John Passant

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March 2012
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Me on Razor Sharp this morning
Me interviewed by Sharon Firebrace this morning for Razor Sharp. It happens every Tuesday. http://sharonfirebrace.com/2013/12/03/john-passant-australian-national-university-8/ (0)

I am not surprised
I think we are being unfair to this Abbott ‘no surprises’ Government. I am not surprised. (0)

Send Barnaby to Indonesia
It is a pity that Barnaby Joyce, a man of tact, diplomacy, nuance and subtlety, isn’t going to Indonesia to fix things up. I know I am disappointed that Barnaby is missing out on this great opportunity, and I am sure the Indonesians feel the same way. [Sarcasm alert.] (0)

Snouts in the trough: capitalism is corrupt
Big business, politicians, even sports people are ripping off the system with their corruption. Tony Abbott’s expense rorts are not an aberration. Corruption is part and parcel of capitalism and a consequence of the exploitation of workers. Only by overthrowing the ruling class can we abolish the corruption of the system and its rulers and hangers-on and begin a new society where production is organised democratically to satisfy human need. Join this Socialist Alternative Discussion 6pm Thursday 21 November Note change of venue because of exams to: Room W108 Baldessin Building ANU www.sa.org.au canberra@sa.org.au (0)

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
Haven’t heard about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, a neoliberal and imperialist wet dream? Not surprising since it is being negotiated in secret and Abbott will try to spring it on us soon enough. I have written about it in the next Red Flag, due out on Wednesday. Subscribe now. And yes, we have digital subscriptions too. https://shop.redflag.org.au/?q=product-category%2Fred-flag-subscriptions (1)

NSA hacks Rupert Murdoch's phones
In breaking news the NSA has confirmed it has hacked Rupert Murdoch’s private phones for eleven years. ‘The fight against terrorism knows no bounds,’ spokesthing Joseph Dzhugashvili said.  Barack Obama said ‘Of course.’ Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott denied Australia’s spy agencies had broken any AUSTRALIAN laws in helping the Americans. (0)

What firefighters really think of the Liberals
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="236" caption="Put the hypocrites last"][/caption] (0)

Operational reasons
For operational reasons this blog will be closed until further notice. Eric Blair, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs. (0)

Boozy feral pig dies
A boozy feral pig has died in a car accident. The name of the Abbott government minister has not yet been released. (0)

Your tax dollars hard at work
(0)

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Archive for March, 2012

Saturday’s socialist speak out

The task as I see it is to build Socialist Alternative so the left has a strong voice in Australia and a commitment to socialism from below and can help build the fight back against the attacks of the bosses and their Labor lackeys in Parliament, against job losses, against war and for better wages and conditions.

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Marxism 2012: Revolution in the air – Mebourne from 5 April

MALALAI JOYA will be speaking at Marxism 2012 Opening Night session in Melbourne! With her on stage this coming Thursday night 5 April from 6.30 pm at Melbourne Uni will be numerous other international speakers.

Stop Labor and its budget cuts

Industrial action to defend jobs and increase wages and protect vital programs is the way to beat the slashers and burners. We workers have been too quiet for too long and Labor and the Liberals have been able to ride roughshod over us and distribute more of our wealth to Gina and Twiggy and Clive. The time has come to say enough is enough. Make the bosses pay.

Capitalism and the environment

If we want to stop environmental destruction and live in a truly sustainable society, we have to abolish capitalism. The choice, to put it bluntly, is between capitalism and a habitable planet.

Labor, Labor, why don’t you give me a call?

Develop and implement polices that redistribute wealth from the super rich to working people and the poor. Increase real wages, fix the gender pay gap immediately, tax the rich till their pips squeak, employ more teachers and nurses, invest in public transport, renewable energy and a universal Dental health care scheme …

And while we are suggesting a left turn, withdraw from Afghanistan, welcome (not imprison) refugees, end the Northern Territory intervention, recognise equal love…

Take on the bosses, not crawl to them.

Where did Kony come from?

People who wish to express solidary with ordinary Africans should do the opposite of what “Kony 2012″ asks us to do. We need to reverse U.S. imperial policies of looting and repression, whether carried out firsthand or by local proxy forces. “Kony 2012″ asks us to provide a humanitarian cover for intensifying these crimes.

Bligh Bligh Labor?

Without a fight of any sort by unions the LNP in Queensland will rule the roost and ride roughshod over wages, conditions and jobs. But with a fight the cocky bastards could be sent back to their lair, licking their wounds and giving workers some breathing space.

Saturday’s socialist speak out

The funeral of Margaret Whitlam and the pantheon of ageing and current Labor leaders who attended marks a symbolic burying of social democracy in Australia, although in reality the death happened long ago under Hawke and Keating. Zombie Social Democracy has continued more recently under Rudd and Gillard.

Why God never received a PhD

From ‘a deeply embittered’ non-Ph D person.

Is Clive Palmer mining nuts now?

When the Sun kings of profit get challenged the ideology of their empires is threatened and the nudity of their worth stands for all ordinary working people to see. So having not lived in the real world of work, of labour, they do what they always do – invent a self serving story.

If the economy worsens or the Greens actually begin to exercise some power instead of being Democrats in waiting, what Palmer said about them will be a small taste of much worse to come as the rich maggots squirm and worm to protect their rotting patches.