| Having your say! Our American friends will be aware that the Presidential election will take place in 2004, Blair will be hoping for his "New Labour" party to be re-elected in Britain in either 2005/6. This time, the Spotlight is on what we can all do as individuals to attempt to get across our message to our leaders and representatives that we do not like the path our representatives are taking us on. We will be looking at various organisations, groups, actions and alternative media sources to help our readers to have their say! |
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| Spotlight On, Proyector Encendido, Projecteur Dessus, Scheinwerfer An, Riflettore Spora, Spotlight Sobre, |
| Ok, well, the best place to begin with this is to learn as much as possible about the issues which we are concerned about. The best place to find the truth, and not the lies and deceptions spun by the politicians is through alternative media. Here is a list (not comprehensive, but quite a number) of some very good outlets: What Really Happened - My personal favourite, this site has links to reports about various issues, as well as a readers letters page. Buzzflash - Quite a useful site to visit for reports from an alternative perspective, with a handy news headlines tool you can add to your own site. Common Dreams - This was the first alternative media site I visited on the internet, and was pleased that a site had took the time to put together a collection of articles on a range of issues. Indymedia - This really is a handy tool for people around the world to find out what's going on in their areas. The site is regularly updated, and its users contribute articles and reports on various actions on a range of issues, if you're an activist, then you will most likely find this resource invaluable. Media Workers Against the War - A group of Media Workers against the war. There is a good compilation of articles here, together with updates about activities, etc.. Alternet - Another excellent Alterrnative Media outlet. This site aims to create change, and calls for good policies. Now, you will obviously be aware there are such media outlets which do not seem to tell the truth, and instead appear to act as spinning machines for politicians who try their best to deceive the public they are supposed to serve. There are some very good media watchdogs on the internet, offering the chance for us all to get in touch with the "journalists" who like to assist those politicians who deceive the public, here are a few of those: MediaLens - This was the first such site I became aware of a little while ago now, we can subscribe to MediaLens Media Alerts, this is the opportunity for us to hear of bias or mis-reporting in the mainstream media, and offers the chance for those interested to contact the "journalists" responsible. Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting - a site with action alerts, find out who is not being accurate in their reports, and what you can do about it. Our Media Voice - This is a US campaign which is attempting to build a national coalition to hold media outlets socially accountable. Independent Press Councils - This site has links to media watchdogs and press councils around the world. We can find the area we are interested in, and contact the Press Council, or media Watchdog responsible. Media Transparency - This is quite a good website, this looks at several issues relating to politics and the media, and is well worth a visit. Media reform in Australia Campaign - I only found this site today. The sites editors hope to keep media diversity alive in Australia, and urges its readers to contact their senators. Now, to perhaps the most important section in this particular Spotlight on feature. This part of the page looks at representatives. It is very important that they are told exactly how we the people feel about their policies, and the way things are heading in the world because of their decisions. Australian Parliament contacts - This is the page where you can find and contact federal members of the Australian Parliament to voice your opinions. Members of the Scottish Parliament - Use this page to find your MSP, and contact them to tell them what you think about their stance on the issues that concern you. European Parliament members - Find out who your MEP is and contact them via this page, click on your national flag to get started. Members of the British Parliament - Here is the place you can find your MP, and their contact details. US Senators - Find your senator and their contact details here. Of course, in the upcoming elections, you could always decide to vote for an alternative if you are not happy with the replies you receive from your representative, here are just a few alternatives from Britain, America, and Australia. (I have chosen these 3 countries for the obvious reason that they are the staunchest of allies. Any alternative party who does not support the Bush regime and their pre-emptive strikes should get our backing!) USA: The Democratic Party - Don't forget though, some of the Democrats voted in favour of some of the Bush regimes planned projects! Find out who voted for what via the US Senators link above. The Green Party - Nader got almost 3 million votes in 2000. I believe the Green Party has really built on those achievements, and this party has grown in numbers since 2000. The New party - This party is described as having somewhat western European socialist idealogies. Socialist Party USA - Former Democratic senator Walt Brown is the Presidential nominee for 2004. Britain: The Liberal Democrats - Led by Charles Kennedy, this party has really spoken out throughout the so called "War on terrorism" against cluster bombs, and voted against the invasion of Iraq in the crucial commons vote. However, oncce the invasion had begun, the Liberal Democrats although continuing to voice restrained complaints against the invasion said that they would support the troops and agree with the decision to invade the country. Green Party of England and Wales - The Green Party has been particularly outspoken about the Bush regimes environmental and miliatry policies, and have had spokespeople speaking at anti war rallies in Britain. The Unity Coalition - In late 2003, after being expelled from the Labour party for his outspoken criticism of the Bush/Blair alliance, George Galloway MP announced that the 1st target for this new party would be the June 2004 European elections. Scottish Green Party Green Party of Northern Ireland Socialist Workers Party - A Party which has always had a prescence at both Anti War and Anti Bush demonstrations. Australia: Australian Democrats - Opposed the Bush regimes pet project. Green Party of Australia - Like their counterparts in the US and Britain, this party has strongly opposed Bushs invasion and occupation of Iraq, as well as being fundamentally opposed to its damaging impact on the environment. (if any of our readers would like to provide additional political parties to the above, please email me via the link at the bottom of this page.) Ok, now, we will move on to activism, and more accountability issues: Progressive Webgroup Alliance - A recently formed coalition of 58 free thinking and progressive web based forums, providing information and resources to assist in the flow and spread of information for the Progressive Community. Many of the groups contain ideas on activism, and links to organisations which people may like to consider finding out more about. Blairs "Big Conversation" - Blair wants people to believe that he is interested in what people have to say and yet time and time again he has ignored the wishes of a significant amount of his countrys people, let him know what you think via the "Have your Say" section! Petition - CIA agent leak - Most of our readers will be aware of the leaking of the name of an active CIA agent, this petition now has well over 11,000 names, add yours here. Vote Fraud in the USA - Articles, and links relating to vote fraud in the US, find out what you can do about it! Stop Bush 2004 National Tour - Action Alerts and some useful links here. Move On - Is launching Anti Bush adverts, and has been an active voice for a while now against his regimes extremist policies. Stop Bush in 2004, How every citizen can help - a quite comprehensive site with ideas for action for those who oppose the Bush regime and its extremist policies. 1000 reasons to dump Bush - an excellent source of information on the regimes failures, lies and treasonous actions Buck Fush - Humour, Quick news and some good links Contact the New Wave Labour group - A group of 15 Labour party MPs set this group up in October 2003 to oppose the way in which Blair is heading, use the contact button to give them your feedback, use the Members of the British Parliament link above to find and contact a Labour Party MP, and say you would like them to support the aims and objectives of this group. Indymedia - Although this was placed in the first section, this is a useful resource also for those wishing to find out about and take part in actions. A Peaceful Revolt - Some good ideas from a member of the Justice, Peace, Democracy group, including a Buy Nothing day, a link to a petition you can sign saying you do not support the Bush regimes agenda, and a christmas card you can send to your friends. The Tony Phoney Blair Page - an interesting site with links to groups you can join, and petitions you can sign, including sections on supporting Geeorge Galloway. Open Letter to Blair website - some good ideas here for letters people can write, including action alerts! Bush Lied - an informative site with relevant information to help in spreading the word. Vote to Impeach - A really good site, now over 380,000 people have "voted to impeach" Bush. Impeach Bush, Cheney, Ashcroft and Rumsfeld - Includes an announcement list you can join to hear the latest on the campaign with ideas for action. If you have any feedback on the above, please use the email symbol below, if you would like to suggest additions to the above, please do not hesitate to contact us. |
| Meet a real miserable failure, and his poodle! |