Another Green World

PSUV congress report

2009-11-23T21:12:00.002Z

Well I have sat and listened to Chavez for three hours, he is extremely entertaining and interesting, I have my differences (Iran) for a start.

Likewise changing Venezuela is difficult, lots of corruption, notice the mass media ignored fifty years of totally corrupt rule before Chavez.

Chavez is important, but the social change has to be from the grassroots.

Find it difficult to listen to most UK politicians for more than 50 seconds, dull.

This is a report I have just been sent.

http://www.marxist.com/first-extraordinary-congress-psuv.htm

Written by Alan Woods, from the Congress of the PSUV
Monday, 23 November 2009
At the opening session of the PSUV congress Chavez made a very radical left-wing speech, calling for the setting up of a new international, explaining that it was necessary to destroy the bourgeois state and replace it with a revolutionary state, but also referring to the bureaucracy within the Bolivarian movement itself. It was clearly a speech that reflects the enormous pressure from the masses below who are getting tired of talk about socialism, while real progress towards genuine change appears to be frustratingly slow.

On Saturday November 21, the First Extraordinary Congress of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) commenced its sessions with the attendance of 772 red-shirted delegates. The majority were workers, peasants and students, elected by around 2.5 million voters (the total membership on paper is seven million!). The atmosphere was one of enthusiasm and expectation.

After a warming up session of revolutionary songs and a couple of opening speeches from visiting dignitaries from Nicaragua and El Salvador, Hugo Chavez opened the proceedings with a five hour speech that finished shortly after midnight.

The main emphasis of the first part of his speech was the need to set up a new revolutionary international, which he referred to as the Fifth International. Chavez pointed out that Marx had set up the First International, Engels participated in the founding of the Second International, Lenin founded the Third International and Leon Trotsky the Fourth, but that for different reasons, none of these Internationals existed today.

Chavez pointed out that all these Internationals were originally based in Europe, reflecting the class battles in Europe at that time, but that today the epicentre of world revolution was in Latin America, and especially in Venezuela. He pointed to the presence at the Congress of 55 left parties from 39 countries, which had signed a document called the Caracas Agreement (El Compromiso de Caracas), based on the idea of a worldwide fight against imperialism and capitalism, for socialism.

He stressed this idea repeatedly in the course of his speech, which also contained many radical ideas, attacks against capitalism, which he said was a threat to the future of the human race. Referring to the world capitalist crisis, he condemned the attempts of western governments to save the system with lavish state bailouts. Our task, he said, was not to save capitalism but to destroy it.

Referring to the situation in Venezuela, he stated that they had not yet succeeded in eliminating capitalism but were moving in that direction. His announcement that they were going to take over seven banks was greeted with enthusiastic applause. He denounced the Venezuelan oligarchy as a Fifth Column, which had sold out to imperialism.

Chavez pointed out that the state in Venezuela remained a capitalist state and this was a central problem for the revolution. Waving a copy of Lenin's State and Revolution (which he recommended all the delegates to read), he said that he accepted Lenin's view that it was necessary to destroy the bourgeois state and replace it with a revolutionary state, and this task remained to be carried out.

Turning to the problem of bureaucracy, he warned that he was aware that some of the delegates present had been elected by irregular means and that some people were only interested in getting elected to parliament or as mayors and governors, which he described as unacceptable.

On the recent conflict with Colombia, he repeated his demand for the establishment of a people's militia, and that every worker, peasant, student, man and woman, should receive military training, and that this must not remain on paper but be put into practice.

"I attach great importance to this congress," Chavez said, "and intend to take an active part in its proceedings." He insisted that the congress should not end tomorrow (Sunday) but should continue to meet periodically for the next few months, so as to debate all these questions thoroughly. He insisted that the debates must be democratic, taking different opinions into consideration and that delegates must report back to the rank and file and discuss with them all the different proposals and documents.

The President emphasized that the next year would be difficult. The opposition would do everything possible to win the elections to the National Assembly in September 2010. "After that they will go for me," he said. At this point one delegate shouted out: "They will go for all of us!"

All this highlights the central problem. After 11 years there are signs that the masses are becoming impatient and frustrated with the slow pace of the revolution. The crisis of capitalism is having an effect, and many are disgusted with the bureaucracy and corruption they see everywhere, including within the Bolivarian Movement itself.

This frustration sometimes expresses itself in strikes. The President expressed his frustration at some strikes, although he appealed for a dialogue with the workers. But behind this is a general feeling that those in the leadership of the revolution are out of touch and do not listen to the masses or understand their problems.

During his speech, Chavez also stressed the need to recover the traditions of revolutionary trade unionism, since the working class has to play a leading role in the revolution. "The consciousness of the working class is key to the building of socialism", he said, adding that there must be a close alliance between the party and the workers.

It is clear that Chavez is attempting to use the congress to breathe new life into the revolution. Let us hope that this will be the starting point for a new advance of the Bolivarian Revolution, which can only succeed by going onto the offensive, braking radically with capitalism, striking blows against the reactionary oligarchy and establishing a genuine workers' state as the necessary condition for advancing to socialism and launching a revolutionary wave throughout the Americas and on a world scale.

Caracas, 21st November

The Revolution will be SOAS-ised!

2009-11-23T21:06:00.003Z

Well if there is a revolution in Britain it will start at SOAS, thus the heat some people are taking, the meetings I have been too in SOAS.

just had this:

Next Saturday Climate Camp are organizing a day of workshops, debates and discussion about climate justice in SOAS university, London. This will include a debate on Just Transition with Harry Shutt (author of Beyond Profit Systems); Sian Moore (TUC Just Transition Project); and Bob Sutton (Workers' Climate Action), which may be of interest to the climate change trade union network.

For full details, please see below. Please circulate widely.

____________________________________________________________________________________
Climate Camp London and Zed books invite you to

Warm-up to Copenhagen at

The Great Global

Warm-Up

a day of workshops, discussion and debate.

Climate change is one of the biggest issues of our age. Copenhagen is almost upon us. But the current political response is feeble.

When: Saturday 28 November, 11am—5.00pm

Where: SOAS, 10 Thornhaugh St, London, WC1H 0XG. Rooms: G2, FG07, FG08

Cost: Free (donations welcome)

Speakers will include Ruth Davis - Head of climate change policy at the RSPB, David Fleming - Lean Economy Connection, James Garvey The Ethics of Climate Change, Clive George The Truth about Trade, Victoria Johnson - NEF, Sian Moore - TUC Just Transition Project, Rupert Read - Green Party, Martin Reynolds The Environmental Responsibility Reader, Chris Rootes - Professor of Environmental Politics, University of Kent, Harry Shutt Beyond Profit Systems, Oliver Tickell Kyoto2, Gerry Woolf - DESERTEC; plus activists from Camp for Climate Action, Workers' Climate Action, Plane Stupid and more.

Whatever your level of knowledge, this is an exciting opportunity to learn more, meet others and be part of shaping the agenda in the run up to UN climate talks in Copenhagen.

Birds marsh to be built over

2009-11-23T20:31:00.001Z

Good to hear from Steve Hunt, I have known him since I guess we were both seven or eight, I have long departed the playfields of Chippenham.

Sad to hear that the local environment continues to be built over at great speed, Chippenham I suspect in the 1950s was a place of beauty.

Not since.

Sorry no map by the way but do look at the link,

Dear all,

For those of you who don't know, Birds' Marsh is the area north of Chippenham that I have been chattering on about this year. My book on Birds' Marsh is due to be published in March.

See attached map indicating the affect of 'preferred options' on Birds' Marsh and other areas such as the Hardens Mead area. The green line indicates the proposed road which would cut across the Birds' Marsh fields and hedgerows and clip the edge of Birds' Marsh Wood.

The letter has links for the 2026 plan which aims to build more than 5, 000 houses in the Chippenham area. It also gives details of the consultation process. Responses to the consultation must be in by the end of the year. Beyond the local situation in Chippenham the formerly protected green belt is currently under threat in many areas. Success in protecting Birds' Marsh and other areas over the coming months could therefore help to protect the countryside as a whole.

See also: http://friendsofbirdsmarsh.com/ and forward to anyone else that might be interested.

Kind regards,

Stephen

A Party to Win? Clare Solomon expulsion from SWP

2009-11-23T13:55:00.002Z

SWP are loco in my view, control freakery, etc, etc, no wonder many people reject socialism, I know some very good SWP individuals but as an institution no thanks!

Monday, 23 November 2009
A Party to Win? Clare Solomon expulsion from SWP
Dear comrades, friends & fellow travellers,

Two months ago myself and James M were suspended from the SWP. James has had his suspension lifted and is able to participate in party debates at conference although is not able to sell the paper, attend branch meetings, central London, Soas or otherwise. It is a great shame that the party has enforced restricted membership on such a dedicated revolutionary.

On Saturday, however, I was expelled. I was expelled for 1) putting on an event called Mutiny which they claim was autonomist 2) for sending 6 friends a private email and 3) I was accused of 'lying', ie for not accepting that this was a factional email or event.

I have been a member for four turbulent years. My sister and I joined the SWP at Marxism 2005, the year of the London bombings which had me penned in my Brunswick Centre flat in Russell sq, a mere 100yds from the bus bomb.

How glad I am that I was amongst people such as you all at this difficult time and that my distress was channelled into becoming a revolutionary. Through learning from and participating in discussions about how to change the world I was won to the idea of having to do this collectively.

The seed of this was sown in my mind in 2003 when the local Stop the War branch used my restaurant (Char Bar in Cromer St) to hold planning meetings. Coming from a military family background (my dad was in the Military Police!) meeting these people and seeing their desire to fight back against the impending war on Iraq was certainly a life changing experience. My first ever demo was the 2m people one on 15 July 2003. I attended with my own homemade banner with the Gandhi quote 'an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind': my, how I have changed.

More here

Irish mercenaries out of Bolivia

2009-11-22T22:11:00.003Z

Had a useful meeting with Christian last monday, I hope the Greens in the Dail take action on this . The greens in Bolivia by which I mean the indigenous are doing serious work to protect the environment and of course if you are doing good work you face repression (if you are doing not very good work the clue is being given a well paid job by Fianna Fail!)

This is a quick cut and paste from my good amigo Liam's blog, do take a regular look

Integrated Risk Management Services is a company managed by former members of the Irish Army’s counter terrorist and special forces. One of its employees got himself killed by Bolivian police who claimed that he was involved in a plot to murder Evo Morales. This is the text of a letter handed intto the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs on Friday by Cristian Dominguez, the Secretary of Natural Resources for the peasant organisation, CSUTCB and Cristian Dominguez and Jose Sagarnaga of the Bolivia Solidarity Campaign.

Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr Micheál Martin
80 St. Stephens Green
Dublin 2
Dear Mr Martín,
As members of Bolivian civil society in Europe we would like to respectfully bring to your attention matters relating to the Irish-based company Integrated Risk Management Services (I-RMS).
We have information that proves that this company employs or has employed well known mercenaries as Coronel Gyla Attila. It is through these mercenaries that Michael Dwyer, an employee of I-RMS made contact with international mercenaries.
The I-RMS company provides security to Fianna Fáil for its annual conferences as well as providing security for Shell in Rossport, I-RMS had an advert on its website offering armed and un-armed security services internationally. The advert was taken off the website after the death of Michael Dwyer in an armed clashed with the Bolivian police earlier this year.
We would like you to investigate the links between this company and right wing extremist terrorist groups in Europe and the connexions they have with our country Bolivia. Bolivia is a country undergoing a deep process of social, cultural and economic change, which has the support of rank and file social organisations. Our government is the representative of the people and was elected with 53% of the votes and ratified with 68% of the votes in a recall referendum. Its legitimacy cannot be questioned.
The presence of Irish citizen Michael Dwyer in Bolivia coincided with terrorist attacks perpetrated in 2008 and the first months of 2009, aimed at destabilising the process of change we describe above.
The actions which led to the death of Mr Dwyer started back in Ireland, when he worked for Irish company I-RMS. Your government, as well as the Irish media, have asked the Bolivian government to investigate these facts, and this is now being done. However, we would like to request from your government a full investigation into the obscure aims and methods of companies which employ mercenaries or terrorists, and which openly offer their services in Ireland.
Cristian Domínguez, secretary of defence of natural resources and the environment of the Bolivian Confederation of Peasant Workers (CSUTCB), is currently visiting Europe. He is a survivor of the massacre of Pando in 2008, which was organised and carried out by those who are experts in organisation wars of secession. Mr Dwyer and the machinery he was a part of should be investigated for their responsibility in these events which left men, women and children dead, and many survivors scarred for life.
The proof that exists against these mercenary groups is conclusive, but we are worried that they are still active in our country, Bolivia. For all these reasons, and knowing your democratic and peace-loving record, we would like to request from the office you represent:
1.- A full investigation into the legal status of I-RMS in Ireland and the services it offers, as well as an investigation into any other companies offering international armed security services from Ireland.
2.- An investigation into the links between security company I-RMS and extreme right wing elements from Eastern Europe. There are clear indications that Attila, an employee of I-RMS, was the contact who recruited Michael Dwyer for his activities in Bolivia.
3.- Taking into account the danger that these mercenaries pose to our democracy and to Bolivian society as a whole, we would like your government to investigate how many people employed by I-RMS have travelled to Bolivia and whether they are still in our territory.
4.- It is possible that other Irish organisations and/or companies are still offering security training to Irish citizens in Bolivia. If this is the case, the Bolivian government should be informed so it can take action to prevent terrorist activities against the Bolivian state.
5.- We would like to know what knowledge does your government have of these facts and what actions has it taken against these groups and their terrorist activities.
6.- Finally, we would like to respectfully ask that the result of these investigations be made public, so these terrorist cells can be disbanded and cease to be a threat to Bolivia and the world.
Sincerely yours,
Cristian Domínguez
Secretario de Defensa de los Recursos Naturales y del Medio Ambiente CSUTCB
Amancay Colque, Coordinator Bolivia Solidarity Campaign
Bolivia Solidarity Campaign-Inglaterra: Amancay Colque – Jose Sagarnaga
ARLAC, Bruselas- Bélgica: Ringo Guzman
Ballet Folclórico Boliviano, Barcelona – España: Severino Viraca
Bolivia Action Solidarity Network-Canada: Marcelo Saavedra Vargas
Cambio Foro Bolivia, Estocolmo- Suecia: Judith Muñoz – Nelson Monsalvez
Centro Cultural Tupac Katari, Estocolmo-Suecia
Comisión Comunicación CPB-EU y CPB-Francia: Jose Luis Martinez
Comité de Apoyo a Bolivia.Malmö-Suecia: Tereza Moreira – Marcelo Torrez
Comitè de Solidaritat amb els Pobles Indígenes d´ Amèrica M. Antònia Arnau
Consejo Pro Bolivia – Escandinavia: Eulogio Limachi - Leonor Churquina
Consejo Pro Bolivia- CPB – Alemania: Roxana Soria – Gladis Schlanbush
Consejo Pro Bolivia Gotemburgo.- Suecia: Walter Vera Rivera - Jorge carrasco
Coordinadora Somos Mas, Barcelona-España: Rosa Rosa Krugler -
Grupo Apoyo a Bolivia, GAB-Estocolmo-Suecia: Jorge Cuenca
Grupo Apoyo a Bolivia, GAB-Växjö-Suecia: Victoria Gonsalez
Grupo de apoyo al MAS, Barcelona-España: Varinia Olivares
Grupo de Apoyo al MAS, Uppsala, Suecia Adriana Petersheim
Latinamerikagrupperna-Gbg. – Suecia: Adolfo Suarez
Por la Comisión Orgánica del Consejo Pro Bolivia en Europa, CPB-EU: Walter
Vera Rivera- Victoria Gonsalez
Presencia Latinoamericana (Frente Bolivia)-Suiza: Patricia Ogay
Coordinadora Somos Mas, Barcelona, Rosa Kugler
Grupo de Apoyo al MAS en Noruega Julio Cesar Toro

Jerry Hicks will run!

2009-11-22T20:37:00.002Z

Just got the brilliant news that Jerry Hicks will run for General Secretary of Unite.

I had a meeting with Jerry a couple of weeks ago and urged him to stand, I think lots of other people have urged as well and he has taken up the call.

He is a great guy, he has really pushed the Green New Deal and green trade unionism, when he fought last year for the General Secretary post, where he beat the right to come second in a contest with Derek Simpson, he stressed his opposition to nuclear power and Heathrow expansion.

With cuts on the way and a possible tory government we need some grassroots trade union fighters and Jerry is the best.

I will be doing all I can to support his campaign, this time victory is in reach.

Dear Friends,

After careful consideration and taking into account all the excellent offers of support from every section within Unite I have decided that it would be the right decision to stand again in the election for General Secretary.
Although there is no date yet for the election it has to happen at some point next year, most likely soon after the General Election.

It is well worth reminding ourselves that our campaign last time went from strength to strength, despite being given no chance of even forcing an election.
We were then given little hope of securing enough nominations when not backed by the Gazette group (who supported Laurence Faircloth). We actually gained far more than he did and he then withdrew, which is something we had predicted but it was not given much credence at the time.

You will probably remember the detractors then went on to say that a 'vote for Jerry Hicks' would let the right wing candidate in (Kevin Coyne). Nothing of course could have been further from the truth. Not only did our campaign lead to Laurence Faircloth withdrawing we then soundly beat both Kevin Coyne and Paul Reuter at the ballot box finishing second only to the incumbent Derek Simpson.

It is my view that since that election things have got much worse, not just the economy but also the union leaderships failure to defend our members. We have also missed opportunities that have presented themselves, quick to make demands but slow to inspire or galvanise our members.

As was with the last election it is likely that all the other candidates will be senior officials of the union, indeed many have already been campaigning and not surprisingly often saying the right things. But its not what someone says its what they do that counts.

I have been a critic of Derek Simpson but truth is he has been allowed to get away with far too much with too little opposition from the same senior officials who would have us believe they should run our union. Our members deserve a better choice than simply more of the same.

Keep on keeping on, and expect the unexpected; Jerry Hicks.

http://jerryhicks.wordpress.com

Population bomb billionaires to add contraceptives to water supply?

2009-11-22T10:38:00.003Z

I have never really believed in conspiracy theories but a new book on population control reveals that George Soros, Bill Gates
and other billionaires have been getting together to find ways of stopping the rest of us breeding.

I have three children so will I find Bill Gates on my door step offering me contraceptive advice.

Who knows? Review here

Fatal Misconception: The struggle to control world population
By Matthew Connelly, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 2008. 521 pages.
Review by Simon Butler
November 16, 2009 -- A select group of billionaires met in semi-secrecy in May 2009 to find answers to a “nightmarish” concern. Their worst nightmare wasn’t the imminent danger of runaway climate change, the burgeoning levels of hunger worldwide or the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
The nightmare was other people – lots of other people.
The self-styled “Good Group” included Microsoft founder Bill Gates, media mogul Ted Turner, David Rockefeller Jr and financiers George Soros and Warren Buffet.
The London Sunday Times said they discussed a plan to tackle overpopulation, something they considered “a potentially disastrous environmental, social and industrial threat”.

URGENT ACTION: Paramilitary Death Threat against Aida Quilcué and Social Organisations

2009-11-21T16:32:00.000Z

URGENT ACTION: Paramilitary Death Threat against Aida Quilcué and Social Organisations

Paramilitaries threaten social organisations in southwest Colombia again.

Aida Quilcué amongst those declared as military objective by paramilitaries

Paramilitaries have again threatened social organisations across the southwest region of Colombia, as paramilitary violence and threats continue to intensify in the Andean country. Indigenous leader Aida Quilcué was amongst those threatened, a month after she returned from a trip to the UK at the invite of Unison Northern and the Northern TUC, in conjunction with the Colombia Solidarity Campaign.

The threat is signed by the ‘Grupo Armado Los Ratrojos – Comandos Urbanos’, a new generation paramilitary militia based in Nariño department, and dated November 2009. It names Aida and several other social organisations and individuals which operate in the South West region of Colombia.

Aida is ex-leader of the Cauca Regional Indigenous Council (CRIC), spokesperson for the Minga of Social and Communitarian Resistance, and currently a pre-candidate for next March’s Senate elections. Her husband Edwin was murdered by the Colombian army in December 2008 in an attack seemingly meant for Aida herself.

During October, on two occasions Aida was regularly followed by strange cars and individuals. On one occasion two men who were following Aida were apprehended by indigenous guards, who found that the men were armed and weren’t carrying any identification, a criminal offence in Colombia. On another occasion, four men in a car were seen monitoring Aida’s house. The car’s registration plate was recorded, but when the details were taken to the police to ask them to run a check on the vehicle, the reply was that this registration doesn’t exist.

The other organisations and individuals named in the threat are: CREAR, ARCOIRIS, NARINO DEPARTMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, FUNDEPAZ, NATIONAL MOVEMENT OF VICTIMS OF STATE CRIMES (MOVICE), UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME NARINO, PASTORAL DE TUMACO, UNIPA, CAMAWARI, CRIC, MIGUEL FERNANDEZ, MIGUEL FERNANDEZ, ALVARO RUIZ, ACIPAS, RODRIGO MARQUEZ, FUENDEPAZ, HERNAN VAQUERO, CRISTINA TAMAYO, PRADERA INDIGENOUS RESERVE, CAMPO ELIAS DICNE, REDEPAZ TULUA, CARMEN MEDINA, POLO DEMOCRATICO, CARLOS OLIVEROS.

The threat states that all have been declared as military objectives ‘after a long and extensive intelligence process’, and accuses all of the organisations and individuals of being guerrillas. It comes after a shower of threats and violence against social organisations in the region over the past month.

In Cerro Tijeras indigenous reserve, Cauca department, three community members have been murdered in the past three weeks, and another seriously injured (See Urgent Action 20 November 2009). During her trip to the UK Aida expressed concern for her safety upon returning to Colombia, but said that she had to go back “because she dreams that Colombia can one day be different, a country with social justice and peace, and without arms”.

Please help to protect the social organisations and individuals being threatened in Colombia by expressing your concerns to the Colombian government.

You can write to the Colombian embassy in the UK at elondres@cancilleria.gov.co and mail@colombianembassy.co.uk

Please copy your emails to info@colombiasolidarity.org.uk

21 November 2009

Mean and Green?

2009-11-21T12:40:00.003Z

Mean and green: the eco campaign against everyday life
Wed 18 Nov, 2009
David Attenborough has joined the ranks of the bossy greens who want to save the planet – from humanity. Jason Walsh asks if the environmental movement is winning the battle but losing the war by making ever more extreme demands

Television naturalist David Attenborough recently signed-up to front a political cause. He’s not planning on replacing Declan Ganley, though. Instead, by becoming patron of the Optimum Population Trust (OPT), Attenborough has put his sights squarely on the seething mass of humanity. The OPT opposes immigration, seeking a one-in, one-out policy it calls “balanced migration” and says “there is no unlimited right to have children.”

Attenborough is a popular figure, and rightly so: he educated and entertained us as children, sparking a sense of wonder at the natural world. He is not merely a television presenter, he is more like our collective uncle. Why, then, has he thrown his weight behind such an extreme position? The idea of an ‘optimum population’ is one very much supported by the far-right British National Party and when China introduced its one-child policy in 1979 it was widely criticised for its authoritarian nature.

Read more: http://forth.ie/index.php/content/article/mean_and_green/20091118/#ixzz0XUvXPOJp

While I am not a fan of the Socialist Workers Party it has some cracking people in it, for example, Keith Flett. What would we do without him.

He has just twittered me

'found the unbeatable orange&chilli marmalade at Usk farmers market'

Which I think illustrates that a green lifestyle can be one in the pursuit of pleasure as well as sustainability.

I enjoy gardening the permaculture way and being green.

However while Jason's article name checks a few too many of the tribe of Spiked for me to be totally comfortable, what he is arguing is essentially correct,

Lifestyle can be a huge pain in the back side and we need to change structures not feel guilty about using bathwater.

Good public transport, good green agriculture, a green new deal and all the other big changes to make life ecologically sustainable are key, not weaving a shirt out of straw.

So its ecosocialism as an alternative not individualist change, and change must be enjoyable.

And blaming population easily turns into an authoritarian move, I would be more sympathetic if the likes of David Attenborough posted contraceptives to bankers rather than lecturing people in developing countries.

Also good post from that Lenin guy here....on the population bombers

Brighton Tories admit Caroline Lucas is headed for a win

2009-11-20T22:41:00.001Z

The Tories selected a new Brighton Pavilon candidate by an open primary, just noticed this comment from one of their members

“I thought the whole process was a bit long winded, they could have narrowed it down to less candidates and a shorter time each. It was extremely difficult to choose. Everyone around me said they didn’t know who to vote for. I think Charlotte Vere has got a very tough fight on her hands with the Greens now.”

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4747453.Tory_candidate_for_Brighton_Pavilion_MP_selected/

Elections are won by activity, I am hard pressed finishing a book but I am going to spare some hours next saturday to get the train to Brighton and do some election work for Caroline.

Eco centre, saturday 28th 10pm to 11pm to get some leaflets.

The Eco centre is right outside Brighton Train Station. come and join me.

Colonies Still?

2009-11-20T21:43:00.000Z

Colonies Still?
[col. writ. 11/13/09] (c) '09 Mumia Abu-Jamal

One of the greatest theorists, analysts and critics of colonialism was the late Martinican psychiatrist Frantz Fanon, but Dr. Fanon's work dwelled on the crises of colonialism in Africa.

We like to think that colonialism was a problem of yesteryear -- the '60's, '70's and early '80's. It's history -- right?

Well, what really matters isn't what we think, but what others in those countries think. We should also note that things change; sometimes in form but not in essence.

Earlier this year, a group of Pakistani intellectuals, activists, lawyers and political leaders produced a brief but collective report detailing the problems facing the nation. The 12-=page report, entitled Making Pakistan a Tenable State, lists 185 points of concern. Among them is the following, pt. 14 which states:

Today, Pakistan finds itself fully trapped in the whirl of liberalization,
globalization, privatization and the so-called war on terror. The
economic agreements and covenants bind Pakistan to follow policies
dictated from the outside. Similarly, the strategies and covenants bind
Pakistan to defend itself against foreign aggression are hugely dependent
upon the defense related agreements signed with the United States.
Frequent visits to Pakistan of the officials of the departments of state
and defense are indicative of the advices of the superpower we are
obliged to follow. Small wonder, Pakistan is recognized all over the
world as a client state of the United States. [22-3]

Client state. It's like the 21st century version of colony.
For if a nation can't freely make its own foreign policy, and must abide by the will of another, client is but a polite term.

The report covers Pakistan's colonial history, when it was part of India, when it was once known as East and West Pakistan divided by a vast expanse of Indian territory, and the control of the political elites by the moneyed classes.

When we speak of such states as "democracies" we are hardly being honest.

They are democracies in name only' client-states of the superpower.

--(c) '09 maj

[Sources: Independent Planning Commission of Pakistan, Making Pakistan a Tenable State. (Lahore, Pakistan: Ferozsons Ltd., 2009). ]

Green New Deal petition

2009-11-20T20:38:00.001Z

The Number 10 petition for A Million Climate Jobs is now up and running.

Please sign the petition, which is at the web address shown below, and forward to all lists.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Climate-Jobs/

.

At some point gradual climate change is going to turn into runaway catastrophe. We may well hit that point in the next twenty years. To avoid doing so, we need drastic cuts in the amount of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases we put into the air. This will mean government regulation and international agreements. It will also take a lot of work – jobs. We have to produce wind, wave, tide and solar power. We have to renovate and insulate our homes and buildings. And we have to provide a network of cheap buses and trains. There are two and a half million unemployed people in Britain. By next year there are likely to be three million or more. It is possible that the economy will have started to 'recover' during 2010. But unemployment will grow for a time even after 'recovery' begins, and may stay high for a very long time. We have people who need jobs and work that must be done. A million climate jobs in the UK will not solve all the economy's problems. But it will take a million human beings off the dole and put them to work saving the future.

THREE INDIGENOUS MURDERED IN CERRO TIJERAS RESERVE

2009-11-20T20:16:00.001Z

Vease VERSION ESPAÑOL abajo, who do I blame, well Rory Carroll et al, if human rights are being abused in Latin America the British media will be the last to tell you about it!

URGENT ACTION: THREE INDIGENOUS MURDERED IN CERRO TIJERAS RESERVE

THE GENOCIDE OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES CONTINUES:

CERRO TIJERAS INDIGENOUS RESERVE (SUAREZ MUNICIPALITY, CAUCA DEPARTMENT) AND HONDURAS INDIGENOUS RESERVE (MORALES MUNICIPALITY) TARGET OF CRIMES

The below signed organisations denounce the grave situation that now confronts indigenous communities in the East and North of Cauca department.

In only two weeks three indigenous communities members have been murdered, and another is currently in grave condition in intensive care in a hospital in Cali. It is important to note the high level of militarization of the territories mentioned, which was further increased in the past two weeks.

As we denounced on 22nd October 2009, a threat arrived to the offices of CUT Valle and Nomadesc organisations, in Cali. Five organisations are mentioned in the threat five, including Cerro Tijeras indigenous reserve, and six individuals are also named. All of the organisations and individuals participate in the Minga of Social and Communitarian Resistance. The threat is signed by the ‘AGUILAS NEGRAS NUEVA GENERACION’ paramilitary group [Black Eagles – New Generation].

We would like to highlight that on October 16th the Minga of Social and Communitarian Resistance held a ‘Peoples’ Congress’ in which serious human rights violations against indigenous, campesino, afro-Colombian, student and popular sectors were denounced at national and international level.

Since the threats, the following events have taken place:
1. On October 29th 2009, MARLY CAROLINA HUILA GUAMANGA was murdered in the Damian area of Cerro Tijeras indigenous reserve, Suarez municipality, Cauca department.
2. On November 11th 2009, REINALDO BOMBA was murdered in Bella Vista area of Cerro Tijeras indigenous reserve.
3. On November 13th 2009, NILSON CAMPO was murdered and EGIDIO OVANDO HUILA was seriously inured in the Damian area of Cerro Tijeras indigenous reserve.

At 10pm on November 13, NILSON CAMPO and EGIDIO OVANDO HUILA were attacked by an unidentified group of armed men as they travelled on a motorbike. Both were members of the Cerro Tijeras indigenous community. According to information from the community, NELSON CAMPO was shot five times, receiving three impacts in the abdomen, one in the face and one in the ear. EGIDIO OVANDO HUILA was also shot five times and attacked with a machete. CAMPO was involved in community agriculture projects, and had previously been the treasurer in Honduras indigenous reserve authority in 2006.

All of these events have taken place late at night or very early in the morning. The perpetrators are seemingly paramilitary organisations who carry out their operations in military camouflage clothes with black armbands.

DEMANDS

We demand that immediate protection is provided to EGIDIO OVANDO HUILA, who remains in serious condition in hospital.

That the different armed groups respect the lives and rights of indigenous communities and the Colombian population in general.

That multinational companies respect the territory, autonomy and self-determination of communities.

That the Ministry of Interior and Justice takes sufficient preventative measures in order to prevent any aggression against threatened indigenous communities and social sectors.

That the state investigation organisms undertake a thorough investigation as soon as possible and as quickly as possible to clarify what is happening in the zone, and that they make the results public.

That the Colombian government and all other state institutions recognise the level of vulnerability of Colombian indigenous communities and social organisations, and complies with their constitutional duty and international legislation which requires them to protect human rights.

To the National Army that in their operations they strictly observe Human righrs legislation and International Humanitarian Law.

We all upon the United Nations, Human Rights organisations, social organisations, state institutions, NGOs, and international control organisms to speak out about what is happening to Cerro Tijeras community as soon as possible, and to accompany the threatened communities in their territories.

We request that international organisations from all over the world accompany indigenous communities and social organisations through permanently monitoring the human rights situation in Colombia and demanding compliance with national and international legislation which demands respect for communities and territory, and also support the Minga of Communitarian and Social Resistance in its demands.

Please direct your correspondence to the Colombian Embassy in your country.

If you are in Britain, you can direct your correspondence to the Colombian embassy at elondres@cancilleria.gov.co.
[also mail@colombianembassy.co.uk ]
NOTE: Please copy your emails to the following email addresses: accionjuridica.nomadesc@gmail.com, dhprohibidolvidar@yahoo.com

ASOCIACION NOMADESC, CORPORACION JURIDICA UTOPIA, CABILDO INDIGENA DE HONDURAS, CABILDO CERRO TIJERAS, ASOCIACIÓN PARA EL DESARROLLO SOCIAL INTEGRAL, ECATE, SINDICATO DE LOS TRABAJADORES UNIVERSITARIOS DE COLOMBIA SINTRAUNICOL, CORPORACION SERVICIOS PROFESIONALES COMUNITARIOS, SEMBRAR, RED DE HERMANDAD Y SOLIDARIDAD, CAMPAÑA NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL CONTRA LA PRIVATIZACIÓN, LA CORRUPCIÓN, LA PENALIZACIÓN DE LA PROTESTA SOCIAL Y LA IMPUNIDAD “PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR”.

VERSION ESPAÑOL

ACCION URGENTE

CONTINÚA GENOCIDIO CONTRA COMUNIDADES INDIGENAS: RESGUARDO CERRO TIJERAS DEL MUNICIPIO DE SUAREZ CAUCA Y RESGUARDO HODURAS DEL MUNICIPIO DE MORALES CAUCA BLANCO DE LOS CRIMENES

Las organizaciones abajo firmantes denunciamos la grave situación que afrontan las comunidades indígenas de la zona Occidente y Norte del Cauca. En tan solo dos semanas han sido asesinados tres indígenas y otro mas gravemente herido quien se encuentra en cuidados intensivos en la Clínica Valle de Lili de la ciudad Santiago de Cali. Es importante resaltar la alta y constante militarización del territorio. La cual aumento su pie de fuerza ostensiblemente en las dos ultimas semanas.

Como lo habíamos denunciado anteriormente el día 22 de octubre de 2009, llego una amenaza enviada desde el Municipio de Santander de Quilichao a las oficinas de la CUT VALLE y NOMADESC Cali. En esta amenaza se mencionan cinco organizaciones entre ellas el Resguardo Cerro Tijeras y seis personas con nombre propio de las organizaciones sociales pertenecientes a la Minga de Resistencia Social y Comunitaria que aparecen en la amenaza firmada por un grupo que se autodenomina “AGUILAS NEGRAS NUEVA GENERACION”

Resaltamos que la Minga de Resistencia social y comunitaria el pasado 16 de octubre sesiono en su precongreso itinerante y denuncio ante el país y el mundo las graves violaciones de derechos humanos de las que son objeto las comunidades indígenas, campesinas, populares, afro descendientes, estudiantiles y obreras en todo el país.

Dichas amenazas se han materializado de la siguiente manera:

El día 29 de Octubre de 2009 fue asesinada MARLY CAROLINA HUILA GUAMANGA, hechos sucedidos el la vereda Damián del Resguardo Cerro tijeras, Municipio de Suárez, Cauca.
El día 11 de noviembre de 2009 fue asesinado REINALDO BOMBA en la Vereda Bella Vista del Resguardo Cerro tijeras, Municipio de Suárez, Cauca.
El día 13 de Noviembre de 2009 fue asesinado NILSON CAMPO y herido de gravedad EGIDIO OVANDO HUILA, en el sitio denominado “El Tanque” ubicado en el Cerro Damián del Resguardo Cerro Tijeras, Municipio de Suárez, Cauca.

ULTIMOS HECHOS

El día 13 de noviembre de 2009, siendo las 10:00 p.m. fue asesinado NILSON CAMPO Comunero indígena del resguardo de Honduras y herido EGIDIO OVANDO HUILA, comunero indígena del Resguardo Cerro Tijeras, los dos se trasportaban en moto Zusuki Placas XJB 10A, cuando fueron atacados por un grupo armado que hasta el momento no ha sido identificado.

Los hechos sucedieron en el sitio denominado “El Tanque” ubicado en el Cerro Damián del Resguardo Cerro Tijeras, Municipio de Suárez, Cauca. Según información de la Comunidad NILSON CAMPO, recibió cinco tiros de arma de fuego y el herido además de cinco impactos de bala fue agredido a machete.

NILSON CAMPO, recibió cinco impactos tres impactos en el abdomen, otro en el pómulo derecho y otro en la oreja. El comunero indígena actualmente guardiaba el proyecto piscícola de de las asociación de Piscicultores indígenas ASPROINCA y había sido tesorero del Cabildo Honduras en el año 2006 y capitán del mismo en el año 2007.

Es importante anotar que los hechos han sucedido a altas horas de la noche o en la madrugada, los autores al parecer grupos paramilitares desarrollan sus operaciones vestidos de camuflado y con brazaletes negros.

EXIGENCIAS

Exigimos se brinde protección inmediata al comunero indígena del Resguardo Cerro Tijeras que se encuentra gravemente herido.

Exigimos a los diferentes actores armados respeto a la vida y derechos de las comunidades indígenas y del pueblo colombiano en general.

A las multinacionales respeto al territorio, autonomía y autodeterminación de los pueblos.

Al Ministerio del Interior y de Justicia, brindar los mecanismos de prevención suficientes y necesarios para frenar cualquier hecho que atente contra la integridad de las comunidades indígenas y sectores sociales amenazados.

A los Organismos de Investigación del Estado efectuar de manera oportuna las investigaciones necesarias para esclarecer los hechos en el menor tiempo posible y mostrar públicamente sus resultados.

Al Gobierno Nacional al Estado y a todas las instituciones, a reconocer el nivel de vulnerabilidad de las comunidades indígenas de Colombia y organizaciones sociales y cumplir con los mandatos constitucionales y normas nacionales e internacionales de protección a los derechos humanos.

Al Ejército Nacional que en el desarrollo de sus operaciones observe el estricto cumplimiento de las normas de Derechos Humanos y de DIH.

A todas las instituciones del estado dar cumplimiento a los Autos 004 del 26 de enero de 2009 y 005 de 2009, en los cuales se ordena la protección de los derechos fundamentales de las personas, pueblos indígenas y comunidades afrodescendientes desplazadas por el conflicto armado o en riesgo de desplazamiento.

Convocamos al Sistema de Naciones Unidas, organismos de Derechos Humanos, a las organizaciones Sociales, Instituciones del Estado, ONGs Internacionales organismos de control pronunciarse a la mayor brevedad y acompañar en los territorios a las comunidades amenazadas y en peligro de ser exterminadas.

Solicitamos a las organizaciones internacionales en todo el mundo acompañar a las comunidades indígenas y organizaciones sociales mediante una veeduría permanente de la situación de derechos humanos exigiendo el cumplimiento de normas nacionales e internacionales de respeto, a las comunidades y su territorio. Así mismo acompañar a la Minga de resistencia social y comunitaria en sus exigencias.

Sus pronunciamientos los puede enviar a:

ALVARO URIBE VELEZ
Presidente de la República
Carrera 8 No. 7 -26 Palacio de Nariño Bogotá
Fax. 5662071

FRANCISCO SANTOS
Vicepresidente de la República
Carrera 8 No.7-57 Bogotá D.C.
fsantos@presidencia.gov.co

Ministro de la Defensa (E)
Avenida El dorado con carrera 52 CAN Bogotá D.C.
siden@mindefensa.gov.co
infprotocol@mindefensa.gov.co
mdn@cable.net.co

FABIO VALENCIA COSSIO
Ministro del Interior y de Justicia
Avenida El dorado con carrera 52 CAN Bogotá D.C.
Fax. 2221874
ministro@minjusticia.gov.co

Fiscal General de la Nación
Diagonal 22B No. 52-01 Bogotá D.C.
Fax. 570 20 00
contacto@fiscalia.gov.co
denuncie@fiscalia.gov.co

WOLMAR ANTONIO PEREZ ORTIZ
Defensor del Pueblo
Calle 55 No. 10 – 32 Bogotá D.C.
Fax. 640 04 91
defensoria@defensoria.org.co
secretaria_privada@hotmail.com

ALEJANDRO ORDÓÑEZ
Procurador General de la Nación
Cra. 5 No.15 – 80F Bogotá D.C.
anticorrupción@presidencia.gov.co
reygon@procuraduría.gov.co

Wanted for crimes against nature and humanity Ray Hunt

2009-11-18T13:48:00.001Z

If you know where Ray Hunt is, get in touch immediately.

There are some communities in the Amazon who need to have a word with him.

'WANTED: Ray Hunt, in person, in the Amazon' The Yine, Machiguenga and Harakmbut communities, issued a statement this month demanding to speak 'directly' to Ray Hunt, CEO of the Texas-based company HuntOil. James Pliny reports. Can you imagine oil tycoon and Bush associate Ray Hunt in the Amazon? That's what three tribes have requested. Hunt’s company, Hunt Oil, is exploring on the [...] read more/leer mas athttp://intercontinentalcry.org/wanted-ray-hunt-in-person-in-the-amazon/

New Statesman names eco heroes and green villains

2009-11-18T12:30:00.004Z

Well the real green heros never win a prize.

They just get shot.

They get put in prison.

But they win.

Invisible to the vast majority of environmentalists, the inter cultural association of the Peruvian Amazon, made up of the various tribal communities who live in the Amazon have prevented the Amazon from being trashed by oil companies in 2008 and 2009

They are the good news story and if you are serious about tackling climate change you recognise that their contribution has been massive.

Nonetheless good to see Marina Silva who will be running as Green candidate for the presidency of another country with plenty of Amazon gets a mention in the New Statesman hero category.

I guess they got that guy from BP to help with the judging because the head of the Beyond Planet corporation would know all about eco villains.

http://tinyurl.com/greenheroes

http://tinyurl.com/greenvillains

Against Climate Change Trade Union conference on Saturday 13th March, 2010.

2009-11-17T14:09:00.001Z

Dear all,

This is advance notice of the Third Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union conferenceon Saturday 13th March, 2010.

Our third conference will be following on from the successes of the previous events. At a time of growing economic uncertainty and a worsening environmental situation, the argument for a strategy of fighting for Green Jobs and urgent action on the Climate Emergency has never been clearer.

This conference will bring together campaigners and Trade Unionists to discuss how best to fight against Climate Change following the Copenhagen conference. We will bring together the activists who have campaigned around the Vestas occupation, with those who built the demonstrations around Copenhagen.

Scientists and activists will discuss the latest climate science, as well as the fall out from the Copenhagen conference.

With the launch of the CCC's pamphlet for 1,000,000 Climate Jobs, we will be giving space to Trade Unionists campaigning over the issue and help arm people with the ideas and arguments to carry the campaign further.

In particular, we'll be trying too allow delegates as much time and space as possible to be part of the discussions.

The conference is scheduled for Saturday 13 March 2010. Venue to be confirmed.

Please make a note in your diaries now!

Thanks

Martin

Martin Empson

Treasurer, Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union group

Countdown to Copenhagen

2009-11-17T12:30:00.001Z

Film night: Countdown to Copenhagen
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
19:00 - 21:00
The Bread and Roses Pub, 68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 6DZ
(about ten minutes walk from Clapham Common tube)

It is now clear that there will be no binding agreement at Copenhagen to stop runaway climate change. Is this the moment when lobbying governments ends, and a serious global social movement to stop climate change starts, with workers/trade unionists playing a key role?

Countdown to Copenhagen film night with Battersea and Wandsworth TUC's Red/Green unity network and Reel News will provide a chance to discuss the issues around the Copenhagen talks, how to get to Copenhagen for the mass mobilisations and what we can do locally.

Films:

Save Vestas

When the only wind turbine factory in England was threatened with closure, workers occupied the factory supported by an unprecedented red, green and black coalition. Featuring amazing footage from inside the occupation shot by the workers themselves, the dispute has led the way in bringing the battle for green jobs to the forefront.

Plymouth; Stop the Nuclear Waste Dump

Plymouth is already where nuclear submarines are refueled, to the detriment of local people's health. Now the privatised dockyard want to decommission submarines there too - by sawing the core reactors into pieces and storing them in warehouses in the centre of a population of 250,000 people! If Trident was scrapped, these docks could provide 1,000s of green jobs producing renewable energy equipment, with very little extra investment.

Climate Camp: Kingsnorth

Last year's climate camp saw an increased trade union presence as they fought to stop a new coal-fired power station being built - a campaign that has just resulted in an incredible victory. With footage of the spectacular direct action that brought it about, this film looks at the arguments against "clean coal" and for the creation of millions of green jobs.

Countdown to Copenhagen

Participants in this year's climate camp explain everything you need to know about the talks in December, why the mobilisations are so important, how to get there and what you can do here.

PLUS: CHECK OUT THIS BRILLIANT EXHIBITION

http://signsofrevolt.net/

Creative resistance and Social Movements since Seattle

As we move towards Copenhagen, this timely exhibition showcases the amazing art activism that emerged with the anticapitalist movement over the last 10 years, so that we can take inspiration to build even larger movements to win back our planet over the next decade. At Shop 14 of the Truman Brewery behind Brick Lane, it's open every day from midday until 9pm until Sunday 22nd November. On Sunday 22nd, Climate Camp will be hosting a Copenhagen meeting at 3pm, then Reel News will bring the exhibition to a close from 5pm with our usual blast of inspirational films. Don't miss it - see you on Sunday!

Could green party candidate help elect a BNP MP?

2009-11-16T13:57:00.001Z

Discusssion welcome on this, Hodge is a gift to Nick Griffin, Labour by be irrelevent to the working class are creating a spring board for British fascism. This is from my friend 'Verde'.

The possibility of the Green Party not standing in Barking was discussed at the London Green Party’s AGM in September and there was a fair amount of support for this in view of the BNP threat. Now with the announcement of Griffin standing, Green Left will do everything possible to persuade the London party not to stand any candidates there and to support the main ‘progressive’ candidate against him. I share the views of many here about Hodge. She is vile and has pandered totally, as have many others in New Labour, to the BNP’s anti-immigrant agenda. I watched a Newsnight programme with her last year where her solution to voter disengagement was that her electors could always “come and have a chat with tea and biscuits with me”. The working class panel opposite her, which included Bob Crow just laughed in ridicule at her Lady of the Manor airs. She also presided over terrible things in Islington re childrens’ homes and I am sure that the BNP will use that against her.

ONE MILLION CLIMATE JOBS NOW

2009-11-16T08:53:00.000Z

The Campaign against Climate Change Trade Union Group has produced a 50 page pamphlet, ONE MILLION CLIMATE JOBS NOW. This comes out of an alliance of a wide range of unions, campaigns and experts.

This is not a policy report intended to be read by a few and gather dust. It is the first step in a national campaign to make the government employ a million unemployed workers to save the climate. It contains the arguments workers need for building that campaign. It will take mass action to make the government act. But first we have to convince people. Here is how we start:

You can get one copy for £2 or ten at a time for £15 from: The Campaign against Climate Change, www.campaingncco.org, info@campaigncc.org, or 0207-833-9311, or from the following people at union head offices:

Anne Elliott-Day at PCS

Manuel Cortes at TSSA

Tony Kearns at CWU

Janet Pantland at UCU.

Then sell the pamphlet at all the union, political and environmental events you can.

The key step is to get a small group of union activists together to start organising. Four people in a room in your town is enough. The Campaign union group will send a speaker. Contact Martin Empson on 07958535231.

Then contact union branches and workplace groups in your town. Ask the reps to take five or ten copies. If they take it and like it, try to get a speaker to a branch meeting or stewards meeting. Contact by phone is better than email, contact in person is best.

Organise a public meeting for One Million Climate Jobs Now in January or Feb. This does not have to be large. All it has to be is the largest meeting of union members about climate ever in your city. That's not very big. For speakers contact Martin Empson 0795853231.

The Campaign will be sending out copies of a petition and a model union resolution, and will campaign for the TUC to call a national demonstration.

A longer report will come out in March. And the Campaign against Climate Change will have a national conference on Saturday March 15 in London to discuss how we organise to win a million new jobs

Dr Who Waters of Mars live

2009-11-15T19:07:00.002Z

First seven minutes of Dr Who fab, love the waters of mars so far and its got that guy from Queer is Folk.

Cool as F...

hopefully it will continue like this....

Tribute to Barry Letts who when he did Dr Who scripts did some great service to Green Party members like me!

Green message 'we almost reached extinction' yes it is an eco script down to the carrots.

Ger Francis report from the Respect conference

2009-11-15T12:42:00.001Z

Ger Francis from Birmingham Respect has give me permission to post this, cheers mate, good to see some input from my amigo Francisco Dominguez

The Respect annual conference took place in Birmingham on Saturday with 210 delegates attending. The event revolved around the three key themes of our general election campaign: anti-racism and defense of multiculturalism, opposition to the cuts agenda of the mainstream parties, and international solidarity.

The opening session was introduced by Respect party leader Salma Yaqoob. Salma laid into New Labour for creating the conditions under which the BNP has grown; with its attacks on the Muslim community and increasingly anti-immigrant rhetoric.

She described how, since 9/11, Labour has resisted any examination of the disastrous role of its own foreign policy in creating a homegrown terrorist threat, leaving the impression that there is something intrinsic to the religon and culture of British Muslims that presents a threat to British society. She cited Jack Straw’s attacks on Muslim women who wear niqab; the attacks on mainstream Muslim organisations like the MCB and MAB for “sitting on the sidelines” in the fight against terrorism from the former Secretary for State for Communities, Ruth Kelly; and the Preventing Violent Extremism agenda, now described by Liberty as the ‘biggest spying operation’ since the Cold War.

Similarly when Gordon Brown says that he wants ‘British jobs for British workers’, or ‘local homes for local people’, or curbs on immigration, he is stoking the fires of fear and intolerance that the BNP are the primary beneficiaries of. Salma challenged myths about immigrants being responsible for the recession or shortages in housing and concluded by emphasising Respect’s twin track approach in tackling racism: On the one hand, upholding and defending multiculturalism and challenging all forms of racism; and on the other hand, challenging the social inequality that allows the politics of resentment and division to breed.

The following discussion was by far the best of the conference. Not only was the quality of contributions largely very impressive, but they also conveyed a deep sense of commitment to tackling racism and an engagement in that struggle.

The second session was introduced by George Galloway, focusing on the recession and the politics of an alternative to economic crisis. Unfortunately, the discussion became distorted by those advocating the yet to be born ‘son-of-No2EU’.

An account of what followed, by an observer from the Green Left, accurately conveyed George’s response: ‘Galloway absolutely hammered No2EU in particular for standing against Peter Cranie in the North West…and refused to entertain any talk of coalition with the son of NO2EU.’ In addition to hammering NO2EU for effectively letting the BNP in (‘if the left had united it would have been Peter Cranie on Question Time not Nick Griffin’) he was scathing about the exaggeration being peddled about son-of-NO2EU. Contrary to claims by Ian Donovan, there were not ‘three national unions’ supporting this initiative; the reality was that three national union secretaries addressed a meeting in a personal capacity on working class political representation. George predicted the FBU would not support any so-called ‘new coalition’ and ridiculed the idea that the Prison Officers Association were now in the vanguard of building a far-left of Labour alternative, saying this would come as a bit of a surprise to any prisoner, especially those black, Irish or Muslim prisoners who had been on the receiving end of dealings with ‘screws’.

A sharp tone was adopted by both George and Salma towards an increasingly marginal current of opinion in Respect that sees our future as part of a coalition of the far left. The tone reflects the degree of frustration with an argument, just 6 months before a General Election, over backing a coalition with no name, no policies and no electoral credibility.

It also reflects a clear difference of strategy. As both George and Salma explained, we are focused on building unity and working with others, but we reject the narrow conception of left unity that gives pride of place to organizations with absolutely no popular support. Respect’s former National Secretary, Nick Wrack, came in for particular criticism, with Salma pointing out the irony of his calls for ‘left unity’ when he was one of those insisting that Respect should stand against the Greens in the West Midlands European region.

The message was delivered loud and clear: we wish all those who want to join the ‘coalition with no name’ well on their journey, and where we can establish friendly relations with any other progressive party or coalition we will do so, but we have an opportunity to advance the left by getting Respect MPs elected. If we fail, it will not be for the want of trying.

The final session was introduced by Andrew Murray who received a standing ovation for his passionate call for opposition to the war in Afghanistan and for Respect to use its strengths to help Stop the War reconnect with its core support. He was followed by Francisco Dominguez from the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, who painted a vivid picture of the Bolivarian revolution 10 years on, the threats it faces, and the importance of international solidarity. Finally, Kevin Ovenden outlined exciting new developments in Palestinian solidarity, describing the way that Viva Palestina was fast becoming a global campaign, finding new and significant support in Malaysia among other places, and deepening its productive relationship with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.

There was genuine and sharp debate at this conference. And the outcome was clear. Respect’s leadership is absolutely determined that the influence of the ultra-left will remain marginal. There is no place for the kind of political sectarianism that is indifferent to a Tory victory or bitterly hostile to cooperation with the Green Party. Such views, often articulated by politically irrelevant grouplets of the far left, are an obstacle to the growth of a radical party of the left. The potential for a serious radical and left-wing party will be determined by its ability to speak to the millions who are essentially disillusioned Labour supporters, and its ability to provide convincing alternatives to the politics of war, racism and cuts.

I fully expect the new National Council, on which the more sectarian voices are a shrinking minority, to drive through this perspective more forcefully in the coming year.

199 ways to please God

2009-11-15T08:31:00.002Z

Did you know, for example, that
the first “green belt” in history was created by the
Prophet Mohammed around ancient Medina?

There is a new eco Islam book on the environmental crisis and ideas for practical change from a member of Birmingham Green Party, do take a look and spread the word.

" Her analysis of the current situation will probably be
familiar territory to Green Party members. It presents a
useful summary of both the “Bad News” (climate
change, peak oil, etc.) and the “Good News” (how to
combat climate change, sustainable natural resource
use, etc.).
This is above all a down-to-earth and practical step-bystep
guide to realign daily life with care for the planet’s
ecosystems – or, in the language of a believer, “with
your duty of care for Creation”. Although the book is
aimed at Muslims, and suggested actions are amply
supported by quotations from the Qur’an, many of the
actions themselves are the sort of things that all of us
should be attempting e.g. No.99 “Change your bank to
a more environmentally friendly, ethical one”; and
No.165 “For some help changing to eating less meat,
read an interesting cookbook, Cooking with
Muhammad…”
The book is written in a quirky, refreshing style, and
contains many gems of information which I hadn’t
come across before. Did you know, for example, that
the first “green belt” in history was created by the
Prophet Mohammed around ancient Medina?"

"http://www.fast-print.net/view.php?book=367"

Respect Conference in Birmingham today

2009-11-14T21:54:00.003Z

Well I am told that George Galloway made a point of backing Peter Tatchell at the General Election. That will be news to some people.

An emergency motion to debate supporting a new left coalition, nick named 'Son of NO2EU' currently supported by the CPB and the Socialist Party and Bob Crow was defeated.

More when I get it, I am very much looking forward to getting to Birmingham at some point and supporting Salma Yaqoob, while I am famously not an advocate of 'a leader', its great to be able to work with two impressive women leaders of two progressive political parties.

Here is some more, at least two Green Left/Green Party members attended as observers, they will give a full report but here is a snippet.

'Overall all speakers were very very positive towards the Green Party, George Galloway, Salma Yaqoob, Ger Francis and a number of other members made a very big deal of supporting the Green Party in various different ways and how we work mutually as two different parties.I think it is important to note that George Galloway called for people to vote for Peter Tatchell if they are able too and gave a stong endorsement of Peters politics, so fair play to George. They were obviously very positive about our decision to stand down for Salma but also talked often about Salmas support for us in the Euros and used it as an example about the right way to go about left unity. There was a lot of talk from George and others that Respect should not look to small far left cults for coalitions but to organisations like the ourselves

What i found really interesting was an emergency motion put forward by various members ( in particular a former member of the SWP who shall remain nameless) to support the son of No 2 EU. Galloway absoultely hammered No2EU and in particuluar for standing against Peter Cranie in the North West (Indeed he even began shaking with anger) and refused to entertain any talk of coalition with the son of NO2EU. The emergency motion was defeated by 79-34 votes to be discussed at conference, however a very similar motion was debated. Ger Francis was very scathing of those who supported NO2EU and there were a fair few cat calls between the two sides of the debate.

Mayans condemn 2012 as more lies from Hollywood

2009-11-14T18:15:00.003Z

"Anthropologists visit the temple sites," Mr. Barrios says, "and read the stelas and inscriptions and make up stories about the Maya, but they do not read the signs correctly. It’s just their imagination. Other people write about prophecy in the name of the Maya. They say that the world will end in December 2012. The Mayan elders are angry with this. The world will not end. It will be transformed. The indigenous have the calendars, and know how to accurately interpret it, not others."

Its illegal to copy and paste. Well it is according to Hollywood who have been persecuting those who use the internet to do so.

Indigenous Mayans are also quite annoyed by the new Hollywood film 2012, it is a false myth they say to suggest the world will end, this is the wrong way of understanding their calenders.

Will the world end in 2012....

Definitely not, the Mayan Indian elder insists. "I came back from England last year and, man, they had me fed up with this stuff."
It can only get worse for him. Next month Hollywood's "2012" opens in cinemas, featuring earthquakes, meteor showers and a tsunami dumping an aircraft carrier on the White House.
At Cornell University, Ann Martin, who runs the "Curious? Ask an Astronomer" Web site, says people are scared.
"It's too bad that we're getting e-mails from fourth-graders who are saying that they're too young to die," Martin said. "We had a mother of two young children who was afraid she wouldn't live to see them grow up."
Chile Pixtun, a Guatemalan, says the doomsday theories spring from Western, not Mayan ideas.

So don't watch the film but do find out more about actually indigenous people whose ancestors were the Mayans. If I can track down any Mayans on the net I will try and find out more

Palm oil company steals land, destroys rainforest

2009-11-14T16:28:00.001Z

The Dayak village of Semunying Jaya, located in West Kalimantan, a province bordering the Malaysian state of Sarawak, has struggled for more than 20 years from successive companies destroying their customary lands.

According to testimony from the village, discussed in the 2008 report Losing Ground, the destruction began with PT Yamaker Kalbar Jaya, “a logging concessionnaire and part of a foundation established by the Indonesian armed forces” in the 1980s. Then, in 1998, the “torch” was handed over to Perum Perhutani, a state-owned company, who logged Semunying Jaya until 2000. One year after that, it was PT Lundu’s turn. Lundu, a Malaysian sawmill company, allegedly logged the forest illegally.

Then in 2002, the private palm oil company Agung Multi Perkasa “obtained permits to develop an oil palm plantation in the area”, says Losing Ground. However, after two years of operation the permits were canceled because the company did not plant any oil palm. Instead, the,y too, illegally logged the forest. The permits were then handed to another palm oil company, PT Ledo Lestar.

In July 2005 Ledo Lesta destroyed the indigenous village’s rubber plantations as roads were layed out in preparation for the coming oil palm.. One month later, “in August 2005 PT Ledo Lestari began to clear areas of land in Semunying Jaya including primary forest protected by the community for generations to ensure the irrigation of their rice fields, areas of community rubber plantations and other cash crops, secondary forest and sacred forests of spiritual significance to the community.”

“Despite repeated community complaints in meetings with the company and district and sub-district authorities, the company continued to clear up to 9,000 hectares of community forest, apparently without a forest conversion licence (IPK – Izin Pemanfaatan Kayu),” says the report.

Despite protests, declarations, invitations to meet with the company owner and other “interventions”, Ledo Lestari has continued to burn down and replace Semunying Jaya’s land with oil palm, destroying along with it a culture and way life developed over tens of thousands of years

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