Carnival of Socialism

 

Welcome comrades to the Carnival of Socialism….

It has been a fortnight of terrifying lows, dizzying highs, and  creamy middles! To sum up the past fortnight, and a fortnight is a long time in politics, it has been about drugs, postal workers, Brown and his handwriting…..and other stuff.

Was Alan Johnson correct to sack Professor Nutt, Neil Robertson thinks it reflects just how hysterical this country has become in the drugs debate while Chris is with the Home Secretary over this. While Seán thinks everything you need to know about drug policy failure was addressed in Series 3 of The Wire. And Chicken Yoghurt is waiting for Johnson to  have Galileo exhumed so he can sack him because his scientific advice does not reflect policy.

Regarding the postal strike Lenin’s Tomb and Dave Semple think the CWU were wrong to postpone industrial action. And speaking of activism, Clare on the occupation at LCC and see their blog here.

Andy highlighted how the attacks on Brown backfired regarding the handwritten letter to Jacqui Janes though let’s not forget the whole picture as RickB  emphasises with the fact that British forces may take more than the Nato limit of 96 hours’ detention to extract vital intelligence from Afghan detainees before they have to be released from UK facilities. And furthermore let’s not forget the arrest and detention of Joe Glenton.

Talking of justice, the inquest into Mikey Powell has opened.

Madam Miaow on comedy and offence. Scarleteen invites us to the 6th Feminist Carnival. Kevin writes about a former left-winger who has well and truly sold-out. Benjamin on Kevin Rudd’s racism and Tamil asylum seekers. Splintered on the fall of the house of Paisley. Feministing highlights the problems of faith based charities and homophobia. Sunny believes that Lefties should stop cutting their noses to spite their face. Penny Red shows solidarity to ‘knickers girl’. Philippa on feminism and disability.Cath Elliott talks about sex. Oh, indeed surreal week for C4 commissioning and executing Gary Glitter …. Red Baron thought the programme did ok while Liam thought it was deeply weird.

Paul writes an impressive monster of a Left action plan (5-part) while Salman thinks Labour does not deserve our unwavering loyalty. Phil gives his tuppence halfpenny on cadre and mass parties. My favourite blog title of 2009 has written a report on Socialism 2009. I kinda like Jon’s optimism about taking heart from meeting with Socialists at the LRC AGM. Raincoat Optimism gives his take on  Power2010.  Marshajane gives her reasons for standing for LRC Vice Chair (and I will be voting for her). Susan may be leaving the blogosphere (don’t do it Susan…take a break but don’t leave!).

Marxsite has items on occupying students in Austria and Mexican electricity workers. Random Pottins on the fall of the Berlin Wall. Claude remembers the Berlin Wall via the film Goodbye Lenin, and so does Janine by playing Walls Come Tumbling Down. Sara on language and thought. Dave on Melanie Phillips. Rustbelt Radical remembers James Connolly. Fit Watch on domestic extremist units and raids.

 Labour holds onto Glasgow North East, Jim supplies the stats and Dave has this to say….Just wanted to say welcome to the Socialist Way blog.

  Finally, AVPS on being sent strange email (frame it comrade, frame it!)

So over to the next person who is doing this…..Red Star Coven (and liked this post)