Articles
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
There are many myths about the EU, among them that it is an internationalist body of equal partners committed to human rights. In fact it is the reverse of this. It serves big capital and the economic interests of its dominant nations at the expense of smaller ones and of the peoples of Europe. Furthermore its structures are undemocratic meaning that it cannot be reformed in a progressive direction.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Psychotherapist, Rachel Young, reports on her visit to Israel-Palestine in 2018. She looks at how Palestinians are systematically dehumanised and traumatised by the Israeli government and armed forces. She found out the strategies they have developed to survive and considers the negative impact on Israelis of their involvement in this oppression and denial of Palestinian rights.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Paul Robeson was unquestionably the pre-eminent African-American figure of mid-20th century politics and culture. He consistently spoke for the oppressed, for peace and internationalism and suffered greatly for his his beliefs in the McCarthy witch hunts. His legacy lives on in his music, speeches and writing.
Monday, February 11, 2019
A review of two contrasting films about families, Happy End by Micheal Haneke and Shoplifters by Hirokazu Kore-eda, where both economics and values are central to the narrative. In Happy End a wealthy, conventional family is portrayed as a loveless hell motivated only by money. Whereas, Shoplifters draws a picture of a motley family group in which some individuals are related and some not. It is their attempt to survive poverty that binds them together as a more affectionate family.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Review of Adults in the Room by Yanis Varoufakis the Greek Finance Minister in 2015 when the newly elected Syriza Government was trying to find a negotiated outcome with the EU to save Greece from the problems caused by the financial crash. As members of the EU and the Eurozone Greece was unable to to implement its own remedies. However the EU proved an unwilling and untrustworthy partner.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
The Fire Brigades Union sets out how continued undermining of health and safety and building regulations set the scene for the horrendous tragedy of the Grenfell Tower. Over 70 people lost their lives in the fire.
Friday, February 8, 2019
The term "conspiracy theory" is designed to cast doubt on those who raise concerns about the truth of what we are being told. It is often only later that the facts emerge. From the Zinoviev letter, through the Kennedy assasination to alleged weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the Novichock poisonings history shows that we have reasons to be skeptical.
Friday, February 8, 2019
The NATO war in Afghanistan has been a disaster. An 18 point plan sets out an alternative path to a peaceful future for the country.