#318: GPJA Newsletter
February 10, 2010 Leave a comment
GLOBALPEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No.318, February 9, 2010
If you find this newsletter useful, kindly forward it to your friends andencourage them to join our mailing list by using this this link.
Website: https://gpjanz.wordpress.com/
Contact details:
Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz
Newsletter Editor & Website – Mike Treen 0295254744 mike@unite.org.nz
Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Wellesley St,Auckland.
Subscriptions: To subscribe to this newsletter please use this link. To change your existing subscription details please use this link.
WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND
Wednesday, February, 10, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd,Grey Lynn
STOP THE SUPERCITY! WE WON’T STOP ‘AUCKLAND REGIONAL ROGERNOMIC$’ BYJUST ‘SUBMITTING’ TO IT! BACK UP YOUR ‘SUBMISSION’ WITH ACTION THE POLITICIANSCAN’T IGNORE! THIS MEETING WILL LAUNCH THE AUCKLAND REGIONAL RATE$ REVOLT!Thanks! Penny Bright, Media Spokesperson, Water Pressure Group waterpressure@gmail.com FOR MOREBACKGROUND INFORMATION – CHECK OUT http://www.stopthesupercity.org.nz
Friday, February 12, 5pm, AUT University lecture room – WE240,
Paul G. Buchanan on research and lecture trip to New Zealand speaks on "China,the South Pacific and Southeast Asian geopolitics". International relations andsecurity analyst Dr. Paul G. Buchanan will return to New Zealand on February 11for a month-long research and lecturing tour. Most recently a VisitingAssociate Professor at the National University of Singapore, Dr. Buchanan wasone of New Zealand’s most recognized experts on international affairsprior to his departure overseas on extended research leave in 2007. Thosewishing to contact Dr. Buchanan may reach him at: paulgbuchanan@gmail.com.
Monday, February 22, 7.30pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street,Ponsonby, Auckland.
Public Meeting: The Search and Surveillance Bill: An Attack on Civil Rights.Speakers: Keith Locke Green MP; Barry Wilson, Lawyer, Auckland Council forCivil Liberties. The Search and Surveillance Bill currently before Parliamentis a serious threat to civil liberties in New Zealand. It broadly increases thepowers of the police and other government agencies to monitor, search anddetain individuals for minor and nonexistent infringements. One of the mostworrying concerns is that the Bill undermines the right of silence by allowingthe police to apply for ‘examination orders’ which will forcedefendants to answer questions. This right has traditionally protected allcitizens of free democracies from making forced statements and is a cornerstoneof our fair and free trial proceedings. The Human Rights Commission has raisedconcerns that ‘examination orders’ could be used by police against tradeunionists and political activists accused of minor charges, such as trespass.Events in recent years – such as the questionably legal ‘terrorraids’ of October 2007 and the exposure of Rob Gilchrist, a paid policeinformant employed to infiltrate activist groups, including SAFE, Greenpeace,and the Green Party – clearly show that the curtailment of civil rights is notsimply an abstract issue, but is one than should be taken very seriously.
Tuesday, February 23, 6pm-8pm, upstairs at the Shakespeare, cornerof Albert St & Wyndham St.
Chris Warren from the Australian Media Alliance (See Announcements fordetails)
Wednesday, February 24, 7pm, Kelson Community Centre
HAND’S UP FOR LEARNING: PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S NATIONALSTANDARDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HAND’S UP FOR LEARNING: PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THE GOVERNMENT’SNATIONAL STANDARDS
Why should parents be concerned? With leading educationalistProfessor MartinThrupp.
– Wed Feb 24- Kelston Community centre-7pm
– Wed March 3-Otahuhu Town Hall-7pm
– Wed March 10-Royal Oak Intermediate Hall -7pm
These meetings are open to teachers, principals, Board of Trustees, parents andother interested members of the community. For additional info call Tony Dunnon 09 3606213 or email: tony.dunn@nzei.org.nz
AUSTRALIAN MEDIA UNION LEADER SPEAKS ON CHALLENGES FACING JOURNALISM- AUCKLAND & WELLINGTON
The EPMU and Chris Warren from the Australian Media Alliance are holding twoevents for all journalists this month to launch “The Walkley”magazine as part of the package that will come with EPMU membership for all NZjournalists from this month. The Walkley is Australia’s prestigious journalismmagazine which covers professional and craft issues for journalists, publishedfive times a year: www.walkleys.com Theaim is for the magazine to include at least two articles from a New Zealandperspective. In the February edition Brent Edwards writes about the JournalismMatters campaign and Gael Woods reports on the debate on how name suppressionand contempt of court should apply to bloggers. We hope the magazine will notonly inform journalists here but also provoke a wider debate about the role ofjournalism and how we practice it in New Zealand and Australia. Chris Warrenwill speak at both launch events on “Challenges facingjournalism”:
•Wellington: Monday 22 Feb, 6pm-8pm, venue to be confirmed.
•Auckland: Tuesday 23 Feb, 6pm-8pm, upstairs at the Shakespeare, corner ofAlbert St & Wyndham St. Free drinks on the bar.
I hope you can come. Please also forward this email to other journalists– these events are open to all journalists, not just union members(though membership forms will be available!). A poster is available to put upin workplaces and anywhere else that journalists gather – it’s 3megs so I won’t attach it to this email, but please ask if you could useit. All the best, Simon. ehlarandsimon@clear.net.nz
SAVE ACC MARCH and RALLY Tuesday 16 February, 12pm,Parliament
A march and rally to protest against the Government’s attacks on ACC willtake place at Parliament in Wellington on 16 February. The rally will be heldunder the banner of the ACC Futures Coalition but will aim to attract manyorganisations and individuals from beyond the coalition to express the widestpossible opposition to the assault on ACC.
LIVING WAGE PETITION – Stalls in your area:
AUCKLAND: Contact Joseph – 029 4455702 joseph@unite.org.nz
WELLINGTON: Contact Joel – 027 600 9282 joel.cosgrove@gmail.com TheWellington crew operate their own e loop 15dollarwgtn@googlegroups.comand regular stalls in different areas and events.
WHANGEREI: Contact Vaughan – 021 041 5082 svpl@xtra.co.nz
ROTORUA: Contact Bernie – bernieh@clear.net.nz 07 345 9853
CHRISTCHURCH: Contact Joe – 029 201 3859 joe@unite.org.nz
DUNEDIN: Contact Chris – 027 781 0371 mr_matahaere@hotmail.com
HAMILTON – Contact Jared – 029 494 9863 jared@unite.org.nz
WAIHOPAI DOMEBUSTERS IN COURT
Monday March 8th is the court appearance of Adi Leason, Peter Murnane and SamLand for busting the dome at the Waihopai spybase. A week of activity isplanned from a picket at court on the Monday, a public meeting on the newproposed spy legislation and the annual Roger award presentation also in thesame week. Is anyone from Auckland planning to go down. If so we shouldco-ordinate travel/accommodation. Please call John Minto if you are interested- contact details at start of newsletter. Regards, John M
SOLIDARITY WITH WAIHOPAI DOMEBUSTERS TRIAL STARTS MONDAY MARCH 8,WELLINGTON DISTRICT COURT
the trial of the Waihopai Ploughshares team has been set to begin inWellington on 8 March, 2010. The Wellington Ploughshares Support group hasbegun planning some of the events that will take place before and during thetrial, and this message is to invite you and your organisation to becomeinvolved wherever you are based, you do not need to be in Wellington to supportWaihopai Ploughshares before or during the trial. There are four sections: somebackground information; details of the next planning meeting in Wellington;support for the Waihopai Ploughshares trial; and a copy of the WaihopaiPloughshares statement. This message is available online at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pldec09.htm
We invite you to join all or some of these solidarity activities takingplace in Wellington during this unprecedented trial at the Wellington DistrictCourt in the week starting Monday March 8. If you can help with tasks inWellington such as leaflet distribution before the trial, making placards, etc,etc, please contact: Valerie Morse at red_emma@riseup.net for details of whatneeds doing, where and when.
Murray Horton, Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand.cafca@chch.planet.org.nz http://www.converge.org.nz/abc
A WEEK OF ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE DOMEBUSTERS
Solidarity activities will focus on: the District Court; the headquarters ofthe spy agency, the Government Communications Security Agency (GCSB); and theembassies/high commissions of the four other countries who, with NZ, comprisethe top secret intelligence sharing UKUSA Agreement – the US, UK,Australia and Canada. Plus a public meeting; and a display about the Waihopaispybase. Please join us! Monday March 8 – 8.30 a.m., assemble atCenotaph, then march to District Court (43-49 Ballance St, off Lambton Quay)for a picket. The trial starts at 10 a.m.
– Monday March 8 1-2 p.m. Picket headquarters of GCSB, Freyberg House (enterthrough St Paul’s Square next to National Library, 58 Molesworth St).
– Tuesday March 9 1-2 p.m. picket US Embassy, (29 Fitzherbert Terrace, cornerof Murphy St. Parking on Fitzherbert Terrace; drive into it via Hobson St).
– Wednesday March 10 1- 2 p.m. picket British High Commission (44 Hill St, offMolesworth St)
– Wednesday March 10 – 7 p.m., public meeting, St Johns Church Hall(corner of Willis & Dixon Streets). “Waihopai: The Spybase; The Wars;The Trial”. Speakers: Murray Horton of Anti-Bases Campaign; Moana Cole ofPloughshares; Bryan Law, of Christians Against All Terrorism (Australia).
– Thursday March 11 – 1-2 p.m. picket Australian High Commission (72-76Hobson St).
– Friday March 12 – 1-2 p.m. picket Canadian High Commission (125 TheTerrace; Commission is on Level 11).
March 8-14 inclusive – Anti-Bases Campaign’s display on Waihopaispy base in Wellington City Library, 65 Victoria Street. Other groups are alsoorganising solidarity activities. For a full list, check the Peace MovementAotearoa Website at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pltrial.htm
CLOSE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! SUPPORT THE DOMEBUSTERS!
The Waihopai spybase was dragged into the public spotlight on April30, 2008 when three Ploughshares peace activists, Sam Land, Adrian Leason andPeter Murnane, penetrated its high security and deflated one of the two domesconcealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. The Anti-Bases Campaign washappy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity and is one ofthe groups holding solidarity actions while they are on trial in the WellingtonDistrict Court. We invite you to join us in supporting them.
• Waihopai is New Zealand’s biggest contribution toAmerica’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Waihopai is directly involved in the mass killings of innocentcivilians, including children.
• Waihopai does not operate in the interests of NZ or our neighbours.
• Waihopai is not effectively accountable to Parliament or the people. Itis exempt from key provisions of the Privacy Act and Crimes Act.
• To all intents and purposes, Waihopai is a foreign spybase, working for,and providing raw intelligence directly to, the US.
• Waihopai intercepts and records your international phone calls ande-mail.
• Waihopai is a waste of taxpayers’ money. In the 20+ years since itwas announced, more than $500 million has been spent on the agency which runsit.
How does Waihopai involve us in America’s wars?
The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZmilitary presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significantcontribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, isthe Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the WaihopaiValley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with NZ (includingParliament 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’sGovernment Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of theforeign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (whichshares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligenceagencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satelliteinterception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls,telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on ourAsia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners inthe UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Itstargets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders,including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSBand Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is wagingwars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notoriousworldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is anintegral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that isultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments,not citizens.
Waihopai does not operate in the national interests of New Zealand or ourneighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involvesus in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.
Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch, cafca@chch.planet.org.nzwww.converge.org.nz/abc
THE WESTERN SAHARA SINGER MARIEM HASSAN WILL BE COMING TO NZ TOPARTICIPATE IN WOMAD 12-14 MARCH 2010
Mariem Hassan (Western Sahara): After more than 30 years of performing, MariemHassan is hailed as the true voice of the Western Sahara. Her people areSaharawis, living in exile within Algeria since Spain abandoned the WesternSahara in 1975 and their desert lands were claimed by Morocco. Within theAlgerian refugee camps, women singers are recognised as pillars of strength,humanising the harsh living conditions through their powerful songs of hope.Mariem sings in hassania, the language of her dessert homeland and deemedclosest to classical Arabic. During the 1970s, Mariem joined forces with Matirel Uali Mustafa Sayed (more popularly known as El Uali), touringinternationally with his band until she recorded her first solo album, Deseos,during 2005. In concert, her intense voice sits atop two electric guitars(substituting for the rustic tidinit) and two tebals (ground-drums played bywomen), melding ancient spiritual sounds with whispers of blues, reggae andother current music, driving her music into the 21st century. Different dances,performed by the percussionists, enrich a repertoire based on traditional andspiritual songs. Her solo fame has been further enhanced by a documentary film,Mariem Hassan, The Voice of the Sahara, released in 2008 at the FisaharaFestival. Websites: http://www.myspace.com/saharafree
http://womad.co.nz/womad_index.html
CD FUNDRAISER FOR CLOSE WAIHOPAI CAMPAIGN
$20 – Order from jeffsimmonds.org Musician Jeff Simmonds has produced a30-minute CD with five original songs to help fundraise for the Close Waihopaicampaign. According to GPJA Spokesperson John Minto the CD is remarkable. "Iwasn’t familiar with Jeff Simmonds’s music so played it without knowing what toexpect – I was gobsmacked – it’s brilliant. I haven’t heard a better song – thetitle song – in a long time. Musically, lyrically and vocally – not to mentionpolitically – it’s very impressive. It’s not too much to say it bowled meover!" The CD also includes interview with Adi Leason, Peter Murnane and SamLand who popped the ballon at Waihopai. Their trial starts in Wellington onMarch 8th. Get your copy on-line from http://www.jeffsimmonds.org
TWO ANTI-WAR SONGS
the first, “George and Tony” about the illegal Iraq invasion andthe second, “Letter to Mr Obama” concerns the possible escalationby his administration of the Afghanistan conflict. Have a listen –hopefully the sentiments will resonate ( just got my son to hold up the mike,so quality not wonderful – hoping to do a better job one day, when have somespare cash) , and , if so, please pass this on to anyone who may be interested.If it can be used in any way in the debate concerning Afghanistan etc, I wouldbe more than pleased. http://www.myspace.com/subversifpoet
MAKING THE DECLARATION WORK: THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THERIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
5 February 2010, Kia ora, we are pleased to let you know that we have access toa limited number of copies of the excellent new book ‘Making the DeclarationWork: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ atreduced rates for indigenous and non-governmental organisations (detailsbelow). The publication is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in thedevelopment and the potential of the UN Declaration. This message is availableon-line at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/iwgia09.htm
JUSTICE AND LIBERATION: THE ROAD TO PEACE – FILIPINO PROGRESSIVELEADER TO TOUR NZ LATE 2010 – APPEAL FOR FUNDS
Luis Jalandoni is the International Representative of the National DemocraticFront of the Philippines (NDF), a post that he has held since 1977, and since1994 he has been the Chairperson of the NDF’s Negotiating Panel for peacetalks with the Government of the Philippines. The NDF is the coalition ofseveral underground groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippinesand its New People’s Army, which has been waging a war of liberationthroughout the Philippines for more than 40 years, making it one of the longestrunning armed struggles in the world. The country desperately needs peace withjustice and security, so resolving this people’s war is central to that.Luis will be accompanied by his wife Coni Ledesma, who will also be speaking.She is a member of the NDF Negotiating Panel for peace talks; and is theInternational Spokesperson of MAKIBAKA, a revolutionary women’s groupwhich belongs to the NDF. This is the first time we’ve had two speakerstogether, let alone such high powered ones. We are appealing for funds. PSNAwill underwrite the tour, but we definitely need financial help because we arehosting two people. The amount needed is at least $10,000. Two internationalfares from Europe will be the biggest cost. We will keep their domestic travelcosts as cheap as possible (all accommodation will be in private homes). Pleasemake cheques to PSNA, Box 2450, Christchurch, with a note saying that it is forthe Jalandoni tour. Or, we will supply our bank account details upon request.cafca
DONATING TO HAITI RELIEF
If you want to donate here are a couple of suggestions. Partners In Health is a NGO whichis substituting for a state health system but it’s evident that food andmedicines are the immediate priorities. The Haiti EmergencyRelief Fund is a radical network which supports grassroots activity.
Emergency Earthquake Appeal: Support Cuban-Trained Haitian Doctors – Give yourdonation staying power… with MEDICC and Global Links http://www.medicc.org/ns/index.php?s=19&p=19
Support the Cuban medical brigades in Haiti: A Cuban bank account has nowbeen opened to receive financial contributions to help with the Cuban medicalteams working in Haiti. If you wish to support the Cuban efforts in Haitidirectly then you can do so in the following ways: The preferred method: 1.Make a donation via Cuba SolidarityCampaign. We will collate all donations and forward them in lump sums toCuba to avoid multiple transfer fees (please make cheques payable to ‘CSC’ andwrite Cuban doctors in Haiti) on the back) and send to this address . You can alsodonate by Credit Card at 0208 800 0155. All donations will receiveacknowledgement. 2. You can make a direct bank transfer to the Cuban bankaccount (below) set up to receive donations for the Cuban medical effort inHaiti. Please note that making direct bank transfers to Cuba will involvepaying significant bank and transfer charges and that you may not receiveconfirmation or receipts for your donation.
Title: Terremoto Hait (Haiti Earthquake)
Bank: BICSA
Bank Identification Code (BIC) Cdigo SWIFT del Banco: BIDCCUHH
Account number: 01321010770900
Bank Address: Havana, Cuba
Please note: Payments to Cuba should be made in pounds sterling or euros, NOTUS dollars.
For details of the Cuban efforts in Haiti including video reports see http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/news.asp?ItemID=1768
EYEWITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN NEPAL – NZ SPEAKING TOUR BY BENPETERSON, 21-26 MARCH 2010
Ben Peterson is a young Australian socialist who spent one year in Nepal inclose association with the revolutionary forces who recently overthrewfeudalism and are today confronting capitalism and imperialism. Ben is crossingthe Tasman for a speaking tour of New Zealand from 21-26 March. His visit willbe a great opportunity to learn more about the exciting events in Nepal. Benhas this to say about the struggle: "In 2006, a Peoples’ Movementoverthrew Nepal’s ruling monarchy. They’re fighting to build a newNepal free of poverty, oppression and discrimination by sex, caste or race.When I was in Nepal I met amazing people, peasant farmers, workers, students,youth, and the elderly, all fighting for a democratic future. Everywhere I wentthere was a common desire for something better. Leading the struggle is theUnified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), who built on support earned duringthe Peoples’ War (1996-2006) to win a majority of votes in democraticelections, enabling them to form a revolutionary government. That governmentwas undermined by forces hostile to the Peoples’ Movement. Today, thestruggle continues at all levels of Nepalese society. It’s not over, butthe people of Nepal are experiencing more control over their lands andcommunities. And if this 21st century revolution continues it will impact onthe lives of many more.” To find out more about Ben’s experiences and theNepal Revolution go to Ben’s blog: http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/Activists from the Workers Party and Socialist Worker are organising the tour,with meetings planned in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurchand Dunedin. We’re inviting other interested groups and individuals to supportand promote Ben’s tour. If you would like to help out, contact these regionaland national coordinators: Auckland – Daphna Whitmore, wpnz(at)clear.net.nz.Hamilton – Jared Philips, jared(at)unite.org.nz, 029-4949 863. Rotorua – BernieHornfeck, bernieh(at)clear.net.nz, (07)345 9853. Wellington – Alastair Reith,alastair.reith(at)gmail.com, 027-711 9591. Christchurch – Phil Ferguson,philp.ferguson(at)canterbury.ac.nz, 021-443 948. Dunedin – Andrew Tait,andrewmtait(at)hotmail.com, 027-606 9549. National coordination/publicity -Vaughan Gunson, svpl(at)xtra.co.nz, 021-0415 082. As meeting details arefinalised a full tour itinerary will be circulated. You can join the Facebookgroup: BenPeterson NZ Speaking Tour. More information and links will be posted there.A PDF publicity flyer can be downloaded here.LINKS ON THE NEPAL REVOLUTION: Mike Ely, Eyes on the Maobadi: FourReasons Nepal’s Revolution Matters. Introductory PDF pamphlet – ARevolution at the Brink: Stand with Nepal. More in depth PDF pamphlet – KasamaArticles: On the Maobadi and the Crisis in Nepal.
ROGER AWARD WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED IN WELLINGTON ON THURSDAY, MARCH11
The Roger Award Ceremony – Drinking Liberally presents the annualCAFCA/Gatt Watchdog Roger Award ceremony. The Roger Award is presented eachyear to the worst transnational corporation operating in New Zealand, and thewinner of the 2009 Roger Award will be announced at a ceremony in Wellington onThursday March 11 2010, at the Southern Cross Bar, 39 Abel Smith Street.Speakers include Christine Dann (for the judges) and Murray Horton (CAFCA).Doors open 5.30pm, with some food provided, and presentations will get underway from 6pm. This year’s Roger Award finalists are: ANZ, BNZ, Infratil, Newmont, Rio Tinto Aluminium NZ, Rymans, Telecom, Transpacific and Westpac. For more info: kane.oconnell .
JOIN THE 2010 `MAY DAY’ SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA! APRIL 24 – MAY 2, 2010
Registrations close February 1, 2010. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s brigades to Venezuela are a once-in-a-lifetime experience – the opportunity to see first-hand an unfolding revolution that is not only radically transforming the lives of Venezuelans, but is challenging the greed, exploitation and destructiveness of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible. Join the AVSN’s “May Day” solidarity brigade, to run from April 24 to May 2, 2010, and visit worker-run factories and cooperatives; free, high-quality public health and education programs; Indigenous controlled programs of sustainable economic development and environmental repair; and community controlled TV and radio stations. Observe “popular power” at work in Venezuela’s new communal councils, and speak to a wide range of grassroots organisations, community activists, trade unions and government representatives about the radical changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people. And join tens of thousands of Venezuelans at the May Day rally in the capital city, Caracas, on international workers’ day, May 1. The 2010 May Day brigade is the 10th solidarity tour to Venezuela organised by the AVSN. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness the remarkable Bolivarian revolution. Reports and photos from previous AVSN brigades are posted at http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org. We are also happy to put you in touch with people who have participated in AVSN brigades, if you would like to find out more. Brigade registration and costs
The deadline for registering for the 2010 May Day brigade is February 1, 2010. To obtain a registration form, please email brigades or visit brigades or phone Jim McIlroy 0423 741 734 or Lisa Macdonald 0413 031 108.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places — and there are so many — where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction." Howard Zinn
"The lesson of that history is that you must not despair, that if you are right, and you persist, things will change. The government will try to deceive the people, and the newspapers and television may do the same, but the truth has a way of coming out. The truth has a power greater than a hundred lies. My hope is that you will not be content to be successful in the way our society measures success; that you will not obey the rules, when the rules are unjust; that you will act out the courage that I know is in you." Howard Zinn – Address to Spelman College, 2005
"to engage in whatever nonviolent actions appeal to us. There is no act too small, no act too bold. The history of social change is the history of millions of actions, small and large, coming together at critical points to create a power that governments cannot suppress. We find ourselves today at one of those critical points." – Howard Zinn
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
GPJA Forum with Law Professor Jane Kelsey http://www.facebook.com/l/7b5cd;www.guerillamedia.co.nz/content/professor-jane-kelsey-economy-bogus-mr-news-raw
Union-bashing and the dispute over national standards http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/03/union-bashing-and-the-dispute-over-national-standards/
Reduce inequality if you want to improve education http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/reduce-inequality-if-you-want-improve-education
Unite takes on minimum wage http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/825/42424
Video clips of the CTU ads which will be running on the giant screens at this weekend’s Wellington rugby Sevens are now viewable at www.youtube.com/NZCTU
On why free trade with the US is more Monty Python than Holy Grail http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/08/gordon-campbell-monty-python-fta-holy-grail/#more-656
On the government’s clueless response to unemployment and why Mike Moore shouldn’t go to Washington http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/05/campbell-govts-clueless-response-to-unemployment/
Welcome to the Jobless Recovery – GDP growth without jobs is no recovery at all http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/02/welcome-to-the-jobless-recovery/
Shaping Up To Fight – Will the new White Paper on Defence raise the chances of us getting involved in other peoples’ wars? http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/02/shaping-up-to-fight/
Gordon Campbell on the government’s tolerance of white collar crime http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/01/28/on-government-tolerance-of-white-collar-crime/
PPTA releases position on national standards http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1001/S00043.htm
REVIEWS
AVATAR: Commentary: Omar Hamed, Socialist Aotearoa http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2010/02/avatars-secret-history-lesson-on-our.html
Shadow Elite: How the World’s New Power Brokers Are Upending Our Democracy – Wedel argues in her new book that a group of corrupted elites are destroying the principles that define modern states, free markets and democracy itself. http://www.alternet.org/story/145533/shadow_elite%3A_how_the_world%27s_new_power_brokers_are_upending_our_democracy?page=entire
FEATURES
The Dawn of Civilization: Writing, Urban Life, and Warfare An extraordinary ancient Syrian settlement shines a light on one of the most important moments in human history by Andrew Lawler. Discover Magazine http://discovermagazine.com/2009/dec/03-dawn-of-civilization-writing-urban-life-warfare
Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein and Alice Walker Reflect on the Death of Howard Zinn – Remembering the lifelong dissident and peace activist and historian, who joined many of the struggles for social justice over the past fifty years. http://www.alternet.org/story/145467/noam_chomsky%2C_naomi_klein_and_alice_walker_reflect_on_the_death_of_howard_zinn
A Memory Of Howard By Daniel Ellsberg http://www.countercurrents.org/ellsberg280110.htm
Who Will Build The Ark? By Mike Davis http://www.countercurrents.org/davis290110.htm
FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Behind the lies of climate deniers http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/825/42449
As Sea Level Rises So Does The Level Of Climate Change Denial By AndrewGlikson – Most of all those who criticise the IPCC ignore the fact that, todate, the IPCC reports have UNDERESTIMATED ice melt rates, sea level rise,feedback effects and the proximity of tipping points, not least the loomingrelease of hundreds of GtC as methane from permafrost, lake sediments and bogshttp://www.countercurrents.org/glikson070210.htm
Hugo Blanco: Indigenous ‘struggle for nature’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/814/41855
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Big Banks Are Feeding Like Parasites on the Govt.’s Money – Big bank CEOslike to trumpet free-market ideology, but they depend on the government forsurvival in good times and bad. http://www.alternet.org/story/145511/big_banks_are_feeding_like_parasites_on_the_govt.%27s_money
FHA Defaults Foreshadow A Crush Of Foreclosures By Dina ElBoghdady and DanKeating – February 02, 2010 "Washington Post" — The share of borrowers who arefalling seriously behind on loans backed by the Federal Housing Administrationjumped by more than a third in the past year, foreshadowing a crush offoreclosures that could further buffet an agency vital to the housing market’srecovery. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24579.htm
AFGHANISTAN
Disturbing Report Uncovers Torture, Indiscriminate Killing of AfghanCivilians Under Obama http://www.alternet.org/story/145505/disturbing_report_uncovers_torture%2C_indiscriminate_killing_of_afghan_civilians_under_obama
AUSTRALIA
On February 13, 2010 there will be a national day of action against the NTIntervention and for Aboriginal rights. http://stoptheintervention.org/
Indigenous walk-off spokesperson: ‘We need to take the powerback’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/825/42450
Pressure on living standards growing during ‘recovery’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/825/42421
BRAZIL
The United States Misreads Brazil’s World Policy by Immanuel Wallerstein http://www.agenceglobal.com/Article.asp?Id=2248
CUBA
‘Race is still an issue in Cuba’ By Patricia Grogg Al Jazeera http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/01/2010131132412579646.html
Interview with Mariela Castro Espn on the Future of Sex and Socialism inCuba http://www.gaycuba.ca/mariela_interview/
HAITI
Restore democracy — let Aristide return http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/825/42419
Our role in Haiti’s plight – If we are serious about assisting thisdevastated land we must stop trying to control and exploit it by Peter Hallwardhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/13/our-role-in-haitis-plight
Securing Disaster in Haiti by Peter Hallward http://www.haitianalysis.com/2010/1/22/securing-disaster-in-haiti
What we can learn from the US Occupation of Haiti? http://canuckmediamonitor.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=341&st=0&gopid=483&#entry483
The corporate vultures circle http://links.org.au/node/1497
HONDURAS
The resistance is in the streets http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/825/42412
INDIA
India’s Agriculture Minister Fiddles, While The Country Faces The Heat OnFood Prices By Devinder Sharma http://www.countercurrents.org/sharma300110.htm
INDONESIA
MAX LANE: New posts on Indonesian developments
http://maxlaneonline.com/2010/02/08/indonesia-book-bannings-spur-struggle-for-political-liberty/
JAPAN
Thousands in Tokyo Protest Against US Troops in Japan: On Saturday, laborunionists, pacifists, environmentalists and students marched through centralTokyo, yelling slogans and calling for an end to the U.S. troop presence. http://snipurl.com/u8k9j
MOROCCO
Morocco: The sorry state of freedom http://en.afrik.com/article16894.html
NEPAL
Here is the youtube version of the revolutionary struggle in Nepal,
NIGERIA
A Nation In Custody http://www.swans.com/library/art16/femia29.html
PACIFIC
Tributes to Tongan philosopher and educator Futa Helu on Pacific Scoop:Tongan philosopher Futa Helu dies, leaving Pacific-wide legacy http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/tongan-philosopher-futa-helu-dies-leaving-pacific-wide-legacy/Futa Helu: An extraordinary vision and independent thinker http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/futa-helu-an-extraordinary-vision-and-independent-thinker/
Fiji: Radio Australia Debate – Professor Crosby Walsh and Nik Naidu– earlier on this week – http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201002/s2806249.htm(audio)
Fiji: Nik naidu (Coaltion for Democracy in Fiji) Radio NZ Checkpoint http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint
West papua: Protests for vote despite violence http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/825/42434
PAKISTAN
America€™s Silent War In Pakistan Unmasked By Abdus SattarGhazali – The killing of the three US soldiers was a deep embarrassment to theUS client Pakistani government of President Asaf Ali Zardari. The Pakistanipublic has been increasingly upset about the alleged activities of the USmilitary and Blackwater (Xe) in their country http://www.countercurrents.org/ghzazli060210.htm
The Other Face Of ISI By Zafar Iqbal http://www.countercurrents.org/iqbal280110.htm
PALESTINE
Prof. Francis Boyle: Israel Is Committing Genocide in Gaza Jan. 27–“Whatwe’re seeing in Gaza now, is pretty much slow-motion genocide against the 1.5million Palestinians who live in Gaza…. If you read the 1948 GenocideConvention, it clearly says that one instance of genocide is the deliberateinfliction of conditions… http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00026.htm
Rogue State: Israeli Violations of U.N. Security Council Resolutions http://dissidentvoice.org/2010/01/rogue-state-israeli-violations-of-u-n-security-council-resolutions/
Arab Politicians Face Tide Of Persecution In Israel By Jonathan Cook http://www.countercurrents.org/cook030210.htm
Israeli Occupation Supportive Companies http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman030210.htm
Israel Stole $2bn From Palestinian Workers By Jonathan Cook – Over the pastfour decades Israel has defrauded Palestinians working inside Israel of morethan $2 billion by deducting from their salaries contributions for welfarebenefits to which they were never entitled, Israeli economists have revealed http://www.countercurrents.org/cook040210.htm
Why Does The US Turn A Blind Eye To Israeli Bulldozers? By Robert Fisk -Both the United States and Europe now stand idly by while the Israeligovernment effectively destroys any hope of a Palestinian state; even as youread these words, Israel’s bulldozers and demolition orders are destroying thelast chance of peace; not only in the symbolic centre of Jerusalem itself but -strategically, far more important – in 60 per cent of the vast, biblical landsof the occupied West Bank, in that largest sector in which Jews now outnumberMuslims two to one http://www.countercurrents.org/fisk310110.htm
Q&A: ”Hamas Accepts Existence of Israel Within 1967 Borders”: We havealready stated repeatedly that we accept the existence of Israel within the1967 borders as a political reality even if we do not approve its morallegitimacy. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24538.htm
Israeli Confessions: If one wants to know why and how the conflict startedin Palestine more than 60 years ago, the "confessions" of Israeli and Zionistleaders should make it very clear
PHILIPPINES
Kin of 43 health workers go to SC – NILA, Philippines—Relatives andcolleagues of 43 people, including two doctors, a nurse and a midwife, are setto file petitions for writs of amparo and of habeas corpus before the SupremeCourt on Monday for what they called illegal arrests of the health workers by ajoint team of the military and police in Morong, Rizal.
‘Morong 43′ Cry Torture; Satur Denounces ‘Grandslam Dayfor Impunity’ http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/02/09/morong-43-cry-torture-satur-denounces-grandslam-day-for-impunity/
CONTINUING HARASSMENT AND DEATH THREATS TO UCCP PASTORS BERLIN GUERRERO ANDRODEL CANJA http://groups.yahoo.com/group/philippines_solidarity/attachments/folder/263558371/item/list
TIMOR LESTE
Timor-Leste: Food Import Deal Must Be Made Public The terms of acontroversial business deal to import Chinese fruit and vegetables intoTimor-Leste should be made public given its potential to disadvantage localfarmers, former Minister for Agriculture and Prime Minister Estanislau da Silvasaid … http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1002/S00134.htm
UK
Blair the British Neo-con By Alan Hart – Though the Chilcot Inquiry isconcerned only with Iraq – how Blair’s government made the decision to go towar and what lessons should be learned – Blair could not resist beating thedrum for war on Iran. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24559.htm
Plan to oust Saddam drawn up two years before the invasion By Michael Savage- The document, headed "confidential UK/US eyes", was finalised on 11 June 2001and approved by ministers. It has not been published by the Iraq inquiry but acopy has been obtained by The Independent and can be revealed for the firsttime today. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24553.htm
USA
What’s Next for the Anti-War Movement? The War and Empire Landscape inObama’s 2nd Year http://www.alternet.org/story/145412/what%27s_next_for_the_anti-war_movement_the_war_and_empire_landscape_in_obama%27s_2nd_year?page=entire
Americans Are Learning Medicine the Cuban Way – The Bay Area is a hub fornew doctors who want to practice family medicine and help the poor, yet had toleave the country to learn how to do it. http://www.alternet.org/story/145523/americans_are_learning_medicine_the_cuban_way_?page=entire
The unruly U.S. "backyard" – Eric Toussaint, president of the Committee forthe Abolition of Third World Debt, looks at the Obama administration’scontinuation of policies in Latin America that are designed to ensure U.S.dominance. http://socialistworker.org/2010/02/04/the-unruly-us-backyard
Card Check: Labor’s Charlie Brown Moment? Robert Fitch http://newpolitics.mayfirst.org/fromthearchives?nid=178
Why Are Americans Passive as Millions Lose Their Homes, Jobs, Families andthe American Dream? http://www.alternet.org/story/145481/why_are_americans_passive_as_millions_lose_their_homes%2C_jobs%2C_families_and_the_american_dream?page=entire
The Corporate Takeover of U.S. Democracy By Noam Chomsky – Now corporatemanagers can in effect buy elections directly, bypassing more complex indirectmeans. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24588.htm
Study: Hunger in America Jumps ‘Unprecedented’ 46 Percent By Daniel Tencer -The study, Hunger in America 2010, found that 37 million people, or roughly onein eight US residents, received food aid in 2009. That’s a 46 percent jump froma similar survey carried out in 2006. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24581.htm
"Shock, Horror, Drama" That You Won’t Read In The New York Times By YvonneRidley in New York – Possibly the most wronged woman in the entire War onTerror had just revealed how she was held in secret prisons, with no legalrepresentation, cut off from the outside world since 2003 where brutalinterrogation techniques were used to break her down. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24566.htm
Would You Work the Graveyard Shift at a Chicken Slaughterhouse in Alabama?By Bill Berkowitz – "Have you ever wondered why poultry plant workers don’thang their plastic smocks outside on a line to dry after a shift spent coveredin chicken juice and meat?" Gabriel Thompson asked in a recent e-mail. "Theanswer: red ants." http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24549.htm
This Corruption in Washington is Smothering America’s Future By Johann Harihttp://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24533.htm
VENEZUELA
Chavez’s Socialist Worker Militias Swell to 150,000 in Venezuela http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/61004
The challenges facing 21st century socialism in Venezuela http://links.org.au/node/1496
184 Communes Currently in Formation in Venezuela http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/5123
Announcing Venezuela’s first and only english language newspaper http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/correo-del-orinoco
US Intelligence Report Classifies Venezuela as “Anti-US Leader”By Eva Golinger http://www.chavezcode.com/
Venezuela’s Chavez Calls for Calm after Violent Pro-RCTV Protests http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/pearson030210.html
Truth over delusion: Hugo Chavez did not accuse the U.S. of causing theHaitian earthquake http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/5117
More than 100,000 March in Support of Chavez in Venezuela http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/5120
Alberto Muller Rojas on Bureacracy in the PSUV http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/5116
Fifth International?! by Michael Albert – Znet http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/5098
—
If you do not want to receive any more newsletters please use this link
GPJA's Blog 