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GPJA #471: Remembering Hiroshima; What’s On; News from Aotearoa & the world (6/8/13)

August 6, 2013 Leave a comment

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 471, AUGUST 6, 2013

REMEMBERING HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI By David Krieger http://www.hiroshimacommittee.org/RememberingNagasaki&Hiroshima.htm

John Pilger: The lies of Hiroshima live on, props in the war crimes of the 20th century http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/aug/06/secondworldwar.warcrimes

This Week in ‘Nation’ History: Hiroshima and the Roots of American Secrecy http://www.thenation.com/blog/175579/week-nation-history-hiroshima-and-roots-american-secrecy#axzz2bAZ6r3Sg

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

Wednesday, August 7, 6pm, Henderson Council Chamber Civic Building (Level 2), 6 Henderson Valley Road Henderson
The WEB invites you to a forum on: Migrant workers experiences on labour exploitation in New Zealand. Presenter: Dennis Maga (Co-ordinator of Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG). 6:00pm for registration/networking; Meeting from 6:30pm -8:00pm. RSVP: contact or Phone (09) 836 0169 by 2nd August for catering purposes, as seating is strictly limited. Baljit Singh I Coordinator I Waitakere Ethnic Board PO Box 21068, Henderson, Waitakere City 0650, Auckland. Website:www.waitakereethnicboard.org.nz

Wednesday, August 7, 6.00pm, University of Auckland Conference Centre, 26 Symonds St, Auckland
Frances Joychild QC talk on human rights litigation in New Zealand. Frances Joychild QC will be speaking at our annual general meeting on 7 August 2013 about the environment of human rights litigation in New Zealand. In particular, Frances will share her recent experiences in significant discrimination cases in the Court of Appeal: representing the Child Poverty Action Group in their challenge of the government’s In-Work Tax Credit scheme (Court of Appeal decision expected in the coming months); and representing Atkinson in the Family Caregivers Case (Ministry of Health v Atkinson [2012] 3 NZLR 456 (CA)), where the government policy that excluded family members from payment for providing various disability support services to their disabled children was found to be unjustified discrimination. Frances Joychild QC is one of New Zealand’s leading human rights lawyers. She has 15 years experience as a barrister sole working in civil litigation, and has spent 3 years as a Law Commissioner. WHEN: Wednesday 7 August 2013 at 6:00 pm for drinks and nibbles for a 6:30 pm start.
Annual General Meeting, Human Rights Lawyers Association of NZ: At the conclusion of Frances Joychild QC’s speech, the Association will hold its second Annual General Meeting (AGM). We expect that it will take approximately 30 minutes, and the Association will provide further drinks and nibbles at its conclusion. All members are welcome. For more information, follow this link.

Thursday, August 8, Outside Straterra Inc, Ground Floor, 93 The Terrace, Wellington
On Thursday 8 August, Simon Bridges, Minister of Energy and Resources is going to the mining club, Straterra, to “discuss how he sees the energy and resources portfolio evolving and his views on challenges facing the minerals industry.” He’s speaking at Straterra at 4:45pm. Let’s tell him what those challenges are. Let’s remind him of the damage the mining he supports is doing. The Denniston plateau (under threat from open cast coal mining by Bathurst Resources). The Pegasus Basin (under threat from Deep Sea Oil drilling by Anadarko). Taranaki (where farmland is poisoned by fracking). Let’s remind him about Solid Energy’s recent implosion at huge cost to workers and local communities – this is the boom and bust nature of the mining industry. Let’s remind him that this is not the future we want in Aotearoa. Join other Wellingtonians in a demonstration against the Government’s mining agenda. Organised by a coalition of community anti-mining groups in Wellington. If you are on Facebook, please join the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/291012641040815/ and – this is the crucial part invite likemided friends to the event.

Tuesday, August 13, 1pm, Parnell Trust Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland
Women’s Health Action, Counselling Services Centre, HELP, Rape Prevention Education and Tu Wahine Trust invite you to the annaul Cartwright Seminar, ‘One in a Hundred: Improving Justice for sexual violence survivors’ on Tuesday, August 13th from 1pm. The seminar will include a panel of presenters followed by discussion and then a light refreshments. Tickets cost $10. Register online at info or phone 09 520 5295. Please circulate this invitation among your networks.

Wednesday, August 14, 7-9pm, St Colomba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
A social justice forum on youth and employment. “Walk Alongside: Meaningful Work for the Young”. Guest Speakers: Cathy Bi, Caritas Aotearoa; Sarah Thompson, Auckland Action Against Poverty. For more information see: maryb

JOIN THE 2013 SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA – DECEMBER 4-13, 2013

Witness a people’s revolution in action. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s 14th international solidarity brigade to Venezuela this December is a very special opportunity to observe, learn about and be inspired by the Bolivarian revolution that is transforming Latin America and challenging the greed and exploitation of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible.

Brigade registration and costs

The registration deadline for the 2013 brigade is September 1, 2013. Accommodation, transport within Venezuela and English-Spanish translation throughout the brigade will be organised for all participants by the AVSN. Participants will need to book their own international airfares. Please do not purchase your tickets before the registration deadline of September 1.In addition to your international airfare, you will need to budget for approximately $1200. This will cover your brigade registration fee ($500 for waged workers or $350 for students/pensioners), and your food, transport and (shared) accommodation in Venezuela.To register or for more information: EMAIL: brigades www.venezuelasolidarity.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PROCHOICE HIGHWAY
Many thanks to all for a great 24 July Auckland launch of Fighting to Choose: The Abortion Rights Struggle in New Zealand. The follow-up book tour-cum-roadshow, Prochoice Highway, kicks off next month, and runs till the end of the year. If you’d like to follow the Highway via occasional email updates, this link will take you to a page where you can sign up. Otherwise your in-box will be left in peace from now on (unless, that is, you already happen to be a subscriber). Ngā mihi nui, Alison McCulloch

COROMANDEL WATCHDOG
Please see attached our Winter Newsletter. It has been a busy year for Hauraki/Coromandel with the Manaia campaign, closely followed by the Regatta and most recently the protest to protect Parakiwai, as well as expanding threats of mining in areas that are totally inappropriate. The government continue to present short-sighted committment to facilitating the mineral industry over and above communities and the environment. Thank you for being part of protecting the Coromandel, we know that communities deserve better than short-term unsustainable economic solutions and together we can save the Coromandel from this. Do not hesitate to get in touch with your ideas and/or to volunteer your time. Kind Regards, Renee Annan, Coordinator, Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki. m: 0220181764 www.watchdog.org.nz Newsletter: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18076151/Newsletter%20Winter%202013%20for%20email.pdf

ROGER AWARD
Nominations are open for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa – New Zealand in 2013. Download a nomination form here http://bit.ly/13RBjuT

DAVID ROVICS TOUR DOWN UNDER
Hi folks in aotearoa, Five weeks before I land in Christchurch, and then ramble around the south and north islands of New Zealand, before then going to tour Australia, starting in Perth and then moving on to drive from Adelaide to Brisbane, including lots of cities in between, such as Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney… At this point the tour is looking good, but there is still a heck of a lot of room for improvement! More gigs on both islands of Aotearoa and in the smaller cities anywhere in southeastern Australia would be very, very welcome indeed. I hope to hear from some of you who might be up for organizing something, and I hope to see many of you on the upcoming tour! Please let people know about all this if you see fit. That’s the only way this works, I’ve discovered… Details of what’s definite so far below and of course on my website…
Saturday, August 17th: The Free House, 95 Collingwood Street, Nelson
Monday, August 19th: Doors open at 6 pm, show starts at 8 pm! Puppies, Wellington
Friday, August 23rd: Old Stone Butter Factory, 8 Butter Factory Lane, Whangarei
Saturday, August 24th: Thirsty Dog, Auckland

LIVING WAGE TO FEATURE AT LOCAL ELECTIONS
Candidates will be asked by communities to step up for a Living Wage at this year’s local body elections in Auckland, Wellington and beyond. The Living Wage Movement will hold seven meetings in Auckland with communities that want to see employees and contracted workers at Auckland Council paid a Living Wage. Living Wage Aotearoa NZ will join with the following Auckland communities to call for a Living Wage and to support other critical issues that really matter to their communities:
Unions @ Papatoetoe Cosi Club | August 22, 4-6pm
Women @ Columbus Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby | September 3, 6-8pm
Youth @ Auckland University quad | September 4, 12.30-1.30pm
Migrant and Refugees @ Mays Rd Memorial Hall | September 7, 4-6pm
Faith-based groups @ Columbus Centre, Ponsonby | September 10, 7-9pm
West Auckland communities @ Tuvalu Church, Aetna Pl | September 18, 6-8pm
Pacific Communities @ Pacific Island Church Otara | October 4, 5-7pm

INVITATION TO “SEE THE PHILIPPINES: LEARN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!” WITH PEOPLE’S SOLIDARITY AND EDUCATION TOURS (PSET)
Dear friends, We are pleased to introduce to you People’s Solidarity and Education Tours (PSET), a newly-formed organization dedicated to solidarity building through tourism. More than offering fun and a glimpse of the country’s beauty, PSET offers an opportunity for travelers to have meaningful interaction and build solidarity with the Filipino people, especially in these times of worsening impoverishment and social injustices. Should you (or your members/contacts) be coming over to the Philippines, kindly consider availing of our heritage tours to see the Philippines’ famous historical and cultural sites from a different light, linking the country’s past and present with information and analysis that goes beyond the trivial, common, and colonial; or, to take part in our immersion programs in various communities for an in-depth understanding of the Filipino people’s plight, and direct contribution and long-term solidarity with them in their struggles. We also offer study tour programs which combine heritage tours and community exposures with formal lectures by institutions and authorities on the different aspects and issues of Philippine society. Alternatively, we can simply explore possible partnerships in the future. Please do not hesitate to email us at secretariat for more information and inquiries. Background information are also available at secretariat See the Philippines, learn and make a difference!

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

“At some stage you have to fight” – In this eye-opening and thought provoking article a recent guest at Dunedin’s Milton Prison explains what prison life is actually like in New Zealand. From getting in to getting out the author describes the barbaric, brutal interior of the country’s criminal justice system http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/at-some-stage-you-have-to-fight.html

Gordon Campbell on the Fonterra milk powder scandal, and the ongoing Dunne email saga http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/08/05/gordon-campbell-on-the-fonterra-milk-powder-scandal-and-the-ongoing-dunne-email-saga/

Racial abuse rife, says taxi driver http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10907932

Matt McCarten: Teflon PM survives perfect storm http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10907865

Nats face protest at big meet http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8995215/Nats-face-protest-at-big-meet

Families paid after SAS killings, film says http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10906857

Law group wants change after claims of illegal expulsions http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10906330

Few options for the desperate – As Australia closes the door on desperate boat arrivals, Amnesty International New Zealand head Grant Bayldon thinks it’s time for New Zealand to increase the number of refugees it takes. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/8984189/Few-options-for-the-desperate

Minto for Mayor, transport http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=72Qa9IyKutk#at=16

Darktown (Amazon $2.99): Tania Simpson is an environmental activist living in Aro Valley, campaigning against plans to build a massive luxury hotel on the site of an old petrol station, the year before the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Her body has just been found washed up on Sommes Island, in the middle of Wellington harbour. Welcome to Darktown. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E9R7GGG

Peter Williams: Criminals are victims http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10907877

Witness to a revolution http://fightback.org.nz/2013/08/04/witness-to-a-revolution/

John Minto Releases Affordable Housing Policy – Video – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/03/john-minto-releases-affordable-housing-policy-video/#sthash.yX3iclqY.5XUUwx6V.dpuf

Cosying up to Americans brings big costs for Key http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/dave-armstrong/9001137/Cosying-up-to-Americans-brings-big-costs-for-Key

Officer failed in his duty http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/officer-failed-in-his-duty/1973019/

NZ – GCSB

Anne Salmond: Govt must heed Kiwis’ unwillingness to live in spy state http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10908578

Close Waihopai! Abolish the SIS! By Mike Treen http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/02/close-waihopai-abolish-the-sis/

Can NZ say no to the US? By Chris Barton http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10908486

Gehan Gunasekara: Let’s lead the spooks a merry dance http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10908579

9:30 AM TuesdaJeff Simmonds – Let’s Shut Down Waihopai!

How much does the NSA subsidise the GCSB? By Keith Locke – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/02/how-much-does-the-nsa-subsidise-the-gcsb/#sthash.tuA9Pnxd.dpuf

Extended spying won’t diminish terrorist threat – expert http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/extended-spying-won-t-diminish-terrorist-threat-expert-5525185

Al-Qaida claim a GCSB ‘sales job’ – Stephenson http://www.3news.co.nz/Al-Qaida-claim-a-GCSB-sales-job—Stephenson/tabid/423/articleID/307315/Default.aspx

88 flavours of bullshit http://thestandard.org.nz/88-flavours-of-bullshit/

OK. Let’s kill that GCSB Bill! http://masspolicy.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/ok-lets-kill-that-gcsb-bill.html

We all have something to hide http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/we-all-have-something-to-hide.html

New Zealand is ‘part of NSA surveillance’ – report http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-zealand-part-nsa-surveillance-report-5524544

Key’s terror claims under fire http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10906882

John Minto Speaks Out Against the GCSB Bill In Auckland http://mintoformayor.org.nz/john-minto-speaks-the-auckland-protest-against-the-gcsb/

Phone taps old news for activists http://www.waateanews.com/Waatea+News.html?story_id=NDk3OQ%3D%3D

Tech giants: GCSB bill will hurt economy http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10906138

Drop GCSB bill, Dunne urged http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9000051/Drop-GCSB-bill-Dunne-urged

The GCSB Act – some history… http://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/the-gcsb-act-some-history/

Spy laws dangerous says Marama Davidson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI5Xbu9HGkY

Playing the fear card – Key’s last frantic gamble By John Minto – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/04/playing-the-fear-card-keys-last-frantic-gamble/#sthash.27nqjcjO.dpuf

The HRF’s Tim McBride with Chris Laidlaw on Sunday http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ideas/ideas-20130804-1006-ideas_for_4_august_2013-048.mp3

Spying leak hints at wider NZ role http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10908642

NZ – SPYING ON JOURNALISTS

Spy scandal journalist speaks out http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8987970/Spy-scandal-journalist-speaks-out

Espiner: Free press more important than GCSB http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/columnists/9000818/Espiner-Free-press-more-important-than-GCSB

Images of state surveillance of the media in NZ: This is a collection of recent cartoons relating to the scandals over surveillence of journalists such as Andrea Vance and Jon Stephenson by the Government and military. More will be added. http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2013/08/images-of-state-surveillance-of-the-media-in-nz.html

I’m angry at my records being released http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/8987091/I-m-angry-at-my-records-being-released

Govt betrayal on a monumental scale By John Armstrong http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10907488

Key’s media spying scandal deepens – Press Release: Green Party http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00059/keys-media-spying-scandal-deepens.htm

Gordon Campbell on the Vance phone scandal http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/08/01/gordon-campbell-on-the-vance-phone-scandal/

GCSB saga becoming National’s version of hell http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10906252

Photos: GCSB protests nationwide http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/image.cfm?c_id=466&gal_objectid=10906252&gallery_id=134467#11778068

NZ part of NSA surveillance – Snowden http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/8989755/NZ-part-of-NSA-surveillance-Snowden

John Key trashes the Constitution http://thestandard.org.nz/peter-dunne-really-should-make-a-stand/

Thorn’s silence will be broken at inquiry http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/8994948/Thorns-silence-will-be-broken-at-inquiry

Who’s to blame for the abuse on Andrea Vance? by Tim Watkin http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/whos-to-blame-for-the-abuse-on-andrea-vance

Editors want answers in Kiwi spying claims http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/8994947/Editors-want-answers-in-Kiwi-spying-claims

Chris Trotter: Media misses the real story http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/8994022/Media-misses-the-real-story

Gower slams ‘cowboy spying operation’ http://www.3news.co.nz/Gower-slams-cowboy-spying-operation/tabid/423/articleID/307018/Default.aspx

Prime Minister adamant over Vance emails http://www.3news.co.nz/Prime-Minister-adamant-over-Vance-emails/tabid/1607/articleID/307115/Default.aspx

Sir Geoffrey: Why phone record gaffe matters http://www.3news.co.nz/Sir-Geoffrey-Why-phone-record-gaffe-matters/tabid/817/articleID/306943/Default.aspx

DominionPost Editorial: Speaking truth to power http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/8977945/Editorial-Speaking-truth-to-power

NZH Editorial: PM should take care when flexing his muscles http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10906240

Southland Times Editorial: Nice of them to inquire http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/8987973/Editorial-Nice-of-them-to-inquire

NSA accused of spying on McClatchy reporter

Emails given to inquiry http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8996411/Emails-given-to-inquiry

Police seize Cuppagate texts http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10907972

Chilling attacks on freedom http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10907976

Spying scandal forensics http://thestandard.org.nz/spying-scandal-forensics/

Brian Rudman: Big Brother’s agents keep bumbling on http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10908238

TWENTY “MIND-BOGGLING” SECONDS http://humanrightsfoundation.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/twenty-mind-boggling-seconds/

Bryce Edwards: Political roundup: The bullying of the media http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10908483

More military intimidation http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/more-military-intimidation.html

Spying on another journalist – what did Key have to hide? http://thestandard.org.nz/spying-on-another-journalist-what-did-key-have-to-hide/

NZ – TEINA PORA CASE

Teina Poraa’s lawyer to lodge Privy Council appeal http://www.3news.co.nz/Collins-seeks-advice-on-Pora-case/tabid/1607/articleID/307602/Default.aspx

Teina Pora: Injustice we believe http://www.3news.co.nz/Teina-Pora-Injustice-we-believe/tabid/1771/articleID/307100/Default.aspx

Teina Pora case: Police fear miscarriage of justice http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10907529

Support an urgent independent inquiry into the conviction of Teina Pora. http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/support-an-urgent-independent-inquiry-into-the-conviction-of-teina-pora

TV Review: 3rd Degree http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/01/tv-review-3rd-degree/

Wrong man jailed for 1992 killing http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/wrong-man-jailed-for-1992-killing2/1970555/

Teina Pora: ‘He knows nothing’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/national/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=132601

NZ – POVERTY AND INEQUALITY

If you’ve got it, flaunt it http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10907980

‘They’re there and we’re here but we’re all the same’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10907983

Give away some of the ‘obscene’ money http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10907982

Social ills blamed on growing inequality http://www.3news.co.nz/Social-ills-blamed-on-growing-inequality/tabid/423/articleID/305076/Default.aspx

Evidence Clear, Disparity Growing http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/evidence-clear-disparity-growing.html

NZ – MCD’S ON STRIKE

Unite decries WINZ wage subsidy to McDonald’s http://unitenews.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/unite-decries-winz-wage-subsidy-to-mcdonalds/

Wairau Park strike – store empty http://unitenews.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/wairau-park-stike-store-empty/

The 15 year old fighting back against McDonalds http://unitenews.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/the-15-year-old-fighting-back-against-mcdonalds/

State gives McDonald’s $270,000 in subsidies http://fightback.org.nz/2013/08/06/state-gives-mcdonalds-270000-in-subsidies/

NZ – WORKRIGHTS

Union challenges The Warehouse living wage claims http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/union-challenges-warehouse-living-wage-claims-5526310

Peter Lyons: Kiwi battlers losing power in economic apartheid http://m.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10906743

Slave Free Seas Challenges Loophole http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00022/slave-free-seas-challenges-loophole.htm

CTU wants workers included on safety board http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/215944/ctu-wants-workers-included-on-safety-board

Unions appalled at iwi fishery exemptions http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbpol/1685456880-unions-appalled-at-iwi-fishery-exemptions

It Wasn’t the Workers or Unions Misusing their Power that Killed the Pike River Miners – CTU Submission http://thestandard.org.nz/it-wasnt-the-workers-or-unions-misusing-their-power-that-killed-the-pike-river-miners-ctu-submission/

Forestry safety inquiry planned http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8999324/Forestry-safety-inquiry-planned

120 jobs to go at Westport cement plant http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/267071/120-jobs-go-westport-cement-plant

Union campaign fights to achieve living wage http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/union-campaign-fights-to-achieve-living-wage/1970515/

Kiwi Steel fined $52,000 after worker lost three fingers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10908086

Mining unions go head to head with company over safety http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10906753

Forestry worker suffers serious head and back injuries http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10908516

Pizza delivery man bashed by mystery attacker http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10908430

$elling out workers’ rights http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/08/05/elling-out-workers-rights/

STATS OF THE WEEK

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“The few own the many because they possess the means of livelihood of all … The country is governed for the richest, for the corporations, the bankers, the land speculators, and for the exploiters of labour. The majority of mankind are working people. So long as their fair demands – the ownership and control of their livelihoods – are set at naught, we can have neither men’s rights nor women’s rights. The majority of mankind is ground down by industrial oppression in order that the small remnant may live in ease.” ― Helen Keller, Rebel Lives

FEATURES

Crackdown – Aziz Choudry on the post-9/11 chill that is undermining struggles for social justice worldwide. http://newint.org/features/2005/03/01/targeting-activists/

Egypt, Brazil, Turkey: without politics, protest is at the mercy of the elites – From Egypt to Brazil, street action is driving change, but organisation is essential if it’s not to be hijacked or disarmed http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jul/02/politics-protest-elites-brazil-egypt-organisation

Noam Chomsky: Is Edward J. Snowden Aboard This Plane? http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/17923-is-edward-j-snowden-aboard-this-plane

Dirty Wars and Self-indulgence http://dissidentvoice.org/2013/06/dirty-wars-as-self-indulgence/

Software that tracks people on social media created by defence firm http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/10/software-tracks-social-media-defence

First Americans were Black according to BBC documentary http://originalpeople.org/first-americans-were-black-aborigines-2/

The Hole in Our Collective Memory: How Copyright Made Mid-Century Books Vanish http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/07/the-hole-in-our-collective-memory-how-copyright-made-mid-century-books-vanish/278209/

Architecture, Occupation, and Resistance http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls183.php

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Tallinn, Estonia’s Capital, Introduces Free Public Transportation For Residents http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/estonias-capital-introduces-free-public-transportation_n_3014589.html

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Greece still bust, Spain depressed, Italy paralysed http://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/greece-still-bust-spain-depressed-italy-paralysed/

Online course: The economic crisis and globalisation http://academicearth.org/courses/economic-crisis-and-globalization/

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

Oil, energy and capitalism: An unpublished talk by Barry Commoner http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/07/30/exclusive-an-unpublished-talk-by-barry-commoner/

New pipeline plan dwarfs Keystone XL http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/08/03/new-transcanada-pipeline-plan-dwarfs-keystone-xl/

Cuba’s 1st solar farm a step toward renewables http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/08/01/2708483/cubas-1st-solar-farm-a-step-toward.html#storylink=cpy

The New Neros: The Koch Bros Profit from Burning the World Up (Halperin Infographic) http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/burning-halperin-infographic.html

CULTURAL DISSENT

Women and Turkish Cinema http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/book-reviews/16581-women-and-turkish-cinema

Politics In the World of Tintin and Asterix http://www.redwedgemagazine.com/4/post/2013/08/politics-in-the-world-of-tintin-and-asterix.html

Free Downloadable Featured Books http://ouleft.sp-mesolite.tilted.net/?page_id=93

AFGHANISTAN

White House Closes Inquiry Into Afghan Massacre – and Will Release No Details http://www.propublica.org/article/white-house-closes-inquiry-into-afghan-massacre-and-will-release-no-details

AUSTRALIA

Mining firm desecrated Australia Aboriginal site http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23527303

Trams resume service after refugee protest causes disruptions http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/refugee-rally-disrupts-five-tram-services-in-city/story-fni0fit3-1226690421302

Refugees and the ideological imperatives of late capitalism in Australia – by Max Lane. http://maxlaneonline.com/2013/08/03/article-refugees-and-the-ideological-imperatives-of-late-capitalism-in-australia-by-max-lane/

Private companies making a fortune from asylum seekers http://antonyloewenstein.com/2013/08/03/private-companies-making-a-fortune-from-asylum-seekers/

There’s a paradox at the heart of the PNG plan – Whichever way you look at it, Labor’s brutal plan to stop the boats signals that Australia is no longer interested in offering protection. http://www.theage.com.au/comment/theres-a-paradox-at-the-heart-of-the-png-plan-20130725-2qn7h.html#ixzz2b3DU9UB5

Trades Hall calls on unionists to oppose refugee policy http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/07/24/369884_news.html

Australia Sends First Refugees to Papua New Guinea http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/08/australia-sends-first-refugees-to-papua-new-guinea/

BOLIVIA

The Cocaleros and the rise of Evo Morales http://boliviarising.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/the-cocaleros-and-rise-of-evo-morales.html

Benjamin Kohl on “Bolivia under Morales: A Work in Progress” http://boliviarising.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/benjamin-kohl-on-bolivia-under-morales.html

BRAZIL

Brazil’s middle class protest for basic needs – Despite millions being lifted out of poverty through economic growth, many still struggling on minimum wage. http://www.aljazeera.com/video/americas/2013/06/201362254549372152.html

BULGARIA

Bulgarians in revolt against a country ‘parcelled out to business interests’ – See more at: http://aworldtowin.net/blog/bulgarians-in-revolt-against-country.html#sthash.3pbBsa0C.dpuf

CANADA

The Presumed Innocence of Capitalism and Lac-Mégantic by Harry Glasbeek http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/858.php

CHILE

CHINA

Shandong workers strike over Indian takeover of US tyre firmn http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1293330/shandong-workers-strike-over-indian-takeover-us-tyre-firm

CUBA

A Story that Needed to be Told by Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada http://www.freethefive.org/updates/CubanMedia/CMAlarconKimber80213.htm

EGYPT

Egypt’s long revolution: knowing your enemy http://www.opendemocracy.net/sameh-naguib-rosemary-bechler/egypt%E2%80%99s-long-revolution-knowing-your-enemy

An Impending Bloodbath in Egypt: Will It Break the Coup? http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/08/02/an-impending-bloodbath-in-egypt-will-it-break-the-coup/

30 June was neither a revolution nor a coup http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/78264.aspx

GERMANY

Germany scraps old surveillance pact with US, Britain over NSA leaks http://rt.com/news/germany-cancels-surveillance-pact-962/

GUATEMALA

How the Media Got Guatemala’s Dos Erres Massacre Wrong http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=10519

INDONESIA

Indonesia’s Palm Oil Industry Rife With Human-Rights Abuses http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-18/indonesias-palm-oil-industry-rife-with-human-rights-abuses

IRAN

The Effects of The Economic Sanctions Against Iran http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/13200/the-effects-of-the-economic-sanctions-against-iran

IRELAND

Dublin Bus workers are on strike indefinately since August 4th because they refuse to take any more cuts to pay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pjFZMAtu0fY

JAPAN

Fukushima Going From Horrible To Horrendous http://www.popularresistance.org/fukushima-going-from-horrible-to-horrendous/

LIBYA

CIA ‘running arms smuggling team in Benghazi when consulate was attacked’ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/10218288/CIA-running-arms-smuggling-team-in-Benghazi-when-consulate-was-attacked.html

NICARAGUA

July 19, 1979: Nicaragua’s Sandinista revolution remembered — Video by John Pilger: On July 19, 1979, the Nicaraguan people led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) overthrew the brutal US-backed dictator Somoza. In this film, made by John Pilger in the 1980s, the background to the revolt and the gains won — and the United States’ virulent opposition — are graphically explained. http://links.org.au/node/530

PACIFIC

Police Forced To Release West Papuan Political Prisoners http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2013/August/08-02-10.htm

Australia complicit in PNG’s Bougainville blight http://cafepacific.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/australia-complicit-in-pngs.html

Australians funding PNG’s feared cops http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/australians-funding-pngs-feared-cops-20130803-2r65w.html

NZ unions back Fiji sugar workers http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=77953

Cuba’s unsung medical training helps develop Timor Leste and Pacific island countries http://links.org.au/node/3463

West Papua Media: Women ‘shield’ activists as rally forcibly dispersed by police http://freedomflotillawestpapua.org/2013/08/02/west-papua-media-women-shield-activists-as-rally-forcibly-dispersed-by-police/

PAKISTAN

Bureau investigation finds fresh evidence of CIA drone strikes on rescuers http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2013/08/01/bureau-investigation-finds-fresh-evidence-of-cia-drone-strikes-on-rescuers/

PALESTINE

The Prawer Plan

Soldiers assault a twelve-year-old Palestinian while settlers invade family rooftop in Hebron http://palsolidarity.org/2013/08/soldiers-assault-a-twelve-year-old-palestinian-while-settlers-invade-family-rooftop-in-hebron/

‘Peace talks’ meaningless says survivor of Gaza massacre http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/peace-talks-meaningless-says-survivor-of-gaza-massacre/

PHILIPPINES

Noy urged to appoint HR victims’ compensation board http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/04/1048471/noy-urged-appoint-hr-victims-compensation-board

Liberation International Interview with Luis G. Jalandoni of NDFP : Social Conflict and Peace in the Philippines http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/liberation-international-interview-with.html

SOUTH AFRICA

Terry Bell: The Marikana watershed http://terrybellwrites.com/2013/08/04/the-marikana-watershed/

SYRIA

Kurdish Struggle Blurs Syria’s Battle Lines http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/02/world/middleeast/syria.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Patrick Cockburn: Covering Syria’s Complicated Civil War http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/patrick_cockburn_covering_syrias_complicated_civil_war_20130731/

TUNISIA

Tunisian tensions escalate amid Arab spring’s unravelling http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/02/tunisia-tensions-arab-spring-unravelling

TURKEY

The Gezi Park Resistance and Social Class: A Revolt of the ‘Middle Class’? By Yalcin Burkev http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/857.php

Exclusive: NSA pays £100m in secret funding for GCHQ http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/01/nsa-paid-gchq-spying-edward-snowden

Immigrant checkpoints are naked state racism http://aworldtowin.net/blog/immigrant-checkpoints-are-naked-state.html

Serco: the company that is running Britain: From prisons to rail franchises and even London’s Boris bikes, Serco is a giant global corporation that has hoovered up outsourced government contracts. Now the NHS is firmly in its sights. But it stands accused of mismanagement, lying and even charging for non-existent work http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jul/29/serco-biggest-company-never-heard-of

How children lost the right to roam in four generations http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-462091/How-children-lost-right-roam-generations.html#ixzz2asZ9Q6uL

Telecom giants give GCHQ unlimited access to networks, develop own spyware – Snowden leaks http://rt.com/news/spy-agency-telecoms-access-966/

Britain in debt: Half of UK adults ‘living on financial edge’ http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/britain-in-debt-half-of-uk-adults-living-on-financial-edge-8742978.html

This hunt for illegal immigrants is revolting http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/03/spot-checks-erode-racial-unity

George the Poet: ‘Go Home’ – video http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2013/aug/01/george-the-poet-go-home-video

The water companies and the foul stench of exploitation – The privatisation of water is a story of greed, incompetence and fleecing the public http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/03/water-industry-exploitation-pollution?CMP=twt_gu

Zero-hours contracts cover more than 1m UK workers http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/05/zero-hours-contracts-cover-1m-uk-workers

McDonald’s ties nine out of 10 workers to zero-hours contracts http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/aug/05/mcdonalds-workers-zero-hour-contracts?CMP=twt_gu

USA

How the Execs Who Brought Down Bear Stearns Bounced Back http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/07/bear-stearns-executives-wall-street-recession

The Great Eviction: The Landscape of Wall Street’s Creative Destruction http://truth-out.org/news/item/17936-the-great-eviction-the-landscape-of-wall-streets-creative-destruction

10 Million Americans Have Had Their Homes Taken Away by the Banks — Often at the Point of a Gun http://www.alternet.org/investigations/10-million-americans-foreclosed-neighborhoods-devastated

Locking Up Millions of Americans Isn’t Just About Punishing the Underclass, It’s About Raking in the Dough http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/locking-millions-americans-isnt-just-about-punishing-underclass-its-about-raking

North Carolina Becomes the Front Line of a Brutal Corporate Assault on Education Raging in America http://www.alternet.org/activism/moral-monday-and-education

The Corporate Right-Wing Agenda Is Driving Thousands of Americans to Attempt Suicide http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/corporate-right-wing-agenda-driving-thousands-americans-attempt-suicide

Where Did The Good Jobs Go? Globalization, Free Trade And The Demise Of America’s Middle Class http://www.mintpressnews.com/where-did-the-good-jobs-go-globalization-free-trade-and-the-demise-of-americas-middle-class/166167/

The more nefarious US foreign policy, the more it relies on media complicity http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/05/media-complicity-us-foreign-policy

USA – FAST FOOD WORKERS REVOLT

“We Are Slowly Dying”: Fast-Food Workers Launch Strike for Living Wage and Right to Unionize http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/2/we_are_slowly_dying_fast_food

For Fast-Food Strikers in New York, It’s About ‘Moral Values’ http://www.unions.org/home/union-blog/2013/08/01/for-fast-food-strikers-in-new-york-its-about-moral-values-2/

A Day’s Strike Seeks to Raise Fast-Food Pay http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/01/business/strike-for-day-seeks-to-raise-fast-food-pay.html

After a Pause, Walmart Strikes Back http://www.labornotes.org/2013/07/after-pause-walmart-strikes-back-0

Where Are Workers Most Underpaid: Apple, Walmart or McDonald’s? – See more at: http://thecontributor.com/economy/where-are-workers-most-underpaid-apple-wal-mart-or-mcdonald%E2%80%99s#sthash.157rBz2m.dpuf

Fast Food Shouldn’t Mean Low Wages http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/08/02-9

New labor movement emerges in Scott Walker’s Wisconsin http://www.salon.com/2013/08/02/new_labor_movement_emerges_in_scott_walkers_wisconsin/?source=newsletter

5 Faces Of This Week’s Fast Food Worker Strikes http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/01/fast-food-worker-strikes_n_3683234.html

Fast Food Strikes Catch Fire http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/15366/fast_food_slow_burn/

‘I’m working as hard as I can’: For the poor, the costs of life can be higher http://inplainsight.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/02/.UfwoEW19-Ms.facebook

John Oliver spotlighted the plight of American fast food workers on Thursday night’s Daily Show and the plight of Fox News anchors who are very angry at them.

Pay Mas: Fast food workers agitate for higher wages and the right to unionize. (02:59)

USA – SPYING SCANDAL

Greenwald: Is U.S. Exaggerating Threat to Embassies to Silence Critics of NSA Domestic Surveillance? http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/5/greenwald_is_us_exaggerating_threat_to

How we lost our Constitution somewhere in Iraq and came back without it to Try Manning (van Buren) http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/constitution-somewhere-without.html

The Surveillance State Is as Strong as Ever http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_surveillance_state_is_as_strong_as_ever_20130804

Snowden Sidestep: Latest NSA leaks fall on deaf ears in Washington

What Bradley Manning’s Sentence Will Tell Us About Our Military Justice System By Michael Moore http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/what-bradley-mannings-sentence-will-tell-us-about-military-justice-system

Bradley Manning family statement: ‘Brad loved his country and was proud to wear its uniform’ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/bradley-manning-family-statement-text

Noam Chomsky Praises Bradley Manning’s Actions

The Trials of Bradley Manning – His conviction on Espionage Act charges poses grave dangers for American journalism. http://www.thenation.com/article/175512/trials-bradley-manning

The Monsterization of Trayvon Martin – How George Zimmerman’s lawyers exploited racist stereotypes to justify the fear—and killing—of black men. http://www.thenation.com/article/175547/monsterization-trayvon-martin

Are Street Protests Next in the Fight Over Education Reform? http://www.thenation.com/article/175532/are-street-protests-next-fight-over-education-reform

‘Every Stroke you Type’: Greenwald Reveals Xkeyscore, Vindicating Snowden http://www.juancole.com/2013/08/greenwald-xkeyscore-vindicating.html

NSA Confirms Dragnet Phone Records Collection, But Admits It Was Key in Stopping Just 1 Terror Plot http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/1/nsa_confirms_dragnet_phone_records_collection

Bradley Manning: Worse Crime Than My Lai? http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/09/1222192/-Bradley-Manning-Worse-Crime-Than-My-Lai

Calley Vs Manning: Which Army ‘Criminal’ Would You Convict? http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march192012/calley-manning-tk.php

SIMPSONS: PRISM! Lisa talking about government spying on them.