Iraq war and the unions
The real question Brian Sketchley (Write On, 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly #566) needs to answer, and hasn't yet, is what will it take for the labour movement to take a stand on the war on Iraq?
Yes, protests are not going to stop wars in and of themselves. But they are critical in giving confidence to workers in key industries, and soldiers on the front-line (and being drafted), to take a stand — this was a key lesson from the Vietnam War. I've no doubt that if the mass struggle here had gone on a little longer, we would have seen more unions getting actively involved in building the movement.
Lastly, solidarity with the Iraqi workers is not counterposed to continuing to mobilise the broadest possible opposition to the war around the new slogans of "Troops out! End the occupation!". After all, it's only when the troops are out will the Iraqi workers be in a more secure position to organise.
Pip Hinman
Sydney
National heroes
Instead of sentencing Dr Will Saunders and Dave Burgess for writing a "No War" slogan on the upper sail of the Opera House, we should be holding a ticker-tape parade for them through the streets of Sydney. They are the true national heroes, not the military who currently occupy Iraq.
When our country embarks on an illegal, unprovoked and inhumane attack on another nation, as occurred in Iraq, then it is time that Australians take the law into their own hands. Saunders and Burgess did just that. They knew the consequences, but they had the courage and the determination to try and convince their fellow Australians that what our government was doing was a crime against humanity.
It shouldn't be these brave men on trial, it should be Mr Howard and his cabinet colleagues for killing and maiming thousands of innocent Iraqis.
Saunders and Burgess appeared before the District Court in Downing Street, Sydney for sentencing on the December 11. The matter was adjourned until January 30. Out the front of the court stood dozens of supporters. Let's hope that these two men of honour continue to receive the moral and financial support that they so rightly deserve.
Adam Bonner
Meroo Meadow NSW
Accept greenhouse obligations
According to environment minister David Kemp, Australia is being harmed by climate change and most of the developing world has the potential to suffer significant adverse consequences too.
Reportedly, Dr Kemp believes Australia has a strong national interest in convincing the rest of the world to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Does he also believe that many poor nations have a strong national interest in convincing wealthy nations, including Australia and the US, to slash emissions?
Developing, low-emission countries should not make sacrifices to benefit developed countries. The reverse should happen.
No-one who accepts that human-induced climate change is a problem for many low-income nations should deny that affluent countries with high emissions per capita have an obligation to either substantially cut their emissions or to provide compensation to harmed poor countries at least equal in value to the estimated damage caused by affluent country emissions exceeding a globally just level.
On present indications, hell may freeze over, or the world boil, before an Australian government accepts its obligation.
Brent Howard
Rydalmere NSW
Kerrie Tucker
Who would have thought that the rather gentle, mild and well-respected ACT Green Kerrie Tucker could have put such a load of frighteners on the moribund local Liberal Party and its mates?
The possibility of her taking the inert Gary Humphries' Senate seat has even produced a flurry of contrived pro-Humphries anti-journalism and advertorial over the closure/non-closure of Screensound.
Other local Liberals have hotly and sweatily stampeded to make excuses for Humphrey's role in the erratic and weirdly incompetent Carnell regime.
It's not working. Canberra people have long memories and the Carnell-Humphries fiascos are branded deeply in them.
Then arch-rightwinger John Stone, Wilson Tuckey-like, helpfully stepped in with the suggestion that the ACT should enjoy a taste of Nazi-style forced "deportations" to clean the place up. A real conservative clanger but did Humphries horsewhip the creepy old brute? No.
So here comes another Green in the Senate, which just won't suit the greedy rich and their man of pig-iron? ALP voters have already demonstrated a capacity for strategic voting in Margaret Reid's close shave with Democrats candidate Rick Farley, and will be much more prepared in 2004. Tucker is not hamstring by affiliation with the squabbling, GST-prone Democrats. Here's to her success.
Peter Woodforde
Melba ACT
[Abridged.]
God of war
So George Bush wants America to lead man (sic) into the cosmos. Bush, Howard and Blair should blast off together for Mars, the god of war. A more appropriate destination cannot be imagined!
Gareth Smith
Byron Bay NSW
Beauty contests
I refer to Ben March's (GLW #566 web edition) diatribe against me, and his invitation to me to participate in beauty contests. Apart from the slight inconvenience of a bespectacled, balding, stocky ex-weightlifter qualifying for a beauty contest, I can't bring myself to participate in a spectacle I have opposed in principle.
Secondly, March seems to believe in the negative logic of two wrongs making a right, by referring to commodified corporate sport as justification for "beauty" contests. Rip Van March might not be aware of it, but all 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ readers can be expected to know the widespread drug abuse, the sledging, backbiting and the general dog-eat-dog atmosphere of big sport.
As for preparation for beauty contestants, permit me to enlighten March with a few more facts. Geishas, Moghul courtesans, concubines in princeley harems and most Chinese women of the gentry had to undergo rigourous "preparation" — including having bound feet — all to one end, to please their lords and masters. While I am no authority on crime, but am sure even terrorists and bank robbers undergo some preparation. All this begs the question, preparation to what end?
As for qualifying as a doctor, thank you March. I do not desire to add a medical degree to the masters in business administration and journalism degrees I have acquired and discarded long ago. Coming to my "ignorant disregard", I will the readers be the judge of that.
Narendra Mohan Kommalapati
Chelmsford UK
Assistance required
I am writing on behalf of Brandon Astor Jones, who was once a regular contributor to GLW. As many readers will recall, Brandon is an Afro-American who has been living on death row in a Georgia prison for the past 25 years.
Over the past two years, he has been writing a book about the American Civil War and the lives of slaves, soldiers and sailors involved. The book is entitled Without War and has been written with the help of outside researchers, there being no research facilities in prison.
Brandon is needing support to complete and distribute the book, in the time he has left. Specifically, he needs money and people willing to type and research. He says that donations can be sent via American Express Money Orders or cashier's cheques, directly to him at: Brandon Astor Jones; UNO400574; EF-122216; Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison; Post Office Box 3877; Jackson; Georgia 30233.
NB the prison will only accept mail with a return address on the envelope.
Mike Birch
Nimbin NSW
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, January 21, 2004.
Visit the