[alanjjohnstone]

A frightening speculation from the liberal Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Gaza is merely a dry run practice for an future offensive against Hezbullah in Lebanon http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.609331

[alanjjohnstone]

I think our combined efforts on Hail Caledonia website has confounded them ! Simply a dearth of reasoned responses. Where possible we should be commenting on similar sites but now the editors of Hail Caledonia conceded they made an error of judgement by letting us have our say ! 

[alanjjohnstone]

Quote:

And herein the pernicious lie, and (in line with what Piketty has been saying) the problem for reformists.  It's easy to give away wages when productivity is rising, especially as the increase in wages will not be the same as the total increase in productivity.

Do we really have to thank Piketty for this information since i thought it was accepted widom already supported with sufficient data. Has Piketty furnished more addional statistics and facts specifically on this aspect. If so, either the reviewers i have read over-look them or i over-looked their mention of it. Back in th UK for a short trip next month…bound to be able to pick up a 2nd hand copy of the book in the charity shops so i can read what all the fuss is about for myself.

[alanjjohnstone]

You are right YMS. There is Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Ukraine..and that is not a full comprehensive list… all with stories of tragedy that don't make the headlines and still ongoing. i don't think there is enough foreign correspondents or camera teams to cover all the places.  And Australia Immigration certainly has forgotten ….or would like to forget …the Tamils who they have deported back to Sri Lanka.

[alanjjohnstone]

http://www.countercurrents.org/silver050814.htmA distressing article about atrocities by the Israeli army.Human Right Watch is one of the more "moderate" NGOs often accused of pro-western bias, so it is more telling that they are reporting such stories. 

[alanjjohnstone]

A powerful essay by another of my favourite commentators on the world – John Pilger. A must read on media mis-representationshttp://www.countercurrents.org/pilger030814.htm

[alanjjohnstone]

Rather than anything sinister as an invasion it could simply be a tit-for-tat response to the NATO exercises in Poland and the Baltic States where i think i previously mentioned the British are deploying one of its full mobile battle groups to participate in. Putin too announced previously a military exercise by the Russians would take place.I think right at the start of this thread ALB said this tragedy would provide food for every conspiracist theory and a whole lot have indeed sprung up.http://www.countercurrents.org/zuesse050814.htmThis one suggests two Ukrainian jets used cannon fire to bring the Malaysian plane down…expert witness on the effects of such an attack compared with missile shrapnel…a retired Lufthansa pilot. Obviously, the author has no understanding of ballistic science cpability otherwis he simply would wait for results of spectrum analysis on trace elements left by what impacted and produced the holes…that would conclusively show proof, not some civilian looking at photos. Strange how such "experts" are out there on their own. Of the thousands who would have actual first hand experience of a shot down aircraft would look like, the author can only find this ex-pilot.Of course the crazier cranks say the actual shot-down plane is the still missing other Malaysian one.

[alanjjohnstone]

Dave Perrin's history of the SPGB is much better, imho. I think the attraction of the Monument was that it was the first book on the party published (Pluto Press)

[alanjjohnstone]

FAO Vin and Steve and any other Mackems lurkingAnti-Gaza War RallySaturday 16 August 2.30pm High Street West(outside Marks&Spencer & McDonald's)Sunderland SR1

[alanjjohnstone]

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/08/deception-war-201485132519710207.htmlWorth a read. What he says about Israel's PR if true…leads to the next question…if it is so obvious to media workers, why do they get away with it from experienced news-people on the BBC etc. who you'd think have been trained how to spot and deconstruct such blatant propaganda…which then leads to the only conclusion…they want that bias dis-information to prevail. 

[alanjjohnstone]

I rather like it…Does it come in a choice of colours?

[alanjjohnstone]

The  Co-op has sold its farms business for £249m to health charity the Wellcome Trust. The sale includes 39,533 acres of land, 15 farms, more than 100 residential properties, as well as some 27 commercial properties. All existing farms management and employees will transfer to Wellcome. Co-op also has its 774-strong pharmacy chain for £620m to Bestway Group. http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28636544

[alanjjohnstone]

http://www.alternet.org/belief/why-you-cant-reconcile-god-and-evolution?paging=off&current_page=1#bookmarkWorth a read to fill your atheistic armoury

[alanjjohnstone]

We had extensive coverage of anti-semitic attacks on Jewish property since the Gaza war recommenced but i see no report on the BBC of Israeli settler mobs attacking Palestinian homes. Lies by omission.http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/08/05/374071/israeli-settlers-attack-palestinian-homes/ 

[alanjjohnstone]

Statement posted at the left wing no websitehttp://socialismfirst.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/moving-right-the-scottish-left-and-the-indy-ref/#comments

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