World Socialist Web Site

wsws.org

Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)

4 February 2009

Obama administration in crisis

Tom Daschle withdraws cabinet nomination amidst tax scandal

By Joe Kishore, 4 February 2009

In a major crisis for the Obama administration, only ten days after the inauguration, former senator Tom Daschle, Obama’s pick for health and human services secretary, unexpectedly withdrew his nomination on Tuesday, amidst a scandal involving unpaid taxes.

Obama names third Republican to cabinet
A further bow to the right

By Barry Grey, 4 February 2009

Ever since his election, and even more so since his inauguration, Obama’s efforts have focused on assuaging the most right-wing sections of the ruling elite and the military and assuring them that they have nothing to fear from his administration.

Socialist Party offers yet another apologia for “Britons first” refinery dispute

By Robert Stevens, 4 February 2009

The Socialist Party’s demand for “Union controlled registering of unemployed and locally skilled union members” is only window dressing for a “Britons first” policy.

Tens of thousands more jobs eliminated in the US

By David Walsh, 4 February 2009

The massive destruction of jobs, along with attacks on retirement funds and other benefits, continues in the US, with major corporations announcing layoffs on nearly a daily basis.

US military suicide rate at record high

By James Cogan, 4 February 2009

American troops are taking their own lives in the largest numbers since records began in 1980.

Australian PM announces $42 billion crisis stimulus package

By Mike Head, 4 February 2009

In a desperate bid to prevent an economic collapse and head off the eruption of social discontent, the Rudd government yesterday unveiled another multi-billion dollar rescue package—the sixth since last October.

German Green Party program endorses militarism and social cuts

By Dietmar Henning, 4 February 2009

The German Green Party has demonstrated a complete lack of scruples in its thirst for new government posts.

British winter death rate predicted to rise

By Barry Mason, 4 February 2009

A higher death rate amongst older people is expected after the recent extended period of cold weather in Britain.

California runs out of cash—$3.5 billion in state payments delayed
Schwarzenegger to begin furlough of state workers

By Dan Conway, 4 February 2009

In response to the continuing state budget crisis, the California state controller’s office began to delay $3.5 billion in state payments on Monday due to lack of funds.

New in German

Eine sozialistische Perspektive für ein Ende des Kriegs in Sri Lanka – Truppen raus aus dem Norden und Osten

Erklärung der WSWS-Redaktion, 4. Februar 2009

Diese Erklärung wird auf den heutigen europaweiten Demonstrationen gegen den Krieg in Sri Lanka als Flugblatt verteilt.

Journalisten in Sri Lanka fliehen vor Terror der Regierung

Von Nanda Wickremasinghe, 4. Februar 2009

Nur zwei Wochen nach der Ermordung von Lasantha Wickrematunge, dem Herausgeber des Sunday Leader, wurde ein anderer srilankischer Herausgeber von einer Bande angegriffen und verletzt

Britische Gewerkschaften unterstützen reaktionären Streik gegen ausländische Arbeiter

Von Chris Marsden, 4. Februar 2009

Der Streik bei der Ölraffinerie Lindsey In Lincolnshire und Solidaritätsaktionen überall in Großbritannien sind ein gefährlicher Ausbruch nationalistischer Stimmungen, für die die Gewerkschaftsbürokratie voll verantwortlich ist. Der Streik ist dem Namen nach inoffiziell, wird aber von den Gewerkschaften voll unterstützt. Die World Socialist Web Site und die Socialist Equality Party lehnen diese Aktionen vollkommen ab.

Marxismus und Frankfurter Schule
Die politische und intellektuelle Irrfahrt des Alex Steiner - Teil2

Von David North, 4. Februar 2009

Eine marxistische Polemik gegen Auffassungen, die mit der „kritischen Theorie" der „Frankfurter Schule" und mit verwandten ideologischen Richtungen, gemeinhin bekannt als „westlicher" oder „humanistischer" Marxismus, assoziiert werden.

New in French

Valkyrie : Un thriller, mais pas un film historique

Par Peter Scharwz, 4 février 2009

L’apparence physique des protagonistes et les moindres caractéristiques de la tentative d’assassinat ont été reproduite avec beaucoup de soins, de talent et avec tous les moyens dont dispose Hollywood. Aucune lumière n’est toutefois faite sur les idées, les motifs, les convictions politiques et les contextes sociaux.

Perspective

Sri Lanka’s independence anniversary: the emergence of a military/police state

4 February 2009

Open threats by Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse this week against foreign journalists and diplomats in Colombo are another chilling reminder of the abuse of basic democratic rights on the island. Under the guise of fighting a “war on terror”, the regime is rapidly establishing the basis for a military/police state directed above all against the working class.

Earlier Perspectives »

Socialist Equality Party

A socialist perspective to end the war in Sri Lanka
Troops out of north and eastern Sri Lanka!

4 February 2009

This statement is being distributed by supporters of the World Socialist Web Site and the International Committee of the Fourth International at international demonstrations called to protest the attack by the Sri Lankan military against Tamil regions in the East and North of Sri Lanka.

Nick Beams opening report to SEP summer school
The crash of 2008 and its revolutionary implications
Part 1

By Nick Beams, 4 February 2009

"A breakdown of capitalism is not simply an economic crisis. It signifies the opening of a new epoch, in which the fate of society is decided for decades to come. We have entered such a period. The year 1914 signaled the first great breakdown of the capitalist order. The year 2008 marks the second."

David North to speak at Michigan meeting
The world economic crisis and the return of history

2 February 2009

David North, national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party and chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, will speak on the origins and implications of the world economic crisis.

Book Review

The anti-communist purge of the American film industry

By David Walsh, 4 February 2009

Reynold Humphries, former professor of Film Studies at the University of Lille 3, has written a valuable new account of the blacklisting of left-wing writers, actors, directors and producers in the American film industry.

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