tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:40:34 +0000On-line journal of Socialist Worker Aotearoa / New Zealandhttp://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)Blogger920125Unityblognzcomhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-7862181233066731904Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +00002009-11-11T00:09:41.323+13:00Chris HarmanBritish SWPby Alex Callinicosfrom www.socialistworker.co.ukChris Harman, editor of International Socialism and before that for many years editor of Socialist Worker, died suddenly of a heart attack in Cairo on the night of 6-7 November, on the eve of his 67th birthday.Chris was the outstanding Marxist to emerge in Britain from the great political radicalisation of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He made http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/r6tl8UNYz9U/obituary-chris-harman-19422009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/r6tl8UNYz9U" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/obituary-chris-harman-19422009.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-8661869948650386199Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:19:00 +00002009-11-10T16:33:21.290+13:00Capitalism: A Love StoryBad BanksFinancial Transaction Tax (FTT)GST off food Bad Banks leaflet #4 is out now. It's been produced to use at stalls outside cinemas showing Michael Moore's new film, Capitalism: A Love Story, which has general release throughout the country. The leaflet aims to connect with some of the issues raised in the film, in particular the massive government bailouts of the world's biggest banks, but it also points towards a more fundamental crisishttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/KLxHodI8Oj8/bad-banks-leaflet-4-rich-have-stolen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/KLxHodI8Oj8" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/bad-banks-leaflet-4-rich-have-stolen.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-5283254909922438605Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:11:00 +00002009-11-11T00:00:44.396+13:00Capitalism: A Love Storyby Matt McCartenfrom NZ Herald8 November 2009Every thinking New Zealander should go and see Michael Moore’s film Capitalism: A Love Story that is now out in cinemas.I’ve been a fan of Moore ever since his first film, Roger & Me, which had him chasing down Roger Smith – the then head of General Motors – after Moore’s father and thousands of other auto workers were laid off in Flint, Michigan.His http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/oD1t02I8g9c/mobilising-to-challenge-feudal-era.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/oD1t02I8g9c" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/mobilising-to-challenge-feudal-era.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-4694290321515602397Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:17:00 +00002009-11-09T09:59:24.034+13:00Chris HarmanBritish SWPby David Colyer I’m very sad to hear that Chris Harman, one of the leaders of the British Socialist Workers Party has recently died. Chris Harman has always been my favourite among the many fine authors in the SWP. His writing, as editor of the British Socialist Worker newspaper until 2004 and as the author of many books and longer articles have had a profound impact on my own political http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/QizBo45ULI0/chris-harman-swp-leader-dies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/QizBo45ULI0" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/chris-harman-swp-leader-dies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-2212726131828217541Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:13:00 +00002009-11-08T20:13:22.246+13:00pollution marketcarbon emissionsby Tane Feary 8 November 2009 Mining in national parks in New Zealand is one of the National Governments suggested "solutions" to the economic crises and New Zealand's place in the financial world. This is yet another example of short term profit and long term environmental destruction. Nick Smith, the New Zealand climate and environment minister talks about balancing economics and the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/l8fk-Su0cV8/what-we-need-is-just-transition-to-low.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/l8fk-Su0cV8" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-we-need-is-just-transition-to-low.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-4662745239404756472Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:43:00 +00002009-11-09T14:22:48.264+13:00Nelson Davilasocialismvenezuela Nelson Davila, Venezuela's Canberra-based senior diplomat for the Pacific region, is in Auckland for a short stay. Nelson is a longtime revolutionary turned diplomat in the service of the people's cause. What he says is well worth hearing. He is to address a local meeting on latest developments in the unfolding people's revolution in Venezuela, led by Hugo Chavez, who is advocating "http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/BTYdh5zAYic/meeting-with-venezuelan-diplomat-nelson.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/BTYdh5zAYic" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/meeting-with-venezuelan-diplomat-nelson.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-847816030677533391Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:16:00 +00002009-11-09T10:14:35.312+13:00Bad BanksFinancial Transaction Tax (FTT)GST off foodThe Big Four Australian-owned banks know that the public mood is against them, because, well, they’re interest gouging, profit-taking, tax dodgers – there’s not much to like! But they’re trying to do the impossible and suck up to us anyway. See the NZ Herald article below, ‘Banks: your new best friend’. In the article, the BNZ’s person in charge of media spin, Dianne Maxwell, says “Banks just http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/KERRK4f_GY8/banks-know-theres-bad-mood-rising.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/KERRK4f_GY8" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/banks-know-theres-bad-mood-rising.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-6785933761932370937Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +00002009-11-08T08:00:01.629+13:00HondurasLatin Americaby Stuart MuncktonGreen Left Weekly, AustraliaAfter more than 120 days of mass resistance by the poor majority against a coup regime that overthrew elected President Manuel Zelaya [pictured right], the regime has finally signed an agreement for Zelaya’s reinstatement.On October 30, Zelaya and the coup regime signed an agreement opening the way for the elected president to take office once more. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/eNdp07yyIY0/honduras-deal-signed-for-zelayas-return.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/eNdp07yyIY0" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/honduras-deal-signed-for-zelayas-return.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-7753576761207956141Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:37:00 +00002009-11-06T14:51:04.717+13:00economicsnew zealandinequalitycapitalismby Marty Gfrom The StandardNovember 5, 2009Most of the wealth in New Zealand is owned by a tiny fraction of the people because our political/economic system makes it that way.
10% of people have more income than 50% combined. That’s just income. The inequality of wealth distribution is far greater. The net wealth of 10% of people is 20 times the wealth of 50% of us combined. In fact, the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/5REkAwBpqvw/is-this-as-good-as-it-gets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/5REkAwBpqvw" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/is-this-as-good-as-it-gets.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-1947299052350783954Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:49:00 +00002009-11-06T13:52:11.735+13:00USABarack Obamatortureimperialismwar on terrorwar crimesby Grant MorganAn Italian court yesterday convicted 23 US CIA and military personnel of the 2003 kidnapping of a Muslim cleric in Milan and sending him to Egypt to be imprisoned, tortured and, years later, released without charge.You can read a BBC report on the trial at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8343123.stm (or see previous post)This is the first time any court in the world has convictedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/kAjSPCJegaQ/nobel-peace-prize-winner-backs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/kAjSPCJegaQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/nobel-peace-prize-winner-backs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-9222399575570738140Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:46:00 +00002009-11-06T13:49:51.247+13:00USABarack Obamatortureimperialismwar on terrorwar crimeshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8343123.stmBBC News4 November 2009An Italian judge has convicted 23 Americans – all but one of them CIA agents – and two Italian secret agents for the 2003 kidnap of a Muslim cleric.The agents were accused of abducting Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, known as Abu Omar, from Milan and sending him to Egypt, where he was allegedly tortured.The trial, which began in June http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/NzMqqJfGHno/cia-agents-guilty-of-italy-kidnap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/NzMqqJfGHno" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/cia-agents-guilty-of-italy-kidnap.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-2313786764023634070Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +00002009-11-06T08:00:01.070+13:00climate justiceCopenhagenclimate changeecosocialismby Simon ButlerTens of thousands of people are expected to take part in climate action protests in the Danish capital of Copenhagen during the United Nations-sponsored climate talks in December.The biggest action will be a six-kilometre march under the slogan “People First — Planet First”. More than 115 organisations have endorsed the protests, which will demand the richest countries “take the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/ukCnPz5Bx6g/copenhagen-mass-protests-planned.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/ukCnPz5Bx6g" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/copenhagen-mass-protests-planned.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-3891647056490206706Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:29:00 +00002009-11-05T08:29:00.292+13:00Alliance PartyNZ leftsocialismsocial democracyby David ColyerAt the recent* Alliance Party national conference Jim Flynn, emeritus professor of politics at Otago University, gave an informative account of the busting of the USUS housing bubble in 2007, explaining how the banking system got caught out when the housing bubble burst.Flynn explained that an important part of his “social-democratic” analysis was looking at the world through “http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/Opz68qurcck/jim-flynn-eugene-v-debs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/Opz68qurcck" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/jim-flynn-eugene-v-debs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-7111643443757742696Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +00002009-11-04T08:00:00.417+13:00Capitalism: A Love StoryMichael MoorecapitalismCapitalism: A Love Story, the new film from radical documentary maker Michael Moore opens in this country on Thursday November 5.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/_hO-gxkcxXk/capitalism-love-story-movie-trailer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/_hO-gxkcxXk" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/capitalism-love-story-movie-trailer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-8567681344513518034Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:11:00 +00002009-11-04T02:13:25.099+13:00UNITYblogFrom near the end of this month, to just before Christmas my partner and I will be travelling round the North Island, finishing up at Climate Camp (16–21 December) in Wellington.The trip itself and all the preperation required beforehand means I won’t have much time to work on UNITYblog until after Christmas.However, I’m aiming to keep things ticking over with an increase in overseas articles, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/kLT3A_gDnq4/unityblog-next-two-months.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/kLT3A_gDnq4" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/unityblog-next-two-months.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-4041780255819025387Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:54:00 +00002009-11-02T22:56:56.614+13:00climate changeAotearoa Ecosocialist NetworkecosocialismThe excellent Climate and Capitalism website has just posted an Ecosocialist Round-Up which includes four recent articles by international ecosocialists: Patrick Bond on Copenhagen; Carter Burke on Cap-and-Trade; Michael Löwy on perspectives for ecosocialism; and Jubayr on the broader context that must inform our strategy and tactics. These articles (see below) may help stimuate some thinking onhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/OUBxVmJoRx4/four-new-articles-from-ecosocialist.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/OUBxVmJoRx4" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/four-new-articles-from-ecosocialist.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-2624836207872559022Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:52:00 +00002009-11-02T17:03:30.192+13:00'Collapse of capitalism'global economic crisisfinance capitalismby Grant Morgan29 October 2009Bill Gross [pictured] is the managing director of PIMCO, one of the planet’s biggest investment firms. Consequently, in the world of corporate investment, the name of Bill Gross is writ large, and his views are hugely influential.On 27 October 2009 this US investment guru, who is expected to speak in conservative terms, published these radical views:“The U.S. and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/qQl97NNnY5U/senior-investment-guru-forecasts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/qQl97NNnY5U" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/senior-investment-guru-forecasts.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-244692697099303236Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:55:00 +00002009-11-02T16:50:28.011+13:00workers controlvenezuelaKiraz Janicke, Caracas31 October 2009A 14-month struggle by Venezuelan electrical workers for an industry-wide collective contract culminated with the resignation of the president of the state-owned electricity company Corpoelec on October 22.The struggle is emblematic of a growing conflict within Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution, as the process of transforming the oil-rich nation is known, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/w4JvEIDFZog/venezuela-power-workers-fight-against.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/w4JvEIDFZog" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/11/venezuela-power-workers-fight-against.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-9187076198438790185Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:15:00 +00002009-11-02T16:53:27.215+13:00USA'Collapse of capitalism'capitalism losing legitimacyrevolutioneconomic crisisfinance capitalismimperialismcapitalismRussiaby Grant Morgan27 October 2009During October 2009, Washington suddenly ratcheted up its pressure on Russia. We are starting to see a slide back to a Cold War chill between the world’s two big nuclear powers.Acting on orders from US president Barack Obama, his vice-president Joe Biden toured Eastern Europe where he called for revolutions against authoritarian rule in Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/DlhMVeIjK_M/us-ratchets-up-pressure-on-russia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/DlhMVeIjK_M" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/10/us-ratchets-up-pressure-on-russia.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-5907560575027212406Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:02:00 +00002009-11-02T19:20:42.556+13:00Bad Bankscapitalism losing legitimacyeconomic crisisfinance capitalismcapitalismby Grant Morgan22 October 2009Something molecular is changing in the DNA of capitalism. Look at these three recent quotes:“The future will be a total disaster, with a collapse of our capitalistic system as we know it today.”“Capitalism is near the tipping point, unprepared for a catastrophe, set up for collapse and rapid decline.”“There is a high probability of a crisis and collapse by 2012. The http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/8djLOHZKLHk/collapse-of-global-capitalism.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/8djLOHZKLHk" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/10/collapse-of-global-capitalism.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-8279532009141446202Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:01:00 +00002009-11-02T15:23:04.044+13:00Bad Bankscapitalism losing legitimacyeconomic crisiscapitalismby Paul B. Farrell MarketWatch 20 October 2009 ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (MarketWatch) – Jack Bogle published “The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism” four years ago. The battle’s over. The sequel should be titled: “Capitalism Died a Lost Soul.” Worse, we’ve lost “America’s Soul.” And worldwide the consequences will be catastrophic. That’s why a man like Hong Kong’s contrarian economist Marc Faber http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/nCi2iZpLZnU/20-reasons-america-has-lost-its-soul.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/nCi2iZpLZnU" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/10/20-reasons-america-has-lost-its-soul.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-203741629792804718Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +00002009-10-28T12:00:03.321+13:00Bad Bankscapitalism losing legitimacyeconomic crisisfinance capitalismcapitalismVery funny Bird & Fortune video conversation on the Financial Times website about banking practices, political economy and how everything yet nothing has changed in the last year.Length: 10 minutes.[Unfortunately I can’t figure out how to embed this video, but if you click on the image it should take you to it. Otherwise the address is below.]http://www.ft.com/cms/4fe40d1a-07b4-11dd-a922-http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/eS7Uow4xR9M/show-me-stupid-risk-and-well-take-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/eS7Uow4xR9M" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/10/show-me-stupid-risk-and-well-take-it.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-4594694653377271531Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:09:00 +00002009-10-27T21:33:25.537+13:00BritainstrikeprivatisationJohn Pilgerpostal servicesby John PilgerLondon23 October 2009The struggle of striking British postal workers against privatisation plans is as vital for democracy as any national event in recent years. The campaign against them is part of a historic shift from the last vestiges of political democracy in Britain to a corporate world of insecurity and war.If the privateers running the Post Office are allowed to win, the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/XjwwQyxvTOM/john-pilger-britains-postal-srtike-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/XjwwQyxvTOM" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/10/john-pilger-britains-postal-srtike-is.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-1555481394348839777Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:39:00 +00002009-10-23T11:46:04.333+13:00 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: DAVID PARKER writer for http://www.wellsharp.wordpress.com/ BRONWEN BEECHEY Socialist Worker-New Zealand 7.30pm on Thursday, 5th November Socialist Centre, 86 Princes Street, Onehunga, Auckland This educational forum explores why the so-called "Emissions Trading Scheme" should be more properly called the Pollution Market, and exactly how it will make our http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/zpFhZ3szghc/socialist-worker-forum-pollution-market.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/zpFhZ3szghc" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/10/socialist-worker-forum-pollution-market.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438911242650993490.post-2947964104968200140Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:01:00 +00002009-10-23T11:02:00.702+13:00emissions tradingpollution marketBad Banksclimate change Bad Banks leaflet #3 is available now. It addresses the link between global banking power and the ecological crisis, specifically focusing on the banking class's prosposed "solution" to climate change, pollution markets (or as they're calling them, emission trading schemes). This leaflet has contributions on the back page from David Parker (writer for www.wellsharp.wordpress.com/), Mike http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~3/WRMDplo6BY0/bad-banks-leaflet-3-their-pollution.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vaughan)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Unityblognzcom/~4/WRMDplo6BY0" height="1" width="1"/>http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2009/10/bad-banks-leaflet-3-their-pollution.html