#351: Zero tolerance for racism – sack Paul Henry
October 9, 2010 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No. 351, OCTOBER 9, 2010
A few people were a little surprised when GPJA and Unite Union called for Paul Henry to be sacked. What about “free speech”? What about his rights as a “worker”? The many media links we have included this week should make clear that neither situation applies here. Firstly Paul Henry is a very wealthy contract presenter not a “worker” lacking rights. He uses his position to legitimise racism and bigotry. At the end of the food chain that means discrimination and violence directed against the weakest and most vulnerable in our community. Any boss or bigot can use Paul Henry to defend their “right” to inflict bullying and offensive behaviour in a workplace or when they are simply buying petrol to use one of the occasions Paul Henry boasted of abusing a migrant worker. He is also paid for by taxpayers dollars and we all have a right to say “enough” – that unlike TVNZ we don’t think he speaks for us.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
2010 ROGER AWARD NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON OCTOBER 31ST
Nominations for the 2010 Roger Award are still open for the rest of this month. The nomination form with details of the criteria and how to make a nomination is available in Word or PDF format. Nominations close on 31 October 2010. Send your nominations to: The Roger Award, Box 2258, Christchurch, or to this e-mail address. cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
REBEL PRESS WARMLY INVITES YOU TO A BOOK LAUNCH OCTOBER 15, WELLINGTON
The day the raids came: Stories of survival and resistance to the state terror raids. 6pm, Thistle Hall (upstairs), 293 Cuba Street, Wellington. Music, food and readings. On October 15th, 2007 an estimated 300 police raided houses all over Aotearoa New Zealand and arrested people based on warrants issued under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Lives were turned upside down as the police searched for evidence of ‘terrorism.’ This book is a collection of oral history interviews of people affected by those raids and the aftermath: defendants, friends, family, supporters and other people subject to the state’s coercive powers on that day. The case is the first ever attempted use of the Terrorism Suppression Act, a piece of legislation enacted in response to the 9/11 events in New York and Washington DC. The terrorism charges were not brought, but the people arrested continue to face a long journey to freedom as the state seeks to punish political activists and to reinforce the status quo. For more information, please contact info@rebelpress.org.nz
STAND UP FOR YOUR WORK RIGHTS
On 20 October 2010 thousands of workers all around New Zealand are standing up for fairness at work and protesting at the proposed employment law changes that the Government is pushing through Parliament. While there isn’t a union meeting happening in your town that day, here’s three things you can do to be part of the day of action.
- Join a stopwork meeting in your area.
- Discuss fairness at work on 20 October at smoko break, and why your work rights are important to you
- Sign some postcards to the Prime Minister: call Member Support Centre on 0800 438 638 to have some sent out to you
- Send in a photo of your workmates taking action or making your lunchroom a Fairness at Work zone on 20 October to www.fairness.org.nz
WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND
Sunday, October 10, 2pm, 136 Dominion Rd, Auckland
LOS INVITAMOS A LA JORNADA DE APOYO A LA REIVINDICACION MAPUCHE // DAY OF SUPPORT FOR THE MAPUCHE. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147636738610990#!/group.php?gid=111802392214336
A day in support of mapuche will be happening sunday october 10 on a , different activities including football solidarity macht, painting of a mural, live music and any cultural manifestation that any one is free to share to show support for the MAPUCHE cause! Any idea or contribution would be really apretiated… Hope to see u all there!!
Sunday, October 10, 4pm, Academy Theatre, Lorne St, City
GREEN FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS THIS SUNDAY 10/10/10 at 4pm. Just a reminder to book your tickets for the first of our festival movies “Taking Root: The Vision Of Wangari Maathai”, which screens this Sunday at Auckland’s Academy Cinema (Box Office 373 2761). Synopsis: Planting trees for fuel, shade, and food is not something that anyone would imagine as the first step toward winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet with that simple act Wangari Maathai, a woman born in rural Kenya, started down the path that reclaimed her country’s land from 100 years of deforestation, provided new sources of food and income to rural communities, gave previously impoverished and powerless women a vital political role in their country, and ultimately helped to bring down Kenya’s twenty-four-year dictatorship.
(from http://takingrootfilm.com) Trailer: http://takingrootfilm.com/trailer.htm
Hope to see you there, or at any of the other great green documentaries you can enjoy at the Academy this October. PS: Sunday’s screening also represents Kaipatiki Project’s action for the 10/10/10 Global Climate Working Bee – www.350.org
Monday, October 11, 7pm, Edmund Rice Office, 123 Manukau, Road, Epsom
For those interested in hearing more about how fairtrade makes a tangible difference to majority world communities come and check out Will Padilla from CooprAgri in Costa Rica.
Will is 31 yrs old and has been involved with the Co-op for many years along with other family members. Will is in charge of Fairtrade Operations for the co-operative and has first-hand contact with the farmers through projects the cooperative is implementing. These projects include Producer support, Nursery/Crop enhancement, housing projects, forest and river conservation projects, health funds, education funds, supermarkets.
Will is in New Zealand to present to the Fair Trade Supporters conference and has kindly agreed to also present to an Auckland audience. So come along, get to see how your consumer choices are making a difference in the majority world. Together lets make Auckland a Fair Trade Supercity to ensure that community’s in the majority world have a fair go at getting themselves out of poverty. Further Information Email: secretary@erjustice.org.nz
Monday, October 11, 7.30pm, Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City
Films at The Peace Place: The King of Hearts (starring Alan Bates and Genevieve Bujold; directed by Philippe de Broca). A marvelous satire of the absurdity of war. In World War I, a village that the Germans are about to destroy is abandoned by all except one British soldier and the escaped inhabitants of the local insane asylum. By the end it is clear that what we usually call “sane” (the war) is not sane at all, while perhaps the “insane,” who treat each other with kindness and love, have got it right after all. Like Shakespeare’s wise fools, they possess a greater understanding of life than those who are supposedly sane. The ending is priceless. The director of King of Hearts, Philippe de Broca, had been an army newsreel cameraman in Algeria. Finding the real world simply too ugly, he switched to comedy. This film became a cult classic during the Vietnam war. Admission: by Koha / donation
Tuesday, October 12, 7pm, Engineering Lecture Theatre 1439, Auckland University
The Amnesty on Campus Annual Human Rights Debate – This year the Amnesty on Campus Annual Debate takes on the moot: “”Does the current government do enough to promote human rights?” For the Affirmative: Paul Rishworth – Dean of the Faculty of Law; Katherine Sanders – Public Law Expert; Max Harris – President of the Debating Society. And for the Negating side: John Minto – Renowned Human Rights Activist; Mohsen al Attar – International Trade, Development, and Globalisation legal Expert; Barry Coates – Executive Director of Oxfam. Come along for an evening of insightful discussion of this issue. Entry by gold coin or koha – All proceeds to Amnesty Aotearoa.
Thursday, October 14, 7pm, Fale, Samoa House, 283 Karangahape Road, Auckland City
Kia orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula, Aloha, Talofa lava and Warm pacific greetings. Thank you for signing the petition to ‘Protect Our Pacific’ from climate change. Our campaign to make the NZ government take responsibility for the effects NZ emissions are having on the Pacific is going well. You can help us. Thursday, October 14th, we are holding a fundraiser to raise money for the campaign. We are lucky enough to have Te Ariki Vaine Dance Group performing, entry is free and aiga friendly. Details are below.
Protect Our Pacific Fundraiser
Come along and show your support whilst being entertained by Te Ariki Vaine Dance Group. Korero from Barry Coates (Head of Oxfam NZ) and Metiria Turei (Co-leader of the Green Party Aotearoa). Entry is free and donations will be greatly appreciated to the koha bucket. Aiga friendly so bring the whole family! We need one last push to get more signatures before I take the petition to Wellington and present it to Parliament in November. Email me if you can help out gathering signatures. Email Luana.
A big meitaki maata to Oxfam, Project Survival Pacific and the Green Party of Aotearoa and all the voulnteers who have been gathering signatures on this petition and encouraging their own communities to take action on climate change.
Watch Pelenise Alofa speaking on why we as Pacific Peoples need to speak up on climate change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRtgEJD8PGw
Saturday, October 16, 2.30pm, Lynfield Room, Fickling Centre, 546 Mt Albert Rd, 3 Kings.
Migrant Workers Network Seminar: The Employment law Changes – What do they mean for migrants? Speaker: Robert Reid, General Secretary of the National Distribution Union. Comments: Ariel Guanlao, Migrante Aotearoa; Ghurbej Chhabra, Migrant Workers Network; Anu Kaloti, Shaeed Baghat Singh Charitable Trust.
Monday, October 18, 5am, TVNZ building, 100 Victoria St, City
BLOCKADE THE BIGOT- SACK PAUL HENRY – A blockade has been called on TVNZ for 5am on Monday October 18th, calling for the sacking of Paul Henry, following his comments that the Prime Minister should pick a Governor General who “looks more like a New Zealander”. Joe Carolan, union Organiser and immigrant to New Zealand said – “Paul Henry is a racist. His large salary is paid for by us, the working taxpayers. We are many different races and cultures. Public Sector broadcasting should have zero tolerance for racism. Management at TVNZ have refused to deal with Henry’s behaviour, encouraging him to go further with each new provocative insult. We’re sick of him. Join us on the blockade. Suspension is not good enough- It’s time for TVNZ to sack Paul Henry.”
Wednesday, October 27, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, University of Auckland
2010 Bruce Jesson Lecture Annette Sykes Ngäti Pikiao Lawyer and Activist. “The Politics of the Brown Table”. A self-annointed Iwi Leaders Group, a Maori Party that supports a National/ACT government, and a group of Crown mandated intermediaries drawn from retired politicians and bureaucrats, are today’s agents for the manufacturing of consent and the management of discontent amongst Maori. The commercial deals on Treelords, the Emissions Trading Scheme, geothermal resources, national parks, private prisons, mining, whanau ora are all harnessing Moari to a global capitalism that impoverishes the mass of working class Maori and making them dependent on its survival. Most whanau and hapu are excluded from decision-making and denied the rights over their resources just as they always have been. Bruce Jesson foresaw these trends back in the 1980s. This lecture challenges this agenda and identifies the basic principles for a politics that genuinely empowers the people. Professor Margaret Mutu, chairperson of Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngäti Kahu, will be the discussant on the lecture.
Saturday, October 30, QEII Square 10.30am. March to Albert Park by 12.00 Noon
NZEI Auckland Area Council invites members of all Auckland unions to our Rally and March Saturday 30th October.
This is to celebrating the successes of our world class education system. A family fun day with a strong message.
Thursday, November 4, 9am-5pm, Conference Room 1 – Copthorne Hotel Auckland City 196 – 200 Quay Street
Globalisation and Labour in the Pacific: Re-evaluating the 1890 Maritime Strike. Organised by the Auckland Labour History Group and the Labour History Project in association with the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History and NZWALMI. Papers will be presented on the 1890 strike, its broader political and historical impact, the nature of Pacific Rim connections in the labour market and between labour organisations, lessons for contemporary labour relations in the maritime industry in the Pacific, and the impact of globalisation generally in Pacific Rim labour relations. Attendance: All welcome. Fee: $40 includes lunch and refreshments. All registrations to Ann Williamson at nzwalmi@aut.ac.nz Information subject to change
Monday, November 8, 6.30pm, Lecture Theatre B28, (Beneath library, Alfred St), Auckland University
Is peace in the Middle East possible? Hear the surprising answer from award-winning speaker Anna Baltzer, former Fulbright scholar, Columbia University graduate, author, grand-daughter of Holocaust refugees, and recent guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Baltzer will present eyewitness reports on the conflict & the exciting nonviolence movement for peace. She will be signing copies of her acclaimed book, Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories. CHAIR: Dr. NICHOLAS ROWE. Senior Lecturer Dance Studies and author of ‘Raising Dust: a Cultural History of Dance in Palestine’. KOHA requested. Hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestine Human Rights Campaign & Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom www.palestine.org.nz Raised with a traditional view on the issue, Baltzer’s perspective changed when she moved to the West Bank to work with nonviolent Palestinians and Israelis. Baltzer’s courageous voice for coexistence and insistence on honest reporting has led to more than 200 television appearances and lectures at more than 500 universities, churches, synagogues, mosques, think tanks, and other policy institutes around the world. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Research Journalism Institute, Grassroots Jerusalem, and The Council for the National Interest.
Tuesday, November 9, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
NZ Speaking Tour By Filipino Progressive Leaders. WHY SHOULD NEW ZEALANDERS BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE TALKS AND WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PHILIPPINES? Two senior international representatives of the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) Mr Luis Jalandoni and Ms Coni Ledesma will be in Aotearoa this November hosted by local Solidarity organisations to speak under the theme “Justice and Liberation: The Road to Peace in the Philippines.” Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS) will hold public meetings to draw the attention of New Zealanders to one of Asia’s most vibrant people’s movements. The speaking tour will be an opportunity for New Zealanders to critically view the ties that bind the Philippines and NZ.
Wednesday, November 10, 9am-12pm, Maori Strudies, Auckland University
Women’s Forum with Connie Ledesma (RSVP to Maori Studies)
Friday, November 12, 7pm, Civic Building, Strata 17, Civic Building, Mayoral Drive
Solidarity Dinner for Justice and Peace in the Philippines: Tickets $30 (Dinner, entertainment cash bar). Contact: Luke Coxon (09) 8276059, 028 25803203 luke_coxon@yahoo.com
Sunday, November 21, 9.30am – 4pm, AUT Wellesley Street Conference Centre
Refugee Stories Symposium: This Symposium will consist of a day of testimonies about various aspects of the refugee experience, presented by former refugees who are now resident in New Zealand. REGISTRATION: Early bird Registration (by 1 October 2010) $75.00. Standard registration (after 1 October) $90.00. How to register and further information at www.aut.ac.nz/cre The day will also include a keynote speaker and cultural items. For all enquiries contact AUT Centre for Refugee Education Ph administration 921 9367 | refugeecentre@aut.ac.nz
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Unelected Maori board ‘outrageous and unfair’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678632
Anti-Abortion Case Reflects Political Apathy – The long-running anti-abortion case that returns to the Court of Appeal in Wellington on Tuesday is a sad indictment of a Parliament unwilling to protect New Zealand women’s reproductive rights, the president of the Abortion Law Reform Association, Dame Margaret …http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1010/S00016.htm
Matt McCarten: Yes minister, even Kiwis from Struggle St can count http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10677749
Signing completes Wai 718 negotiations http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1010/S00034.htm
Nine years too long – ‘Three days short of the ninth anniversary war against the people of Afghanistan, members of Peace Action Wellington will hold a picket outside of the Supreme Court. The court will be hearing my appeal against conviction for offensive behaviour for …
http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1010/S00025.htm
Kevin Hague blog post on the experience rating proposals by ACC. “What really disturbed me was the huge increase in the number of people being shifted from weekly compensation onto welfare benefits since March 2009.” http://blog.greens.org.nz/2010/10/04/have-your-say-on-john-key%e2%80%99s-plans-to-undermine-acc/
Crown to sue Waihopai base saboteurs http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678562
NZ intelligence activities revealed in banned book http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678720
Censored US memoir poses questions about NZ forces http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1010/S00072.htm
Trade Me takes a step in the right direction to protect kwila http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1010/S00058/trade-me-takes-a-step-to-protect-kwila.htm
Union seeks increase in early childhood education funding http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/union-seeks-increase-early-childhood-education-funding-131227
ERO Report Confirms High Quality Support, Not National Standards, needed to Address Maori Under-Achievement http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1010/S00015/ero-report-confirms-high-quality-support-needed.htm
Waiariki faces loss of jobs, students http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/waiariki-faces-loss-of-jobs-students/3925374/
Joyce says we need more students, but he won’t be paying http://tinyurl.com/2g97e2v
PAUL HENRY CASE
Protesters demand presenter’s scalp http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678459
Protestors call for Paul Henry’s dismissal http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/41881.html
Suspended Henry delivers tirade http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678469
Reader video: Paul Henry protest http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_objectid=10678469&gallery_id=114314
NZPA photos of protesters http://www.nzpaimages.co.nz/events.php?event_id=11025
Audrey Young: Why Key has been woeful on Paul Henry http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678452
Henry Suspension a Joke – Fiji Club Of New Zealand: http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1010/S00046.htm
Henry apology for G-G race comments (includes useful timeline graphic of Henry’s antics) http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4194441/Henry-causes-a-stir-again
Labour associate Ethnic Affairs spokesperson Dr Ashraf Choudhary says TVNZ Breakfast host Paul Henry lives in colonial times. http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1010/S00051.htm
Paul Henry suspended http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4197611/Henry-on-air-apology-I-was-wrong
Paul Henry on Governor-General – ‘Is he even a Nzer?’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_cid=1&gallery_id=114287
Key’s handling of remarks ‘gutless’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678454 Racist slurs sanctioned by ratings quest http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678366
Henry: ‘I will not apologise for causing outrage’ http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/41864.html
CEO has ‘no intention of sacking Paul Henry’ http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/veteran-protestors-call-henry-s-head-3819619
Host’s cereal offending must prompt TVNZ rethink – Green Party http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1010/S00094.htm
Leaked: TVNZ Paul Henry email http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678740
Paul Henry’s Breakfast shockers: He may have gone one step too far this time, but controversy is nothing new to Paul Henry. Here’s the TV presenter at his most offensive. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_objectid=10678740&gallery_id=114354
Socialist Aotearoa- David Josling http://www.facebook.com/notes/joe-carolan/paul-henry-racist-hack-show-him-the-door-give-him-the-sack/482513075228
Humour- Toi Iti’s Half Caste broadcast- http://www.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx?tabid=75&pid=7603&epid=5005
Stewart Lee- Political Correctness- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGAOCVwLrXo
Otago Daily Times- http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/130033/calls-henry-be-sacked
Radio Live marcus Lush interview with anti racist protester- http://shar.es/0eQGZ
NZ Herald- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678231
Rajen Prasad: Democracy means equal status for all citizens http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678855
He’s had breakfast – now put him out to pasture http://www.indianweekender.co.nz/Pages/ArticleDetails/51/1583/Comment/Hes-had-breakfast-now-put-him-out-to-pasture
NZ WORK RIGHTS
Unions- $15ph not 15% GST- strike. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2010/09/15ph-not-15-gst-strike.html
John Minto: Jackson’s Hobbit fantasy http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/blogs/frontline/4174212/Jacksons-Hobbit-fantasy
The Mouth of Sauron? Attorney-General, Chris Finlayson, has very unwisely stepped from the sidelines of the dispute between Sir Peter Jackson and NZ Actors Equity to voice his support for the legal claims of Hollywood’s Dark Lords. http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2010/09/mouths-of-sauron.html
IHC firms put under statutory management http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10678270
Disability care sector desperately needs more government funding http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1010/S00017/disability-care-sector-desperately-needs-funding.htm
Need for end to Government complacency http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/10/05/need-for-end-to-government-complacency/
AllWeWantIsFairness.wmv http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KnTyZbzVwY
CTU: Government to cut minimum wages? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1010/S00050/government-to-cut-minimum-wages.htm
NZ ECONOMY
Opinion: Here’s 5 ways NZ can control its currency and capital flows to boost productive activity and exports while reducing debt http://www.interest.co.nz/print/50858
Real incomes falling www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1010/S00070/real-incomes-falling.htm
NZ weekly incomes dip over past year http://www.nzherald.co.nz/small-business/news/article.cfm?c_id=85&objectid=10678801
Economy struggling to regain balance http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10678634
CULTURAL DISSENT
Book Review: Encircled Lands: Te Urewera, 1820 – 1921 by Judith Binney (Bridget Williams Books, 2009) – Reviewed by Mike Kay http://tinyurl.com/24nq6me
THE NEW EGYPTIAN NOVEL: Urban Transformation and Narrative Form http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2851
Movie Review Inside Job http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/movies/08inside.html
CONCEPTS OF NATURE: China and Europe in Comparative Perspective http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2852
The New Socialism: Global Collectivist Society Is Coming Online http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/17-06/nep_newsocialism?currentPage=all#ixzz11iRoHlgI
Internet- “Clictivism” no substitute for real world organisation http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=all
Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=all#ixzz11ohqLakn
Social Networking: Is Malcolm Gladwell Right That It’s Useless for Social Change? http://tinyurl.com/24mhlrk
Re ews A Prophet; Waltz with Bashir http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/a-prophet-waltz-with-bashir/
LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Our Last Chance To Save Humanity? By John W. Farley – A review of James Hansen’s book, “Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity” http://www.countercurrents.org/farley081010.htm
VIDEO: THE GLOBALIZATION OF ABORIGINAL OPPOSITION TO THE ALBERTA TAR SANDS
http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=3196
PACHAKUTI: INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES, DEGROWTH AND ECOSOCIALISM
http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=3203
‘ECOLOGICAL DISASTER’ THREATENS THE DANUBE
http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=3210
The Right to Food and Nutrition Watch 2010 – LAND GRABBING AND NUTRITION: CHALLENGES FOR GLOBAL GOVERNANCE http://www.rtfn-watch.org/
Soaring prices threaten new food crisis http://www.ft.com/cms/s/12b06cee-d300-11df-9ae9-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=abb716b0-2f7a-11da-8b51-00000e2511c8,print=yes.html
FEATURES
Eastern Europe faced with the crises of the system http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article1925
A special report on Latin America – So near and yet so far – A richer, fairer Latin America is within reach, but a lot of things have to be put right first, says Michael Reid http://www.economist.com/node/16964114
UN united to make the right to water and sanitation legally binding http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10403&LangID=E
Richard Stallman interview: The free software movement
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45532
Mariátegui and the ‘problem of the Indian’ — a critical appreciation by Luis Vitale http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1344
Exposing the Fraudulent Criminalization of Marijuana http://www.alternet.org/story/148396/exposing_the_fraudulent_criminalization_of_marijuana
Interview with Robert Fisk: we preach democracy yet befriend dictators: There is a great understanding in the Middle East of what history has done to it and what we [the West] have done in history. So I’m not really sure that they always want to buy our products, like human rights or democracy ñ because we have not always demonstrated them to them. Very often we’ve bombed them, in fact.
http://www.newint.org/features/2010/10/01/robert-fisk-interview-democracy-dictators/
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Paul Mason on Live Working or Die Fighting: How the Working Class Went Global http://www.democracynow.org/2010/9/24/paul_mason_on__live_working
Plan for a Global Industrial Union – The future is global unionism http://reinventinglabour.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/plan-for-a-global-industrial-union/
Warren Buffet: In Class Warfare, Guess Which Class Is Winning http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/business/yourmoney/26every.html?_r=3
Give Us All Your Money – If you thought the bank bailouts were over, you thought wrong. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/04/banking-s-new-bailout.html
Standing Up to the I.M.F. By Mark Weisbrot http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/opinion/08iht-edweisbrot.html?_r=1
Tax Breaks Are Not Sufficient to Restore Employment http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/10/01-7
The Undeserving Rich — Did Warren Buffet Really Earn His $50 Billion? http://tinyurl.com/25dv8d9
World debt comparison – he global debt clock Our interactive overview of government debt across the planet http://www.economist.com/content/global_debt_clock
Super-rich and super-angry – The rich have made out like bandits, but they’re still not satisfied http://socialistworker.org/2010/09/30/super-rich-and-super-angry
Economics 101 for deficit hawks – The same Washington policymakers who inveigh against the deficit want a strong dollar – clueless about the contradiction http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/06/economy-economics
IMF: Real Estate Slump Could Last Eight Years: The prospects in the global real estate sector are “dismal,” with a downturn that could last eight years, the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20101006-707560.html
AFGHANISTAN
Taliban vs Pashtuns – Taliban are not by any means a representation of pashtuns as what we are witnessing today in the shape of the barbaric Talibanized militant values are not of hospitality and sanctuary as well as regard for women, children and family. http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article18683
“Everyone Just Wants to Kill People at any Cost” – U.S. soldiers accused of killing civilians in Afghanistan By Mark Benjamin – “The Army really let me down when I thought I would come out here to do good maybe make some change in this country I find out that its all a lie (sic).”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26509.htm
AUSTRALIA
Refugees are right to resist deportation http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45493
Philip Nitschke: Euthanasia and the right to dignity http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45496
Tasering video sparks outrage in Australia http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/video.cfm?c_id=2&gal_cid=2&gallery_id=114318
CUBA
The Self-Employed Sector: Much more than an Alternative http://www.periodico26.cu/english/features/september2010/self-employment092710.html
The Cuban Government urges President Obama to abide with his commitment to fight terrorism http://microblogbuzz.com/redirect/81816452
Cuba Provided the Greatest Medical Aid to Haiti after the Earthquake http://www.tlaxcala-int.org/article.asp?reference=1714
From Sugar to Services: anOverview of the Cuban Economy by Brian Pollitt http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/pollitt061010.html
ECUADOR
Coup attempt in Ecuador defeated; Chavez led condemnation; Correa: ‘I’m not going to give up’ http://links.org.au/node/1919
Coup attempt in Ecuador http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45552
Chavez condemns attempted coup in Ecuador http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45553
FRANCE
Should the burqa be banned? http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45501
INDIA
A Note on the Current Political Situation: Some Issues and a Conclusion by Randhir Singh http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/singh071010.html
IRAQ
After 7 years of occupation facts and figures: http://www.brusselstribunal.org/pdf/7yrsOccupation.pdf
Iraq’s Deadly Legacy http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/watch/id/600687/n/Iraq-s-Deadly-Legacy
Imperial Culture – Noam Chomsky on Fallujah By Noam Chomsky: “We are very coreagous in condeming the attacks of others” http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26540.htm
The Iraq war: Success or blunder? : George Galloway: Was toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime worth the enormous cost paid by millions of Iraqis? And where do Iraqis go to seek justice and compensation for this illegal war waged by Bush and Blair?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq2fV1pg9yg
IRELAND
Financial Devestation in Ireland http://www.swp.ie/editorial/fianna-fail-s-financial-devastation-ireland/3633
Ireland now “a failed state” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11443608
JAMES CONNOLLY TV DOCUMENTARY: On 29 September 2010, TG4 – the Irish language TV station – showed (with English language subtitles) a new documentary on the Irish Socialist Republican leader James Connolly, who was the inspiration for the 15th International Brigade’s Connolly Column. Accessible online until December, via the following links:
http://live.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=Faisneis&content=260173023233
http://live.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=Faisneis&content=260188045313
http://live.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=Faisneis&content=260248783873
The online edition of thesis on Connolly in America http://free-downloads.atholbooks.org/pamphlets/connolly_america.pdf
LATVIA
Russian Party Gains in Latvia http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/02/world/europe/02latvia.html?th&emc=th
MALAYSIA
Malaysia: ‘Draconian, oppressive’ amendments to labour law http://links.org.au/node/1924
PAKISTAN
Students at University of Agriculture Faisalabad protest against callous Administration http://www.marxist.com/pakistan-uaf-students-protest-callous-administration.htm
PACIFIC
FIJI’S GENTLER FACE INVISIBLE AT HOME
PALESTINE
The boy who took on the Israeli military – and won
http://www.smh.com.au/world/the-boy-who-took-on-the-israeli-military–and-won-20101007-169u6.html
Is boycotting Israel anti-Semitic? Sherry Wolf, a member of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, responds to claims from supporters of Zionism that criticism of Israel–and in particular, the movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions against it–is “anti-Semitic.” http://socialistworker.org/2010/10/07/is-boycotting-israel-anti-semitic
PA: Latest Israeli Soldier Video ‘Deeply Offensive’ By Ma’an News http://www.countercurrents.org/maan061010.htm
THE SAGA CONTINUES … ZIONISM IS RACISM! JUDAISM IS NOT ZIONISM! Steve Amsel: I have been having a running dialog with one Dr. Elias Akleh. My last post in response to one of his can be read by clicking on the following… ZIONISM vs JUDAISM … AND THE DEMONIZATION OF THE JEWS. I did some searching on the Net and found three excellent videos that deal with the question of zionism and Judaism…. THERE DEFINITELY IS A DIFFERENCE!… http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=70407&s2=04
South Africa’s Israel boycott – An international boycott helped end apartheid – now South Africans are leading world opposition to racism in Israel http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/29/south-africa-boycott-israel
UN panel: Israel suppressing footage of Gaza flotilla raid http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/un-panel-israel-suppressing-footage-of-gaza-flotilla-raid-1.316201
Report: 70,000 Palestinians jailed since intifada http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=70311&s2=01
PHILIPPINES
Philippines: Ampatuan massacre trial poses state headache over Filipino private militias http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/10/ampatuan-massacre-trial-poses-state-headache-over-filipino-private-militias/
UK
Ed Miliband has to crack the whip to secure change http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/29/ed-miliband-change-labour-party
MARK STEELE: Out with the old New Labour? Ed Miliband–dubbed “Red Ed” for daring to mention the minimum wage–won the recent election for leader of the Labour Party, and the British media are up in arms. http://socialistworker.org/2010/10/04/out-with-old-new-labour
USA
The two Americas: Millions more Americans are living in poverty with no end in sight to their misery. But there are some people who are getting along just fine. http://socialistworker.org/2010/10/01/the-two-americas
WHAT’S BEHIND THE ONE NATION RALLY? By Jack A. Smith, Activist Newsletter http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com/2010/10/10-05-10-one-nation-rally-analysis.html
Flawed Paperwork Aggravates a Foreclosure Crisis http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/business/04mortgage.html?=dbk&_r=1&pagewanted=all
Wall Street Mega-Banks Employ ‘Undercover Brothers’ to Rip Off Minorities with Payday Loan Scams http://tinyurl.com/266nwcx
The Black Hole of Long-Term Unemployment http://www.alternet.org/story/148421/the_black_hole_of_long-term_unemployment
The language of collective compassion has been abandoned in the US, and no politician dare even mention helping the poor By Jeffrey Sachs http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/oct/04/americas-deepening-moral-crisis
The Mendacity of Hope?Six Questions for Roger D. Hodge By Scott Horton – Former Harper’s Magazine editor Roger D. Hodge has just published what may well be the definitive critique of the Obama presidency from the left: The Mendacity of Hope: Barack Obama and the Betrayal of American Liberalism. I put six questions to him about his new book. http://www.harpers.org/archive/2010/10/hbc-90007615
Sweatshop Army: Why does the Pentagon use low-road companies to feed and clothe our troops? “She fought for her country in Iraq. She was well-liked, did her work well. Are you serious?” Phillips recounts angrily. Workers, he says, concluded: “‘Damn, if they’ll fire this nine-month pregnant woman, they’ll fire me.’ http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=sweatshop_army
Unequal Politics: TAP talks with Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson about their new book on income disparity and how Washington has abandoned the middle class. http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=unequal_politics
Fear and Favor By PAUL KRUGMAN – A note to Tea Party activists: This is not the movie you think it is. You probably imagine that you’re starring in “The Birth of a Nation,” but you’re actually just extras in a remake of “Citizen Kane.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/opinion/04krugman.html
New Face, Same Imperialism By Tariq Ali – There was no fundamental break in foreign policy between the Bush and Obama regimes. The strategic goals and imperatives of the US imperium remain the same, as do its principal theatres and means of operation. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26533.htm
VENEZUELA
Venezuela: Left wins, but right makes gains http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1341
OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS
JUSTICE AND LIBERATION: THE ROAD TO PEACE – FILIPINO PROGRESSIVE LEADERS TO TOUR NZ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
Luis Jalandoni is the International Representative of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF, http://www.ndfp.net), a post that he has held since 1977, and since 1994 he has been the Chairperson of the NDF’s Negotiating Panel for peace talks with the Government of the Philippines. The NDF is the coalition of several underground groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippines and its New People’s Army, which has been waging a war of liberation throughout the Philippines for more than 40 years, making it one of the longest running armed struggles in the world. The country desperately needs peace with justice 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 the International Spokesperson of MAKIBAKA, a revolutionary women’s group which belongs to the NDF. Luis and Coni are both veteran leading figures in the Philippine revolutionary Left. He was a Catholic priest in the 1960s and she was a nun. Both were founders of Christians for National Liberation, a member group of the NDF. When Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, both went underground. They were both arrested and spent time as political prisoners. They left the clergy, and got married in 1974. They have lived in The Netherlands since 1976; they were the first Filipinos to apply for and receive political asylum there. They hold Dutch passports and travel extensively as NDF representatives. We are appealing for funds. PSNA will underwrite the tour, but we definitely need financial help because we are hosting two people. The amount needed is $10,000. The two international fares from Europe is the biggest cost, at $6,000. We will keep their domestic travel costs as cheap as possible. Please make cheques to PSNA, Box 2450, Christchurch, with a note saying that it is for the Jalandoni tour. Or, we will supply our bank account details upon request.
ITINERARY
Tuesday October 26 – Christchurch: Public Meeting – 7.30p.m. Knox Presbyterian Church Lounge, 28 Bealey Avenue. Contact: Murray Horton,0274 307742 cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
Wednesday October 27 – Blenheim: Public Meeting, 7.30pm,Nativity Centre Lounge, cnr Alfred and Henry Sts. Contact: Steffan Browning,021 725655 greeny25@xtra.co.nz
Thursday October 28 & Friday 29 – Wellington: PublicMeeting – 7.30 p.m. Thursday 28, St John’s Hall, corner Willis& Dixon Streets. Contact: Rod Prosser 021 0744992 communitymedia@paradise.net.nz
Monday November 1 – Palmerston North: Public Meeting – 7.30 p.m., Catholic Diocesan Centre (Te Rau Aroha), 33 Amesbury Street Contact: Dion Martin(06) 3569658 (w), 021 776029 Dion.Martin@ndu.org.nz
Tuesday November 2 & Wednesday 3 – New Plymouth:Public Meeting – 6p.m. Wednesday 3rd, Govett Brewster Art Gallery, 42Queen Street. Contact: Fiona Clark (06) 7547014; fionaclark@clear.net.nz
Thursday November 4 – Hamilton: Public Meeting –7.30 p.m., Waikato Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood Street. Contact: BobAnderson, (07) 8297882, 021 776023; ban@xtra.co.nz
Friday November 5 – Whangarei: Public Meeting Manaia PHO Rooms, Rust Ave,central Whangarei. Contact: Tim Howard 027 3089216 the-farm@ihug.co.nz
Tuesday 9 November – Auckland: Public Meeting, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, 7pm
Wednesday 10 November – Auckland: Women’s Forum with Connie Ledesma, Auckland University, Maori Studies 9am – 12pm (RSVP to Maori Studies)
Friday 12 November – Auckland: 7 p.m. Solidarity Dinner for Justice and Peace in the Philippines, Civic Building, Strata 17, Civic Building, Mayoral Drive: Tickets $30 (Dinner, entertainment cash bar)
Contact: Luke Coxon (09) 8276059, 028 25803203 luke_coxon@yahoo.com
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