from Left Streamed

Caracas, October 30, 2007: Produced as part of Centro Internacional Miranda's Transformative Practice and Human Development, directed by Michael Lebowitz. Posted on: http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/

• Class Struggle Heats Up Over Battle for Wokers' Control by Federico Fuentes
• The Path to Human Development: Capitalism or Socialism? by Michael Lebowitz

from: William Hughes

At a hearing on Human Rights, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22, 2009, Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), recalled a long list of miscarriages of justice in the UK, as they related to the struggle for peace and justice in the north of Ireland. He cited: “Bloody Sunday,” the “Guildford Four Case,” “The Birmingham Six,” the deportation of Joe Doherty, and the killing of the unarmed “Gibraltar Three.” Rep. Neal underscored that facing up to the past was important, and that resolving high profiles cases, such as the murders of Raymond McCord, Jr., Pat Finucane, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright, would go a long way towards “reconciliation.” Rep. Neal has drafted a letter to UK’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to be cosigned by his congressional colleagues, requesting that the Prime Minister meet with Raymond McCord, Sr. He’s the father of Raymond McCord, Jr., who has been fighting tirelessly since 1997, to bring his killers, reputed members of the UVF, to the Bar of Justice. For background, see: http://www.hcfa.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=1122 Check out related videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=liamh2#p/u/1/eDheK0vsrNk
and http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=liamh2#p/u/0/l9ayA0KY9Tw

from: William Hughes

On Oct. 22, 2009, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., the House Subcommittee on Human Rights held a hearing on cases arising out of Northern Ireland, which dealt with “police and state collusion.” The Chairman, Bill Delahunt (D-MA), made this comment: “We are operating in a clandestine world...All too often in this country, there is a...classification system that has no basis in reality.” Chariman Delahunt also knocked the Obama Justice Department for pushing the British government “not to reveal certain information in a case that is [currently] being pursued in the British courts.” He suggested that more transparency, and not claiming “state secrets,” at every opportunity would probably be “welcomed” by the Intelligence Services. See: http://www.hcfa.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=1122 Check out related video: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=liamh2#p/u/1/eDheK0vsrNk

from: William Hughes

Raymond McCord, Sr. is one determined Ulsterman! On Oct. 22, 2009, he got a chance, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., to tell a House Subcommittee his story about his long struggle to bring the killers of his son, Raymond McCord, Jr., to justice. Mr. McCord claims his boy, age 22, was viciously murdered by individuals, in 1997, in North Belfast, who were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). They were also government agents and “police informers,” according to Mr. McCord. As a result, he further alleges that the case “is not about police corruption. It is about police and state collusion with murder.” The hearing was held by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight, in the Rayburn Office Building. It was chaired by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA). I chatted with Mr. McCord after he finished his testimony, along with Father Sean McManus, one of Mr. McCord’s strongest supporters in the U.S. He’s the President of the Irish National Caucus, a D.C.-based lobbying group. See for background: http://www.hcfa.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=1122 and http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0122/mccordr.html and
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=19305

http://gilad.squarespace.com/gilad-with-strings/

Gilad Atzmon’s acclaimed Orient House Ensemble and the Sigamos String Quartet on the road with their new project. This features interpretations of Charlie Parker’s legendary strings recording, as well as new works by Gilad. The combination of Atzmon’s unparalleled bebop virtuosity with stunning strings arrangements promises to create a special performance. The project is a product of a growing collaboration between Gilad Atzmon and Ros Stephen. Back in 2006 Gilad joined Ros’ Tango Siempre for two tours and an album project. They then decided to join forces and to bring 'Bird with Strings' to live. http://gilad.squarespace.com/gilad-with-strings/

from: William Hughes

On Thursday morning, Oct. 15, 2009, in down town Washington, D.C., in a steady rain, about 15 supporters of single payer, Medicare for All solution to our healthcare crisis engaged in a “sit-in” outside a building which houses an office/pr branch of the insurance giant, WellPoint. The demonstration was part of an ongoing and growing national campaign by the “Mobilization for Health Care for All” group. The police chose not to make any arrests, although the protesters were clearly blocking one of the main entrances to the office building. The activists were demanding “real healthcare reform” that puts the needs of the patients before corporate profits, and also that is not scripted by the powerful insurance companies. The CEO of WellPoint, Angela Braly, for example, hauled in $8.7 million in compensation in 2008! For more information, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/ | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxtN19Ug8ew

from: William Hughes

Activists demonstrated, in a steady rain, in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15, 2009, at the office/PR branch of the insurance giant, WellPoint. It is located only blocks from the White House. This slideshow represents some of the sights and scenes from that spirited demonstration that demanded genuine healthcare reform in this country. See related videos of the protest, at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxtN19Ug8ew and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPYuWqHv9TM For more information on the Single Payer Healthcare issue and on the organizers of the event and its ongoing national campaign, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/

from: William Hughes

Activists demonstrated, in a steady rain, in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15, 2009, at the office/PR branch of the insurance giant, WellPoint. It is located only blocks from the White House. The demonstration was part of a growing national campaign by the “Mobilization for Health Care for All” group. The activists were demanding “real healthcare reform” that puts the needs of the patients before corporate profits, and also that is not scripted by the powerful insurance companies. For more information, check out: mobilizeforhealthcare.org See also related video of that protest action, at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxtN19Ug8ew

from Morris

Muhamed a Gazan journalist tells us what life in Gaza is like. He is jolly and articulate. Descriptive images and footage accompany his talk.

http://www.pmptv.tv

The trials and tribulations: Skype didn't work, Yahoo and Messenger didn't work. Phone calls could not get through. The electricity in Gaza went down. YouTube failed on two uploads.

Finally made a lower resolution quality in order to upload successfully.
http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=TV077SgyHyE

from: William Hughes

On February 11, 2008, then U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) made a campaign stop at College Park, MD. This was the day before the Democratic presidential primary in Maryland. At this event, Sen. Obama promised a cheering audience at the Comcast Center: “I will bring this [Iraq] war to a close. In 2009, I will bring our troops home. It is time for the Iraqis to stand up and stabilize their country. We cannot have a permanent occupation in Iraq...We are going to close Guantanamo and restore Habeas Corpus...No more FEMA Justice...We are going to have...a Justice Department that believes in Justice. And, you will elect a president who has taught the Constitution, and believes in the Constitution and will obey the Constitution of the United States of America.” For background on the Feb. 11, 2008 rally, check out: http://baltimore.indymedia.org/newswire/display/16834/index.php For how President Obama has waffled, dodged and/or broken many of his campaign promises, see: Author/Activist David Swanson’s commentary, “Not What Obama Promised,” at: http://www.opednews.com/articles/Not-What-Obama-Promised-by-David-Swanson-090720-253.html and http://open.salon.com/blog/behind_blue_eyes/2009/05/22/obama_proposes_indefinite_preventive_detention_without_trial and
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/11/bagram/ and http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2009/05/15/obama-reinstates-bush-kangaroo-courts/ and
http://news.antiwar.com/2009/09/15/obama-seeks-patriot-act-extensions/