Letter from Anne MacLeod on Tommy and Big Brother

When I read the press releases from various left wing groups denouncing our comrade Tommy Sheridan's decision to take part in Celebrity Big Brother I had to laugh. What is so terribly important about a TV program that the left feel the need to put pen to paper and forward to the press? Does our comrade taking part in this program pose such a threat to the left that he has to be publicly denounced, has the left totally lost its sense of humour? - how sad.

I must admit that the prospect of Tommy taking part in this program a few years ago did fill me with dread and I was fervently against it - at that time. These were different days when Tommy was an MSP and had a responsibility towards the electorate and the party members who selected him for that role - not the role of TV celeb. Thankfully Tommy took the correct position and rejected their offers.

This time around, whilst I cringed at the Galloway –like prospect of our comrade in lycra tights and leotard, I absolutely defended Tommy's right to make his own decisions about his personal and working life and support his decision to take part in Big Brother if he so chose. What's the argument? TS isn't our personal property and isn't that why we left the 'other' party because they claimed members did not have a right to make decisions about their private lives?

It was with trepidation that I awaited the start of the show but was heartened to hear the views of my children and their friends who were very upbeat about Tommy taking part. They believed that Tommy would get the socialist message across and that it was a positive way for him to get the message to a wider audience and that his care and compassion would shine through. The younger generation around me was obviously much more upbeat about the prospect of reality TV reality shows as a form of communication than I was.

I have never ever watched a reality TV show before and if I were not 'laid up' at the moment would probably not of watched the program, but comrades you cannot knock what Tommy has been getting across. Yesterday as part of a task he made a speech denouncing the war in Iraq. OK Channel 4 did not broadcast it all, but enough to get the message across. How many million people heard Tommy being cheered and applauded by the other contestants as he lay the blame for the Iraq war firmly at the feet of Bush, Cheney and co in their quest for oil and power, or as Tina Malone shouted "Tommy for Prime Minister"?

Since the program started there have been discussions on racism, poverty, imperialism, the Irish famine, gang culture, working class culture (in Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and America), imperialism, socialism, where wealth comes from, the Royal family, land ownership, domestic violence, the role of the church, child care, education, Catholicism, folk culture, socialist films and music and of course football. Tina Malone and Terry Christian have both declared themselves socialists (Terry previously a member of Militant) and right wing tabloids have been publishing Tommy's anti war speech. Solidarity has been mentioned numerous times and the Daily Record has acknowledged Tommy for challenging rapper Coolio's use of derogatory language towards women.

So comrades, give the boy a break for goodness sake. As someone who was horrified by the prospect of Tommy going on CBB a few years ago he now has my full backing. Firstly it is his right to take part in the show and earn a much needed wage and he is taking advantage of an opportunity that is truly unique – to get the socialist message out to millions. Please don't don the lycra tights Tommy, but I do take my hat off to you. Go on comrades' - support our man and have a wee peek at CBB (you know you want to) and remember - it is only a game show.

Open letter by Liliana Obando
A new witch-hunt against the Political Opposition in Colombia

Women's Prison, Bogotá, Colombia. September 3, 2008

As at no other time in the life of the nation, the loss of credibility
of public institutions now has a direct correlation with the mafia
style of governance.

Para-politics is the crime of bribery that favoured Uribe's
re-election; it is the links between government officials, the
district attorney office and State security with the cartels of the
paramilitary mafia; the failed "process" of demobilization of the
paramilitaries and the strange extradition of paramilitary bosses closing off the possibility of knowing the truth demanded by their
victims; the repeated attempts of the government to undermine the autonomy and the independence of the justice system particularly, the Supreme Court of Justice; the politicization of the office of the Attorney General in favour of the government; the military incursions outside the national territory and the unfortunate diplomatic handling of matters with the progressive governments of the region. These are just some elements that provide evidence of the lack of governability in the country and call into question the existence of real democracy. Neither the Colombian people, nor for the international community find it strange that the Colombian government resorts to manoeuvres and smoke screens every time it confronts a new scandal providing evidence of its illegality and illegitimacy.

On this occasion the Uribe government, in a rehash of the darkest days of state terrorism, has unleashed another "witch-hunt" against the political opposition. Last May 22, in a public address to the press the Attorney General of the country, Mario Iguarán, and the Defence Minister, Juan Manuel Santos, announced the beginning of the process that has been called "farc-politica" [1]; a judicial process derived from emails supposedly found on the computer of the late leader of the FARC, Raul Reyes, after the military incursion into Ecuadorean
territory last 1 st of March 08. After which, they proceeded to read a list of the persons presumed to be implicated in the supposed emails. They were all leaders of the national and international opposition: members of congress, academics,
journalists and other well-known personalities.

On the 8th August, it was published in the mass media that an
investigation was opened with an order for my capture, as one of those mentioned on the list of the "farc-politica". A few hours later, my place of residence was raided and I was taken away under "preventative" arrest. I was then taken to the facilities of the
Anti-terrorism Unit of DIJIN (judicial police) and six days later,
jailed at the Women's Prison in Bogotá.

During the raid conducted by the DIJIN on my home, a number of
irregularities took place which today I would like to publicly denounce: My young children (5 and 15 years old) were filmed without authorization. My 15 year old son was verbally abused and intimidated. On many occasion during the raid he was queried, and I quote, "are you going to follow in your mothers foot steps?" The illegal seizure of personal items and documents belonging to my mother and children (bank statements, passports and laptop) that had no connection to the proceedings against me.

The manipulated filming and later the leaking to the press of
documents and books freely available for public sale that were
presented in the media as subversive propaganda. The aberrant seizure of public documents like the constitution of the Communist Youth, other documents referring to the Communist Party, a book with the title "Bolivar for Children", etc and even the absurd action of taking a school assignment belonging to my son, who is in year 9, that deals with the Colombian conflict. It warrants attention as to how, the images taken during the raid were so "efficiently" distributed to be widely published by the media even before the raid had finished, while the captain of the DIJIN told me that "they would make me nationally and internationally famous."

While unaware of the details of the judicial process initiated by the Anti-terrorist Unit against me, which is also an illegal practice that violates due process and the presumption of innocence while under investigation is lost, the state intelligence and the juridical authorities in charge also systematically leaked to the media - in particular to the EL TIEMPO newspaper - some of the supposed emails and defamatory statements against me, such as the supposed intimate relationship with the assassinated leader of the FARC, Raul Reyes. I denounce and reject this irresponsible and clearly ill-intentioned defamation that has been presented publicly against me, violating my dignity, my honour and my right to privacy as a woman and as a mother,as a professional and an activist of the left. I do this also because
it is part of the government's insidious strategy to damage the image of revolutionary organizations and their leaders.

I would also like to denounce publicly how violating the Penal Code penalises my fundamental rights as the head of my family and those of my children. The Attorney 19 of the Anti-terrorist Special Unit, Nancy Esperanza Pardo Bonilla has denied my right to home detention. A decision we reject and with my defence team we are appealing against it. I also publicly denounce and express my profound concern at the surveillance that my 15 years old son has become victim of since my
detention. I hold the government and its security forces directly responsible for any actions that harm the physical and moral integrity of my family or mine.

I request the solidarity of all progressive and human rights
organizations and ask them to take the necessary measures for the protection of my family. It is very clear that the so-called process of FARC POLITICA is more an act of political persecution than a legal case and that it is full of illegalities. With my defence team we have decided:1. Not to recognize the supposed emails found in the computer of the late leader of FARC Raul Reyes as evidence against me because, these emails were obtained from an illegal military action on 1 st March organized outside the national territory and violating Ecuadorean territorial sovereignty since this action had no authorization from either the Ecuadorean government or police or the judicial authorities of that country.

2. To reject the emails as valid evidence against me, not only because they where obtained after an illegitimate act of war in which civilians and guerrillas who were in the camp of Raul Reyes were murdered as it was recognized by the Organization of American States (OAS) but also because a cloud of doubt exists over their veracity and the manipulation they were subjected to.

3. Publicly denounce the Office of the Attorney General for starting
the process of accusations against many leaders of the opposition and national and international personalities based only on the supposed emails illegally obtained that lack validity as evidence.

4. Publicly denounce Judge 60 of the Bogotá Control of Guarantees for validating the illegally obtained evidence.

5. Denounce the report of the Judicial Police for ideological
falsehood, expressing the facts that took place on 1 st March 2008 in a misleading way from the computers presumably obtained and that are now used with the intention of accusing us.

6. To turn to international organisations due to the lack of
credibility and legitimacy enjoyed by those responsible for justice in Colombia.

Before the national and international anti-terrorist crusade the
Colombian government had already begun organizing against the
political opposition. It is not indifference or fear that immobilizes
and gags or a weak attitude or lack of solidarity that will keep us
safe. It is not by denying the political fighters or revolutionary
organizations or the struggle of the people that will lead us out of
the `dark night'. Only unity in action, mobilization, solidarity and adherence to revolutionary principles allows us to confront the difficult moments and advance towards the construction of a real democracy, and political inclusion and the long yearned for Peace with Social Justice.

Finally, I would like to thank all the expressions of solidarity made by national and international, trade unions, social, political and
human rights organizations as well as all those committed to social justice. I thank those that have recognised my work as an academic and social activist in the defence of human rights in pursuit of peace with social justice for our country. Here we carry on with high morale in this new battle because the imprisonment of our bodies does not mean the renunciation of our ideals or our principles which remain free.

Fraternally,

Liliany Obando
Political Prisoner
Prisoner of conscience
Communist activist
Survivor of the genocide against the Union Patriótica

Dear Editor,

When is it acceptable for the greediest companies to profit at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society, our poorest older people and children? Quite literally freezing them to death? As Consumer Focus's Chief Executive states “The UK has a relatively free market, but the freedom to cut prices in the early years now seems to be the freedom to raise prices with impunity,"

Energywatch highlights that in the last five years the average gas bill for British Gas customers has risen by 76.7% to £653, and electricity bills have risen by 74.3%, to £413. This year British Gas / Centrica has seen a 40% rise in operating profits to £1.95bn, with prices rising 29.7% on average in the UK compared with 15% in the EU.

Age Concern highlights that older people with existing health problems are more at risk of death in the winter. “Spending too long in the cold will lower the body temperature which can often aggravate circulatory diseases‚ which can lead to strokes and heart attacks or respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia”. The 'Excess Winter Deaths' figure, as defined by the Office of National Statistics, has risen in the last five years‚ to more than 130‚000 people over 65 dying from cold related illnesses during the winter months in Britain. Eight older people every hour. The UK has a higher number of winter deaths than in colder European countries.

This is why we campaign to bring essential services back in to public hands. To literally save lives. No other party challenges this greed over need.

Yours faithfully,

Deirdre Henderson Branch Organiser Solidarity Crocken Cottage Southend Argyll

Letter in response to Hugh Kerr


I was glad to see Hugh citing the Italian experience of opera where it is very much a pursuit enjoyed by all sections of the population - and particularly by the working classes.  I agree that opera should not be elitist but would suggest that singers like Kathleen Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Russell Watson, Lesley Garrett and the great Pavarotti himself are leading the way in making opera an art form enjoyed by the masses.

However, even if it is elitist, that is no reason for not enjoying it.  Iremember standing in my first election and being harangued by other candidates for being a socialist carrying a mobile phone.  Why shouldn't socialists carry mobile phones?  And why shouldn't socialists enjoy opera or classical music or going to plays or doing anything they damn well enjoy? 

As socialists we are often accused of wanting to 'pull everyone
down to the same level' and I always answer that as a socialist I don't want to pull ANYONE down - I want to raise everyone up! 

So Hugh, enjoy your opera - and if I grudge you a ticket it is only through jealousy at the opportunities you have in the south compared to those up here in the wastelands of Moray!

Solidarity
Norma Anderson

Hi there,

 Just thought I’d drop you a line to say I think your magazine is excellent, but it could do with having more interactive features and coming out more often.

 Really enjoyed the different takes on Cuba in the last issue and I liked the idea of the top ten films thing you did previously as well (though how come Ken Loach’s brilliant ‘Land and Freedom’ didn’t get a mention?)

 As someone who has been pushed from pillar to post trying to rent a roof over his head I must say I am having a right chortle right now at all those greedy buy-to-let bastards who got all their ideas from the daytime telly, and are now watching their would be fortunes disappear over the horizon into that strange land called negative equity.

 I know you shouldn’t laugh at the misfortune of others but as somebody who never had two pennies to rub together even when there wasn’t in recession I think I’m entitled to a wee bit fun. Ah well, maybe Gordon Brown will be around any day now with a bung.

Yours for socialism and Scottish independence,

 John Gordon.

(We’d love to come out more often, John, but we rely entirely on volunteers writing, editing and putting together in their spare time. Who knows what the future will bring though – Ed.)  

 Events over the past week illustrate the extent to which  a sea change has taken place in public consciousness as a result of the  financial crisis which has plunged the British economy into  recession.

The  furore over the obscene phone messages left by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross  on the answer machine of actor, Andrew Sachs, during which Brand boasted about  having slept with Sachs' granddaughter whilst being egged on by Ross, is more  than just a spat over good taste and the upset caused to the sensibilities of an  old man, as serious as this is.

The  deep anger felt by the British public over this affair, exemplified in the  mammoth number of official complaints that have been made to the BBC thus far  (27,000 at time of writing), and the wrath directed at both Brand and Ross in  particular, is more to do with the massive salaries they are paid at a time when  home repossessions are up 71 percent on last year; at a time when official  unemployment figures have reached 2 million and rising; and at a time when tens  of thousands of pensioners are facing the hard choice of either feeding or  heating themselves this winter.

Where  before Ross and Brand were loved by many for their raw, edgy humour and  extrovert prankish style of entertainment, now they seem in every respect like  the ghost of Christmas past, belonging to a different age when money was no  object and the British economy was fuelled by unfettered greed and  individualism.  Well,  not anymore.

Now, with the economic crisis continuing to unfold and bearing down  on every strata of society, a fresh light is being shone on the salaries paid to  corporate executives, celebrities, and sports stars. Indeed, you know that  things have changed when a Tory mayor of London  sees fit to write to every major football club in England this  past week concerned at the poverty wages being paid to cleaners, programme  sellers, and other ancillary staff employed at elite premiership football clubs  the length and breadth of the country. 

The  thought that an individual can be paid over 100 grand a week for playing  football, not to mention the added tens of thousands made from sponsorship and  advertising deals, when people are losing their homes and more pensioners will  certainly die from cold this winter than ever before, is beyond repulsive. It is  longer acceptable to cite the "market" as justification for such glaring  inequality, and it is right that the government is coming under increasing  pressure to intervene and aid low paid workers, pensioners, and others who exist  on the sharp end of the income scale in our  society.

Gordon Brown's recent public statement over the Brand and  Ross controversy has been criticised as empty political posturing at a time when  there are far more grave matters for him to be concerned with. It is clear that  he is currently riding a wave of resurgence in the polls in relation to his odious rival on the opposition benches, David 'old Etonian' Cameron.

Regardless, the prime minister remains one of the key players responsible for turning the British economy over to the coterie of unelected bankers and speculators in the City who've created the culture of greed that has poisoned society from top to bottom. Rising crime, huge personal debt, broken families, and deepening poverty  - this is Britain after 11 years of a New  Labour project which has brought nothing but despair to millions whilst lining  the pockets of a relative few millionaires and  billionaires.

And  lest we forget, Gordon Brown is also a man with the blood of unknown thousands  of innocent Iraqi men, women, and children on his hands for the part he played  in Britain's involvement in  an imperialist adventure which has devastated Iraq and  polarised the world.

Yes,  the messages sent by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross last week to an old man  which were broadcast by the BBC were obscene and offensive. However even more  obscene and offensive are the salaries paid to the nation's top entertainers,  football players, and corporate executives at a time when more and more people  the length and breadth of the country face home repossession, unemployment, and  are being suffocated by crippling personal  debt. These  are crimes yet to be punished, and no amount of posturing over the contents of a  radio show can absolve Gordon Brown of his culpability.  

John  Wight