Support the strike if you can and the strikers if you can’t November 29, 2011

Our public service workers deserve your support tomorrow. They put up with years of terrible pay and poor conditions for the promise of a decent pension. This issue is absolutely crucial to the morale and esteem of all those people we rely so much on. The government is picking on the wrong people and we must let them know as much. Video from UNITE

Beware the Iron Lady November 28, 2011

“Economic inequality and social decay. An economy rigged in the interests of the few while the many struggled to cope. £200 billion of privatisation and North Sea oil receipts frittered away paying the benefits bill of the mass unemployment she created.” Sound familiar? This is where Cameron and Tory Blair learned it all from. http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/11/margaret-thatcher-was-every-bit-as-bad-as-we-remember/ Beware the distortions in the forthcoming Thatcher biopic movie.

The blatant lies of the frackers and their friends November 24, 2011

They ask us to trust them and their assurances that we have nothing to worry about, but then tell the most obvious and blatant of lies in public places.Nothing illustrates this better than what they try to tell us about the content of frack fluids.Take our old friend Nick ‘Greedy’ Grealy. He was at the Co-op/Caroline Lucas sponsored event for MPs that Lousie Evans and I attended yesterday. Bold as brass, in front of a very clued up audience, he said of Cuadrilla: “They only use one chemical”. As if I would let that ridiculous porky go!!I quickly jumped on him to point out that Cuadrilla themselves tell somewhat different, conflicting lies. I had the following web pages to hand: http://www.cuadrillaresources.com/what-we-do/technology/fracturing-fluid/ offers the lie that they use just three chemicals, namely: polyacrylamide (frequently contaminnated with or degrades into the nerve toxin acrylamide), biocide (poison) and hydrochloric acid (corrosive to human tissue). This is confirmed verbally by CEO Mark Miller in the video. However, some simple maths – that simple that an intelligent man like Mark Miller wouldn’t make such a crass mistake surely – reveals that all the declared ingredients only add up to 99.955% Careless or what? So here we have Mark Miller confirming Nick Grealy is a pathetic liar, but how do we know Mark Miller is a liar, and not a careless mathematician? Because his company supplies us with this: http://www.cuadrillaresources.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Chemical-Disclosure-PH-1.jpg Mark no doubt had a bout of amnesia (a symptom of exposure to some chemicals) when he forgot to mention the HYDROCARBON OIL listed , or the chemical tracer that is stated as a SODIUM SALT. So is this data sheet, the complete story? NO it is not. How do we know this? The data sheet does not pretend to be complete – it calls itself the composition of components of the frack fluid for a start. But it would certainly have been nice to know exactly which poisons they have selected as their biocide of choice, wouldn’t it? They are not listed. And there is no mention of the hydrochloric acid Miller mentioned either. These Cuadrilla sources also serve to highlight another common misconception about frack fluid. The required composition is highly variable. It will vary with different stages of each frack job at each site. There is no one recipe. It is almost constantly varying. Mark Miller himself points this out with his explanation that hydrochloric acid may only be needed in initial stages. The data sheet shows major variations between the stages listed. So can we collate all this information that Cuadrilla has so kindly supplied us with and assume we have the full picture? I don’t think so. We know from world renowned Dr Theo Colborn, in Gasland and other places, that she alone has evidence of around 980 products used in the US industry of which 78% are highly dangerous; in some cases even in microscopic quantities. The industry does not, presumably, use these additives for fun. The sequence near the end of Gasland that shows the industry man squirming as he is forced list the chemicals his company uses is fascinating. It corroborates evidence from Australia that shows that the industry regularly needs to use the following: Strong acids to dissolve minerals Numerous poisonous biocides to eliminate bacteria and algae Friction reducers such as polyacylamides and mineral oils Corrosion inhibitors to protect drills and well casings Scale inhibitors to prevent furring Surfactants and crosslinkers to adjust fluid viscosity Acidity regulators Breakers Iron control agents So if the the industry everywhere else in the world needs all these additional (underlined) components, how is that Cuadrilla can do without them? Finally, let us nail the myth that there has to be full disclosure of chemicals used. There is no such UK legislation that I can find. People like the EA have rights to visit and test samples whenever they like, but they can only find what they test for. If they do not know what they are looking for, they are most unlikely to find it! Dr Theo Colborn repeatedly makes this point. Recently, the EA published its monitoring report of the flow back water from Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site, near Blackpool, after they had fracked it. There was sufficient cause for concern about the high incidence of salts, minerals and heavy meatls, as well as radioactivity, that the EA are now saying that they will require permits in future. But most worrying, I would suggest, was the complete absence of any data on the chemicals that Cuadrilla admit to using, let alone ones they don’t!! The EA failed to look for any of them it would appear. How reassuring is that? Even if the industry were legally obliged to divulge all their little secrets, would they? EA’s sampling methods are totally inadequate. If the companies keep their secrets, they are likely to get away with it, unless caught red-handed, as they are banking on getting in, cutting and running before the slow, insidious affects of their poisons have done their damage and been able to be proved. The EA recognise these companies ability to get away with it here: “For example, at present company directors can legitimately walk away from environmental liabilities they have caused (e.g. Polluting groundwater and public drinking water supplies) by forming a new company and leaving a financial liability with the insolvent old company (Hunts Refuse Ltd at Helpston). This has resulted in public funds having to be used to clean up the pollution and protect public health.” http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/modernising03_919412_1758802.pdf I rest my case. Andy Chyba Additional information: http://bridgendgreens.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/collated-fracking-notes-on-earthquakes-frack-fluid-and-wellhead-density/ http://bridgendgreens.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/lessons-from-cuadrillas-pr-gambits/

Emphatic rejection of fracking in the UK November 21, 2011

GUARDIAN POLL RESULT: Do you think hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for natural gas should go ahead? Yes 23.7% No 76.3% This poll is now closed.

Open letter from Marie Hughes re Plaid Cymru’s ‘Morfa Voice’ newsletter November 20, 2011

Marie Hughes has only recently joined the Bridgend Green Party, but she has the makings of being a proficient campaigner if this letter in response to Tim Thomas’ shameful rant that went out to Morfa residents is anything to go by! She is a Morfa ward resident. Here is her response, which we hope to see in next week’s Gazette: Tonight, I received a Plaid Cymru pamphlet titled Putting Residents First in which Tim Thomas, a self proclaimed Plaid Cymru activist voiced his concerns over Bridgend Councils plans to reduce the amount of street lighting during the hours of 12am-6am. Whilst I have not totally familiarised myself with the councils plans, I read on anyway, hoping to be enlightened. What I read instead infuriated me, which Im sure was not Tims intention. The following paragraph is a direct quote from the pamphlet I received: Voicing his concerns, Tim says Within the Morfa Ward, we already have a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, a homeless hostel and antisocial behaviour from the town centre.” I have every sympathy with the less fortunate, but we must put residents first.” Cutting our street lighting is the final kick in the teeth for the community. I can see that the whole gist of Tims argument was to say that cutting the amount of street lighting is the final straw; but it was the fact that he talked down upon the presence of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre and a homeless hostel that angered me. From this, I feel that Tim sees that the local community does not need the rehab centre or the homeless hostel, and those people who use facilities are not only lesser than himself and the whole community but can also not be considered as residents. Tim further goes onto say: Homelessness and substance and alcohol misuse is a problem in Bridgend and needs to be addressed. However, I believe that the facilities should not be in residential communities, but in a central location where service users have all of their needs catered for. I have underlined the last sentence for a very good reason: Tim contradicts himself. As it is, the rehab centre and homeless centre ARE in a central location where service users have all of their needs catered for. If you were to move those services to a different area (I.e away from residents) they would probably be in some area of the countryside, which I think you can agree is neither a central location and will more than likely not cater to all of the service users needs. Does Tim therefore propose that even more of the residents money be used to not only move these facilities, but to also fund all of the required services that the current ones competently provide just so that they are out of sight and therefore out of mind? What Tim fails to see is that although the presence of the rehab centre and the homeless hostel may be an inconvenience to him, they are sorely needed. For people who want and need the help, they are a way to get back into society, to begin contributing again like I have. Tims concerns make him out to be someone who does not care for the less fortunate members of his community, but rather the needs of himself. Focusing on the issue that Tim originally wished to address, I would like to ask Tim whether he has actually read the councils plans at all? Upon investigation, it is stated that every other light will be switched off during the hours of 12:00 am to 5:30 am, and that lights in areas such as pedestrian crossings, busy junctions, accident hotspots, areas with a high amount of late night pedestrians and places where full CCTV coverage is required will remain fully illuminated. Tims pamphlet is fear mongering. Having not previously read the councils plans, to me Tims pamphlets insinuate that all of the street lights will be cut during the hours of 12:00 am till 6:00 am. He further says that this means that the council does not care about public safety and is simply doing this as a cost cutting measure. Although yes, £140,000 per year will be saved, the carbon foot print of the borough will also be cut by 440 tonnes. In addition to this, the article outlining the councils plans also says that the high levels of community and highway safety will be maintained. This either means that Tim didnt bother reading the article, or he chose to instil fear in his constituents anyway, slating the presence of facilities aimed to help, as he put it, the less fortunate and further using them as reasons why the current council doesnt care for the public safety. Im all for being competitive in the political climate, but fear mongering residents, while slating others is not decent human behaviour. I certainly will not be voting for Tim, and his ill views of those who need help, have in my eye also tarnished Plaid Cymrus appeal. If they have a member who uses such scare tactics and as ill a choice of words as these, I seriously do not want to see this man, or people like him with any sort of political standing in this ward. Marie Hughes, Morfa resident. WELL SAID MARIE! BGP WELCOMES YOU!!

GUARDIAN fracking poll

Do you think hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for natural gas should go ahead?’ Another poll by The Guardian. Get voting people! http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/poll/2011/nov/18/forward-with-fracking-poll?CMP=twt_gu&fb=native The ‘No’ votes are currently winning by 3 to 1 – just 11 hours to go. 4 to 1 by the end is possible if you all act quickly!

Wales Green Party Conference final details November 18, 2011

19th November – Aneurin Bevan Room, Cardiff Student Union From: Matt Townsend Secretary, Cardiff and Vale Green Party Conference Organiser, Wales Green PartyFrom this link you can download the minutes of the previous conference and the final agenda including details of motions, etc. I recommend you print off all these things to bring with you to help you follow proceedings if you are staying for the AGM. http://my.greenparty.org.uk/event/wales-green-party-conference-and-wgpc-agm If you have problems accessing the link please let me know and I will happily email them to you directly or print off copies for you. Also if you have any special requirements or need help finding the venue please let me know and I’ll do my best to help. Please pass this on to anyone else you know who is attending but you think has not notified me. If you can make a small donation of a couple of pounds to help with costs of the buffet that will be gratefully appreciated, but not essential if you are on a low budget. 10:45-11:00 Conference Welcome with coffee/tea – Aneurin Bevan Room, Cardiff Student Union 11:00 Conference Opens (Open to all) Leaders Speech (10 mins) Deputy Leaders Speech (10 mins) Councillor Felicity Norman http://www.greenparty.org.uk/region/westmidlands/people/felicity-norman To speak on being a Green Councillor (15 mins) 11:35-11:50 Break with coffee/tea 11:50 Chris Williams, West Midlands regional development officer who has successfully increased the number of Green councillors in the area, speaking on theme of “winning local elections” (40 mins) Q&A for Chris and Felicity(15 minutes) 12:45 -13:30 Buffet lunch 13:30 AGM Opens (members only) Receipt of emergency motions, close of nominations for WGPC positions for which no nominations were received by the published deadline (10 mins). Issue of ballot papers. Minutes of previous AGM (15 mins) Reports from Officers and SOC (45 mins) 14:40-14:55 Break with coffee/tea Policy debates (45 mins) Hustings for officers (15 mins) Motions (Emergency, organisational and policy) (40 mins) Discussion around equality led by Anne Greagsby (15 mins) Announcement of winners of council officer elections (5mins) 17:00 Conference close Social drinks in Taff bar on 2nd floor of student union (open to all) 19:00 Bar close

Action for the record 1 million young people now unemployed November 17, 2011

Want to help campaign for a more equal, sustainable and democratic world? Like minded people are not all in the same political parties. COMPASS has members from Labour and the Lib Dems as well as the Green Party. It is an influential ideas and action based pressure group. Sign up below and join over 50,000 members and supporters in campaigning for the good society. Hi Andy – I’m sure that you are as shocked as I am to hear the news that over 1 million of our young people are now jobless – with little hope of any new jobs being created for them any time soon. It has never been clearer that Plan A isn’t working and we urgently need to pile on the pressure for a Plan B. Compass warned only weeks ago in our groundbreaking report Plan B: a good economy for a good society that if the Government persisted with Plan A then things would continue to get worse not better. Indeed the Bank of England has today dramatically slashed its growth forecast for 2012 to a mere 1% – further evidence that Plan A isn’t working. We urgently need the Government to take a more active approach and adopt emergency and common-sense measures that can quickly save jobs and create new ones. The alternative is the very real prospect of a double-dip recession. This is why we need people to take action now and sign our petition for a Plan B and spread the word: Firstly, we want you to share the petition page again on Facebook, Twitter and to your personal email list: http://action.compassonline.org.uk/planbshare Secondly, if you haven’t already, sign the petition yourself: http://action.compassonline.org.uk/planb On the day the Government broke a new record for youth unemployment, a day when the wider unemployment rate topped a 15 year high and a day when the Bank of England slashed its growth forecasts – we need you to once again spread the word on the urgent need for a Plan B. In the run up to the Chancellor’s autumn statement we will be stepping up the pressure – please help by taking action now. Thanks for all the work you do. Gavin PS: If you’re not yet a member of Compass, then don’t forget if you join before Saturday 3 December you will receive a hard copy of the new publication Plan B: a good economy for a good society in your welcome pack: http://www.compassonline.org.uk/about/join.asp

Serious threat to Internet freedom November 16, 2011

Right now, the US Congress is debating a law that would give them the power to censor the world’s Internet

Support my village’s struggle against biofuels land grabbing November 15, 2011

It is not just the fossil fuel companies that are in it for the money – and screw the locals who get in the way! Biofuels have been getting a real bad press. There is potential for it to make a contribution to our energy needs, but as ever it needs careful management and cannot be entrusted to private sector capitalists, or else it can present the sort of nightmares presented below: Original Message: Dear Andrew In the video below, Mariam Shabani, 13, tells you how her village had its land grabbed by UK company Sun Biofuels. Now, they often go hungry and have to walk miles for water. >> Watch the video and send a message to Mariam and the families of Kisarawe Your message will be delivered straight to Mariam’s village, to show people we are with them in their struggle. In August, Sun Biofuels was sold to a new company. We are hopeful that we can work with them to help Mariam and her community get justice. If you’d like to find out more about the campaign you can read this expose in the Guardian. Thank you for your support, Josie Cohen, ActionAid biofuels campaigner josie.cohen PS. Thank you to the thousands of you who signed the petition to stop the global biofuel land grab. It’s a powerful message to politicians that will help stop biofuel companies grabbing land from communities like Mariam’s.