LARGE TEXT CALENDAR

Friday May 9th, 2008
7:00 PM
Part III The Shadows In The Cave The Power of Nightmares

Films and Discussion on Friday (All films begin at 7pm-Free, but bring snacks to share) Video: The Power of Nightmares - Part III The Shadows In The Cave The Power of Nightmares assesses whether the threat from a hidden and organised terrorist network is an illusion. In the concluding part of the series, the programme explains how the illusion was created and who benefits from

Location: NPML 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609

Sunday May 11th, 2008
10:00 AM
“The subprime debacle: new problems and dilemmas for the US ruling class”

Presenter: Karl Beitel The recent meltdown of subprime mortgage market has sent shock waves through US and global financial markets. Estimates of the eventual loss of wealth in the US household sector from write-downs and foreclosures range from $300 billion to $1.2 trillion dollars. The crisis has called forth an unprecedented expansion of the degree, form and scope of intervention by Central Bank, and will eventually require a public bailout of the losses created by predatory – and in many case criminal – lending practices implicitly condoned by leading US banks. Of equally significance, the current crisis has badly tarnished the legitimacy of the US financial model based on deregulation, financial liberalization, and the proliferation of myriad forms of “structured” financial products that lie at the root of the subprime debacle. The subprime crisis raises a series of profound questions this lecture and discussion will seek to address. Is the crisis merely a bump on the road to a renewed phase of credit-fueled growth? Or does it portending to a much deeper dislocation in the finance-led model of accumulation? How will the US domestic economy adjust, and what are the implications for US imperial and financial power given the impact of the crisis on foreigner’s confidence in the dollar? Most importantly, what are the implications for the US – and global – working class? Please join us for a discussion on these and related issues. Karl Beitel holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of California at Davis. He has written several articles on international finance, US hegemony, and financial crisis. Recent publications have appeared in the journals Historical Materialism and Monthly Review.

Location: NPML 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609

Tuesday May 13th, 2008
7:00 PM
Venezuela and the Revolutionary Struggle

A talk by Jorge Martín International Secretary of Hands Off Venezuela Presented by the Venezuelan Solidarity Network Jorge Martín, born in Barcelona, Catalonia, has been involved in the international solidarity with the Venezuelan revolution from the very beginning. He was a founding member of the international Hands Off Venezuela campaign, of which he is now the International Secretary. He has written extensively on the Bolivarian revolution and has traveled around the world speaking in its defense. He has visited Venezuela often, participating in meetings and forums and holding discussions with revolutionary activists. He has been actively involved in the movement of occupied factories in Venezuela. Recently he attended the Havana Book Fair, just as the corporate media frenzy over the change in leadership of the Cuban state was announced. $5 suggested ($3 for students & seniors) with no one turned away for lack of funds For more information: 510-465-9914

Location: NPML 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609

Sunday May 18th, 2008
10:00 AM
The Bourgeoisie State and the Electoral Process

The Bourgeoisie State and the Electoral Process This presentation will focus on the current nature of the Bourgeoisie State in the period of neo-Liberalism and the consequent developments within the electoral process. The focus will be on the USA. Presented by Bob Patenaude

Location: NPML 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609

Saturday May 24th, 2008
6:00 PM
Zionism, Palestine and the U.S.

Speakers: Steve Zeltser, Sharat Lin and a labor activist from Egypt (we need to confirm this last speaker) Program:Pot luck dinner 6.00 PM - 7.00. PM (Please bring one item of food or drink sufficient to share with 5 others

Location: NPML 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609

Saturday June 7th, 2008
10:00 AM
“Marx's Capital and Sustainable Development”

Political Affairs Readers Group Gathers the First Saturday of Each Month from 10:00 to Noon at the Niebyl-Proctor Library The Communist Party USA (Oakland/Berkeley) invites you to the Political Affairs Readers Group We will discuss the article by Davis S. Pena entitled: “Marx's Capital and Sustainable Development” This article illustrates the enduring significance of Capital v. 1 by showing that it contains abundant material useful for understanding and solving the most daunting problem currently faced by humankind: the problem of sustainable development Available in the Feb./March 2008 edition of Political Affairs. Hard copies of the article available at the Library, or call to get a PDF file

Location: NPML 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609