Pam Martens has examined two versions of the now rejected bailout. Her findings are astonishing.

“The bailout proposal was so fluid that while I was reading its 106 pages at the web site of CNNMoney on Sunday evening, September 28, 2008, the screen went blank at 7:59 PM. Minutes later, I was reading a different version of the proposal, which had now grown to 110 pages. Fortunately, I had printed out a hard copy of the earlier version and went line by line to see what the Wall Street banksters were up to.”

Some more details of the $700 billion bailout plan and why it was not a viable solution.

“Indeed, the $700 billion is just part of a massive “pump and dump” scheme engineered with the tacit approval of the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve. Once the banksters have offloaded their fraudulent securities and crappy paper on Uncle Sam, they will do whatever they need to do pad the bottom line and drive their stocks up. That means they will shovel capital into hard assets, foreign currencies, gold, interest rate swaps, carry trade swindles, and Swiss bank accounts. The notion that they will recapitalize so they can provide loans to US consumers and businesses in a slumping economy is a pipedream.”

–Canada’s legal system finally acknowledges the will of the people and the historical legal position of Canada to be a home for those that oppose illegal war.

–The “free market” system doesn’t work — or more accurately, it is prone to exactly this kind of crisis. We found this out over a century ago. What is absolutely stunning is that any of this is a surprise to anyone.

–We need governments who support policy that protect workers and pay, not undermine them.

–Crazy.

7pm, Friday, Sept 26 at Conserver House, 180 St. John St.

The Water Front is the story of one community’s determination to fight the seemingly inevitable path of water privatization. The film raises questions such as; Who determines the future of shared public resources? What are alternatives to water privatization? How will we maintain our public water systems and who can we hold accountable? The film is free and so is the popcorn. Donations are encouraged. For more info, contact fredericton@cinemapolitica.org or visit: http://www.cinemapolitica.org/films/366

*SPECIAL GUESTS FROM EL SALVADOR* Lourdes Palacio and Chico Montes have both been involved with campaigns to stop the privatization of water in El Salvador. Lourdes Palacio is a FMLN Congresswoman at the National Assembly El Salvador. At an early age Lourdes joined the Salvadorian popular movement. She has worked extensively in community development programs both in urban and rural areas. Lourdes has worked hand in hand with communities to put pressure on the streets and from the national assembly to make sure life and rights of people are put first before quick profits and environmental damages caused by mining operations in El Salvador. Lourdes is working actively now with the FMLN’s presidential campaign January and March 2009. Chico Montes has worked in El Salvador with campesino communities. Chico joined the Salvadorian popular movement in 1977. He has worked as a popular educator, communication worker and organizer. He is founder of ADES — Santa Marta’s Social and Economic Development Association. Chico has worked actively with local communities to stop the advancement of Canadian mining companies. For more information on Chico or Lourdes’ visit to the Maritimes. contact Ronald Chavez at: 902.495.7067 or email chavez17s@yahoo.ca

–Monthly Review’s continuing analysis of the current market crises.

–During crises of capitalism, there is always an upswing of interest in left analysis. The problem is that the corporate media monopolies are not providing that analysis and the popular memory of these crises is short. Have a read, spread the news.

–Some analysis from a leftwing point of view.

–Where the US Presidential candidates stand on the future of the economy. Make no mistake, these decisions affect us.

–The first part is good, the last few seconds are funny.

–An in-depth analysis and reporting of Harper’s record while in power in Canada. Essential reading for everyone.

Hello fellow supporters,

I am inviting all of you to attend Jesse Travis’ campaign social at 7pm on
Thursday September 25th at 86 Regent Street. Don’t miss this opportunity
to meet Jesse, hear a quick speech, and converse with other NDP
members/supporters in Fredericton.

7-8pm: social @ campaign headquarters (86 Regent)

8ish-11pm: food and drinks next door at Snooty Fox

Come out to support public healthcare, accessible education for youths,
and extended care for seniors. Come out to oppose war, tax cuts for
corporations, and giveaways to the wealthy.

Looking forward seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Dana Brown
506-459-1006
travis.ndp@gmail.com
86 Regent St.

–Seems that Chavez is mocking the Bush Administration. We need to start offering alternatives to this free market ideology. It is clear that, even over a short time, free markets cannot last without state intervention. Some will say that there was still too much intervention in the marketplace, but it is clear to anyone with half a brain that if the free market ideology cannot work within the financial markets without causing significant crises over the short-term then they should not be applied to anything else.

“I nationalize strategic companies and get criticized, but when Bush does it, it’s OK,” Chavez said on weekly television program Sept. 21. “Bush is turning socialist. How are you, comrade Bush?”

–We need real and intelligent solutions to the climate crisis, not panic-driven acceptance of “market-based solutions”. Un-regulated markets offers no such solutions, as can be seen from the current and historical crises that such a system brings. If we are going to tackle climate change, we must demand a rational system of regulation, investment in new infrastructure that is paid for by the people that have benefited the most from the destructive processes of unregulated capital accumulation.

–Nope.

–A report from the Socialist Economic Forum in Venezuela.

–Privatization of public services has had a real cost on people. Have a read of a report by the public sector union in Britain.

–A rather interesting development. All the banks are moving to get federal aid. More here from the Guardian.

–It is hard to grasp the seriousness of this current crisis in the financial sector until you try to figure out how big 700 Billion is.

–Some comment from Britain.