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October 31, 2008
More light on Guantanamo Bay
In the dying embers of the Bush administration as the world's media is tied up with economic meltdown laced with countless trivia the Independent finds time to report on how, after 6 long years, 6 Bosnians held without trial have had all charges dropped. No evidence has been brought forward.
So once again the civilised world has demonstrated how very superior it is to the rest that can be bombed, raped pillaged and incarcerated at the will of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld.
In a just world all will be tried for war crimes, but even with the prospect of a change of government, party and president crying change the prospect is beyond remote.
While we move on from Iraq to focus on Afghanistan with quick trips into Pakistan and Syria Bosnia, like those who have endured whatever was thrown at them at Guantanamo Bay, has been long forgotten.
How does it happen? As we see elsewhere those charged with coming up with solutions have bigger fish to fry. Lecturing on what you have or haven't done, like Blair, or ensuring the armaments industry's shares remain strong like Cheney is number one priority. The credit crunch mat be devouring the rest of us but that's millions of miles away from the priorities or interests of democratically elected leaders past and present.
Posted by John at 12:14 PM | Comments (0)
Blair's not around. Not in Gaza he isn't
Tony Blair's unpaid role as Middle East envoy appears not to be working. Why? Because he's too busy becoming the highest paid speaker in the world eclipsing Bill Clinton's earnings when he left office by a fair margin.
Gaza in particular has failed to move forward. While Blair's sister-in-law joined a mission of mercy and then got stuck in Gaza when she let a family in need escape, he prefers to think about where the next £ million will come from.
But no one ever thought that Blair had a commitment to the peace process. He has muttered that he didn't think the carnage in Iraq would have reached such proportions, but even there he doesn't appear to have lost much sleep.
Posted by John at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
To merge or not to merge
Looks as if Lloyds TSB and HBOS are going ahead with their merger. Looks like there are precious few HBOS executives to remain. Their former chief already walked off amidst a storm of controversy over remarks he made and an apparent refusal to give any sign of regret let alone an apology. If this lot go it could cost £7 million. Who pays for that. Us again I suppose. One has already waived a pay off (under pressure I think) but the system continues to favour the others. The rules were written by those so win or lose they could never lose out, or so it seems.
Meanwhile Barclays has found another option to being bailed out by this government. Middle Eastern royal families in Abu Dhabi and Qatar will own about a third of their shares. Is this what we need in the world driven by individual whims of a few who show little interest in human rights at home or abroad. The solution deepens the hole. More of the same ad infinitum.
Posted by John at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2008
The Congo. Once again war, once again the resources
The Independent reports on the terrible conflict once again consuming the Central African country. Tribal wars in the area called the "Heart of Darkness" by outsiders. Nothing of the kind says the writer. It is all about the Congo's tremendous wealth of untapped resources. The search for riches untold continues against the backdrop of a failed financial system.
"The United Nations investigation found it was a war led by "armies of business" to seize the metals that make our 21st-century society zing and bling. The war in Congo is a war about you." Source "The Independent" 30/10/2008
The writer continues. "There are two stories about how this war began - the official story, and the true story. The official story is that after the Rwandan genocide, the Hutu mass murderers fled across the border into Congo. The Rwandan government chased after them. But it's a lie. How do we know? The Rwandan government didn't go to where the Hutu genocidaires were, at least not at first. They went to where Congo's natural resources were - and began to pillage them. They even told their troops to work with any Hutus they came across. Congo is the richest country in the world for gold, diamonds, coltan, cassiterite, and more. Everybody wanted a slice - so six other countries invaded.
These resources were not being stolen to for use in Africa. They were seized so they could be sold on to us. The more we bought, the more the invaders stole - and slaughtered. The rise of mobile phones caused a surge in deaths, because the coltan they contain is found primarily in Congo. The UN named the international corporations it believed were involved: Anglo-America, Standard Chartered Bank, De Beers and more than 100 others. (They all deny the charges.) But instead of stopping these corporations, our governments demanded that the UN stop criticising them."
Posted by John at 4:07 PM | Comments (0)
Menezes. The witnesses
From the first the shooting of the innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes raised questions. To have been a passenger that day when the train stopped at the Stockwell underground station remains unimaginable. Now those present are talking about what they witnessed. One speaks of the police appearing to be a group of young lads larking about. This is at odds with the accounts of the police being involved in a deadly serious operation. The first time the witness realised something was wrong was when the first shot was fired. No one identified themselves as police. More questions raised, it seems, than answered.
The evidence from two witnesses so far contradicts claims that police called out warnings of who they were and that they were armed. We were told that they were acting in the belief that their suspect was about to detonate a bomb, yet to the witnesses their demeanor was even casual. "Lads having a lark" it seemed.
Posted by John at 3:48 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2008
When is a bank a bank?
Santandar might have saved B & B but who will save it? But is a bank a bank. Here we learn that they are getting rid of a business leasing railway carriages to train companies. For goodness sake. No wonder we can't afford to travel on public transport because everyone's got their hand in the till.
Anyway it's not gloomy everywhere as BP notches up record profits of 148% on everyone else's misfortune.
My Father had his own business. He manufactured and sold Rotaped Tracks and Muledozers which fitted onto tractors. Distillers, who I know of as Whisky traders, came along and took over the company. They put an accountant in charge who knew nothing about this product. His interest was in money. The product became second. So no wonder we have dropped from around 80% manufacturing to 20% with service industries the other way round.
Posted by John at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2008
Born in prison
Maybe if you're born is a prison you might end up being saviour of the world. Maybe you won't. A report says that now, under New Labour, around 4 children are born each week to women in our prisons. Recommendations were that this should only happen in "exceptional circumstances".
I visited a young woman on remand in a young offenders' institution. It was most certainly a prison. Sure they tried to ensure she developed her education and parenting skills, but the environment was extremely harsh. As a visitor you had to surrender the complete contents of your pockets before you were allowed in. And you were securely locked in. This young women had got in with the wrong crowd, but the reason for making her give birth in such a setting was certainly not "exceptional." She did very well, except she refused to listen to those who insisted she should not take the child into her bed. This is something much frowned upon, but as far as I know is not uncommon. Anyway I knew the reason why she did this. She had a child before that was taken into care. The child died while in "care". She found this out when she overheard someone speaking about it while in court. She quickly arranged to see the child's body and noticed serious burn marks on the legs.
When she left prison she went to a hostel for mothers and children. Many of those there were people with learning difficulties and had difficulties just coping with their children. The young woman did not fit in. She stayed out continually, the placement was ended and the child was taken into care. Like her mother she was in care and now the third generation. When, I asked continually when representing her at meetings with professionals, would this cycle end? And where did she go to when she was out without permission? She was visiting the grave of her first born.
The expensive system fails to support vulnerable individuals, far from it. There is a disincentive for the young mother to engage. The placement this young person was required to take up on leaving prison set her up to fail, the bureaucratic nightmare ensure she was driven back into her own world to repeat what had happened before.
Posted by John at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2008
Greenspan questions his own ideology
Alan Greenspan is a free-marketeer - or was. He now sees a flaw in his views, although he has been acting on the flawed model that led to the current crisi in capitalist free-market thinking. The "S" word, however, is still unmentionable and Gov. Palin has been trying to make it stick to Barack Obama, whereas it's George W. who is experimenting with it, albeit preserving the elite structure.
"Those of us who have looked to the self-interest of lending institutions to protect shareholders' equity (myself especially) are in a state of shocked disbelief."
We can shed a tear for poor Alan, never mind those who have lost all as whole blocks of homes are repossessed. Paulson has similarly stated that trust in the banks has been misplaced, but it hasn't yet sunk in that the whole free-market philosophy is bound to end up this way. The medicine - more of the same - is to protect the wealthy. Obama has been roundly condemned by one of his own supporters for going with the bail out that favours the rich and leaves the poor to struggle on alone. Still he's already being accused of "socialism". Chance would be a fine thing.
Posted by John at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)
Pauline to be remembered at rally
Pauline to be remembered at rally
NO MORE DEATHS IN CUSTODY
Press Release
10th ANNUAL DEATH IN CUSTODY FAMILES IN MARCH ON DOWNING STREET
The United Families & Friends Campaign, the national coalition of families whose loved ones have died in police, prison and psychiatric custody will march to Downing Street to challenge the Prime Minister to intervene in the lack of justice for families following a death in custody.
Families attending include those of Jean Charles De Menezes, Roger Sylvester, Brian Douglas, Mikey Powell, Christopher Alder, Paul Coker, Jason Mcpherson and many others.
Important notes:
1. Since 1969 we have had 2,533 deaths for which the names of the individuals are known. Hundreds of others are unknown. Between 27 October 2007 - 17 October 2008 we have had 182 deaths where the identity of the individual is known. Details: www.inquest.org.uk
2 This is the 10th such march and coincides with an online petition on Downing Street to which the Prime Minister must respond. Details: visit 4WardEver page
3. Since last years march there has been the tragic death of Pauline Campbell who was in the midst of a campaign for justice for her daughter Sarah. Her passing will be marked during the day.
Details: www.rememberpauline.wordpress.com
Procession details: Saturday 25th October 2008
Assemble at 1.00pm at Nelsons Column, Trafalgar Square, London
Procession along Whitehall followed by protest at Downing Street
Press information: UFFC 07770 432 439
FBU 07764927729
Pauline had been a tireless campaigner against the deaths of women in prison and psychiatric custody ever since the tragic death of her own daughter, Sarah, in 2003.
A report by Pauline Campbell on Styal Prison..
Posted by John at 9:37 AM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2008
Thanks for the bail out, it will pay for our bonuses nicely
The news that neitherWall Street nor the City have not changed one iota and is using handouts from taxpayers to continue to pay huge bonuses once again demonstrates that the unregulated free market has the power to make its own rules irrespective.
If it's the case that the bonus culture has contributed significantly to the current economic crisis it is abundantly clear, if not before, that the injection of pubic money is not the answer. I thought it was understood that payment was on condition that bonuses were not awarded and that this should continue until repayments had been made. Future bonuses would be linked to success and only success in improving business.
Countries struggling to fight against poverty are finding the economic crisis adding to their burden. As an article about South American countries says many are "bemused" by the astronomic sums being used to tackle the problem they have themselves created.
Elections in the US promise change, but that change won't be one that will make a difference here. Obama supported the bail out of the banks incurring the wrath of his own supporters. Who is fighting for those losing homes, jobs, savings? Those attempting a socialist alternative will continue to champion the oppressed but continue to attract the ire of the wealthy nations. Clearly their wealth depends upon it.
Posted by John at 11:52 AM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2008
The NATO Nightmare
NATO is embroiled in Afghanistan fighting a war that, according to some closest to the combat, it can't win. Is NATO a force for good or evil? It seems as if it civilians who are taking the brunt of the conflict, yet unlike Iraq there is no talk of pulling out, only of sending more lambs to the slaughter.
NATO came into being following the World War II in the context of a divided world and a "cold" war. Since that has ended why NATO? It appears to have become a political tool, but while it is portrayed as a "peace keeping" organisation this is in reality highly questionable. While some are demanding an increase in troops in Afghanistan others are saying that this conflict is going nowhere while death and destruction are the main outcome. For what?
It is now above all a tool for spreading US domination putting into action the highly discredited foreign policy that Bush managed to sell to some European leaders. So conflict in places like Georgia or Serbia is more rather than less likely.
In this nightmare world the warmongers are included as recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. One such is Martii Ahtisaari a former president of Finland, an advocate of carpet-bombing in the Balkans and enthusiastic supporter of the war in Iraq.
Posted by John at 2:27 PM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2008
The Real McCain
An Italian newspaper has secured an interview with an officer who supervised presidential; candidate McCain's imprisonment in Vietnam. Far from torturing him he says that he was treated for the serious injuries he had following his plane crash with scarce medicines.
It's amazing what claims are made when it comes to electioneering. Hillary Clinton's account of a trip to Bosnia doesn't exactly tally with that of others who were there to report the event.
Posted by John at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)
October 8, 2008
"The days when Washington sneezed Latin America caught pneumonia are over"
Have Latin American countries now moved sufficiently away from US control of their affairs that their economies have been cushioned from the US centred economic crisis. It seems as if there has been a growing trend towards co-operation in the region with a number of countries democratically electing socialist administrations. This has not been without significant reaction. In Bolivia some of the regions declared themselves no-go areas for the elected president Ivo Morales. Morales has for the first time given a voice to the oppressed majority of Amerindian people.
One report from Latin American source reads as follows:
Why the US financial crisis is good for Latin America
"The near panic by US policymakers over the state of the US financial system is causing more than wry amusement in Latin America. Ardent leftwingers, such as President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and President Cristina Fernández of Argentina can barely stop themselves from gloating. What is more significant is that more sober citizens such as Alejandro Foxley, now Chile's foreign minister, argue that the US deserves what is happening."
Source: Latin American Economy & Business 25 Sep 2008
Posted by John at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)
October 7, 2008
Cuba: the nuts and bolts and why Socialism is necessary
Once more I am interested to read how Cuba pulls together in spite of the turbulence of economic embargoes and destructive hurricanes. While Fidel Castro has passed on his office he remains in possession of detail of what is needed to keep the essentials going and clear of priorities to the most vulnerable and needy.
In his reflections published in Granma he describes in some detail the post-hurricane situation and what is needed to keep going. He contrasts the way people are pulling together is in marked contrast to the turmoil that more affluent and developed nations, the behaviour of governments and outcomes for working people. This is not a rant about political theory, far from it. It is a practical demonstration of how a state can and should care for its people.
Apart from catering for internal needs Cuba continues to help others substantially with medical and educational aid. In return five of Cuba's people are locked away in US jails unable to make contact with their families. They are there because they uncovered terrorist plots to return Cuba to its former playground for the wealthy and often criminal fraternity. This has been successfully resisted for 50 years now an dis encouraging others to follow a socialist path by democratic means. This is happening in Venezuela, Bolivia and Equador where socialist leaders were elected. Many others are watching and will follow.
Posted by John at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
Somewhere there was a glimmer of hope in the economy. Where and why was this?
Yesterday as everyone was rushing round like headless chickens, and despite Peter Mandelson's reappearance dithering was the name of the game in the UK and Europe. Somewhere someone made a decision which had a dramatic effect on some Asian stock markets. It seems that it was because Australia decided to act decisively and cut the bank rate to encourage the return of confidence. This gave rise to the hope that others might follow.
It seems according to one commentator that the Australia government has also taken some control over all its banks which has also helped to steady nerves.
The fact remains though that the wealthy controllers of banking will continue to call the shots and the idea that the system that has caused the mayhem can put things right is a myth. Wealth distribution requires a fundamental and irreversible shift.
One of the identified perpetrators was put on the spot in Washington. The boss of Lehman Brothers was asked to account for himself. Although he affected some personal contrition describing the "sleepless nights" he had at one or other of his vast estates, he denied the role of his and other organisations in the financial disaster. Although his company went bankrupt and failed he himself can walk away with his fortune virtually unscathed. A good system, designed by the powerful to protect themselves win or lose. Not so good for the vast majority whose sweat and endeavour contribute to their corruption and avaracious habits.
Posted by John at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
This is Iraq. Under Saddam? No this is "democracy" today
The independent shows what is going on in the "democracy" gifted to the Iraqi people by the beneficence of George W. Bush. The barbarism attributed to Saddam Hussain is here with botched executions a regular feature dispensed by the democratically elected regime.
There are descriptions of how those charged summarily of insurgency are pushed off a bench with a noose around their neck. The drop is insufficient so they land on the floor. If it continually fails then the victim is taken over to a corner and shot in the head.
Is US barbarous? Is UK? Supposedly civilised nations continually turn a blind eye to horrific acts here and everywhere. Mugabe is condemned for the reported murders, mutilations and torture in Zimbabwe, so here we have breath taking double standards at work.
The much requested withdrawal of US and other troops from Iraq will leave a country not only disfigured beyond recognition with death, injury and the loss of the heritage that developed over millennia, it will have a murderous, corrupt government. That government is the one agreeable to selling off precious assets to the US and co.
The supposedly triumphant insurgency has left its legacy. Health improvements? Cholera is up because supplies of clean drinking water has become scarce.
Posted by John at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)
October 6, 2008
Tony Blair endorses the come-back kid
Evidently Peter Mandelson consulted Tony Blair before accepting Gordon Brown's exceptionally kind offer to return to Government. What a surprise. It's pretty clear Gordo's going nowhere without the patronage of the former PM. Just as with Mandelson the very idea that Blair or New Labour were vanishing has just been a mirage, or for some of us who fought for Labour to come to power a forlorn hope.
The comment by Mandelson that "he is joined at the hip with Brown" is a trifle ambiguous when you think about it. Perhaps he means they are jolly good mates and any rift between him and Gordo, TB and Gordo is past. It could mean on the other hand "I'm standing right beside him holding a knife to his back and he better understand that". Like the New Labour modernisation intrigue it's very much there fighting a rearguard action. The question for us is do we want more of this, or would we be better off with the real Tories driven into obscurity when a better Thatcherite appeared on the scene.
The first real test arrives today as shares plunge wildly across Europe. The friendly togetherness portrayed as a select few European governments, including Brown for Britain, met to decide collectively what to do. Now Chancellor Merkel, part of the group to have met, has announced unilaterally that Germany will guarantee bank deposits, as have Ireland, Greece and Denmark. Precisely what Gordo and Mandy didn't want to happen and didn't apparently expect. Now what can be done? As Mandy perceptibly observed (ie pretty bloody obvious) that this could lead to economic nationalism. Merkel had previously announced she was against doing just that. Well if Gordo' found someone he can blame when things get out of hand I suppose he's the one who will triumph???
Interesting to read that Jon Cruddas turned down the invitation to join the party. The Brown idea to open doors to a wide political spectrum has been compromised. I, like many others, have left New Labour to their own devices. I felt for a time it was important to stay inside the tent but it became clear (many others knew this before) that New Labour is lost to any vestiges of socialism or pretence thereof. Cruddas presumably feels that there is little that can be done form the left given the aggressive market-driven entity that is New Labour. All we have is party competing with party to be better at wooing capitalism. Where the will is to try and even control it beyond what has to be done to get through this crisis I can't see.
Posted by John at 9:40 AM | Comments (0)
October 5, 2008
I am struggling to understand this
Iran, it is claimed, is hell bent on creating atomic weaponry. Israel are straining at the leash to bomb Iran. We understand Bush is not encouraging this at the moment having given the impetus and means to the Israeli government to do just that. There have been exercises mounted in preparation according to press reports.
Why though is Iran's possession of such weapons of mass destruction any more unacceptable than Israel's. This begs the question of such an arsenal being held by anybody. It's just the hint of hypocrisy which abounds, particularly around the Middle East. Iraq has been virtually destroyed on an argument which turned out to be a lie that it had weapons of mass destruction.
In another Haaretz article there is a piece about the present director of Mossad, Meir Dagan, named "man of the year". The writer wonders if it would have been more appropriate for him to be assigned "killer of the year", given his credentials, and wonders why such attributes should be so widely praised in Israel today.
"Commentators from the most popular and influential media outlet in the country announced their decision after holding a shallow and absurd discussion. '[He is] a man who has done only good,' political analyst Emmanuel Rosen said of the selection, speaking on behalf of judging panel. Who is this rare and illustrious person who did so much good? Mossad chief Meir Dagan. An excited Rosen added: '[He is] a man who would cut the throats of terrorists with his own hands, using a box-cutter - a man of action with a knife in his teeth.' "
Should we sleep easily in our beds knowing that such people are abroad with massive power in their hands, unrestrained by super powers. If it's OK with Bush then no one else will gainsay it. Israel showed itself capable of going into the Lebanon causing mass destruction, and one of the heros is, yes how did you guess, Mr Meir Dagan.
Posted by John at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
October 4, 2008
New Labour resurfaces
The idea that the New Labour dream was at an end came rather too soon it seems. One of the chief promoters of the idea is back in town following an assignment in Europe where he was sent to keep out of trouble, and, it was thought, would do less harm.
Peter Mandelson is back in government and once more we have to endure that smirking self-satisfied image on our front pages. It is too much. While in Europe his doings were questioned by some . Clearly he fell foul of Nicolas Sarkozy who blamed him personally for a "no" vote in Ireland on Europe.
Even more intriguing, did he have anything at all to do with the Smelly and Scratcher affair. Several names were mentioned. Surely not Peter, but who knows?
Now as he emerges through the fog and gloom of exile we will keep a watchful eye on this moderniser, the one who promoted the New Labour that amplified and intensified Thatcherite dreams, the destruction of any vestiges of socialism and the lionisation of the free markets which will provide our most basic needs in future. The fact we can't now afford even the basic services as they become privatised and profit is the key. This mantra of un remitting greed has brought the house down, and now they bring in the demolition team to put it back together.
Posted by John at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
October 1, 2008
Dead ducks
What does it take to do from being a lame duck to a dead one? Seems to be the verdict that there's one on Capitol Hill. Dead economically, dead politically. But is Mr President taking the GOP with him? Many have resisted his call for a bail-out of the banks. Many constituents see this as rewarding the rich. While it might save a few friendly skins the rank and file risk their homes, their jobs, their pensions and everything else.
What's the cost of America's wars, wars that the US has persuaded many other countries to join on a pernicious divide. First the terrorist bogey, then the economic bogey. Let's scare people into submission.
So congress men and women are fighting shy, the irony being that Republicans more than Democrats have stalled. The bail-out looks like being necessary, but is that the end of the matter?
Fidel Castro felt that he had to comment on the issue with regard to what is happening in the US back yard. Venezuela, Bolivia, now Equador have had democratic referenda, with the hitherto excluded indigenous, oppressed majorities being involved. The elite don't like it, the US don't like it. In the past the US have been prepared to assassinate leaders they don't like and genocide has been committed affecting particularly the Amerindians.
The talk is of "Democratic Socialism", and in all three countries so far change has come from the ballot box. Threats of violence come from those defending the status quo, an elite preserving their own interests who seek (and often get) US backing.
Posted by John at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
