< Assange “Free,” When Will There Be Protests Here Like The Ones In Europe?

Assange “Free,” When Will There Be Protests Here Like The Ones In Europe?

December 17th, 2010 - by: danny

Assange “Free,” When Will There Be Protests Here Like The Ones In Europe?

Tune in today at 1 PM – 2 PM to the News Dissector Radio Show:

Special Guests: David Neiwert, managing editor of the blog, CrooksandLiars.com, and author, with his latest book, ‘The Eliminationists: How Hate Talk Radicalized the American Right and will be joined by Digby, writer of the blog, Hullabaloo, where she’s been chronicling American politics and culture  for the past eight years, and Cherie Welch, the dissectrix on the ProgressiveRadioNetwork.com.

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The Battle Over Austerity Measures Has Moved From the Suites To The Streets. What’s Next?

William Shakespeare put a key question this way; “To be or or not to be …?” Today’s economists and policy makers pose a different choice: to spend or not to spend. Governments throughout the west are in a panic as debt mounts and economies contract.

Their solution is cut, cut, cut, in the name of a doctrine called austerity. They are slashing budgets, trimming public payrolls and arguing fatalistically in the spirit of Margaret Thatcher’s philosophy, “There Is No alternative” [TINA].

Austerity is the other name for it. Confronting massive deficits fearful of losing investor confidence. European governments are pulverizing budgets and shutting down public services. The plan by England’s new Tory government is considered among the most painful, if not draconian. It is justified as absolutely necessary.This view is being challenged in the realm of the ideas and with a growing spasm of street protests rocking European cities.

You have probably seen the pictures: A bloodied former Minister in Athens as rioters denounce the IMF which is demanding concessions from their government. Strikes in France, Spain, Portugal, The Czech Republic and Italy had the SWAT teams out in force. A meeting this week in Germany by Eurozone Ministers is unlikely to please anyone.

At time when most people are saying the path out of the financial crisis and European debt problem is for individuals and governments around the world to cut back, the American economist Paul Krugman wants us to spend, spend, spend.

What’s behind the fervor for austerity, he asks?

“The answer is” he writes, is “to reassure the markets – because the markets supposedly won’t believe in the willingness of governments to engage in long-run fiscal reform unless they inflict pointless pain right now. To repeat: the whole argument rests on the presumption that markets will turn on us unless we demonstrate a willingness to suffer, even though that suffering serves no purpose.”

This argument has moved off the op-ed pages and into the streets. These protests conjuring up a revival of the class war confrontations of the 1930s are erupting in many countries. The marches are becoming more militant and bitter, as clashes between the police and angry protesters grow in intensity marked by scattered violence. Symbolically, the one incident that received massive coverage was a student attack on British Royalty when Prince Charles car was attacked with some protesters chanting, “off with their heads.”

Reported the Telegraph:

“Demonstrators kicked the Rolls-Royce as it traveled to the Royal http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/ Variety Performance in central London. White paint and bottles were thrown over the car and a window shattered.

The Prince and Duchess (Camilla Parker-Bowles) were “unharmed” and continued with their engagement at the London Palladium, a Clarence House spokesman said.
The attack, caught on amateur video showed a how startled the Royal couple was even though afterward “the Duchess, later laughed off the attack. When asked how she was as she left the London Palladium, the Duchess said: ”I’m fine thanks — first time for everything.”

It may have been the first time but as more austerity measures are expected, it is unlikely to be the last.

These protests reflect more that dissatisfaction with a single issue but seem to be a reflection of growing public disenchantment with unresponsive government, an untrustworthy media and a failing economy.

So far, conservative governments are ignoring the criticisms and moving forward with their slashing of worker and unemployment benefits and the social safety net. In England, the Parliament voted to raise tuitions — cap is set to rise to $14,500 by 2012, higher than the current average of $7,605 at U.S. state universities– but the student protests are surprising officials by their tenacity.
Just watch the passion of this 15-year-old speaking at a rally the University of London:

Student activists like this are becoming radicalized and can become contagious, argues Gary Younge in Guardian:

“As these protests intensify – as they are bound to — we can expect them to be routinely disparaged on the right as either privileged kids acting out or innocents led astray by revolutionaries

…That students and youth in Europe have erupted at this moment, however, should come as no surprise. More than one in five people under the age of 25 in the EU is unemployed. In Spain the figure is 43%; in Greece 30%; in Italy 26%. Meanwhile the principle that education is a public good, to which all are entitled, all contribute, and all benefit through a more competitive economy, is in its death throes.”

In the United States, A Republican-dominated Congress, swept into power on the backs of right wing Tea Party activism spurred by Fox News and other fear-driven conservative media, promises to roll back government programs even as it “compromises” with Dems to keep tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.

So far, there has been little street activism in the United States. Perhaps it’s because of the Christmas shopping season, the inundation of entertainment shows and sporting events or just so little oppositional leadership, especially among Democrats unwilling to challenge a Democratic President who has just negotiated a compromise deal with Republican tax cutters.

Only one Senator, Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont had the guts to take on Barack Obama in an 8 hour and 37 minute near filibuster speech that drove up the ratings of C-SPAN, the congressional TV channel.

Commented blogger David Seth Michaels: “it was the most important political speech– by far– of the past two years. Seldom, if ever, has anyone seized the spotlight to discuss and examine so thoroughly the plundering of the nation by its wealthiest citizens. And to demand so clearly that the government provide genuine relief for the millions of Americans who are now suffering the consequences of the plunder.”

But his supporters did not pour into the streets, at least not yet. Sanders has been challenging what he calls his: “progressive friends” on these very issues, “I have long been concerned that some progressive activists do not stand up and fight effectively or pay enough attention to the needs of ordinary Americans.”

When they do speak out, many prefer sending emails or organizing Facebook pages. Where is the outrage and sense of solidarity or militancy? The unions are quiescent, most pols seem incapable of inspiring anyone. Has this generation been seduced by their iPads and smart phones?

Has everyone forgotten that call to get involved? Remember the dicta, “It’s not the ship that makes the waves, it’s the motion on the ocean.” It may take time, but it is likely in the not too distant future that American activists will emulate the movements now emerging in Europe.

Governments have the power to impose their austerity measures, but not without a fight. As things get worse, Bob Dylan’s pithy blast from the past may be back to characterize the times ahead: “A Hard Rain Is Going To Fall?”

Comments to: dissector@medachannel.org

(Disclosure: I was part of the student protest movement when I attended the London School of Economics. I can testify to the impact that student protests had on European political culture in the late 1960s).

OTHER NEWS OF NOTE

Assange Out, NY Times Called Him “Defiant” (Unlike The NY Times)

Guardian: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, fighting extradition to Sweden over alleged sex crimes, walked free on bail from a British jail on Thursday protesting his innocence and pledging to continue exposing official secrets.

Assange spoke to a crowd of journalists and supporters waiting in outside the High Court in London five hours after a judge said he could be released on £200 000 ($312 000) bail under stringent conditions.

“It’s great to smell fresh air of London again,” Assange, illuminated by a blizzard of photographers’ flashes, said.

WikiLeaks has angered US authorities by publishing hundreds of a trove of 250 000 US diplomatic cables, including details of overseas installations that Washington regards as vital to its security.

Assange, wearing a dark suit and open-necked white shirt, brandished court papers titled “Swedish Judicial Authority vs Julian Paul Assange”. He was then driven away in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The 39-year-old Australian later arrived at Ellingham Hall, in Suffolk eastern England, where he must live as a condition of his bail. He spoke to reporters at the mansion that belongs to a former army officer and Assange supporter, Vaughan Smith.

“I continue on with our work. Clearing my name is not the highest task I have. The highest task I have is to continue with my work.”

Tom Hayden: U.S. Conspiracy Charges Prepared Against Assange, Manning

Inside sources say the U.S. Justice Department is preparing charges of conspiracy to violate espionage and computer protection laws against Julian Assange, in order to avoid bringing charges against mainstream media outlets such as the New York Times.

The indictment is being prepared by a secret federal grand jury organized by the Justice Department in Alexandria, Virginia, and is expected to name imprisoned American soldier Bradley Manning as a co-conspirator. Other American professors and technicians will likely be charged with accessory roles. The government has intercepted email communications between Assange and Manning over a period of time.

Those who say there is no basis for the prosecution are “dead wrong,” says one source close to the proceedings. “The government is going to avoid all the freedom of the press issues,” the source added.

The 1917 Espionage Act includes a provision on conspiracy. In addition, a 1985 law dealing with computer protection will be employed to gain the indictment.

Antony Lowentstein writes from Australia:

(Wikileaks) strikes at the heart of modern democracies; the open flow of information and those powers who would rather not see that happen. Many in the media resent Assange as an outsider, a man who hasn’t played the game and challenges their own failings in holding governments to account in times of upheaval.

We are living through a profound, era-defining moment.

More On Wikileaks from Information Clearing House

Wikileaks Did Not Commit a Crime, House Judiciary Chairman Says By Sahil Kapur

“Being unpopular is not a crime, and publishing offensive information is not either. And the repeated calls from politicians, journalists, and other so-called experts crying out for criminal prosecutions or other extreme measures make me very uncomfortable.” [More here →]

Obama’s War on WikiLeaks — and Us By Michael Brenner

One should be fierce in denouncing this violation of our principles and laws whatever/whomever the object of the abuses. [More here →]

Economy:

WP: Congress passes extension of Bush-era tax cuts

Congress approved the most significant tax bill in nearly a decade late Thursday, overcoming liberal resistance to continue for two more years tax breaks enacted under President George W. Bush.

Reaction: Reaction Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO (AFL-CIO Blog)

Senate Republicans have shown themselves to be morally bankrupt hypocrites. They capitalized on the hardships of our country’s most vulnerable people to extract tax cuts for their rich friends, like the top executives of Goldman Sachs. Just yesterday, they reported they’d be splitting $111 million in bonuses this January. They’ll save millions on their taxes – money that should go toward fixing the mess they helped create. And we know this is not the end. Soon, the same lawmakers who fought to get tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires will be coming after your Social Security and Medicare. Count on it. They’ll say we need to have “shared sacrifice” – but they won’t ask Wall Street and moneyed interests to share in the sacrifice required to clean up the mess they created. Instead, they’ll come after working people.

Alan Grayson Challenges The Fed On Missing Monies:

He questions. They Don’t Answer.

NY TImes: Lawyers Reach Deal to Recover $7 Billion for Madoff Victims

Federal prosecutors and the trustee liquidating the estate of Bernard L. Madoff, the convicted swindler, have reached a civil settlement that will recover at least $7 billion to compensate victims of Mr. Madoff’s global Ponzi scheme, according to people briefed on the negotiations. Prosecutors have said privately that the settlement is the largest civil forfeiture in American history.

The settlement will conclude the trustee’s case against the estate of Jeffry M. Picower, a Palm Beach philanthropist and longtime Madoff investor who died in October 2009. The complaint filed against the estate indicated that Mr. Picower, who became wealthy investing in medical-technology companies, had profited hugely from Mr. Madoff’s scheme, drawing out billions more than he paid in.

The settlement will greatly expand the funds available to   repay victims of the fraud; before Friday, the trustee had collected $2.3 billion from other sources.

FT: FBI Busts 5 on Criminal Charges for Insider Trading

Michael Hudson: Why Government is More Afraid of Debt than Depression — Deficit Hawks Want a One Two Punch Against the Economy.

First there was this story: GOP will paralyze Senate floor with reading of omnibus By Alexander Bolton

Republicans will paralyze the Senate floor for 50 hours by forcing clerks to read every single paragraph of the 1,924-page, $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill. Read the full story.

And, then this Later News: $1.1 trillion spending bill collapses as GOP senators yank support By Alexander Bolton

Democrats will move to two high priorities on their legislative agenda: the DREAM Act and a repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Read the full story.

Scott Nance: Senate Republicans are falling all over themselves to denounce earmarks in a pending omnibus federal spending bill — even after loading the legislation with their own earmarks — but GOP earmark hypocrisy is even starker when you compare what they are saying in Washington, to what they are saying to their constituents back home, according to a media analysis assembled by Senate Democrats.

Sen Dick Durbin: “I’m a member of the Appropriations Committee. And I remember what happened…this is the reality…It’s true it’s over a trillion dollars. In fact, it’s $1.1 trillion in this bill. But what hasn’t been said by Senator McConnell and Senator Kyl, that’s exactly the amount that they asked for! Senator McConnell came to the Senate Appropriations Committee and said Republicans will not support this bill unless you bring the spending down to $1.108 trillion. That is exactly what we bring down to the floor to be considered. So to stand back in horror and look at $1.1. trillion and say where did this figure come from, it came from Senator Mitch McConnell in a motion he made before the Senate Appropriations Committee. ”

Sam Smith’s Undernews: OBAMA’S NEXT FISCAL DISASTER

Robert Reich: “The only practical effect of adding $858 billion to the deficit will be to put more pressure on Democrats to reduce non-defense spending of all sorts, including Social Security and Medicare, as well as education and infrastructure.

It is nothing short of Ronald Reagan’s (and David Stockman’s) notorious “starve the beast” strategy. In 2012, an election year, when congressional Democrats have less power than they do now, the pressure to extend the Bush tax cuts further will be overwhelming. Worse yet, the deal adds to the underlying structural problem that caused the Great Recession in the first place. [More here →]

Robert Kuttner, Politico – The tax deal negotiated by President Barack Obama and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is just the first part of a multistage drama that is likely to further divide and weaken Democrats. [More here →]

Arms Control Wonk Website: When Will The START Treat Get Started?

The Dance of the Veils

Jon Kyl’s dance of the veils is finally over. The last veil dropped when, after many accommodations and delays, the White House finally insisted that New START be dealt with in the lame duck session, and Majority Leader Harry Reid placed the Treaty on the Senate’s calendar.

Protesting that there is insufficient time to debate and vote on the Treaty in the waning days of the 111th Congress — after successfully delaying floor debate in the preceding months — Senator Kyl has finally announced that he will be voting ‘Nay,” on procedural grounds, no less.

Let us acknowledge for the record that Senator Kyl has played his hand extremely well. He held out the prospect of his consent to New START if concerns over nuclear- and missile defense-related issues were addressed. He asked for more time, and received it. He asked for more money, and the administration added billions to nuclear accounts. He asked for still more funding, and the deficit was raised, accordingly. All the while, Senator Kyl’s Democratic colleagues and the White House attested to his good faith efforts, notwithstanding the growing transparency of motive apparent in his delay game. If Mr. Kyl truly wanted to strike a bargain, it was there for the taking; there would be no need to increase the number of Republican votes needed for ratification from nine in the lame duck session, to fourteen in the new Congress. Senator Kyl’s record of voting ‘Nay’ to arms control treaties offered by Democratic Presidents will remain intact.

If this Treaty gains the Senate’s consent to ratification, it will be by a narrow margin. No Treaty has squeaked by in this fashion, without the support of the Republican Senate leadership. Are there nine Republican Senators willing to vote for this Treaty? We’ll know soon enough

Media News: From European Journalism Center

Demotix and Global Voices strike content partnership

Blogging community network Global Voices and citizen journalism wire Demotix are to partner as part of a new deal to share text and images. According to announcements on both sites, the partnership will mean Global Voices will subscribe to images on Demotix, while blog posts from Global Voices will be included in Demotix’s news hubs with an embedded RSS feed. Solana Larsen, managing director at Global Voices explains on the site why the site was interested in a partnership with Demotix. “Since Demotix first began recruiting independent photographers in 2009, they have built an impressive archive of over 400,000 photos from 190 countries by 3,500 photographers.

New From Google

With little fanfare, Google has made a mammoth database culled from nearly 5.2 million digitized books available to the public for free downloads and online searches, opening a new landscape of possibilities for research and education in the humanities.

The Guardian launches Data Journalism and Visualisation gateway

The Guardian has launched a new gateway to its journalism and visualisations at guardian.co.uk/data. The announcement states: “Data journalism has become an increasingly big part of our work here at the Guardian – from Wikileaks to government spending, it’s our job to make the key data accessible and easy to understand. The site includes: The key data of the day – broken down; a pick of the data blogosphere – which sites have the key posts?; Search the world’s government data – and global development data; What have you done with our data? Featured apps. The site says that new features and changes will be added over the next months. (The Guardian)

Comments to: dissector@medachannel.org

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