http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZeNdIGI8os
The Dignity, a Free Gaza boat on a mission of mercy to besieged Gaza, is
being attacked by the Israeli Navy in international waters. The Dignity
has been surrounded by at least half-a-dozen Israeli warships. They are
firing live ammunition around the Dignity, and one of the warships has
rammed the civilian craft causing an unknown amount of damage. Contrary to
international maritime law, the Israelis are actively preventing the
Dignity from approaching Gaza or finding safe haven in either Egypt or
Lebanon. Instead, the Israeli navy is demanding that the Dignity return to
Cyprus - despite the fact that the ship does not carry enough fuel to do
so. Fortunately, no one aboard the ship has yet been seriously injured.
There are 15 civilian passengers representing 11 different countries (see
below for a complet e list). At approximately 5am (UST), well out in
international waters, Israeli warships began surrounding the Dignity,
threatening the ship. At 6:45am (UST) we were able to establish brief
contact with the crew and were told that the ship had been rammed by the
Israeli Navy in international waters, and that the Israelis were
preventing the ship from finding safe harbor. We heard heavy gunfire in
the background before all contact was lost with the Dignity.
It is urgent that you TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!
CALL the Israeli Government and demand that it immediately STOP attacking
the Dignity and endangering the lives of its passengers!
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5062 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
+972 33697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Dignity departed from Larnaca Port in Cyprus at 7pm (UST) on Monday 29
December, bound for war-devastated Gaza with a cargo of over 3 tons of
desperately needed medical supplies donated by the people of Cyprus. At
our request, the ship was searched by Cypriot Port authorities prior to
departure, to certify that there was nothing "threatening" aboard - only
emergency medical supplies.
TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY TO STOP THE ISRAELI NAVY FROM ENDANGERING THE
DIGNITY AND ITS PASSENGERS!
Civilians aboard the Dignity being threatened by the Israeli military:
(UK) Denis Healey, Captain
Captain of the Dignity, Denis has been involved with boats for 45 years,
beginning with small fishing boats in Portsmouth. He learned to sail while
atschool and has been part of the sea ever since . He's a certified
yachtmaster and has also worked on heavy marine equipment from yachts to
large dredgers. This is his fourth trip to Gaza.
(Greece) Nikolas Bolos, First Mate
Nikolas is a chemical engineer and human rights activist. He has served as
a crewmember on several Free Gaza voyages, including the first one in
August.
(Jordan) Othman Abu Falah
Othman is a senior producer with Al-Jazeera Television. He will remain in
Gaza to report on the ongoing military onslaught.
(Australia) Renee Bowyer
Renee is a schoolteacher and human rights activist. She will remain in
Gaza to do human rights monitoring and reporting.
(Ireland) Caoimhe Butterly
Caoimhe is a reknowned human rights activist and Gaza Coordinator for the
Free Gaza Movement. She will be remaining in Gaza to do human rights
monitoring, assist with relief efforts, and work on project development
with Free Gaza.
(Cyprus) Ekaterini Christodulou
Ekaterini is a well-known and respected freelance journalist in Cyprus.
She is traveling to Gaza to report on the conflict.
(Sudan) Sami El-Haj
Sami is a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay, and head of the human rights
section at Al-Jazeera Television. He will remain in Gaza to report on the
ongoing military onslaught.
(UK) Dr. David Halpin
Dr. Halpin is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, medical professor, and
ship's captain. He has organized humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza on
several occasions with the Dove and Dolphin. He is traveling to Gaza to
volunteer in hospitals and clinics.
(Germany) Dr. Mohamed Issa
Dr. Issa is a pediatric surgeon from Germany. He is traveling to Gaza to
volunteer in hospitals and clinics.
(UK/Tunisia) Fathi Jaouadi
Fathi is a television producer and human rights activist. He will remain
in Gaza to do human rights moni toring and reporting.
(USA) Cynthia McKinney
Cynthia is a former U.S. Congresswoman from Georgia, and the 2008 Green
Party presidential candidate. She is traveling to Gaza to assess the
ongoing conflict.
(Cyprus) Martha Paisi
Martha is a senior research fellow and experienced human rights activist.
She is traveling to Gaza to do human rights work and to assist with
humanitarian relief efforts.
(UK) Karl Penhaul
Karl Penhaul is a video correspondent for CNN, based out of Bogot?,
Colombia. Appointed to this position in February 2004, he covers breaking
news around the world utilizing CNN's new laptop-based 'Digital
Newsgathering' system. He is traveling to Gaza to report on the ongoing
conflict.
(Iraq) Thaer Shaker
Thaer is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera television. He will remain in Gaza to
report on the ongoing military onslaught.
(Cyprus) Dr. Elena Theoha rous, MP
Dr. Theoharous is a surgeon and a Member of the Cypriot Parliament. She is
traveling to Gaza to assess the ongoing conflict, assist with humanitarian
relief efforts, and volunteer in hospitals.
###
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Direct Action Saves 238 Alameda Section 8 Vouchers
Direct Action Saves 238 Alameda Section 8 Vouchers
“The Housing Authority dropped a bomb on us. They told us our housing was to be ‘terminated’. They issued us vouchers for selected areas that were supposedly absorbing us. We found out that they were not. We were stuck between a rock and a hard place. It was either fight to stay here, or be ass out- kicked out, evicted, homeless. The only logical answer for me was to fight, so that’s what I did.” Sheila, a single mother, who works full time in an office by day and as a student by night.
In 2004, the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda in California threatened to evict 238, low waged and disabled tenants from their homes. As the paragraph above explains, the Tenants decided to fight and the Campaign For Renter's Rights (CRR) was contacted. The CRR and tenants waged a successful battle to keep people in their homes after the housing authority backed off and found almost one million dollars.
You can read a detailed account of this victory here: http://www.laborsmilitantvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=71
Testimonials from the tenants can be read here: http://www.laborsmilitantvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=71
This was a major victory against the city council and the federal government and showed that with the right tactics and by relying on their own strength and the support of the community as opposed to the courts, the tenants could win. This is what we have to do in the workplaces and in the struggle against foreclosures. It is also the way to drive back the increasing attacks waged on public services and living standards that are a result of the collapse of the market.
Contact us if you would like to receive a hard copy of this account or if you want to build on what the CRR/LMV and Facts For Working People is doing.
Working Class Unity
There are few issues harder to understand or comment on that the current situation in the Middle East.
What we know is that the Imperialist state of Israel with armed forces the fourth largest in the world is bombing, wounding and killing innocent Palestinians in Gaza. The suffering and fear is hardly imagineable to us as we sit blogging in our comfortable homes.
The response of the US and President elect OBAMA is to call on Israel and Palestine (Hamas) to cease as if they were equal forces with equal strength. Not a mention that Gaza is an occupied territory - has been for 40 years. Is this man for real?
Not a mention that the ruling class in Israel has for years been blockading and starving the Palestinians people , who as we write are unable to treat their wounded for lack of medical supplies and hospitals.
Deprived of water and electricity, food and essential medical supplies and care , even the tunnels into Egypt, up till now a route for essential supplies into Gaza , have been bombed, with the US and Israel justifying these atrocious acts by calling them "smuggling routes ."
No need to go on and on , anyone reading this blog is as aware of what is happening as I am or more so.
At a demonstration on Sunday in Toronto there were approximately 1000 people out in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. Across the street, well protected by the police were about 25 supporters of Israel. mainly zionists no doubt, out to provoke, and I am certain there were many more jewish people on our side of the street protesting the actions of Israel.
It was as can be expected very emotional and at the same time very peaceful.
it was necessary to be there and be part of a growing global opposition to the murderous acts of the Imperialist Israeli state. At the same time I was saddened at the lack of any attempt to make links across class rather than national lines.
The call for a economic boycott of Israel is the most strident call right now. It is supported by large trade union organizations across Canada, the UK and South Africa as well as other countries. And it certainly seems on the surface to make a lot of sense. To speak otherwise is to risk marginalization as a trade unionist and a socialist. I struggle with this as do thousands and try to find a way to speak with fellow trade unionist and activists whose horror at events is equal to mine. How to speak to Canadian Palestinian workers and their families whose rage and oppresssion is so strong and so deep and so justified I cannot even imagine.
The situation is so dire and the suffering so deep that even on this blog i fear I cannot address or even speak an alternative.
On the other hand i need to ask - why is there such a glaring absence of a genuine class approach. Surely we cannot ignore the Israeli working class. How can a boycott that will further impoverish the workers in Israel , serve to strenghten working class unity internationally. Should we not be calling for a unity across working class lines . The suffering of the Palestinian working class is unspeakable.
Class consciousness and unity between the Palestinian workers and Israeli workers is not strong for reasons too complex to enter inot in this brief blog.
But surely in desperate times we cannot succumb to a solution that by virtue of its failure to unite the working class and the left internationally-is doomed to failure and more bloodshed.
As has been pointed out on this blog several times there is no solution to the suffering of the Palestinian working people under capitalism.
How many more decades of war and bloodshed are necessary before this becomes obvious to working people.
Neither Hamas nor Israeli imperialist state can offer even a possibility of peace in the Middle east. How many more youth and working people will turn inward to support Islamic and Zionist fundamentalist solutions before it is understood that only working class unity that includes the working class of Israel.
We must call for that unity and for a socialist federation of the middle east , there clearly is no other viable solution.
What we know is that the Imperialist state of Israel with armed forces the fourth largest in the world is bombing, wounding and killing innocent Palestinians in Gaza. The suffering and fear is hardly imagineable to us as we sit blogging in our comfortable homes.
The response of the US and President elect OBAMA is to call on Israel and Palestine (Hamas) to cease as if they were equal forces with equal strength. Not a mention that Gaza is an occupied territory - has been for 40 years. Is this man for real?
Not a mention that the ruling class in Israel has for years been blockading and starving the Palestinians people , who as we write are unable to treat their wounded for lack of medical supplies and hospitals.
Deprived of water and electricity, food and essential medical supplies and care , even the tunnels into Egypt, up till now a route for essential supplies into Gaza , have been bombed, with the US and Israel justifying these atrocious acts by calling them "smuggling routes ."
No need to go on and on , anyone reading this blog is as aware of what is happening as I am or more so.
At a demonstration on Sunday in Toronto there were approximately 1000 people out in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. Across the street, well protected by the police were about 25 supporters of Israel. mainly zionists no doubt, out to provoke, and I am certain there were many more jewish people on our side of the street protesting the actions of Israel.
It was as can be expected very emotional and at the same time very peaceful.
it was necessary to be there and be part of a growing global opposition to the murderous acts of the Imperialist Israeli state. At the same time I was saddened at the lack of any attempt to make links across class rather than national lines.
The call for a economic boycott of Israel is the most strident call right now. It is supported by large trade union organizations across Canada, the UK and South Africa as well as other countries. And it certainly seems on the surface to make a lot of sense. To speak otherwise is to risk marginalization as a trade unionist and a socialist. I struggle with this as do thousands and try to find a way to speak with fellow trade unionist and activists whose horror at events is equal to mine. How to speak to Canadian Palestinian workers and their families whose rage and oppresssion is so strong and so deep and so justified I cannot even imagine.
The situation is so dire and the suffering so deep that even on this blog i fear I cannot address or even speak an alternative.
On the other hand i need to ask - why is there such a glaring absence of a genuine class approach. Surely we cannot ignore the Israeli working class. How can a boycott that will further impoverish the workers in Israel , serve to strenghten working class unity internationally. Should we not be calling for a unity across working class lines . The suffering of the Palestinian working class is unspeakable.
Class consciousness and unity between the Palestinian workers and Israeli workers is not strong for reasons too complex to enter inot in this brief blog.
But surely in desperate times we cannot succumb to a solution that by virtue of its failure to unite the working class and the left internationally-is doomed to failure and more bloodshed.
As has been pointed out on this blog several times there is no solution to the suffering of the Palestinian working people under capitalism.
How many more decades of war and bloodshed are necessary before this becomes obvious to working people.
Neither Hamas nor Israeli imperialist state can offer even a possibility of peace in the Middle east. How many more youth and working people will turn inward to support Islamic and Zionist fundamentalist solutions before it is understood that only working class unity that includes the working class of Israel.
We must call for that unity and for a socialist federation of the middle east , there clearly is no other viable solution.
Fight foreclosures
I was talking to a friend that I have known for almost forty years. We live three thousand miles apart and we sometimes go a long time without talking to each other. It was nice to hear her voice again but she sounded a bit down.
She is in her sixties and her husband is in his seventies and they, like so many Americans, are having a real hard time financially. They may well lose their home.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this since we talked.
What a stress for people to go through, people in their later years who should be feeling secure and enjoying life after all this time. But capitalism is a ruthless system; it shows no mercy. Is homelessness a family value? And imagine the stress this places on people's personal relations. It's no wonder people go off.
There are millions of people in this situation across the country. Supporters of Facts For Working People are active in LA, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area but not in her city. I wished I had the resources to go and help organize some resistance to this crime.
What is called for is the taking over of the banks and the formation of a national bank to disperse and manage the money of society. This bank should be under worker's control and management and its resources determines by committees composed of such. To nationalize a bank in this way does not mean to nationalize the bank deposits of workers and the middle class, money that is necessary for our survival and is the product of a lifetime of Labor or the savings of those just beginning to save for whatever reason. The deposits of corporations and the swindlers and crooks whose policies have caused this crisis should become public property though and put to good use.
The massive amounts of money that are being injected in to the economy to prevent a complete collapse of the system and subsequent social unrest are placing a huge debt burden on future generations in the form of increased taxes and declining living standards.
FFWP is committed to ending this situation. We need to organize Hands Off Our Homes Committees where we can. We need to link up with other victims in our communities and collectively, using direct action methods, keep people in their homes. Don't leave your home.
If you read this blog or the Facts For Working People and want to get involved, contact us.
She is in her sixties and her husband is in his seventies and they, like so many Americans, are having a real hard time financially. They may well lose their home.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this since we talked.
What a stress for people to go through, people in their later years who should be feeling secure and enjoying life after all this time. But capitalism is a ruthless system; it shows no mercy. Is homelessness a family value? And imagine the stress this places on people's personal relations. It's no wonder people go off.
There are millions of people in this situation across the country. Supporters of Facts For Working People are active in LA, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area but not in her city. I wished I had the resources to go and help organize some resistance to this crime.
What is called for is the taking over of the banks and the formation of a national bank to disperse and manage the money of society. This bank should be under worker's control and management and its resources determines by committees composed of such. To nationalize a bank in this way does not mean to nationalize the bank deposits of workers and the middle class, money that is necessary for our survival and is the product of a lifetime of Labor or the savings of those just beginning to save for whatever reason. The deposits of corporations and the swindlers and crooks whose policies have caused this crisis should become public property though and put to good use.
The massive amounts of money that are being injected in to the economy to prevent a complete collapse of the system and subsequent social unrest are placing a huge debt burden on future generations in the form of increased taxes and declining living standards.
FFWP is committed to ending this situation. We need to organize Hands Off Our Homes Committees where we can. We need to link up with other victims in our communities and collectively, using direct action methods, keep people in their homes. Don't leave your home.
If you read this blog or the Facts For Working People and want to get involved, contact us.
Israel, US proxy regime slaughters people of Gaza.
It is difficult to watch or read the mass capitalist media these days. No matter what Israel does in Gaza it is right. With around 400 people killed it still has the support of the Bush and Obama regimes. The mass media is shameless in its lies and propaganda. The Wall Street Journal even argues that it is better for the Gaza people to be well slaughtered because if they have anything they can think of as a victory at all this will only raise their expectations and according to this paper these expectations can never be met.
On a capitalist basis it is true the expectations of the Palestinian people cannot be met. Imperialism and its Arab allies are not going to allow Israel to be weakened and a powerful Arab regime to develop in the region. With Israel their proxy and armed to the teeth and defended in every way, and with the leaders of the Arab regimes bought and paid for, the region and its wealth, especially its oil, and also its important strategic location will be held by Imperialism as long as the issue remains on a capitalist basis.
The Islamic fundamentalist organizations and regimes are not able to solve the problems of the Palestinian or Arab people. Divisions of many kinds exist amongst these organizations. But most important they are committed to continue on a capitalist basis and this means they are opposed to the unity of the Arab working class which is the only force that can liberate the Palestine people, drive Imperialism out of the region and solve the problems of all the people of the region.
The solution to the crisis in the region lies with the building of a united working class. A United working class throughout the Arab world would have the power to defeat imperialism. With a policy of the right of self determination it would have the ability to over come the divisions in the region and also build the basis for peace amongst the Israelis and the Palestinians. And by taking the wealth of the region into public ownership under workers control and management a socialist plan of production could be developed which would truly make the desert bloom.
For an end to the slaughter in Gaza.
For a united working class to defeat Imperialism and drive it from the region.
For the defeat of the Zionist and Arab regimes and the building of a democratic socialist federation of the region based on public ownership of the wealth.
For the right of self determination of different peoples of the region and on this basis resolve the Israeli Palestinian issue.
Sean.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
US taxpayer's money at work in the MIddle East
Javier Solana, EU foreign policy advises "everybody to exert maximum restraint,", after the bombing of Gaza by the Israeli's. How nice of him. The Zionist regime prevented any aid from entering Gaza, probably the world's largest concentration camp and then sends its US provided planes to bomb the population and there should be collective restraint says Solana. That's what "everyone" means here; Palestinians and Israeli's alike as if they are equally responsible.
The Israeli's, with the world's fourth largest military is bombing a civilian population that has no state, no army, no planes, no ships. The rockets thrown in to what they always call Israel, rather than occupied Palestine are no comparison to the terrorism of the Israeli state; just check the body count.
Naturally, the US blames the Palestinians, they pissed off the US administration by taking advantage of their democratic rights and electing a government the US didn't want.
What are the Palestinians supposed to do, sit back and do what the US and its proxy Israel tells them?
I guess that would solve the Middle East problem for some.
The Israeli's, with the world's fourth largest military is bombing a civilian population that has no state, no army, no planes, no ships. The rockets thrown in to what they always call Israel, rather than occupied Palestine are no comparison to the terrorism of the Israeli state; just check the body count.
Naturally, the US blames the Palestinians, they pissed off the US administration by taking advantage of their democratic rights and electing a government the US didn't want.
What are the Palestinians supposed to do, sit back and do what the US and its proxy Israel tells them?
I guess that would solve the Middle East problem for some.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Shoe throwing creates jobs
The Turkish firm, which claims it made the shoes that the Iraqi Journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi threw at Bush says it has had to take on 100 extra staff to cope with the surge in orders.
A first step, albeit a temporary solution, in decreasing unemployment globally therefore increasing demand which would ease the present crisis, would be to organize a world wide shoe throwing campaign aimed at the steps of US embassies and where there are no embassies, at posters and banners bearing Bush's likeness. This would not kill any innoccents. The shoes could then be recycled by the new US administration which claims it will solve the enviromental crisis.
This would cost considerably less than the $8 trillion of the taxpayers money that is being thrown at capitalism in the form of bail outs and stimulus packages and would create jobs. What a deal.
A first step, albeit a temporary solution, in decreasing unemployment globally therefore increasing demand which would ease the present crisis, would be to organize a world wide shoe throwing campaign aimed at the steps of US embassies and where there are no embassies, at posters and banners bearing Bush's likeness. This would not kill any innoccents. The shoes could then be recycled by the new US administration which claims it will solve the enviromental crisis.
This would cost considerably less than the $8 trillion of the taxpayers money that is being thrown at capitalism in the form of bail outs and stimulus packages and would create jobs. What a deal.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Domestic Violence & Jail: A Christmas Story
A friend was just over for a Christmas dinner and shocked everyone by telling us that she had just spent 24-hours in jail. She got out 5 days before Christmas and was then re-united with her three children.
She had gotten in a fight with her husband. He was yelling so loudly and abusively that the neighbors called the cops. When the cops arrived she retreated from the front porch to let her husband tell the story. She assumed that the cops would just go away if they both seemed calm.
She did not know that a new law forces the cops to arrest one of the couple where domestic violence is suspected. They arrested her. She was in complete shock as she was put in the patrol car, leaving behind her children.
This law was intended to quash anger at the way police have traditionally ignored the danger to women of domestic violence. The law is now helping throw women in jail, a sign that laws alone will not end sexism or domestic violence. In this situation, the husband is almost 300 pounds, she half that. Yet our friend was dragged off to the holding cell.
This was the worst experience of her life, but also an education. “Any of us can slip into this situation” she explained. The conditions were awful, with not even enough room to sit down and she never got offered an ounce of food in 24 hours. Yet the solidarity of the women was overwhelming. She was inspired by so many tough, down and out, and decent women. One woman was crying, talking on the payphone and another waded through the elbows and bodies to give her a couple of sheets of toilet paper to wipe her eyes.
Our friend was able also find some levity in her experience. She joked that a bigger lady took a liking to her and so there was no way she was going to get beaten up. She was moved three times in her 24-hour stint and tongue-in-cheek boasted she had got two nicknames in her short stay.
Her husband has now left the home and she will once again be victimized. This time the assailant will be the economy and the disadvantage of her gender. She cannot afford to feed and cloth her kids, pay the rent, pay for daycare for the twins and all out of one wage.
Her friends have closed ranks to help her. One couple offered her a room to stay at their house. Another is taking the kids to give her a break. Another stayed over last night to listen, share and be there. She will not be alone.
Capitalism is devastating to families. Its priorities destroy people and families. Its economy will create pain and anxiety in every direction in the period ahead. But for women, and for children, things will be worse. And for the men that were raised to think that being able to manage a successful career is all the tools you need in life, they will spend many lonely nights in their emotionally immature world. Capitalism and its stepchild, sexism, wrecks human relations.
She had gotten in a fight with her husband. He was yelling so loudly and abusively that the neighbors called the cops. When the cops arrived she retreated from the front porch to let her husband tell the story. She assumed that the cops would just go away if they both seemed calm.
She did not know that a new law forces the cops to arrest one of the couple where domestic violence is suspected. They arrested her. She was in complete shock as she was put in the patrol car, leaving behind her children.
This law was intended to quash anger at the way police have traditionally ignored the danger to women of domestic violence. The law is now helping throw women in jail, a sign that laws alone will not end sexism or domestic violence. In this situation, the husband is almost 300 pounds, she half that. Yet our friend was dragged off to the holding cell.
This was the worst experience of her life, but also an education. “Any of us can slip into this situation” she explained. The conditions were awful, with not even enough room to sit down and she never got offered an ounce of food in 24 hours. Yet the solidarity of the women was overwhelming. She was inspired by so many tough, down and out, and decent women. One woman was crying, talking on the payphone and another waded through the elbows and bodies to give her a couple of sheets of toilet paper to wipe her eyes.
Our friend was able also find some levity in her experience. She joked that a bigger lady took a liking to her and so there was no way she was going to get beaten up. She was moved three times in her 24-hour stint and tongue-in-cheek boasted she had got two nicknames in her short stay.
Her husband has now left the home and she will once again be victimized. This time the assailant will be the economy and the disadvantage of her gender. She cannot afford to feed and cloth her kids, pay the rent, pay for daycare for the twins and all out of one wage.
Her friends have closed ranks to help her. One couple offered her a room to stay at their house. Another is taking the kids to give her a break. Another stayed over last night to listen, share and be there. She will not be alone.
Capitalism is devastating to families. Its priorities destroy people and families. Its economy will create pain and anxiety in every direction in the period ahead. But for women, and for children, things will be worse. And for the men that were raised to think that being able to manage a successful career is all the tools you need in life, they will spend many lonely nights in their emotionally immature world. Capitalism and its stepchild, sexism, wrecks human relations.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Another soldier commits suicide
After putting in 13 hour days six days a week, Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Henderson finally took his life. He became the third member of the Houston Recruiting station to kill himself in three years. He had served in the hell that is Iraq and saw thousands of Iraqi men women and children die as well as his own friends. He hanged himself in his garden shed and joins the ranks of the other 540 soldiers that have killed themselves since 2003.
His wife told the AP that when recruiters "griped" about the pressure from above to fill their quota's, Army bosses would tell them they should feel "grateful" they were not in Iraq.
Some treatment for person's they call "heroes"
"We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as we can," says John Cornyn, a Republican on the Armed Services Committee who has been forced to raise this issue due to pressure from widows and parents. The army is investigating in order to "shed some light on the situation", says an army spokesperon.
Recruiters are under under massive pressure, sandwiched between the Army bosses who want them to get more cannon fodder for their predatory wars and parents of their intended victims who oppose the war and don't want their children dying for nothing.
Cornyn and the Army's response is typical garbage. It's like when they appoint academics and experts on to commissions about poverty rather than poor people. Poor people have the answers to the elimination of poverty, the experts, stooges for the perpetrators of this war will bore people to death covering up for it all. I remember after our strike when the boss hired a consultant to find out why we struck. As if we didn't tell them.
The thugs that rule society are responsible for these suicides; the Cheney's Bush's Rumsfeld's et al. Over the period of the Iraq slaughter billions have been made by a handful of people, private equity capitalists that they referred to as "Masters of the Universe" Hedge Fund manager, 25 of whom earned $15 billion in 2006 and others. Maddoff stole $50 billion (much of which the taxpayer will be expected to pay back) during the period of the Iraq war.
No, its amazing that there aren't more suicides. In fact , as the war goes on and young people come back, they will swell the ranks of the unemployed, the homeless, the domestic violence victims and abusers. Many will have a home in the prisons, mental hospitals and graveyards of America.
This is reality. During the Democratic Primaries I remember a young veteran asking a question of the candidates and Clinton and Obama and all the other representatives of the capitalist class and its murderous system stood up and clapped and thanked this young guy and all that other phony garbage; they're the best example of bourgeois culture and the worst example of humanity.
I have been very fortunate that I have never been in the position of having to go to war. It is not like Sylvester Stallone, John Wayne or Arnold Scwarzenegger portray it, three individuals who, like the imbecile Bush, managed to escape the dangers due to having the right connections.
Nothing is guaranteed in this world, and as a socialist I recognize that a democratic socialist society may not only not come in my lifetime it may not come at all. But it is possible and the only alternative to the horrors and misery of the so-called free market.
I owe it to myself, to our history, to the likes of Patrick Henderson, his friends and a million or so dead Iraqis to continue the fight.
His wife told the AP that when recruiters "griped" about the pressure from above to fill their quota's, Army bosses would tell them they should feel "grateful" they were not in Iraq.
Some treatment for person's they call "heroes"
"We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as we can," says John Cornyn, a Republican on the Armed Services Committee who has been forced to raise this issue due to pressure from widows and parents. The army is investigating in order to "shed some light on the situation", says an army spokesperon.
Recruiters are under under massive pressure, sandwiched between the Army bosses who want them to get more cannon fodder for their predatory wars and parents of their intended victims who oppose the war and don't want their children dying for nothing.
Cornyn and the Army's response is typical garbage. It's like when they appoint academics and experts on to commissions about poverty rather than poor people. Poor people have the answers to the elimination of poverty, the experts, stooges for the perpetrators of this war will bore people to death covering up for it all. I remember after our strike when the boss hired a consultant to find out why we struck. As if we didn't tell them.
The thugs that rule society are responsible for these suicides; the Cheney's Bush's Rumsfeld's et al. Over the period of the Iraq slaughter billions have been made by a handful of people, private equity capitalists that they referred to as "Masters of the Universe" Hedge Fund manager, 25 of whom earned $15 billion in 2006 and others. Maddoff stole $50 billion (much of which the taxpayer will be expected to pay back) during the period of the Iraq war.
No, its amazing that there aren't more suicides. In fact , as the war goes on and young people come back, they will swell the ranks of the unemployed, the homeless, the domestic violence victims and abusers. Many will have a home in the prisons, mental hospitals and graveyards of America.
This is reality. During the Democratic Primaries I remember a young veteran asking a question of the candidates and Clinton and Obama and all the other representatives of the capitalist class and its murderous system stood up and clapped and thanked this young guy and all that other phony garbage; they're the best example of bourgeois culture and the worst example of humanity.
I have been very fortunate that I have never been in the position of having to go to war. It is not like Sylvester Stallone, John Wayne or Arnold Scwarzenegger portray it, three individuals who, like the imbecile Bush, managed to escape the dangers due to having the right connections.
Nothing is guaranteed in this world, and as a socialist I recognize that a democratic socialist society may not only not come in my lifetime it may not come at all. But it is possible and the only alternative to the horrors and misery of the so-called free market.
I owe it to myself, to our history, to the likes of Patrick Henderson, his friends and a million or so dead Iraqis to continue the fight.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A Reminder of Auto Workers Past
I received this note through an auto worker's list and got the author's permission to put it on this blog.
Richard
I raised the question with my grandfather a few years ago about whether labor unions had grown too powerful. I relayed stories of General Motors employees I knew in Ohio who bragged about punching in and leaving the plant or getting a United Way assignment that took them off the line for months at a time.
There are plenty of accounts of more serious abuses, but those are the ones I heard directly from a proud UAW veteran.
My grandfather, who was 93 at the time, listened and didn't say much. The conversation moved to other things, the weather, the fall crops, who had died that week and whether I remembered him or her (I usually didn't.)
Then, without much in the way of a transition, he launched into a story. He talked about working on the line at General Motors briefly in the early '30s. I had heard about how hard life was on his Branch County farm then and how he and his friend, Howard Garman, landed jobs at a GM plant in Pontiac. They got an apartment there, and drove home on weekends to work the farm and see their families.
Marshall Cranson
I had also heard that he became very sick with pneumonia around that time. He was in an oxygen tent in his bedroom in the farm house outside of Coldwater, and Dr. Culver visited everyday. He and my grandmother didn't have money to pay all the doctor bills, but the doc told him not to worry and to just make payments when they could. "Pay the folks who are crowding you the worst," my grandfather recalled Dr. Culver saying.
What he hadn't told me was that he was working at GM when he became sick. He hadn't been there long but he had established a bond with his fellow workers. He was no doubt a valuable employee for GM. I know his work ethic since I grew up watching him drive off six days a week with his dump truck and backhoe, installing septic systems, tiling fields, digging trenches for plumbers. He would return home each night in time to gather eggs and work in the garden.
Later, long after he helped send me to college, I watched him commanding the controls of his backhoe and shoveling trenches well into his 80s.
So when he was too weak to stand at his auto job, his coworkers helped cover for him. They let him sit and rest until a foreman came around, then they would lift him and help steady him at the line. "They didn't have any sick time, see, so if you didn't come to work, you didn't have a job," he explained.
The UAW would not be formed for a few more years, and paid sick leave was much farther in the future. So without paying dues or formally committing to a bond, my grandfather's fellow workers helped out a brother.
Eventually, he became too sick to work and was confined to bed. Despite Dr. Culver's best efforts, my grandfather nearly died that winter. But somehow, as you've no doubt surmised since I'm here, he did recover. Things picked up on the farm, and he paid Dr. Culver in full.
When he finished the story, he didn't scold me to be careful about how I talk about labor unions and what he liked to call "working guys." He was content to let the story speak for itself.
Whether U.S. automakers get federal government funds or not, this will be remembered as another watershed moment for the United Auto Workers. The staunchest opponents of the bridge loans say they want more concessions from workers. Many Republican senators, mostly from southern Right-to-Work states, have made it clear that their lack of support for the bill is all about the UAW.
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., blamed the UAW for not taking enough concessions and "blowing up" the deal.
It begs the question of how many of those senators, their parents, and their parents' parents, benefited from the blood and sweat of labor organizers. It's difficult to deny that many people working in non-union jobs have pay and benefits based on a scale once negotiated by a union.
The divide hasn't changed much from the UAW's founding 73 years ago. Many business owners and leaders see organized labor as anti-capitalist and a threat to free enterprise. That's over-simplified.
But does that mean labor is off the hook for the image of the Big 3 as stuck in the past and too slow to adapt? No.
Did most union leaders ignore obvious signs about the future and conspire with auto executives to reap short-term gains from gas-guzzlers while Japanese automakers got a jump on hybrid technology? Yes.
My grandfather died last year and would have turned 99 today (Friday, Dec. 12.) The allegory he shared a few years before his death was the first thing I thought of this morning when I awoke to hear the auto rescue deal had collapsed in the Senate.
I wish he were here because I'd love to hear his wise take on the debate over whether to use taxpayer funds to keep the Big 3 afloat. I suspect he would be conflicted as many of us are.
But I doubt he would bash the workers.
E-mail Jeff Cranson: jcranson@grpress.com
Richard
I raised the question with my grandfather a few years ago about whether labor unions had grown too powerful. I relayed stories of General Motors employees I knew in Ohio who bragged about punching in and leaving the plant or getting a United Way assignment that took them off the line for months at a time.
There are plenty of accounts of more serious abuses, but those are the ones I heard directly from a proud UAW veteran.
My grandfather, who was 93 at the time, listened and didn't say much. The conversation moved to other things, the weather, the fall crops, who had died that week and whether I remembered him or her (I usually didn't.)
Then, without much in the way of a transition, he launched into a story. He talked about working on the line at General Motors briefly in the early '30s. I had heard about how hard life was on his Branch County farm then and how he and his friend, Howard Garman, landed jobs at a GM plant in Pontiac. They got an apartment there, and drove home on weekends to work the farm and see their families.
Marshall Cranson
I had also heard that he became very sick with pneumonia around that time. He was in an oxygen tent in his bedroom in the farm house outside of Coldwater, and Dr. Culver visited everyday. He and my grandmother didn't have money to pay all the doctor bills, but the doc told him not to worry and to just make payments when they could. "Pay the folks who are crowding you the worst," my grandfather recalled Dr. Culver saying.
What he hadn't told me was that he was working at GM when he became sick. He hadn't been there long but he had established a bond with his fellow workers. He was no doubt a valuable employee for GM. I know his work ethic since I grew up watching him drive off six days a week with his dump truck and backhoe, installing septic systems, tiling fields, digging trenches for plumbers. He would return home each night in time to gather eggs and work in the garden.
Later, long after he helped send me to college, I watched him commanding the controls of his backhoe and shoveling trenches well into his 80s.
So when he was too weak to stand at his auto job, his coworkers helped cover for him. They let him sit and rest until a foreman came around, then they would lift him and help steady him at the line. "They didn't have any sick time, see, so if you didn't come to work, you didn't have a job," he explained.
The UAW would not be formed for a few more years, and paid sick leave was much farther in the future. So without paying dues or formally committing to a bond, my grandfather's fellow workers helped out a brother.
Eventually, he became too sick to work and was confined to bed. Despite Dr. Culver's best efforts, my grandfather nearly died that winter. But somehow, as you've no doubt surmised since I'm here, he did recover. Things picked up on the farm, and he paid Dr. Culver in full.
When he finished the story, he didn't scold me to be careful about how I talk about labor unions and what he liked to call "working guys." He was content to let the story speak for itself.
Whether U.S. automakers get federal government funds or not, this will be remembered as another watershed moment for the United Auto Workers. The staunchest opponents of the bridge loans say they want more concessions from workers. Many Republican senators, mostly from southern Right-to-Work states, have made it clear that their lack of support for the bill is all about the UAW.
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., blamed the UAW for not taking enough concessions and "blowing up" the deal.
It begs the question of how many of those senators, their parents, and their parents' parents, benefited from the blood and sweat of labor organizers. It's difficult to deny that many people working in non-union jobs have pay and benefits based on a scale once negotiated by a union.
The divide hasn't changed much from the UAW's founding 73 years ago. Many business owners and leaders see organized labor as anti-capitalist and a threat to free enterprise. That's over-simplified.
But does that mean labor is off the hook for the image of the Big 3 as stuck in the past and too slow to adapt? No.
Did most union leaders ignore obvious signs about the future and conspire with auto executives to reap short-term gains from gas-guzzlers while Japanese automakers got a jump on hybrid technology? Yes.
My grandfather died last year and would have turned 99 today (Friday, Dec. 12.) The allegory he shared a few years before his death was the first thing I thought of this morning when I awoke to hear the auto rescue deal had collapsed in the Senate.
I wish he were here because I'd love to hear his wise take on the debate over whether to use taxpayer funds to keep the Big 3 afloat. I suspect he would be conflicted as many of us are.
But I doubt he would bash the workers.
E-mail Jeff Cranson: jcranson@grpress.com
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Auto Workers Can Start The Ball Rolling
After handing over $17 billion of working people's tax money to the Big Three auto companies on condition that they cut worker's wages and benefits even further, Bush had this to say:
"If we were to allow the free market to take its course now, it would certainly lead to disorderly bankruptcy and liquidation for the automakers."
There's a lesson here for us. Education, housing and healthcare are denied us because the market takes "its course". The millions dying in Africa of curable diseases are dying because the market takes "its course" The millions in the slums of Mumbai and other massive urban centers who live in abject squalor with open sewage running down their streets live that way because the market takes "its course."
The so-called "free" market doesn't work. A society in which Labor is a commodity is, as Engels pointed out, a "brotherhood of thieves" (a sisterhood also as Maggie Thatcher, one of the worst of the 20th century thieves confirms.)
Ron Gettlefinger, President of the UAW has responded with such militancy his dangerous words could be the spark that ignites a social movement, He said that Bush had added "unfair conditions" to the bailout "singling out workers".
Hold your horses, Ron, we don't want a riot here. But Ron won't hold back the militant and threatening rhetoric, "We will work with the Obama administration and the new Congress to ensure that these unfair conditions are removed."
So after introducing a two tier wage system that cut pay in half destroying solidarity at the same time, the UAW leadership, in league with the Obama administration, will savage auto workers further. This spells increased danger for all of us as this section of our class has been the benchmark for a better life and has its roots in the great upheaval and plant occupations of the 1930's.
It is the methods of the 1930's that auto should return to in response to this bailout of capital.
No reliance on the courts or big business politicians
Occupy the plants, keep them working and call for the public ownership of the auto industry and the commanding heights of the economy under workers control and management.
Call on workers throughout auto to occupy their workplaces
Appeal to workers in all industries and our communities to join auto workers in the struggle to break the grip of capital over our jobs and our lives.
Appeal to workers in auto internationally to take similar action, workers throughout the world are under attack
A move in this direction would inspire millions of American workers and workers throughout the world and would open up the road to a fightback blocked by the treachery of the likes of Gettlfinger and the heads of organized Labor.
The Iraqi shoe thrower is an example of the courage and heroism that we can display. American workers are not hated by the rest of the world, American capitalists are hated by the workers of the world.
Gettlefinger won't do it, Obama won't do it, it's up to us.
There are opposition or reform groupings within the UAW. Organizing on a direct action fight to win program like that suggested above would have a tremendous appeal to workers terrified of losing their livelihoods at Christmas and being faced with two choices, poverty or more poverty.
There's no better remedy for the doldrums than fighting back.
Let's not be victims of history, lets make it.
"If we were to allow the free market to take its course now, it would certainly lead to disorderly bankruptcy and liquidation for the automakers."
There's a lesson here for us. Education, housing and healthcare are denied us because the market takes "its course". The millions dying in Africa of curable diseases are dying because the market takes "its course" The millions in the slums of Mumbai and other massive urban centers who live in abject squalor with open sewage running down their streets live that way because the market takes "its course."
The so-called "free" market doesn't work. A society in which Labor is a commodity is, as Engels pointed out, a "brotherhood of thieves" (a sisterhood also as Maggie Thatcher, one of the worst of the 20th century thieves confirms.)
Ron Gettlefinger, President of the UAW has responded with such militancy his dangerous words could be the spark that ignites a social movement, He said that Bush had added "unfair conditions" to the bailout "singling out workers".
Hold your horses, Ron, we don't want a riot here. But Ron won't hold back the militant and threatening rhetoric, "We will work with the Obama administration and the new Congress to ensure that these unfair conditions are removed."
So after introducing a two tier wage system that cut pay in half destroying solidarity at the same time, the UAW leadership, in league with the Obama administration, will savage auto workers further. This spells increased danger for all of us as this section of our class has been the benchmark for a better life and has its roots in the great upheaval and plant occupations of the 1930's.
It is the methods of the 1930's that auto should return to in response to this bailout of capital.
No reliance on the courts or big business politicians
Occupy the plants, keep them working and call for the public ownership of the auto industry and the commanding heights of the economy under workers control and management.
Call on workers throughout auto to occupy their workplaces
Appeal to workers in all industries and our communities to join auto workers in the struggle to break the grip of capital over our jobs and our lives.
Appeal to workers in auto internationally to take similar action, workers throughout the world are under attack
A move in this direction would inspire millions of American workers and workers throughout the world and would open up the road to a fightback blocked by the treachery of the likes of Gettlfinger and the heads of organized Labor.
The Iraqi shoe thrower is an example of the courage and heroism that we can display. American workers are not hated by the rest of the world, American capitalists are hated by the workers of the world.
Gettlefinger won't do it, Obama won't do it, it's up to us.
There are opposition or reform groupings within the UAW. Organizing on a direct action fight to win program like that suggested above would have a tremendous appeal to workers terrified of losing their livelihoods at Christmas and being faced with two choices, poverty or more poverty.
There's no better remedy for the doldrums than fighting back.
Let's not be victims of history, lets make it.
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Charade is almost over
"The automakers and unions must understand what is at stake and make hard decisions necessary to reform."
So says Bush. But what concessions will Kerk Kerkorian, Lee Iacocca, Henry Clay Ford or Carl Icahn be making? Kerkorian has made millions investing in auto shares, especially after layoffs. This silly game they've played in Washington is coming to an end and workers will suffer further as they bail out yet another section of the corrupt capitalist class. What a waste of our money. Its a ridiculous situation when you think about it that the same people who are responsible for the crisis are in charge of solving it.
So says Bush. But what concessions will Kerk Kerkorian, Lee Iacocca, Henry Clay Ford or Carl Icahn be making? Kerkorian has made millions investing in auto shares, especially after layoffs. This silly game they've played in Washington is coming to an end and workers will suffer further as they bail out yet another section of the corrupt capitalist class. What a waste of our money. Its a ridiculous situation when you think about it that the same people who are responsible for the crisis are in charge of solving it.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A quick Comment on the Chrysler Situation
Chrysler has just announced it will close all it’s US factories for a month after the last shift on Friday. Chrysler is owned by the private equity firm Cerberus. Cerberus owns Mervyn’s and much of Albertsons stores as well as National and Alamo car Rental.
The shut down will affect about 46,000 workers.
These decisions to shut down production are made not by the workers, those of us who make the product, but by the likes of Dan Quayle a Cerberus Executive.
We cannot continue in the old way. Chrysler workers should not take this sitting down and should instead continue what started in Chicago with workers at Republic Window and Doors. Chrysler workers should converge on their plants and occupy them not just to demand severance pay or unemployment, but to keep them working and insist on them being nationalized under workers control and management. This is what is demanded of us and what will win in the long run. We can’t wait for the Union leadership who are in agreement with Chrysler management.
Time to return to what won us what we have in the first place:
No reliance on the courts or big business politicians
Occupy the plants and keep them working
Call on workers throughout auto to occupy their workplaces
Appeal to workers in all industries and our communities to join auto workers in the struggle to break the grip of capital over our jobs and our lives.
Appeal to workers in auto internationally to take similar action, workers throughout the world are under attack
The shut down will affect about 46,000 workers.
These decisions to shut down production are made not by the workers, those of us who make the product, but by the likes of Dan Quayle a Cerberus Executive.
We cannot continue in the old way. Chrysler workers should not take this sitting down and should instead continue what started in Chicago with workers at Republic Window and Doors. Chrysler workers should converge on their plants and occupy them not just to demand severance pay or unemployment, but to keep them working and insist on them being nationalized under workers control and management. This is what is demanded of us and what will win in the long run. We can’t wait for the Union leadership who are in agreement with Chrysler management.
Time to return to what won us what we have in the first place:
No reliance on the courts or big business politicians
Occupy the plants and keep them working
Call on workers throughout auto to occupy their workplaces
Appeal to workers in all industries and our communities to join auto workers in the struggle to break the grip of capital over our jobs and our lives.
Appeal to workers in auto internationally to take similar action, workers throughout the world are under attack
250 million people Arrested for Shoplifting – Whaat?
Today Bernard Madoff got part of his Justice. For ripping off various charities and investors to the tune of $50 billion, Madoff was allowed to go home with a monitoring bracelet and OMG, a curfew. No Broadway shows for Bernie this week. He's stuck in his $7 million luxury Manhattan condo. He must feel terrible.
For the crime of damaging a some paintwork on a wall by throwing his shoe at President Bush, journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, had several bones broken by security guards. His screams could still be heard while the Press Conference continued. Muntadar is now facing between 7 and 20 years in an Iraqi prison.
If Madoff’s $50 billion theft was divided into $200 shoplifting crimes, then 250 million people would be behind bars. If you split it up into a more serious crime of bank robbing, say $1 million, then that’d be 50,000 incidents.
Madoff’s crime is as embarrassment to capitalism and is being swept under the carpet. While capitalism is based on stealing, this was even against their own rules, yet its being buried in the business section of most newspapers already. The largest “theft” in world history is not that important to the Media Barons. Why? Because the last thing big business needs is another multi-millionaire swindler getting people more pissed off with the wealthy of this country.
Wrist slaps for the Trust Funders, broken bones for the rest of us.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Buying American is not the answer
Look at this from the AFL-CIO, the Team Concept. How can you build unity among workers internationally and at the same time join with national capitalists by boycotting the products that workers in other countries make basically competing with them for which of us gets laid off. Let's buy Californian as I live here. Or lets buy Northern Californian as opposed to southern. It's the same as applying the Team Concept at the very local level, the point of production. By helping our immediate employer's drive their rivals from the marketplace we participate in the driving out of work other workers who we need to build unity with in order to keep our own jobs---it's a disaster.
Employers don't rate this team too much. They have no problem dumping US workers and buying foreign workers cheaper, workers who are not "willing" to work for less like the big business press likes to claim, but who are forced to by ruthless regimes supported by the US.
The solution to the crisis of overproduction which is at the root of this issue is building solidarity across race, religious and national lines. That way we can win the struggle against the employers for control of society's resources which we can put to good use. The Buy American, Buy German ideas is just another strategy of the employers to solve their problems at our expense.
Dear Working Families e-Activist Network,
Thanks for being a Working Families e-Activist during 2008.
Together, we fought for America's working families and helped
elect a new president who shares our values. It hasn't been
easy, but thanks to your hard work, we have much to look forward
to in 2009.
In recognition of your efforts, we're offering you 10% off every
item at The Union Shop Online (http://unionshop.aflcio.org)
through this Wednesday. Just enter the discount code in your
shopping cart when you're done filling it up with goodies for
your entire family, and we'll take 10% off everything you buy.
Discount Code: AFL2008
From union-made shirts and hoodies to children's books and the
ever-popular holiday cards, everything is 10% off for you. Just
enter the coupon code "AFL2008" in your shopping cart and take
10% off everything. http://unionshop.aflcio.org
Thank you for your support and activism over the years. And
America's workers thank you for buying American.
In solidarity,
Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO
Employers don't rate this team too much. They have no problem dumping US workers and buying foreign workers cheaper, workers who are not "willing" to work for less like the big business press likes to claim, but who are forced to by ruthless regimes supported by the US.
The solution to the crisis of overproduction which is at the root of this issue is building solidarity across race, religious and national lines. That way we can win the struggle against the employers for control of society's resources which we can put to good use. The Buy American, Buy German ideas is just another strategy of the employers to solve their problems at our expense.
Dear Working Families e-Activist Network,
Thanks for being a Working Families e-Activist during 2008.
Together, we fought for America's working families and helped
elect a new president who shares our values. It hasn't been
easy, but thanks to your hard work, we have much to look forward
to in 2009.
In recognition of your efforts, we're offering you 10% off every
item at The Union Shop Online (http://unionshop.aflcio.org)
through this Wednesday. Just enter the discount code in your
shopping cart when you're done filling it up with goodies for
your entire family, and we'll take 10% off everything you buy.
Discount Code: AFL2008
From union-made shirts and hoodies to children's books and the
ever-popular holiday cards, everything is 10% off for you. Just
enter the coupon code "AFL2008" in your shopping cart and take
10% off everything. http://unionshop.aflcio.org
Thank you for your support and activism over the years. And
America's workers thank you for buying American.
In solidarity,
Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO
The most corrupt?
It looks like the US it the most corrupt country in the world? For months there we were inundated with news about the corruption and swindling in the financial sector. And there is many more of these to come. Then there was the buying of the primaries and then the election. Political action committees are where people with money give politicians money to get elected and do what they are told. In other words they buy them. Then we had the scandal of Blagojevich the Governor of Illinois trying to sell the senate seat of Obama. And now we have the $50 billion Madoff ponzi scheme. US capitalism is corrupt from top to bottom.
On a lighter and more inspiring note. It seems there is a movement afoot to send boxes and bags of shoes to the White House in solidarity with the journalist who threw his shoes at Bush when he was in Iraq. Sean.
Republic Workers Celebration
SOME BACKGROUND
I learned from a labor activist friend who was in attendance at the Republic workers' victory celebration that UE, the union that represents the Republic workers, is not normally liked by unions like the Teamsters, AFSCME and SIUE. Those are the very unions that organized the event last night and who rallied around the front door of the Republic Factory.
Apparently UE was expelled from the CIO in the 1940's for refusing to throw out some of its leadership who were socialists. They have only about 35,000 members, but are much more bottom-up focused than some of the bigger more bureaucratic unions much to the appreciation of their membership.
The UE Republic workers are about 60% Latino, 30% African American, 10% white. They all worked together and fought together during this struggle and won.
My friend, who was at the Republic factory every day during the action and who has spoken to many of the workers said that things inside the factory happened very quickly leading up to the sit-in. The workers were mobilized and organized fast. They had no choice because they were just told they would be out of work in 3 days. They were told that the plant would close at 10:00am on a Friday. The workers were in contact with their union and were given 2 choices: 1. Walk out at 10:00am and let the issue of severance go to court and stay there for months, or 2. Stay in the factory and fight. They unanimously voted to stay, and we have all seen the results of that. The bank eventually gave the company the money to pay the severance to the workers.
THE CELEBRATION EVENT
Last night I attended a celebration for the Republic Windows and Doors workers at the Teamsters Local 705 Auditorium here in Chicago. The Republic workers were in attendance as well as rank-and-file Teamsters, independent press, big wigs and members from AFSCME, and SEIU. Of course members and leaders of UE, the union the Republic workers belong to, were there as well. I noticed a few students in the audience, and I met some labor activists from groups like Jobs With Justice and IWW. The evening was hosted by the Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker's Issues.
The night started with a meal of tamales, rice and beans for all in attendance. The program started with the local and regional presidents of UE making some remarks about the success of the sit-in. The local leader after thanking the Teamsters and event organizers, said in broken English, "they told us to go home, and we said NO!" very clearly to great applause.
The regional president talked about the bosses and bankers' rules for bankruptcy. He pointed out that those rules are meant to protect the bosses and bankers, they are not meant for the workers. He congratulated the Republic workers for breaking the rules. He went on to talk about the new presidential administration and their promise of change. He said that they won't make changes unless workers make them. He said workers must, "break the rules that must be broken."
I left after these opening remarks. Speakers from Teamsters, the Interfaith Committee, and AFSCME were also on the agenda. I had arrived with and distributed one-page FFWP fliers that called for using the Republic victory as inspiration for a broader worker's movement and the creation of hands Off Our Jobs and Hands Off Our Homes Committees.
I learned from a labor activist friend who was in attendance at the Republic workers' victory celebration that UE, the union that represents the Republic workers, is not normally liked by unions like the Teamsters, AFSCME and SIUE. Those are the very unions that organized the event last night and who rallied around the front door of the Republic Factory.
Apparently UE was expelled from the CIO in the 1940's for refusing to throw out some of its leadership who were socialists. They have only about 35,000 members, but are much more bottom-up focused than some of the bigger more bureaucratic unions much to the appreciation of their membership.
The UE Republic workers are about 60% Latino, 30% African American, 10% white. They all worked together and fought together during this struggle and won.
My friend, who was at the Republic factory every day during the action and who has spoken to many of the workers said that things inside the factory happened very quickly leading up to the sit-in. The workers were mobilized and organized fast. They had no choice because they were just told they would be out of work in 3 days. They were told that the plant would close at 10:00am on a Friday. The workers were in contact with their union and were given 2 choices: 1. Walk out at 10:00am and let the issue of severance go to court and stay there for months, or 2. Stay in the factory and fight. They unanimously voted to stay, and we have all seen the results of that. The bank eventually gave the company the money to pay the severance to the workers.
THE CELEBRATION EVENT
Last night I attended a celebration for the Republic Windows and Doors workers at the Teamsters Local 705 Auditorium here in Chicago. The Republic workers were in attendance as well as rank-and-file Teamsters, independent press, big wigs and members from AFSCME, and SEIU. Of course members and leaders of UE, the union the Republic workers belong to, were there as well. I noticed a few students in the audience, and I met some labor activists from groups like Jobs With Justice and IWW. The evening was hosted by the Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker's Issues.
The night started with a meal of tamales, rice and beans for all in attendance. The program started with the local and regional presidents of UE making some remarks about the success of the sit-in. The local leader after thanking the Teamsters and event organizers, said in broken English, "they told us to go home, and we said NO!" very clearly to great applause.
The regional president talked about the bosses and bankers' rules for bankruptcy. He pointed out that those rules are meant to protect the bosses and bankers, they are not meant for the workers. He congratulated the Republic workers for breaking the rules. He went on to talk about the new presidential administration and their promise of change. He said that they won't make changes unless workers make them. He said workers must, "break the rules that must be broken."
I left after these opening remarks. Speakers from Teamsters, the Interfaith Committee, and AFSCME were also on the agenda. I had arrived with and distributed one-page FFWP fliers that called for using the Republic victory as inspiration for a broader worker's movement and the creation of hands Off Our Jobs and Hands Off Our Homes Committees.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Did he "mean bizzare" or "Bazaar?"
So the imbecile Bush thinks that having shoes thrown at him in Iraq was a "bizzare" incident. Coming from the mouth of the man that said the French don't have a word for "entrepreneur" it's hard to figure out if he meant "bazaar", that the shoe throwing was a "Bazaar" incident and that's where it should have taken place. After all, how could it be a "bizzare" incident? Unless perhaps he doesn't realize he's hated over there after all.
Either way, the Iraqi journalist has my respect and he is becoming a bit of a national hero in Iraq.
"This is a farewell kiss, you dog," he yelled in Arabic as he threw his shoes. "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
This is a fairly mild protest it would seem to me considering the nature of Bush's crimes, torture, mass murder, lies. The US's front man over there, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, is appalled and called the act "barbaric" a bit strong when compared to Falujah or dropping missiles on wedding parties perhaps. And what about the strafing by S aircraft of the retreating Iraqi army in the first war, pretty barbaric I would say.
Throwing shoes at someone in the Arab world is considered a major insult apparently as is showing the soles of one's feet to another person. They hate Condoleezza Rice so much that she is often referred to in Arab circles as Kundara - meaning shoe - instead of Condoleezza.
The heroic journalist, Muntadar al-Zaidi is getting a lot of support including rallies with thousands of people in attendance.
Bush reflects the typical arrogance of a fortunate son of the ruling class visiting an imperialized country. It reminds me of Mountbatten, the English colonial who had an estate in Ireland in the heart of the community that the English had invaded centuries ago and has not yet left. He had more thrown at him than shoes and ended his lfe there.
I am not advocating individual acts of terrorism such as this as a strategy for emancipation, it weakens the working class and is not the method of worker's in struggle, but people like Mountbatten, and Bush, are alike in that they are blinded by their own arrogance thinking they can walk among the remaining victims of their actions without consequences; Bush got lucky with the shoes.
Perhaps a national holiday in Iraq is in order, after all there are a few people in the US that would have welcomed a direct hit. Muntadar al-Zaidi day, it has a ring to it don't you think?
Either way, the Iraqi journalist has my respect and he is becoming a bit of a national hero in Iraq.
"This is a farewell kiss, you dog," he yelled in Arabic as he threw his shoes. "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
This is a fairly mild protest it would seem to me considering the nature of Bush's crimes, torture, mass murder, lies. The US's front man over there, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, is appalled and called the act "barbaric" a bit strong when compared to Falujah or dropping missiles on wedding parties perhaps. And what about the strafing by S aircraft of the retreating Iraqi army in the first war, pretty barbaric I would say.
Throwing shoes at someone in the Arab world is considered a major insult apparently as is showing the soles of one's feet to another person. They hate Condoleezza Rice so much that she is often referred to in Arab circles as Kundara - meaning shoe - instead of Condoleezza.
The heroic journalist, Muntadar al-Zaidi is getting a lot of support including rallies with thousands of people in attendance.
Bush reflects the typical arrogance of a fortunate son of the ruling class visiting an imperialized country. It reminds me of Mountbatten, the English colonial who had an estate in Ireland in the heart of the community that the English had invaded centuries ago and has not yet left. He had more thrown at him than shoes and ended his lfe there.
I am not advocating individual acts of terrorism such as this as a strategy for emancipation, it weakens the working class and is not the method of worker's in struggle, but people like Mountbatten, and Bush, are alike in that they are blinded by their own arrogance thinking they can walk among the remaining victims of their actions without consequences; Bush got lucky with the shoes.
Perhaps a national holiday in Iraq is in order, after all there are a few people in the US that would have welcomed a direct hit. Muntadar al-Zaidi day, it has a ring to it don't you think?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Unpaid Labor
I was thinking about the recent settlement at the occupied factory in Chicago. The banks conceded and lent the firm some money. In other words, the finance capitalists lent the industrial capitalists some capital and the industrial capitalists paid the workers with it.
But that is the worker's own money; the product of Labor. How so?
The answer to this is important for all workers to grasp and is one of the greatest contributions that Marx made to understanding the real world ; the discovery of surplus value.
The wages of workers are paid from an amassed capital pool. They are not paid out of the profit realized by the capitalist through the sale of the commodity they make, in the case above, doors and windows; they may be paid long before the product of their Labor is sold.
This accumulated mass of social capital (that the capitalists own and won't invest at the present)
has its source in surplus value, the unpaid Labor of the working class. This "appropriation" of unpaid Labor as Engels explained, "Is the basic form of the capitalist mode of production and of the exploitation of the worker affected through it". The capitalist pays wages or buys the use of a human being over a period of time and extracts more value from the use of this human Labor power than they pay for it. Even if they pay the full market value of this commodity (Labor Power) this occurs. This ongoing process allows capital accumulation by the capitalist out of which future wages are paid. This set up is maintained through their control of the state and means of production and is backed up with threats and violence. In other words, it is a system of coercion.
Once we understand though that what they call "their" individual capital is actually "our" collective property, it allows us to overcome the obstacles within our own mind that prevent us from going after it. We realize that their laws are phony and made with certain class interests in mind----theirs.
Woke up thinking about this and just had to write it down.
But that is the worker's own money; the product of Labor. How so?
The answer to this is important for all workers to grasp and is one of the greatest contributions that Marx made to understanding the real world ; the discovery of surplus value.
The wages of workers are paid from an amassed capital pool. They are not paid out of the profit realized by the capitalist through the sale of the commodity they make, in the case above, doors and windows; they may be paid long before the product of their Labor is sold.
This accumulated mass of social capital (that the capitalists own and won't invest at the present)
has its source in surplus value, the unpaid Labor of the working class. This "appropriation" of unpaid Labor as Engels explained, "Is the basic form of the capitalist mode of production and of the exploitation of the worker affected through it". The capitalist pays wages or buys the use of a human being over a period of time and extracts more value from the use of this human Labor power than they pay for it. Even if they pay the full market value of this commodity (Labor Power) this occurs. This ongoing process allows capital accumulation by the capitalist out of which future wages are paid. This set up is maintained through their control of the state and means of production and is backed up with threats and violence. In other words, it is a system of coercion.
Once we understand though that what they call "their" individual capital is actually "our" collective property, it allows us to overcome the obstacles within our own mind that prevent us from going after it. We realize that their laws are phony and made with certain class interests in mind----theirs.
Woke up thinking about this and just had to write it down.
Friday, December 12, 2008
LA Weekend
In case your in LA this weekend:
Saturday:
Anarchist Book Faire, 11am-8pm, Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research, 6120 South Vermont
IAC Action Against the Bailout, 12pm, Bank of America 1572 W. Sunset Blvd
Sunday:
Southern California Immigration Coalition Meeting, 11AM, 1929 S. Los Angeles St
CRR Action, 630pm, Van Nuys
This coming Thursday:
Reading Circle, 7pm. LACC Library
Please keep us updated if you know of any changes.
Saturday:
Anarchist Book Faire, 11am-8pm, Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research, 6120 South Vermont
IAC Action Against the Bailout, 12pm, Bank of America 1572 W. Sunset Blvd
Sunday:
Southern California Immigration Coalition Meeting, 11AM, 1929 S. Los Angeles St
CRR Action, 630pm, Van Nuys
This coming Thursday:
Reading Circle, 7pm. LACC Library
Please keep us updated if you know of any changes.
IAC/Immigration Rights
Here is a short video of the demonstrations that took place on the 10th of December. I encourage anyone to check out their websites:
International Action Center
IACenter.org
and
Southern California Immigration Rights Coalition
ImmigrationCoalition.org
The sound was kind of shotty so I took the liberty of dubbing, I apologize to the presenters for not being able to hear the pulsating drums. The video gets funky for a few seconds around the 25-26 sec mark; I don't know, I don't do this for a living. Enjoy.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Protests against the bailout, raids, budget cuts
Yesterday there were several protests throughout Los Angeles almost all at the same time. At the Bailout the People Not the Banks in front of Bank of America in the heart of downtown Los Angeles on 6th and Hill. The event was organized by the International Action Center. 20 people were in attendance at its high point. We formed a picket line and a few people stood on the sidewalk facing the congested streets.
Our chants ranged from "The Banks got Bailed out We got Sold Out" the chant of the Chicago workers who took over the Republic factory. We also chanted, " The people united will never be defeated, workplace takeovers thats whats needed" and " Bailout the People Not the Banks" in English and Spanish. Although we weren't more than twenty we were able to close down BofA one hour and a half earlier than their scheduled time. Patrons of the bank were pissed at that and some people even joined our protest from just walking down the streets.
Labors Militant Voice supported the protest and was present. We said we should organize more protests against banks like Bank of America especially because people are loosing their homes by people who just got trillions in the taxpayer paid bailout. Later we hope to post the short video we took of the demonstration.
After that protest there was a demonstration down the street against the immigrant raids. About 50 people were present and the police routinely drove by with their sirens on and heliocopters to disrupt the speakers. It was held in front of the Federal Building a march from Olvera St. There was also a 100 person protest in front of Kaiser hospital for universal healthcare and in front of the UTLA building against budget cuts. These protest mark the changing mood among activists and working class people. However small these protests have started off to be they are happening throughout the city and will grow as people realize the problems of the system can not be fixed by the system.
Our chants ranged from "The Banks got Bailed out We got Sold Out" the chant of the Chicago workers who took over the Republic factory. We also chanted, " The people united will never be defeated, workplace takeovers thats whats needed" and " Bailout the People Not the Banks" in English and Spanish. Although we weren't more than twenty we were able to close down BofA one hour and a half earlier than their scheduled time. Patrons of the bank were pissed at that and some people even joined our protest from just walking down the streets.
Labors Militant Voice supported the protest and was present. We said we should organize more protests against banks like Bank of America especially because people are loosing their homes by people who just got trillions in the taxpayer paid bailout. Later we hope to post the short video we took of the demonstration.
After that protest there was a demonstration down the street against the immigrant raids. About 50 people were present and the police routinely drove by with their sirens on and heliocopters to disrupt the speakers. It was held in front of the Federal Building a march from Olvera St. There was also a 100 person protest in front of Kaiser hospital for universal healthcare and in front of the UTLA building against budget cuts. These protest mark the changing mood among activists and working class people. However small these protests have started off to be they are happening throughout the city and will grow as people realize the problems of the system can not be fixed by the system.
Dear Sisters, Brothers, Comrades,
We have been consistently publishing the Facts For Working People for almost two years now. It is going very well; we have a subscription list of of almost 500 who receive the FFWP in pdf format.
However, We also distribute the FFWP in hard copy in Chicago, the East SF Bay Area, and Los Angeles. We do this throughout the six week or so period between issues and at special events, picket lines, rally's etc.
We also distribute it to co-workers, fellow students and wherever we come in to contact with people. We hand it out for free although we do take donations when we can, especially when we set up a table and people can stop and talk with us, pick up an issue or back issues and get on the sign up list to receive it on line.
We also have international subscribers in all the continents except Antarctica. On occasion we have produced and sent out special issues like the one for Shawn Brandt in Canada and in support of trade Unionists/activists and individuals in prison or persecuted in one way or another for their activity, Farooq Tariq for example of the Labor Party Pakistan.
From the limited information we can gather from the subscription list we have found out that some people read it regularly, some leave it around the lunch tables at work or school and some people even copy it and distribute a few copies. We have been contacted by some subscribers who have used the information in the FFWP for their Union newsletters.
Although sending them out on pdf cost next to nothing, those of us involved in the production and distribution of the FFWP contribute a lot of our own money in getting it in to the hands of working people in the form of a hard copy.
FFWP supporters are also involved in struggles on the ground that are sometimes costly and have been reported on in the FFWP.
If you think the information in it is useful to you as an individual or activist in the movement, we urge you to consider contributing what you can to help with printing and distribution costs. If you know someone who would like to read the FFWP have them send their e mail address to: erin@bringdownbush.org and we'll add them to our subscription list.
There is a strong possibility at some point in the future that the FFWP community will serve as the basis for calling a conference around some of the ideas and programs contained in the publication.
In addition to the FFWP, we have now started Hands Off Our Homes Committees in areas where we are situated and are hoping to help foreclosure victims through building support in their community and using direct action methods in order to stay in their homes.
If you like the ideas and information you get from the FFWP and the blog please help us grow by making a contribution to the FFWP. You can do so by using the donate button on the FFWP blog at:
http://www.weknowwhatsup.blogspot.com
In solidarity for the FFWP
Richard Mellor
--
We have been consistently publishing the Facts For Working People for almost two years now. It is going very well; we have a subscription list of of almost 500 who receive the FFWP in pdf format.
However, We also distribute the FFWP in hard copy in Chicago, the East SF Bay Area, and Los Angeles. We do this throughout the six week or so period between issues and at special events, picket lines, rally's etc.
We also distribute it to co-workers, fellow students and wherever we come in to contact with people. We hand it out for free although we do take donations when we can, especially when we set up a table and people can stop and talk with us, pick up an issue or back issues and get on the sign up list to receive it on line.
We also have international subscribers in all the continents except Antarctica. On occasion we have produced and sent out special issues like the one for Shawn Brandt in Canada and in support of trade Unionists/activists and individuals in prison or persecuted in one way or another for their activity, Farooq Tariq for example of the Labor Party Pakistan.
From the limited information we can gather from the subscription list we have found out that some people read it regularly, some leave it around the lunch tables at work or school and some people even copy it and distribute a few copies. We have been contacted by some subscribers who have used the information in the FFWP for their Union newsletters.
Although sending them out on pdf cost next to nothing, those of us involved in the production and distribution of the FFWP contribute a lot of our own money in getting it in to the hands of working people in the form of a hard copy.
FFWP supporters are also involved in struggles on the ground that are sometimes costly and have been reported on in the FFWP.
If you think the information in it is useful to you as an individual or activist in the movement, we urge you to consider contributing what you can to help with printing and distribution costs. If you know someone who would like to read the FFWP have them send their e mail address to: erin@bringdownbush.org and we'll add them to our subscription list.
There is a strong possibility at some point in the future that the FFWP community will serve as the basis for calling a conference around some of the ideas and programs contained in the publication.
In addition to the FFWP, we have now started Hands Off Our Homes Committees in areas where we are situated and are hoping to help foreclosure victims through building support in their community and using direct action methods in order to stay in their homes.
If you like the ideas and information you get from the FFWP and the blog please help us grow by making a contribution to the FFWP. You can do so by using the donate button on the FFWP blog at:
http://www.weknowwhatsup.blogspot.com
In solidarity for the FFWP
Richard Mellor
--
Just passing time
California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger said yesterday that unless Democrats and Republicans in the legislature can “put aside their ideological differences” the state will be heading for “Financial Armageddon”.
This is a bit misleading as Democrats and Republicans don’t really have ideological differences on the one issue that matters-----who will pay for this crisis.
The state has a $15 billion deficit and the representatives of the capitalist class are squabbling over some important details; how to get the money from us. Republicans are opposed to tax increases and want to cut spending. Democrats are OK with cutting spending but also want to raise taxes.
“We need to cut health care for the poor and disabled by $100 million.” cry the Republicans
“Cruel, cruel” yell the Democrats so we can all hear, “No! No! No! Absolutely not; we must protect those less fortunate than us. We are the party of working people, We will only accept cuts of $95 million.”
“Bravo” cry the leaders of organized Labor who don’t want to see $400 million of their member’s money spent on Democrats in the recent election go to waste.
Come gather round people wherever you roam
No matter which nation or land you call home
The task ahead we cannot postpone
There’s a war we need to be wagin’
So come join with us we can’t do it alone
The times then will be changin’
This is a bit misleading as Democrats and Republicans don’t really have ideological differences on the one issue that matters-----who will pay for this crisis.
The state has a $15 billion deficit and the representatives of the capitalist class are squabbling over some important details; how to get the money from us. Republicans are opposed to tax increases and want to cut spending. Democrats are OK with cutting spending but also want to raise taxes.
“We need to cut health care for the poor and disabled by $100 million.” cry the Republicans
“Cruel, cruel” yell the Democrats so we can all hear, “No! No! No! Absolutely not; we must protect those less fortunate than us. We are the party of working people, We will only accept cuts of $95 million.”
“Bravo” cry the leaders of organized Labor who don’t want to see $400 million of their member’s money spent on Democrats in the recent election go to waste.
Come gather round people wherever you roam
No matter which nation or land you call home
The task ahead we cannot postpone
There’s a war we need to be wagin’
So come join with us we can’t do it alone
The times then will be changin’
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
On the Worker's Occupation
This morning I was on the phone with my mom. Now my mom is not someone I would describe as politically active, but she is a prime example of someone who has recently started looking at the world differently as a result of the economic situation. As many of us here in Chicago, my mom and I were talking about our Governor. Later, my mom brought up the workers' occupation here. She was so excited...she said to me, "maybe this will start a movement". She went on to describe how she was so happy to see workers fighting and making demands. She has never written anything political, just always been supportive. I asked here is she would write up her thoughts about the occupation, something that I could share on the blog. This is what she sent me:
"I have been following the story of the worker sit in in Chicago with great interest. They were asking to be given what they were legally entitled to such as more than three days notice of the plant closing, their vacation pay, etc. Their sit in got national media coverage. Bank of America refused to give a line of credit to the owners of the company but because of the bad press relented. This is a victory for all workers. It also sets a precedent for what others in this country have to do. Every day we hear of massive lay offs. Workers must start to be proactive and demand what they are entitled to. If these brave souls can do it so can others. Let us not sit back and watch companies get bailouts and then lay off workers. Let us not permit the heads of companies to make millions while they close down companies, lay off workers, and send jobs overseas. Workers need to unite and demand their rights-jobs and adequate pay - Sue."
"I have been following the story of the worker sit in in Chicago with great interest. They were asking to be given what they were legally entitled to such as more than three days notice of the plant closing, their vacation pay, etc. Their sit in got national media coverage. Bank of America refused to give a line of credit to the owners of the company but because of the bad press relented. This is a victory for all workers. It also sets a precedent for what others in this country have to do. Every day we hear of massive lay offs. Workers must start to be proactive and demand what they are entitled to. If these brave souls can do it so can others. Let us not sit back and watch companies get bailouts and then lay off workers. Let us not permit the heads of companies to make millions while they close down companies, lay off workers, and send jobs overseas. Workers need to unite and demand their rights-jobs and adequate pay - Sue."
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Gov of Illinois proof-can't "work within" the system
This story just shows you how capitalism works, its not the government in charge, its the corporations, companies, the bosses. One day the Governor of Illinois says he won't do business with Bank of America and the next the Federal government charges him with corruption and they have been wiretapping his place the whole election. Read the timeline.
December 6th
Workers at Republic of Windows and Doors decide to occupy their factory in order to demand compensation for back pay wage benefits and healthcare.
December 7-8th
Obama, Jesse Jackson and others come out "in support" of the occupation. Obama-presidnet elect however has not done anything to compensate them or demand a "bailout" for these workers. That would actually mean he would have to do something to protect the people instead of bailing them out like he did when he worked for the bailout.
Same day Govenor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich comes out and says the state will refuse to do any kind of business with Bank of America until they compensate the workers for healthcare, wages and other things lost when teh company decided to ditch them with three days notice ( by law they are supposed to give 60 days)
December 9th
Govenor Blagojevich is charged with "political corruption crime spree." The only guy who was actually going to do something about Bank of America is now being charged. Of course, Obama who has not promised anything is not being charged with anything.This is obviously a frameup to attack this guy for threatening basicaly a state-wide boycott of BofA. Whether any of these things happened is irrelevant to the railroad. The bosses dont mind if you are corrupt and maybe buy prostitiutes on the taxpayers dime, just as long as you dont touch their money.The Govenor did so now they have some charge against him.
Thats why the idea of somehow "working within the system" is not effective. When you go at it a lone often you get attacked alone. If we organize politically the people, the working class has got to be involved and have our backs. Then if someone wants to take you down they will have to answer to more than just your lawyer.
December 6th
Workers at Republic of Windows and Doors decide to occupy their factory in order to demand compensation for back pay wage benefits and healthcare.
December 7-8th
Obama, Jesse Jackson and others come out "in support" of the occupation. Obama-presidnet elect however has not done anything to compensate them or demand a "bailout" for these workers. That would actually mean he would have to do something to protect the people instead of bailing them out like he did when he worked for the bailout.
Same day Govenor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich comes out and says the state will refuse to do any kind of business with Bank of America until they compensate the workers for healthcare, wages and other things lost when teh company decided to ditch them with three days notice ( by law they are supposed to give 60 days)
December 9th
Govenor Blagojevich is charged with "political corruption crime spree." The only guy who was actually going to do something about Bank of America is now being charged. Of course, Obama who has not promised anything is not being charged with anything.This is obviously a frameup to attack this guy for threatening basicaly a state-wide boycott of BofA. Whether any of these things happened is irrelevant to the railroad. The bosses dont mind if you are corrupt and maybe buy prostitiutes on the taxpayers dime, just as long as you dont touch their money.The Govenor did so now they have some charge against him.
Thats why the idea of somehow "working within the system" is not effective. When you go at it a lone often you get attacked alone. If we organize politically the people, the working class has got to be involved and have our backs. Then if someone wants to take you down they will have to answer to more than just your lawyer.
Adverse Possession
Squatting falls under the legal terminology of Adverse Possession, and Take Back the Land has been doing just that in Florida. They have had several successful "squats" so far and are working on others.As Wendy mentioned, her group OCAP had a similar campaign called Use It Or Lose It. From what I read they had some serious demonstrations
For those who are dead serious and ready to make some moves you can find a practical guide here. Even in the details of sleeping and watch shifts, garbage detail and highly technical electrical work, the idea of group and community organization is prevalent.
Michigan law specifically states:
"The elements of Adverse possession in Michigan are: actual, visible, open, notorious, exclusive and uninterrupted possession of the property that was hostile to the owner and under cover of a claim of right for a fifteen year period. " Rozmarek v Plamondon
It seems American exceptionalism has again led us to become foreign to the idea of squatting as there have been numerous movements throughout global squatting history. Squatting laws in the US are mostly relevant in the major cities, but we have had relatively small and short lived movements. I would assume that US state law lacks the precedents and is steeped in the capitalist's notion of private property. Nonetheless as you can see throughout history serious squatter movements were not necessarily concerned with the law.
San Diego Foreclosure
June just informed me that she is trying to organize to stop a foreclosure in downtown San Diego Thursday morning. The homeowner; Rasheeda, has also been the victim of predatory lending. The bank bought her home for a fraction for what she paid for it, and refused to negotiate a new loan. It looks like they are going to be able to get some semi-charitable legal assistance to put an injunction on the home; but we can have only so much faith in the legal system.
You can check out another side of June's story here, but as you see more and more homes foreclose, individualists and opportunists will realize the importance getting behind a movement that deals directly with working class America.
June mentioned that she was going to be able to get the word out on the local Channel 10 News, if her story doesn't fall to the wayside in light of the tragic fighter-jet crash. She still plans handing out flyers and getting the word out as best as she can in order to gather support.
Matt
You can check out another side of June's story here, but as you see more and more homes foreclose, individualists and opportunists will realize the importance getting behind a movement that deals directly with working class America.
June mentioned that she was going to be able to get the word out on the local Channel 10 News, if her story doesn't fall to the wayside in light of the tragic fighter-jet crash. She still plans handing out flyers and getting the word out as best as she can in order to gather support.
Matt
Report from Dublin Comunity Television
Here is a report from Dublin community television about a dispute involving Poish workers in Ireland.
Curran Aluminium industrial dispute from DCTV on Vimeo.
Curran Aluminium industrial dispute from DCTV on Vimeo.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Moratorium Now Meeting in Detroit
This past weekend in Detroit the coalition group Moratorium Now held a conference to discuss the fight against foreclosures in Michigan. 1 in 5 homes in Detroit are being foreclosed on and the numbers are not likely to improve anytime soon. There were around 50 people attending the conference on one of the coldest days so far this year. Some of the people who spoke were a retired UAW president, homeowners who were fighting foreclosures, welfare rights workers and two comrades from LMV.
An interesting and important point that was raised at the conference was by one of the welfare rights workers. It was after the UAW president had spoken and said that we were all in this together. The welfare right activist said we needed to be honest, we are not all in this together. Organized labor has gone on for far too long ignoring the needs of the unorganized and unemployed. She went on to say that in order for organized labor to win, they cannot continue on in this way and they must start to take up the demands of the larger workers movement. This is a fight about class, she said. This is a point that LMV had raised in the past at previous UAW conferences, advocating for the rank and file workers to take on demands important to their communities. In this way the movement could spread to the larger community and a common fight could be developed. Her points were well received by those in attendance and I was encouraged to hear people discussing how to build the larger working class movement.
We also heard from about 4 different people whose homes were being foreclosed on. The conference had time in the agenda for action proposals, some of which were to attend and try to disrupt the state of the state address, to have a protest outside Bank of America, and continuing to show our support directly in the neighborhoods where homes were being foreclosed on. After the conference, we caravaned to one sister's home who is fighting foreclosure and had a rally to show our support and speak out against what is happening in her community. It was very uplifting and several of the sister's neighbors came out to address the group thanking them for helping the sister and voicing their opposition to what foreclosures are doing to their community. We handed out leaflets to passerbys and held a picket in the street in front of the sister's home.
As the government continues to bail out wallstreet, mortgage lenders and companies like BOA and AIG, people are going to get more and more angry. Soon enough, most people will know of someone who is fighting against a foreclosure. We must continue to organize and grow the different campaigns like the Moratorium Now Coalition in Detroit and the Hands of Our Homes Committees that LMV is organizing. The conference in Detroit shows that already a strong network of militant fighters has started to emerge and as more and more stories like June Reyno in California begin to reach the people, more people will see a way to fight back and make concrete demands against foreclosures.
Allyson
An interesting and important point that was raised at the conference was by one of the welfare rights workers. It was after the UAW president had spoken and said that we were all in this together. The welfare right activist said we needed to be honest, we are not all in this together. Organized labor has gone on for far too long ignoring the needs of the unorganized and unemployed. She went on to say that in order for organized labor to win, they cannot continue on in this way and they must start to take up the demands of the larger workers movement. This is a fight about class, she said. This is a point that LMV had raised in the past at previous UAW conferences, advocating for the rank and file workers to take on demands important to their communities. In this way the movement could spread to the larger community and a common fight could be developed. Her points were well received by those in attendance and I was encouraged to hear people discussing how to build the larger working class movement.
We also heard from about 4 different people whose homes were being foreclosed on. The conference had time in the agenda for action proposals, some of which were to attend and try to disrupt the state of the state address, to have a protest outside Bank of America, and continuing to show our support directly in the neighborhoods where homes were being foreclosed on. After the conference, we caravaned to one sister's home who is fighting foreclosure and had a rally to show our support and speak out against what is happening in her community. It was very uplifting and several of the sister's neighbors came out to address the group thanking them for helping the sister and voicing their opposition to what foreclosures are doing to their community. We handed out leaflets to passerbys and held a picket in the street in front of the sister's home.
As the government continues to bail out wallstreet, mortgage lenders and companies like BOA and AIG, people are going to get more and more angry. Soon enough, most people will know of someone who is fighting against a foreclosure. We must continue to organize and grow the different campaigns like the Moratorium Now Coalition in Detroit and the Hands of Our Homes Committees that LMV is organizing. The conference in Detroit shows that already a strong network of militant fighters has started to emerge and as more and more stories like June Reyno in California begin to reach the people, more people will see a way to fight back and make concrete demands against foreclosures.
Allyson
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Chicago Workers Occupy Their Plant and Show How To Fight
I just returned from a rally at Republic Windows and doors in Chicago where workers are occupying the plant after they were given three days notice that it was closing for good. The workers were told last Tuesday that their plant would shut down on Friday.
The employer’s said that they were forced to close as their bank, Bank of America, had denied them financing so they could not continue to operate. Workers that I spoke to did not believe for one minute that their boss first knew that they would have to close the plant just three days before they did it.
The workers, members of the United Electrical Union (UE) voted unanimously to occupy the plant organizing themselves in to shifts and setting up clean up and safety committees. A worker I spoke to said that the mood was good and they were coming in and out in shifts. I asked the UE rep why the employer wasn’t threatening to drive the worker’s out from private property and she said that the Union had talks with the employer and it was most likely too that they did not want any more bad publicity and be seen as removing workers from the plant by force.
The workers are demanding that they receive their wages benefits and health care owed them by law. Under the Warren Act, workers are entitled to 60 days notice in the event of mass layoffs (75 in Illinois) and if they don’t get it they must receive the wages benefits (vacation pay) and health care for that period.
One worker I spoke to said that the company laid off 50 workers right before Thanksgiving and that they came to work one day and that much of the machinery had been dismantled and disappeared. He said that the boss never admitted to anything and that last Monday they came to work as usual but the next day (Tuesday Dec. 1st) they were told the plant was closing in three days. He said that the boss expected them to get their checks and go home Friday but they decided to stay in the plant until they got what was owed them.
At the rally outside the plant which was organized by a Chicago Interfaith group led by a Reverend CJ Hawkin, one worker, Melvin Maclan, said “It was time for the little man to stand up.” “Like Obama says”, he went on, “Yes we can.”
Lalo Munoz who has the most seniority at the plant with 34 years spoke passionately about the situation: “It’s not fair to close and kick us out on the street without vacation pay…the company don’t wanna pay it.”
The Union, B of A and the employer’s will be meeting on Monday and Lalo told the crowd of around 200 supporters that had gathered at very short notice that “We are going to stay here until we get an answer.” “Bank of America have a lot to do with this problem and it is one of the Banks that received billions from the government.”
Numerous top officials from organized Labor spoke including a Richard Berg from Teamsters Local 743 and someone from AFSCME Council 31 as well as someone from SEIU.
As is usually the case they sounded quite militant and talked of solidarity and unity and that they were speaking for their members and they were with the sit-downers on this etc.
“We are going to be here as long as it takes,” said Berg. This is a standard line that is used by Labor officials during all the defeated disputes over the last 30 years. He said that workers here are united, referring to the supporters, and that we are united across cultural, race and Union lines, Union and non-Union.
These are nice sounding words but unity is something that has to be organized and one thing that Union officials don’t do is mobilize their members to fight on our own behalf and use this power to reach in to our communities and the rest of the working class to build a generalized working class movement against the bosses’ offensive. We have seen top Union officials draw too many lines in the sand and the line has moved back so far and so often that the employers are not intimidated by it; you can only cry wolf so many times.
The fact that today’s rally was organized by Reverend Hawkin’s Interfaith group points once again to the failure of the heads of organized Labor. The Chicago Central Labor Council has up to one million members and is potentially the most powerful force in the city. The leadership of the CCLC was missing and the officials that spoke will not campaign within organized Labor against the collaboration of the heads of organized Labor with the employer’s agenda. The Reverend Hawkin and her group should be commended for their hard work and dedication, as this wouldn’t have happened at all perhaps if not for them, but the Labor leadership’s cowardice in the face of these attacks must not be obscured.
With the more generalized offensive against American workers intensifying, this is a great opportunity to build an independent movement against it and that can offer an alternative to the capitulation and concessions offered by the present Labor leadership and the Democratic Party.
Speaking to the crowd of supporters, Lalo Munoz made the point that this struggle is not just about our jobs; “We will not only lose our jobs but our homes too.” He said.
When he said that it bothered me that no speaker while I was there made any serious effort to reach out to other victims of the present crisis by calling on all people facing foreclosures to “occupy” their homes just like the Republic workers have occupied the factory; after all, most of the major media networks were covering the rally. Taking over our workplaces and taking over our homes before the banks take them from us is a first step towards the building of an independent working class movement that can change society for the better.
The workers at Republic Windows and Doors have taken a courageous step in the right direction. They are giving leadership. Working people as a whole should build on this by occupying every workplace where workers are threatened with lay offs and by organizing support for those faced with foreclosure that refuse to leave their homes. These efforts should be linked together and should take the form of Hands Off Our Homes Committees in the neighborhoods and Hands Off Our jobs, wages and benefits committees in the workplaces. Republic Windows and Doors and their supporters would be a good springboard for such an offensive
Any attempts by authorities to evict resisters from their homes or their workplaces can be met with mass rallies and direct action. This strategy can lay the basis for an offensive movement that rather than bailing out capitalism with our money, can to take on the bosses and create a democratic socialist alternative to the so-called free market.
The employer’s said that they were forced to close as their bank, Bank of America, had denied them financing so they could not continue to operate. Workers that I spoke to did not believe for one minute that their boss first knew that they would have to close the plant just three days before they did it.
The workers, members of the United Electrical Union (UE) voted unanimously to occupy the plant organizing themselves in to shifts and setting up clean up and safety committees. A worker I spoke to said that the mood was good and they were coming in and out in shifts. I asked the UE rep why the employer wasn’t threatening to drive the worker’s out from private property and she said that the Union had talks with the employer and it was most likely too that they did not want any more bad publicity and be seen as removing workers from the plant by force.
The workers are demanding that they receive their wages benefits and health care owed them by law. Under the Warren Act, workers are entitled to 60 days notice in the event of mass layoffs (75 in Illinois) and if they don’t get it they must receive the wages benefits (vacation pay) and health care for that period.
One worker I spoke to said that the company laid off 50 workers right before Thanksgiving and that they came to work one day and that much of the machinery had been dismantled and disappeared. He said that the boss never admitted to anything and that last Monday they came to work as usual but the next day (Tuesday Dec. 1st) they were told the plant was closing in three days. He said that the boss expected them to get their checks and go home Friday but they decided to stay in the plant until they got what was owed them.
At the rally outside the plant which was organized by a Chicago Interfaith group led by a Reverend CJ Hawkin, one worker, Melvin Maclan, said “It was time for the little man to stand up.” “Like Obama says”, he went on, “Yes we can.”
Lalo Munoz who has the most seniority at the plant with 34 years spoke passionately about the situation: “It’s not fair to close and kick us out on the street without vacation pay…the company don’t wanna pay it.”
The Union, B of A and the employer’s will be meeting on Monday and Lalo told the crowd of around 200 supporters that had gathered at very short notice that “We are going to stay here until we get an answer.” “Bank of America have a lot to do with this problem and it is one of the Banks that received billions from the government.”
Numerous top officials from organized Labor spoke including a Richard Berg from Teamsters Local 743 and someone from AFSCME Council 31 as well as someone from SEIU.
As is usually the case they sounded quite militant and talked of solidarity and unity and that they were speaking for their members and they were with the sit-downers on this etc.
“We are going to be here as long as it takes,” said Berg. This is a standard line that is used by Labor officials during all the defeated disputes over the last 30 years. He said that workers here are united, referring to the supporters, and that we are united across cultural, race and Union lines, Union and non-Union.
These are nice sounding words but unity is something that has to be organized and one thing that Union officials don’t do is mobilize their members to fight on our own behalf and use this power to reach in to our communities and the rest of the working class to build a generalized working class movement against the bosses’ offensive. We have seen top Union officials draw too many lines in the sand and the line has moved back so far and so often that the employers are not intimidated by it; you can only cry wolf so many times.
The fact that today’s rally was organized by Reverend Hawkin’s Interfaith group points once again to the failure of the heads of organized Labor. The Chicago Central Labor Council has up to one million members and is potentially the most powerful force in the city. The leadership of the CCLC was missing and the officials that spoke will not campaign within organized Labor against the collaboration of the heads of organized Labor with the employer’s agenda. The Reverend Hawkin and her group should be commended for their hard work and dedication, as this wouldn’t have happened at all perhaps if not for them, but the Labor leadership’s cowardice in the face of these attacks must not be obscured.
With the more generalized offensive against American workers intensifying, this is a great opportunity to build an independent movement against it and that can offer an alternative to the capitulation and concessions offered by the present Labor leadership and the Democratic Party.
Speaking to the crowd of supporters, Lalo Munoz made the point that this struggle is not just about our jobs; “We will not only lose our jobs but our homes too.” He said.
When he said that it bothered me that no speaker while I was there made any serious effort to reach out to other victims of the present crisis by calling on all people facing foreclosures to “occupy” their homes just like the Republic workers have occupied the factory; after all, most of the major media networks were covering the rally. Taking over our workplaces and taking over our homes before the banks take them from us is a first step towards the building of an independent working class movement that can change society for the better.
The workers at Republic Windows and Doors have taken a courageous step in the right direction. They are giving leadership. Working people as a whole should build on this by occupying every workplace where workers are threatened with lay offs and by organizing support for those faced with foreclosure that refuse to leave their homes. These efforts should be linked together and should take the form of Hands Off Our Homes Committees in the neighborhoods and Hands Off Our jobs, wages and benefits committees in the workplaces. Republic Windows and Doors and their supporters would be a good springboard for such an offensive
Any attempts by authorities to evict resisters from their homes or their workplaces can be met with mass rallies and direct action. This strategy can lay the basis for an offensive movement that rather than bailing out capitalism with our money, can to take on the bosses and create a democratic socialist alternative to the so-called free market.
Friday, December 5, 2008
They can't keep the human creative spirit down
I have been in Chicago for a couple of days and it has reminded me how much I miss real public transportation. I had to take the El from O Hare to the Lake which meant I had to transfer in the Loop at Jackson in downtown. Jackson is a fun place. As I walked up the stairs to the Red Line I could hear the music and eventually came to the source, a rapper who called himself Solo.
He had his little portable amp and sung about being in the subway. His voice drifted in and out with the music in perfect timing. There was a blind sax player and another couple of guys singing some blues on another platform the next day. Then there was the artist doing portraits in the tunnel.
Public transportation is much less stressful than being alone in our cars inching along in traffic. These folks at the subway stations have a captive audience for a few minutes until the next train comes and I could see that people actually enjoyed it, I know I did.
This is street art, human expression from the ground up and in contrast to the way we are all supposed to watch and worship artists rather than be part of the show and often produce some ourselves. We are collective creatures and public transportation is a much healthier means of transportation not just for those of us that use it but for the environment, but we are told we are only free if we can sit in our cars and drive ourselves. We are only really free if we have our own private room in the hospital rather than in wards with others suffering the same fate where solidarity and human compassion mix to provide an atmosphere of security and common good.
The rulers of society don't like us gathering in groups unless it is something they control and organize. We have a natural tendency to feel common bond with our own.
If you're in Chicago and use the subway you'll find no shortage of talent and creativity in Jackson station; it reminds us of the powerful human urges for artistic expression and human solidarity that capitalism finds so distasteful.
I see Solo is on You Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWF9J9UWDuE&feature=related -------- but it doesn't really do him justice.
He had his little portable amp and sung about being in the subway. His voice drifted in and out with the music in perfect timing. There was a blind sax player and another couple of guys singing some blues on another platform the next day. Then there was the artist doing portraits in the tunnel.
Public transportation is much less stressful than being alone in our cars inching along in traffic. These folks at the subway stations have a captive audience for a few minutes until the next train comes and I could see that people actually enjoyed it, I know I did.
This is street art, human expression from the ground up and in contrast to the way we are all supposed to watch and worship artists rather than be part of the show and often produce some ourselves. We are collective creatures and public transportation is a much healthier means of transportation not just for those of us that use it but for the environment, but we are told we are only free if we can sit in our cars and drive ourselves. We are only really free if we have our own private room in the hospital rather than in wards with others suffering the same fate where solidarity and human compassion mix to provide an atmosphere of security and common good.
The rulers of society don't like us gathering in groups unless it is something they control and organize. We have a natural tendency to feel common bond with our own.
If you're in Chicago and use the subway you'll find no shortage of talent and creativity in Jackson station; it reminds us of the powerful human urges for artistic expression and human solidarity that capitalism finds so distasteful.
I see Solo is on You Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWF9J9UWDuE&feature=related -------- but it doesn't really do him justice.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Traitors Among Us
While the Big Three beg for their lives so go the UAW and CAW leadership.
Predictably the auto workers in the US and Canada are sold out once again by the bosses and their leadership. If nothing else will serve to get worker angry enough to refuse to be used and exploited and manipulated , to be "restructured " yet again-one would think this would do the trick.
Swallowing the lie that there are no other choices, the UAW/CAW leadership ( they have lost their right to be called leaders-unless we think leaders should lead us into unemployment and poverty-some leadership that)are forcing concessions down the throats of the autoowrkers and throwing candy at the bosses. Candy for the shareholders/ poison for the workers.
There is nothing sweet for workers in the proposed boot-licking throw aways to the bosses.
It is time to place the blame squarely on the UAW/CAW leadership.
Sure we know the enemy is capitalism and the market and we need to make that clear all the time everywhere. When workers can no longer afford to buy back the products they produce because of the greed of the market-then they turn to credit as do the bankers and shareholders. When the market players , in their addiction to the game play fast and loose with our money , they predictably lose , the bills are called in and what do ya know no more credit. Forced to use credit, for our homes , our health care , education - we are punished for using credit and then they turn around and beg us to use more credit to buy , to rescue the plummeting economy.
Hey I may be just a stupid worker here but this sounds irrational to me-completey off the wall.
The only way to get this money back is to make sure that they squeeze the life blood out of the workingclass. But hey, that is the nature of the dirty game and until we get rid of it, take it back for ourselves , so it will be.
But the time has come to turn around and point very very angry and accusing fingers at the leadership of our unions-the other enemy. After all aren't they supposed to know this too!?
Apparently not-joined at the hip to the bosses -they do the dirty work for for the bosses and the shareholders and the banks . Capitalism is capitalism-we cannot expect a blind , hungry , mad dog to act like anything else except a blind, hungry mad dog. But we must expect our leadership, elected to rip the food stolen from us from the mouth of the mad dog and return it to us- we produced the food-it is ours.
They refuse to do this, then they say they cannot do this , "we have no choice and we are really doing you a favour by keeping the auto factories going and so what there will fewer of you, and you will work for less, and oh yeah, we forgot some of you young ones will get half the wage of the older workers." But do not worry , soon you all will work for less so it will not be such an issue." And "just forget those job banks-if you are laid off by the boss-tough a lay-off is a lay-off - suck it up guys and girls." And what about allowing the bosses to defer their payments to your health care trust great now you will not just be poor you will have to be sick and poor. I am not an auto worker but see no sign that my union leadership will not follow suit soon. So they screw us ,the source of all production and social wealth and hand it to the least productive , the capitalist class. Actually I should say parasitic capitalist class -that produces nothing but eats away at the host - the international body of workers. And they will no doubt expect us to thank them for screwing us.
Time to replace these traitors-time to demand they skulk away and get busy electing leaders that will take our dues and fight back ferociuosly.They are worse than the the bosses and do the bosses work for them. You think we are not beginning to see this-sure we are -soon some day - you will be gone.
Am I angry -you bet your work boots I am.
Predictably the auto workers in the US and Canada are sold out once again by the bosses and their leadership. If nothing else will serve to get worker angry enough to refuse to be used and exploited and manipulated , to be "restructured " yet again-one would think this would do the trick.
Swallowing the lie that there are no other choices, the UAW/CAW leadership ( they have lost their right to be called leaders-unless we think leaders should lead us into unemployment and poverty-some leadership that)are forcing concessions down the throats of the autoowrkers and throwing candy at the bosses. Candy for the shareholders/ poison for the workers.
There is nothing sweet for workers in the proposed boot-licking throw aways to the bosses.
It is time to place the blame squarely on the UAW/CAW leadership.
Sure we know the enemy is capitalism and the market and we need to make that clear all the time everywhere. When workers can no longer afford to buy back the products they produce because of the greed of the market-then they turn to credit as do the bankers and shareholders. When the market players , in their addiction to the game play fast and loose with our money , they predictably lose , the bills are called in and what do ya know no more credit. Forced to use credit, for our homes , our health care , education - we are punished for using credit and then they turn around and beg us to use more credit to buy , to rescue the plummeting economy.
Hey I may be just a stupid worker here but this sounds irrational to me-completey off the wall.
The only way to get this money back is to make sure that they squeeze the life blood out of the workingclass. But hey, that is the nature of the dirty game and until we get rid of it, take it back for ourselves , so it will be.
But the time has come to turn around and point very very angry and accusing fingers at the leadership of our unions-the other enemy. After all aren't they supposed to know this too!?
Apparently not-joined at the hip to the bosses -they do the dirty work for for the bosses and the shareholders and the banks . Capitalism is capitalism-we cannot expect a blind , hungry , mad dog to act like anything else except a blind, hungry mad dog. But we must expect our leadership, elected to rip the food stolen from us from the mouth of the mad dog and return it to us- we produced the food-it is ours.
They refuse to do this, then they say they cannot do this , "we have no choice and we are really doing you a favour by keeping the auto factories going and so what there will fewer of you, and you will work for less, and oh yeah, we forgot some of you young ones will get half the wage of the older workers." But do not worry , soon you all will work for less so it will not be such an issue." And "just forget those job banks-if you are laid off by the boss-tough a lay-off is a lay-off - suck it up guys and girls." And what about allowing the bosses to defer their payments to your health care trust great now you will not just be poor you will have to be sick and poor. I am not an auto worker but see no sign that my union leadership will not follow suit soon. So they screw us ,the source of all production and social wealth and hand it to the least productive , the capitalist class. Actually I should say parasitic capitalist class -that produces nothing but eats away at the host - the international body of workers. And they will no doubt expect us to thank them for screwing us.
Time to replace these traitors-time to demand they skulk away and get busy electing leaders that will take our dues and fight back ferociuosly.They are worse than the the bosses and do the bosses work for them. You think we are not beginning to see this-sure we are -soon some day - you will be gone.
Am I angry -you bet your work boots I am.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Another farce in Washington as the Auto execs return
The auto bosses are back in Congress today in act two of the farce intended to make it easier for their friends in Congress to give them working people's money. Instead of flying there in corporate jets there is even talk of these thugs taking ground transport and Ron Gettlefinger, the UAW president and one of their accomplices is boasting that he will be flying commercial.
Ford CEO Alan Mullaly tells Congress he will work for $1 a year. This type of media trick is supposed to fool workers in to believing that the CEO's will sacrifice for the common good. But Mulally got $28 million for four months on the job in 2006 and that came on top of some $7 million Boeing paid him for eight months work. Part of the pay package at Ford was a $7 million "hiring bonus". He also gets to take his family on the company jet and receives housing subsidies. And this as Ford jobs were eliminated and workers made huge sacrifices. Who cares if he earns a dollar a year? We're not stupid.
Ford told Congress that the company will also sell its five corporate aircraft and cancel all management bonuses. This charade is being performed due to the pressure the capitalist politicians in the Republic and Democratic parties are feeling from an angry populace.
Helping in this con game is the UAW president Ron Gettelfinger.
The only difference between the auto execs, their political representatives and other sections of the capitalist class is the level of retrenchment they are demanding from the big three. Bailout or loan, it doesn't matter, workers will suffer.
Congress and the auto execs are all in it together. The crisis in auto is one of overcapacity. The global auto industry produces too much and workers cannot buy back what we make, in auto or any other industry.
The reason for this is that industry is privately owned and only a portion of the value that workers produce is paid back to us in wages; this is the cause of the present crisis and the ongoing cyclical crisis in the market economy, it cannot be prevented except by the ownership and management of the commanding heights of the economy by working people and a rational planned system of production.
Alan Ulally and the other CEO's insult us with their offers of taking a pay cut to a dollar a year; they've stashed away hundreds of billions accumulated on the back of Labor as they simultaneously attacked wages, benefits and jobs with the help of the UAW leadership.
We must reject the notion that Congress and its politicians of the two capitalist parties represent "all" Amercians. They will defend the interests of their class and the market. Our goal must be to build an independent working class movement domestically and internationally that can manage society and the resources that our Labor creates in a way that is in harmony with nature and meets our genuine needs not those manufactured by Madison Avenue or Hollywood.
Ford CEO Alan Mullaly tells Congress he will work for $1 a year. This type of media trick is supposed to fool workers in to believing that the CEO's will sacrifice for the common good. But Mulally got $28 million for four months on the job in 2006 and that came on top of some $7 million Boeing paid him for eight months work. Part of the pay package at Ford was a $7 million "hiring bonus". He also gets to take his family on the company jet and receives housing subsidies. And this as Ford jobs were eliminated and workers made huge sacrifices. Who cares if he earns a dollar a year? We're not stupid.
Ford told Congress that the company will also sell its five corporate aircraft and cancel all management bonuses. This charade is being performed due to the pressure the capitalist politicians in the Republic and Democratic parties are feeling from an angry populace.
Helping in this con game is the UAW president Ron Gettelfinger.
The only difference between the auto execs, their political representatives and other sections of the capitalist class is the level of retrenchment they are demanding from the big three. Bailout or loan, it doesn't matter, workers will suffer.
Congress and the auto execs are all in it together. The crisis in auto is one of overcapacity. The global auto industry produces too much and workers cannot buy back what we make, in auto or any other industry.
The reason for this is that industry is privately owned and only a portion of the value that workers produce is paid back to us in wages; this is the cause of the present crisis and the ongoing cyclical crisis in the market economy, it cannot be prevented except by the ownership and management of the commanding heights of the economy by working people and a rational planned system of production.
Alan Ulally and the other CEO's insult us with their offers of taking a pay cut to a dollar a year; they've stashed away hundreds of billions accumulated on the back of Labor as they simultaneously attacked wages, benefits and jobs with the help of the UAW leadership.
We must reject the notion that Congress and its politicians of the two capitalist parties represent "all" Amercians. They will defend the interests of their class and the market. Our goal must be to build an independent working class movement domestically and internationally that can manage society and the resources that our Labor creates in a way that is in harmony with nature and meets our genuine needs not those manufactured by Madison Avenue or Hollywood.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Zionist regime prevents food aid from reaching Gaza
I was talking to a Palestinian American friend this morning and we don't always agree. He is not anti-semitic but his frustration at the gross one sidedness in the Israel/Palestinian crisis sometimes clouds his judgment which I find completely understandable.
The bias in the US media is incredible, just the way the two sides are referred to is one example. The Israeli occupiers are the Israeli Defense Force. Right wing religious fanatics are called "settlers". Palestinians who respond to Israeli violence with violence of their own are referred to as "gunmen". Mind you, the difference in the levels of violence is also astounding; you just have to do a body count. Israel has the fourth largest military in the world last time I checked, the Palestinians have no ships, no tanks, no aircraft no standing army and no state.
As for Gaza, it is the largest concentration camp in the world and Israel's complete control of it reminds me of the movie Total Recall in which a rebel group on Mars were fighting for their freedom against a dictatorship that controlled all aspects of life, water, energy, even air. This is how deeply Israel controls Gaza.
Just today, Israel prevented a Libyan ship carrying food and supplies to the besieged population from delivering its much needed cargo. When the Russians were accused of doing this in Georgia, preventing US aid from getting through, it was all over the media here.
And what about Zimbabwe? There's no shortage of print space and TV air time for this despot, but Israel is the champion of democracy. It is this situation, an unconditional support for the Zionist regime, that has increased anti-semitism and hatred for Jews who don't publicly condemn it among Muslims, particularly the youth. This increased anti-semitism is not comparable to the anti-semitism of European history. In Europe, the Jews were an opressed minority, in Israel they are the opressors of minorities and ensure their majority status through ethnic cleansing.
The Palestinian issue is a blot on the world and a crime against humanity. It sickens me to see Madonna and McCartney and other people loving billionaires visiting Israel and not making a public issue of Gaza and the general treatment of the Palestinian people. How can anyone go to Israel and not attempt to visit Gaza?
The bias in the US media is incredible, just the way the two sides are referred to is one example. The Israeli occupiers are the Israeli Defense Force. Right wing religious fanatics are called "settlers". Palestinians who respond to Israeli violence with violence of their own are referred to as "gunmen". Mind you, the difference in the levels of violence is also astounding; you just have to do a body count. Israel has the fourth largest military in the world last time I checked, the Palestinians have no ships, no tanks, no aircraft no standing army and no state.
As for Gaza, it is the largest concentration camp in the world and Israel's complete control of it reminds me of the movie Total Recall in which a rebel group on Mars were fighting for their freedom against a dictatorship that controlled all aspects of life, water, energy, even air. This is how deeply Israel controls Gaza.
Just today, Israel prevented a Libyan ship carrying food and supplies to the besieged population from delivering its much needed cargo. When the Russians were accused of doing this in Georgia, preventing US aid from getting through, it was all over the media here.
And what about Zimbabwe? There's no shortage of print space and TV air time for this despot, but Israel is the champion of democracy. It is this situation, an unconditional support for the Zionist regime, that has increased anti-semitism and hatred for Jews who don't publicly condemn it among Muslims, particularly the youth. This increased anti-semitism is not comparable to the anti-semitism of European history. In Europe, the Jews were an opressed minority, in Israel they are the opressors of minorities and ensure their majority status through ethnic cleansing.
The Palestinian issue is a blot on the world and a crime against humanity. It sickens me to see Madonna and McCartney and other people loving billionaires visiting Israel and not making a public issue of Gaza and the general treatment of the Palestinian people. How can anyone go to Israel and not attempt to visit Gaza?
managing money a good business
The most recent World Wealth Report revealed that the number of investors with more than $1 million in investable assets grew by 6% to 10.1 million in 2007. Meanwhile those with $30 million or more in investable assets grew by 8.8% to over 100,000. This doesn't include assets that are fixed or illiquid I would assume; not a bad year for some.
This has meant a bit of a boom in the management of family wealth companies, particularly as many of these global families are really global in nature. The cost of managing your wealth in a secure and profitable way runs about $100 million. Somali pirates have nothing on these guys.
This has meant a bit of a boom in the management of family wealth companies, particularly as many of these global families are really global in nature. The cost of managing your wealth in a secure and profitable way runs about $100 million. Somali pirates have nothing on these guys.
the old songs and wisdom.
I was thinking the other day about the way the banks and financial houses have stolen the peoples pensions, money and homes. They are just a bunch of robbers.
Woodie Guthrie wrote a great line in a song when he was talking about bank robbers in the 1930's and about the slump at that time which devastated peoples' lives. He wrote: "Some rob you with a six gun and some with a fountain pen." This is great. I suppose today's version would be: "Some rob you with an automatic weapon and some with a computer."
The bankers are all a bunch of robbers. They have forfeited all right to have positions of responsibility and wealth in the country. Just like their capitalist system has forfeited all right to exist. For a Democratic Socialist Federation of the World.
Sean
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