#307

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No. 307, November 12, 2009

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Website: https://gpjanz.wordpress.com/
Contact details:
Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173 jbminto
Newsletter Editor & Website – Mike Treen 0295254744 mike
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JOIN THE CROWD FOR A $15 AN HOUR MINIMUM WAGE
Unite will be targeting some big events in Auckland in addition to the weekly petition stalls on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Give Joe a txt at 029 44 55 702 before each event, become a friend of “Living Wage” on facebook or email joseph to find out the exact meeting place and time:
– The Black Seeds, 13th Nov ‘09, Powerstation, 7pm
– Ry Cooder & Nick Lowe, The Civic, 16th Nov, 8pm
– Dave Dobbyn, Powerstation, 19th & 20th Nov, 6.30pm
– Glen Campbell – The Civic, 20th Nov, 7pm
– The Original Wailers, Powerstation, 21st Nov, 6.30pm
– Grand Finale – Auckland Town Hall, 26th Nov, 8pm
– Grey Lynn Park Festival, 28th of Nov, 9am – 6pm
– Santa ParadeQueen Street, 29th Nov, 2pm
– Auckland Orchestra Birthday, Town Hall, 29th Nov, 5pm
– Christmas Free Concert, Town Hall, 4th Dec , 7.30pm
– Xmas in the Park, Auckland Domain, 12th Dec, 7pm
– Green Day, Vector Arena, 18th and 19th Dec, 6.30pm

Reports on the Unite Living Wage Campaign http://www.unite.org.nz/

GPJA volunteers wanted to staff a stall at Courage Day- see details below – If you’d like to come and help out please call John Minto 8463173 or email john@unite.org.nz
Sunday 15th November – Courage Day. From noon, Mt Albert Community Hall, 773 New North Road, Mount Albert. Door sales $20, advance bookings $18, $15 students. The Auckland Branch of the NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ) Inc welcomes you to an afternoon of Poetry, Prose, Music and Politics. On November 15th, all around the world, PEN Groups remember writers who have been murdered or imprisoned for telling their stories. In NZ this day is called Courage Day, after James and Sarah Courage, who had their books banned and burned. We encourage you to take up your pen and write a letter to help bring about the release of an imprisoned writer. Be creative – write a Poem and bring it along. We’ll put it on the walls. It may even win you a lucky draw prize, or be read out by a professional actor. 1pm – Poetry Open Mike with Sabrina Muck. 2pm –Main programme – Poetry, Prose, Music and Politics. MC – Te Radar. Emerging writers alongside established names. Amnesty Poetry Competition winner will be announced. Tickets in advance $18 from The Women’s Bookshop in Ponsonby, telephone 376 4399. Door sales at the venue $20, Students $15. http://www.authors.org.nz/wawcs0138552/1n-nz-pen-and-freedom-page.html

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Sunday, November 15, 10.30am, Waikaraka cemetery, Auckland
The commemoration of the murder of Fredrick George Evans will be held on Sunday November 15th @ 10.30am @ Waikaraka cemetery. More Information 027 632 8673 or 07 8297882

Sunday, November 15, 12 noon-4.30pm, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall
COURAGE – DAY OF THE IMPRISONED WRITER: The Auckland Branch of the NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ) Inc welcomes you to an afternoon of Poetry, Prose, Music and Politics. On November 15th, all around the world, PEN Groups remember writers who have been murdered or imprisoned for telling their stories. In NZ this day is called Courage Day, after James and Sarah Courage, who had their books banned and burned. You’re invited to join members of the NZSA (PEN NZ) Inc, at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall at 12 Noon to talk with Human Rights Groups and to enjoy live music, food, drinks and books. We encourage you to take up your pen and write a letter to help bring about the release of an imprisoned writer. Be creative – write a Poem and bring it along. We’ll put it on the walls. It may even win you a lucky draw prize, or be read out by a professional actor. Poets are invited to take the stage at 1pm for the Open Mike session with Sabrina Muck. At 2pm the main programme of Poetry, Prose, Music and Politics will begin with Te Radar as Master of Ceremonies. Be ready for excitement and diversity showcasing young new talent alongside the ‘seasoned pros;’ be first to hear about a new Media Network from Amnesty International and be there for the announcement of the Amnesty Poetry Competiton. Tickets are limited, so get yours in advance for $18 from The Women’s Bookshop in Ponsonby, telephone 376 4399. Door sales at the venue, 773 New North Road, Mount Albert will be $20. Students $15. Check out this link to the NZSA (PEN NZ) Inc Freedom Page http://www.authors.org.nz/wawcs0138552/1n-nz-pen-and-freedom-page.html Looking forward to seeing you at the Courage Day Event, Sue Gee, Organiser, Telephone Ak 8363 099,

Monday, November 16, 9.30am, Auckland High Court, Waterloo Quadrant.
PROTEST outside High Court in support of Vince Siemer, and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. Jock Anderson from the NBR was at the High Court yesterday. Here is his story on Vince’s arrrest. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/arrest-made-contempt-case-114740 Vince was released Tuesday. The defended hearing for this ‘contempt of Court’ case (Solicitor-General vs Vince Siemer) will be heard on: Monday 16th November 2009, Auckland High Court, Waterloo Quadrant. . 9.30am – 10am. 10am defended hearing starts. We need that Court room PACKED with those who support – freedom of expression, the public’s right to know decisions made in a public Court, and against misuse of judicial power at the highest levels! You don’t want NZ heading from ‘Nanny State’ – to ‘Nazi State’? PLEASE BE THERE! Please help to spread the word! Email – text – phone…… Cheers! Penny, Ph: (09) 846 9825, 021 211 4 127

Monday, November 16, 7.30pm, The Peace Palace, 22 Emily place, Auckland City
Films At the Peace Place…"The Narrow Path – Walking towards peace and nonviolence with John Dear SJ. John Dear argues convincingly that the Gospel calls us to nonviolence: “Love your enemies” “…all who draw the sword will die by the sword”. He lives this conviction, having been arrested more than 75 times in protests against war and nuclear weapons. In one gaol he served nine months without any outdoor exercise. This film will particularly challenge Christians, but doesn’t let others off the hook either! – 108 minutes. Koha / donation please.

Thursday, November 19, 6pm, Stone Lecture Theatre, faculty of Law, Auckland University
New Zealand Centre for Latin American Studies – Public Lecture: “Indigenous peoples and the State” with with Prof Jose Aylwin, professor of law, Universidad Astral de Chile, co-founder Indigenous Rights Watch, Chile. Drs Nin Thomas and Kathryn Lehman will co-chair this session anddiscussion. -Jose Aylwin: “Reform of the State in Latin AmericanConstitutions – from national to Plurinational State and InterculturalCitizenship”. -Mike Smith: “the Law of Nature and the Nature ofLaw”. -Kingi Sneglar: “Maori and Constitutional Change –Options to Consider”

Friday, December 4, 9.30am -5.00pm,Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae,UNITEC, Entry 3, Carrington Road, Auckland
MAORI AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT–BEYOND THE SUPERCITY Koteheate huarahitika?The Auckland Supercity is Governments proposed model for Local GovernmentinAotearoa. What is our desired future for Maori and Local Government? This huiwill discuss the issues, develop strategic responses to the rollback of Maoriinterests and launch a Declaration of intent towards advancing TinoRangatiratanga in Local Government. Programme highlights: •Situationaloverview from mana whenua; •Keynote address from MoanaJackson;•Political commentary by Matt McCarten; •National Maori Leadersdiscussion; •Declaration launch. Koha.The Auckland Supercity isGovernments proposed model for Local Governmentin Aotearoa. What is our desiredfuture for Maori and Local Government? This hui will discuss the issues,develop strategic responses to the rollback of Maori interests and launch aDeclaration of intent towards advancing Tino Rangatiratanga in LocalGovernment. This hui is coordinated by IHI (Iwi Have Influence) Action Groupwww.ihi.org.nzand is made possible through sponsorship of NgaPaeo teMaramatanga: New Zealand’s Maori Centre of Research Excellence and thesupport of UNITEC.

Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6, Mt Eden Summit Hall,Auckland
We are pleased to inform you that Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand (MANZ) willhold its Founding National Assembly on 5-6 December 2009 (Saturday, Sunday) atthe Mt Eden Summit Hall, Auckland. Working on the theme “Advancing theRights and Welfare of Filipinos and other Migrants in Aotearoa,” around200 participants coming from the various regions in New Zealand will convergein Auckland for this momentous occasion. Sessions on advocacy and education formigrants, drafting of general program of action and election of the first setof national officers will be held in this assembly. Dennis Maga, MigrantWorkers Support Coordinator, National Distribution Union (NDU), 120 Church St.Onehunga, Auckland 1643. Email: dennis.maga@ndu.org.nz Mobile:021971070 Tel. 09 6228355 Ext. 308

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POISON FREE NEW ZEALAND NATIONWIDE PROTEST DAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2 -4PM.
There is public awareness like never before. The Graf’s brothers are doing anamazing job showing their documentary Poisoning Paradise. Brodifacoum has beena focus of media here in the Auckland area since the drops on Rangitoto andMotutapu. Both Taupo and Westland District Councils have banned 1080 useaerially. There is a swell of activity like never before. And now is the timeto act. We must stop poisoning our land, our people, our wildlife and ourenvironment. The appalling activity of aerial dropping of poisons throughoutNew Zealand has been going on for over thirty years, yet pest numbers have NOTdecreased. People have been demanding change throughout this time but theircries have not been heard. This is our best opportunity to unite and fight thisinjustice. Since Poison Free New Zealand was setup, we’ve made a lot ofexcellent progress. We’ve released a single written and performed by newand established kiwi artists, started a “viral” e-mail campaigndistributing some fun animation, organised radio interviews and have theinterest of TVNZ. The documentary (over 2 hours long) is currently screening24/7 at www.ziln.co.nz until our protestrally on the 15th of November. A 20 minute version is currently in the hands ofTV3’s 60 Minutes and should hopefully screen next week. We areencouraging our supporters to send our animation to as many people as they canvia e-mail which can be downloaded from here: http://www.enufisenuf.co.nz/animation.movor viewed on our website. We have managed to unite groups with different goals,ranging from anti-fluoride health organisations to animal rights activist andfriends of the earth for one common cause: the banning of aerial drops. OnSunday, New Zealanders will unite around the country at 16 different towns andcities (from Great Barrier Island to Te Anau) for a syncronised rally, where wewill express our views peacefully, have speakers, media and music. Informationon the rallies is updated daily on our website. (www.enufisenuf.co.nz) The newlyreleased music single “Enuf is Enuf” is also available as a freedownload on our website (which was downloaded almost 200 times in the first 24hours). The website has had more than 1000 unique visitors in the last week.Our next step with the music is to get more airtime on radio stationsnationwide. Work is underway to make this happen including personallypresenting radio stations with copies of the CD. So far, this has resulted inradio interviews in both Auckland (Base FM) and Wellington (Radio Active) priorto our rallies. The song can be downloaded from here http://www.enufisenuf.co.nz/enuf_is_enuf.mp3if you wish to save it to your computer and/or send it to your friends. We havehad an excellent response to our press release (sent to hundreds of mediaorganisations throughout the country) and are following up on these. Furtherpress releases will be sent tomorrow and Friday/Saturday. TVNZ’s showMarae which screens on TV One on Sundays is following our moves and they willbe at the Auckland Rally this coming Sunday. Their focus is on the harm thepoisons do to traditional foods, medicines and water supplies. The next fewdays before the rally are focused on spreading the word further and reaching asmany people as possible. So we really need your help. If you make just oneperson stand up for their rights, we’ve doubled our numbers. We reallyhope you will join us for a united stand. As Bob Marley sang “Get Up,Stand Up, Stand Up For Your Rights”. Spokesperson Paul Cohen: Phone: 09372 3115 or 021 520 065 email: pc@enufisenuf.co.nz Protest RallyCoordinator Thomas Greve: Phone: 09 372 7585 or 021 183 7987 or thomas@enufisenuf.co.nz

C’MON JOHN SIGN ON!
When John Key broke his arm earlier this year, many local and worldleaders signed his blue plaster cast. We need that kind of collaboration now onclimate change, because it’s happening faster and harder than anyoneexpected. In December world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to agree on aplan of action. For NZ to do its bit John Key needs to Sign On to a 40 per centby 2020 emission reduction target. Join the cast of thousands and Sign On! http://www.signon.org.nz/

WHITE POPPY PEACE SCHOLARSHIPS LAUNCHED
Kia ora, this message is to let you know that the White Poppy PeaceScholarships were launched by Professor Cynthia Enloe at her public lecture inWellington on 30 October 2009, see http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pslaunch.htmBelow is information about the Peace Scholarships. This message in full isavailable online at http://www.peacescholar.org.nzAbout the Peace Scholarships: The Peace Scholarships comprisetwo grants which are awarded each year to assist with research into: •theimpacts of militarism, militarisation and warfare; •alternatives tomilitarism, militarisation and warfare; or •collective non-violentresponses to state violence. The Peace Scholarships are for students at anytertiary education institution in Aotearoa New Zealand. Each grant is a minimumof $1,000 – one is for a Maori or Moriori student, and the other is open to anystudent with NZ citizenship or permanent residency. Applications for PeaceScholarships to assist with research during the 2010 academic year will open onMonday, 16 November 2009 – guidelines for applicants and the application formwill be available at http://www.peacescholar.org.nz atthat time.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 22-24, 2010
The Waihopai spybase was dragged into the public spotlight in April 2008 whenthree Ploughshares peace activists penetrated its high security and deflatedone of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. TheAnti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct actionanti-war activity (which is yet to come to trial). The public face of NewZealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence inAfghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, andother American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronicintelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. Itis controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the PrimeMinister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared forroughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians butvegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent,torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20unwaged) 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) anddrive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over thehilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public campat the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.
This will be the first Waihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’courageous 2008 citizens’ deflation action. Waihopai does not operate inthe interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreignspybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopaimust be closed. Register to take part in the protest ($40 waged / $20 unwaged).Writre to: CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-BasesCampaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz http://www.converge.org.nz/abcMake all cheques to ABC

HAMMER THE POKIES: MORE HAMMERS NEEDED!
Thanks for the positive responses to the appeal for people to join thecampaign. We won’t be calling for action in the short term as we need to buildnumbers much higher. This campaign aims to enlist a minimum of 200 hammers(with people attached!) and take civil disobedience action to drive pokiemachines out of our neighbourhood communities. 80% of the cases of gamblingaddiction relate to pokie machines in the community (aside from casinos) Theseare parasites on poverty and predominate in low-income areas of the country.They have to go. If you are prepared to join a crowd (min 200) and take civildisobedience action against pokie machines then please email John Minto jbminto@xtra.co.nz or Phone 8463173.

INVITATION TO JOIN MARCH ON GAZA, JAN/1/2010. GAZA SHALL NOTDIE
Imagine hundreds of thousands of peaceful international and Palestinianmarchers, led by Noam Chomsky, Ralph Nader, Diana Buttu, Norman Finkelstein,Noami Klein, Arun Gandhi, George Galloway, and other prominent opponents of thesiege. Imagine them, approaching the Erez crossing under the eyes of theinternational media, breaking the siege for once and for all. This is the GazaFreedom March! The Gaza Freedom March Campaign plans to take thousands ofinternational marchers to Gaza on Jan. 1, 2010, and challenge once and for allthe Israeli blockade at the Erez crossing. Go with them, or support someoneelse who’s willing to go. Events to raise money to help enable people to go onthe March in Gaza are planned throughout the Fall. This group has many sistergroups, to enable each group to have a local focus for organizing, and to avoidexceeding Facebook’s limit of 5000 for messaging group members. Please join theappropriate campaign group which is best targeted to your locale. All FB groupswill be updated with the latest information. Please invite all your friends tothis or the appropriate other FaceBook group. This Campaign needs the supportof hundreds of thousands around the world! http://gazafreedommarch.org/article.php?id=5063International Movement to Open Rafah Border intmorb@googlemail.com

CALLING ALL NEW ZEALANDERS: JOIN THE NEXT SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TOVENEZUELA! DECEMBER 1-9, 2009
Organised by the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network.Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution led by President Hugo Chavez is shakingup global politics and inspiring millions of ordinary people with the evidencethat a better – a peaceful, democratic and socially just – world ispossible. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network-organised brigades toVenezuela are a unique opportunity to see an unfolding revolution first-hand.The AVSN warmly welcomes the participation of New Zealanders on the brigades.Participants in the December 1-9, 2009, brigade will visit worker-controlledfactories and cooperatives, free public education and health programs, andcommunity media outlets. They will observe “popular power” at workin communal councils, and speak to a range of grassroots organisations, unionsand government representatives about the radical changes being implemented bythe Venezuelan people. Brigade organisation and costs: The deadline forregistering for the December 2009 brigade to Venezuela is October 31, 2009.Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but thebrigade organisers can help with advice. Accommodation, transport and Englishtranslation within Venezuela will be organised for brigade participants. Youwill need to budget for a total cost of approximately $4000. This includes:international return airfare and taxes; accommodation (twin-share basis);transport and food in Venezuela; and the brigade registration fee ($500 forworkers, $300 for full-time students or pensioners). Reports and photos fromprevious AVSN brigades are posted at http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org.For more information, please email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org

27TH SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA
"A better world is possible": The Cuban people have proven that thereis another way. ICAP (the Cuban Institute for Friendship between Peoples)provides, through its Brigades, the opportunity for people from all over theworld to experience and participate in the Cuban revolution.
What does the Brigade entail? Join the Southern Crosswork/study tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working (pickingfruit or pruning fruit trees, etc) and then visiting schools, hospitals, urbanagriculture projects, etc You will experience at first hand the cultural,political and social conditions in revolutionary Cuba. This year we will behaving a closer look at Cuba’s innovative approaches to the environmentand climate change. Children are welcome on this tour as are olderparticipants. Our Cuban hosts take great care of visitors of all ages. The mainfeatures of the Brigade include: * Talks on various aspects of conditions inCuba given by prominent Cuban speakers; * Working with Cubans; * Visits toplaces of interest (eg schools, hospitals, factories); * Opportunities toexplore Havana independently; * Visits to provincial centres;* Homestays andvisit to Las Tunas Province. Unbeatable value – $1000. (Includes: Allmeals, accommodation, excursions and transportation in Cuba during program).Not included: – Air travel to Cuba – get in early to book your flights! (Checkout Aerolineas for cheap flights. There are now also weekly flights withContinental from Los Angeles to Havana.) – Compulsory travel insurance. – Anyadditional nights stay in Cuba prior to commencement of the Brigade orfollowing the conclusion of the program (prior to the flight home). Inexpensiveaccommodation is available – opportunity for independent tourism.Contacts: NZ Paul Maunder (03) 732 4010 email wkcultur@ihug.co.nz; Ina Lawrence (09)303 1755 email inashinaAustralia Robert Cooper – National Coordinator of the 27th Southern CrossBrigade – 0408 624 629, email robert@conceptis.com.au or write toPO Box 6139 Kingston ACT 2604.

JOIN ANTI-BASES CAMPAIGN IN SOLIDARITY WITH WAIHOPAI DOMEBUSTERSTRIAL STARTS MONDAY MARCH 8, WELLINGTON DISTRICT COURT
Monday March 8, 2010 has been set as the opening day for theWellington District Court jury trial of the Waihopai Domebusters – SamLand, Adrian Leason and Peter Murnane, the Ploughshares activists who deflatedone of the domes at the Waihopai spybase in April 2008. The trial has been setdown for a week (and may last several days longer). Anti-Bases Campaign urgesall our members and supporters, and everyone who believes that the Waihopaispybase should be closed, to come to Wellington to show active solidarity withthe Domebusters. It was a Ploughshares action, not an ABC one and we were assurprised by it as the rest of the country, but it was an action that we fullyendorse, the perfect example of non-violent direct action. At this stage wehaven’t worked out the details of what we are going to do in Wellington,but we want to get the word out now, and we will release details as they cometo hand. Activities will, hopefully, include:
•Being spectators at the actual trial, being there in court to support thethree of them
•Holding a picket outside the Wellington District Court for at least partof the trial
•Holding a protest action at the nearby HQ of the NZ GovernmentCommunications Security Bureau (GCSB), the top secret agency which runsWaihopai
•Holding a public meeting in central Wellington one night of the trial todiscuss Waihopai and related issues
These are just some of the ideas that we already have. There are others –we would like to have our excellent Waihopai spybase display in Wellingtonduring the trial, if a venue can be arranged. And there are other worthytargets for pickets, such as the US Embassy. We need help from Wellingtonians.ABC is a Christchurch group and it is difficult to organise a range ofactivities like this from long distance. There are a number of things that canbest be done by locals. And we urge people from all around the country to joinus in Wellington from Monday March 8 to show active solidarity with theDomebusters. What these brave guys did had not only national, butinternational, significance. This trial could, quite literally, be a once in alifetime event. You will have to arrange and finance your own travel andaccommodation. Bring appropriate placards and banners. The trial is, of course,on weekdays and during work hours. And it’s worth noting that courthearings can be subject to delays at short notice. But we are proceeding on thebasis that the trial has been set to start on Monday March 8.
SEE YOU IN WELLINGTON MARCH 8, Murray Horton, Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258,Christchurch, New Zealand. cafca@chch.planet.org.nz http://www.converge.org.nz/abc

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense thatgoes by the name of patriotism -how passionately I hate them!" – AlbertEinstein

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all othersbecause you were born in it." George Bernard Shaw:

"Patriotism … is a superstition artificially created and maintainedthrough a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of hisself-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit."Emma Goldman:

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all othersbecause you were born in it." George Bernard Shaw:

BEST ONTHE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Gordon Campbell: Powers Of Search And Surveillance Does the Search andSurveillance Bill, as the NZ Herald has recently maintained, really give a webof state agencies ‘sweeping powers to spy, bug conversations and hackinto private computers’? http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/11/10/gordon-campbell-powers-of-search-and-surveillance/

Arrest made in contempt case http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/arrest-made-contempt-case-114740

HIGH COURT THROWS OUT SEARCH WARRANTS IN "TERRORIST" RAIDS http://www.kiwisfirst.co.nz/index.asp?PageID=2145845335#high-court-throws-out-search-warrants-in–terrorist–raids

Office told of Cedenco owner’s US inquiry http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/3050881/Office-told-of-Cedenco-owners-US-inquiry

Philippine Solidarity Network of Aotearoa newsletter http://www.converge.org.nz/psna/Kapatiran/KapNo32/Kap32list.htm

Petition – The International Red Cross must have full access to West Papua!http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/international-red-cross-access-to-west-papua.html

Matt McCarten: Mobilising to challenge ‘feudal era’ management http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10607921

FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The Paradox of Wealth: Capitalism and Ecological Destruction John BellamyFoster and Brett Clark http://monthlyreview.org/091101foster-clark.php

We Cannot Fight Climate With Consumerism By George Monbiot http://www.zmag.org/zspace/commentaries/4038

Key oil figures were distorted by US pressure, says whistleblower -Exclusive: Watchdog’s estimates of reserves inflated says top officialhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/09/peak-oil-international-energy-agency

Genetic Engineering For Sure Leads To Unpredictable Results By DevinderSharma http://www.countercurrents.org/sharma051109.htm

VIDEO: The Roots of the World Ecological Crisis by John Bellamy Foster "Wehave no other word but crisis to describe it, really. It’s very different thanthe economic crisis that we are now in, in the sense that even a very, verysevere economic crisis, such as the one that has been present since late 2007 . . . still is, in many ways, a cyclical event. . . . These crises are periodic– it’s part of the nature of capitalism. . . . But what we are talking aboutas the world ecological crisis is another kind of crisis. We are not talking –as some of the contrarians say, as some of the skeptics say – ofsomething that is a cyclical event in earth history. What we are talking aboutis a terminal crisis. What the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change is telling us, what ecologists are telling us, what scientistsin general are telling us is that If we continue on present trends, if wecontinue to follow business as usual, that is follow the present economic path,and the present technological and social path with respect to the environment,then it will be a terminal crisis, in the sense that we will destroy most ofthe species on the planet, human civilization, and ourselves perhaps as well."– John Bellamy Foster http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/foster061109.html

Climate Talks on the Road to Nowhere – The seeds of the current impasse wereplanted in Bali and nourished in subsequent negotiations – by David Spratt: http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=1249

Learning from Cuba’s Footprint – Learning from Cuba’s Footprint by RobynFrancis – This is an edited transcript of Robyn Francis’ Key Notepresentation at the Climate Emergency Conference, Adelaide, October 2008. Thearticle contains a selection of slides from the accompanying visualpresentation. http://permaculture.com.au/central/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150:learning-from-cubas-footprint&catid=64:cape-cuba-aust-permaculture-exchange&Itemid=78

The great global land grab – The global food crisis has prompted variousrich countries to start buying up land in the poorer world to secure their foodsupplies. As well as affecting domestic food supplies in the countriesaffected, Sue Branford says it could be a time bomb for the world’sability to cope with climate change http://www.redpepper.org.uk/The-great-global-land-grab

THE GREAT HIMALAYAN WATERSHED – Agrarian Crisis, Mega-Dams and theEnvironment http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2788

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

U.S. Joblessness May Reach 13 Percent, Rosenberg Says: Rosenberg said therecession, the deepest since the Great Depression, "is truly secular in nature"and said the economy is "in a post-bubble credit collapse." http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHmxIMR1DFq0

Free market flawed, says survey – The fall of the wall looked like acrushing victory for capitalism. Twenty years after the fall of the BerlinWall, a new BBC poll has found widespread dissatisfaction with free-marketcapitalism. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8347409.stm

FEATURES

20 Years of Collapse By SLAVOJ ZIZEK http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/opinion/09zizek.html?_r=2&hp

“First as Tragedy, Then As Farce”: Philosopher and CulturalTheorist Slavoj Žižek Speaks at Cooper Union http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2009/11/6/philosopher_and_cultural_theorist_slavoj_iek_speaks_at_cooper_union_in_new_york_city

REVIEWS

“Israeli Apartheid – A Beginner’s Guide” http://pulsemedia.org/2009/11/07/israeli-apartheid-a-beginners-guide/

The Wire and the world: narrative and metanarrative http://www.ejumpcut.org/currentissue/Wire/

AFGHANISTAN

Why Afghans Oppose the Escalation – Leave Afghanistan to the Afghans ByPATRICK COCKBURN http://www.counterpunch.org/patrick11092009.html

‘These People Just Want To Be Left Alone’ By Real News – Sean Smith spent amonth embedded with the US Army’s 501st Parachute Regiment in June this year.With inadequate vehicles, relations with Afghan security forces at a standstilland the constant threat of IEDs, the soldiers are losing heart for a fight theyfeel their presence is only prolonging. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23925.htm

AUSTRALIA

Breaking the Australian Silence By John Pilger – In a speech at the SydneyOpera House to mark his award of Australia’s human rights prize, the SydneyPeace Prize, John Pilger describes the "unique features" of a political silencein Australia: how it affects the national life of his homeland and the wayAustralians see the world and are manipulated by great power "which speaksthrough an invisible government of propaganda". http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23912.htm

BOLIVIA

International Climate Justice Tribunal Preliminary Hearing, Cochabamba,Bolivia 13th and 14th of October 2009: In the city of Cochabamba in thePlurinational State of Bolivia, on the 13th and 14th of October 2009, theInternational Climate Justice Tribunal held a Preliminary Hearing, receivingwith great respect the initiative of the Bolivian social organisations and theinternational networks. The condemnation of seven cases regarding the impact ofclimate change and the violation of communities’, peoples’ and Mother Earth’srights was heard. http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2009/11/international-climate-justice-tribunal.html

CANADA

Qubcois Denounce Supreme Court Attack on Language Rights http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=735

CUBA

Fidel Castro offers rare glimpse into his personal life – After decades ofsecrecy, Cuban revolutionary figure and former president opens his home tooutsiders http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/09/fidel-castro-cuba

HONDURAS

Why the resistance will boycott the November 29 election; Zelaya on accordhttp://links.org.au/node/1345

Honduras: Deal to restore Zelaya collapses under weight of US-coup regime’sduplicity http://links.org.au/node/1340

PALESTINE

Israeli Jews And The One-State Solution By Ali Abunimah – Does solid IsraeliJewish opposition to a one-state solution mean that a peaceful one-stateoutcome is so unlikely that Palestinians should not pursue it, and shouldinstead focus only on "pragmatic" solutions that would be less fiercelyresisted by Israeli Jews? http://www.countercurrents.org/abunimah111109.htm

A man humiliated http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0d952ee0-cc97-11de-8e30-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

USA

Claim: CIA Sent Prisoners Abroad to Be Boiled Alive and ‘Raped with BrokenBottles’ – Former British ambassador alleges CIA relied on intelligence basedon torture in prisons in Uzbekistan. http://www.alternet.org/story/143769/claim%3A_cia_sent_prisoners_abroad_to_be_boiled_alive_and_%27raped_with_broken_bottles%27

Still Waiting for Health Care By Ralph Nader – The House of Representativesdebate on the health insurance "reform" is over with the Democrats failing thepeople and the Republicans disgracing themselves as having left their mindsback in the third grade (with apologies to third graders). http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23942.htm

VENEZUELA

Colombia-Venezuela: The Threat of Imperialist War Looms in the Americas http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/4922

WEST PAPUA

‘What Did I Do Wrong?’: Papuans in Merauke Face Abuses by Indonesian SpecialForces http://asia-pacific-solidarity.net/southeastasia/indonesia/reports/indonesia0609web_0.pdf

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