International Aid Convoy Members on Hunger Strike

The following is taken from the Viva Palestina website:

27th December 2009
Members of the Viva Palestina international aid convoy to Gaza will begin a hunger strike at 11.25 am today (27 th) in protest at the Egyptian government's refusal to allow the convoy entry onto its soil.

Diplomatic negotiations are also taking place between the Turkish and Egyptian governments over the convoy's entry to Egypt. IHH, Turkey's main humanitarian aid agency, has 63 vehicles travelling on the convoy.

The Syrian government has also provided aid and vehicles, as has the government of Malaysia. More than 400 people from 17 countries are travelling on the 150 vehicle convoy, which is taking medical, humanitarian and educational aid to Gaza.

The convoy departed London on 6 December and have travelled nearly 3,000 miles across Europe and the Middle East. However, the convoy and its cargo of aid is now stopped in the Jordanian port town of Aqaba, having been denied entry into Egypt.

British MP, George Galloway , who is travelling with the convoy, said: 'Israel has kept Gaza under siege for three-and-half years against international law. It has not allowed aid or rebuilding materials in following its attack on Gaza earlier this year. Our convoy is determined to break the siege and take in urgently needed supplies Spirits are high in our camp in Aqaba, and we are going nowhere except to Gaza.'

It was at 11.25 am on December 27 2008, that Israel dropped its first bombs on the besieged population of Gaza. Three weeks later, following a sustained air, land and sea assault, more than 1,400 Palestinians had been killed.

The Viva Palestina hunger strikers will consume only liquids until the convoy is allowed entry into Egypt.

Convoy members will also mark the first anniversary of the beginning of Israel's Operation Cast Lead by holding a march through Aqaba, jointly with the Jordanians. In the evening, more than 1,400 candles will be lit for a vigil.

The convoy has been jointly organised by the charity Viva Palestina and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign , the UK's largest organisation campaigning for solidarity with the Palestinian people.

You can also follow the York contingent of the convoy at http://yorktogaza.blogspot.com/

Christian Voice once again preach a message of hatred

Christian Voice have called for 'fellow-believers to support the Ugandan people in their determination to rid their nation of foreign homosexual proselytisation.' (http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/Press/press141.html)

Their director Stephen Green selectively quotes passages from the Bible to support his case, such as 'The Bible calls for the ultimate penalty for sodomy (Lev 20:13)'

Groups such as Christian Voice simply use the Bible to support their promotion of homophobia. You can pick passages out of the Bible to condemn or condone numerous actions from eating shellfish to selling your daughter into slavery, yet Christian Voice appear to be obsessed with homosexuality.

The message Christian Voice sends out differs greatly from that of the vast majority of Christians in this country, who work towards promoting tolerance and peace.

____________________________________________________________________________________
If you haven't read it yet, the following Open letter to Dr Laura nicely points out the hipocrisy of some Christians:

J. Kent Ashcraft
May 2000

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

These are the Biblical verses refered to above, in two different translations: the King James Version [KJV], and New International Version [NIV]

Lev 18:22 [KJV] Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. [NIV] Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Lev 1:9 [KJV] But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. [NIV] He is to wash the inner parts and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Exodus 21:7 [KJV] And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. [NIV] If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as menservants do.

Lev 15:19-24 [KJV] And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. 20 And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. 21 And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 22 And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 23 And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even. 24 And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean.
[NIV] When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. 20 Anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. 21 Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. 22 Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. 23 Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening. 24 If a man lies with her and her monthly flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days; any bed he lies on will be unclean.

Lev 25:44 [KJV] Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. [NIV] Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves.

Exodus 35:2 [KJV] Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. [NIV] For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.

Lev 11:10 [KJV] And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you [NIV] But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales --- whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water --- you are to detest.

Lev 21:20 [KJV] Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken [NIV] or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles.

Lev 19:27 [KJV] Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. [NIV] Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.

Lev 11:6-8 [KJV] And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
[NIV] The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you. 7 And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divied, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. 8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcases; they are unclean for you.

Lev 19:19 [KJV] Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. [NIV] Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

Lev 24:10-16 [KJV] And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; 11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. 13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.
[NIV] Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father went out among the Israelites, and a fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite. 11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the name of the LORD with a curse; so they brough him to Moses. (His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri the Danite.) 12 They put him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them. 13 Then the LORD said to Moses: 14 Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. 15 Say to the Israelites: If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; 16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.

Lev 20:14 [KJV] And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. [NIV] If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is wicked. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that no wickedness will be among you.

This text is take from http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/susan/joke/laura.htm

Come on people, let's stop Cowell getting the No.1

The following is from the Facebook campaign group:

LET'S GET RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE TO THE CHRISTMAS NO.1 SPOT THEN!

Q: So how do we do this then?
A: Take your pick(s) of the digital providers below. It should take you to the page where you can purchase your copy of KILLING IN THE NAME. in most cases it's track#2 but check before you click!

Q: Why have you used shortened links?
A: It gives us a ROUGH idea of how we are doing on sales. I can get a click count this way

Q: But there's other websites now offering RAGE for Xmas links?
A: Yes, but these links right here were created by the creators of the whole campaign themselves. They are not 'affiliate' links so therefore nobody gets any sort of 'commision'. You don't need to go anywhere else.

Q: When do i buy 'Killing In The Name'?
A: NOW until Saturday 19th December at 23:59pm


** DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT 10 TIMES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT...IT'LL JUST GET ANNULLED FROM THE CHART **
read- http://bit.ly/dontbuyloads (interesting from James)
read- http://bit.ly/lessonlearnt (BBC news article)

==================================
DON'T PAY LESS THAN 0.40p !! It won't count. Direct linking approved by the Official Charts Company.


iTUNES - 99p - track #2 (click on 'view in itunes' on the right)
http://bit.ly/ratm-itunes

PLAY.COM - 65p - it's the only track on the page
http://bit.ly/ratm-play

7DIGITAL - £1.19P - track #2
http://bit.ly/ratm-7digital

HMV.COM - 79p (careful - this is track #1)
http://bit.ly/ratm-hmv

TUNETRIBE - 49P - track #2 - LIVE version (yes it counts)
http://bit.ly/ratm-tunetribe

TESCO DIGITAL - 67p - track #2
http://bit.ly/ratm-tesco

WE7 - £1.07p - track #2
http://bit.ly/ratm-we7

** AMAZON at 29p is TOO cheap, plus the other version defaults for some reason, so for the moment BEST AVOID! **

==================================

Got any spare change in your account? We're collecting for SHELTER. If everyone in our group donates £1...we'll have raised over HALF A MILLION pounds! Not bad for a facebook group
http://www.justgiving.com/ratm4xmas/

LET'S MAKE THIS A HISTORIC CHRISTMAS ON MANY LEVELS!

F**K you, I won't buy what you tell me

An interesting campaign has started on Facebook to encourage the British public to buy Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name Of in an attempt to make it Xmas No.1 instead of Simon Cowell's X-Factor offering. There seems to be quite a bit of momentum behind it with the group attracting over 400,000 members.

Join the group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2228594104

The group are also encouraging donations to Shelter as way of raising money for charity from the campaign. You can give at http://www.justgiving.com/ratm4xmas

Please don't buy the track unti Dec 13th, to ensure it is counted in the Xmas chart.

Vile bigotry on both sides of the Atlantic

Racism in the US

I was astounded when I heard on the radio today that a white US justice of the peace has refused to grant a marraige license to an inter-racial couple in Louisiana. (BBC News. It is easy to think that America has moved on from its dark past now that it has a black president, but this story just proves that racism is still prevalent not just among the general populace, but the establishment as well.

Homophobia in the UK press

Never a fan of the Daily Mail, I still find am occasionally shocked by the depths it sinks to. Jan Moir's article this week entitled 'A strange, lonely and troubling death . . .' is blatant bigotry, homophobic and extremely offensive to Stephen Gately's family and friends. [Note - It was originally titled "Why there was nothing 'natural' about Stephen Gately's death."]. In the article she writes:

Of course, in many cases this may be true. Yet the recent death of Kevin McGee, the former husband of Little Britain star Matt Lucas, and now the dubious events of Gately's last night raise troubling questions about what happened.

It is important that the truth comes out about the exact circumstances of his strange and lonely death.

As a gay rights champion, I am sure he would want to set an example to any impressionable young men who may want to emulate what they might see as his glamorous routine.

For once again, under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see.

It is comforting to see that there are already 588 comments on the website, most of which are condeming it. There is also a Facebook group calling for the Daily Mail to retract the article, with over 2,500 members.

Stephen Fry's Tweet nicely sums up this vile article:

I gather a repulsive nobody writing in a paper no one of any decency would be seen dead with has written something loathesome and inhumane.

Who would vote for these people?

[If you cannot see the video click here]

So, after the Tory conference I find it difficult to believe that anyone would want to vote for them after promoting policies to alienate a large proportion of the working and middle classes. Unfortunately I have a rather queasy feeling that they will end up in power, just because they are not the Labour party.

Below are just some of the reasons why not to vote for them:

- Public sector pay freeze in 2011 - except frontline military or people on less than £18,000 (BBC News)
- Private training firms to be employed to prepare the unemployed for work and also to assess all 2.6m people on incapacity benefit to see what work they might be able to do (BBC News).
- Plans to raise the state pension age for men to 66 from 2016, up to 10 years earlier than planned (BBC News).

All of these cuts are mainly a result of the massive bail out we have had to give the banks. Those on incapacity benefit and lowly paid public sector workers should not pay the price for this incompetence.

Please don't forget how the Tories screwed the country up from 1979 - 1997. They will be no different if they get back into power next year. I obviouslly urge everyone to vote Green, but if there is no Green candidate it is still important not to give into apathy but to still go out and vote to keep the Tories out of power.

Brown's and Obama's hyprocritcal high horse

Once again we see our leaders displaying astounding levels of hypocrisy by threatening Iran with sanctions and hinting at possible military action.

The first point of hypocrisy is our mistaken belief that we have a right to nuclear weapons while others do not. Brown's futile gesture of cutting the amount of nuclear submarines by one, is pointless. We still remain a nuclear power and are wasting billions replacing the scheme while our country racks up further debt.

The second point of hypocrisy is the refusal of the current nuclear club to tackle Israel on its nuclear arsenal. Israel is the only country in the middle east since 1990 to take hostile military action against another country in the region, yet they are allowed to hold onto their arsenal not just without sanctions but with preferential trade agreements and US foreign aid.

Don't get me wrong, I too do not believe Iran should become a nuclear power, but neither do I believe any other country should either.

Ahmadinejad stokes the flames of anti-Semitism in the Middle East

Yet again Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has used blatantly anti-Semitic rhetoric to attack Israel by stating the Holocaust was "a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim". [BBC News]

How is such behaviour helping the Palestinian cause? To resort to lies and racism to fight for a cause discredits any valid statements you may make.

Israel should be criticised for it's illegal occupation and war crimes in the occupied territories, based on evidence and argument. Such abhorent behaviour is unacceptable and the sooner Ahmadinejad is gone the better.

Conference time

Unfortunately I am not going to be able to make conference this time. I would ask you to look out for the following fringe meetings organised by Green Left:

The first on the Afghan War will be on Thursday at 7pm with Jeremy Corbyn MP of Stop the War Coalition and our own Farid Bakht, Parliamentary Candidate for Bethnal Green and Bow.

The second on ‘Greens in Coalition – the Irish Experience’ will be on Saturday at 1pm with former Green Party councillor Bronwen Maher from Dublin and Joseph Healy, Parliamentary Candidate for Vauxhall.

There will also been a Green Party Trade Union Group fringe meeting on Saturday 7..00pm "Welfare Reform & Low paid Workers " with Anne Gray, Alan Wheatley and Peter Allan.

I have also put my name to two important motions which I would ask you to support:

C05 on Afghanistan and D01 on GPEx Standing Orders.

Climate and Capitalism seminar

Climate and Capitalism
Saturday 12 September
10.30 - 5.30, Friends Meeting House, Euston, London
A seminar organised by Socialist Resistance and Green Left

Sessions on:

* Global Fight for Climate Justice
* The economic crisis and the ecosocialist response
* Gender, ecology and ecosocialism
* Alternatives to the market
* Alternative production
* The impact in the global south
* Direct action prefiguring a sustainable society
* Sustainable cities
* The campaign for green jobs
* Building the fightback and organising for Copenhagen

Speakers: Ian Angus, Grace Livingstone, Raphie de Santos, Romayne Phoenix, Liam MacUaid, Helen Ward, Sean Thompson, Sheila Malone, Derek Wall, Terry Conway, Roy Wilkes and others...

Book now on-line for 1/3 off entry and £2 off new book by Ian Angus on "The Global Fight for Climate Justice" by clicking here.

Check out all the details on the seminar and get the leaflet here.

Fascist National Front plan to protest at Reading Pride

The following is from the Reading Pride website:

National Front Protest at Reading Pride

A representative from Thames Valley police has informed Reading Pride that the National Front have decided to make a protest in Reading's main shopping area against
this years Reading Pride Festival. A large group of protestors will position themselves in market Place with Banners to meet the Reading Pride Parade as it makes its way through the town to the festival site at kings Meadow Park. Reading Pride hopes that the National Fronts protests will allow the parade to pass through the town without incident.

Reading Pride celebrates diversity across the Thames Valley and aims to eradicate discrimination against members of the LGBT Community and it's through the
parade and festival that the charity hopes that visibility will assist educating members of the public. We urge any person that wishes to support these aims to accompany the parade through the town centre.

Reading Pride believes in equality,diversity and freedom of expression from all groups in society. We value all opinions both culturally and politically. Anyone wishing to engage us – we are more than happy to open dialogue and learn from eachother.

What really happened at the Red, Whie & Blue festival

The News of the World rarely publish news worthy articles. But they actually carried out a responsible piece of investigative journalism by going undercover at the BNP's 'Red, White and Blue festival'.

They infiltrated the so-called family festival and captured images of Nazi salutes and a video of a 12 year old girl encouraged to carry out a mock execution on a golly doll.

Read the article at http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/465772/Angel-faced-racist-aged-12-Girl-burns-golly-at-BNP-fun-day.html

The event saw a protest of over 2000 anti-fascists organised by Unite Against Fascism.



Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said:

"This was a great day for anti-fascists. We brought more protesters to Codnor this year than the numbers the BNP managed to attract to its 'festival' of race hatred. They had fewer people attending this year because the protests drove away their softer supporters.

"Protesters also managed to cause real disruption to the event by making it difficult if not impossible for the BNP's supporters and guest speakers to get into the event.

"Today we saw what can happen when black and white, young and old, Muslim and Jew, gay and straight, come together in unity to fight the fascist BNP. We now need to build this anti-fascist movement in every locality where the Nazis are active – and drive the BNP out of town."

Please recommend your favourite albums

I've recently started reducing the clutter in my room by subscribing to Napster, which allows you to download unlimited albums to your PC for 10 squid a month, which has allowed me to sell on most of my vast CD collection.

To this end I am looking for recommendations for good albums to download, now money is no object.

Who I am supporting in the GPEX elections

In case anyone is interested, I will be supporting the following candidates in the GPEX elections:

Janye Forbes for Chair - http://jayneforbes.wordpress.com/

Tracy Dighton-Brown for External Comms - http://tracyforcomms.wordpress.com

Meat Free Monday

I was quite interested to recently read about the Meat Free Monday initiative. It encourages people to give up meat for one day a week, which if significantly taken up will help seriously reduce CO2 emissions and reduce the amount of animals being raised for meat. I am a twice failed vegetarian but find the prospect of not eating meat once a week more than manageable. There are many more of us out there who have tried to give up meat for ethical reasons and failed who can probably manage this quite easily.

Find out more at www.supportmfm.org

Vestas factory under occupation

The following is from the Save Vestas blog:

http://savevestas.wordpress.com/

Workers have occupied the St Cross factory in Newport. This measure has been taken due to the consistent failure of Vestas Blades and the government to face up to their responsibilities in the necessary challenge of fighting climate change and maintaining jobs.

Due to management attempting to intimidate the workers who have been organising themselves in preparation for a fight, plans to move on the factory were accellerated and a team of workers have taken the plant at 7:45 this evening as a result.

Now more than ever Vestas workers need our support. The island does not have a history of workers taking control – this could be the first of many victories where workers take control of their industries and demand that the bosses put people before profit, the environment before opportunism.

It's only a ferry

I find it difficult to understand why there is so much controversy and outrage over the decision to run a ferry to the Isle of Lewis on a Sunday.

Religious leaders are claiming it is against the fourth commandment "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy".

I ask this of those who oppose it on religious grounds:

- If your house is on fire on a Sunday would you expect the Fire Brigade to turn up?
- If you are ill on a Sunday would you expect a doctor to treat you?
- Do you listen to the radio or watch TV on a Sunday?
- Do you use electricity on a Sunday?

If you answer yes to these questions you are guilty of double standards, as the commandment does not discriminate against different types of work. And if some people should be allowed to work then it is hypocritical to condemn others.

Stop making futile gestures

Once again it is reported in the news that the governmenmt are to start tinkering around with the minutiae of House of Lords legislation, by allowing life peers to resign and removing the right to heredity peerages.

If the government is serious about electoral reform, it should carry out the only acceptable solution by emptying the House of Lords and making it into a fully elected second chamber, based on proportional representation. Only with these moves will we have a democratic legislative, rather than the farcical affair we have at the moment, with a chamber full of unelected, unaccountable peers.

Of course Labour will not do this. The status quo benefits both main parties with a selection of nodding dogs willing to approve most of the legislation passed to it.

Vote for your top 10 blogs

Email your ten favourite blogs (ranked from 1-10) to toptenblogs@totalpolitics.com

It's that time of year again, when Total Politics asks you to vote for your Top 10 favourite blogs. The votes will be compiled and included in the forthcoming book, the Total Politics Guide to Blogging 2009-10, which will be published in September. This year the poll is being promoted/sponsored by LabourList and LibDemVoice as well as our publisher Iain Dale's blog.

The rules are simple.

1. You must vote for your ten favourite blogs and ranks them from 1 (your favourite) to 10 (your tenth favourite).
2. Your votes must be ranked from 1 to 10. Any votes which do not have rankings will not be counted.
3. You MUST include ten blogs. If you include fewer than ten your vote will not count.
2. Email your vote to toptenblogs@totalpolitics.com
3. Only vote once.
4. Only blogs based in the UK, run by UK residents are eligible or based on UK politics are eligible.
5. Anonymous votes left in the comments will not count. You must give a name
6. All votes must be received by midnight on 31 July 2009. Any votes received after that date will not count.

If you have your own blog, please do encourage your readers to take part. Last year, more than 80 blogs did so. We hope this year it will be far more than that. BUT, DO NOT list ten blogs you think your readers should vote for. Any duplicate voting of this nature will be disallowed. If you do not wish for your blog to be voted for please email katy.scholes@totalpolitics.com. You will see a list of the blogs who have chosen not to be included in the comments shortly.

There are many ways of measuring a blog's popularity. Wikio and Technorati have complicated logarithms which measure the importance of incoming links and traffic. Google Analytics does it by measuring how many people visit. But our poll gives blog readers the opportunity to vote for the ones they like and visit most often. It's not scientific. It's impossible to achieve 100% balance and we don't pretend it's perfect.

The results of the poll will be published in the forthcoming book the TOTAL POLITICS GUIDE TO POLITICAL BLOGGING IN THE UK which will be published in mid September in association with APCO Worldwide.

So, go to it. Email us your Top Ten Favourite Blogs

toptenblogs@totalpolitics.com

No to Blair as EU president - Edward McMillian-Scott loses party whip

Blair

Europe minister Glenys Kinnock today confirmed that Tony Blair is the government's official candidate for EU president [See BBC News].

Not only should this man not be put into any public position, but should be tried in the international court for illegally taking us to war. To have this man as president of the EU would be an embarassment to Europe.

Edward McMillian-Scott

Tory MEP Edward McMillan-Scott has had the whip withdrawn after refusing to stand down in the election for vice-president in Strasbourg, competing against the offical candidate for the anti-federalist group. Although I have no time for the Conservative party I respect his decision not to support the new group containing right wing extremists and homophobes.

Afghanistan petition on No.10 website

The media has recently claimed that support for the conflict in Afghanistan has begun to grown.

I find it difficult to believe that more people are swallowing the lies coming out of Downing Street. The claims that staying in Afghanistan will make the UK safer and less likely to be a terrorist target are spurious and misleading.

It is precisely because of our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan that we have become a terrorist target. We must withdraw immediately and put an end to joining NATO and the US in their global conflicts. This is the only guaranteed way to protect the country.

Please consider signing the following petition on the No.10 website, to prove that we do not support the war and call for our troops to be brought home.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to bring the troops home from Afghanistan. Noting the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and the destabilisation of Pakistan arising from the NATO military intervention in the region, and believing that only the Afghan people themselves can generate a political solution to their country’s problems, we therefore demand that the government commence the withdrawal of all British military forces from Afghanistan.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/STWCAfghanistan/

Make you mobile ex-directory

As you may have heard in the news there is a new service called 118800 which acts as a directory for mobile phone numbers.

In my opinion this service is an infringement of civil liberties as it is giving out phone numbers without the permission or registration of phone owner.

To go ex-directory go to http://www.118800.co.uk/. The service is down at the moment, presumably from the avalanche of requests from people to be removed.

Class snobbery over Afghanistan deaths

Today the news that Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe has died in Afghanistan has been given much coverage because he is the highest ranking officer to die since the Falkland conflict.

It is of course very sad that he has died in battle, but why should his death be treated any differently than the other 170 deaths of UK soldiers in Afghanistan since 2001. Each death in Afghanistan is a tragedy and another reason why we should leave now. We have been bogged down in there for nearly 8 years now, with no sign of an end to the conflict.

I urge Green party members to support the following motion at autumn conference:

C27 Afghanistan
Synopsis (edited) In 2006 the party passed a motion calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and their replacement by UN forces within months (RPD06.1 The Middle East). However, no further policy details were listed.

Motion The war being conducted by the UK and NATO forces in Afghanistan is according to all informed military sources an unwinnable one. Furthermore, it has had the effect of destabilising the entire Afghanistan and Pakistan region, with the consequent danger of the collapse of the Pakistani state itself. It is taking the lives of countless UK troops and diverting resources at a time when the government should be concentrating resources into job creation, health and the educational sector among others. Furthermore, the government supported by NATO and backed by the military forces is widely discredited and corrupt and has lost the trust of the Afghan people. The continuation of the current military intervention increases the risk significantly of a terrorist attack on the UK and a massive increase in refugees fleeing from war and oppression

Since that time the war has escalated and claimed the lives of many more Afghan civilians, UK and other NATO troops, as well as those of civilians working for NGOs. There is now a need to reiterate this call as the war is now being stepped up by the new US administration and there is widely recognised to be a need for a new regional peace agreement, as without the co‐operation of the regional powers, any secure peace and administration will be impossible to secure in Afghanistan.

We therefore call upon GPEx and our elected representatives in the European Parliament to campaign for:

(1) An immediate withdrawal of all UK forces from Afghanistan.
(2) The withdrawal of all NATO forces from Afghanistan .
(3) An regional agreement with the powers bordering Afghanistan – Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, together with Russia and China, to hold a peace conference as soon as possible with the aim of establishing a new Afghan government which will have the support of all the Afghan people.
(4) Continued support from the EU, UN and other international bodies to support the rebuilding of Afghanistan and the provision of international aid.
(5) The protection all women and minorities in Afghanistan and the upholding of human rights to be an essential part of any peace agreement reached with the regional powers, the UN and the people of Afghanistan.
(6) The issue of Afghan refugees in neighbouring states and elsewhere, and their long term settlement and humanitarian support to be a central feature of any peace agreement.
(7) And to amend ROPS (Record of Policy Statements) accordingly.

Proposed by: Joseph Healy (**), Andrew Collingwood, Martin Deane, Noel Lynch and two others.

Keep it nationalised

I was not sad to see that National Express East Coast line had gone into public ownership. Apparently falling profits are due to a drop in passenger numbers. This does not surprise me, as I have traveled a lot less with them this year due to the lack of cheap advance tickets. Even if you book months in advance you can still end up paying £70 for a return from York to London, which is twice the price it used to cost me with GNER.

Now the line is in public ownership it should remain so and become a not for profit operation. If the government are serious about getting people onto public transport they should make it a lot more affordable than it currently is.

The 66p myth

The following is from Republic:

Help us smash the 66p myth - forward this to a friend!

The Buckingham Palace finance reports will be published on Monday - we need your help to challenge the royal spin. Please forward this email to a friend (you can use this simple form) and help spread the word.

Once again the royal PR machine will come up with an official cost, divide it by 60 million (that's every person in Britain, not just taxpayers) and tell us the monarchy costs just under 70p - the same as a loaf of bread or an iTunes download.

This is exceptionally dishonest. Dividing any cost by 60 million will make it seem small - but Republic has calculated that last year the monarchy cost British taxpayers in excess of £180 million.

That makes a royal 21 times more expensive than your MP!

Here's how that figure breaks down:

The Queen's civil list £12.7m
Parliamentary annuities (Prince Philip) £0.4m
Palaces and castles £15m
Travel £6.2m
Expenditure met by gov depts £4.9m
Security £100m
Duchy of Cornwall lost revenue £16m
Duchy of Lancaster lost revenue £13m
Costs to councils £10m
Unpaid tax £2m (?)
Travel and accomodation for Prince Charles £3m
Total £183.2m


There's more detailed information on our Royal Finances Campaign page.

You and I know that the royals will do everything they can to conceal the truth. That's why it's so important that you forward this email to a friend and help us spread the word.

MPs have been pilloried for their abuse of the Westminster expenses system. Now the BBC has revealed the expenses claims of its executives. Yet the royal finances, with the support of the Government, are still shrouded in secrecy.

While we continue to demand the abolition of the monarchy, we believe that for as long it remains the Palace must be fully transparent in the way it manages its funding and must be accountable to Parliament.

You can make a real difference by telling your friends.

Next steps in smashing the 66p myth

If you want to get more involved in our campaign to expose the true cost of the monarchy, there's lots you can do:

* Visit the Royal Finances Campaign page on our website.
* Join our Facebook page to keep up-to-date on developments.
* Use Twitter to spread the word (use the hashtag #royalfinances).
* Join Republic's Urgent Response Network and help strenghten our media presence.
* Make a donation to Republic's campaign fund.

Netanyahu supports a Palestinian state as long as it has none of the characteristics of a state

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will accept a Palestinian state as long as it is demilitarised. (See BBC News)

He wants it to have no army and no control of its airspace.

Can this be seen as a fair solution? To have one of the most militarised states in the world demand that its neighbour has no means of defending itself.

If the Palestinians ever achieve statehood they should recognize Israel's right to exist and ensure attacks are not made against Israel, but they should also be allowed to defend themselves from attack.

The unreported nuclear accident

Channel 4 news reported last night about a nuclear accident at Sizewell A which has been secret for the past two years, only recently coming to light after a freedom of information request.



Read more on the Channel 4 News website

LGBT Greens: Pride is about our Human Rights

NEWS FROM THE GREEN PARTY of England and Wales LGBT GROUP

http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/

LGBT Greens: Pride is about our Human Rights
Get to Doncaster Pride 16th August

For Immediate Release

11.6.9

Peter Davies, the newly-elected English Democrat mayor of Doncaster has threatened to cut cash from Doncaster ’s annual Pride event.

Mr Davies had been quoted by the BBC saying: "I have nothing whatsoever against gays and lesbians, what they do in their private lives is absolutely fine… I don't think councils should be spending money on them parading through town advertising their sexuality."[1]

But appearing on Radio Sheffield on Monday, it is not clear if Mr Davies can fulfil his manifesto. On an interview with BBC Sheffield Mr Davies admitted to not knowing the annual turnover of the event in Doncaster .[2]

Phelim Mac Cafferty, National Spokesperson for LGBTGreens stated:

“Peter Davies, the English Democrat mayor of Doncaster insists that Pride in Doncaster is some sort of sexuality advertisement. The language of his comments should worry everyone who campaigned against the Tories hated homophobic Section 28 with its insidious language prohibiting the ‘promotion of homosexuality’. The logical conclusion of his comments is twofold: it conforms to the lazy stereotype of gay men needing to promote their sexuality to lure willing ‘victims’, and that LGBT people shouldn’t be allowed to have a Pride parade at all.

“Pride events throughout Europe were born out of the LGBT community being repeatedly instructed to be ashamed of the un-christian paths they had ‘chosen’. Pride is now about the LGBT community’s right to be visible. Pride is an important part of our struggle to be given the rights of a human being. Of the 365 days of the year, yes one and even if it is just one of those days should be about the LGBT population of Doncaster.

“Only last week, police authorities announced that the reported number of homophobic hate crimes is on the increase. With the BNP in office for the Yorkshire and Humberside region in Brussels now is the time to state unequivocally: lgbt people deserve the right to dignity and the right to lives free from harassment. For every person who is not yet out, events like Pride help them understand that they are not alone and are an incredibly important part of being visible.

“The reassuring news at this time from Doncaster Pride is that the manifesto commitment from Peter Davies of cutting funding belongs to him and not Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. As far as the Pride organisers in Doncaster are concerned, the council is still supportive of their Pride event.

Phelim concluded:

“Like Belfast Pride last year, it took Iris Robinson’s calls for the lgbt community to 'see a psychiatrist' that led to the best attended Pride in Belfast ’s history. I’d hate to think that it will only take a similar tactic to convince Mr Davies that the LGBT community of Doncaster deserve equality and respect.

“In the meantime LGBT Greens say: get to Doncaster for Pride on 16th August!”

ENDS


[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8086919.stm

[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/toby

Not a good week to be from Yorkshire

If electing an English Democrat mayor on Thursday was not bad enough, we now have the racist BNP representing us in the European parliament. I am not going to make excuses for the people voting for them by saying they are disillusioned Labour voters, or protest voting. The people who vote in the BNP know exactly what they are and don't care. It is shameful that 9.8% of those who voted went for the BNP, that equates to over 3% of the Yorkshire electorate supporting racist policies.

What is more disappointing is that this election saw an increase in the Green vote of around 50% giving us a national share of 8.7% compared to the BNP's 6.5%. But despite this we have not seen an increase in MEP's. Green candidates and activists have put their all into campaigning over the past few months, and in some cases we have only narrowly lost out on sending some good candidates to the European parliament.

Let's hope that those who stayed at home on Thursday wake up with morning and feel as dismayed as we do and feel guilty for not voting. After all, fascism suceeds when good people do nothing.

This week I am ashamed to be a Yorkshireman.

New English Democrat mayor starts his attack on 'Political correctness'

Peter Davies, the newly elected English Democrat mayor of Doncaster has wasted no time in his attack on 'Political correctness'.

BBC News reports that he is threatening to cut funding for Doncaster's pride event. He is quoted as saying:

"My policy on gays and lesbians is very simple.

"I don't think councils should be spending money on them parading through town advertising their sexuality."

I'm sure this is only the start of a campaign of homophobia and racial prejudice.

It is beyond my how this man got elected, and I am ashamed to be from Yorkshire when such individuals gain the majority vote.

English Democrat becomes Mayor of Doncaster

This is very disappointing news. The English Democrats policies are based on negative attitudes and prejudice. For example here is their policy on 'Political Correctness'

It is time common sense prevailed. The various quangos promoting political correctness should be closed and those laws promoting political correctness repealed. We want English freedoms and values, not multiculturalism.

Although this group are not in the same league as the BNP, their election is an unwelcome political advancement.

Vote positive, not negative

It is very difficult to find anyone who is not disgusted by the MP claims scandal. I am among those who is ready to scream at the radio if he hears another MP claim their expenses were 'within the rules'. This is not justification for the ludicrous claims we have seen, whether it be claims on second homes or duck islands. The public have finally grown tired of the three main parties and Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle is no more than moving deck chairs on the Titanic.

Cameron's Tories offer no solution. Their recent interviews and broadcasts shallowly try and steal Obama's clothes by constantly throwing the word 'Change' in ad nauseum, which most voters will immediately see through. The logo on their website says 'Vote for change' when they offer the same tired neo-liberal policies offered by New Labour, and the party is just as tainted by the expenses scandal as Labour.

This scandal does however pose a real threat with minority extremist parties getting voted in on a wave of apathy and protest votes.

The Green Party is the only party which is going to the voters with a positive message based on saving the planet, jobs and the economy, and genuinely protecting human rights.

It is great to have seen so many Green Party activists working tirelessly over the past few weeks to get this positive message out there and to persuade those who are put off politics that there is a genuine alternative, whose elected representatives have a proven record of fighting for radical solutions to today's problems.

So on Thursday persuade as many of your friends and colleagues as possible to get down to the polling station to make their vote count. Otherwise we could find that Britain is represented by little Englander's, racists and fascists as the results are announced, who have crawled in on manifesto's of lies and low voter turnout.

The US needs to stop foreign aid and arms exports to Israel

It was announced today by Hilary Clinton that Barak Obama had told Benjamin Netanyahu at their recent meeting that there should be a stop to all settlements. Hilary Clinton said "Not some settlements, not outposts, not natural growth exceptions,".

According to Israeli spokesperson Mark Regev Israel will continue to allow some settlement expansion.

The answer is simple. If the US is serious about getting Israel to halt settlement expanision it should stop foreign aid and arms exports.

Since the 1970s Israel has been the largest recipient of foreign aid from the US. A halt in this aid would seriouslly curtail Israel's expansion plans and military operations.

Letter published in local press

• THERE is a lot of disillusionment with the main three UK political parties at the moment as a result of MPs’ expenses being published. Such disillusionment is understandable, and the record is no better in the European Union.

Many of you will be thinking about voting for a different party this time round and I urge you to vote for the Green Party, who have a proven record campaigning for democracy and transparency.

The Open Europe think-tank recently produced a league table based on MEPs’ commitment to promoting transparency and reform in the European Union, which rated Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas, along with an SNP MEP and an independent MEP, at the top of the UK list and joint tenth across Europe’s 785 MEPs. The same table also placed UKIP’s Yorkshire and Humberside MEP at number 405 and close to the bottom of the list of UK MEPs.

There is a credible alternative at the European Elections. I urge you not to remain at home on June 4, but to go out and vote Green and help us increase our number of MEPs.

The alternative is to allow the usual three tired parties to get back in or to have the likes of UKIP or the BNP representing you in Europe.

http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/analysis/readersletters/4398345.Election_too_vital_to_ignore/

BNP quote Porritt and the OPT

The BNP are now using the environment as a cover for their anti-immigration stance.

The most recent edition of their disgusting rag Voice of Freedom has Jonathan Porritt pictured on the cover and using his statements to try and add respectability to their policies.

This has always been the danger when environmental groups start calling for tough measures on population and immigration.

It is important we distance ourselves from such thinking. And I hope when Mr Porritt finds out that he is being used by the BNP that he issues a statement strongly distancing himself from their policies.

The Wall

Last night Radio 4 broadcast 'Wall:An Essay by David Hare'. This was an excellent piece of work by playwright David Hare painting a vivid picture of how life currently is in Palestine.

It is available on iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00kjb73/Wall_An_Essay_by_David_Hare

Of course, for balance Israeli historian Benny Morris was interviewed on The World Tonight later that evening.

(Picture taken from the Stop The Wall website)

Caroline Lucas tops the league for of UK MEP's promoting transparency and reform

Open Europe have produced league table of MEP's based on their commitment to promoting transparency and reform. Caroline along with an SNP and Independent MEP came the top of the UK list and joint 10th across Europe's 785 MEP's.

With such disillusion among voters at the moment, this is a positive story we can sell to the UK voters.

Boycott Eurovision tonight

Police in Moscow have started arresting participants of the Pride march, including Green Party human rights spokesperson Peter Tatchell.

The march had been banned by homophobic Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who according to Sky News has previously described homosexuality as "satanic".

This oppression of the gay community comes the same day as Moscow hosts the Eurovision Song Contest.

We should show our disgust at Russia's actions by boycotting the show tonight.

End the UK arms trade

This morning in the news there are reports of military actions in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Both these countries are recipients of UK arms, for details visit the Campaign Against Arms Trade at http://www.caat.org.uk/publications/countries.php

These are just two of the countries with poor human rights records who are recipients of UK arms. Other countries include China, Colombia, Israel and Turkey.

Our government may occasionally may make mild criticism of some of the governments, but such actions are hipocritical when we continue to ship arms to these countries.

Joint union statement on HE job cuts

The following is from the UCU website:

The following statement has been signed by NUS, UCU, Unison, Unite, GMB and EIS.

'As representatives of both staff and students in higher education, we are deeply concerned at the announcement by the UCEA (the national body that negotiates on behalf of UK universities) that two-thirds of all universities are considering job cuts.

At a time when demand from students for access to higher education has never been greater we believe that any strategy of cutting jobs is deeply problematic.

The scale of redundancies in those institutions who have already announced cuts is substantial with both jobs and whole departments threatened. Cutting jobs could further raise staff:student ratios (which have already doubled in the last 15 years), and lead to larger seminar, class and lecture sizes; less contact time and an increased workload for those staff who remain. Any proposals to cut crucial support and academic related staff jobs without whom universities simply could not function will not be accepted by any union as a rationalisation for protecting such ratios. Cuts of any kind could have a devastating impact upon the quality of education experienced by current and future students.

Given UCEA has raised the spectre of mass redundancies across HE at national negotiations, there should be nothing in principle to stop the HE sector from coming together to provide reassurances on seeking to avoid job cuts rather than their current position- hiding behind claims of institutional autonomy.

We therefore believe that a partnership between unions and employers to reach a national agreement on job security is essential if we are to defend education.

We pledge to campaign together on defending education, reflecting the belief that our sector plays a critical role in mitigating the effects of the economic recession; creating the conditions for future prosperity and providing all in our communities with access to the opportunity to learn.'

Petition to: challenge the Office of National Statistics (ONS) position on including a question on sexual orientation in the upcoming 2011 census and,

Since 2006 the ONS 'Sexual Identity Project' has investigated the development of "a question (or set of questions) that can be used on social surveys and for equality monitoring purposes”. The current position is that no such question is likely to be included in 2011, meaning at least another decade before we see such a question on what is the most important survey of the UK population.

The survey will contain references to same-sex civil partnerships (which is a great step forward), so it makes no sense to then omit a question on sexual orientation.

At the 2009 Stonewall Workplace Conference, the Chief Executive of the Equalities & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) indicated clearly that the EHRC's view was that such a question should be included in 2011, challenging the ONS position. As the UK authority on equality issues, the EHRC's point of view should be taken seriously.

In keeping with the proposed Single Equality Act, it is the perfect time to add a question on sexual orientation to the census.

This government has an excellent record on LGB rights so far, please don't tarnish that by accepting the ONS stance on this issue. Show courage and don't make us wait yet another decade.

Sign the petition at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/lgb2011census/

Scottish TUC votes for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel

The following is from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign website:

Scotland today joined Ireland and South Africa when the Scottish Trade Union Congress, representing every Scottish trade union, voted overwhelmingly to commit to boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. This is the third example of a national trade union federation committing to BDS and is a clear indication that, while Israel can kill Palestinians with impunity and Western support, it has lost the battle for world public opinion. It is now seen to be a state born out of ethnic cleansing and still expanding through the violent dispossession of the Palestinian people.

National Demonstration 16 May - Remember Gaza – Free Palestine!

Remember Gaza.. End the Siege now! Free Palestine!

National Demonstration 16 May 2009

Assembling 12noon in Central London, Rally in Trafalgar Square

Free Palestine - End Israeli Occupation - End the Arms trade

Called by: Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Palestinian Forum in Britain and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Supported by: Action Palestine, Amos Trust, Arab Media Watch, Association of Palestinian Communities UK, Britain-Palestine Twinning Network, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Friends of Lebanon, Friends of Sabeel UK, The Green Party, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK, Jewish Socialist’s Group, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Midlands Palestinian Community Association, Muslim Association of Britain, NUS Black Students Campaign, UNISON, Pax Christi, Public and Commercial Services Union, Rail Maritime and Transport Union, Viva Palestina, War on Want, Zaytoun.

Download the leaflet here.

Leaflets are also available from the PSC office – please save the date and start organising transport now!

We are looking for plenty of volunteers on the day, please contact us if you can help!

Please contact the PSC office for more information:

Tel: 020 7700 6192

Email: info@palestinecampaign.org

Web: www.palestinecampaign.org

TV Turn Off Week

Monday signals the start of TV Turn Off Week 2009. This international week of events encourages us to turn off our TV for a week. Can you manage it?

Details at White Dot

Even the weather is on our side this year.

BBC Trust criticise Jeremy Bowen

I was astounded when I read today that the BBC Trust found that BBC Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, had breached guidelines on accuracy and impartiality.

I have always found Bowen to be one of the most impartial reporters around on the Israel/Palestine issue and often felt he could be a lot more critical of Israel's actions.

This is yet another display of BBC cowardice after refusing to show the DEC Gaza appeal. Despite their arguements of impartiality, they prove to be anything but impartial by the easy ride they give Israel's government and army.

Read the full story in the Independent

Charile Brooker's Newswipe

Please do make an effort to watch tonight's episode of Charile Brooker's Newswipe. It has an excellent analysis on how the media covered the G20 demo's and distorted the news to sensationalise what was in main a peaceful demonstration.

The program also showed this picture, which I had not seen before:



(Picture taken from Earth First website)

Watch Newswipe at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jwcb3/Newswipe_Episode_4

Mark Thomas endoreses the Green Party

(If you cannot see this video click here)

Government threatens benefits for alcoholics

BBC News reported today:

Alcoholics face having their benefits docked if they do not get treatment, under government plans.

Minister James Purnell has announced a review into the idea to be carried out jointly by the Department of Health and Department for Work and Pensions.

This once again highlights the governments attack on the benefits system pandering to the likes of the Daily Mail.

Alcoholism is an illness and it is simplistic to think that people will simply stop drinking because their benefits are risk. The real risk is that those who cannot stop drinking could end up on the streets through lack of income.

A typical bank holiday weekend

Here's to hoping we do actually get a summer this year.

Assault on Ian Tomlinson

The Guardian website today has a video showing damning evidence of the police attack on Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests which resulted in his death.

Details at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2009/apr/07/g20-police-assault-video

Big Brother is watching you even more closely

From today ISP's will monitor your email and net phone calls under an EU directive. This information will be available to the "authorities" on providing a warrant.

Once again this is an example of the government selectively interpreting the right to privacy legislation under the Human Rights Act.

Read more at the Open Rights Group site.

Aviva job losses

Green Party anger at Aviva jobs cuts

This week Aviva announced another 1,100 job losses in the UK with 571 at its York offices, 15% of the York workforce. This huge wave of job losses is the latest in what has become regular occurrence at York with now over 1500 jobs cuts since 2006.

Green Party Trade Union Group North East spokesperson Andrew Collingwood stated 'There is absolutely no excuse for the continuing waves of jobs cuts. The dedicated staff at York have helped build Aviva and make it the success it is today with its annually increasing profits. Instead of praise and job security for their contributions they face the constant threat of redundancy, while Aviva continues to reward its shareholders and waste money on re branding and expensive celebrity advertising campaigns'.

Andy Chase, Green Parliamentary Candidate for York Central, said: "This is bad news for York's economy and terrible news for Aviva employees when the company is spending a large amount of money on advertising and re branding itself."

"Concerted government action is now needed to help people in those areas hit hardest by job losses. There is much work that can be done to create employment and stimulate the economy. As well as supporting local businesses directly, there are also many other useful tasks, such as getting the housing stock in better shape. The government now needs to get in touch with local authorities and find ways of making this happen."

The brutality of the Taliban

Yesterday on the Guardian website a very harrowing video was posted of the Taliban administering punishment on a teenage girl for being in the company of a married man. As a result of the 17 year old girl breaching the Taliban's rules she was sentenced to 34 lashes.

Our government must protest to Pakistan in the strongest terms about the brutalities exacted on Pakistani women.

Read more at on the Amnesty International website at http://blogs.amnesty.org.uk/blogs_entry.asp?eid=2934

Local Shops for Local People

Green Party's online drive to promote local businesses.

York Green Party has launched a directory of local shops on the internet,allowing Google users to find local and independent shops and services easily.

The online directory lists independent and locally-based shops and services in the Heslington, Fulford and Fishergate wards of the city. It builds on a booklet, called "Local Shops for Local People" that the Green Party produced in 2006. This directory was distributed to every household in the areas covered.

Dave Taylor, Green Councillor for Fishergate said, "We wholly support The Press's campaign to promote local shops. Our aim back in October 2006 was to make sure people knew what they could get from independent and local shops. The chain shops have far higher advertising budgets, and we wanted to do our bit to help the profile of independents."

"One of the things that is absolutely vital in this day and age is to have your business listed in Google. More people now use Google searches to find local businesses than the Yellow Pages. So we decided to transfer our old paper-based directory into an online version."

The map is by no means exhaustive, and York Green Party welcomes additions and refinements. Visitors with a Google account can comment on the map directly. "We hope that this initiative will eventually cover the whole of York," says Dave Taylor, "but we had to start somewhere."

"Supporting local businesses has long been a Green priority. Local businesses create more jobs, and will put more money back into the local economy than a national plc would. They help foster a sense of identity in a town or city, and will often have smaller carbon footprints, as they don't have national freight distribution networks."

The online "Local Shops for Local People" map is available at http://tinyurl.com/lsflp

Conference passes motion on Gaza

The following emergency motion was passed on the last day of conference:

5. Support for students

Item 4 of the Green Party Core Values states: "Electoral politics is not the only way to achieve change in society, and we will use a variety of methods to help effect change, providing these methods do not conflict with our other core principles."

In this spirit, and in recognition of the value of Non-Violent Direct Action, conference pledges its support to the students occupying University buildings across the country, and fully endorses their campaign to demand that universities divest both from the arms trade and other organisations which directly or indirectly have financially contributed to the military and economic oppression of the people of Gaza. Furthermore, conference condemns any universities taking disciplinary action against the occupying students who are exercising their right to protest; these students, as stakeholders in their University, have a valid right to demand that their university is investing funds ethically.

Conference thus calls for the following action to be taken: International committee and the International Coordinator to pledge support for the student campaign, and also to back our MEPs' call for an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza, in particular in light of recent revelations in the press about Israeli actions in Gaza.

Back from conference

Finally back in York after a couple of days in Blackpool at conference. It was good to see the party taking a strong stand against the BNP and racism.

Peter Cranie's opening speech was inspiring and took a strong stand against the BNP. It is important that the Green Party strongly condemn the policies of the BNP, which is something we can do as we have the policies which are radically different than other parties who try and out do each other on who is willing to take the toughest line on immigration. By using slogans like 'British jobs for British workers' and agreeing that there is a problem with immigration is only adding fuel to xenophobia and racism.

I was also pleased to see Joseph Healy's migration motion passed bringing us in line with the European Green party policy.

I attended 3 fringes, the LGBT group's 'Homophobia in Easter Europe and the Green Response, Green Left's 'Expansion of NATO and the danger of a new Cold War in Europe' and the Trade Union group's 'Welfare rights and advice'. All three fringes had excellent speakers and promoted interesting debate.

Finally, thank you to everyone who voted for me in the SOC elections.

Pope claims condoms 'could make African AIDS crisis worse'

It could be argued that hundreds of thousands, if not millions have died of AIDS as a result of the Catholic church's stand on contraception.

So, what is the Pope's response to the problem I hear you ask. On a recent trip to Cameroon the Pope was quoted as saying that the condition was "a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems". (Source Pink News)

I find such flawed logic completely incomprehensible. It is estimated that AIDS has caused 25 million deaths since its appearance in the early 1980s. (Source UN 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic). Such an irresponsible approach from any religion is unacceptable. I doubt however that Gordon Brown will take the opportunity to raise the issue with him if he visits the UK and will take the same sycophantic approach as our previous PM.

Green Left fringe at conference

Andrew Murray, Chair of the Stop the War Coalition, will be speaking at a fringe meeting organised by Green Left at conference this Saturday.

The fringe which is at 1pm will be on ‘NATO Expansion to the East. A new Cold War in Europe?’ and is particularly timely as the NATO 60TH anniversary summit is taking place in Strasbourg on April 4th , at which President Obama is expected to announce new US policy in relation to NATO, missile defence, relations with Russia and the war in Afghanistan.

The BNP support the Optimum Population Trust

I've long felt that the Optimum Population Trust is an embarrassment to the UK Green movement. The OPT population policy is:

OPT POPULATION POLICY
OPT campaigns for policies to achieve environmentally sustainable population levels both globally and in the UK. The ecological issue is one of population numbers, resource demands and the environmental impacts created by different sizes of population at given levels of affluence and technology. For more details see the Fertility, Migration, Population policy projections, Briefings and submissions and other sections of this website. OPT recommends the following population policies:
# Globally, that full access to family planning should be provided to all those who do not have it, that couples should be encouraged voluntarily to "Stop at Two" children to lessen the impact of family size on the environment, and that this should be part of a holistic approach involving better education and equal rights for women.
# In the UK, that population should be allowed to stabilise and decrease by not less than 0.25% a year to an environmentally sustainable level, by bringing immigration into numerical balance with emigration, by making greater efforts to reduce teenage pregnancies, and by encouraging couples voluntarily to "Stop at Two" children.

Such a policy is completely immoral, as we should not be dictating how many children a couple can have, or even what the immigration levels for the country should be. Such policies belong on the far-right of politics and should be disowned by the Green movement.

You need look no further than the British National Party website to see what kind of support groups like the OPT attract.

Globalisation, over-consumption of resources and capitalism fuel our environmental problems, not the population levels and certainly not immigration.

Join the Anti-Optimum Population Trust group on Facebook.

The BBC uses the argument of 'Impartiality' again

As reported in the Guardian today, the BBC has once again use the argument of 'impartiality' to justify its decision not to broadcast a radio version of Carol Churchill's play 'Seven Jewish Children'. This comes just a few months after the BBC's appalling decision not to screen the DEC Gaza appeal.

Why does this argument of impartiality only get used when relating to criticism of Israel. I doubt the BBC would have a problem with impartiality if they received a similar piece of work relating to Burma, Tibet or Zimbabwe.

Support journalists at The Press

Newsquest, owners of York paper 'The Press' and 'Gazette & Herald' continued their attack on the papers by announcing that seven out of 59 editorial jobs were to go at the Newsquest titles.

Please support the journalists call for fair pay by signing their petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/nujyork/petition.html

You can read their blog at http://nujyork.blogspot.com/

Rise of 'corrective rapes' on lesbians in South Africa

The following horrifying story is from Pink News:

A new report has suggested a rise in 'corrective rapes' on lesbians in South Africa.

According to charity ActionAid, women in Johannesburg and Cape Town are suffering an increase in homophobic attacks and sexual assaults which are seen as a form of punishment or "cure".

One lesbian and gay support group says it is dealing with 10 new cases of lesbian women being targeted for ‘corrective’ rape every week in Cape Town alone.

Figures suggest there are an estimated 500,000 rapes in South Africa every year and for every 25 men accused of rape in the country, 24 walk free.

The report, titled Hate Crimes, claims that victims often report that their attackers say they are "teaching them a lesson" or showing them how to be a "real woman".

Zanele Twala, Director of ActionAid South Africa, said: “So-called ‘corrective’ rape is yet another grotesque manifestation of violence against women, the most widespread human rights violation in the world today. These crimes continue unabated and with impunity, while governments simply turn a blind eye.”

One victim told ActionAid: “We get insults every day, beatings if we walk alone, you are constantly reminded that you deserve to be raped.

"They yell 'if I rape you then you will go straight, that you will buy skirts and start to cook because you will have learnt how to be a real woman'."

Thirty-one lesbian women have been reported murdered in homophobic attacks since 1998, yet there has only been one conviction.

However, support groups have claimed that the actual number of women killed is likely to be much higher because hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation are not recognised in the country's criminal justice system.

Ms Twala has called on foreign governments to help stop the tide of violence.

She said: “It is clear that the South African government must put a stop to these crimes against women and fulfil the promises of the constitution.

"Worldwide, it is utterly unacceptable that millions of women and girls live daily in fear of their lives. The international community have a duty to address violence against women as the most serious threat to security in the world today."

The Catholic church in Brazil

If up early enough on a Sunday morning I sometimes listen to Sunday on Radio 4. It is a religious magazine programme which covers religious stories from all religions, although not religious myself I find it an interesting programme.

This morning I was shocked to hear the story of a 9 year Brazilian girl who became pregnant as a result of her father's sexual abuse, who subsequently had an abortion, which is only legal under Brazilian law in cases of rape or when the mother's life is at risk which was clearly the case for both these reasons.

As a result of this the child's mother and the doctors who treated her have been ex-communicated by the Catholic church, were as the abusive father is allowed to remain in the church.

This once again shows how out of touch the Catholic church has become in the 21st century. Surely such immoral behaviour will push yet more of its congregation away. If the church wants to be seen as the voice of morality it needs a reality check as to what is morally acceptable behaviour in the 21st century.

More evidence of the Big Brother state

Today's article in the Guardian finally proves what the end game is when you are caught on camera by the police attending legal demonstrations.

The Guardian claims that police are targeting thousands of political campaigners and storing their details on a database for a least seven years.

If you visit the Guardian site you can watch a surveillance video of last year's climate camp showing the police filming protestors and also taking particular interest in any journalists entering the area.

This story comes just a few weeks after section 76 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 was introduced which could in theory make it a criminal offence to take a photograph of a police officer.

So while campaigners are facing increasing surveillance the police can theoretically charge you for doing the same.

Each year, around 1 in 10 women in Britain experience rape or other violence

EACH YEAR, AROUND 1 IN 10 WOMEN IN BRITAIN EXPERIENCE RAPE OR OTHER VIOLENCE

One in four local authorities leave female victims of violence without the specialised support they need. At 1:10pm today Amnesty rallied online communities to do something about this disgraceful lack of services for International Women's Day. Thank you to the thousands of you who changed your avatar and status update on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter.

http://blog.protectthehuman.com/category/violence-against-women/

Israel Science Day

The following is from the BRICUP (British Committee for Universities for Palestine) website.

With amazing and insensitive bad taste the Science Museum in London (and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry) are allowing their premises to be used for an ‘Israel Day of Science’ sponsored by the Zionist Federation. The research of seven Israeli universities is to be showcased. The planned dates are March 3 (Manchester) and March 5 (London).

Join the protests

Manchester Tuesday March 3

From 10am at Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester

Rally with speakers -1-2pm

London Thursday March 5

Meet at 9.30am, Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington

Caroline Lucas in Palestine

The following is an extract from Caroline's blog, which she is regularly posting to while in Palestine from 25th Feb - 1st March:

We were met by staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), who were to be our guides for the rest of the day. As we drove into Gaza City, the scale of the destruction quickly became apparent. Whole neighbourhoods have been flattened, the concrete walls and floors of collapsed houses jutting out at impossible angles. The human cost of such devastation is almost unimaginable.

Yet one of the things that shocked me too was evidence of the deliberate targeting of Gaza’s industrial areas. Dynamite had been used to blow up enterprises like flour mills, a cement packing operation, even an ice-cream factory. And where tanks and bulldozers had failed to fully destroy the contents of buildings, fires were set alight to do the job instead.

Please take time to visit Caroline's blog to read about her experiences in Gaza.

For shame Derek

Certainly no fan of the bigoted fish wrapper the Daily Mail, I did decide to look on its website today after hearing on the radio about its attack on Derek Simpson, joint General Secretary of Unite.

It claims that he has repeatedly stayed in £399 a night rooms at the Waldorf hotel rather than take the 35-minute journey to his £800,000 grace-and-favour home.

Thankfully I am no longer a member of Unite. This man is an embarrassment to the trade union movement and it is time the members turned their backs on him.

There is candidate who is worthy of the position of general secretary. Jerry Hicks has been running an excellent campaign and has rightly criticised the current leadership of Unite and has pledged to only take the wage of an average skilled worker if elected.

Find out more about Jerry's campaign at http://jerryhicks.wordpress.com/