· AUSTRALIA $1.50 · CANADA $1.50 · FRANCE 1.00 EUROS · ICELAND KR100 · NEW ZEALAND $2.00 · SWEDEN KR10 · UK £.50 · U.S. $1.00 INSIDE 18,000 Boeing workers strike against concessions — PAGE 3 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 69/NO. 36 SEPT. 19, 2005 SPECIAL ISSUE Gulf social disaster: twin capitalist parties at fault, workers need labor party based on fighting unions The following statement was is- sued September 7 by the Socialist Workers outraged Workers 2005 National Campaign. The social catastrophe in the wake of at class-biased Hurricane Katrina is an indictment of the capitalist two-party system in the and racist United States through which a hand- ful of billionaire families maintains its gov’t response political power and its wealth. BY BRIAN TAYLOR SOCIALIST AND LAURA GARZA NEW ORLEANS, September 5— WORKERS Thousands of working people headed back today to neighborhoods on the 2005 CAMPAIGN outskirts of this city. As vehicles came to a halt on the hot, traffi c-jammed The deadly lack of preparedness highway, with only several hours re- for the crisis unfolding across the maining to pick up belongings before Gulf Coast and the brutal and belated curfew, people began talking to one government response provide further another. Many of the conversations we evidence of whose class interests are were part of were marked by outrage at represented by politicians at the fed- AP/Eric Gay the response of federal, state, and local eral, state, and local level. Without Heavily armed police SWAT team drives past working people stranded at the New governments and capitalist politicians exception—whether the Republican Orleans Convention Center September 1 in wake of Hurricane Katrina. Continued on page 4 White House and bipartisan Congress, Louisiana’s Democratic party gover- nor and New Orleans mayor, or other Cuba: 1,500 doctors stand ready to aid victims Democratic and Republican offi cials in that state, Mississippi, Alabama, Revolutionary gov’t offers example of international solidarity and beyond—these political servants of the employing class demonstrated Cuban president Fidel Castro made ary government’s offer to immediately by U.S. offi cials (see news article on contempt for working people and cal- the following remarks September 2 on send 1,100 medical personnel and page 7). The statement was distributed lous disregard for their conditions and that country’s “Roundtable” television material to aid victims of hurricane by the Cuban Mission to the United Continued on page 9 program. He reiterated the revolution- Katrina in the United States. Two Nations. The translation is by the days later the Cuban government Militant. increased its offer, organizing a ❖ New York City, Sunday, September 11 brigade of 1,586 physicians, ready Our country is ready to send tonight, for immediate mobilization. in the early hours of the morning, 100 Four Years Later: Resisting U.S. Rulers’ As of September 7 this offer, fi rst clinicians and specialists in Compre- announced August 30, had not been hensive General Medicine, who at Global Assault on Workers and Farmers accepted or publicly acknowledged dawn tomorrow, Saturday, could be at the Houston International Airport, ❖ Organizing and using union power: Texas, the closest [major airport] to the the contradictions building in the U.S. today region struck by the tragedy, in order to ❖ Labor Day be transported by air, river, or land to Iraq and the ‘global war on terrorism’: locations isolated from shelters, facili- the deepening crisis of the imperialist world order actions boost ties, and neighborhoods of the city of ❖ Cuba, Caracas, and Washington: New Orleans where people and fami- the sharpening confl ict in the Americas lies requiring emergency medical care solidarity for or fi rst aid may be found. This Cuban personnel would be car- Jack Barnes national secretary of the Socialist Workers Party airline strikers rying backpacks with 24 kilograms of Jacob Perasso Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of St. BY JACOB PERASSO medicine known to be essential in Paul; member of UFCW Local 789; recently returned from Caracas AND MARSHALL LAMBIE such situations to save lives, as well world youth festival as basic diagnostic kits. They would be DETROIT — Two hundred strik- prepared to work alone or in groups of Norton Sandler and Arrin Hawkins event co-chairpeople ing Northwest Airlines mechanics, Mary-Alice Waters president, Pathfi nder Press; just returned from cleaners and their supporters ral- Continued on page 7 research trip to Cuba lied alongside thousands of other workers and unionists in the Labor Alyson Kennedy member of UMWA Local-9957-in-becoming at Co - Op Day parade here September 5. The mine in Utah and defendant in coal bosses’ retaliatory lawsuit members of the Aircraft Mechan- Also Inside: Bill Estrada and Dave Prince on taking advantage of expanding ics Fraternal Association (AMFA) Arizona, New Mexico political opportunities Local 5 marched with the United tighten border controls 2 Auto Workers Local 174 contingent, Reception: 1 p.m. Program: 2 p.m. which included several local mem- Mississippi farmers hit by Refreshments afterward bers locked out since May 1 from crisis after hurricane 5 Hercules Drawn Steel in Livonia, NYU Law School, Tishman Auditorium, Michigan. The Labor Day parade UMWA, Co-Op miners press for went through the downtown area dismissal of harassment lawsuit 6 40 Washington Square South under the banner “Marching to Sponsored by the Socialist Workers Party National Committee and Young Socialists protect Health Care, Pensions and Airport workers in UK fi ght to defend union 6 Hosted by Socialist Workers Party in New York (212-736-2540) Social Security.” and Newark (973-481-0077) After the parade, 150 AMFA strik- ers and their supporters held an im- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL, OR VISIT WWW.THEMILITANT.COM Continued on page 9 EU price cuts sharpen New York meat packers fi ght for back wages imperialist debt offensive BY BRIAN WILLIAMS maintains a network of health clinics The European Union has announced and helps pay for drainage and irriga- plans to cut the price it pays for sugar tion projects. “If we didn’t have sugar imported from semicolonial nations we would have fl ooding every year,” by 39 percent over the next fi ve years. Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo The move will devastate sugar pro- told the New York Times. Jamaica duction in 18 of the poorest African, has 40,000 sugar workers, but another Caribbean, and Pacifi c countries. 200,000 jobs are related to production According to the South Africa– of this crop. based Business Day, the plan—which The price cut can mean the “death will be before the European Union knell” for sugar production in Bar- council of ministers for approval in bados and Trinidad and Tobago, the November—will cost these sugar- Times noted. producing countries $490 million Among the nations most impacted a year. in Africa are Mauritius, Malawi, Workers in the sugar industry will Swaziland, and Mozambique. Militant/Dan Fein be the most affected. “Their jobs The crisis in the sugar industry of Former BMW Meats strikers Ismenia Hernández (second from left), Lucía are at stake,” Komal Chand, leader semicolonial countries stems from the Hernández, and Martha Fiallos (right) at August 28 UFCW picnic. of the union that represents 20,000 protectionist measures of the U.S. and NEW YORK—Workers at BMW Meats in Farmingdale, Long Island, Guyanese sugar workers, told the European Union governments. These struck for nearly a month demanding payment of unpaid wages and the Financial Times. “We feel that we include subsidizing the production of reinstatement of fi red workers. The company went out of business August have been betrayed.” sugar in their own countries, impos- 23 and the workers, members of United Food and Commercial Workers At the July Group of Eight summit, ing tariffs on imports, and dumping (UFCW) Local 342, continue to press for what is due them. leaders of the most powerful imperi- surpluses on the world market, which Fifteen workers from the plant attended a picnic in Brooklyn organized by alist countries pompously announced contributes substantially to the de- the union. “We were ripped off by the bosses. I am still owed three weeks’ plans to cancel the foreign debt owed pression of world sugar prices. vacation and back pay,” Ismenia Hernández told the Militant at the union by 18 of the world’s least developed Despite low wages for sugar event. Shop steward Mercy Manas noted that the bosses paid them a week’s nations. Guyana, one of the 18, was workers in the Caribbean, the cost wages in cash only after they were on strike for a week. to see a cut of about $9 million in of production there is substantially —DAN FEIN annual debt service costs. The sugar higher than the world market price. price cut, however, will wipe out “Whereas Brazil and Australia can about $40 million a year in income produce raw sugar for less than 7 from the country, outstripping any U.S. cents per lb,” reports the Times, State gov’ts tighten border controls “debt relief.” “Guyana’s most effi cient factories can Sugar production in Caribbean produce sugar at about 18 cents per lb BY ARRIN HAWKINS to install more surveillance cameras, countries has fallen by more than 50 and costs elsewhere in the Caribbean The governors of Arizona and New infrared and motion detectors, and percent the last two decades, declin- can be much higher. In some Jamai- Mexico declared states of emergencies fences along the border, and add 2,250 ing from 11 percent of world output can state-owned factories, costs are in mid-August in counties that border more prison beds to hold people await- in 1985 to 3 percent in 2003. The as high as 40 cents per lb, about fi ve with Mexico, claiming an increase in ing deportation hearings. sugar industry, however, remains a times the world price.” In the United violence by undocumented immigrants Over the past decade the number of key component of the economies of States, government subsidies main- crossing the border between the two Border Patrol cops nearly tripled from many of these countries. The state- tain sugar prices at about 21 cents a countries. William Richardson of 4,000 to 11,000. This year Congress is owned Guyana Sugar Corporation pound. New Mexico and Janet Napolitano of due to vote on deploying 1,000 more Arizona, both Democrats, said they border patrol cops. would use the “emergency” to spend In April, actions organized by the $1.5 million to hire more local cops rightist Minutemen Project drew a few and expand prison facilities. hundred vigilantes who patrolled the The Department of Homeland Se- Arizona-Mexico border between Naco curity (DHS) responded August 23 and Douglas. The rightist groups claim announcing that it would beef up the the federal immigration cops aren’t The truth about the Gulf social disaster federal cops in the region and work “doing their job.” closely with local and state police to Washington has distanced itself The social disaster unfolding patrol the highways for immigrants from these actions. “This is not the today in New Orleans exposes crossing the border. Local and state place for people to play as amateurs,” how the twin capitalist parties cops will be authorized to arrest un- Homeland Security chief Michael work on behalf of the wealthy documented workers. The DHS plans Chertoff said. U.S. rulers and against the in- terests of working people. Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: Send $65 The ‘Militant’ brings you fi rst- The Militant drawn on a U.S. bank to above address. hand coverage and a working- VOL. 69/NO. 36 Canada: Send Canadian $50 for one-year class explanation. Don’t miss a Closing news date: September 7, 2005 sub scrip tion to the Militant, 2238 Dundas St. single issue. Editor and circulation director: West, Suite 201, Toronto, ON. Postal Code: Hurricane evacuees protest Sept. 2 as they Argiris Malapanis M6R 3A9. wait to board buses headed to Houston. 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2 The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue Socialist Workers Party candidates respond to Gulf Coast social disaster BY JACQUIE HENDERSON on that right away if the government HOUSTON—The Socialist Workers would fund it.” He was referring to the Party candidate for mayor of Houston, socialist campaign’s call for a federally Anthony Dutrow, and his supporters funded public works program to put have been campaigning to explain the millions to work at union scale and to need for a working-class alternative rebuild the housing, hospitals, roads, to the capitalist parties, a need that is and other pressing needs. highlighted by the social catastrophe ❖ unfolding in New Orleans and the sur- rounding region. BY SUSAN LAMONT The SWP campaign fi led September BIRMINGHAM—Clay Dennison,

6 to place Dutrow, a meatpacker, on the Socialist Workers candidate for City Militant/Bill Lambert ballot. The socialist ticket in Houston Council, visited the Jefferson County Anthony Dutrow, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of Houston, talks with includes garment worker José Aravena Civic Center here September 3 to Melinda Theophile September 4 outside the Astrodome in Houston. for controller and Amanda Ulman, a speak with working people displaced meatpacker, for City Council At-Large- by Hurricane Katrina who had made directly hit New Orleans, in 1965. personal possessions, were evacuated 1. The same day the mayor’s offi ce in- it as far as this city to fi nd shelter. He “All that matters in this society is the from the path of the storm beforehand. formed Dutrow that his name will be was accompanied by Jeanne Fitzmau- bottom line. There was a problem of They reinforced buildings to minimize placed on the November ballot. rice, Socialist Workers candidate for homelessness in New Orleans and no- fatalities, injuries, and damage. They The socialists have taken their Birmingham School Board. body cared. A lot of people were look- also rebuilt quickly to get people back campaign to factory gates Northwest “We left New Orleans just in time. ing for work and nobody cared. Now to their homes and jobs.” Airlines picket lines, protest actions My family is safe, but all those other they’re concerned? I don’t buy it.” Cross was interested to learn how against death penalty, and to working- people who didn’t get out—that’s what Dennison pointed to the example of the Cuban government and people class neighborhoods throughout the messes you up,” said Davey Cross, a how Cuba, where workers and farm- responded during similar crises. “The city. Through this campaigning they construction worker from the Kingston ers have their own government, con- [U.S.] government had ample time to do raised the required $1,250 fi ling fee. District in eastern New Orleans. The fronted similar disastrous storms. “The what the people in Cuba did,” he said. The socialist candidates found a authorities, he said, “had ample time government and mass organizations At least 35,000 Hurricane Katrina lot of interest in the campaign among to get the levees up to par since Betsy worked together to prepare, to make evacuees from Mississippi and Loui- working people from New Orleans, hit,” referring to the last hurricane that sure people, and also animals and siana are staying in Alabama. thousands of whom are being sheltered at the Astrodome. “The social disaster in New Orleans points to the pressing need for work- Boeing strikers fi ght against concessions ing people to organize independently BY BETSY FARLEY “I pay $66 a month for family coverage It proposes cutting wages for the 960 of the capitalists and their parties, the AND MARK DOWNS right now. They wanted to raise it to workers at the Wichita facility. Democrats and Republicans,” Aravena SEATTLE—More than 18,400 $180, with a $900 deductible.” John Lentz, an electrician at the said while campaigning in the Sunny- workers, members of the International Strikers pointed out that Boeing’s Renton plant who had been laid off for side community near the Astrodome. Association of Machinists (IAM) went profi ts have tripled in the last three three years and just returned to work a “Those parties defend the interests of on strike September 2 against Boeing, years. month before the strike, said, “I guess the wealthy ruling families—with the the world’s largest airplane manufac- “If we accept substandard conditions they thought we’d be happy to take the devastating consequences we have turer. The unionists voted by an 86 like this when times are good, then God cash bonus and accept the contract. But seen for the majority. percent margin to reject the company’s help us when there’s a downturn, and I can survive without a paycheck from “We have to look to our own collec- proposed concession demands and hit you know there’s going to be a down- Boeing—I did it for three years. We tive power and solidarity, starting with the picket lines at plants in Washington turn,” said Dale Conklin, a machinist have to stick together.” Lentz said he the need to organize unions and to use State as well as in Portland, Oregon, with 17 years at Boeing. Conklin was thought the company is hoping to di- union power, to defend our interests. and Wichita, Kansas. among hundreds of workers on the fi rst vide younger and older workers. And we also need to organize in the The company wants to eliminate picket shift at midnight as workers left Dockworkers from International political arena—a labor party, based retiree medical benefi ts for workers the Renton, Washington, facility to Longshore and Warehouse Union on a fi ghting union movement.” recalled or hired beginning in July join the strike. (ILWU) Local 19 joined the Machin- “I like what you are saying about a 2006, and to sharply increase workers’ The company is also seeking to re- ists’ picket line at the Seattle Boeing public works program,” Naúmah Zulu payments for medical insurance. Jim duce jobs by forcing machine operators plant on September 3. One of them was of New Orleans told Aravena. “There Robertson, a fl ight line worker at the who used to run a single machine to ILWU member Pat O’Connor, who has are a lot of us that could go to work Everett, Washington, plant explained, operate four machines simultaneously. also been on the picket lines of the Northwest Airlines workers—orga- nized by the Aircraft Mechanics Fra- 2005 Socialist Workers Party election campaigns ternal Association—most days since that strike began two weeks earlier. Elections will be held in November unless otherwise indicated He said solidarity with both striking City/State Candidates City/State Candidates unions is needed to beat back the as- saults by Boeing and Northwest. Atlanta James Harris, Mayor New Jersey Angela Lariscy, Governor* Bob Bullard, a 20-year Boeing ma- Lisa Potash, City Council president Michael Ortega, State Assembly District 28* Eleanor García, City Council chine repairman, agreed. “I stopped New York Martín Koppel, Mayor* by the Northwest picket line to show Birmingham Clay Dennison, City Council District 8** Dan Fein, City Comptroller* support for their strike too,” he said. Jeanne Fitzmaurice, School Board District 8** Arrin Hawkins, Manhattan Borough President* “All unions should support this—it’s (Election in Birmingham to be held October 11) Sarah Katz, Bronx Borough President everybody’s fi ght.” Boston Margaret Trowe, Mayor Pittsburgh Jay Ressler, Mayor* Athelia Hawkins was part of a lively Laura Garza, City Council At-Large* Cynthia Jaquith, City Council District 8 picket line at the Auburn, Washing- Ryan Scott, City Council District 12 ton, plant to support her husband, a Des Moines, Iowa Edwin Fruit, City Council At-Large* striking IAM member. She said she Philadelphia John Staggs, City Attorney Houston Anthony Dutrow, Mayor* Rebecca Crysdale, City Controller was outraged by the lack of action to José Aravena, City Controller evacuate people from the devastation Amanda Ulman, City Council At-Large-1 San Francisco Romina Green, City Treasurer of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Laura Anderson, City Attorney “I’m disgusted with the way they treat Diana Newberry, City Council District 14* Los Angeles Gerardo Sánchez, Assessor-Recorder us. It just reaffi rms for me that our Seth Dellinger, City Council District 10 Seattle Chris Hoeppner, Mayor* government is not in support of work- Miami Omari Musa, Mayor** Cecelia Moriarity, King County Executive ing-class people. Eric Simpson, City Commissioner District 5** David Rosenfeld, City Council, Position 2 “I want to see more people banding *On ballot St. Paul, Minnesota Jacob Perasso, Mayor* together like the workers are doing **submitting fi ling fee for ballot status Rebecca Williamson, School Board* here and stop just accepting the injus- All remaining candidates have write-in status tice of the government.”

The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue 3 Outrage after hurricane Continued from front page LeBlanc, the manager of the Park VII to the social disaster that has ensued complex. “Now they’re in here like buz- since Hurricane Katrina. zards,” he said, referring to the troops. Military convoys snaked through the “But it’s too late. They preached, ‘Be city, fi lling the highways along with Na- prepared, know where you’re going, tional Guard troops and city and state what you’re going to do’—but they cops. Helicopters hummed overhead. weren’t prepared.” Ten minutes into the city limits, just It’s not the hurricane “that got me off Magazine Street, with police and pissed, it’s the way the government army vehicles passing regularly, we met acted,” LeBlanc said. There was no se- a group of residents who said they had rious effort to evacuate or help people yet to receive food or water from any in the aftermath. He described a body offi cials or aid agencies. left laying near Magazine and Jackson “We have been here for seven days,” Streets. Someone fi nally built a brick Cleveland Frenell Jr. said. “I got a cut barrier around it after a few days. It was on my hand. I can’t get any medical still there as we drove by, though now help. Yesterday was the fi rst day we got guarded by a soldier. “It could’ve been anything. What we got was water and one of us,” LeBlanc said. toilet paper, and it was not even from Riding into the city, we had joined Militant/Laura Garza the government. It was from some indi- residents of Jefferson Parish in a line Residents in the 12th ward of New Orleans tell Militant reporter Brian Taylor (far right) vidual. Everybody talks about what they of cars waiting to be allowed back into September 5 that they have waited for seven days to be evacuated. Cleveland Frenell Jr. are going to do, and nobody has done the area to visit their homes and gather (left), with cut hand wrapped in tissue paper, has not received medical attention. anything.” Asked what the military and needed items. Residents were instructed police do, Frenell shouted, “Nothing! to be out of the city by the 6:00 p.m. outside,” Johnson said. “We can’t live times dangerous ones—to save others, They do nothing! They ride around.” curfew enforced by the cops. Nicole inside because the roof caved in and the such as moving two elderly women to Frenell and his neighbors had cooked Flowers, a 34-year-old restaurant and carpet and furniture are wet.” He hadn’t a safer building when their roof caved beans and sausage they obtained shortly retail worker, led us to her neighbor- seen any buses come through the area in during the hurricane. “There’s over after the storm, when residents opened hood of Harvey. to pick people up. 100 people here who need to get out,” some local stores to allow people to “People get displaced from their fami- When residents asked for help, he said Thomas. get food. They shared their meal, and lies,” Flowers said. “There is no effort said, cops on patrol just gave them The Red Cross came by on September we gave them some water, an item in whatsoever made to keep families to- the number of the parish president’s 4 and gave out boxes with 12 army-is- short supply. gether. They give you no information emergency line. Many have no work- sued MRE food packets and some wa- about where to go to get help, cash ing phones, and whenever they borrow ter. “They said they’d come back to pick ‘Cops pulled guns on us’ checks, or get food and supplies. Or, if someone’s cell phone they get a busy people up today,” Thomas said, “but we “Two days ago the cops pulled guns on they do tell you where to go to get as- signal. haven’t seen them.” us,” said another member of the group, sistance, you get there and they don’t “My main concern is that we need What millions of people in the region Joseph Webber, 61, a self-employed know anything about it.” ice,” said Hazel Thomas, 32. A friend are now facing is the battle to get jobs, handyman. “We were riding a bicycle Bernard Johnson, 45, a catering “has seizures and if she gets overheated decent housing, health care, and basic back from the Convention Center where worker, stayed in his nearby apartment she needs ice, and all we have is warm necessities from clothing to furniture. we had gotten water. They demanded complex through the hurricane. He is bottles of water.” Based on recent experience, many to know where we lived, to see our IDs, not sure where his family is or whether Like many other working people here, working people here are recognizing what we were doing. They could see I they are together. “I’ve been sleeping Thomas has taken initiatives—some- that will take a fi ght. had the water on top of the bicycle.” The group stays together during the day and doesn’t venture out at night. ‘We had to organize to get what we needed’ “The governor gave the police strict orders that give them the right to use any BY SAM MANUEL kinds of means,” Webber said. “They BATON ROUGE, Louisiana— could shoot you and say whatever they “More people were separated from their want. The police treat you like nothing. families by the rescue operation than That’s why we stick together.” by the fl ood waters,” said Debra Posey, On September 6 the mayor of New a New Orleans resident now sheltered Orleans announced a mandatory evacu- at a Days Inn hotel here along with 30 ation order for all remaining residents. other families. An estimated 10,000 people are to be Posey worked as a cook in the New moved out, forcibly if necessary, ac- Orleans school system before she and cording to city offi cials. hundreds of thousands were evacuated In an area with condominiums that in face of the fl ooding after Hurricane fared well, we spoke with Robert Katrina hit that city. Thousands of working people per- ished due to what many consider the callous indifference of the federal, state, and local governments. Tens of thou- sands were displaced to sports arenas, National Guard armories, hotels, and shelters in Texas, Louisiana, Missis- sippi, and Alabama. Militant/Sam Manuel Government offi cials deployed thou- Michelle Daniels stands among ruined homes near Long Beach, Mississippi, sands of regular and National Guard September 5. Daniels points in the direction of her home in Pass Christian where she troops to the region. Army troops along was denied entry by the state police and National Guard troops. with state and city cops cracked down on working people desperate for food, ways to leave the city.” again. We were just there in the sun with water, and basic necessities—describ- Three days passed before she, her no water or food. Some people had al- ing them as “looters” and criminals. granddaughter, and her nephew were ready been there two nights.” A heli- Working people were left to fend for evacuated. The waters forced Posey copter fi nally arrived and began taking themselves. Posey was one of many in and neighbors to the top floor of a people away in groups of 10. “We just cities across the region who told Mili- three-story building. No rescue boats landed in another spot where we waited tant reporters how they were on their came for them. again without food or water,” she said. own to cope with the hurricane, how “My nephew used a neighbor’s water When the buses fi nally arrived, people days passed before they received their ski and a canoe to ferry people out two were hurried on them, often separating fi rst bottle of water, and how many lives at a time,” Posey explained. She said she family members and taking them to were saved by the initiatives of working was angered at the sight of school buses different locations. people themselves. abandoned and under water that could To defl ect growing outrage at state Posey called the evacuation order a have been used to evacuate people. and federal offi cials, both Democrats Militant/Brian Taylor “farce.” She said, “It was too late. They “When we made it to Interstate 10, and Republicans have jousted in the Bernard Johnson (left) and Hazel Thomas (far right) still wait in their destroyed home know we are people who live from hand I thought we were rescued and it was media attempting to lay blame on September 5 to evacuate New Orleans. to mouth. We had no vehicles or other over,” Posey said. “But it started all over Continued on page 7 4 The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue Mississippi farmers hit by crisis after hurricane BY SUSAN LAMONT Ports and waterways from Texas to HATTIESBURG, Mississippi— Florida, closed by the hurricane and “From Jackson to Gulfport, there is fl ooding, have now been opened for devastation for farmers from the hur- limited tug and barge traffi c to aid in ricane—crops destroyed or damaged, the cleanup. power out, phones out, homes wiped Even farmers further north in Mis- out, trees downed. For many farmers, sissippi were affected by the hurricane. there’s not much left of the crops that “Farmers around here lost some of their were in the fi elds,” said Ben Burkett, corn crop due to wind damage,” said Roy 54, in a September 4 telephone inter- Brown, 47, from the Mileston Co-op near view from his offi ce at the Federation Tchula, about an hour north of Jackson. of Southern Cooperatives (FSC). He “I think there should be a moratorium on was describing the impact of Hurricane all farm foreclosures,” said Burkett, “not Katrina and its aftermath on small just in the disaster areas, but for the farm- farmers in southern Mississippi. ers all over the country, and we need to “We’ve lost the crops we had, and we demand more federal assistance directed Militant to agricultural producers.” Lisa Potash, SWP candidate for Atlanta city council president, speaks with workers can’t do planting for the fall, which we housed at Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson after Hurricane Katrina. usually would have been doing right around now,” said Burkett, who has been farming for 32 years and grows Workers warehoused at Houston Astrodome speak out vegetables on his farm near this small southeastern Mississippi city. Burkett BY JOSÉ ARAVENA AND the backed-up sewage system and the separated from her child. “I still don’t is also Mississippi state coordinator for ANTHONY DUTROW constant, overwhelming stench of hu- know were she is,” she said. the FSC, which assists Black farmers HOUSTON—Texas governor Rich- man feces. “That was the most humili- Jerome Barra, a restaurant worker, in the Southeast in the fi ght to keep ard Perry hung out the ‘No Vacancy’ ating experience of my life.” described how he left his apartment their land and market their crops. sign September 4, claiming the state Candy, 25, who worked at a Wal- and made it on his own to the Super- “The vast majority of our members had reached its capacity in housing Mart store in New Orleans, expressed dome. “We were there for four days don’t have insurance, even for their some 240,000 working people from her anger at the mayor and other offi - before we were evacuated. It was ter- houses. We are going to try to contact the New Orleans area who fled or cials in charge. “They could have put rible,” he told the Militant. “There was FEMA [Federal Emergency Manage- were evacuated here in the wake of us on the barges and the big cruise a lack of medical attention, and people ment Agency] tomorrow to help our Hurricane Katrina. ships on the river before the hurri- didn’t get properly fed. There were no members apply for federal assistance,” These reporters were able to talk cane and fl oods hit and gotten us out lights and no water. The bathrooms Burkett said. “I was told by one FEMA with workers and their families, gath- of there,” she said. were getting backed up. And there representative that the application is ered at corners or under the small Many of those Militant reporters were dead bodies everywhere.” ‘on the web.’ But many of the farmers shade trees that surround the Houston talked to were eager to expose the Barra gave a picture of the coopera- here still don’t have electricity, and Reliant Stadium, Reliant Center, and treatment they received at the hands of tion among people rarely mentioned others don’t have computers.” Astrodome complex. police and other government personnel. in press reports. “We were all helping Burkett said he spoke with one chick- Most had been penned up in the New “I don’t have any idea what I’m going each other out,” he said, “bringing the en farmer from nearby Mt. Olive who Orleans Superdome for days before be- to do now,” Dorothy Milton, a 35-year- elderly people to the front, holding was spending $100 a day on diesel fuel ing bussed into the Houston stadium old single mother, said. She arrived here people, getting them medical attention for generators to cool three buildings, complex. All were wearing neon pink September 1 with her brother, sister, and —we were doing all that.” On the other each housing 12,000 chickens. The bracelets that allow them to re-enter four children. She described wading hand he described National Guard price of fuel has jumped from $1.95 a the center. through neck-deep water until they members with M16 rifl es, fi ngers on gallon in August, to over $3 a gallon, Tony Riley, her husband Raymond, got to the dome in New Orleans where, the trigger. “They did not have to be he said. The farmer has a contract with and daughter Candy, spoke about their “We were treated like animals, I felt like over us like we were enemies when we a Tyson chicken processing plant, and fi ve days in the Superdome. “The sol- Rodney King after that.” Milton added, were only looking for help.” is fi ghting to keep his chickens cool diers searched me and took my son’s “Now it’s like we’re homeless.” While most who have been bussed enough so they won’t die. schizophrenia medicine,” Tony said, Margaret Gordon, who worked at a into Houston are from the largely Black There is an acute fuel shortage in “and I never got it back. They fi nally retirement home in New Orleans, ex- working-class neighborhoods of New Mississippi right now. Many gas sta- got to us with food and water but they plained she was picked up in the projects Orleans, many Latino workers were tions are closed, others are operating would just go to an area of the dome where she lived with her daughter. “The also trapped there. A fi rst wave of 500 for reduced hours. Many farmers are open up a box of MREs (Army-issued police treated us so bad,” she said, “they arrived, including Honduran workers spending hours each day trying to fi nd food packets) and throw it down in threatened to leave us there under the who had fl ed to New Orleans when Hur- diesel fuel to power generators. The front of us like we were dogs.” overpass, they were pushing us around.” ricane Mitch devastated their country situation will grow worse as farmers Raymond said he could not get over Like so many other parents, Gordon is in 1998. prepare to bring in their harvests. Of the 14 poultry processing plants in Mississippi, ten have been shut since the hurricane, throwing 25, 50, AND 75 YEARS AGO thousands out of work. At the James Street apartments in Hattiesburg, Militant reporters spoke September 4 with workers from the nearby Marshall Durbin chicken plant, which has been October 1, 1930 closed since the storm. Many are from September 26, 1980 September 26, 1955 President Hoover has given his reply Mexico, and had to survive the storm A week after Félix García Rodríguez, SEPT. 22—The Peron dictatorship in to the needs of the unemployed workers with little or no information about what a member of the Cuban delegation to Argentina ended on Sept. 19. His over- in his speech, at the bankers’ conven- to do or where to seek help. None of the the United Nations, was assassinated throw has been widely advertised as a tion in Cleveland. With a characteris- advisories or public service announce- on a busy New York City street, police “revolution” by the U.S. press. In reality, tic genius for insight, he disclosed the ments are in Spanish. “I don’t know have made no arrests. power was transferred behind a screen fact that what was wrong with many when we will go back to work because A caller told United Press Inter- of mere military maneuvering. people was…the reduction of their the bosses have told us nothing,” said national several minutes after the Two weeks ago, when the new incomes. And how had their incomes Katalina Hernandez, who has worked shooting: “Omega 7 commandos are coup was impending, the leaders of been reduced. The answer of the Great in the plant for three years. responsible for the execution of a Cu- the unions asked that the workers be Engineer is: “The income of a large part In addition to the farmers impacted ban delegate to the UN…. We intend armed and organized as a militia. Why of our people is not reduced by the de- directly by the hurricane, the flow to continue to eliminate all these trai- didn’t Peron heed this request? pression but it is affected by unneces- of agricultural shipments from the tors from the face of the earth and we The answer contains no deep mys- sary fears and pessimism . . .” Midwest that normally travel down are going to continue on executing all tery. Peron dominated the labor move- Misery is spreading among the work- the Mississippi River and out of Gulf these people who are responsible for ment but was himself the representative ers and farmers of the country like a ports has been disrupted. Half of all conditions in Cuba.” of the capitalist class. He maneuvered prairie fi re. An intensive wage cutting U.S. grain exports are shipped through On Friday afternoon, the day after with the labor movement using it as a campaign is being conducted through this route. Corn, soybeans, sugar cane, the murder of García, 500 people battering ram against imperialism in the land, actively instigated by business and cotton are among the commodities demonstrated outside the United States order to promote the wealth of native men and bankers, passively accepted by shipped through the Gulf. Mission to the UN. capitalism. the capitalistic labor leaders. The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue 5 UMWA, Co-Op miners press for dismissal of harassment suit

BY PAUL MAILHOT already indicated it has found merit to SALT LAKE CITY – Attorneys for the UMWA’s claim that the discharges the United Mine Workers of America were in violation of the National Labor (UMWA), 17 individual workers involved Relations Act.” in a union-organizing drive at the Co-Op The union brief pointed out that the coal mine, and the Utah State AFL-CIO labor board is now trying to reach a submitted court papers September 1 ask- settlement between the company and ing federal judge Dee Benson to “put an the union, based on its fi ndings that end to the vexatious litigation” fi led by the fi ring of some 30 miners one week C.W. Mining Company. before the union election for failing to The coal bosses went to court in Sep- provide additional work documents tember 2004, charging the UMWA, Co- was illegal. Op miners, and their supporters in the Court and attorneys fees labor movement, as well as newspapers that have written about the miners’ fi ght Because of the retaliatory nature for a union, with charges ranging from of the C.W. Mining lawsuit, each of unfair labor practices to defamation and the defendants is asking the judge to grant them attorneys fees and cover conspiracy. Militant/Mark Downs At a June hearing on motions to Co-Op miners picket in June 2005 at mine in Huntington, Utah, where they have been their court costs. The UMWA says dismiss the case fi led on behalf of the in a two-year fi ght for union representation by the United Mine Workers of America. the company filed this broad and Militant and Salt Lake City’s two main sweeping lawsuit with few facts or le- daily papers, the Salt Lake Tribune and UMWA fi ling. damaging and/or defamatory. It is clearly gal precedents to back up their claim. the Deseret Morning News, the judge “Especially with regard to the defama- opinion, not defamatory, protected under In particular, “Filing and serving the ordered lawyers for C.W. Mining and its tion claims, the Second Amended Com- federal law….” lawsuit on fi fteen or so of the most company-allied International Associa- plaint remains vague and rambling, and outspoken leaders among the C.W. tion of United Workers Union (IAUWU) still fails to articulate how the alleged Challenge to immigration charges Mining’s low-wage workforce—not to rewrite their complaint. He described defamatory statements were false and A new charge was added in the second to mention members of a bargaining the lawsuit as “amorphous” and said the how they injured Plaintiffs.” amended complaint accusing individual unit Plaintiff IAUWU is supposed to defendants needed to know who was be- The union lawyers point out there are Co-Op miners of fraud for allegedly se- be representing—represents nothing ing sued, for what, and by whom. numerous legal precedents that protect curing work at the mine without proper more than hard-ball tactics intended to In the briefs they presented, attor- “freewheeling use of the written and work papers. The UMWA’s attorneys chill their free speech, not to mention neys for the UMWA and the miners spoken word” and “uninhibited, robust replied that the company has no standing their rights under federal labor law.” explained that the charges of unfair and wide open debate” in labor disputes. to charge the workers with immigration At the same time, attorneys for the labor practices are an attempt to cir- “Under the well-established free-speech violations, since those laws are monitored UMWA, individual Co-Op miners, cumvent proceedings of the National principles protecting language used and enforced by the federal government, and the Utah State AFL-CIO were fi l- Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The during labor disputes, Plaintiffs simply not private citizens or businesses. ing their objections to the C.W. Mining fi rings of UMWA supporters at the cannot demonstrate that the statements In addition, the union noted, the lawsuit, company lawyers were asking Co-Op mine and the resolution of a at issue were defamatory.” company is supposed to demonstrate the court for an extension of 30 more union representation election held in C.W. Mining attorneys “allege defa- they have been damaged as a result days to answer the recently fi led briefs December 2004 are now before the mation by almost anyone for any com- of the workers gaining employment by the newspapers. C.W. Mining has NLRB. “It is well-settled, black letter ments that they made during the labor at the mine, but have utterly failed to already had 15 days to answer the law that Plaintiffs cannot pursue their dispute that [the coal company] viewed do so. “Even as alleged, C.W. Mining newspapers. unfair labor practice claim because the as contrary to their interests. This shot- clearly received the benefit of these A second hearing on the lawsuit has National Labor Relations Act preempts gun approach does not suffi ciently al- workers’ labor before discharging them not been set yet. That will now depend it,” the UMWA noted in its brief. lege a viable defamation claim,” says the for inadequate documentation,” says the on how the judge rules on the coal brief fi led on behalf of the miners. UMWA brief. “Moreover, the NLRB has company’s request for more time. Defamation claims still vague A further example of the company’s The two Salt Lake dailies and the failure to present a case proving defama- Militant have already fi led new motions tion in its rewritten lawsuit is provided in to dismiss the charges of defamation papers fi led on behalf of Ed Mayne, presi- UK airport workers fi ght to defend union against them in the C.W. Mining law- dent of the Utah AFL - CIO. C.W. Mining suit. The UMWA, Co-Op miners, and quotes from a Dec. 28, 2004, article in AFL-CIO briefs “incorporate and adopt the Militant that it claims is defamatory, herein the arguments… by the Salt Lake “Ed Mayne faxed a letter to [Co-Op mine Tribune and Deseret Morning News,” manager] Charles Reynolds, saying, ‘It and “further rely on the arguments ad- has been brought to my attention that just vanced by the Militant in its motion to days before a scheduled union election, dismiss” in putting forward their cases you have terminated and are threatening for dismissal of this charge. mass fi rings of Co-Op miners. These “At this court’s June 14 hearing on actions by C.W. Mining are a direct vio- the three newspaper Defendants’ mo- lation of the July 1, 2004 National Labor tions to dismiss, [C.W. Mining and the Relations Board settlement.’” The AFL- IAUWU] were permitted to amend CIO attorney pointed out that the com- their complaint a second time to cure pany “adds nothing to illuminate what numerous deficiencies …,” says the part of the statement is false, malicious,

TWO NEW ISSUES OF ‘NEW INTERNATIONAL’

Militant/Jonathan Silberman From ‘New International’ no. 12 LONDON—Sacked members of the Transport and General Workers Union “The sea change in working-class politics (TGWU) maintain their picket line and protest against airline catering com- has been punctuated by scattered pockets of pany Gate Gourmet at Heathrow airport. The company fi red 800 workers workers trying to organize unions effective August 10 when some walked off the job to hold a union meeting. British enough to defend themselves. These rank-and- Airways workers responded with a one-day sympathy strike. Since then, the fi le militants are seeking to use union power.” TGWU and the company reached an agreement offering the fi red workers —Jack Barnes voluntary redundancy (layoff) and compensation pay. Meanwhile, union-busting Gate Gourmet boss David Siegel continues his threat to dismiss “hard-line militants.” New International no. 12 (in Spanish: Nueva Internacional no. 6; The TGWU is booking coaches for the catering workers to attend the annual In French: Nouvelle Internationale no. 7)—$16 Trades Union Congress conference in Brighton September 12. Union stewards New International no. 13 (in Spanish: Nueva Internacional no. 7; recently traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, to receive a solidarity donation. In French: Nouvelle Internationale no. 8)—$14 —BY CELIA PUGH WWW.PATHFINDERPRESS.COM 6 The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue Cuba offers 1,500 doctors to aid victims of hurricane in U.S.

BY RÓGER CALERO that a total of 1,586 doctors carrying Cuba’s revolutionary government 36 tons of supplies was now ready to has offered to dispatch more than 1,500 be mobilized at a moment’s notice to doctors, nurses, and other medical per- the hurricane-devastated areas. sonnel to New Orleans and the broader “We have done all the necessary esti- region to provide urgently needed fi rst mates. Within one hour and 50 minutes, aid and health care to thousands of one of our planes could be landing at working people who have been left the international airport closest to the stranded in the hurricane-impacted site of the tragedy,” said the Cuban Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images areas (see front page for statement by president on the September 2 nation- Members of Cuban medical brigade, ready for duty with backpacks, hear speech by President Cuban government). ally broadcast Roundtable television Fidel Castro in Havana September 4 on Cuban offer of aid to U.S. hurricane victims. The medical brigade is prepared to program. be sent immediately along with 36 tons A day earlier, U.S. State Department clinics in Indonesia and Sri Lanka af- This has made it possible to carry out of medical supplies. The group is made spokesperson Sean McCormack omit- ter a deadly tsunami rolled across the large-scale evacuations before hurri- up largely of seasoned doctors with ted Cuba from the list of governments Indian Ocean region in December 2004, canes, minimizing the loss of lives. previous experience volunteering to that have offered aid. While the Cuban taking hundreds of thousands of lives. In September 2004, in preparation provide medical services in countries offer has been reported in the Latin In 1998 after Hurricane Mitch struck for Hurricane Ivan, some 1.9 million throughout Latin America, Africa, and American media, it has received almost Central America, Cuba sent 121 doctors people were evacuated to safety. Three Asia, often in remote areas under harsh no coverage in the U.S. press. to Honduras and a similar number to out of four were housed with families. conditions. The volunteers also have a “We will wait patiently [for the Nicaragua, and Guatemala. The rest were accommodated in 2,500 working knowledge of English. White House’s response] for as long That year the Cuban government shelters; all had access to doctors, The Cuban government fi rst issued as it takes,” said Castro at a Septem- took the initiative to create the Latin nurses, food, and medical supplies. its offer August 30, the day after hur- ber 4 gathering in Havana of the 1,586 American School of Medicine to train In addition, some 1,700 kitchens for ricane Katrina hit the coast of Loui- members of the medical brigade, who thousands of youth from Central feeding both refugees and volunteers siana. It offered a brigade of 1,100 reported for duty with their backpacks America and the rest of the continent were set up across the country, with doctors carrying 26.4 tons of medical and white coats. to improve longer-term medical care more than 6,000 culinary workers supplies. While awaiting the White House’s in those countries. Today there are mobilized in Havana alone. On September 4, with no public response, members of the medical bri- over 12,000 youths from 83 countries No one in Cuba died as a result acknowledgement of the offer by the gade have spent the time brushing up studying medicine there. The school of Hurricane Ivan. In the rest of the U.S. government, Cuban president on their English and taking part in in- recently graduated its first class of Caribbean, 70 people perished in the Fidel Castro reiterated it. He reported tensive workshops on epidemiology. 1,610 students. storm, and at least 50 more storm- Cuba also stands out for its record related deaths were reported in the Long record of internationalist aid in responding to natural disasters. Be- United States. Cuba’s offer The response by the government and cause of the level of organization and The previous month, Hurricane working people of Cuba to the social political consciousness among working Charley struck Havana and then cut Continued from front page disaster in New Orleans is not unique. people and youth, as well as the priority through Florida. Four people died two or more, depending on the circum- It is consistent with revolutionary the government gives to the needs of the in Cuba, while 25 lost their lives in stances, for as long as necessary. Cuba’s longstanding record of inter- majority, Cuba has been able to prepare Florida. Likewise, Cuba is ready to send via nationalist solidarity. in advance of hurricanes with results After each of these storms, hundreds Houston, or any other airport that is Tens of thousands of Cuban doctors unequalled by any other country. of thousands of people have been mo- specifi ed, 500 additional specialists and nurses are currently volunteering An effective system of popular mo- bilized to clean up and rebuild homes in Comprehensive General Medicine, in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. bilization and education to prepare the with national government fi nancing. with the same equipment, who could Nearly 26,000 Cuban health-care pro- population for hurricanes involves the Government aid has been prioritized be at their destination point by noon or fessionals are serving in 66 countries, neighborhood-based Committees for for the neediest, minimizing any dis- by the afternoon of tomorrow, Satur- Castro reported. the Defense of the Revolution, trade parity in access to resources according day, September 3. Medical teams from Cuba operated unions and other mass organizations. to who has money. A third group of 500 specialists in Comprehensive General Medicine could be arriving on the morning of Sunday, September 4. Thus, some ‘We had to organize to get what we needed’ 1,100 such doctors, with the resources Continued from page 4 worked as a cleaner for a decontami- The anger of these workers was described, which amount to 26.4 tons each other. nation company. Timothy Harris, 28, heightened by the fact that Keesler of medicine and diagnostic equipment, Referring to a quick visit to the area worked for a moving company. And Air Force base sits just across the would be lending their services to the by President George Bush, Lance Fitzroy Chambers, 32, worked at the street and has had electricity, air con- neediest people in the wake of the dam- Ronsonette, a fi refi ghter who lives in Casino Magic. They and their family ditioning, and plenty of food and water. age caused by hurricane Katrina. Biloxi, Mississippi, said, “I wanted to members are among the more than 300 “They have more than enough empty This medical personnel has the nec- ask him, what did you bring us? food? people staying at Biloxi Junior High rooms for us,” said Harris. “I know essary international experience and water? Bush said he came to fi nd out our School, now a make-shift shelter. They because I just helped to move things elementary knowledge of the English condition! The whole world knows our sleep in the hallways on whatever they out of them.” language that would allow them to condition! We need help!” Bush spoke have salvaged. There are no cots or mat- In the town of Pass Christian, Mis- treat the patients. briefl y in a lot next to what was left of tresses. Classroom doors were locked. sissippi, Michelle and Anthony Dan- We stand ready awaiting the re- Ronsonette’s home that is used by the “No preparations were made for us,” iels along with 75 of their neighbors sponse of the U.S. authorities. Salvation Army as a food distribution said Blackstone angrily. He swam for established a makeshift shelter at Burt station. hours in water fi lled with debris and Jenkins High School by breaking into In the coastal town of Bayou La Ba- To Speak the Truth dead bodies. Chambers told how he, his the school gym. tre, Alabama, Regina Barbour stood wife, and son took refuge in their attic Michelle Daniels was angered by Why in front of what had been her home for for 14 hours before the water receded. “I the indifference of the local cops. “Ice Washington’s 53 years. It was completely destroyed called 911 asking for help to rescue us and water were under lock and key at ‘Cold War’ by the storm surge waters. “I called but they said they couldn’t do anything,” the police station,” she said. “The cops Against Cuba FEMA [Federal Emergency Manage- he said. sat outside in their air-conditioned cars Doesn’t End ment Agency] and they said they would “After three days in this shelter, we just and had hot meals brought to them. We By Fidel Castro send me some forms in the mail!” she received our fi rst supplies of ice and wa- got nothing.” and Che Guevara said. ter,” said Harris. There is no electricity, “The people in that shelter were pull- he added. The toilets are overrun with ing together. We had to organize to get $17 Devastation in Biloxi excrement because there is no running what we needed,” she said. The Militant spoke with several work- water to fl ush them. No doctors have ers while in Biloxi, a city wiped out by visited the shelter even though there are John Benson from Birmingham, Ala- Order online at: the hurricane. Arnold Blackstone, 44, several diabetics there. bama, contributed to this article. WWW.PATHFINDERPRESS.COM

The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue 7 The working class and the materialist view of history Below is an excerpt from The Ori- 4. This precludes the existence of gins of Materialism: The evolution of any God, gods, spirits, souls or other a scientifi c view of the world, one of immaterial entities which are alleged Pathfi nder’s Books of the Month for to direct or infl uence the operations of September. This book deals with the nature, society and the inner man. fi rst steps in the development of the These are the elementary principles materialist conception of the world. of the materialist outlook. By these Author George Novack traces the his- signs shall you know a materialist or tory of materialism from its origin 2,500 conversely, a non- materialist, whether years ago in the bustling cities of an- or not that person knows what kind of cient Greece, and explains why materi- thinker he really is. alism remains today a bulwark against What the materialist principles obscurantism and reaction of all kinds. signify can be further clarified by Copyright © 1965 by Pathfi nder Press. contrasting them with a quite different Reprinted by permission. way of interpreting the world: the ide- alist philosophy. One of the dialectical modes of explanation is to show how a thing is related to its own opposite. For BOOKS OF Minnesota Historical Society example, to understand what a female Demonstration of unemployed called by Teamsters Local 574 Federal Workers Section in 1935. The march was tear-gassed by cops. A scientifi c, materialist view of society is also involves knowing what makes a THE MONTH explains origin of class society and irreconcilable interests of workers and bosses. male and how he functions in the cycle of reproduction. If we want to fi nd out BY GEORGE NOVACK been one Philosophy, the contemporary erything comes from matter and its what a capitalist is, we have to know the makeup and development of the Every philosophy has dealt with two differences of which constitute the nec- movements and is based upon matter. wage-worker as well. Only then can questions: what does reality consist of essary aspects of the one principal.” To This thought is expressed in the phrase: we comprehend the essential nature and how does it originate? And, after be sure, in distinction from other forms “Mother Nature.” This signifi es in ma- of the capitalist system which is based the earliest Greeks, every philosopher of intellectual activity the function of terialist terms that nature is the ultimate upon the relations between these two has had to answer the further question: philosophizing has maintained certain source of everything in the universe interdependent yet antagonistic social how is reality known? The answers giv- common features which give it continu- from the galactic systems to the most classes. en to these fundamental questions have ity from the Greeks to the present day. intimate feelings and boldest thoughts determined the nature of the philosophy But this process of generalizing thought of homo sapiens. The philosophical opposite of mate- and the position of the philosopher. has been at bottom a unity of divergent, 2. The second aspect of materialism rialism is idealism. These two modes Almost from the beginning of phi- and ultimately opposing, ways of ratio- covers the relations between matter of thought reciprocally defi ne and limit losophy there have been two principal nally explaining the universe. The ma- and mind. According to materialism, each other in the province of philoso- viewpoints on these problems: the mate- terialist method stands at one pole; the matter produces mind and mind never phy. rialist and the idealist. In his pioneering idealist at the other. exists apart from matter. Mind is the It should be noted that the basic prop - History of Philosophy Hegel declared What are the essential principles of highest product of material development ositions of these two types of thought that “throughout all time there has only materialism which mark it off from all and animal organization and the most are absolutely opposed to each other. other tendencies in philosophy? What complex form of human activity. One must be right and the other wrong. are its distinctive features which enable 3. This means that nature exists inde- Both cannot be correct. Whoever main- “T us to recognize a materialist thinker and pendently of mind but that no mind can tains consistently the position of the one is inescapably led to conclusions exactly BOOKS to classify a person as reasoning along exist apart from matter. The material September materialist lines? Let us list them in a world existed long before mankind or contrary to the other. OF THE MONTH very summary manner. any thinking being came into existence. Materialism and idealism are the 1. The basic proposition of material- As Feuerbach said: “The true relation two main tendencies, lines, camps in PATHFINDER ism refers to the nature of reality, re- of thought to Being is this; Being is the fi eld of philosophy, just as the capi- READERS CLUB 25% gardless of the existence of mankind. subject, thought is predicate. Thought talist and working classes are the two SPE CIALS DISCOUNT It states that matter is the primordial springs from Being, but Being does not principal and decisive social forces in contemporary society. Origins of substance, the essence, of reality. Ev- spring from thought.” Materialism by George Novack The rise of a scientifi c world outlook in ancient IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP Greece, and the role of Where to fi nd dis trib u tors of the Mili- 07104. Tel: (973) 481-0077. E-mail: FRANCE agriculture, manufac- tant, New International, and a full display [email protected] turing, and trade that of Pathfi nder books. NEW YORK: Manhattan: 306 W. 37th Paris: P.O. 175, 23 rue Lecourbe. Postal prepared its way. $22.00 code: 75015. Tel: (01) 40-10-28-37. Special price: $16.50 UNITED STATES St., 10th Floor. Zip: 10018. Tel: (212) 629- 6649.E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Puerto Rico: Independence Is ALABAMA: Birmingham: 3029A Bessemer Rd. Zip: 35208. 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8 The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue Socialist Workers Campaign Statement Northwest strike Continued from front page promptu rally against Northwest near the end of the procession. Gulf social disaster: bosses’ parties Nearly 4,400 mechanics, cleaners, and custodians at Northwest Airlines went on strike August 19 at air- at fault, workers need own party ports across the United States. The union rejected the company’s demands for deep cuts in jobs and wages. Unions of fl ight attendants, ground workers, and Continued from front page The resistance by working people and our unions pilots are all currently involved in negotiations over very survival. today to employer assaults—from miners in the West- wages and benefi ts with the company. The Air Line While the rich and the middle-class professionals, ern coal fi elds to striking Northwest airlines workers Pilots Association has agreed to pay cuts under threat including many direly needed doctors, got out of New and Boeing employees, from packinghouse workers that the airline would fi le for bankruptcy. Now, citing Orleans, along with anyone else able to leave on their in the Midwest to garment workers from Seattle to higher fuel costs, Northwest Airlines is saying it may own, tens of thousands of workers and their families Miami—point the road forward: to rely on our col- increase the $1.1 billion annually in concessions it is were left behind, the large majority of them Black. No lective power and solidarity. demanding from workers at the airline. effort was made by government at any level to press In Cuba, a country with far fewer economic re- “We support [the strikers] no matter what,” said into service every plane, bus, train, and automobile at sources than the United States and where workers Doug Green, president of UAW Local 174, at the hand to get those least able to evacuate out of harm’s and farmers conquered political power nearly half a Labor Day event “United we stand, divided we fall.” way. As a result thousands of working people were century ago, hurricanes hit ferociously and touch a The UAW local provides its parking lot as a staging killed by the indifference of those whose wealth is much bigger percentage of the country every time area for organizing the AMFA picket lines. AMFA based on exploiting our labor. they land. With a mobilized and politically conscious Local 5 vice president Dennis Sutton explained his Many other workers in New Orleans (and across the working class, however, the revolutionary govern- local has received fi nancial and other support from Gulf Coast) were left to fend for themselves without ment in Cuba has organized to confront these deadly several unions and many individual working people medical attention, food, or water. Cops and govern- forces of nature with minimal loss of life. Unlike in this area. ment troops were deployed in working-class neigh- in the United States, the fi rst priority of the Cuban Jackie Deal, a fl ight attendant at Northwest Airlines borhoods with orders to stop people from obtaining government is to protect the life and health of the and a member of Professional Flight Attendants Asso- needed supplies to stem mounting starvation, dehy- population. ciation (PFAA), is walking the picket line with AMFA dration, and spreading disease. Tens of thousands, What’s more, Cuba has dispatched thousands of workers at Detroit’s International Airport. Deal has suddenly homeless and having lost their personal doctors, construction workers, and other volun- been reporting to work, but is also supporting the possessions, were herded—still with nothing to eat, teers when storms, earthquakes, or other natural strikers. “If Northwest succeeds, all bosses across the still with nothing to drink, and still with no medical disasters have struck countries in the Americas country will try to eliminate good paying union jobs,” care—into unequipped and soon squalid facilities and elsewhere. The offer by Cuba’s revolutionary she said. such as the Superdome and convention center. government to send more than 1,500 doctors, nurses, In Minnesota, Militant reporters were on hand The rapid explosion of this social calamity brought and other medical personnel to New Orleans and the September 1 for a protest of more than 200 mechan- to the fore once again the factionalism already mark- broader region is an example of the internationalist ics and supporters of AMFA Local 33 picketing three ing U.S. bourgeois politics, as capitalism enters the aid that can be extended when society is organized Minneapolis area hotels housing replacement workers. opening stages of accelerated worldwide economic on the basis of human solidarity. “We disrupted the shift change at Northwest Airlines, and fi nancial crises, social breakdowns, and spread- The most effective response by working people and that was our intention,” said Ted Ludwig president ing wars. As the deaths and devastation came into in the United States to the disaster across the Gulf of Local 33 to the local media. sharper relief for the world to see, the demagogy Coast is to take the next steps along the road to Ludwig received cheers from protestors when he of Democratic and Republican politicians became building the kind of independent political move- said this protest and a previous picket line of 100 in increasingly shrill. They ratcheted up what they ment that can free us of dependence on the bosses’ front of these same hotels organized jointly by AMFA themselves dub the “blame game,” with demands that government and parties, and from handouts by their and Local 3800 of the American Federation of State, “heads roll” and sanctimonious calls for “impartial” charities. County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME) investigations. In doing so, what the employing class No institution on earth can repel the force of a were not one-time protests. “We will continue to do presents as politics appears more and more baldly hurricane. But with our own political party based this, to disrupt the traffi c of scabs to the Minneapolis as an expression of the dog-eat-dog values, “look on a fi ghting union movement, the working class airport,” he said. out for number one” individualism, and pressures and our allies can wage victorious battles against At a September 3 solidarity meeting for Northwest undermining human solidarity central to the very the ruling families whose imperialist world order strikers in Minneapolis, Ludwig reported that offi cers ways capitalism works—from the job market and is responsible for the wars, economic breakdowns, and strike coordinators of Local 33 were being served factory fl oor, to every aspect of social life. and social calamities that increasingly endanger with subpoenas by Northwest for supposed monetary Confronting the horrors of recent days, working humanity. damages related to the protests. Karen Schultz, a people have done what they can to cope with these That is what the 34 Socialist Workers Party can- staff person for PFAA in Minneapolis, talked about emergency conditions and take care of each other. didates are campaigning for in 14 local and state company intimidation tactics against the fl ight atten- As the bosses’ parties and their government have elections in 2005. Join us in campaigning for this dants to undercut solidarity with the mechanics and shown themselves unwilling and incapable of meet- internationalist, working-class perspective, one we undercut the possibility of another labor action against ing even the most elementary necessities to survive, fi ght for 365 days a year. the airline. Schultz described the ongoing training of however, the need for the working class to have our thousands of scabs to fi ll fl ight attendant positions in own independent organizations—organizations that the event of a strike. can speak and act in the interests of the vast major- Fifty Northwest strikers participated in the Harriet ity—has been driven home. MILITANT Island Labor Day celebration in St. Paul, Minnesota, That begins with organizing, using, and extending leafl eting and holding signs asking for support. the trade unions, the elementary defense institutions LABOR of the working class. Working people need our own Marshall Lambie is a member of the Young Socialists political party, based on a fi ghting union movement. FORUMS and a student at Wayne State University in Detroit. We need a labor party that organizes, acts, and speaks IOWA on behalf of workers and the oppressed, indepen- Des Moines O dently of the twin parties of the employing class. A Resisting U.S. Rulers’ Global Assault on Workers and Farm- ers. Speaker: Edwin Fruit, Socialist Workers candidate for City party that represents the interests of an international Council, At-Large. Sat., Sept. 17. Dinner, 6:30 p.m.; program 7: BY LEA SHERMAN class that has no borders. 30 p.m. 3707 Douglas Ave. (515) 255-1707. SAN FRANCISCO–Some 250 supporters of the Along this road, the working class and unions right FLORIDA striking Northwest mechanics rallied at the San Fran- now need to demand that Washington and state and Miami cisco airport on Labor Day, September 5. The majority local governments deliver massive aid for food, shel- Socialist Workers Campaign Rally. Speakers: Omari Musa, of the crowd were airport workers, particularly United ter, clothing, and medicine to stricken areas along Socialist Workers candidate for Mayor of Miami, and Eric Simp- Airlines mechanics and their families who are in the the Gulf Coast and everywhere workers and their son, Socialist Workers candidate for Miami City Commissioner District 5. Fri., Sept. 16. Reception, 6:30 p.m.; program, 7:30 p.m. same AMFA local as the striking workers at Northwest families have been evacuated. 8365 NE 2nd Ave. Rm. 206. Tel: (305) 756-4436. airlines here. We need to campaign for a massive, federally Trent Willis, president of International Longshore funded public works program at union-scale wages and Warehouse Union Local 10, and JoAnne Kazemi, to rebuild homes, schools, hospitals, and other facili- NEW ZEALAND Auckland union representative for the Professional Flight Atten- ties and infrastructure destroyed by the hurricane The Social Catastrophe Following Hurricane Katrina. Fri., dants Association at Northwest addressed the crowd and fl oods. Sept. 16, 7 p.m. Donation $3. 7 Mason Ave., Otahuhu. Tel: (09) offering their support. We need to press for prosecution of cops and 276-8885. Janice Sisco, a ticket agent at Northwest Airlines government troops responsible for killings and for and chairperson of the International Association of actions violating the rights of working people. SWEDEN Machinists Local 1781 Grievance Committee also We need to call for a moratorium on farm foreclo- Stockholm spoke. The IAM is not on strike at this point. “This is sures and massive government aid to farmers whose Celebrate the publication of the fi rst edition of “The Changing not about IAM or AMFA,” Sisco said. “It is about the Face of U.S. Politics” in Swedish and the Opening of a new hall crops, buildings, equipment, and livelihoods have in Stockholm Sat., Sept. 24. Reception 4:00 p.m.; program, 5:00 union movement. Now is not a time to be divided, it been ruined. p.m. Pathfi nder Böcker, Bildhuggarvägen 17, Station Globen. is a time for solidarity.” The Militant September 19, 2005 Special Issue 9