You've been studying for years, working on your technical, scientific or mathematical degree. The time of studying is coming to an end and you realize that you must begin seeking employment. A glance at the Help Wanted ads reveals an assortment of opportunities. Many of the most interesting, it would appear, include the requirement of "citizenship" or the successful acquisition of a security clearance. You imagine yourself as an intelligence agent. You imagine yourself as a software engineer working on cutting edge research for a defense contractor. Would it hurt to at least try? Perhaps you will get that security clearance. These positions often pay well.

The truth is, working for the Department of Defense or an intelligence agency could be the worst mistake you will ever make. On a moral basis, there is no wiggle-room. If you choose to work for the military or an intelligence agency, you have made a mistake, for you have offered yourself up to assist in murder in exchange for pay. There is no lower calling for a human being. However, let us suppose that you are not a moral person to begin with and this, at least at the moment, does not matter to you. Does taking a job which requires a security clearance have practical negative effects on your life that will persist beyond your tenure with shady government agencies and their corporate enablers?

The price of Chinese corruption: what is the next in China's politics, finance, society, stability and international relations?

by World Peace, Modernity, Management, and Wealth Institute

Has China's ongoing reform altered the nation's political-economic landscape as far as government corruption is concerned? What is the next if this corruption goes deeper?

A compelling new report says that runaway corruption in China poses a lethal threat to the nation's economic development and "undermines the legitimacy of the ruling Chinese Communist Party."

Evidence from official audits, press articles and law enforcement data, the report says, indicates that "corruption in China is both pervasive and costly."

Bribery, kickbacks, theft and fraud, particularly by government officials, are said to be rampant.

Pei Minxin (裴敏欣) wrote the report issued last month by the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace, based in Washington. Pei is a political scientist educated at the Shanghai International Studies University. He earned his PhD at Harvard and his work has been widely published in the US.

The report asserts that corruption in China "has spillover effects beyond its borders" that hurt US, Japanese and other foreign investors.

"Illicit behavior by local officials could expose Western firms to potentially vast environmental, human rights and financial liabilities," the report says.

Public statements by Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) and other senior Chinese officials suggest that China's leaders are well aware of the widespread problem but have been unwilling to curb it.

Atlanta, Georgia February 1, 2008

On February 19, 2008 Atlanta WAND will be presenting its 6th Annual Real State of the Union with Jay Bookman and Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. Jay Bookman will be giving his talk on the “real” state of the union and Dr. Lowery will be responding to Jay’s talk. This year Jay's talk will be around the theme: Chickens Coming Home to Roost.  

Each year the talk and response have been more interesting, enlightening, and timely.  With the state that our country is in as we move into the final stages of the current administration, we anticipate this year’s event will be even more interesting, enlightening, and timely.  

The event is brought to you by Atlanta WAND and hosted this year by Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley and Providence Missionary Baptist Church.  

When: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 7 pm

In the Philippines, one of the poorest countries in Asia, 40 percent of the people live in poverty. Conditions there have sparked a large radical movement, heavily repressed by the government.

The "war on terror" has provided an excuse for new onslaughts on the Left. The Communist Party of the Philippines reports that 50 socialists, striking workers, journalists, peasant and church leaders and others have been assassinated, terrorized or abducted just since November 2004. The CPP is working to focus attention on these crimes.

Yet, at the same time, the CPP is itself sabotaging the movement through sectarian violence, as it conducts a campaign of assassination against its political competition. Philippine activists who call for an end to this suicidal policy need international support.

The Maoist CPP started as a split from the Soviet-affiliated Philippine Communist Party in 1968.

Led by José-Maria Sison, now living in exile in the Netherlands, it holds the classic Stalinist position of "two-stage" revolution for Third World countries. First, the national capitalist class must lead a bourgeois democratic revolution (like those in the U.S. and France in the 1700s); only at some indefinite time afterward can a struggle for socialism begin.

The CPP emphasizes rural guerrilla warfare and downplays the political role of workers, even though they are 55 percent of the population. It attracted massive support during the Marcos dictatorship, but declined after the establishment of bourgeois democracy in 1986. Its reliance on capitalist politicians led it to support the candidacies of presidents Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, albeit critically.

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From the Workers Collective Atlanta


MOVIE NIGHT! We will be watching SICKO this week. All are welcome to come. Please invite co-workers and friends for potluck, movie,and discussion. Familys welcome. See attached flyer. Also, every Saturday is unity soccer (See information below). The unexperienced, like myself, is encouraged to come! Get out and run around and meet new friends and old! Spread the word!

When: 6:00 p.m. January 19th ,2008

Where: TC's and Mike's house: 4122 Fairburn Ave., Atlanta, GA 30331

Directions: Take 75 S to 166 W, exit 243 towards East Point. Turn left onto Butner Rd. SW. Turn slight right onto Fairburn Ave. SW.


Who: All WORKERS are invited! Family is welcome.

What: Potluck @ 6 pm, movie @ 7:00 pm…

Discussion after the film

Bring a dish or drink!


By: Workers Collective Atlanta (tentative)


Contact: If lost or have questions call Mike at 781-913- 0290

powerful guide book: China’s Global Reach

Borderless Business, National Competition, Politics, and Globalization (book excerpts)
George Zhibin Gu

Afterword
China, United States and Global Development

Andre Gunder Frank

Chapter 13. CHINESE MULTINATIONALS (book excerpts)

In this era, the key Chinese strategy is to bring foreign investors over to China. In this regard, China has been doing very well. Consequently, the nation has quickly become a global center. This basic strategy will not change any time soon.

At the same time, especially recently, a small group of Chinese companies have increasingly tried to reach the overseas markets in various ways. However, it has not happened in any big way so far. In truth, setting up an extensive international franchise for China Inc. remains at the very beginning.

In this chapter and the next one, we will examine various business dealings of China’s international work. Still, the most interesting ones take place at home market still.

Some Sizable Chinese Companies