Answering this simple question, the Pentagon said, would take the department — hold your breath now — 15 million labor hours. Doing so would cost — no, don’t breathe yet — $660 million, the Pentagon said. …
In a two-page response to Peck, the department’s FOIA office said Robert Jarrett, the Pentagon’s Director of Operations, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy, had explained that although the Pentagon maintains a database of all its contracts — in something called the Electronic Documents Access (EDA) system — it cannot be comprehensively searched. Continue reading
Author Archives: TPNS
The Power of Us
Developed by TPFF with support from The co-operative
The Power of Us, a new film about co-operation, is fully developed and seeking production funding.
Co-operation is in our DNA – from the personal to the political, from the social to the economic. The fruits of this human endeavour is all around us to see – and not least in the global economy where co-ops have a turnover of $1.1 trillion, represent 800m members securing the livelihoods of 3bn people. (UK Co-operative Economy, Co-ops UK 2011)
Picking up the baton of the UN Year of Co-operation, The Power of Us will be a film to shine a very bright spotlight on a global movement that has its roots in the UK and will initiate an urgent and timely global conversation about the power and possibility of cooperation.
The story
There is a quiet revolution taking place across the world, right here, right now. Sometimes it’s hidden and often it’s missed by the global media. But it’s there – a low-level rumbling, motivated by the financial crisis, bolstered by the Arab Spring and global protest movements; and fueled by a general sense that something has to change.
The Financial Crisis exposed many things. One was that our economic model is fragile. Another is that the way the majority of people choose to live is not the only way. When the global economy went into free-fall, people started to look around and ask – can we stop it happening again? Is there an alternative? But in fact, there were people are already out there, living the alternative. These groups of individuals were more than surviving the crash, they were often immune from it. And these people who have chosen a different model are not just in Wales or California: they are all over the world. These are the stories at the heart of this film.
The film will show that beyond the brutal individualism of our world today lies a thrilling – and viable – future alternative. An alternative that has already been put into practice across the world for more than 150 years and has been flourishing in recent times. It evokes a future, which could bring about a radical shift in human values and happiness. A future which could result in a more stable economic model, more benign business processes, smarter technology, more meaningful government, leveled inequality, reduced crime. A future whose potential is infinite.
Propelling the visibility of the co-operative movement ~ where-ever it is ~ to the forefront of global public attention
It’s safe to say that the co-op movement as a whole – its principles, reach and success – is far from being as prominent or as widely appreciated as it deserves to be. The Power of Us intends to build on the success of the UN Year of Co-operation by delivering a film of quality and impact that will reach audiences, media and decision-makers around the world in order to raise the level of awareness and debate about co-operation. In other words, the power of ‘us’….
Our ambitions for the film
- have a tagible, positive, economic impact on the co-op economy
- draw a whole new generation to the co-operative vision and movement
- empower existing co-ops to use the film as a way to take their message to new members.
And you can help us achieve this!
Crowdfunding campaign
Reflecting the film’s international content, we will be launching a major global crowd-funding campaign for The Power of Us.
In readiness for this, we’re putting the word out and developing our co-op partnerships around the world as we invite the international co-op movement – from the smallest to the largest co-operatives– to be involved in this fundraising campaign.
The Power of Us can take up the baton of the UN Year of Co-operation, and play an important role for the movement in the coming decade.
Background on the co-operative movement
Values and principles that underpin much of what we cherish in our day to day human relationships also are embedded in the ethos of co-operation and the co-operative movement. Values that are being re-discovered as essential to a fully rounded (global) society.
Such values and principles have been central to the co-operative movement for more that 165 years – and then as now, it was forward-looking and standard setting.
A century before the application of ethical labour standards were main-streamed into the consumer conscience of today, the co-operative wholesale (CWS) movement had adopted a ‘no sweat’ principle to the production of its garments. (See image – from Wheatsheaf Magazine 1899. Thanks to the National Co-operative Archive).
This is a truly global movement founded on the principles first laid down by the Rochdale Pioneers in 1844. Today, the International Co-operative Alliance (founded in 1895) has 222 member organisations from 85 countries active in all sectors of the global economy. Together these co-operatives represent more than 800 million individuals worldwide.
For More Information:-
From Pink to Prevention Campaign Update
Dear friends, colleagues and supporters,
As we continue our effort to ask The Big Question on environmental and occupational links to breast cancer, here are some links to our latest blogs and campaign updates.
MEETING WITH BREAST CANCER NOW
Earlier this month, Helen Lynn and Deborah Burton met with key Breast Cancer Now staff – Delyth Morgan (chief Executive) and Eluned Hughes (Head of Public Health and Information) to primarily discuss the reasons why their organisation (the UK’s leading breast cancer charity) persists in categorising environmental risks as doubtful along with the body of evidence that does link the two. We also wanted to ask if and when BCN could join with us and start to both accept and act upon the existing evidence (not least, share the information with the public who look to them for guidance). It was a constructive first conversation and we are looking forward to keeping the issue on their agenda.
Our latest blog about the meeting is here and our post-meeting follow up letter in full is here.
OUR BIG QUESTION PETITION
Keep sharing our PETITION! We are running this throughout 2016 and we want it to act as an informative as well as a lobbying tool.
MORE FABULOUS CARTOONS
Di Ward has added more wonderful cartoons to our gallery. Her pictures paint a thousand words on the many aspects of this debate and we have recently submitted a proposal for her work to be included in a publication in Canada on the subject of Pink-washing along with an article. And here is another recent posting by Di – observations from Tasmania on health, pollution and the lack of public education.
PLANS FOR 2016
In the UK: Throughout this year we will continue our effort to push for Breast Cancer Now to update and widen their RISK brochure; moreover, From Pink to Prevention is calling upon all breast cancer charities – not just BCN – to acknowledge and act upon environmental and occupational risk factors for the disease. We will also be taking The Big Question to government – especially the new Labour Shadow Health team.
This is also an international issue and campaign and we look forward to building on our work started last year, when 16 international organisations signed our open letter calling on breast cancer charities everywhere to remove their pink ribbon blindfolds and ask why, despite all the money raised, more and more of us are getting this disease? The groups believe we are not getting the full picture on this breast cancer epidemic that has taken us from a 1 in 12 chance of a woman getting the disease in her lifetime in 1995, to a 1 in 8 chance today. We need urgent action now.
So keep spreading the word – we MUST keep pushing for environmental and occupational links to breast cancer to be acknowledged and acted upon.
Best from all at From Pink to Prevention
Di, Helen, Deb & Ho-Chih
From Pink to Prevention Campaign Update
Dear friends, colleagues and supporters,
As we continue our effort to ask The Big Question on environmental and occupational links to breast cancer, here are some links to our latest blogs and campaign updates.
MEETING WITH BREAST CANCER NOW
Earlier this month, Helen Lynn and Deborah Burton met with key Breast Cancer Now staff – Delyth Morgan (chief Executive) and Eluned Hughes (Head of Public Health and Information) to primarily discuss the reasons why their organisation (the UK’s leading breast cancer charity) persists in categorising environmental risks as doubtful along with the body of evidence that does link the two. We also wanted to ask if and when BCN could join with us and start to both accept and act upon the existing evidence (not least, share the information with the public who look to them for guidance). It was a constructive first conversation and we are looking forward to keeping the issue on their agenda.
Our latest blog about the meeting is here and our post-meeting follow up letter in full is here. Continue reading
5% — February 2016
Britain is at centre of global mercenary industry, says charity
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/03/britain-g4s-at-centre-of-global-mercenary-industry-says-charity
RAND Report Questions Nuclear Role In Defending Baltic States
https://fas.org/blogs/security/2016/02/nato-nukes-rand/
Feeding the Military-Industrial Complex
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/34683-feeding-the-military-industrial-complex
In surprise move, France rejects Israeli drones
https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/surprise-move-france-rejects-israeli-drones
The F-35’s turbulent march to combat readiness is far from over — here’s everything that’s wrong with it
http://uk.businessinsider.com/f35-problems-2016
What we’ve learned from fifty years of Saudi arms deals
https://opendemocracy.net/uk/harry-blain/what-we-ve-learned-from-fifty-years-of-saudi-arms-deals
GOP candidates need to focus more on waste and inefficiency in Defense budget
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/presidential-campaign/268294-gop-candidates-need-to-focus-more-on-waste-and
This NHS crisis is not economic. It’s political
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/08/this-nhs-crisis-is-not-economic-its-political
Taiwan – the un-noticed Asian tax haven?
http://www.taxjustice.net/2016/02/10/taiwan-the-un-noticed-asian-tax-haven/
Bernie Sanders Is More Serious on Foreign Policy Than You Think
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/02/bernie-sanders-foreign-poicy-213619
Trident: the British question
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/11/trident-the-british-question
Commentary: Obama’s Gift to Next President: A Defense Budget Train Wreck
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/commentary/2016/02/11/commentary-obamas-gift-next-president-defense-budget-train-wreck/80199380/
Is Everything We Thought We Knew About Russia Wrong?
http://reinvent.net/is-everything-we-thought-we-knew-about-russia-wrong/
Saudi Arabia leads surge in arms imports by Middle East states
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/22/saudi-arabia-surge-arms-imports-middle-east
SIPRI Report: World crises driving international arms trade
http://www.dw.com/en/sipri-report-world-crises-driving-international-arms-trade/a-19064590
Practical Theoretical Ethics
http://www.ianwelsh.net/practical-theoretical-ethics/
U.S. Air Force Arsenal Plane Could Help Outgun China
http://warisboring.com/articles/u-s-air-force-arsenal-plane-could-help-outgun-china/
What is the F-35B and Why is the UK Buying It?
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/08/what-is-the-f-35b-and-why-is-the-uk-buying-it/
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/31/new-u-s-stealth-jet-can-t-fire-its-gun-until-2019.html
The Trillion Dollar F-35 Won’t Even be Able to Shoot its Gun Until 2019
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/01/the-trillion-dollar-f-35-wont-even-be-able-to-shoot-its-gun-until-2019/
New US fighter jet on course to becoming ‘one of history’s biggest white elephants’
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-us-fighter-jet-on-course-to-becoming-one-of-history-s-biggest-white-elephants-10238761.html
Make Apartheid History Shorts
Throughout 2015, Tipping Point delivered a number of short films for the Make Apartheid History project – the follow up to Bethlehem Unwrapped.
Films: Main Promo; MAH Rationale – Katie Barlow
Events: Make Apartheid History Readings at the Southbank – HC Lin
Interviews: Ronnie Kasrils; Jeff Halper – Katie Barlow; Beginnings; Freedom Theatre – HC Lin
Creatives: WALL Graphics: Edited by HC Lin; Aerial Stunt; Paulo Coll, Alta Vista
And from our event at St James Piccadilly, 2013/14:
Bethlehem Unwrapped by Tom Pursey
5% — January 2016
‘Kill-Em-All With Airstrikes’ Is Not Working
http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2016/01/kill-em-all-airstrikes-not-working/124946/
Why Bernie Sanders Doesn’t Want Your Vote
http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-bernie-sanders-fundraising/
F-35 Ejection Seat Fix Delayed to 2018; Pilot Restrictions Continue
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2016/01/08/f-35-ejection-seat-fix-delayed-2018-pilot-restrictions-continue/78519892/
UK should prepare for use of drones in terrorist attacks, says thinktank
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/11/drones-terrorist-attacks-security-thinktank
Revealed: British government refusing to accept evidence of civilian fatalities in UK air strikes
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14193998.Revealed__British_government_refusing_to_accept_evidence_of_civilian_fatalities_in_UK_air_strikes/
Revealed: UK military doesn’t know the number of people it has killed in airstrikes
https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/3121/revealed-uk-military-doesn-t-know-the-number-of-people-it-has-killed-in-airstrikes
What Would a Realist World Have Looked Like?
https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/01/08/what-would-a-realist-world-have-looked-like-iraq-syria-iran-obama-bush-clinton/
The IMF Confirms That ‘Trickle-Down’ Economics Is, Indeed, a Joke
http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/trickle-down-economics-is-indeed-a-joke
Note To Joe Stiglitz: Banks Originate, Not Intermediate, And That’s Why Aggregate Demand Is Stuffed
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevekeen/2016/01/06/note-to-joe-stiglitz-banks-originate-not-intermediate-and-thats-why-aggregate-demand-is-stuffed/
Congress offers Christmas cheer to F-35 and F/A-18 programmes
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/congress-offers-christmas-cheer-to-f-35-and-fa-18-p-420170/
Is Britain a nation of debt bingers? History tells a different story
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/12/britain-nation-debt-bingers-history-household-credit
Will a Basic Income turn us all into entrepreneurs?
https://www.crunch.co.uk/blog/small-business-advice/2016/01/11/will-a-basic-income-turn-us-all-into-entrepreneurs/
The man who exposed the lie of the war on drugs
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/26/man-who-exposed-lie-war-on-drugs-roberto-saviano-ed-vulliamy
Britain Has Sold £5.6 Billion Of Arms To Saudi Arabia Since David Cameron Came To Power
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/britain-has-sold-ps56-billion-of-arms-to-saudi-arabia-since#.aa70bBL3r
UK, US buying made-in-Pakistan weapons
http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/12-Jan-2016/uk-us-buying-made-in-pakistan-weapons
Airbnb lists properties in illegal Israeli settlements
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jan/12/airbnb-listings-illegal-settlements-israel-palestine-west-bank
UK government misses own green targets
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/11/uk-government-misses-own-green-targets
Hard Evidence: this is the Age of Dissent – and there’s much more to come
https://theconversation.com/hard-evidence-this-is-the-age-of-dissent-and-theres-much-more-to-come-52871
BoE official oversaw FCA retreat from inquiry into banking culture
https://next.ft.com/content/414f6e0c-b918-11e5-b151-8e15c9a029fb
Renew Trident? It’d make more sense to put Dad’s Army on the case
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/13/renew-trident-dads-army-jeremy-corbyn-labour
Made in Britain
http://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2016/01/13/elliot-murphy/made-in-britain/
Davos and Its Threat to Democracy
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/01/17/davos-and-its-threat-democracy
Blimey: TfL to take over most of London’s rail network, says government
http://www.citymetric.com/transport/blimey-tfl-take-over-most-londons-rail-network-says-government-1765
Just Who Exactly Benefits Most from the Global Giving of Billionaires Like Bill Gates?
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/20/just-who-exactly-benefits-most-global-giving-billionaires-bill-gates
Ultra-Rich ‘Philanthrocapitalist’ Class Undermining Global Democracy: Report
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/15/ultra-rich-philanthrocapitalist-class-undermining-global-democracy-report
Philanthropy: Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/01/15/philanthropy-looking-gift-horse-mouth
Is Britain’s media biased against the left?
https://www.opendemocracy.net/uk/greg-philo/is-britains-media-biased-against-left
Dark Money review: Nazi oil, the Koch brothers and a rightwing revolution
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/17/dark-money-review-nazi-oil-the-koch-brothers-and-a-rightwing-revolution
It is wrong to blame China for the global economy’s woes
http://www.primeeconomics.org/articles/3wytec2ja3q7ulxrgrlqeuam5tykbb
No, it’s not time for Britain to be intensely relaxed over household debt
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/no-it-s-not-time-for-britain-to-be-intensely-relaxed-over-household-debt-a6817926.html
Richest 62 people as wealthy as half of world’s population, says Oxfam
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/18/richest-62-billionaires-wealthy-half-world-population-combined
Meet Chengdu’s Ace Fighter Designer
http://thediplomat.com/2016/01/meet-chengdus-ace-fighter-designer/
UK most unequal country in the West
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk-most-unequal-country-in-the-west-1329614.html
We’ve been conned by the rich predators of Davos
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/19/davos-super-rich-wealth-inequality
The Return of Public Investment
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/public-infrastructure-investment-sustained-growth-by-dani-rodrik-2016-01
Big Pharma’s worst nightmare
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/26/big-pharmas-worst-nightmare
UN report into Saudi-led strikes in Yemen raises questions over UK role
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/27/un-report-into-saudi-led-strikes-in-yemen-raises-questions-over-uk-role
You Won’t Like It, But Here’s the Answer to ISIS
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176091/tomgram%3A_peter_van_buren%2C_how_to_resolve_the_isis_crisis
Type 45 destroyers: UK’s £1bn warships face engine refit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35432341
The Forgotten Benefits of Offshore Balancing
http://lobelog.com/the-forgotten-benefits-of-offshore-balancing/
Cameron desperate to stop scandal as secret plans to sell the NHS are discovered
http://www.thecanary.co/2016/01/27/conservatives-block-access-secret-nhs-privatisation-documents/
Brimstone missiles target the British public, not Islamic State
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/brimstone-missiles-target-british-public-not-islamic-state-1698303657
More Bad News for the Snakebit F-35
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/01/29/More-Bad-News-Snakebit-F-35
The U.S. May Build 500 Jets Before Finding Out If the F-35 Works
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-01-29/pentagon-risks-building-500-f-35s-before-completing-combat-tests
We came, we saw, he died
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v37/n03/jackson-lears/we-came-we-saw-he-died
The World’s Favorite New Tax Haven Is the United States
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-27/the-world-s-favorite-new-tax-haven-is-the-united-states
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations Overlook His Critiques of Capitalism and Militarism
https://theintercept.com/2016/01/18/martin-luther-king-jr-celebrations-overlook-his-critiques-of-capitalism-and-militarism/
Dr. King’s Antiwar Legacy
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-hartung/dr-kings-antiwar-legacy_b_9014048.html
Henry A. Giroux | Gun Culture and the American Nightmare of Violence
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/34349-gun-culture-and-the-american-nightmare-of-violence#14549852864731&action=collapse_widget&id=0&data=
How does NHS spending compare with health spending internationally?
http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/blog/2016/01/how-does-nhs-spending-compare-health-spending-internationally
Behold: How the US blew $17 billion in Afghanistan
http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-12-18/behold-american-taxpayer-what-happened-nearly-half-billion-your-dollars
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season
Dear friends,
A short end-of-year email with Season’s Greetings for all our supporters and funders; colleagues and friends. This year has seen so much turmoil in the world – millions of people fleeing war; austerity measures deepening while, at the same, inequality grows; and the Paris climate talks just about saved. But, across the board, we also know that there are many who work for the common good –and it’s this spirit of solidarity that we celebrate this holiday season.
It’s our honour to work with some of those people who are making that difference. For Tipping Point, 2015 was a busy year with lots of good things coming to fruition – films finding their audiences and campaigns finding their supporters.
Open Bethlehem continues its journey to new countries, festivals and communities;
We Are Many ended the year with actor Tim Robbins calling it ‘ the most important film of 2015’ – one highlight for us being a special screening with Melissa Benn, days after the Corbyn election win;
Make Apartheid History launched its rolling programme of events on Mandela Day July 18, supported by a growing number of artists, performers and activists alike, in the UK, Palestine, USA and South Africa;
(Photographs by Katie Barlow)
and our campaign to challenge the main breast cancer charities to address environmental and occupational links to breast cancer got a boost when 16 international organisations and networks signed our From Pink to Prevention sign on statement in October 2015.
(Cartoons: Diana Ward, campaign co-founder)
As we end this year, sadly, we are witnessing a widespread commitment by governments around the world – not least the UK – to increase military spending. We continue to share and refine our Five Percent Campaign proposal with potential and already interested partners – not least, as we can see a time where the world hits the completely unacceptable $2trillion p/a global military spending figure.
Next year we will continue our campaigns work; we have some new film projects in development; and some exciting events planned for 2017 will, hopefully, be set in motion. If you’d like to know more about how you could support our work, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at info@tippingpointfilmfund.com
Thanks for all your support and interest throughout 2015
Wishing you a peaceful New Year
Deborah, Kevin, Justin & Ho- Chih
Follow us on:
SUPPORT US and find out more
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Two carols released this Christmas. Share if you can
- War Veterans Release a Christmas Truce Single
- A Silent Night this Christmas: The city of Bethlehem prepares for a scaled-down Christmas celebration in the face of continuing Israeli violence…
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season
Dear friends,
A short end-of-year email with Season’s Greetings for all our supporters and funders; colleagues and friends. This year has seen so much turmoil in the world – millions of people fleeing war; austerity measures deepening while, at the same, inequality grows; and the Paris climate talks just about saved. But, across the board, we also know that there are many who work for the common good –and it’s this spirit of solidarity that we celebrate this holiday season.
It’s our honour to work with some of those people who are making that difference. For Tipping Point, 2015 was a busy year with lots of good things coming to fruition – films finding their audiences and campaigns finding their supporters.
Continue reading
5% — December 2015
Hilary Benn’s ‘Internationalism’
http://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2015/12/03/michael-chessum/hilary-benns-internationalism/
Defense Contractors Cite “Benefits” of Escalating Conflicts in the Middle East
https://theintercept.com/2015/12/04/defense-contractors-cite-benefits-of-escalating-conflicts-in-the-middle-east/
Osborne reliant on rising immigration levels to achieve budget surplus
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/01/osborne-reliant-on-rising-immigration-levels-to-achieve-budget-surplus
Finland plans to give every citizen 800 euros a month and scrap benefits
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/finland-plans-to-give-every-citizen-800-euros-a-month-and-scrap-benefits-a6762226.html
The ISIS Fight Is Reshaping US Arms Exports to Its Partners
http://www.defenseone.com/management/2015/12/isis-fight-reshaping-us-arms-exports-its-partners/124161/
Why Russia needs China to buy its weapons
http://www.dw.com/en/why-russia-needs-china-to-buy-its-weapons/a-18870472
UK flooding, austerity and the media
http://mainlymacro.blogspot.be/2015/12/uk-flooding-austerity-and-media.html
NHS trust urges staff to ration stationery and stamps as cash crisis plumbs new depths
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-trust-urges-staff-to-ration-stationery-and-stamps-as-cash-crisis-plumbs-new-depths-a6762741.html
None Of The Seven Foiled UK Terror Plots Was Directed From Syria, Senior MPs Claim
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34962228/army-chief-were-still-failing-to-attract-enough-young-recruits
UK To Boost Investment in Technology Innovation
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/2015/12/07/uk-boost-investment-technology-innovation/76927888/
Do little, hide the evidence: the official neglect that caused these deadly floods
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/07/hide-evidence-storm-desmond-floods-paris-talks
The Isis papers: leaked documents show how Isis is building its state
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/07/leaked-isis-document-reveals-plan-building-state-syria
The fall of Jersey: how a tax haven goes bust
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/08/fall-of-jersey-how-tax-haven-goes-bust
NHS rationing ‘is denying patients care’ as cash crisis deepens
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/08/nhs-rationing-denying-patients-care-cash-crisis-survery-doctors
Osborne will miss target of doubling exports
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/osborne-will-miss-target-of-doubling-exports-9907273.html
Blair’s frail legacy shows why Labour must win arguments as well as votes
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/11/blair-frail-legacy-labour-corbynistas
The Unbearable Lightness of America’s War Against the Islamic State
https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/12/11/the-unbearable-lightness-of-americas-war-against-the-islamic-state-obama-san-bernardino-us/
James Hansen, father of climate change awareness, calls Paris talks ‘a fraud’
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/james-hansen-climate-change-paris-talks-fraud
Defense Contractors Cite “Benefits” of Escalating Conflicts in the Middle East
https://theintercept.com/2015/12/04/defense-contractors-cite-benefits-of-escalating-conflicts-in-the-middle-east/
Paris climate negotiations won’t stop the planet burning
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/paris-climate-negotiations-won-t-stop-planet-burning-1543258788
UK looks at nuclear option over Rolls-Royce crisis
https://next.ft.com/content/41a4756a-a1a2-11e5-bc70-7ff6d4fd203a
British parties are suffering a slow death. What’s left are elites and cults
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/14/british-party-democracy-long-slow-death-elites-cults
The new nuclear arms race
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-new-nuclear-arms-race/2015/12/11/83445bc0-a021-11e5-bce4-708fe33e3288_story.html
Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp: Finland’s basic income: a test case for our global economic future?
http://www.thenational.scot/comment/gordon-macintyre-kemp-finlands-basic-income-a-test-case-for-our-global-economic-future.11067
GO SEE “THE BIG SHORT” RIGHT NOW — AND THEN READ THIS
https://theintercept.com/2015/12/14/go-see-the-big-short-right-now-and-then-read-this/
Britain’s Nuclear Arsenal Is a Hazardous Mess
http://warisboring.com/articles/britains-nuclear-arsenal-is-a-hazardous-mess/
NHS faces unprecedented funding black hole, warns National Audit Office
http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/nhs-faces-unprecedented-funding-black-hole-warns-national-audit-office-11364029103635
US Defense Spending: Amid Tight Military Budget, Air Force F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Military Purchases May Need To Be Reduced
http://www.ibtimes.com/us-defense-spending-amid-tight-military-budget-air-force-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-2226281
Revealed: Cuadrilla and leading fracking firms’ tax haven ownership
https://energydesk.greenpeace.org/2015/12/16/revealed-cuadrilla-and-leading-fracking-firms-tax-haven-ownership/
NHS Hospitals Forced To Take Out Emergency Loans To Pay Doctors And Nurses, HuffPost UK Reveals
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/15/nhs-hospitals-loans-salaries-staff-doctors-nurses_n_8811780.html
The Corporate Takeover of the Red Cross
https://www.propublica.org/article/the-corporate-takeover-of-the-red-cross
By Funding Foreign Militaries, the U.S. Is Spreading Terrorism
http://fpif.org/funding-foreign-militaries-u-s-spreading-terrorism/
The Big Short, the Housing Bubble and the Financial Crisis
http://cepr.net/blogs/beat-the-press/the-big-short-the-housing-bubble-and-the-financial-crisis
A Brief History of ISIS
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/12/isis-syria-iraq-war-al-qaeda-arab-spring/
Dutch city plans to pay citizens a ‘basic income’, and Greens say it could work in the UK
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/26/dutch-city-utrecht-basic-income-uk-greens
U.S. Foreign Arms Deals Increased Nearly $10 Billion in 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/world/middleeast/us-foreign-arms-deals-increased-nearly-10-billion-in-2014.html
Make Apartheid History Advent Calendar goes live today
Dear Make Apartheid History supporter,
Thank you for signing up to our MAH e-list – and we’re delighted to share details of our latest MAH activity with you.
It’s our online Palestine Advent calendar which goes live today, Tuesday 1st December 2015.
Our calendar has 24 star symbols and each day a star will be unlocked to release new content, right up until 24th December and will largely carry videos & info-graphics.
Continue reading
Make Apartheid History Advent Calendar goes live on December 1st
Dear Make Apartheid History supporter,
Thank you for signing up to our MAH e-list – and we’re delighted to share details of our latest MAH activity with you.
It’s our online Palestine Advent calendar which goes live today, Tuesday 1st December 2015.
Our calendar has 24 star symbols and each day a star will be unlocked to release new content, right up until 24th December and will largely carry videos & info-graphics.
From 1-6th December, we tell the story of how life is for Palestinians today; from 7-12th December, we explore what apartheid looks like for Palestinians; from 13th-18th December, we look at why BDS has evolved and how it is already making a difference; and from 19th to 24th December, we look at resistance, hope and Christmas in the Holy Land.
We start with this – our own MAH animation about Israel’s Separation Wall.
Look out for facebook and twitter and do share!
Best wishes from the MAH team
PS We run on shoestring! If you can help support this work, please visit
https://www.patreon.com/makeapartheidhistory Thank you!
MAKE APARTHEID HISTORY lead partners: OPGAI (Occupied Palestine and Syrian Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative), PSCC (Popular Struggle Co-ordination Committee), Bedouins Without Borders, Tipping Point North South, Pressure Cooker Arts, ICAHD UK (Israeli Committee against House Demolitions UK). In partnership with Artists for Palestine UK and Palestine Legal Action Network
ABOUT MAKE APARTHEID HISTORY
Our Intro film (3.5mins ) UK- Adjoa Andoh, Jeremy Hardy, Juliet Stevenson, Ken Loach, Leila Sansour; Mark Steel Palestine- Atef Abu Saif, Iman Aoun, Raja Shehadeh; Reem Talhami, Sliman Mansour
Website www.makeapartheidhistory.org
The video gallery has contributors from Palestine, UK, South Africa and USA.
Find us here on Facebook and Twitter
Make Apartheid History is a follow up to Bethlehem Unwrapped – a full-scale replica of Israel’s apartheid Wall revealed on Christmas Eve 2013 in front of St James’s Piccadilly.
Catch-up on our October campaign highlights
Dear friends, supporters & colleagues,
We had a busy month with two of our campaigns – From Pink to Prevention and Make Apartheid History. Below are a few links you might like to click and catch up on.
Best wishes from all at Tipping Point and our colleagues at Make Apartheid History and From Pink to Prevention.
Find Us
Tipping Point: Facebook, Twitter
Make Apartheid History: Facebook, Twitter
From Pink to Prevention: Facebook, Twitter
FROM PINK TO PREVENTION
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month saw us build on our April Open Letter to Breakthrough Breast Cancer (now called Breast Cancer Now) concerning their refusal to accept environmental links to breast cancer, signed by a number of campaign groups. This October, 16 organisations and networks (UK/EU, USA, Philippines) signed our petition calling for breast cancer charities to acknowledge the every growing body of evidence linking environmental and occupational risks to the disease.
We also ran our ‘Remove the Pink Blindfold’ action on October 1st and set up a petition at Change.org which will run until October 2016. It’s asking one BIG QUESTION:-
Why do breast cancer charities persist in refusing to acknowledge the role of environmental and occupational toxicants by ignoring decades of evidence up to the present day on the link between our lifelong (womb to grave) exposures to toxics and the escalating incidence of breast cancer?
Better diagnostics and treatment is not mutually exclusive with looking at how our profoundly polluted environment, homes and workplaces impact on our bodies and health, while also taking into consideration the ‘precautionary principle’ – ie better safe than sorry. Breast cancer charities can lead on this, rather than ignore it.
Visit our petition at Change.org, learn about our call and sign and share if you can. You can also visit our campaign site for latest campaign news and scientific information.
MAKE APARTHEID HISTORY
October 24th was the 10th anniversary of the death of inspirational civil rights activist Rosa Parks. To mark this, we interviewed Huwaida Arraf, American-Palestinian human rights activist, lawyer, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement and member of the Palestinian Freedom Riders.
Speaking with a deep personal and political passion, she talks about how the actions of Rosa Parks and the USA Freedom Riders inspired the Palestinian Freedom Riders; she also talks about collective international action against Israeli apartheid and the ever building success of the BDS movement
Make Apartheid History (once and for all) is an international project that brings together creative individuals, organisations and networks from around the world – starting with Palestine and the UK; South Africa and USA, linking civil rights, anti-apartheid and Palestine solidarity movements. This is the Intro film (4 mins) and our Apartheid Rationale film (4 mins). Our first public event in July, saw UK Actor Paterson Joseph perform a reading at the Southbank about Rosa Parks and the Freedom Riders of Palestine
FIVE PERCENT CAMPAIGN ON RUNAWAY MILITARY SPENDING – recommended reading
War Against the People: Israel, the Palestinians and Global Pacification – a disturbing insight into the new ways world powers forge war today. It is a subliminal war of surveillance and whitewashed terror, conducted through new, high-tech military apparatuses.
October saw the publication of Jeff Halper’s extraordinary book which details how Israel has set out to secure for itself a central position within the global defence industry – its research niches and political influence secured through making its defence industries invaluable to various foreign government security and defence contracts. And as a result of all this, how Israel has come to play a pivotal role in this global ‘war against the people’.
Halper argues that all this is a direct result of the occupation, where many such techniques have been developed and ‘battle tested’ on the Palestinian population – hidden camera systems, sophisticated sensors, information databases on civilian activity, automated targeting systems, unmanned drones. The book makes the compelling and disturbing case that Israel has used, and continues to use its occupation as a means to develop and apply the technologies and strategies of ‘pacification’; and increasingly, effectively, exporting both (technologies and strategies) to other nations from the USA to China; Brazil to the UK.
Jeff Halper is the head of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD). He is the author of An Israeli in Palestine (Pluto, 2008) and Obstacles to Peace (ICAHD, 2015).
War Against the People Publisher: Pluto Press.
ISBN: 9780745334318
5% — November 2015
How too much medicine can kill you
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/01/drugs-pharma-doctors-patients
When markets fail, sometimes only the regulator’s axe will do
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/when-markets-fail-sometimes-only-the-regulator-s-axe-will-do-a6717186.html
The gathering financial storm is just one effect of corporate power unbound
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/03/financial-crisis-corporate-power-george-monbiot
George Osborne has reached the point where his cuts can no longer be denied or defended
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/02/osborne-austerity-cuts-tax-credit-cuts
The great reinvention of Manchester: ‘It’s far more pleasant than London’
http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/nov/03/the-great-reinvention-of-manchester-its-far-more-pleasant-than-london
Pentagon spent $43m on ‘world’s most expensive gas station’ in Afghanistan
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/02/afghanistan-gas-station-pentagon-natural-gas
Watchdog Accuses Pentagon of Evading Questions on $800 Million Afghanistan Program
https://www.propublica.org/article/watchdog-accuses-pentagon-evading-questions-800-million-afghanistan-program
EPA USED MONSANTO’S RESEARCH TO GIVE ROUNDUP A PASS
https://theintercept.com/2015/11/03/epa-used-monsanto-funded-research/
America’s labour market is not working
https://next.ft.com/content/4dcb5c58-818d-11e5-8095-ed1a37d1e096
The Most Militarized Universities in America: A VICE News Investigation
https://news.vice.com/article/the-most-militarized-universities-in-america-a-vice-news-investigation
Guilty as charged: Irish standup festival puts economics in the dock
http://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2015/nov/08/guilty-as-charged-kilkenomics-irish-standup-festival-puts-economics-in-dock
‘My Body Was Not Mine, but the U.S. Military’s’
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/11/sex-industry-military-bases-213311
Until it ends its war on drugs, Britain will keep going backwards
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/until-it-ends-its-war-on-drugs-britain-will-keep-going-backwards-a6726511.html
Labour’s postwar chancellor makes Corbynomics look Thatcherite – what can he teach us?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/08/labours-postwar-chancellor-makes-corbynomics-look-thatcherite-what-can-he-teach-us
Housing is the next target in David Cameron’s dismantling of the welfare state
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/10/housing-target-david-cameron-dismantling-welfare-state
David Cameron hasn’t the faintest idea how deep his cuts go. This letter proves it
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/11/david-cameron-letter-cuts-oxfordshire
Free Trade Is Elites Betraying Their Own Populations
http://www.ianwelsh.net/free-trade-is-elties-betraying-their-own-populations/
2015 Hottest Year on Record So Far
http://www.climatecentral.org/gallery/graphics/2015-hottest-year-on-record-so-far
Never mind pointless apps – our best minds should be solving real problems
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/11/laundry-ninjas-free-market-science
Survey finds 41 per cent of young Jews would back sanctions against Israel to advance peace
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/149128/survey-finds-41-cent-young-jews-would-back-sanctions-against-israel-advance-peac
Poll of British Jews finds widespread unease with Israel’s policies
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/12/poll-of-british-jews-finds-widespread-unease-with-israels-policies
How the Bushes Misunderstood Cheney
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-the-bushes-misunderstood-cheney
Terrorism Is Booming Almost Everywhere But in the United States
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/19/terrorism-is-booming-almost-everywhere-but-in-the-united-states-state-department-report/
Paris attacks: Middle East’s wars arrive in Europe
http://blogs.channel4.com/snowblog/paris-attacks-middle-easts-wars-arrive-europe/25934
Interview with Pierre Conesa: ‘We’ve declared war first in the Middle East’
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/interview-pierre-conesa-we-ve-declared-war-first-middle-east-1191917196
What if Labour’s pessimists are right
http://mainlymacro.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/what-if-labours-pessimists-are-right.html
City of London police economic crime inquiries fall
https://next.ft.com/content/7a0f9756-8b84-11e5-a549-b89a1dfede9b
We don’t need to sell handbags if we want decent healthcare
http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2015/11/16/we-dont-need-to-sell-handbags-if-we-want-decent-healthcare/
What would the world look like if we defeated Isis?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/16/isis-military-france-paris-attacks-nato-article-5
Challenging the Myth of Chinese Land Grabs in Africa
http://www.chinafile.com/library/china-africa-project/challenging-myth-chinese-land-grabs-africa
Stock Prices of Weapons Manufacturers Soaring Since Paris Attack
https://theintercept.com/2015/11/16/stock-prices-of-weapons-manufacturers-soaring-since-paris-attack/
George Osborne’s latest wheeze leaves the taxpayer £125m worse off every year. Here’s why
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/economy/2015/11/george-osbornes-latest-wheeze-leaves-taxpayer-125m-worse-every-year-heres
If police have to make these cuts, what exactly should they stop doing?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/17/britain-police-cuts-theresa-may
Israel to annex Golan Heights after ‘billion barrel’ oil find
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/2986289/israel_to_annex_golan_heights_after_billion_barrel_oil_find.html
Mindless terrorists? The truth about Isis is much worse
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/15/terrorists-isis
Intelligence, not bombs, is the key in the fight against Isis
http://www.theguardian.com/news/defence-and-security-blog/2015/nov/17/intelligence-not-bombs-is-the-key-in-the-fight-against-isis
We accept that Russian bombs can provoke a terror backlash. Ours can too
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/17/russian-bombs-terror-vladimir-putin-syria-david-cameron
I was held hostage by Isis. They fear our unity more than our airstrikes
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/16/isis-bombs-hostage-syria-islamic-state-paris-attacks
Don’t Give ISIS What It Wants
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/11/16/dont-give-isis-what-it-wants-united-states-reaction/
Opaque military justice system shields child sex abuse cases
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c7c2772ba05c4241a9bcebcf745d1c71/opaque-military-justice-system-shields-child-sex-abuse
Postcapitalism lecture: London School of Economics
https://medium.com/@paulmasonnews/postcapitalism-lecture-london-school-of-economics-580c68efef83
Shoot-to-kill won’t make us safe from terror – just sorry
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/shoot-to-kill-terror-fear-prejudice-jean-charles-de-menezes
Despite Atrocities, US Approves $1.29 Billion Deal To Re-Arm Saudi Arabia
http://www.mintpressnews.com/despite-atrocim-saudi-arabia/211418/
Mothers of ISIS
http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/mothers-of-isis/
Bernie Sanders just gave the most powerful speech of his campaign: Why his socialism address was a defining moment
http://www.salon.com/2015/11/20/bernie_sanders_just_gave_the_most_powerful_speech_of_his_campaign_why_his_socialism_address_was_a_defining_moment/
Turkey could cut off Islamic State’s supply lines. So why doesn’t it?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/turkey-cut-islamic-state-supply-lines-erdogan-isis
Isis: In a borderless world, the days when we could fight foreign wars and be safe at home may be long gone
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-in-a-borderless-world-the-days-when-we-could-fight-foreign-wars-and-be-safe-at-home-may-be-long-a6741146.html
Osborne pays out for 138 stealth jets
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Defence/article1636215.ece
Paris: The War ISIS Wants
http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2015/nov/16/paris-attacks-isis-strategy-chaos/
The future’s at stake: the left must show it could create an iPad
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/23/socialism-innovation-ipad-john-mcdonnell
Why the UK’s Fiscal Charter is doomed to fail: An analysis of Austerity Economics during the First and the Second Cameron Governments
http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2015/11/23/why-the-uks-fiscal-charter-is-doomed-to-fail-an-analysis-of-austerity-economics-during-the-first-and-the-second-cameron-governments/
RAF accused over multi-billion pound Voyager contract
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18020809
Does Eleven Plus One Equal Sixty?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nick-turse/us-military-bases-in-africa_b_8582468.html
Caroline Lucas: The Prime Minister’s narrow focus risks our security
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2015/11/caroline-lucas-prime-ministers-narrow-focus-risks-our-security
PM should order inquiry into funding of jihadism, Paddy Ashdown says
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/24/pm-should-order-inquiry-funding-jihadism-isis-paddy-ashdown
My five tests for backing military action in Syria
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/23/five-tests-military-action-syria-david-cameron-islamic-state
We’ll all pay for the huge mistakes we’re making in the UK housing market
http://uk.businessinsider.com/uk-interest-rates-rise-interest-only-mortgage-and-out-of-control-rent-will-kill-the-housing-market-2015-9
Which Labour MPs support Trident?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/labour-mps-back-trident-20-6892038
We have not heard enough to justify a new war in Syria
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/for-cameron-read-blair-for-syria-read-iraq-a6745741.html
F-35 Too Expensive: US Air Force Might Buy 72 New F-15 or F-16 Fighter Jets
http://thediplomat.com/2015/11/f-35-too-expensive-us-air-force-might-buy-72-new-f-15-or-f-16-fighter-jets/
Defence shares rise as United Kingdom government outlines armed forces plan
http://rapidnewsnetwork.com/defence-shares-rise-as-united-kingdom-government-outlines-armed-forces-plan/305601/
Bibliometricians are really the curse of the age
http://labtimes.org/editorial/e_659.lasso
Consume more, conserve more: sorry, but we just can’t do both
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/24/consume-conserve-economic-growth-sustainability
Cameron doesn’t know what he’s doing so he shouldn’t go to war
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/cameron-doesnt-know-what-hes-doing-so-he-shouldnt-go-war-1307233108
End of austerity? A silent crisis in local services tells the true story
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/26/end-austerity-local-services-osborne-council-cuts
Autumn statement: Osborne isn’t fixing the roof, he’s eroding the foundations
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/25/autumn-statement-osborne-deficit-fixes-eroding-economic-stability
Air strikes in Syria: David Cameron’s strategy can only repeat our mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/air-strikes-in-syria-david-cameron-strategy-can-only-repeat-our-mistakes-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-a6750601.html
U.S. working to keep up with surging weapons demand: Pentagon
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/25/us-usa-arms-idUSKBN0TE0B920151125
Do we really want the military spending our aid budget?
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/nov/25/do-we-really-want-the-military-spending-our-aid-budget
I know Isis fighters. Western bombs falling on Raqqa will fill them with joy
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/27/bomb-isis-west-learned-nothign-from-war-terror-defeat-muslim-world-equal-partner
Britain’s bloated defence spending is at odds with austerity
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/24/britains-bloated-defence-spending-is-at-odds-with-austerity
War on Islamic State Brings $50 Billion Europe Defense Boost
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-24/war-on-islamic-state-brings-50-billion-european-defense-boost
The Facts About Terrorism
http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/the-facts-about-terrorism
Punish errant bankers – or we are doomed to repeat the past
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/punish-errant-bankers-or-we-are-doomed-to-repeat-the-past-a6752411.html
Factcheck: Media reacts to Prince Charles’s comments on Syria and climate change
http://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-media-reacts-to-prince-charles-comments-on-syria-and-climate-change
Syria air strikes debate: David Cameron warned that bombing Isis is a knee-jerk reaction to Paris attacks and would hit civilians
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/syria-air-strikes-debate-bombing-isis-is-a-knee-jerk-reaction-to-paris-attacks-and-would-hit-a6750246.html
RAF base may be legitimate target for Isis, says ex-Nato commander
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/25/raf-base-may-be-legitimate-target-isis-ex-nato-commander
Cameron’s cunning plan for bombing Isis in Syria
https://next.ft.com/content/4d31c8bc-941c-11e5-b190-291e94b77c8f
Is Vladimir Putin right to label Turkey ‘accomplices of terrorists’?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/24/vladimir-putin-turkey-isis-terrorists-warplane-analysis
Another ‘Dodgy Dossier’ for war
https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/timmon-wallis/another-dodgy-dossier-for-war
Islamic State’s Plan, and the West’s Trap
http://oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/briefing_papers_and_reports/islamic_state’s_plan_and_west’s_trap
Labour Cannot Risk Being Tarred as a Party of Illegal and Irrational War Once Again
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/len-mccluskey/labour-syria-bombing-vote_b_8676026.html
Jeremy Corbyn is delivering a message Labour lost long ago
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/02/jeremy-corbyn-labour-party-austerity
Why Degrowth has out-grown its own name
https://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/why-degrowth-has-out-grown-its-own-name-guest-post-by-kate-raworth/
A Raqqa of the Mind
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v37/n24/james-meek/a-raqqa-of-the-mind
With US help, Saudi Arabia is obliterating Yemen
http://www.globalpost.com/article/6696395/2015/11/30/yemen-conflict-saudi-arabia-airstrikes-war-crimes-united-states
Bombing Hasn’t Worked. Bombing Won’t Work. And Yet, We Will Bomb
http://www.thenation.com/article/bombs-over-brains/
We need to be shocked into action about why wealth still dictates life expectancy
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/30/we-need-to-be-shocked-into-action-about-why-wealth-still-dictates-life-expectancy
Thomas Piketty might have the most controversial theory for what’s behind the rise of ISIS
http://uk.businessinsider.com/thomas-piketty-might-have-the-most-controversial-theory-for-whats-behind-the-rise-of-isis-2015-11
Drones and the 2015 SDSR
http://dronewars.net/2015/11/24/drones-and-the-2015-sdsr/
Does ISIS Direct Attacks or Inspire Them?—And Why That Matters
https://reason.com/blog/2015/11/17/does-isis-control-attacks-or-inspire-the
Catch-up on our October campaign highlights
Dear friends, supporters & colleagues,
We had a busy month with two of our campaigns – From Pink to Prevention and Make Apartheid History. Below are a few links you might like to click and catch up on.
Best wishes from all at Tipping Point and our colleagues at Make Apartheid History and From Pink to Prevention.
Find Us
Tipping Point: Facebook, Twitter
Make Apartheid History: Facebook, Twitter
From Pink to Prevention: Facebook, Twitter
Continue reading
Speech by Maria Eagle to Labour Party Annual Conference 2015
Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, in a speech to Labour Party Annual Conference, said:
Conference,
Politics is changing. Since we lost the General Election, we have increased our membership by 164,000.
Our new leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is inspiring a new generation of members of our Party – people who had not thought politics was for them – but who now want to help us to change our society for the better.
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‘Pink’ Breast Cancer Month: Asking a Big Question that demands an answer
Dear Friends,
In this October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our campaign ‘From Pink to Prevention’ is trying to raise the level of debate about the much marginalised issue of environmental and occupational links to the disease. Sixteen campaigning organisations from England, Scotland, Germany, USA, Australia, Philippines, and several pan-EU networks have signed on to our statement which asks why, despite all the money raised, more and more of us are getting this disease?
In particular, we want to know why the breast cancer charities continue to focus solely on ‘lifestyle’ risk factors such as diet and exercise, while ignoring the potential 60% of breast cancer cases for which they have no explanation. What about the role of chemical, environmental and occupational exposures in this?
We argue that better diagnostics and treatment are not mutually exclusive with looking at how our profoundly polluted environment, homes and workplaces impact on our bodies and health – and we need action on this, if we are to heed the ‘precautionary principle’ .
We want the Pink Ribbon ‘Blindfold’ removed and the BIG QUESTION asked of the Breast Cancer Charities: Why DO they persist in refusing to acknowledge the role of environmental and occupational toxins by ignoring decades of evidence up to the present day on the link between our lifelong (womb to grave) exposures to toxicants and the escalating incidence of breast cancer?
The more of us who ask these big questions of the Breast Cancer Charities, as well as government and industry, the more we can show this issue is getting more attention. We want to know why are those with the power to influence decisions on breast cancer policy not acting on what we already know?
Best wishes
Deb, Helen, Diana
PS A word about TTIP … TTIP will significantly impact on this issue. EU regulations – for example on chemicals that are harmful to human health and many linked to breast cancer – must be strengthened, not weakened, as a result of corporate pressure .
Actions you can take to support our campaign
1. Sign our petition at https://www.change.org/p/breast-cancer-charities-remove-the-pink-ribbon-blindfold-and-ask-the-big-question-83ee6962-5388-4422-bb53-76b76ee8aab1
2. Write to your Breast Cancer Charity to ask them the Big Question. Please send a copy of their response to info@frompinktoprevention.org. See an example letter on our website. This is suggested text only – please feel free to adapt and personalise
3 .Join us in removing the pink ribbon blindfold in a group or individually – take a photo removing the blindfold and share on your Facebook page or via social media
Twitter @pink_prevention
Instagram – pink_to_prevention
Flickr group – From Pink to Prevention
Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FromPinktoPrevention
Background Links – reading and viewing
1. World Health Organisation Asturias Declaration:http://www.who.int/phe/news/events/international_conference/Call_for_action_en.pdf
2. For more information on the evidence linking breast cancer and environmental and occupational risk factors: http://www.frompinktoprevention.org/resources/scientific-evidence/
3. Find out more about what you can do http://www.frompinktoprevention.org/what-you-can-do/
Films to watch
- Pink Ribbon Inc – Lea Pool, National Film Board of Canada
- Living Downstream, Walking Upstream by Sandra Steingraber.
- Endocrination by Stéphane Horel.
Credits
Pink Ribbon Blindfold picture Copyright Mark Chilvers. Thanks to UNISON for the use of the picture. Concept Helen Lynn.
Cartoons Di Ward
‘Pink’ Breast Cancer Month: Asking a Big Question that demands an answer
Dear Friends,
In this October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our campaign ‘From Pink to Prevention’ is trying to raise the level of debate about the much marginalised issue of environmental and occupational links to the disease. Sixteen campaigning organisations from England, Scotland, Germany, USA, Australia, Philippines, and several pan-EU networks have signed on to our statement which asks why, despite all the money raised, more and more of us are getting this disease?
In particular, we want to know why the breast cancer charities continue to focus solely on ‘lifestyle’ risk factors such as diet and exercise, while ignoring the potential 60% of breast cancer cases for which they have no explanation. What about the role of chemical, environmental and occupational exposures in this?
We argue that better diagnostics and treatment are not mutually exclusive with looking at how our profoundly polluted environment, homes and workplaces impact on our bodies and health – and we need action on this, if we are to heed the ‘precautionary principle’ .
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5% — October 2015
The Record U.S. Military Budget
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicolas-j-s-davies/the-record-us-military-bu_b_8227820.html
Ministers ‘are hiding details of £2bn NHS cash crisis’
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/03/ministers-hiding-details-nhs-cash-crisis
Thanks to Corbyn the country can now, at last, properly debate issues like Trident
http://tomdlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thanks-to-corbyn-country-can-now-at.html
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TPFF Films
“ The need for documentaries that ask hard political questions is greater than ever, as the main TV producers and channels abdicate their responsibility. So many stories to tell, so few make it to the screen. Good luck to Tipping Point Film Fund.”
Ken Loach – film director and Palme d’Or winner
So far, TPFF has acted as executive producer for two feature-length documentaries: Open Bethlehem and We Are Many.
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Tipping Point North South 