Thank you
Thank you for your coverage of the events in San Salvador de Atenco (GLW #670). As with the Colorado's largest daily, the Rocky Mountain News, concerning the events in Oaxaca, the corporate media censored reports on the protests that you covered. Adding insult to injury, the RMN carried a blistering editorial on June 20 attacking front-running Mexican presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for his opposition to NAFTA and support for Mexican farmers.
I will refer to both the events in San Salvador and Oaxaca as I move along the campaign trail. Sadly, the "progressive" community here is frequently silent on these issues, as many of them are joined at the hip with a Democrat Party that shares responsibility for the tragedy that is NAFTA. Still, like with the Zen pebble whose ripples eventually reach even the farthest shore, I keep trying. Sites like yours give me the strength to continue.
Tim Babbidge
Green Party candidate, state House of Representatives district 42
Aurora
Colorado [Abridged.]
Welfare to Work
It was nice to read your article "New rules: low wage or no wage" (GLW #671) in which you clearly show the true impact the disgusting Welfare to Work legislation will have on the disabled and those receiving welfare. I am a disabled person and fear for my future as a result of these changes.
Several weeks ago the government launched its attack on disabled people with the first series of letters from Centrelink. The letters were sent to all disability pension recipients to inform them of the changes that were passed by the government at the end of 2005.
Last week we saw the start of another expensive television advertising campaign telling those on welfare they are about to be assaulted with yet more harsh new rules. Hidden behind clever marketing which disguises the true nature and impact this legislation will have on disabled people, is the message "you should be working".
These changes will see some disabled people receive cuts to their support of $2400; approximately 20% of their total support. If a part-time job is found, they will face a further cut in support of approximately $1000 and a marginal tax rate of up to 75% — far higher than the highest tax rate for most Australians.
When questioned about the impact this legislation would have on some people, Kevin Andrews, the minister responsible, stated "no personal circumstances would be considered". This in response to concerns that some disabled people would lose access to essential medical care once this legislation was enacted on July 1! His statement alone shows the true nature of this government and its attacks on the poorest and most marginalised people in the community.
It isn't clear why the Howard government is reducing support, reducing incentives to work and study, and introducing harsh penalties while other OECD countries are doing the opposite. One thing is for sure, this government is whittling away at the dignity of disabled people with this disgusting piece of legislation, and it will cause extreme hardship for the most vulnerable.
Gregory Rowell
North Ryde, NSW
Nuclear power
The four accidents at Sydney's Lucas Heights research nuclear reactor in recent weeks, while ostensibly minor in and of themselves, highlight the issue of nuclear power's (lack of) safety. The accidents occurred during a renewed push by nuclear proponents for more reactors in Australia and globally.
In any industry there will be accidents both minor and major. However, the difference between the nuclear industry and most other industries is that a major nuclear reactor accident will not simply affect the few people directly involved but could have a catastrophic impact on whole cities.
The 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster earlier this year should have been enough to end the argument that nuclear reactors are a safe source of electricity. However, pro-nuclear advocates, such as Patrick Moore (a founder of Greenpeace and a born-again nuclear enthusiast), downplay the number of deaths attributable to Chernobyl, claiming that less than 100 died. A conservative 1996 estimate by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency was that the accident was responsible for 24,000 fatal cancers. More than 220,000 people had to be relocated from parts of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.
Moore and other nuclear boosters claim that "new generation" reactors are safe, but these reactors exist only on paper. Furthermore, the more countries that turn to nuclear power, the higher the risks of nuclear-weapon proliferation.
Lucas Heights may well pose a smaller risk than a nuclear power plant, but the risk of fatal accidents remains. Currently the only advice from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation of what to do in the case of an accident is to stay indoors with the windows closed until further notice! Nuclear-fission reactors will never be made completely safe; the risks are too great for Australia to go down the nuclear energy path.
Zoe Kenny
Glebe, NSW
Defiance or servility to IR laws?
While the ACTU and many unions have explained well the harsh nature of Work Choices, many have only slowly and reluctantly organised activity, in particular ongoing mass activity that might force the government to retreat. In the ACT, this reluctance has been more like servility, and is most evident in UnionsACT's lack of plans for the June 28 national day of action.
On November 15, 7000 people rallied in Canberra for workers' rights, and there have been large mobilisations by teachers and others against school closures over the last few weeks. Yet when challenged about its lack of action on June 28, while protests will be held virtually everywhere else, UnionsACT organiser Linda Francis said, "There will absolutely not be any sort of rally [because] ... it is too cold in Canberra in late June".
UnionsACT's servility is so extreme that the "protocols" at its only major event — the community protest at half-time during the June 25 rugby league game — ban both "verbal attacks directed at John Howard and his government" and people bringing their own banners and placards. These and 12 other strict protocols send a clear message to workers and unionists that a serious struggle is not necessary to stop Work Choices.
Luckily for unionists who want to fight Howard's laws, June 28 events are being organised in the ACT by the National Tertiary Education Union, the Australian Services Union and the Socialist Alliance.
For defiance, not servility.
Andrew Hall
CPSU Governing Council member
Braddon, ACT
[Abridged.]
From Green Left Weekly, June 28, 2006.
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