Link: http://www.culturechange.org/cms/content/view/754/65/

Listening to Thunderclap Newman, a revolutionary rock band of 1969-1971, it's clear that then, as now, we didn't know where we were going. Their number-one song in the UK, "Something In The Air," proclaimed "the revolution's here." In those heady days there was far more optimism for the revolution, defined variously in Marxist terms or what came to be lumped into "New Age" consciousness. The Movement and its revolution did not succeed in changing society's course, as The Movement soon fragmented into submovements which survive today (feminist, environmental, peace, gay rights, etc.).

Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/07/201175173223247566.html

Parade marks two centuries since independence but Chavez, recovering from cancer surgery, limited to televised address. Venezuelans are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the country's independence from Spain with the country's president. Thousands of troops marched beneath thundering fighter jets and helicopters while an announcer's booming voice declared that the nation is "free, socialist, independent". Fireworks burst over the capital Caracas from midnight on, ushering in a day of street parties across the nation. Chavez also sent out a message to his followers on Twitter, saying: "Oh, Venezuela, happy birthday my dear homeland! Happiness today and forever, my brothers! Viva Venezuela!!!!"

Link: http://silviacattori.net/article1704.html

Under pressure from Israel and the United States, the Greek government has prohibited the Freedom Flotilla from sailing to Gaza from its ports. But for its organizers, the fight has just begun and Israel will remain under pressure by civil society who will continue to denounce the illegality of the blockade, and to fight to go to Gaza. Dimitris Plionis, one of the Greek spokesmen for the flotilla, responds here to the questions of Silvia Cattori.