#261 20 Nov 2008 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW IN PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER #261
November 20, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR A POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW IN PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES (Fixed-term)
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Peace and Conflict Studies within the new National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (Division of Humanities) at the University of Otago, New Zealand. This Centre will commence with the appointment of Professor Kevin P Clements as Foundation Director in January 2009. This is a unique opportunity to join the Foundation Director in the strategic development of a distinctive New Zealand theory, research and practice Centre in Peace and Conflict Studies. Its research foci will initially be on the specific development and peacebuilding needs of New Zealand and the South West Pacific, but it will engage wider global challenges to peace and security as well.
Applications are invited from all areas within Peace and Conflict Studies but preference will be given to those with specific research interests in Conflict Analysis and Conflict Transformation; Pre and Post-Conflict Development and Peacebuilding; Religion and Conflict and/or the State and Violence.
Situated on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, Dunedin possesses a unique combination of cultural riches, fine architecture, world-famous wildlife reserves and is recognised for its spectacular scenery. The University of Otago is New Zealand's top-ranked university for research.
Successful candidates should have a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies or in closely related fields in the Social and Behavioural Sciences. The appointment is for a period of two years. Information for applicants is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/cpcsvac2.pdf
Specific enquiries may be directed to Professor Kevin P Clements: tel +64 (0)3 479 8671, fax +64 (0)3 479 5024, email kevin.clements@otago.ac.nz Applications quoting reference number A08/174 close on Friday 23 January 2008.
Application information
With each application you must include an application form, an EEO Information Statement, a covering letter, contact details for three referees and one copy of your full curriculum vitae. For an application form, EEO Information Statement and a full job description go to: www.otago.ac.nz/jobs Alternatively, contact the Human Resources Division, Tel 03 479 8269, Fax 03 479 8279, Email job.applications@otago.ac.nz University of Otago, Te Whare Wananga o Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Equal opportunity in employment is University policy. E tautoko ana Te Whare Wananga o Otago i te kaupapa whakaorite whiwhinga mahi.
2008 ROGER AWARD FINALISTS NAMED
The eight finalists for the 2008 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand are (in alphabetical order): ANZ, BAT (British American Tobacco NZ), Contact Energy, GlaxoSmithKline, Infratil, McDonalds, Rio Tinto Aluminium NZ (nominated under its former, better known, name of Comalco) and Telecom. There is one, self explanatory, finalist for the Accomplice Award – Business New Zealand.
Telecom, the winner of the 2007 Roger Award, is the only transnational corporation (TNC) to have been a finalist every year since the Roger Award started more than a decade ago (although it has only actually won it twice). This year it was nominated for a multitude of sins, ranging from overcharging for mobiles to outsourcing New Zealand jobs to the Philippines.
Infratil is the only one not to have featured before, all the rest have previously been finalists (although none of them have ever won it). This tells you something about these corporate recidivists.
BAT just keeps on finding new and inventive way to sell and promote a product which kills up to 5,000 New Zealanders a year. ANZ was nominated for reasons ranging from profiteering to outsourcing and very specifically for its role in the ING scandal. Contact Energy was nominated for shoving up its power prices while simultaneously increasing its directorsí fees and because of the environmental dangers posed by its Gasbridge proposal in Taranaki. McDonalds and Infratil are there because of their bashing of workers and unions (in the case of Infratil, this specifically involved the lockout of Wellington bus drivers by its NZ Bus subsidiary). GlaxoSmithKline was nominated because of the cockup with its reformulated thyroid drug Eltroxin, which adversely affected a large number of New Zealanders. And Rio Tinto Aluminium NZ (the old Comalco), was nominated for a range of reasons, but primarily for being a corporate bully with its constant threats to pack up and leave if it doesnít get its way (despite being the biggest recipient of corporate welfare in NZ, vis a vis its power price).
We've just had an election but all that establishes is which party gets to administer the economy for the next three years. These guys are the ones who actually own it – and no New Zealanders get a vote for them. So this is a real election, whereby Kiwis get to say which of our owners has had the most negative impact on our country this year.
And the Roger Award is more relevant than ever, with the election of a Government full of throwbacks to the 90sí mantra of ìwhat is good for Big Business is good for New Zealandî. Not only that, we actually have the original Roger back from the political grave and Roger Kerr, Mr Full Speed Ahead To The Past himself, back in favour. Itís dÈj‡ vu all over again!
The criteria for judging are by assessing the transnational (a corporation which is 25% or more foreign-owned) that has the most negative impact in each or all of the following categories:
Economic Dominance - Monopoly, profiteering, tax dodging, cultural imperialism
People - Unemployment, impact on tangata whenua, impact on women, impact on children, abuse of workers/conditions, health and safety of workers and the public
Environment - Environmental damage, abuse of animals
Political interference – Interference in democratic processes, running an ideological crusade
The judges are: Geoff Bertram, from Wellington, a Victoria University economist; Brian Turner, from Christchurch, immediate past President of the Methodist Church and social justice activist; Paul Corliss, from Christchurch, a life member of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union; Cee Payne-Harker, from Dunedin, Industrial Services Manager for the NZ Nursesí Organisation and health issues activist; Christine Dann, from Banks Peninsula, a writer and researcher; and Bryan Gould, from Bay of Plenty, a former Waikato University Vice-Chancellor. The winner(s) will be announced at an Auckland event in March 2009.
The Roger Award is organised by the Christchurch-based groups, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) and GATT Watchdog. Bad luck to all the finalists and may the worst man win!
Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser, CAFCA, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand. cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.cafca.org.nz
PETITION TEXT: MOROCCOíS ADVANCED STATUS MUST EXCLUDE WESTERN SAHARA
We, the signatories of this petition, demand that the European Union do not grant a so-called Advanced Status to Morocco, unless the occupied part of Western Sahara is specifically excluded from the agreement. The EU and Morocco are currently in discussion on deepening their ties through this cooperation but, so far, there has been no mentioning in the reports from the EU-Morocco talks as to what is being done to prevent occupied Western Sahara from being included into the cooperation agreement.
http://www.wsrw.org/index.php?cat=105&art=801
SOLIDARITY WITH TURKISH LEATHER WORKERS
I doubt if many of you regularly buy leather goods sold by Prada, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Nicole Farhi. These are luxury brands, priced too high for ordinary working people like us. But the people who make those products are often low-paid, non-union workers. When those workers stand up and fight for their rights, it's our responsibility to stand with them. Earlier this year, hundreds of workers at the Turkish leather manufacturer DESA -- which produces for all the luxury brands mentioned above -- joined a union. The reaction of the company was fierce: 44 union members were sacked, and 50 more compelled to quit the union. Nevertheless, the workers have stood firm, holding daily protests outside the factory. Local police have been called in to arrest them, and bribes offered to union leaders to call off the demonstrations. Families have been threatened. Workers at DESA need a union urgently. They complain of poverty wages, long hours and terrible health and safety conditions. Please take a moment to send off a message to DESA's customers -- the luxury fashion brands -- telling them that you support the DESA workers in their struggle: http://www.labourstart.org/desa Tell them that a union is right, not a luxury. Thanks - and spread the word! Eric Lee.
WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND
Thursday, November 20, 5-6.30PM, WTO32, AUT
DOUBLE BILLING PACIFIC MEDIA CENTRE SEMINAR:
See Jim Marbrook's Kanaky environment doco in progress and hear Tabs Korauaba on his new newspaper
1. From Lezard to Eye of the Land ? the environment and the nickel mining industry in Kanaky, featuring Jim Marbrook, a television lecturer in AUT University?s School of Communication Studies. Jim recently won a Creative NZ grant. He will talk about the challenges of his PMC documentary research project and show some footage from his documentaries in progress.
2. A tale of two countries: Media freedom in Kiribati and community publishing in NZ: Taberannang Korauaba, a recent BCS (Hons) graduate from AUT and editor of Pacific Community News, will talk about the challenges of media in Kiribati and his latest challenges in launching a new newspaper in Auckland.
Followed by a supper and drinks to mark the progress of the centre?s first year.
Saturday, November 22, 9.00 am - 1.00 pm, Somervell Church Centre, 497 Remuera Rd, (corner Greenlane and Remuera Roads)
Pacific Womenís Watch invites you to a Conference. Honouring the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Promoting Peace and Justice in NZ; Overcoming Discrimination in Media, Health/Education, Community Violence. Keynote Speaker: Rosslyn Noonan, Chief Human Rights Commissioner
Other speakers: Judi Clements, CE Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand; Jane Drumm, Executive Director of Preventing Violence in the Home; Ruth Thomas, School of Communications, Auckland University of Technology
Morning tea will be provided; car parking is available – ALL WELCOME # Registration by 14 November would be appreciated – $20 – Please write cheque to PWW & post to P.O. Box 99464, Newmarket, Auckland 1149. Inquiries: Jane 538 3727 or Christine 278 4373, mobile 0274 394 395 or Shakti 634 5426, 636 8514. 25 November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and White Ribbon Day.
Saturday, November 22, .15am to 5.30pm, All Saints' Lounge, 284 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
'LAW, VIOLENCE AND HUMAN NATURE: A BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL APPROACH' : An Open Day with speakers:
* Father Peter Murnane, Dominican Friar, 'A time to keep laws and a time to disobey them: civil disobedience and civil resistance in the age of private and government terrorism',
* Dr Chris Marshall, Religious Studies Department, Victoria University, 'Biblical perspectives on anger and violence', and
* Dr Nicola Hoggard-Creegan, Laidlaw College, 'A theological critique of the Seville, and UNESCO-adopted, Statement on Violence'.
Registration is $20, includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea. Arranged by the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship - please register by Monday, 17 November, with Chris Barfoot, email barfoots@xtra.co.nz or tel (09) 575 6142. A printable poster for this event is available http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/apf/apf221108.pdf More information about the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/apf
Saturday, November 22, 9am-6pm, Grey Lynn Park, Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn
White Ribbon Stall at Grey Lynn Festival: Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ will be hosting a White Ribbon stall at the Grey Lynn Festival. Come and pick up your white ribbon and take action on behalf of incredibly brave Women Human Rights Defenders. Look out for the red tent with the big white ribbon to sign.
25th November is White Ribbon Day - a day to Stop Violence Against Women. Take action and see events in your area at www.standbyme.org.nz
Tuesday, November 25, 7.30pm, London Bar, 1 Wellesley St, Auckland
Make Some Noise Amnesty International concert: Auckland talent including jazz and blues diva Caitlin Smith perform in support of Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women Campaign. Mark White Ribbon Day by supporting this event and picking up your own white ribbon there. You'll also be able to take action on behalf of incredibly brave Women Human Rights Defenders. Door sales $10
Margaret Taylor, Activism Support Manager, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand. ph: +64-9-303-4519 mob: +64-21-729 373 fax: +64-9-303 4528, Te Piringa, 68 Grafton Road, Auckland, 1010, P O Box 5300, Wellesley St, Auckland, 1141 http://www.amnesty.org.nz
Wednesday, November 26, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
HEAR AFRIDAL DARMI, HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER FROM Aceh Director LBH Aceh (LBH- Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation). Mr Darmi is a graduate from Syah Kuala University, Banda Aceh and Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago. He is an expert on post-conflict reintegration, and community peace-building. He has played a leading role in major peace projects involving local government and local and international NGOs. Mr Darmi was appointed a team leader of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Indonesia Human Rights Committee, PO Box 68-419, Auckland maire@clear.net.nz
Saturday, November 29, 9.30am-4.30pm, Engineering School, 20 Symonds Street
GOING GREEN 2008 - GREEN HOW TO'S FOR EVERYDAY LIVING: Going Green is a day of free interactive seminars by leading environmental experts for green conscious but slightly confused consumers. This event has been organised by The University of Auckland. This free public event is designed to educate and promote green living practises and provide environmental insights for the way we work, play and live. Topics covered include How to Buy Green and How to Renovate Green through to How to Travel Green and How to Have a Green Funeral. For more information and to register visit Going Green also have 28 exhibition spaces (2 sizes) for businesses to purchase. These spaces are available for 'green conscious' businesses who want to reach a cross section of green minded consumers. If you are interested in exhibiting please visit out website and/or contact : Carlee Atkin Ph: (09) 3737599 ext: 89539 Email: conference-sec@auckland.ac.nz
Monday, December 1, 7.30pm, Trades hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
GPJA FORUM – THE POLITICS OF THIRD WORLD MINING. Speakers include:
Maire Leadbeater, human rights activist, will talk about the struggle for self-determination in West Papua and the impact of the Freeport mine operations, December 1st is the day the local people raise the West Papuan flag in defiance of their Indonesian occupiers who have banned the flag raising ceremonies in West Papua.
Joe Hendren, New Zealand trade union activist recently returned from the Philippines and will talk about the struggles for trade union rights among workers in the country. In particular he will look at Oceania Gold Mining in Nueva Vizcaya Philippines. Oceania Gold Mining is an Australian NZ Gold Mining Company, with mines in NZ in Macrae and Reefton. It has members of the board of Directors in Auckland and is financed by the ANZ and the HSBC banks. There is currently a campaign lead by local indigenous communities to close the Mine and they are seeking assistance in doing so from activists here. We plan to discuss this at the meeting. Information and an online petition can be found at: http://www.kalikasan.org/kalikasan-cms-new/
Saturday, DECEMBER 6, 2pm, QEII Square, Customs Street and Queen St intersection, Downtown Shopping Centre
RALLY FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE IN PALESTINE On the First Saturday of Every Month. Come support JUSTICE and PEACE based on:
1. End 41 years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank & Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem) ;
2. Right of Return for Palestinian Refugees.
3. Share Jerusalem.
4. Vacate all settlement colonies in Israeli occupied Palestine.
5. Stop Israel's annexation / apartheid wall in occupied Palestine
www.palestine.org.nz
PALESTINE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN END OF YEAR RALLY AND SOCIAL GATHERING!
The final rally of the year will be FOLLOWED BY @ 3.30 ish A SHARED AFTERNOON TEA / PICNIC at OUTHWAITE PARK & TIME TO DISCUSS 2009 .. & BEYOND Cnr Corner Park and Carlton Gore Roads, Grafton. (Near to Domain and easy access to motorway and buses, has toilets etc see link below)
http://www.wonderwalkers.co.nz/default,619,outhwaite-park-grafton.sm
Saturday, December 6, 9am-5pm, Unitec, Mt Albert
UNVEILING THE VEIL/MUSLIM HEADSCARF: A 1-DAY WORKSHOP. Muslim Expert to conduct 1-day workshop on Muslim Hijab/Headscarf in December. A 1-DAY Workshop has been organised for all those seeking clarity on the ever-confusing and controversial issue of the Muslim headscarf. All those, Muslim and non-Muslim, who would like to understand the philosophy and practice of the hijab/headscarf are invited to come along with their questions, concerns or perspectives - there will be time set aside for questions and answers throughout the workshop.
Please visit the RMDT EVENTS page for more information, and to register now - places are limited. COST: $30 (waged) $20 unwaged. (Further details upon registration). REGISTER: now at www.rmdt.org.nz
Sunday, December 7, 1.30-5pm, Unitec, Mt Albert
INVITATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM CO-OPERATION PLANNING
Co-operation between followers of the world's two largest faiths - Christianity and Islam - has always been held obvious importance for the world. Christians and Muslims, through their largely similar moral and ethical values, are able to pull together an enormous variety of diverse peoples under a single umbrella. It is hoped that such an umbrella unites as many people in New Zealand for projects that benefit our wonderful country, and the world.
An initial stragic planning session held earlier this year by the Council of Christians & Muslims and Rasheed Trust set the original foundation for local practical cooperation. This was attended and facilitated by reknowned workers and academics in the area. A planning session following on from that is now intended to identify and plan towards projects that will benefit our city and country. REGISTER: now at www.rmdt.org.nz
Wednesday December 10 to December 24, Northart Gallery, Norman King Square, Ernie Mays Street, Northcote
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal declaration of Human Rights the Human Rights Commission is presenting an art exhibition Article 27 at the Northart Gallery, Norman King Square (opposite Northcote Library), Ernie Mays Street, Northcote Shopping Centre. The exhibition opening is on Wednesday December 10th, at 6pm and will continue until 24 December. For more information contact Eileen Burton at the Human Rights Commission. Phone 306 2655, email eileenb@hrc.co.nz
Friday, December 12, 7pm, Casa Latina, Latin American Community House, Selwn St, Onehunga
Film: Mission Against Terror – the imprisonment of the "The Cuban 5" for fighting terrorism in the USA
Saturday, December 13, 4-8pm, Fickling Centre(Hillsborough Room – Main Hall), Three Kings, Mt. Roskill
THIS IS A SPECIAL INVITATION TO YOU. December 10 marks the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the UN and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are organizing a workshop on – UN AND UN DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS – 60 YRS. FAILURES AND RESTRUCTURING - NEED FOR MEDIA ACTIVISM. There can be no two words that failure to understand the HR Declaration in the clear perspective has led to the failure over the years. The declaration hinges on the preamble that "if the people are not to REVOLT against the State, the provisions have to be implemented in full".
The ill-conceived Bush doctrine of 'war on terror' has, as correctly pointed out by senior British diplomat, David Gladstone given "legitimacy to criminal groups whose strategy is to terrorize civilians." The long list of failures includes Kurds (in Turkey), Basques (in Spain), Dafur (in Sudan), Congo, Myanmar, Rwanda, Brundi, Eelam (in Sri Lanka)and West Papua (in Indonesia) among others. There are a number of cases in the African Continent. Most of these festered due to accepting post-colonization arbitrary revenue-oriented territorial boundaries as sacrosanct without restoring territorial status ante as at imperial subjugation. These revolts turned wars has had a huge toll of human lives and human suffering where the UN Human Rights Charter was just trampled with impunity - destroyed without remorse.
Ministers, MPs, academics and Human rights activists and organizations are earnestly invited to partake in the workshop and make their submissions in ten minutes. Please hand over At the workshop please give the text of your speech in a CD with your name written so that the proceedings can be published as a book with the title UN and UN Human Rights – New Zealand Declaration 2008. True we are a small country. But we do not lack in expertise. We believe you will give due thought to the seriousness of the purpose and make your valuable contribution. Each affected group like Dafur, West Papua Myanmar,Kurds etc. will be given a table and 2 chairs to exhibit any photographs and/or publications. A representative of these groups can also speak. We look forward to participation of media personnel because Media is the fourth engine of democracy and their activism is vital to the maintenance of a healthy democracy in a world plagued by hatred and conflict. You are advised to let me know before 29 November 2008 tothis e-mail if you are participating so that a working paper and an important document could be posted to your post mail address.
A.Theva Rajan, Secretary - e mail : rajatheva@xtra.co.nz T A G E N Z - TAMILS AGAINST GENOCIDE - 8-115, Blockhouse Bay Road, Avondale, Auckland - 1026, New Zealand.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"If you keep on excusing, you eventually give your blessing to the slave camp, to cowardly force, to organized executioners, to the cynicism of great political monsters; you finally hand over your brothers."- Albert Camus
"The ultimate error is the refusal to look evil in the face". - Rollo May
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
90s Cabinet Gets Key Coat of Varnish
http://election08.scoop.co.nz/90s-cabinet-gets-key-coat-of-varnish/
Economic Crisis – How About A Minister Outside Cabinet!
http://election08.scoop.co.nz/economic-crisis-%e2%80%93-how-about-a-mini...
FEATURES
Lest We Forget: Could the First World War have been stopped? By George Monbiot. Faced, earlier in the century, with the possibilities of peace, the old men of Europe had decided that they would rather kill their children than change their policies.
http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2008/11/11/lest-we-forget/
REVIEW:On Intelligent Design and the Left, Cats, Dogs and Creationism
http://www.counterpunch.org/bricmont11142008.html
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
NAOMI KLEIN: The New Trough - The Wall Street bailout looks a lot like Iraq — a "free-fraud zone" where private contractors cash in on the mess they helped create
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/24012700/the_new_trough
Naomi Klein on the Bailout Profiteers and the Multi-Trillion-Dollar Crime Scene
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/11/17/naomi_klein_on_the_bailout_profit...
AFGHANISTAN
TARIQ ALI: Breaking With Afghan Policy - Obama would be foolish to imagine that Petraeus can work a miracle cure in Afghanistan. The cancer has spread too far and is affecting U.S. troops as well. If the American media chose to interview active-duty soldiers in Afghanistan (on promise of anonymity), they might get a more accurate picture of what is happening inside the U.S. Army there.
http://www.countercurrents.org/ali171108.htm
BOLIVIA
An hour with Bolivian President Evo Morales
http://i1.democracynow.org/2008/11/18/an_hour_with_bolivian_president_ev...
BURMA
A Wanted Man in Burma - Writer Antonio Graceffo has become the target of a disinformation campaign by the ruling junta in Burma for opposing the oppressive regime
http://www.countercurrents.org/hammond151108.htm
CUBA
The Dynamic Debut of Raúl Castro
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/print.html?path=WO0811/S00116.htm
PALESTINE
On the Future of Israel and Palestine By Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé and Frank Barat
http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/17866
Chronic Malnutrition in Gaza Blamed on Israel - Donald Macintyre reveals the contents of an explosive report by the Red Cross on a humanitarian tragedy.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21248.htm
Humanitarian Disaster And News Blackout In Gaza. Israel has imposed a virtual news blackout on the Gaza Strip. For the last ten days no foreign journalists have been able to enter the besieged territory to report on the escalating humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's complete closure of Gaza's borders for the last two weeks
http://www.countercurrents.org/heywood181108.htm
Extrajudicial Assassinations As Official Israeli Policy By Stephen Lendman - Throughout its history, Israel willfully and systematically committed premeditated extrajudicial killings of Palestinians and other Arabs as official state policy - carried out with explicit high-level political, judicial and military authorization and allegedly in "self-defense" against individuals threatening Israeli security. Government officials even admit that certain persons are targeted, and Dan Haluts, former Israeli Army Chief of Staff, once told the Washington Post (in August 2006) that "Targeted killing is the most important method in the fight against 'terrorism.' " In other words, premeditated murder is acceptable as long as it's properly classified
http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman191108.htm
USA
Tariq Ali: Great expectations - The weight of the past, present and future will add drag to Obama's ascent to the White House
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/05/barackobama-uselecti...
The president-elect is not a dove - he is just a much smarter hawk
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/12/comment-obama-white-...
Use Your Illusions BY Slavoj éiûek - Noam Chomsky called for people to vote for Obama ëwithout illusionsí. I fully share Chomskyís doubts about the real consequences of Obamaís victory: from a pragmatic perspective, it is quite possible that Obama will make only some minor improvements, turning out to be ëBush with a human faceí. He will pursue the same basic policies in a more attractive way and thus effectively strengthen the US hegemony, damaged by the catastrophe of the Bush years. There is nonetheless something deeply wrong with this reaction – a key dimension is missing from it
http://www.lrb.co.uk/webonly/14/11/2008/zize01_.html
Schools And Hospitals Should Come First In Any Stimulus Package By Mike Davis - If, after saving kindergartens and county hospitals, we someday hope to ride the fast train, then we need to rebuild the antiwar movement on broader foundations. The president-elect's original proposal for funding domestic social investment through downsizing the empire offers a brilliant starting point for basing economic growth on an economic bill of rights (as advocated by Franklin Roosevelt in 1944) instead of imperial over-reach and Pharaonic levels of military waste
http://www.countercurrents.org/davis191108.htm
VENEZUELA
Venezuela's Transition to Socialism
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/jauch161108.html
VIETNAM
A My Lai a Month By Nick Turse: By the mid-1960s, the Mekong Delta, with its verdant paddies and canal-side hamlets, was the rice bowl of South Vietnam and home to nearly 6 million Vietnamese. It was also one of the most important revolutionary strongholds during the Vietnam War. Despite its military significance, State Department officials were "deeply concerned" about introducing a large number of US troops into the densely populated area, fearing that it would be impossible to limit civilian carnage.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21242.htm