Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/567/6949
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 February 2009
Fast news
The company store
AS BARACK Obama spends $2 trillion in a bid to to revive capitalism, the Japanese Panasonic corporation has hit on a more modest 'stimulus package'.
Facing a £2.92 billion annual loss, Panasonic has told 10,000 staff to buy £1,000 of its products by the end of July. The company doesn't expect refusal rates to be high, probably because Panasonic recently announced plans to close 20% of its factories and axe 15,000 of its global workforce.
Meanwhile, the Japanese economy - the world's second largest - is experiencing its worst decline in 35 years.
Economic terror
THE WORLDWIDE capitalist crisis has overtaken terrorism as the greatest threat to the United States, according to America's intelligence agencies. To the surprise of some Senate members, the new director of national intelligence, Denis Blair, told Congress that the country's main strategic interests face a greater threat from political instability arising from a deep economic recession, than from al-Qa'ida.
Terror costs
HOWEVER, THE above assessment hasn't curbed the UK government's 'war on terror' spending plans. The latest figures show that £4.5 billion was spent by the Ministry of Defence on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past 12 months - an annual increase of 50%. Inexplicably, as UK troops withdraw from Iraq, the cost has increased from £1.5 billion to £2 billion.
The cost of military operations in Afghanistan is likely to increase further as the government obliges the US administration by deploying more troops.
Blessed Tony
WHAT A joy to see our very own former PM Tony Blair - now peace envoy for the Middle East - winning a £1 million prestigious prize for "his exceptional leadership and steadfast determination in helping to engineer agreements and forge lasting solutions to areas in conflict."
This undoubtedly included his peace-making invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan which to this day makes him, along with fellow peacemaker George Bush, the most revered man in the Middle East.
Tony's prize was awarded by the Israel-based Dan David Foundation; in a country whose ruling class, like Tony Blair, is renowned for its peace efforts in the world!
Auto demonstrator
SECOND HAND car dealers are not renowned as the backbone of the proletariat. However, recent events in Vladivostok might change that image. Faced with high import tariffs, recently imposed by prime minister Vladimir Putin, car dealers took to the streets, igniting large protest movements against the Russian government's handling of the current economic crisis.
With thousands joining in the protests, the Kremlin despatched a squad of special riot police to fly from Moscow to the pacific port of Vladivostok (a nine hour flight) to break up the demonstrations.
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 18 February 2009:
Fight back now to stop job cuts
Anger as jobs slashed with an hour's notice
Car workers' jobs slaughter - begin the fightback!
Construction workers protest: Staythorpe power station
Meeting on Lindsey oil refinery dispute: Workers strike back
Why the bosses don't want an organised workforce
Socialist Students
Students protest against attacks on Gaza
'Books not Bombs' at Nottingham
Concessions won at Queen Mary university
Socialist Party editorial
Regulators resign over financial meltdown
Sport
London Olympics battered by economic crisis
Socialist Party campaigns
Yahya must stay Defend Saudi Arabian trade unionist from deportation
Coventry: Hands off our youth services!
Political vendetta against Tommy Sheridan
Wirral cuts: Fighting 'cultural terrorism'
Socialist Party feature
International socialist news and analysis
Israel: Election results indicate a deepening political crisis
Costa Rica: Urgent solidarity action for unionists
Socialist Party workplace news and analysis
Manchester Unison elections: Left candidates well supported
Usdaw presidential election: The campaign they tried to hide
Launch of new broad left for Unite
Home | The Socialist 18 February 2009 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
