GPJA NEWSLETTER #275 - February 11, 2009

GPJA NEWSLETTER #275 - February 11, 2009

Dear friends,

Unite Union is launching a petition for a referendum on the minimum wage. It provoked an editorial in granny Herald denouncing the idea - so it must be a good one. See "Best on the Web" below.

Also lots of media discussion this week on secret police spying on progressive activists - this time including an MP. Join the discussion to protest against the secret police and their dirty work with your own letters to the editor, on blogs etc.

Message from Jewish Voice for Peace - Ask Obama to deliver on his promise of Hope.

Sign the Open Letter to Obama.
Tell him to end the blockade.
(You can also download posters of these images.)

Dear Robert,

While waiting in line at the only open bakery he could find, Gaza resident Mohammed Salman said, "I'm going to buy something that my family can keep for only two days because there is no electricity and no refrigerator. We cannot keep anything longer than that."

This was in January - of last year.

Today, many Gazan bakeries are closed because, like Mohammed's family, they don't have power either.  Some don't even have flour.
The Israeli blockade of Gaza had already made it impossible for Palestinians to live in dignity and have access to the barest of essentials: bread, clean water, medical supplies and electricity.

This is no coincidence. This is official policy. In a moment of candor, Dov Weissglas, a top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was quoted as saying, "the Palestinians will get a lot thinner, but won't die."

His prediction was true. Last April, UNICEF reported that more than 50% of children under five in Gaza are anemic, and that many children are stunted due to a lack of vitamins.

And now?

As Gaza is smoldering from the siege that killed 1,285 people - nearly 70% of them civilians, destroyed at least 4,000 homes, and sent more than 50,000 people to temporary shelters, the Israeli blockade has not been lifted.

A tenuous cease fire is in now place. Humanitarian aid is starting to pour in.

But the civilian infrastructure is crippled. The borders of Gaza remain controlled by Israel. And just as Gazans could not leave during the siege to escape the bombing and shelling, they cannot leave now to get food and fuel.

There is not enough electricity for the bakeries that are left standing to produce bread, or for families that still have homes to refrigerate food.

Palestinians cannot even feed their children with the fish from the nearby sea. Israeli gunboats offshore have been enforcing the blockade with rounds of cannon and bursts of heavy machine-gun fire, to warn keep Gaza fishermen out of the sea.

Unless we end the blockade, long after the world's attention has shifted to some other crisis, some 1.5 million Gazans will still be under-nourished, without proper medical care, fuel and water - and trapped. Israelis too, who live in the south, will be even less safe from the threat of Hamas' Qassam rockets falling on their heads.

Lasting peace and stability in the region is simply an impossible dream while Palestinians in Gaza are denied the right to protect their children, feed their families, and expand their worlds beyond the few feet in front of their homes, or for many, tents.

Tell Obama, now: "Lift the blockade."

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"Let no man think we can deny civil liberty to others and retain it for ourselves. When zealous agents of the Government arrest suspected "radicals" without warrant, hold them without prompt trial, deny them access to counsel and admission of bail....we have shorn the Bill of Rights of its sanctity..." -- Robert M. Lafollette, Sr. (1855-1925) U.S. Senator - Source: The Progressive, March 1920

"Hungry man, reach for the book: It is a weapon." B. Brecht

"Let no man think we can deny civil liberty to others and retain it for ourselves. When zealous agents of the Government arrest suspected "radicals" without warrant, hold them without prompt trial, deny them access to counsel and admission of bail....we have shorn the Bill of Rights of its sanctity..." -- Robert M. Lafollette, Sr. (1855-1925) U.S. Senator - Source: The Progressive, March 1920

"Members of Congress should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could identify their corporate sponsors." - Author Unknown

"The salary of the chief executive of the large corporation is not a market award for achievement. It is frequently in the nature of a warm personal gesture by the individual to himself" - J K Galbraith - Annals of an Abiding Liberal

ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
CUTS TO COMMUNITY LAW CENTRES
Hey everyone, New Zealand's Community Law Centres provide many important services to those who cannot afford lawyers. The Youthlaw Community Law Centre was of great help to me when I was unjustly arrested for taking photos at a May Day demonstration in 2005. Sadly the Legal Services Agency, the Crown entity that funds legal aid, is proposing to cut Community Law Centre funding by 44%. This will mean that many of those who cannot afford lawyers will miss out on access to justice. Please copy and paste the letter below and email it to the Minister of Justice, Simon Power. It is a simple thing to do but if lots of people send an email, it could have a big impact. (You don't have to put your full address if you don't want to. You can just put your city or nothing at all). Regards, Cameron.

     To support your community law centre please copy the letter below and paste it into an email to the Minister of Justice by clicking on the following email link. Email: s.power@ministers.govt.nz

Hon Simon Power
Minister of Justice
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON
 
Dear Minister,
RE: FUNDING OF COMMUNITY LAW CENTRES

The Legal Services Agency has proposed cutting funding to Community Law Centres by 44% across the board.

I am concerned that such drastic cuts will significantly limit the community legal services centres currently provide our community.

I believe that access to justice is essential in a democracy and that Community Law Centres provide vital legal support and assistance for those who cannot afford legal services.

I therefore urge you to adjust budget priorities and authorize $5,000,000 in funds in order to maintain Community Law Centre funding at current levels.

Name:
Address:
Date:
 
DOCUMENTRAY FILM FESTIVAL
Kia Ora, Docs Rock! That is the theme for the 2009 DOCNZ International Documentary Film Festival. The festival takes place nationwide from 26 February to 5 April and screens more than 50 local and international documentaries. Each and every one of these is powerful and inspiring enough to rock your world. However, some may be of particular interest to your community or members. It may also interest you to learn about our Multiple Tickets Discount. This discount allows you to buy 5 or more tickets for any combination of sessions at the same venue for NZD 12.00 instead of the usual NZD 15.00. These 5 or more tickets can then be divided by you among multiple people as you see fit.

If you are interested in actively promoting the festival and ticket sales, we invite you to contact us to discuss it further at 09 360 0329. For more information about the DOCNZ 2009 and full programme, please visit our website: www.docnz.org.nz We look forward to seeing you at the festival. Kind regards, The DOCNZ Team.

Henrik Bitterle | DOCNZ The Documentary New Zealand Trust Level 1, 114 - 116 |Ponsonby Road | Ponsonby, Auckland 1011 | Tel: +64 9 360 0329 http://www.docnz.org.nz

TO THOSE INTERESTED IN ANOTHER SOCIETY: CAPITALISM CRASHES – WHAT’S THE LEFT DOING?
     Capitalism ‘s crisis is not a temporary blip in the machine. It is a serious far-reaching failure of the systems that enable capitalism to exist.

     2009 is very likely to show that as always the poor and the workers will be asked to bear the brunt and rebuild the system that oppresses them. Capital and its governments are using the peoples money to prop up the bankers and speculators.

     How will working people and citizens generally react when they realise they are required to bear the losses for the sake of the failed operators of the capitalist machine. Will they just grumble in private or will they resist?

     The Left is responsible for informing them and encouraging resistance to failed capitalism

A FORUM TO BUILD RESISTANCE?
A Social Forum Meeting in Aotearoa in 2009 would provide a non-sectarian and open means of bringing together those who want to take action against the crisis, and find ways to build resistance.

     The WORLD SOCIAL FORUM motto, ‘Another World is Possible" does not define what it is seeking, but allows for people of differing views to put their ideas forward under that broad banner.

     Looking ahead it will take some months for people to realise that the Key solution is not all tax breaks and cosy policies. The crisis is here now. By the Budget in May people will begin to learn that the crisis of the rich is to be solved at the expense of the lower paid.

     The best time to give major publicity to resistance therefore is toward the end of 2009 – say at Labour Day weekend. And leading to that a series of actions and statements could help alert the exploited to what is being done to them.

     I am writing to you to see if you think this or some alternative action can help people become more conscious of what is happening and to resist.My email address is jimddig@clear.net. nz, my address 47 Fairview Crescent Wellington 6012, my phone (04) 9386943. DO YOU WANT TO BUILD RESISTANCE TO CAPITALISM? PLEASE LET ME KNOW URGENTLY! -JIM DELAHUNTY

DONATE TO PALESTINE MEDICAL RELIEF SOCIETY.

Send donations c/- ARENA. The Arena bank account number is 06 0807 0122658 23 - National Bank, Fitzgerald Ave Christchurch branch. The 23 account is the international programme account. We shall apply for HAF funds in the February round, or if the government provides a special fund for Palestine. The situation for the PMRS is serious with the Israeli military advancing towards the PMRS head office in Gaza on the 15th Jan - see their website for full details".
http://www.pmrs.ps/last/index.php

 
BOYCOTT ISRAELI GOODS
AOTEAROA
http://big.org.nz/boycottisraeligoods/index.php
Australian Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions Campaign for Palestine
http://australianbdscampaign.wordpress.com/

60 Years of Nakba, 41 Years of Occupation … High Time for BDS By OMAR BARGHOUTI
http://www.counterpunch.org/barghouti06052008.html

PLEASE SUPPORT THE "SAY NO TO KWILA" CAMPAIGN

The Rain Forest Action group supported by the Indonesia Human Rights Committee plans a series of demonstrations against the sale of furniture made from rainforest kwila from West Papua. If logging continues at present rates kwila faces extinction in 35 years. Illegal and indiscriminate logging destroys the foodbasket of indigenous people. All demonstrations at Four Seasons Stores on the Saturdays: February, 14 February and 21 February. Timing 1-3 pm. Location of stores: 52 Lincoln Rd - opposite Waitakere Hospital; 500 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany; 1/14 Link Drive Wairau Valley. Please let us know if you can help- and which venue you prefer - transport is being co-ordinated email Ryan ryanbk@gmail.com or email   Maire: maire@clear.net.nz

PEACE SCHOLARSHIPS / WHITE POPPY APPEAL

this is a follow up to last year's advisory about the changes to the annual white poppy appeal - from this year the appeal will be held in April, with the proceeds going to the new peace scholarships which will be offered for the first time in 2009. There are two sections below: how you can support the appeal, and some background information. This message will be available online at
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/poppy09.htm later today.

 
2009 NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS MARCH 27-29, WHANGANUI

     Kia ora, The 2009 National Peace Workshops (NPW) will be held from 6pm, Friday 27 March to 3pm, Sunday 29 March at the Quaker Settlement, Whanganui. There are two sections below: the first has a brief description of this year's NPW and an invitation to your group to contribute an update on your campaign/s as part of the NPW programme, as well as leaflets and other resources if you wish; the second is to ask if your group wishes to be a co-sponsor of the 2009 NPW. If you have received this message via an e-list, or a forwarded copy, please reply to pma@xtra.co.nz

2009 NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS: CAMPAIGN UPDATES, LEAFLETS AND RESOURCES

     The theme of the NPW this year is 'Promoting peace through active non-violent resistance' and the main focus will be participatory discussion with Maori, Pacific and Pakeha contributors who have experience of community and individual non-violent resistance, and/or non-violent direct action in Aotearoa and overseas. There will also be space for campaign updates from peace and related groups.

     Could you please let us know as soon as possible if you wish to contribute a campaign update, and on what topic. If you are planning on attending for only part of the weekend, please let us know when you will be there. Campaign updates will most likely be scheduled for the Friday night plenary session, and will comprise a brief overview so that participants know who to talk with during the weekend to follow up on the topics that particularly interest them. There are some scheduled sessions over the weekend, but as at last year's NPW, the programme is flexible and will be ultimately determined by the participants - where there is a sufficient level of interest in any particular campaign or topic, space will be available for a plenary or parallel session to explore that further.

     You are welcome to bring leaflets or other resources to the NPW. If no-one from your organisation is able to attend, we will take them for you (please post copies to Peace Movement Aotearoa by 14 March).

NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS SPONSORSHIP

     As with previous NPW, we are inviting your organisation to co-sponsor the 2009 NPW - this is particularly important because these NPW are residential and substantial subsidies are required to ensure that those who wish to attend are not prevented from doing so because of the cost. Co-sponsorship comprises a donation of $100 (although if you are able to give more that would be very gratefully received) - in return co-sponsoring organisations will have their name will be included in publicity material, on the 2009 NPW web page at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw09.htm and in any published report.

     The initial 2009 NPW publicity material will be distributed on Tuesday, 10 February (along with the registration forms), so rather than waiting until cheques are received to add co-sponsor's names to the publicity material, we will add yours just as soon as we receive a message letting us know that your organisation wishes to be a co-sponsor.

     Co-sponsor cheques should be made payable to 'Peace Movement Aotearoa: Special Projects' and posted to Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141, as soon as possible. Please remember to include your postal address so you can be sent a receipt. Thank you

WORLD AT A CROSSROADS: FIGHTING FOR SOCIALISM IN THE 21st CENTURY
- International speakers from: VENEZUELA, ARGENTINA, CANADA, PAKISTAN, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES, TIMOR LESTE, INDIA, AUSTRALIA … and more Easter 2009, April 10-12. Sydney. Venue: Sydney Girls High, Cnr Anzac Pde & Cleveland St, Surry Hills. For more info’ and to buy your tickets: Email: dsp@dsp.org.au or sydney.resistance@gmail.com Phone: (+ 612) 9690 1230 Visit: www.WorldAtACrossroads.org

Venezuela solidarity brigade April 15-25th, 2009

In the last five years, the Australia Venezuela Solidarity Network (AVSN) has organised eight study/solidarity brigades from Australia to Venezuela involving more than 180 participants. The dates of this year’s brigade have been set to allow participants to also join the ICAP brigade to Cuba for May Day on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Detailed reports on previous brigades are available upon request.

     Participants in the April 15-25 brigade will visit worker-controlled factories and cooperatives, free public education and health programs, and community media outlets. They will observe "popular power" at work in the communal councils, and speak to a wide range of grassroots and government organisations about the radical pro-worker changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people.

     Accommodation (twin-share basis), transport and Spanish-English translation within Venezuela will be organised for brigade participants.

     Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but the brigade organisers are able to help with advice. If someone is not able to participate in the entire 10-day brigade, they are welcome to join the brigade at any point, subject to pre-arrangement with the brigade organisers.

     The deadline for registering for the brigade is March 1, 2009. The registration fee is $500 for full-time workers and $300 for pensioners/students/low-waged workers.

 
MESSAGE FROM A BRIGADISTA IN CUBA
“The brigade was an amazing experience. I joined the whole experience - the camp life, working in the fields, the lectures (which were fascinating) and I found the group worked really well together. As it grew to an end I think it was time for us to have a break from each other, but I have swapped emails with many brigadistas and I am sure I will keep in touch..... Thank you for helping to organise the trip. I hope more Kiwis go in future years.”

IV EDITION OF MAY DAY WORLD BRIGADE OF SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA

Dear Friends: The celebration of May Day is a tradition of the world proletariat. All over the world the working class, main character of our contemporary times, claims for their rights and interests through different expressions of revolutionary activities. In 2009, Cuban working class will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Revolution: half century of workers’ power, of fight against the American empire and of working-class internationalism. The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) invites you to a new edition of a May Day World Brigade of Solidarity with Cuba. Friends from all over the world will attend the fourth edition of the Brigade to participate in all activities for the celebration and share with the Cuban workers and people. The program prepared for this celebration includes visits to places of historical, cultural, educational and social interest. Lectures, with updating information, will give you an accur

     The growing participation in Brigades from all over the world is a prove not only of the motivation for learning about Cuba but also of the solidarity with Cuba that extends worldwide encouraged by the commitment of the Cuban Revolution to fight against the blockade imposed by the USA government and for the right of being a sovereign and independent nation. By attending the Brigade, a member is committed to comply with the Program and to keep a proper behavior, discipline and living together standards. The consumption of drugs or any other hallucinogenic substances is totally illegal and penalized by the prevailing legislations in our country. Inscriptions are available up to April 1st 2009. You are supposed to inform us the airline, date and time of arrival. We are looking forward to hosting you!!!! Leopoldo Alfredo Valle Álvarez, Director. EMAIL:4th Edition of May Day International Brigade. sonia@icap.cu

GIVE TALKBACK RADIO A CALL
Advertise march and give key facts to counter Zionist spin. Mention the GPJA website. RADIO LIVE 0800 723 465; ZB TALKBACK 0800801080; RADIO WATEA WED NIGHT 8-11PM 09 2570603

 
WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND
JOIN THE RAT PATROL AGAINST UNFAIR DISMISSALS:
From March '09 workers in small businesses will be able to be sacked for any reason, or no reason at all, in their first 90 days of employment. The RAT PATROL has been launched by unions and community groups to make sure no worker get unfairly dismissed under the new law. The Rat Patrol received a great response in Coyle Park last weekend, with hundreds of workers taking leaflets for the demonstration on 28 February. There is loads of anger in the community about the new law, and people love the idea of bringing the giant inflatable rat to shame their own rat bosses. Come along over the next few weeks to give us a hand with the leaflets and sign-ups:

SATURDAY 14 FEB - MANGERE MARKET. Mangere Community Law Centre have reserved a joint space for the Rat Patrol and the campaign to defend Community Law Centres. Meet 9am Unite Office or 10am at Mangere Market, Mangere Town Square off Waddon Place (meet next to the Maori Wardens building).

SAT 14 FEB - CROSS ST CARNIVAL - DETAILS TBC

SUNDAY 15 FEB - AVONDALE MARKET (MORNING) - DETAILS TBC

SATURDAY 21 FEB - OTARA MARKET (MORNING) - DETAILS TBC

Let us know which events you can can help out at, and which other events you'd like to take the rat to. The leaflet can be DOWNLOADED - you can use them anywhere, so sign up your friends and workmates, and send the names back in so we can keep building the RAT PATROL. If you can't find the rat when you get to the event, text me on 0210 358 513 and we'll try to locate you... Hope to see you all tomorrow, Nicola

REGISTER AS A RAT PATROL MEMBER to join the emergency solidarity pickets against unfair sackings. Our goal is to have several hundred people registered as willing and able to respond to appeals for help on short notice. Register with your email address and/or mobile number for text messages. To join email wewontpayforyourcrisis@gmail.com or

REGISTER ONLINE http://www.unite.org.nz/?q=contact
DOWNLOADABLE POSTER here:
http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/76759/index.php
 
Saturday, February 14, 8pm, Tom Fordes Bar, Anzac Ave
Joe invited you to "A Valentine for Palestine" on Saturday, February 14 at 8:00pm. Event: A Valentine for Palestine "Practical Solidarity with the People of Gaza". What: Concert Host: Socialist Aotearoa. Start Time: Saturday, February 14 at 8:00pm End Time: Sunday, February 15 at 2:00am. Where: Tom Fordes Irish Bar and Political Museum. To see more details and RSVP, follow the link: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=62991317752

Sunday, February 15, 11:00am - 6:00pm, 20 PARK ROAD, GRAFTON, OPPOSITE GRAFTON HOSPITAL, AUCKLAND DOMAIN!!!!!! (Changed from previous notice)
JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE SOCCER TOURNAMENT: We are happy to announce that Justice For Palestine will be holding its first Soccer Tournament on 15/02/2009. There will be about 8 teams competing to win the trophy at the end of the day. We are also going to be selling food, t-shirts, and Kafeyahs (Palestinian Scarf). Again, 100% of the proceeds will go to provide aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Come out, bring your family and friends, enjoy the sun, soccer games, food, games for the kids and most importantly help us raise money to provide food and humanitarian aid for Palestine. For more information you can contact: Saraa Nabhani: 0211860140; Ali Navy: 0211811139.

Saturday, February 28, 12 noon, Aotea Square, Queen St
FEB 28: JOIN THE RAT PATROL AGAINST UNFAIR DISMISSALS: On Saturday February 28th come out on the streets to show Auckland that the Rat Patrol will be on hand to deal with unfair dismissals. Downloadable poster here:
http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/76759/index.php

Monday March 2nd, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.
MARCH GPJA FORUM –The Roger Award Ceremony. Not all the glitz and glamour of Oscar night but this forum will feature the official announcement of the winner of the Roger Award for the worst multinational company operating in New Zealand in 2008. Live music with food and drink available. No need to get your glad rags on but get ready for a good evening. A DVD on the winning multinational will also be a feature of the evening. All welcome – no entry charge!

Tuesday, March 3, 5-6.30pm, Pacific Media Centre, WT002, AUT Tower Building, AUT University
"SURVEILLANCE AND THE MEDIA: WHAT THE SIS PAPERS REVEAL". Murray Horton, secretary of CAFCA. Themes such as:Democracy, civil society and surveillance; How SIS methods have changed since the Cold War; Implications for our Asian and Pacific neighbours, notably Fiji, East Timor and Indonesia-Papua; Why journalists need to scrutinise state surveillance and the anti-terror laws far more proactively than they do; How ordinary citizens (inc. journalists) seek this state information under the OIA.

Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.
APRIL GPJA FORUM: HAITI TODAY: FIVE YEARS OF UN-SPONSORED MILITARY OCCUPATION BRINGS DISASTER. In February, 2004, the elected president and government of Haiti were overthrown by a right-wing paramilitary rebellion backed by troops from the United States, France and Canada. A foreign-appointed, regime of human rights violations ruled Haiti for the two years that followed. An elected government has ruled Haiti since early 2006. But the real power is held by a 10,000-member, UN-sponsored military occupation regime. Poverty, human rights violations and environmental degradation are worsening dramatically in a country that was already the poorest in the Americas. Hear: Roger Annis, a coordinator of the Canada Haiti Action Netowrk and participant in a human rights factfinding mission to Haiti in August 2007.

Tuesday, April 7, 6pm, Unite Centre, 6a Western Springs Rd, Morningside
THE FINANCIAL CRISIS HITS HOME IN CANADA. During the October, 2008 federal election in Canada, all the parties represented in the federal Parliament peddled a myth that Canada would escape the worst of the U.S.-sparked financial collapse. This in a country where the U.S. market consumes 76% of all Canadian exports. The economic situation in Canada is deteriorating rapidly, presenting new difficulties and challenges for the country's trade unions and social movements. As well, renewed demands for political sovereignty are emerging among the French-speaking Quebecois nation that numbers 7 million and the one million Indigenous peoples. Speaking on the political situation in Canada today: Roger Annis, aerospace worker in Vancouver, long time socialist and trade union activists, editor of Socialist Voice.

 
NEW ZEALAND
Unite launches Supersizemypay2.com for a living wage
http://www.unite.org.nz/?q=node/579

Editorial: A minimum wage suited to hard times (must be doing something right to be attacked by granny herald)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/economy/news/article.cfm?c_id=34&objectid=10556080

Minimum wage rises 50c in line with prices
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10555868&ref=rss

Maritime Union back call for minimum wage referendum
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00091.htm

Maori Party sticking to minimum wage policy of $15 an hour minimum
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00108.htm

Fast-food giant hit by minimum wage rise
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/economy/news/article.cfm?c_id=34&objectid=10556103

Your Views Story: Is the minimum wage increase too much, not enough or just right?
http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/your-views/2009/2/10/minimum-wage-increase-too-much-not-enough-or-just-right/?c_id=1501154

Afghanistan extension on cards
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4841584a6160.html
Te Tiriti o Waitangi: the Treaty of Waitangi -This is a summary of the Treaty of Waitangi chapter of the Human Rights Commission's annual review of race relations for 2008
http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/04-Feb-2009_13-25-15_Race_Relations_Report_2008_-_Treaty_Summary.html

Maori artist declares war on the New Zealand state
http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2009/02/war-in-head.html

John Minto: Take an apple for the teacher
http://johnminto.org.nz/take-an-apple-for-the-teacher/

 
SIS
Locke: Close My File And Stop Snooping On MPs
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00091.htm

Gordon Campbell: Obama, Locke & Israeli Elections
http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-obama-locke-israeli-elections/

PM needs to seek more answers from the SIS
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00099.htm

Green MP: SIS has been spying on me
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/new-zealand/news/article.cfm?l_id=71&objectid=10555609

MP wants 'full story' on SIS file
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4842057a6160.html
SIS file on MP 'an affront' – Locke
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4841373a6160.html

 
REVIEWS
Rethinking Marx
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1873191_1873190_1873188,00.html
Why Revolutionary Road Was Shut Out at the Oscars - When Utopia Crumbles By KIM NICOLINI
http://www.counterpunch.org/nicolini02062009.html

 
ECONOMIC CRISIS
Interview with Robert Brenner on the current crisis
http://ricardo.ecn.wfu.edu/~cottrell/OPE/archive/0901/0357.html

Lucky Duckey on crisis
http://www.gocomics.com/features/151/feature_items/409977
 
WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
World Social Forum: `We won't pay for the crisis. The rich must pay!'
http://links.org.au/node/897

The World Social Forum Returns to Brazil
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/1701/1/

Resolution and a Plan of Action
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45632
 
WORKERS RESIST CRISIS
Protesters rally in Mexico City: Thousands of people in Mexico City have protested against what they say is the inadequate response by the government to growing economic problems in Mexico.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7862294.stm

French strikes: Violence erupts as thousands gather to protest on 'Black Thursday': Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through French cities, with violence erupting in some places, as part of a day of national strikes demanding pay rises and better protection for jobs.
http://tinyurl.com/apon3f
Strikes spread across Britain as oil refinery protest escalates: Unofficial strikes break out in support of protest over use of foreign workers to carry out building project in Lincolnshire
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/30/oil-refinery-dispute

Economic woes fuel Russian protests: Russian police forcefully broke up many of the anti-government protests on Saturday, arresting dozens of demonstrators.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/2009131144430388409.html

Governments across Europe tremble as angry people take to the streets: Greek farmers block the road into Bulgaria in protest at low prices for their produce. New ?gures from the biggest bank in the Baltic show that the three post-Soviet states there face the biggest recessions in Europe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/31/global-recession-europe-protests

AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Leader Finds Himself Hero No More By Dexter Filkins
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/world/asia/08karzai.html

AUSTRALIA
Meltdown, fires as climate emergency hits Australia: Urgent action required
http://links.org.au/node/898

BOLIVIA
Indigenous autonomy finally a reality?
http://www.lapress.org/articles.asp?art=5790

CUBA
'Cuban Five' file appeal with Supreme Court
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/30/scotus.cuban.five/

Fidel Castro demands Obama return Guantanamo base: Fidel Castro demanded on Thursday that President Barack Obama return the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo to Cuba without conditions, and he accused the new U.S. leader of supporting "Israeli genocide" against Palestinians.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N29286719.htm

 
FIJI
Bjornar interviews David Robie on Fiji media issues:
http://odeo.com/episodes/23954867-Bjornar-speaks-to-Dr-David-Robie

Last night on Media7 (TVNZ digital) - David Robie (PMC), Barbara Dreaver (TVNZ Pacific correspondent) and Radio Tarana's Robert Khan spoke on Fiji and the news media. View programme at Media7 on demand:
http://tvnzondemand.co.nz/content/media7/ondemand_video_skin?

FRANCE
Olivier Besancenot the 'Red Postman' delivers warning to Nicolas Sarkozy. Profile: As the global economy crumbles, a young revolutionary’s talk of smashing the state seems attractive to voters in France.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/4534861/Olivier-Besancenot-the-Red-Postman-delivers-warning-to-Nicolas-Sarkozy.html

JAPAN
Japan Focus: Japan on the Brink of the Abyss?
http://www.japanfocus.org/_Andrew_DeWit-Japan_on_the_Brink_of_Abyss___Updated_

NEPAL
Nepal, a Promising Revolutionary Advance BY Samir Amin
http://monthlyreview.org/090202amin.php

PALESTINE
Likud Charter Does Not Recognize Palestine
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=14772

Israel Heads Right: Led by Avigdor Liberman, Israel Beiteinu has actually overtaken the once powerful Labour party of Ehud Barak and is fast closing the gap on the top two contenders, Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud, which opinion polls give 26-29 seats compared to 24-27 seats for Tsipi Livni's centre-right Kadima
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45690

Netanyahu: Lieberman campaign against Israeli Arabs is 'legitimate': http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1061976.html

Testimonies of Israeli Crimes in Gaza
http://www.kawther.info/wpr/2009/02/04/testimonies-of-israeli-crimes-in-gaza

Gaza invasion: Powered by the U.S: Taxpayers are spending over $1 billion to send refined fuel to the Israeli military -- at a time when Israel doesn't need it and America does.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/01/16/gaza_invasion/
By Robert Fisk: War Reporters Used To Prefer Morality Over Impartiality
http://informationclearinghouse.info/article21924.htm

PHILIPPINES
New left party -- Power of the Masses Party -- formed in Philippines
http://links.org.au/node/893

SRI LANKA
Please use your power to Stop Genocide of Tamils:
http://www.sangam.org/FB_PHOTOGENOCIDE/Index.htm#Top

UK
`For international solidarity between workers' -- British left debates Lindsey oil refinery strike wave (updated Feb. 7)
http://links.org.au/node/887

How Bush Threatened Britain - By Andrew Sullivan - In order to prevent any details of its torture record being publicly disseminated, the Bush administration threatened the British government with withdrawal of intelligence sharing if they allowed a court to publish the redacted evidence. Foreign secretary David Miliband denied this on Wednesday, but the letters from the US have been released by Channel 4 News. And their message is unmistakable.
http://informationclearinghouse.info/article21925.htm

Foreign Office colludes with US to cover-up torture of Binyam Mohamed - By Robert Stevens - A High Court ruling by two British judges regarding the torture of a Guantánamo detainee has unleashed a major political crisis. The judges have stated that they have been pressured by the United States into concealing evidence that should be made available in any country governed by the rule of law. This took the form of threats to withdraw security cooperation, instigated under the Bush administration and continued under Barak Obama's presidency.
http://informationclearinghouse.info/article21926.htm

USA
People & Power - Obama's Carbon plan - 3 Feb 09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk991CVPLNc&feature=channel_page

How to Lighten the Income Tax Load on the American Worker - Tax the Speculators! By RALPH NADER: Let's start with a fairness point. Why should you pay a 5 to 6 percent sales tax for buying the necessities of life, when tomorrow, some speculator on Wall Street can buy $100 million worth of Exxon derivatives and not pay one penny in sales tax?
http://informationclearinghouse.info/article21932.htm
 
President Obama seeks Russia deal to slash nuclear weapons
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5654836.ece

PAUL KRUGMAN: Op-Ed Columnist - The Destructive Center - What do you call someone who eliminates hundreds of thousands of American jobs, deprives millions of adequate health care and nutrition, undermines schools, but offers a $15,000 bonus to affluent people who flip their houses?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/opinion/09krugman.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

VENEZUELA
The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) released a report today on the Venezuelan economy on the tenth anniversary of President Hugo Chávez's tenure, which began in February 1999. "Looking at the economic data and social indicators, it's not difficult to see why Chávez remains popular and has won so many elections, despite overwhelmingly hostile media coverage," said Mark Weisbrot, Co-Director of CEPR and lead author of the report, "The Chávez Administration at 10 Years: The Economy and Social Indicators."
http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/venezuela-2009-02.pdf

Venezuela: Democracy, revolution and term limits
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/782/40274

FAIR Study: Human Rights Coverage Serving Washington's Needs - The report, "Human Rights Coverage Serving Washington's Needs," finds that while Venezuela is by every measure a safer place than Colombia to live, vote, organize unions and political groups, speak out against the government or practice journalism, editorials at four influential newspapers have portrayed Venezuela's government as having a far worse human rights record than Colombia's.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3710

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