Thursday, May 24th 2012
New Left Review - Clive Hamilton: Building on Kyoto
Critical assessment of George Monbiot’s scheme for a 90 per cent cut in carbon emissions. Given the psychological grip of capitalist consumption patterns, and the forces against tackling climate change, what is the best strategy for environmental action?
Monthly Review - The Injuries of Class: Michael D. Yates
The injuries of class are the effects of long hours and harsh working conditions on the health and well bring of workers. Also argues that, politically unions and all working-class organizations must aim to promote a working-class way of thinking.
Irish Times dutifully on message for the ‘Yes’ campaign - Indymedia Ireland
Miriam Cotton takes the Irish Times to task for its blatant support of the Irish Government’s Yes compaign in the Lisbon Treaty. Cowen does “not back away from warnings that a No vote would result in Ireland losing influence”. He’s a fighter in ITs book.
42-day detention: the threat to our liberty | John Major - Times Online
An admirable opinion piece from none other than John Major decrying the New Labour government’s intended introduction of 42-day pre-charge detention (six times as long as that enjoyed by the Turkish police, one might add)
Violence on the Left: Nandigram and the Communists of West Bengal
A lengthy piece by Martha Nussbaum on the violent corruption of the Communist government of West Bengal and the shameful attempts of people like Noam Chomsky to excuse them in the name of ‘leftist solidarity’. Sounds like the 1930s all over again.
LRB · David Runciman: The Cattle-Prod Election
US Polls are based on small samples and are often wildly inaccurate. Yet papers and pundits use them to justify their reams of considered comment. Reality is voters pick candidates like a sports fan picks a favourite team, and don’t change mid-season.
Blog for China has a series of essays reassessing Tiananmen from the perspective of demonstrators, the post-Tiananmen generation, overseas Chinese and more. Via blood and treasure.
The Real News Network: Obama addressing the AIPAC conference in Washington
Obama supports a two state solution in Israel and believes that Jerusalem should not be divided. But he is tougher on Iran than McCain, insisting that they are trying to develop a nuclear bomb.
Splintered on Professor Geras, the only likeable Decent, his adoption of the neo-con’s notion of the League of Democracies and how this is a bad idea. Who says what countries should be part of the club? Oh, yes, that’s right the usual anglophone suspects…
A secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad would perpetuate the American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November. The new treaty would retain the long-term use of more than 50 bases.
