Tuesday, December 13, 2011

O.I.L.

I have been meaning to write this post for ages, seriously. Before I decided to sprint for President of Ousa (and I'm rather bad at short bursts- I have more endurance) I was going to write an article for Critic. I could still write it someday. I ended up failing to write the article, however in the process I learnt a very important lesson. I wanted to write about O.I.L. It's a big word and we all know what it means and its implications. I've been thinking of an acronym: Oligarchic Investments Ltd.? Oops, Includes Leaks?
The government is interested in oil exploration, coal extraction and maybe one day sawing off half the alps- the Denniston Plateau is step 1 of the process (Help stop it!). The process of extraction in large parts of the country, including Canterbury, is a fracking lot! Fracking, aka hydraulic fracturing, is a method of extraction that practically bombs the oil or gas out of the ground with a jutting mix of water and chemicals. Add to that tastiness, the methane or black debris that it is known to contaminate the water supplies and explode houses- You should check out the documentary Gasland.
Due to this, and that fracking causes earthquakes- as have happened in Lancashire and Oklahoma- I was going to write an article concerning oil drilling off the coast here. I talked to activists, Maori friends from Kai Tahu, a DCC councilor and an energy studies academic. The way I saw it, the DCC had no power, and this was confirmed to me (I have the interview if you want). It was a central government decision, so the only way to stop it was through Kai Tahu central. Why? Well Kai Tahu is one of the Iwi with most mana in the country, with a massive influence. Its decision could be detrimental to governmental policy as it would enpower activist groups, smaller Iwi and foremost have a massive media coverage. It was confirmed to/by Radio New Zealand that the Iwi takes each decision case by case, however they feign concern. When I tried to contact them, on a regular basis for a month, I got no response. The Maori friends I talked to only wanted to be anonymous, as they didn't want to be seen as making a judgement before the board did. These friends of mine gave me details about meetings, and they told me they disagree with the profit-oriented leadership of the Iwi. However as I failed to get the higher echelons of Kai Tahu on tape, I decided I couldn't make the article. This was a failure. Now I realise that the fact that the Iwi didn't talk, that it's members feel slightly disenfrachised and that they disagreed should have made it to the news in  itself.

Today the surveying ship arrives in Otago, in fact it's here below our noses. It's a shame I am leaving to Auckland in about half an hour. However I will get to see Oil on Canvas, made by Greenpeace from Rena disaster crude.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Chile's Student Protests.


After Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship ended around twenty years ago, it left a legacy of neo-liberalism controlled, at first, by the US. Chile was in fact the testing grounds for neo-liberalism. Chile's education system is thus now the second most expensive in the world after the US. Many students cannot get an education and many others cannot afford to finish.

Following the example of Argentina a few years back, where the country eventually achieved free tertiary education; the Confederation of Students of Chile has been at the forefront of student protests and occupations since the breakdown of negotiations with Pinera's government. Since April this year, but with more emphasis this semester, 100 high schools and a dozen universities have been shut down by protests. There have been 132 protests this year in Santiago alone. Since, the government has proposed a bill that would criminalise student protests, which sparked a 48 hour general strike shutting down the country. Reports say 70% of Chileans agree with the aims of the student movement.

Protesters according to a friend of mine are “prepared to give up as many months of study as it takes to see real change happen” in the country. Some universities have been in 'lock-in/out' for up to 80 days, other groups of students have taken part in hunger strikes. Marches take place weekly across the country, in the capital Santiago marching to the presidential house.

The opposition have raised three points aiming for a “new agenda”, these include equality, “inclusive development" and a new constitution. However in the past the main party of the opposition the “”Socialist”” party has said they “did not have the support of all political sectors to advance from profit-based education, to education that is free […] and for all”. The student bodies are aware of this as the largest strikes that hit the country went against the socialist government in 2006. The socialist government, moreover, was in power from 1990 to 2010, without achieving any change in the education system.

The protests have in many cases been non-violent, but not predominantly. The only protests the government allows are the ones tagged non-violent, but these often break down into rock throwing form the students and charges, rubber bullets and teargas from the police. Journalists and civilians are routinely beaten up in the process. 

Interestingly Pinera became a billionaire while Pinochet was repressing Chile's working classes.

Unlike New Zealand, education is not a given in a country that's already poorer than most. Chile according to the GINI index is one of the most unequal in the world. This is due to Free Market Rule. 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The sky was darkening and there had been a layer of high fog over the city all day. I walked past the Octagon again this evening. Last night I was there roundabout the same time, with hundreds of others in expectation of the eviction of the local Occupy. Rumour goes the police wasn't even aware of an eviction until the rag had told them, which strengthened the occupiers belief that the media was forcing the event -in hope of tomorrow's fresh splash. That is possibly all it was, though a trespass notice had been given to the group, the bells eerily chimed eight resonating in an air crisp with electrifying anticipation. In contrast with a few minutes beforehand, when the 300 or so protesters had been chanting and marching around the Octagon; everyone was now quiet, prepared media crew were in their vehicles and the speakers' words rang hollow. For minutes at a time the sound of sirens forced people to instinctively turn. False alarm, nothing. I stayed til two philosophizing and talking politics, and helping to protect tents and protesters from a relatively paced onslaught of negative public feedback, including a headbutt which has since gone viral.

Today the tents were still there, though typical of midweek at the site, the new public forum of the square held few people after dinner. Instead of staying I thought I'd make my way to the uni library.
"Talking about foreign policy... Dan! how are you?"
I quickly dived into the depths of memory to remember him -"uh, wasup bro, having a good night?"; ah yes, from uni.
"Good mate, just come from the Octagon? Going to uni, exams? Good night?"
What a barrage of questions, I noticed he was slightly intoxicated. "Yeah, finished though. Just off to write some e-mails to the family. It's the only place I can do it, the library..."
"Oh, you must've been one of the first! I've been celebrating uhm ah Malbas we.."
"So you've finished too! For good"
"Yeah, na na. Just a coup hoping for a better place"
A coup!? Celebrating..? I couldn't quite understand what he was talking about. His demeanor was confusing, his words came flustered but also mumbled. I felt quite alarmed.
"Wait, a coup where?"
"... enough lack of equality, corporate greed..."
"Where has this coup been" And why the hell was he talking about it so personally!? I was becoming impatient.
"Look man, where..."
"These politicians have blood on their hands and... Here."
My mouth hung gaping, by the second I was becoming more confused. I looked around, was this a joke? Who's in that car behind me? I looked up the street quickly before looking at the man. The whites of his eyes had light red cracks and his gaze was glassy.
"Wait, what?"
"In Invercargill, come down to the quarters and... so many murders in their hands these politicians it is really quite a scary thing. So enough, equality all. From Invercargill, South Island going up from here, or down because Invercargill is up and it's all good". 

I stood staring at him still while he talked. I felt like a train had hit me, but equality and military... but New Zealand? We are in New Zealand. My thoughts rushed as fast as the adrenalin through my veins. I just realized I had seen an army truck, with its massive wheels and high motor, driving quickly not even five minutes ago. From the Naval HQ just down the road. It's benches were empty.
I was still in disbelief, I felt like this was an incredibly transcendental moment. How do I stop this.
"But it's all good" he repeated. "I'm off down now, maybe you should check the news more often". 
"Yeah... I'll uh, cool." I turned around and started walking to the library.

I was feeling incredibly paranoid. Everything around me was a sign, I felt like a hawk ready to dive on the smallest piece of evidence. I couldn't believe him, but was it true? There weren't many cars around, bars and restaurants were open, but empty. I took notice of my phone, nothing. For a second I told myself it was all normal, then I decided to look into Malbas.

It was also empty. Though nothing pointed to the drunk words of my friend, I still felt hawkish. When my phone went I jumped, thinking it may be a more political friend- it was just work. I now heard someone shout and round the corner someone looked to be superstitiously texting. My ears turned to any conversation i could pick up on and walking I stared into restaurants hoping to catch a glimpse of a news report.
At last I arrived to Uni, busy with exam study as usual at this time of the year. I was called to by a political friend to participate in my usual political conversations. This was ridiculous, but I checked up the news as quickly as possible, with nothing new.

This post has been cross-posted to savvyprojectingsatori.blogspot.com.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

1% vs. 1%: Dunedin occupiers lack cohesion, ignored by majority.


For almost two weeks the Octagon has been occupied by a group of citizens, pitching up a colourful display of tents. The occupation is in “solidarity” with New York- also demanding cuts to corporate greed, a change in the financial system and a more representative and accountable democracy.

The move had been heavily planned in the preceding weeks, with people from all sorts of organisations chipping in in the logistics and organisation. I helped contact a few groups. Possibly unbeknownst to the occupiers, October 15th was also the day Anonymous called for as part of a nation-wide strike in the UK, it was also the 4th anniversary of Te Urewera Terror Raids.

On D-day more than 200 people passed through the Octagon supporting the protest against the current economic system, that night 18 tents were set up. A week later the number had swollen to 42, but the movement lay in disarray.

While the protests in Wellington and Auckland continued to grow, with increased support from the general public, the universities, etc. In Dunedin it seemed unclear to many why people were protesting. Little information had been given out.

Enough of a birds’ eye view, within there is little cooperation and cohesion. I have spent a couple of nights there and, aided by reports from others, I don’t think much talk of policy is going on. I certainly didn’t witness any. I understand they don’t even know how they will respond to the police, which means they could respond negatively. A large section of the group believes in non-violence and civil disobedience. I personally talked to others who fantasize with how the London riots went.

Certain elements of the protest have also distanced it from the Dunedin public. It is a hotbed for “radicals”. While this response is to be expected by the media, it isn’t one the protesters have tried to counter. Indeed bringing dogs into council meetings, shouting at the mayor and passers-by, a lack of information and an inability to work as a group have electrified a sense of tension amongst tent city. I know people who don’t feel they can bring their kids to the protest, a friend of mine was almost hit by a fellow occupier who wasn’t stopped by others. This isn’t a place for kids. It is also a place Rape Crisis don’t feel welcome to, and Norml have hardly made a presence. Many other groups and political individuals have shied away too.
In Wellington and Auckland the occupiers organise daily workshops open to everyone. Here only one leaflet has come out, made by the member almost punched (because he expressed his views to his comrades on the protest). The point of the protest was to unite individuals who feel change is possible, people who are ready to discuss ideas and tactics, to plan and organise. Many of these individuals, and the groups whom they’re part of, are denouncing Occupy.

Why?

People see radicals who don’t do much. This is the idea we have to correct (note I haven’t used ‘shatter’, ‘destroy’…). While “radicals” are an essential part in a democracy, people aren’t moved by their rhetoric- this talk of ‘workers’ has become outdated to many. ‘Workers’ still exist, just not in factories. They –we- are still manipulated by the system and we slave for it- damn that rhetoric!
Na, our taxes still pay for their, our, environmental destruction. Current hegemony is chosen by us, we choose it in its cultural form and abide its ideology as if it were ours. Every strand of current political theory is of course affected by this hegemony- through media, through ‘choice’. We choose of the range of choice put down onto our plates, this range makes us believe there is diversity and plurality in society. It is our pseudo democracy.
Whether representative democracy (or any other system (I have lately been taking a train trip into the prairies of postmodernism))can change the way we think or told to think is a debate well worth having, maybe even at the octagon. First of all though the Octagon has to be open to everyone, isn't it a public square? People should be able to debate in general. Particularly we should be able to debate a way forward.

There is no point in saying what is wrong with the system if we cannot pin down alternatives. These alternatives need objectives and end-goals. The mayor is more than ready to listen, in fact he has conceded to the protesters' demand for a portaloo. Plus the ODT loves this shit! If the occupiers can accommodate a range of views and if it can figure out ways forward (whether through consensus or through vote), it will be a force to be reckoned with. We need it to either open up or close and start again.
For now it is occupied spelled with an "A". The initial momentum of the first day gave way to a lack of cohesion and cooperation that will be gleefully seen whither away from the council chambers. The bells are chiming. Let's not hear their toll, it will then be business as usual.

P.S. I doubt the police will evict the occupiers, but watch out for Melbourne and Oakham.
Other links: why we are important.


Monday, September 12, 2011

When we stop eating with people. When we start shooting strangers.

Nicky Hager recently published a book, Other People's Wars, in which he demonstrates New Zealand's true war "aid". With stats from the Ministry of Defence, private testimony and other sources, he shows the SAS are not there to reconstruct. Instead they take an active part in the war in Afghanistan. This is known to many left wing activists, but to some it has always had the ring of a conspiracy theory. Now they could be proven wrong.
As Nicky says, very few people know what is actually going on in Afghanistan. All we get is "candy-flossed" media coverage, always showing the New Zealand troops as didactic peace-keepers. Why then do they die "in combat"? We all thought they weren't combating? You see the media does not lie, but it may often hide the truth. Peace-keepers are sometimes described under the term "peace enforcers", this would be a much more accurate representation of their role. NATO is enforcing our defenition of peace, our defintion of society and to our economical or political benefit. This is New Zealand's longest war, yet we have nothing to do there. The war on terror, whatever that is, finished 4 months ago with the death of Osama.
Nicky tells us that the SAS are not just in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have a presence in Oman and Yemen too as well as other regions of the world. We are lied to in this case, but mainly it is because of politicians and a corrupt media system, no longer a watchdog of public interests but a lapdog of private greed.
Here is a Press interview with Nicky about his book.

Politicians also lie to us about the policy that gets passed in parliament, or that which is still on the books. A food bill will go through soon, it is vague and weighs a ton and a half and we wouldn't be wrong to see it as our own food bible. It tells us what we will and will not be able to do, for our health and security. There is the potential that food stalls, sausage sizzles, lemonade stands, community gardens etc., will be closed or restricted to only a few sellers and users. If not it will definetly be covered and wrapped with thick red tape.
In the US people have already been arrested for sharing food, bartering and growing it in their own gardens/manufacturing it. We do not want a law like this to pass,  even especially if it has been created by the WTO.

Last, New Zealanders will soon have to vote in a referendum. Many of us do not know, but we are going to have to vote on our system of vote. According to Metiria Turei, the referendum is being pushed by National because FPP (First past the post) would give it an absolute majority in parliament. ACT is also behind it, even though FPP would destroy its presence in parliament, just like it will destroy the presence of all minor New Zealand parties, possibly even the Greens. A voting system that does not allow a party with 8% of the vote to get in is far from representative.
In the referendum we will be asked whether we want to keep MMP or not. MMP is the current system. It is much more representative as it allows the presence of minor parties. While it could become more representative, even if we decide to keep it it will be reviewed in order to improve it.
Become informed, you will be asked to vote in a month's time. The campaign has been shortened because of the rugby so you should inform yourselves, it is to National's interests to keep you apathetic.
Here are some short youtube vids on the referendum, MMP anf FPP.

These issues and a couple of others were talked about on the Social Justice League, on radio 1 10-12 Fridays.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

World Cup Flu.

The World Cup (W/C, cz it's shit) is starting tomorrow, to most of our collective national horror. I'm not sure how many people give a damn, but the hegemony imposed by the media has forced us to believe that this is the only thing that is actually happening! Far from it, New Zealand and half the countries involved in the W/C are involved in a geo-strategic war that has displaced millions and killed a majority of civilians and a minority of freedom fighters- those are my words, not Hone's. I'll be talking about that in my next post.

We don't have to go that far though to see a reality we should have been more aware of, and more considerate of. New Zealand is brewing a 'brown underclass', mainly in suburbs of South Auckland as well as very rural Maori areas. In Dunedin, while industry flees off-shore, the southern suburbs are left increasingly poor as well. I find it very hypocritical that we invest millions into a game and a couple of stadia while we leave more and more people to fight of desperation, frustration and depression on the dole. As the parents have no money, 200,000 kiwi kids live under the poverty line. In other words around 6% of the country.

Instead of investing in better infrastructure, more opportunities, better social services- such as the South D library that has been on the books for a good decade- we waste it on infrastructure that fosters an unnecessary sense of nationalism. In Auckland we've built the Cloud, in Dunedin Forsyth Barr; thus wasting millions of dollars just to give us a fleeting grasp of happiness!

I guess though, as we slowly starve, belief in a [g]od, nation, culture or all is a mild anasthetic. Mild, but flamable. Why should we forget the duty of the state to its people? While we continue our transition from an example of a functioning welfare state to a business sweatshop, our underclasses will increase and grow more unstable by the day.

In the time being I will not support New Zealand, no matter how much I am forced to do so by the profit-driven media bodies around.

Monday, August 15, 2011

End of poverty? Think again.

This is an awesome movie everyone should watch. It looks at how illogical this obsession with growth is, looking at historical and current situations from Bolivia to Kenya. Featuring top grade economists. Watch it!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

London's Burning, Police Found Guilty.

On Saturday in Hackney an individual was stopped and searched by police, on the same day as a peaceful vigil was held commemorating the fatal shooting of a civilian again by the police. Later, police in riot gear were attacked.

What connections do we see? Police, Pigs, PoPo. Though titles on the BBC read: 'Police Attacked', 'Mobs in London', 'Violence hits new parts of London'; they should read 'Police behind it'. Can we actually believe the sensationalist reports saying it's 'an absolute war-zone'? or misleading ideas saying shop-owners are losing their livelihoods? were police just walking around, casually on a weekend stroll, in their riot gear when they were attacked?

I've been following the reporting by the BBC. It says who: criminals/youths; when: Saturday, yesterday, today; where: London; what: rioting; how: through violence... But why? Journalism follows a series of conventions, as a to-be journalist I will not follow them. Objectivity benefits the right, the status quo and authority. Moreover it is a myth. Foucault would say it is part of a media discourse, itself a product of the discourses of capitalism and government. Reality is subjective, I see things personally, I project my experiences and ideas to every news story I read. The events in London are done by people.. angry at the way they are constantly mishandled by police.
The Met Deputy Assistant Comissioner says: "When we have large numbers of criminals intent on that type of violence [i.e. burning, looting, protesting], we can only do that, get lots of officers there quickly and try to protect local businesses and local people."
A misconstrued reality, the people are on the street. Business will be payed back by insurers.

We have to look at the reasons why the police are being attacked. Last week an individual was shot, this week someone was being searched. What authority do they have? I have often seen police speed, I have been stopped and photos have been taken of me. I never did anything wrong but go to protests. London has been protesting for much more than just three days. Last year there were 50.000 on the street, the year before as well. It's always youth. What are they unhappy about? Is generation Z anarchic and ungrateful? Or are we having to push the boundaries to express a systematic reality. Climate change, education and the economy are all constructed in a certain way. Neo-liberalism runs wilder and burns faster than and doubledecker bus in London. It's in our food, we spoon it for breakfast, at school, on the couch watching TV. 
The markets are currently crashing, this double-dip has been predicted but the brunt of the hit will again go to beneficiaries and workers, while corporations will receive yet another budget bail-out like the one recently approved by "Left-wing" Obama.

I don't agree with attacking the police, there should be a clear differentiation between attacking property and people. Property is inanimate, it represents the state's authority. People act knowing these institutions exist. I don't think the police should have as much power as they do, but this is not their fault as individuals, the police body stands in front of the government in its protection. Any individual policeman is innocent of the way the system works, so they should not become targets. What if they attack Tottenham blacks and jews? London has not fully integrated these populations, nor has the rest of Europe. From here we see the violence these groups of the population suffer from, like in Sweden. Jews were once scapegoats, now Islam is.

Attacking property though only gives the state an excuse to repress and create culprits. On the other hand it brings the point across. The media love a class-based conflict with burning stores.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Refugees are the future. Ours or theirs?

I have written in a fair while, I've been way too busy. It'd be more correct, actually, to say I haven't blogged in a fair while. I have been doing a lot of work for Critic and a lot of planning tends to go in to the political Radio shows -I could fit two or three entries worth a week- you can listen to it on Radio1 from 10 to 12 on Fridays, internationally if you want! Last but definetly not least, the set-up of our political organisation, OGNA, is going well. Although we are all busy, we now have a magazine, to which I contributed many articles. All the mag articles are on the blog linked above.

Right, that out of the way, is it any wonder I have lately been looking into space unintentionally, much more often than usual. Thoughts blank, I stare until I notice my eyes are getting dry. In other words, I'm exhausted! A word I argue is quite onomatopeic. Uni, work, Critic, Radio, seeing people... 15+15+6+6+20=no sleep. Enough of that though, though I'd love to rant, I only have so much time before I'm hungry!


What I really want to talk about is the New Zealand respose to refugees. A couple of weeks ago, the media, which tends to be rather story-less in NZ, reported that Sri Lankans were planning on coming to New Zealand. Normally this wouldn't be a problem. As long as they spend money, they can take over the country for all John Key cares. However these were refugees, economic migrants. There are clear distinctions between the two words, but both imply they will need the support of the New Zealand welfare system. May I add, at one point enviable, now deplorable. John Key is already on a crusade to steal the gold off the Afghanis poorer kiwis. The burden of education, necessary to keep democracy running and society efficient is every day more obviously being thrown onto the backs of parents or students. Medical services are being cut, the dole isn't rising, sometimes I wonder why my taxes increase. What do I get from paying them but an increase in debt and a reduction in pay? I digress. These Sri Lankans, first may not have been coming to New Zealand at all. For all we know, they were escaping their country and we have to ask why... Is it because the Tamil population has been subject to a government aided campaign of ethnic cleansing? Aimed at destroying language, culture and race? This is the treatment the Tamil population has received in the last almost 30 years. Is it then irrational that they want to leave in the most insecure of boats, often paying years-worth of salaries, in search of a better education and a better future?
I think not.

John Key, calling on metaphores of war and behind a wall clearly saying 'fuck off you foreigners' is saying this not just to Sri Lankans or any other group of refugees, he is saying it to anyone foreign to his own mansion. It is a lie to say Sri Lankans would divide society, it already is: rich and poor. I'm part pf the poor, you reading this blog are too. We are part of an economic class that keeps this country afloat. Meanwhile we are forced to agree with the media's portrayal of refugees. It's an us vs. them situation.

In terms of media analysis, at my disposal only TV news, John Key was presented as an individual, standing before the Kiwi flag- holding all our opinions. No Sri Lankan was interviewed. Instead TV3 showed images of an unrelated refugee boat crashing into the rocks years ago (2006, Christmas Island FYI). We see all the refugees crammed, an intent to make a metaphor for the future of the country? Maybe, they are certainly portayed in a negative light. Crowded, loud, crying, different. We are not given insights into the situation, we are abstracted from any possible feelings of sympathy. John Key on the other hand is smiling, he looks honest, he is well-dressed. We are certainly two worlds apart.

The future will only bring us more threatening invasions of refugees. Dhaka's floods, swelling already; or Somailia's future wars. But remember their cries, their hunger, their desperation. They desire a future too. I believe future is based on past experiences. The past is what makes us hopeful. What do they have to hope for if we shut off our sympathy. Are we not all human? Or is it better to ask, are we all not human? Not all no.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

A protest scam.

Yesterday there was a protest to keep Hillside jobs and work in Dunedin. It was a failure. I arrived and the Octagon was full, I'd say with around 500 people although the media has said 1000. Talking to socialist comrades, we noticed that the majority of protesters looked as if it had been their first protest ever. There were families and kids, grandparents sitting on benches and then of course hillsiders in their suits and a multitude of unions. This is good and bad. Good because it looks as if solidarity amongst unions is increasing also because many have reached a point which they can no longer stand, and they have become aware that protesting is an effective way of standing up. It is bad though because many protesters had never protested before. The protest was rigged and the wind was blowing wind into the sails of the labour party. It was not democratic and people did not have a voice- their representatives did. There were three Labour speakers, a Green, for some reason someone from Greenpeace and then about three Hillsiders. No open mic, it was electoral propaganda for Labour. It was hardly even against the National party, it was just Labour saying we would not do this. Notice the would not, it is always followed by an if. Labour's trajectory says that Labour would in fact have done the same. And they never stopped the privatisation of KiwiRail, even though they said they would have if they could to the masses.

I have to say I left early, the speeches were seriously boring- going on for 5 or 10 minutes. Chants were worse: "Jobkiller Joyce, Give us a choice". Cringeworthy.
No one else was allowed to speak, all the protesters got was an event prepared for the news, with the last full stop included. On the meanwhile though, the protesters were slowly escaping yawning. It was bad, seriously bad. And bad because people who seemingly have never protested before took part in it. They left probably not ever wanting to participate again, disapointed maybe. I almost did. This event was not democratic. It simply relayed the story we have heard again and again, give your power to representatives and every now and then they will pretend to listen, they will come down or maybe just send down a letter, and they will bore you to death. Politics you see is not a thing for you and I. We shouldn't have to know what's going on. An example of this is the speeches themselves, which sometimes got quite technical. They want us to leave it to them, ransack the countries not on our behalf but to our loss. Protesting and striking shows who has the real power, you and I can stop this groth-focussed profit-driven economy. We are the ones who get to choose when machines start and stop and we too can block the roads and demand a true democracy.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Beating the pans.

How's it going? -"Oh, alright for a Friday"...

It wasn't any Friday. And he wasn't alright. The mood in the radio this morning was down, very down. Someone didn't turn up for work, there were few jokes, coffee wasn't being brewed. Coffee in Radio 1 is like a pair of scissors that quickly snip the wick just before it defuses the bomb. Today there was no bomb, nor scissors or wick. It was an odd day. Conversations were muffled, in low voices or seemingly unspecific. When I got added to a conversation I became aware why and I became aware that this wasn't Friday. No one was expecting the weekend, there was no excitement. A financial review of OUSA has ordered Radio 1 to be closed.

In Spain they beat pans and pots in protest. Shall we beat and pluck and dance instead? On the street?

It is not quite an order just yet, VSM may not go through and if it doesn't, OUSA will still have funding next year and thereafter. There doesn't seem to be a plan B though. Even though Radio 1 is the heart of the Dunedin music scene, even though it offers opportunities to anyone, is involved in the community and props up stations across New Zealand, it has no value- financially at least. It is up for sale and the buyer will do what? Cut the ties with the community? Are we hearing dead air?

Next week Radio 1 will run a full week of main steam shite, in protest. Without Radio 1, Dunedin has lost its soul, its rock is gone- swallowed by popular culture, mainstream capitalism.
Money is full of value... I do not value it.

Youth Rates Speech.

Last Saturday I was at the youth rates protest in Dunedin. There were about 50 other people so it was good to see such a turn-out in such a small amount of time. At the same time there were two other protests going on in Dunedin, one against oil drilling and the other to save jobs at the Hillside train factory in South Dunedin. Funny how nothing goes on for weeks and then three separate protests are organised for the same day! At the protest I was shouted at by the ISO. I'm sure you know I'm not part of the ISO anymore. I have co-founded the organisation OGNA- Organisation for Global Non-Violent Action, thus splitting from the ISO. We still aim for socialism but for us the only way we can truly achieve socialism is through non-violence. The revolution to overthrow capitalism has to be non-violent. If not you are empowering a select few, better and probably male individuals to mow down those filthy capitalists. We are against killing, animals included (I've got some improvement to do on that one!), you only live once but most importantly, who is to decide who shall and shall not live? That in itself is unjust. Even that filthy capitalist has a right to live, with dignity. He is as much a product of the system as we all are. We are taught to behave as individuals in a competitive world. I think this is against human nature and so does Aristotle and Plato and Marx and all those current revolutionaries in Egypt, Tunisia, Spain and beyond. Proof that refutes this capitalist notion happens every time there is a natural disaster, or when communities start to face the worst. We all go back to those who we can trust- we belong in communities. The only reason these communities are divided is because of the system.

The ISO shouted at me because I publicly advertised our group- as well as the protest- on the radio. They say we have not given a letter of resignation, "that's what political groups do". Well we thought we'd made it clear enough, not attending meetings and anouncing the creation of our new group.. to them... But some people are just too keen to read upto that last full stop, which is redundant

Here is my speech:
I worked a graveyard shift last night, I've only had three hours sleep but I'm still here. I and we shall not remain passive before these laws, we will not buy into these neo-liberal theories of trickle down effects or recessions.
While production rises, while we are forced to work more hours our wages effectively decrease due to gst and inflation.
I'm here as a student, a socialist, a worker and I find it hard to pay my bills. It doesn't matter if I'm young or about to retire, where I work or where I'm from I find it hard.
The truth of the matter is this [youth rates bill] fits into the system. It's here to divide us into age, gender, ethnicity or nationality. But we shall remain united... Only throughh unity can we achieve justice. Through union cooperation and worker's protests.
I do not want 30% less pay.I'm worth more than that and I earn more than I pay already!

Obama's lost wars.

Obama came into office saying he would get the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. I think I remember him saying he wanted justice for all the dead troops. I think, I'm not too sure. I too heard him say things he didn't do. Guantanamo ticked the first box. I though did not think he would change the world, by then socialism had already seeped into my brain and I knew well parliament would get us nowhere. Behind those smiling faces are hands that prop up those arched backs. Politicians are skeletons with no spirit, no muscle, no feeling behind that smile. Yes, I too recur to puppet imagery when it comes to talking about politicians, surely we can find another metaphor? How does Legomen sound? Always anchored in place for the right photo, always smiling and always looking ever-so-smart! But hollow.

Anyhow, the case is Obama is pulling the troops out of Afghanistan. They won't come out straight away, 10.000 by the end of this year, an extra 33.000 next year and then there are another 57.000 who will come out later. Later, unspecified. I'm in favour of the withdrawal of course, Obama though says it is now time for "nation-building" and is calling it a victory. Don't be dumbfounded, the US has gained nothing from this conflict but blood stained hands- and lets not forget, helped find some precious minerals (the rights to mine have probably landed on American tables). And I am seriously concerned to know what anyone can mean when calling armed soldiers "nation builders". Who's nation? What colour?
Karzai, a puppet alas with strings still visible, showed himself grateful to the US and concluded saying Afghans have gained "control of their own land". Afghans though fear the status quo in Afghanistan and say the US is leaving a country not only torn by but still at war. Afghanistan is in a worse state than what it was; there is now more corruption, less democracy and women can be sprayed with acid if they are brave enough to show their faces. The allied powers went into Afghanistan and excused the war by telling us they were going to improve these three issues. They haven't. It's a black hole in to which green notes are still being dropped. Brown University pronosticates a total expenditure of $4.400.000.000.000.

The taliban aren't being kind enough when they say there has been no progress. The taliban now effectively control almost all of Afganistan but Kabul and the American public believes that the Taliban will end up usurping power. But that doesn't matter, the US has won! They are in a "position of strength" according to Obama. Since Obama took office, more than 800 Americans have died in Afghanistan, the total number of coalition deaths in ten years amounts to almost 2600. The number of dead women, children and men are unaccounted for. The poverty on the streets, the empty fields, burnt books, burnt classrooms... All these will take longer to measure. Obama has left a war-ravaged country already, ravaged by more war, torn with inequality and with more corruption than ever before. If this is a victory, I must have my priorities wrong.

The only reason he is leaving is because he promised he'd get the troops out. He has now brushed his hands and is off to the White House again. As a side point, the White House has 132 rooms, if an Afghani family of say 8 was to fit into each of these rooms, we could house more than a thousand Afghanis, right next to Barrack and his dog! Obama no longer has time for Afganis, let alone poor ones! He has the elections coming up. Technically he is getting the troops out, after a long two-year killing spree, they are returning just on time to fulfil his promise. This is all it is, an electoral promise to apease enough voters to vote for him. From here he will have another 4 years, where to next? Where is the next oil-drunken spree?

Monday, June 27, 2011

We all desire a future.

It seems we all desire a better future, why? Possibly because we do not feel satisfied with our past and/or present. Now what is satisfaction but a feeling of internal, personal fulfilment right? So we are not fulfilled, we are not happy, then shall we change?
If we want a better future, we must change the present, because the future is inexistant and uncertain. We fear the future, it is unexpected, eternal, it is always past. I look into the future and soon enough I'm looking back at what I should have done, yet again though when I look into the past or the present I'm looking into the future and through the lenses I use to see this past I reach, grasp a future I will never hold. I look at the future not knowing what it is.
As I said before it doesn't exist. We cannot prove its existence because we cannot experience it, though we can hope to but not expect. I know the past existed and I know the present does, though it is always past. We could say that the present never actually exists and that the present is in fact more inexistant than the future. I can imagine the future but not the now, as what I think now is a late response to an interaction I cannot anticipate. The future is inexistant only in the sense that it is one, as it is in fact many. It is subjective. My future is my present, or is that past? My future is what I do now. It is built on my hopes and my desires. But that is my future, yours only belongs to you. This way there are many futures, but they end up converging at the point we call present and we experience it in the past.
If there are many futures, what will it look like? We cannot know, it is uncertain. Just as we cannot know how green the grass was in the past we cannot know it in the future. We imagine the past's grass green, as this is how we have experienced it. Likewise we can imagine the future grass green but this is only if on the one hand our perceptions of now are correct and on the other if this state of colour will not change. We can all imagine a state in which the grass is blue, but as this does not coincide with our experiences we conclude it will be green, but why and how greener?
Why do we expect or hope for a better future? Surely the future will only be what our past experiences will make of it. We can only imagine that with which we have played with in our minds or with our hands. Our thoughts can create new experiences but based on past ones, none come independantly out of the blue green. Well as our experiences are subjective, our futures are also subjective. This is why there are many, as the future time perceived dawns it converges into the shared reality of the status quo. However if many perceive, play, imagine and hope for a better status quo ante, moreover they stand by it or fight or act, the convergence will occur in a realm which is still quo, just different to the past status quo though based on it. If, by acting, we open up awareness of other futures to people, then we are helping to create a change in the present. If we desire a better future, we can only achieve it if we act, if not this future possible will slowly just become a piece of puzzle in the past.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The indignation within you and I is a cross-cultural experience, fruit of capitalism in desperation.

On the 15th of May a movement started in Spain, still active now almost a month later. In this article I will look into the reasons for the movement, these are embedded in history but are also a fruit of the capitalist system. The indignant who claim to be “autonomous” and “a-political”, have been left unemployed by the austerity measures imposed by the IMF. The autonomous and a-political nature of the protests though can be seen as a threat. They are tags imposed on the protesters by the media, protesting is political and the idea of autonomously and coincidentally coming together for the same cause is irrational. Wanting a better future is being  political and mass strikes are one of the many ways to achieve it, what this better future looks like and who envisages it is the key. I will argue that only socialism can achieve a better future for the working class and the majority of the people, but to do this socialists have to be not only involved but also leading the movement with their ideas and experience. This movement is currently not present in Spain to a significant enough degree. As a last point I will talk about socialism’s role in the future struggles of Aotearoa.
This movement did not spring out of nowhere, Spain has a long history of mass movements. In the ‘far-left’, anarchists, communists and socialists had successfully put their ideas into practice on a large scale in the 1930’s. In 1931 Spain got rid of the monarchy and within a couple of years had put the foundations of one of the most ambitious social projects in Europe, with reforms to industry, education, marital laws, religious laws... The government though, intent on keeping control of the power void it created tried to put restrictions onto the social revolution that was taking place. Whole communities became fully independent of the state and fully self-sufficient too. Individuals were no longer subjugated to the orders of the nobility and the church. The government though, run by the new bourgeoise class, was mired with corruption and inefficiency. Ministers were being sworn in and out continuously. Its inability to hand out the benefits Spanish society had been promised and so eagerly needed led to widespread dissatisfaction. Anarcho-syndicalist, socialist and communist ideas were spreading, promising a better society. The rising number of strikes and the powerful union movement derived from these ideas became objectives of a government which had quickly failed. The Spanish republic relied heavily on the old military apparatus, thanks to this the generals, who had interests with the old sources of power saw an opportunity to take control of a state which was on the verge of breaking up, economically (as 7 million Spanish were living in communes by 1936 and factories had been appropriated by the working classes) and politically, as Catalonia and the Basque Country threatened to become independent. The military organised a wide-spread coup d’êtat in August 1936. Even though the Anarchist movement had foretold of the date and time, thanks to its spy network, the Republican government was caught by surprise. The efficiency of workers councils, organised by Anarcho-syndicalists and socialists stopped the fascist coup on its tracks but lead to a bitter civil war.
In short the civil war was a failure on the behalf of the Republic. At the time the European powers were wary of the costs of war so the Republic was left to recuperate a country it never fully controlled by itself- until the USSR got involved. As Franco’s military possessed more arms and had the aid and support of Mussolini and Hitler, the Republic called for the military aid of the USSR. Stalin was opposed to the more democratic nature of the anarcho-syndicalist and socialist troops fighting for the Republic. He actively fought against them, instead of actually fighting the common enemy: Franco. Many anarchists and socialists were executed, if not by Stalin by Franco once he won the war. This decimated the number of Trotskyist and anarcho-syndicalist groups working around the country. The fascist dictatorship, which lasted as long as 40 years in some parts of the country imposed a culture, a history and sense of unity which have only started to be questioned now. To understand Spain now we have to be aware that it has only had 30 years worth of ‘democracy’, moreover its transition to a democratic state took place when the UK and the USA were jumping onto the ideas of neo-liberalism. Spain has had low-salaried jobs for decades, unions have never had much strength since the late thirties and the introduction to the EU in 87 forced it to become even more of a low-wage economy with few incentives for a higher education. Nowadays a ‘good’ job in Spain is one earning a 1000 euros a month and the minimum wage is 624 euros, incomparable to the rest of Europe. In France the minimum wage is above 1350 euros a month. Housing in Barcelona or Madrid can easily cost around 600 euros, add on to that the relatively high price of food, the price of electricity, transport, education... It is no wonder Spanish youths live at home until they’re thirty. Low-paying jobs, high rents, an awful system of education and the constant bombardment of capitalist products makes it difficult, but more so if unemployment is at an average of 21%, 45% for youths. In this aspect Spain resembles Northern Africa, the series of governments have happily abided the orders of the IMF- making Spain a heavily poor and indebted society- a lapdog of US interests since Franco’s time. In the last couple of years there have been job losses in the public sector, cut-backs in education, a raise in the retirement age and some unemployment benefits have been done with.
Where Spain doesn’t resemble Northern Africa though is in the fact that Spain is supposedly democratic. Democracy is relative, when the citizens don’t have any actual input into how society should run, when there are only two parties who represent the same set of companies, when the benefits of society are not reaped by those who overwork for little pay and when the individuals ‘participating’ in the democracy are constantly being lied by media sympathetic and benefited by a system advertised as pluralistic and free; democracy starts to resemble an oligarchy, or a dictatorship by a handful of individuals. Spanish are starting to wake up from their somber mid-day nap to realise they are being robbed. These protests, with protesters ranging from high school kids to grandparents, are against the current parliamentary system.
In the squares the protesters almost seem like an amorphous range of individuals with nothing in common but a desire for a job, a flat and some money. There is no actual, concerted, goal. Some groups within the ‘plataformas’ are demonstrating for a better electoral system while others are wanting to create an actual revolution out of the spurs of fury. The media and the politicians have used this to their advantage. It is hard to find objective news articles in the Spanish press that do not call the protesters anti-system, rebels or “ni-nis”, a term used to describe Spanish youths, who “neither work nor study”. It is also difficult to find news on sites such as the BBC, CNN or even Al-Jazeera; there has been an effective media blackout. The anarchist group FAI, present at the protests, says that though the political and media circles were initially shocked: “Naturally, we couldn’t be hopeful, we knew there was the danger of the situation becoming midiatised: criticising the more radical propositions and reducing the situation to a simple critique of bipartisanship and the financial system without shaking the foundations of the state and capital”#. It definitely does look like the media have taken control of the situation to say it is run by the “fringes of society”, this way giving legitimacy to any police or government action. They go on to say that the right has in effect always been in power to differing degrees at different points in time. A case which in Spain is very much true and the Anarchists of FIJA agree, going so far as to say that the current protest movement is “suspicious” and aims to “dissipate frustrations”#.
Although these ideas seem to verge on the side of wacky conspiracy theories, what is true is that political groups and campaigning has been banned. This is because the organisers did not want mainstream parties to use the platforms as a rallying point for the 22nd of May elections (In which by the way the ruling party lost 40% of its vote).FIJA points out that there is an inconsistency with the platforms position as by protesting you are being political, however these protests are not actually imposing too much of a threat to the capitalist system for the time being. The government could simply call for a vote to change the electoral system, thus appeasing many of the present.
These two anarchist groups are calling for a social revolution: “a radical change at all levels to decentralise politics and the economy through direct action”. These two groups have been involved in the protests, the direct action they call for verges on the IST idea of an armed insurrection. At OGNA we agree that political organisations should be able to show a presence at the protests but we disagree with armed insurrection: this will only alienate the majority of the ‘indignados’, who are admittedly apolitical individuals. Socialists though have not had much of a say. En Lucha, a trotskyist organisation, has had some involvement, mainly in Madrid, but other than that there are many groups that are even rejecting to participate- as the ideas held by the organisers are reformist. These groups that are against participating are Stalinist and their position is similar to that taken by Stalinist groups in Greece a couple of years ago. In our view, it is upto socialists to point out the injustices of the system and call for a concerted struggle against the ruling top echelon. We have to point out that unions “signed agreements with the ruling Socialist Party which attacked workers’ rights. [Making] it easier to sack people, attack[ing] pensions and rais[ing] the retirement age.#” At the same time though we have to prove that unions are the only protection mechanism the working class has and that it is through the cooperation amongst unions that we will achieve an educated proletariat ready to confront the government non-violently. What’s more, we have to show that this recession is an inevitable downfall of capitalism, it will happen again in 10 years time and again and again until we defeat the system, worldwide.
Socialists in Spain have hitherto not seen the potential of these protests. One month on and we still have people on the streets, still largely ignored by politicians and the media. Although recently police have been more violent against the peaceful gatherers. The youths in Spain, like in Tunisia and Egypt, have nothing to lose as they admit they cannot see a future as a part of capitalism. The potential lies in how far Marxist ideas can be spread. As a general rule the protesters see the problem as lying in the system. For now though they have been given no alternatives. As the days go on, numbers are stagnating. While the police violence used to get rid of protesters in Barcelona caused them to come back in multiplied numbers, after a couple of hours the protest was back to its usual size#. The failure of socialist organisations to see the importance of these protests and also to show up with significant numbers is a key to the slow decimation of the movement.
Only with the spread of socialist ideas can the movement increase in size and span.Youths are unemployed and furious. Quite reasonably, Spanish workers are disenchanted with unions, it is up to socialists though to prove the unions’ worth. Spain has been hit hard by the IMF, but only because it is in the interest of capitalism to seek for profit instead of humanity. Socialists should use the platform to spread their ideas to youths and to workers, this way we can achieve a conscious working class. Socialists must also promote ideas of tolerance in terms of sex, sexuality and immigration- the inability of Spanish society to accept these is a remnant of fascist Spain. It is curious to see how little immigrant involvement there has been, compared to their percentage of the population. We must also see the spread of ideas as the only way to achieve an equal and fair world system. Spreading the ideas through Spain will push the ideas to Portugal, France and Central Europe. For now Greek and Italian ‘indignados’ have already started to protest.
For OGNA, the only way forward for Spain is to keep the protests strong and to remain non-violent. Non-violence attracts more followers and non-violent direct action is much more difficult for governments to confront. There has been talk of dismantling the platforms, in Barcelona there was a decision to pack up. Even then, 80% of tents are still pitched#. We think this is a mistake, these platforms provide the opportunity to express the widespread dissatisfaction society feels and the symbolic presence in central squares of cities across Spain will be like a thorn constantly jabbing the ribs of the politicians. It will be a forum for debate. Breaking up the presence counts as a victory for the ruling class, a pat on the back of the policemen who have brutally battoned protesters, this way showing the true nature of democracy in Europe.
In New Zealand the situation would be treated much the same by the media, for this reason it is up to unions and revolutionary organisations to lay the seeds for revolution and disseminate the truths of who does and who should hold the power in society. The large number of revolutionary organisations and the emergence of working class oriented unions and parties such as Unite and Mana is a significant development. The situation here is not too indifferent from that in Spain, youth unemployment is at 26% and there are some obviously underprivileged sectors of society, namely Maori and Pacifica. As socialists we have to break down ideas of racism and unite forces across Aotearoa. The government is not supplying jobs and is raising the hurdles to get in to education and for decent health care, it is time for Kiwis to protest too.
If we want a true democracy socialists have to direct the working class, history has shown that privilege belongs to the rulers but it is being handled by the working class, we must take grasp of this privilege and distribute it fairly to society as a whole.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Prisoners forever?

I just answered a poll on the stuff.co.nz website: Should prisoners be given a healthier range of food? Answer: Yes. 62% said no...
It may be a bit farfetched, but I reach the conclusion that this majority-part of the population also believes that prisoners should never be forgiven, they should rot in jail, much like the green loaves of bread we are giving them, they should die because they are bad and they are a threat to society and the status quo. The Status Quo Ante. I do not know what sort of food prisoners eat. I do know that the facilities they are incarcerated in tend to be rather fabcy in this part of the world, which sparks the question that 62% ask: Aren't they meant to be penitent of their actions? Answer: Yes.
We are all filled with a sentiment of remorse when we do something we know is wrong, what if there is no alternative? Should a bank robber be enjailed forever, if all he was trying to do was to provide some means for his family? If this person happens to be black or indigenous in a still racist socoety, how do we know the crime they committed is one they are in fact guilty of?
I'm too naive to think people are bad, and even more to believe that people cannot improve. We all do things we regret and we also do things because we need to. Families do tend to take priority over the system, and mine does too. If I were in a desperate enough situation to have to steal food from a supermarket in order to keep my kids healthy I would steal that supermarket. I'd be scared, no one wants to go to jail; even if it does have satellite TV, a gym, library, etc. There is another factor though, some jails are so much better than the society the criminals live in that it is better and more life-saving to be in jail than to walk the streets in a gang whose use is the protection of communities.
On food, should we give them better food? Yes, why? Because prisons are meant to rehabilitate. This is why there are workshops, criminals are obliged to do community service, go through counselling sessions. They aren't people born naturally defective, we cannot hide them behind high walls forever. Like a toy, if it comes out broken whose fault is it, the toy's or the machine's? I'd say the lattter, we cannot blame something on an inanimate object. We aren't inanimate but we do learn from the way we've been raised. I'd say the environmental factors are key in distinguishing who is going to turn out well or not. Genetics has a role; some people are naturally more aggressive or have more addictive personalities but these genetic differences will be pushed to the for by environmental injustices.
Why should they have better food? Simply because they should learn how to eat healthily so that they do when they leave prison. Then there children, if these prisoners have actually been rehabilitated, will stand a chance to grow healthily and in good environmental conditions.

This system throws more Maori in prison than Pakeha. Maori, as a fact are also poorer, there communities are unsafe due to the lack of jobs and because the youths parents are in prison. How are they meant to give their children a decent childhood if they aren't there? Maori also lost out in their culture, they were pushed away from their original communities and large family units into small private houses, uninhabited for the ten, eleven hours of work a week but for their children, who have no-one to teach them, show them or protect them.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Scottish independance would open up the European march for freedom.

On the 5th of May the Scottish election took place. A while back now. That the SNP won with an overwhelming turn in vote was surprising. After full scrutiny, it took 69 seats out of 129, a significant majority- with seats they stole from the Libdems and Labour. Alex Salmond, leader of the SNP, is openly pro-worker but also pro-independance, and the you can see the connotations in the speech he gave when he was declared winner: "I'll govern for all the ambitions of Scotland and for all the people who can imagine we can live in a better land. This party- the Scottish party - the national party- carries your hope and we shall carry it carefully and make the nation proud".

Now there are only a couple of reasons to explain why the SNP achieved such a turnaround, despite its support for independance. Either it was simply a product of an anti-coalition vote, or the number of Scottish in favour of independance is increasing. Your choice but it is mine to hope for the latter. We cannot say that those who voted for the SNP weren't at least expecting a referendum for secession.

Scotland is of course like so many other hidden nations of Europe. Both Catalonia and Scotland were empires in their own right, they ended up losing their territories due to monarchies intermarrying. Of course, your average person at the time was no more than a slave, with no freedoms nor any rights. The culture of many territories got at least difused, if not surpressed and/or lost altogether.

What is important though, is that when Scotland actually calls the refendum, which is scheduled for the second half of the five-year term, it will be very hard for nations like Spain to not allow the Basque Country and Catalonia to hold one, or France one for Northern Catalonia and Brittany. There is also the Val d'Aosta, Sicily, Corsega, Napoli, Flanders. the Suomi people, Chechnya... There are so many nations across Europe looking for greater autonomy or independance; what will happen to Northern Ireland? Scotland is just the blow of air that can help reignite seemingly dying embers.

Those opposed to independance give economic and social reasons. I'll address the economic reasons first. It is simply not true that independance will cut-off markets. Capitalism will continue to make its ties regardless of borders or lack therof. I rather think the new international projection will boost the tourism and industry of many of these nations. I'll step in to say that I am looking to argue against the reasons against independance set down by imperialism, and not really from a socialist perspective this time around. Many of these nations mentioned above are currently deemed dependant on central governments because the taxes of these nations go into the treasure chests of these central governments. The Basque country is an exception which many nations are jealous of, as it manages its own taxes. 
In terms of social factors, I doubt many of the states would spiral into war. Even though I think Spain could- clause 8 of the constitution says that if the unity of the country is under threat, the military is legally obliged to step in (They have certainly done so every other time Catalonia has seeked greater self-determination). I don't think people would necesarily leave the country even if it does become a new one. Physically your situation hasn't changed, you haven't been thrown in a tumble dryer! People will still live in Catalonia or Scotland and the biggest mistake on the behalf of any new government would be to create differences between the 'natives' and the 'foreigners'.

The way people is going to potray Scotland in the near future is important. Like they already say of Catalonia, they will say Scotland is already breaking up the state. To see how far the nonsense goes in Spain, watch this investigative report. What is a nation though, if there is no shared sentiment of cultural unity?

Friday, May 20, 2011

Spain: No time for siesta, we need true democracy first!

Just before Summer, Spain has taken onto the streets under the banner of revolution. Spain is the first European country to take onto the new craze- we need a better revolution and we in the West are entitled to an Arab Spring too! This 2nd Spanish revolution though will not achieve its goals unless it has a clear idea of changing the system though and for the moment, it is only being legal.

Spain was under Arab hands for 800 years in some areas. Although they are, for now, still very racist, I will argue that this is due to the sense of nationalism that has been instilled into Spaniards since the end of the 15th century. Most notably though, this sense of nationalism is a fruit of Franco's many trees which still exist in Spanish society- trees planted to shade and suffocate the saps of Communism and Anarchism, that were not only present but blooming before 1939- the end of the Spanish Civil War and Franco's consolidation into power.

I have talked about Franco's legacy before so if you're interested read here, where I talk about the reasons Franco won, or here where I talk about Spain still being under his influence. Briefly I'll say that, Franco appeared as the second 'great' Spanish dictator in the 20th century and he continued Primo de Rivera's objective of keeping Spain culturally united but speechless. As I've said many a time, Spain is not a country, it is an amalgamation of nationalities, many of which strive for freedom still. During the second republic these nationalities were being given increasing autonomy as the economy was swaying dangerously to the left. The old sources of power: Clergy, nobility and the military; were being slowly pushed out of politics. The nobility was taken down and many churches were burnt as the penitent turned against their priests, the military was also becoming minor but due to the complicated landscape of Spanish unity, they were deemed necessary to quell rebellion. This gave the military an open door to control Spanish politics and only 5 years after the foundation of the Republic, it staged a coup d'etat which would end up abolishing the freedoms of the Spanish people and reintroducing nobility, imposing religion and controlling all autonomy. Franco made it his task to unify Spain under [g]od and design a feeling of unity to keep the industrially more developped, historically independant and socially working class areas of the Basque country and Catalonia in Spanish hands. These two culturally different regions are two of the many, but they have suffered a longer history of suppression; they clung on to marxist and anarchist ideologies as a point of freedom and they fought for it long and hard during the Spanish Civil War.

When Franco took over he imposed a culturally Spanish state in order to force the Basques and Catalans to assimilate. History was rewritten but it hung on to the age of a strong Spanish monarchy in the 16th and 17th centuries, where Spain was devoutly catholic but also a vast empire since the 15th. The focus on these latter two undoubtedly forced an idea of superiority in terms of both religion, thus the anti-islamism and culture, thus the anti-arabism. Of course the 16th and 17th centuries were when the Basques and Catalans were surpressed harshest, for this reason the inculcation Franco taught left a bitter after-taste in the mouths of these two cultures. Underground organisations in the two regions, including terrorist ones, kept the cultures alive and the spirits high, even if the languages were prohibited. The majority of the workers though, not forming part of secret literary circles nor holding any strong positions in the hitherto existing regional governments, were in large part left out and the failure of the USSR and the control over unions in already battered workplaces made them lose their ideology, in public.
Of course, when under oppression one will not happily accept the conditions enforced, he'll only comply. What is known as the first Spanish revolution took place with the coup d'etat. As the existing state collapsed and hid in official buildings, the ideology the Spanish had learnt during their short time of freedom of speech was put into practice. Anarchists, socialists and communists took hold of the factories and social life actually changed. Though it was a civil war, workers continued production and many fought for a better world. Education and civil life continued arguably better than it had done at any previous point in time. 8 million Spanish lived this alternative lifestyle, about half the population at the time. So when Spain became an authoritarian dictatorship, these people must've imprinted this burning desire for a better world to their children.

In the streets now we have the children of the children, but one protesters was reported as saying that she'd been waiting for the revolution for 50 years. The reality though is that the revolution in large part is being used by alternative sections of the Labour party, even if it was started off by anarchists especially. Many of those there are demanding better access to university, higher wages, more jobs, better wages but also a change in the electoral system. This is not a change in the democratic system and this is important, because it is this neo-liberal system which is the root of the problem. Much like in North Africa (and may I say, from day one the protesters themselves have linked this as a continuation of the Arab Spring, sympathising with the efforts of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya), this revolution is being run through the social networks- Facebook but also mobile phones. This is where they are easy to control, the political parties can see what the plans are and thus turn up to them and use them. Spain is voting in the Spanish elections in only a couple of days time, so these protesters have come as a shock to the system. The timing is also perfect because the government will have to see them gone in order to have the non-political period of reflexion just before the elections- during this period no political party is allowed to campaign. The Catalan government has already said that it will not forcefully move Catalan protesters, this way contradicting the decision of the supreme court. And if the regional governments push the protesters out, a chance for a real revolution is more possible. The protesters will be able to see that the system goes against there desires.

It is important to note that these protests have followed the Egyptian model of camping in the main square, they are more widespread then the Egyptian ones started out though. Every capital province has had protesters in some numbers, so that is 49 cities plus others. In different regions they have had different directions. In Catalonia they seem to be more anarchist and anti-system- with wide support from university lecturers. They are calling for an all-out boycott of the Spanish elections. They are also Catalan in spirit, with banners for independance as well. In Madrid they seem to be more mainstream and with more main party involvement, from what I can tell so far.

These protests though will not succeed unless they have an ideology behind them that tells the protesters that it is the system that is wrong. As I've said, anarchists are heavily involved in regions where they historically have been, communists on the other hand are staying away from it. I'm planning on writing a letter to the Trotskyist Communist Party of the Catalan People telling them that I think their position is wrong. They say they are not taking part because the ideas of the protesters seem to be focussed in fixing the system. I think that this is the best chance in 80 years to gain support. It is the task of communists to guide the protesters. At the very least what they will get is a bigger base with which to act next time. The anarcho-syndicalists are calling for a boycott in the elections and they are showing a larger than known presence in the demos, why then shouldn't the trots do the same?

The only way these revolutions can spread is by defying presidential and judicial orders, boycotting too but direction is needed to both teach the protesters about communism but also to show them that past revolutions have been succesful. I think these protests can grow, 45% of Spanish youths are unemplyed and the average of the population is almost 1 in 4. My mum is part of that group and so are friends of mine, they are fed up but they are not active. An organisation can provide information and tactics to get these people active.

The words of a Catalan poet from Valencia pop to mind: No et limitis a contemplar aquestes hores que ara venen, baixa al carrer i participa. No podran res davant d'un poble unit, alegre i combatiu.

Don't just sit there and watch those hours here to come, take the streets and participate. They won't be able to do anything against a united, happy and combative people. Vicent Andres Estelles.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Revolting.

Apparently my blog isn’t working, I cannot write anything. If I were a conspiricist I’d probably think the government is monitoring my activity with such excitement that they’ve caused my blog to crash. Tough luck for them as my activity lately has been relatively low. We have arrived at that time of the year when we walk out of the library every day with four new books, balancing them on the jacket it’s too hot to wear and limping with our laptop bag that makes us walk lopsided. It is both cold and warm, the rising mists in the morning though should be a warning to not bring a jacket, it’s just too cold though. I wake up shaking and a shower in the nude just doesn’t sound appealing, it doesn’t help that the water practically scalds me as it falls onto my chest- I’m probably only asking for the cold to come back, cling on and want some warmth too. Years ago, a teacher in Lleida told us that it is more rational to take cold showers in winter, because then the temperature difference isn’t as great. Well, easier said then done. I’d much rather boil! My activist-tivity has been low too, I have a radio program though! Me and a socialist comrade are running a show about politics, radio1 on Fridays-10 to 12am. Having done my advertising for the day, Oh! Tune in! 91fm, I’ll jump on to more important issues.
The world is being forced to accept the ACTA bill, its name may be different in your country but do not be fooled, it is no cute and fuzzy four-letter acronym! The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is an excuse to shut down our freedom of speech and shut us off from a growing culture. Its excuse? Those poor artists: singers, writers, etc. Now don’t get me wrong, I love music and books and photography and painting, I really do! I have not been to an art gallery in a wee while but I hardly have less than a few hours and what’s the point? I would want to appreciate it. I wish I were an artist. This bill though is not actually in their benefit, it is in the benefit of corporations. If it was actually in the benefit of artists the CEOs of Sony et all may choose to cut their salaries a bit, who are we kidding though, these corporates have worked their arses off to get where they are haven’t they? They themselves are probably musicians and have gone through it all already. Meeeek, no wrong. These corporates have simply done a couple of courses in marketing at the local branch of a little known university, their degrees unfinished.
Artists earn shit all from their record sales, it takes them more effort than anything else. Starting off unknown, the first thing you want is to get your name out there, you want to hear your music is being played in Timbuktoo. For every sold song on iTunes, artists get 9 cents, only 10% of the profit, and believe me, that is a lot to music standards. They earn much less off record sales. Many artists are against this law coming in, they have been using alternative ways of spreading their music for free, or for donations and a much higher profit. This law has been put in place to keep the industry on stilts even when it’s being sawed down with every technological change. There have been bands that have ripped fresh music from the concert onto blank cds and giving them to the spectators as they walk out the door. Other bands give free poor quality downloads or payable high quality ones, giving a chance for all incomes and a taster of what the album tastes like. Writers have published their works online, photographers theirs on Creative Commons. Creating an audience is the first step to stardom is it not? And if you are small in this everexpanding world, isn’t it first just a pleasure to know you are wanted, to know people believe you are talented too? After an audience is created one can ask for donations. Artists sell their own locally made merchandise now, the corporations are the only ones missing out.
I don’t feel sorry for them. As an article on Critic says, artists now have to continuously tour, not for the audience but for themselves, to make money from door entries. The profits from cd sales get siphoned away into all sorts of hidden holes.
This bill will restrict us from sharing music or videos, it will not only detain the uploader, it will fine and impinge the downloader’s privacy-potentially cutting him/her off from the internet altogether. It has been said the internet is becoming a fundamental right, on the one hand we applaude when we hear small third-world countries can finally surf the web, on the other we get fined for sharing what we enjoy most? This seems incompatible. With books there are no restrictions to sharing, I can give my book to anyone, I can found a library, with music I’m not allowed to. My preferences must be kept private, I must hide in  this socially created bubble a bit more- we must stop sharing, enjoying and laughing together. Even though sharing is what we do and culture is built through references to older material. Mesh-ups are a new thing, born with the rising internet culture. One can now create art through the internet, by picking a song from here, a rift from Japan, a sound effect from Star Wars, put it all together and voila. Here we now have something personal, but global and for everyone. If we can write books referencing Shakespeare, why can’t we make music referencing our favourite band?
With this law we will lose our privacy, possibly our rights to the internet, we will all lose out on music but culture will be affected deeply too. We are being forced into individuals by a system that doesn’t believe in “mass” in any context other than profit and entertainment. We are being dumbed down, we are being titty-fed and milked at the same time and we will never get out of this tiring cycle unless we stand up. Internet has been called a revolution in terms of communications and human interaction, for some reason though we are letting them take it off us.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Why is my tv off?

While many of us get on with our routinely cooking tasks, two people will get married. Getting married at half past seven would seem a bit weird here, but thats not the only weird thing going on... The world has succumbed to madness, a third of it, or 2billion people, will be watching two people get married. One could ask how the hell they will all fit into the abbey, well the majority have been given plenty of room in personal couches and enough wine to forget the fact that those getting married are people they've never met nor will do. I have to confess I find it quite tacky. If someone payed for my upbringing, education and salary, I would have the courtesy to invite them to my wedding. Well actually the vast majority of those who care are spending there own money on wine in their own couches- it is a shame they weren't invited. Those who have have had the luck to live the same easy life.
I wasn't invited either I'm not going to lie. I've invested lots in the royal family- mostly unknowingly. It seems I owe them something. My right to live under laws and all that. I think I'm paying them because they are so kind they decided to give me some personal freedoms once. They have the right to do that you see, they aren't your ordinary people- they are special. They are our representatives. I've never met them nor can I ever pick up the phone to talk to them. Every now and then though, when they take a walk they are kind enough to say hello. Not to me but to some mad people who decided to live on the streets for a couple of days just to see what the experience is like. It is hard is all I can tell them. Not that I have. It is good to see people be compassionate though- it is good to see people put themselves in the shoes of the homeless who have to sleep on the floors everyday.
If you don't care too much about this person getting married, you may be arrested for wanting to have some fun- a loud party in central London on a Friday. Whilst most Fridays thsi would be perfectly fine, we must remember it is still daylight and British are all too traditional to be caught drinking before 4.
Too traditional too to get rid of an old piece of furniture that doesn't allow one to open the door fully. This massive object is a nuisance. It is expensive to keep in the room- it costs me too much to keep clean. It doesn't allow me to use my room as I wish and it has been here for bloody 1500 years. Everytime I raise my nose I catch a whiff of it that makes me cough. The thick musty smell looms over my room as I am sitting in this bed. Its dark shape holds so many cracks it can only have a hundred thousand diseases harbouring within it. I look at the computer screen wondering why I still have such a piece of furniture. There is the old there, blocking my door with a thick layer of dust I cannot possibly clean by myself and there is this computer- not too new but it whirrs and whizzes. If only I could use the new to get rid of the old by myself...
If I had a tv, it would probably be behind the big object anyhow so what's the point?

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Anzac: Why do we celebrate death?

Tomorrow we will be again seeing flags raised across New Zealand, bands piping at 7 am and crowds gathering around every cenotaph in the country. This is a commemoration of war, but is war worth remembering? Well of course we are not remembering war, but who we have lost in it. We remember the stupidity of war, we remember that killing people we don't know is irrational when they have done nothing to us. Because they haven't personally, nor has their country. We remember all those who died for somebody else's war, the war of an empire our great-grandfathers may have never seen first hand.
This wasn't the war of our fathers nor our grandfathers, they are now our great-grandfathers, people so distant we can hardly imagine them. They didn't listen to the radio and half of New Zealand was still rural. All their information, all their sense of nationalism was very different to ours. They read newspapers that reported the information a week late and who were they but an amalgamation of Brits and Irish fighting for their livelihoods in a quite unknown climate? They still saw Maori as savages and some even hoped they would go extinct, like a beast...
So why do we remember those we do not know?
I guess I cannot really speak. I come from a nation, Catalonia, that celebrates the defeat to Spain and its empire on September 11th 1714. When the Spanish finished sieging my hometown Lleida in 1708, less than 2000 people were reported still alive. Hitherto Lleida had been an important agricultural centre, the most important city of a trade-route between Catalonia and Aragon and from there Spain, and was the seat of one of Europe's oldest universities, our contributions to the field of medecine are innumerable, in part because Jews and Muslims participated in scholarly life. Spain though destroyed the city and killed the wounded in the hospital of St Mary. All universities in Catalonia were torn down, in Lleida the Queen's castle, where she lived for 200 years was destroyed as well as all the other noble buildings. We went from 300 noble palaces to none, overnight. Saying that the city was destroyed is an understatement, it did not recover until the early 20th century. Spain prohibited the use of the Catalan language too and imposed military rule, further breaking up the territory, half of which had recently been given to France.
Yet we celebrate the loss. We are insistent and we survive, the language is blooming, 10th most important on the internet according to Google, culture re-rooting and we are looking at starting our own path once more. The two previous times we did led to the loss in 1714 and the loss in the civil war in 1939. Looking at 1714 shows the unity of the Catalan people and our tenacity, we never gave up. It is a source of pride.

New Zealand and Anzac could be something similar, in a sense it did unite the country in grief. 95 years since the first service and we still cry. New Zealand though wasn't fighting for itself, it was fighting for an empire that took lots from its colonies but seldom gave back. Moreover, Gallipoli is an example of racism:
My great-grandfather almost fought there. His regiment had been selected to train for it, in Tanganyika and in Gaza. Both of these were a failure, the army was left to jump off boats and sink- the navy did not want to get any closer. It was a failure in logistics repeated in Gallipoli and a success for the Turkish who in some areas were well outnumbered. My great-grandfather though was not allowed to fight because he was in the East Indian regiment. Churchill decided Gallipoli would be for the French and the British to recapture, Europe would be in safe hands once again as the oldest nations tied the continent back together. Because the Indians were not European, they were not allowed to attack, even though they had been preparing for it for the last year.
Anzac is a day of unity, almost every Kiwi has someone who fought in the Great War. New Zealand is a small country yet it committed itself more than anyone else. Gallipoli entitles the kiwi to a sense of pride much like Catalonia's, even though we may be small, we matter. We tread twice as hard to make ourselves heard. This sense of pride can be seen in every town and atop mountains and tomorrow New Zealanders will remember the dead there, but are we celebrating New Zealand or celebrating a bygone empire.

Why don't we celebrate the day New Zealand was discovered? Because it could be offensive to Maori. Why don't we celebrate the day Maori and Pakeha put down their arms after the Maori Wars? Because we slaughtered so many in order to take away their land.
New Zealand's problem is that it has to celebrate a day it truly united and it hasn't got one. Even in WWI many Maori iwi refused to participate. Maori did not see why they should be fighting for an empire that had abandoned them.

I bought a white poppy to show my stance on war: it kills. It doesn't mean I refuse to remember, it means I will not forget war's price. 2271 Kiwis died in Gallipoli, why are we still fighting then? Shouldn't Anzac day symbolise the day we put down arms and war remind us of what we should never do again?