Professional Documents
Culture Documents
designing those bonds to fail — without financial system. Both sides have much at million workers who have been out of a
telling its customers. Then Goldman and stake. But the workers must look to their job for more than 27 weeks.
the clients for whom it designed the bonds
turned around and made money betting
own independent struggle to influence
how the financial system impacts them.
Among the other scandals that need
to be uncovered is how Goldman Sachs PoPe, PedoPhilia
against the very bonds they had created.
The way Goldman and its clients, in
The New York Times of April 20 made
clear a good part of what this investiga-
and other bankers are milking the cities
of billions of dollars in interest. Cities and
and class struggle 11
particular a multi-billion-dollar hedge tion is all about. The accusation is “that states across the country are paying hun-
fund run by John Paulson, made money Goldman devised a complex mortgage in- dreds of billions of dollars in interest to
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WORKERS WORLD
Two choices for UaW: this week ...
class struggle or suicide in the u.s.
Beyond Goldman Sachs’ fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
By Martha Grevatt This precedent goes back to 1937 and the Flint sit-down Two choices for UAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
strike. Before the strike GM insisted the union negotiate Workers’ banquet focuses on Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Next year the United Auto Workers union will com- separately at each individual plant. After the workers sat
Activists focus on struggle for jobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
memorate its 75th anniversary. Highlights from the in for 44 days, the company agreed to a six-month con-
Denver meeting builds solidarity with Mumia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
union’s history — the great sit-downs of 1936-37, the long tract covering the most critical plants.
and bitter General Motors strike after World War II, and Now that precedent has been undone with the UAW’s Struggle intensifies to save workers’ homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
subsequent strikes that institutionalized annual wage in- blessing at five “keepsite” plants that GM has taken back Striking nurses, community join forces against scab outfit. . . 5
creases, a cost-of-living allowance, supplementary unem- from its former Delphi parts division, which last year Students demand ‘No banker at commencement’. . . . . . . . . . . 5
ployment benefits, pensions, cradle-to-grave health cov- emerged from bankruptcy. Workers were recently told to Boston workers stand up to screaming racists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
erage for autoworkers and their dependents, and more agree to separate concessionary contracts at each plant,
Nazis routed in L.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
— will feature prominently during the UAW’s 35th Con- all of them containing pay cuts, or risk losing jobs. Work-
Toe-to-toe with Lou Dobbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
stitutional Convention this June 14-17 in Detroit. ers have so far voted no.
Yet while the UAW leadership is attempting to iden- GM has taken its drive to bust union solidarity even Anti-immigrant terror unleashed in Arizona. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
tify itself with the union’s heroic past, rank-and-file an- further by opening a non-union factory in Michigan. Nor- Los Angeles United May Day 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ger at the International leadership is rising. It has failed mally a new plant would come under the master agree- Raleigh, N.C., youth vs. ‘new KKK’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
to challenge the massive capitalist restructuring that has ment. Why isn’t the UAW demonstrating outside the non- Free Fahad Hashmi! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
caused membership to plummet — from 1.5 million in union plant? Why isn’t there even an organizing drive?
Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
1979 to 355,200 as of this writing. The numbers have not
been this low since the union was young and growing Change the course
around the world
rapidly in the heat of the class struggle. Some workers are asking themselves if the UAW has
Africa still struggles against imperialism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The UAW leadership is wedded to the strategy of become an out-and-out company union. If the present
“jointness” — an example of what Marxists call class suicidal trend in the UAW is not reversed — if the UAW Cuba helps Haiti remodel health care system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
collaboration — with the bosses of Ford, GM, Chrysler does not start fighting back against the relentless attacks U.S. budgets $20 million for anti-Cuba groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
and their independent suppliers. At contract time, and from the auto bosses, the government and Wall Street U.S.-NATO occupiers withdraw from Korengal. . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
sometimes even between contracts, workers are asked by — this once-mighty union will be seen as an obstacle to The Pope, pedophilia & the class struggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
their union to take concessions to keep the companies labor’s advancement and will shrink to marginal signifi-
“competitive.” Job security is promised as a trade-off — cance for the working class.
editorials
a ludicrous assurance given the above-cited statistics. Clearly the class-collaborationist leadership has de-
Since the 1980s concessionary contracts have been the generated. Change will not come from the top. On the Solidarity with all immigrants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
rule rather than the exception. other hand, a rank-and-file takeover is not without his-
In the past year, however, the UAW leaders have torical precedent. In the 1930s the longshore workers,
noticias en español
gone to unprecedented lengths to compromise the ba- the rubber workers, the Teamsters and the autoworkers Kirguistán . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
sic rights of the workers and advance the profit interest themselves were able to overcome the craft union bu- Editorial: Día de la Madre Tierra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
of GM, Ford and Chrysler. When Chrysler and then GM reaucracy that was holding back the struggle. And the
went into Chapter 13 bankruptcy, as a condition of the 1970 postal workers’ wildcat strike won gains for the
bailout the U.S. Treasury demanded that UAW work- workers despite opposition from the union officialdom.
ers give up cost-of-living increases and annual bonuses, A movement to transform the UAW has emerged.
reduce break time, eliminate a holiday, agree to work Many convention delegates are going to express their Workers World
more than eight hours at straight time, freeze new hire dissatisfaction with business unionism as usual. The Au- 55 West 17 Street
wages at $14 an hour until 2015, give up dental and vi- toworkers Caravan and Retirees for Single Payer plan to New York, N.Y. 10011
sion coverage for retirees while accepting worthless demonstrate outside the convention. Phone: (212) 627-2994
company stock to fund health benefits, limit supplemen- Some UAW locals have passed a resolution, authored Fax: (212) 675-7869
tary unemployment pay, and allow the two companies by the Caravan, called “Rebuild Our Fighting Union.” It E-mail: ww@workers.org
to close over 20 plants. And, on top of all that, no strikes states in part that “this International Union, in contrast Web: www.workers.org
before 2015! The UAW told the workers to vote in favor to the so-called turnaround plans of the corporations, Vol. 52, No. 16 • April 29, 2010
of these concessions when it should have denounced the will launch its own turnaround plan under the theme of Closing date: April 20, 2010
Treasury Department for interfering in the collective ‘Rebuild Our Fighting Union.’ … The goal will be to de- Editor: Deirdre Griswold
bargaining process. velop a strategy of resistance, which could involve strikes Technical Editor: Lal Roohk
When Ford, which did not receive government aid, (including a general auto strike), in-plant actions, out-
Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell,
wanted the same concessions, UAW President Ron side economic pressure such as boycotts and corporate
Leslie Feinberg, Kris Hamel, Monica Moorehead,
Gettelfinger and his chosen successor Bob King said they campaigns, labor-community coalitions and interna-
Gary Wilson
were necessary because of Ford’s huge debt. tionally coordinated protests. …
West Coast Editor: John Parker
The workers said no. They voted down the givebacks, “This union will not be divided by racism, sexism,
four to one. gay-bashing or anti-foreign and anti-Islamic prejudice; Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe,
The day after the vote, Ford’s return to profitability to on the contrary we will work to build mutual solidarity Greg Butterfield, Jaimeson Champion, G. Dunkel,
the tune of $1 billion in the previous quarter was front- with all exploited and oppressed workers, including im- Fred Goldstein, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales,
page news. But profitability does not insure jobs, as was migrants, low wage and unorganized workers, and the David Hoskins, Berta Joubert-Ceci, Cheryl LaBash,
shown earlier this year when Ford laid off 900 workers unemployed. … The turnaround plan developed will con- Milt Neidenberg, Bryan G. Pfeifer, Betsey Piette,
at a Michigan plant, speeding up the assembly line to clude in a rectification campaign to be debated and ap- Minnie Bruce Pratt, Gloria Rubac
reduce the number of workers needed. Under the con- proved by the delegates at a special convention called for Technical Staff: Sue Davis, Shelley Ettinger,
tract indefinite layoffs are only supposed to be “volume- this purpose, leading up to the celebration of the UAW’s Bob McCubbin, Maggie Vascassenno
related,” i.e., tied to vehicle sales. Where was the outrage 75th anniversary in 2011.” Mundo Obrero: Carl Glenn, Teresa Gutierrez,
from the UAW? Martha Grevatt has worked for 22 years for Chrys- Berta Joubert-Ceci, Donna Lazarus, Michael Martínez,
Since its earliest days, the UAW always insisted on ler in Twinsburg, Ohio. Her plant will close in July. Carlos Vargas
one master contract covering all of a company’s plants. Email mgrevatt@workers.org. Supporter Program: Sue Davis, coordinator
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workers.org April 29, 2010 Page 3
raleiGh, N.c..
activists plan
its allies, especially the North Carolina
Public Service Workers Union, UE Local
150, are deeply committed to organiz-
MuMia
For more information contact & Amsterdam Ave.)
Mumia at SCI Greene, the infamous writerS For mumia Mumia’s book
through the iaC, 212-633-6646;
death row prison in Pennsylvania. He the NY Chapter of the nwu at ‘Jail house Lawyers, Prisoners
defending prisoners v. the U.S.A.’
212-254-0279 ext. 18;
described the dreadful, soulless and or the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal is available online at
to screaming racists
By Steve Gillis Within minutes, passersby were stop-
Vice President, Steelworkers ping to say, “Right on!” Some asked for
local 8751 signs and joined. For 20 minutes the
anti-racists took turns talking into the
The corporate media may give it a dif- loudspeakers, telling the truth about the
ferent spin, but for Sarah Palin and Wall corporate-sponsored Tea Party. They
Street’s Tea Party, Boston was a bust. told how Tea Party followers had spit on
April 14 started with immediate tension Congressional Black Caucus members in
as Bail Out the People Movement activ- Washington, D.C., a few weeks earlier,
ists and the mostly Haitian-origin staff of hurling racist epithets at Rep. John Lewis,
Steelworkers Local 8751 unfurled a ban- a hero of the Civil Rights movement. They
ner in the middle of the Tea Party’s rally told how Tea Party members had thrown
reading: “Union jobs & healthcare for all! anti-gay invectives at Rep. Barney Frank. WW_Photo:_MAurEEN_SkEhAN
Stop the pro-war, racist, sexist, anti-LGBT action disrupts palin’s delivery
Class program wins support the group to march toward the Tea Party
Palin/Tea Party attack!”
stage. The marching protesters took a left into
At the Park Street subway station on The anti-racists made it clear that the The multimillion-dollar, multimedia the crowd, rolling around the police line di-
Boston Common in the heart of downtown, union movement supports government- outdoor stage was surrounded by televi- rectly toward stage right. As Palin opened
the anti-racist union members were im- sponsored health care for all people. It sion trucks and a police cordon. When the her vitriol, the people on the move chanted,
mediately surrounded by screaming white wants a massive program of job creation nearly 100 protesters reached the stage “Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Palin/Tea Party
men, some wearing hardhats and carrying for public projects to put all people back perimeter, they hooked up a more power- go away!” while fending off punches, kicks,
U.S. flags. Police dressed for battle looked to productive work. By then, their ranks ful mobile sound unit and started a pro- body blocks and other violence.
on, smiling at the Tea Party gang. had tripled. gram of speakers and chanting. Not 20 yards from the stage, complete-
The protesters got out their bullhorns It was hugs all around when a trans- Special Operations police soon shut ly surrounded by and face to face with
and took the racist forces on politically. gender activist stopped on his way to the it down, threatening arrests for permit screaming, violent Tea Partiers, the anti-
They said that unions are in favor of free statehouse to demand transgender inclu- violations and complaining that the Tea racists were able to keep their formation
health care for all people and want a govern- sion in anti-discrimination legislation. Party speakers couldn’t be heard over the moving and message blaring, with the peo-
ment-sponsored jobs program for the mil- Thousands of thumbs-up and vocal sup- noise. A young Asian woman from the Co- ple’s union security fending off the blows
lions of unemployed sisters and brothers. port from folks on the street emboldened alition for Equal, Quality Education urged and pushing forward.
NeW YorK:
Early in the demonstration two Nazis immigrants will prevail.
trying to egg on violence marched into a Just days before the rally, a press con-
crowd of protesters, who warned them to ference announcing the protest was held WW_Photo:_JohN_CAtALiNotto
go back. One decided to do just that, but by Anti-Racist Action, Black Riders, and ‘lou dobbs, you're an anti-immigrant racist demagogue!'
the other stayed. Defending themselves IWW at City Hall. Other participating
against his violent threats and actions, organizations in the Saturday protest in- By John catalinotto York chapter of the Bail Out the People
protesters pushed him to the ground and cluded the Southern California Immigra- Movement quickly called a counter-pro-
convinced him not to come back. tion Coalition, BAYAN-USA, Bail Out the On the pretext of opposing paying test. Following similar anti-racist protests
During the rally, the 20 or so Nazis People Movement, International Action taxes, a right-wing rally was organized in Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, N.Y., and
were drowned out with bullhorns, speak- Center, FIST (Fight Imperialism, Stand by the Tea Party on April 15, Tax Day, at Boston, it was important that a political
ers and shouts like “Nazis go home,” “No Together), Workers World Party, All Af- Manhattan’s main post office across from center like New York also respond to what
Nazis, no KKK, no fascist USA,” and “So- rican Peoples Revolutionary Party, Free- Madison Square Garden. was in reality a racist mobilization.
mos los pueblos sin fronteras” (We are dom Socialist Party, Bus Riders Union, While there had been no publicity Media hack Lou Dobbs was the keynote
the people without borders). The very ANSWER and CISPES. about the rally until that day, the New speaker for the Tea Party, giving the rally
workers.org April 29, 2010 Page 7
Cuba helps Haiti remodel health care system a “brain drain,” Cuba has promoted a
By G. dunkel ical School (ELAM), the Brazilian govern- health care system, drawn up by the Hai-
ment announced that it had pledged $80 “brain gain” by structuring its program tian government and Cuban governments
Washington’s response to the earth- million to help build the health care sys- at ELAM in Havana so that its graduates, … will guarantee wide health coverage
quake that devastated Haiti in January tem in Haiti. Brazil has commanded the drawn from the poorest communities in for the population, in particular the low-
was to send 10,000 troops to occupy the U.N. forces in Haiti since soon after the Haiti, returned home to practice. Cuba income sector.
country and repress its population. Revo- 2004 coup that ousted elected President has trained 550 Haitian doctors and is “That program is based on 101 primary
lutionary Cuba’s response was to send Jean-Bertrand Aristide. currently training 567 more. (Prensa La- health care centers which are being cre-
more medical care workers. Now the Cu- tina, Jan. 18) ated, at which an estimated 2.8 million
Haitian underlines importance of plan Before the quake, Haiti had the fewest patients will be treated, 1.3 million emer-
bans are helping Haiti remodel its nation-
al health care system to provide care for Haitian Health Minister Alex Larsen doctors and nurses per 100,000 people in gency operations performed, 168,000 ba-
the poorest three-fourths of the Haitian stressed the importance of the plan: “This the Americas. Over half the Haitians got bies delivered, and 3 million vaccinations
population. accord complements the trilateral pact inadequate food and half had no regular administered every year.
To imagine the earthquake’s impact on signed among Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela, access to clean water. In most rural areas, “These health centers will be supported
all of Haiti, consider that at least 250,000 putting us on the right track to rebuild our home to 52 percent of Haitians, they had by the services of 30 community reference
people died in a very short period of time, public health system.” Minister Larsen no ready access to health care, meaning hospitals … equipped with cutting-edge
an unimaginable tragedy. Proportional to also expressed gratitude for the Cuban that sick people there died from prevent- technology for secondary attention, which
its population, that’s equivalent to losing doctors who on Jan. 12 “responded imme- able diseases. can treat 2.154 million people per year,
8 million people across the United States. diately, offering medical services and at- Now, with more than a million people perform 54,000 operations … 276,000
Even before the earthquake, Haiti had the tending our dead. I truly don’t know how homeless, living in tents if they are lucky, electrocardiograms, 144,000 diagnos-
least effective health care system in the to thank the Cuban medical team for their and thousands needing rehabilitation be- tic ultrasounds, 43,000 endoscopies,
Western Hemisphere. extraordinary work during those days.” cause limbs were amputated to save their 181,000 x-rays, 107,000 dental examina-
Now, drawing on their deep and exten- Before the earthquake struck, Cuban lives, health care has gone from a crisis to tions, and 487,000 laboratory tests.
sive involvement assisting Haiti’s medical medical personnel were already playing a catastrophe. “Given the extraordinary number of
care, Cuban medical experts have pre- a huge role in Haitian health care. They polytraumatized patients, 30 rehabilita-
were present in 127 of the 140 communes Cuban minister explains tion rooms are likewise being equipped.”
pared a plan for a new health care sys-
tem. It was adopted at a joint meeting of found in Haiti. Some 344 Cuban doctors Bruno Rodríguez Parilla, Cuban min- The Cubans have calculated the cost for
the Haitian, Cuban and Brazilian health were working in Haiti the day the earth- ister of foreign affairs, described the de- all this construction and all these medical
ministers in the Haitian capital of Port- quake struck. tails of the Cuban proposal in a speech at services at $170 million a year for the next
au-Prince on March 27. (Havana Times, Cuban medical staff had been helping the Donor Conference held at the U.N. on 10 years, at 50 percent of international
March 31) The public ceremony announc- Haiti ever since Hurricane George struck March 31. (Granma, April 1) prices. This plan will benefit the poorest
ing the plan took place at a Cuban-Hai- the island in 1998, concentrating their ef- He said: “Generosity and political will 75 percent of the Haitian people. Rodrí-
tian field hospital in Croix des Bouquets, forts in the poorest areas of this country, are needed. Also needed is the unity of that guez called on “all governments, without
a community a few miles due east of the which lies just to Cuba’s east across the country instead of its division into market exception, to contribute to this noble ef-
Port-au-Prince airport. Windward Passage. plots and dubious charitable projects. fort. For that reason, we attribute par-
In front of 400 Cuban medical staff and Cuba provided not only medical ser- “The program for the reconstruction ticular importance to this conference, and
graduates of Cuba’s Latin American Med- vices but medical training. Instead of and strengthening of the Haitian national aspire to its success.”
in someone's luggage’
2 million people locked up in prisons and calated under George W. Bush, growing
jails, many serving sentences decades long. from $3.5 million in 2000 to $45 million
The U.S. also has jailed the Cuban Five for in 2008. (machetera.wordpress.com)
nearly 12 years. The Five, who infiltrated Pertierra noted that the State Depart-
ently do not apply. Torture by the U.S. is CIA-backed, right-wing terrorist orga- ment froze the funding program last year
allowed. Pre-trial punishment is allowed. nizations operating in the U.S. in order until an investigation of the project was
The presumption of innocence goes out to monitor and stop their plans to attack completed. The investigation was initi-
the window. Counsel of choice is not al- Cuba, were given sentences ranging from ated after the General Accountability Of-
lowed. Communication with news media 15 years to two consecutive life terms. fice reported that groups in Miami had
is not allowed.” The program also provides $500,000 misused millions of dollars. Sen. John
Faisal Hashmi, Fahad’s brother, said to assist “independent” labor unions — Kerry, chair of the Senate Foreign Rela-
regarding the charges: “My brother is meaning anti-socialist organizations — tions Committee, put a temporary hold on
facing 70 years for socks in someone’s and to publicize any problems with Cu- the funding program pending an investi-
luggage.” ban labor conditions internationally. This gation of its effectiveness.
A determined group of primarily stu- is ludicrous. Anti-union legislation exists The renewed funding program shows
dents and young people called Theaters in much of the U.S. and workers pay the that the Obama administration continues
Against War — Thaw Act holds a bi-week- price: 29 miners in West Virginia just U.S. hostility toward Cuba. While Obama
ly vigil on Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. in died because of preventable hazards in a eased restrictions on travel to Cuba and on
front of the MCC at 150 Park Row, where non-union mine. While unions are on the money remittances for Cuban Americans,
Hashmi is being held. At each vigil a ro- defensive in the U.S. because of mass lay- he has done nothing to lift the blockade.
tating group of artists and actors gives a offs and lack of legal protection, they play And instead of freeing the Cuban Five, he
presentation. The next vigil is Monday, a central role in Cuban society, which in has spoken out on behalf of those jailed in
April 26 — two days before Hashmi’s trial fahad Hashmi turn provides free education and health- Cuba for working with the U.S. to destroy
is scheduled to begin. care for everyone. the Cuban revolution.
The International Action Center is front of MCC prison on April 26. Women are trafficked and abused in Kerry may well be right, however, to
mobilizing to attend the trial starting For more information on Fahad Hash- the U.S. every day, yet the USAID pro- question the program’s “effectiveness.”
on Wednesday, April 28, at the Federal mi’s case, see www.freefahad.com. gram sanctimoniously budgets $350,000 Cubans for over 50 years have shown they
Court Building at 500 Pearl St. and is For information on the bi-weekly Mon- for “women’s rights and to combat com- are determined to remain independent
urging solidarity with the Monday vigil in day vigils, see www.thawaction.org. mercial sexual exploitation of women and socialist, whatever Washington does.
Page_10_ April_29,_2010_ workers.org
WORKERS WORLD
editorial afGhaNiSTaN.
Let ter s
know-nothing Storm Troopers. The feds ment and its Soviet defenders.
supply the professional Gestapo. By wear-
ing masks to hide individual cops, the Class war in the countryside
federal officials tore the mask away from Once the PDPA government was driv-
U.S. imperialism’s steel-toothed appara- on the tea party I live in Kenosha, WI (home of Chrys-
en out in the 1980s, the Korengal Valley,
tus of state power. Like the Guantánamo, ler’s Kenosha Engine, Local 72), and I’m
With a corporate-run media we will like many other areas, was run by a class
Abu Ghraib and Bagram prisons, like the the president of Local 75, the Milwau-
not get the full story. Instead the media of Western-backed “timber lords,” capi-
leaked videos from Iraq and the civil- kee National Parts Distribution Center
is constantly perpetuating an angry and talists in the lumber industry who often
ian slaughter in Afghanistan, the raids (Mopar), in Milwaukee. I can’t help but
hostile organization with no substance in employ their own private armies. These
in Tucson show the real face of the U.S. question the logic behind the demise of
their agenda. Or do they even have one? lords rule without question in a totally
ruling class. TSP, Kenosha Engine (KEP), St. Louis N
I am stumped as to why the Tea Party “free market” where no government in-
They also make this year’s May Day & S, as well as the many other facilities
leaders will not meet with President tervention exists and money is the only
demonstration of vital importance. The including parts depots.
Obama directly. Instead they are cash- law. It was only in 2006 that government
marches will be the immigrant commu- I am well aware of TSP’s many accom-
ing in on their victims. Thank you for forces of any kind re-entered the region.
nity’s show of strength. They will also plishments and dedicated workforce.
what you are doing. The opposition far (New York Times, Feb. 24, 2008)
be an opportunity. All workers in the KEP was named manufacturer of the
outweighs this group. But until the public The people of the Korengal Val-
U.S. — especially those who don’t need year, twice. They have a great work
receives the true story the sad saga will ley have shown they will not submit to
to fear the immigration Gestapo — can force, and an incredible history in this
continue until it erupts and someone gets Washington’s wishes. Many villagers
and must show the strongest solidarity. city.
hurt. After all, people enjoy reality shows live in houses embedded into the sides of
Above all this must be solidarity to stop At one time, over 14,000 people
and want to become one. mountains. They have loudly refused to
the raids. And it must be solidarity to win worked at the assembly plant. But later
Thank you for your efforts as we watch recognize the pro-U.S. puppet regime in
legalization for all workers in the U.S. and the “lake front” facility was destroyed,
this unfold and continue to strive against Kabul or to accept Western “aid” meant
reinforce the unity and solidarity among through the Chrysler/AMC tie up,
it. to buy their compliance. (New York
all workers. around 1988.
cheryl W. Times, April 14)
My Grandfather (retired/deceased)
Even after Oct. 20, 2007, when 2,000
unity, unity, unity more on the tea party and my Father (retired from Milw) were
pounds of bombs were dropped on the
Legalization of all workers was the both a part of UAW Local 72 leadership
Where have you been all my life? Just village of Yaka China in the valley, turn-
demand of the grassroots immigrants at in Kenosha. Other family members of
finished reading about the anti-racists in ing five innocent civilians into “collateral
the huge rally in Washington on March mine worked hard and earned a good
Boston on your website. It’s about time damage,” the will of the people to resist
21. This demand is just and right for un- wage as Kenosha workers at one time.
someone answered these people and let did not dry up. (uruknet.info)
documented workers. Winning it would The plant provided a solid and success-
them know we oppose them and the mes- Despite nine years of occupation,
strengthen the hand of the entire working ful middle class in Kenosha.
sage they carry. It’s about time someone thousands of deaths, bombings and oth-
class in this country against the rapacious I am disappointed that it will not con-
did some truth telling at these events. er brutality designed to force the Afghan
capitalist class that is attacking workers’ tinue and ask many of the same ques-
Are you nationally organized? I’m in population to submit, it seems that the
rights and income every day in every way. tions you mention in your article.
Birmingham, Ala. How can I participate? U.S. has been unable to “stabilize” even
Workers World newspaper supports the I don’t have an answer.
Glenda d. this single wooded valley.
demand for legalization 100 percent. Good luck with whatever path you
Thus we are opponents of the “im- may take as a displaced Union Auto-
migration reform” promoted by Sen. on closing of twinsburg plant worker. I wish you the best and thank
Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Lind- you for sharing what so many of ours Write to Workers World at
I both sympathize & appreciate your
sey Graham (R-SC) and supported by will face in the coming time. 55 West 17 St. #5C, NY, NY 10011
heartfelt article regarding the unfortu-
President Barack Obama. This “reform” Feel free to keep in touch.
nate, but all too common shuttering of
is completely inadequate for winning the the Twinsburg plant. [“Workers, commu-
In Solidarity, You can subscribe at workers.org.
legalization that immigrant workers want Peter J. raith
nities devastated as — Auto plants closed, follow Workers World on twitter
and need. On top of this, it imposes op- sold off and destroyed,” by Martha Grevatt,
president, UAW local 75
Milwaukee Natl. parts http://twitter.com/workersworld.
pressive biometric identification proce- WW, April 15.]
dures on all workers. depot facebook http://bit.ly/c4ndYg.
workers.org April 29, 2010 Page 11
ediTorial: RebeliónpopularenKirguistán
Día de la Madre Tierra,
sacudealPentágono
bombas nucleares, Por deirdre Griswold contra el grave im-
E
stados Unidos presidió la Cumbre sobre Seguridad librando una guerra en Afganis- ¿Qué ocurrió en
Nuclear celebrada en Washington los días 12 y 13 de tán — la guerra más larga en la Kirguistán para sa-
abril. Los portavoces de EEUU siguen repitiendo que historia de EEUU contra uno de cudir al Pentágono?
su propósito es mantener las armas nucleares fuera de las los países más pobres del mundo. Decenas de miles de
manos de los terroristas. Pero el imperialismo estadounidense El Pentágono ha enviado allí una personas arriesga-
es el que ha empuñado su arsenal nuclear como una amenaza fuerza cada vez mayor — el núme- ron sus vidas en un
terrorista, tanto contra la Unión Soviética en los días que ro de efectivos se triplicó después levantamiento popu-
existía como contra todo tipo de estados que no tenían armas de que el Partido Demócrata ga- lar militante. Tum-
nucleares. El imperialismo estadounidense es la única poten- nara la presidencia — y construyó baron a un gobierno ingresos para luz y calefacción.
cia que realmente ha utilizado armas nucleares — contra las bases militares en la región con el corrupto que había disfrutado de Cuando Kirguizia era parte de la
poblaciones civiles de Hiroshima y Nagasaki en Japón en los fin de mantener el flujo de efecti- una relación de proximidad con Unión Soviética, recibía petróleo y
últimos días de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Y el Pentágono vos y materiales desde los EEUU los militares de EEUU, mientras otras necesidades fundamentales
aún continúa “mejorando” sus armas nucleares. a Afganistán. cortaba a nivel de inanición el es- a precios subvencionados por el
La base de tránsito más grande tándar de vida de la población. gobierno central. De hecho, Kir-
Después EEUU invita a Israel a esta cumbre. Israel po-
en los últimos años ha estado en Éstos son algunos de los hechos guizia y otras repúblicas del sur se
see armas nucleares pero se niega a firmar el Tratado de No
la vecina Kirguistán, una nación que han salido a la luz: beneficiaron de un programa de
Proliferación. Washington excluye a Irán, que no tiene armas
del Asia Central con 5 millones de * El ahora depuesto presidente acción afirmativa que intentaba
nucleares y ha firmado el tratado. Además de tratar de obtener
personas que antes era la Repúbli- Kurmanbek Bakiyev, que llegó a la levantar su nivel de desarrollo
sanciones contra Irán, Washington está utilizando la cumbre
ca Soviética de Kirguiza. Sólo en presidencia a través de una “Revo- económico a uno más cerca del
para atacar a la República Popular Democrática de Corea.
el mes pasado, cerca de 50.000 lución de Tulipanes” confecciona- nacional.
Como país que ha estado bajo incesantes ataques por el Pen-
militares estadounidenses transi- da en el occidente en 2005, amen- Una vez que la URSS fue frag-
tágono durante los últimos 60 años, la RPDC tiene el derecho a
taron por la Base Aérea de Manas azó a principios de su mandato con mentada en pequeños países que
equiparse con todas las armas que puedan.
en Kirguistán yendo y viniendo de rescindir el contrato de la base. competían entre sí y el capitalis-
El 22 de abril es el Día de la Madre Tierra. A raíz de las
Afganistán. Independientemente Pero EEUU acordó subir el precio mo fuera restaurado, disminuyó el
vergonzosas negociaciones dominadas por los imperialistas en
de quién esté en la Casa Blanca, del alquiler, de US$20 millones nivel de vida del pueblo trabajador
Copenhague en diciembre pasado, es un alivio que el presi-
quien dirija el Departamento a $60 millones. Y en un acuerdo en estas regiones. Los privilegia-
dente Evo Morales de Bolivia haya convocado a otro tipo de
de Estado o el Departamento paralelo no hecho público hasta dos, sin embargo, ahora estaban
cumbre para abril 20-22 en Cochabamba. Hasta su nombre
de Defensa, o lo que las encues- ahora, llegaron a un acuerdo me- libres para hacerse “empresarios”
inspira: La Conferencia Mundial de los Pueblos sobre el Cam-
tas muestren sobre la actitud del diante el cual el hermano del presi- lo cual generalmente significaba
bio Climático y los Derechos de la Madre Tierra. Un comuni-
pueblo de EEUU en relación a la dente vendía combustible para conectarse de alguna manera a los
cado del 11 de abril dice que el presidente Morales propondrá
guerra, los planes elaborados en el aviones a los ocupantes estadoun- intereses rapaces de las corpora-
la formación de una Organización multilateral de Naciones
Pentágono para trasladar tropas y idenses con una ganancia de $10 ciones imperialistas que pagaban
Originarias y de Trabajadores/as.
suministros a Afganistán han con- millones al mes — lo que es el doble sobornos a oficiales para que abri-
Hay mucho qué decir sobre la protección del medio am-
tinuado según lo previsto. del dinero que se pagó al gobierno eran sus puertas a la explotación
biente de las industrias con hambre de ganancias y sobre el
Hasta el 7 de abril. Entonces, de Kirguistán. Un ex teniente coro- desenfrenada de una región rica
cambio climático. Informaremos sobre los resultados de esta
una reacción casi de pánico rein- nel del Ejército estadounidense, en recursos naturales. Ésta es la
conferencia en Bolivia, que seguramente tratará las cuestiones
aba en Washington — lo suficiente Chuck Squires, fue contratado para fuente principal de la actual cor-
de una manera más eficaz que los explotadores del mundo lo
para que el Pentágono anunciara ejecutar el contrato. (The New York rupción en los gobiernos de estos
hicieron en Dinamarca.
que iba a parar los vuelos hacia Times, 12 de abril) pequeños países.
Mientras tanto, aquellos/as que desean parar el terror, sobre y desde Manas durante 12 horas. * Mientras se enriquecía él y su El pueblo de Kirguistán no
todo el terror más destructivo — el terror de Estado — y los/ Luego se reanudaron, pero el 9 de familia, Bakiyev subió el precio de podía aguantar más esta situ-
as que quieren detener el asalto más drástico sobre el medio abril el mayor John Redfield, un la calefacción, la luz y el agua cali- ación. El 7 de abril rodearon los
ambiente pueden dedicarse a ponerle fin a dos guerras sucias portavoz del Comando Central de ente, utilidades suministradas por edificios gubernamentales en la
de ocupación en Irak y Afganistán. Es difícil imaginar algo más EEUU, anunció que los militares el estado, de 170 a 400 por ciento capital Biskek, y se negaron a dis-
inútil y destructor del medio ambiente que las guerras de alta de EEUU en Kirguistán habían este enero. En un país donde casi persarse. Por órdenes del Presi-
tecnología del Pentágono contra las masas populares, ni nada decidido “desviar temporalmente la mitad de la población vive por dente Bakiyev, las tropas dispara-
tan destructor de la paz y los derechos humanos. los vuelos de transporte de pasaje- debajo de la línea de pobreza y ron a la multitud, matando por lo
Recientes exposiciones en los medios han demostrado una ros militares” fuera de la base de las temperaturas caen por debajo menos a 75 personas e hiriendo a
vez más los repugnantes actos criminales que se producen cu- Manas. (Reuters, 10 de abril) de 0 grados F en el invierno, es- cientos más. Sin embargo, la gente
ando un estado opresor lanza una guerra injusta de ocupación Este suceso ha puesto de mani- tas subidas fueron como una pena no se retiró y terminaron por ocu-
contra lo que antes eran países soberanos. fiesto la vulnerabilidad del im- de muerte para muchos/as que par los edificios gubernamentales
En Iraq, algún/a soldado valiente o un/a trabajador/a del perialismo estadounidense y sus tenían que escoger entre la comi- mientras el ejército y la policía
Departamento de Defensa filtró un video que ha demostrado planes de guerra en un momento da o la calefacción. Este gran au- rompían filas.
cómo eran día a día los asesinatos en Bagdad en el 2007. Para cuando se han desencadenado lu- mento dejó a algunos/as teniendo El levantamiento se esparció
las tropas en el helicóptero, cualquier iraquí era un enemigo, chas de las masas en varios países que gastar un 80 por ciento de sus por casi todo el país, derrocando a
cualquier cilindro era un arma y la matanza no sólo estaba los oficiales del viejo régimen.
justificada sino que era una orden. En lo que fue un total Un gobierno interino ha sido
mal entendimiento de la historia, el soldado del helicóptero formado, encabezado por Roza
hablando por la radio, se refiere a su unidad como “Caballo Otunbayeva, ex-ministro de rela-
Loco”. El original “Caballo Loco” era un líder de la resisten- ciones exteriores. Bakiyev ha hui-
cia que luchó contra el ejército estadounidense. Búsquelo. do al sur de Kirguistán y se niega a
En Afganistán, las tropas estadounidenses cerca de dejar su puesto.
Kandahar donde supuestamente están preparando una gran El nuevo gobierno envió una
ofensiva para ganar “los corazones y las mentes”, reciente- delegación a Moscú para buscar
mente atacaron un autobús civil con fuego de ametralladora. asistencia económica de Rusia.
Al menos cinco personas murieron y 18 quedaron heridas. Dice que su primera prioridad es
En los días siguientes, miles de afganos/as se vertieron en aliviar las penurias económicas
las calles para protestar contra la ocupación estadounidense. que enfrenta el pueblo y que no
La gente afgana que protestó tuvo la idea correcta. A ellos/ tiene planes inmediatos de cancel-
as se deben unir millones de personas en los Estados Unidos ar el contrato que arrienda la Base
que también debían irse a las calles y dar el primer paso para Aérea de Manas al Pentágono.
salvar el medioambiente y detener el terror al exigir que Pero el mandato del pueblo está
todas las fuerzas militares estadounidenses — oficiales como muy claro — y Washington está
mercenarias se salgan de Iraq y Afganistán. muy preocupado.