GPJA #484: Asset sales referendum – enrol Thursday!

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 484, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

ASSET SALES REFERENDUM – MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL

This is by postal ballot so you need to be on your local electoral roll at your current address for the information and voting papers to be sent to you. Make sure you and your family are enrolled to have a say in Keeping Our Assets. If you have moved house since the last election and have not re-enrolled you need to do so. Enrolments close on Thurs 21 Nov 2013. Go to elections.org.nz, call 0800 36 76 56, or get a form from your local Post shop or branch of Auckland Libraries.

PEACE, POWER AND POLITICS : HOW NEW ZEALAND BECAME NUCLEAR FREE

A new book by Maire Leadbeater, published by University of Otago Press (www.otago.ac.nz/press) November 2013. The following events are being held to launch this book and to celebrate our nuclear free movement.

Wellington – Nov 20

Hosts Wellington Activist Coalition and Otago University Press. 6pm, 20 November 2013. St John’s Hall, Cnr Dixon and Willis Streets, Wellington. RSVP by 15 November to: artwork

Christchurch – Nov 25

Hosts: Anti-Bases Campaign, the Disarmament and Security Centre and Otago University Press . 6.30 pm 25 November 2013, Knox Church Bealey Avenue, Christchurch. RSVP: abc

Nelson – Nov 27

Elma Turner Library 27 Halifax St, Nelson. Book talk – Wednesday 27 Nov, 12.30-2. Maire Leadbeater on her new book ‘Peace, Power and Politic: How New Zealand became Nuclear Free’ and Nelson’s role in the movement to make New Zealand nuclear free.

Auckland – December 10

Hosts: Auckland Labour History Group and Otago University Press. 5.30–7.30 pm 10 December 2013. Mt Eden Village Centre, 449 Mt Eden Road, Auckland. Speakers: George Armstrong, Claudia Pond Eyley, Bunny Mcdiarmid. Music: Caitlin Smith. (Hall entrance is off Ngauruhoe St, behind historic church). RSVP: annie.newman

URGENT APPEAL FOR FUNDS FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOON CATASTROPHE IN PHILIPPINES

PSNA Members, You don’t need me to tell you about the utter catastrophe that has just devastated the central Philippines. It is receiving unprecedented saturation coverage in the NZ media (which shows just how bad it is, because the NZ media usually ignore the Philippines). This was a storm like no other, with wind speeds higher than ever before recorded and a storm surge that was basically a tsunami. The Filipino people continue to pay the ultimate price for global climate change. And the situation is made much worse by the unjust structure of Philippine society. In recent days media reports have described it as “an impoverished country”. On the contrary, it is a very rich country, with a huge number of very poor people.

The Philippines suffers from criminal, wilful negligence by local and central government – they do not build or maintain infrastructure to control floods and provide protection from storms, so this catastrophe has caused massive loss of life and damage, impacting most on the poor. A lack of care by the ruling class rich for the vast majority who are the poor; institutionalised corruption; and skewed priorities, whereby the military gets the lion’s share of the national budget, mean that millions of Filipinos are left exposed and in harm’s way. PSNA is not a relief agency or a development agency but we can’t stand idly by while poor Filipinos suffer in huge numbers. If you wish to donate, do so via PSNA and our good friends at Christian World Service will transmit the money to the National Council of Churches of the Philippines for us, in one lump sum (doing it that way means that none of the money raised has to be spent on the extortionate international money transfer fees charged by banks). You can send your donation by cheque to: PSNA, Box 2450, Christchurch 8140. Accompany it with a note saying “disaster appeal”, and include your e-mail address, so that we can acknowledge it. Or you can deposit your donation directly into PSNA’s bank account: Philippines Solidarity Network, Kiwibank, 155 The Terrace, Wellington. 389000 0792619 00 Include your name and “disaster donation”. And please e-mail us, at this address, to tell us that you’ve made the deposit, so that we can look out for it online.

This is no mere academic exercise for me. My in-laws live in the Philippines and my wife Becky is currently there with them (she has e-mailed me distressingly graphic details from Philippine media coverage). Fortunately they all live just outside Manila, so they weren’t hit by the storm (well, not by the full murderous force of it). The immediate family are all OK but in the wider family I have a brother-in-law who is from one of the worst affected islands and, last I heard, he couldn’t get hold of his family to see if they’re OK. And we have friends in Auckland whose family lived in Tacloban City, which was absolutely decimated, and they have no idea if any of their family has survived. Once again the long suffering Philippine people, through no fault of their own, need the help of their foreign friends. Speaking as a resident of a city that was very glad indeed to be helped by our foreign friends when catastrophe struck Christchurch in 2011, I know how much these practical gestures of international solidarity are appreciated.

Murray Horton, Secretary, PSNA

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

Thursday, November 21, 7pm, McLeods Hall, 3 Stuart Rd, Mcleods Bay
No Toxic Mining in Northland! www.actionwhangareiheads.weely.com

Friday, November 22, 7.30 – 11pm, Where: Galatos (off K Rd, Newton) Auckland

The Sea Shepherd Fundraiser for 2013 with Te Radar as MC for the evening, music by Tama Waipara, Hopetoun Brown & more. Plus a performance by Jahra Rager. Captain Peter Hammarstedt from the Sea Shepherd ship ‘Bob Barker’ will be speaking along with our very own dolphin defender & conservationist Christine Rose. Canapes by Divine Foods. Live and silent auctions with some great items you can check out at our fundraiser website: http://www.seashepherdnzfundraiser.org.nz Tickets are limited. Get them from Eventfinda or our Sea Shepherd NZ page:http://www.seashepherd.org.nz/events/future-events.html For more info please contact Michael Lawry, Coordinator Sea Shepherd NZ www.seashepherd.org.nz Ph: 021 747861

Saturday, November 23, 8am-1pm, St Joseph Parish Hall, 10 Taharoto Rd, takapuna, Auckland
Auckland Fundraiser for Typhoon Haiyan victims : Garage sale, yummy food and live music. http://aps-nz.org/2013/11/18/typhoon-haiyan-fundraiser-update-new-venue-for-garage-sale/ To donate go to http://aps-nz.org/2013/11/13/fundraiser-garage-sale-yummy-food-and-live-music-for-typhoon-haiyan-victims/#respond

Saturday, November 23, 12 noon, West Coast Beaches NZ

Saturday, November 23, 2.30pm, The Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland
Invitation to the Peace Movement Aotearoa Annual General Meeting. The AGM will be followed by a preliminary update on the initial World War One (WWI) discussion meetings with peace groups and communities around the country to share common concerns about the government’s WWI centenary programme and to develop a range of alternatives to it – further information about the discussion meetings is available below this notice and online at pma

Monday, November 25, 6.30pm, Alice’s Cinema, Tuam & High Sts, Christchurch
5 Broken Cameras, a Palestinian film by Emad Burnat, nominated for a 2013 Academy Award. A Palestinian farmer is given a video camera which he uses to record the ongoing non-violent popular resistance of his village, Bil’in , to the IDF (Israeli army) to the ongoing expansion of the Wall, stealing village land and water sources. The IDF smashes his camera; he manages to get another & continue filming. The Guardian , in its review, said that 5 Broken Cameras “gives us a direct experience of what it’s like to be on the receiving end of oppression and dispossession, administered by the unyielding, stony-faced representatives of those convinced of their own righteousness. But it isn’t vindictive and has a sense of destiny.” Martin and Lois Griffiths went to Bil’in on an October 2012 Friday to witness events and found themselves caught up in a tear gas barrage. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. For the latest news re Bil’in, the IDF has shot the star of the film, Emad Burnat’s brother. Tickets available at Alice’s or online www.aliceinvideoland.co.nz

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. Mana’s big reggae fundraiser is on 30 November – tickets $55 (But it’s a fundraiser remember?) It has New Zealand’s top reggae bands playing at a fine inner city venue. Come along and enjoy yourselves and help raise decent money for Mana’s 2014 election campaign.

The big corporates aren’t lining up to give so we need YOU. People can buy tickets
o From Joe Carolan at Unite Union, 6A Western Springs Road, Kingsland – txt Joe to make sure he’s there (029 445 5702) before you go
o At 333 Great North Road Henderson (the underground)
o Pay online at the iticket website www.iticket.co.nz and they will send the tickets.
o Pay online to the Mana Tamaki account 38-9011-0786740-02 and we will mail the tickets – put their name in the details box and then let us know

Sunday, December 8, 11am, Kauaeranga Valley Hall, Thames
Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki invites members and supporters to attend our 2013 AGM and join us for a pot luck lunch afterwards. Guest Speaker: Rob McCarthy, Waihi resident. Please bring a plate to share and $20 if you are not already a member so we can sign you up! Coromandel – too precious to mine. Kind Regards, Renee Annan, Coordinator, Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki m: 0220181764 / www.watchdog.org.nz

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

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

Saturday, January 25, 10am, Nativity Church Hall, 76 Alfred St, Blenheim
Blenheim public meeting on the morning of Saturday January 25th, on the wider issues of spying, to put Waihopai into context. We see this as a continuation of the 2013 protests and meetings about the infamous GCSB Bill (and its companion TICS Bill). SPIES AND LIES WAIHOPAI AND GLOBAL SPYING. Speakers at that public meeting will be Jane Kelsey, John Minto and ABC’s Warren Thomson. Murray Horton, ABC. Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand. abc / www.converge.org.nz/abc / https://www.facebook.com/AotearoaABC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

‘Take rape seriously’ – nationwide protests http://www.3news.co.nz/Take-rape-seriously–nationwide-protests/tabid/423/articleID/321625/Default.aspx#.UofoM_mnqVF

Thousands march against rape, victims’ treatment http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/thousands-march-against-rape-victims-treatment-5711634

Poverty, women & rape culture http://thestandard.org.nz/poverty-women-rape-culture/

Author joins rape culture protest http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9408967/Author-joins-rape-culture-protest

Roast Busters: When people power works http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11157945

Gordon campbell: Not the Police’s finest hour http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/9385740/Not-the-Polices-finest-hour

The business of free speech http://bat-bean-beam.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/the-business-of-free-speech.html

Matt McCarten: Talkback bosses also at fault http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11158376

You have to admire John Key… By John Minto http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/17/you-have-to-admire-john-key/

Horror Regimes, Identity Crises and Self-Serving Sycophancy By Selwyn Manning – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/18/horror-regimes-identity-crises-and-self-serving-sycophancy/#sthash.or7yEVwW.dpuf

Some red shoots in Anglo-Saxon world By Mike Treen – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/18/some-red-shoots-in-anglo-saxon-world/#sthash.DKXmTr6I.dpuf

Poll: 68 percent against Genesis sale Poll http://www.3news.co.nz/Poll-68-percent-against-Genesis-sale/tabid/423/articleID/321065/Default.aspx#.Uorrg8QwpYc

Referendum On A Robbery – The asset sales referendum kicks off on November 22… by Gordon Campbell http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/11/referendum-on-a-robbery/

Heated protest in Parliament http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11159581

High stakes oil showdowns http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9419023/High-stakes-oil-showdowns

Tribunal: Crown failed in setting up park http://www.3news.co.nz/Tribunal-Crown-failed-in-setting-up-park/tabid/423/articleID/320898/Default.aspx#.UorXTMQwpYc

NZ’s global reputation for protecting oceans at risk http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1311/S00086/nzs-global-reputation-for-protecting-oceans-at-risk.htm

Protesters’ flotilla awaits drillship http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9410561/Protesters-flotilla-awaits-drillship

Kia kaha – you speak for me… By John Minto http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/20/kia-kaha-you-speak-for-me/

Six boats protesting at oil drill site http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9409920/Six-boats-protesting-at-oil-drill-site

Our nuclear-free campaign continues to inspire By Keith Locke – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/18/our-nuclear-free-campaign-continues-to-inspire/#sthash.XhRjhGY2.dpuf

Hone’s speech in Raglan in support of the flotilla https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152007655189555

Landslide Election Result against Toxic Mining http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00222/landslide-election-result-against-toxic-mining.htm

Why NZers should support deep sea oil protests – Morgan http://nz.news.yahoo.com/election/a/-/19922668/why-nzers-should-support-deep-sea-oil-protests-morgan/

‘We’re trying to make it difficult for them’ – protest ship http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/we-re-trying-make-difficult-them-protest-ship-5716924

Flotilla, Raglan, No Oil Drilling And No Sea Bed Mining. A First Impression! http://aotearoaawiderperspective.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/flotilla-raglan-no-oil-drilling-and-no-sea-bed-mining-a-first-impression/

Interview with Steve Abel from Greenpeace http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/greenpeace-pledge-continue-anti-drilling-protests-video-5716964

Skipper flying anti-drilling colours http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11157998

Waiting list ‘double-speak’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9407033/Waiting-list-double-speak

Dodgy Deals, Done Dirt Cheap http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1311/S00297/dodgy-deals-done-dirt-cheap.htm

SAS link to war payout http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11158400

Law Society condemns Sri Lanka http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9420867/Law-Society-condemns-Sri-Lanka

Raising the Retirement Age? http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/raising-retirement-age.html

NZ – POVERTY AND INEQUALITY

Let’s have less handwringing and more realism on incomes policy. By Susan St John http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/16/lets-have-less-handwringing-and-more-realism-on-incomes-policy/

My, how your pay has grown http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/279861/my-how-your-pay-has-grown

Parliament of the 1% http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/parliament-of-1.html

Support grows for capital gains tax http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9389195/Support-grows-for-capital-gains-tax

Salvation Army calls for social housing overhaul http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/9403391/Salvation-Army-calls-for-social-housing-overhaul

Susan St John: Australian welfare shows the way http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11157291

‘I must feed my kids’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503414&objectid=11157987

Bill enabling secret welfare snoopers criticised http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11156728

Feed the kids bill back for another crack Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Feed-the-kids-bill-back-for-another-crack/tabid/1607/articleID/321121/Default.aspx#ixzz2l3fpoUri

Housing ‘increasingly desperate struggle’ http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/227675/housing-‘increasingly-desperate-struggle‘

Rent rises make low-income groups worse off – survey http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11157399

Doing it tough on the minimum wage http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/9404613/Doing-it-tough-on-the-minimum-wage

NZ – ECONOMY

Gordon Campbell on the “mandate” for the Air New Zealand selldown http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/11/19/gordon-campbell-on-the-mandate-for-the-air-new-zealand-selldown/

Time to release full TPP text – Kelsey Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Time-to-release-full-TPP-text—Kelsey/tabid/1607/articleID/321453/Default.aspx#ixzz2l249J6kW

Nicky Hager: NZ WikiLeaks scoop: NZ, US in trade battle http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11156737

TPPA: Leaked IP text -US Congress revolts against Fast Track http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1311/S00163/tppa-leaked-ip-text-us-congress-revolts-against-fast-track.htm

WikiLeaks exposes trade talks http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/9398869/WikiLeaks-exposes-trade-talks

TPPA hit by double whammy By Prof Jane Kelsey http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/15/tppa-hit-by-double-whammy

Brian Gaynor: Govt path inconsistent http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11153917

TPP : The Never-To-Be-Ended Story by Gordon Campbell http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/11/tpp-the-never-to-be-ended-story/

NZ – WORKRIGHTS

Employers not listening to workers is a matter of life and death By Tali Williams http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/20/employers-not-listening-to-workers-is-a-matter-of-life-and-death/

A Century of Resistance- Auckland Wharfie speaks http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/a-century-of-resistance-auckland.html

Editorial: 40-hour week has long clocked out http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/opinion/9334305/Editorial-40-hour-week-has-long-clocked-out

Taxi strike at Auckland airport http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11156624

Peter Lyons: Pay rates the product of power imbalances http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11157292

New expose of Pike River disaster talks of failures at every level http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11158015

Strike breakers bill defeated http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/227654/strike-breakers-bill-defeated

Pike River decision ‘repugnant’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9402430/Pike-River-decision-repugnant

New safety laws for the mining industry http://www.3news.co.nz/New-safety-laws-for-the-mining-industry/tabid/421/articleID/321398/Default.aspx#.Uorga8QwpYc

Hobbit laws now hurting: Actors’ union http://www.3news.co.nz/Hobbit-laws-now-hurting-Actors-union/tabid/423/articleID/321441/Default.aspx#.UoriFMQwpYd

Bill ‘undermines’ justice for workers http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9413507/Bill-undermines-justice-for-workers

STATS OF THE WEEK

The 2,170 billionaires in the world today own on average four homes each, notes the just-released Billionaire Census 2013, with each residence worth nearly $20 million.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“If we all collude and collaborate together we can design a new system that makes the current one obsolete. The reality is there are alternatives. That is the terrifying truth that the media, government and big business work so hard to conceal” Russell Brand http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/russell-brand-democratic-system-newsnight

“We have become a Nazi monster in the eyes of the whole world – bullies and bastards who would rather kill than live peacefully. We are whores for power and oil with hate and fear in our hearts” – Hunter S. Thompson

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

“I believe that even amid today’s motor bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow.”: – Martin Luther King – Acceptance Speech, – Nobel Peace Peace Prize in Oslo, December 10, 1964 http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/1964/king-acceptance.html

FEATURES

How Charter Schools Are Undermining the Future of Public Education http://www.alternet.org/education/how-charter-schools-are-undermining-future-public-education?paging=off&current_page=1#bookmark

The US can lock up hackers, but it can’t crush their spirit http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/14/us-lock-up-hackers-jeremy-hammond

The real story of ‘looting’ after a disaster like typhoon Haiyan http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/15/looting-typhoon-haiyan-philippines-new-orleans-haiti

Time lapse map of every nuclear explosion ever on Earth http://memolition.com/2013/10/16/time-lapse-map-of-every-nuclear-explosion-ever-on-earth/

Mass protests key to winning change https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/55381

US tries to Censor British Report on Secret Bush-Blair Push for Iraq War (Lazare) http://www.juancole.com/2013/11/british-report-lazare.html

Harvard’s Head Librarian Is Delighted That Google Books Will Expand Fair Use http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/harvards-head-librarian-is-delighted-that-google-books-will-expand-fair-use

FROM OUR HISTORY

Joe Hill (1879-1915) http://www.aflcio.org/About/Our-History/Key-People-in-Labor-History/Joe-Hill-1879-1915

Joe Hill sung by Luke Kelly: Nov 19 is the anniversary of Joe Hill. Joe was a Swedish-American trade union activist, songwriter & cartoonist. He was executed by firing squad 98 years ago today. Luke Kelly’s version of this song which tells Joe’s story has become a well known classic in Ireland. Don’t mourn. Organise.

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Global Wealth Inequality, Illustrated – Show this video to your friends who think capitalism is the way to end poverty. http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/11/13/global-wealth-inequality/

Thanks to WikiLeaks, we see just how bad TPP trade deal is for regular people: The more you know about the odious Trans-Pacific Partnership, the less you’ll like it. It’s made for corporate intellectual property and profits http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/13/trans-pacific-paternership-intellectual-property

Unpicking Europe’s patchwork recovery http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/11/15/economy/unpicking-europes-patchwork-recovery

Bankocracy: from the Venetian Republic to Mario Draghi and Goldman Sachs http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article3180

The Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty is the complete opposite of ‘free trade’ http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/19/trans-pacific-partnership-corporate-usurp-congress

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Want an energy revolution? Think beyond the big six http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/want-energy-revolution-think-beyond-big-six/print

The Arctic 30 case: hooliganism, piracy or worse? http://www.feasta.org/2013/11/13/the-arctic-30-case-hooliganism-piracy-or-worse/

Michael Klare, A Climate Change-Fueled Revolution? http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175773/tomgram%3A_michael_klare%2C_a_climate_change-fueled_revolution/#more

Pouring Fuel on the Climate Change Fire by Nicole Colson http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/898.php

Capitalism and the global food crisis: The global food crisis is the result of capitalism, not shortages or overconsumption, and the solution requires collective responses, argues Elaine Graham-Leigh http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/book-reviews/16821-capitalism-and-the-global-food-crisis

Planet Tahrir: The Coming Mass Demonstrations against Climate Change (Klare) http://www.juancole.com/2013/11/demonstrations-against-climate.html

CULTURAL DISSENT

Autobiography by Morrissey – review: The celebrated literary critic judges Mozzer’s book to be superb: he is so devastatingly articulate he could win the Booker http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/13/autobiography-by-morrissey-review

Art and Conflict: Sylvia Pankhurst: Suffragette, Socialist and Scourge of Empire http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/book-extracts/214-sylvia-pankhurst/16772-art-and-conflict-sylvia-pankhurst-suffragette-socialist-and-scourge-of-empire

An unforgettable portrait of slavery – Alan Maass reviews a powerful movie about one of the greatest crimes in history. http://socialistworker.org/2013/11/13/unforgettable-portrait-of-slavery

Reading Camus in Tunisia – The Rebel and the Arab Spring. http://inthesetimes.com/article/15748/reading_camus_in_tunisia/

Jailed by Israel for his cartoons, Mohammad Saba’aneh speaks out http://electronicintifada.net/content/jailed-israel-his-cartoons-mohammad-sabaaneh-speaks-out/12924

Three Palestinian films nominated for Asian Pacific Screen Awards http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/maureen-clare-murphy/three-palestinian-films-nominated-asian-pacific-screen-awards

Calle 13’s René “Residente” Pérez on Revolutionary Music, WikiLeaks & Puerto Rican Independence http://www.huffingtonpost.com/democracy-now/calle-13s-rene-residente_b_4295967.html

Ann Jones book They Were Soldiers: How the Wounded Return From America’s Wars — The Untold Story: http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175772/tomgram%3A_ann_jones%2C_war_wounds/#more

Doctor Who vs Mrs Thatcher – the showdown: The late leader appears as an evil tyrant in a 50th anniversary story http://tinyurl.com/pvozujh

Book Review: Ruth First and Joe Slovo in the War Against Apartheid http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofbooks/2013/11/06/book-review-ruth-first-and-joe-slovo-in-the-war-against-apartheid/

AFGHANISTAN

The A-Team Killings: Last spring, the remains of 10 missing Afghan villagers were dug up outside a U.S. Special Forces base – was it a war crime or just another episode in a very dirty war? Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/feature/a-team-killings-afghanistan-special-forces#ixzz2kYvOv9A3

Counterinsurgency’s Resurrections by James Orbesen – No matter how many times the doctrine has proved a bloody failure, the American military keeps coming back to counterinsurgency tactics. http://jacobinmag.com/2013/11/counterinsurgencys-resurrections/

AUSTRALIA

Fed up Queenslanders join forces to protest new government legislation Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/fed-up-queenslanders-join-forces-to-protest-new-government-legislation-20131118-2xrd5.html#ixzz2l8khFTAr

Policy of inequity developing in Australia https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/55367

All should be able to work http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/opinion/all-should-be-able-to-work/story-fnjuhr1j-1226757590829

John Pilger Exposes Australia’s Shocking Secret in Utopia http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36877.htm

BANGLADESH

Bangladeshi garment workers win a 77% pay rise http://libcom.org/blog/bangladeshi-garment-workers-win-77-pay-rise-14112013

Bangladesh: Factory Deaths Could Have Been Prevented | Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/11/14/bangladesh-factory-deaths-could-have-been-prevented

BOLIVIA

English translation of the Constitution of the Plurinational State of Bolivia http://boliviarising.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/english-translation-of-constitution-of.html

CAMBODIA

Escalating violence against workers results in shooting http://www.industriall-union.org/cambodia-escalating-violence-against-workers-results-in-shooting

CANADA

Spying by Canada against Brazil strains relations, including in UN’s failed aid efforts in Haiti http://www.rogerannis.com/spying-by-canada-against-brazil-strains-relations-including-in-uns-failed-aid-efforts-in-haiti/

Spy agency’s budget to hit $460-million after ‘steady path’ of growth http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/spy-agencys-budget-to-hit-460-million-after-steady-path-of-growth/article15385168/#dashboard/follows/

Canada’s largest energy union wants national fracking moratorium http://commonsensecanadian.ca/canadas-largest-energy-union-calls-national-fracking-moratorium/

Challenging Harper’s Imperialist Agenda by Greg Albo http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/899.php

How globalization has left the 1 per cent even further ahead http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/how-globalization-has-left-the-1-per-cent-even-further-ahead/article15433419/?page=all

CHILE

Chile: the right choice – Michelle Bachelet will approach a second term with an agenda which is more radical and progressive than that of her first http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/chile-right-choice-michelle-bachelet

CHINA

Bringing the boss to the bargaining table https://clbchinese.org/newsletter/issue.1.html

COLOMBIA

Is the U.S. Enabling the Humanitarian Crisis in Colombia? http://inthesetimes.com/article/15475/us_military_aid_and_colombias_human_rights_crisis/

CUBA

Cuba rolls out master plan for food production and distribution http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/08/us-cuba-food-reform-idUSBRE9A70QC20131108

Martin Sheen for Cuban Five, english/spanish subtitles

EGYPT

Tear gas fired in fatal Cairo protests – At least one person has died in clashes after demonstrations to mark the anniversary of fatal anti-military protests. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/11/police-fire-tear-gas-at-cairo-protesters-20131119125935367841.html

Sisi’s Egypt: In this follow-up interview with leading member of the Revolutionary Socialists in Egypt, Sameh Naguib, we talk about Al-Sisi’s Egypt, the new alliance around the general, what challenges face opposition parties and movements and the future of Tahrir Square ( long interview, October 24, 2013) http://www.opendemocracy.net/arab-awakening/sameh-naguib-rosemary-bechler-rana-nessim/sisi%E2%80%99s-egypt

There is Something Deeply Unhealthy About the Sisi Worship By Robert Fisk http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36890.htm

As New Protest Law Looms, Egypt Faces Harsher Authoritarian Order Than the Revolution Overthrew http://www.democracynow.org/2013/11/13/as_new_protest_law_looms_egypt

Police forcefully disperse workers blocking tracks in Nile Delta http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/86629.aspx

Egypt’s Way of Revolution Front gets ready for Mohamed Mahmoud http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/86596.aspx

Police disperse student protesters at Zagazig University with teargas http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/86595.aspx

The state must bow to the people: Egypt’s revolutionary icon Ahmed Harara http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/86921.aspx

HAITI

Crimes against Haiti exposed in exacting detail https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/55392

IRAQ

Imperial roots of Iraq’s sectarian violence http://socialistworker.org/2013/11/11/the-roots-of-iraqs-violence

IRELAND

Youth Unemployment debated

KOREA

Samsung workers fight for justice after suicide https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/55394

LIBYA

Libya almost Imploding, Status Quo Unsustainable http://www.palestinechronicle.com/libya-almost-imploding-status-quo-unsustainable/

NICARAGUA

The Nicaraguan revolution: Neil Faulkner looks at how the US set out to destroy the Sandinista regime and with it any possibility of a wider Central American revolution http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/a-marxist-history-of-the-world/16699-the-nicaraguan-revolution

PACIFIC

Change economic direction or face ‘bleak’ future warning for Timor-Leste http://www.cafepacific.blogspot.co.nz/

Reversing Independence in Papua New Guinea http://pang.org.fj/reversing-independence-in-papua-new-guinea-2/

PALESTINE

What future for the Palestinian movement? Two debates http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/what-future-palestinian-movement-two-debates

Why I Believe Yasser Arafat Was Poisoned (by a veteran forensic investigator) http://www.palestinechronicle.com/why-i-believe-yasser-arafat-was-poisoned/

Israel forces Gaza Children to Wade through Sewage as Creepy, Evil Blockade Continues http://www.juancole.com/2013/11/children-blockade-continues.html

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines Typhoon: Climate Change and Political Disaster http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/897.php

PALEA is back! And the struggle continues http://www.redflag.org.au/article/palea-back-and-struggle-continues

QATAR

Qatar migrant workers ‘treated like animals’ – Amnesty http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24980013

RUSSIA

Missing Pussy Rioter Nadezhda Tolokonnikova Found At Siberian Hospital http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/11/16/missing-pussy-rioter-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-found-at-siberian-hospital.html

SAUDI ARABIA

Illegal workers surrender in Saudi as three Ethiopians die http://dawn.com/news/1056141/illegal-workers-surrender-in-saudi-as-three-ethiopians-die

Shocking video: Ethiopian workers tortured, abused in Saudi Arabia: Ethiopia’s Information Ministry has released a shocking video footage dubbed “Hell on Earth” that shows appalling conditions of its nationals in Saudi Arabia. http://en.alalam.ir/news/1534953

Ethiopian migrants protest in London against brutal crackdown on workers in Saudi Arabia http://socialistworker.co.uk/art/36899/Ethiopian+migrants+protest+in+London+against+brutal+crackdown+on+workers+in+Saudi+Arabia

SYRIA

In Aleppo I only survive by looking Syrian http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/only-survive-by-looking-syrian-hunted-by-islamists

‘Syria is not a revolution any more – this is civil war’ – Rivalry between rebels and Islamists has replaced the uprising’s lofty ideals, leaving veteran commanders despairing http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/18/syria-revolution-civil-war-conflict-rivalry

UK

Unite can’t be left to resist Cameron’s smear campaign alone – David Cameron and the Tory press have launched a retro anti-union drive to damage Ed Miliband. But it won’t fly in today’s Britain http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/13/unite-cameron-smear-campaign-anti-union

Eternal austerity makes complete sense – if you’re rich: For David Cameron, cutting spending in a highly unequal society works because it doesn’t affect those who matter to him. This used to be called class politics http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/15/eternal-austerity-makes-sense-if-rich-david-cameron

Cameron can’t talk about social mobility until he talks about inequality http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/11/cameron-cant-talk-about-social-mobility-until-he-talks-about-inequality

The internet won’t forget Cameron’s lies, and neither will the British people http://www.newstatesman.com/laurie-penny/2013/11/internet-wont-forget-camerons-lies-and-neither-will-british-people

Former SAS soldier Ben Griffin – I Will NOT Fight For Queen and Country

British Press Freedom Under Threat http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/opinion/british-press-freedom-under-threat.html?_r=2&

David Cameron Blocks Report that Exposes Tony Blair’s Iraq War Crimes By Lindsey German – David Cameron is blocking publication of the Iraq Inquiry report because it confirms a secret conspiracy by Bush and Blair to take the US and Britain into an illegal war .

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36844.htm

Torture inquiry ‘finds UK intelligence officers knew of mistreatment’: An official investigation into the extent of the UK’s involvement in rendition and torture after 9/11 is reported to have concluded that British intelligence officers were aware that detainees were being mistreated in prisons across the globe. http://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/nov/14/torture-inquiry-gibson-report-intelligence-detainees

USA

Socialist: No longer such a dirty word – Kshama Sawant’s success in Seattle is the latest evidence that many Americans don’t view the “s-word” as a slight. http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/socialist-no-longer-such-a-dirty-word-64334403866

Interview with socialist councillor from Seattle http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid836564316001?bckey=AQ~~%2CAAAAR_p154k~%2CAy3i1IziTki8aMdGaY0jFtvV8ga6DiJN&bctid=2836553771001

Seattle socialist Kshama Sawant defeats Democrat incumbent http://links.org.au/node/3592

Medical Ethics Have Been Violated at Detention Sites, a New Report Says http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/health/medical-ethics-violated-at-detention-sites-group-says.html

Exclusive: Dave Pierre on Surviving 1,144 Days Locked Up Inside the Failed U.S. Immigration System http://www.democracynow.org/2013/11/13/exclusive_dave_pierre_on_surviving_1

Occupy Wall Street’s debt buying strikes at the heart of capitalism – In buying debt so cheaply and writing it off, Occupy has revealed the illusory and circular nature of owing money http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/13/occupy-wall-st-debt-buying-heart-capitalism

Thousands serve life without parole for nonviolent crime http://www.salon.com/2013/11/13/thousands_serve_life_without_parole_for_non_violent_crime/

USA – WORKERS REVOLT

Striking LA Truckers Target Walmart Supply Chain http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=11039

BREAKING: Wal-Mart workers strike, Target workers threaten to join Black Friday walkout http://www.salon.com/2013/11/12/breaking_wal_mart_workers_strike_as_target_workers_threaten_to_join_black_friday_walkout/

Teamsters support Walmart Black Friday strikes http://teamsternation.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/teamsters-support-walmart-black-friday-strikes.html

A resounding no from Machinists – Boeing Machinists resoundingly rejected a deal that would have cut benefits but assured that production of the 777X would take place here. http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2022253577_boeingmachinistvotexml.html

Machinists Defeat Boeing Proposal, Boo Union Brass Who Pushed It – See more at: http://www.labornotes.org/2013/11/machinists-defeat-boeing-proposal-boo-union-brass-who-pushed-it#sthash.II5zxuVh.dpuf

Minimum Wage Momentum—at the Airport http://www.labornotes.org/2013/11/minimum-wage-momentum%E2%80%94-airport

Happy Birthday: US Gulag 12 Years Old Today – Guantánamo’s 12th Anniversary, And There’s No End In Sight By Morris Davis: Out of 779 detainees, only seven have been convicted and sentenced. The US must end this costly disgrace. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36850.htm

USA – SPYING SCANDAL

Mistaking Omniscience for Omnipotence – In a World Without Privacy, There Are No Exemptions for Our Spies By Tom Engelhardt http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175771/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_a_surveillance_state_scorecard/

Facebook and Microsoft help fund rightwing lobby network, report finds http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/14/facebook-microsoft-rightwing-lobby-network-spn

VENEZUELA

Venezuela jails 100 ‘bourgeois’ businessmen in crackdown http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/15/us-venezuela-economy-idUSBRE9AD1F320131115

Venezuela’s Maduro gets special powers, may bypass legislators http://rt.com/news/venezuelas-maduro-rule-by-decree-751/

The “Doctors of Socialism”? Meet Venezuela’s Community Doctors http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10098

First National Commune Conference: The Communes are the Antidote to Venezuela’s Economic Problems http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10173