Despite the fact that flying planes into buildings is already very illegal, the events of September 11th 2001 have given rise to a new wave of ‘anti-terrorist’ laws. Party politicians are seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to push through laws that restrict our liberty in the name of defnding that same liberty. The new definition of terrorism is frighteningly wide, including peaceful protest and even wearing the wrong T‑shirt.

Although written nearly 60 years ago, George Orwell’s reflections on political leaders as individuals, and onthe pomposity of the Honours Lists, stay incredibly fresh. And, being Orwell, the directness of the vision and expression are equally striking.

Everything we have believed in since the Second World War goes by the board as we pursue our own exclusive war. In doing this we voluntarily abandon the moral high ground and become that which we claim to be fighting.

As the aftermath of September 11th forces the USA to look out into the world, and forces everyone to think about America’s role, it is crucial that we differentiate between the brutality of American corporate imperialism and the ordinary people we call Americans.

Written two days after the planes hit New York and Washington, and as the call for vengeance rises from the Western politicians, this article reflects on how our position on the moral high ground is dependent on not responding in kind.

In the aftermath of brutal policing methods that tortured dozens of people and killed two others, an activist who was among the anti-globalisation protesters in Genoa wrote this article

In the run-up to the G8 meeting in Genoa John Pilger, one of the great humanitarian journalists, examines the causes of the protests against globalised ‘free trade’ and finds the authorities’ image of it being undemocratic violent protest against legitimate government to be wholly wrong; it is legitimate protest against undemocratic violent government.

While the Single Currency debate in the UK keeps to nonsense about the queen’s head being on coins and accusations of xenophobia, the real isues get ignored. Why is it that the British have such a reluctance to embrace the idea — popular on the continental mainland — of European federalisation?

This article takes no sides but gives clear insight into the causes of the different attutudes, and spotlights the divergent drives of the European Union as it attempts to raise common standards and rights while pushing for the contradictory goal of greater freemarketeering.

We see the words ‘hydrogenated fat’ or ‘hydrogenated vegetable oil’ in the ingredients lists on a lot of foods. It’s just some kind of vegeatable fat, basically the same as any other, right?

Well, no. It’s oil made into a fat that is convenient for processed food manufacturers, but is seriously bad news for our health.

Miscarriages of justice are sometimes accidents. But in some cases they are the result of deliberate framing by rogue officials. And in some cases they are the result of deliberate framing by many officials.

Mark Barnsley, an anarchist activist from Sheffield, was beaten up by a 15-strong drunken gang in 1994. He was subsequently charged with Grievous Bodily Harm against the gang, the crimes he was a victim of. Despite his appalling injuries, none of his attackers was ever charged.

Conviction of such crimes would get most people a lot of Community Service or a hefty fine, perhaps a short term in prison at most. Mark, a man with no history of violence, got twelve years.

The prison system has given him as hard a time as the rules will allow, and often broken the rules and to make it harder still.

Despite being eligible for parole, he refused to apply because in doing so he would have to concede remorse for his offence; to admit guilt for a crime he did not commit.