MEETING THIS WEEK ::: The Elections in France and Greece - What do they mean?

Please note new location:
From here on and through the Summer we are meeting at the Black Hole Coffee Shop on 4504 Graustark

Wednesday, May 9, 7pm
Location: Black Hole Coffee Shop on 4504 Graustark (map)

The French and Greek Elections
Sarkozy (France) was defeated by the Socialist Party candidate, Hollande, Meanwhile a coalition of far left groups called SYRIZA won a second place victory in the Greek elections. These both represent a defeat for the neo-liberal consensus which, despite the economic destruction, has still managed to maintain legitimacy throughout much of the world. But do these elections mean anything more? In addition to the Socialist party winning in France, the far right wing parties also gained votes. Come join us as we discuss these elections and what they mean for the international left. For background, here are a couple of articles:

Election triumph for the left in Greece
The far-right factor in France's election

Socialism 2012
Educate • Agitate • Occupy
June 28 - July 1 • Chicago, Illinois

Information & on-line registration at:
http://www.socialismconference.org

Check out the list of talks of over 120 talks and panels:
http://www.socialismconference.org/talks

We will be discussing this amazing upcoming conference and how we can get everyone to Chicago this summer!

More info:
"A global rebellion of the oppressed against the oppressor, the exploited against the exploiter." That's how the African-American revolutionary Malcolm X characterized the international scene in 1965. But the description seems even more apt today. After years of devastation in the clutches of the Great Recession, masses of people are discovering their own power to change the world. The Arab Spring has given birth to a global movement of Occupiers that has revived the politics of class struggle and revolution for the 21st century. Instead of the cutbacks, unemployment and repression that our rulers offer us, solidarity in struggle shows that "another world is possible."

Each year, the Socialism conference brings together more than 1,500 scholars and activists from around the country to learn OUR history of class struggle and debate strategies for building a better world. Don't miss this chance to meet hundreds of others like you: committed fighters against a system of greed, racism, war, and oppression.

Featured speakers at Socialism 2012: Ali Abunimah • Ian Angus • Martha Biondi • Nicole Colson • Paul D’Amato • Neil Davidson • Sam Farber • Dan Georgakas • Glenn Greenwald • Arun Gupta • Alan Maass • Marlene Martin • David McNally • China Miéville • Charlie Post • Michael Ratner • Boots Riley • Jen Roesch • Eric Ruder • Beryl Satter • Michael Schwartz • Liliana Segura • Lance Selfa • Ahmed Shawki • Sharon Smith • Marvin Surkin • Lee Sustar • Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor • Sherry Wolf • Richard Wolff • Dave Zirin • and more...