Why socialists must argue for arms for Ukraine and how to make that argument
The left and climate catastrophe: a mere “alibi” for the rulers?
by Yorgos Mitralias As Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis invokes – for the umpteenth time – the climate crisis as an alibi to mask his responsibility for the successive natural disasters that have […]
The philosophical musings of Enzo the dog
“I cannot speak, so I listen very well. I never interrupt, I never deflect the course of the conversation with a comment of my own. People, if you pay attention to them, […]
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine: Did NATO make him do it?
by Ilya Matveev Sections of the Western left have developed a narrative according to which Russia has been gradually surrounded by NATO and that supposedly “provoked” Putin. It’s increasingly difficult to sustain […]
“Workers have to unite across the oceans” – interview with South African socialist Trevor Ngwane
Here is an interview with South African socialist, scholar and working class fighter Trevor Ngwane. Among other things, Trevor discusses: his own history of struggle, the role of the ANC and […]
50th anniversary of a coup
Today marks the 50th anniversary of “another” 9-11. That is, the anniversary of the coup in Chile that overthrew the socialist president Salvador Allende. That coup was led by General Augusto Pinochet, […]
The Trump trials: A gathering storm?
Like a “weather disturbance” gathering strength as it moves across the Atlantic, the criminal charges surrounding Trump are gathering force and seem likely to end up in a full scale crisis. If […]
The U.S. “left” and arms to Ukraine
By John Reimann, administrator of Oaklandsocialist. This article originally appeared on the web site of the British group Ukraine Solidarity Campaign. Oaklandsocialist thanks them for publishing it. Ukraine may be on the […]
Against the “Red Baiting” Calumny
by Bill Weinberg Note: Here is another transcript from Bill Weinberg’s “Countervortex” podcast. These podcasts are part of Bill’s livelihood. Even if you prefer to only read material online, we urge you […]
Israeli anti-apartheid activist: Israeli IDF icon crumbling while middle ground dissolving
Oaklandsocialist interviewed Ofer Neiman again. (See first interview here.) Ofer is an Israeli socialist and Palestinian rights, anti apartheid activist. In this interview we discuss: The present situation in Israel The […]
Celebrating the news
Today, for your viewing pleasure, oaklandsocialist brings you the latest developments in the case of the Trump indictments;
Republican debate: a ghastly monster parade
I watched a little more than half the Republican monster parade, I mean debate, last night. (I couldn’t take much more than that.) Here are a couple of impressions: First was the […]
The Trump indictments: What they are, why they matter
Introduction The method of capitalist rule in the United States is shaking. It is not shaking because of a clash between the classes. It is shaking because of a crisis at the […]
Russia weaponizes hunger, withdraws from Black Sea grain agreement
By Charles Pierson World food prices soared after Russia imposed a naval blockade on Ukraine following its February 24, 2022 invasion. The blockade has prevented grain and other foodstuffs from leaving Ukrainian […]
Who is Roy Singham? What does his web consist of?
Introduction The role of multi-millionaire capitalist Neville “Roy” Singham in financing much of the “left” has been publicized by the recent article on him in the NY Times. However, that article is […]
Flashpoint Niger
By Bill Weinberg Transcript from CounterVortex podcast of Aug. 12. In this episode, we’re going to take a look at the situation in the West African nation of Niger, where a coup […]
Donald Trump: an unprecedented crisis
Introduction Donald Trump represents something entirely new in US politics. Because what he represents is so different from what we had over the past 150 years, many people, ironically including most socialists, […]
Reflections of a socialist elder
By Pete Glosser Justifiable fear about the next election cycle has begun circling like the medieval Beasts of Battle as we confront the very real probability that 1) the republican party will […]
U.S. political perspectives: An incredible situation
Had anybody predicted just ten years ago (2013) that: Donald Trump would be elected president and then would remain largely out of the control of any sector of the US capitalist class; […]
Israel’s political crisis: Interview with Ofer Neiman in Jerusalem
Israel’s political crisis has many aspects, some of which are unique to Israel and some of which the world has in comon. Here, Oaklandsocialist interviews Ofer Neiman, long time Palestinian rights activist […]
Book review: “American Kleptocracy”
According to Casey Michel (American Kleptocracy) the US is “the largest provider of money laundering and financial secrecy services in the world…. The world of the ‘offshore [money laundering haven] has been […]
The morality of cluster munitions
by Anthony Boynton Why are cluster munitions immoral? Because a bunch of governments have signed a treaty banning their use? Because civilians, especially children have been killed and wounded by cluster munitions? […]
Biden sends cluster bombs to Ukraine: A socialist analysis
What are the facts regarding Biden’s decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine and what is the reason for many countries having signed a treaty saying they won’t use cluster bombs? A […]
USA Number One…. in money laundering
Today’s Wall St. Journal carries an article that once more raises the issue of money laundering, but unintentionally. An LLC called Flannery Associates has purchased $1 billion worth of land around a […]
Military defeats push Putin to move closer to nuclear terrorism – sign petition
The Putin regime is preparing to engage in nuclear terrorism. In my view, here is the military background: Over the winter and early spring, the Putin regime put its seizure of Bakhmut […]
Opposing the Putin apologists: a personal journey
I came of age during the US war against Vietnam. I marched in protests against that war and helped organize some anti-war events. At the same time, I was highly influenced by […]
Putin mines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Evidence he plans to set them off.
On June 21, Ukraine’s head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, warned that Russia had mined the cooling pools of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Equally ominously, on June 30 the Guardian […]
Macron and Putin fight the same battle… against environmentalists!
By Yorgos Mitralias The coincidence is terribly eloquent: On the same day, Wednesday June 21, 2023, almost at the same time, Macron and Putin declared war on all those who take the […]
U.S. Supreme Court did not outlaw affirmative action!
Contrary to what is being reported, the Republican controlled US Supreme Court has not prohibited affirmative action. It has only prohibited affirmative action that does not benefit white people. For example, the […]
A US/NATO plot to break up Russia? Wall St. Journal disproves the claim.
WSWS (and probably others on the Putinized “left”) argues that Prigozhin’s revolt was part of a US plot to break up Russia. Completely aside from the fact that there is not a […]
Thoughts, questions and suspicions about Prigozhin’s revolt
Even more than thoughts, there are questions and suspicions about Prigozhin’s rebellion. Putin has maintained his stranglehold on power in Russia through keeping potential rivals off balance and fighting each other. At […]
Workers should pay attention to Biden’s diplomatic maneuvers
Workers in the U.S, Ukraine and around the world should consider the significance of Biden’s latest diplomatic maneuvers. This week, he welcomed Indian president Narendra Modi to the White House with this […]
The true political significance of the Titan’s implosion
After days of breathless and nonstop reporting, the news is that Oceangate’s “Titan” apparently imploded as it descended. There is a political significance to this beyond the fact that millions have been […]
2024 elections: Chaos ahead?
The vacuum in US politics is reflected inside both of the two main parties. In the Democrats it is reflected in the extreme weakness of Biden. A February poll showed that only […]
“Before the war I was a boy, now I am a man”: Interview with Ukrainian soldier
With the Ukrainian counteroffensive now starting, we should get a human face behind who the Ukrainian soldiers are. Oleg is one of those faces. He was interviewed by a Ukrainian-speaking American friend […]
Berlusconi is dead but the nightmare of his legacy remains!
by Yorgos Mitralias (Introduction by Oaklandsocialist: Readers of this article will note Berlusconi’s similarities with Donald Trump. In fact, just one day after his death, the NY Times published an obituary for Berlusconi […]
Trump indictment: Why have WSJ editors returned to the Trump fold?
Why is the Wall St. Journal editorial board defendingTrump? After all, the indictment makes clear that Trump is a “clear and present danger” to the security of U.S. capital, to which the […]
Ukraine attacked by Russian missiles and Ukrainian real estate developers: Interview with Denys Pilash
This is the third and last segment of our interview with Denys Pilash. In a way, it’s the most important, because we get to an idea for a joint campaign. That is […]
“We need a working class movement to change the world”- Denys Pilash interview Part II
Video of second part of three part interview with Denys Pilash. Transcript is below video. Part One of the interview is here. Part three will follow. John Reimann Here’s the second […]
Trump indictment: “Expect the Unexpected”
If it wasn’t enough that a crooked, reality TV star could emerge from the pack and take down the anointed Republican presidential nominee (Jeb Bush) in 2016… If it wasn’t enough that […]
Video interview with Denys Pilash of Ukraine’s Social Movement
Video of interview with Denys Pilash of Ukraine’s Social Movement. Transcript of interview is below. John Reimann Oakland socialists had the opportunity to talk with Denys Pilash of Ukraine’s Sotsialny Rukh or […]
Statement of Independent unions of Ukraine on destruction of Nova Kavkhovka dam
Ukrainian trade unions statement on Kakhovka HPP explosion and an environmental disaster in Ukraine (See original link here) The Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine with other the Ukrainian affiliates of […]
Medea Benjamin joins forces with Naftali Bennett, Narendra Modi, Yoweri Museveni et al
Medea Benjamin and Nicholas Davies are at it again. They have jointly published an article in Commondreams calling for “negotiations” over Ukraine, by which they mean over the heads of the […]
“Fight a war armed with sticks and stones?” Another reply to Putin apologists
I recently was sent a copy of an email about the war in Ukraine. It was from some South African trade unionists. In it they repeat all the same old falsehoods […]
Union passes Ukraine support resolution
The California Faculty Association at Sonoma State university has passed this resolution in support of Ukraine’s right to arm and defend itself. The resolution was developed by the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign. […]
CNN platforms serial liar – socialists must not do the same.
There is a lesson we can learn from CNN’s “town hall” meeting with Trump On May 10th. The lesson involves how we deal with proven serial liars, of which Trump and the […]
Election update: Democratic nominees
The most recent polls must be very worrying to the Democrats. They show that 58% of “Democratic leaning” voters (an absolutely key demographic) want somebody other than Biden as the Democratic […]
France: What happens when Macron has already been defeated but the great popular movement has not yet won?
Introduction by Oaklandsocialist: I recently talked with a worker in Arkansas. We were talking about all sorts of things – retirement, pension plans, unions… He had heard nothing about these enormous […]
video: Memorial for Jordan Neely
Is Russia fascist?
Ilya Budraitskis is a Russian socialist and a refugee from that country. He talked with the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign recently on the issue of whether Russia is fascist. He raised many […]
Oakland A’s give up on Howard Terminal ripoff
The Oakland A’s have officially given up on getting ahold of acres of public land of the Port of Oakland and are moving to Las Vegas. I am proud that I was […]
May Day 2023 and beyond: an assessment
Today, on International Workers Day, and in the days that follow, we should assess the state of affairs within our class. We do ourselves and our class no favors by dressing this […]
Biden announces reelection campaign: What do Republicans have up their sleeve?
Biden may be on his way towards winning a clear majority in 2024, but the fascist-connected Republicans are not resigned to their “fate”. What legal covers could they use to overturn an […]
Oh, Happy Day
Russian refugees speak at meeting at Berkeley: Was/Is Trump in Putin’s pocket?
I attended this interesting meeting/presentation by Russian refugees Ilya Budraitskis and Ilya Matveev. Important issues were raised, but on one issue there is a serious question. But first a summary: The […]
The “Traditionalist” world view behind right wing populism: Interview with Ben Teitelbaum
Introduction Throughout the world, from Russia, to India, to Brazil to the United States, the idea of returning to ancient traditions forms a basic part of the global extreme right and fascist […]
Jill Stein debate: Does it matter?
Socialists and other leftists in the US have always played an important role in helping build the unions and build other working class organizations. Today, socialists are more or less […]
Trump arraigned: Is MAGA fading?
On the same day that Trump was formally arrested in New York City, a liberal Democrat won the election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and another beat his conservative, croporate oriented rival […]
“Unprecedented” U.S. aid to Ukraine – myth or reality?
By Michael Pröbsting Originally published on Links.org Politicians of Western governments never tire of asserting that aid from the US and EU for Ukraine is “unprecedented”. Supporters of Russian president Vladimir […]
International working class solidarity in action: Discussion with a Ukraine railroad worker
On April 2, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign had a zoom discussion with Olexandr Skyba, a leading member of the railroad workers union in Ukraine, and a fellow railroad worker of his. […]
A Trump tale with a twist
Trump seemed positively enthusiastic about his being indicted by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. At home and alone with Melania (who in general avoided like the plague having to spend alone time with […]
France: May, 1968 – March, 2023!
France: May 1968 – March 2023! by Yorgos Mitralias At a time when those who declare, even among the French elites (!), that we are witnessing the emergence of a “new May 68” […]
“Jesus, Freedom & Trump”
The walls are closing in on the former president of the United States and millions of Americans are up in arms about it. For many of them, “up in arms” is […]
Against the “progressive” betrayal of Ukraine
Against ‘progressive’ betrayal of Ukraine by Bill Weinberg. Transcript from CounterVortex podcast of March 13. We just passed the one-year anniversary of the start of the Ukraine war, Putin’s massive invasion of Ukraine. Which was […]
France: The historic counterattack of the workers’ movement puts the political system itself in deep crisis!
By Yorgos Mitralias What is happening in France this March 2023? What is happening is that France is now well into a – very promising – social and political crisis that is […]
Aleksandr Dugin: Alchemist of “Traditionalism”, mysticism and fascism
Dugin’s philosophic roots: mysticism, “Traditionalism” and fascism vs. reality of social class. Dugin’s international fascist links. Dugin’s Foundations of Geopolitics – towards Eurasianism and Russian imperialism. Dugin’s Fourth Political Theory – No […]
Kavita Krishnan on “Why we should pay attention to Narendra Modi”
On March 12, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign had a presentation from Kavita Krishnanon “Why the world should pay attention to Narendra Modi”. This was followed by a full discussion. Below […]
Biden half steps helping reaction at home and abroad
From East Palestine to east Ukraine, Biden’s half steps are killing people while they boost the chances of the fascist connected Republicans in 2024 and help the fascist connected Putin’s invasion of […]
France : days of exacerbation of a historic class conflict !
by Yorgos Mitralias In France, the popular mobilisation of 7 March did not disappoint expectations and was indeed of historic proportions. That is why, moreover, it immediately provoked a new and even greater […]
Beware Ron DeSantis – Florida’s Viktor Orbán
Workers and political activists beware: What is happening in Florida threatens all political campaigns we are involved in. Florida governor Ron DeSantis is moving to be the US’s Viktor Orbán. Orbán, […]
Upcoming Zoom discussion: Kavita Krishnan on why we should pay attention to Narendra Modi
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign presents: Kavita Krishnan on “Why the world should pay attention to Narendra Modi” In May of 2019, after India’s Narendra Modi was overwhelmingly reelected, the Financial times commented: […]
East Palestine, Ohio, and Ukraine are closer than you think!
East Palestine, Ohio, and Kyiv, Ukraine, may be nearly 5,000 miles apart, but they are closer than you think. And in both cases, the U.S. union leadership is missing in action. […]
The trial of Alex Murdaugh: A real life soap opera drama
The real life soap opera murder trial of Alex Murdaugh has been dominating the news over the last week or so. Largely because the trial has been televised, it’s been great drama. […]
East Palestine neighbor talks about the politics in that area
A local resident and American Indian talks about the politics in the area of East Palestine John Reimann So we’re talking with somebody that lives in the next county over from, from […]
Interview with Oaklandsocialist
The author of this blog, John Reimann, was recently interviewed by Luke Pickrell. Here is that interview as he published it. Interview with socialist activist and writer John Reimann By Luke Pickrell 2/11/2023 The […]
Video: S.F. Bay Area rally marks Ukraine invasion anniversary with landmark united rally
United rally marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A real step forward towards Freedom Fighters of the World United.
American railroads’ toxic pollution of the air, water, soil and of US politics
On February 3, a 1.8 mile long train run by Norfolk Southern derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. It was known at the time that the train was carrying the highly toxic vinyl […]
Report on “Rage Against the War Machine”: A Tempest in a Teapot?
Given the numbers involved, it might seem that all the brouhaha over the “Rage Against the War Machine” protests is just a tempest in a teapot. After all, their signal event […]
France: millions of demonstrators ready to escalate the strikes and paralyse the country!
by Giorgios Mitralias In France, what happened in the previous three days of popular mobilisation against the government’s pension (anti-)reform, happened again in the fourth, on Saturday 11 February: many hundreds of […]
“The Right of Nations to Self-Determination” – a Dialectical Approach
Any thinking worker – no less any real socialist – will say, “of course the people of Ukraine have the right to defend themselves, arms in hand, against the Russian invaders.” That is […]
Boycott “Rage Against the War Machine”
From the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign Boycott “Rage Against the War Machine” UKRAINE SOCIALIST SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN, CISPOS, AND SYRIA SOLIDARITY NYC CALL FOR BOYCOTTING “RAGE AGAINST THE WAR MACHINE” RALLY ON FEBRUARY […]
The Far Right in Ukraine: an interview with Taras Bilous
With their permission, we republish here an interview with Taras Bilous originally published in New Politics. This is invaluable information, first and foremost to keep us informed of the actual situation in […]
Earthquake! “I am so full of rage”
I was talking with a friend of mine who is from Turkey today. I commented on the fact that I was seeing a building that had collapsed into a pile of rubble […]
Interview with Howie Hawkins on the Green Party, his future plans and more
Oaklandsocialist interviews Green Party candidate of president in 2020 and long time activist, Howie Hawkins. Full transcript below video. John Reiman So we’re talking here with Howie Hawkins, who’s a prominent member […]
Where is the Sacred Union? A voice from France
From the French group Aplutsoc: The United States, which had gambled on Ukraine being crushed last February and the subsequent organization of Russia’s financial and commercial isolation, must provide arms to Ukraine, […]
France: Towards a social explosion of historic proportions
By Yorgos Mitralias The international media may say hardly a word, but that does not mean that these days France is not being shaken by the biggest social eruption of the last several decades! […]
Oakland stands with Tyre Nichols
I went to the Oakland protest about the murder of Tyre Nichols last night. It was a fairly good turnout and the speeches reflected that anger, and determination to put an end […]
Which side are you on? — Bill Fletcher & Medea Benjamin debate
Bill Fletcher, Jr. (Ukraine Solidarity Network) debated Medea Benjamin (Code Pink) last Sunday (Jan. 29) on the issue of Ukraine. The debate helped clarify some points, and raised some previously less […]
The Burmese coup 2 years later: An internationalist speaks
Khin Thiri Nandar Soe, a Burmese woman living in the San Francisco Bay Area explains that the Burmese junta is waging a war against the population of that country and that it learned […]
“Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?” – comic book by Bill Weinberg & Seth Tobocman
Brilliant comic book style history of the invasion of Ukraine. Words by Bill Weinberg, artwork by Seth Tobocman and Tamara Tornado. Originally published here. Also see Bill Weinberg’s web site Countervortex. See […]
Brazil’s “January 6th”: Interview with Fabio Bosco
There are important similarities – and also differences – between January 6 2021 in the US and the recent coup attempt. Workers here in the US should draw the lessons. Here, we […]
Ukraine war: Sub-Imperialist positioning, not “anti-colonial consciousness,” behind the neutrality of reactionary elites in the Global South
Reprinted from Michael Karadjis’s blog site. He makes one point that should be obvious, that many on the “left” ignore: That a government’s support for (or opposition to) any particular issue – […]
Svitlana Romanko, Ukrainian environmental activist, talks with Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign
On January 8, Svitlana Romanko talked with the Ukrainian Socialist Solidarity Campaign. Svitlana is an environmentalist lawyer in Ukraine. Just a short while ago, she was kicked out of the Cop 27 […]
The Counter-Revolution of the Brown International in the Making
NO PASARAN! The frightening civilisational counter-revolution of the Brown International in the making by Yorgos Mitralias With interest focused – rightly so – on the war Putin is waging against Ukraine and its people, […]
Republicans step back from abyss…. for now
The Republicans stared into the abyss and stepped back…. for now. They watched Matt Gaetz apparently renege on a deal. They watched fellow Representative Mike Rogers (R, Alabama) have to be restrained […]
“Which side are you on?” in the 21st century
I wrote a new version of the old song “Which side are you on?”, as it applies to the struggles in Iran, Ukraine, Myanmar and the world socialist movement (“Oh, workers of […]
The House Speaker Crisis and the Transformation of the Republican Party
The last two times members of the House of Representatives had to resort to multiple ballots to elect a House Speaker tell us a lot about the present crisis. Both times the […]
Discussion with Ukrainian in Kiev
The Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign recently held a zoom discussion with Eugene, who lives in Kiev. Below is the recording plus a transcript. Eugene Bronstein So I hope that I will […]
Zoom presentation & discussion: Fossil Fuel Dependency and Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Fossil Fuel Dependency and Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: A Forum/Discussion “Ending our dependence on oil and gas is the best way to stop fueling thugs like Putin and the growing climate crisis,” […]
“Putin’s Last Stand” and entropy
Foreign Affairs, the journal of the Council on Foreign Relations, is probably the most serious journal of the US capitalist class. It recently published an article entitled Putin’s Last Stand. This article […]
January 6th Committee Issues final report: Does Trump bear all the blame?
The House Special Committee to investigate January 6 has issued its final report, issued in time before it disappears like a building swallowed up in a sink hole, when the Republicans take […]
Medea Benjamin, the pro-Putin “left” and the far right in America
The world crisis revolving around the war in Ukraine has a deep influence in US politics. This makes understanding that war all the more important. In January, the fascist-linked Republican Party will […]
Review of Medea Benjamin’s book on Ukraine
by Bill Weinberg. Note, this is the transcript of an audio of Bill Weinberg’s “Countervortex”. That audio can be heard on his blog here. Against pseudo-left disinformation on Ukraine From the CounterVortex […]
Jeffrey Sachs on Democracy Now
Reposted from Claysbeach.blogspot.com Friday, December 9, 2022 Jeffrey Sachs on @DemocracyNow vs. Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin On Tuesday, Jeffrey Sachs was on Democracy Now to talk about the war in Ukraine. On Wednesday, […]
Video: San Francisco rally for Iran revolution
About a thousand Iranians, Iranian-Americans and a few supporters rallied in San Francisco on Dec. 11 to show support for the Iran revolution. Here’s a short video of that event:
Moore v. Harper: A Coup by the Court?
If there is to be a coup – meaning the overthrow of the norms of capitalist democracy – in the US, it will most likely be a “constitutional coup”. This means that […]
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign forum on Iran with Frieda Afary
On Dec. 4, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign held a forum on the revolution in Iran, with socialist feminist Frieda Afary presenting. Here is a video of the entire forum plus, below […]
Video: Oakland rally in support of Iran revolution
Oaklandsocialist Talks With Railroad Worker Matt Weaver
John Reimann On the afternoon after the US Senate, under the leadership of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer passed the bill to force the railroad workers to keep on working, prohibiting […]
Railroad Workers and the Carpenters Wildcat Strike of 1973-4: Action is Power
Biden is pushing for the government to prohibit a railroad strike. The excuse is that such a strike would hurt the economy. This whole situation brings to mind the great SF Bay […]
Putin’s Doves
by Charles Pierson On November 19, the People’s Forum in New York City hosted a panel discussion: “The Real Path to Peace in Ukraine.” The speakers were a rogues’ gallery of tankie […]
Upcoming Forum/discussion on Uprising in Iran
The uprising in Iran is inspiring millions around the world. On Sunday, Dec. 4, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign will host Iranian American socialist feminist, writer and translator, Frieda Afary to […]
“Go along to get along” – a cautionary tale
I was (unofficially) expelled from a small socialist group I helped found over 15 years ago and was very active in for many years. How that happened is a cautionary tale. The […]
Yesterday as today, the policy of appeasement has only led to disaster!
by Yorgos Mitralias Introduction by Oaklandsocialist: On November 19, a variety of US “peace groups”, plus speakers like former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and former Green Party candidate for president […]
Kavita Krishnan on “peace”
by Kavita Krishnan You may have come across mention of a “Peoples Forum” in New York, calling for “No to War-Yes to Negotiations” in Ukraine. I’ve signed a petition drafted by the […]
Biden military representatives hold press conference: Read between the lines.
Something I learned from my years of activity inside the union: Pay close attention to exactly what the union leadership is saying… and also what they’re not saying. That’s because they are […]
Analysis of the 2022 US election results
The partial setback for the MAGA Republicans follows a similar event in Brazil, where the Brazil style Donald Trump – Jair Bolsonaro – was narrowly defeated. But just as in Brazil, this […]
Message to those who voted for the Oaklandsocialist for mayor
Here’s what I posted on my Facebook page for my mayorial campaign: Election results and the potential: Friends, as of now I got 521 votes in the first round, meaning that so […]
What I learned campaigning as the working class socialist candidate for Oakland mayor
I ran for mayor of Oakland as the “working class socialist candidate” in this election cycle. Along the way, I learned a lot and, I believe, set some examples for future similar […]
Fascists are not “interesting” or funny
Peter Liu is a candidate for Oakland mayor. He sends around emails about “crooked Jews” and “dirty Jews” and says an admirer of Hitler (rapper “Ye”) is a role model for him. […]
Assault aimed at Nancy Pelosi a combination of social isolation, MAGAism, and misogyny/ageism
The assault on Paul Pelosi, husband of Congressional House leader Nancy Pelosi, says a lot about the direction of US politics. The alleged attacker is a man named David DePape. (From all […]
From Trump to Bolsonaro and back again: The drive to overturn election results
As of this writing, Trump surrogate in Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has not accepted his election defeat by Lula da Silva. Immediately following his loss, he was reported as meeting for hours with […]
The Fallacies of the call for “Negotiations”: A reply to Binoy Kampmark’s article in Counterpunch
By Charles Pierson Note: The following article was submitted to Counterpunch as a reply to the article mentioned in the paragraph below. Counterpunch has refused to publish it. “Victory against Russia,” is […]
Iran Israel: Same Shit, Different Place, Phony War
By Michael Karadjis reposted from his blog. (Michael Karadjis makes a vital point: That not all capitalist rivalries can be boiled down to simple economic rivalries. That is because every capitalist regime […]
Forced labor in Dominican Republic: A state crime
By Socialist Workers’ Movement of the Dominican Republic In a press release dated July 19, 2022, the head of the Ways and Means Committee of the US Congress, Earl Blumenauer, and Dan […]
Video: Oakland mayoral candidates – including the Oaklandsocialist – debate the issue of homelessness
At last I was able to break through the nice, friendly, collegial atmosphere that the liberals try to impose on these events. It was a combination of several factors, first and foremost […]
What this candidate for Mayor told the S.F. Chronicle
A reporter from the S.F. Chronicle interviewed me this morning. It was part of their decision-making process to decide whom they will endorse. (Newsflash: Don’t be shocked if they don’t endorse this, […]
Kavita Krishnan talks with Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign
On Oct. 23, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign met with Indian Marxist, Kavita Krishnan. (See the announcement of this meeting for a short biography of Kavita.) This was a small but hugely important […]
MAGAism exposed: One of the main reasons why I’m Running for Oakland Mayor
Today’s Washington Post reports that Trump had stolen classified documents containing state secrets about Iran and China. This is a major reason why I’m running for Mayor. Every other candidate wants you […]
The Consciousness in Britain and the US: An online conversation with Aditya Sarkar
Oaklandsocialist had an online conversation with Aditya Sarkar about the situation in Britain. Aditya is a labor historian from India, working in Britain. We met through the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign, but […]
Important Indian Socialist to Speak at Zoom Meeting
This will be a very important meeting. I urge all workers to attend and to publicize widely: The Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign is extremely proud to announce that well known Indian socialist […]
Urge ILWU to stand firm for Ukraine
NOTE: If you like this letter and want to add your name as a current or former union member, contact this blog site at: oaklandsocialist@gmail.com and or send a note to: StandFirmForUkraine@gmail.com […]
Putin in trouble
Ukraine’s bombing of the Kerch Bridge and Putin’s reaction should be seen in light of a recent articlein the Washington Post. That article cites growing divisions within the Putin government, including from […]
John “Oaklandsocialist” Reimann interviewed on why he is running for mayor
I was interviewed the other day on why I am running for Oakland mayor. Unlike the candidate forums – which are largely like beauty pageants – in this one I was given […]
Video: Socialist candidate on League of Women Voters Forum
Yesterday the “nonpartisan” League of Women Voters held a “forum” for candidates for Oakland mayor. This whole campaign has been a tremendous learning experience for me and I’m starting to get a […]
Putin accuses the West of ‘Satanism’ to justify Russia’s colonial theft of 15 percent of Ukraine
by Michael Karadjis republished from his blog MKaradjis.com. Interesting that in a 37-minute speech to justify Russia’s brazen annexation of four regions of Ukraine, Putin didn’t mention “Nazis” or “de-Nazification” once, these silly tropes […]
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign Discusses with Russian Dissident Ilya Budraitskis
On Oct. 2, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign held a Zoom meeting with exiled Russian dissident Ilya Budraitskis. What follows is a video of the full meeting plus a transcript of Ilya’s […]
Can Putin Survive? What Might Follow if he is Ousted?
With the crisis of the Putin regime, a new and even more unstable period in world history may be opening up. The “Cold War” was marked by tensions and constant struggles. Then […]
My interview with the SF Chronicle
Here is a video plus the text of an interview I did with the SF Chronicle yesterday: SF Chronicle Well, John, can you tell me a little bit about yourself? John Reimann […]
Italian post-fascists in power
The old demons of the interwar period are back in Europe! By Yorgos Mitralias “Days of 1922? Not yet, but Italy is on track to “celebrate” in four years the centenary of […]
More on why I’m running for mayor as Oaklandsocialist
It is important to learn how to answer capitalist politicians, and running for office is one way of doing so. I’m learning a lot by running for mayor of Oakland, mainly through […]
Walter Mosely’s “RL’s Dream”
“And RL cracked a smile that woulda made a sweet girl’s photograph cry.” There are such beautifully descriptive sentences scattered throughout Walter Mosley’s 1995 novel “RL’s Dream”. The novel is formally about […]
Trump and Putin: What they have in common; where they differ
When viewed more closely, the crises in which Trump and Putin find themselves go a long way towards defining what they have in common and where they differ. The fact that Putin […]
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign to hold meetings on events inside Ukraine & Russia
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign will be holding two meetings/discussions on events inside Ukraine and inside Russia. We urge people to attend and participate. Sunday, September 25: What is happening inside Ukraine? The […]
Why Socialists Should Understand the Trump Crisis
We must start to draw a link between the confusions – in fact the abandonment of principle – of many socialists regarding Ukraine and their equally great confusions about the crisis swirling […]
Oaklandsocialist John Reimann crashes the party!
Mar-a-Lago Search: a MAGA Judge Takes Over
The latest in the Mar-a-Lago search drama is the ruling by the MAGAist federal judge Aileen Cannon that the Department of Justice (DOJ) must stop its investigation until a “special master” can […]
Video: Interview With Micah Reddy of South Africa’s Amabhungane
Oaklandsocialist interviewed Micah Reddy of South Africa. Much of our discussion focused on the role of a murky figure named Roy Singham. Singham is a multi-millionaire who financed a left journal in […]
Towards the Brown International of the European and global far right?
By Yorgos Mitralias Not since the end of the last world war has the threat of a reinvigorated, aggressive and almost universally rising far right been felt as much as today. Why is […]
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign Holds Meeting on Sao Paolo Forum
On August 28, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign held a very informative discussion on Latin America’s Sao Paolo Forum. The speaker was Simón Rodríguez from Venezuela. Here is a video of that meeting […]
The Mar-a-Lago Search: “The Greatest Crisis Since the Civil War” or a mere “Dispute Over Documents”?
The usually staid editorial board of the NY Times calls this newest Donald Trump scandal “the greatest crisis in American Democracy since the Civil War…. Mr. Trump’s actions as a public official, like […]
Democratic Socialists of America and the Political Crisis of Socialism
The fact that tens of millions of US workers still support Trump shows the massive confusion that exists. Part of the reason for that confusion is the absence of any significant working […]
No Tears for Dugina
No tears for Dugina Republished from AWL on 23 August, 2022 – 2:50 Author: Dale Street Darya Dugina on a day-trip to the Azovstal plant in “liberated” Mariupol Darya Dugina was killed in […]
The Assassination of Darya Dugina: Should Socialists Support Such Methods?
Darya Dugina, fascist daughter of fascist father Aleksandr Dugin, was killed by a car bomb the other day. The probable target was Dugin himself but his fascist daughter will not be missed […]
“Revolutionaries at War”: Ukrainian lefts speak about the war there
Here is an excellent documentary in which Ukrainian lefts of all sorts speak. They explain how they see the Russian invasion, the issue of corruption, the issue of the far right, and […]
Video: Kaiser Mental Health Workers on Strike and capitalism with “ethics”
Mental Health workers are on strike at Kaiser Permanente. On Aug. 19 they held a strike rally in Oakland. I was there as the working class socialist candidate for Oakland Mayor and […]
Colombia Lurches Left
by Anthony Boynton in Bogotá, Colombia Imagine that you wake up tomorrow and Bernie Sanders has been elected President of the United States, AND his supporters have won a majority in the […]
The Mar-a-Lago Search and “Political Furies”
“The Justice Department is unleashing political furies it can’t control.” So wrote the editors of the Wall St. Journal on the day after the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. They are wrong. Those […]
WSJ Editors on Mar-a-Lago FBI Search
Those militant uncompromising fighters for their class – the capitalist class – are not happy. Yes, I’m talking about the editorial board of the Wall St. Journal. They have several complaints, criticisms […]
The Call for “Diplomacy” to End the War in Ukraine: A Reply to L. Michael Hager
The supposedly left journal Counterpunch has published an article called Diplomacy not Weapons Will End the War”by L. Michael Hager. Hager, starts off by in effect appealing to the concerns of Western […]
Alex Jones and the slanderers of the Syrian and Ukrainian People
Millions are celebrating that Alex Jones will have to pay millions of dollars to those he caused mental anguish and slandered. The question is: How is Jones any different from those on […]
Guido Picelli: The man who routed the fascists!
Introduction from Oaklandsocialist: For the next three days, there will be celebrations in Italy for the centenary of the “Barricades of Parma”. These were barricades erected by the workers movement against attacks […]
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign holds meeting on “Fascist Ideas on the left”
On July 31, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign held an important meeting on the issue of “Fascist Ideas on the Left: Past, Present and What to do About It”. This was the […]
Trump learned his lesson; building a team for second term
Donald Trump is preparing to clean house if he gets a second term in office. A major obstacle standing in the way of Trump establishing a Victor Orban-like dictatorship in his first […]
January 6th hearings Day 8: “Something Old and Something New”
“Something old and something new” could be the summary of the eighth day of public hearings from the January 6 committee. The committee seems to be doing a couple of things: First […]
Police inaction in Uvalde vs. Police In Action
The media is playing off the complete failure of the police in Uvalde as being due to the failure of whoever was in charge. Yes, whoever was in charge failed and […]
Day 7 of Hearings of House January 6th Committee: The Exact Course of the Plot Becomes Clarified
Day 7 of the hearings of the House January 6 committee helped clarify what role Trump and his “team crazy” played in the build up to that day. The question is what […]
Discussion with Simon Pirani about Donbass, Crimea, Maidan and Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine
Introduction: On July 10, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign hosted a meeting at which Simon Pirani spoke on the issue of the situation in Donbass and Crimea and Russia’s intervention there in […]
Interview with an Artist-Activist with Long Covid
Note: This interview will also be able to be heard on Oaklandsocialist’s podcast. John Reimann So we’re talking with Meghan Keane, who is an artist and a political activist, including […]
What makes Putinists and Putinisants perpetuate the most abject traditions of the international left?
by Yorgos Mitralias A first conclusion of the reading of Trotsky’s texts “Learn to think” and “On the Sino-Japanese war” is that they explain in a very convincing and detailed way, the […]
Letter from South Africa: The Capture of National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa by a US Capitalist
Introduction: Oaklandsocialist received the following letter, which is being circulated by concerned members, shop stewards and staff of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA). At the time of the […]
Video: My speech at press conference on Howard Terminal A’s stadium project
A coalition of different liberal groups held a press conference to demand a ballot referendum on the real estate development/A’s stadium project. Here is my speech on the project:
January 6 Hearing Day 6: Imagining the Unimaginable
Trump’s loyalists may be flipping. On the sixth, and previously unscheduled day of the January 6 hearings, Cassidy Hutchinson, former top aide to Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows, testified. Apparently she […]
Report from Labor Notes Conference
By Art Francisco, co-Chair P.J. McGuire Caucus (Carpenters Union) Last weekend I had the privilege of being able to attend the Labor Notes conference, a national union conference that had 4000 attendees […]
Video: Oakland Protests Supreme Court Anti-Abortion Ruling
The large turnout on only a few hours notice shows the huge potential for a new movement of youth and workers. In future articles, Oaklandsocialist will examine what immediate demands can be […]
January 6 Hearings Day 5: Why it is a mistake to ignore these hearings
As this is being posted, it was just announced that the US Supreme Court has officially overturned Roe v Wade. The dictatorial role of these political hacks simply confirms everything in this […]
Day 4 of January 6 Hearings: “Lots of theories but no evidence”
“We have lots of theories. We just don’t have any evidence.” So spoke Rudy Giuliani according to Mike Shirky, Republican State Senate in Michigan. If for no other reason, the fourth day […]
Day 3 of January 6 Hearings: A violent coup or a future legal coup coming?
On the day after the third day of hearings of the January 6 House committee, the Wall St. Journal ran an editorial in which they essentially said that all decisions as far as […]
What is this strange war in Ukraine where it is forbidden to either “defeat or humiliate” Putin?
by Yorgos Mitralias The strangeness of this war of Mr. Putin in Ukraine is probably without historical precedent. Why? For a whole series of reasons, the first of which is that, for […]
What Was Revealed by Day 2 of the Hearings of the House January 6 Investigation Committee
The Republicans’ “team normal” reveal Trump’s crimes. U.S. capitalist rule based on “rule of law” and recognition of science, within limits. The “team normal and Democratic alliance to remove “the cause of […]
January 6 revisited: First day of Congressional January 6 Committee hearings
“I can just remember my breath catching in my throat because what I saw was just a war scene. It was something like I had seen out of the movies. “I couldn’t […]
Report from Kyiv
Oaklandsocialist talked with Eugene in Kyiv. He talked about the situation there and the mood in general. A lot refers back to what actually happened in the Maidan revolt of 2014, which […]
Debate about Ukraine
I went to a meeting of the East Bay DSA “Night School” last night. This was a presentation supposedly on Ukraine. As I expected, the meeting was a not-so-subtle cover for Putin […]
Video: Parents & Community occupying Parker Elementary School hold press conference
Parker Elementary School in East Oakland has been under occupation for several weeks now. Here the parents and community members doing the occupation hold a press conference to explain why. Also see […]
USSC Meeting: Syria, Ukraine, Geopolitics and the working class
On June 5, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign hosted a very successful meeting (with 40 attending) on Syria, Ukraine, Geopolitics and the working class. Michael Karadjis made an initial presentation, whose text […]
Ukraine: Is a “Negotiated Settlement” a Euphemism for Defeat of Ukraine?
“‘Russian artillery is shooting from morning until evening,’ said Volodymyr Pohorilyy, 43, intelligence commander of the Dnipro-1 battalion, which holds several key positions in the region. ‘If our side shoots one their […]
Elections in Colombia
From Anthony Boynton in Bogotá Colombia just had the first round of this year’s presidential elections, and some of the results were surprising. The fact that Gustavo Petro, the candidate of the […]
Biden’s Reluctant Half-Steps
The reluctant half measures of Biden both domestically and in regards to Ukraine What the call for “negotiations” in Ukraine really means The similarity of the position of much of the US […]
Uvalde & Murders by Police
The cowardice of the different police in the Uvalde disaster clarifies what really happens in many if not the great majority of police shootings of civilians. Take the example of the police […]
Michael Karadjis to speak
Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign will be sponsoring a meeting featuring Michael Karadjis. Michael is a lecturer at the University of Western Sidney in Australia. His blog site, Mkaradjis.com, contains some of the most […]
Video: S.F. school students walk out to defend abortion rights
The NRA, Gun Control, Violence and Alienation in America Today
With 31 people murdered at two mass shootings in less that one week’s time, US society seems spiraling into pathologically violent insanity. How did we get this way and what is the […]
The Crisis in the Left and in the Working Class: A Zoom Discussion
On May 22, the Ukraine Socialist Solidarity Campaign (USSC) held a zoom meeting on the crisis in the left and in the working class. Fifteen people in all participated. Cheryl Zuur, long […]
Report from Russia: Putin Considers Tactical Nuclear Strike at Facilities in Ukraine and Poland
The following article from a Russian Telegram Channel called “Volya”, which is roughly translated as “Free Will” says that there are serious discussions in Putin’s inner circle about the use of “tactical” […]
War in Ukraine and Some Points About World Perspectives
Oaklandsocialist publishes this article by Pete Glosser. Its perspective is not very optimistic as far as the war in Ukraine. However, while we support the defeat of the Russian invasion, we have […]
Why does Putin make all the Soviet dead of the Second World War… “Russians”?
By Yorgos Mitralias May 9 has come and gone, and as has been the constant for the past two decades, both Mr. Putin’s enemies and friends have repeated in unison that on […]
Russian and Ukrainian Oligarchs: Finding and Seizing Their REAL Assets
Russian oligarchs’s $300 million yacht seized by Fiji on behalf of U.S.” blared the headline in the Washington Post. “Germany seizes world’s largest yacht because of its ties to Russian oligarch” blared […]
Racist Murders in Buffalo: A Warning to be Taken Seriously
“This was pure evil,” said Erie County Sheriff, John Garcia about the racist murders at the Tops supermarket in Buffalo, NY. His widely quoted statement is a cover up for the real […]
Photos of abortion rights protest in Oakland
Here are photos of the abortion rights protest in Oakland. It was very poorly publicized. (I didn’t even know about it until I happened to pass by on my way to the […]
Interview with Ukrainian Union Organizer Artem Tidva
Ukrainian union organizer Artem Tidva talks about The unions from the old Soviet Union days Employers’ tactics to weaken unions since independence Relations between Ukrainian and Russian unions before the invasion and […]
Message to Amazon Workers: Unionize!
From John Reimann for Oakland mayor. Feel free to reprint and distribute wherever you are, but especially in the East Bay and give to Amazon drivers. Or write up your own leaflet. […]
The Putinist Left, its monstrosities and the Ukrainian national question
by Yorgos Mitralias For a long time now, almost everyone has been tormented by the same question: why are people turning their backs on the Left? Why does the Left seem so […]
Will Putin voluntarily withdraw? A reply to Ron Jacobs
The well known left intellectual Ron Jacobs has written an article in the equally well known left magazine Counterpunch, on the war in Ukraine. The article is called called “We need an […]
Abortion Ruling: Supreme Court in Hands of Religious Fanatics
A Campaign Statement of John Reimann for Oakland Mayor It’s now out in the open: The fanatical Christian bigots have seized control not only over the Republican Party but also over the […]
Stop Privatization – a campaign statement from John Reimann for Oakland mayor
Campaign statement by John Reimann for Oakland mayor. For more information, see: Why I will be running for Oakland Mayor “In February of this year I posted this article What an Oaklandsocialist […]
The “Grand Chessboard”: It’s not as simple as you think!
By Michael Karadjis Introduction by Oaklandsocialist: The following article is by Australian Marxist Michael Karadjis. He uses a couple of terms that may be unfamiliar to some. “Tankies” refers to those on […]
The French Elections: Interview with Olivier Delbeke
John Reimann And we’re talking with Olivier Delbeke in France about the elections there. Olivier is with Aplutsoc, which is the abbreviations of Argument (or Struggle) for the Social Struggle. Olivier For […]
Nationalism, fascism and the rise of capitalism in Ukraine: Some Tentative Conclusions
The connection between Russian oppression and Stalinism The connection between Ukrainian nationalism and anti-communism The present basis of support for Ukrainian fascist groups How that could all change Since I was recently […]
CWA Local 7250 Resolution on Ukraine
Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 7250 executive committee has passed an excellent resolution on the war in Ukraine. We urge other union activists to raise this or similar resolutions. It starts: […]
My visit to Lviv, Ukraine, in pictures
Here are some photos of my visit to Lviv, Ukraine. I stress “Lviv” because I think it is not like other parts of Ukraine in that while the war has touched Lviv […]
Once More: Should socialists support or oppose NATO arms to Ukraine?
Today the majority of socialists in the West argue that it is our duty to oppose “our” government’s sending arms to Ukraine. They equate the situation today with that at the start […]
Discussion with a Ukrainian construction worker
I had a discussion with an unemployed construction worker today. He was in the army but was expelled after a month after they discovered that he’d been arrested some time ago for […]
My first day in Ukraine
Most of the time walking around Lviv you would just think this is a nice old city with interesting architecture. Some are apartent buildings built in the days of the old […]
Putin propaganda machine justifies war crimes
Message to “left” denialists
To all those who denied the fact of Putin/Assad atrocities in Syria or ignored it; to all those who amplified the claim that the gas attacks there were a false flag; to […]
Bucha & Mariupol: Russian atrocities reveal Putin’s real goal
Russian war atrocities not limited to Bucha Atrocities reveal Putin’s real goal Putin’s trajectory towards complete domination at home and regionally Reasons for Biden’s completely inadequate response For a real workers program […]
Amazon Labor Union Wins!
The smashing victory of the Amazon Labour Union in Staten Island, NY, is the real sign of the times. Chris Smalls and Derrick Palmer and a small crowd of fellow workers overcame […]
When Donald Trump Became Speaker of the House
Few paid attention when Matt Gaetz promised to nominate Trump for Speaker of the House if the Republicans won control in November. (See video above.) Those who did scoffed. They shouldn’t have, […]
Ukraine supporters in Hayward, CA
We had a little literature table and talked with visitors to the Hayward Farmers Market this morning. Here are a few photos.
Ukraine: Russian military setbacks indicate possible new perspectives
Implications of Russian military setbacks More limited political goals? US/NATO goals Possible use of chemical or “tactical” nuclear weapons and US response Can Russia become a “failed state”? Role of the Ukrainian […]
Ukraine and NATO
Australian Marxist Michael Karadjis commented on the issue of NATO’s expansion. He wrote: Quite frankly, while a former colony is being smashed to bits by hundreds of rockets and missiles artillery and […]
“You need to defend workers and your country”: Interview with Ukrainian socialist Vladyslav Starodubtsev
“You need to fight for workers rights, and you need to fight for your country.” We talked with Ukrainian socialist Vladyslav Starodubtsev. We discussed: The fight for workers rights in a neoliberal […]
The Invasion of Ukraine: A Socialist Analysis
The Maidan revolt The role of western imperialism including NATO Putin: Make Russia Great Again Support Ukraine’s right to get arms from any source possible Zelensky & Ukrainian capitalism The seizure […]
“Socialism is not the past, it is the future”: Vitaly Dudin in Ukraine
Oaklandsocialist interviewed Vitaly Dudin, labor activist in Ukraine. We discussed: The need to fight against Russia’s invasion Labor rights in Ukraine and neoliberalism The Ukrainian oligarchs’s role The seizure of both the […]
From Vitaly Dudin in Ukraine: “Socialism is not the past; it is the future”
audio of interview with labor activist Vitaly Dudin in Ukraine. Full interview including text coming soon. Here this post on our podcast.
Seize, Sell ALL Assets of Russian Oligarchs. Send to Ukraine NOW
The Biden administration has announced the seizure of assets of Russian oligarchs. “These individuals and their family members will be cut off from the U.S. financial system, their assets in the United […]
Human Rights from Burma/Myanmar to Ukraine!
Saturday was Burma Human Rights day. The Burmese American community held an event commemorating and linking it with the issue of human rights in Ukraine. Cheryl Zuur, retired union leader and long […]
“People are showing solidarity”: A Ukrainian youth speaks
Here is a video of an interview with Yaroslav Kovalchuk, who lives in Ukraine. Below is a transcript of the interview. Yaroslav explained the issue of nationalism – its limited impact and […]
Ukraine and the future of “anti-imperialism”
by Junius Introduction by Oaklandsocialist: Although it is tiny and with hardly any influence, it is a mistake to ignore those on the left who call themselves “anti-imperialists”. It’s an even bigger […]
Putin’s Increasingly Desperate Situation and Possible Outcomes
Putin’s situation becoming desperate. Is a coup possible? Is a fascist-type dictatorship possible? Is there a social base and an armed force for such a dictatorship? What is the working class alternative? […]
Video: Protest Against School Closings in Oakland
Peace Treaties and “Big Businessmen Without High Hats”
How should we see the efforts of France’s Emmanuel Macron, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Israel’s Naftali Bennet to negotiate a truce in Ukraine with Putin? Or any peace treaty among capitalists, […]
School Closings = Gentrification
Oakland is planning on closing ten schools. Here’s a statement on this issue from John Reimann for Oakland Mayor. For more on our campaign, see: This interview with Zennie Abraham And […]
Ukraine-Russia Negotiations: What is the Purpose?
When I first heard about Zelensky agreeing to negotiate with Putin’s representatives I wondered, to say the least. What is there to negotiate over? Maybe this is just paranoia, but […]
Interview with Ukrainian Leftist, Ivan Shmatko
Self described Ukrainian leftist discusses the situation within his country. He explains the powerful opposition to the Russian invasion, disputes the claim that there is a strong division between Russian and Ukrainian […]
Preliminary Assessment of Ukraine Invasion and its Political Fallout
Apparent Splits in Russian Military Tops: Possible Coup? NATO Spread the Cause of Invasion? Anti-War Protests Spread in Russia Military Assessment, Thermobaric bomb & Putin a “Cornered rat” Political Fallout in US […]
Putin’s Blitzkrieg: A Perspective from the United States
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is now in full swing. Explosions have been heard near and around cities throughout the country. These appear to have been missile attacks on airports and possibly […]
Andrey Kurkov: First Hand Report From Kyiv
We spoke briefly with Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov, who is located in Kyiv. Here is his report on the situation there at this moment:
Putin Orders Invasion of Ukraine
A new stage has been reached in the Ukraine crisis. Putin has formally recognized the two breakaway “republics” – The Donetsk Peoples Republic and the Lunetsk Peoples Republic, known alternatively as the […]
Interview with Ukrainian Writer Andrey Kurkov
Here is an interview with Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov. He reports on the situation in Ukraine today. Those who find the interview interesting might also be interested in our review of his […]
Some Ideas on Stopping the Reactionary “Freedom” Convoy
Canada’s so-called “Freedom” Convoy is blocking several major bridges between the US and Canada. Ford and General Motors are having to cut back production, meaning lay off workers, as a result. Meanwhile, […]
Why Has The Fascist Canadian Truck Convoy Had Such An Easy Ride?
“Why has the fascist Canadian Truck Convoy had such an easy ride?” asks John Clarke in Canada. He answers his own question: The ability of a group of blatant fascists to […]
“Ukraine Diaries”: A Vital Explanation of the 2014 Maidan Protests and What Followed
In 2014, prominent Ukrainian writer and intellectual Andrey Kurkov published a book called Ukraine Diaries. These are excerpts from diary entries Kurkov wrote during the Maidan protests. They cover not only what […]
Will Putin Invade Ukraine?
Will Putin’s troops invade Ukraine? Putin says he is not planning to do so. However, he has every reason to deny it at this time. Most analysts predict that if he does […]
The Crisis in Ukraine, Imperialism, and a Divided Working Class
The crisis in Ukraine and the resulting extremely increased tensions between the US and Russian governments show that workers in the US cannot escape world events. That being so, it’s vital that […]
Report from Canada: Far Right Trucker Convoy Crosses Canada
John Clarke reports from Canada It can’t be denied that the far right in Canada has achieved a major organizational and political advance with its truck convoy that challenged public health measures […]
Ukraine at the heart of the world capitalist crisis
“The world is on the brink of the largest military offensive in Europe since World War II.” So wrote Foreign Affairs magazine in an article entitled “The Day After Russia Attacks [Ukraine]”. […]
Interview: Marie and Greg talk about homelessness in Oakland
My long time friends, Marie McKenzie and Gregory Dunston, talk about homelessness in Oakland, including how churches are making money off the situation.
Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. – and the winner is….
By Anthony Boynton And the winner is… China! Will Russia invade Ukraine? Probability is high, and not just because the Biden administration and the Ukrainians are afraid of it. Putin Putin faces […]
Supreme Court, Voter Suppression and Possible “Coup”
In Oaklandsocialist’s recent article “Will There Be A Coup?” we explored the various factors that would tend towards a “yes” and a “no” answer. This article homes in a little more about […]
Interview: John Reimann for Oakland Mayor
Here is an edited/shortened version of an interview I did with Zennie Abraham of Zennie62Media on my campaign for Oakland Mayor: To see the full hour and twenty minute video, go here: […]
Will There Be a “Coup”?
We usually think of a coup in terms of a military dictatorship, bloodshed, and tanks rolling down the streets. The main point, though, is the ending of “normal” democratic rights. That can […]
Report: January 6 Oakland Candlelight Vigil “For Democracy”
On January 6, 2022, liberal Democratic Party activist groups Moveon and Indivisible held memorial events to protest last year’s attempted Trump “auto coup”/riot in Washington DC. As elsewhere in the country, the […]
Omicron: Some Conclusions Starting to Emerge
The process of scientists learning about Omicron should be a learning experience for workers as well. It is a living example of how a relationship between two events doesn’t necessarily prove cause-and-effect. […]
The Biden-Putin Phone Call: Oaklandsocialist’s “Clairvoyant Correspondent” Reports
Once again, Oaklandsocialist’s Clairvoyant Correspondent scoops all other media by reporting a “transcript” of today’s Biden-Putin phone conversation. (NOTE: This story is filed under the category “Fiction More Real than Fact”) Scene: […]
The Coming Republican Election Fraud: Where Are the Protests?
I was sitting here watching the news with my heart pounding. It was partly out of pure anger, partly frustration – anger at what is being prepared for us and frustration that […]
Why I will be Running for Mayor in Oakland in 2022
In February of this year I posted this article What an Oaklandsocialist for Mayor in 2022 Campaign Could Accomplish. As I pointed out there, Oakland is not an isolated island; there is not […]
Discussing With Workers Who Support Trump
I have had multiple discussions with Trump-supporting workers. One of them I know personally. He’s a very nice guy to meet in person, and we had several long political discussions. Others I’ve […]
Cuba: the case of the young artist Abel Lescay
(Oaklandsocialist carries below an appeal for support for an imprisoned artist in Cuba. We fully support the demands for political freedom in Cuba. In doing so, we completely oppose any intervention by […]
Oxford, Michigan: Everytown USA
Oxford, Michigan, Everytown, USA, where 95% of the population is white and over half the households are married couples. Median family income is $72,875, a very comfortable income considering that a new […]
British Labour Party’s Widening Split
US workers probably pay more attention to the politics in Britain than any other country outside the US. Therefore, the widening split in Britain’s Labour Party, and what may come out of […]
The Union Democracy Movement: An Analysis
Oaklandsocialist recently posted an article on the Teamsters election and the role of Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU). Here is a more in-depth analysis of that group and the whole union […]
Where is TDU Going?
Oaklandsocialist Introduction: The election of supposed reformer Sean O’Brien as president of the Teamsters Union, along with his entire slate, has been greeted with near universal and uncritical enthusiasm on the left. […]
Rittenhouse Verdict: US Headed Towards Becoming a “Failed State”?
That then 17 year old killer Kyle Rittenhouse would walk free is ominous and has implications far greater than those for just this one individual. The NY Times’s Farhad Manjoo explained the […]
Book Review: “The Jewish Question” by Abram Leon
Antisemitism (which is not the same as anti-Zionism) is reviving as the far right, including outright fascism, develops. There were over 2,000 antisemitic attacks in 2020 compared with 751 in 2013. These […]
Rittenhouse Trial: Vigilantism a Threat to Workers
The Rittenhouse trial and the trial of the murderers of Ahmad Arbery have great importance. Coming as they do after the Texas abortion law, these trials will determine whether vigilantism will be […]
John Deere Workers Reject Second Contract Proposal: Becoming a Trend
Striking John Deere workers rejected a second tentative agreement (TA) by a vote of 45% “yes” to 55% “no” on Tuesday. The new TA was a significant improvement from the first one, […]
The Day Before the Day After: A Play
The Day Before the Day After By John Reimann CHARACTERS (in order of appearance) NANCY PELOSI Speaker of the house JOE BIDEN President KAMALA HARRIS Vice President KAITLEN COLLINS a newscaster MAN […]
Message from Art Esparza, chair of the Carpenters’ P.J. McGuire Group on the Crisis in the PNW Carpenters Council
Note: Oaklandsocialist has carried numerous articles and videos of the struggle of carpenters in Western Washington to win a good contract. That struggle was basically a war on two fronts: Against both […]
“America’s Crumbling Global Position” and a Turn to Trumpism Lite?
Anti-Trump Old Guard Republican conservative Bret Stephens has an interesting column in today’s NY Times. It’s entitled “America’s Crumbling Global Position”. In it he details the foreign policy “failings” of President Biden. According […]
IATSE, the Union Leadership and Death on the Job
The accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins at the hands of Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust has to be understood in the light of the struggle of the stagehands’ […]
John Deere Strikers Can Win It All…. and Transform the Labor Movement!
The powerful position that the striking John Deere workers find themselves in means that they can win absolutely everything they want. There is no need to compromise one iota. Wall St. Journal […]
Interview with Anand Gopal: Afghanistan’s Tribal Traditions, Taliban, and US Occupation
Anand Gopal is a former reporter for the Wall St. Journal and author of the book “No Good Men Among the Living”. Gopal spent years traveling around in the hinterlands of Afghanistan, […]
The union leadership “like a PR firm for the company”: Interview with UAW member Justin Mayhugh
Justin Mayhugh is an alternate delegate in UAW Local 31 and a member of a UAW caucus called Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD). He works on the assembly line for GM. […]
Western Washington Carpenters Can Make History
It’s no exaggeration: Western Washington carpenters can make history. That’s because the situation they face is not that very different from that faced by all union members in the US; if rank […]
Abortion Rights Protest in San Francisco: Cheryl Zuur Comments
by Cheryl Zuur I went to the SF Women’s March today, one of the many across the country. I really did not want to go but knew that I MUST go. Many […]
Interview: Vermont State AFL-CIO president David Van Deusen
Last year the Vermont State AFL-CIO made some headlines when it called for a general strike in the event of an attempted coup by outgoing president Trump. Here, Oaklandsocialist talks with the […]
Video: Rank and file carpenters show what REAL unionism is!
Here is a glimpse of what the rank and file carpenters in Western Washington have been doing, how they have been shutting down jobs. Along the way, they confront the union bureaucracy […]
Video: Carpenters speak at rally organized by Kshama Sawant
Excerpts from speeches given by carpenters as well as others (including Kshama Sawant) at a rally she and her group – Socialist Alternative – organized.
Art Francisco, chair of carpenters’ Peter J. McGuire Group, speaking
Here is Art Francisco, the chair of the Peter J. McGuire Group, speaking at a rally organized by Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant.
Video: Reimann speaking at Western Washington carpenters rally
Here is the speech I gave at a rally for the Western Washington carpenters on strike against the contractors and their own union leadership. The rally was organized by Seattle city council […]
Rank and file carpenters and Kshama Sawant confront union bureaucrats
The struggle of the rank and file carpenters took a new twist on Thursday (Sept. 23) when some union bureaucrats came out to try to red-bait Kshama Sawant. It didn’t turn out […]
Carpenters take matter into own hands
Fed up with cut rate contract proposals/“tentative agreements” that were voted down four times, and fed up with a designed to fail “strike” policy, carpenters have started taking matters into their own […]
Carpenters leadership pickets empty construction site
First the Carpenters Union leadership said it didn’t want a higher raise (for the members). That would hinder “recapturing market share”, you see. That business term means that the leadership sees the […]
I Was Expelled From the Carpenters Union (and kept on working)
I was expelled from the carpenters union in 2000. My experience might be helpful to those striking carpenters in Western Washington who are worried that if they violate the Council’s pro-contractor strategy […]
CWA 7250 President: “Hit ‘em Hard!”
Kieran Knutson, President of CWA Local 7250, sent the following solidarity message to the carpenters Peter J. McGuire Group and to all the carpenters in struggle in Western Washington: Fellow workers – […]
The Most Important Strike in America Today
The strike of Western Washington carpenters is the most important strike in America today. There are quite a few other trikes, including the Nabisco strike, that involve a lot more workers (for […]
“The Fight Continues”: A striking carpenter speaks
By Jason Bartos, a striking carpenter The Fight Continues It has been an extremely exhausting week for me, the PJMG, and all of the brothers and sisters on the picket lines. I’m […]
Nina Wurz, striking carpenter, speaks at rally for rent control in Seattle
Here is another striking carpenter, Nina Wurz, speaking. This is at a rally for rent control put on by Socialist Alternative. Introducing her is City Council member Kshama Sawant, the only city […]
Art Francisco, carpenters rank and file strike leader, speaks in Seattle
Carpenters in Western Washington have forced their leadership to call a strike (of sorts). Here is Art Francisco, one of the leaders of the opposition caucus The Peter J. McGuire Group, speaking […]