Middle East Issues By Martin Deane

Dear Friends, Two items you are unlikely to hear of in our rather gutless media: On 20th June the US House of Representatives voted 411-2 for a resolution condemning Iran for its aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons. Never mind there is no evidence for this. Like Iraq, Iran is far too important to waste time on truth or diplomacy. In addition, a third aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise was on its way to the Gulf (June 24th).

Again, the spectre of an attack on Iran looms, whether by America or Israel striking first. The figures above show that the US Congress will not bring peace but both parties are going to rehash the lies on Iran until they stick. We are likely to be asked again: what does it mean to us that 'our closest ally' is planning to destroy another sovereign country of 70 million men, women and children. Martin Deane.

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5000 protestors marched up to the Labour Party special leadership conference on Sunday 24th June, to insist that the first thing Gordon Brown does when he takes office is to change government policy on Iraq and bring the troops home now. For a report on the demonstration, go to tinyurl.com/2tcbg4. For pictures and video of the demonstration, go to www.mancsagainsttanks.org.

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Where Tony Blair should go, is to a war crimes tribunal. But what beckoned instead were speeches, a fee of £100,000, a time and a multi-million pound advance for his memoirs. Other options being suggested are discussed by Geoffrey Wheatcroft in this article: tinyurl.com/37cxpr. Stop the War national Andrew Murray told the demonstration We are here to wave goodbye to the most dangerous and warmongering prime minister in modern British history and to demand that he takes his policies with him. We are demanding that Gordon Brown gives us a fresh start by pulling troops out of Iraq and breaking with George Bush's foreign policy. The Pope may forgive Tony Blair but the British people will not.

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Members representing families of lost relatives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were in Downing Street on Tony Blair's last day in office, Wednesday 27th June. They held pictures of their loved ones who have died as a result of Blair's war crimes. Blair's last day was marked by a protest against his war policies, which have led to the deaths of up to one million Iraqis, countless Afghan civilians, 152 British soldiers in Iraq and 61 soldiers in Afghanistan. Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq almost exactly two years ago, said, 'Let our photos be the last thing Blair sees when he leaves number 10.'

Current Affairs - VOTE YOU FOOLS by Lee Cassanell

	On this island ruled by a shadowy government fuelled by spin, lies, corruption and let's be honest...a bottomless pit of bullshit...it falls upon us, the little people to try and change the way things work whenever we are given the rare opportunity to write a cross on a ballot paper and vote for someone slightly less inept then the Read more...

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	"If you don't vote you are pissing on the graves of your ancestors." Those aren't my words; they are the words of former Euro-MP for this area, Peter Crampton (Labour, in those days). The BBC wouldn't air his words then but maybe now they are more pressing than ever. Fewer people are voting - especially in Hull. But YOU are losing out. If there were no Read more...

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Current Affairs - Saturday 23rd September 06 - Manchester Stop the War March By Mo with 7 page Photo Gallery.

	After two nights in a row taking pictures at the Adelphi Club; Monkey Boy, Stop it your killing me, Freaks Union on Thursday night and Afterglow, Tonik and The Shine on Friday, I wasn't looking forward to a long day of photos at the Manchester Stop the War protest on Saturday. It's Sunday morning now and my first memory is dropping off to sleep in the Read more...

Current Affairs - Lunch Reimbursements For Volunteers On State Benefits - Please Act

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Current Affairs - In Reply to Charles Clarke Email- Your views on fighting terrorism By Sean Atkinson

Dear Mr Clarke, I am terribly upset with laws you are trying and thankfully failing, to enshrine. If you give in and remove our hard won freedoms then those who oppose democracy will have won. In an ironic twist where you try to bring order and peace, you will bring strangulation and insurgence. Where you try to bring safety and security you will bring needless imprisonment and suffering. The actions to Read more...

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Dear Mr. Clarke. Of course I think our laws should be updated when necessary, with due regard for civil liberties, after full debate in the House. If people cannot be brought to trial because laws have not kept pace with modern technology, for example, the law must be updated. However, the creation of new offences should be undertaken with great care. Religious tolerance allows for criticism and has an Read more...

Current Affairs - In Reply to Charles Clarke Email- Your views on fighting terrorism By Martin Deane

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Current Affairs - Learn Before You Burn !- or why incineration will always be a problem By Martin J Deane 26th May 2005

	Hedon, Monday night, to a 100-packed community hall, Dr Paul Connett gave a brilliant talk on the dangers of incinerators and incineration. (I advertised this via my 200-strong email list - which YOU are welcome to join!) In a passionate presentation, New York chemistry professor Paul Connett said of incineration: "We shouldn't be doing this anyway! Read more...

Current Affairs - The Election 2005 - Another One Crossed Off The List by Rich Mills with 7 page photo gallery by Mo

	The Election 2005 was a colourful and amazing spectacle, especially closer than most to the action. Not for me the putting of an X against the name of some stranger, who is then supposed to represent your interest in Parliament. No I was much more involved in our democratic process. Acting as a Polling Agent for Martin Deane of the Green Party, I spent the day at the very Read more...

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	Hear ye, hear ye, election time is upon us again. Inspiring speeches thought provoking debates, radical policies for the good of mankind, or who the hell do I vote for? 2pence on lesbians 1pence on fags, wasn't that Dalek episode good! Yes citizens I am as bemused as you, so let's delve into the partisan tribes that inhabit Westminster Read more...

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	Starring: Diana Johnson as - The Red Baron Dennis Healy as - The Yellow Peril Martin Dean as - Captain Planet Lydia Rivlin as - The Blue Oyster Co Starring: Mo as - Jimmy Olsen Lee Cassanell as - Ronald McDonald The Chanterlands Avenue Baptist Church Mafia as - Themselves The Story so far.... Emperor Tony Blair declared war on Read more...

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	Brave hero, George W Bush, commander in chief of the world, oops, sorry, America, wants to liberate all peoples from oppression wherever they may be, and is set on bringing democracy to the Middle East. Let's see how well he has done so far - and, of course, the Republicans' "junior partner" in all this, New Labour. Read more...

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Current Affairs - International Contradictions and Hypocrisies By Andrew Martin

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