En Passant

As readers would know, I have no love for Julian Assange. I want him sent to Sweden to face inquiries and possible prosecution over allegations of sexual misconduct (e.g. rape.) I oppose sending him to the United States for any reason. The reality is the ruling class there want to imprison, if not execute, Assange […]

As socialists we should argue for more money for the support of veterans and of course for the support of all people suffering mental illness, domestic violence , homelessness, poverty etc. Aborigines, victims of domestic violence, gays and lesbians, especially young gays and lesbians, refugees locked up in Australia’s concentration camps, for example, all have high levels of stress and anxiety, with PTSD and suicide rates well above average. Fund adequate services for them all. Make big business pay a fair share of tax to pay for these services. In relation to refugees, close down the mental illness camps. In relation to war, stop.

Ultimately however the only way to end war and its rotten consequences for all the combatants and all the peoples of the countries the West has invaded is to end the system that creates war – capitalism.

The last big demonstrations in Australia were against the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the lies of our leaders. Maybe it is time to organise protests against the next instalment of that madness, bombing Syria.

We need to be clear. Afghanistan is a defeat for US and Australian imperialism.

The only way we can get troops out of Afghanistan is to build a mass movement against the war. The Greens are the only party with the credibility and support to do that. Over to you Senator Brown.

Bring the troops home from Afghanistan. Labor, like the Liberals, won’t do that. Only a mass movement like the one the Left built against the Vietnam war can end our participation in this criminal invasion and occupation.

Our trained killers are dying in Afghanistan for a protection racket and insurance policy with the US. Bring the troops home.

Imperialism is the competition between the major economic states. That competition is economic, political and military, but ultimately rests on military strength and often resolves itself militarily.

According to the Australian Antarctic Division website: Australian Antarctic Territory covers nearly 5.9 million square kilometres, about 42% of Antarctica and nearly 80% of the total area of Australia itself. In addition Australian claims that ‘the Australian Antarctic territorial waters extend 200 nautical miles out to sea from the Australian Antarctic territory.’ Only 4 countries recognise […]

Now Rudd has celebrated the end in July of Australia’s part in the invasion by calling the butchers of Iraq at a parade recently the Anzacs of today. He is right.