GPJA #375: Cuban visitor: Ak Uni Thurs; Trades Hall Friday

Apologies for repeat posting but last attempt only went to some group subscribers.

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 375, May 10, 2010

WHAT’S ON

Thursday, May 12, 6pm, Lecture Theatre B15, Library Basement Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Cuba & World Literacy: Ezequiel Morales took part in the literacy campaign of 1961 which wiped out illiteracy in Cuba. He will speak on Cuba’s efforts to end the scourge of illiteracy at home and abroad. Jointly sponsored by AUSA and the Cuba Friendship Society.

Thursday, May 12, 6pm, OGGB4, Level 0, Owen Glenn Building, University of Auckland, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
AUCKLAND PUBLIC LECTURE- DR JAMES HANSEN: Dr. James Hansen, the scientist behind the number 350 and one of the world’s most prominent and influential climate scientists, is coming to New Zealand in May, including speaking in Auckland. His public talks, entitled “Climate Change: a scientific, moral and legal issue” will be presented in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dunedin, Gore and Christchurch over a 10-day period. For more info on his other tour dates visit www.facebook.com/JamesHansenNZTour
Auckland Public Lecture Topic: A huge gap exists between what is understood about climate change and what is known about climate change — understood by the relevant scientific community and known by the people who need to know, the public. Because of the nature of the climate system — its "inertia" and "tipping points" — the matter is more urgent than is apparent, and policies that governments propose to address it are nearly useless. The intergenerational injustice raises a profound moral issue, as greenwashing governments worldwide feign ignorance of the actual situation and the fecklessness of their policies. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that a simple honest solution is possible — one that stimulates the economy, phases out fossil fuel addiction, and stabilizes climate — but it would require putting the public’s interest above that of special financial interests that hold sway in national capitals around the world. Potential legal remedies, to force governments to do their job, will be tested. But what may be most effective would be to find a government, any government, to stand up in international circles and tell the truth.
About the lecturer: Dr James Hansen is probably best known for bringing the urgency of the climate change issue to the world’s attention when he gave evidence to the US congress in 1988. He is Adjunct Professor at Colombia University’s Earth Institute and director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. Dr Hansen has been an active researcher in planetary atmospheres and climate science for nearly 40 years, with the last 30 years focused on climate research, publishing more than 100 scholarly articles on the latter topic.

Friday, May 13, 6pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Where is Cuba headed? Reception for Cuban visitor Ezequiel Morales from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples: Ezequiel was born to a peasant family. In his early years, he walked the streets cleaning shoes and selling cakes in order to support his family and to pay a ‘teacher’ to tutor in reading and writing. He was eight years old when the revolution triumphed and from then on he was able to attend a School Centre. Ezequiel’s vocation as a teacher dates back to his childhood, when he joined the Literacy Campaign carried out in Cuba in 1961, despite being only ten years old, and taught two illiterate peasants how to read and write. As a union leader, he was the Secretary General of various branches of the Union of Educators until 1996 when he began to work at his current position with the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). Ezequiel has participated in the continuous improvement of the National System of Education as a member of the Team of Authors within his specialty. Ezequiel also worked as part of the team of authors at the Ministry of Education, and also served as National Supervisor for English Teaching. Ezequiel has held his current position with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples since 1996 and has been selected to be part of the Cuban delegation to several brigades of solidarity with Cuba, such as The Venceremos Brigade from The United States and The Southern Cross Brigade from Australia and New Zealand. He also attended the First Conference of USA-Cuba Solidarity, celebrated in Havana, as a member of the Cuban delegation.

Saturday, May 14, 10am, Unite Office, 6a Western Springs, Morningside
Aotearoa’s radical history – A Socialist Aotearoa teach in – The morning session (10am-12pm) will cover some of the early turning points and social movements. *Te Tiriti *NZ wars *Suffragette Movement *Parihaka *1913 General Strike *WW1 Pacifist movements *Great depression & 1st Labour Govt *1951 lockout. The afternoon session (1pm-5pm) will reflect on and critique the experiences of the anti-Vietnam war mobilisation, the New Left, anti-Apartheid movement, the fight against neo-liberalism and struggling against capital under the fifth Labour Government.

Saturday, May 14, 2.30pm to 3.30pm, Upper NZI Room, Aotea Centre, Auckland
‘Law into Action’: How to better protect and enhance our fundamental human rights continues to be a concern of many New Zealanders. During the past year two major legal books in this area have been published the latest edition of Tim McBride’s New Zealand Civil Rights Handbook (Craig Potton Publishing); and the Human Rights Foundation’s Law into Action: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand (Thomson Reuters, see ordering details below). The Foundation is a non-governmental organisation established in 2001 to promote and defend human rights through research-based education and advocacy in New Zealand. Tim McBride gets this session underway with a light-hearted account entitled ‘Making Civil Rights Law Accessible: A 40-Year Journey’, followed by Deborah Manning and Kris Gledhill in conversation with Peter Hosking, the Foundation’s Executive Director; about our human rights record and current areas of major concern. An Auckland Writers & Readers Festival event, http://www.writersfestival.co.nz/Home/Programme/EventDetail/tabid/57/id/261/Default.aspx Related links Human Rights Foundation http://www.humanrights.co.nz Law into Action: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand – order form at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hrfbook.htm – online ordering at https://www.thomsonreuters.co.nz/catalogue/law-into-action

Saturday, May 14, 7pm, Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood St, Hamilton
Reception for Cuban visitor Ezequiel Morales from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples: Raglan/Hamilton Friendship Group, Helen Ritchie ph 64 7 8257470 helenr

Sunday, May 15, 7pm, Salon de Cuba, Estadio [2nd floor], Blair Street [off Courtenay Place], Wellington
Reception for Cuban visitor Ezequiel Morales from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples. Then Q&A with a great panel of Cuban speakers! Plus MUSIC, DRINKS & SNACKS… Entry $10 proceeds to tour costs. Fully stocked bar, drinks on sale. For more information contact Dave Wickham or Pat Bolster pbolster or dave ellington

Sunday, May 15,9.45am-10.45am, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
I SHALL NOT HATE: Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish was born and raised in Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. He worked and studied hard, married, had seven children, and was a successful and respected doctor and infertility expert who lived in Gaza and worked at the Gerner Institute at the Sheba hospital in Tel Aviv. In January 2009, three months after his wife died suddenly of undiagnosed leukemia, three of his daughters and a niece were killed when a missile hit their bedroom during the Israeli incursion. Daughters Mayar, Aya, and his niece, Noor, were dead. His other daughter Shatha was bleeding profusely, one finger hanging by a thread. Then a second blast killed a third daughter, Bessan. Despite grief and shock, Abuelaish did what he could to help the injured. He called a friend to help get ambulances to his house: television journalist Shlomi Eldar was on a live news show in a Channel 10 studio in Tel Aviv. Heartrending footage of the call shows Eldar listening, holding back tears, as Abuelaish cries for help. I Shall Not Hate is “a necessary lesson against hatred and revenge” (Elie Wiesel). It is an enlightening story of Abuelaish’s life, a tribute to his daughters and wife, and a call for peace. Dr Abuelaish talks with the editor of the New Zealand Herald, Tim Murphy http://www.writersfestival.co.nz/Home/Programme/EventDetail/tabid/57/id/270/Default.aspx

Sunday, May 15, 4-5pm, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
PEACE PLEASE: http://www.writersfestival.co.nz/Home/Programme/EventDetail/tabid/57/id/283/Default.aspx

Monday, May 16, 6.30pm, Aotea Square, Queen St, Auckland
Street Theatre to mark the anniversary of Al Nakba, ‘The Catastrophe’: A night of poetry, art and street theatre to remember all those affected by the creation of the Israeli state which resulted in the displacement of over 800,000 Palestinian people into UN refugee camps in 1948. They were promised the right of return, now 63 years later we remember the dead and the living and those, who even in death await the day that they may return home.SJP invites anyone to bring poetry to share and read out on the evening. Poems don’t have to be just about Palestine, they can be about struggle, resistance and Justice in general or about another region under siege. A play will be performed and we will have a few moments in silence and candlelight to commemorate Al Nakba, the catastrophe. We will never forget.

Tuesday, May 17, 3-5pm, Oxfam offices, 14 West St, Newton, Auckland
Fair Trade Fortnight 2011: Come and meet Tadesse Meskela from Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Co-operative Union (OCFCU) in Ethiopia. Tadesse is being hosted in New Zealand by Trade Aid and the New Zealand Coffee Roasters Association. Tadesse went from working as a senior expert in Ethiopia’s Agricultural Bureau in the 1990s to developing a co-operative union system as a way for farmers to retain a greater share of the value of their product, establishing the OCFCU in 1999 and becoming its general manager. By 2011, OCFCU has grown to represent more than 130,000 coffee farmers organised into 143 primary co-operatives throughout southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian coffee is widely used by New Zealand coffee roasters. More fair trade coffee is imported into New Zealand from Ethiopia than from any other country.

Friday, May 20, 6-7.30pm, Trade Aid Wellington Shop, Cnr Victoria & Bonds St, Wellington
Fair Trade Fortnight 2011: Come and meet Tadesse Meskela from Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Co-operative Union (OCFCU) in Ethiopia. Tadesse is being hosted in New Zealand by Trade Aid and the New Zealand Coffee Roasters Association. Tadesse went from working as a senior expert in Ethiopia’s Agricultural Bureau in the 1990s to developing a co-operative union system as a way for farmers to retain a greater share of the value of their product, establishing the OCFCU in 1999 and becoming its general manager. By 2011, OCFCU has grown to represent more than 130,000 coffee farmers organised into 143 primary co-operatives throughout southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian coffee is widely used by New Zealand coffee roasters. More fair trade coffee is imported into New Zealand from Ethiopia than from any other country.

Friday, May 20, 7.15am 8.30am, School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, Auckland University, Gate 1, 262 Morrin Rd, Bldg 730, Function Rm 220 on Level 2, Glenn Innes.
CPAG’s 11th Annual Post Budget Breakfast – Budget 2011: Children, collateral damage? Speakers: Professor Paul Dalziel, Associate Professor Susan St John, Associate Professor Papaarangi Reid. Cost $30 waged, $15 unwaged. RSVP admin

Thursday, May 19, 12.25pm, Parliament Grounds, Wellington.
UNION & COMMUNITY RALLY at PARLIAMENT GROUNDS – Tell the Government: Don’t Cut Our Future! Budget 2011 Union and Community Rally, 19 May. The signs are very clear that the Government is ploughing ahead with spending cuts and that Budget 2011 will contain more cuts to community and social services while at the same time maintaining tax cuts for those on high incomes. In response to this, the Council of Trade Unions is facilitating a Union and Community Rally. This will be held in Parliament grounds on the 19th May from 12.15 1.00pm (prior to the Budget being read) . The rally will bring together unions , community groups and concerned individuals who have all said that cuts to social services and public services is the worst approach to be taking at this time and will increase hardship, poverty, unemployment and tough times. We want the Government to know that there is an alternative to this approach. If you have any questions, ideas or contributions to make please contact us: Georgie McLeod: georginam Conor Twyford: conor.twyford or Eileen Brown : eileenb

Friday, May 20, 6.30pm, B15 Lecture Theatre (Library Basement), University of Auckland
Drop the Charges: Auckland Forum on the Upcoming ‘Terror raids’ Trial. Public Meeting: On May 30th a 12 week long trial for 15 of those arrested in the so called ‘terror raids’ of 15 October 2007 will begin in the Auckland High Court. On October 15 2007 armed police raided homes across New Zealand, claiming that a range of Maori, environmental and anti-war activists were planning terrorist attacks. Eighteen people were arrested most of whom were held in prison for four weeks while the Police applied to charge them under the Terrorism Suppression Act. The Solicitor General refused to allow the Police to proceed with the terrorism charges. All of the 15 are facing charges of possession of weapons under the Arms Act. Five are charged with ‘participation in an organised criminal group’. A number of prominent New Zealanders, including academics, legal experts and Maori leaders have written to the Solicitor General calling for the charges to be dropped, as the trial will unfair as the defendants have been denied many crucial civil rights, including the right to a jury trial. This panel discussion will discuss the ramifications of the case for civil rights in New Zealand and why the charges should be dropped.

Speakers: David Clendon: Green MP; John Minto: Spokesman for Global Peace and Justice Auckland; Tame Iti: Drug and Alcohol counsellor for Tūhoe Hauora Trust and defendant in the case; Syd Keepa: Vice President Maori for New Zealand Council of Trade Unions; Khylie Quince: University of Auckland Law Lecturer; Barry Wilson: Auckland Council for Civil Liberties.

Friday, May 20, Whanagrei, Auckland and Wellington.
This year Child Poverty Action Group is having three events to look at the 2011 Budget and its impact on children in poverty. Information about each of these events is available online and can be accessed here for Auckland; Wellington and Whangarei.These events are all on the 20th May. This year’s budget is more important than ever for vulnerable families. Please register as soon as you can and be part of the move to put children’s needs at the centre of policy.
Friday, May 20, 7:15am 8.30am, St John’s Conference Centre, Cnr Willis and Dixon Streets
The Annual Wellington Post-Budget Breakfast – Budget 2011: Children, collateral damage? Co-hosted by the Public Health Association and Child Poverty Action Group. Join us for breakfast and hear how local commentators score the 2011 Budget. Breakfast will begin at 7:15am; speakers will begin at 7.30am. Secure your seat! Register now to postbudgetbreakfast Please pre-pay by direct deposit to account BNZ 02-0576-0234109-000, with your name and ‘PBB’ as the particulars. Cost: $20 $12.00 for unwaged workers. With Speakers: Bill Rosenberg Economist and Policy Director of the NZ Council of Trade Unions (CTU) Anne Else Author, Editor, Blogger, long time CPAG Executive member Alan Johnson Co-chair CPAG, Senior Policy Analyst, Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit. Chairperson: Nikki Turner Child Poverty Action Group. The PHA’s goal is to improve the health of all New Zealanders by progressively strengthening the organised efforts of society, and by being an informed, collaborative and strong advocate for public health. Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is an independent charity working to eliminate child poverty in New Zealand through research, education and advocacy. For any queries about this event email postbudgetbreakfast
Saturday, May 21, 12 noon, Town Hall, Queen St, Auckland City
Festival for the Planet – A Peoples Assembly on Climate Change with James E Hansen, a leading expert on climate change and performers, speakers and workshops
Friday, May 27, 2-5pm, University of Auckland Business School, Case Room 3, Level 0, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
Retirement Policy and Research Centre in conjunction with the Public Policy Group, The University of Auckland Department of Sociology and Child Poverty Action Group. Presenters: Dr Ben Spies-Butcher on “Reflecting on the May budgets, the recession, and the vulnerable in New Zealand and Australia” followed by a panel discussion. Dr Ben Spies-Butcher is a visitor at the Retirement Policy and Research Centre. He teaches Sociology at Macquarie University in Sydney, and is a Fellow of the Centre for Policy Development and a member of the Centre for Research on Social Inclusion.

Saturday, May 28, 12 noon, QE2 Square, Bottom of Queen St, Opposite Britomart, Auckland
MARCH/RALLY: Budget 2011 DON’T CUT OUR FUTURE. John Key and Don Brash are not working for NZ, food prices, GST, student loans, wage / welfare cuts, asset sales, electricity, water. We pay more whilst the rich get richer. Come along bring your banners and protest, time to get angry and active before its to late. Please pass this info onto your friends on Facebook and twitter. More info call CSJ 09 8366389 or 0212106720. "When good people lay idle, evil prospers". Stand up NZ before it’s to late! Donations would be appreciated. We have no money (for advertisements, leaflets etc). Coalition for Social Justice: Kiwibank 3890110571256 00 or cheques to P.O. Box 20-310, Glen Eden, Waitakere City 0602. Thanks, Coalition for Social Justice (members of community groups, churches, unions et al).
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
PETITION: DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION INTO OUR GOVERNMENT’S COMPLICITY IN TORTURE
If New Zealand’s soldiers were being tortured, we would be outraged. We would demand it stop and that those responsible be held to account. And we must demand the same for those our forces are fighting against. Yet, a dark shadow has been cast over New Zealand’s human rights record. In 2002 the SAS transferred approximately 55 people to US forces who, among other things, allegedly stripped them naked and put them on parade. An article in the latest Metro magazine, entitled “Eyes Wide Shut”, reveals our Government may still be requiring the SAS to transfer detainees to the risk of torture. On 3 May, the Minister of Defence confirmed the SAS has transferred detainees to US forces as recently as January. Torture is never justified; no matter where, when or why it happens, or who it happens to. Take action now to tell our Government that New Zealanders will not be complicit in torture. With overwhelming evidence of torture in Afghanistan, the New Zealand Government must impose a ban on the transfer of detainees to the sole custody of those who have a record of torture until our Government can provide proof there is no longer a risk of torture. Send a message now to Prime Minister John Key and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp demanding an independent investigation into allegations our Government is complicit in torture. Thank you for taking action, Patrick Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ

INTERNSHIP AT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEW ZEALAND?
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is part of the global Amnesty International movement and exists to help New Zealanders add their voices to the many voices around the world, working to defend the human rights and dignity of people everywhere. Interns play an integral role in the running of Amnesty NZ. Our Internship Programme is designed to ensure that participants are given a rewarding and valuable experience. We are currently recruiting for Interns, for our July 2011 intake. This intake starts on the 4th of July and will run for five months. The following internships are available for this intake: Advocacy (Auckland based); Advocacy (Wellington based); Campaigns (Auckland based); Events (Auckland based); Fundraising (Auckland based); Media (Auckland based); Youth Activism (Auckland based); Activist Support (Auckland based). For further information and an application form please visit http://www.amnesty.org.nz/get-involved/work-amnesty-international/become-intern Best regards, Chris Kerr, Advocacy & Government Relations Manager, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AOTEAROA NZ, PHONE: +64-9-303-4520 ext 207 | MOB: +64-21-963214 | FAX: +64-9-303-4528 | WEB: amnesty.org.nz Support the human rights revolution in the Middle East & North Africa, donate now at http://bit.ly/dUbQMR

FABIAN SOCIETY: 2011 A BIG YEAR FOR NEW ZEALAND.
The response to the 2010 Fabian seminars on the Resilient Economy indicates that there is a widespread desire for a critical assessment of the failed economic models of the last thirty years. The Fabians strongly reject the neo-liberal slogan ‘there is no alternative’ (TINA). Instead, we believe ‘there are real alternatives’ (TARA), and we have aimed to supply alternatives to assist the debate.

The New Zealand economy remains stalled. The Government talks about the need to promote the export sector but there is still no evidence of a detailed and determined plan to shift the focus and build a stronger future for the next generations. Our program this year will feature around the "Plan for the Productive Economy" series.
Fabians 2011 Seminar program
“The Plan for the Productive Economy”: Rick Boven, NZ Institute, St John’s Church Hall, Wellington, 6pm Wednesday 17 May
“Squandering the demographic bonus”: Profs Ian Pool and Natalie Jackson, Ellen Melville Hall, High Street, Auckland CBD, Thursday 9 June
Further seminars and venues will be advised as soon as they are finalised. We intend to mix the standard lectures with more interactive debates, and continue to seek presenters who are expert and committed to New Zealand’s future. Your suggestions are welcome.
Annual General Meeting: The Society has now incorporated, and an Annual General Meeting will be held in June. Date and venue will be advised later.
Thanks: We would like to thank all of you who have made it along to the seminars or followed us on line. Thanks for being interested enough to join the debate and add to the growing chorus of those who believe urgent action is needed if NZ is to retain control over its own future. As always, we would be grateful if you could forward this message to others who may be interested. Please continue the conversation with family and friends, delve into our growing archive of papers and presentations.
Mike Smith, Chair – for Paul Chalmers, Barbara Ward, Bryan Nunweek, Selwyn Pellett, Jordan Carter, and Phil Harington, Committee.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“After a decade of war at a cost of over Trillion Dollars and anywhere between 100 000 to a million civilians dead – it turns out the West was the weapon of mass destruction.” Bomber Bradbury

“Let us not, however, flatter ourselves overmuch on account of our human conquest over nature. For each such conquest takes its revenge on us. Each of them, it is true, has in the first place the consequences on which we counted, but in the second and third places it has quite different, unforeseen effects which only too often cancel out the first. The people who, in Mesopotamia, Greece, Asia Minor, and elsewhere, destroyed the forests to obtain cultivable land, never dreamed that they were laying the basis for the present devastated condition of these countries, by removing along with the forests the collecting centres and reservoirs of moisture. When, on the southern slopes of the mountains, the Italians of the Alps used up the pine forests so carefully cherished on the northern slopes, they had no inkling that by doing so they were cutting at the roots of the dairy industry in their region; they had still less inkling that they were thereby depriving their mountain springs of water for the greater part of the year, with the effect that these would be able to pour still more furious flood torrents on the plains during the rainy seasons. Those who spread the potato in Europe were not aware that they were at the same time spreading the disease of scrofula. Thus at every step we are reminded that we by no means rule over nature like a conqueror over a foreign people, like someone standing outside nature—but that we, with flesh, blood, and brain, belong to nature, and exist in its midst, and that all our mastery of it consists in the fact that we have the advantage over all other beings of being able to know and correctly apply its laws.” Frederick Engels

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." – Albert Einstein

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EARTHQUAKE
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No Right Turn: Brownlee can sell Christchurch http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2011/05/brownlee-can-sell-christchurch.html
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Hone Harawira on The Nation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1105/S00011/harawira-launch-of-mana-party.htm
Harawira and Brash face off – part 1 (13:57) http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/harawira-and-brash-face-off-part-1-13-57-video-4155397
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Hone Harawira Brings Mana To The Left http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/hone-harawira-brings-mana-left/1273/88956
Mana confident Harawira will win http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyid=195754
Harawira set to force by-election http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4947371/Harawira-set-to-force-by-election/
Annette Sykes explains why we need Te Mana fighting for the working poor, be we Maori, Pakeha, Pasifika or otherwise.
The Mana Party launch: A Personal Perspective http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/11638
Hone Harawira’s plan for a ‘Hone Heke’ tax supported http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/hone-harawiras-plan-for-a-hone-heke-tax-supported/3950271/
Campaign launch of the Mana Party By Mike Kay (Workers Party, Auckland, and editorial board of The Spark) http://workersparty.org.nz/2011/05/01/campaign-launch-of-the-mana-party/
Harawira, Brash to face off in debate http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4959729/Harawira-Brash-to-face-off-in-debate
Morgan Godfery on The Mana Party http://bit.ly/j2cWOE
Te Karere: Mana Party Leader Hone Harawira’s joins us live (click on “CC” button for subtitles)
John Hartevelt (Stuff): Russel Norman scorns Mana Party http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4957983/Russel-Norman-scorns-Mana-Party
The Standard: Russel’s mana http://thestandard.org.nz/russels-mana/
Native Affairs (05/07) with Hone Harawira and Pita Sharples http://www.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx?tabid=636&pid=212
Anatomy of a lie – When the news of Hone Harawira’s “support for Osama Bin Laden” broke in the Herald I was suspicious of it http://thestandard.org.nz/anatomy-of-a-lie/
Time for real change http://bit.ly/mlCD1l
International Socialist Organisation: Working class Maori politics is nothing new
Australia media vs NZ media over Hone http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/05/australia-media-vs-nz-media-over-hone_06.html
Dear NZ Herald – about your editorial on Hone http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/05/dear-nz-herald-about-your-editorial-on.html
Mana confident Harawira will win http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=195754
Speech by Sur Bradford to Mana Party founding conference
Maui Sreet: Why Hone will win http://mauistreet.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-hone-will-win.html
Harawira has split Maori – poll http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4976258/Harawira-has-split-Maori-poll

NZ WORK RIGHTS
$200,000 pay hike for CEOs while the rest of us struggle to make ends meet http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00363/200000-pay-hike-for-ceos-while-the-rest-struggle.htm
Workers’ Memorial Day: Mourn the dead, fight for the living http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00337/workers-memorial-day-mourn-the-dead-fight-for-the-living.htm
First test of employer willingness on public holiday transfer law http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00304/first-test-of-public-holiday-transfer-law.htm
Shop trading laws already highly deregulated http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00294/shop-trading-laws-already-highly-deregulated.htm
Workers’ wages are not keeping up with costs while executive salaries gallop http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00021/workers-wages-are-not-keeping-up-with-costs.htm
‘Together’ launched to support fairness at work http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00018/together-launched-to-support-fairness-at-work.htm
University of Auckland confiscates graduation rosettes http://teu.ac.nz/2011/05/university-of-auckland-confiscates-graduation-rosettes/
New union eyes target of 50,000 families http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4952977/New-union-eyes-target-of-50-000-families

NZ ECONOMY
Pay rises for bosses surge ahead of ordinary Kiwis http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10722406
Sluggish wage growth shows power still in bosses’ hands http://www.nzherald.co.nz/brian-fallow/news/article.cfm?a_id=16&objectid=10723211
Brian Gaynor: Overseas ownership is holding NZ back http://www.nzherald.co.nz/brian-gaynor/news/article.cfm?a_id=14&objectid=10722384
US Drug Companies’ Naked Assault on Pharmac through Trans-Pacific Partnership http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00015/us-drug-companies-naked-assault-on-pharmac.htm
Broad support for “Hone Heke” tax boosts campaign http://tinyurl.com/4x43meb
Young People and Jobs More Needed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1105/S00114/young-people-and-jobs-more-needed.htm
Failure to Launch: The government hopes that voters won’t notice its failure to provide jobs for the you http://werewolf.co.nz/2011/03/failure-to-launch/
Marta Steeman (Stuff): Quake disguises unemployed numbers
Katie Bradford-Crozier (Newstalk ZB): Employers blamed for Maori unemployment
James Weir (Stuff): Youth jobless ‘a time bomb’
Government not learned lessons of past on public-private partnerships http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00122/government-not-learned-lessons-of-past-on-ppps.htm
KiwiSaver cuts will further tighten noose on government departments http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00055/kiwisaver-cuts-will-further-tighten-noose-on-gov-departments.htm
Unemployment doesn’t have to be this high http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00056/unemployment-doesnt-have-to-be-this-high.htm
Jobs hard to find for youth and Māori http://union.org.nz/news/2011/jobs-hard-find-youth-and-maori
Boot camp band aid can’t fix youth unemployment http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1105/S00108/boot-camp-band-aid-cant-fix-youth-unemployment.htm
CTU: Unemployment Persistently High http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00051/unemployment-persistently-high.htm
CTU: Is Government committed to KiwiSaver or Not? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00052/is-government-committed-to-kiwisaver-or-not.htm
CULTURAL DISSENT
Tiki Taane goes back to bass-ics http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47469
Masked gunmen descended on Ruatoki in the dead of night in 2007. But not to worry, they were police. Tom McKinlay talks to a couple of film-makers who aren’t quite so relaxed about it. http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/film/159182/interrogating-terror
Wis. Protests Inspire Morello’s ‘Union Town’—Download It Free http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/05/02/wis-protests-inspire-morellos-union-town-download-it-free/
Emmanuel Goldstein is DEAD!!! Obama Declares Victory in the War against East Asia!! http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/05/emmanuel-goldstein-is-dead-obama.html
Reading Rosa: Peter Hudis, editor of the newly published Letters of Rosa Luxemburg, speaks to Red Pepper http://www.redpepper.org.uk/reading-rosa/

FEATURES
Tariq Ali: Who will reshape the Arab world: its people, or the US? Phase one of the Arab spring is over. Phase two the attempt to crush or contain genuine popular movements has begun http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/29/arab-politics-democracy-intervention
My Reaction To Osama bin Laden’s Death By Noam Chomsky http://www.countercurrents.org/chomsky070511.htm
Obama Snatches Defeat from Jaws of Victory By Yvonne Ridley – Real justice would not have involved shooting an unarmed man in front of his wife and children – there were no bodyguards in the house in Abbottabad in Pakistan. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28022.htm
Nice day for a revolution: Why May Day should be a date to stand up and change the system By David Harvey http://tinyurl.com/6bdmlb6
May Day: Millions March for Labor Rights http://www.thenation.com/blog/160319/millions-march-labor-rights
How the CIA created Osama bin Laden http://links.org.au/node/401
On the death of Osama Bin Laden http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/derrick/2011/05/death-osama-bin-laden
Forced Evictions and Human Rights: Launch of a Report – and discussion of how land and housing evictions violate economic and social rights – How People Face Evictions http://www.habitants.org/news/library/how_people_face_evictions
Death by humanitarianism: To give as the reason for killing large numbers of people that by doing so one is saving lives, is to make an audacious claim. Were it not made by the leaders of our side in a war, such an assertion would be treated with- at the very least- healthy skepticism. http://21stcenturysocialism.com/article/death_by_humanitarianism_02056.html
Fallujah, Iraq 2004 – Misrata, Libya 2011 By Media Lens – In November 2004, the UN’s Integrated Regional Information Network reported the impact of Operation Phantom Fury, a combined US-UK offensive, on Iraq’s third city, Fallujah: ‘Approximately 70 per cent of the houses and shops were destroyed in the city and those still standing are riddled with bullets.’ http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28046.htm

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIROMENT
How Goldman Sachs Created the Food Crisis: Don’t blame American appetites, rising oil prices, or genetically modified crops for rising food prices. Wall Street’s at fault for the spiraling cost of food http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/04/27/how_goldman_sachs_created_the_food_crisis
Green illusions and the carbon tax http://links.org.au/node/2285
Fed easing, food prices and revolution http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/05/did-the-fed-do-in-bin-laden.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29
The Dice Are Stacked Against Humanity by By Noam Chomsky http://www.countercurrents.org/chomsky090511.htm

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
The super-rich 1 percent – The wealth of the super-rich has grown astronomically for the last three decades. But that doesn’t mean the rich are without their own troubles, writes Eric Ruder. http://socialistworker.org/2011/04/28/the-super-rich-1-percent
PFI projects not best value for money, says watchdog http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/apr/28/pfi-not-best-value-money
Three Billion Names Added To Forbes Poor List http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/three-billion-names-added-to-forbes-poor-list-200903121637/
Forbes 2011 rich list http://zimdev.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/forbes-2011-rich-list/
The Destruction of Economic Facts: Renowned Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto argues that the financial crisis wasn’t just about finance—it was about a staggering lack of knowledge http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_19/b4227060634112.htm
The Global Economy’s Corporate Crime Wave Jeffrey D. Sachs http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sachs177/English
The non-recovering recovery: David McNally, author of Global Slump: The Economics and Politics of Crisis and Resistance [1], analyzes the latest signs that the world economic crisis is far from over. http://socialistworker.org/print/2011/05/09/the-non-recovering-recovery

AUSTRALIA
"The last known combat veteran of World War I was defiant of the tolls of time, a centenarian who swam in the sea, twirled across dance floors, and published his first book at 108. He also refused to submit to his place in history, becoming a pacifist who wouldn’t march in parades commemorating wars like the one that made him famous." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110505/ap_on_re_as/as_obit_last_wwi_veteran
Setting The Record Straight On BDS By Omar Barghouti: As Marrickville Council’s BDS resolution was thrashed out in the media, misinformation about it abounded, writes Omar Barghouti, one of the founders of the global BDS movement http://www.countercurrents.org/barghouti040511.htm

BOLIVIA
Morales annuls mining, banking and investment laws in Bolivia http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/05/morales-annuls-mining-banking-and.html
Progress in Bolivia: A reply to Jeff Webber http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/progress-in-bolivia-a-reply-to-jeff-webber/

BRAZIL
Brazil’s Rousseff frustrates top business leaders but is praised by landless peasants http://en.mercopress.com/2011/05/02/brazil-s-rousseff-frustrates-top-business-leaders-but-is-praised-by-landless-peasants

CANADA
The federal NDP’s electoral breakthrough in Quebec: A challenge to progressives in Canada http://lifeonleft.blogspot.com/2011/05/federal-ndps-electoral-breakthrough-in.html
Canadian Boat “Tahrir” will sail to help end Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza http://gazatvnews.com/2011/05/canadian-boat-tahrir-will-sail-to-help-end-israels-illegal-siege-of-gaza/

CHINA
Apple’s Chinese workers treated ‘inhumanely, like machines’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/30/apple-chinese-workers-treated-inhumanely
Socialism 3.0 in China http://the-diplomat.com/2011/04/25/socialism-3-0-in-china/

CUBA
Cuba’s Ricardo Alarcón: ‘Trying to reinvent socialism’ http://links.org.au/node/2287
Month-Long Offensive Against Homophobia http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55482
EGYPT
Inspired by Revolution, Egyptian Workers Occupy Factory http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/news/news/12129-inspired-by-revolution-egyptian-workers-occupy-factory-?utm_source=Counterfire+Bulletin&utm_campaign=b66f3a3955-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

HAITI
Who Will Respond to Haiti’s Cholera SOS? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/georgianne-nienaber/haiti-cholera-sos_b_850914.html

IRELAND
Interview with Bobby Sands’ friend and former cellmate http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47509
Bobby Sands MP: ‘They can’t break our spirit’ – On May 5, 1981, Bobby Sands, Honourable Member of the British Parliament for Fermanagh-South Tyrone in Ireland’s north, died. The 27-year-old republican prisoner died after 66 days on hunger strike in the H-blocks of the British-run concentration camp called Long Kesh prison. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47508

LIBYA
The Libyan Insurrection Between Gaddafi’s Hammer, NATO’s Anvil and the Left’s Confusion: Results and Prospects http://tinyurl.com/6hmfjed
Reflections on Libya and the Left http://www.zcommunications.org/reflections-on-libya-and-the-left-by-robin-yassin-kassab
Libya disabled children school hit in NATO strike. http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE73T0AG20110430
"Tribes of Libya as the Third Front: Myths and Realities of Non-State Actors in the Long Battle for Misrata" http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1398/tribes-of-libya-as-the-third-front_myths-and-reali

MEXICO
U.S. should legalize drugs, says former Mexican president Fox: He said the drug violence threatens to rip his country apart. It has claimed more than 37,000 lives in Mexico since 2006 http://reut.rs/kbN2ua

MOROCCO
Thousands demand ‘A New Morocco’ in third day of mass protests: http://bit.ly/dU2zMC
PALESTINE
Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation Agreement: Possibilities and Challenges http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/3568-fatah-hamas-reconciliation-agreement-possibilities-and-challenges
Palestinian Unity, the Egyptian Revolution and the new Middle East By Ramzy Baroud http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16841
Palestinian Trade Union Movement Forms Historic BDS Coalition By Palestinian Trade Union Coalition for BDS http://www.countercurrents.org/ptucbds070511.htm
UN official: Israeli occupation killed 1,300 Palestinian children since 2000 http://bit.ly/lfpTHd

PERU
Humala and Fujimori in Final Stretch http://upsidedownworld.org/main/peru-archives-76/2995-peru-humala-and-fujimori-in-final-stretch

PORTUGAL
Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: On July 1, 2001, a nationwide law in Portugal took effect that decriminalized all drugs, including cocaine and heroin. Under the new legal framework, all drugs were "decriminalized," not "legalized." http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10080

SRI LANKA
UN human rights chief welcomes report on Sri Lanka, urges further investigation into conduct during final stages of the war http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/F433DD4555FB02E5C125787E00542C57?OpenDocument
New petition: Ban Ki Moon must act on war crimes – Dear Sri Lanka Campaign supporter, You may have signed our recent petition to Ban Ki Moon – it seems that the collective pressure from us, along with other human rights organisations has helped to ensure the release of the UN panel report on Sri Lanka, which found that there were credible allegations of both sides committing war crimes and of the Government of Sri Lanka’s culpability in summary executions, disappearances, and the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. You can read it here. The report recommends that the allegations should be subject to an international investigation – this is in light of the fact that Sri Lanka’s own investigation has been widely ridiculed for its lack of integrity. However, there is no suggested timetable for this course of action. Acting quickly in the pursuit of truth will benefit Sri Lankans and also have a wider impact for the cause of human rights and justice throughout the world. On the other hand, any further delay will serve to encourage other authoritarian regimes also oppressing their citizens, who are watching and learning from the ‘Sri Lanka model’. TAKE ACTION: We urgently appeal to the UNSG and all the members of the Security Council to use their influence to implement the UN Panels recommendations with immediate effect. Sign the petition here and then ask your friends and family to do the same. The Panel of Experts’ report is at http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/Sri_Lanka/POE_Report_Full.pdf

THAILAND
Thailand: Lèse majesté, the monarchy and the military http://links.org.au/node/2291

TUNISIA
Tunisian police clash with protesters: Police break up protests in central Tunis as dozens call for "a new revolution" after politician warns of risk of coup. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/05/201156135627360322.html

UK
Celebrations of Bin Laden’s death attacked by widow of serviceman: The widow of a Westcountry serviceman killed in Afghanistan has condemned the "vulgar" celebrations following Osama bin Laden’s death. http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/regionalnews/Celebrations-Bin-Laden-s-death-attacked-widow/article-3531280-detail/article.html

USA
Would Any of These Guys Buy Jimmy Hoffa a Drink? Sandy Pope was the daughter of an investment banker. She quit school and became a trucker. Now she wants to run the Teamsters. And make union thrive again. http://nymag.com/news/politics/sandy-pope-2011-5/
Wal-Mart — It’s Alive! How the Company Is Terrorizing the Country With its Corporate ‘Personhood’ http://tinyurl.com/4xqsevj
Mumia Wins Decision Against Re-Imposition Of Death Sentence, But… The Battle Is Still On To FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL! http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/05/03/18678768.php
As A Holocaust Survivor, AIPAC Doesn’t Speak For Me By Hedy Epstein http://www.countercurrents.org/epstein290411.htm
VENEZUELA
Socialist party seeks shake up http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47465
Interview: Reinaldo Bolivar on the Historical, Cultural, and Political Importance of Africa to Venezuela http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6143
Venezuela’s Chavez Enacts Three New Laws to “Dignify” Urban Life http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6173

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL CHANGE TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 3
The event, which is sponsored by the Office of Environmental Programs at Melbourne University and organised by Green Left Weekly and the Socialist Alliance, will run from Friday, September 30 to Monday, October 3 at Melbourne University. The discussions at this conference will be enriched by the participation of one of the world’s foremost radical ecologists, John Bellamy Foster. A well-known economist from the United States, Foster is also an editor of Monthly Review and the author of The Ecological Rift (with Brett Clark and Richard York) The Ecological Revolution, The Great Financial Crisis (with Fred Magdoff) and Marx’s Ecology. Also leading the conference discussions will be Canadian ecosocialist writer and activist Ian Angus. Angus co-founded the Ecosocialist International Network and is the editor of Climateandcapitalism.com. He is the author of the forthcoming book Too Many People? Population, Immigration, and the Environmental Crisis (with Simon Butler) and has also authored Food Crisis: World Hunger, Agribusiness and the Food Sovereignty Alternative and edited The Global Fight for Climate Justice. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47144