Leftnews.org

–Unionists must respond with a more intense international solidarity campaign against these practices by the Colombian government.

A number of national and multinational enterprises are waging a systematic campaign to rid themselves of trade unions. The Spanish multinational Union Fenosa and its Colombian distribution company Electricaribe, for example, are deploying a strategy of harassment, persecution, repression and illegal actions against its workers in a bid to oust the union

–Our provincial government likes to point to Ireland as an example that we should pursue (not around zero tuition fees but around taxation). Have a read of this:

“…(A) little beauty from the Irish Times. It tells us that the average Irish worker produces 48,500 euros of profit per year for the owners. These figures were produced by the Unite union to disprove the idea that profits for Irish capitalists are somehow ‘too low’ or being squeezed by unjustifiably higher wages. Actually, it suggests an extraordinary rate of exploitation. According to the Industrial Development Agency [pdf], the average wage in Ireland was 627.24 euros per week in 2007, which is just over 32,000 euros per year. This figure is offered by the IDA as an instance of how competitive the Irish labour market is for foreign direct investors. It boasts of a skilled, educated labour force capable of the production of a great deal of value at lower cost than German or Dutch workers (but, interestingly, a bit more expensive than the average UK worker). According to Unite: “In total terms, profits in the sector increased by over €5.6 billion in the five-year period [2000 - 2005], while total wages - despite a substantial increase in employees [over 50,000] rose by well under half”. Some industrial sectors experienced a rate of profit as high as 40%, which is well above average, comparable to the UK Continental Shelf (north sea oil) in recent years.”

–Freedom of the press in Iraq? See post below.

–Freedom of the press in Israel? Not likely.

Omer was abused and assaulted by Israeli security personnel at the Allenby border crossing into Israel from Jordan as he tried to return to his home last week in the Gaza Strip.

–Klein points out that imperialism is in full swing in Iraq. Profits. It is all about profits.

–The CPI (Marxist) may leave the coalition it formed with Congress after the last election. Congress would be wise to yield to the communists’ demand of independent nuclear policy and rational economic policy.

–What they don’t want to tell people is that it is a regular crisis in capitalism. There is not much they can do that is different than what they are doing right now — except reject free-markets, increase public spending, etc. Of-course, this would be unthinkable of the neo-liberal governments that make-up the majority of the G8.

–The difference between tactics of the US towards “dealing with” Iran and the DPRK.

–One can only wonder at the ineptitude of the US Administration. I cannot see how they possibly think that attacking Iran will do anything but make the world economy grind to a halt, cause more destabilization in the Middle East, extend violent conflicts, end peace negotiations in Israel, and lead to nuclear disaster.

–Seems like something that the Provincial Government should be looking at.

Toyota and the U.S. auto companies are locked in a race to the bottom, which will inevitably lead them to adopt each others worst practices. A recent paper from the National Labor Committee exposes the abuses routinely committed at Honda.

Below is an interview with Charles Kernaghan, you may remember him from the documentary “The Corporation.”

Interview

July 3, 2008

Ottawa - The Council of Canadians is calling on the Harper government to respect the will of Parliament and the Canadian people. Despite strong public support for war resisters who want to stay in Canada, the Harper government has remained silent, apparently content to let deportation proceedings continue, the organization says.

“The war resisters seeking refuge in Canada have shown tremendous courage in refusing to participate in an illegal war, and it is time the federal government let them stay,” says Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “It is shameful that the Harper government, so fond of telling us to support the troops, is trying to send these heroic soldiers back to persecution in the US or redeployment in Iraq.”

Stephen Harper’s adherence to the policies of George Bush is at odds with the views of the majority of Canadians who oppose the Iraq war and who have been supportive of refuge for U.S. war resisters. On June 27, Angus Reid published its poll results showing three in five Canadians (64%) are in favour of giving U.S. soldiers the opportunity to remain in Canada as permanent residents. A recent Strategic Counsel poll has revealed that 82% of Canadians oppose the Iraq war.

“Canadians support the war resisters. Parliament supports the war resisters,” says Dylan Penner, Media Officer for the Council of Canadians. “Over one million civilians have perished in the illegal war in Iraq and Canada made the right decision not to participate. How can we punish the war resisters for making the same decision?”

The Council of Canadians joins the War Resisters Support Campaign in calling on the federal government to respect the democratic decision made in the Parliament of Canada. On June 3rd, the House of Commons passed a motion calling for an end to deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and other war resisters.

The Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest citizens’ organization, with members and chapters across the country.

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For More Information: Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians Office: 1-800-387-7177 ext. 249

canadians.org

–Venezuela continues to try to foster non-violent political revolution in South America.

–The TUAC has released its latest statement for the G8. For those interested in the way that international labour organizations interact with the groups like the G8, have a read.

–An article about Corey Glass in the Toronto Sun after the day of action yesterday. If you haven’t already, please call Diane Finley’s office and let her know that she should follow the will of the majority of the country. Let Corey Glass stay!

–Socialism continues to be the leading cause of hope in South America.

–Global monopoly capitalism continues to cause hunger around the world.

–Conservatives continue to be the leading cause of global warming.

–The Canadian economy.

–Cusack and Klein. It is nice to see that Cusack’s politics are rather good. War Inc is based on Klein’s book.