Saturday, May 04, 2019

***On May Day-Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By-"The Internationale"- A Working Class Song For All Seasons

YouTube film clip of a performance of the Internationale.


In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist. Sadly though, hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground and have rather more often than not been fellow-travelers. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
********************
The Internationale [variant words in square brackets]

Arise ye workers [starvelings] from your slumbers
Arise ye prisoners of want
For reason in revolt now thunders
And at last ends the age of cant.
Away with all your superstitions
Servile masses arise, arise
We'll change henceforth [forthwith] the old tradition [conditions]
And spurn the dust to win the prize.

So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the human race.
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the human race.

No more deluded by reaction
On tyrants only we'll make war
The soldiers too will take strike action
They'll break ranks and fight no more
And if those cannibals keep trying
To sacrifice us to their pride
They soon shall hear the bullets flying
We'll shoot the generals on our own side.

No saviour from on high delivers
No faith have we in prince or peer
Our own right hand the chains must shiver
Chains of hatred, greed and fear
E'er the thieves will out with their booty [give up their booty]
And give to all a happier lot.
Each [those] at the forge must do their duty
And we'll strike while the iron is hot.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L'Internationale

Debout les damnés de la terre
Debout les forçats de la faim
La raison tonne en son cratère
C'est l'éruption de la fin
Du passe faisons table rase
Foules, esclaves, debout, debout
Le monde va changer de base
Nous ne sommes rien, soyons tout

C'est la lutte finale
Groupons-nous, et demain (bis)
L'Internationale
Sera le genre humain

Il n'est pas de sauveurs suprêmes
Ni Dieu, ni César, ni tribun
Producteurs, sauvons-nous nous-mêmes
Décrétons le salut commun
Pour que le voleur rende gorge
Pour tirer l'esprit du cachot
Soufflons nous-mêmes notre forge
Battons le fer quand il est chaud

L'état comprime et la loi triche
L'impôt saigne le malheureux
Nul devoir ne s'impose au riche
Le droit du pauvre est un mot creux
C'est assez, languir en tutelle
L'égalité veut d'autres lois
Pas de droits sans devoirs dit-elle
Egaux, pas de devoirs sans droits

Hideux dans leur apothéose
Les rois de la mine et du rail
Ont-ils jamais fait autre chose
Que dévaliser le travail
Dans les coffres-forts de la bande
Ce qu'il a crée s'est fondu
En décrétant qu'on le lui rende
Le peuple ne veut que son dû.

Les rois nous saoulaient de fumées
Paix entre nous, guerre aux tyrans
Appliquons la grève aux armées
Crosse en l'air, et rompons les rangs
S'ils s'obstinent, ces cannibales
A faire de nous des héros
Ils sauront bientôt que nos balles
Sont pour nos propres généraux

Ouvriers, paysans, nous sommes
Le grand parti des travailleurs
La terre n'appartient qu'aux hommes
L'oisif ira loger ailleurs
Combien, de nos chairs se repaissent
Mais si les corbeaux, les vautours
Un de ces matins disparaissent
Le soleil brillera toujours.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Die Internationale

Wacht auf, Verdammte dieser Erde,
die stets man noch zum Hungern zwingt!
Das Recht wie Glut im Kraterherde
nun mit Macht zum Durchbruch dringt.
Reinen Tisch macht mit dem Bedranger!
Heer der Sklaven, wache auf!
Ein nichts zu sein, tragt es nicht langer
Alles zu werden, stromt zuhauf!

Volker, hort die Signale!
Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
Die Internationale
Erkampft das Menschenrecht

Es rettet uns kein hoh'res Wesen
kein Gott, kein Kaiser, noch Tribun
Uns aus dem Elend zu erlosen
konnen wir nur selber tun!
Leeres Wort: des armen Rechte,
Leeres Wort: des Reichen Pflicht!
Unmundigt nennt man uns Knechte,
duldet die Schmach langer nicht!

In Stadt und Land, ihr Arbeitsleute,
wir sind die starkste Partei'n
Die Mussigganger schiebt beiseite!
Diese Welt muss unser sein;
Unser Blut sei nicht mehr der Raben
und der machtigen Geier Frass!
Erst wenn wir sie vertrieben haben
dann scheint die Sonn' ohn' Unterlass!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(The English version most commonly sung in South Africa. )
The Internationale

Arise ye prisoners of starvation
Arise ye toilers of the earth
For reason thunders new creation
`Tis a better world in birth.

Never more traditions' chains shall bind us
Arise ye toilers no more in thrall
The earth shall rise on new foundations
We are naught but we shall be all.

Then comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale
Unites the human race.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Zulu) i-Internationale

n'zigqila zezwe lonke
Vukan'ejokwen'lobugqili
Sizokwakh'umhlaba kabusha
Siqed'indlala nobumpofu.

lamasik'okusibopha
Asilwise yonk'incindezelo
Manj'umhlab'unesakhiw'esisha
Asisodwa Kulomkhankaso

Maqaban'wozan'sihlanganeni
Sibhekene nempi yamanqamu
I-Internationale
Ibumb'uluntu lonke
*****
British Translation Billy Bragg's Revision[16] American version

First stanza

Arise, ye workers from your slumber,
Arise, ye prisoners of want.
For reason in revolt now thunders,
and at last ends the age of cant!
Away with all your superstitions,
Servile masses, arise, arise!
We'll change henceforth the old tradition,
And spurn the dust to win the prize!

So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.

Stand up, all victims of oppression,
For the tyrants fear your might!
Don't cling so hard to your possessions,
For you have nothing if you have no rights!
Let racist ignorance be ended,
For respect makes the empires fall!
Freedom is merely privilege extended,
Unless enjoyed by one and all.

So come brothers and sisters,
For the struggle carries on.
The Internationale,
Unites the world in song.
So comrades, come rally,
For this is the time and place!
The international ideal,
Unites the human race.

Andy Berman podcast; Chelsea denied release; Draft hearing; Venezuelan embassy protection Courage to Resist Jeff Paterson

Courage to Resist Jeff Paterson<jeff.paterson@couragetoresist.org>
Courage to Resist
D O N A T E
support the resistance

Podcast: "It was a bit crazy." Andy Berman on enlisting to stop the war

andy berman
“We were holding demonstrations, and sometimes the demonstrations became very militant. Yet, the war kept on going.... It struck me that what we need to do is organize from within. Yes, my reason for joining the military was to bring the anti-war message inside the military. I didn’t have any specific plans other than to do that.” We're proud to present this week's Courage to Resist podcast produced in collaboration with the Vietnam Full Disclosure effort of Veterans For Peace. Listen to Andy Berman's story now.

Chelsea Manning denied release from jail

chelsea manning
Yesterday, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to keep Chelsea Manning jailed for contempt of court. Chelsea has been jailed since March 8th for refusing to collaborate with the grand jury investigating Julian Assange of WikiLeaks. “While disappointing, we can still raise issues as the government continues to abuse the grand jury process. I don’t have anything to contribute to this, or any other grand jury. While I miss home, they can continue to hold me in jail, with all the harmful consequences that brings. I will not give up. Thank you all so very much for your love and solidarity through letters and contributions,” shared Chelsea. She faces another 16.5 months in jail. Donate to Chelsea's legal defense here. Write her a letter at: Chelsea Elizabeth Manning, A0181426, William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, 2001 Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Military draft registration hearing

edward hasbrouckCourage to Resist supporter Edward Hasbrouck is an invited panelist this Thursday at National Commission on Military, National, and Service hearings in Washington DC. Edward has been asked to address the question of whether the requirement to register for a military draft should be expanded to young women as well as young men. Read Edward's prepared remarks here. "This will be the most important public forum on registration and the draft in the USA in at least 30 years," notes Edward. Sign our petition to end draft registration, once and for ALL!

Activists defend Venezuelan DC embassy

embassy protection"Embassy Protection Collective" will refuse to turn over embassy to US puppet government, expect to be arrested. The next two days are crucial, as the US has set an April 25 deadline for the legitimate government of Venezuela to vacate it's embassy--in flagrant violation of countless international laws and norms. More info via popularresistance.org. If you can join them, fill out this info form.
D O N A T E
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COURAGE TO RESIST ~ SUPPORT THE TROOPS WHO REFUSE TO FIGHT!
484 Lake Park Ave #41, Oakland, California 94610 ~ 510-488-3559
www.couragetoresist.org ~ facebook.com/couragetoresist

4/27 War and Deception presentation by James Perloff (Sat)

Allan Rubin<a_rubin@comcast.net>
To  act-ma@act-ma.org   Copy  Allan Rubin  
*WAR AND DECEPTION*
*A PowerPoint presentation by author James Perloff*
*
*
From the sinking of the Maine, to the Tonkin Gulf Incident, to Saddam
Hussein’s missing“Weapons of Mass Destruction,” (to name only a few
examples) James Perloff will walk the audience through history and ask:
Have Americans been repeatedly deceived into war? Are our tax dollars
and soldiers’ lives sacrificed needlessly? And if so, what is the true
agenda? Are all wars really fought for “freedom and democracy”?

*WHEN:* Saturday, April 27th at 2PM

*WHERE:* Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472

James Perloff, a Massachusetts native, was a contributing editor for The
New American magazine, for whom he wrote for nearly three decades. He is
the author of several books, including The Shadows of Power and Truth Is
a Lonely Warrior. He wrote the script for Free Mind Films’ documentary
ShadowRing, narrated by Hollywood’s Kevin Sorbo, and has been a featured
guest on hundreds of different radio and TV shows and podcasts.

This event is being hosted by Boston 9/11 Truth and is free to the
public. It will also be Livestreamed and archived at
www.noliesradio.org/DeepTruth.
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Some chants for May Day

John<bmdc@lists.riseup.net>
Hi Folks,

Below and attached are some chants for tomorrow. Some are old and some are new.  

Adelante,
John

Power to the People!
No One is Illegal!

Donald Trump you racist clown,
Build a wall, we'll tear it down!

Healthcare is a right
Let’s stand up and fight!

We say yes to education
We say no to deportation!

Say it loud, say it clear
Refugees are welcome here!

Trump, Escucha!
Estamos en la lucha!

Aquí estamos,
y No nos vamos
y Si nos echan,
Nos regresamos!
No Somos Uno
No Somos Cien
Somos Millones
Cuéntanos Bien!

Border walls are lethal
Refugees are people!

1, 2, 3, 4 - We don’t want your dirty wars
5, 6, 7, 8 - We will not cooperate!

The people united,
will never be defeated!

El pueblo unido,
jamas sera vencido!

What do we want? Licenses!
When do we want em? Now!

The rich want more
Give ‘em Class War!

From Palestine to Mexico,
border walls have got to go!

Luchando, Creando
Poder Popular!

Racist, Sexist, Anti-Gay,
Donald Trump go away!
Hey, hey, ho, ho
Deportations have to go!

No borders, No nations
No Deportations!

We say Yes to Education,
No to Walls and Deportation!

"I was part of a war that I came to see as unjust, immoral, illegal" - David Cortright podcast Courage to Resist Jeff Paterson

Courage to Resist Jeff Paterson<jeff.paterson@couragetoresist.org>
Courage to Resist
David Cortright
"I was part of a war that I came to see as unjust, immoral, illegal" - David Cortright podcast
“I’m in basic training, and I’m beginning to have questions about what the commanders are telling us. The kind of propaganda they’re giving us about Vietnam was not making sense. I went to my first duty assignment at Fort Hamilton. More and more, other soldiers in the barracks are starting to question this war. In particular, I remember they were telling us at Fort Hamilton, “Don’t go over to the coffee shop during duty hours, because the guys are coming back from ‘Nam, and we don’t want to have mixing of the new guys with the returning vets.” Listen to David Cortright's story now.
D O N A T E
to support the production of these podcasts
Former Selective Service director says it's time to end draft registration
On April 25, 2019, Courage to Resist supporter Edward Hasbrouck provided testimony before the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service (NCMNPS) at their Washington DC hearing on potential policies to “encourage or require military, national, and public service from all Americans.” Watch Edward’s testimony on C-Span here (beginning at 19:25 min.).Edward Hasbrouck
The day before Edward's comments, the former director of the Selective Service, Dr. Bernard Rostker, told the Federal hearing that the program he helped create and once ran is no longer working, that the database of registrants has become so hopelessly incomplete and inaccurate that it couldn’t be used for a military draft that could be enforced or would stand up to due process and fairness challenges, and that it can and should be shut down entirely rather than trying to expand it to women. Read more.
This year marks 50 years of GI resistance, in and out of uniform, for many of the courageous individuals featured in our currently weekly podcasts highlighting Vietnam-era veterans. We've raised about $2,000 of the $7,500 needed to produce this year-long series of dozens of interviews. We can't let this history be lost!
COURAGE TO RESIST ~ SUPPORT THE TROOPS WHO REFUSE TO FIGHT!
484 Lake Park Ave #41, Oakland, California 94610 ~ 510-488-3559
www.couragetoresist.org ~ facebook.com/couragetoresist

WARS ABROAD, WARS AT HOME ENDING THE PENTAGON'S LONG CON

WARS ABROAD, WARS AT HOME

ENDING THE PENTAGON'S LONG CON
People condemn President Trump for his incessant lying and his con games -- and rightly so. But few Americans condemn the Pentagon and the rest of the national security state, even though we’ve been the victims of their long con for decades now. As it happens, from the beginning of the Cold War to late last night, they’ve remained remarkably skilled at exaggerating the threats the U.S. faces and, believe me, that represents the longest con of all. It’s kept the military-industrial complex humming along, thanks to countless trillions of taxpayer dollars, while attempts to focus a spotlight on that scam have been largely discredited or ignored…  In other words, when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars, the Washington establishment of both parties has essentially been assimilated into the Pentagon collective. The national security state, that (unacknowledged) fourth branch of government, has in many ways become the most powerful of all, siphoning off more than 60% of federal discretionary spending, while failing to pass a single audit of how it uses such colossal sums.   More

6-Minute Video: Tulsi Gabbard with Afghan-American

JESSE JACKSON: Voter Suppression, Not Russia, is the Gravest Threat to Elections in the US
After the Supreme Court’s right-wing gang of five gutted key sections of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby v. Holder, Republican-controlled states immediately ramped up efforts to create obstacles for voting, particularly for people of color. They mandated specific forms of state ID, made it harder for students to vote, eliminated same-day registration, reduced early voting days, closed polling booths in African American neighborhoods leading to long delays, purged voters from the rolls, perfected partisan gerrymandering and more. In some cases, as in North Carolina, their discriminatory intent was so public that the laws were overturned in federal court, but in most places, the new barriers were in place in 2016…  It is even more telling that the Justice Department is absent without leave in the fight against voter suppression at home. The right to vote — the most basic right of a democracy — is still contested in too many states — and must be fought, state by state, by citizens of conscience.    More

WE ARE (STILL) THE 99 PERCENT
Occupy Wall Street was seen as a failure when it ended in 2011. But it’s helped transform the American left…   Occupy was the birthplace of some left-wing ideas that have gained mainstream traction: Its “99 percent” mantra, which decried the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few at the expense of the many, has endured. It animated the rise of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and the resurgence of the Democratic Socialists of America, and it is in ways responsible for the some of the most prominent ideas in the Democratic Party right now: free college, a $15 minimum wage, and combating climate change. It was also a training ground for some of the most effective organizers on the left today…  Eric Foner, a Pulitzer-winning historian and retired Columbia University professor, put the movement in historical context: “Occupy Wall Street did what radical groups throughout American history have tried to do, some of them have succeeded, some of them haven’t, which is to change the discourse,” he said.   More

Profitable Giants Like Amazon Pay $0 in Corporate Taxes. Some Voters Are Sick of It.
It’s a topic that several presidential candidates, led by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have hammered recently as they travel the campaign trail, spurred by a report that 60 Fortune 500 companies paid no federal taxes on $79 billion in corporate income last year. Amazon… has become the poster child for corporate tax avoidance; last year it had an effective tax rate of below zero — receiving a rebate — on income of $10.8 billion. For decades, profitable companies have been able to avoid corporate taxes. But the list of those paying zero roughly doubled last year as a result of provisions in President Trump’s 2017 tax bill that expanded corporate tax breaks and reduced the tax rate on corporate income.   More

‘The Right Has a Greater Appreciation of Labor’s Role Than We Do’
Even as many Democrats appear to accept organized labor’s decline, Republicans recognize the crucial importance of unions and are determined to gut them further…  Trump’s unexpected victory in 2016 did not lay the groundwork for Republican political dominance. But the March 2011 signing of ACT 10, a dramatic reform of public sector labor laws, by Wisconsin’s Scott Walker certainly did…  The relentless Republican assault on unions in the industrial belt states during the first half of this decade was an unquestionable success, politically speaking. It resulted in decreased Democratic turnout, a crucial drop in the bankrolling of Democratic candidates and, more subtly but no less significantly, a debilitating sense of powerlessness among union members…  The problem in building support for a resurgent labor movement is that many liberals and Democrats do not appear to recognize the crucial role that unions continue to play not only in diminishing the effects of inequality, but in voter mobilization and campaign finance. Unfortunately for labor, and for the future of the Democratic Party.   More