GPJA #377: Monday – Forum on NZ role in Gaza Flotilla – Eyewitness on 2010 boat speaks

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 377, June 1, 2011

From Friday, June 3, Te Manawa Art Gallery, 5.30pm, 326 Main Street, Palmerston North

Ka Kata Te Po: Exhibition opening and Panel Discussion – Exhibition opening: 5:30pm Panel Discussion: 6:30pm. Ka Kata Te Po: Panel Discussion: 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. 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. Ati Teepa, Valerie Morse and Tame Iti discuss the current court case, the impact on their communities and the relationship to Te Mana Motuhake o Tuhoe. http://www.temanawa.co.nz/events-calendar,listing,2011-6,,772,ka-kata-te-po-panel-discussion.html Ka Kata Te Po: Exhibition opening: In this collaborative work, three contemporary Māori artists – Hemi Macgregor, Saffronn Te Ratana and Ngataiharuru Taepa – draw from shared indigenous experiences to explore expressions of tribal mana motuhake (authority). The work examines the suppression and restriction of this power by the exercise of colonial authority. The machinery of State, as time has illustrated the world over, has sought to banish tribal voices into darkness. Whether this is through oppressive statutes, ill informed armed forces or in response to State-driven hysteria, Ka kata te po demonstrates that even from this darkened space enlightenment can be achieved.

Operation 8: Film Screening: Errol Wright and Abi King-Jones’ potent Operation 8 examines the Rambo-like ‘anti-terror’ raids of October 2007, illuminating how and why they took place – and at what continuing cost to civilised life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Repeat screenings: Sunday June 12th, 19th and 26th at 1.30pm. http://www.temanawa.co.nz/events-calendar,listing,2011-6,,773,operation-8-film-screening.html

By Indigenous Peoples for Indigenous Peoples www.indigenousportal.com

Monday June 6th, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn

GPJA Monthly Forum – New Zealander Harmeet Sooden will be speaking about his forthcoming trip on the "Freedom Flotilla Two" to Gaza. Harmeet is joining a Canadian boat on the flotilla which in mid June aims to break the Israeli Naval blockade of Gaza and bring much needed supplies to the people. In May 2010 nine aid workers were killed by Israeli commandos when a humanitarian flotilla destined for Gaza was intercepted in international waters by the Israeli Navy. Israel’s naval forces continue to enforce an illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip. This June, Freedom Flotilla Two (FF2), a coalition of vessels from Canada, France, USA, UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey and other countries, is to set sail in the hope of breaking the blockade. Harmeet has been offered a place on the boat Tahrir (Liberation in Arabic) alongside delegates from Australia, Belgium and Denmark. In 2004, Harmeet travelled to the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) to undertake human rights assignments with the International Solidarity Movement. The following year, Harmeet and three colleagues were kidnapped in Iraq while participating in an international Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation and held for four months. One member of the group, Tom Fox, was murdered. In 2008, while attempting to enter the OPT via Israel for the second time, he was denied entry, detained, assaulted and removed by Israeli authorities on the pretext of being a ‘threat to the security of the State of Israel’. The Free Gaza Movement is one of the coordinators of FF2. Free Gaza was formed to raise public awareness and challenge the IsraeliEgyptian blockade directly, by sailing ships carrying human rights defenders and humanitarian aid to Gaza. Since August 2008, Free Gaza has made eight solo voyages; most recently, it took part in the fateful May 2010 flotilla as a member of a sixpartner coalition. Free Gaza has several endorsers, including notable individuals such as Desmond Tutu and Noam Chomsky, and groups with which PHRC has had an association such as Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (www.pchrgaza.org), and the Palestine Medical Relief Society (www.pmrs.ps).

The Palestine Human Rights Campaign aims to raise $10,000 ($5,000 for airfare and basic living expenses, and a further $5,000 to contribute towards the cost of purchasing the boat and cargo). Donations for Harmeet’s trip can be made by direct deposit to PHRC 06 0145 0045138 00 or by sending a cheque to PHRC, Box 56150, Mt Eden, Auckland. All donations will be receipted (advice on internet deposits must be emailed to jwakim@xtra.co.nz so that receipts can be provided). If you have any questions, please contact Janfrie Wakim at jwakim@xtra.co.nz.

For further information, please refer to: Canada Boat to Gaza www.tahrir.ca Free Gaza www.freegaza.org

Tuesday, June 7, 7.15-8.30pm, WT1004, AUT Tower Building, 2 Rutland St, 10th floor seminar room, next door to the new Pacific Media Centre

Doctoral candidate Rukhsana Aslam is the Pacific Media Centre’s 2011 Asian Journalism Fellow and a media educator from Pakistan. She is a contributor to the ground-breaking book Peace Journalism, War and Conflict Resolution. Map: www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/contact

Wednesday, June 8 and Thursday, June 9

Busting the Budget myths: What does Budget 2011 mean for the future of our public and community services? Invitation to Two Auckland Forums on Cuts to Public and Community Services June 8 and 9. This year’s Budget delivered more cuts to public services and little new money for community services. The PSA is planning a vigorous campaign in support of public and community services. It’s co-hosting forums around the country in conjunction with community organisations to discuss Budget 2011, the impacts that service cuts are having on our communities and the people we serve, and how we can develop a better vision for the future delivery of services in our communities. Come over straight after work, join us for a drink and a nibble, and let’s discuss what can be done.

Central Auckland: 5.30pm (for 6pm), Wednesday June 8, Trades Hall, 149 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. To register: Contact Ros Hiini, Working Women’s Resource Centre ph 09 379 7906 or wwrc

West Auckland: 5.00pm, Thursday June 9. Waitakere Community Resource Centre, 8 Ratanui St, Henderson. To egister: Contact Suzana at Community Waitakere ph 09 838 7904 or suzana

Thursday, June 9, Ellen Melville Hall, High Street, Auckland CBD

Fabian Society Seminar: “Squandering the demographic bonus”: Profs Ian Pool and Natalie Jackson

Sunday, June 19, 10.30am-3.30pm, Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre | 251 Massey Road

World Refugee Day 2011: Learn more about New Zealand’s refugee resettlement programme and refugee communities in New Zealand. Join us at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre to mark World Refugee Day and the 60th anniversary of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The event will feature cultural performances, displays and exhibitions on refugee history and resettlement, ethnic food and much more. or more information contact us on: 09 259 0152 or www.facebook.com/ImmigrationNewZealand

Thursday, July 28, 7pm, WT1004 (AUT Tower Building, 2 Rutland St, 10th floor seminar room, next door to the new Pacific Media Centre office)

Papua New Guinea’s Tok Pisin language newspaper Wantok, founded in 1969, is one of the publishing icons of the South Pacific. Drawing on interviews with Fr Francis Mihalic and Bishop Leo Arkfeld made in the early 1990s, a manuscript history of the early days of the Wantok, written by Mihalic, and material drawn from the archives in the Society of the Divine Word’s mother house in Mt Hagen, Dr Philip Cass seeks to present a picture of a man who was at once a priest, a publisher, a propagandist, a linguist, a lecturer and often a cause of bewilderment to the very bishops whose work he was supposed to be doing. Dr Cass is head of postgraduate studies in the School of Communication Studies at Unitec. He is also a research associate of the Pacific Media Centre.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONCERNED ARTISTS EXHIBIT WORK TO HELP ‘TERROR RAID’ DEFENDANTS

More than 50 artists from around New Zealand will be exhibiting their work in Wellington at the start of next month to raise funds and public awareness for the arrestees of the 2007 October 15 "terror raids." Exhibited works range from paintings, sculptures, and animation, to a reproduction of the assassination device police claim ‘terror raid’ arrestees planned to use – a catapult designed to launch a bus onto the head of former US president George Bush. According to contributing artist and spokesperson Lance Ravenswood, the charges against the 18 arrestees of the October 15 raids are "just silly. Any sensible person should feel that the police and courts need a good telling-off about the way they’ve been behaving.” A number of prominent figures have also spoken out against the handling of the case, including civil rights lawyer Moana Jackson and Professor Jane Kelsey.

“Why have these people been denied a trial by jury? Why is there so much secrecy surrounding the legal proceedings? The police seem to be equating legitimate political and environmental activism with terrorism," says Ravenswood. Richard Meros, author of On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover, will be exhibiting a piece in a similar tone, entitled Your Honour We Eat These Charges For Breakfast, featuring berry-soaked strips of the 2002 Terrorism Suppression Act (TSA). “This muesli celebrates the afternoon the Solicitor General’s office struck down the use of the TSA against those arrested on October 15, 2007, reminding bowels and brains that the charges of terrorism were not even strong enough to be presented to a court” says Meros. The exhibition will open at the Garrett Street exhibition space on Friday June 3rd at 4:30pm, followed by a screening of Errol Wright and Abi King-Jones’ documentary about the October 15th raids, “Operation 8: Deep in the Forest”. Viewing will continue over the weekend. “We’re concerned about whether justice is being done here. Lots of people in the community have questions about this case – we want them to get together, experience some great art, and talk about what’s going on,” says Lance Ravenswood. “As artists, we want to do what we can to help 18 New Zealanders who are being punished, before the trial even takes place, by an immense financial burden in a drawn-out battle against extremely questionable charges. That’s why we’re donating our work, to raise funds to support the defendants and their families through the trial.” The Concerned Citizens exhibition will feature work from up and coming as well as more established artists, including Peter Madden, Roger Morris, Bryce Galloway, Arlo Edwards, Kerry Ann Lee, and Tao Wells, creator of the controversial Beneficiary’s Office installation in 2010. For more information about the exhibition, please visit concernedcitizenscollective Phone number: 0275262377.

SEEKING SUPPORT FOR “FREEDOM FLOTILLA TWO” VOLUNTEER

Dear Friends,

In May 2010, nine aid workers were killed by Israeli commandos when a humanitarian flotilla destined for Gaza was intercepted in international waters by the Israeli Navy. Israel’s naval forces continue to enforce an illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip. This coming June, Freedom Flotilla Two (FF2), a coalition of vessels from Canada, France, USA, UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey and other countries, is to set sail in the hope of breaking the blockade. Palestine Human Rights Campaign Aotearoa/New Zealand (PHRC) is raising money to enable a New Zealander, Harmeet Sooden, to join the upcoming flotilla. Harmeet has been offered a place on the boat Tahrir (Liberation in Arabic) alongside delegates from Australia, Belgium and Denmark.

In 2004, Harmeet travelled to the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) to undertake human rights assignments with the International Solidarity Movement. The following year, Harmeet and three colleagues were kidnapped in Iraq while participating in an international Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation and held for four months. One member of the group, Tom Fox, was murdered. In 2008, while attempting to enter the OPT via Israel for the second time, he was denied entry, detained, assaulted and removed by Israeli authorities on the pretext of being a ‘threat to the security of the State of Israel’.

The Free Gaza Movement is one of the coordinators of FF2. Free Gaza was formed to raise public awareness and challenge the IsraeliEgyptian blockade directly, by sailing ships carrying human rights defenders and humanitarian aid to Gaza. Since August 2008, Free Gaza has made eight solo voyages; most recently, it took part in the fateful May 2010 flotilla as a member of a sixpartner coalition. Free Gaza has several endorsers, including notable individuals such as Desmond Tutu and Noam Chomsky, and groups with which PHRC has had an association such as Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (www.pchrgaza.org), and the Palestine Medical Relief Society (www.pmrs.ps).

The Palestine Human Rights Campaign aims to raise $10,000 ($5,000 for airfare and basic living expenses, and a further $5,000 to contribute towards the cost of purchasing the boat and cargo).

Thank you for your support. Janfrie Wakim on behalf of PHRC. Please make donations by direct deposit to PHRC 06 0145 0045138 00 or by sending a cheque to PHRC, Box 56150, Mt Eden, Auckland. All donations will be receipted (advice on internet deposits must be emailed to jwakim@xtra.co.nz so that receipts can be provided). If you have any questions, please contact Janfrie Wakim at jwakim. For further information, please refer to: Canada Boat to Gaza www.tahrir.ca Free Gaza www.freegaza.org

THE 2011 ELECTION: A CRITICAL GUIDE
The 2011 Election: a critical guide is currently being printed. If you click on the link below, you will see the book on our publisher’s website. Also, there is a link to a sample interview, with Professor Jim Flynn on privatisation. We tried to cover a wide range of topics, and here is a summary of who was interviewed: Dr Bryce Edwards (Otago University) The Main Political Parties & MMP; Dr Sean Phelan (Massey University) The Media; Professor Klaus Bosselmann (Auckland University) The Environment; David Do (New Zealand University Students’ Association) Student Loans; Professor Jim Flynn (Otago University) Privatisation; Professor Paul Roth (Otago University) Employment Law; Mike Treen (UNITE union) Unionism; Dr Brian Roper (Otago University) Taxation; Ali Nissenbaum (Wellington Activists) Anarchism; Andrew Tait (Dunedin Activist) Marxism; Sue Bradford (Auckland Activist & former Green MP) Feminism & Unemployment. While it is important to keep in mind that the interviewees have different opinions from each other, three themes emerged: 1) A critique of neo-liberalism; 2) De-politicisation (nearly a quarter of the population did not vote in the 2008 Election); 3) Internationalism (nearly half of the interviewees are originally from overseas: Germany, Ireland, Israel, South Africa and the United States). Please also keep in mind that we are not endorsing any political party. The interviewees disagree with each other on many points. We believe that the interviewees voted in at least five different ways in 2008. We are planning to send all interviewees a free copy of the book, to show our appreciation.

Thank you for your help, R Wright http://aptitute.co.nz/site/products http://aptitute.co.nz/The_2011_Election-a_critical_guide_sample_chapter.pdf

OPERATION 8 SHOWING

The documentary ‘Operation 8: Deep in the Forest’ is now screening in movie theatres across the country.In October 2007, citing the Terrorism Suppression Act, police arrested 18 people in nationwide raids linked to alleged training camps in the Urewera mountain ranges, near the township of Ruatoki in eastern Bay of Plenty. The documentary Operation 8, by independent filmmakers Errol Wright and Abi King-Jones, premiered last month as part of the World Cinema Showcase and is now opening in cinemas around the country throughout May and June. It investigates how and why the raids took place, featuring interviews with academics and professionals versed in the case. Operation 8 was shot over three years and includes first-hand accounts from some of those arrested."The single most important New Zealand film in decades" – Crop Magazine. "Impassioned, balanced, entertaining and hugely important" Graeme Tuckett, Radio NZ, The Dominion Post. "Compelling, humane, intelligent… A film that every NZer ought to see" – David Larsen, The Listener.
Now Showing at:
Auckland, Rialto Newmarket – Sessiontimes and details here
Auckland, Academy Cinemas – Session times and details here
Waiheke Cinema – Session times and details here
Whakatane, Cinema 5 – Session times and details here
Rotorua, Basement Cinema – Session times and details here
Palmerston North, Te Manawa Gallery – Session times and details here
New Plymouth, The Arthouse Cinema – Session times and details here
Wellington, Paramount Theatre – Session times and details here
Petone, Lighthouse Cinema- Session times and details here
Motueka, The Gecko – Session times and details here
Dundein, Rialto Cinemas – Session times and details here
(links regularly updated with new session times, if the link is not found the session times are just updating). More screenings coming soon, check our website for details: www.cutcutcut.com Like us on Facebook!
POSTCARDS OPPOSING TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AVAILABLE TO SEND TO POLITICIANS
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is the means to effect a Free Trade Agreement with the US. For full details on why this would have a very negative impact on NZ, check www.nznotforsale.org There is no bigger issue this election. Two versions of a postcard opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement are now available, one to be sent to PM Key, the other to an MP of the sender’s choice. Postage is free (because they’re going to Parliament). Here is the text (which is the same on each one).

“Dear Prime Minister Key, I urge the Government to withdraw from negotiations for the TPPA and instead put New Zealand’s national interest at the heart of all trade and investment negotiations, rather than the interests of transnational corporations and the US government. The TPPA will, among other things: undermine what little NZ has left in the way of any controls of foreign investment; institutionalise the very same horrendous financial practices which led to the global financial crisis; allow American corporations to sue the New Zealand government in private international tribunals; attack Pharmac and drive up the cost of prescription medicines; make access to digital recordings more expensive and copying more restricted; attack our GE and tobacco controls and food labeling and food and appliance safety standards; and weaken our controls of food imports where they might carry disease. The whole process is both secret and fundamentally undemocratic in the way in which it is being negotiated and then ratified by Executive decree. I will be voting for a party which puts our national interest first, not those of foreign corporations under a TPPA”. These cards can be ordered from CAFCA, Box 2258, Christchurch. For orders of 50 500 of each or both, we would expect a koha towards copying and postage. Of orders of more than 500 of each or both, we would expect full reimbursement for copying and postage. Payment is to CAFCA. Allow at least several days for them to be copied and posted. The cards are also online at http://www.box.net/shared/ju1gxifyio and people are welcome to download and print their own. Bear in mind that they are meant to be on light card, not paper. Let the politicians know that the New Zealand people don’t want a free trade agreement with the US! Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser, CAFCA

ACTION NEEDED: THAI HUMAN-RIGHTS ACTIVIST ARRESTED AGAIN

We need your support to demand the immediate release of the well-known Thai human-rights activist and journalist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk. He was arrested on April 30 on charges of lèse majesté, or the crime of insulting the king. This charge can lead to a maximum of 15 years in prison and is criticised for being used to silence political opponents and human-rights activists.

Please take action here.

KIWI MUMS TAKE ON FONTERRA WITH “NO MILK MONDAYS”

‘No Milk Mondays’ is the response of Kiwi mums for common cents to Fonterra’s announcement of major price increases to butter, cheese and raw milk. It is really important for the health of our society and especially our children that basic food products produced in this country are available and affordable to the citizens of this country. That kiwi families can no longer afford dairy products while Fonterra makes huge profits is shameful in the land of milk and honey. We are asking all shoppers to join the campaign and not buy milk on Mondays from supermarkets until prices for dairy products on our domestic market are set fairly and responsibly. Fonterra and the supermarket chains are making huge profits because they have monopolized the production and supply of kiwi dairy products. However, even corrupt business is reliant on consumers providing demand for the products. This is where everyday Kiwis have the power to create change in the pricing of our basic food products. By choosing No Milk Mondays consumers will send a clear message to the dairy giants – supply needs demand and we demand a fair and reasonable price on basic dairy products.

The dairy food giants need to realize Kiwis happily pay good prices for their product, but we will not allow them to steal food out of the mouths of our children for the sake of selfish profiteering on the pretext of world markets setting local prices. Kiwi Mums for Common Cents is a new network of busy mums, and others who care about the price of milk. We do not have a lot of time or resource to set up organisations but we have seen recently that with internet and social networks, ordinary people can make extraordinary changes within society. No Milk Mondays is intended not to make drastic changes to society as we know it but only to keep the price of milk, cheese and butter within the reach of everyday kiwis. Consumers can join the facebook group ‘No Milk Mondays’. No Milk Mondays is planned to be in full swing from 2nd May 2011. Help with getting the information out to milk buyers is welcome. We have posters, fliers and info available by email from kiwimums4commoncents .

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"Every war when it comes, or before it comes, is represented not as a war but as an act of self-defense against a homicidal maniac." – George Orwell

"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is humanity’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion." — Oscar Wilde, Soul of Man Under Socialism

"O, it is excellent To have a giant’s strength! But it is tyrannous To use it like a giant. William Shakespeare "- "Measure for Measure," Act II, Scn. ii

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NEW ZEALAND
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NZ network to campaign for international Gaza flotilla http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/nz-aid-network-to-campaign-for-international-gaza-flotilla/

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Adam Bennett (NZH): Minister revists Afghan arrest figures

ACC Futures Coalition facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/ACCFutures

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Anyone for a fair go? Labour looks for a line Colin James’s column for the Otago Daily Times for 24 May 2011 http://www.colinjames.co.nz/ODT/ODT_2011/ODT_11May24.htm

Prime Minister Seriously Misrepresents Meeting with Tribal Leaders | Dayle Takitimu http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/12079

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The confiscation of MAORI LAND known as " BASTION POINT" taken by the NZ Government

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MMP referendum debate welcomed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00439/mmp-referendum-debate-wecomed.htm

MANA PARTY

Harawira’s by-election rival tested on local knowledge http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/51516.html

Hone speaks to Auckland Maori Campus Debate http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/05/hone-speaks-to-auckland-maori-campus.html
NZ WORK RIGHTS
Unite Union says job loss threat from minimum wage rise not supported by facts http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00385/job-loss-from-minimum-wage-rise-not-supported-by-facts.htm

Whitcoulls workers the big losers in sale process http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1105/S01015/whitcoulls-workers-the-big-losers-in-sale-process.htm

Minimum Wage and Jobs – CTU Releases Research Summary http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00380/minimum-wage-and-jobs-ctu-releases-research-summary.htm

Minimum wage debate rages on http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10727772

$15 per hour unaffordable? http://thestandard.org.nz/15-per-hour-unaffordable/

Unite takes on fast food giants http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47572

Raising minimum wage won’t cost jobs Goff http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/161554/raising-minimum-wage-wont-costjobs-goff

The Standard: Right still attacking the minimum wage

Vernon Small (Stuff): Union boss: Pike River sign of anti-worker times

New Zealand Maritime Workers Board Flag of Convenience Ships http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00499/new-zealand-maritime-workers-board-flag-of-convenience-ships.htm

Michael Dickison (NZH): Union boss’ use of mine disaster churlish: PM

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Helen Kelly Speech Notes Labour Party Congress 22 May 2011 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00375/helen-kelly-speech-notes-labour-party-congress.htm

Maori warned over ageing foreign fishing boats http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5051905/Maori-warned-over-ageing-foreign-fishing-boats

Kiwi wage slaves lagging behind http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10727323

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CTU: Save ACC from National’s privatisation prescription http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1106/S00003/save-acc-from-nationals-privatisation-prescription.htm

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NZ ECONOMY

Matt McCarten: Emperor Key has no clothes – and no ideas http://www.nzherald.co.nz/matt-mccarten-on-politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502871&objectid=10727202

John Minto: MPs Join Hands In Common Cause With The Wealthy http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2011/05/to-the-front-mps-join-hands-in-common-cause-with-the-wealthy/

Gordon Campbell on What’s really in the Budget? http://bit.ly/jf6dLU

Bryce Edwards (liberation): Inequality in NZ: CEO pay http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2011/05/inequality-in-nz-ceo-pay.html

Tapu Misa: Dealing with economic realities http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10728872

State housing funding cut in half http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/161442/state-housing-funding-cut-half

CAFCA: GARAGE SALE – John’s Place, Saturday November 26th. Selling Out, Everything Must Go http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2011/05/selling-out-everything-must-go/

Dairy farmers deep in debt http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5005469/Dairy-farmers-deep-in-debt

Government out of touch with New Zealand families http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00279/government-out-of-touch-with-new-zealand-families.htm

Kate Chapman and Vernon Small (Dom Post): Is the rural sector paying enough tax?

Bernard Hickey (interest.co.nz): Dairy farmers pay lower tax than a couple on the pension

Kate Chapman and Vernon Small (Dom Post): Is the rural sector paying enough tax?

Bernard Hickey (interest.co.nz): Dairy farmers pay lower tax than a couple on the pension

The Standard: Creaming it?

The Standard: Some facts on Wages, Inflation and GDP

Pay more to save the same, workers told http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10726782

ACC biggest loser in widespread cuts http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10726771

Gordon Campbell (Scoop): On The Budget And Petrobras

Kate Chapman (Dom Post): Middle-income families ‘pushed over the edge’

Tim Watkin (Pundit): The Standard & Poor’s Budget

The Standard: A shoddy, shoddy, budget

Steven Cowan (Against the Current): More Austerity

Elizabeth Binning (NZH): Loan cuts for older students attacked

Amanda Fisher (Dom Post): Student-loan cuts ‘discriminatory’

Tapu Misa: Some Christians losing love for John Key http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10727378

Editorial: Pharmac more important than US deal http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10727799

CTU: Zero stimulus Budget http://union.org.nz/news/2011/zero-stimulus-budget

Danya Levy (Stuff): PSA fears hundreds of jobs will be lost http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5082777/PSA-fears-hundreds-of-jobs-will-be-lost

Concern increased retirement contributions could result in backdoor education cuts http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1105/S00117/increased-retirement-contributions-concern-nzei.htm

Message from the grass roots Pharmac is non-negotiable http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00447/message-from-the-grass-roots-pharmac-is-non-negotiable.htm

Merit in discussing who should own Auckland trains http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00432/merit-in-discussing-who-should-own-auckland-trains.htm

What has happened to 43,000 Christchurch workers? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00431/what-has-happened-to-43000-christchurch-workers.htm

Government hoodwinking parents over early childhood funding http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00422/government-hoodwinking-parents-over-early-childhood-funding.htm
CULTURAL DISSENT

Scott jamilton: Straight outta Manchester – An amiable courier agent just knocked on my door and handed me six copies of The Crisis of Theory: EP Thompson, the New Left, and Postwar British Politics, the hardcover volume published recently by Manchester University Press. Looking down the cover of one of the strange tomes, I noticed that the author had the same name as me. http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2011/05/straight-outta-manchester.html

Politics and the fantastic – Britain’s Guardian recently proclaimed that China Miéville may be one of the reasons why science fiction is "becoming cool." http://socialistworker.org/2011/05/23/politics-and-the-fantastic

Bob Marley’s legacy of unity – Thirty years after his death, Alexander Billet looks at the legacy of a reggae legend http://socialistworker.org/2011/05/23/bob-marleys-legacy-of-unity
FEATURES

Tariq Ali: From Cairo to Madison http://vimeo.com/23934361

Protest in the Med: rallies against cuts and corruption spread – Sit-ins planned at parks and squares across Madrid, Rome, Barcelona, Milan and Florence http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/19/protest-med-cuts-corruption-spain

Perry Anderson On the concatenation in the Arab world http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2883

Imperialism and revolution in the middle east – Feature by Richard Seymour http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11651

WWII Soviet Experience – Eisenhower Institute

http://www.eisenhowerinstitute.org/about/living_history/wwii_soviet_experience.dot

Barack Obama signals selective US response to ‘Arab spring’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/19/barack-obama-response-arab-spring

Middle East: Can democracy activists undo US and IMF/World Bank damage? By Patrick Bond, http://links.org.au/node/2327

Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the union maid – A little-reported fact of the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case is that his accuser is a union member with rights the IMF opposes http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/may/24/dominique-strauss-kahn-unions?INTCMP=SRCH

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIROMENT

Alexander Cockburn – IN FUKUSHIMA’S WAKE – How the Greens Learned to Love Nuclear Power http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2886

Worst ever carbon emissions leave climate on the brink http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/29/carbon-emissions-nuclearpower

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

World Bank’s neoliberal Africa strategy signals worsening uneven development http://links.org.au/node/2338

IMF chief tried to fuck maid after mistaking her for a small financially crippled country

http://newsthump.com/2011/05/17/imf-chief-tried-to-fuck-maid-after-mistaking-her-for-a-small-financially-crippled-country/

A Fair Tax on Millionaires by Mark Engler http://www.agenceglobal.com/Article.asp?Id=2557

Is heavy taxation bad for the economy? http://lanekenworthy.net/2011/05/22/is-heavy-taxation-bad-for-the-economy/

A Recovery Less Robust Than in the ’70s http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/business/economy/07charts.html?_r=3&src=rechp

AFGHANISTAN

Police open fire to disperse Afghan protests http://tinyurl.com/3szh5dz

The failure that keeps on failing – The U.S. counterinsurgency strategy has killed civilians, endangered aid workers and failed miserably in its goal of "winning hearts and minds," says Helen Redmond. http://socialistworker.org/2011/05/19/failure-that-keeps-on-failing

AUSTRALIA

Malaysia swap inhumane: Refugee myths exposed http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47533

Private prison industry spreads its tentacles http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47705
BAHRAIN

Divide, Repress and Rule by Alain Gresh http://www.agenceglobal.com/article.asp?id=2540

BOLIVIA

The COB vs. the GOB http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/05/bolivia-cob-vs-gob.html

Communities Pioneer Sustainable Development http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/05/bolivia-communities-pioneer-sustainable.html

CANADA

Canada’s election: NDP gains widen space for social struggles http://links.org.au/node/2328

Quebec politician ups the rhetoric on Middle East http://tinyurl.com/3ftevk6

CUPW keeps its options open in strike negotiations http://rabble.ca/news/2011/05/cupw-keeps-its-options-open-strike-negotiation

Canada: Tax policies may aggravate gap between rich and poor http://www.thestar.com/article/998648

CUBA

Cuba’s Latin American School of Medicine — `an example of internationalism and human solidarity’ http://links.org.au/node/2325

EGYPT

Now overthrow the workplace Mubaraks, urges labour activist http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/20/overthrow-workplace-mubaraks-urges-elhamalawy

Army, Muslim Brotherhood Vs. Tahrir Square http://www.thenation.com/blog/161002/army-muslim-brotherhood-vs-tahrir-square

"Egypt’s ‘Orderly Transition’? International Aid and the Rush to Structural Adjustment " by Adam Hanieh

http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1711/egypt%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98orderly-transition%E2%80%99-international-aid-and

Solidarity needed as military judges summon journalists critical of martial law http://links.org.au/node/2341

FRANCE

Revolutions arrive too late or too early, but always when they’re not expected http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2155

Rebellion of the indignant – Notes from Barcelona’s Tahrir Square http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2154

GUATEMALA

Guatemala: Killings of Trade Union Activists Continue in Guatemala http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1105/S00746/killings-of-trade-union-activists-continue-in-guatemala.htm

HAITI

Daniel Gérard Rouzier: Neoliberal Champion To Be Tapped For Premier http://www.haiti-liberte.com/archives/volume4-43/Daniel%20G%C3%A9rard%20Rouzier.asp

Haitian Mayor’s Office Vows to Destroy All Refugee Camps, Launches Violent Campaign http://www.canadahaitiaction.ca/content/haitian-mayors-office-vows-destroy-all-refugee-camps-launches-violent-campaign

HONDURAS

Agreement Signed for Democratic Rights in Honduras http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/agreement-signed-for-democratic-rights-in-honduras/

What Manuel Zelaya’s return means for Honduras http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/may/28/honduras-usforeignpolicy

INDIA

Rebellion and revolt in India – Arundhati Roy, interviewed by David Barsamian http://www.isreview.org/issues/77/featint-arundhatiroy.shtml

LIBYA

Libyan resistance to Gaddafi turns passive in east Tripoli http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/22/libyan-resistance-gaddafi-passive-east-tripoli

Welcome to the Violent World of Mr. Hopey Changey By John Pilger – The Nato attack on Libya, is strikingly similar to the final destruction of Yugoslavia in 1999. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28194.htm

AU leaders seek end to Nato strikes in Libya: African leaders on Thursday called for an end to Nato airstrikes on Libya to pave the way for a political solution to the conflict. http://gulftoday.ae/portal/1635969a-3a47-4f75-8f06-9e079e280f64.aspx

PALESTINE

Interview: Omar Barghouti – A turning point in the struggle for Palestine? http://socialistworker.org/2011/05/26/turning-point-in-the-struggle

Breaking the Gaza Embargo and Israeli Piracy By Huwaida Arraf, Noam Chomsky and Gabriel Schivon http://tinyurl.com/3h4j6zj

Obama, the Arab Spring and irrelevance by Omar Barghouti http://tinyurl.com/3k7doqp

Palestinian Activist Says Obama Speech "Irrelevant" – Omar Barghouti: The US continues to oppose Palestinian basic rights, Arabs will make their own democracy http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=6801

Emperor Obama vs the Arab people – Despite calling for change in some parts of the Middle East, the US president reaffirmed the status quo where it counts. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/05/2011521115956696675.html

Robert Fisk: Lots of rhetoric but very little help http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-lots-of-rhetoric-ndash-but-very-little-help-2286711.html

UNFORGETTABLE WORDS FROM AN ISRAELI GENERAL’S SON: “So those people who want to associate themselves with Israel, Zionism and

drape themselves in the Zionist flag the flag that has come to symbolise intolerance, hatred, racism and brutality they can feel free to do so. But, they need to know this: that when the trials begin and the tribunals take their place, and when the truth and reconciliation commission begins its work and they are finally shamed into admitting they were wrong, they need to remember to go down on their knees and beg forgiveness from the people they so greatly wronged. They need to realise that we will never forget them and that their conscience will never allow them to forget that they supported the killings, that they draped themselves in the flag and that they mocked the bereaved. The rest of us will move on in line with the rest of the Middle East which will follow the example of the people of Egypt to create something that will surely be a tremendous accomplishment a democratic, secular state in our own shared homeland a state where Muslims, Christians and Jews live as equals and educate their children to love their homeland with its multitude of cultures, its rich history and its promising future.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c4ZfnpN4Dfc

PORTUGAL

http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47642 IMF-EU imposes austerity, left fires up for fight

SPAIN

Barcelona eyewitness: The Indignant beat back authorities http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47731

Spain Taken the street for a TRUE DEMOCRACY – May 15th 2011 –

Spain eyewitness: The people demand to be heard http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47631

In pictures: Spanish protests http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13482868

‘Revolutions arrive too late or too early, but always when they’re not expected’ http://left-flank.blogspot.com/2011/05/revolutions-arrive-too-late-or-too.html#more

The ‘indignant’ and the Paris Commune http://links.org.au/node/2330

SRI LANKA

Will Sri Lanka Tamils Get Justice from the UN? http://www.ronridenour.com/articles/2011/0516–rr.htm

SYRIA

Syrian Protesters Defy Crackdown and Gain Momentum http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/2011/05/syrian-protesters-defy-crackdown-and.html

Report: Syria death toll ‘surpasses 1,000’: Rights groups say they have documented names of civilians allegedly killed by security forces since protests erupted. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/05/2011524182251952727.html

THAILAND

Lèse majesté law cannot be reformed, it must be abolished http://links.org.au/node/2339

UK

Privatisation will not rehabilitate our prisons http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/01/privatisation-prisons?INTCMP=SRCH

USA

Chomsky: When Did America Completely Jettison the Rule of Law? http://tinyurl.com/3uc74qs

Obama and Black Americans: the Paradox of Hope by Gary Younge http://tinyurl.com/3cme8gr

Private Prisons Found to Offer Little in Savings http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/us/19prisons.html?_r=3&ref=todayspaper

As Lenders Hold Homes in Foreclosure, Sales Are Hurt http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/business/economy/23glut.html

Tens of Thousands Rally in Wisconsin to Declare: ‘This Fight is NOT Over!’ http://www.thenation.com/blog/160675/tens-thousands-rally-wisconsin-declare-fight-not-over

The killing of bin Laden and the ugly tribalism of US politics http://links.org.au/node/2336

VENEZUELA

Venezuela’s battle for food sovereignty http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47647

First national meeting of Socialist Workers’ Councils discusses workers’ control http://links.org.au/node/2334

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