LL:DDN: Socialism from below
Socialism From Below A discussion series sponsored by Workers Liberty, Sydney. We will be examining the Hal Drapers pamphlet The Two Souls of Socialism and extracts from his 4 Volume work Karl Marxs Theory of Revolution What the Marxists Internet Archive has to say about Hal Draper: From 1932 until his death in 1990, Hal Draper was a prolific Marxist writer and a socialist activist. In the 50s, a time of general collapse and demoralization in the American left, Draper edited the weekly Labor Action, a political journal widely read in Europe as well as the United States because of its uncompromising rejection of the American consensus which did not depend on accepting that other form of despair the slavish defense of real existing socialism as the only alternative. It was not possible, of course, to remain in opposition to the real existing crap of both sides of the Cold War without rethinking the history of the movement. Drapers 4-volume Karl Marxs Theory of Revolution is his principal achievement in this regard. (http://www.marxists.org/) First two meetings in the new series of discussions: 4 November . The Two Souls of Socialism 9 December: Karl Marxs Theory of Revolution Pt 1 6:00 pm The Café Blue 313 King Street Newtown (2 mins, opp Newtown Station towards City) Upstairs Contact WL for copies of readings if required: 0419 493421 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://australia.workersliberty.org/ -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:leftlink@;vicnet.net.au Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDV: "Asylum Seekers and Australian Activism" Conference
"ASYLUM SEEKERS AND AUSTRALIAN ACTIVISM: THE RISE OF A NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENT" Saturday 30 November - Trades Hall, Melbourne This unique conference will explore the growth and development of the refugee rights movement from a social action perspective. Through presentations from a range of activist organisations involved in the movement, it aims to draw out lessons about what kinds of social action strategies and tactics work, and why. Speakers will be drawn exclusively from activist organisations. Through a range of panel discussions and workshops, "Asylum Seekers and Australian Activism" aims to facilitate open debate around which way forward for the movement. The conference agenda has also been designed to allow for maximum input and discussion from all conference participants. Unfortunately, time constraints mean that not all organisations involved in the movement can be represented on the official conference agenda. However, all activist organisations and asylum seeker service providers are invited to hold information stalls at the conference and to get involved in a day of lively debate. Registration Fee: $20 fully waged / $10 students, concession card holders, unemployed, activists, members of community organisations. For further information or to register, check out http://advocacy.tce.rmit.edu.au or contact Gillian on 03 9925 2910 or at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sponsored by the RMIT Community Advocacy Unit and the Melbourne Community Foundation. Gillian Davy Co-ordinator, Community Advocacy Unit School of Social Science and Planning RMIT University GPO Box 2476V Melbourne VIC 3001 http://advocacy.tce.rmit.edu.au Tel: +61 3 9925 2910 Fax: +61 3 9925 1855 -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:leftlink@;vicnet.net.au Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:INDEX: Workers' Liberty No 27 Nov. 2002
Inside: Bali bombing: reports and analysis: · Repression unleashed? · Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific · FNPBI Indonesian unionists call for action on Bali bombing Socialist Alliance: reports and analysis: · Left unity means uniting with the working class · Cunningham By-election · Left Unity meeting Blackshirts and community resistance Refugees Tampa, SIEV X Anniversary of shame NZ left regroupment Mobilise to stop the war drive discussion British Socialist Alliance backs Fire Fighters strike action Book review: China and the global economy FFilm review: Wedding in Ramallah Afghanistans peace that isnt Plese note the new URL for our website: htttp://australia.workersliberty.org/ Editorial Bali bombing Unleashing more repression? We condemn the bombing in Bali, and offer our deepest sympathies to the victims from all countries. Discovering the truth We have no trust in the Indonesian police and military (the butchers of East Timor, Aceh, West Papua) to conduct an inquiry that will discover the truth. We have no trust in The USA (most recently the butchers of Afghanistan and Iraq), or the Howard government (the USA's unconditional ally) to uncover the truth. The results of investigations so far as reported in the media are contradictory. Cases are being made that the perpetrators are Islamic fundamentalists, possibly associated with Al Quaeda or with Jemmah Islamiah. But there is a long history in Indonesia of collaboration with such reactionary Islamists by sections of the ruling elite and the army in pursuit of their interests. The bombs could be aimed at weakening the Megawati government. There is speculation that elements of the TNI (the Indonesian military) could have played a role in the bombing. Others allege that it could be a US plot to keep the threat of "terrorism" alive. None of these explanations is beyond belief, which means that any of the police and military forces which are being authorised to investigate the bombing, conceivably could have reasons for covering up. The Indonesian authorities may well frame a guilty party in order to appear to be addressing the problem. With guardians like these We have no confidence in the US led "war on terror" to keep us safe from such attacks. In 13 months since September 11 they have failed to capture Osama bin Laden. They have murdered Afghan civilians by the thousands, and they have spent the last several months preparing war on Iraq and Saddam Hussein who has not been connected with either attack. Meanwhile the governments of several countries where evidence has strongly suggested that Islamist terrorists operate (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia) have not taken any action, but the USA approves of these governments and has done nothing. The Howard Governments' priorities were revealed with its failure to publish a warning from the US State Department that tourist destinations in Indonesia were serious targets. A serious warning from US intelligence that energy supply infrastructure in Indonesia was a likely target was published and acted upon. Australian capital invested in Indonesia had to be protected. But diplomatic relations with Indonesia seem to have been considered more important than issuing a warning that might have led some Australian tourists to stay away from Bali. Freedoms The reaction to this bombing by the governments in Indonesia, Australia and other countries is likely to be to increase police and army powers and to further curtail civil liberties and freedoms. We know that Bush, Howard and their cronies will try to use this horror for their political ends. First up in Australia will be a renewed push to pass the laws to extend ASIO's powers to clamp down on civil liberties. The ALP and other parties have opposed the ASIO laws so far - we call on them to refuse to buckle under to Howard on the back of these events. Bush and Howard will try to use this tragedy to argue for a renewed clamp on civil liberties and for "strong states" throughout Asia - for Malaysia's Internal Security Act, for Indonesia to crack down on dissent of all types. Within 10 days of the Bali bombing Megawati had introduced decrees that increased police powers to arrest and detain without trial. In Indonesia this is particularly dangerous for the fledgling trade union and democratic movements, against whom the state will not hesitate to use the laws when they judge the time is right. The political dangers in Indonesia are grave - there could be a return to naked military dictatorship, unelected presidency, intensified repression of national independence struggles, an Islamist resurgence and the repression of women which it typically carries out, a split in the military along sectarian lines. Our response to this bombing is: For Australian unions to express their solidarity with Indonesian unions and workers for: · a joint Indonesian Australi
LL:DDV: Coming soon at Trades Hall
GET IT LIVE - GET IT AT TRADES HALL ARTS, bringing class back into the class struggle . . . - COMPLICITY presented by Keep Left Theatre - Complicity . . . A workplace death . . . A fight for justice . . . Is the right to die the only right granted freely to workers ? Why does our society deem industrial accidents to be an unpleasant trifle and why is industrial manslaughter condoned in the pursuit of profits? Keep Left Theatre explores the after-shocks of a death in a small industrial plant. A process line churns out a very necessary commodity - cigarette lighters for cars. Cost cutting, forced overtime, non-union labour, and the modern slavish pursuit of economic rationalism combine with old-fashioned greed to produce the inevitable tragic result. This production examines the effects on the surviving workers and their fight for safe working conditions. Complicity is performed in the recognisable style of Keep Left Theatre where fast moving scenes, dramatic dialogue intersperse with comedy relief. Once again writer Frank Otis and director Chris Gaffney take a controversial issue and give us a topical, witty and deeply moving production The Old Council Chambers 8pm, Wednesday - Saturday until November 2nd Tickets Full $15/ $9 Conc - Bookings Ph: 9318 5271 --- HARD TRAVELING . . . The WOODY GUTHRIE Story in Song --- He inspired the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springstein and Billy Bragg. Woodrow Wilson Guthrie is often considered as the original folk song hero - as early as the 1930's he was the first to use the folk ballad as a means of social protest. This informative and entertaining night will rediscover the songs and stories of Woody Guthrie - from the Dust Bowl Ballads to his Union and anti-fascist songs. Features PETER HICKS (Tasmanian Folk Hero), MELANIE SHANAHAN (from Alaska) and the VICTORIAN TRADE UNION CHOIR. Trades Hall Bar 7:30pm Thursday, October 31st Tickets $8 Full/ $5 Conc Bookings Ph: 9639 8622 IS POLITICS SHOW BUSINESS FOR THE UGLY? Comedy Debate Fundraiser Rod Quantock, Lynda Gibson, Janet McLeod, Damian Callinan, Mel Sargeant & Nic Economou debate this vital question! Definitely not to be missed! "Don't make me laugh" - John Howard (Fitzroy North) Brought to you by Gavin Jennings MLC & The Melbourne Province Secc. No election announcements or correspondence will be entered into on the night. The New Ballroom 7:30 Friday, November 1st Tickets $35 Full/ $30 Conc - Bookings ESSENTIAL Ph: 9419 7740 -- ACCESS NEWS Final 2002 Screening -- Featuring:- WTO Special, Labour Lockup, Pine Gap, MX Subversion, Honk 4 Old Growth, Political Graffiti, Corpwatch and much more . . . Access News is produced by volunteers - video activists, culture saboteurs, mischief makers and others who want to see some 'real' news on television. Trades Hall Bar 8pm Monday, November 4th (Cup Eve) FREE EVENT - Donations welcome GET IT LIVE - GET IT AT TRADES HALL 54 Victoria St (Cnr Lygon St) Carlton Ph: 9662 3555 Trades Hall Bar - open nightly from 5pm 'til late Friday Happy Hours 4-7pm DRINK OF THE MONTH: ALCOHOLIC GINGER BEER (it's new, its green and it's YUMMY!) ONLY $5 more info visit www.tradeshallarts.com.au - "This machine destroys fascists" - etched into Woody Guthrie's guitar -> Pass it on -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:leftlink@;vicnet.net.au Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:ART: Editorial: "War on Terrorism"
The following Editorial was published in "The Guardian", newspaper of the Communist Party of Australia in its issue of Wednesday, October 30th, 2002. Contact address: 65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. Sydney. 2010 Australia. Phone: (612) 9212 6855 Fax: (612) 9281 5795. CPA Central Committee: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> "The Guardian": <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Webpage: http://www.cpa.org.au> Subscription rates on request. ** Editorial: "War on terrorism" Faced with growing scepticism and massive opposition to any war against Iraq, those who are now almost hysterical in their promotion of the "war on terrorism" (and John Howard is in the forefront), require a continuous stream of terrorist act to keep up the momentum. An objective look at the major terrorist acts of the last few months raises some interesting questions. First of all, it is worth recalling that the Taliban and al Qaida were financed, armed and trained by the US to fight against the Soviet Union. They were then referred to as "freedom fighters". In the course of this campaign the bin Laden family which is centred in Saudi Arabia and not Afghanistan, became close business partners of the Bush family. There is no indication that these links have been severed. Did this organisation actually turn on the United States or are some of its leaders still in the pay of the US and, like contract killers, are prepared to do any required job for their paymaster? And who benefitted by their actions? The Bush administration used the destruction of the World Trade Centre to launch its worldwide "war on terrorism", to line up many other governments to join in this "war" and to mark down for occupation or destruction any government that did not fall into line. Each "terrorist act" has its perpetrators and its political objectives. Any study of a major terrorist act involves consideration of its political context and the asking of the question: whose interests are being served? There are three recent major terrorist acts and a number of smaller ones. Firstly, the bombing of the French tanker off the shores of Yemen. Why should al Qaida, if it is genuinely anti-US, want to bomb a French ship when the French Government was taking a leading role in opposition to the US war against Iraq in the UN Security Council? The purpose of the attack on the tanker may well have been to put pressure on France to abandon this position and to warn France that it was not immune from terrorist acts in the future. Then comes Bali. No organisation has claimed responsibility for this terrorist act (or for the attack on the French tanker) and the continual assertions coming from the Australian Government that it was the work of Jemaah Islamia have so far not been supported by any facts and have been specifically rejected by Indonesian authorities. In practical terms it has allowed the US, Britain and Australia to put considerable pressure on Indonesia to join the "war against terrorism", to arrest the leader of Jemaah Islamiah and to raise the question of stationing Australian, US and British police and other forces in Indonesia. Furthermore, it has been used both in Indonesia and Australia to justify sweeping legislation that severely restricts democratic rights in both countries. It has also been used in an attempt to frighten Australians and to justify the use of Australian forces in this so-called "war" at a time when a majority of Australians are strongly opposed to participation in a war against Iraq. This is how the Bali incident has been used irrespective of who may have undertaken the atrocity. And now comes the occupation of the Moscow theatre by Chechen separatists. Those involved in this terrorist act have been clearly identified. But what is not so well known is that the Chechens have been and are being supported by forces within the European Union and by the US, even though they have made platitudinous statements about Chechen "terrorists". The mass media has scarcely been able to hide their sympathy for the Chechens. The Russian Government is also among those strongly opposing any US war against Iraq. Is the Chechen action being used in the same way as the bombing of the French oil tanker and the Bali incident? The "war on terrorism" is a campaign launched by imperialism to justify war against any number of countries, to justify their occupation and the taking over of their economy by the transnational corporations. It is by these means they are attempting to re-impose worldwide colonialism * -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:leftlink@;vicnet.net.au Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:majordomo@;vicnet.net.au?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
Resist police state ASIO laws
The following article was published in "The Guardian", newspaper of the Communist Party of Australia in its issue of Wednesday, October 30th, 2002. Contact address: 65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. Sydney. 2010 Australia. Phone: (612) 9212 6855 Fax: (612) 9281 5795. CPA Central Committee: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> "The Guardian": <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Webpage: http://www.cpa.org.au> Subscription rates on request. ** Resist anti-democratic ASIO laws The Howard Government has used the Bali bombings as an excuse to re-introduce legislation to increase the powers of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), and last week attempted unsuccessfully to use a "guillotine" motion to bulldoze the legislation through the Senate. Claiming that ASIO needs to have the ability to obtain a warrant or to interrogate suspects - powers ASIO currently does not have - in "the fight against terrorism", the proposed legislation would give ASIO powers to forcibly detain not only anyone suspected of terrorist activities, but also anyone who ASIO believes could supply them with information. However, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) already have that ability, and the government's primary reason for transferring that role to ASIO - turning ASIO into a secret police force - is to undermine civil rights. Detainees could be held for up to 48 hours without access to legal advice, and that detention order could be renewed. Anyone refusing to answer the questions put by ASIO could be punished by up to five years' jail. The legislation would eliminate the presumption of innocence, the right to silence, the right not to incriminate oneself, the right to seek bail. Greens leader in the Senate, Bob Brown, described the legislation as outrageous, and said that it made fundamental changes to Australians' civil liberties and democratic rights, and warranted a full debate by the parliament. The Bill has now been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee, for an inquiry whose terms of reference include: * the development of an alternative regime in which questioning to obtain intelligence relating to terrorism is conducted not by ASIO but by the AFP, including appropriate arrangements for detention of terrorist suspects, and questioning of persons not suspected of any offence; * the relationship between ASIO and the AFP in the investigation of terrorist activities or offences; * the adequacy of Australia's current information intelligence gathering methods to investigate potential terrorist activities or offences, recent overseas legislation dealing with the investigation of terrorist activities or offences; * whether the Bill in its current or amended form is constitutionally sound; and * the implications for civil and political rights of the Bill and any proposed alternatives. The Committee has until December 3 to report on the results of its inquiry. The Government previously attempted to pass legislation which would have given it the power to proscribe organisations which it simply declared to be terrorist. The Senate rejected this wide-ranging legislation. The Government was finally forced to accept legislation based on proscriptions adopted by the United Nations. In the aftermath of the Bali bombings, the government moved to proscribe the organisations al Qaida and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which Australian agencies and other Western security agencies claim were linked to the terrorist attacks on New York and Bali. The government was horrified when it learnt that a legal technicality in drafting the legislation meant that al Qaida could not be proscribed until December, nor could JI be outlawed until early next year. The government rushed through special legislation to allow it to deal with these organisations immediately. The Howard Government is still intent on using the terrorist threat to gain draconian anti-democratic powers and to involve Australia in a US-led war for oil against Iraq. Commenting to The Guardian on the Government's legislation, Peter Symon, CPA General Secretary, said that "the so-called 'war on terrorism' is being used as the excuse to destroy long-standing democratic rights that have been fought for and won by the people over many decades. "It is part of the offensive being undertaken by conservative governments in a number of countries which, overtime, will be used to silence opposition to their war policies. "The capitalist system is now in very serious economic and political crisis and wants to silence all criticism of its policies. "Those organisations that are resisting this attack on democratic rights should be supported. A common front of all progressive organisations can put a stop to both the war plans and maintain our democratic rights", said Peter Symon. -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List
