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Newsletter: Transformation – Elections & Movements

September 20, 2015 Kevin Zeese, www.PopularResistance.org , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
By Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers for Popular Resistance - The United States has unusual challenges for movements working in the electoral system. The two party system is deeply embedded in law and political consciousness so it is very hard for a party challenging Wall Street to be successful. Wall Street and big business are the dominant funders of both parties, the corporate media echoes their message and debates managed by the two parties through a phony “debate commission” keep out alternative views. People challenging that system have little opportunity to get their message out and be viable in the rigged US democracy. The relationship between movements and elections is complicated to navigate but to succeed we will need both an electoral and non-electoral movement that are independent of the corporate duopoly.

Scotland Announces Moratorium On Fracking For Shale Gas

January 29, 2015 LibBrooks, www.theguardian.com , , ,
The Scottish government has announced a moratorium on all planning consents for unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking. Welcomed by campaigners as “a very big nail in the coffin for the unconventional gas and fracking industry in Scotland”, energy minister Fergus Ewing told the Scottish parliament on Wednesday afternoon that the moratorium would allow time for the government to launch a full public consultation on the controversial drilling technique, and to commission a full public health impact assessment. Westminster MPs on Monday defeated an attempt to impose a UK-wide moratorium but the coalition government had to accept several Labour proposals to tighten regulation of shale developments.

Scotland Building Media For 99%

December 21, 2014 Steve Rushton, www.occupy.com , ,
Current alternative media in Scotland, like Bella Caledonia, focus on in-depth analyses and commentary pieces. But Common Space aims to push the scope of alternative news with a rolling news platform – an ambitious plan launching in the New Year, which will contain a policy section that promotes and critiques radical, alternative ways of financially and politically organizing society. Moving forward, the group also seeks to run a broadcast channel with events listings, and even a shop. In addition, it will have a People's Space, envisioned as a new social media platform allowing people to connect for ideas and skills exchange. Since the referendum, other local Common Weal groups have sprung up around Scotland, organically and autonomously. Many are already envisioning a "tour" to link these groups together.

Factory That Makes Drones For Israel Shut Down

September 24, 2014 Sarah Lazare, www.commondreams.org , , ,
Activists in Scotland were arrested Tuesday for blockading and shutting down Thales UK, renowned Govan, Glasgow-based weapons manufacturer, to protest the company's role in producing drones used by Israel against Palestinian people. Early Tuesday morning some protesters climbed onto and occupied the factory roof while others obstructed the building's entrances by lying on the ground and attaching to each other by arm tubes. The six blockaders on the ground were arrested first. Then police attempted to starve out the roof occupiers by cutting off their food and water supply, as well as their blankets, for approximately five hours, Blair Poutney, a supporter of the direct action, told Common Dreams by phone.

Scots In Their Own Words On Independence

September 18, 2014 Jaisal Noor, www.therealnews.com , ,
The people of Scotland head to the polls on Thursday to vote on whether to get independence from the United Kingdom. Scotland has been part of the U.K. for the past three centuries but has its own local parliament. Some Scots, who make up about 8 percent of U.K.'s population, want more local governance and freedom from London, who often vote in more right-wing governments than Scotland does. Prime Minister David Cameron, a Tory, is a staunch opponent of independence, and his government has embraced neoliberal policies and austerity at the cost of the social safety net.

‘Yes’ To Scotland Independence

September 16, 2014 John Goss, www.newsjunkiepost.com , ,
In 1707 a shaky union was set up that made Scotland a part of the United Kingdom. Scottish parliamentarians were bribed with vast sums of money and lucrative pension schemes to move their seats to Westminster, London. It was a sell out of the Scottish electorate that would later prompt its country’s best-loved poet, Robert Burns, to claim about Scottish politicians: We’re bought and sold for English gold. Such a parcel of rogues in a nation. It was colonial expansionism by other means than the barrel of a gun. Empires come and go, and now there is a real chance Scotland will regain its independence. Dennis Canavan, chairman of “Yes Scotland,” is calling for a referendum on who should rule the country. On September 18, 2014, the voting electorate will decide whether they want to remain part of the union or manage their own economy. There is division now, as there was in 1707, but this time Scottish voters have a unique opportunity to express their wishes through the ballot box.

Privatization Of British Health System Fuels Scottish Independence

September 14, 2014 Staff, www.rt.com , , , ,
Politicians clashed over the NHS at a Scottish independence debate. “Yes” supporters say independence could save the health service from privatization, while “No” advocates say Scotland can’t afford it alone. Independence is needed to protect against a “nasty, competitive, profit-driven motive” towards the NHS, Scottish Green Party MSP Patrick Harvie said Thursday. Respect MP George Galloway, who is calling for a “No” vote, however, says there would not be an NHS without “a country big enough” to share resources. The debate was held at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro arena before an audience of around 7,500 young people, drawn from secondary schools across Scotland. The 18th September referendum will be the first time 16 and 17 year olds have been entitled to vote. Support for independence is highest among the younger population. Both sides in the referendum race hold strong emotional attachments to the NHS.
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