MEETING THIS WEEK ::: Socialists And Elections

Wednesday, March 7, 7pm
Location: Rodeo Room, 2nd Floor University Center, UH - Main Campus

What Do Socialists Say About Elections?
There is always a time when socialists need to think about running candidates in popular elections. Even while revolutionary socialists do not believe you can vote in socialism, there is a large body of thought on when it is appropriate to run candidates in elections. Join us as we discus this important issue. Below find a couple of articles that are in essence pro vs contra views on the question whether revolutionaries should run in elections (although one was obviously written within a very specific context):\

Can socialism be voted into power?

The left should run in Wisconsin

PARTY ::: Capitalism for Socialism: A Fundraiser!

Capitalism for Socialism: A Fundraiser!
When: Sunday 3/4 8pm - ???
Where: Poison Girl Cocktail Lounge (map)

This is a fundraising event held by the Houston International Socialist Organization (ISO) in conjunction with Poison Girl's ongoing 'drink Houston better' fundraising series for The Center For Economic Research and Social Change (CESRC). CERSC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to a better understanding of today’s world, and helping to put forward a vision of a better future. Our central goal is education.

CERSC sponsors such great programs as Haymarket Books, The International Socialist Review magazine and the yearly Socialism Conference held every summer.

Come out and drink with fellow radicals and socialists as we try to drink Houston better! The best thing is, you don't have to donate ANY money! Just drink and we get a portion of the proceeds!!

For more info on CERSC: http://www.cersc.org/
For more info on the ISO: http://www.internationalsocialist.org/

MEETING THIS WEEK ::: Socialism: A Solution for the 99%

Wednesday, February 29, 7pm
Location: Rodeo Room, 2nd Floor University Center, UH - Main Campus

Socialism: A Solution for the 99%
From the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street, last year marked the beginning of a huge upsurge in struggle around the globe. In the US, the Occupy movement has undoubtedly brought the American left to new heights. However, as with any movement there are currently internal debates across the nation about how to take Occupy forward. In a sense, Occupy has diagnosed the ailments of the American political system, but hasn't yet prescribed any cures. Yet the issue of class struggle has been raised from the beginning by taking direct aim at the relationship between capital and the state. Having raised the level of political awareness, the question in front of the movement is now how to advance the interests of its class: the 99 percent. It is time to fashion class consciousness into political action and challenge the system of the 1% as a whole. It is also time to talk about a serious alternative: Socialism – a system that serves the 99%.

MEETING THIS WEEK ::: Organizational Meeting

NOTE: This week only we are in the Palo Duro room. It is right down the hall from the Rodeo Room.

Wednesday, February 8, 7pm
Location: Palo Duro, 2nd Floor University Center, UH - Main Campus

Organizational Meeting
This week we will have a report back from our national convention held this past weekend in Chicago. We will also be discussing the most recent planning meetings for Occupy Houston and what it means to us in the ISO and the future of Occupy and activism in Houston. Lastly we will be doing some preparation for our meeting next week on Socialism and the 99%. You can find more info on that meeting at the Facebook event page.

MEETING THIS WEEK ::: Left Wing Communism Study Group

Wednesday, February 8, 7pm
Location: Rodeo Room, 2nd Floor University Center, UH - Main Campus

Left-Wing Communism: an Infantile Disorder
This important little book is a polemic against the ultra-lefts in Germany and Britain and an excellent introduction to socialist strategy and tactics. Joins us as we discuss this book and how it relates to current day movements like the Occupy movement.

If you do not have a copy of the book you can get on from us at the meeting or you can read the entire thing online here:
http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1920/lwc/index.htm

We are back at UofH again and will be meeting at 7PM at the UC Rodeo Room. Please contact us if you have any questions!

MEETING THIS WEEK ::: Fighting Evictions!

NOTE: We're back on campus at UH!

Wednesday, February 8, 7pm
Location: Rodeo Room, 2nd Floor University Center, UH - Main Campus

Fighting Evictions
This week we'll be discussing the fight against evictions - in the 1930s and today.

Please read the following articles in preparation:

Fighting evictions during the Great Depression
Challenging an eviction threat
Ready to Occupy Our Homes
Not one more eviction

We are back at UofH again and will be meeting at 7PM at the UC Rodeo Room. Please contact us if you have any questions!

MEETING THIS WEEK ::: Occupy Going Forward

NOTE: We're back on campus at UH!

Wednesday, January 25, 7pm
Location: Rodeo Room, 2nd Floor University Center, UH - Main Campus

Occupy: past, present and future
How did it start and where does it need to be headed? Read the following articles in preparation:

Occupy Everywhere
http://www.isreview.org/issues/80/Editorial-occupy.shtml

The Politics to take occupy forward
http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/19/politics-to-take-occupy-forward

The revolutionary newspaper
The revolutionary newspaper has a long and popular history. Let's talk about its use in the current day. Please read this essay by Chris Harmann to prepare:

The revolutionary press
http://www.marxists.org/archive/harman/1984/xx/revpress.html