comment and analysis
'Terrorism': bad language?
Mairtin O'Cathain reflects on uncritical use of the word terrorist by many on the left, including anarchists and libertarian communists (and Organise! for that matter) and examines the meaning of the words Terror and Terrorism.
From a term applied to the exercise of violence by the state to one that is used to identify the enemies of the state these are now among the most politically loaded words in the English language.
Direct action gets the goods - but what is it?
Direct action is being confused with actions that are probably best regarded as symbolic and more often than not ineffective.
From the black block havin’ a go, to the clown army tickling cops and putting flowers in their hair, from marches to smashing McDonalds, gluing locks to throwing bricks and even it seems going to rock concerts – all of these activities have had the term direct action applied to them incorrectly.
Pensions - the misleading 85 rule
Over the last week, more divisive mis-representations from the government have appeared regarding public sector pensions.
They have attacked the '85' rule which they wish to see abolished. The rule states that where an employee's age plus his/her years of service is equal to, or greater than 85, then they are eligible to retire. The example given, by the government, is that of a person aged 60 with 25 years service retiring on full pension.
Secure in the knowledge...
If you go down to the festival today... In a special report, Matt D enters the murky world of security.
You're sure to notice the large numbers of security guards in their various brightly coloured polo shirts and high-visibility jackets. Many festivals including Glastonbury, Reading, and the London anti racist one day free festival (Rise) employ the Glasgow based Specialised Security(sic).
