GLW issue 777, published 2008-12-03.

The Flame: Arabic-language supplement special Gaza edition

With the help of Socialist Alliance members in the growing Sudanese community in Australia, Green Left Weekly -- Australia's leading socialist newspaper -- is proud to publish a regular Arabic language supplement.

Venezuela, Cuba condemn Israel, offer Gaza support

While Western powers and many Arab governments are complicit in Israel’s crimes against the people of Gaza, the revolutionary governments of Venezuela and Cuba have strongly opposed Israel’s war.

Public manufacturing industry, not corporate bailouts

At first glance it seems like just about everyone is pleased with the federal government’s car industry bailout. The car industry bosses are delighted. The car industry unions are happy.

Australian News

International revolutionaries to address "World at a Crossroads" conference

“World at a Crossroads: Fighting for Socialism in the 21st Century” is a four-day conference to be held in Sydney on April 10-13 (the Easter long weekend) next year.

TAFE teachers demand improvements

Almost 2000 Victorian TAFE teachers voted on November 25 to continue their industrial campaign for a new enterprise agreement, which will include a further stop-work meeting in February 2009. Teachers from regional centres were joined at the meeting by metropolitan TAFE colleagues.

Further Australian News

International News

Britain: Venezuela solidarity conference success

On November 22, Hands off Venezuela (HoV) held its fourth national conference at Birkbeck College at the University of London.

Cuba: Eco-materials, hurricanes and solidarity

Dr Fernando Martirena from the Centre of Investigation in Structures and Materials (CIDEM) research institute at the University of Santa Clara, Cuba, recently visited Australia to speak to a number of meetings organised by the Australian Green Development Forum.

Further International News

Comment and Analysis

Coalminers call for no more coal, renewables now!

Green Left Weekly’s Simon Cunich spoke to Peter Kennedy, a coalminer and anti-coal activist and Graham Brown, who worked with Kennedy until retiring from mining last year. Both men were at a November 22 protest outside Eraring coal-fired power station, on the NSW Central Coast. Brown’s comments were recorded in September.

Nationalisation — a key demand in the socialist program

For all the misery it represents for ordinary people, there is at least one positive result of the current capitalist financial crisis. The idea of nationalisation is getting an airing again in the West, however squeamish capitalist leaders and pundits may be about using the actual word.

Further Comment and Analysis

Editorial

End the domestic violence epidemic

There is no room for any doubt that Australia is suffering from an epidemic of domestic violence.

'We are all Palestinians'

“An entire refugee family in one fell swoop was killed this morning as they took cover in their home, which took a direct hit from Israeli shells”, according to a diary direct from Palestine written by Laila El-Haddad and published on January 4 on Electronic Intifada.

General

Green Left Weekly's $250,000 Fighting Fund: Who are the real 'no-hopers'?

It’s not often we hear the rich talk honestly about the poor in public. We can only guess what goes on behind closed doors, but out in the open CEOs are supposed to stick to their PR script — squeaky clean and politically correct. Well, thanks to billionaire Gerry Harvey we don’t have to guess anymore.

Green Left Weekly is taking a break

The final hard copy of the year has limited Australian news to make space for more longer, analytical articles to enjoy over summer. There are extended articles online which don't appear in the hard copy, and we will continue to publish articles on

Further General

The Flame: Arabic-language supplement...

Resistance!

How to fight greed

“Poor Human Nature, what horrible crimes have been committed in thy name! Every fool, from King to policeman, from the flathead parson to the visionless dabbler in science, presumes to speak authoritatively of human nature. The greater the mental charlatan the more definite his insistence on the wickedness and the weaknesses of human nature. Yet how can anyone speak of it today, with every soul in a prison with every heart fettered, wounded, and maimed?” — Emma Goldman

Climate action summit: demand a safe climate!

On February 3, the first sitting day of federal parliament in 2009, thousands of climate protesters will encircle Parliament House, peacefully demanding the government take real action on climate change to ensure a safe climate future.

Cultural Dissent

Watering the dry continent

Thirsty Country: Options for Australia
By Asa Wahlquist
Jacana Books, 2008
216 pages, $27.95

Alistair Hulett, David Rovics tour Australia

Australian fans of quality, progressive music are in for a real treat this summer with the joint tour by left-wing songwriters Alistair Hulett from Scotland and David Rovics from the US.

Further Cultural Dissent

FEATURED CONTENT

Billionaire Rinehart's bid for media control

Above: GetUp! released video showing professional climate change denier "Lord" Christopher Monkton advising a room full of mining executives on how the industry must gain control of Australia's media. This week mining billionaire Gina Rinehart became the largest shareholder in the Fairfax media conglomerate, having already bought a stake in Channel Ten.