GPJA #385: A date with a warmonger

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 385, August 2, 2011

BLAIR PROTESTS
John Minto: A Date With A War Monger http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2011/07/to-the-ront-a-date-with-a-war-mongerer/
Tony Bliar you can’t hide..mp4
Tony Bliar- run and hide- we charge you with Genocide http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/07/tony-bliar-run-and-hide-we-charge-you.html
Tony Blair addresses Auckland crowd http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5353152/Protesters-slam-Tony-Blair
Group protest Tony Blair’s Eden Park visit – Video http://www.3news.co.nz/Group-protest-Tony-Blairs-Eden-Park-visit/tabid/309/articleID/220350/Default.aspx
Anti-war protestors gather to slam Tony Blair http://www.3news.co.nz/Anti-war-protestors-gather-to-slam-Tony-Blair/tabid/423/articleID/220370/Default.aspx
Tony Blair flies in for lunch, delivers message http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/tony-blair-flies-in-lunch-4329093/video
‘You can’t govern by protest’ – Tony Blair http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/you-can-t-govern-protest-tony-blair-4329093 Video: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/you-can-t-govern-protest-tony-blair-4329093/video
Citizen’s arrest of Tony Blair fails http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10741410

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

WORKSHOPS TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN UNIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
Auckland: Friday 26th of August – PSA Training Room, Trades Hall, 149 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
Hamilton: Monday 29th of August – Anglican Action Conference RoomTe Ara Hou, 100 Morrinsville Rd
Dunedin: Thursday 1st of September, NZNO office, 10th Floor, John Wickliffe House, 265 Princes St
Wellington: Monday 5th of September – NZNO National office, Level 3, Willbank House, 57 Willis Street
Unions and community groups often have mutual interests.. Increasing levels of poverty, inequality and decreasing access to services are all issues we need to combine forces on. We often support each other on these issues. Imagine how much more impact we could have if we could further strengthen the ties between us. That’s why the Kotare Trust is organising these workshops – as a space for building strong, ongoing relationships between unions and community groups working for social change – and to look at how we can campaign alongside one another for mutual benefit. The workshops will include discussing our different ways of working; campaign goals, objectives, strategy and tactics; and shared courses of action in the lead-up to the election and beyond.
Cost: We are offering this workshop at the lowest possible cost. The fee is $185 per union attendee and $85 per community organisation attendee. In effect, union colleagues will be subsidising $50 per place for community organisations. If the fee is a real barrier to attending, please contact us and we will see whether we can further subsidise your place.
Registration: Please register as soon as possible and no later than Friday the 19th of August. Spaces are limited so get in quick!
Facilitation team: Tanya Newman (Kotare) and Liz Robinson (Kotare and NZNO)
Kotare’s vision is of a future with economic, social and environmental justice in Aotearoa based on Te tiriti o Waitangi. With that vision in mind, our purpose is to support community action for a more just world through participatory education and research. – education or 09 5517765.

“MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW” – NEW BOOK OF PLAY BY DEAN PARKER
Midnight in Moscow had the shortest main-venue run of any play in New Zealand. On its second night the curtain came down, followed next afternoon by the ceiling. This was the play that had just opened at the Court Theatre in Christchurch when the great earthquake of February 22 hit, killing 185 people. Here is the full text, together with a major introduction by the author. The play is set in Moscow, 1947; the introduction is set in Moscow, too, in the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 and then at the demise of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Along the way the introduction takes in Burgess and Philby, Napier in the early 1960s, hippie London, New Zealand politics and theatre in the ’70s, Christchurch and Mervyn Thompson and finally the present — the return of the mob. Dean Parker is a screenwriter, playwright, journalist and political commentator. Previous works include plays Baghdad, Baby, The Feds, and The Hollow Men (adapted from Nicky Hager’s book) and cowriting the screenplay of the film Came a Hot Friday from the novel by Ronald Hugh Morrieson. Play • 144 pages, A5, soft cover ISBN 978-1-877577-37-6 RRP 24.99 • Available July. Steele Roberts Publishers • ph. 04 499 0044 • f. 04 499 0056 • Box 9321 Wellington. www.steeleroberts.co.nz

VISIT CUBA THIS SUMMER
Cuba consistently makes the news: whether it is it’s health care system (see Salud or Sicko), its response to its oil crisis, its environmental programmes, or by remaining a political opponent of US imperialism for forty years. At the moment it is fundamentally revamping its economy and administration system, while remaining true to the spirit of socialism. It is also the home of salsa and its music is world renowned. Registrations are open for the 27th Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba. Members of the Brigade, which is made up of Australians and New Zealanders, spend approximately four weeks in Cuba, leaving 27th December and returning 24th January. The Brigade stays in the Julio Mella International Camp and the time there co-incides with visits by Brigades from the Nordic countries and South America, which gives an excellent opportunity for dialogue. The programme is varied and includes social occasions, dance lessons, cultural events, talks by community groups e.g. the Womens’ Federation, visits to schools, hospitals and trade unions, resorts and national parks, as well as free time in Havana. Some voluntary work is included in the programme. Brigade members with a special interest in an area can usually be provided for. The trip is suitable for people of any age group. Children are welcome and an 85 year old has coped well. While some knowledge of Spanish is useful, an interpreter is always on hand. As an initial introduction to Cuban society and Cuban people the Brigade is an excellent opportunity to quickly gain insight into this unique country and to express solidarity. The all up cost is $5500, including airfare, spending money and all accommodation and meals. Members of the Brigade often stay longer in Cuba as private travelers or move onto other countries in the region. For further enquiries and registration e- mail Ina at inashina or Paul at wkcultur; (03 732 4010).

WHAT’S ON

Wednesday, August 3, 7pm, Unite union, 6a Western Springs Road, Morningside, Auckland
NEVER AGAIN After Norway how do we fight Fascism and Islamophobia. Speakers: Levi Joule, Young Labour; Billy Hania, Palestinian Humanr Rights Campaign; and Nicola Owen, Anti Nazi League veteran and Socialist Aotearoa.

Wednesday, August 3, 6pm, Memorial Theatre Foyer, Student Union Building, VUW Kelburn Campus, Wellington
Speaker Panel with Dr Nigel Parsons, Senior Lecturer, Massey University ‘Occupation and Resistance’; Spokesperson from Kia Ora Gaza on the latest attempt to break the siege on Gaza; Testimonies from the Occupied Territories.

Thursday, August 4, 12.15pm, St Andrews on the Terrace, Wellington.
Hear Father Peter Murnane, Waihopai Ploughshares discuss the High Court hearing on the government’s civil case for $1.2 million damages to the Waihopai spy base dome (8 August).

Thursday, August 4, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Pay equity and women’s rights meeting with Catherine Delahunty, Green MP and Cathy Casey, Auckland Councillor. Catherine Delahunty’s bill to amend the Equal Pay Act to achieve truly equal pay for men and women has aroused great media and public interest over the last month, particularly due to Alisdair Thompson’s controversial comments on the topic. Although Alisdair Thompson has since left his job the gender pay gap remains at 12.75%. Catherine Delahunty will speak about reasons for the gender pay gap and how we can reduce it. She will also cover other women’s rights issue in New Zealand. Cathy Casey, Auckland Councillor will also speak briefly about the work she is engaged in on women’s issues at a local government level. There will be time for questions and socializing afterwards. This event is intended to bring together those interested in women’s rights issue in Auckland for skillsharing and networking.

Friday, August 5, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland
Militant Laour Forum: ‘We’re a Pacific power’: U.S. military seeks to maintain dominance in region. NZ rulers strengthen military ties with Washington. Patrick Brown from the Communist League will speak on these issues at this week’s Militant Labour Forum. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd. Militant Labour Forums are held each week. Phone 369-1223 or email milauck

Saturday, August 6, 2-4pm, Quaker Meeting House, 113 Mt Eden Road, Auckland
New climate activist group formed – At the beginning of July, 30 Auckland members of Coal Action Network Aotearoa met to form a local group to work on issues of climate change. Our focus is on halting the extraction of coal – the main contributor to climate change. At that meeting we discussed where best to focus our efforts and a provisional name was chosen: Auckland Action Against Coal Extraction. The group is open to anyone who is prepared to work actively towards this goal and who supports Coal Action Network Aotearoa principles: AucklandActionACE

Saturday, August 6, 2pm, QEII Square, Customs Street and Queen St intersection, Outside Downtown Shopping Centre, Auckland

Rally for Justice and Peace in PALESTINE www.palestine.org.nz On the First Saturday of Every Month. Come support JUSTICE and PEACE based on: 1) Ending 44 years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank & Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem); 2. Ensuring the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees; 3. Sharing Jerusalem; 4. Vacating all settlement colonies in Israeli occupied Palestine; 5. Dismantling Israel’s annexation / apartheid wall in occupied Palestine.

Saturday, August 6, 4.30pm, WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
REMEMBER HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI: Join us for music, poetry and speakers to mark the 66th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to remember all hibakusha (survivors of radiation exposure). There will be a speaker on the ongoing nuclear crisis in Fukushima, Japan, as well as music, including a Japanese choir, and poetry. For a nuclear free future! For more information contact pruestringer An A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hdchch11.pdf Organised by WILPF Otautahi with support from Religious Society of Friends (Chch). Kate Dewes, Disarmament & Security Centre, PO Box 8390, Christchurch. Aotearoa / New Zealand. Ph/Fax: +64 3 348 1353

www.disarmsecure.org

Sunday, August 7, 2.30pm, St Thomas’s School, 113 Allum St, Kohimaramara, Auckland
We, Burmese Community in Auckland would like to invite you to attend Memorial Day Commemoration for Burma’s Unsung Martyrs [From 08-08-1988 To 08-08 -2011]. It has been 23 years, since our people, students, monks and workers stood up in unison unprecedentedly to challenge the most brutal government we have ever seen in our history and cried for human rights and democracy. But military regime suppressed this peaceful campaign in inhuman ways. Around 3,000 estimated deaths and unknown number of injured, with 1,000 deaths in Rangoon alone. This high-water mark of the movement 23 years ago was sparked at the auspicious date of August 8th, 1988 (8/8/88). Onbehalf of the Burmese Community Soe Thein, mobile-0211631071, Tin Zaw Moe mobile-02102677082

Sunday, August 7, 5pm to 7pm, Auckland Domain Wintergarden, Auckland
Hiroshima Day Commemoration: You are warmly invited to attend a very special Candle Floating Ceremony to remember those who died at Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a result of the atomic bombs dropped on their cities at the end of the Second World War. Each year we pause to commemorate this occasion and to continue our work for peace, which WILPF has been pursuing for the last 96 years. SPECIAL GUESTS : We are very pleased to host Peace Pals Alida Newman and George Shirtcliffe of One people One Planet. Alida and George are the Voice of the Children. They made compelling presentations as part of the deputation to the Auckland Council requesting that Auckland be declared a City for Peace. On this occasion Alida and George will share with us their vision of the future our youngest citizens work towards and want. They will be introduced by Vivienne Wright, Executive Trustee of One People One Planet, an Auckland based organisation which focuses on giving the children a voice and a platform to work towards a sustainably more peaceful world. There will also be an opportunity for others to speak and there will be crane-making and music. Candles will be supplied. Contacts : Ruth Coombes ph 445 1254 or Joan Macdonald ph 360 8001. WILPF Aotearoa is part of the international women’s organisation established in 1915 to bring together women of different political beliefs and philosophies who are united in their determination to study, make known and help abolish the causes and legitimisation of war.

Sunday, August 7, 1.30pm, Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Botanic Gardens, Wellington
Hiroshima Day Commemoration: with speakers including city Councillors and secondary school students. From 1.30pm to 3.30pm, – if it rains, the commemoration will be in the Begonia House, beside the Peace Flame. Organised by The City Is Ours, for more information contact thecityisours1 or go to http://www.hdwn.webs.com/

Sunday, August 7, 4pm, St Andrew’s on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace (entry via the pathway on the north side of the church)
‘Beating the Bomb’ screening to mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days: you are invited to an introduction to iCAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) Aotearoa New Zealand, to mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days, with afternoon tea and a screening of ‘Beating the Bomb’, "an award winning documentary produced and directed by Meera Patel and Wolfgang Matt. It is about the biggest weapons of mass destruction ever created, the people who use them and, more importantly, the people who oppose them. ‘Beating the Bomb’ charts the history of the British peace movement against the backdrop of the atomic age. The film frames nuclear weapons within the wider context of global justice, and the narrative follows the so called ‘nuclear deterrent’, starting at the dawn of the nuclear age in WWII to the present day." At 4pm, First floor conference room. Hosted by Peace Movement Aotearoa and St Andrew’s on The Terrace, for more information contact iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand (iCAN -ANZ) tel 04 382 8129, email icanz or go to http://www.icanw.org.nz An A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/ican0811.pdf

Monday, August 8, 7pm, The Peace Place, 2F / 22 Emily Place, Mt Eden, Auckland
Cluster munitions peace vigil: to mark the 1st anniversary of the Entry into Force (1 August) of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Contact etaggy Hosted by Pax Christi, contact paxnz – information about the Convention on Cluster Munitions is available at http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz The Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition media release marking the anniversary is available at http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz/2011/08/01/august-1st-one-year-since-the-ban-became-law

Monday, August 8, 7.30pm, The Peace Place, 2F / 22 Emily Place, Mt Eden, Auckland
West Papua film screening and discussion: ‘Forgotten Bird of Paradise’ (2009). Filmed undercover, produced and edited by Dominic Brown, ‘Forgotten Bird of Paradise’ provides a rare and moving insight into the forgotten struggle for independence that has gripped West Papua for over 45 years. The documentary will be introduced by Maire Leadbeater, Indonesia Human Rights Committee, who visited West Papua in late 2010, followed by refreshments – all welcome! Hosted by Pax Christi, contact paxnz – "The practice of torture in Papua is widespread and unpunished" (Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace).

Friday, August 12, 7pm, 13 Garrett Street (just off Cuba St), Wellington
OPERATION 8 DVD Launch Party – Films, Food & Live Music! Come and celebrate the launch of the Operation 8 DVD get your own copy. Enjoy food, korero and righteous sounds from local musicians. The film, which explores issues surrounding the 2007 nationwide police ?terror raids,’ has been highly acclaimed by film reviewers around the country. The Dominion Post rated it 5 stars and said the film was, "Impassioned, balanced, entertaining and hugely important." The New Zealand Herald review called it, "The best NZ ?terrorist’ film since Sleeping Dogs. And it’s real!" If you would like to host a community screening or need info, email contact

Friday, August 12, 1-3pm, Case Room 3, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
Who’s counting the costs? Welfare reform, women, and health. Contact email: info The annual Cartwright Report anniversary seminar co-hosted by Women’s Health Action and The University of Auckland Public Policy Group. Welfare reform is on the agenda, with the recommendations of the Welfare Working Group (WWG) currently being considered by a Ministerial Review Group. This seminar will explore the potential impacts of the Welfare Working Group’s recommendations for welfare reform on women’s health and wellbeing. Panel members: • Pam Apera, Manager, Beneficiaries Advocacy and Information Service (BAIS); • Maureen Baker, Professor of Sociology, The University of Auckland; • Sue Bradford, Spokesperson for Auckland Action against Poverty, member of Welfare Justice: the alternative Welfare Working Group; • Susan St John, Associate Professor / Co-Director, Retirement Policy and Research Centre, The University of Auckland; • Fololi Lologa Iosua, Programme Leader – Community Access, Senior Lecturer, Manukau Institute of Technology. Registration is required. Please email info@womenshealth or book online at www.womenshealth.org.nz

Saturday, August 13, 13 Garrett St, Te Aro, Wellington
Palestine Solidarity Gig, featuring a variety of local music and poetry acts including Tommy and the Fallen Horses and the Shadow Blasters. Hosted in conjunction with Concerned Citizens collective.. Link to Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=116293718466432

Tuesday, August 16, 7.30pm, Knox Centre, Bealey Ave, near corner of Victoria Street, Christchurch. Parking available.
Tony Taylor on “Changing the prison system”. All welcome. FREE entry. Light supper. Copies of the lecture on sale after the lecture. Enquiries to Deborah or David on 359 3478

Thursday, August 18, 5.30pm, University Bookshop, Ilam Campus, Christchurch
‘Sliding down the Hypotenuse’ by Eric Beardsley will be launched by the Canterbury University Press and subsequently available at good bookshops. Veteran journalist and writer Eric Beardsley (also author of the historical novel Blackball 08, about the 1908 Crib Time Strike at the Blackball Mine) arrived in Christchurch from the West Coast 80 years ago and has devoted much of his life since then to observing and noting the Canterbury scene, its people, politics, conflicts and progress. An eclectic mix of memoir, biography and history interspersed with piquant and punchy observations and barbed humour, his story is of distant and different schooldays where strap and cane ruled, where the Sugarbag Years dominated the lives of the jobless poor and of a career as night messenger, reporter, sub-editor and leader-writer at The Press – work that did not always sit comfortably with his more radical outlook on life. Anyone with a close interest in left wing politics in New Zealand over the last half century will find the book and enjoyable and amusing account of the rise and fall of Labour and the New Right.

Tuesday, August 23, 6.15pm, at the Trades Hall Foyer (126 Vivian Street, Wellington).
‘Remains to be Seen: Tracing Joe Hill’s ashes in New Zealand’, by Jared Davidson. Rebel Press is pleased to announce the Wellington launch of ‘Remains to be Seen: Tracing Joe Hill’s ashes in New Zealand’—an easy-to-read account of censorship and radical labour during the First World War. Jared Davidson, author and designer of ‘Remains to be Seen’, and Mark Derby of the Labour History Project, will share a few thoughts on the book. The Brass Razoo Solidarity Band will also be performing a few rabble-rousing songs to celebrate. Come along and share in some drinks, nibbles, and a slice of Aotearoa’s radical history. More information on the book can be found at http://www.rebelpress.org.nz/publications/remains-to-be-seen A Facebook page has also been created for the event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=174577165945566

Friday, August 26, 9am to 5pm, in Decima Glenn, Level 3, The University of Auckland Business School, 12 Grafton Rd, Auckland
ACC Forum: Co-hosted by The University of Auckland Retirement Policy and Research Centre and the ACC Group, the ACC Futures Coalition, and AUT’s Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Research . “The future of ACC – Is New Zealand in danger of losing both what is best about the ACC scheme, and our place as a world leader in accident compensation? What can be done.” Auckland University is presenting a one-day symposium on the National Government’s proposed changes to ACC. Speakers include representatives from the NZCTU, employers, ACC claimant advocates, political parties, economists, academics, unions and Government consultants. Registration required $30 (includes lunch). Contact Tressy Menezes: t.menezes Closing date for registration and payment: Wednesday 24 August 2011.

Tuesday, September 6, 5.30pm, NZCTU, Level 7, West Block, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wellington

BOOK LAUNCH – “UNIONS IN COMMON CAUSE”: Helen Kelly, President, NZCTU, will launch “Unions In Common Cause, the New Zealand Federation of Labour 1937-88.” Published by Steele Roberts, this book is the first detailed study of the history of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Based on a conference held in 2007, it includes chapters by four leading labour historians (Erik Olssen, Peter Franks, Melanie Nolan and Ray Markey), contributions by past and present union activists, biographical and statistical information. The book is richly illustrated. RSVP to Julia London julial@nzctu.org.nz before Thursday 21 July for catering purposes. Phone 04 8023810

Tuesday, September 6, 7.30pm, MacLaurin Chapel, 18 Princes St, Auckland (corner of Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant)
Hear West Papuan leaders discuss the road to peace and how the Pacific Island Forum Leaders can help. The indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua have been forced to live under Indonesian military rule since the early 1960s, but yearn to be part of the Pacific family again. Speakers: Dr John Ondawame West Papua People’s Representative Office in Vanuatu; Rex Rumakiek, Secretary-General West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPCNL); Paula Makabory, Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights (IPAHR) Australia and ELSHAM West Papua (One of the 1000 peace women nominated for the Nobel Prize in 2005). The Pacific Islands Forum meets in Auckland 6-9 September at Sky City in Auckland. Forum leaders must not overlook West Papua which is experiencing an unimaginable human rights tragedy: ‘slow genocide’ What can we do to help. Contact Indonesia Human Rights Committee, Box 68-419 Auckland 1125 or maire

Monday, September 19, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road Grey Lynn, Auckland
GPJA Special Forum in conjunction with AUT’s Pacific Media Centre: Monday September 19th, 7.30pm,. Inside Al Jazeera: Guest Speaker Yasmine Ryan. Yasmine Ryan writes for Al Jazeera English Online, where she focuses on North Africa, France and digital activism. She has spent much of the year in Tunisia covering the uprising and its aftermath, and will be returning to cover what Tunisians hope will be their first free and democratic election in October. Al Jazeera has led the way with its coverage of the Arab Spring, gaining a much wider global audience as many people turned away Western news outlets.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
It’s coming from the sorrow in the street,
the holy places where the races meet;
from the homicidal bitchin’ that goes down in every kitchen
to determine who will serve and who will eat.
From the wells of disappointment where the women kneel to pray
for the grace of God in the desert here and the desert far away
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.
Leonard Cohen: Democracy

"I pledge that if any U.S. troops, contractors, or mercenaries remain in Afghanistan on Thursday, October 6, 2011, as that occupation goes into its 11th year, I will commit to being in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., with others on that day or the days immediately following, for as long as I can, with the intention of making it our Tahrir Square, Cairo, our Madison, Wisconsin, where we will NONVIOLENTLY resist the corporate machine by occupying Freedom Plaza to demand that America’s resources be invested in human needs and environmental protection instead of war and exploitation. We can do this together. We will be the beginning." http://october2011.org/welcome

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

‘Free-market quake’ turns citizens into assets http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/5351237/Free-market-quake-turns-citizens-into-assets

Big majority want SAS troops brought home – poll http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10742158

Matt McCarten: Targeting vulnerable has no place here http://www.nzherald.co.nz/matt-mccarten-on-politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502871&objectid=10741924

Maori suffer more stillbirths, neonatal deaths – reports http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741360

Hui commits to stop expansion of fossil fuels extraction http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1107/S00363/hui-commits-to-stop-expansion-of-fossil-fuels-extraction.htm

Tapu Misa: Banning the burqa would not help women http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10740609

Study grant cuts hurt refugees – agency http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/5350220/Study-grant-cuts-hurt-refugees-agency

25 years of gay rights in New Zealand http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5259144/25-years-of-gay-rights-in-New-Zealand

Homosexual law reform fears ‘have not come to pass’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5259348/Homosexual-law-reform-fears-have-not-come-to-pass%20%E2%80%83

Bill Logan Pt.1: "It was a good ride! http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/33/article_10651.php Bill Logan Pt2: The change in NZ culture http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/45/article_10653.php

Malcolm McKinnon (Te Ara: Signposts): 25 years on – homosexual law reform in New Zealand

MMP has given voters more power http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00008/mmp-has-given-voters-more-power.htm

Welcome to POLICY WATCH, the fortnightly e-newsletter from the NZ Council of Christian Social Services. http://christiansocialservices.blogspot.com/

OUR HUNGRY KIDS

Brian Rudman: Hunger in land of milk and honey http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741004

CPAG Report: Hunger for Learning http://www.cpag.org.nz/assets/Publications/2-0%2025804%20Hunger%20for%20Learning%20Brochure.pdf

Huge leap in foodbank use http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741017

Food at bottom of list for some http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741008

Hungry pupils ‘need taxpayer help’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10740630

40,000 NZ kids fed by charities http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10740657

Pullout by Countdown leaves gap in school day http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10740841

Split views over food and learning http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10740836

You’re on your own, parents told http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10740840

More schools feeding children http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10740627

Whanau helps put kai on table http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741015

Fairness of child poverty rates queried http://www.odt.co.nz/campus/university-otago/171005/fairness-child-poverty-rates-queried

Beneficiaries plead ‘don’t forget us at the bottom’ http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/beneficiaries-plead-don-t-forget-us-bottom-4328907

NZ WORK RIGHTS

NZEI has commissioned a couple of TV adverts, one of which started today. You can view it on the box (see attached for screening times) or at www.speakup.org.nz

Low wage rises overtaken by inflation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00012/low-wage-rises-overtaken-by-inflation.htm

NZ ECONOMY

The human face of unemployment statistics http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/5361591/The-human-face-of-unemployment-statistics

Ready, able and needing to work http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/5361588/Ready-able-and-needing-to-work

John Minto: Why We Need Sleepless Nights In Remuera http://www.nznewsuk.co.uk/news/?id=21101&story=John-Minto–Why-We-Need-Sleepless-Nights-In-Remuera

Rich list highlights poor policy choice http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1107/S00462/rich-list-highlights-poor-policy-choice.htm

Rich List will go down like a cup of cold sick http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1107/S00333/rich-list-will-go-down-like-a-cup-of-cold-sick-ndu.htm

NBR Rich List http://www.nbr.co.nz/rich-list-2011

NZ’s wealthy doing just fine http://www.3news.co.nz/defaultStrip.aspx?tabid=213&articleID=220356

Rich Lister, Phillip Mills) are saying that they think people such as themselves should be paying more tax – listen for example to this RNZ item.

Raising interest rates will only make life tougher http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1107/S00320/raising-interest-rates-will-only-make-life-tougher.htm

Jane Kelsey: Pitfalls of a gold-standard trade deal http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10740945

NDU: Government Blocks Parliamentary Hearing on Trans-Pacific Partnership http://ndu.org.nz/government_blocks_parliamentary_hearing_trans_pacific_partnership

Jane Kelsey on the TPPA (15 mins) http://uncensored.co.nz/2011/07/28/the-trans-pacific-partnership-t-p-p-a-why-its-bad-for-you/

Fresh Ideas for a Productive Economy – Scoop Full Coverage http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1107/S00316/fresh-ideas-for-a-productive-economy-scoop-full-coverage.htm

CULTURAL DISSENT

A Losing Game – Another pop-music cliche came tragically true this past weekend: “Amy Winehouse, dead at 27.” http://www.sociarts.com/rebel_frequencies/losing-game

FEATURES

Breivik’s favourite conspiracy http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2011/07/breiviks-favourite-conspiracy.html

The Arab Awakening – Auckland Uni Forum 27 July 2011 Intro http://www.vimeo.com/27050942 PART 1 http://www.vimeo.com/27077961 PART 2 http://www.vimeo.com/27079157 Part 3 http://www.vimeo.com/27080046

Democratizing work: Why and how http://newunionism.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/democratizing-work-the-why-and-the-how/

A Trade Barrier to Defeating AIDS http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/a-trade-barrier-to-defeating-aids/

Tariq Ali: The Arab intifada and US power (video) http://links.org.au/node/2422

‘If power is not seized, counter-revolution will rise’: Vijay Prashad on the Arab revolt (Part I) http://radicalnotes.com/content/view/153/1/

The `First Socialist International of the 21st Century’ http://links.org.au/node/1646

Chavez : “The idea of a new International is catching on” http://venezuelatranslatingtherevolution.blogspot.com/2011/07/chavez-idea-of-new-international-is.html

Rethinking Recognition: Has the liberating charge of struggles for recognition dissolved into pure identity politics? Do these have to sidestep inequalities of wealth and power? Not, Nancy Fraser contends, if recognition is understood as a question of social status rather than existential address. http://www.newleftreview.org/?view=2248

The hate factory: xenophobia and racism in Europe http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2223

Race from the 20th to the 21st Century: Multiculturalism or Emancipation? http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22396

Freedom of expression subverted in Israel, US – Both the US Congress and Israel`s Knesset have passed profoundly anti-democratic measures in recent months. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/07/201172094919929983.html

ALBA: Sovereignty, Justice, Transparency

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIROMENT

From ‘common goods’ to the ‘common good of humanity’ http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5090

Fred Magdoff & John Bellamy Foster: ‘What every environmentalist needs to know about capitalism’ (exclusive excerpt) http://links.org.au/node/2429

Growing Water Deficit Threatening Grain Harvests By Lester Brown http://www.countercurrents.org/brown270711.htm

Environmental Colonialism in the Climate Struggle? What’s in a number? In the case of 330 ppm, a whole lot. “Imperialism, not human nature, has caused this global crisis; anti-imperialism and solidarity are the only paths out.” http://justicenecology.posterous.com/environmental-colonialism-in-the-climate-stru

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Mike Davis: The Coming Economic Disaster http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175422/tomgram%3A_mike_davis%2C_the_coming_economic_disaster/#more

United States: Debt crisis — the issue is the war machine, not welfare http://links.org.au/node/2428

AFGHANISTAN

Ending the War in Afghanistan with Malalai Joya http://wearemany.org/v/ending-war-in-afghanistan

BOLIVIA

Bolivian President Denounces Water Privatisation http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/07/bolivian-president-denounces-water.html

CHINA

Should China create a law on workers’ strikes? http://links.org.au/node/2426

CUBA

The Gross case: Why not Cuba? Arnold August http://alainet.org/active/45064&lang=es

EL SALVADOR

Social Programs Bolster Support for Funes Government https://nacla.org/blog/el-salvador-social-programs-bolster-support-funes-government

GREECE

One World, One Revolution: Our friends at the multimedia team in Syntagma just released one of the most spectacular videos to have come out of Greece so far http://zcommunications.org/one-world-one-revolution-by-j-r-me-e-roos

GUATEMALA

Resisting the New Colonialism http://www.cipamericas.org/archives/5136

LIBYA

Libyan rebels have conceded ground since bombing began http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/libyan-rebels-have-conceded-ground-since-bombing-began-2326524.html

Younes death halts momentum for Libyan rebels http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/07/2011728215485843.html

Benghazi Clash Exposes Cracks in Rebel Ranks http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/world/africa/01libya.html

Abdel Fatah Younis assassination creates division among Libya rebels http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/29/abdel-fatah-younis-death-libya

Patrick Cockburn: Why the West is committed to the murderous rebels in Libya http://tinyurl.com/44gkl8s

MALAYSIA

Malaysian socialists released! ‘Freeing us was definitely due to public pressure’, says Jeyakumar http://links.org.au/node/2425

PACIFIC

At least 22 die in fresh political clashes in West Papua, say officials http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/08/at-least-22-die-in-fresh-political-clashes-in-west-papua-say-officials/

Battle to seek justice for Fiji pensioners strikes new legal defining point http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/08/battle-to-seek-justice-for-fiji-pensioners-strikes-new-legal-defining-point/

PAKISTAN

Murder By Numbers – fighting Back Against The CIA Drone War By: Muhammad Idrees Ahmad –

They call it "bug splat", the splotch of blood, bones, and viscera that marks the site of a successful drone strike. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28711.htm

PALESTINE

Mass protests in Israel over high prices http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/201173020161903849.html

“Systematic human rights violations continue in the Occupied Territories" says United Nations Committee

http://reliefweb.int/node/437705

Where Politics Are Complex, Simple Joys at the Beach http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/world/middleeast/27swim.html

Gaza in Crisis With Ilan Pappé – Ilan Pappé talks about his latest book, Gaza in Crisis, at a Lanan Foundation event in Santa Fe, NM on December 8, 2010. Gaza in Crisis is an analysis and discussion of Israel’s war against the Palestinians featuring Pappé along with Noam Chomsky and published by Haymarket Books. http://wearemany.org/v/ilan-papp%C3%A9

Justice and the struggle for Palestine – Journalist Ali Abunimah is one of the most important sources of information and analysis of the Israeli war on Palestine and the ongoing struggle for justice. He is cofounder of the invaluable Electronic Intifada website and author of One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse. He talked to Eric Ruder about the latest developments in the region–and what lies ahead for Palestinians. http://socialistworker.org/2011/07/26/justice-and-the-struggle-for-palestine

Israel is an Apartheid State http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=17009

SYRIA

One hundred days of struggle http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/international/12686-syria-one-hundred-days-of-struggle

UK

British nuclear test veterans take cancer claims to supreme court http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/28/nuclear-bomb-test-veterans-at-supreme-court?INTCMP=SRCH

USA

From Attica to Pelican Bay: A Brief History of Prison Rebellions http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/07/brief_history_of_organized_prison_rebellions_since_attica.html

Annals of Human Rights: Hellhole – The United States holds tens of thousands of inmates in long-term solitary confinement. Is this torture? http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/03/30/090330fa_fact_gawande#ixzz1TSbMcde6

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

PLEASE SIGN ONLINE PETITION AGAINST TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
This was originally going to close on July 4th, but it’s built up momentum, so it seemed a shame to stop it now. More and more of the disastrous implications of the TPPA are making themselves obvious. The new cutoff date (which won’t be extended again) is November 1st. So please sign it now (if you haven’t already done so). And if you’ve got a hard copy of it, please post it to New Zealand Not For Sale Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch 8140.

We urge you to circulate and publicise the petition, online and hard copy, through your organisations and networks. Murray Horton, Convenor, New Zealand Not For Sale Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch 8140. nznot4sale www.nznotforsale.org
Petition:
We the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand call upon the Government of New Zealand.
• to cease negotiations on the Transpacific Partnership agreement; and
• to not sign this agreement; and
• to cease work on any other in-progress or proposed international trade and investment treaties containing clauses which limit or abrogate New Zealand’s sovereign and democratic right to make and enforce laws and regulations and provide services which differ from those of other states or transnational organisations.
Sign the petition

NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR ROGER AWARD
Nominations are now open for the 2011 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand. All details are on the nomination form, which is online at our Website. Here are the links to it, in both Word and PDF.
http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2011Nomination.doc
http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2011Nomination.pdf
You can use it to send us your nomination/s, either electronically, or print it it, fill it in and post it to us at the below postal address. And please distribute it far and wide. Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser, CAFCA, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa. cafca

Please Join CAFCA’s Facebook Group & Follow Our Blog & On Twitter http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117427631610589&ref=ts
http://www.watchblogaotearoa.blogspot.com/ https://twitter.com/#!/NZN4S

SUPERFUND PETITION
“To the House of Representatives: We request that the New Zealand Parliament ask the Guardians of the NZ Superfund to disinvest the Fund from Elbit Systems, Caterpillar, G4S and 3 major Israeli banks: Bank Hapoalim , Bank Leumi and Israel Discount Bank, to ensure that New Zealanders are not profiteering from crimes against international humanitarian law.” For copies email Mandlgriffiths or write to: Lois Griffiths, 48 St Andrews Square, Christchurch, 03 355 4715 http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/petition-nz-superfund-to-divest-from-israeli-occupation/

ENCOURAGE THE MINISTER OF LABOUR TO SUPPORT THE EQUAL PAY AMENDMENT BILL
Equal Pay e-card available on the Green’s website. You can send a card to the Minister of Labour here: http://www.greens.org.nz/ecards/support-equal-pay The text reads: “Dear Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Labour, Our equal pay law needs updating. Men and women doing the same job should be paid the same. But that isn’t always the case. Giving us the legal right to get better information about pay rates in our workplace means we will be able to find out if there is an equal pay problem or not. It’s a small but important change that makes our current law work better. Please support the Equal Pay Amendment Bill.”

ME RONGO 2011 PEACE CONGRESS INFORMATION, REGISTRATION AND INVITATION 7 TO 21 NOVEMBER 2011, REKOHU (CHATHAM ISLANDS)
This message is to let you know that information about the Me Rongo 2011 Peace Congress – ‘Peace, Sustainability and Respect for the Sacred’ – the registration form and draft programme are now available. Below is the welcome message from the Congress hosts, an outline of the purpose and vision of the Congress, and an invitation for peace to groups to present workshops at it. The document with more information, the registration details, draft programme and contact details for the organisers, is available as a pdf file at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.pdf and as a Word document at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.doc This message is available online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/me-rongo-2011-peace-congress-information-registration-and-invitation/195449993835711

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

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