GPJA #387: Operation 8 DVD launch Wellington tonight

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 387, August 12, 2011

OPERATION 8 DVD LAUNCH TONIGHT (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

SOCIALIST AOTEAROA: SAT 1PM, EDEN PARK, PROTEST AGAINST ADIDAS SWEATSHOP WAGES TO ALL BLACKS JERSEY WORKERS
Kia ora everyone, This Saturday Socialist Aotearoa are going to be protesting outside Eden Park against Adidas paying 60cents an hour to sweatshop workers who make the All Blacks jerseys. The Adidas corporation are guilty of (1) exploiting third world labour, (2) charging exorbitant prices and (3) commodifying sport. Three stripes and you’re out. Anti-capitalist group Socialist Aotearoa is organising an All Black Block this Saturday at 1pm at the front gate of Eden Park, where we will burn the Adidas corporate logo in protest. Join us. more info- txt Joe at 029 44 55 702. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/08/all-black-block-against-adidas-saturday.html http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223494421029558 We’re calling for everyone who can make it to come down this Saturday and show their support for Adidas workers, non-commercial sport and for fair prices for the jerseys. Cheers, SA team.

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.

WHAT’S ON

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

Friday, August 12, 7pm, 4/125 Grafton Rd, Auckland.
Militant Labour Forum: What stance for working people in the 2011 elections? As the general election approaches, union leaders and others who claim to speak for working people are urging us to rally against the governing National Party and its Act coalition partner. This means an electoral campaign for Labour. Some look to the Greens and Maori Party as well to be part of an alterna-tive government with Labour that will allegedly be more favourable to work-ing people. Others assert that the new Mana Party brings a revolutionary, working class voice into parliament. This forum will discuss what stance working people should take in the election. It will look at how we can forge a working class campaign that speaks in our interests in the face of the impact of the crisis of capitalism and the offensive against our rights and liveli-hoods by the rulers. Mike Tucker from the Communist League will speak. Suggested donation $5 waged, $2 unwaged. By the corner of Grafton Bridge/Grafton Rd.

Saturday, August 13, 10am-1pm, Room 018, Clock tower Bldg, 22 Princes St, Auckland
Law into Action: Progress in Human Rights for All . The Centre for Continuing Education in association with the Human Rights Foundation brings you this seminar to celebrate the Human Rights Foundation’s 10th Anniversary and the 2011 publication of ‘Law into Action: Economic, social, and cultural rights in Aotearoa New Zealand’. Speakers include Deborah Manning, Kris Gledhill, Jill Chrisp and Rohan Jaduram. Fee: $55: Student/ unwaged $15.

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

Sunday, August 14, 2.30pm, Functions Room, Freemans Bay Community Centre, 52 Hepburn Street, Auckland
A small regional group of the Campaign for MMP has existed in Auckland, there are now 4 months left before the Referendum, we need a significant increase in people who will be active in the effort to Keep MMP. The purpose of the meeting is organise our efforts in Auckland. We need to know who can take a project in hand, recruit a group around them and get the job done. If you need more information contact Hamish at auckland http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/maps

Tuesday, August 16, 7.30pm, Knox Centre, Bealey Ave, near corner of Victoria Street, Christchurch.
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

Tuesday, August 16, Parliament, Wellington
TAX JUSTICE PETITION PRESENTATION – The Tax Justice petition which calls for GST off food and a tax on financial speculation will be presented to Parliament on Tuesday 16 August. The Labour MP for Mangere, Su’a William Sio, will be accepting the petition and presenting it to the House. That means we’ve only got a month left to push towards our goal of 50,000 signatures. You can help. The Tax Justice petition can be downloaded here. Please print it off and collect more signatures through your networks. If you want to be part of teams collecting signatures in the last weeks of the campaign contact us ASAP, email vaughangunson@taxjustice.org.nz or ph/txt 021-0415 082.

Wednesday, August 17, 1-3pm, 7th floor lounge area, Room WF710, AUT Business School, 42 Wakefield Street, Auckland City
‘Modern Awards : Australia’s New System of Industry-Based Minimum Standards with Professor Mark Bray, University of Newcastle, a visiting research fellow of the NZ Work & Labour Market Institute. Light lunch 1-2pm. RSVP to nzwalmi for catering purposes.

Wednesday, August 17, 6pm, Auckland Trades Hall, 147-151 Gt North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Fabian Society 2011 Annual General Meeting: The AGM Agenda is as follows: 1. Apologies 2. Chair’s Report 3. Financial Report 4. Election of Officers 5. Planning for 2011 & 2012 6. General Business. Nominations are called for members of the Managing Committee. Nominations must proposed and seconded by a Society member and submitted in writing to the Secretary by 5pm on Friday August 12th 2011. The AGM will be followed with a presentation by Sandra Grey on the forthcoming referendum on electoral systems. Further details to follow soon.

Thursday, August 18, Academy Cinema on Lorne Street, beside the Auckland Central Library
The Inside Job: Young Greens Film Screening. Inside Job is a shocking expose of what caused the 2008 financial crisis, the recession which cost tens of millions of people their jobs and cost the global economy over $20 trillion. Through extensive research and interviews with leading financiers, politicians and journalists Inside Job traces the rise of a rogue and corrupt industry. Inside Job has won multiple awards, including being rated by Best Documentary of the Year by the New York Film Critics. You are invited to join us for a special screening of Inside Job with speakers including Jane Kelsey, expert on international politics and David Clendon, Green Party MP. After the film Jane Kelsey will discuss some of the issues with New Zealand’s own finance sector, including our risk of losing economic sovereignty to multi-national corporations through the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which our government is currently negotiating in secret. David Clendon, Green Party MP will outline some of the steps our government could take to regulate our finance sector and prevent more financial melt-downs in the future. There will be time for questions and group discussion. Tickets cost $20. All proceeds raised will go to the Green Party 2011 election campaign. To purchase tickets you can either: 1. Pay online using your credit card through:samr.otter to let us know that you have made a payment and how many tickets you would like.

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

Tuesday, September 13, 6pm, Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Historic Harbour Board Room, Wellington
1951 WATERSIDERS LOCKOUT DRAMATISED. Few confrontations have divided New Zealand as decisively as the 1951 Waterfront Dispute, lasting 151 days, from February 26 to July 15. Pass It On by playwright Renee Taylor is the peoples’ story of the 1951 waterfront lockout. Come and see Jeannie, Gus, Nell and Cliff and their comrades as they struggle to get their message to the people. Spliced with scenes shot in Wellington, ‘Pass it on’ promises to be as moving and real for audiences today as it was 60 years ago. This version has been produced by Year 12 Paraparaumu College Drama students, and is a whole class collaborative project. The production will take place in the Museum of Wellington City & Sea’s magnificent historic Board Room of the Wellington Harbour Board – one of the key players in the bitter dispute. The dispute is the longest standing industrial dispute in New Zealand’s history. Bookings: Phone: 472-8904, E: museumswellington Koha/gold coin donation (max X50 tickets)

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: 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. http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/profile/yasmine-ryan

Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves, it is because self-knowledge is painful and we prefer the pleasures of illusion." Aldous Huxley
"Observe all men; thy self most." – Benjamin Franklin
"If you know yourself, then you know all people." – Tom Feeley
"The offspring of riches: Pride, vanity, ostentation, arrogance, tyranny" – Mark Twain
"All war is based on deception." – Sun Tzu, in The Art of War
"As through this world I’ve wandered I’ve seen lots of funny men, Some will rob you with a six gun and some with a fountain pen." — Woody Guthrie
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor." – Mark Twain

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

All Black jersey makers paying some workers 60c per hour – Oxfam http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10743045

Matt McCarten: US counts financial costs of tea partiers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/economy/news/article.cfm?c_id=34&objectid=10743503

Waihopai trio supporters pack court http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/5408324/Waihopai-trio-supporters-pack-court

Spy base trio sued from ‘wall of secrecy’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/5410799/Spy-base-trio-sued-from-wall-of-secrecy

Waihopai decision will take weeks http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10743831

Justice Reinvestment – the high cost of prison http://blog.greens.org.nz/2011/08/10/justice-reinvestment-the-high-cost-of-prison/

Building an eco-socialist network in New Zealand http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/08/building-eco-socialist-network-in-new.html

A Kronic case of applying political expediency http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/5411597/A-Kronic-case-of-applying-political-expediency

The great divide – GWYNETH HYNDMAN spoke to people who witnessed the impact 30 years ago, when the Springboks played Southland at Invercargill’s Rugby Park on August 8. http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/5408682/The-great-divide

City must seize chance to change – Tony Milne is the national public health practice leader for the Problem Gambling Foundation, but this piece represents his own views. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/5385692/City-must-seize-chance-to-change

Who were the Springbok Tour protestors? This post is part of a series remembering the 1981 Springbok Tour. http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2011/08/05/who-were-the-springbok-tour-protestors/

Dunedin VSM protest against Key

Unrest inevitable, NZ just as bad – academic http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5426057/Unrest-inevitable-NZ-just-as-bad-academic

PSA backs call for investigation into Treasury’s gifting policy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00144/psa-backs-call-for-investigation-into-treasurys-gifting.htm

Tim Watkin: We want answers and cheaper milk http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/tim-watkin-we-want-answers-and-cheaper-milk-4345077

Chart o’ the day: got milked? http://thestandard.org.nz/chart-o-the-day-got-milked/

Examine all milk pricing points, urges Dalziel http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/5418298/Examine-all-milk-pricing-points-urges-Dalziel

NZEI: It’s time for the government to face facts on National Standards http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/time-govt-face-facts-national-standards-nzei/5/97955

MANA MOVEMENT

Harawira silent on ‘high profile’ Mana candidates http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/harawira-silent-high-profile-mana-candidates-4342905

The Mana Party leadership widens – roles for Bradford, Sykes, Minto and Jackson http://tinyurl.com/43smzfr

Mana Movement AGM http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/08/mana-movement-agm.html

Faulty logic in some pension claims http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/5395916/Faulty-logic-in-some-pension-claims

Fears 20 Hours policy under threat http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10743869

Hone Harawira on Mana Party AGM http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/08/hone-harawira-on-mana-party-agm.html

POVERTY & INEQUALITY

Tapu Misa: Idolise wealth creators? That’s rich http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10743593&ref=mobile

John Tamihere: And the rich get richer … http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/opinion/5366018/And-the-rich-get-richer

Putting the focus on income inequality – Talking Politics by GORDON CAMPBELL http://tinyurl.com/3bvlumn

Welfare fraud and reform http://thestandard.org.nz/welfare-fraud-and-reform/

NZ WORK RIGHTS

Fishing probe turns ugly http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5402951/Fishing-probe-turns-ugly

Pressure should be on Fishing Quota Holders, not workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00155/pressure-should-be-on-fishing-quota-holders-not-workers.htm

PSA launches election campaign – Public Services Keep New Zealand Working http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1108/S00044/psa-launches-election-campaign.htm

End slavery in NZ, create 2,500 Kiwi jobs http://thestandard.org.nz/end-slavery-in-nz-create-2500-kiwi-jobs/

Pay equity issue raised in new report http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/pay-equity-issue-raised-in-new-report-4346268

NZ ECONOMY

Chris Trotter: Sweeping the real rubbish away http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/columnists/chris-trotter/5411814/Sweeping-the-real-rubbish-away

Exchange Rate and Labour Market Changes? Government should come clean http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00098/exchange-rate-and-labour-market-changes.htm

Colmar Brunton puts spotlight on 3rd tier lenders revealing interest rates of 498% pa and ignorance among borrowers http://www.interest.co.nz/print/54783

CULTURAL DISSENT

Book Reviews: Afghanistan the Talibans and Militant Islam in Central Asia http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22514

Review of: Men’s Feminism: August Bebel and the German Socialist Movement by Anne Lopes and Gary Roth, Amherst, New York, http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22475

FEATURES

An Appreciation of Stephen Jay Gould http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22515

From Hiroshima to Fukushima: Lessons for Today’s Nuclear Crisis http://www.thenation.com/blog/162617/hiroshima-fukushima-lessons-todays-nuclear-crisis?rel=emailNation

It’s official – your job might be killing you http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10744475

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Gordon Campbell: On the Right’s Lethal Prescription for the Global Economy http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/08/09/gordon-campbell-the-right%E2%80%99s-lethal-plan-for-global-economy/print/

Feral Capitalism Hits The Streets By David Harvey http://davidharvey.org/2011/08/feral-capitalism-hits-the-streets/

The PPProblem with PPPs – An Financial Times analysis shows Britain would be much better off without Private Finance Initiatives or Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as we call them. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/aba00e5e-c121-11e0-b8c2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1USXSnKqH

Eurozone Debt Crisis – On the Road to Credit Crunch II? http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/534.php

What’s causing the market mayhem? The wild plunges of international markets in the past weeks are related to deeper economic and financial problems. Petrino DiLeo and Alan Maass explain how. http://socialistworker.org/2011/08/11/mayhem-of-the-market

AFGHANISTAN

More Lost By the Second By Kathy Kelly – Imagine it. People in an Afghan village pass sleepless nights, anxious that their home might be targeted by a U.S.-led night raid. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28817.htm

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s repression of BDS movement coordinated with Israel http://electronicintifada.net/content/australias-repression-bds-movement-coordinated-israel/10247

Australia’s big squeeze – Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes has done a piece on the thousands of Australian suburbanites secretly going broke under the weight of enormous mortgages http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/8281823/the-big-squeeze

Report scathing of detention conditions http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-11/comcare-report-scathing-of-detention-centre-conditions/2835820/?site=newcastle

BOLIVIA

Bolivia’s fight for sovereignty over military http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/08/bolivias-fight-for-sovereignty-over.html

CANADA

Selling the City: Rob Ford’s Toronto http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/533x.php

CHILE

Chile student protests point to deep discontent http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14487555

EGYPT

Tariq Ali: A few questions for the Muslim brothers in Tahrir Square http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22503

GREECE

Greece begins €50bn privatisation drive: The starting gun for one of the biggest fire-sales in western history was fired as Greek officials began appointing advisers for the country’s ambitious privatisation drive. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/01/greece-50bn-privatisation-drive

HAITI

Fact-finding delegation reports on post-earthquake Haiti http://links.org.au/node/2438

Wikileaks Haiti: The Aristide Files http://www.thenation.com/article/162598/wikileaks-haiti-aristide-files

Political disputes and foreign intervention lie at the root of Haiti’s seemingly intractable problems. http://www.themarknews.com/articles/6324-foreign-interests-mar-haiti-s-recovery

INDIA

Communal War in Gujarat, India http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22513

IRAQ

Al-Sadr Warns U.S. Forces to Leave Iraq: Muqtada al-Sadr’s comments came in a rare statement translated into English and directed at U.S. troops in Iraq. The statement was posted on his website http://fxn.ws/piNDCm

KOREA

Interview: Organizing Korean Contingent Labor http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22482

LIBYA

Waging a Savage War on Libyan People http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28812.htm

NATO Kills 85 Civilians In Libya Video http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28809.htm

Libyan "rebel" leader sacks cabinet after general’s death: The NTC has come under heavy fire for its role in events leading up to Yunis’s death, as well as its handling of the aftermath. http://f24.my/pdxnjy

MOROCCO

What the media do not show about what happens in Morocco http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22500

NEPAL

‘New Nepal’ still waiting to be born http://links.org.au/node/2443

PACIFIC

Study on NCDs launched in Tonga http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=177556

PAKISTAN

Drones: Tyranny of flying terror: The morally bankrupt Obama administration insists on using brutal and massive force against unarmed and hapless civilians in gross violation of international law and in flagrant breach of basic human rights. http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=108381

PALESTINE

Mass protest movement offers hope http://links.org.au/node/2440

SOMALIA

The roots of Somalia’s famine http://socialistworker.org/2011/08/11/roots-of-somali-famine

SYRIA

What Lies Ahead in Syria? http://www.thenation.com/article/162634/what-lies-ahead-syria

THAILAND

Red Shirts and the new cabinet http://links.org.au/node/2445

UK

Over 1,000 Arrested in U.K. as Anger over Inequality, Racism Boils Over into "Insurrection" http://www.democracynow.org/2011/8/10/over_1_000_arrested_in_uk

From Brixton to Tottenham, inequality lies at the heart of the riots http://www.newint.org/blog/2011/08/08/jody-mcintyre-riots-police-tottenham-brixton/

Tariq Ali on British riots: Why here and now? http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48439

British riots: a crisis of ideology and political leadership By Richard Seymour, London http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48440

London Riots. (The BBC will never replay this. Send it out)

Nothing ‘mindless’ about rioters – Although riots are complex social phenomenona, the recent unrest in England has inescapably political roots. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/201189165143946889.html

Panic on the streets of London. http://pennyred.blogspot.com/2011/08/panic-on-streets-of-london.html

A new jury to put the British public interest first – A campaign has been launched to hold to account Britain’s ‘feral’ elite for the series of crises which have scarred the country http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jul/31/public-jury-feral-elite-letter

Britain’s social elastic is almost at snapping point – With the gap between rich and poor widening still further, it is painfully apparent that we are not all in this together http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jul/25/britain-rich-poor-in-this-together

Darcus Howe’s timely insurrection http://tinyurl.com/3n4xrd7

Between a Burning London and a Frozen Society: Time to Build a Human World By John Stubley – We cannot wait for the rest of the world to be engulfed by flames before we act. The materials are at hand. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28806.htm

London riots: the underclass lashes out: London’s rioters are the products of a crumbling nation, and an indifferent political class that has turned its back on them. http://tgr.ph/oCFEE3

If the rioting was a surprise, people weren’t looking: Clear signs of deep problems in our youth were ignored as being a black problem

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/08/tottenham-riots-not-unexpected

USA

Verizon Workers Strike over "Full-Scale Attack" on Wages, Benefits at Telecom Giant http://www.democracynow.org/2011/8/11/verizon_workers_strike_over_full_scale

Next Low-Wage Haven: USA http://labornotes.org/2011/07/next-low-wage-haven-usa

How America turned poverty into a crime http://www.salon.com/news/great_recession/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2011/08/09/america_crime_poverty

The Prisoner Hunger Strike: A Real Inspiration, A Real Beginning By Li Onesto http://www.countercurrents.org/onesto080811.htm

Chomsky: Public Education Under Massive Corporate Assault What’s Next? By Noam Chomsky – There’s no way to measure the human and social costs of converting schools and universities into facilities that produce commodities for the job market. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28798.htm

VIETNAM

Extraordinary petition by ‘patriotic personalities’ http://links.org.au/node/2439

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

“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).

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