Reporting on Syria
It is with deep concern that we the undersigned continue to read articles in the 91自拍论坛 Weekly about the ongoing conflict in Syria that do not reflect the true situation. Most, if not all, of these articles are written by Tony Iltis who takes a position that is only marginally better than the outright lies being peddled by the corporate media: i.e. the 鈥淔ree Syrian Army鈥 are democratic rebels fighting for freedom.
Despite Tony moderating his stance somewhat in his latest article (GLW Issue 950) to blaming the 鈥渞ebels鈥 as well as the Syrian Government for the current bloodshed and chaos, the article reads like a random mixture of material thrown together from various websites. It would appear that he doesn鈥檛 know what is going on and has pulled together various strands in an 鈥渆ach way bet鈥 to cover himself against possible future criticism.
There is an enormous amount of information available online about the true nature of the so called 鈥渞ebels鈥 and we also have extensive contact with the Adelaide Syrian community, with families still in Syria, who almost unanimously agree that the 鈥淔ree Syrian Army鈥 are the terrorists who are responsible for the massacres and destruction and that it is the military who are trying to protect the population and infrastructure. The vast majority of Syrians support Al-Assad and fear the 鈥渞ebels鈥.
Most of the 鈥渞ebels鈥 aren鈥檛 even Syrian. They are a mixture of murderous religious fanatics including Al Qaeda and mercenaries from over a dozen countries who are financed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf countries. They are armed by the USA and Israel and trained and organised by the CIA, MI6, Mossad and French Intelligence.
The 鈥淔SA鈥 are thugs engaged in yet another Western-backed imperialist takeover of a sovereign nation whose government is to be replaced with a pro-Western Islamic Caliphate (with sharia law) in which democracy and freedom, especially for women, are forbidden.
The 鈥淔SA鈥 are supported by many Muslim extremist websites that proudly celebrate the atrocities committed against the Syrian people. To support such activities is unconscionable and counterproductive to achieving a just solution for the people of Syria.
We would like to remind GLW that both Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez have condemned the Western conspiracy against Syria and that the Cuban and Venezuelan people have protested strongly against this intervention and in support of Al-Assad.
We find it mystifying that the GLW staff hold their pro 鈥淔SA鈥 position despite the obvious alarm bells. We appeal to you to adopt a far more critical, accurate and thoroughly researched position on this very serious matter.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Bertuleit, Mark Window, Abbas Al-Kafaji, Louise Davies, Helen Lawrie, Patty Cadiz, Chris Benham, Andrew McLean, Phil Davies, Juan Garrido, Yan Lin, Trevor Deegan, Sue Shepherd, Lenin Garrido.
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Overtime takes more than it gives
Would you work up to 72 hours a week at a place that doesn鈥檛 pay proper overtime?
Welcome to security at the University of Sydney (subcontracted to MSS). The site works under a voluntary over time agreement that pays a very generous 15% on top of the normal rate for that day/night. It鈥檚 a left over relic from Howard鈥檚 Work Choices that鈥檚 somehow still legal.
Overtime should be double time, but that鈥檚 only according to the award so let鈥檚 not worry about that. The award also says no more than 60 hours (5 x 12 hour shifts) in a row but that doesn鈥檛 matter. Of course the overtime is voluntary, except when, you know, we鈥檙e a bit short-staffed. No pressure to say yes, promise. Some of us are too nice to say no, they love 鈥榚m lots. (Just not enough to pay the award wage.)
When I signed the agreement did I really know how often I鈥檇 be doing 120 to 132 hours a fortnight? No, I didn鈥檛. That many hours and no proper overtime. If that鈥檚 not illegal then it should be. The Labor government clearly hasn鈥檛 done enough to repeal work choices or how could this happen?
And this isn鈥檛 happening at some place you鈥檝e never heard of, it鈥檚 a large security company at a major university. Both places like to tell you about their high standards, the reality is something different.
Please, if you are ever asked to sign a special work agreement, think very carefully. They can take a lot more than they give.
(Name and address withheld)