–Some analysis from James Petras on Chavez’s position on FARC-EP hostages. This article is critical of the Venezuelan State’s position. I disagree with the conclusion of the analysis that Venezuela’s foreign policy is generally conservative. I think that the evidence of regional integration along socialist and fair-trade lines, especially in ALBA, is enough to state that this is generally not true. However, I believe that the general analysis of The State — which has a tendency towards trade over solidarity– is correct. Clearly, the way forward is to tie solidarity with trade, such as with ALBA, and move forward with a foreign policy that is decided by the people. Conservative opportunistic elements that remain in the Venezuelan state continue to cause the contradictions highlighted in this article. This article may ignite “anonymous’ ” desired discussion, if not on this site then elsewhere.

–A news clip from Venezuela Analysis about the FARC-EP and the recent rescue of hostages.

–For those of you looking for some analysis of the rescue of Betancourt and future of the FARC-EP.

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

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

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

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

–Freedom of the press in Israel? Not likely.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interview

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

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

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

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

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

–It goes without saying that Hersh knows what he is talking about on these issues. The Real News brings him to your computer screen. Have a listen.

–The American News Project takes a look at the business make-up of the US government. There needs to be a separation between Business and the State.

–The UK may be heading for Recession despite all the efforts of Neo Labour giving away the bank to business.

–Here they come to reap the full benefits of imperialism.

–Hitchens gets a taste of what he didn’t before consider torture. It seems now he does. The question is, can he now admit that his position on Iraq was immoral and wrong?

“The label of ‘terrorist’ will no longer be affixed to associates of the ANC — among them one of the world’s great heroes, Nelson Mandela.”

“West Bank per capita water use is about 66 litres a day - just two-thirds of the recommended international minimum.”

“[Maher Arar's] lawsuit challenged “extraordinary rendition,” a process by which federal authorities have, without legal proceedings in U.S. courts, allegedly sent suspected terrorists to be held and tortured in other countries.”

Commentary on the demoralised and struggling U.S. antiwar movement.

“The combination of the pull of the election on mass antiwar sentiment and UFPJ’s liberal strategy of orienting on Democrats has precipitated a crisis in the antiwar movement. At a national level, it is really the weakest it has been since the beginning of the Iraq war. It is in near collapse. Even at a local level there are real weaknesses in antiwar organizations on campuses, in cities, and at workplaces. Thus there is an enormous gap between consciousness and the organized movement.”

–A glimpse into life in Cuba.

–Crazy to think that we are having this much effect on the climate. Crazy to think that we, as a society, still have not done anything to fix the problem.

–Things can only get better because he is at rock bottom. The “New” in the Labour Party needs to be expelled and the old socialist politics need to be embraced, otherwise the party is doomed and Britain will end up with a Conservative government whose first act will be to attack the unions and working people. If you think that New Labour is bad, wait until you see the Tories in action.

–How about the fact that they are 50% of the population and there is no good reason that women shouldn’t be in government?

–Not sure that this is true, but it is an interesting article.

–The violence will not stop until the government takes serious action to bring these criminals and murderers to justice.

–Columbia is not the only place that has attacks against trade unionists.

–More on Bolivia and the counter-revolution that is being waged by the super-rich minority.

–Some comments on the revolutionary process in Nepal. We knew that there were different tendencies in the CPN(M) and they are now starting to express themselves. The problem should be solved by putting it to the people. The communal assemblies should be deciding the direction forward, not opportunists in the upper strata of the Party. The direction forward must be transitional, not “reformist” (ie: backwards and to the right).