Carnival of Socialism

Revolution, Resistance and Radicalism……

Phew…..It has been a tumultuous revolutionary month…. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya… with Gaddafi hanging on with the West trying to bang the drum of war (well, Cameron trying to do a Bliar and now backtracking… ironic really considering UK selling Libya arms and lately Cameron pimping his wares of weaponry to the Middle East).

Overall lefties are (rightly!) opposed to imperialist intervention in Libya. Though there are some on the Left (if you can call them that…) who believe Gaddafi is some kind of left anti-imperialist…well he aint! And here’s a map of Libya’s oil infrastructure….  This eyewitness account from Tripoli is very poignant.

But also….what about what is happening in Egypt since Mubarak resigned? Zeinobia introduces us to the military junta of Egypt while Lansbury’s Lido makes a very good point. On the positive side….The fight by workers for independent trade unions. Solidarity!! In Tunisia after Ben Ali fled his successor has also resigned.

Ghannouchi, who was the Prime Minister under Ben Ali for ten years, had struggled to convince a significant number of the Tunisian people that he represented a break with the old regime — hence the protests at the weekend.

Also, I found this post thoughtful and interesting on Egypt and Orientialism. There are also some good links as well here.

Who knows what the outcome of these struggles, only time will win but solidarity with the Arab revolution….

Oh, and let’s not forget that there have been protests in Iraq.

While the struggle intensifies globally over here it’s crunch time with councils and their budgets. There has been many discussions about strategy… 10 reasons, can councilsresist the cuts, what should councillors do, why we should resist not implement Tory cuts, though at the end of the day people should be working together. I found thisexperience of a LP meeting interesting.

Six Hackney councillors signed joint statement against cuts (budget meeting is tonight). Resistance against the cuts has been very vocal and organised (sorry this is London-centric). In Newham “outlaw” Sir Robin Wales was jeered (hurrah!), occupation in Haringey, Lambeth council chamber was occupied as well, protest outside Brent town hall, Camdenprotesters blocked Euston Road, Protesters in Barnet were told they could film proceedings (but this wasn’t allowed in the end!), activists and trade unionists weren’t allowed to address the council in Southwark (this apparently came from Lab councillors…shame on them), Cops clear the public gallery at the town hall in Islington, Lewisham activists held a mock funeral at the town hall …RIP democracy and public services!

There will be further anti-cuts protests, direct actions, campaigns, mobilisations for 26th March demo, and anti-cuts spaces…. The struggle is ongoing but why do I feel demoralised?

But……….

Wisconsin yay!

A life changing event for many…..

ConDems welfare bill is being debated by MPs next Wednesday, 9 March, this is the second reading stage. Choler imagines a brave new workfare world (you might give ‘em ideas comrade….), this proposal thoroughly sickens and disgusts me (I truly hope people who are fined appeal and claim under the DDA!). There have been protests against these cuts and attacks on benefits. This bill continues the stigmatisation and bullying of the poor. And the devastating consequences this bill could have on people makes me very angry.

Finally…..The lovely Splott dad rants, Tim on Tory morals, Smile Don’t Frown prefers Pilger to Purnell (don’t we all!), prisoner Ben wants to stuff the Census, Owen Jones argues why Labour is our only hope, Luna 17 blogs about his experience of visiting Palestine, record number of women are claiming JSA, Jews san frontieres on McEwan’s lousy speech, Mick on the Irish general election, beginners guide to Osborneconomics and snow, Bob thinks Progressive London is a popular front for reactionaries, Shibley Rahman on Compass lecture, Jim supports Natalie Bennett for London Assembly (if I was a GP member…which I’m not…I’d vote for her!), no climate camp this year, Lisa Ansell help around benefits, Cath Elliott on Julian Assange, Mark on councils and fightbacks, Scotland Yard pay out £117,000 to G20 protesters, Socialist Doctor on the Big Society, inquest into the death of Ian Tomlinson commences on the 28 March, Madam Miaow on having a rock ‘n roll time at Jeff Beck party, BenSix on the laziest post ever published, Sofie on journalism, ethics and the movement, Hannah on victim blaming, Chicken Yoghurt on Blair’s legacy, Nick on the March 26 demo and no platform, Carl on saving local open spaces (nice pix too), Phil’s not blogging, Helen is on a hiatus (hope she comes back!!). Get well soon Kevin!

I would say more on AV but aint got the energy (Paul Anderson has something here). Another point of view here.

As someone who likes cats and chocolate… I was pleased to discover this.

Wisconsin yay!! The fever is catching

…..Finally let me leave you with Rustbelt Radical on Eugene Debs…who said “the most heroic word in all languages is revolution”

Solidarity ….

NB: Just to say that while I have included  original blogposts, I can’t be held responsible for what they have in their threads/comments, and that I deplore any threats of violence.

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