Maria Matteo sets issue 282 rolling by taking on the theme of racism and xenophobia, writing that "fear creates monsters" (this reminded me of Fassbinder's "Fear eats the soul"). Speaking of fear, Carlo Oliva discusses the strange position of Italian Government Minister Martino against gun control – if we're all armed, then we'll be safer, won't we?

The debate continues on the prospects for the anti-globalisation movement following Porto Alegre with a contribution by Antonio Cardella and Lorenzo Guadagnucci.

The theme of Palestine/Israel is covered by two articles, the first by Nadia Augustoni.

In the second, Francesco Codello writes movingly on the theme of Palestine, and is worth quoting at length: "there is never a wholly just, acceptable, justifiable war, but some are perhaps more tragic than others. And this is precisely one of these, because the argument concerns two apparently and similarly incontestable principles: of the Israelis and of the Palestinians to have a land to live and grow in. But in reality it is the search for a land where ordinary men and women can live freely that needs to be supported. A land where the right to weakness prevails over that of strength."

To Latin America, and an article by Raul Zibechi discusses the neighbourhood assemblies in Buenos Aires, translated by Susanna Fresko. In his regular column, "Ritratti in piedi", Massimo Ortalli writes on "Tierra y Libertad", anarchism in the Mexican revolution, with writings by Pietro Ferrua and Paco Ignazio Taibo II.

In "Fatti & Misfatti" a report on the threat of Franco Pasello's Municipal Authority to "vaporise" him in Orwellian fashion for not completing his census form, and his strongly worded reply.

Marco Pandin talks enthusiastically about the encounter (exhibition/debate/concert) at Carrara celebrating the life and work of Fabrizio de Andre'. Another artistic statement, a reproduction entitled "Per Marina Padovese" by Mariella Bernardini.

Accompanied by period prints, Vincenzo Argenio gives his impressions on the trek by the Club Alpino Italiano in which he recently took part, in the steps of Malatesta and the "Banda del Matese" (1877). Also on the subject of Malatesta, a letter from Tokyo by Misato Toda, who learnt Italian in order to study the master's work.

In his "A nous la liberté", Felice Accame meditates on the Luddite slogan "if in doubt, smash everything" written on a wall in Florence.

On the letters page, the polemic continues between Tobia Imperato and Francesco Berti on G8 and the Black Bloc, with a lengthy missive by Imperato, who even quotes the Marx Brothers. To wind things up, Renzo Sabatini writes from Melbourne (yes, indeed) to thank "A" for the Fabrizio De André CD.

by Leslie Ray