Editorials

The reason Free Traders and Free Marketeers rage against so-called "Protectionism" is because it regulates and contains their excesses and provides real justice for smaller and weaker economies.

30 May 2009

www.greenleft.org.au/2009/797/41023

Mass protests by indigenous communities continue to spread throughout Peru. This is despite a violent crackdown by police and military forces following President Alan Garcia’s declaration of a 60-day state of emergency in the Cusco, Ucayali, Loreto and Amazonas regions on May 9.

Since April 9, indigenous communities have shut down oil fields and gas pipelines, and blocked roads, rivers, airports and other installations. These actions are in protest at government decrees that open access to indigenous people’s lands to facilitate oil, mining, logging and agricultural companies.

Garcia decreed the laws under special powers awarded to him by Congress to bring Peruvian law into line with a free trade agreement (FTA) signed with the United States in December 2007.

One of the most controversial decrees (Legislative Decree 1090) removes some 45 million hectares, or roughly 60%, of Peru’s jungles from the country’s Forestry Heritage protection system.

Tentative Deal for G.M.’s Opel Is Latest Shift for Industry

For all the drastic cuts and financial overhauls that are meant to secure a future for General Motors and Chrysler, their prospects in coming years will be determined more by the answer to a simple question: Can American drivers live without that new-car smell?

by Federico Fuentes

Global Research, May 31, 2009

Green Left Weekly

Addressing the 400-strong May 21 workshop with workers from the industrial heartland of Guayana, dedicated to the “socialist transformation of basic industry”, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez noted with satisfaction the outcomes of discussions: “I can see, sense and feel the roar of the working class.”

“When the working class roars, the capitalists tremble”, he said.

Chavez announced plans to implement a series of radical measures, largely drawn from proposals coming from the workers’ discussion that day.

The workers greeted each of Chavez’s announcements with roars of approval, chanting “This is how you govern!”

Chavez said: “The proposals made have emerged from the depths of the working class. I did not come here to tell you what to do! It is you who are proposing this.”

The Lords of the Universe are ready to take over with the financial crisis they manufactured for the purpose... Long, but  worth reading what is planned for us, with the full cooperation of our governments and silent opposition.

Ed Deak.

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a federal program which enjoys the support of large corporate agribusiness farms.  It consists of premises registration, as well as animal identification and tracing.  It remains voluntary, but some states have taken measures to mandate certain elements of the program.  There has been strong opposition from small farmers and ranchers who view NAIS as a threat to privacy and property rights.  Full implementation would also be expensive and could put many out of business.  NAIS is unfair and by all accounts, would be ineffective.  It is yet another way to squeeze out small family farmers and further monopolize America's food production.

Roughly one-third of the world's gas reserves and 13 per cent of its oil reserves lie north of the Arctic Circle, estimate U.S. Geological Survey researchers who suggest most of the gas is in Russian territory.

Canada and the U.S. signed an agreement Monday designed to increase border security by allowing the RCMP and the U.S. Coast Guard to team up and ride in each others' vessels during border patrols.

Conservatives at all levels of government are floundering badly for lack of good ideas and good leadership

These are dismal, depressing times for Conservatives, particularly in our part of the province. The only really successful Conservative prime minister in recent memory has disgraced himself. The current Conservative prime minister acts like a schoolboy, unable to resist calling his main opponent names.

In the last year, there has been little mention of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) from the governments of Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.  A battle appears to be brewing as to the next course of action to take in regards to North American integration.  Some would like to see more focus placed on Canada-U.S. bilateralism while others believe that trilateralism should always be the way to go.

Recent op-eds that appeared in the Globe and Mail back this up.

Game theory suggests ample rewards for those that cooperate over those that compete. Lets play "just suppose" - suppose, earlier on, the BC Greens and the BC NDP had decide to cooperate and play this election like "onside" teamplayers on the same side of the "game" so as to maximize optimal results for both the economy and the environment

Despite appearances, Canada is not facing a perfect storm of U.S. anti-trade forces, but it must stress the existing bilateral relationship, rather than NAFTA, to promote its interests with its largest trading partner, a report said Monday.