Che
As a proud member of the Socialist Alliance contingent at Melbourne's pride march, I'm disappointed with Darryl Croke's (Write On, Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly #570) knee-jerk reaction to the Che Guevara banner. The banner in question was not a Socialist Alliance banner, but rather a banner of Resistance, a youth affiliate to the Socialist Alliance. As a Resistance member, I defend the use of Che as a symbol of fighting oppression.
Croke makes sweeping condemnations of Che and the Cuban government's attitudes towards homosexuals. Homophobia was not generated by the revolution, it existed beforehand. Revolutions are made with imperfect people and there is no magic wand to eliminate prejudice. Sure, Che Guevara may have been homophobic, but then again so were most progressive leaders for hundreds of years prior to Che. The sexual revolution was just starting at the time of Che's death, a revolution that barely touched the Third World, particularly Third World countries heavily influenced by Catholicism.
Croke claims "at best it seems that [queers in Cuba] 'are no worse off' than in other countries". If you compare Cuba to the United States (the country which is quickest to criticise Cuban democracy), which has outlawed homosexual acts in 20 of its states, you'd see a very different picture. Cuba's stance on homosexuality is currently better than all but a few First World countries and the majority of the Third World for that matter.
No other government has made such huge progress given the campaign against homophobia is barely 18 years old. This turnaround was part of a wider campaign titled "return to Che". The symbol of Che Guevara stands for the overcoming of all forms of oppression and for becoming a complete human being, and it is this example he tried to set (regardless of his prejudices at the time), which is the reason why we place his face on our banner.
Stephen Garvey
Glen Iris Vic
State-sponsored IWD
International Women's Day comes from a strong and militant tradition. Socialist women have historically played a central role in organising political rallies which raise demands and highlight women's struggles. And in a period of global imperialist wars and domestic attacks on workers, and increasing privatisation of health and education, there is still much to fight for.
It was with this in mind that I was determined to be involved in organising IWD in Adelaide this year. Imagine my horror and disappointment to find that IWD here is shaping up to be a policy launch event for the state ALP government, in all but name. Imagine my incredulity to be told that there will only be one speaker (any more would simply drag on and bore women) and she will be Stephanie Key, the state minister for women, who will be launching an ALP women's safety policy.
While this policy may have many benefits, I cannot reconcile my understanding of what IWD is all about with the fact that the only official speaker at the rally is going to be a representative from the state government.
The broad theme of "Women fighting poverty" decided on for the rally should be able to encompass the struggles and demands of many women in many different sectors: those trying to survive on temporary protection visas; those wanting access to tertiary education; and those struggling to support children on measly government benefits because they can't find work.
Instead, it seems that the annual feminist event is set to be a celebration of how fortunate we are to have the ALP in power, and a reflection on all the state government is doing to improve our lot as women.
In order to make the day as inclusive and relevant to all women as possible, feminists will have to bring fresh ideas and left-wing politics to the event themselves. Let's be loud and angry with our banners and chants.
Emma Murphy
Adelaide
Activists continue to campaign
With a predictable win for Labor's Anna Bligh in South Brisbane and the Greens success in increasing their vote this time round, voters should expect to be completely ignored again until the announcement of the federal election and the small splash of the city council election in late March. Gone are the election stalls and posters.
The Socialist Alliance will once again be alone with their regular campaigning stalls in West End and Stones Corner on Saturday mornings.
The Socialist Alliance doubled its vote in South Brisbane, and unlike other booth staff, were keen to speak with voters on the way out. Voters were surprised and thankful to walk away with a leaflet about the day of action to end the occupation of Iraq on March 20.
People are taking an interest in parties that take the time to engage people in political discussion and encourage them to take some action, long after the reshuffle of parliamentary seats has been decided.
The Socialist Alliance will continue to campaign to stop the construction of the Green bridge, demand safe and secure housing for the homeless and low-income earners, and an end to the occupation of Iraq.
Lynda Hansen
Annerley, Qld
Cracks
The current, well-publicised crisis of the Sydney train system is matched by the crisis in the Western Australian hospital system, the crisis in electricity distribution in several states (the other night large areas of WA were blacked out) and the crisis in schools. Economic rationalism has depleted all public services for years and now the cracks can no longer be papered over.
With Prime Minister John Howard's massive increase in war spending planned for the next decade, we can expect things to get worse. Notice that Labor leader Mark Latham doesn't oppose that war spending and also note that it is the Labor Party, ruling in every state and territory government, that is responsible for the delivery of these cuts in services.
Barry Healy
Perth
War criminal
Despite the fact that more than 10,000 innocent civilians were killed in the attack on Iraq, John HoWARd says he has "no regrets" and never will. Howard should be in no doubt about his popularity as opinion polls at home show he still has 51% support. But in reality, world opinion is against him. Billions of people, including world leaders, recognise the attack on Iraq was wrong; and he must be held accountable — the world must never forgive or forget.
Howard lied about weapons of mass destruction; he lied about Iraq being an imminent threat and he continues to lie.
Australian involvement in the attack has been downplayed, but it should not be underestimated. Although only 2000 Australian troops took part, Australian airplanes dropped 46,000kgs. Ironically, Australians managed to target 3000 sites for bombing, but could not even identify one site used for weapons of mass destruction.
But it is not enough to call the war a "mistake". Because Australia has ratified the International Criminal Court (ICC), John Howard can and should indeed be held accountable and tried by the ICC.
Under the precedent set by the US in the Nuremberg trials after World War II, belligerents like Howard could be charged with a variety of crimes including war of aggression, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity.
The Australian administration is now trying to cover up its lies and deceptions. The Australian media has tried to portray our troops as heroes, but it has been difficult to convince the public that they deserve medals for an attack where most of those killed were women and children.
March 20th is the anniversary of the attack on Iraq and I encourage all those who marched against the war to attend memorial services and marches in respect for the innocent Iraq victims.
Peter Smernos
Adelaide
[Abridged.]
Thanks
Thanks folks, from an old hand. You have been doing outstanding work. I know what it takes to live the committment: great decency, great passion and great generosity of soul. To all who labour there — my deep appreciation."
Annie Taylor
Bondi Junction NSW
Labor's Tony Abbott
Like Tony Abbott, Michael Costa always poses for the media.
Like Tony Abbott, Michael Costa is attracted to the limelight like a moth to a flame.
Like Tony Abbott, Michael Costa always promises to fix things up and then mucks them up.
Like Tony Abbott, Michael Costa is so perfect that he deserves to be placed on the backbench.
Here is Michael Costa's trains record:
In late 2003, ticket inspectors and police turned train carriages into paddy wagons. Commuters were treated like criminals. Any silly excuse was enough for heavy fines to be placed on commuters.
In early 2004, train drivers and the state government have turned the train system into total chaos. The trains come when they like and if they like. Trains are either cancelled or run 20 minutes late. They are never on time. Train timetables and commuters are ignored.
The public are treated worse than criminals. Will Costa be fined heavily?
Jane Wallace
Riverwood NSW
Boycott USA
The power of any empire, country or company comes from those at the bottom that support it. For the USA, this is largely the customers of its corporations all around the world. A worldwide boycott is the main way to respond to this. Granted, there are products that only come from the USA, but often, even with more specialist products, there are alternatives.
The other major aspect is the conquering aspect — the control of the world markets — this is covered extensively on your web site. The best approach to this is for countries such as India, China and Brazil to get together and establish their own separate economic forum and alliances — establish an alternate "international Community".
There is also the "Americanisation" of the workplace, and the general culture, that is used by the "Americans" to propagate and control cultures generally. This is done primarily in the workplace by the "team playing" or "team working" culture, which certainly has its equivalents in Oz.
This is a disastrous culture — especially in countries outside the USA — it results in very low capital productivity — typically 10% of what can be achieved using more traditional professional culture. It is an extremely insidious culture. It effectively "knackers" companies and allows the USA to easily move in and take over markets. It is amazing how many people profess to be loyal to their companies and countries but at the same time push this tribal culture .
The best opposition is always vote with your feet — don't support the products or the people who support this imperialism .
Kim Lyon
A sandgroper living in Europe
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, February 18, 2004.
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