World Socialist Web Site

22 June 2009

Unemployment crisis grips US states

By Tom Eley, 22 June 2009

Unemployment rose in 48 of 50 states in May, reaching record-high levels in eight states. The statistics foretell social misery for tens of millions, while the ruling elite, led by the Obama administration, has seized on the crisis as a long-awaited chance to restructure class relations to its advantage for decades to come.

The Nation’s man in Tehran: Who is Robert Dreyfuss?

By Bill Van Auken, 22 June 2009

The line of the Nation magazine on the events in Iran is indistinguishable from that of the American political establishment. The background of its principal correspondent on the Iranian events, Robert Dreyfuss, deserves careful examination.

US Supreme Court promotes wrongful imprisonment and age discrimination
Decisions on prisoner DNA testing and older workers’ right to sue

By John Andrews, 22 June 2009

Last Thursday, the US Supreme Court issued two highly reactionary rulings, holding in one case that convicted prisoners have no constitutional right to test DNA evidence that could establish their innocence, and in another making it more difficult for workers to press claims of age discrimination.

Sri Lankan president dissolves human rights investigations

By Sarath Kumara, 22 June 2009

In another demonstration of the government’s contempt for legal and democratic rights, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has dissolved the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that he appointed two years ago to investigate human rights violations.

The GM bankruptcy and the middle-class “left” organizations

By Jerry White, 22 June 2009

In the wake of the bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler, a number of ostensibly “left” organizations oriented to the United Auto Workers and the Democratic Party are working to block any struggle by auto workers against the Obama administration and its UAW allies.

Two summits in Russia: A cautious challenge to the US

By John Chan, 22 June 2009

Two summits in Yekaterinburg last week involving the emerging powers—Russia, China, Brazil and India—signal a shift in economic and strategic alignments under the impact of the global financial crisis.

New York City workers forced to pay for crisis

By Jeff Riley and A. Wood, 22 June 2009

For the vast majority of New York City’s more than eight million people, those who depend upon their paychecks to make a living, the financial crisis unleashed by the speculative and often criminal activities of those being bailed out on Wall Street has meant attacks on jobs, wages and benefits.

Video: New York City workers speak against cuts in healthcare and social services

22 June 2009

New York City workers speak against cuts in healthcare and social services

British Airways workers urged to work for nothing

By Chris Marsden, 22 June 2009

The appeal by British Airways to its 40,000 employees to volunteer for up to a month’s unpaid leave or even unpaid work marks a new stage in the efforts by big business to impose the burden of the worsening economic crisis onto the working class.

Australia: Car dealer “scandal” engulfs parliament

By Patrick O’Connor, 22 June 2009

In the absence of substantive policy differences between Labor and Liberal—and any serious debate on the deepening economic and social crisis—the leaders of the Australian government and opposition are engaging in a series of corruption and dishonesty allegations.

New in French

De sévères conflits se manifestent au cours de la réunion des ministres des Finances du G8

Par Peter Schwarz, 22 juin 2009

La réunion des ministres des Finances des principaux pays industriels (G8) qui s’est tenue les 12 et 13 juin derniers a été caractérisée par de sévères conflits en matière de politique économique, notamment des divergences prononcées et croissantes entre l’Allemagne et les Etats-Unis.

La crise nucléaire en Corée du Nord franchit une nouvelle étape

Par John Chan, 22 juin 2009

Une résolution adoptée le vendredi 12 juin par le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU, imposant des sanctions alourdies à l’encontre de la Corée du Nord pour son essai nucléaire du 25 mai et les menaces ultérieures lancées par Pyongyang d’intensifier son programme d’enrichissement de l’uranium, montre que la crise qui se prolonge sur la péninsule coréenne est entrée dans une phase nouvelle et plus dangereuse.