Z Nightly Commentaries
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Recent Z Nightly Commentaries
Vivas: Land For Those Who Work It
Mar 17, 2013
Indigenous people, driven from their territories, are spearheading the fight against the privatization of the land
Vorpahl: Austerity vs. a People's Budget
Mar 06, 2013
Portland is not broke. The problem is that those with the money are being let off the hook
Vivas: Spain Is In The Hands Of Thieves
Feb 03, 2013
No doubt. We are in the hands of thieves
Vorpahl: Workers Stand Up to Walmart
Oct 15, 2012
The conditions and wages that Walmart workers currently are subjected to have created a downward pressure for retail employees and the entire working class
Vorpahl: Pensions Under Attack
Jul 15, 2012
Playing on the assumption of common cause between the economic elite and workers, corporations plead poverty and sermonize on the need for "shared sacrifice"
Vivas: M15: A Look Toward the Future
May 14, 2012
The M15 has been able to go beyond the activist core of protesters, awakening a new militant generation and lifting many people out of their easy chairs
Vivas: No More "Green Capitalism"
Dec 24, 2011
We will save the markets, not the climate
Vivas: The Food Crisis Strikes Again
Oct 25, 2011
As long as agriculture and food continue to be considered merchandise in the hands of the highest bidder our food security and the welfare of the earth are far from assured
Vorpahl: The ILWU Rises to the Challenge
Sep 13, 2011
For workers to sacrifice their wages and make such extraordinary efforts, the cost of such actions have to greatly outweigh the costs of not taking them
Vltchek: UN Report On Congo
Mar 15, 2011
A 545-page report on atrocities that were committed predominantly by Rwanda and Uganda (and to much lesser degree by four other African nations) in DRC/Congo was first leaked to French newspaper Le Monde and later to the reporters of The New York Times.
Vltchek: Media & Thailand
May 25, 2010
Rebellion had been crushed and Bangkok streets were covered with blood, mostly that of poor Thai peasants with their origins in the country's north or northeast. Armored vehicles had crashed through the barricades made of old tires and bamboo rods, and government-employed snipers performed had their terrible task, shooting people from the tall buildings, often aiming directly at their heads. Neither were Western or local journalists spared.
Vltchek: Chile
Feb 05, 2010
President Salvador Allende once again overlooks baroque Presidential Palace La Moneda in the heart of Santiago de Chile. This time his body is not made of flesh and bones but of stone - he is nothing more than a statue - but his head is still high, his eyes are fixed towards the future and it seems that he is marching forward surrounded by his stunningly beautiful country.
Vltchek: White Australians
Jun 28, 2008
It is close to 6pm and the sunset viewing area in front of magnificent Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is full of families and independent travelers. Some are standing on the roof of their rented caravans, bottle of beer in one hand, camera in other. There are those who arrived equipped with small folding tables and chairs.
Vltchek: Capitalist Indonesia
May 19, 2008
During the Cold War, Eastern block countries used to be bombarded by radio broadcasts glorifying free-market economic system and consumerism. The message from the Radio Free Europe, Voice of America and BBC World Service had been clear: no matter where, capitalism brings home great services, variety of goods, consumer protection, lower prices and desire to serve the clients. In short: "customer is always king and he is always right!"
Vltchek: Pacific Island Nations
May 06, 2008
The sea is blue, beaches consist of golden sand, and palm trees are bent almost to the water surface. Underneath hardly detectable waves, marine life is fascinating and diverse. On hotel terraces, the coolness of coconut juice burns the refined throats of jet setters. Traditional huts rub shoulders with some of the most expensive resorts in the world. 500 US dollars would hardly sustain a couple for more than a day here and it is not meant to - this may be one of the most expensive parts of the world.
Vltchek: China - Tibet
Apr 18, 2008
Wouldn't it be nice to live in an ideal world with no violence and brutality, where every individual is free and responsible, where every nation can choose its fate and alliances?
Vltchek: Indonesian Morality
Apr 04, 2008
Here it goes again. Uncles with harsh over-smoked voices from Indonesian House of Representatives - that is synonymous with corruption and laziness - talking about morality and about "how to protect the nation" from the ills of pornography.
Vltchek: Deleting Sarkozy
Feb 16, 2008
For decades, the French economic and social system has been haunting Anglo-Saxon market fundamentalists. While Americans work late into the evenings, often with only 2 weeks vacations, worrying about inadequate health insurance, education for their children and crumbling infrastructure, the majority of the French seem to enjoy their lives to the fullest. With 6 weeks paid leave they travel the globe. Their state run medical system is free and excellent. Education for talented students is still considered something of a human right instead of an "investment".
Vltchek: Suharto Lays Dying
Jan 14, 2008
It is 4 PM, 13th January 2008. The main entrance to Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta is besieged by dozens of journalists. Almost all of them are local, as Indonesia doesn't attract international media conglomerates, unless there is a deadly landslide, tsunami or airplane crash. Some reporters are placing the lenses of video and photo cameras against the glass of the hospital entrance, hoping to spot at least some action.
Apr 17, 2013
The deficit in Portland’s General Fund is not an accounting problem. It is a political issue