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showrecentcomments({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.comments"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-10-25T12:49:50.074+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Old Socialist Unity Blog - we have moved"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/feeds\/comments\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/comments\/default?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/comments\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"3217"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-8161524117374245159"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T23:59:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T23:59:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Perhaps I have not explained myself well enough Li..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Perhaps I have not explained myself well enough Liam, or perhaps rather I have not differentiated clearly enough between what i perosnnaly am arguing, and the similar but not identical position of Griffiths.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThe LRC is put forward by the CP as a suggestion, and Martin Wick's open letter to John McDonnell suggests a smiliar thing.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EHowever, whatever the mechanism, the key here is that starting from where we are now the most promising avenue open to us is to encourage the unions to flex their political muscles, and test their relationship with Labour.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EI agree that for most activists (me included) the Labour party is thoroughly unappealling, but we need to find a way for the socialst left to encourage the unions in this political task - maybe the LRC will be a possible vehicle, maybe it won't.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EMore importnatly though is practical collaboration over concrete issues, between socialists of all persuasions."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/8161524117374245159"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/8161524117374245159"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181689140000#c8161524117374245159","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 11:59 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-8791447588519457059"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T23:08:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T23:08:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Andy, this is a creative bit of thinking but delus..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Andy, this is a creative bit of thinking but delusional. The LRC doesn't do much but organise an annual conference. It didn't even have enough clout to get John Mc Donnell on the ballot paper and while it's true that Respect is not very appealing to most socialists the Labour Party is even less so. \u003CBR\/\u003EWhatever new post-Labour anti-capitalist formation emerges will have to encompass Respect, parts of the current Labour left and the CPB. The LRC is not going to be the vehicle for this.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EMuon, Respect has hit a big brick wall with the letters \"SWP\" all over it. It offers a caricature of democracy. My experience in the Labour Party was that political ideas and discussion were accepted as normal. In Respect the parameters for serious political discussion were very circumscribed in a manner favoured by the SWP.  Why have so few of the ten of thousands of ex-Labour people joined or remained in it?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/8791447588519457059"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/8791447588519457059"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181686080000#c8791447588519457059","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Liam"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13081564039331261787"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"25","src":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_WTigHPHttSA\/TVAj833YKaI\/AAAAAAAAAW0\/eq-NrjkTLAQ\/s220\/Fonda.jpg"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-927629225"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 11:08 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1526462497197127091"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T22:22:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T22:22:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Despite havng many more councillors and much highe..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003CI\u003EDespite havng many more councillors and much higher votes than Respect the BNP realisticaly described their may results as (for them) standing still.\u003C\/I\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EBNP: 39 seats uncontested in 2007, 8 lost, 1 retained, 8 gained.\u003CBR\/\u003ERESPECT: 15 seats uncontested, 2 lost, 1 retained, 2 gained.\u003CBR\/\u003EThe fash also took considerably more second places than RESPECT, and closer second places (including one tie).\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EAny reading of the local election as a success for RESPECT ought to go on to say that it was a bigger success for the BNP. Alternatively, if you read the BNP results as saying that they're not really getting anywhere outside a few heartland areas, the same is surely true in spades of RESPECT. (I went into all this \u003CA HREF=\"http:\/\/gapingsilence.wordpress.com\/2007\/05\/14\/walking-your-dogs\/\" REL=\"nofollow\"\u003Ea bit back\u003C\/A\u003E.)"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/1526462497197127091"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/1526462497197127091"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181683320000#c1526462497197127091","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 10:22 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-5736441726957153231"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T22:09:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T22:09:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Victor, this is a foolish point you are making isn..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Victor, this is a foolish point you are making isn't it.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EI have not now nor ever denied that Respect has been able to achieve reasonable votes in local elections.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EIn particular they have done well in Muslim areas becasue of the identification of many Muslims that the war is the most important political issue. I have also been on record right from the beginning in praising that aspect of Respect.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EIn Bolsover, it was a good result because of a strong candidate in a two horse race against labour. You cannot draw any generalised conclusions from that, in local elections around the country independencts and minor parties do well in some individual wards.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EEqually, given the Jer HIcks comes from Lockleaze and has lived in that part of bristol his entire life, and been a prominent trade unionist, and given the massive effort that Bristol Respect put into the ward ( i don't know how they got so many leaflets printed within their allowed budget), then their vote is good, but is not something that represents a breakthrough against labour (or in the specific case of Lockleaze the Lib Dems).\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EA comparison (not politically obvioulsy, but just on terms of votes) with the BNP, depsite having a much higher national profile than Respect, they are struggling to establish themselves and retain council seats. Despite havng many more councillors and much higher votes than Respect the BNP realisticaly described their may results as (for them) standing still.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThe question is not whther Rrespepct can get some decent votes in a relativaly small number of seats, the question is why do left activosts outside the SWP not want to be in it? And why was its trade union conference last years smaller than equivalent eveents organised by the Socialist Allaince before Resepct was launched.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EHad Respect embraced normal democratic structures, and made itself a welcoming home for activists, then it would have been a different story. BUt right throughtout the movement it is regarded as undemocratic, and in most places - and certainly at conferecne - the SWP calls the shots.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThe telling feature is that Respect membership has fallen massivaly, and the composition of the memberhsip is less representive of the general population than it was.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EOf ocurse it is easier for you to argue against the straw man you have created, but if you instead address the points I am actually making we may get on better."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/5736441726957153231"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/5736441726957153231"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181682540000#c5736441726957153231","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 10:09 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-7305123766540169061"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T21:53:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T21:53:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"So apart from wards with large numbers of muslims,..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"So apart from wards with large numbers of muslims, predominately white working class mining communities, middle class wards in Cambridge, predominately white working class wards like Locklease in Bristol and areas with large numbers of students what exactly have the Romans ever done for us?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/7305123766540169061"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/7305123766540169061"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181681580000#c7305123766540169061","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 9:53 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1331624815756043612"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T19:02:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T19:02:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"No critism of you intended  :o)The difference was ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"No critism of you intended  :o)\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThe difference was that the Morning Star just jumped straight to the sledging and was damning from the first word.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EYour review is a lot more informative, and I think it is good you have links to the work itself."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/1331624815756043612"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/1331624815756043612"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html?showComment=1181671320000#c1331624815756043612","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-925269829451600831","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/925269829451600831","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 7:02 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6641960855995464864"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T18:58:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T18:58:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My review not savage enough?the words I left out o..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"My review not savage enough?\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003Ethe words I left out of the review were indeed \"clinical\" and \"santised\"... Good artists, well, most of them and I did say so say that I couldn't understand why they were bunched together. And it lacked other forms of art that were prevalent in punk.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EIt interesting primarily for the likes of Coum Transmissions, Willats and so on. The Star also neglected to mention the number of feminist artists in this exhibition and who have made very good contributions to art.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThough unfortunately I lack the savvy and wit of the Morning Star reviewer and whose judgement is probably better than mine on art."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/6641960855995464864"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/6641960855995464864"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html?showComment=1181671080000#c6641960855995464864","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Louisefeminista"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08279991897445225597"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-925269829451600831","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/925269829451600831","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-62117569"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 6:58 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-278119561541542200"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T16:47:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T16:47:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"There is a savage review of this exhibition in the..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"There is a savage review of this exhibition in the Morning Star today, which basically says that they have made a sanitised exhibition smelling of disinfectant missing out all the energy, rebellion and spirit, and basically assembling a load of (admittedly good) artists who had little in common except that they happened to all be around at the time.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003ENot having seen it, I can't judge, but it is possible that it is both an interesting exhibition, yet still fail to be relevant to punk itself."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/278119561541542200"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/278119561541542200"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html?showComment=1181663220000#c278119561541542200","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-925269829451600831","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/925269829451600831","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 4:47 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6846864116852211220"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T11:55:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T11:55:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Oh and Muon. The question of whether Respect has a..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Oh and Muon. The question of whether Respect has an electoral appeal beyond Muslims, is not the same thing as my contention that it has an appeal for those for whom the war is the biggest issue.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EMany Muslims may indeed be attracted to respect for that reason, but so are parts of the political left who overestimate the relative political resonance of the war, as opposed to other class issues.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EIn electoral terms this may not only therefore be wards with large Muslim components, but also perhaps areas with a larger student population."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/6846864116852211220"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/6846864116852211220"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181645700000#c6846864116852211220","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 11:55 am"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-375617108017054437"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T11:03:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T11:03:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Well the Bolsover result was a t horse race betwee..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Well the Bolsover result was a t horse race between labour and Respect, where Respect were standing a well establishe dlabour movement activist, so that doesn't tell us much.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EAnd Preston pulled in resources from the whole of the North west, and was defending a seat, where Lavallette has been a very good sitting councillor. So based upon that evidence Respect is doing no better that - for example the SP - who have also managed to maintain seats where they already have councillors.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThere were good votes in Birmingham, in predominatly Muslim wards. But can we draw national conclusions from that? The success of the Community Action Party in Wigan has been even greater, in terms of seats won - but no one advoactes them as a model.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EBut the point about respect is not whether or not is gets votes - it can in certain specific circimstances - but whether i) it is an attractive political home for activists given the SWP dominate th structures, and Galloway is a maverick; and ii) whether its electoral successes can be scaled up. \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EIt is clearly not dead in the water, i never said it was.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EI said it is an embarassment, and cannot become a vehicle for left unity. that is not the same as being dea.d"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/375617108017054437"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/375617108017054437"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181642580000#c375617108017054437","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 11:03 am"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-5723203817141681627"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-12T10:46:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-12T10:46:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Your attempts to continue rubbishing Respect's pro..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Your attempts to continue rubbishing Respect's prospects are looking a bit strained. The Birmingham results (12,000 votes across 7 wards) were not based on piling in massive resources, in several wards new candidates pretty much got on with it by themselves. Other areas (eg Cambridge) show some very good results, which will allow Respect to push out more widely in those areas next time. There is every chance that Lindsey German will be successful in getting on the GLA next year, and that's without looking at preston and Bolsover, which show that Respect can clearly have an appeal beyond (let's cut out the mealy mouthed talk) areas with a large percentage of Muslims.\u003CBR\/\u003E  There will still be resources issues, but the progress that has been made will make it possible to pull in other resources - the whole is not just the sum of the parts remember. And yes there are independent socialist activists in Respect.\u003CBR\/\u003E  The argument that Respect is not the whole solution is fine, and there may be reorganisations, new alliances, who knows. But this continued insistence that Respect is dead in the water is just plain daft."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/5723203817141681627"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/5723203817141681627"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181641560000#c5723203817141681627","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 12, 2007 10:46 am"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-2575505526036334518"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T23:28:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T23:28:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"interesting post"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"interesting post"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/2575505526036334518"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/925269829451600831\/comments\/default\/2575505526036334518"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html?showComment=1181600880000#c2575505526036334518","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/panic-attack-art-in-punk-years.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-925269829451600831","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/925269829451600831","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 11:28 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-4742846570133277775"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T23:07:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T23:07:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The point of Respect may be to challenge labour in..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The point of Respect may be to challenge labour in the electoral arena, but we have to ask whether an electoral alternative to labour is possible in the current period. You say: “There is no correlation between the supposed views of left activists as portrayed by you and the Respect vote which clearly demonstrates electoral space beyond Labour and beyond the limits of an implied anti war vote.”\u003CBR\/\u003EBut how is this “clearly demonstrated”? Respect has achieved some reasonable votes by cherry picking wards which largely match their electoral profile, and then piling in resources in a way that cannot be scaled up into a generalised challenge, or across wards more typical of the average composition of the English working class.\u003CBR\/\u003EEffectively the CNWP has been still born, and whereas Respect may have had a potential but that has been killed off by the SWP and Galloway. How many independent socialist activists are there in Respect? Respect is an organisation that has almost zero appeal to working class activists.\u003CBR\/\u003EAlso Victor, you say “clearly we are in a situation whereby for the first time in British Labour history significant smaller unions are breaking or distancing themselves from Labour” \u003CBR\/\u003EBut noticeably the FBU and the RMT are both affiliated to the LRC, and both those unions sponsor a parliamentary group of Labour MPs, who agree to promote the interests of those unions.\u003CBR\/\u003EYou are in danger of fetishising the organisational question, which is why you cannot follow my argument, instead of starting from an analysis of the objective and subjective conditions. You say: “The logical direction of non aligned or ex Labour activists who feel they cannot join existing options would be to gravitate around a non Labour pole of attraction and then negotiate for a left of Labour vehicle with either or both CNWP\/Respect. Perhaps some form of syndicalist shop stewards network could be a halfway house in this process. ”\u003CBR\/\u003EThis is just building castles in the sky. The RMT initiated national shop Stewards Movement could prove to be an important network in its own right, but has a useful role to play as a trade union initiative and there is no guarantee it will be the midwife to any political development, nor that such a political development would even be a good direction for it to take.\u003CBR\/\u003ESo you are left with an utterly idealist fairy tale of a “non-Labour pole of attraction”, that doesn’t exist, certainly not at a national level.\u003CBR\/\u003EIf we confine ourselves to things which actually exist and are real options, then looking at the basic topology of English and British society then the trade unions, at all levels from the lay activists to parts of the official machines, articulate an ideological and political alternative to neo-liberalism. Not consistently perhaps, but it is the best we have.\u003CBR\/\u003EYet you fetishise “the bureaucracy”, rather ignoring that although they have their own specific interests, the official union machineries do in fact have a base in organised labour, and a class interest in opposing neo-liberalism, not only on behalf of their members, but on behalf of their own institutional interests.\u003CBR\/\u003EThe starting point of looking for organised labour to further develop its own political voice, and test to destruction its relationship with the Labour party is one that flows from the objective conditions of the labour movement today.\u003CBR\/\u003EI do not fetishise the LRC – its advantage is precisely that it does include the left unions no longer affiliated to Labour, and could provide a mechanism for the unions to debate alternative politics to New Labour. However, the key here is to encourage the unions to develop political opposition, through whatever form it takes.\u003CBR\/\u003EWhat we can say is that the LRC could become a vehicle for uniting activists and the unionsfor practical campaigning over specific issues. Bit equally maybe it won’t rise to that task, and we may have to find another way.\u003CBR\/\u003EBut we do need some honesty that if the McDonnell campaign has demonstrated that the weakness of the Labour left, then the trajectory of Respect and the CNWP over the last couple of years has demonstrated futility of trying to build an electoral alternative to Labour, at the current time\u003CBR\/\u003EAnd finally you say: “Or of course there is always the option of joining Respect, choosing a ward and ......”  \u003CBR\/\u003EWhich is just facetious isn’t it, given the efforts of the SWP of driving independent minded activists out of Respect."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/4742846570133277775"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/4742846570133277775"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181599620000#c4742846570133277775","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 11:07 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3909609328812926076"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T22:15:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T22:15:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Difficult to follow your line of argument. Surely ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Difficult to follow your line of argument. Surely the point of both Respect and CNWP is that they seek to challenge Labour in the electoral arena. The LRC is a mechanism to re-tie the left to the Labour Party machine, to be easily hoovered up behind some future Crudas. Labour lefts cannot get through the LP selection filter. The TU purchase on Labour can only get weaker. As for the idea of joining the LRC to make some future left break, I can only salute the sheer masochism of such a strategy.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThe Morning Star's continued  existence is predicated on its orientation on the trade union bureaucracy which is tied to Labour. Lets not pretend its orientation on Labour is based on anything more than history,  pragmatism and survival instinct. This is not to deny that it can play a useful role, just to point out that it is hardly in a place to provide strategic leadership. At best a platform for debate.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003ESaying that the large unions remain with Labour is a rather odd way to frame the debate when clearly we are in a  situation whereby for the first time in British Labour history significant smaller unions are breaking or distancing themselves from Labour. In such a situation the idea that rallying around the LRC is the way forward is seriously out of kilter with the direction of travel of most left activists. \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThere is no correlation between the supposed views of left activists as portrayed by you and the Respect vote which clearly demonstrates electoral space beyond Labour and beyond the limits of an implied anti war vote. \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThe logical direction of non aligned or ex Labour activists who feel they cannot join existing options would be to gravitate around a non Labour pole of attraction and then negotiate for a left of Labour vehicle with either or both CNWP\/Respect. Perhaps some form of syndicalist shop stewards network could be a halfway house in this process. \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EOr of course there is always the option of joining Respect, choosing a ward and ......"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/3909609328812926076"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/3184701071489218155\/comments\/default\/3909609328812926076"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html?showComment=1181596500000#c3909609328812926076","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/can-forward-march-of-labour-be.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3184701071489218155","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/3184701071489218155","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 10:15 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-807590257255166898"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:23:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:23:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thanks Louise, I'm impressed.I noticed the police ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Thanks Louise, I'm impressed.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EI noticed the police doing the same thing to by-standers on a video of a recent NF march I watched on YouTube.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EIt is interesting, because \u003CBR\/\u003EI was there as a spontaneous by-stander, I hadn't delibertaly gone there to counter protest. So the police are managaing the political respinse to a provocative march.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThey dodn't take the same approach to the Zionists shouting at us on the Palestine march. I wonder why  :o)"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/807590257255166898"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/807590257255166898"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html?showComment=1181586180000#c807590257255166898","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6502802730697354570","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/6502802730697354570","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 7:23 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-7712182553276379824"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:16:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:16:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Very good pictures, I wish I had taken one of the ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Very good pictures, I wish I had taken one of the huge Union Jack being waved amongst the pro-Israel coun ter demo, but I didn't and unfortuntlay it isn't in these either."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/7712182553276379824"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/7712182553276379824"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html?showComment=1181585760000#c7712182553276379824","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6502802730697354570","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/6502802730697354570","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 7:16 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-3410635909593653725"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:14:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:14:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"\"Even under new Labour I am not quite sure what le..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\"Even under new Labour I am not quite sure what legislation this is against\".\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EActually, it is from the Tories. Section 5 - Public Order Act 1986. It was a case of the Filth wanting extra legislation post miners strike. The Filth can tell you to shut up and if you fail to do so they will threated you with arrest.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EIt is an utter gross infringement of civil liberties and freedom. \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EAnd the Orange Order are truly bigoted scum..."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/3410635909593653725"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/3410635909593653725"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html?showComment=1181585640000#c3410635909593653725","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Louisefeminista"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08279991897445225597"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6502802730697354570","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/6502802730697354570","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-62117569"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 7:14 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1007548882552821638"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:11:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T19:11:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"AN, don't know if you have had a chance to check J..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"AN, don't know if you have had a chance to check Jamie's The Heathlander. There are links to lots of pictures. \u003CA HREF=\"http:\/\/heathlander.wordpress.com\/2007\/06\/10\/anti-occupation-demonstration-london\/\" REL=\"nofollow\"\u003EAwesome!\u003C\/A\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/1007548882552821638"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/1007548882552821638"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html?showComment=1181585460000#c1007548882552821638","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6502802730697354570","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/6502802730697354570","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 7:11 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-483333204522822624"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T16:45:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T16:45:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I saw that, and fortunately Galloway doesn't seem ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I saw that, and fortunately Galloway doesn't seem to have been injured, though neverthless I am sure it was scary for him.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThey really are nasty pieces of work."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/483333204522822624"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/483333204522822624"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html?showComment=1181576700000#c483333204522822624","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"AN"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05901425044840795347"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6502802730697354570","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/6502802730697354570","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-716666052"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 4:45 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-4614018713446667629"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-11T15:20:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-11T15:20:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"It seems Galloway was attacked at Glasgow airport ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"It seems Galloway was attacked at Glasgow airport by Orange types who were on the same march.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003Ehttp:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/1\/hi\/scotland\/glasgow_and_west\/6740775.stm"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/4614018713446667629"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/6502802730697354570\/comments\/default\/4614018713446667629"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html?showComment=1181571600000#c4614018713446667629","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/enough.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-6502802730697354570","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/6502802730697354570","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 11, 2007 3:20 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-2674117133438508330"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-10T16:49:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-10T16:49:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I feel sorry for people who are fighting for right..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I feel sorry for people who are fighting for rights, and being treated unfairly. :(\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.mobilemarkaz.com\/modules.php?name=Forums\u0026file=viewforum\u0026f=3"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/35549747213591494\/comments\/default\/2674117133438508330"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/35549747213591494\/comments\/default\/2674117133438508330"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/pakistani-socialist-arrested-again.html?showComment=1181490540000#c2674117133438508330","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/pakistani-socialist-arrested-again.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-35549747213591494","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/35549747213591494","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 10, 2007 4:49 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-8388273586197617610"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-09T09:17:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-09T09:17:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Liam: The email I have for the embassy is lonemb@i..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Liam: The email I have for the embassy is \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003Elonemb@iraqmofamail.net \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003Eand worked for me. I received an automatic acknowledgement saying they had received it."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/243630803225255331\/comments\/default\/8388273586197617610"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/243630803225255331\/comments\/default\/8388273586197617610"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/update-on-iraqi-oil-workers-strike.html?showComment=1181377020000#c8388273586197617610","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Louisefeminista"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08279991897445225597"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/update-on-iraqi-oil-workers-strike.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-243630803225255331","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/243630803225255331","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-62117569"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 09, 2007 9:17 am"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-174055013358964835"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-09T08:29:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-09T08:29:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I've tried sending the e mail to the embassy using..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I've tried sending the e mail to the embassy using the address given on the Hands Off Iraqi Oil on the site but it doesn't seem to work. Can anyone provide an idiot proof version of it?"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/243630803225255331\/comments\/default\/174055013358964835"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/243630803225255331\/comments\/default\/174055013358964835"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/update-on-iraqi-oil-workers-strike.html?showComment=1181374140000#c174055013358964835","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Liam"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13081564039331261787"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"25","src":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_WTigHPHttSA\/TVAj833YKaI\/AAAAAAAAAW0\/eq-NrjkTLAQ\/s220\/Fonda.jpg"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/update-on-iraqi-oil-workers-strike.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-243630803225255331","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/243630803225255331","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-927629225"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 09, 2007 8:29 am"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-754608648223972425"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-08T23:34:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-08T23:34:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The United Kingdom has raised its development assi..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The United Kingdom has raised its development assistance to Pakistan from 236 million pounds to 480 million pounds to be disbursed over three years 2007-09. \u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003ETurning a blind eye to some troublemaking elements based in London risks the cause of enlightened moderation being pushed back for several years. In fact, such ill-executed, if not ill-advised, policies and actions may end up as a disservice to all efforts to promote moderation in Pakistan if certain immediate measures are not put in place. Presently MQM form a part of ruling coalitions at Pakistan’s centre and in Sind province with has 18 MNAs, 07 Senators and 42 MPAs in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh and 4 Federal Ministers including one State Minister and 07 Provincial Ministers and 8 Advisors in the Province of Sind. But instead of promoting accommodation and peaceful coexistence, the London based leadership of the ethnic extremists openly call for a blatant confrontation with the country's educationally and professionally enlightened and most moderate legal personnel. How the cause of governance and civil society has been served through harassing and intimidating Karachi's lawyers and judges?\u003CBR\/\u003E \u003CBR\/\u003EA cause of serious concern is the blind intimidation displayed on 12 May in Karachi instigated by ethnic extremists making telephonic from London to incite violence and disrupt harmony through hateful speeches against different political elements. \u003CBR\/\u003E \u003CBR\/\u003EIn effect, a free hand was given to mobs to mercilessly quell moderate lawyers and quashing enlightened journalists who were covering the events.\u003CBR\/\u003E \u003CBR\/\u003EThere are sad indications that irreparable blows have been inflicted on key components of the civil society in Pakistan that mostly comprise of, represent and cater to vastly moderate elements of Pakistan’s society: \u003CBR\/\u003E \u003CBR\/\u003EEvents in recent weeks have again proved that threatening media personnel is nor an aberration for MQM neither an act in isolation. [tinyurl.com\/343qeg]\u003CBR\/\u003EIt is actually a persistence posture of intimidation evident for the past five years that MQM is a coalition partner in Sind province and at the centre. \u003CBR\/\u003E \u003CBR\/\u003E \u003CBR\/\u003EMany will recall one glimpse of courageous reporting in the Daily Star Karachi, dated 27.01.2005 made MQM so nervous that it sued the paper to pay amount of \"damages to the tune of Rupees Five hundred million\" to MQM by 18.2.2005 following which damages case against The Star as well as a separate criminal case were filed. So much pressure was put on The Star that it suspended printing and still awaits a normal resumption. The mentioned report from The Star can be seen on page 23-24 with other examples at:  dawn.com\/events\/appendix\/appendixd.pdf\u003CBR\/\u003E \u003CBR\/\u003EAny political backing or financial support to MQM's or its leaders in London should be withheld until an independent query in to Karachi's killings clears them of any wrongdoing and only after the MQ led Sind government retrieves its warnings and withdraws all cases it has filed to curtail fucntioning of the free media."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/1074945745084638490\/comments\/default\/754608648223972425"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/1074945745084638490\/comments\/default\/754608648223972425"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/pakistans-biggest-terrorist-protected.html?showComment=1181342040000#c754608648223972425","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/pakistans-biggest-terrorist-protected.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1074945745084638490","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/1074945745084638490","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-461107179"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 08, 2007 11:34 pm"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-8600061301575882700"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-08T07:29:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-08T07:29:00.000+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Very powerful post.Thank you for informing me abou..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Very powerful post.\u003CBR\/\u003E\u003CBR\/\u003EThank you for informing me about this."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/243630803225255331\/comments\/default\/8600061301575882700"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/21995284\/243630803225255331\/comments\/default\/8600061301575882700"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/update-on-iraqi-oil-workers-strike.html?showComment=1181284140000#c8600061301575882700","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Frank Partisan"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/03536211653082893030"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/socialistunity.blogspot.com\/2007\/06\/update-on-iraqi-oil-workers-strike.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-243630803225255331","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/21995284/posts/default/243630803225255331","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1133630324"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"June 08, 2007 7:29 am"}]}]}});