contributions

Some readers have queried (off list) my description of Reagan as a "Fascist". What I said was that in some ways Reagan could be described as a Fascist. I hesitated to use the word but upon reflection I feel I was justified in using it.
Let’s tease it out a little. What is the textbook classification of a fascist. What features characterise Fascism?
1.) Aggressive militarism. Reagan undertook one of the largest military build ups in history. It was undertaken directly at the (…)

There have been a number of attempts to come to grips with the legacy of Ronald Reagan who passed away on June 5 aged 93 on various leftist lists none of them satisfactory in my opinion. There was a spate of vitriolic name calling on MARXMAIL which while understandable is hardly helpful to understanding the man or his legacy. It is unquestionable that his legact is a profound one particularly for the left although of course in a profoundly negative way. I think the most accurate (…)

SEOUL: Angry scuffles erupted in the South Korean capital on Sunday as around 10,000 anti-globalisation demonstrators protested a meeting of the World Economic Forum called to chart Asia’s economic growth strategy.
Accusing the Geneva-based group of pushing for free trade at the expense of Asia’s poor, protesters chanting slogans against globalisation marched on police barricades protecting the venue.
At least three demonstrators were taken to hospital to have head wounds treated (…)

A letter from Ian Chappell
I am writing to ask you to support a special appeal which will make a difference at the next Federal Election.
Over the last two years I have given my support to A Just Australia - a national campaign group working for just refugee programs. So have thousands of others in their own way.
Through our efforts, and the efforts of tens of thousands of other Australians - as individuals or in support groups - the mistreatment of people who came to Australia seeking (…)

By Amnon Barzilai
France and Israel are expected to announce the signing of the biggest weapons deal between the two countries since the French embargo on weapons sales to Israel prior to the Six-Day War.
The $150 million-$200 million deal, to be signed during the Eurosatory 2004 international exhibition for land and land-air defense that opens Monday at Villepinte, north of Paris, will formally commission Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to sell expertise for the manufacture of drones (…)

By Ronald Brownstein
Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON — A group of 26 former senior diplomats and military officials, several appointed to key positions by Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, plans to issue a joint statement this week arguing that President George W. Bush has damaged America’s national security and should be defeated in November.
The group, which calls itself Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, will explicitly condemn Bush’s foreign policy, (…)

Record low turnout mars EU voting
Europe Results, especially in the 10 new member states, show apathy and disenchantment about the union and its parliament
Ian Black in Brussels
The Guardian
Powerful anti-government protest votes, a record low turnout across the continent and a strong showing for Eurosceptics marked the biggest European elections ever held, according to results released last night.
The most striking reflection of this lack of enthusiasm for the European project (…)

UKIP joy as Labour and Tories slump By Mike Peacock
Prime Minister Tony Blair has suffered further electoral trauma, losing to his Conservative opponents at European polls as support surged for a fringe party that demands Britain withdraw from the EU.
With results for 68 of Britain’s 78 seats in the European Parliament declared, the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) had snatched 12, capitalising on the public’s traditionally eurosceptic views.
The Conservatives won 25 seats (…)

Big UK gains for anti-Europe party
By Ben Hall in London A strong performance by anti-European and anti-war protest parties has dealt a blow to Tony Blair’s Labour and the opposition Conservatives in the European parliament elections.
The United Kingdom Independence party, which is committed to Britain’s immediate and total withdrawal from the European Union, was on course for its strongest performance, well up on 1999 when it won only three seats on the back of a 6.5 per cent share (…)

Baghdad Fumes as the Americans Seek Safety in ’Tombstone’ Forts
By Patrick Cockburn in Baghdad
http://news.independent.co.uk/low_res/story.jsp?story=530692&host=3&dir=75
The US army is paralyzing the heart of Baghdad as it builds ever more elaborate fortifications to protect its bases against suicide bombers.
"Do not enter or you will be shot," reads an abrupt notice attached to some razor wire blocking a roundabout at what used to be the entrance to the 14 July bridge over (…)