Good piece.
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=24884
Monday, May 23, 2011
Gunbattle in Yemen as transition deal collapses
Reuters) - Yemeni loyalist forces fought a gunbattle on Monday with opponents of entrenched President Ali Abdullah Saleh one day after he backed out of an accord for him to step down.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/23/us-yemen-idUSTRE73L1PP20110523?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/23/us-yemen-idUSTRE73L1PP20110523?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly
The Olympian war on Brazil's poor
http://socialistworker.org/2011/05/23/olympian-war-on-brazils-poor
Alleged Obama - Netanyahu Rift
As always, Steve Lendman telling it like it is.
http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman230511B.htm
http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman230511B.htm
The Democrat's Anti-Union Strategy
Major crimes are often committed with multiple accomplices. In a sophisticated bank robbery there stand, behind the vault busters, layers of criminals who act as lookouts, getaway drivers, planners, etc. So, too, in the colossal crime being committed against organized labor across the U.S., where the Republicans act as the vault busters while the Democrats have a less direct -- but equally guilty -- role in this historic attack against working people.
http://www.countercurrents.org/cooke230511.htm
http://www.countercurrents.org/cooke230511.htm
Moroccan police beat up protesters
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/05/2011522204645915126.html
Botswana Strike Update, 5/23
Can you believe this:
Botswana civil service strike threatens austerity measures
A public workers' strike in Botswana threatens to derail government efforts to rein in spending as it tackles a budget deficit while trying to shore up a nascent economic recovery.
Diamonds account for half of government revenue in Botswana but sales are only starting to recover now after the recession.
Image: Reuters
Imagine the nerve of these civil servants not willing to make human sacrifices of themselves in deference to a balanced budget! The iniquity!
http://www.businesslive.co.za/africa/2011/04/24/botswana-civil-service-strike-threatens-austerity-measures
The Minister of Finance Kenneth Matambo said in February that the country's economic growth is expected to slow to 6.8 percent in 2011 before accelerating to 7.1 percent next year.
The on-going strike has a negative impact on all public services, which in turn has deterred private sector businesses who rely on those services.
So let's see, the economy's growth is expected to slow to an impressive 6.8 percent this year, and then rise the next year. Seven percent is red hot growth, and it's been higher than that last year and will again top that mark next year. This is growth that most nations would die for.
And the private sector relies on these public employees.
And the government, whose coffers grow with the economy, are refusing to give civil servants a raise that is commensurate with the rate of inflation.
Why not? It's called class war.
http://www.businesslive.co.za/Feeds/inet/2011/05/22/botswana-s-president-digs-in-heels-on-pay
Botswana civil service strike threatens austerity measures
A public workers' strike in Botswana threatens to derail government efforts to rein in spending as it tackles a budget deficit while trying to shore up a nascent economic recovery.
Image: Reuters
Imagine the nerve of these civil servants not willing to make human sacrifices of themselves in deference to a balanced budget! The iniquity!
http://www.businesslive.co.za/africa/2011/04/24/botswana-civil-service-strike-threatens-austerity-measures
The Minister of Finance Kenneth Matambo said in February that the country's economic growth is expected to slow to 6.8 percent in 2011 before accelerating to 7.1 percent next year.
The on-going strike has a negative impact on all public services, which in turn has deterred private sector businesses who rely on those services.
So let's see, the economy's growth is expected to slow to an impressive 6.8 percent this year, and then rise the next year. Seven percent is red hot growth, and it's been higher than that last year and will again top that mark next year. This is growth that most nations would die for.
And the private sector relies on these public employees.
And the government, whose coffers grow with the economy, are refusing to give civil servants a raise that is commensurate with the rate of inflation.
Why not? It's called class war.
http://www.businesslive.co.za/Feeds/inet/2011/05/22/botswana-s-president-digs-in-heels-on-pay
Counterrevolution In Egypt Update, 5/23
Egypt's stock market soars as big banks upgrade its industry; the US and Saudi Arabia invest billions; and Egypt and Kuwait agree to a deal on nuclear energy; this means international capital feels it has successfully stymied Egypt's revolution.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-22/egypt-stocks-rally-to-one-month-high-on-u-s-saudi-aid-dubai-index-falls.html
http://bikyamasr.com/wordpress/?p=33760
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-22/egypt-stocks-rally-to-one-month-high-on-u-s-saudi-aid-dubai-index-falls.html
http://bikyamasr.com/wordpress/?p=33760
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Spain Update 2, May 22, 2011
According to el Periodico (Barcelona), Los Indignados of Puerta del Sol in Madrid have decided to remain encamped for at least one more week.[1] They intend to hold another people's assembly where they will take up the proposals made by the neighborhood assemblies which will occur during the week. This decision to remain in the plaza was put to a vote with workers' groups leading the successful "stay" vote. I have been unable to ascertain just how many will remain encamped and how much support they will have from rank-and-file Spaniards.
Here's the 15m Movement organizing the neighborhood assemblies and suggesting topics for discussion.[2]
As in any mass mobilization such as occurred in Spain recently, rumors are flying as to who is behind the action and in whose interest they act. Here's an article,submitted by someone calling self "anonim" saying that the 15m and Real Democracy Now movements were launched and are controlled by capital.[3]
Anonim declares that these movements were initiated by Spanish oligarchs. He cites Enrique Dans, who he says studied business at elite schools in the US, namely UCLA and Harvard, which are beyond the means of most. Dans then worked for Barclays Bank, and participated in conferences at the highest levels of finance. He also contribute to extremist right-wing media.
Anonim goes on to mention other people at the top of these movements with similar backgrounds.
I can't speak to any of this, but Anonim's information does raise suspicion.
He then goes on to say that an ex-intelligence officer confirmed the rumor adding that the demonstrations, organized on Facebook and Twitter, were run by the ruling party (PSOE). The goal, Anonim concludes, is to channel the growing dissent along a lines acceptable to capital. Essentially, he argues that capital commandeered the protest movements in order to undermine them. He cites information and analysis he found at an anarchist site.[4]
What he contends is plausible. Anyone who's tried to organize any kind of protest event knows that there are alway intelligence officials and law enforcement agents infiltrating the operation. I have no doubt that anything as massive as what we've witnessed in Spain has got the entire covert state apparatus mobilized. the theory is good, but Anonim is short on specifics. And one is left to wonder if this "ex" spook was really an "ex," and if so why he would be divulging such critical information to a radical like anonim. Perhaps anonim is an agent of the state sowing division and distrust among the leadership of the protests movements, and more generally trying to discredit the movements.
Time probably won't tell, that's how it goes in the world of political resistance.
[1] http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/los-indignados-sol-seguiran-menos-una-semana-mas-1014955
[2] http://madrid.indymedia.org/node/17403
[3] http://madrid.indymedia.org/node/17395
[4] http://acratas.net/
As in any mass mobilization such as occurred in Spain recently, rumors are flying as to who is behind the action and in whose interest they act. Here's an article,submitted by someone calling self "anonim" saying that the 15m and Real Democracy Now movements were launched and are controlled by capital.[3]
Anonim declares that these movements were initiated by Spanish oligarchs. He cites Enrique Dans, who he says studied business at elite schools in the US, namely UCLA and Harvard, which are beyond the means of most. Dans then worked for Barclays Bank, and participated in conferences at the highest levels of finance. He also contribute to extremist right-wing media.
Anonim goes on to mention other people at the top of these movements with similar backgrounds.
I can't speak to any of this, but Anonim's information does raise suspicion.
He then goes on to say that an ex-intelligence officer confirmed the rumor adding that the demonstrations, organized on Facebook and Twitter, were run by the ruling party (PSOE). The goal, Anonim concludes, is to channel the growing dissent along a lines acceptable to capital. Essentially, he argues that capital commandeered the protest movements in order to undermine them. He cites information and analysis he found at an anarchist site.[4]
What he contends is plausible. Anyone who's tried to organize any kind of protest event knows that there are alway intelligence officials and law enforcement agents infiltrating the operation. I have no doubt that anything as massive as what we've witnessed in Spain has got the entire covert state apparatus mobilized. the theory is good, but Anonim is short on specifics. And one is left to wonder if this "ex" spook was really an "ex," and if so why he would be divulging such critical information to a radical like anonim. Perhaps anonim is an agent of the state sowing division and distrust among the leadership of the protests movements, and more generally trying to discredit the movements.
Time probably won't tell, that's how it goes in the world of political resistance.
[1] http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/los-indignados-sol-seguiran-menos-una-semana-mas-1014955
[2] http://madrid.indymedia.org/node/17403
[3] http://madrid.indymedia.org/node/17395
[4] http://acratas.net/
Photos Of Demonstrations In Spain
And lots of them.
http://fotograccion.org/wp/2011/05/ultima-hora-desproporcionado-desalojo-de-los-acampados-en-sol-madrid/
http://fotograccion.org/wp/2011/05/ultima-hora-desproporcionado-desalojo-de-los-acampados-en-sol-madrid/
Spain Update, May 22, 2011
The Real Democracy Now website is still down.
http://democraciarealya.es/?page_id=814
http://democraciarealya.es/?page_id=814
Class War: Battleground Botswana
[Oops! My bad! The Botswanans are asking for a sixteen percent raise, not fifteen as stated below. Time to see the optometrist for me. Consequently, the math is inaccurate but it's close enough and I'm lazy enough to leave it as it is. My apologies.]
In all the excitement over events in the ME and now Spain, what's been overlooked is the impressive determination of the public sector employees of Botswana. This epic conflict is quickly turning into one of labor's greatest clashes. As you can read below, the government and their sponsors in international capital are trying every means at their disposal to quash the strike. So far, heroically, the civil servants of Botswana have been steadfast.
The issue is, as usual, money. The workers are asking for a fifteen percent wage increase over two years. According to indexmundi.com, the rate of inflation in Botswana last year was 7.1 percent. It was a point higher the year previous, and it has never been lower than it is now in the last eight years, but has been as high as twelve percent. Consequently, assuming the best and the inflation rate remains where it is now, were they to get their fifteen percent, their incomes would outpace inflation in the first year and roughly match it in the second. At seven percent annually, the cost of living will be 14.7 percent higher after two years. So at the end of the contract their actual buying power will be the same as when the contract went into effect. They will not have advanced (save again for that first year when their pay would outstrip the estimated rate of inflation), but they will have held their ground. If the rate of inflation ends up being higher, which is quite possible if viewed by long-term trends, then they will actually have lost ground.
The government has offered three percent, which is nothing less than insulting. At that rate, prices will have increased by nearly fifteen percent, and real wages only by only six. In real terms, this would represent a seven or eight percent decrease in buying power at the end of the contract. And again, this is the best case scenario. It is quite likely inflation will be higher.
And so it goes. de Beers, (which was bought by the Rothschild family in the 1800s who still co-own the company through their firm Anglo-American with the Oppenheimers and the government of Botswana) has announced that they have come through the recession quite nicely and are poised to reach full production by 2012. Additionally, de Beers is happy to report that they have found new deposits of diamonds in Botswana. The future is bright for the diamond industry, particularly in Botswana.[1]
And the government is offering public employees a pay increase which is four percent less than lowest-ever-lately rate of inflation!
Below are some articles which I found helpful.
Botswana Wage Talks End Without Accord, Strike Continues
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-20/botswana-wage-talks-end-without-accord-strike-continues-1-.html
Botswana Police report on the strike:
Meanwhile, four striking workers in Tshane and eight striking workers in Gantsi have been arrested by police for blocking roads with stones and debris. They are likely to taken before court after completion of investigations.
‘Though in some of these incidents some people suffered minor injuries, no deaths or serious injuries were recorded,’ states the report.
http://gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9703:botswana-police-report-on-public-disturbances-due-to-strike&catid=18:headlines&Itemid=2
Who is who in Govt union salary talks.
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=1003&dir=2011/May/Friday20
Govt. officials hit out at striking medical staff
http://www.thevoicebw.com/2011/05/07/immoral-illegal/
BOFEPUSU shocked by the appointment of William Patrick Vergeer as a judge
The umbrella public service union, BOFEPUSU, says it is shocked by the appointment of William Patrick Vergeer as a judge at the industrial court. It says Vergeer was part of the legal team that represents DPSM in the current court case. The trade union also Vergeer was a partner at the President and BDP’s law firm, which it says it has now become principal legal advisors to the government.
http://gabzfmnews.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/bofepusu-shocked-by-the-appointment-of-william-patrick-vergeer-as-a-judge/
The government attempts to de-register BOFEPUSU, the federation of civil servants' unions.
http://www.gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8814:high-court-buries-bofepusu-&catid=19:northcast&Itemid=2
[1]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-11/anglo-unit-de-beers-says-annual-sales-climb-57-as-diamond-demand-recovers.html
In all the excitement over events in the ME and now Spain, what's been overlooked is the impressive determination of the public sector employees of Botswana. This epic conflict is quickly turning into one of labor's greatest clashes. As you can read below, the government and their sponsors in international capital are trying every means at their disposal to quash the strike. So far, heroically, the civil servants of Botswana have been steadfast.
The issue is, as usual, money. The workers are asking for a fifteen percent wage increase over two years. According to indexmundi.com, the rate of inflation in Botswana last year was 7.1 percent. It was a point higher the year previous, and it has never been lower than it is now in the last eight years, but has been as high as twelve percent. Consequently, assuming the best and the inflation rate remains where it is now, were they to get their fifteen percent, their incomes would outpace inflation in the first year and roughly match it in the second. At seven percent annually, the cost of living will be 14.7 percent higher after two years. So at the end of the contract their actual buying power will be the same as when the contract went into effect. They will not have advanced (save again for that first year when their pay would outstrip the estimated rate of inflation), but they will have held their ground. If the rate of inflation ends up being higher, which is quite possible if viewed by long-term trends, then they will actually have lost ground.
The government has offered three percent, which is nothing less than insulting. At that rate, prices will have increased by nearly fifteen percent, and real wages only by only six. In real terms, this would represent a seven or eight percent decrease in buying power at the end of the contract. And again, this is the best case scenario. It is quite likely inflation will be higher.
And so it goes. de Beers, (which was bought by the Rothschild family in the 1800s who still co-own the company through their firm Anglo-American with the Oppenheimers and the government of Botswana) has announced that they have come through the recession quite nicely and are poised to reach full production by 2012. Additionally, de Beers is happy to report that they have found new deposits of diamonds in Botswana. The future is bright for the diamond industry, particularly in Botswana.[1]
And the government is offering public employees a pay increase which is four percent less than lowest-ever-lately rate of inflation!
Below are some articles which I found helpful.
Botswana Wage Talks End Without Accord, Strike Continues
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-20/botswana-wage-talks-end-without-accord-strike-continues-1-.html
Botswana Police report on the strike:
Meanwhile, four striking workers in Tshane and eight striking workers in Gantsi have been arrested by police for blocking roads with stones and debris. They are likely to taken before court after completion of investigations.
‘Though in some of these incidents some people suffered minor injuries, no deaths or serious injuries were recorded,’ states the report.
http://gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9703:botswana-police-report-on-public-disturbances-due-to-strike&catid=18:headlines&Itemid=2
Who is who in Govt union salary talks.
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=1003&dir=2011/May/Friday20
Govt. officials hit out at striking medical staff
http://www.thevoicebw.com/2011/05/07/immoral-illegal/
BOFEPUSU shocked by the appointment of William Patrick Vergeer as a judge
The umbrella public service union, BOFEPUSU, says it is shocked by the appointment of William Patrick Vergeer as a judge at the industrial court. It says Vergeer was part of the legal team that represents DPSM in the current court case. The trade union also Vergeer was a partner at the President and BDP’s law firm, which it says it has now become principal legal advisors to the government.
http://gabzfmnews.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/bofepusu-shocked-by-the-appointment-of-william-patrick-vergeer-as-a-judge/
The government attempts to de-register BOFEPUSU, the federation of civil servants' unions.
http://www.gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8814:high-court-buries-bofepusu-&catid=19:northcast&Itemid=2
[1]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-11/anglo-unit-de-beers-says-annual-sales-climb-57-as-diamond-demand-recovers.html
Quote O' The Day, May 22, 2011
"Truth has to be repeated constantly, because Error also is being preached all the time, and not just by a few, but by the multitude. In the Press and Encyclopaedias, in Schools and Universities, everywhere Error holds sway, feeling happy and comfortable in the knowledge of having Majority on its side." --Goethe
Tariq Ali: From Cairo To Madison
Brilliant, droll, and provocative as always, and in this case informative. He presents a lot of things I haven't heard or read.
Courtesy of http://wearemany.org/v/from-cairo-to-madison
Tariq Ali: From Cairo to Madison from N Alexander on Vimeo.
Courtesy of http://wearemany.org/v/from-cairo-to-madison
While Cutting Social Services, Kentucky Gives $43 Million Tax Break to Bible-Themed Amusement Park
A group of private investors and religious organizations is hoping to build a Bible-themed amusement park in Kentucky, complete with a full-size 500-foot-by-75-foot reproduction of Noah’s Ark, a Tower of Babel, and other biblical exhibits on a 800-acre campus outside of Williamstown, KY. Their effort got a shot in the arm yesterday when the state approved $43 million in tax breaks for the project. In addition to the tax incentives, approved unanimously by the state’s tourism board, taxpayers may have to pony up another $11 million to improve a highway interchange near the site.
http://www.alternet.org/story/151032/while_cutting_social_services%2C_kentucky_gives_%2443_million_tax_break_to_bible-themed_amusement_park?akid=6996.293630.nTEsRg&rd=1&t=30
http://www.alternet.org/story/151032/while_cutting_social_services%2C_kentucky_gives_%2443_million_tax_break_to_bible-themed_amusement_park?akid=6996.293630.nTEsRg&rd=1&t=30
Now it’s Botswana talking of revolution
The real cost of this misanthropy we call capitalism is not just the deprivation, but it's also the hopelessness and nihilism to which people like the man in this article who lauds Obama inevitably succumb once they realize they have been had. Try to imagine a society in which everyone feels empowered, and is; in which one is an equal partner in every endeavor in which one engages; where one's human dignity is always acknowledged and one's desire to participate and contribute encouraged; where equality in all aspects of life is universally recognized as a human right.
Now take a look around.
http://www.iol.co.za/news/now-it-s-botswana-talking-of-revolution-1.1072036
Now take a look around.
http://www.iol.co.za/news/now-it-s-botswana-talking-of-revolution-1.1072036
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