Democracy and Class Struggle will be back on 7th January 2014.
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to our readers from Wales.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
The NSA is Coming to Town - Over one million hits on You Tube - lets make it millions more and the 2013 Christmas Song
Democracy and Class Struggle will be back on 7th January 2014.
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to our readers from Wales.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Lenin, the leader of the working class revolution in Russia, heard about the Christmas truce. He pointed out that if there were organizations prepared to fight for such a policy among the soldiers of all the belligerent nations, there might have been a quick end to the world war in favor of the working masses.
Lenin wrote, “Try to imagine Hyndman, Guesde, Vandervelde, Plekhanov, Kautsky and the rest [leaders of so-called socialist parties that supported the world war] – instead of aiding the bourgeoisie (something they are now engaged in – forming an international committee to agitate for fraternization and attempts to establish friendly relations between the socialists of the belligerent countries, both in the trenches and among the troops in general. What would the results be several months from now?”
The truce began on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.
The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects. At one funeral in No Man's Land, soldiers from both sides gathered and read a passage from the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces. The film Joyeux Noël suggests that letters sent home from both British and German soldiers related that the score was 3-2 in favour of the Germans.
The truce began on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.
The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects. At one funeral in No Man's Land, soldiers from both sides gathered and read a passage from the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces. The film Joyeux Noël suggests that letters sent home from both British and German soldiers related that the score was 3-2 in favour of the Germans.
India 'Nannygate': Racism or the rule of law?
As relations between India and the US hit a new low, we look at the row over the arrest of diplomat Devyani Khobragade. Inside Story presenter Divya Gopalan is joined by guests: Lalit Mansingh, a former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to the US; Jo Becker, the advocacy director for Human Rights Watch; and Atul Singh, the founder and editor-in-chief of the global news analysis site Fair Observer.
For the Democracy and Class Struggle view see :
See http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/khobragades-arrest-labour-law-violation.html
Friday, December 20, 2013
Philippines : Revolutionary groups take to streets to mark CPP's 45th year
Democracy and Class Struggle salutes the Communist Party of the Philippines on its 45th anniversary.
Long Live the Communist Party of the Philippines !
Time to overthrow the capitalist comprador elite and Benigno S. Aquino the running dogs of US Imperialism in the Philippines.
Long Live the National Democratic Revolution with a Socialist Perspective.
Long Live the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Questions for Greenwald - Questions for Edward Snowden - Glenn Greenwald, NSA Documents & Checkbook Journalism
Sibel Edmonds has written an Open Letter to Edward Snowden asking him if he knows or approves of what Glen Greenwald is doing. We take the view that there are questions that need answering by Glen Greenwald about his new media venture and the questions raised by Sibel Edmonds in her letter to Edward Snowden are not offensive but legitimate questions..
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Philippines: Kerry visit heightens tensions to justify increased US presence, weapons buildup -- CPP
The US$40-million dollar funding from the US is likely to supplement the expansion of the Oyster Bay naval facility of the Philippine Navy in Palawan, in order to accommodate the biggest US aircraft carriers in its docks.
CPP Information Bureau
19 December 2013
Kerry visit heightens tensions to justify increased US presence, weapons buildup -- CPP
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today denounced the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to the Philippines, saying his statements and actions contribute to overall US efforts to heighten political and diplomatic tensions in the Asia-Pacific region in order to justify the further deployment of US rotational forces in the region. Kerry arrived for a two-day visit on 17 December.
“The heavy-handed presence of US armed troops, warships, drones and jetfighters in the region make the peaceful resolution of territorial conflicts, particularly in the South China Sea, more and more difficult,” said the CPP.
The CPP denounced the allocation of US$40 million by the US government under the Global Security Contingency Fund (GSCF) to supposedly strengthen the sea defense capabilities of the Philippines against China.
“US State Secretary John Kerry pretends to be altruistic and big-hearted in granting the Philippines the US$40-million GSCF funding when, in fact, American policy-makers always make strategic calculations of US interests for every dollar extended to its so-called allies,” said the CPP. According to US State Department documents, the US government extends GSCF assistance to its “partner countries” to enable them to “address emergent challenges and opportunities important to US national security”.
The CPP said the US$40-million dollar funding from the US is likely to supplement the expansion of the Oyster Bay naval facility of the Philippine Navy in Palawan, in order for it to accommodate the biggest US aircraft carriers in its docks. “The US military has long wanted to set up facilities in Oyster Bay because the deep waters allow its warships to dock near the shores.”
The CPP said such military funding “is unduly drawing the Philippines to an arms buildup campaign which serves the interests of the US, causing China and other countries in the region to race ahead of each other in the purchase or production of war materiél, which would invariably benefit the US military-industrial complex.”
“The Filipino people should denounce Kerry for declaring all-out US support for the large-scale rearmament efforts of Japan and plans to spend as much as US$240 billion to buy stealth fighters, drones and submarines,” said the CPP. “Upon US prodding, the weapons buildup in Asia is now being boosted by the Abe government’s campaign to revive the military power and dominance of Japan.”
“The CPP denounces the Aquino regime for exhibiting extreme obsequiousness to the US government when it continues to allow the US military to build up its rotational presence in the Philippines. Aquino has even followed the US lead with regard to Japan when he declared that he was seeking to forge a military treaty with the Abe government.”
The CPP further denounced the US government for engaging in “disaster interventionism” in using the devastation brought about by supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) to “glamorize American troops by letting them carry relief and emergency supplies aboard their nuclear-capable warships and missile-carrying helicopters.”'
On a different note, the CPP likewise called on the Filipino people “to reject the offer of the US government to categorize the Philippines as being under US ‘Temporary Protection Status’ to supposedly ease restrictions for Filipinos seeking employment in the US.”
The CPP branded the US offer as “extremely hypocritical” as the Obama government continues to make life difficult for Filipino immigrants in the US, especially those coming from the working class, who not only suffer from widespread unemployment, but from the highly restrictive and punitive US immigration laws.
Saudi's involvement in 9/11 - LIVE with Senator Bob Graham
Ultra respect for Saudi Arabian diplomats and diplomatic immunity for a wide range of Saudi people by the United States Government. 28 Pages redacted in Joint Congressional Report on 911 covering Saudi Arabia.
911 Truth gets nearer in 2014 and the final exposure of Saudi Arabia and the Prince of Darkness Bandar Bush at long last.
See Also:
http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/revealing-911-conspiracy-would-undo.html
Khobragade’s Arrest – Labour Law Violation Issue, Not Foreign Policy Issue: Gharelu Kaamgaar Sangathan and NTUI
Democracy and Class Struggle agrees that the principal issue is a Labour Law violation but there is a secondary matter of the contempt in which the USA holds its allies and of course the NSA Spying recently illustrated that very well.
If India does not want to have its diplomatic staff treated with contempt by USA Then we suggest India picks better friends and not confuse its enemies with its friends.
Or to put it another way stop being a running dog of USA like UK and stop declaring War on your Own People for US and other Capitalist Corporations - treat India's poor with respect.
DECEMBER 19, 2013
by GHARELU KAAMGAAR SANGATHAN, (GKS) Haryana & New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI)
We express strong outrage at the Indian government’s reaction to the case of visa fraud and exploitation of her domestic worker against Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade in the United States.
In its dealing of the case, the Indian government is only seeking to protect the dignity and honour of Ms. Khobragade, and has shown a complete lack of respect for the underlying issue – that of the abuse and exploitation of a domestic worker by a senior official.
Ms. Khobragade’s father, Mr. Uttam Khobragade, is a politician and has a played a harmful role in suppressing the facts of the case and in diverting attention from it.
What Ms. Khobragade has done is not an uncommon practice among diplomats and government officials. It is difficult to expose such crimes as domestic workers, in their vulnerable and terrified state, are unable to bring such employers to justice.
Minister Shashi Tharoor commented that Ms. Khobragade is being singled out. Instead of protecting such shameless employers, Minister Tharoor should be congratulating investigating agencies who have exposed this common practice.
While we condemn the alleged strip search and cavity search that Ms. Khobragade was subjected to, it is our belief that the outrage over her arrest and mis-treatment by officials cannot camouflage the deeper questions raised by the case.
In only speaking up for the deputy consular general, the Indian government has belittled a grave and serious concern of labour rights violation, by turning it into a foreign policy issue.
We believe India needs to be equally outraged for the plight of the exploited domestic worker, who is also an Indian citizen, and deserves a fair trial. The Indian government has turned a blind eye to similar cases before.
Media reports have only focused on interviewing Indian diplomats and officers and have not engaged with the domestic workers organisations in India.
We strongly condemn the one-sided media reporting and the narrow-minded Indian government’s selfish protection of official employers of domestic workers.
It has even been said that Ms. Khobragade was not paid enough to pay the domestic worker a decent wage.
Ms. Khobragade and employers like her can ask for a salary raise or not hire a domestic worker if they cannot afford to pay for one.
We immediately demand:
1) Prosecution of Ms. Khobragade to send a warning to other similar employers
2) Indian government to publicly recognise that the rights of the domestic worker in question have been violated and compensate her and her family in India
3) Enact a Comprehensive Legislation as recommended by the National Platform for Domestic Workers
4) Ratify the ILO Convention 189, Domestic Workers Convention 2011
Contact: Anannya Bhattacharjee, anannya48@gmail.com, +91-9810970627 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 
+91-9810970627 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Gharelu Kaamgaar Sanghatan (GKS), Haryana
New Trade Union Initiative (NTU
+91-9810970627 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlightingGharelu Kaamgaar Sanghatan (GKS), Haryana
New Trade Union Initiative (NTU
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