GPJA #481 (9/10/13): What’s On / Local & International news
October 10, 2013 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 481, OCTOBER 10, 2013
WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
Saturday, October 12, 10am, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Rd, (near the Westlynn shops), Auckland
Public Meeting “Where is New Zealand’s Asylum Seeker Policy Headed?” Panel of speakers: Green MP Jan Logie, Labour MP Phil Twyford, Lawyer Deborah Manning & Journalist Tracey Barnett. Hosted by the Auckland Refugee Council & to be followed by their AGM.
Monday, October 14, 7am – 8.15pm, Aotea Square, Queen Street, Auckland Central
Green Party: Gambling Laws are Not for Sale – A Pop-Up Installation in Aotea Square. Facebook event page:gambling
Wednesday October 16 & Thursday October 17
‘Pedalling for Papua’ comes to Wellington. Jeremy Bally from Pedalling for Papua is coming to Wellington for two amazing performances on Oct 16 & 17th. As you know, the people of West Papua have experienced ongoing human rights and environmental abuses for the last 50 years. Jeremy is traveling the world raising awareness about what’s happening in West Papua on a a 12,000-kilometre international cycling and performance tour. Raising awareness about West Papua through ukelele-based hip hop & spoken word
In early 2013, Jeremy conducted a series of interviews with members of the West Papuan diaspora. Those interviews were recorded with permission, and have been transformed into a story of West Papua by West Papuans. Now set to original animation, their story is narrated on stage through ukulele based hip hop and spoken word. Join Jeremy for one or both of the following events (below), and please share with your networks if appropriate. Papua Merdeka!
Pedalling for Papua – Wellington, Wednesday 16 October, 7pm, 19 Tory St
Entry by koha.
VicIDS Performance: Pedalling for Papua Excerpts, Thursday 17 October, 5:15pm, CO304, Victoria University of Wellington. Excerpts from full performance. Free entry, fairtrade tea and coffee provided.
Find out more about Jeremy’s journey at:
Pedalling for Papua Facebook Page
Pedalling for Papua Twitter feed
Media release: http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/pedalling-papua-comes-new-zealand/5/169229
Thursday, October 17, 6pm, St John’s Presbyterian Church, 422 Mt. Albert Rd, Mt. Roskill, Auckland
remebering the life and martyrdom of Fr fausto “Pops” Tentorio, PIME. Fr Fausto Tentorio was a Catholic priest murdered in the Phillippines in 2011, apparently because of his strong stand for Catholic Social teaching. He took a stand with the indigenous people to help them protect their ancestral domain and human rights from the loggers, land grabbers and mining corporations.See:
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/PIME-on-Fr-Fausto-Tentorio%E2%80%99s-death-22945.html
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope%27s-message-for-the-murder-of-Fr-Fausto-Tentorio-22968.html
http://www.columban.org.au/e-news/e-news-vol.-4-no.-10/the-life-and-death-of-father-fausto-tentorio/
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19144
For further information contact: Rev. Kyoung Gyun Han (09) 6206726 / 021977158, Asian Ministries Co-ordinator, Presbytarian Church, Aotearoa/NZ.
Cameron Walker 0212949254, Auckland Philippines Solidarity http://aps-nz.org
Saturday, October 19, 7pm, St Heliers Bay Community Church, 100 St Heliers Bay Rd, Auckland
Amnesty International Remuera Film Fundraiser ‘No Fire Zone’. ‘No Fire Zone’ is a documentary, told by the people who lived through it, about the final brutal months of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, in which thousands of Tamil people were killed. Since then, the Sri Lankan authorities have tried to create an image of human rights progress. Instead torture, crushing of dissent & disappearances are an everyday reality. The film shocks & informs & is particularly relevant as Sri Lanka hosts the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November. Admission is $20 (eftpos available) & a light supper is included in the price. Vanushi Walters, a Sri Lankan human rights lawyer will speak briefly after the film. Contact: Jeanette Miller 521 2050, Christine Brett 576 1235.
Sunday, October 20, 7pm, The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Rd, Balmoral, Auckland
Film Premiere ‘The Battle of the Sexes’. When: 7pm to collect tickets and a drink. 7.30 start. A captivating documentary on Billie Jean King’s eponymous historic game to fight for sexual equality. “A look at the events leading up to the 1973 tennis match between retired men’s champ Bobby Riggs and the current women’s Wimbledon winner Billie Jean King.” IMDb Brought to New Zealand by The Auckland Women’s Centre. Cost: $20 per ticket or $25 per ticket including an icecream or glass of wine. Tickets are available from: Auckland Women’s Centre info Ph: 376 3227 ext 201 or The Women’s Bookstore, 105 Ponsonby Rd Ph: 376 4399. For more info please contact Sophie Richmond, Fundraising Coordinator & Funding Administrator, Auckland Women’s Centre, 6/4 Warnock St, Grey Lynn, Auckland. Ph: 376 3227
Tuesday, October 29, 7pm, Kennedy Room, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
Restoring social cohesion; reflecting on the 75th anniversary of the Social Security Act in New Zealand. The History of Social Security – Michael Belgrave is Professor of History at Massey University’s Albany Campus. He has written widely on the history of the welfare state and on New Zealand social policy. Over the last two decades he has also provided extensive research for the Waitangi Tribunal and for claimants and is currently involved in the historical aspects of treaty settlement negotiations. A Future for Welfare. What are the issues? – Associate Professor Grant Duncan completed a PhD at the University of Auckland, and has worked at Massey University’s Albany campus (Auckland) since 1993. He teaches in the politics program, primarily in the areas of public policy and political theory. He is an active commentator on public affairs in New Zealand. This seminar will be chaired by Jacinda Ardern MP, with closing remarks from Sue Moroney MP. It would help us plan if you registered your interest here.
Wednesday, October 30, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, Alfred Street, Auckland University
Jesson Memorial Lecture: Rt Hon Sir Edmund Thomas on “Reducing Inequality – A Strategy for a Cause”. Bar opens at 5.30pm. The speaker, a Distinguished Fellow at the Law School at The University of Auckland, argues that the gross inequality in income and wealth which besets New Zealand is the outcome of the neo-liberal economic measures of the mid- 1980s and early 1990s and the culture of liberal individualism and unfettered free market ideology which it spawned. A breakdown in social cohesion and a sense of community is the result. Reforms to counter this inequality are widely mooted. But increasing focus and discussion on the topic is confronted by a plethora of mantras and myths purveyed by the rich and powerful. The stimulus for change is deadened. The speaker advances a strategy designed to provide a coherent impetus to reduce the rank inequality that now prevails.
Friday, November 2 to Saturday November 3, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Auckland
MARXISM 2013: Socialist Aotearoa conference on the State of unions; liberation struggles; the future of Mana, NZ’s rebel history; marx, Lenin, Zizek and Chomsky. https://www.facebook.com/events/555670571166721/
Saturday, November 30, 8pm, Sudio on Krd, Karangahape Rd, Auckland
Mana Up Fundraiser with House of Shem, Three Houses Down, Tyree, Tribal Connections, MC Hazaduz, Te Hamua Nikora, Natural T, Envioso, DJ Poroufessor.
Tuesday, December 10, 5.30pm, Mt Eden Village Centre, cnr Ngaururohe St and Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden
Book Launch: Peace, Power & Politics: How New Zealand became nuclear free. Speakers: George Armstrong, Claudia Pond Eyley, Bunny McDiarmid. Music: Caitlin Smith. RSVP for catering purposes: annie.newman@sfwu
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 October 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
December 7-13, 2013
18TH WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS – QUITO, ECUADOR.
The Festival is a unique opportunity to meet with youth and students from around the world to discuss how to advance social and political struggles today on an anti-imperialist axis. It will be held in Quito, Ecuador this December 7-13 and will be hosted by the Ecuadoran government. They are ready to receive thousands of young people. The 17th Festival was in Pretoria, South Africa in 2010 with some 12,000 participating. Discussion and debates will take place at the Festival on the fight against the consequences of imperialism and the worldwide capitalist economic crisis, the struggle for democratic rights and sovereignty, how to advance culture and education, and protect the environment. For more information email: nznpc18wfys
January 24-26, 2014
CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail abc www.converge.org.nz/abc
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SIGN THE TPPA PETITION NOW! WATCH CELEB VIDEO! SEND TO FRIENDS!
Had enough of the secrecy of the TPPA negotiations? So have a number of prominent Kiwi actors, musicians and commentators. They have made a video that airs on TVNZ Breakfast and TV3 Firstline on Tuesday 1 October
calling for the government to release the TPPA text – and urging you to sign the petition to the PM now. View the video and sign the petition on www.itsnotright.org.nz Let’s make it snowball. Text, tweet, email, facebook to at least five of your friends and get them to pass it on … Together we can force the TPPA out into the daylight.
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2af728ed394d2e3c92f383cd5&id=c307111c0b&e=400b29f860
GET FREE – A CALL TO ACTION
GET FREE is a call to action. A call against the reckless expansion of fossil fuel extraction in the lands and waters of Aotearoa New Zealand. GET FREE is a call for groups and individuals who want a future based on clean energy free of the harms of dirty energy and climate change. GET FREE is a call for New Zealanders to uphold their right to protest as an essential democratic freedom. GET FREE is a call to reclaim NZ’s integrity and independence and to break free from the influence of those who are now pulling New Zealand in a direction that risks our oceans, our land and our good name in the world. GET FREE is yours, it’s all of ours. Use it. Get Active and GET FREE!
WISE RESONSE – SIGN THE APPEAL
Ours is a biologically complex and exquisite planet. Caring, informed people now accept that a healthy sustainable environment is integral to all life and that our future depends on having genuine sustainability as our core goal.
Today, most scientists believe critical “thresholds” are upon us, that the consequences are likely to be disastrous and irreversible if we do not make urgent fundamental changes. In this respect the links between climate change, current fossil fuel extraction and combustion, and a stable economy are deeply concerning. So far, New Zealand has failed to truly face up to such unprecedented threats to its security.
We, the undersigned, therefore call on the New Zealand parliament to face up to the situation and forthwith, dispassionately assess the risks in the following five priority areas*and from those recommendations, design cross-party policies to avert any confirmed threats to give future generations the very best chance of security, peace, social justice and opportunity.
1. Economic security: the risk of a sudden, deepening, or prolonged financial crisis.
2. Energy and climate security: the risk of continuing our heavy dependence on fossil fuels.
3. Business continuity: the risk exposure of all New Zealand business, including farming, to a lower carbon economy.
4. Ecological security: the risks associated with failing to genuinely protect both land-based and
marine ecosystems and their natural processes.
5. Genuine well-being: the risk of persisting with a subsidised, debt-based economy, preoccupied with maximising consumption and GDP.
* for further explanation on these five, refer to “The Appeal” on this website
Please add your name to the Appeal to be formally presented to parliament, and your comments for other Kiwis to read.
“I support a National Risk Assessment of the five subjects identified in the Appeal for a wise political response to our deteriorating world.”
http://wiseresponse.org.nz/?page_id=136
1913 STRIKE: CENTENNIAL EVENTS
During the later months of 1913 New Zealand society was rocked to its foundations by a bitter industrial dispute involving some 16,000 workers, massive demonstrations and a wave of violence on a scale that arguably, has yet to be matched. The series of spontaneous strikes, known as the Great Strike of 1913, stretched across New Zealand and reached almost all corners of society. When work returned to normal in December and January, the strike had cost employers around £1,000,000 and labour relations in the country had been changed forever.
To mark the centenary of this profoundly transformative episode in our history, the Labour History Project Inc. (LHP)—a non-profit national organisation to research, preserve, present and celebrate New Zealand’s labour history—alongside a number of unions, local bodies, and culture and heritage institutions, have organised a range of exciting projects.
Wellington guided walks of the key sites of struggle; an interactive website featuring digitised archival records and photography; People’s History walks on the strike and other aspects of New Zealand’s past; an exhibition at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea; as well as talks by prominent labour historians, are just some of the events planned for the 1913 Strike Centennial. To find out more, please explore the projects in the left-hand menu.
October 15 2013 Looking for Māori in the Maoriland Worker, 1910-1914: ‘tatau tatau’ vs ‘half-caste Māori’ scabs (Cybèle Locke). 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St
October 22 2013 Reds & Wobblies: working-class radicalism & the state 1915-25 (Jared Davidson). 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St
During and after the First World War, the New Zealand Government enforced a strict censorship regime due to fears of political and industrial unrest. ‘Reds & Wobblies’ highlights these actions, and discusses the working-class radicalism that caused such fears – from the ashes of Joe Hill to the deportation of Noel Lyons.
October 29 2013 Dreadnoughts, picture palaces and revolutionists: 1913, Wellington and the World (Peter Clayworth). 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St
November 5 2013 Flashpoint of history – 1913 strike. 12pm street event starting at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queen’s Wharf.
November 12 2013 What happened to them afterwards – Savage, Fraser, Freyberg, Cullen? (Mark Derby). 5.30pm at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queen’s Wharf.
November 19 2013 1913: still relevant after all these years? (Jim McAloon, Melanie Nolan, MUNZ & RMTU). 5.30pm at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queen’s Wharf. A packed night of talks, introduced by LHP Chair Jim McAloon. Featuring a talk by leading labour historian Melanie Nolan, and presentations by MUNZ (The New Zealand waterfront in 2013: back to the future?) and the RMTU (Development of solidarity on the waterfront since 1913).
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE ROGER AWARD FOR THE WORST TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OPERATING IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND IN 2013
You can access the nomination form online at http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2013Nomination.doc (Word) or
cafca Nominations close on October 31, 2013. Please note that Fonterra is not eligible
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Labour reaffirms support for unions’ agenda http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11137439
More investment needed in tertiary education http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00022/more-investment-needed-in-tertiary-education.htm
Video on Demand Now Available Of Wellington’s TICS Bill Public Meeting – See more at: http://live.thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/25/video-on-demand-now-available-of-wellingtons-tics-bill-public-meeting/#sthash.YF6L0kqP.dpufb
TV Review: The Vote 56% losing faith in Police By Martyn Bradbury – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/10/tv-review-the-vote-56-losing-faith-in-police/#sthash.lGEnfkhA.dpuf
Brian Rudman: Infallibility myth puts too many behind bars http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11137015
Big Brother knows all your personal details http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11135781
The government is watching you http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11135893
Hone Harawira sets the agenda for a united Mana Maori Party http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FzbKL6jOsq4
Alan Cocker: No, minister, this isn’t good enough http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11135783
Why I can’t vote Len Brown and why the City Rail Link is a false promise By Martyn Bradbury http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/29/why-i-cant-vote-len-brown-and-why-the-city-rail-link-is-a-false-promise/
Transgender Prisoner Rights Issues http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00040/transgender-prisoner-rights-issues.htm
Key under fire over expat welfare http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11134459
Mother caregiver wins case for payment http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9244727/Mother-caregiver-wins-case-for-payment
Doing Less, For Fewer – National’s policies on refugees are an exercise in cost-cutting and officialese by Murdoch Stephens http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/10/doing-less-for-fewer/
How National Learnt to Hate Young People http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00066/how-national-learnt-to-hate-young-people.htm
Greenpeace Candlelight Vigil Outside Russian Embassy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00062/greenpeace-candlelight-vigil-outside-russian-embassy.htm
Stars join fight to free Kiwi activists http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11135666
Govt must ‘speak out’ over Kiwis facing piracy charges http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/govt-must-speak-over-kiwis-facing-piracy-charges-5598813
Cuban ambassador in town to promote good relations http://www.dunedintv.co.nz/content/cuban-ambassador-town-promote-good-relations
Laying the intellectual smackdown—interview with Ruthie_A http://thehandmirror.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/laying-intellectual-smackdowninterview.html
A Labour-Led Govt Must Reform Its 2007 Immigration Act By Matt Robson http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/05/a-labour-led-govt-must-reform-its-2007-immigration-act/
Auckland students occupy office over university changes http://www.tewahanui.info/twn/index.php/auckland-students-occupy-office-to-protest-university-changes/
The NZ Digital Bill of Rights By Martyn Bradbury – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/07/the-nz-digital-bill-of-rights/#sthash.oo4JQoIt.dpuf
Cunliffe’s first 100 days By Martyn Bradbury http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/07/cunliffes-first-100-days/
Injured carpenter laments ‘profit-driven’ ACC http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9247312/Injured-carpenter-laments-profit-driven-ACC
Kerre McIvor: $3b windfall was no accident http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11135421
ACC shirking, says injured woman http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8806854/ACC-shirking-says-injured-woman
Former Welly advocate fires up ACC protest http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8707495/Former-Welly-advocate-fires-up-ACC-protest
120 years of Women’s Suffrage celebrated in Auckland http://www.tewahanui.info/twn/index.php/120-years-of-womens-suffrage-celebrated-in-auckland/
Memorial to suffragettes marks 120 years http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/9202336/Memorial-to-suffragettes-marks-120-years
NZ – POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
School health centre hubs ‘will help fight poverty http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/9232253/School-health-centre-hubs-will-help-fight-poverty
Bosses’ pay rises outpace workers’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/9249113/Bosses-pay-rises-outpace-workers
More market madness http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/09/more-market-madness/
Family poverty damages teens http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11112045
NZ – ECONOMY
Crony Capitalism and Chorus http://thestandard.org.nz/crony-capitalism-and-chorus/
Wake-up call to National as 5000 sign TPPA petition in 3 day http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00044/wake-up-call-to-national-as-5000-sign-tppa-petition-in-3-day.htm
TVNZ: Obama’s APEC absence could scuttle trade deal, says critic http://www.3news.co.nz/Meeting-the-unorthodox-mayoral-candidates/tabid/1348/articleID/315965/Default.aspx
It’s Our Future NZ – TPPA News Bulletin #40: Important Update, 5 October http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2af728ed394d2e3c92f383cd5&id=7c5bf50b3e&e=4d57751fda
Multinationals ‘find tax optional’ – Labour http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/multinationals-find-tax-optional-labour-5612074
Regulator accused of Sky TV cop-out http://www.3news.co.nz/Regulator-accused-of-Sky-TV-cop-out/tabid/1607/articleID/316352/Default.aspx
Hidden trade agendas are a worry http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/9264872/Hidden-trade-agendas-are-a-worry
NZ – WORKRIGHTS
David Cunliffe: Minimum and Living Wage Pledge http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1310/S00064/david-cunliffe-minimum-and-living-wage-pledge.htm
CTU report finds over 635,000 New Zealand workers in insecure work http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00095/over-635000-new-zealand-workers-in-insecure-work.htm
More Kiwis feel insecure about work -study http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11137081
“Under Pressure” – A video interview with CTU President Helen Kelly http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1310/S00061/under-pressure-cunliffes-ctu-biennial-speech-500-words.htm
Kentucky Fried Chicken bowed to public pressure http://inclusiveactioneverydaylives.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/kentucky-fried-chicken-bowed-to-public-pressure/
The Parliament cleaners living on $14 an hour Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/The-Parliament-cleaners-living-on-14-an-hour/tabid/817/articleID/316236/Default.aspx#ixzz2hBTQBlCA
Super City elections 2013: Living wage gets a big tick http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11132520
Filipino workers in debt to loan sharks http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/9232309/Filipino-workers-in-debt-to-loan-sharks
CTU Supports Intention of New Immigration Law http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00041/ctu-supports-intention-of-new-immigration-law.htm
Statistics show Government action needed on gender pay gap http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00049/statistics-show-government-action-needed-on-gender-pay-gap.htm
Aussie wages higher because of strong collective bargaining http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00064/aussie-wages-higher-because-of-strong-collective-bargaining.htm
Unions Respond to Review of Retirement Income http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/unions-respond-review-retirement-income/5/170311
Len Brown’s sudden love for a Living Wage By John Minto – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/06/len-browns-sudden-love-for-a-living-wage/#sthash.sqcsdwuk.dpuf
In Praise of Every Day Defiance By Tali Williams – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/09/in-praise-of-every-day-defiance/#sthash.xdGLsH4C.dpuf
STATS OF THE WEEK
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization.” – Eugene Victor Debs
“Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is humanity’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion.” – Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900, from the Irish writer-poet’s 1891 essay, “The Soul of Man Under Socialism
“Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too.” – Marcus Aurelius
“Wherever death may surprise us, let it be welcome, provided that this, our battle cry, may have reached some receptive ear and another hand may be extended to wield our weapons and other men be ready to intone the funeral dirge with the staccato singing of the machine-guns and new battle cries of war and victory.” Che Guevara (Killed 9 October 2007)
FEATURES
Terror: The Hidden Source http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2013/oct/24/terror-hidden-source/?pagination=false
The Politics of Inequality in North America By Wayne Hope – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/02/the-politics-of-inequality-in-north-america/#sthash.DWMS24Dn.dpuf
John Pilger: The party game is over. Stand and fight http://johnpilger.com/articles/the-party-game-is-over-stand-and-fight
Glenn Greenwald on Snowden, NSA, GCHQ and Spying – Must Watch – Video – BBC Newsnight – Full Interview. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36423.htm
The most embarrassing news interview ever http://www.jonathan-cook.net/blog/2013-10-04/the-most-embarrassing-news-interview-ever/
Noam Chomsky: The Obama Doctrine http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/19251-the-obama-doctrine
For scientists in a democracy, to dissent is to be reasonable – Government policy in Britain, Canada and Australia is crushing academic integrity on behalf of corporate power http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/30/scientists-democracy-dissent-reasonable-boyd
Why Free Software Is More Important Now Than Ever Before http://www.wired.com/opinion/2013/09/why-free-software-is-more-important-now-than-ever-before/
Q and A: The modern day heroes of investigative journalism – John Pilger discusses the role of the media in the contemporary context of whistleblowers and war. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/09/2013920123811149194.html
Big Bro Wants You http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175757/tomgram%3A_pratap_chatterjee%2C_big_bro_wants_you/
Obama’s Rendition Operation in Libya: It’s Like President George W. Bush Got a Fourth Term http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36472.htm
Noam Chomsky | On Shutdown, Waning US Influence, Syrian Showdown http://truth-out.org/news/item/19287-in-conversation-with-noam-chomsky-on-us-politics-global-affairs-and-capitalist-reform
FROM OUR HISTORY
Winston Churchill’s shocking use of chemical weapons – The use of chemical weapons in Syria has outraged the world. But it is easy to forget that Britain has used them – and that Winston Churchill was a powerful advocate for them http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/sep/01/winston-churchill-shocking-use-chemical-weapons
Nixon and Kissinger’s Forgotten Genocide http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/10/04/nixon-and-kissingers-forgotten-genocide/
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Five Years in Economic Limbo by Joseph Stiglitz http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/10/08-8
TPP = Corporate Power Tool of the 1%
PM urged to ensure New Zealanders’ health not signed away http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00046/pm-urged-to-ensure-new-zealanders-health-not-signed-away.htm
From Pension Fund Socialism to Pension Fund Capitalism? http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls188.php
DEBATE: KARL MARX WAS RIGHT – Capitalism post-2008 is falling apart under the weight of its own contradictions http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/karl-marx/
World Bank Whistleblower Reveals How The Global Elite Rule The World – See more at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/world-bank-whistleblower-reveals-how-the-global-elite-rule-the-world/5353130#sthash.eb6DAOlp.dpuf
Five years after the economic meltdown: Riches for some, poverty for the rest http://links.org.au/node/3548
Bernanke, banking crashes and recessions http://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2013/10/06/bernanke-banking-crashes-and-recessions/
LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT
LAST HOURS FOR HUMANITY?: The film documents how our planet has experienced five major extinctions in geologic history and how our prolific production of greenhouse gases has the ability to trigger a sixth mass extinction. http://www.nationofchange.org/last-hours-humanity-1381321507
Protests around world over jailed Greenpeace activists http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/video.cfm?c_id=2&gal_cid=2&gallery_id=138288
John Bellamy Foster: The epochal crisis — the combined capitalist economic and planetary ecological crises http://links.org.au/node/3547
Tomgram: Rebecca Solnit, The Age of Inhuman Scale http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175756/tomgram%3A_rebecca_solnit%2C_the_age_of_inhuman_scale/
Oceans turning Acid, Lifeless faster than any time in 300 million Years from Human CO2 Emissions http://www.juancole.com/2013/10/lifeless-million-emissions.html
Why Climate Deniers Are Plain Wrong – Video http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36424.htm
From Caspian Sea to Arctic to Middle East, How Oil Pipelines Threaten Democracy & Planet’s Survival http://www.democracynow.org/2013/10/8/from_caspian_sea_to_arctic_to
CULTURAL DISSENT
Book Review – Cloudy Sunday by Michael Kyriazopoulos http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/book-review-cloudy-sunday-by-michael.html
Kirill Medvedev’s Personable Provocations http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/09/kirill-medvedevs-personable-provocations.html
Film Review: A Touch of Sin http://louisproyect.org/2013/10/05/a-touch-of-sin/
Taking on Capitalism, U.S. Torture & Dictatorships, Costa-Gavras on Decades of Political Filmmaking http://www.democracynow.org/2013/10/9/taking_on_capitalism_us_torture_dictatorships
AFGHANISTAN
“Imperialism & Fundamentalism Have Joined Hands”: Malalai Joya on 12 Years of U.S.-Led Afghan War http://www.democracynow.org/2013/10/3/imperialism_fundamentalism_have_joined_hands_malalai
Karzai Lashes Out Over Civilian Deaths http://www.thenation.com/blog/176544/karzai-lashes-out-over-civilian-deaths?rel=emailNation%22
RAWA: Independence, the first condition for the prosperity of our homeland and people http://www.rawa.org/rawa/2013/10/06/rawa-statement-on-us-invasion-oct-2013-english.html
AUSTRALIA
West Papuan human rights tragedy mocked by new Australian PM http://m.aljazeera.com/story/2013102134037843929#&ui-state=dialog
Denying rights for Kiwis not fair dinkum http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9248075/Denying-rights-for-Kiwis-not-fair-dinkum
Call for relief for struggling Kiwis in Australia http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/call-relief-struggling-kiwis-in-australia-5600825
BAHRAIN
West’s Damning Silence Over Bahrain By Finian Cunningham – The despotic Khalifa rulers with their fancy titles have only managed to maintain their unnatural position of privilege through a system of persecution and state terrorism against the majority of Bahrainis.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36406.htm
Bank profits back to pre-crisis levels ($1 billion in three months)! http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/9242351/Bank-profits-back-to-pre-crisis-levels
BOLIVIA
Bolivian Women’s Groups Demand Decriminalization of Abortion http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=10813
BRAZIL
‘Castrocare’ Divides Doctors In Cuba, Brazil http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/10/02/228376356/castro-care-divides-doctors-in-cuba-brazil
Massive Indigenous Rights Movement Launches Across Brazil http://earthfirstjournal.org/newswire/2013/10/01/massive-indigenous-rights-movement-launches-across-brazil/
CANADA
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People to visit, investigate Canada Oct 7 to 15, 2013 http://www.rogerannis.com/un-special-rapporteur-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-people-to-visit-investigate-in-canada-oct-7-to-15-2013/
Ontario minimum wage workers on the rise, study finds http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/08/ontario_minimum_wage_workers_on_the_rise_study_finds.html
‘Idle No More’ not going away, supporters say http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/Idle+More+going+away+supporters/9009551/story.html
CHINA
Free Wu Guijun, Defend the Worker’s Right to Strike! Please Co-sign and Support! http://www.worldlabour.org/eng/node/619
EGYPT
Torture victim at pro-Morsi sit-in retracts charges against Brotherhood supporters, says accusations trumped up by police http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/83138.aspx
Egypt’s ‘revolution’ is over as people accept imposition of military rule http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/05/4526825/egypts-revolution-is-over-as-people.html#storylink=cpy
What Happened to Egypt’s Liberals After the Coup? http://www.thenation.com/article/176445/what-happened-egypts-liberals-after-coup
More repression in Egypt during ‘Army Day’ protests on Oct 6 http://www.rogerannis.com/more-repression-in-egypt-during-army-day-protests-on-oct-6/
Blast from the past for Egyptian dissidents – Mass arrests and jail without charge hark back to Hosni Mubarak’s rule, protesters say. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/10/blast-from-past-for-egyptian-dissidents-2013107113914374587.html
Dark Clouds Over the Sinai – The military’s brutal North Sinai campaign is targeting civilians and militants alike. http://tinyurl.com/kpnn8to
Egyptian Author and Activist – Ahdaf Soueif – She is part of a movement trying to re-open the road to revolution. But is it too late? http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01hxb2j
INDIA
170 participate in Gujarat’s first-ever LGBT parade http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/1899853/report-170-participate-in-gujarat-s-first-ever-lgbt-parade
IRELAND
Students protest cuts in third-level education http://www.thejournal.ie/students-protest-to-protect-grant-1109742-Oct2013/
Junior doctors explain the reasons behind today’s strike http://www.thejournal.ie/imo-strike-voxpop-24-no-more-junior-doctors-1119553-Oct2013/?utm_source=shortlink
JAPAN
Nuclear Engineer: Japan’s PM “Lying to the Japanese People” About Safety of Fukushima http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36401.htm
MALAYSIA
Kampong Hakka -– when 100 years of community residence does not matter http://links.org.au/node/3541
Huge rally in Malaysia, free PSM 6 campaign grows https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48202
Australian rare earths miner Lynas Corporation sparks fresh anger in Malaysia http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-09/an-lynas-corporation-sparks-fresh-anger-in-malaysia/5011284
MEXICO
Largest teachers’ union actions in history win moral victory, struggle continues http://links.org.au/node/3534
NORWAY
The Norwegian prison where inmates are treated like people http://brookingblog.com/2013/10/04/the-norwegian-prison-where-inmates-are-treated-like-people/
PACIFIC
Fiji, democracy, and superpower politics: a conversation with Maikolo Horowitz http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/fiji-democracy-and-superpower-politics.html
Forces ‘intimidate’ Papuan students in Bali http://www.asia-pacific-solidarity.net/news/jp_forcesintimidatepapuanstu_071013.htm
Mass spying: how the US stamps its supremacy on the Pacific region – The US is keen to convince its Pacific friends to fear a spy-friendly Beijing. The irony? Washington’s spying network is far more widespread than anything coming from the Chinese http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/09/mass-spying-pacific-prism
PALESTINE
Students storm Gaza’s Rafah crossing gate http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/students-storm-gazas-rafah-crossing-gate/
Israel stifles Palestinian growth, says World Bank http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-stifles-palestinian-growth-says-world-bank-8867325.html
Will Western churches fight injustice in Holy Land? http://www.redressonline.com/2013/10/will-western-churches-unite-fight-injustice-in-holy-land/
PHILIPPINES
Million People March to bring call vs ‘pork’ to Makati on Oct 4 Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/498201/million-people-march-to-bring-call-vs-pork-to-makati-on-oct-4#ixzz2gWwlm88C
RUSSIA
KIRILL MEDVEDEV’S PERSONABLE PROVOCATIONS http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/09/kirill-medvedevs-personable-provocations.html
SOUTH AFRICA
Raymond Suttner: ‘The ANC-SACP-COSATU alliance has sold its soul’ http://links.org.au/node/3536
Very little ‘sunshine’ for workers http://terrybellwrites.com/2013/10/04/very-little-sunshine-for-workers/
SPAIN
Attack on language rights provokes indefinite teachers’ strike, citizens’ revolt http://links.org.au/node/3537
The Story of Marinaleda, the Communist Village Against the World http://critical-theory.com/story-marinaleda-communist-village-world/
SWITZERLAND
A Few Referenda Ideas that Just Might Succeed http://www.irishleftreview.org/2013/10/07/referenda-ideas-succeed/
UK
The Snowden files: why the British public should be worried about GCHQ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/03/edward-snowden-files-john-lanchester
The Daily Mail may not realise, but Marxists are patriots – The traducing of Ralph Miliband is a reminder of how far we now are from understanding socialism http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/02/daily-mail-ralph-miliband-marxists-patriots
The Ralph Miliband I knew embodied the British values the Daily Mail rejects http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/03/ralph-miliband-british-values-daily-mail
The Daily Mail knows all about ‘hate’ http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/opinion/16689-the-daily-mail-knows-all-about-hate
‘Company A’: the telecom that coached the FBI on how to spy on me – As a reporter, I’ve had firsthand experience of how government agencies get phone company metadata without court warrants http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/03/company-a-telecom-coached-fbi-spy
Anti-drones protesters who broke into RAF base are praised by judge http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/07/anti-drones-protesters-raf-judge
USA
Judge Orders Angola 3’s Herman Wallace Released From Prison http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/10/judge-orders-angola-3s-herman-wallace-released-from-prison/280167/
Is Obamacare Enough? Without Single-Payer, Patchwork U.S. Healthcare Leaves Millions Uninsured http://www.democracynow.org/2013/10/7/is_obamacare_enough_without_single_payer
Tea Party radicalism is misunderstood: Meet the “Newest Right” http://www.salon.com/2013/10/06/tea_party_radicalism_is_misunderstood_meet_the_newest_right/
The Shame of Our Prisons: New Evidence http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2013/oct/24/shame-our-prisons-new-evidence/
USA – WORKERS REVOLT
Fast Food Workers Win a Union…through Zoolidarity http://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2013/10/fast-food-workers-win-union-through-zoolidarity
McDonald’s worker arrested after telling company president she can’t afford shoes http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/09/mcdonalds-worker-arrested-after-telling-company-president-she-cant-afford-shoes/
7 signs America has regressed — to the 19th century – Workers aren’t unionized, and some pols are now advocating child labor. It’s like the U.S. has gone back in time http://www.salon.com/2013/10/05/7_signs_america_has_regressed_to_the_19th_century_partner_2/
VIETNAM
Giap: the General Who Defeated the US in Vietnam, by Chris Ray https://www.facebook.com/notes/tim-anderson/giap-the-general-who-defeated-the-us-in-vietnam-by-chris-ray/10151721259201234
GPJA's Blog 