The Irish face a referendum this week on the new EU fiscal treaty. Yet another EU referendum in an Ireland now under-the-gun of austerity. The signs are that the voters will give the edge to the German-centric austerity juggernaut, in part because the political elite has been scaring people into
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Drive-by Planet: Marine pollution program cut by feds
News that the Conservatives have scrapped a vital marine pollution program is just one more indicator of how Harper’s Conservative government is failing Canadians on the environment front. Times Colonist: The entire DFO contaminants program nationally and regionally — including two research scientists, a chemist and four technicians at the
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: 100th day of protest in Quebec: Charest’s tactics backfire
On May 18, in an effort to quell protest the National Assembly in Quebec passed Bill 78 – emergency legislation that includes a number of repressive measures. It’s an unwise move that is showing every sign of backfiring. Léo Bureau-Blouin, president of the association of junior colleges said “We deplore
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Racism in Israel: African asylum seekers targeted
Still frames from the video – “Racism Report: Africans in Israel” (posted beneath) When Israeli president Shimon Peres spoke on Holocaust Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem, he said that out of all the countries in the world Israel did the most to combat racial discrimination: We, the Jewish people, were
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Alexis Tsipras of SYRIZA: Impact of austerity on Greece ‘catastrophic’
In the current Eurozone crisis Greece has been unfairly cast as the “black sheep” of Europe. Greece isn’t alone in being negatively impacted by neoliberal economic policies – policies that have precipitated a meltdown in the Eurozone and a growing gulf between classes. It isn’t a Greek crisis, it’s a
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Palestinian hunger strike a victory for non-violent protest
The Israeli practice of holding Palestinian prisoners in so-called “administrative detention” is a violation of international law. Prisoners are brought before military judges who determine the length of detention. This can be as much as six months and can be repeated indefinitely. Administrative detention was a central issue driving
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Québec student protests send a powerful message
Québec education minister Line Beauchamp has resigned. In making the announcement she said “I am resigning because I have decided I am not part of the solution.” She denies that her resignation is connected with the demonstrations and “vandalism.” She has been replaced as Education Minister by Michelle Courchesne. Despite
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Masked protestors could be jailed under Tory MP bill
A new private member’s bill – Bill C-309 – will amend the Criminal Code of Canada to make it illegal for protestors to wear masks during “tumultuous demonstrations” also described by authorities as “riots” or “unlawful assemblies.” CBC reports that MP’s studying the bill have doubled the proposed penalty
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Finkelstein on HARDtalk: American Jews falling out of love with Israel?
Norman Finkelstein takes an unbelievable amount of flack for stating hard truths about Israel. In a recent interview on the BBC show “HARDtalk” host Sarah Montague kept raising objections to Finkelstein’s perfectly valid criticisms of Israel. Finkelstein’s criticisms have been echoed by a number of other influential Jewish American commentators.
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Argentine Olympics ad raises Falklands dispute
Earlier this year – the 30th anniversary of the Falklands’ war – Prince William arrived on the islands for military duty. His presence sparked heated debate in the media and union jack burning in Buenos Aries. The Falklands/Las Malvinas dispute can become incredibly heated with a little push and shove.
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Urban uprisings: David Harvey in discussion with Amy Goodman
Protestors march down Broadway: May 1 2012 May 1 – international workers’ day – is recognized with parades and demonstrations of solidarity in countries around the world. Even though the celebration of solidarity originated in the United States it has never been accorded official recognition in that nation. In
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Tories change the rules: foreign workers for 15% off
Canadian Human Resources Minister, Diane Finley, recently announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP). Under the new rules employers will be allowed to pay foreign temp workers 15 per cent less than the average fair market wage. Companys looking to hire foreign workers have to apply for a
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Quebec protests: righteous rage against hikes and cutbacks
Citizen protests have been a major feature of the debates raging in Quebec about future directions in the province, and by extension – Canada. On April 22 an estimated 250,000 Earth Day participants made their way through the streets of Montréal. They called for an end to the tar sands,
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Sarkozy offers three debates: Sarko aide says Hollande ‘scared’
During his speech to a partisan crowd after his recent loss in the first stage of the French presidential race, Sarkozy put out a challenge. He offered Socialist challenger François Hollande three debates. The occasion in itself was a little odd. A casual viewer tuning in might have mistakenly thought
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Sergei Udaltsov: Russian Left Front leader denies assault claim
Russian Left-Front leader, Sergei Udaltsov, has been a target of the authorities over the years. A lot of the charges have been trumped up. For example in 2011 he was jailed for alleged jaywalking. His lawyer said of the arrests: “These cases are fabricated as a deliberate obstacle to
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Anti-immigrant CAPS: new ad links migrants with carbon emissions
According to an ad put out by the group Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS), there is a link between immigration and climate change. CAPS claims that as immigrants to the U.S. change their consumption habits in the course of ‘Americanizing’ they will add significantly to the country’s growing carbon footprint.
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: IDF assaults on Andreas Ias and others during Jordan Valley protest
Andreas Ias getting smashed in the face with an M-16 Prior to the brutal assault on 20-year old Danish activist, Andreas Ias, in the course of a protest bike ride in the Jordan Valley, Israel attempted to block dozens of international activists from entering the country. The overreaction might make
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