miscellaneous rantings and ravings // may day

Money is funny. Capital is money, capital is commodities. By virtue of it being value, it has acquired the occult ability to add value to itself. It brings forth living offspring, or, at the least, lays golden eggs.

A slackbastard appears at first sight an extremely obvious, trivial thing. But its analysis brings out that it is a very strange thing, abounding in metaphysical subtleties and theological niceties.

It’s a Rich Man’s World — And That’s Official. On the stockmarket today, here’s a look at the closing numbers – racism’s up, human rights are down, peace is shaky, war items are hot – the House claims all ties. Jobs are down, money is scarce – and common sense is at an all-time low with heavy trading. But it’s not all bad news.

There’s unimaginable horror in Burma, but The Generals are OK; The Generals are OK wherever they are. “War is like love”, said Brecht, “it always finds a way”.

In Jakarta, police arrested hundreds of anarchists at the May Day carnival. They were released later that night, but a Polish comrade who was arrested was deported soon after.

In Japan, too, anarchists and others celebrated May Day. “Part time workers, freeters [a compound of “free” in English and the German “arbeiter”], and other low income earners whose lives are fraught with instability gathered together in places all over Japan for Mayday, choosing “Independent Mayday” celebrations over existing union events.” … ‘A 33-year-old man who works as a temporary day-laborer and attended the event had this to say: “I’m fed up with wages too low to live on and thuggish employment practices. I’ve been doing temp-work for almost 10 years, and I think it’s time that irregularly employed workers raise their voices.’

The new rallying cry of nonregular workers may become “Precariats of the world, unite!”

In Venezuela, autonomous social movements are struggling. “For the oppressed, there are no substantial differences between oppressors. Another May Day is here, and all of us workers must struggle right now to wrench our rights from the bosses. Let’s take up our own battle flags and not give in for anything, not the elections of fair-weather friends or the promises of demagogue leaders with clay feet. Let’s reject their simplistic thinking, demobilize the polarization and recover the autonomy of our movements. One hopeful lesson of solidarity sums it up best: The people, united, advance without a party!”

a-films is an autonomous anarchist film collective. they do video workshops in palestine and lebanon and produce short films.

The “Ricardo Flores Magón” Insurgent Militia (MI-RFM) are an interesting mob, who recently sent out May Day greetings to the world, possibly from somewhere in Mexico, or possibly not. According to one source:

Mexicans in the FARC & the FARC in Mexico
Thursday, March 13, 2008

After the Colombian Air Force (FAC) bombed the camp [in Ecuador] of FARC leader Raul Reyes with Brazilian airplanes and Israeli guidance systems, the camp lay destroyed in the early morning hours of 2 March. When the Colombian military special forces picked through the bodies just moments after the dust settled, they came across an interesting find.

Mexicans figured among the dead.

Six days later, the Colombian vice president, Francisco Santos, said that there were “several” Mexican youths being trained by the FARC while residing at Reyes’ camp. At least one Mexican, Lucia Morett Alvarez, was taking a course on explosives[?]. This fact [?] resonates with the as yet unconfirmed rumors that Raul Reyes had been in contact with a Mexican insurgent off-shoot called the Ricardo Flores Magon – Insurgent Militias. Other information connecting the FARC with insurgencies inside Mexico is likely on the recovered computers, but so far has not been leaked.

According to the Colombian government, however, at least four Mexicans have been confirmed as dead from the bombing of Reyes’ camp…

Other reports are more equivocal: Mexico to probe FARC link, Bill Weinberg, World War 4 Report, March 18, 2008.

In Cuba, “With respect to the situation in Cuba these past few weeks, the Cuban Libertarian Movement MLC (affinity group of Cuban anarchists in exile) speaks up to answer the unknowns and the challenges facing Cuban society. Ours is the voice of uncompromising commitment to freedom, equality and solidarity that has always been the sound of the Cuban anarchists.”

In the UK, naughty antifa have been busy. “In the early hours of this morning [March 14, 2008] several Leeds venues recently used for meetings of the fascist British National Party were attacked. The BNP have used these venues on a number of occasions, and the venues were in full knowledge of whom they were hosting. —- The venues were: —- Ireland Wood Social Club, Leeds —- The Dog & Gun public house, Killingbeck, Leeds —- Woodkirk Valley Country Club, Tingley, Leeds —- The attacks on the venues took the form of damage to property, comprising glued locks and the smashing of several windows with red paint being thrown inside. —- The purpose of this action is to send a clear message that we will do all we can to prevent the fascist BNP spreading their racist poison within West Yorkshire, and will actively confront those who provide them with resources and/or attempt to turn a quick profit from assisting them. Nick Griffin and his shabby cohorts may wear suits and ties instead of blackshirts, but we are not fooled as to the true nature of the fascist BNP.” ~ Yorkshire antifascists

See also : May Day / Labor Day / International Workers’ Day 2008 / a sizzling BONK holiday, slackbastard, May 2, 2008

PS.

Arsonists attack police station
Dylan Welch
Sydney Morning Herald
May 9, 2008

Unknown people have set fire to the front of a police station in Sydney’s southwest overnight, leaving the front doors of the station blackened and cracked.

Officers inside Kingsgrove police station, on Paterson Avenue, were alerted to the fire shortly after 11pm by a neighbour who noticed the glow of the fire.

They came outside to find the entrance area of their station burning. The fire was smothered by officers with a fire extinguisher, but not before the front of the station was left damaged.

A clear liquid accelerant was later detected on the ramp leading to the front doors and police are examining security camera footage from the entrance.

My money’s on Kiwi or possibly Greek anarchists being responsible. Or possibly a collaborative effort by English, German and Swedish anarchists. These people are like football hooligans who travel the world looking for violence, don’t ya know.

About @ndy

I live in Melbourne, Australia. I like anarchy. I don't like nazis. I enjoy eating pizza and drinking beer. I barrack for the greatest football team on Earth: Collingwood Magpies. The 2024 premiership's a cakewalk for the good old Collingwood.
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