By PAUL SIEGEL Below we are reprinting the fifth and last chapter of Paul Siegel's new pamphlet, "Socialism versus Capitalism." The pamphlet may be ordered from Socialist Action Books Socialism has been pronounced dead many times before-and it has always revived to continue the struggle. One instance was the time of demoralization that followed the … Continue reading What do Socialists Propose? ‘Be Practical – Demand the Impossible’
Month: July 2002
Canadian Labour Congress Shifts Left
By BARRY WEISLEDER VANCOUVER, B.C.-The largest ever Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) opted for mass job action to defend medicare, reaffirmed support for the New Democratic Party and defeated a conservative challenge in elections for top officers. The June 10-14 gathering of 3263 registered delegates, representing some 2.5 million affiliated members, was held … Continue reading Canadian Labour Congress Shifts Left
Reno: Rebel Social Critic. She’s Funny Too
By GAETANA CALDWELL-SMITH REBEL WITHOUT A PAUSE. Written and performed by Reno. June 18-23, BRAVA Center for the Arts, San Francisco. Comic monologist Reno opened her first showing on the West Coast of "Rebel Without a Pause" at BRAVA Theater Center on June 18 for a six-day run. Reno has the physicality of Harpo Marx, … Continue reading Reno: Rebel Social Critic. She’s Funny Too
From Argentina to Venezuela, Struggles Head Toward a Showdown
By GERRY FOLEY The long-drawn-out crisis in Argentina has rebounded with a vengeance as a result of a failed attempt by the government to "restore order" by police repression. The new explosion is coming in the context of spreading social turmoil in a number of key Latin America countries. This includes, not least, Brazil, Argentina's … Continue reading From Argentina to Venezuela, Struggles Head Toward a Showdown
Earth First! / Judy Bari Trial – Landmark victory for Civil Liberties
By MICHAEL SCHREIBER In a landmark victory for civil liberties, on June 11, a jury determined that members of the FBI and the Oakland Police Department must pay $4.4 million in damages to Daryl Cherney and to the estate of the late Judi Bari, two organizers for Earth First! and its campaign to protect the … Continue reading Earth First! / Judy Bari Trial – Landmark victory for Civil Liberties
‘Politics on Trial’ Introduction to a New Book of writings from the Late, William Kunstler
Socialist Action asked attorney Michael Smith for an article on recent government attacks on civil liberties. Smith has given us the following essay, which he co-wrote as the introduction to the book, "Politics on Trial: Five Famous Trials of the 20th Century," by attorney William Kunstler, just published by Ocean Press (www. oceanbooks.com.au). By … Continue reading ‘Politics on Trial’ Introduction to a New Book of writings from the Late, William Kunstler
Stephen Jay Gould, a Man for All Seasons
By JEFF MACKLER Steve Gould, among the nation's most prolific and likely its most popular science writer, died of cancer on May 21. He was 60 years old. With the publication of his magnum opus last year, the 1433-page "Structure of Evolutionary Theory," he left to his colleagues and to others who marvel at the … Continue reading Stephen Jay Gould, a Man for All Seasons
Who Can Save S.F. Workers’ Pensions?
By CHARLES WALKER "The 10 biggest businesses in town earned a combined $12.9 billion in profits last year. In other words, there's plenty of money to pay for city services." -San Francisco Bay Guardian This story is about union leaders in San Francisco, the fabled city by the bay, who are as dependent on "labor-friendly" … Continue reading Who Can Save S.F. Workers’ Pensions?
New York Bus Drivers and Mechanics Strike
By MARTY GOODMAN NEW YORK-For the third time this year, 1500 bus drivers and mechanics went out on strike June 17 at three privately owned bus companies in the borough of Queens. The walkouts at Triboro Coach, Jamaica Buses, and Queens Surface disrupted the daily commute of some 115,000 passengers. The workers have been without … Continue reading New York Bus Drivers and Mechanics Strike
James Hoffa Jr. – Trying to Serve Two Masters
Teamsters President James P. Hoffa made a tough, militant speech at the June 27 rally. He said that he had sat in that morning at the bargaining session between the ILWU and the PMA, and that he told the companies the ILWU could count on the support of the Teamsters. If longshoremen are picketing, Teamsters … Continue reading James Hoffa Jr. – Trying to Serve Two Masters
Feds Threaten Dockers Who Strike
By CHARLES WALKER "Officials with the shipping companies insist that their role is to run an efficient port, not to protect the jobs of the unborn" (The New York Times, June 21). OAKLAND, Calif.-On June 27, about 1200 trade unionists and community supporters rallied in the heart of Oakland's seaport to back the West Coast … Continue reading Feds Threaten Dockers Who Strike
MCI WorldCom – One More Instance of Corporate Thievery
By JEFF MACKLER American capitalism was stunned by yet another catastrophe on June 26 when MCI WorldCom, the nation's second largest long-distance carrier, admitted that it had doctored its books to hide massive losses The humbled behemoth, whose stock is now virtually worthless, admits that $3.8 billion in funds it did not have were added … Continue reading MCI WorldCom – One More Instance of Corporate Thievery
Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal: Into the Twilight Zone
By MUMIA ABU-JAMAL With the seizure of the person (one can't say "arrest," for the government has announced it has no intention of prosecuting) of the American citizen alleged to have been planning "dirty bomb" strikes against U.S. targets, Abdullah Al-Muhajir (formerly Jose Padilla), the government goes down a dark and long road, the destination … Continue reading Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal: Into the Twilight Zone
Bush Backs Sharon Against Palestinian Self-Determination
By GERRY FOLEY The combination of President Bush's much touted Middle East policy speech on June 24, which in effect gave full support to Israel, and Israel's new assaults on the West Bank and Gaza, in which the Zionist state has openly declared that it intends to reoccupy indefinitely territory formerly ceded to the Palestinian … Continue reading Bush Backs Sharon Against Palestinian Self-Determination
Spanish Workers Stage General Strike
Coming only two months after a general strike of 13 million workers in Italy, a strike of more than ten million workers in Spain on June 20 has demonstrated the resistance of European workers to the capitalist offensive. The strike in Spain, which targeted proposed changes in unemployment insurance, brought workers into the streets. Some … Continue reading Spanish Workers Stage General Strike