A. Loewenstein Online Newsletter

NOVANEWS

When the state fails, citizens using private security is sure way to chaos

Posted: 04 Nov 2011

This is what our society is becoming; unaccountable forces that will push an aggressive agenda in the name of “efficiency”. Why not just privatise everything?

Foley residents will call a private security company when they need nonemergency help, starting in January.

On Tuesday, Foley City Council members unanimously approved hiring a private security company to provide 24-hour service to the city. The city will enter a six-month contract with General Security Services Corp. for $98,500.

Mayor Gary Gruba said Foley is the first city he’s heard of that has used a private security company. But he said he has heard other cities are looking at the option to save costs.

Since 2003, the city has paid Benton County to have three deputies patrol the city for 17.1 hours a day. The council voted earlier this month to reject a new contract from the county to provide police services for 2012.

The county had proposed a contract for 2012 that would cost $23,426 a month for three deputies. This year the city is paying $24,694 a month.

Cuts in Local Government Aid mean the city has to look at all areas to make cuts, council member Dean Weber said.

The company will start providing staffing eight hours a day in December and full time in January. The county’s contract expires at the end of December.

Council members and staff will work on a plan to educate the public about the change. Emergency calls should still be made to 911 and a deputy will respond.

The security company guards will patrol the area and can make citizen arrests. They cannot investigate crimes or do traffic stops.

Footage of On Utoya Sydney book launch on Norway and terror

Posted: 03 Nov 2011

Recently there was the global launch of the new e-book On Utøya: Anders Breivik, right terror, racism and Europe(my chapter is about the nexus between Israel and the Right).

The book was launched in Sydney in late October. I spoke alongside Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon. Film-maker Reuben Brand filmed and edited the following footage (forgive the low light and difficult sound):

From the archives: CIA accidentally overthrows Costa Rica

Posted: 03 Nov 2011

O-SPAN Classic: CIA Accidentally Overthrows Costa Rica

Standing up for civilians peacefully pushing for peace in Gaza

Posted: 03 Nov 2011

As another flotilla makes its way to Gaza, to highlight the ongoing and illegal Egyptian and Israeli imposed siege on the Strip, the following statement is released today:

Free Gaza Australia rejects the threats by Israel to “take any necessary action” to prevent two boats carrying pro-Palestinian activists, including Australian Michael Coleman, from reaching Gaza. The two boats Tahrir (Liberation) and Saoirse (Freedom) set sail from Turkey on Wednesday with the aim of breaking Israel’s illegal sea blockade of Gaza.

A spokesperson for the group, Vivienne Porzsolt said: ”The participants of this flotilla are unarmed peaceful activists and journalists who are acting entirely lawfully. We call on the Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd to denounce Israel for its expressed intention. We ask that he urges the Israeli government and military to desist from intervening, boarding or towing the boats to Israel and that he insist Israel does not use force or violence against any of those on board the vessels. In particular, we demand that the Australian Government exert its influence to ensure the safety of Australian citizen Michael Coleman.”

An email to Free Gaza Australia from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on 3 November legitimised Israel’s military blockade of Gaza. While DFAT confirmed it would provide consular support to Coleman, currently on board the Tahrir, “if necessary”, rather than condemning the illegal blockade, DFAT instead advised against travel to Gaza.

“The travel advice for Israel, Gaza Strip and the West Bank strongly advises against travelling by sea to the coast of the Gaza Strip in breach of Israeli naval restrictions or participating in any attempt to break the naval blockade,” a spokesperson for DFAT said.

Ms Porzsolt said: ”We call on the Australian Government to condemn Israel’s ongoing illegal blockade of Gaza and the consequent collective punishment of the 1.5 million Palestinians who live there.”

Supporting Overland and indy media

Posted: 03 Nov 2011

Wonderful independent Australian magazine Overland is currently running its Subscriberthon. I was asked to offer some words of support:

Independent media has never been more important. Our world is currently experiencing a necessary crisis in confidence in corporate media, corporate governance and capitalism itself. Relying on corporate media to accurately report on this crisis is impossible. From WikiLeaks to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya to the #Occupy movement and Palestine, unembedded voices must be heard.

Overland provides this space, a rare place in the Australian media space that both celebrates and encourages dissent. Sacred cows are smashed, and we cheer. Supporting this kind of independent thought is vital, as our media becomes increasingly obsessed with protecting the powerful at the expense of the majority*. True freedom in society means having the right to vigorously disagree and be heard. I encourage people to support Overland and its consistently fine work. I salute its tenacity and foresight. Overland is truly a publication for the questioning age we are entering.

How best to support Overland? Subscribe.

Antony Loewenstein is a Sydney-based independent freelance journalist, author, documentarian, photographer and blogger.