maintain U.S. domination of the Middle East–a region considered key to the U.S.’s standing as an imperialist world power.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6308.htm
The US Game Plan For Egypt and The Arab World By Noam Chomsky Click to view http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29825.htm

AFGHANISTAN
Dead Afghan Kids Still Not Newsworthy By Peter Hart – Back in March, we wondered when U.S. corporate news outlets would find U.S./NATO killing of Afghan kids newsworthy. Back then, it was nine children killed in a March 1 airstrike. This resulted in two network news stories on the evening or morning newscasts, and two brief references on the PBS NewsHour. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29847.htm

CUBA
Cuba seeks socialist renewal http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49620

EGYPT
The people fight for real freedom http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49616
The Revolution Continues http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/revolution-continues

IRAN
Target Iran: Washington’s Countdown to War By Tom Burghardt – The Iranian people know what it means to earn the enmity of the global godfather.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29838.htm

LIBYA

Libya leaders acknowledge abuse of prisoners: The acknowledgment comes a day after the U.N. released report a detailing alleged torture and ill treatment in lockups controlled by the forces that overthrew dictator Moammar Gadhafi. http://news.yahoo.com/libya-leaders-acknowledge-abuse-prisoners-124133411.html
Libya says ex-deputy PM suspect in general’s killing: – Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) said on Monday a former NTC deputy prime minister was suspected of involvement in the killing of one of the rebel movement’s most senior military commanders. http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=27480
Libya Leaders Supported by "Money, Arms, PR"- Ex-premier By Reuters – One of the most senior figures in Libya’s outgoing government has denounced its leaders as an unelected elite, supported by "money, arms and PR," and warned that 90 percent of Libya is politically voiceless. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29807.htm
This Was Always a Civil War, and the Victors are not Merciful By Patrick Cockburn – The National Transitional Council, whose control is largely theoretical, is not in a position to stop this purge because many of its members are themselves frightened of being accused of links with the old regime. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29808.htm
More questions than answers about NATO’s Libya role: The reasons and the consequences behind NATO’s bombing on the Libyan town of Majer still remain unclear three months on. Deutsche Welle visited the scene of one of the darkest episodes in Libya’s war. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15548186,00.html

MEXICO
International banks have aided Mexican drug gangs: Banking powerhouse Wachovia Corp. last year agreed to pay $160 million in forfeitures and fines after U.S. federal prosecutors accused it of "willfully" overlooking the suspicious character of more than $420 billion in transactions between the bank and Mexican currency-exchange houses – much of it probably drug money, investigators say. http://lat.ms/sxNKlt

NICARAGUA
Nicaragua: Improvements in Social and Economic Well-Being and the Nov. 6 Elections http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/cepr-blog/nicaragua-improvements-in-social-and-economic-well-being-and-the-nov-6-elections

PACIFIC
Exodus in Papua amid fears of crackdown http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/exodus-in-papua-amid-fears-of-crackdown-20111127-1o10t.html

PAKISTAN
‘Bugsplat’: The ugly US drone war in Pakistan: It’s time for the US to re-examine the consequences of its dehumanising, deadly attacks in Pakistan.

http://bit.ly/sI9Non
Pakistan Has Had Enough By Simon Tisdall – The belief that weak, impoverished, divided Pakistan has no alternative but to slavishly obey its master’s voice could turn out to be one of the seminal strategic miscalculations of the 21st century. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29826.htm

PALESTINE
Europeans call on supermarkets and governments to take Israeli apartheid off the menu http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/europeans-call-apartheid-8493#.TtLa_laDi9I
Rage in Israel as BNP Paribas pressured to pull out http://english.themarker.com/rage-in-israel-as-bnp-paribas-pressured-to-pull-out-1.397408
America: The Silence of a Nation

PHILIPPINES
Groups ask govt swift justice for Ampatuan massacre victims http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node%2F17711&mid=539

SYRIA
It’s Not About Freedom, It’s All About Iran By Marwan Al Kabalan – Syria’s foes have seized the opportunity provided by the crisis to try to change regional balance of power in their favour. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29810.htm

USA
‘The Precariat’ on rise in America http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2011/10/the_precariat_on_rise_in_america.html
NBA Lockout Ends and Players Get Played http://www.thenation.com/blog/164822/nba-lockout-ends-and-players-get-played?rel=emailNation
Secret Fed Loans Gave Banks $13 Billion http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-28/secret-fed-loans-undisclosed-to-congress-gave-banks-13-billion-in-income.html
Labor war in Longview – The small city of Longview in southwestern Washington state is currently ground zero for one of the most militant U.S. labor struggles in decades. http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/30/labor-war-in-longview

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealands role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealands most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealands Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this Echelon has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in Americas wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

Why I am Voting Mana by Mike Treen GPJA Newsletter editor.

Dear friends,

I have been editing the GPJA newsletter for 404 issues (and 9 years) and have advertised every meeting or event sent to me without exception. I have tried to give a broad range of opinion on the progressive left world view. Inevitably it reflected my personal bias to a degree but I have tried to give all the news I could find in New Zealand that dealt with issues of peace, justice, equality. I created a special Mana section in the NZ news section which I think was justified for this election as they were the new kids on the bloc so to speak. That will stop after the election. But for the first (and probably last) time I am using my position as editor to explain why I think it is important to give Mana your party vote in this election.

Hone can be expected to win his electorate. Because of that fact Mana does not need to cross the 5% threshold. Every 0.8% of the vote brings in an MP. 1.6% gives us Annette Sykes. 2.4% gives us John Minto. 3.2% gives us Sue Bradford. I can’t think of a trio of better fighters for social justice in this country. I can’t think of a better group of people to have in parliament because I know they will also be with on the streets to resist the attacks that will come.

I accept and respect that many of your will be planning to vote for the Greens or Labour. What I would ask you to consider is that in this election both those parties will have guaranteed representation. The Greens have no danger of dropping below the 5%. But every Mana vote has the chance of putting in the proven fighters from an A+ team of social justice campaigners the likes of which this country has never seen before from any party.

Whatever you do don’t forget to vote on Saturday and whatever the outcome I am sure we will be linking arms and raising our banners in various movements for make Aotearoa New Zealand a place of peace and justice in the world.

Kia Kaha
Mike Treen
GPJA Newsletter Editor

SOLIDARITY WITH LOCKED OUT MARTON WORKERS
http://www.facebook.com/groups/211101752294033/

KIA ORA GAZA – URGENT APPEAL
In December 2011 Kia Ora Gaza will join an international aid convoy to Gaza led by UK charity Viva Palestina. The convoy intends to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza by linking up with Cairo’s democracy movement and entering through Egypt’s land gate. This strategy could well lead towards the permanent opening of Egypt’s gateway to Gaza, thus fatally wounding Israel’s cruel siege. That would be a truly world historic event. How can you reach out to the 1.5 million Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza? By donating towards our $50,000 Gaza Appeal to fund a four-person Kiwi Team and their humanitarian aid. Kia Ora Gaza has a proven track record. Our team was on last year’s Viva Palestina convoy which broke the Gaza blockade and delivered NZ$7 million in medical supplies. Can we do it again? That’s where you come in. Please donate generously to our $50,000 Gaza Appeal – and spread the word! To see how to donate, go to the sidebar of our website: http://kiaoragaza.net/ Or send a cheque to Kia Ora Gaza, PO Box 59007, Auckland.

Email: office

OCCUPY AOTEAROA
Auckland: Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck
Wellington: Occupy Wellington http://www.facebook.com/OccupyWellingtonNZ
Christchurch: Occupy tautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch
Dunedin: Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

OCCUPY WALL STREET
99% v 1%: the data behind the Occupy movement animation http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/video/2011/nov/16/99-v-1-occupy-data-animation?fb=native
Marcel Cartier: 99 to 1 – First single/video from the Marcel Cartier & Agent of Change album ‘History "Police Officers Had NO Reason To Pepper Spray These Kids!"
David Harvey addresses #OccupyLSX: The best system money can buy http://links.org.au/node/2606
Lessons of #Occupy: Dont agonise, organise! http://links.org.au/node/2605
"One Percent" www.youtube.com/baldchandler#p/a/u/0/ilExjbNj5HY
"Occupy Wall Street (We’re Gonna Stay Right Here)" OFFICIAL VIDEO www.youtube.com/drovics#p/a/f/0/9LESL6naY-s
Solidarity – Occupy 2011: A new music video for Jefferson Airplane’s Solidarity with images of the 2011 Occupy Movement. Let’s bring this into 2012 with strength!
Humour: We are the one percent http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/11/28/111128sh_shouts_kenney
Pre-Occupied: The origins and future of Occupy Wall Street http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/11/28/111128fa_fact_schwartz#ixzz1eVNfE5Sw
Mike Davis’ advice to the Occupy movement http://socialistworker.org/blog/critical-reading/2011/11/20/mike-davis-advice-occupy-movem

KEEP THE COAL IN THE HOLE SUMMER FESTIVAL – MATAURA, SOUTHLAND, NZ. 20-23 JANUARY 2012
You are warmly invitedto gather for a Summer Festival and camp. We will share ideas, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and take action now to oppose lignite mining in the Mataura Valley. This event will be fun, friendly and 100% coal-free! Weve got the Festival Kaupapa, detailed Festival Information and our Programme. For more information or to get involved in Festival organising please Email Us.

PLAY: THE PITMEN PAINTERS
Lee Halls play is ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see. The Times. The Pitmen Painters is the true story of a group of English miners whose after-work art class reveals a wealth of hidden artistic talent. They are propelled overnight from the humble mines of the North East to a rich, intellectual art world. The pitmens raw, unpretentious paintings of mining life are an unexpected sensation. With a wealthy patron keen to take them under her wing, the miners are forced to choose between their working class roots and the lure of fame and success. (potent pause) PRODUCTIONS present the Auckland premiere of this internationally acclaimed play by Lee Hall, the Tony award-winning writer of Billy Elliot. Projections of the original paintings bring this story to life for art lovers and theatre fans alike. The Pitmen Painters is a humorous and arresting testament to the power of individual expression and collective spirit. Would you leave behind the world you know for a chance at fame? Proudly supported by: Auckland Council Arts Alive http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/the-pitmen-painters

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. Youll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This years program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WHAT’S ON

Thursday, November 24, 7.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
Election Issues: Starts 27 October, All welcome! 5 Thursdays, gold coin donation. 24 Nov: Youth Health: The communitys wealth? Dr Sue Bagshaw, Korowai Youth Well-being Trust. Canterbury WEA, phone 366 0285, email: cwea Web: www.cwea.org.nz

Thursday, November 24, 4.45pm, Large Meeting Room, CTU Office, Education House, 178 Willis Street, Wellington.
Burma Update – Discussion with Steve Marshall. ILO liaison officer for Burma, Steve Marshall is meeting with the Burmese Young Leaders here in NZ. At the end of their meeting at 4.45 pm, you are invited to join us for an hour or so to discuss the latest situation in Burma.

Saturday, election night, November 26, 6pm-9pm, Metro Theatre (Mangere East Hall), 362 Massey Road, Mangere East, Auckland
Election night food & fun with Kia Ora Gaza. Dinner and entertainment. Tickets $30. Contact Hone: 2756161 or 0212990210 honefowler

Friday, December 2, 5:30 PM at Central Library Mezzanines Room, Wellington.
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba: We would like to invite you to the first evening of a series of film screenings. Will be share snacks and refreshments. Feel free to bring your friends, everyone is welcome. Movie Trailer: Please RSVP before 30th November, just for catering purposes. Regards, Noelia Portela , PA to the Ambassador of Cuba, 35 Hobson Street Thorndon. Wellington – New Zealand. Tel: 04-4723748

Fax: 04-4732958 E-mail: secretaria

Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington.
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx

Monday, December 5, 7.30pm, St Marks Catholic Church, 334 Pakuranga Rd, Pakuranga, Auckland
Remembering Fr. Fausto Tentorio: Pontifical Mission Society priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio was recently assassinated in Mindanao, the Philippines. Fr. Fausto was prominent in opposing exploitative practices of mining companies in Mindanao. Thirteen priests have been killed in Mindanao since 1970. The St Marks Catholic Justice & Peace Group will celebrate Fr Tentorios courageous work with the poor and indigenous people. We will pray the Office of the Dead and Amie Dural-Maga of Auckland Philippines Solidarity will speak on Fr Tentorio’s work for social justice.

Saturday, December 17, 7pm, Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington
BOOK LAUNCH: Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics Hosted by Rebel Press. Rebel Press would like to warmly invite you to celebrate the launch of Some Justice: a book of political poems and lyrics by Ken Vicious, and to celebrate the end of 2011 and the birth of a new year. The party is on Saturday 17 December at 7pm at Thistle Hall (upstairs), Upper Cuba Street, Wellington and features readings from the book, along with music from Dead Vicious followed by dancing with DJs Frittermix and Snowpony. Some food and refreshments provided, but feel free to BYO, and pass this invite to other friends, comrades and family. Some Justice is a fundraiser for October 15th Solidarity and a proportion of the sale price of each book will go towards the fund. Cheers, the Rebel Press Collective

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"The state can’t give you freedom, and the state can’t take it away. You’re born with it, like your eyes, like your ears. Freedom is something you assume, then you wait for someone to try to take it away. The degree to which you resist is the degree to which you are free." – Utah Phillips
"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." – Steve Biko
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime." — Mark Twain
"We live in a system that espouses merit, equality, and a level playing field, but exalts those with wealth, power, and celebrity, however gained." – Derrick Bell, Ethical Ambition: Living a Life of Meaning and Worth
"I want to live in a world where people become famous because of their work for peace and justice and care. I want the famous to be inspiring; their lives an example of what every human being has it in them to do – act from love!" – - Patch Adams

We see that the demand put forward by the Social-Democratsthe complete abolition of all indirect taxes and their replacement by a real progressive income tax and not one that merely plays at itis fully realisable. Such a measure would, without affecting the foundations of capitalism, give tremendous immediate relief to nine-tenths of the population; and, secondly, it would serve as a gigantic impetus to the development of the productive forces of society by expanding the home market and liberating the state from the nonsensical hindrances to economic life that have been introduced for the purpose of levying indirect taxes. The capitalists advocates usually point to the difficulty of assessing big incomes. Actually, with banks, savings societies, etc., at their present level of development, this is a purely imaginary difficulty. The one difficulty is the class-avarice of the capitalists and the existence of undemocratic institutions in the political structure of bourgeois states. Lenin full: http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1913/jun/07b.htm
"If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine." – Ernesto Che Guevara

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND
Matt McCarten: Progressive tactics for a fairer Parliament http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10767277
Insight on Poverty in NZ http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/santa-clara-hyatt-hotel.html?fb_ref=.TsvBkeF3A6Y.like&fb_source=profile_multiline
Omar hamed: Beyond the beginning…As the economic crisis deepens globally the ruling class continues to push its austerity agenda. On every continent the class struggle grinds on but it is clear that this is just the beginning of a major depression and a major shift in global politics. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/beyond-beginning.html
On why even financial analysts are jumping ship on the asset sales plan http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/24/gordon-campbell-financial-analysts-jump-ship-on-asset-sales/
Helen Kelly recorded a short piece on what it is about this government that shes opposed to and why – the narrative of deference to employers using the 3 examples of The Hobbit, Pike River and minimum wages. Take a look and feel free to share.
NZ’s future leaders asked to help massacre victims http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/11907466/nzs-future-leaders-asked-to-help-massacre-victims/?mid=534
Wilkinsons claims on pay equity investigations proven farcical http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00601/wilkinsons-claims-on-pay-equity-investigations-farcical.htm
VOTE to keep us RICH and you POOR!
NZs future leaders asked to support human rights protection, peace-building in Philippines http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20111122013316
Schools wont want students dragging down National Standards results http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00675/schools-wont-want-students-dragging-down-results.htm
Global backers support library in Koha trademark battle http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/91940/global-backers-support-library-in-koha-trademark-battle
Strong reaction to damning TV child poverty doco http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10768107
On child poverty http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/23/gordon-campbell-on-child-poverty/
NZ CHILD WELFARE A DISGRACE http://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/?p=1562
Child poverty doco ‘apolitical’ filmmaker http://www.3news.co.nz/Child-poverty-doco-apolitical—filmmaker/tabid/419/articleID/233777/Default.aspx
Why is Health and Safety being squeezed when funds are available? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00653/why-is-health-and-safety-squeezed-when-funds-are-available.htm
$15.8m sitting unspent while Health and Safety suffers $15.8m sitting unspent while Health and Safety suffers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00628/158m-sitting-unspent-while-health-and-safety-suffers.htm
Property divide creating second-class citizens http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/6009550/Property-divide-creating-second-class-citizens
The return of the Clown http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2011/11/return-of-clown.html
Exodus to Australia Worsens http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00598/exodus-to-australia-worsens.htm
National needs to be open and transparent about plans for ECE http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1111/S00135/national-needs-to-be-open-and-transparent-about-ece-plans.htm
Tapu Misa: Differing values widen the chasm http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10767482
Shock look at NZ’s child poverty http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6002311/Shock-look-at-NZs-child-poverty
Growing wealth gap alarms charities http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5996449/Growing-wealth-gap-alarms-charities
RNZ: Minor leaders debate (audio) http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/mnr-election2011-20111124-0809-minor_leaders_debate-048.mp3
NZ election could turn on Pacific votes a Samoan perspective http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/election-could-turn-on-pacific-votes/?mid=537

MANA
Mana Leader Calls for a War on Poverty http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00478/mana-leader-calls-for-a-war-on-poverty.htm
Harawira’s blessing from ‘scary’ supporter http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10768240
Mana Party does tiki tour to show up poor ‘parasites’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/election-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503012&objectid=10768549
State of the Nation: Hone Harawira’s address
Hone Harawira State of the Nation speech [full-text] http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/hone-harawira-state-of-the-nation-speech-full-text/
Hone Harawira’s state of the nation address http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/policies/6019637/Hone-Harawiras-state-of-the-nation-address
Mana Party slams NZs Pacific discrimination, child poverty http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/mana-party-slams-nzs-pacific-discrimination-child-poverty/
Hone proposes Hone Heke tax http://www.3news.co.nz/Hone-proposes-Hone-Heke-tax/tabid/419/articleID/233822/Default.aspx
Mana leads Glen Innes state housing protest http://tvnz.co.nz/election-2011/mana-leads-glen-innes-state-housing-protest-4547655
Mana: Child poverty is not a game http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00667/mana-child-poverty-is-not-a-game.htm
Harawira Calls For Return to 1930′s policies http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00651/harawira-calls-for-return-to-1930s-policies.htm
National’s Education Policy A Recipe For Failure For The Kids That Need The Best http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00575/nationals-education-policy-a-recipe-for-failure.htm
Mana pledge free education for all http://www.odt.co.nz/election-2011/latest-news/187810/mana-pledge-free-education-all
Mana: Unemployed Are Being Ignored http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00574/mana-unemployed-are-being-ignored.htm
Election 2011: Mana fills void as rivals drift to centre http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10767990
Mana Party policies at a glance http://www.3news.co.nz/Mana-Party-policies-at-a-glance/tabid/419/articleID/233612/Default.aspx
Housing women stops child poverty Mana Womens Policy released http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00615/housing-women-stops-child-poverty-mana.htm
Election 2011: Mana party says Island workers ‘used and abused’ by NZ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10767529
DRIVING OUT POVERTY MANAS PRIORITY http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00457/driving-out-poverty-manas-priority.htm
MANA EDUCATION POLICY RELEASE NOTES http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/mana-%E2%80%93-education-policy-release-notes/

CULTURAL DISSENT
Books: The Rise of the Tea Party: Political Discontent and Corporate Media in the Age of Obama by Anthony DiMaggio http://monthlyreview.org/press/books/pb2471/
Jia Zhangke and the Realist Imperative: Jia Zhangke’s films document the economic and socio-political changes that have affected ordinary people in China in recent decades. The interview below contains an informative and well-illustrated introduction to the industrial and biographical context, political themes and distinctive visual style of Jia’s output. Enjoy – and if you haven’t already done so, watch this man’s films! http://www.whatwouldmatticksay.com/3/post/2011/09/jia-zhangke-and-the-realist-imperative.html

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT
Carbon markets: No threat to fossil fuel: The genius of carbon markets is to create a new asset class that performs alongside, and reinforces, continued fossil fuel use, rather than interfering with it. http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5953
Review: Requiem for a Species – Blaming individuals breeds climate pessimism http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5941
Farmers Mobilise to Find Solutions Against Land Grabbing http://tinyurl.com/6tt86f3
UK Firms Failed Biofuel Dream Wrecks Lives of Tanzania Villagers http://tinyurl.com/7hgkqcu

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
The Banker 2
TEDxHampshireCollege – Chuck Collins — Taxing the Wealthy
We Need a Third Way, Now – Globalization has often been accused of handing over power to the financial markets, depriving democracy of all substance and bringing about the current global economic instabilities. http://tinyurl.com/6wg444u
Boring Cruel Romantics: In this op-ed, Paul Krugman argues that the policymakers who pushed Europe into adopting the Euro and bullied both Europe and the US into austerity, should be toppled from their pedestals. http://tinyurl.com/bp796qc

FEATURES
Europe: Old racist poison in new bottles http://links.org.au/node/2608
Where Did the Left Go? In this article, le Monde Diplomatiques editor Serge Halimi argues that the distinction between a reform minded left and a conservative centre has become an empty election ritual. http://tinyurl.com/6pj7ets

BOLIVIA
Solidarity activists need to support process http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49516
Rumble over jungle far from over http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49515

CAMBODIA
One of the Darkest Chapters of the 20th Century up for Trial http://tinyurl.com/85eznn5

CANADA
How police infiltrated groups planning G20 protests http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/how-police-infiltrated-groups-planning-g20-protests/article2244253/

CHINA
China Cannot Save the World from Crisis http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23493

CUBA
A bureaucrat? Me? http://tinyurl.com/8xjh26c
Awakened dreams http://cubasocialistrenewal.blogspot.com/2011/11/translation-awakened-dreams.html
EGYPT
Egypt has halted the drive to derail the Arab revolution http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/23/egypt-arab-revolution?mid=5381913
The revolution that will not stop http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23514
Independent Union Federation joins Tahrir sit-in http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23504
Tahrir Square Under Attack: 32 Egyptians Killed, 1,750 Injured in Protests Against Military Rule http://www.democracynow.org/2011/11/21/tahrir_square_under_attack_32_egyptians?mid=535
Egypts Cabinet Offers to Resign as Protests Rage http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/world/middleeast/facing-calls-to-give-up-power-egypts-military-battles-crowds.html?partner=rssemc=rss
Occupy Tahrir Square http://leninology.blogspot.com/2011/11/occupy-tahrir-square.html

GERMANY
Die Linke’s road to an anti-capitalist program http://links.org.au/node/2604

IRAN
Labor Protest on the New Draft Proposals to the Labor Law http://iranlaborreport.com/?p=1698

LEBANON
Hezbollah unravels CIA spy network in Lebanon as agency contains damage http://tinyurl.com/6m9rpqd

USA
How Occupy stopped the supercommittee – Since the supercommittee’s real agenda was to bypass Congress and cut social security, let’s give thanks for the 99% http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/23/how-occupy-stopped-supercommittee
The Supercommittee Should Go Really Big and Turn Against the 1 Percent http://www.truth-out.org/supercommittee-should-go-really-big-and-turn-against-one-percent/1321899939
Santa Clara Hyatt hotel humiliates, then fires women workers http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/santa-clara-hyatt-hotel.html?fb_ref=.TsvBkeF3A6Y.like&fb_source=profile_multiline
45% Of People in US Struggle to Make Ends Meet http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29803.htm

VENEZUELA
Venezuela leads on UN human development goals http://links.org.au/node/2609

ZAMBIA
Patriotic Front victory unleashes wave of strikes http://www.marxist.com/zambia-patriotic-front-victory-unleashes-strikes.htm

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealands role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealands most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealands Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this Echelon has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in Americas wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

SOLIDARITY WITH LOCKED OUT MARTON WORKERS

http://www.facebook.com/groups/211101752294033/

Day 20: "A fightback for meat workers nationwide" http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/day-20-fightback-for-meat-workers.html

Support the locked out workers at ANZCO Rangitikei http://union.org.nz/ANZCOlockout

The New Zealand lamb processor, CMP, has brutally locked out 111 workers at its plant in Marton in order to force them and their union, the New Zealand Meatworkers Union, to sign off on pay cuts and unacceptable changes to terms and conditions. To learn more and send a message to CMP’s parent company, ANZCO Foods, demanding an end to the lockout and a return to the bargaining table, click here! Ron Oswald, General Secretary, IUF

Japanese unions raise ANZCO lockout with employers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00489/japanese-unions-raise-anzco-lockout-with-employers.htm

OCCUPY AOTEAROA

Occupy protesters will stay until ‘the world changes’ http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/occupy-protesters-stay-until-world-changes-4521093

Gordon Campbell on the election campaign’s fixation with the future & This is what democracy looks like: Why Occupy Together exists http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1111/S00094/gordon-campbell-on-the-campaigns-fixation-with-the-future.htm

Occupy and Theory- where now for the Movement? http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/occupy-and-theory-where-now-for.html

Auckland

Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck

Christchurch

Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch

Dunedin

Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

Debbie Porteous (ODT): Occupy Dunedin: police fear being sued

NZN: Dunedin police say hands are tied over protestors

Yasmin Ginai (BM): Community wants ‘Occupy Dunedin’ protesters to leave

TVNZ: Camping the issue not protesting – Mayor

Andrew Geddis (Pundit): Some quick legal advice for Dave Cull

No Right Turn: It’s the BORA, stupid II

Wellington

Occupy Wellington http://www.facebook.com/OccupyWellingtonNZ

OCCUPY WALL STREET

This Struggle Has Re-awakened Our Imagination By Arundhati Roy http://www.countercurrents.org/roy201111.htm

The Occupy movement now has its iconic image of martyrdom: The photograph of pepper-sprayed pensioner Dorli Rainey recreates the image of a humiliated Christ in a modern context http://tinyurl.com/6r863ex

Resisting Expropriation of the Occupy Movement http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/571.php

You Can’t Evict a Revolution http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/569.php

Occupy Movement Inspires Unions to Embrace Bold Tactics http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/business/occupy-movement-inspires-unions-to-embrace-bold-tactics.html?_r=2

Slavoj Zizek: ‘Now the field is open’ – The philosopher discusses the momentous changes taking place in the global financial and political system. http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2011/10/2011102813360731764.html

David Rovics: "Occupy Wall Street (We’re Gonna Stay Right Here)" http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=111310&songID=11208667&showPlayer=true

An Open Letter to the Occupy Movement http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2011/11/10/an-open-letter-to-the-occupy-movement/

How Wall Street Occupied America http://www.thenation.com/article/164349/how-wall-street-occupied-america?page=full

APEC World Leaders Dinner Gets Occupied – Within secure zone, musician sings on behalf of the many http://www.yeslab.org/APEC

KEEP THE COAL IN THE HOLE SUMMER FESTIVAL – MATAURA, SOUTHLAND, NZ. 20-23 JANUARY 2012

You are warmly invited……to gather for a Summer Festival and camp. We will share ideas, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and take action now to oppose lignite mining in the Mataura Valley. This event will be fun, friendly and 100% coal-free! We’ve got the Festival Kaupapa, detailed Festival Information and our Programme. For more information or to get involved in Festival organising please Email Us.

PLAY: THE PITMEN PAINTERS

“Lee Hall’s play is ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see.” The Times. The Pitmen Painters is the true story of a group of English miners whose after-work art class reveals a wealth of hidden artistic talent. They are propelled overnight from the humble mines of the North East to a rich, intellectual art world. The pitmen’s raw, unpretentious paintings of mining life are an unexpected sensation. With a wealthy patron keen to take them under her wing, the miners are forced to choose between their working class roots and the lure of fame and success. (potent pause) PRODUCTIONS present the Auckland premiere of this internationally acclaimed play by Lee Hall, the Tony award-winning writer of Billy Elliot. Projections of the original paintings bring this story to life for art lovers and theatre fans alike. The Pitmen Painters is a humorous and arresting testament to the power of individual expression and collective spirit. Would you leave behind the world you know for a chance at fame? Proudly supported by: Auckland Council Arts Alive http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/the-pitmen-painters

PEACE RESEARCHER ISSUE # 41 JULY 2011

Update On The GCSB – by Warren Thomson

Spooky Bits – by Warren Thomson

Another Massive Intelligence Failure – by Warren Thomson

Report On January 2011 Protest At Waihopai – by Doug Craig

Why Do We Want Waihopai Closed? – by Murray Horton

More Media Warmongering: A Sign Of Things To Come. Part 1 – by Dennis Small

Reviews by Jeremy Agar and Doug Craig

"Operation 8" A Film by Errol Wright and Abi King-Jones

"Standing Army" A Film by Enrico Parenti and Thomas Fazi

“Security Without Nuclear Deterrence” by Commander Robert Green

"In Mortal Hands" by Stephanie Cooke

Obituary by Kate Dewes and Murray Horton

Norman Roberts

Alec Miller

Don Grady

Space Shuttles RIP by Doug Craig

Expansion Of US Military Bases Continues by Warren Thomson

Apologies For Lateness by Murray Horton

KIA ORA GAZA – URGENT APPEAL

In the first quarter of 2012 Kia Ora Gaza will join an international aid convoy to Gaza led by UK charity Viva Palestina. The convoy intends to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza by linking up with Cairo’s democracy movement and entering through Egypt’s land gate. This strategy could well lead towards the permanent opening of Egypt’s gateway to Gaza, thus fatally wounding Israel’s cruel siege. That would be a truly world historic event.

How can you reach out to the 1.5 million Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza? By donating towards our $50,000 Gaza Appeal to fund a four-person Kiwi Team and their humanitarian aid. Kia Ora Gaza has a proven track record. Our team was on last year’s Viva Palestina convoy which broke the Gaza blockade and delivered NZ$7 million in medical supplies. Can we do it again? That’s where you come in. Please donate generously to our $50,000 Gaza Appeal – and spread the word! To see how to donate, go to the sidebar of our website: office

COROMANDEL WATCHDOG

Kia ora and Greetings, Coromandel Watchdog is still working hard to protect the peninsula from mining. We are preparing for a busy summer raising awareness and money to continue doing the work that we do. We would love to see you at one of the events below. Thank you for supporting us to keep the Coromandel mining-free! Coromandel Watchdog AGM and Social Gathering. Please join us for a brief AGM followed by pot luck dinner and music! Date: Sunday November 20th, 2011. Time: 4.30pm for meeting followed by food and music. Venue: Kauaeranga Valley Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Road, Thames. What: Annual General Meeting of Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki, all offices open for nominations. Please bring a plate for a shared meal and instruments if you please! This is a great opportunity to catch up with friends old and new, hope to see you there! Watchdog at Prana. Watchdog will have a stall at Prana, if you are going make sure you pop in to see us! If you are going and interested in volunteering for a few hours get in contact with Renee. Date: December 30th 2011 – January 3rd 2012. Venue: Prana Eco Retreat, Opoutere. watchdog and send us your name and contact details. Or Print this Membership/Donation Form and post with your cheque to Watchdog’s Treasurer: Coromandel Watchdog, PO Box 211, Coromandel 3543. Get Involved! Summer’s going to be busy with stalls at markets and festivals. If you are able to help out get in contact with our co-ordinator Renee Annan on 022 018 1764 / r.annan . Also see http://watchdog.org.nz/join-us/

PLEASE HELP THE POOREST WORKERS IN THE WORLD!

As some of you may already know I (Duncan) have recently set up a website to provide funds to the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity (BCWS). This is a Bangladeshi organization helping the poorest workers in the world – the nearly 3 million garment workers of Bangladesh. BCWS provide advocacy, training, education and childcare to help improve the lives of these mostly female workers. (read more about BCWS here)

This email is an appeal to encourage you to donate to this worthy cause. A monthly contribution would be most appreciated, but even if you can make a one off donation this would be great. A suggested amount would be $10 – $20 per month, it doesn’t need to be much. Donate here

Last year BCWS were very active in a successful campaign to raise the minimum wage for garment workers. Thousands of workers protested in the streets and were beaten by police. BCWS staff were arrested and a number of garment companies filed trumped up charges against the BCWS leaders. The government removed their NGO status, raided their offices and shut down their bank accounts. Why? Because the work they do is effective and change is occurring. (aotearoasolidaritynetwork

In solidarity, Duncan Allan

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. You’ll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WHAT’S ON

Thursday, November 24, 7.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch

Election Issues: Starts 27 October, All welcome! 5 Thursdays, gold coin donation.

24 Nov: Youth Health: The community’s wealth? – Dr Sue Bagshaw, Korowai Youth Well-being Trust

Canterbury WEA, phone 366 0285, email: cwea Web: www.cwea.org.nz

Thursday, November 24, 4.45pm, Large Meeting Room, CTU Office, Education House, 178 Willis Street, Wellington.

Burma Update – Discussion with Steve Marshall. ILO liaison officer for Burma, Steve Marshall is meeting with the Burmese Young Leaders here in NZ. At the end of their meeting at 4.45 pm, you are invited to join us for an hour or so to discuss the latest situation in Burma.

Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington.
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx

Monday, December 5, 7.30pm, St Marks Catholic Church, 334 Pakuranga Rd, Pakuranga, Auckland

Remembering Fr. Fausto Tentorio: Pontifical Mission Society priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio was recently assassinated in Mindanao, the Philippines. Fr. Fausto was prominent in opposing exploitative practices of mining companies in Mindanao. Thirteen priests have been killed in Mindanao since 1970. The St Marks Catholic Justice & Peace Group will celebrate Fr Tentorio’s courageous work with the poor and indigenous people. We will pray the Office of the Dead and Amie Dural-Maga of Auckland Philippines Solidarity will speak on Fr Tentorio’s work for social justice.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. On the one hand, we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life’s roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life’s highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be…The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"The single largest pool of untapped resource in this world is human good intentions that never translate into action" ~ Cindy Gallop

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." ~ Anatole France

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank

"Pity the nation that has to silence its writers for speaking their minds… Pity the nation that needs to jail those who ask for justice while communal killers, mass murderers, corporate scamsters, looters, rapists and those who prey on the poorest of the poor, roam free." – Arundhati Roy

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Welfare Of Kiwi Kids Under The Microscope http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00506/welfare-of-kiwi-kids-under-the-microscope.htm

Revealing the gap between NZ’s rich and poor http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5989843/Revealing-the-gap-between-NZs-rich-and-poor

We shall Not Be Moved- Glen Innes against evictions http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/we-shall-not-be-moved-glen-innes.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/

Gordon Campbell: On whether politicians should have the same rights to privacy http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/18/gordon-campbell-on-politicians-and-privacy/

Labour, neo-liberalism, and a blueberry smoothie: a chat with Carmel http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2011/11/labour-neo-liberalism-and-blueberry.html

Criminalising Journalism http://publicaddress.net/hardnews/criminalising-journalism/

On Epsom, and dodgy aspects of the asset sales programme http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/17/gordon-campbell-on-epsom-and-dodgy-aspects-of-asset-sales/#more-1790

Policy Watch: ELECTION WATCH – “Those in need have gifts to bring also, including exposure of hypocrisy and greed, and challenging unfair systems which become embedded in our societies.” Church Leaders statement 30 October 2011 http://christiansocialservices.blogspot.com/

No note required to vote: CTU President Helen Kelly reminds workers, and their bosses, that everyone has the right to time off to vote. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00520/no-note-required-to-vote.htm

Labour "will contemplate" a Financial Transactions Tax http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/labour-will-contemplate-financial.html?mid=52

Minto decision ‘a victory for democracy’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5953728/Minto-decision-a-victory-for-democracy Police arrest protestors at ASB Classic http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/image.cfm?c_id=1&gal_objectid=10619307&gallery_id=108761#6796991

Left Wing Rants: The Campaign So Far http://left-wing-rants.blogspot.com/2011/11/campaign-so-far.html?mid=5337937

New parties gaining on both sides http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10764928

Left has numbers among southern voters http://www.odt.co.nz/election-2011/-south/185963/left-has-numbers-among-southern-voters

Matt McCarten: Key wipes off smirk and Greens can grin http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10765612

State Housing protest http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/state-housing-protest-video-4517889

Gordon Campbell: On the only foreign policy issue in this campaign http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/09/gordon-campbell-on-the-only-foreign-policy-in-this-campaign/

Gordon Campbell on the election campaign’s fixation with the future http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1111/S00094/gordon-campbell-on-the-campaigns-fixation-with-the-future.htm

Gordon Campbell: On credibility, and the government’s irrigation plans http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/10/gordon-campbell-on-credibility-and-irrigation-plans/

Warning on GM laws http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10764965

Uncertain future for the Maori Party http://mauistreet.blogspot.com/2011/11/uncertain-future-for-maori-party.html

National Party Environment and Climate Policy Too Weak http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00253/national-party-environment-and-climate-policy-too-weak.htm

Dark Matter: Are Solid Energy’s lignite plans a significant step down the wrong energy path? http://www.listener.co.nz/current-affairs/business/dark-matter/

Prostesters ‘make National’s signs more honest’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5962008/Prostesters-make-Nationals-signs-more-honest

Green Party will change law to ensure equal pay http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00401/green-party-will-change-law-to-ensure-equal-pay.htm

Call For Moratorium On Oil And Gas Fracking In New Zealand http://www.suite101.com/news/call-for-moratorium-on-oil-and-gas-fracking-in-new-zealand-a396772#ixzz1eIEYIaPE

Fear not punishment behind inmate increase – Chief Justice http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/91312/fear-not-punishment-behind-inmate-increase-chief-justice?mid=52

Editorial: MPs’ travel perk raise unwarranted http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5989340/Editorial-MPs-travel-perk-raise-unwarranted

Joining the top 1% http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2011/11/joining-top-1.html

National Standards for bi-lingual and ESOL students is cultural bullying http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1111/S00123/national-standards-for-bi-lingual-students-is-cultural-bully.htm

Wrong approach to investment in early childhood education http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00404/wrong-approach-to-investment-in-early-childhood-education.htm

NZ WORK RIGHTS

Hillside Workers Down Tools, Express ‘No Confidence’ in Their Bosses and Call on CEO Jim Quinn to ‘Step In’ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00382/hillside-workers-down-tools-express-no-confidence-in-bosses.htm

CTU releases submission to the 2011 Minimum Wage Review http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00284/ctu-releases-submission-to-the-2011-minimum-wage-review.htm

Raising minimum wage won’t cost jobs – Treasury http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/58695.html

John Key lying about minimum wage http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/11/john-key-lying-about-minimum-wage.html

Key ‘sat on wage report’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5950736/Key-sat-on-wage-report

key’s figures dodgy on minimum wage http://www.3news.co.nz/Keys-figures-dodgy-on-minimum-wage—blog/tabid/1382/articleID/232399/Default.aspx

Key covered up minimum wage facts – Goff http://tvnz.co.nz/election-2011/key-covered-up-minimum-wage-facts-claims-goff-4523245

Research confirms the realities for health workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1111/S00098/research-confirms-the-realities-for-health-workers.htm

National’s vision for public services – cut services and swell the dole queue http://tinyurl.com/7gz82zr

NZ ECONOMY

Fair taxation for just society http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/5965996/Fair-taxation-for-just-society

CEOs of country’s four big banks get A$11.7 mln (NZ$15.3 mln), combined, in annual pay with 31% in fixed pay and rest in bonuses and benefits http://www.interest.co.nz/news/56716/ceos-countrys-four-big-banks-get-a117-mln-nz153-mln-combined-annual-pay-31-fixed-pay-and-

The job crisis for young New Zealanders http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/the-job-crisis-for-young-new-zealanders/3/

Debt or jobs – that’s the big decision http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10764912

Major economic risk in private debt http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/185899/major-economic-risk-private-debt

What Should Be Our Economic Priorities? Brian Easton argued in a recent Wellington Fabian lecture that in a time of prolonged economic stagnation we should not equate income with wellbeing, or pursue income growth at all costs. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11111592/Easton%20October%202011.pdf

Downgrade the Credit Rating Agencies by Bill Rosenberg http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11111592/Rosenberg%20Article%20November%202011.pdf

Credit Ratings, credit rating agencies & NZ’s rating by David Tripe http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11111592/Tripe%20November%202011.pdf

What do credit ratings organisations tell us by Bill Rosenberg http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11111592/Tripe%20November%202011.pdf

CTU: Transpacific Partnership Agreement http://union.org.nz/tppa

TPPA DEBATE

Prof Jane Kelsey: More Hypocrisy on the Trans-Pacific Partnership as APEC Meets in Honolulu http://business.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/13/more-hypocrisy-on-the-trans-pacific-partnership/

CTU: TPPA framework shows leaders only listening to business http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00330/tppa-framework-shows-leaders-only-listening-to-business.htm

Trans-Pacific Partnership is Govt’s ‘secret dirty deal’

http://www.3news.co.nz/Trans-Pacific-Partnership-is-Govts-secret-dirtydeal/tabid/419/articleID/232218/Default.aspx

Opponents of a trans-Pacific trade talks between New Zealand, the United States and seven other countries, have demanded the National Party leader, John Key, show them the deal. (3′30″) http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/ckpt-election2011-20111109-1840-opponents_of_tpp_demand_key_shows_them_the_deal-048.mp3

"Waikato Times" Editorial Opposing TPPA Secrecy http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/editorials/5825520/Editorial-Treated-like-mushrooms

Letter: FTAs could undermine government control of state assets http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/letters-to-the-editor/5940178/Letter-FTAs-could-undermine-government-control-of-state-assets

A real trade deal or will pigs fly? http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5953161/A-real-trade-deal-or-will-pigs-fly

Pacific Trade Pact Misses APEC Deadline http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1111/S00311/pacific-trade-pact-misses-apec-deadline.htm

Japan’s TPP plans ‘threat to NZ exports’ http://www.3news.co.nz/Japans-TPP-plans-threat-to-NZ-exports/tabid/421/articleID/232528/Default.aspx

Maritime Union calls for New Zealand to pull out of free trade deals http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00380/maritime-union-calls-for-nz-to-pull-out-of-fta-deals.htm

MANA MOVEMENT

Harawira attacks National over poverty http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5950580/Harawira-attacks-National-over-poverty

Hone a surprise stand out http://www.nzherald.co.nz/election-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503012&objectid=10766607

Harawira calls for MPs to donate pay rise http://www.3news.co.nz/Harawira-calls-for-MPs-to-donate-pay-rise/tabid/419/articleID/233077/Default.aspx#ixzz1eIpsw940

Sue Bradford – the Pakeha with Mana http://www.3news.co.nz/Sue-Bradford—the-Pakeha-with-Mana/tabid/419/articleID/232976/Default.aspx

Mana releases ‘Top 10 Crimes of the Millennium’ list http://www.3news.co.nz/Mana-releases-Top-10-Crimes-of-the-Millennium-list/tabid/419/articleID/233021/Default.aspx#ixzz1eIqJcrDR

Harawira says Cabinet should be drug tested http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10766469

Bradford: Mana a ‘party for the future http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10766460

Bradford: Drug testing will force beneficiaries into crime http://tvnz.co.nz/election-2011/bradford-drug-testing-force-beneficiaries-into-crime-4540243

Hone-lite: The new face of Mana’s leader http://www.3news.co.nz/Hone-lite-The-new-face-of-Manas-leader/tabid/419/articleID/232701/Default.aspx

Harawira dominates Tai Tokerau debate http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5965798/Harawira-dominates-Tai-Tokerau-debate

Mana seeks apology from National for misleading voters on tax http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00335/mana-seeks-apology-from-national-for-misleading-on-tax.htm

Mana Calls For Full Disclosure On TPPA http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00327/mana-calls-for-full-disclosure-on-tppa.htm

Nats lack common decency on GI housing http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00242/mana-nats-lack-common-decency-on-gi-housing.htm

Selling state assets to provide a subsidised income for farmers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00243/selling-state-assets-to-provide-farmer-subsidies-is-wrong.htm

Sykes set to win Waiariki, says Harawira http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/sykes-set-to-win-waiariki-says-harawira/1171269/#.Tr3A3P0vO2Z.facebook

Mana Party campaigns in Eastern Bay http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/harawira-sykes-hit-eastern-bay/1161668/

Latest job stats expose Nats’ real agenda on welfare – Mana http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/latest-job-stats-expose-nats-real-agenda-on-welfare-mana/

Street Survey Would See Mana With 4 Mps http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00301/street-survey-would-see-mana-with-4-mps.htm

Epsom debate: Banks attacks Brash http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/epsom-debate-banks-attacks-brash.html?mid=52921

Mana for all in Positive Pomare – Stop Housing NZ destroying our community! http://www.facebook.com/notes/grant-brookes/mana-for-all-in-positive-pomare-stop-housing-nz-destroying-our-community/10150417648272249

Mana ready to pick up disaffected Green-activist vote http://www.nzherald.co.nz/elections-2011-experts/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503209&objectid=10766789

MANA Hard in Waiariki http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00552/mana-hard-in-waiariki.htm

MANA is calling for an amnesty for Pacific Islander overstayers in Aotearoa. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00413/mana-calls-for-overstayers-amnesty.htm

Mana Doing Labour’s Job http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00408/mana-doing-labours-job.htm

New Proposals Morph National Standards Into National Testing http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00535/new-proposals-morph-national-standards-into-national-testing.htm

Mana Movement – Foreign Policy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00530/mana-movement-foreign-policy-release.htm

The breath-taking double standards of John Key http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00477/the-breath-taking-double-standards-of-john-key.htm

MANA Party Candidate for Waiariki Annette Sykes Challenge to the Maori Party: Do You Support National and ACT? http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/mana-party-candidate-for-waiariki-annette-sykes-challenge-to-the-maori-party/

Housing assurances ‘wont stop destruction of a community’ http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/11766419/housing-assurances-wont-stop-destruction-of-a-community/

Abuse of Political Office http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00451/abuse-of-political-office.htm

FEATURES

Smokin’ Joe Frazier: The Death of the Disrespected http://www.thenation.com/blog/164507/smokin-joe-frazier-death-disrespected

Politics Matter: Changes in Unionization Rates in Rich Countries, 1960-2010 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/changes-in-unionization-rates-in-rich-countries-1960-2010

The Right To Dream – We Are Fighting For Justice By Arundhati Roy – You have reintroduced the right to dream into a system that tried to turn everybody into zombies mesmerized into equating mindless consumerism with happiness and fulfillment. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29766.htm

CULTURAL DISSENT

Tom Morello on unions and the #occupy movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZZFZqHjQS_I

The academic as truth-teller: The logic of the bureacratisation of academia, forcing academics to ‘publish or perish’ and cut corners when it comes to teaching, has more to do with the marketisation of universities than learning and scholarship http://tinyurl.com/7a7k6ht

The Assault on Universities: An Introduction to Education Reform and Resistance http://tinyurl.com/7yroprh

‘Thomas Friedman: The imperial messenger’ – Thomas Friedman’s writing on the Middle East is condescending and often misleading. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/11/2011116114832660506.html

4everevolution – Music Review by Estelle Cooch http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11831

Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975: A militant fight against racism brought to life http://www.socialistworker.org.uk/art.php?id=26617

John Lennon – Give Peace A Chance

Britain’s Empire is unsparing in its portrayal of the horror and brutality of imperialism, but reveals also the breadth and depth of resistance to Empire on the part of the colonised, invaded and enslaved. http://tinyurl.com/7jhtefr

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

G20 : the Symbol of a System Failure http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23391

Robbed blind by the 1 percent – A recent report from Congressional Budget Office shows a huge increase in the income of the richest 1 percent. Elizabeth Schulte reports. http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/08/robbed-blind-1-percent

Italy and Greece: rule by the bankers http://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/italy-and-greece-rule-by-the-bankers/

13 Ways to ‘Tax the Rich’ http://www.zcommunications.org/13-ways-to-tax-the-rich-by-jack-rasmus

The Global Reserve Army of Labor and the New Imperialism by John Bellamy Foster, Robert W. McChesney, and R. Jamil Jonna http://monthlyreview.org/2011/11/01/the-global-reserve-army-of-labor-and-the-new-imperialism

Who Rules the Global Economy? http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/who-rules-the-global-economy/

Understanding and Fighting Austerity – What are some of the forces that are driving the current crisis? How is it pushing forward the agenda of business and governments to get working people and our organizations to tighten our belts and accept their calls for austerity? What forms is resistance taking around the world – what are the strengths and limitations of that resistance and what can we learn from it?

Featuring: Sam Gindin is the Packer Chair in Social Justice, York University; Stefan Kipfer is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University; Moderated by Kamilla Pietrzyk. http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls118.php

Political Crisis in Italy and Greece: Marx on ‘Technical Government’ by Marcello Musto – In recent years Karl Marx has again been featured in the world’s press because of his prescient insights into the cyclical and structural character of capitalist crises. Now there is another reason why he should be re-read in the light of Greece and Italy: the reappearance of the ‘technical government.’ http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/570.php

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

GM crops promote superweeds, food insecurity and pesticides, say NGOs http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/19/gm-crops-insecurity-superweeds-pesticides

Suffer our children unless the world changes http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/5956206/Suffer-our-children-unless-the-world-changes

La Via Campesina at the Committee on Food Security (CFS): “We can no longer wait” http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23407

Rapa Nui/Easter Island: Blaming the victims — Jared Diamond’s myth of ‘ecocide’ http://links.org.au/node/2591

Occupy Denialism: Toward Ecological and Social Revolution by John Bellamy Foster http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/foster111111.html

ALGERIA

The Long Shadow of Algeria on the Arab Autumn http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23424

AUSTRALIA

Poultry workers hold off riot police attack http://sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=7134%3Apoultry-workers-hold-off-riot-police-attack&Itemid=392

Obama confirms Down Under Pearl Harbour http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/5979738/Obama-confirms-Down-Under-Pearl-Harbour

BANGLADESH

The Left and Social-Movement Struggles in Bangladesh http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23409

BAHRAIN

Western-backed police state puts trade unionists on trial http://tinyurl.com/787alqh

Hundreds Mourn After Boy Is Killed In Demonstration http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/19/bahrain-hundreds-mourn_n_1102730.html

CANADA

Police can arrest anyone who does not comply with order starting Monday afternoon http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Judge+grants+injunction+remove+tent+city/5737904/story.html#ixzz1eCqJGbUH

Changing face of protest: Tent city has evolved to now include a ‘homeless element’ http://www.vancouversun.com/Changing+face+protest/5673309/story.html#ixzz1dFJl5P6U

Opinion: Occupy Vancouver injunction ups the ante for backpedalling mayor, protesters http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Opinion+Occupy+Vancouver+injunction+ante+backpedalling+mayor+protesters/5671409/story.html

City’s Occupy Vancouver injunction strategy backfires on besieged mayor http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Opinion+City+Occupy+Vancouver+injunction+strategy+backfires+besieged+mayor/5684044/story.html#ixzz1dRTFh9Rr

B.C. union leaders divided on next Occupy Vancouver actions http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-politics/bc-union-leaders-divided-on-next-occupy-vancouver-actions/article2230954/

Massive protest in Quebec against huge hike in tuition fees http://lifeonleft.blogspot.com/2011/11/massive-protest-in-quebec-against-huge.html

CHINA

Workers at Pepsi bottling plants in China protest takeover http://www.clb.org.hk/en/node/101166

China: Wildcat strikes and labour advocacy http://aawl.org.au/files//pdf/awo_11_11_11.pdf

COLOMBIA

The mass movement re-emerges http://links.org.au/node/2597

CUBA

Cuba Guidelines debate PDF English: Here is my complete English translation of the booklet Information on the results of the Debate on the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines for the Party and the Revolution, an explanatory document published together with the final version of the Guidelines adopted by the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) Congress in April. http://cubasocialistrenewal.blogspot.com/2011/11/cuba-guidelines-debate-pdf-english.html

Paternalism debate http://tinyurl.com/cd9b4ql

EGYPT

The Political Economy of the Egyptian Uprising http://monthlyreview.org/2011/11/01/the-political-economy-of-the-egyptian-uprising

The Maspero Massacre: What Really Happened by Mosireen and Intifadat Intifadat http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/maspero111111.html

GREECE

Elites appoint new gov’t behind the people’s backs http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49425

Lazy Ouzo-Swilling, Olive-Pit Spitting Greeks Or, How Goldman Sacked Greece http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29655.htm

Banks and EU on the head of Greek government http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23411

HONDURAS

America’s great foreign policy disgrace http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/18/honduras-america-foreign-policy-disgrace

IRAN

Debunking the Iran "Terror Plot" http://www.merip.org/mero/mero110311

Iran and the I.A.E.A. By Seymour M. Hersh – The new report, therefore, leaves us where we’ve been since 2002, – with lots of belligerent talk but no definitive evidence of a nuclear-weapons program. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29768.htm

JAPAN

Japan 7 months after: missing persons, unemployment, poverty… http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23177

KOREA

Hanjin workers win: Korean unionist Kim Jin-suk has touched ground for the first time since January to end her protest against Hanjin Heavy Industries http://aawl.org.au/content/hanjin-workers-win

South Korea’s 300 Day Aerial Sit-in Strike Highlights Plight of Precarious Workers http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/566.php#continue

NICARAGUA

Night of the Sandinistas – Election Night in Nicaragua http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/11/08/election-night-in-nicaragua/print

Nicaragua’s Ortega: Socialism to opportunism? After winning a landslide election victory, critics worry former revolutionary will consolidate his grip on power. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/11/2011117173951437487.html

A Peaceful Nicaraguan Election Brings a Mandate for Sandinista Social Programs http://upsidedownworld.org/main/nicaragua-archives-62/3296-a-peaceful-nicaraguan-election-brings-a-mandate-for-sandinista-social-programs

Win for Alianza Nicaragua Triunfa and re-election of Daniel Ortega mark revolutionary change http://links.org.au/node/2596

Fidel Castro: The overwhelming victory of Daniel and the FSLN http://www.granma.cu/ingles/reflections-i/10nov-47Reflex1.html

PACIFIC

Donate to Freeport strikers http://aawl.org.au/content/donate-freeport-strikers

WEST PAPUA CRISIS: Indonesian commandos terrorise villagers in fresh Papua brutality http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/indonesian-commandos-terrorise-villagers-in-fresh-west-papua-brutality/

Brutal show of force against Papuan congress stirs demands for inquiry http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/10/brutal-show-of-force-against-papuan-congress-stirs-calls-for-inquiry/

Maire Leadbeater reflects on West Papua’s ‘Arab Spring’ http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/maire-leadbeater-reflects-on-west-papuas-arab-spring/

Fiji union leaders released http://aawl.org.au/content/fiji-union-leaders-released

The Statement of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference on Papua: Stop violence! Let us hold a dialogue! http://www.faithbasednetworkonwestpapua.org/news

PALESTINE

Truths, facts and facts on the ground – Much of the international support that Israel receives is based on several lies it tells and re-tells as "facts". http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/10/2011102583358314280.html

Reverend Allan Boesak calls Israeli apartheid “more terrifying” than South Africa ever was http://www.australiansforpalestine.net/54346?mid=532

Where Should the Birds Fly? A powerful story 2 young women, survivors of Israel’s brutal Dec 2008 attack on Gaza, who represent…http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1767087449/where-should-the-birds-fly?mid=530

‘They made us do it…’ — The Disordered Psychology of Israel http://www.avigailabarbanel.me.uk/they-made-us-do-it.html?mid=52

Gaza: Residents deprived of critical medications and medical care http://www.msf.org/msf/articles/2011/11/gaza–residents-deprived-of-critical-medications-and-medical-care.cfm?mid=52

PHILIPPINES

Clinton, counter-insurgency and hegemony http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/11/2011111373127469575.html

PETITION: Justice for all victims of extra-judicial killings! http://www.humanrightsphilippines.net/2011/11/petition-justice-for-all-victims-of-extra-judicial-killings/?mid=52

Pasay court orders Gloria Arroyo’s arrest http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=749531&publicationSubCategoryId=63

SOUTH AFRICA

COSATU leader on South African and Israeli apartheid http://links.org.au/node/2590

SYRIA

Jordan, Arab League Hypocrisy on Syria by Robert Dreyfuss http://www.thenation.com/blog/164637/jordan-arab-league-hypocrisy-syria

Syria and Iran: the great game – Regime change in Syria is a strategic prize that outstrips Libya – which is why Saudi Arabia and the west are playing their part http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/04/syria-iran-great-game

The Great War of Intervention http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/great-war-intervention

Britain in Secret Talks with Syrian "Rebels" http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29767.htm

Robert Fisk: Assad will only go if his own tanks turn against him: Predictions of Syrian leader’s imminent demise are hopelessly optimistic

http://ind.pn/vQmDA1

TIMOR

Don’t Let the Bankers Occupy Timor – Sign the petition For Debt-Free Timor-Leste http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-a-debt-free-timor-leste.html

UK

In pictures: Occupy London protest swells – Demonstration swells as "99 per cent" pro-democracy protesters rally against corporate greed in British capital. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2011/11/2011117201951241331.html

British police accused of criminalizing protest
USA

The unions weigh in for Occupy: Lee Sustar reports on the growing momentum for the November 17 labor/Occupy day of action—and its potential for broadening the movement around the country. http://socialistworker.org/2011/11/10/unions-weigh-in-for-occupy

Opulent Sothebys’ Appalling Treatment of Its Workers Is a Perfect Symbol of the Out of Touch 1% http://tinyurl.com/7fc7wda

VENEZUELA

3.7 Million Families Registered in Venezuela’s Housing Mission http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6600

New Venezuelan Mission Aims to Create 2.8 million Jobs in Eight Years http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6599

Praxis, Learning, and New Cooperativism in Venezuela: An Initial Look at Venezuela’s Socialist Production Units http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6625

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012

The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

Thursday, November 10, 6pm, Henderson Square, Henderson, Auckland

HENDERSON SQUARE (Cathrine St) is not FOR SALE. Keep it as PUBLIC SPACE. Speeches,Buskers, Food, Open Mic. Super City, Hendeson/ Massey Board intend to lease the Square to corporate Mall owners Westfeild. CAP says the Super City Board is doing exactly what it was set up to do,putting corporate profit before us the community. We are calling on young and old, community groups annd residents to rally on Thur 10th Nov at 6pm. There will be submissions available to be signed and a mass delegation to the Board/Counci will be organised. They ( the Board) are using the behaviour of a small number of young people to deprive us all of a public space. We fear private security guards will be used to clear the Square. Will it be a case of being Maori/Pacifc Islander means your guilty? CAP believe the council already has the power to trespass or ban anyone for anti social behaviour. What are Maori Wardens for?” Henderson Square is mostly a colourful place, with Buskers and a safe place for young and old to meet. God knows Kids have little money and few choices these days. Community groups use it to distribute literature hold meetings/rallies and much more.500 plus people gathered there to succesfully demand a Full Public Hospital for Waitakere. Just try and do any of these things on Westfeild property, you will last about 5mins,before being threatend off. If Westfeild and other interests get control of the Square we believe all these activities will be Trespassed off. Despite any assurances they or the Board make, we predict our rights will be denied

SOLIDARITY WITH LOCKED OUT MARTON WORKERS
http://www.facebook.com/groups/211101752294033/

Christchurch Solidarity for Locked Out Workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1111/S00112/christchurch-solidarity-for-locked-out-workers.htm

Workers locked out because won’t take 25% pay cut http://thestandard.org.nz/workers-locked-out-because-wont-take-25-pay-cut/

CMP offer cuts wages to the bone http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00111/cmp-offer-cuts-wages-to-the-bone.htm

Day 17: 111 workers locked out but standing together http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/day-17-111-workers-locked-out-but.html

OCCUPY AOTEAROA

Protests voice of wider unease http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10764108

Simon Cunliffe (ODT): Increasing inclination to question ‘the system’ http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/184806/increasing-inclination-question-system

Ernie Barrington (NZH): The secret of the Occupy movement’s success http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10763171

Pattrick Smellie (Dom Post): Answer is to work harder and smarter http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5886742/Answer-is-to-work-harder-and-smarter

Louise Humpage (NZH): Local beginnings to a global solution http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10762951

Introducing the Robin Hood Tax – Tax Justice in New Zealand http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/introducing-robin-hood-tax-tax-justice.html?mid=51

Auckland

Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck

Robin Hood Tax March 29 Oct 2011

Christchurch

Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch

Dunedin

Police refuse to evict occupiers http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/185803/police-refuse-evict-occupiers

Hamish McNeilly (ODT): Octagon trespass notice ignored http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/184843/octagon-trespass-notice-ignored

TVNZ: ‘Occupy’ Dunedin protestors won’t leave http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/occupy-dunedin-protestors-won-t-leave-4496780

NZN: Occupy Dunedin protestors unmoved overnight http://www.3news.co.nz/Occupy-Dunedin-protestors-unmoved-overnight/tabid/423/articleID/231445/Default.aspx

Occupy Dunedin protestors plan to fight eviction notice http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10763185

Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

Chris Morris (NZH): Occupy group at moment of truth

TVNZ: Mayor urges police to act on Occupy Dunedin protest

TV3/NZN: No haste to evict Occupy Dunedin protestors – police

APNZ/ODT: Dunedin police consider protesters’ rights before acting

Wellington

Occupied Dominion Post #1 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Occupied_Dominion_Post_Issue_1.pdf

RISE UP AND DECOLONIZE GLOBAL ACTION DAY: BRITTOMART, 5PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18

An action by indigenous peoples and movements and non-indigenous peoples and their movements throughout the colonized world who have always been part of the 99%. We express our solidarity with those peoples who have lived under colonial and continue to live under neo colonial occupations. This rally has been organised to claim space as indigenous peoples and peoples of colour within the Occupy Movement. When we imagine decolonization, we do not make demands of those in power or those who are behind Occupy movements; we create power and frame the alternative.

This event is organised by a coalition of Maori movements who are not part of the organizing body of Occupy New Zealand or of any the Occupy movements around the world. Because this land has endured colonial occupation and domination at the expense of Maori, we cannot promote or endorse the concept of occupation. Our engagement with Occupy movements or attendance at their demonstrations serve the purposes of claiming space for Maori and articulating the movement to decolonize on a local and global scale. We continue to observe brutality in the legacy of capitalism, a system that relied upon the enslavement of African and Caribbean peoples, the genocide and displacement of Indigenous peoples, and the violent seizure of lands for colonial profit. Economic exploitation of labor and resources is only one process of continuing colonization that disproportionately impacts Maori and other indigenous communities and third world peoples.

We envision intersectional and comprehensive social justice that extends beyond limited narratives of class conflict. Struggles for self-determination have been waged for centuries by our ancestors before us, and will continue through the descendants who follow us. In the strength of “making our own power”, we have organized our own international Call to Action titled “Rise & Decolonize! Let’s Get Free” on November 18, 2011 at 5:00 pm. We invite all those who have a genuine willingness to engage and listen to attend our solidarity rally and become an ally in continuing the work of decolonization.

This global action also supports the local and global occupy movements of the world who have bravely put themselves before the might of police states throughout developed first world countries in the pursuit of justice and freedom from capitalist imperialism’s exploitation and control of the worlds wealth and resources in the hands of the elite few, the 1 percent. Nga mihi ki a koutou katoa! We therefore invite you to share this event with us, tena tatou!

OCCUPY WALL STREET

Tariq Ali on #Occupy: ‘The fog of confusion has finally lifted’ http://links.org.au/node/2586

Four Steps for OWS to Grow This Winter – A strategic proposal to turn towards the city’s poor and working-class communities http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2011/11/116880.html

Oligarchy, American Style By PAUL KRUGMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/opinion/oligarchy-american-style.html?_r=1

In Graphic terms https://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/09/04/opinion/04reich-graphic.html

Occupy Wall Streeters are right about skewed economic rewards in the United States http://www.epi.org/publication/bp331-occupy-wall-street/

Reports from the Economic Front: by Martin Hart-Landsberg – Inequality: Class And Race http://media.lclark.edu/content/hart-landsberg/

‘A revival of collectivist solidarity’ — Hugo Blanco, veteran Indigenous revolutionary, on Occupy Wall Street http://links.org.au/node/2579

Interview: NOAM CHOMSKY – Hopes and prospects from Madison to Cairo http://www.isreview.org/issues/79/interview-chomsky.shtml

California protesters shut down Oakland port http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15568057

One World One Revolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aE3R1BQrYCw#!

Capitalism and Environmental Catastrophe by John Bellamy Foster – This is a reconstruction from notes of a talk delivered at a teach-in on "The Capitalist Crisis and the Environment" organized by the Education and Empowerment Working Group, Occupy Wall Street, Zuccotti Park (Liberty Plaza), New York, October 23, 2011 http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/foster291011.html

The all-American occupation – In the US, the ‘Occupy’ movement is in line with a deep historical suspicion of Wall Street and the financial elite. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/10/20111020114617327340.html

Danny Glover Tremendous Speech @ Occupy Oakland

Organized Labour and the Occupations Movement http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/564.php#continue

Millions of Americans living in extreme poverty http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-04/americans-living-in-extreme-poverty/3626296

George Monbiot: The 1% are the very best destroyers of wealth the world has ever seen http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/07/one-per-cent-wealth-destroyers

The High Cost Of Neoliberalism by Noam Chomsky http://www.newstatesman.com/south-america/2010/06/chomsky-democracy-latin

KIA ORA GAZA – URGENT APPEAL

In the first quarter of 2012 Kia Ora Gaza will join an international aid convoy to Gaza led by UK charity Viva Palestina. The convoy intends to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza by linking up with Cairo’s democracy movement and entering through Egypt’s land gate. This strategy could well lead towards the permanent opening of Egypt’s gateway to Gaza, thus fatally wounding Israel’s cruel siege. That would be a truly world historic event.

How can you reach out to the 1.5 million Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza? By donating towards our $50,000 Gaza Appeal to fund a four-person Kiwi Team and their humanitarian aid. Kia Ora Gaza has a proven track record. Our team was on last year’s Viva Palestina convoy which broke the Gaza blockade and delivered NZ$7 million in medical supplies. Can we do it again? That’s where you come in. Please donate generously to our $50,000 Gaza Appeal – and spread the word! To see how to donate, go to the sidebar of our website: office

COROMANDEL WATCHDOG

Kia ora and Greetings, Coromandel Watchdog is still working hard to protect the peninsula from mining. We are preparing for a busy summer raising awareness and money to continue doing the work that we do. We would love to see you at one of the events below. Thank you for supporting us to keep the Coromandel mining-free! Our Native Frogs Are At Risk – learn the facts from an expert.
Public meeting in Whangamata to discuss the threats to our endangered native frogs. Guest Speaker: Dr Phil Bishop from the Department of Zoology at Otago University. Phil is the chief scientist of the newly formed IUCN Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) coordinating the implementation of the Amphibian Conservation Action internationally. Date: Sunday November 13th, 2011 Time: 11.00am. Venue: Library (2 storey building in centre of school), Whangamata Area School, Port Road, Whangamata.

Coromandel Watchdog AGM and Social Gathering. Please join us for a brief AGM followed by pot luck dinner and music! Date: Sunday November 20th, 2011. Time: 4.30pm for meeting followed by food and music. Venue: Kauaeranga Valley Hall, 437 Kauaeranga Valley Road, Thames. What: Annual General Meeting of Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki, all offices open for nominations. Please bring a plate for a shared meal and instruments if you please! This is a great opportunity to catch up with friends old and new, hope to see you there!

Watchdog at Prana. Watchdog will have a stall at Prana, if you are going make sure you pop in to see us! If you are going and interested in volunteering for a few hours get in contact with Renee. Date: December 30th 2011 – January 3rd 2012. Venue: Prana Eco Retreat, Opoutere. www.prana.co.nz

Donate: The Co-ordinator fund. Please set up an Automatic Payment to Watchdog to pay our part-time Co-ordinator. Without a person in this role our voluntary organization cannot function to save the Coromandel! $10.00 per week or more could make all the difference. Please use “COORDINATOR” as bank reference. COROMANDEL WATCHDOG KIWIBANK COROMANDEL BRANCH a/c no: 38 9006 0733863 00 Donate General donations are also welcome. To DONATE please use “DONATE” as the bank reference.

Become a member: To become a MEMBER of Watchdog ($20) please do a Direct Bank Transfer, use “JOIN” and your name, as the bank reference to indicate you wish to join, and email watchdog and send us your name and contact details. Or Print this Membership/Donation Form and post with your cheque to Watchdog’s Treasurer: Coromandel Watchdog, PO Box 211, Coromandel 3543.

Get Involved! Summer’s going to be busy with stalls at markets and festivals. If you are able to help out get in contact with our co-ordinator Renee Annan on 022 018 1764 / r.annan@hotmail.com . Also see http://watchdog.org.nz/join-us/ See you soon to learn about frogs or at our AGM/social!

Warm regards, The Committee, Coromandel Watchdog

PLEASE HELP THE POOREST WORKERS IN THE WORLD!
As some of you may already know I (Duncan) have recently set up a aotearoasolidaritynetwork In solidarity, Duncan Allan

PMA: WHITE POPPIES FOR PARIHAKA, ARMISTICE / REMEMBRANCE DAYS

PMA will be sending out a reminder next week with details about white poppy orders for Parihaka Day (Saturday, 5 November) and Armistice / Remembrance Day (Sunday, 11 November) – if you are interested in having white poppies available at your event/s for either or both of these, please keep an eye out for the message next week because this year all orders must be received by Monday, 28 October at the latest as we are involved in out of town seminars and gatherings during the first two weeks of November. If you would like to know more about white poppies and collecting donations for the White Poppy Peace Scholarships, please go to whitepoppies Thank you.

FOUR COMMUNITY ELECTION FORUMS

Unions and community organisations bring you a fun, fast and furious evening of political debate.

Wellington – 9 November: 5.30pm, St John’s on Willis St. MC’d by Ian Harcourt

Auckland Central – 15 November: 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. MC’d by Michele A’Court

Hamilton – 16 November: 7pm, YWCA, 36 Pembroke St. MC’d by Jeremy Elwood

Hosted by some of New Zealand’s favourite funny people. Party spokespeople will have 2 minutes each to answer questions on: Public service cuts; Collective bargaining and a living wage; Early childhood education; ACC; Family carers and paid work; Disabled persons’ issues; Healthy workplaces; Welfare. Brought to you by: the PSA, NZNO, SFWU, First Union, NZEI, Carers NZ, People First Inc Nga Tangata Tuatahi, Working Women’s Resource Centre, Auckland Disability Law, Disabled People’s Assembly, Poverty Action Waikato, ACC Futures Coalition, Beneficiary Advocacy Federation of NZ, and Wellington Council of Social Services. Entry by gold coin koha. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register email election.campaign Visit our Facebook page

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. You’ll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WHAT’S ON

Thursday, November 10, 6pm, Henderson Square, Henderson, Auckland

HENDERSON SQUARE (Cathrine St) is not FOR SALE. Keep it as PUBLIC SPACE. Speeches,Buskers, Food, Open Mic. Super City, Hendeson/ Massey Board intend to lease the Square to corporate Mall owners Westfeild. CAP says the Super City Board is doing exactly what it was set up to do,putting corporate profit before us the community. We are calling on young and old, community groups annd residents to rally on Thur 10th Nov at 6pm. There will be submissions available to be signed and a mass delegation to the Board/Counci will be organised. They ( the Board) are using the behaviour of a small number of young people to deprive us all of a public space. We fear private security guards will be used to clear the Square. Will it be a case of being Maori/Pacifc Islander means your guilty? CAP believe the council already has the power to trespass or ban anyone for anti social behaviour. What are Maori Wardens for?” Henderson Square is mostly a colourful place, with Buskers and a safe place for young and old to meet. God knows Kids have little money and few choices these days. Community groups use it to distribute literature hold meetings/rallies and much more.500 plus people gathered there to succesfully demand a Full Public Hospital for Waitakere. Just try and do any of these things on Westfeild property, you will last about 5mins,before being threatend off. If Westfeild and other interests get control of the Square we believe all these activities will be Trespassed off. Despite any assurances they or the Board make, we predict our rights will be denied

Thursday, November 10, 7.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch

Election Issues: Starts 27 October, All welcome! 5 Thursdays, gold coin donation.

10 Nov: New Zealand is Not For Sale – Murray Horton, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and the NZ is Not For Sale Campaign Working Group

17 Nov: Capital Gains Tax: in the context of NZ inequality – Neville Bennett, retired academic and NBR columnist

24 Nov: Youth Health: The community’s wealth? – Dr Sue Bagshaw, Korowai Youth Well-being Trust

Canterbury WEA, phone 366 0285, email: cwea Web: www.cwea.org.nz

Friday, November 11, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland.

Militant Labour Forum: “Imperialist hands off Libya”. U.S. president Barack Obama and his counterparts in Europe have gloated over the October 20 killing of Moammar Gadhafi. The killing was carried out by bourgeois opposition forces who have been waging a civil war against Gadhafi’s anti-working class regime. Thousands of bombing raids under the NATO flag, as well as the use of U.S., British, and French special forces on the ground, were crucial in these forces’ victory. This imperialist intervention was backed by the New Zealand government. The imperialists’ claim that their aim was to bring down an oppressive tyranny. Helping to cement a “stable” bourgeois regime beholden to them and restricting space for toiling masses to fight for their own interests are their real objectives. With Gadhafi’s death, the tenuous unity forged among groups opposed to the old regime has been unravelling. This week’s Militant Labour Forum will address these developments and discuss why we must demand "Imperialist hands off" as a precondition for working people in Libya to organise to defend their interests against capitalist forces at home and abroad. Janet Roth from the Communist League will speak. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd. Militant Labour Forums are held each week. Phone 369-1223 or email milauck To browse and buy Pathfinder Press books and the Militant newspaper, the hall is open one hour before the forum. For viewing at other times, call to make an appointment. On the web: Pathfinder Press books and pamphlets: www.pathfinderpress.com; The Militant: www.themilitant.com

Saturday, November 12, 10am, Waikaraka Cemetery, Onehunga

The annual remembrance gathering of Frederick Evans, 1912 Waihi martyr.

Tuesday, November 15, 7.30pm, Glen Eden Baptist Church Auditorium, 97 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, Auckland

2011 General Election: Meet the Waitakere Candidates & Parties Forum. Plans are now well under way for the next ‘Meet The Waitakere Candidates & Parties Forum’ to be held at Glen Eden Baptist Church on Tuesday 15th November. Candidates and representatives of the major parties have been invited and so far the following candidates & representatives have indicated they will be attending; • Paula Bennett (National MP); • Carmel Sepuloni (Labour MP); • Winston Peters (NZ First Leader); • Sue Bradford (Mana Candidate); • Steve Tollestrup (Green Candidate); • Jonathan McFarlane (Act Representative). It is going to be an extremely interesting forum so make sure you join with us! Forum Facilitator: Neil Baker. The purpose of the forum is to provide the general public with a working understanding of the various candidates and the policies of the main parties represented in the Waitakere electorate so that they can make informed decisions come voting day. We are also inviting people to submit a question to be considered for the Forum, the best of which will be included on the night. Questions can be submitted to us at office Many thanks, Neil Baker, Senior Pastor, p: 09 818 0770; f: 09 818 0771; m: 027 614 2494. PO Box 20 406, Glen Eden, Auckland 0641. www.gebc.org.nz

Tuesday November 15, 7-9pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn

ElectionForum MC’d by Michele A’Court: Political Speed Dating’. Not just another candidates’ debate. Members of unions and community organisations will be speaking about their experiences and asking party spokespeople to respond to their questions on: WELFARE, INEQUALITY AND A LIVING WAGE — PUBLIC SERVICES, HEALTH AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION — DISABLED PEOPLE’S ISSUES — CARING WORK — ACC

Central Auckland speakers: Jacinda Ardern (Labour), Denise Roche (Greens), John Minto (Mana), David Seymour (Act), Allen Davies (NZ First). Gold coin koha, light refreshments available. For more information or to register, contact election.campaign Visit the Facebook page for this event – and please invite your friends! NB: These are separate events to the members’ meetings happening during the day – more about those soon.

Friday, November 18, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Newtown Hall, Wellington

Elections: why bother? A socialist perspective: The Workers Party is supporting Mana this election, after standing down from national elections. But why do 1 in 4 young people choose not to vote? Isn’t that a rational choice given the options? Can a capitalist Westminster system really represent the majority? A socialist perspective on why we participate in elections, followed by kai & korero

Saturday, November 19, 6.30pm, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Rd, Auckland.

Hey ladies & gents! Come to a night of culture, fun & food! by Gibran Janif, member of Kiwi Team to Gaza. Hey ladies & gents! if you’re in Auckland, would you like to experience a night full of live cultural performances, comedy and food? And there will be a raffle and prizes! The date: Saturday 19th November, doors open at 6pm. The place: Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Rd, Auckland. We have around 160 tickets left @ $30 each. This is all in the good cause of raising funds for our Kia Ora Gaza team! Please come out and support! If you’d like some tickets, just email me: gibranjanif Phone 09 815 0153 And check out this Facebook link for further details. Peace!

Saturday, November 19, 2pm, Cranmer Square, Christchurch

Earthquake Insurance Protest Rally: WeCan are organising a large Christchurch wide event called Show your Colour Crusade. No matter what colour you are, white, red, yellow, grey, orange, green, blue or black (for those not insured and losing everything) we need to unite as a province, as Canterbury. This is an opportunity for Red Zone to be with Green zone, Yellow with blue, White with Orange, black with grey, east to meet west and north to be with south. Make a simple cross and paint it the colour of your land. (we will have crosses painted as well if you need one). If you have not been that affected by your land please come anyway. Whether you are doing fine or not with… EQC, insurance or repairs come to support those who are really struggling!! This is a peaceful crusade asking the Government to provide us with an Independent Advocacy Commission which can mediate on behalf of those battling. Means the elderly have a fair and reasonable chance of getting some way forward. We will have one large cross painted the colours of our lands… to be know as the ‘Cross of Many Colours". If you only come to this and nothing else you will not regret it!! Look forward to seeing you there, kind regards, Rev Mike Coleman.

Saturday, November 19, 9am, Selwyn College, Kohimaramara Rd, Kohimaramara, Auckland

On Saturday 19th November from 9am to 2pm Conservation Volunteers, as part of our Connecting Parks and People programme, will be running a workshop specifically designed to assist groups when carrying out practical conservation activities. The programme’s focus will be on helping groups make sure they have a sound safety management system in place, to ensure they minimise the risk to their participants. We are running the day as we have been approached by a number of community groups who would like some guidance in this area. We have 20 places on the course and we would like to offer it to other community groups that may be interested as well. I am wondering if you would be happy to distribute the attached poster to community groups that may be interested. Many Thanks, Fiona McLaughlin, Volunteer Engagement Officer, Conservation Volunteers New Zealand.
Monday, November 22, 5pm, Cuba Mall, Wellington

Support high-quality public education? Want politicians who stand up for high-quality public education? Well, join us then for a flaming extravagant musical and theatrical protest. Just six days before the general election we’ll be telling politicians of all persuasions and predilections that it is time to speak up for education. And we really want you and your organisation to join us in large numbers. Our rally will be flambastic and flamboyant. Come dressed in fiery tones of red, orange or gold and bring your loudest off-key singing voice. The rally will coincide with our annual TEU conference and we will be bussing every single one of our conference delegates to it, as well as encouraging union members from Weltec, Massey University, Victoria University, Whitireia NZ, the Open Polytechnic, NZCER, Otago Medical School Wellington, and Te Tari Puna Ora to attend. We hope to encourage delegations from local students associations, PPTA and NZEI branches, WEA, kindergartens, early childhood centres, adult and community education organisations, schools and workplace training organisations. Our message will be simple – we need to speak up for public education this election. Oh, and just to be clear, we will be rallying in support of all public education, not just tertiary education – and our speakers and performers will reflect that. Our rally will be short, loud and musical. We would really like each organisation that comes to prepare a song or piece of theatre beforehand to share with the crowd. For instance, TEU’s guitar-bearing National President Sandra Grey is working on an adaptation of Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning and may well also reprise her rewrite of the Fred Dagg classic If It Weren’t For Our Polytechs Where Would We Be? So it is hard not to be keen. What you can do: 1. Let us know you that you want to take part, and what you would like to contribute – songs theatre colour, etc. 2. Share this email with members of your organisation and encourage them to come along – they can sign up to the TEU Facebook event ‘Speak up for Education’ if they want to. 3. Let us know how you will be getting to the event – marching, procession, buses etc. 4. Let us know what support we can offer you to promote this event. I look forward to hearing your excited responses and creative ideas and to seeing you in Cuba Mall on the day. Yours sincerely, Sharn Riggs, TEU National Secretary. Authorised by Sharn Riggs, Tertiary Education Union, 8th Floor, Education House 178-182 Willis St, Wellington 6011.

Tuesday, November 22, Te Whaea, Wellington

LABOUR HISTORY PROJECT RONA BAILEY MEMORIAL LECTURE 2011 – “DANCE IS A WEAPON” Details per legal

Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington.
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"Dare to think for yourself." – Voltaire

"It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust." – Samuel Johnson

"If justice perishes, human life on Earth has lost its meaning." – Immanuel Kant

"Be true to yourself and you cannot be a traitor to any good cause on earth." Eugene Debs

"He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." – Thomas Paine

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

John Minto: It’s time to end racism in immigration policy http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10763404

Amid war threats, December’s Gaza convoy is postponed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1111/S00130/amid-war-threats-decembers-gaza-convoy-is-postponed.htm

Secret deal could harm health for short-term trade gains http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2011/november-2011/09/secret-deal-could-harm-health-for-short-term-trade-gains.aspx

Tapu Misa: National needs an attitude change on job creation http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10764290

Election 2011: Daily issues not highlighted – Spare a thought for ordinary working New Zealanders. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/business/5917949/Election-2011-Daily-issues-not-highlighted

Greens play dangerous game with slippery campaign line http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10764431

Jobless youth a hot issue http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5903448/Jobless-youth-a-hot-issue

Reject Youth Unemployment Coalition Launched http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00075/reject-youth-unemployment-coalition-launched.htm

CTU: VOTE to keep us RICH and you POOR!

Gordon Campbell: On National’s asset sales debacle http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/07/gordon-campbell-on-national%E2%80%99s-asset-sales-debacle/

War in Afghanistan the only major issue dividing party viewpoints http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10764712

MV Rena Response Monitoring & Action Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/281784001846387/?mid=51

Billion dollar bank has no justification to wind down National brand http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1111/S00109/billion-dollar-bank-has-no-justification-to-wind-down-brand.htm

Warning should be given with ERO reports on “National Standards” http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1111/S00023/warning-should-be-given-with-ero-reports-on-standards.htm

Gordon campbell: On the welfare reform proposals http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/11/02/gordon-campbell-on-the-welfare-reform-proposals/

Shock at rheumatic fever cases http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/rheumatic-fever-in-far-north-shocks-bennett-4499523

NZCCSS: ELECTION 2011 – YOUR CHOICE. ake income inequality an election issue by asking questions of parties and candidates about their policies to reduce inequality. Ask them about their personal choice as political candidates – will they support policies that reduce or increase inequality? http://www.closertogether.org.nz/home/election-2011/

Tonnes of radioactive uranium passing through NZ ports http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/5876587/Tonnes-of-radioactive-uranium-passing-through-NZ-ports

CTU calls to release Fiji unionists from detention http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/ctu-calls-release-fiji-unionists-detention/5/106558

Never-say-die Goff has plenty of guts http://www.nzherald.co.nz/election-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503012&objectid=10764104

CTU: Voting, It Decides Stuff

User-pays night schools see student numbers plummet http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/policies/5918071/User-pays-night-schools-see-student-numbers-plummet

Key facts about New Zealand children http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1111/S00183/key-facts-about-new-zealand-children.htm

Environmental Defence Society calls for freeze on King Salmon proposals in Sounds http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00212/eds-calls-for-freeze-on-king-salmon-proposals-in-sounds.htm

NZ ECONOMY

Bernard Hickey argues NZ’s big four banks shouldn’t be making such big and growing profits while our economy and lending growth is so weak http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/56564/opinion-bernard-hickey-argues-nzs-big-four-banks-shouldnt-be-making-such-big-and-growi

Banks must work for us http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10764086

Privatisation – The Real Issues: On 2 November 2011, during the campaign for the General Election on 26 November, CAFCA held a public meeting in Christchurch called "The Real Issues: What are the real issues facing the people of NZ and Christchurch this election?". Speakers were Jeremy Agar, CAFCA Chairperson, on the Productivity Commission; Murray Horton, CAFCA Organiser and Convenor of New Zealand Is Not For Sale Campaign, on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA); Bill Rosenberg, CTU Economist and Policy Director, on Privatisation; and Mike Peters, Addington Action Organiser, on the politics of the earthquake recovery. Here is the presentation on Privatisation [1.04 MB PDF file].

CTU: Unemployment has got even worse http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00076/unemployment-has-got-even-worse.htm

NDU: Unemployment figures a wakeup call http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00094/unemployment-figures-a-wakeup-call.htm

CTU: Labour costings conservative http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00124/labour-costings-conservative.htm

Unemployment for Māori and Pasefika growing unacceptably http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00120/unemployment-for-maori-and-pasefika-growing-unacceptably.htm

New Zealand Trades Away Sovereignty in Secret Negotiations http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00104/new-zealand-trades-away-sovereignty-in-secret-negotiations.htm

Stuff: Higher pay rates but still below average http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/5887254/Higher-pay-rates-but-still-below-average

MANA MOVEMENT

Mana Party ‘for all poor New Zealanders’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10764081

Genocide – Stand Up [Fight Back][Mana Movement] http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8g4ei9ykxu8

‘Resistance starts’ for Mana Party http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/5914850/Resistance-starts-for-Mana-Party?mid=51

Mana Party wants rich to pay their fair share http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2011/90170/mana-party-wants-rich-to-pay-their-fair-share

Mana off with a bang and a song http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5916154/Mana-off-with-a-bang-and-a-song

No ‘sell out’ deals, says Harawira http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10764314

Speech: Sykes – Mana Campaign Launch http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00143/speech-sykes-mana-campaign-launch.htm

John Minto speaks at Mana launch

Annette Sykes speaks at mana launch

Sue Bradford speaks to Mana launch

Misty Hinemoa Harrison speaks at Mana launch

Unemployment up to 6.6%, Maori unemployment at 13.2%: Show us the jobs Mr Key http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00102/show-us-the-jobs-mr-key-mana.htm

Local MP “only good for a cup of tea…” http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00233/local-mp-only-good-for-a-cup-of-tea.htm

Mana Would Give Poor A $1000 Christmas Bonus http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/1000-xmas-bonus-for-the-poor/

Latest job stats expose Nats’ real agenda on welfare http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/latest-job-stats-expose-nats-real-agenda-on-welfare-mana/

Vote Chat – John Minto Part 1 of 4 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

The MANA Song

Third World Disease Rampant In Northland http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00108/third-world-disease-rampant-in-northland.htm

Election 2011: State of Mana Party http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10763960

Te Tai Tonga debate frazzles Katene http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10763026

Mana Calls For All Government Accounts To Be Shifted From Westpac To Kiwibank http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00165/govt-accounts-should-shift-from-westpac-to-kiwibank-mana.htm

Mana Moves To Clarify Industrial Relations Policy http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/mana-moves-to-clarify-industrial-relations-policy/

Envioso – Independent feat. Mistee K

Labour in no hurry over child poverty http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00139/mana-labour-in-no-hurry-over-child-poverty.htm

FEATURES

Noam Chomsky’s Sydney Peace Prize lecture (full text) http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49361

Jesus Christ: revolutionary – In this edited extract from his book The Jewish Revolt Neil Faulkner argues that Jesus was a revolutionary. http://tinyurl.com/3hhcpab

Video: John Pilger Anti-war speech http://vodpod.com/watch/15654166-john-pilger-anti-war-speech?u=dandelionsalad&c=dandelionsalad

The drone mentality http://www.salon.com/2011/11/05/the_drone_mentality/singleton/

CULTURAL DISSENT

A classic read: Studs Lonigan – Book Review by Sarah Ensor http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11825

Interview: ROBIN BLACKBURN – The rise and fall of New World slavery http://www.isreview.org/issues/79/interview-blackburn.shtml

The origin of our species: The origin of our species might seem a question of purely scientific interest, but it is actually also an intensely political one. Stringer gives us a dialectical understanding of our evolution, argues Elaine Graham-Leig http://tinyurl.com/3glp42o

The Prime Minister is a Multimillionaire-Rob Roy

One of the most inspirational speeches in recorded history was given by a comedian by the name of Charlie Chaplin

Review: Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/the-great-dictator/

Review: Eric Hobsbawm: Eric Hobsbawm How to Change the World: Reflections on Marx and Marxism Yale University Press, September 2011. 480 pp. http://lareviewofbooks.org/post/12324496197/the-age-of-revolution

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

The Federal Reserve System, its history and function Part 1 http://critiqueofcrisistheory.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/the-federal-reserve-system-its-history-and-function-part-1/ Part 2 http://critiqueofcrisistheory.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/the-federal-reserve-system-its-history-and-function-part-2/

Trust Me – Witness the wonders of voluntary regulation and self-policing businesses i… http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lg6-Jmsdafo

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

The politics of famine – The United States bears special responsibility for Somalia’s food crisis, writes Lee Wengraf http://www.isreview.org/issues/79/analysis-somalia.shtml

‘Greenwashing’: Consumers beware http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/5917931/Greenwashing-Consumers-beware

AFGHANISATAN

Afghanistan: A failed war of the 1% http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49343

Official Data Shows Night Raids Killed More Than 1,500 Afghan Civilians http://tinyurl.com/dxlvx2t

ARGENTINA

Argentina’s president irks U.S. Pundits – A popular leftist has delivered for the middle class? She must be doing something wrong http://www.salon.com/2011/11/07/argentinas_president_irks_u_s_pundits/

AUSTRALIA

The people versus coal seam gas http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49334

Time to clear up some security clearance doubts http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3617386.html

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL NEWS is a site that discusses issues of relevance to the advancement of Australia’s indigenous First Nations peoples; it is not restricted to Aborigines so please take a look and join in the conversation. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Australian-Aboriginal-News/115964165173644?sk=wall&mid=52000

Drowning tragedy provokes fresh refugee-bashing http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49314

CHILE

Students, workers demand free quality education in Chile – Call for nationalization of copper industry http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/students-workers-demand-free.html

CHINA

Property Prices Collapse in China. Is This a Crash? http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonchang/2011/11/06/property-prices-collapse-in-china-is-this-a-crash/

GREECE

The Greek general strike of 19 and 20 October http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2360

‘Fear of the unknown’ strikes at heart of crippled Greece http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-news/european/fear-of-the-unknown-strikes-at-heart-of-crippled-greece/article2210003/

CUBA

World condemns U.S. blockade on Cuba – Blockade has cost Cuba $975 billion over the years http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/worldwide-condemnation-of-us.html

US premiere of Cuban film on transgender woman – ‘In the Wrong Body’ highlights Cuban progress on LGBT issues http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/us-premiere-of-cuban-film-on.html

IRAN

UK military steps up plans for Iran attack amid fresh nuclear fears http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/02/uk-military-iran-attack-nuclear/print

IRELAND

Freedom Waves to Gaza

LIBYA

Cycle of revenge hangs over Libya’s fragile peace http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/31/us-libya-revenge-newspro-idUSTRE79U38D20111031

Hatred Divides Libya After Gaddafi http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105575

Militias Terrorizing Residents of ‘Loyalist’ Town http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/10/30/libya-militias-terrorizing-residents-loyalist-town

PACIFIC

West Papua: Army starts fresh crackdown on freedom movement http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49184

Fiji: Free jailed trade union leaders http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1155

PALESTINE

BNC to participate in South Africa session of Russell Tribunal on Palestine http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/bnc-participation-rtop-sa-8283#.TrMjyHKDi9I

Wave your flag Palestine – ronaldo, kanoute

Russell Tribunal on Palestine finds Israel guilty of the crimes of Apartheid and Persecution http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/africa/3041-russell-tribunal-on-palestine-finds-israel-guilty-of-the-crimes-of-apartheid-and-persecution?mid=52374

Israel an apartheid regime: Tribunal http://www.presstv.ir/detail/208966.html?mid=52375

PHILIPPINES

Special report: Environmentalists vow to continue Fr. Pops’ mission http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node%2F17423&mid=51

TIMOR

Interview: A Cuban-trained Timorese doctor http://tinyurl.com/3bgk9aq

TUNISIA

What future for Tunisia? Tunisians have participated in the first genuinely free elections for generations. Joseph Daher, co-author of The People Demand: a short history of the Arab revolutions, analyses Tunisia’s new political scene and asks what next for the country. http://tinyurl.com/3zjnwdj

UK
‘Changing the game’: how 30 November can transform the unions http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11814

USA

America’s Tilt to the Top: The Deepest Stats Yet http://inequality.org/tilt-top-deepest-stats/

Dorothy and the Occupiers vs. the Wizard of Ozbama and the Power Behind the Curtain http://www.zcommunications.org/dorothy-and-the-occupiers-vs-the-wizard-of-ozbama-and-the-power-behind-the-curtain-by-paul-street

Video: We Just Made History in Ohio – Ohioans overwhelmingly voted to repeal Senate Bill 5—Gov. John Kasich’s attack on middle-class jobs that was designed to destroy collective bargaining rights in Ohio. We pieced together a short, powerful video summing up the amazing energy that went into this. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch http://act.aflcio.org/c/18/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=6115

Wall Street’s Wars – Fallujah Veteran: ‘I Served The 1%’ By Ross Caputi – It was on their behalf that I helped lay siege to Fallujah, helped kill thousands of civilians, helped displace hundreds of thousands of innocent people, and helped destroy an entire city.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29663.htm

VENEZUELA

Chávez: Presidential Campaign Will Offer Socialist Option to the People http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6606

Indigenous Policy in Venezuela: Between Unity and Pluralism http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6556

Venezuela’s Chavez Nationalises British Company Agroflora, Expropriates over 13,000 Hectares of Commercial Land http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6596

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012

The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

GPJA FORUM WITH NICKY HAGAR
Monday, November 7, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
GPJA Forum: Nicky Hagar on New Zealand’s role in the war in Afghanistan. Investigative journalist and researcher Nicky Hagar will speak about New Zealand’s war in Afghanistan following publication of his acclaimed (by all but a few politicians) book "Other People’s Wars" released in early September. In his book he details the real role of our troops and reconstruction teams in this country’s longest running war and the false and misleading information put out by politicians and our defence force officials. THIS FORUM IS NOT TO BE MISSED.

SOLIDARITY WITH LOCKED OUT MARTON WORKERS http://www.facebook.com/groups/211101752294033/
6pm, Friday, November 4, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Auckland: Friday fundraiser for the locked out Marton Meat Workers: 6pm, Fri Nov 4, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. Music from Lubin Rains (Vietnam War) and Caoimhe Macfehin (Drab Doo Riffs, Heart Attack Alley). Paul Brown, Scottish folk musician$10 donation on the door. All cash raised going to feed the families of the locked out meat workers. Don’t let them get starved back to work. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/friday-fundraiser-for-locked-out-marton.html

2pm, Saturday, March 5, 100 Carmen Rd, Christchurch: Solidarity Picket for the locked-out CMP workers! At 2pm on Saturday 5th November Occupy Christchurch along with unions, workers campaign groups and local solidarity networks will take to the streets to bring some much needed attention to the plight of the 111 locked-out Canterbury Meat Packer workers. On Saturday 5th November, from 2pm ANZCO Foods Australasia & New Zealand Meat Marketing Office on 100 Carmen Rd will be the stage for an act of solidarity and opportunity to gather some much needed funding for those effected. CMP is a subsidiary of the multinational corporation ANZCO which supplies New Zealand meat throughout the World. "For almost 2 weeks the unionised workforce at CMP’s Rangitikei’s lamb plant have been locked out by their bosses. Their crime? Not accepting up to a 30% pay cut and a significant decrease in hours. The 111 workers and their families are now being starved out until they either accept the deal or with the support of the people of Aotearoa beat these disgusting acts of bad faith!" Stated Union Organiser and participant of Occupy Christchurch, Matt Jones. An urgent fund has been set up and money is beginning to pour in – "however with so many mouths to feed there is still a lot to do." Continued Mr Jones. KiwiBank account Name: Disputes Fund. Account number: 38-9007-0894028-08. "International pressure on this group will also be paramount for the future of our brothers and sisters in Rangitikei. Networking and campaigning in solidarity against big business who put profit before people and hold entire communities to ransom is something the Occupy Movement, combined with unions and the various workers rights campaign groups has the potential to smash and put into the history books" Concluded Mr Jones. Occupy Christchurch has been based at South Hagley Park for more than two weeks. In support of the Occupy Wall Street phenomena the group hold open daily general assemblies, weekend ‘free markets’ and have been busy networking with community groups and organisations. More information can be found at www.occupychristchurch.org.nz and face book: occupy christchurch

Making sense at the Marton lockout http://blog.greens.org.nz/2011/11/02/making-sense-at-the-marton-lockout/

Picket line back at meat plant as talks continue http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/picket-line-back-at-meat-plant-as-talks-continue/1150769/

Picketers vent anger at works – But no kill due to lack of inspectors http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5819643/Picketers-vent-anger-at-works

Meat firm accused of pressuring staff http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5827522/Meat-firm-accused-of-pressuring-staff

Meat companies as greedy as banks http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/10/meat-companies-as-greedy-as-banks.html

OCCUPY AOTEAROA

Gordon Campbell On The Occupy Movement http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1110/S00265/gordon-campbell-on-the-occupy-movement.htm

Auckland

Occupy Auckland http://www.occupyauckland.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/OccupyAuck

#occupyauckland police back down

Occupy Auckland – Workshop On Why Are We Here/What’s The Next Step

Christchurch

Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch http://occupychristchurch.org/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/occupychristchurch

Dunedin

Occupy Dunedin Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Dunedin/141220149310691

Six easy ways to help Occupy Dunedin http://occupynz.com/dunedinsolidarity?mid=519

Victory in Dunedin- Time to Occupy the Streets http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/11/victory-in-dunedin-time-to-occupy.html

MANA supports Dunedin Occupiers despite eviction notices and invites John Key to meet protesters http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00037/mana-supports-dunedin-occupiers-invites-key-to-meet.htm

Wellington

Occupied Dominion Post #1 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Occupied_Dominion_Post_Issue_1.pdf

RISE UP AND DECOLONIZE GLOBAL ACTION DAY: BRITTOMART, 5PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18

An action by indigenous peoples and movements and non-indigenous peoples and their movements throughout the colonized world who have always been part of the 99%. We express our solidarity with those peoples who have lived under colonial and continue to live under neo colonial occupations. This rally has been organised to claim space as indigenous peoples and peoples of colour within the Occupy Movement. When we imagine decolonization, we do not make demands of those in power or those who are behind Occupy movements; we create power and frame the alternative.

This event is organised by a coalition of Maori movements who are not part of the organizing body of Occupy New Zealand or of any the Occupy movements around the world. Because this land has endured colonial occupation and domination at the expense of Maori, we cannot promote or endorse the concept of occupation. Our engagement with Occupy movements or attendance at their demonstrations serve the purposes of claiming space for Maori and articulating the movement to decolonize on a local and global scale. We continue to observe brutality in the legacy of capitalism, a system that relied upon the enslavement of African and Caribbean peoples, the genocide and displacement of Indigenous peoples, and the violent seizure of lands for colonial profit. Economic exploitation of labor and resources is only one process of continuing colonization that disproportionately impacts Maori and other indigenous communities and third world peoples.

We envision intersectional and comprehensive social justice that extends beyond limited narratives of class conflict. Struggles for self-determination have been waged for centuries by our ancestors before us, and will continue through the descendants who follow us. In the strength of “making our own power”, we have organized our own international Call to Action titled “Rise & Decolonize! Let’s Get Free” on November 18, 2011 at 5:00 pm. We invite all those who have a genuine willingness to engage and listen to attend our solidarity rally and become an ally in continuing the work of decolonization.

This global action also supports the local and global occupy movements of the world who have bravely put themselves before the might of police states throughout developed first world countries in the pursuit of justice and freedom from capitalist imperialism’s exploitation and control of the worlds wealth and resources in the hands of the elite few, the 1 percent. Nga mihi ki a koutou katoa! We therefore invite you to share this event with us, tena tatou!

OCCUPY WALL STREET

Police Crackdown on Occupy Protestors: Report and Images – By Emir Hodzic in NYC. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1110/S00316/occupy-oakland-wall-st-police-crackdown-on-protestors.htm

David Harvey—The Party of Wall Street Meets its Nemesis http://www.versobooks.com/blogs/777-david-harvey-the-party-of-wall-street-meets-its-nemesis

Noam Chomsky: ‘The Occupy movement is unprecedented’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49270

Occupy Wall Street Gets What the ‘Very Serious People’ Have Missed for 30 Years http://www.alternet.org/economy/152634

Research for the 99% http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/cepr-blog/research-for-the-99

We will we will occupy Wall Street, occupy Wall Street, occupy Wall Street

VIDEO REPORT OCCUPY LA DAY 28 http://www.insightoutnews.org/2011/10/30/video-report-occupy-la-day-28/

David Harvey on the Occupy Wall Street movement http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5662

Catholic social teaching agrees with Wall Street protests http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=28744

Occupy Wall Street Movement-News Analysis-10-28-2011

"Act as if it Were Possible to Build a Future Which Reflects our Dreams" Angela Davis Addresses Protesters http://tinyurl.com/3g5ompw

The Shocking, Graphic Data That Shows Exactly What Motivates the Occupy Movement – The corporate media may obsess about what Occupy Wall Street is all about, but these images should make it clear. http://tinyurl.com/444duog

No More Bubble Gum – Confront the Predators with their Victims By Mike Davis http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29570.htm

SUPPORT AND HELP NEEDED – KIA ORA GAZA AID MISSION

In the wake of the Arab Spring surge for democracy, and the Palestinian bid for UN statehood, a team of four Kiwis is preparing to join an international aid convoy to break the illegal siege of Gaza. Kia Ora Gaza is sending the four volunteers on the historic Viva Palestina 6 aid mission to Gaza this December. The convoy will link up with the Egyptian uprising to open the southern Gaza border crossing and permanently break Israel’s cruel blockade on 1.5 million imprisoned Palestinians. Two of the team, Roger Fowler and his son Hone, took part in last year’s siege-busting Viva Palestina 5 convoy of 150 vehicles, which delivered NZ$7 million of medical supplies to Gaza soon after Israel’s murderous attack on the Mavi Marmara aid ship. Kia Ora Gaza has launched a Gaza Appeal for $50,000 to cover our portion of convoy aid and to get our team to the other side of the world. We urgently need your help and support. How you can support and help: 1) If you can donate thats great – access the Kia Ora Gaza website taliwilliams urgently

3) Do you know of any journalists who would be interested in our story? Please contact taliwilliams or 0212044087 4) Attend our fundraising quiz night in Wellington: Kia Ora Gaza fundraising quiz night. Quiz night with amazing prizes..food..drinks…good times.. plus local musical acts Mt Sterile Assembly and Albert Polaczuk $10 Friday November 4th 7pm – 9pm, Newtown Community Centre, Crnr Rintoul and Colombo Sts, Newtown

PMA: WHITE POPPIES FOR PARIHAKA, ARMISTICE / REMEMBRANCE DAYS

PMA will be sending out a reminder next week with details about white poppy orders for Parihaka Day (Saturday, 5 November) and Armistice / Remembrance Day (Sunday, 11 November) – if you are interested in having white poppies available at your event/s for either or both of these, please keep an eye out for the message next week because this year all orders must be received by Monday, 28 October at the latest as we are involved in out of town seminars and gatherings during the first two weeks of November. If you would like to know more about white poppies and collecting donations for the White Poppy Peace Scholarships, please go to whitepoppies Thank you.

FOUR COMMUNITY ELECTION FORUMS

Unions and community organisations bring you a fun, fast and furious evening of political debate.

West Auckland – 8 November: 7pm, Kelston Community Centre, cnr Great North & Awaroa Rd. MC’d by Jeremy Elwood

Wellington – 9 November: 5.30pm, St John’s on Willis St. MC’d by Ian Harcourt

Auckland Central – 15 November: 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. MC’d by Michele A’Court

Hamilton – 16 November: 7pm, YWCA, 36 Pembroke St. MC’d by Jeremy Elwood

Hosted by some of New Zealand’s favourite funny people. Party spokespeople will have 2 minutes each to answer questions on: Public service cuts; Collective bargaining and a living wage; Early childhood education; ACC; Family carers and paid work; Disabled persons’ issues; Healthy workplaces; Welfare. Brought to you by: the PSA, NZNO, SFWU, First Union, NZEI, Carers NZ, People First Inc Nga Tangata Tuatahi, Working Women’s Resource Centre, Auckland Disability Law, Disabled People’s Assembly, Poverty Action Waikato, ACC Futures Coalition, Beneficiary Advocacy Federation of NZ, and Wellington Council of Social Services. Entry by gold coin koha. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register email election.campaign Visit our Facebook page

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. You’ll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012

The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

WHAT’S ON

Wednesday, November 2 – Saturday November 5, Wellington

The Wellington Latin America Solidarity Committee invites you to join us for: Celebraciòn Día De Los Muertos – Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life

Wednesday 2 November – Saturday 5 November 2011. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an annual festival observed throughout Latin America originating in pre Columbian culture which celebrates life by honouring the dead. It is believed that on this day each year the spirits of the dead return to Earth to reconnect with the living, and re-experience the sensory world. Friends and family honour the deceased by celebrating in cemeteries, homes, and public spaces with food, flowers, music, and prayers. Colourful paper cut-outs called papel picado decorate churches and cemeteries. Fancy dress, especially skeletons and other deathly outfits, is the norm. Ofrenda’s – or altars – often have a photo of the deceased, and are elaborately-decorated with flowers as well as objects, foods and drinks that the dead prized or enjoyed while they lived. It is believed that displaying their favourite things entices their souls to return to take part in the remembrance celebrations. The Latin America Solidarity Committee remembers all the indigenous people of the Zapatista movement in Mexico who have perished in their struggle for freedom, democracy and self-determination and the 50,000 people who have died in the so-called war on drugs across Mexico, many of whom have little to do with the drug trade and have been innocent casualties in the cross-fires. Three events will be held from Wednesday November 2nd to Saturday November 5th as follows: Ofrenda (altar) exhibition at FREDERICK STREET SOUND AND LIGHT EXPLORATION SOCIETY Wednesday Nov 2 – Saturday Nov 5. A traditional ofrenda will be installed and open to the public at 46 Frederick St from Wednesday 2 November to Saturday 5 November to commemorate and honour those who have perished under persecution in Mexico, as well as our own family members and loved ones who have passed. Day of the Dead Parade Saturday Nov 5, 7pm (preparations from 3pm) from 46 Frederick St to Mighty Mighty, Cuba Mall. The public are invited to take part in a Day of the Dead procession from the ofrenda exhibition to Mighty Mighty, where the Day of the Dead Fiesta will take place. 46 Frederick St will be open from 3pm for participants to decorate and paint their faces as skeletons and dress in the traditional style of Day of the Dead as well as enjoy music and food. The public are encouraged to arrive in fancy dress and bring colourful memorabilia of deceased loved ones. The procession will be lead by a Mariachi singer and will depart from 46 Frederick St at 7pm making a stop on Viva Mexico Café on Cuba Street before arriving at Mighty Mighty around 8pm for the renowned Day of the Dead Fiesta! Day of the Dead Fiesta – Fundraiser for La Garrucha Community Project. Saturday Nov 5, from 8pm – late, Mighty Mighty, Cuba St.

This year, Mighty Mighty will host the celebrations: an evening of performances on the theme of life and death, from the sound of urban latin ensemble Café Tango to the mellow Mariachi sounds of Carlos Navae to Gyp-Hop-Ruski-Roots Reggae of Bella Cajon. All this for only $5 on the door, and all proceeds go direct to the Zapatista municipality of La Garrucha in Chiapas.

More info about the Wellington Zapatista Solidarity Group at:www.floweroftheword.wordpress.com

For more information, please contact Grace Leung 021 038 3812 or Larisa Maya lmayaal

Thursday, November 3, 7pm, Freemans Bay Community Centre – Auditorium, 52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland

AUCKLAND’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS. AUCKLAND – THE UNAFFORDABLE CITY. WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL PARTIES DOING TO ADDRESS AUCKLAND’S HOUSING CRISIS? COME TO THIS IMPORTANT ELECTION MEETING! Election meeting to hear the housing policies of the main political parties. Candidates or spokespeople from National, Labour, Green, Maori, ACT, Mana, and NZ First Parties have been invited to give their policies on addressing the lack of affordable, quality housing in the Auckland region, and their overall direction in housing policy. Shortage of supply, the growing crisis of overcrowding, the impact of HNZC reforms on most vulnerable families / individuals, high proportion of Maori & Pacific Island Homeless, poor quality and security of the private rental sector are just some of the many pressing concerns. They will lay out their broad policy and answer a set of questions. Speakers confirmed are: Carmel Sepuloni, MP, Labour’s associate spokesperson on social development and candidate for Waitakere; Paul Hutchinson MP, National, MP for Hunua and Chair, Health Select Committee; Alan Johnson, Green Party spokesperson on housing; Sue Bradford, Mana Party candidate for Waitakere; Kath McCabe, ACT Party candidate for Tauranga; Andrew Williams, NZ First candidate for North Shore; Maori Party – tbc. The meeting will be chaired by Professor Jenny Dixon, Dean of the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries, Auckland University. It has been organised by community organisations involved with Housing Call to Action, a broadbased network of housing and social service organisations working in West Auckland and more recently in South Auckland. We look forward to seeing you there. For further information contact: Sigrid Shayer, Waitakere Community Law Service, Ph 09 835 2130; sigrid

Thursday, November 3, 7.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch

Election Issues: Starts 27 October, All welcome! 5 Thursdays, gold coin donation.

3 Nov: Taxation in focus: What are the Issues? – Prof. Adrian Sawyer, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Canty University

10 Nov: New Zealand is Not For Sale – Murray Horton, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and the NZ is Not For Sale Campaign Working Group

17 Nov: Capital Gains Tax: in the context of NZ inequality – Neville Bennett, retired academic and NBR columnist

24 Nov: Youth Health: The community’s wealth? – Dr Sue Bagshaw, Korowai Youth Well-being Trust

Canterbury WEA, phone 366 0285, email: cwea Web: www.cwea.org.nz

Thursday, November 3 at 9:00pm – November 4 at 2:00am, San Francisco Bath House, Wellington, New Zealand

Meth Drinker, Numbskull, Rogernomix – Kia Ora Gaza Benefit Show! Four New Zealanders, including Wellington personality Tali Williams, are taking humanitarian aid to Occupied Palestine in December. They need to raise $50,000 ASAP. We can help. Come party for freedom with sweet bands at San Fran on November 3rd!

Friday, November 4, 7.15am, Loaves and Fishes, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hill St, Thorndon, Wellington

Election Breakfast on ACC. Speakers start at 7.30am. Cost: $10 (at the door). Chair: David Russell (former CE Consumer NZ). The Politicians Panel (so far): Stephen Whittington (ACT); Kevin Hague (Greens); Chris Hipkins (Labour); Sue Bradford (Mana); Michael Woodhouse (National). Sponsored by the ACC Futures Coalition. Register at http://issues.co.nz/accfutures/Events

Friday, November 4, Newtown Community Centre, Crnr Rintoul and Colombo Sts, Wellington

Kia Ora Fundraiser: Quiz night with amazing prizes…….food…..drinks….good times… plus local musical act Albert Mikolaj. $10 per person at the door or you can book ahead by emailling taliwilliams@kiaoragaza.net

Friday, November 4, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland

‘Operation 8 – Deep in the Forest’ – Documentary exposes police frame-up of Urewera defendants. The Urewera Four – Tame Iti, Rangi Kemara, Emily Bailey, and Urs Signer – are due to stand trial early next year. The prosecution of the four political activists is what remains of police Operation 8, which came to a head in October 2007 when cops stormed homes in a number of cities and laid siege to the Maori town of Ruatoki in the Urewera region. Following these “anti-terrorism” raids, eighteen people were prosecuted under firearms and other charges. Earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled that charges should be dropped against 13 of the defendants. Charges were cranked up against the Urewera Four, however. Media reports say they are accused of being “members of a criminal organisation which planned to commit murder, arson, wounding with intent and other crimes”. Operation 8: Deep in the Forest will screen at this week’s Militant Labour Forum. This 2011 movie documents the police raids, and features coverage of protests against the frame-up and interviews with many of the accused. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd. Militant Labour Forums are held each week. Phone 369-1223 or email milauck To browse and buy Pathfinder Press books and the Militant newspaper, the hall is open one hour before the forum. For viewing at other times, call to make an appointment. On the web: Pathfinder Press books and pamphlets: www.pathfinderpress.com The Militant: www.themilitant.com

Saturday, November 5, 9.30am, WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch

Parihaka Day – 5 November 2011 – Christchurch commemorations: Morning: 9.30am – 1pm, Seminar, cost $10. Phone 366 0285 to enrol. Speakers: Robert Consedine, Ann Parsonson, Don Rowlands with Olive Lawson. Followed by a shared lunch. Afternoon 3-4pm. Venue: St Mary’s Church, Addington Square. Songs, Drama, Poems, Readings and more. Followed by a barbeque. All welcome! Free entry. Enquiries to Don or Olive at 388 6882.

Saturday, November 5, 2pm, QE2 Square, Downtown, Auckland

Auckland rally for justice and peace in Palestine: callout by NZ Palestine Human Rights Campaign. We rally on the first Saturday of every month.

Next rally – 2pm this Saturday, 1 October 2011.
 
QE2 Square
, Customs St and Queen St intersection
 (outside Downtown shopping centre). Come support justice and peace based on: Ending 44 years of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem); Ensuring the right of return for Palestinianrefugees; Sharing Jerusalem; Vacating all settlementcolonies in Israelioccupied Palestine; Dismantling Israel’s annexation/apartheid wallin occupied Palestine.

Monday, November 7, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland

GPJA Forum: Nicky Hagar on New Zealand’s role in the war in Afghanistan. Investigative journalist and researcher Nicky Hagar will speak about New Zealand’s war in Afghanistan following publication of his acclaimed (by all but a few politicians) book "Other People’s Wars" released in early September. In his book he details the real role of our troops and reconstruction teams in this country’s longest running war and the false and misleading information put out by politicians and our defence force officials. THIS FORUM IS NOT TO BE MISSED.

Monday, November 7, 9am-4pm, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Road, Mt Albert, Auckland

Auckland District Council of Social Services invites you to “Cultural Diversity in the Super City”. A day of evaluation. Speakers Dr Paul Spoonley, Dr Camille Nakid, Tony Kake, Chaired by Joris de Bres. RSVP to Angela Maynard: a.maynard by 31st October ph 445 9996

Saturday, November 12, 10am, Waikaraka Cemetery, Onehunga

The annual remembrance gathering of Frederick Evans, 1912 Waihi martyr.

Monday, November 22, 5pm, Cuba Mall, Wellington

Support high-quality public education? Want politicians who stand up for high-quality public education? Well, join us then for a flaming extravagant musical and theatrical protest. Just six days before the general election we’ll be telling politicians of all persuasions and predilections that it is time to speak up for education. And we really want you and your organisation to join us in large numbers. Our rally will be flambastic and flamboyant. Come dressed in fiery tones of red, orange or gold and bring your loudest off-key singing voice. The rally will coincide with our annual TEU conference and we will be bussing every single one of our conference delegates to it, as well as encouraging union members from Weltec, Massey University, Victoria University, Whitireia NZ, the Open Polytechnic, NZCER, Otago Medical School Wellington, and Te Tari Puna Ora to attend. We hope to encourage delegations from local students associations, PPTA and NZEI branches, WEA, kindergartens, early childhood centres, adult and community education organisations, schools and workplace training organisations. Our message will be simple – we need to speak up for public education this election. Oh, and just to be clear, we will be rallying in support of all public education, not just tertiary education – and our speakers and performers will reflect that. Our rally will be short, loud and musical. We would really like each organisation that comes to prepare a song or piece of theatre beforehand to share with the crowd. For instance, TEU’s guitar-bearing National President Sandra Grey is working on an adaptation of Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning and may well also reprise her rewrite of the Fred Dagg classic If It Weren’t For Our Polytechs Where Would We Be? So it is hard not to be keen. What you can do: 1. Let us know you that you want to take part, and what you would like to contribute – songs theatre colour, etc. 2. Share this email with members of your organisation and encourage them to come along – they can sign up to the TEU Facebook event ‘Speak up for Education’ if they want to. 3. Let us know how you will be getting to the event – marching, procession, buses etc. 4. Let us know what support we can offer you to promote this event. I look forward to hearing your excited responses and creative ideas and to seeing you in Cuba Mall on the day.

Yours sincerely, Sharn Riggs, TEU National Secretary. Authorised by Sharn Riggs, Tertiary Education Union, 8th Floor, Education House 178-182 Willis St, Wellington 6011.

Tuesday, November 22, Te Whaea, Wellington

LABOUR HISTORY PROJECT RONA BAILEY MEMORIAL LECTURE 2011 – “DANCE IS A WEAPON” Details per legal

Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington.
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

" Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children. … No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Resistance is feasible even for those who are not heroes by nature, and it is an obligation, I believe, for those who fear the consequences and detest the reality of the attempt to impose American hegemony." – Noam Chomsky

"The problem is not corruption or greed, the problem is the system that pushes you to be corrupt. The solution is not found in the slogan ‘Main Street, not Wall Street,’ but to change the system in which Main Street cannot function without Wall Street." Slavoj Zizek – ‘The Violent Silence of a New Beginning’

“The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that’s the essence of inhumanity”: George Bernard Shaw

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Protest Oil exploration.wmv

Matt McCarten: ‘Courage’ costly for working-class Kiwis http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10762553

Gaza Appeal: your dollars will count as halfway mark passed http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/gaza-appeal-your-dollars-count-as-halfway-mark-passed/

Tali Williams on Kia Ora Gaza http://plainsfm.org.nz/on-demand/woa-taliwilliams-oct2011/

KiwiRail separation concerning – foreshadowing privatisation? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1110/S00924/kiwirail-separation-concerning-foreshadowing-privatisation.htm

Risk of increases in ‘working poor’ from National’s welfare policies http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00025/risk-of-increases-in-working-poor-from-nationals-policies.htm

Welcome to POLICY WATCH, the fortnightly e-newsletter from the NZ Council of Christian Social Services. POLICY WATCH provides a smorgasbord of the latest news, research reports and policy developments relevant to the core of work of NZCCSS. We endeavour to highlight issues that affect our mission "to work for a just and compassionate society in Aoteoroa New Zealand". http://christiansocialservices.blogspot.com/2011/11/policy-watch.html

PSA: What have public services ever done for me?http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00026/what-have-public-services-ever-done-for-me.htm

Bryce Edwards: Left right rhetoric masks almost identical policies http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762987

Almost half of Kiwis just scraping by http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10763134

Work till you drop http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2011/10/work-till-you-drop.html

No to Labour’s plan to raise super age to 67! http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/no-labours-plan-raise-super-age-67/1273/105633

Labour’s raising of retirement age racist, anti-worker and intergenerational theft http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/10/labours-raising-of-retirement-age.html

Survey shows government out of touch with struggling ECE services http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00060/survey-shows-government-out-of-touch-with-struggling-ece.htm

NZ ECONOMY

Campbell Jones: Why we need a Robin Hood tax http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10762305&mid=51595

CTU: Smoke, mirrors and jam jars http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00558/smoke-mirrors-and-jam-jars.htm

Westpac latest bank to hit profit jackpot off the back of customers and staff http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00053/westpac-to-hit-profit-jackpot-off-the-back-of-customers.htm

NZ WORK RIGHTS

Union Movement rallies round locked out workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00008/union-movement-rallies-round-locked-out-workers.htm

Meat companies as greedy as banks http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/10/meat-companies-as-greedy-as-banks.html

Wages rises still well behind inflation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00012/wages-rises-still-well-behind-inflation.htm

MANA MOVEMENT

Mana Presents A Strong Party List http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00004/mana-presents-a-strong-party-list.htm

Mana Rallies In Response To Maketu Call For Help http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00040/mana-rallies-in-response-to-maketu-call-for-help.htm

Goff & Key Ignoring People Do Not Have Enough To Live On http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00042/goff-key-ignoring-people-do-not-have-enough-to-live-on.htm

Mana, Maori divided on asset sales http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762695

Marae Investigates – candidates debate http://tvnz.co.nz/marae/video

Te Tai Tonga debate frazzles Katene http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10763026&mid=5187975

Deabte on Native Affairs http://www.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx?tabid=636&pid=212

Labour Betrays Maori, Again – Hone Harawira http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00003/labour-betrays-maori-again-hone-harawira.htm

Is Paula Bennett on the run? http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/mp/11125156/is-paula-bennett-on-the-run/

John Key’s deceptive justifications for selling off our assets http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00550/john-keys-deceptive-justifications-for-selling-off-assets.htm

Mana Wants Maori To Get Super At 60 Not 65 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1110/S00483/mana-wants-maori-to-get-super-at-60-not-65.htm

Goff and Key squabble while the real issues of poverty are ignored http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00010/goff-and-key-squabble-while-the-real-issues-of-poverty.htm

Hone on multiparty leaders debate http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/multi-party-leaders-debate-part-1-video-4489464/video

Mana: Disability reform essential http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00002/mana-disability-reform-essential-sue-bradford.htm

Key slagging John Minto brings an invitation to the 1% to meet the 99% http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1111/S00001/key-slagging-john-minto-brings-invitation-1-to-meet-99.htm

Hone Harawira leading in Te Tai Tokerau seat http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10762947

Misty Hinemoa Harrison – Mana List Number 5 Misty Hinemoa Harrison – Mana List Number 5

FEATURES

The Arab Revolts Against Neoliberalism http://www.socialistproject.ca/documents/ArabRevolts.php

The “Arab Spring” : Rebirth or Final Throes of Pan-Arabism? http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23302

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

ILO Report Warns Of Sharp Employment Downturn, Social Unrest By Joseph Kishore http://www.countercurrents.org/kishore011110.htm

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

The Food Crisis Strikes Again http://www.cipamericas.org/archives/5606

NAFTA Is Starving Mexico http://www.cipamericas.org/archives/5617

What’s causing the environmental crisis: 7 Billion or 1%? http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5626

Population, consumer sovereignty, and the importance of class http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5643

AFGHANISATAN

"People call it Hell.": U.S. had advance warning of abuse at Afghan prisons, officials say http://goo.gl/0PH8X

AUSTRALIA

Occupy Australia: Plenty to be angry about http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49271

Big CHOGM march launches Occupy Perth http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49264

Tamil refugee’s death throws spotlight on detention system http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49272

Corporate bastardry shows why Qantas should be nationalised http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49283

BOLIVIA

TIPNIS Marchers, Bolivian Voters Send Wake-Up Call to Evo Morales https://nacla.org/blog/2011/10/20/tipnis-marchers-bolivian-voters-send-wake-call-evo-morales

Bolivia: anti-road protesters in dialogue with Evo Morales http://ww4report.com/node/10456

BRAZIL

Landmark Vote in Brazil Upholds Indigenous Rights on Belo Monte http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/3266-landmark-vote-in-brazil-upholds-indigenous-rights-on-belo-monte

The Rubber Tappers of Sao Bernardo, Brazil: Struggling Still in the Memory of Chico Mendes – Photo Essay and Report http://upsidedownworld.org/main/brazil-archives-63/3270-photo-essay-and-article-the-rubber-tappers-of-sao-bernardo-brazil-struggling-still-in-the-memory-of-chico-mendes

CHILE

Chile: Mapuche protest Panqui hydro project http://ww4report.com/node/10454

CHINA

Dreamwork China http://www.dreamworkchina.tv/en/video/dreamwork-china-movie

COLOMBIA

Uncovering the U.S. War in Colombia https://nacla.org/blog/2011/10/17/uncovering-us-war-colombia

When Humanitarian Law Is Just Rhetoric http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/3265-colombia-when-humanitarian-law-is-just-rhetoric

GREECE

VIDEO: Greek general strike October 19-20 (with English subtitles) http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49301

Greece to hold referendum on EU aid package http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/10/20111031181537820315.html

INDONESIA

IRAN

Obama Administration Escalates Confrontation with Iran: Why? http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/weisbrot281011.html by Mark Weisbrot

LIBYA

Western Companies See Prospects for Business in Libya http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/29/world/africa/western-companies-see-libya-as-ripe-at-last-for-business.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

NATO’s war feeds ugly violence http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49296

MEXICO

The Trenches of Mexico: “You Can’t Call the Police on the Army” http://upsidedownworld.org/main/mexico-archives-79/3271-the-trenches-of-mexico-you-cant-call-the-police-on-the-army

PACIFIC

West Papua at Boiling Point: Strike at Freeport Mine http://westpapuamedia.info/2011/10/31/west-papua-at-boiling-point-strike-at-freeport-mine/

Claim union leader arrested in Fiji http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/5878545/Claim-union-leader-arrested-in-Fiji

Occupy Phoenix & ETAN Freeport McMoRan Demonstration Oct. 28th 2011

PAKISTAN

490 years jail sentences in total to six labour leaders of Pakistan http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23303

PALESTINE

The environmental impact of Israel’s military occupation http://links.org.au/node/2574

Top Ten Myths about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Jeremy R. Hammond http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2010/06/17/top-ten-myths-about-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict/

SOUTH AFRICA

What is the Cut Off Date for Inequality? By Mandisi Majavu http://www.sacsis.org.za/site/article/765.1

SYRIA

How Syria works – The military are the executive arm of the security services http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article23287

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

ME RONGO 2011 PEACE CONGRESS INFORMATION, REGISTRATION AND INVITATION 7 TO 21 NOVEMBER 2011, REKOHU (CHATHAM ISLANDS)

This message is to let you know that information about the Me Rongo 2011 Peace Congress – ‘Peace, Sustainability and Respect for the Sacred’ – the registration form and draft programme are now available. Below is the welcome message from the Congress hosts, an outline of the purpose and vision of the Congress, and an invitation for peace to groups to present workshops at it. The document with more information, the registration details, draft programme and contact details for the organisers, is available as a pdf file at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.pdf and as a Word document at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.doc This message is available online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/me-rongo-2011-peace-congress-information-registration-and-invitation/195449993835711