–More evidence that the leadership of the opposition “student” demonstrations are not representative of the true Venezuelan majority.

–Fisk does some analysis of the recent US vice-presidential debates and the complete lack of understanding of the issues in the Middle East by the media and the public.

–Feminists in Canada are getting together to decide on the future direction of the movement.

–The progressive movement is constantly trying to make a better world in-spite of those that squander resources and operate in a system that leads to crises. We are told by the Bosses that in the “real world” only the elite, greedy, immoral marketeers can rule effectively. Well, we have seen once again where that has gotten us. We must put the control of the world’s economy into the hands of those with the biggest stake, and I don’t mean the stockholders.

“While the treatment of prisoners at detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in Afghanistan and Iraq have long been the subject of human rights complaints and court scrutiny, the documents shed new light on how two American citizens and a legal U.S. resident were treated in military jails inside the United States … The men were interrogated by the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency, repeatedly denied access to attorneys and mail from home and contact with anyone other than guards and their interrogators. They were deprived of natural light for months and for years were forbidden even minor distractions such as a soccer ball or a dictionary.”

–An interesting initiative to get youth involved with the labour movement. Using the Internet to reach out to the youth — it is a start.

–We must put pressure on our local governments to address the root causes for the current food crisis. The “Green Revolutions” that have caused the current crisis and this model cannot be applied to find the solution. Only through management and local investment for local consumption will we be able to develop agriculture that can sustain all people living on the planet.

–Democracy? Nope. Not for others.

–The murderers must be brought to justice quickly if more bloodshed is going to be avoided. The cycle of violence started by opposition student leaders must be halted as too many have been killed and injured. Violence cannot be allowed to be used as a political weapon especially by students. The international student movement stands for solidarity, peace, and social and political justice. We must denounce violent acts and those who use murder as a political tool to incite other acts of violence.

–Reasoned and serious discussion is what is needed here. The international community (through the UN) should be leading this negotiation. It is clearly too delicate for the current US administration to have anything to do with it.

–The Canadian Federation of Students has released their report card on postsecondary education issues in the federal parties’ platforms. If you are a student, have student debt, are a parent of a student, or plan to have kids in the future that may want a good job then you should pay attention to this report. Hey, I think that is almost all of us.

–Student struggle against neo-liberalism to get accessible, public education worldwide.

YouTube - Global action day for education 2008.

Students Pressure University Administration to Return to Bargaining Table

Windsor–Students at the University of Windsor have been occupying the lobby of the administration building, Chrysler Tower, for over three days in an effort to pressure the university administration and Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) to resume negotiations.

At noon on Monday, September 29, a group of University of Windsor students gathered on the fifth floor of Chrysler Tower, in a lobby that adjoins the offices of the university’s top administrators – including that of Dr. Alan Wildeman, President, and Professor Neil Gold, VP Academic and Provost – to begin a peaceful sit-in.

The group of students who have been participating in the occupation, includes Emily Wunder (English), Ayda Rezaian (Criminology & Sociology), Sara Rooseboom (Social Work), Laura Hall (English), Ian Clough (English), Paige Sylvestre (French), Vajo Stajic (Labour Studies), Zach Dougall (Drama & Education), Sina Naebkhil (History), Lee Bagley (English), Kellie Chouinard (English & History), Lauren Quinn (English), and Brad Sacret (Education). Other students have visited the occupation and are showing their support for the students inside.

Classes have been cancelled at the University of Windsor since Wednesday, September 17, 2008 – the day the strike began. No negotiations have taken place between the Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) and the university administration since the night before the strike was called into effect.

“We are here representing students’ concerns,” said Sara Rooseboom, one of the students involved. “One thing that all students have in common right now is that we all want to get back to class. The only way to do that is to have these two parties come to the table and negotiate an offer there. We will remain here until that time – until both parties are back at the negotiating table.”

Students have brought their books and intend to study for the better part of their sit-in.

“The fact that a group of Windsor students has taken the bold step of occupying their administration building is a testament to how strongly they are committed to their education,” said Shelley Melanson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. “The University of Windsor needs to get back to the negotiating table to settle on a fair deal for staff that puts students back in classrooms where they belong.”

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For more information:

The group of students in the occupation can be reached by phone at 519-253-3000 ext. 4120 or by email at uofw.occupation@gmail.com. Spokespeople for the occupation are Emily Wunder (519-980-1743) and Ayda Rezaian (519-817-5969).

There is a live web feed of the occupation at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/u-of-windsor-occupation

Shelley Melanson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario can be reached for comment on the provincial implications of the strike at 416-882-9927.

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“Police in Dayton, Ohio said no hate crime was committed when two men sprayed a gas inside a mosque filled with over 300 Muslims.”

To my knowledge, this story has not been reported in any mainstream media outlet.

–Carried out by what the right-wing in the US calls its electoral base. The far right can only be opposed with more education, more social services, and more community strength.

–Support the faculty.

–An interview with Finkelstein on the right-wing attacks on academic freedom in Western universities.

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

–It is important for people to get the full story around Human Rights Watch being kicked out of Venezuela. HRW’s report is nothing but anti-Bolivarian Process propaganda; full of accusations that have been exposed as untrue by real human rights organizations.

–The movement needs to be louder on this issue or the right-wing is going to continue to dismantle the rights of women (along with everyone else).

–The Conservatives are not on the same page as most Canadians when it comes to putting human rights before profit.

–Saskatchewan Federation of Labour: protecting workers rights.