M1 target
A mistake in my article on the M1 Alliance in Melbourne in last week's Green Left could have given readers the entirely wrong impression of what sort of action target is being discussed by the new M1 Alliance in Melbourne. The article suggested that the Alliance was considering a corporation as a target for the M1-2000 global strike action; instead of a "corporate target" (as the motion adopted by the November 1 MI Alliance meeting formulated it).
While the Alliance will likely pursue a number of corporations and other similar targets in the build up to the M1 action, M1 itself is about focusing on a target that is most symbolic of corporate tyranny — the agenda of economic irrationalism as a whole and the anti-democratic nature of global neoliberalism.
The one proposal already on the discussion table from the last Melbourne S11 Alliance (first M1 Alliance) meeting was precisely this sort of target — the Melbourne Stock Exchange.
Jorge Jorquera
Melbourne
An Aboriginal nation
I read (p. 12 of your newspaper #422), a part of your article on aborigines. I could not bring myself to read all of it.
For many years, perhaps ever since the first arrival of whites to Australia, there has been some will for the good of our indigines. It has, however, been insufficient — many of our Aborigines still languish in a third world condition as I type this letter.
Despite their troubles, there is still heart in these people. And hope in all of us that the finding of an answer is possible.
How can we help them? Save them from their wrong headed religion? Or take and train their children in better ways? With words like sorry? Rights to haggle over bits of ore in the ground? I am reminded of Chief Seattle's letter to the American President.
I propose we give them nationhood. A country. And six years to prepare themselves for their stewardship. Before it becomes their country. I suggest the country north of the 16.555o parallel, including Mosman but excluding Cairns. The country east of the longitude of the western-most part of Mornington island for the western boundary and the appropriate attendant sea boundary.
It is probably the place where the first aborigine first set foot here. He did not plant a flag because there was no such word as flag then — nor countries. But he stayed and is still here. I like that it is at the top - a sort of hat for Australia. And it's shape — a raised index finger. In our hearts, sir, we all love our aborigines — let our people have a go.
We took their country, why cannot we give some of it back back — to be their country.
Steve McCauley
[Abridged.]
Sexual harassment
A few weeks ago I heard on the radio that tougher sexual harassment laws had just been introduced into most workplaces, supposedly one word could result in the perpetrator being sacked.
Recently I made a complaint to my supervisor about sexual harassment, I did not call for the perpetrator to be sacked; I simply asked my supervisor to ask him to stop. The reply I got from my supervisor was that I needed to "lighten up", and that because I worked around these men, I should expect to be treated this way. This proves that little has changed for women on the ground. Sexist and backward ideas are just as real now as they ever were. These laws are a joke!
Indeed, all the fancy laws in the world prohibiting sexual harassment and sexual assault will do nothing to change the current situation for women, without re-educating the majority of the population through massive public campaigns against sexism.
A. Stutter
Hobart
Lessons from CPA history
It was very interesting to read Jonathan Strauss' article on lessons of the CPA. I'm amazed that a magazine which is owned by the DSP is covering events which other groups of the left hold.
In the article Strauss argues that Leninism is different from Stalinism. People like me ask, in what way? Wasn't it Lenin putting power into Stalin's hand creating his system? Wasn't it Lenin who set up the OGPU which cracked down on opposition in a harsher way than at any time during the Tsarist era?
You tell us. I take Carmel Shute's view on the irrelevance of the Leninist party. The ideas never change despite the difference of situation between Australia 2000 and Russia 1917.
David Murray
'Mutual obligation'
As the government prepares to massively extend "mutual obligation" we should remember that this ideology punishes the least able most heavily.
If you have no significant private income it is nearly always irrational to not cpmply with social security rules if you are able to comply. However, some people will always fail to follow orders.
Under "mutual obligation", such people will be sanctioned and propelled into deep poverty. But who are these people?
As "mutual obligation" is extended to the disabled, some may be individuals physically unable to conform to edicts. Furthermore, amongst the able-bodied, those not fulfilling welfare requirements are another group in great need of community support because they are people who have not understood welfare rules or people who have a tendency to make imprudent or self-harming decisions.
Tony Abbott speaks of paternalism. However, when it comes to the minority of people who really do need protection from their own mistakes this government is quite prepared to see them out on the streets.
What an illogical and callous doctrine.
Brent Howard
Rydalmere NSW
Cyanide spills
There were two cyanide spills from a leaky factory, somewhere south of Perth, that caused two pilchard kills on the southern Australian coast.
Could cyanide leaks from this factory be causing aberrant behaviour in white sharks?
Dennis Kevans
Wentworth Falls NSW