By Chalmers Johnson TomDispatch Posted by Bulatlat.com As distinct from other peoples, most Americans do not recognize — or do not want to recognize — that the United States dominates the world through its military power. Due to government secrecy, our citizens are often ignorant of the fact that our garrisons encircle the planet. This…
Day: January 31, 2004
NEWS AT A GLANCE
Court denies mother’s plea for sick child Zenaida Llesis, the 46-year old political detainee who gave birth to a girl at the Bukidnon Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center last year, went on hunger strike last Jan. 20. Llesis, who has been detained since Aug. 2002 for being an New People’s Army (NPA) suspect, took the…
The Economics and Politics of the World Social Forum: Lessons for the Struggle against ‘Globalisation’
Table of Contents: ‘Globalisation’ I. How and Why the World Social Forum Emerged II. WSF Mumbai 2004 and the NGO Phenomenon in India By Research Unit for Political Economy Ground floor, Sidhwa Estate, N.A. Sawant Marg, Colaba Mumbai (Bombay), India 400005. http://www.rupe-india.org/index.html Posted by Bulatlat.com Introduction ‘Globalisation’ It became fashionable in the 1990s to use…
On the 3rd anniversary of People Power 2: Militants Decry Militarization, Arroyo’s ‘Treachery’
Militants who helped sweep Joseph Estrada out of power and install Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into the presidency marched toward Edsa Shrine to mark the third anniversary of People Power 2 Jan. 20. Blocked by contingents of police, they rallied in front of Camp Aguinaldo to decry the growing fascism and militarization under the present administration. By…
Nestle Workers Condemn Two Years of Injustice and Violence
“Good food, good life”— thus goes the tag line of the food giant Nestlé Philippines Inc. in its advertisements. Apparently, these words are not for the company’s own workers, as more than 300 of them continue to decry making do with “bad food” and suffering a “bad life” since they went on strike two years…
2004 Budget Based on Flawed Speculation
A review of the macroeconomic assumptions prepared by the Department of Budget of Management (DBM) shows that there are glaring contradictions in government projections. By DANILO ARAÑA ARAO Bulatlat.com According to news reports, the Senate took only five days to approve the national budget for 2004. A senator says that its swift passage “would ensure…
Youth Nominees Vow To Bring Street Militancy To Congress
This early, the 2004 national elections have given rise to unconventional and non-traditional political figures through the party-list system. Progressive groups are in fact supporting six party list groups: Bayan Muna (People First) which topped the 2001 party-list elections, and the newly formed Anakpawis (Toiling Masses), Gabriela Women’s Party, Anak ng Bayan (Youth Party), Migrante…
Ramming Through: Macapagal-Arroyo’s New Minerals Policy spells doom – environment groups
After failing to enact a controversial National Minerals Policy (NMP) due to widespread opposition by environmental groups and mining-affected communities, the government changed tact. Out of the blue, it issued last week Executive Order 270 which it says aims to promulgate a Minerals Action Plan within 90 days to revitalize the mining industry. But NGOs…
‘Walk of Shame’ in Cagayan de Oro Assailed
Davao is not the only city in southern Philippines that has earned notoriety for the summary execution of suspected criminals many of them minors. Fast catching up is Cagayan de Oro City which recently paraded for public view a group of crime suspects – three of them minors. By Grace Cantal-Albasin Bulatlat.com Minadano Bureau CAGAYAN…
Remembering the Mendiola Massacre: ‘Amid the Assault, We Were Undaunted’
When gunfire raged and blood soaked Mendiola bridge on the afternoon of Jan. 22, 1987, killing at least 13 peasant protesters, Marianito “Itoy” Dimapilis thought he would never get out of that scene alive. By DENNIS ESPADA Bulatlat.com It was nearly dusk. And despite having two bullets lodged on his left foot, Marianito “Itoy” Dimapilis…
Compensation Bill for Mendiola Massacre Victims Sought, Party-list Anakpawis to revive 1987 massacre case
Seventeen years ago last week in Mendiola at the approach of the presidential palace, Marines and police opened fire at some 30,000 peasant protesters. After the smoke cleared, 13 of the marchers lay dead. Today, organizers of that tragic rally want the massacre case reopened for justice and a bill filed in Congress for the…