Yay it's 2011. I can't believe we've made it! So far I've posted 3 Best of 2010's. I owe you seven more. Today I'm posting six rapid fire "Best Ofs". You'll have to stay tuned for the last one. So In case you missed my first three, here they are:
Biggest Event to Happen to the Holy Game Since a Guy Name Michael Retired for the First Time: The Decision
Biggest I Should Have Lost My Job Moment, But Didn't: Regis Philbin
Best Impersonation of Ebenezer Scrooge: Lester Freeman
So now here's the next six:
Best Blog in the World: Feministing.com
Duh. I mean if you're not down with radical feminism, than you're pretty whack. And if you are down, than you should read feministing.com. Perhaps Naomi Wolf should check it out too.
Best Proof That I Was Right About Michael Vick: tie Barack Obama and Tucker Carlson
I've written more than once about the case of Michal Vick. I wrote that he would have "an opportunity to become a figure of redemption in Black America". Barack Obama's recent comments on the subject prove me right. I also wrote in a separate commentary, that you can't discuss the "nationwide" hatred for Michael Vick without also looking at the racism of the criminal justice system. And good old Tucker Carlson proved me right when he called for Michael Vicks execution the other day.
Best MC I Never Heard of Until We Met In Germany: Cihuatl-Ce
If you want to meet a radical, Latina MC from LA all you have to do is travel to Chemnitz, Germany. At least that's how it worked for me meeting Cihuatl-Ce. My band, Broadcast Live, was selected to give a Hip Hop Workshop and performance in Germany and so was "Cihuatl". The rest is history. My favorite line from one of her songs? "Leave you castrated with the jagged edge of my chipped tooth". Check out her music. Speaking of Germany...
Best Trip Taken By Me This Year: Germany
As I mentioned earlier my band, Broadcast Live, traveled to Germany on tour and it was a blast. My partner LJ made the journey that much better by taking me on a bike ride through Berlin. Check out the pictures at the Broadcast Live Facebook page. My most memorable moment? Reading Dickhardtstrasse on a street sign. (Strasse means street in German.) Sorry for the potty humor but it's a true story.
Best Gathering of Diverse, Radical People in the United States: US Social Forum in Detroit
I wasn't expecting to be amazed at the US Social Forum but I was. It's not that I didn't think it was going to be cool, I did. It's just that I didn't expect it to be so diverse in age, class, race and gender identity. The reason is simple, so few events really are. So I don't know where the next one is going to be but it will take place in 2014, count me in.
Best Gathering of Diverse Radical People in New York State That I Helped to Organize: The New York State Prisoner Justice Conference
What does it take to get 200 Criminal Justice Activists together to discuss ways to work collectively in order to make the change we want in New York State? It takes a handful of people to say: "We should try to gather around 200 Criminal Justice Activists from across the state to discuss ways we can change our justice system." And twenty people (or so) working day and night to make it happen. My mentor, Naomi Jaffe said it was one of the most well organized events that she's ever participated in. And she's got a Wikipedia page, so there.
One more to go...
Showing posts with label Best Of. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best Of. Show all posts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
Best of 2010 Part 2
Here it is, your second installment of the Ghetto Hippie Best of 2010.
Biggest I Should Have Lost My Job Moment, But Didn't: Regis Philbin
Did you see Nicki Minaj perform on the Regis and Kelly Show (AKA Bootygate)? You might have missed it. And if you don't know who Nicki Minaj is, it's time to do some googling. So Nicki was on the Regis and Kelly show to promote her new album Pink Friday. After her performance Regis and Kelly came over to share a few words with Nicki, and in the words of E! Entertainment, Regis "finally completed his transformation to a dirty old man." After coming extremely close to touching Nicki's midsection, Regis follows through by patting her on the butt. Yeah true story. Kelly Ripa, his co-host, couldn't hold back her shock. There were several news articles, and twitter posts, but in the end it wasn't much of a scandal for Regis.
So today, I will take a couple of lines on my blog to let Regis now how I feel about his antics.
Dear Regis,
What's wrong with you? What on earth makes you think you have the right to touch anyone without their consent? Are you aware of the concept of sexual harassment? What you did, was inappropriate, offensive, and illegal. Here's the thing though, if you've done this on national TV, what have you done when no one was looking?. On top of all of this, you know what else you did? You showed the world that a wealthy, famous man, can touch anyone's butt and suffer no real consequences. Young girls across the country have now learned that lesson from you. What a tremendous legacy you've left. As soon as I saw the YouTube link (not provided here, you'll have to find it yourself) my first thought was, I'm never going to watch your show ever again. But I immediately realized that I already never watch your show. So I guess I won't start watching your show. And here's to hoping that you are held accountable someday for perpetrating and condoning sexual harassment. I won't hold my breath, but...
...anything can happen.
That's what we've learned from you.
Sincerely,
Ghetto Hippie
Biggest I Should Have Lost My Job Moment, But Didn't: Regis Philbin
Did you see Nicki Minaj perform on the Regis and Kelly Show (AKA Bootygate)? You might have missed it. And if you don't know who Nicki Minaj is, it's time to do some googling. So Nicki was on the Regis and Kelly show to promote her new album Pink Friday. After her performance Regis and Kelly came over to share a few words with Nicki, and in the words of E! Entertainment, Regis "finally completed his transformation to a dirty old man." After coming extremely close to touching Nicki's midsection, Regis follows through by patting her on the butt. Yeah true story. Kelly Ripa, his co-host, couldn't hold back her shock. There were several news articles, and twitter posts, but in the end it wasn't much of a scandal for Regis.
So today, I will take a couple of lines on my blog to let Regis now how I feel about his antics.
Dear Regis,
What's wrong with you? What on earth makes you think you have the right to touch anyone without their consent? Are you aware of the concept of sexual harassment? What you did, was inappropriate, offensive, and illegal. Here's the thing though, if you've done this on national TV, what have you done when no one was looking?. On top of all of this, you know what else you did? You showed the world that a wealthy, famous man, can touch anyone's butt and suffer no real consequences. Young girls across the country have now learned that lesson from you. What a tremendous legacy you've left. As soon as I saw the YouTube link (not provided here, you'll have to find it yourself) my first thought was, I'm never going to watch your show ever again. But I immediately realized that I already never watch your show. So I guess I won't start watching your show. And here's to hoping that you are held accountable someday for perpetrating and condoning sexual harassment. I won't hold my breath, but...
...anything can happen.
That's what we've learned from you.
Sincerely,
Ghetto Hippie
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Best of 2010 part 1
That's right it's that time of year again. It's the best of 2010. So without further ado, let's begin, shall we?
Best Impersonation of Ebenezer Scrooge: Lester Freeman
When I say Lester Freeman I'm not referring to Lester Freamon from The Wire. Now that we've cleared that up, if you aren't up on the Albany Common Council, I'm sure you're asking: "Who the hell is Lester Freeman?" Lester Freeman is the new Common Council Member for the 2nd Ward in Albany. Why I'm bestowing this honor on Lester?
Let me explain.
A couple of nights ago dozens of concerned Albany citizens packed into the Albany Common Council Meeting to voice their support for the Albany Bath House #2. My two sons were in attendance. They both explained to the council that the Bath House was important to them and implored the Common Council to save it. For those who don't know, Albany Public Bath House #2 is essentially a local indoor pool that is open to the public. It costs adults $1 and kids $.25. My boys learned to swim there. Their school, the Albany Free School, brought the kids to swim there every Friday. For the past several weeks, students at the Free School along with concerned community members, appealed to city officials to keep the Bath House open.
A couple weeks ago it appeared that the Bath House might be saved. The Common Council voted to include a plan that could keep the Bath House open for another year, offering an opportunity to devise a plan, to save it permanently. The pool is underutilized and in disrepair. The main reason it is underutilized is that it's poorly advertised. The reason it is in disrepair is because the city has failed to maintain it. And now the city is in a budget crunch and difficult decisions have to be made. The cost to keep the Bath House open would have been $200,000 out of a budget of $165 million dollars. Despite having a budget shortfall of something like 20 million dollars and serious budget cuts, there was only one budget issue that galvanized the community, the Bath House. So the council devised a way to save it
.
Enter our dear mayor, Mayor Jerry Jennings. He was convinced that the Bath House needed to be closed. And so he vetoed it. This was the first time that he used his veto in his 17 years in office. The kids at the Albany Free School came to visit the mayor and pleaded with him to keep it open. He wouldn't listen. So now it was up to the Common Council to override his veto.
The original measure passed with 9 votes in favor of saving the Bath House but 10 votes are needed to override a mayoral veto. To make matters worse, one of the council members who had originally voted in favor of it was in Russia visiting family. So we needed two council members to come to our side and vote to save the Bath House. The stage was set.
A multi-racial, multi-generational group of concerned citizens came to the Common Council meeting. You could not have written a more heartwarming scene. One woman explained that she started swimming at the Bath House as a kid and lived in Albany her whole life; she graduated high school in 1950. Another senior mentioned that she had learned about the Bath House and started using it as a form of physical therapy. Several people explained how an indoor pool like the Bath House, is an excellent place to address the health issues facing lower income communities. Others explained the importance of preserving historic buildings in an old city like Albany. While others explained that it's the little amenities, like a walkable cheap indoor pool, that make a big difference in maintaining residents in a city like ours.
The outcry was impassioned and the unity was inspiring. As I said my sons, along with other school mates, explained to the Common Council that the Bath House was important to them. Aurora, the six year old school mate of my boys and star of the Halloween Night Video, explained that the Bath House is "awesome" and if you take away things like the Bath House than we won't have any more "awesome things". For some reason, I convinced myself that the council would listen to reason.
Council person Barbara Smith (More on her in a minute.) must have known that the votes weren't going to be there. She made a point to echo Charles Dickens and likened the upcoming vote against the Bath House to the acts of Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. Several other council members voiced their unwavering support.
Enter Lester Freeman.
He happens to be the council person of the 2nd Ward, home of Albany Bath House #2. He grabbed the microphone and came to the center of the gallery and gave a spirited denunciation of the Bath House. With the passion of a preacher he went off about how the South End "needs jobs not a bath house", as if he was creating jobs by cutting the Bath House (it won't save a single job). He mentioned how the city might have to cut more jobs next year, including the summer youth employment program. (This was also irrelevant - no one was saying "yeah cut the youth employment program to save the Bath House.") He also said that when he campaigned for his council seat no one mentioned the Bath House. (Yeah, no one knew you he was trying to close it.) And then he said two things that pissed me off. He said, "people have tried to pull the race card tonight" and then Lester said "only one black member (Barbara Smith ) of this council is voting for the Bath House". Yeah that pissed me off. As John Stewart would say: two things.
1. The people who pulled "the race card" were black people that use the pool, some of whom live in your ward.
2. When you said "only one black member...” what you should have said was: "Only one seminal, black feminist author, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, and individual partially responsible for the reprinting of Their Eyes Were Watching God, on this council, voted to save the Bath House." (See - Barbara Smith)
Lester you could have saved the pool that my kids learned to swim at. The pool was affordable and open to the public. You clearly displayed that you work for the mayor, not your constituents, and that's too bad. It's politicians like you, that make people like me think the political system is broken beyond repair. You made my kids cry and I will never forget it, neither will they. I hope you're happy.
Best Impersonation of Ebenezer Scrooge: Lester Freeman
When I say Lester Freeman I'm not referring to Lester Freamon from The Wire. Now that we've cleared that up, if you aren't up on the Albany Common Council, I'm sure you're asking: "Who the hell is Lester Freeman?" Lester Freeman is the new Common Council Member for the 2nd Ward in Albany. Why I'm bestowing this honor on Lester?
Let me explain.
A couple of nights ago dozens of concerned Albany citizens packed into the Albany Common Council Meeting to voice their support for the Albany Bath House #2. My two sons were in attendance. They both explained to the council that the Bath House was important to them and implored the Common Council to save it. For those who don't know, Albany Public Bath House #2 is essentially a local indoor pool that is open to the public. It costs adults $1 and kids $.25. My boys learned to swim there. Their school, the Albany Free School, brought the kids to swim there every Friday. For the past several weeks, students at the Free School along with concerned community members, appealed to city officials to keep the Bath House open.
A couple weeks ago it appeared that the Bath House might be saved. The Common Council voted to include a plan that could keep the Bath House open for another year, offering an opportunity to devise a plan, to save it permanently. The pool is underutilized and in disrepair. The main reason it is underutilized is that it's poorly advertised. The reason it is in disrepair is because the city has failed to maintain it. And now the city is in a budget crunch and difficult decisions have to be made. The cost to keep the Bath House open would have been $200,000 out of a budget of $165 million dollars. Despite having a budget shortfall of something like 20 million dollars and serious budget cuts, there was only one budget issue that galvanized the community, the Bath House. So the council devised a way to save it
.
Enter our dear mayor, Mayor Jerry Jennings. He was convinced that the Bath House needed to be closed. And so he vetoed it. This was the first time that he used his veto in his 17 years in office. The kids at the Albany Free School came to visit the mayor and pleaded with him to keep it open. He wouldn't listen. So now it was up to the Common Council to override his veto.
The original measure passed with 9 votes in favor of saving the Bath House but 10 votes are needed to override a mayoral veto. To make matters worse, one of the council members who had originally voted in favor of it was in Russia visiting family. So we needed two council members to come to our side and vote to save the Bath House. The stage was set.
A multi-racial, multi-generational group of concerned citizens came to the Common Council meeting. You could not have written a more heartwarming scene. One woman explained that she started swimming at the Bath House as a kid and lived in Albany her whole life; she graduated high school in 1950. Another senior mentioned that she had learned about the Bath House and started using it as a form of physical therapy. Several people explained how an indoor pool like the Bath House, is an excellent place to address the health issues facing lower income communities. Others explained the importance of preserving historic buildings in an old city like Albany. While others explained that it's the little amenities, like a walkable cheap indoor pool, that make a big difference in maintaining residents in a city like ours.
The outcry was impassioned and the unity was inspiring. As I said my sons, along with other school mates, explained to the Common Council that the Bath House was important to them. Aurora, the six year old school mate of my boys and star of the Halloween Night Video, explained that the Bath House is "awesome" and if you take away things like the Bath House than we won't have any more "awesome things". For some reason, I convinced myself that the council would listen to reason.
Council person Barbara Smith (More on her in a minute.) must have known that the votes weren't going to be there. She made a point to echo Charles Dickens and likened the upcoming vote against the Bath House to the acts of Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. Several other council members voiced their unwavering support.
Enter Lester Freeman.
He happens to be the council person of the 2nd Ward, home of Albany Bath House #2. He grabbed the microphone and came to the center of the gallery and gave a spirited denunciation of the Bath House. With the passion of a preacher he went off about how the South End "needs jobs not a bath house", as if he was creating jobs by cutting the Bath House (it won't save a single job). He mentioned how the city might have to cut more jobs next year, including the summer youth employment program. (This was also irrelevant - no one was saying "yeah cut the youth employment program to save the Bath House.") He also said that when he campaigned for his council seat no one mentioned the Bath House. (Yeah, no one knew you he was trying to close it.) And then he said two things that pissed me off. He said, "people have tried to pull the race card tonight" and then Lester said "only one black member (Barbara Smith ) of this council is voting for the Bath House". Yeah that pissed me off. As John Stewart would say: two things.
1. The people who pulled "the race card" were black people that use the pool, some of whom live in your ward.
2. When you said "only one black member...” what you should have said was: "Only one seminal, black feminist author, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, and individual partially responsible for the reprinting of Their Eyes Were Watching God, on this council, voted to save the Bath House." (See - Barbara Smith)
Lester you could have saved the pool that my kids learned to swim at. The pool was affordable and open to the public. You clearly displayed that you work for the mayor, not your constituents, and that's too bad. It's politicians like you, that make people like me think the political system is broken beyond repair. You made my kids cry and I will never forget it, neither will they. I hope you're happy.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Best of Decade part 10
Here it is. The long awaited #10. Are you ready? Personally I think that it's worth the wait. I hope you all do to...
Best Thing to Happen to Me This Decade: The Birth of My Two Boys
Before this decade began, I had no kids, which was a good thing. I cannot say that life for me has been a utopia since they joined this world that would be like saying "Iraq
So the moral of the story is, don't have kids unless you are prepared to be thoroughly frustrated very often. But if you're like me and you can handle a little frustration, than you will probably feel like the luckiest person in the universe. That's how I feel, every time I look at one of their beautiful faces. If I am a good father to them, than I feel like I'm succeeding at life. I often have moments of insecurity when I feel like I can't do anything right but they remind me otherwise. I'm not saying my life is all about my kids, I do lot's of interesting things that are not about them. I am saying that they are beautiful and they make me feel so fortunate that it's difficult to put into words.
If you still can't understand how I came to the conclusion that my boys are the best thing to happen to me this decade, than watch this.
If you don't understand why that video is so special, than let David Chappele explain it to you.
Best Thing to Happen to Me This Decade: The Birth of My Two Boys
Before this decade began, I had no kids, which was a good thing. I cannot say that life for me has been a utopia since they joined this world that would be like saying "
So the moral of the story is, don't have kids unless you are prepared to be thoroughly frustrated very often. But if you're like me and you can handle a little frustration, than you will probably feel like the luckiest person in the universe. That's how I feel, every time I look at one of their beautiful faces. If I am a good father to them, than I feel like I'm succeeding at life. I often have moments of insecurity when I feel like I can't do anything right but they remind me otherwise. I'm not saying my life is all about my kids, I do lot's of interesting things that are not about them. I am saying that they are beautiful and they make me feel so fortunate that it's difficult to put into words.
If you still can't understand how I came to the conclusion that my boys are the best thing to happen to me this decade, than watch this.
If you don't understand why that video is so special, than let David Chappele explain it to you.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Best of Decade part 9
Hey y'all. I just fell off the face of the earth and left you hanging. This is unacceptable and I apologize. In fairness to me, I have been moving. Who on earth moves from one 3rd floor apartment to another 3rd floor apartment? Me. Let's just say I was on a stairmaster for 72 hours straight. Now I am living in my new apartment and dancing through the mazes of boxes and random things scattered aroung. I really think moving can be the most truamatic of all of the completely un-traumatic events that happen in life. Or maybe it's just me.
Anyway I still have two more posts for the best of the decade. Here's number 9. (Stay tuned number 10 is gonna blow you away.)
Biggest Crock of Shit of the Decade: Iraq Having Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Do you remember that? WHAT A CROCK OF SHIT! I remember at the time thinking, "How is it that I know that Iraq doesn't have WMD's and our government doesn't". Of course they did know. As evidenced by accounts from former CIA officials that President GW was briefed by the CIA Director George Tenet and informed that Iraq had no such weapons. At this point the administration had allready determined it's course and was only looking for information to back up it's plans. Luckily Colin Powell was willing to be the liar that made the case to the United Nations. He than quietly resigned before GW's next term.
I'm not sure there has ever been a bigger CROCK OF SHIT in my lifetime. The Bush administration is responsible for the death of millions of Iraqi's and thousands of U.S. soldiers because of a war that was based on ridiculously false pretenses. Even GW himself thinks the whole thing is preposterous as evidenced by his presentation at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2004. (Mysteriously I couldn't find a good video of it) A recent British Film, In the Loop, satirizes the behind the scenes events involving the U.S. and Brittish Governments leading up to the war. The whole thing was so completely ludicrous that it may very well have reached and entirely new level of ludiocrity!
At least we don't have to deal with that administration anymore. But in honor of the Bush Administration I invite you to watch Stephen Colbert completely annihilate GW at the White Correspondents Dinner in 2006. This was so amazing that it probably deserved it's own "Best of" but there just wasn't enough room.
Anyway I still have two more posts for the best of the decade. Here's number 9. (Stay tuned number 10 is gonna blow you away.)
Biggest Crock of Shit of the Decade: Iraq Having Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Do you remember that? WHAT A CROCK OF SHIT! I remember at the time thinking, "How is it that I know that Iraq doesn't have WMD's and our government doesn't". Of course they did know. As evidenced by accounts from former CIA officials that President GW was briefed by the CIA Director George Tenet and informed that Iraq had no such weapons. At this point the administration had allready determined it's course and was only looking for information to back up it's plans. Luckily Colin Powell was willing to be the liar that made the case to the United Nations. He than quietly resigned before GW's next term.
I'm not sure there has ever been a bigger CROCK OF SHIT in my lifetime. The Bush administration is responsible for the death of millions of Iraqi's and thousands of U.S. soldiers because of a war that was based on ridiculously false pretenses. Even GW himself thinks the whole thing is preposterous as evidenced by his presentation at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2004. (Mysteriously I couldn't find a good video of it) A recent British Film, In the Loop, satirizes the behind the scenes events involving the U.S. and Brittish Governments leading up to the war. The whole thing was so completely ludicrous that it may very well have reached and entirely new level of ludiocrity!
At least we don't have to deal with that administration anymore. But in honor of the Bush Administration I invite you to watch Stephen Colbert completely annihilate GW at the White Correspondents Dinner in 2006. This was so amazing that it probably deserved it's own "Best of" but there just wasn't enough room.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Best of Decade part 8
OK this one is more of "Biggest" than "Best":
Biggest Mystery To Me and a Lot of Conspiracy Theorists on the Internet: The "Plane" That Hit the Pentagon - 9/11
Now I'm honestly not one for conspiracy theories. Although I do love me a good conspiracy theory movie. In fact, Enemy of the State, featuring Will Smith, (AKA the Fresh Prince), might be my favorite movie of all time. But that's probably just me imagining myself as Will, taking on the NSA and the Mob in one fell swoop. I could be Will, definitely. But anyway, I don't typically concern myself with conspiracy theories because I believe the government is involved in enough unjust activity right in front of our faces that I have plenty of material to be upset about. That's why I don't spend much time figuring out the injustices that are conspired about behind our back. That and I don't want to seem like some of the freaky people that spend their time worrying about these things, think Gene Hackman in Enemy of the State; yeah I prefer to picture myself as Will Smith, but that's just me.
This brings us to the case of the American Airlines Flight 77 that hit the Pentagon on 9/11. I'm not going to get into the rest of the debatable events of 9/11 because I just don't have time. In terms of the Pentagon, my question is why can't I see a plane? At no point in any video footage have I seen anything that looks definitively like a large passenger plane. Now in fairness I went to this site and noticed that a good percentage of the crashes pictured on the site, seem to be disintegrated to a serious degree. It still seems to me that there would be a little more wreckage in the video. I also would expect to see more eyewitness accounts. You know like: "Holy Shit I was walking into Wal-Mart and this giant 747 flew over my head". Here is the official government video.They didn't release until 2006. It doesn't look like a plane to me but I am no expert. So tell me who is right? This video and this video or National Geographic?
I'm not saying that a plane did not crash into the Pentagon. I mean that's a pretty big statement and lot's of "real people" lost their lives on that plane. I do not wish to be flippant about a subject that involves the deaths of so many people. I honestly am very curious. Is there something about engineering and physics that I don't understand that makes this situation plausible. I do know that the National Geographic video lays out a logical explanation. For some reason I'm not convinced by it. Could anyone else explain it to me? If you can, please do. I know one of my friends was in a plane in New York and saw a plane hit one of the towers, while in the air. Does anyone out their have friends that saw something similar in DC? I would love to know.
Wikipedia breaks it down, somewhat convincingly and leads me to believe that the "crash" as reported is plausible, but I'm still not convinced. Feel free to call me a wingnut, I can handle it.
The only that I know for certain is, if there was a conspiracy of this magnitude, I want to be friends with the Gene Hackman character, but I still would rather be Will Smith.
Biggest Mystery To Me and a Lot of Conspiracy Theorists on the Internet: The "Plane" That Hit the Pentagon - 9/11
Now I'm honestly not one for conspiracy theories. Although I do love me a good conspiracy theory movie. In fact, Enemy of the State, featuring Will Smith, (AKA the Fresh Prince), might be my favorite movie of all time. But that's probably just me imagining myself as Will, taking on the NSA and the Mob in one fell swoop. I could be Will, definitely. But anyway, I don't typically concern myself with conspiracy theories because I believe the government is involved in enough unjust activity right in front of our faces that I have plenty of material to be upset about. That's why I don't spend much time figuring out the injustices that are conspired about behind our back. That and I don't want to seem like some of the freaky people that spend their time worrying about these things, think Gene Hackman in Enemy of the State; yeah I prefer to picture myself as Will Smith, but that's just me.
This brings us to the case of the American Airlines Flight 77 that hit the Pentagon on 9/11. I'm not going to get into the rest of the debatable events of 9/11 because I just don't have time. In terms of the Pentagon, my question is why can't I see a plane? At no point in any video footage have I seen anything that looks definitively like a large passenger plane. Now in fairness I went to this site and noticed that a good percentage of the crashes pictured on the site, seem to be disintegrated to a serious degree. It still seems to me that there would be a little more wreckage in the video. I also would expect to see more eyewitness accounts. You know like: "Holy Shit I was walking into Wal-Mart and this giant 747 flew over my head". Here is the official government video.They didn't release until 2006. It doesn't look like a plane to me but I am no expert. So tell me who is right? This video and this video or National Geographic?
I'm not saying that a plane did not crash into the Pentagon. I mean that's a pretty big statement and lot's of "real people" lost their lives on that plane. I do not wish to be flippant about a subject that involves the deaths of so many people. I honestly am very curious. Is there something about engineering and physics that I don't understand that makes this situation plausible. I do know that the National Geographic video lays out a logical explanation. For some reason I'm not convinced by it. Could anyone else explain it to me? If you can, please do. I know one of my friends was in a plane in New York and saw a plane hit one of the towers, while in the air. Does anyone out their have friends that saw something similar in DC? I would love to know.
Wikipedia breaks it down, somewhat convincingly and leads me to believe that the "crash" as reported is plausible, but I'm still not convinced. Feel free to call me a wingnut, I can handle it.
The only that I know for certain is, if there was a conspiracy of this magnitude, I want to be friends with the Gene Hackman character, but I still would rather be Will Smith.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Best of the Decade part 7
So the decade is almost over. How do you feel? I feel pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Life is good and the future is bright, in fact hold on a second...
I had to run to the other room to grab my shades, that's how bright it is in here. But I suppose I should stop boring you with my grand illuminescence (Illuminescence is not a word in Webster's dictionary but definitely is a word in the urban dictionary). So let's get on with the next best of the decade entry, shall we?
Best victory connected to a protest in which I didn't realize how tremendous the victory was until almost a decade later: Sweat Free SUNY Demonstration at University of Albany 2000 and the Workers at the Russell Athletic Factory Winning Their Jobs Back 2009
Back in 2000 I was one of 17 students arrested at a demonstration at the University of Albany. The purpose of the demo was to demand that the University stop selling clothes, with the school logo, that were made in sweatshops. We also wanted the University to allow the food and service workers on campus to organize a union. To accomplish this goal several students entered the Presidents Office and refused to leave. The rest of us stood outside in support of their efforts. At the end of the day they were arrested. Than some mayhem broke out and to make a long story short, a bunch more students were arrested, including me. The chaos took place in front of several news cameras and it became a national story.
The University was flooded with letters. Soon afterwards the U Albany administration recongized the union for the campus workers and agreed to adopt a code-of-conduct that would ban University Apparel from being made in sweatshops. They dragged their feet on the second part but eventually followed through and created a "Statement of Principles for Workers Rights" The Albany District Attorney also dropped all of the charges on the students (myself included) that had been arrested. It seemed like a pretty decent victory. The University made the policy changes we demanded, the campus workers were allowed to unionize and none of us had to go to jail. It sounds pretty succesful doesn't it? But to be honest I think some of us wondered how much of a difference this really made. I can say I had my doubts.
Than fast forward to January of this year when Russell Athletic closed a plant in Honduras because many of the workers attempted to join a union. The closing left 1200 people without jobs. As a result, sweat free organizers began a national campaign to force Russell Athletic to re-open the plant. They convinced 90 universities around the country to discontinue their contracts with Russell Athletic. One of those schools was none other than the University of Albany. They had to cancel the contract because Russel Athletics' actions now violated University Policy. This forced Russell Athletic to re-open it's plant in Honduras and re-hire all of the workers, allow them to unionize, and agree not to block seven other Honduran Plants, operated by Russell, from unionizing. Now that, my friends, is a victory.
Of course the University of Albany demonstration that I was involved in was not the primary reason for this victory. But that demo prompted more actions just like it across the country. It was an important piece in a unified struggle to utilize our privileges as students and consumers to take a stand against the vicious abuses of the apparel industry. And this holiday season, a whole lot of workers can sleep easier because of the support we've given them. This victory belongs to the workers more than anyone else. They've sacrificed so much more than I could possibly imagine, in the name of justice, dignity and respect. (Check out a slideshow of workers attending an assembly meeting right here.) It is an honor to have any role that could assist them. Their example is one of true rebellion. Hopefully our humble work has been an example of true support.
I had to run to the other room to grab my shades, that's how bright it is in here. But I suppose I should stop boring you with my grand illuminescence (Illuminescence is not a word in Webster's dictionary but definitely is a word in the urban dictionary). So let's get on with the next best of the decade entry, shall we?
Best victory connected to a protest in which I didn't realize how tremendous the victory was until almost a decade later: Sweat Free SUNY Demonstration at University of Albany 2000 and the Workers at the Russell Athletic Factory Winning Their Jobs Back 2009
Back in 2000 I was one of 17 students arrested at a demonstration at the University of Albany. The purpose of the demo was to demand that the University stop selling clothes, with the school logo, that were made in sweatshops. We also wanted the University to allow the food and service workers on campus to organize a union. To accomplish this goal several students entered the Presidents Office and refused to leave. The rest of us stood outside in support of their efforts. At the end of the day they were arrested. Than some mayhem broke out and to make a long story short, a bunch more students were arrested, including me. The chaos took place in front of several news cameras and it became a national story.
The University was flooded with letters. Soon afterwards the U Albany administration recongized the union for the campus workers and agreed to adopt a code-of-conduct that would ban University Apparel from being made in sweatshops. They dragged their feet on the second part but eventually followed through and created a "Statement of Principles for Workers Rights" The Albany District Attorney also dropped all of the charges on the students (myself included) that had been arrested. It seemed like a pretty decent victory. The University made the policy changes we demanded, the campus workers were allowed to unionize and none of us had to go to jail. It sounds pretty succesful doesn't it? But to be honest I think some of us wondered how much of a difference this really made. I can say I had my doubts.
Than fast forward to January of this year when Russell Athletic closed a plant in Honduras because many of the workers attempted to join a union. The closing left 1200 people without jobs. As a result, sweat free organizers began a national campaign to force Russell Athletic to re-open the plant. They convinced 90 universities around the country to discontinue their contracts with Russell Athletic. One of those schools was none other than the University of Albany. They had to cancel the contract because Russel Athletics' actions now violated University Policy. This forced Russell Athletic to re-open it's plant in Honduras and re-hire all of the workers, allow them to unionize, and agree not to block seven other Honduran Plants, operated by Russell, from unionizing. Now that, my friends, is a victory.
Of course the University of Albany demonstration that I was involved in was not the primary reason for this victory. But that demo prompted more actions just like it across the country. It was an important piece in a unified struggle to utilize our privileges as students and consumers to take a stand against the vicious abuses of the apparel industry. And this holiday season, a whole lot of workers can sleep easier because of the support we've given them. This victory belongs to the workers more than anyone else. They've sacrificed so much more than I could possibly imagine, in the name of justice, dignity and respect. (Check out a slideshow of workers attending an assembly meeting right here.) It is an honor to have any role that could assist them. Their example is one of true rebellion. Hopefully our humble work has been an example of true support.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Best of Decade part 6
So today's entry isn't really a "best of", "worst of", or "biggest". Today's entry is just an opportunity to honor the memory of a fallen ally.
In memory: Rachel Corrie
On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie lost her life to the blade of an Israeli Bulldozer. (Actually it was an American Bulldozer, made by Caterpillar Inc. based in Peoria, IL.) She was an activist in Palestine, acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people to prevent the demolition of homes in Gaza. As any activist, she was an idealist. I would imagine that she was both aware of the fact that she was in danger and simultaneously unclear as to how severe the danger was. I also assume that she felt like she could truly make a difference by utilizing her privilege as an American Citizen to prevent the Israeli Military from destroying the homes and livelihoods of countless Palestinians.
Unfortunately the brutality of war became a reality for Rachel and subsequently her family and friends. The Israeli government claims that it was not responsible for her death. They assert that the driver of the bulldozer never saw her and that it was a terrible accident. Several eye witnesses dispute that claim and state that Rachel climbed on a mound of dirt and rubble to see the driver at eye level, seconds before being run over by the destructive machinery.
You can read more about her story at her memorial website as well as Wikipedia.
After Rachel's death, Yasser Arafat told her parents "She is your daughter but she is also the daughter of all Palestinians. She is ours too now.” In this regard, I would say that Rachel is the sister of all of us that struggle for justice in the belly of the beast. In her memory it is our duty to continue to support the struggle of the Palestinian people. Their struggle is no different than the struggle of Black Americans in the United States, Tibetans in China, and Black Africans in South Africa. Each of these struggles have benefited from the support of committed allies.
When I think of Rachel I'm always close to tears. I did not know her, but I know people that knew her. She seems like she could have been one of my friends, one of the people that I sat in organizing meetings with. Her death reminded me of what it means to be an ally. You don't have to die to be an ally but you have to really care and challenge your own privilege. I believe Rachel embodies those principles and gave up her life for them. Most of us that work for social justice understand that it could have been any one of us. This is why we have to remember Rachel.
We will never forget you Rachel, in fact remembering you is the least we can do.
In memory: Rachel Corrie
On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie lost her life to the blade of an Israeli Bulldozer. (Actually it was an American Bulldozer, made by Caterpillar Inc. based in Peoria, IL.) She was an activist in Palestine, acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people to prevent the demolition of homes in Gaza. As any activist, she was an idealist. I would imagine that she was both aware of the fact that she was in danger and simultaneously unclear as to how severe the danger was. I also assume that she felt like she could truly make a difference by utilizing her privilege as an American Citizen to prevent the Israeli Military from destroying the homes and livelihoods of countless Palestinians.
Unfortunately the brutality of war became a reality for Rachel and subsequently her family and friends. The Israeli government claims that it was not responsible for her death. They assert that the driver of the bulldozer never saw her and that it was a terrible accident. Several eye witnesses dispute that claim and state that Rachel climbed on a mound of dirt and rubble to see the driver at eye level, seconds before being run over by the destructive machinery.
You can read more about her story at her memorial website as well as Wikipedia.
After Rachel's death, Yasser Arafat told her parents "She is your daughter but she is also the daughter of all Palestinians. She is ours too now.” In this regard, I would say that Rachel is the sister of all of us that struggle for justice in the belly of the beast. In her memory it is our duty to continue to support the struggle of the Palestinian people. Their struggle is no different than the struggle of Black Americans in the United States, Tibetans in China, and Black Africans in South Africa. Each of these struggles have benefited from the support of committed allies.
When I think of Rachel I'm always close to tears. I did not know her, but I know people that knew her. She seems like she could have been one of my friends, one of the people that I sat in organizing meetings with. Her death reminded me of what it means to be an ally. You don't have to die to be an ally but you have to really care and challenge your own privilege. I believe Rachel embodies those principles and gave up her life for them. Most of us that work for social justice understand that it could have been any one of us. This is why we have to remember Rachel.
We will never forget you Rachel, in fact remembering you is the least we can do.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Best of Decade part 5
Hey y'all. I'm back with the best of the decade. Today this choice is actually a "worst of". Here it is:
Worst Missed Opportunity to Grant a Pardon to Leonard Peltier: Lame Duck BillClinton
Just before Bill Clinton left office in January 2000, he granted over 100 pardons. One of the names that people had hoped would be on that list was Leonard Peltier. Unfortunately he was not. If you don't know who Leonard Peltier is you should go here and here. Leonard is an artist, activist and author and was convicted of killing two FBI agents even though there is not a shred of evidence to suggest he killed them. His trial was one of the biggest shams in the history of the United States Justice System and let's be honest there have been some pretty big shams to compare it to. He has more supporters than Santa Clause. When your supporter list includes: The Dalai Lama, Mikael Gorbachev, the entire European Parliament, U2, Naomi Campbell, Kevin Spacey and Coolio, you deserve a chance at freedom.
Leonard Peltier had that opportunity when Bill Clinton agreed to take a look at Peltier's case. In response to this, hundreds of FBI agents marched to the White House in what was an unprecedented event. I remember two phone interviews made by Amy Goodman at the time. One was with Bill Clinton when he actually called in to her show and she asked him if he would release Peltier, his response was "I'm going to consider it." Shortly afterwards, Goodman interviewed two FBI Agents that reminded me of the guys in suits from the Matrix. While insisting Peltier was guilty, one of them said something like: "If Leonard didn't shoot the agent, than someone else did." There he was acknowledging the presence of reasonable doubt in Leonard's case to thousands of listeners across the country. Former Congressman and FBI Agent, Don Edwards had this to say: “The FBI continues to deny its improper conduct on Pine Ridge during the 1970's and in the trial of Leonard Peltier. The FBI used Mr. Peltier as a scapegoat and they continue to do so today. At every step of the way, FBI agents and leadership have opposed any admission of wrongdoing by the government, and they have sought to misrepresent and politicize the meaning of clemency for Leonard Peltier. The killing of FBI agents at Pine Ridge was reprehensible, but the government now admits that it cannot prove that Mr. Peltier killed the agents.”
On the nightClinton Europe , meanwhile his wife was donating large sums of money to Hillary Clinton's New York Senatorial Campaign. Maybe if Peltier had been a billionaire he would be free, unfortunately he is still in prison.
Honorable mention: George W. Bush and Barack Obama
Worst Missed Opportunity to Grant a Pardon to Leonard Peltier: Lame Duck Bill
Just before Bill Clinton left office in January 2000, he granted over 100 pardons. One of the names that people had hoped would be on that list was Leonard Peltier. Unfortunately he was not. If you don't know who Leonard Peltier is you should go here and here. Leonard is an artist, activist and author and was convicted of killing two FBI agents even though there is not a shred of evidence to suggest he killed them. His trial was one of the biggest shams in the history of the United States Justice System and let's be honest there have been some pretty big shams to compare it to. He has more supporters than Santa Clause. When your supporter list includes: The Dalai Lama, Mikael Gorbachev, the entire European Parliament, U2, Naomi Campbell, Kevin Spacey and Coolio, you deserve a chance at freedom.
Leonard Peltier had that opportunity when Bill Clinton agreed to take a look at Peltier's case. In response to this, hundreds of FBI agents marched to the White House in what was an unprecedented event. I remember two phone interviews made by Amy Goodman at the time. One was with Bill Clinton when he actually called in to her show and she asked him if he would release Peltier, his response was "I'm going to consider it." Shortly afterwards, Goodman interviewed two FBI Agents that reminded me of the guys in suits from the Matrix. While insisting Peltier was guilty, one of them said something like: "If Leonard didn't shoot the agent, than someone else did." There he was acknowledging the presence of reasonable doubt in Leonard's case to thousands of listeners across the country. Former Congressman and FBI Agent, Don Edwards had this to say: “The FBI continues to deny its improper conduct on Pine Ridge during the 1970's and in the trial of Leonard Peltier. The FBI used Mr. Peltier as a scapegoat and they continue to do so today. At every step of the way, FBI agents and leadership have opposed any admission of wrongdoing by the government, and they have sought to misrepresent and politicize the meaning of clemency for Leonard Peltier. The killing of FBI agents at Pine Ridge was reprehensible, but the government now admits that it cannot prove that Mr. Peltier killed the agents.”
On the night
Honorable mention: George W. Bush and Barack Obama
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Best of Decade part 4
Hey y'all. I hope those of you that celebrate Christmas had a wonderful time. I did. The kids woke up and opened up their presents. They were so excited it was out of control. The opposite side of the disgusting consumerism that represents Christmas in our capitalist nation is that parents buy gifts for their kids because they love to see them smile. My kids definitely smiled. Until my four year old realized that he didn't get a wolverine claw and then he was upset. That's the flip side. Afterwards we went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was the worst movie I've ever seen. Seriously. Don't see it. It's aweful, the most aweful. It's been a tradition in my family since I was a kid to see a movie on Christmas. It will be much better when the kids are big enough to see something that doesn't include singing chipmunks. It's going to be great.
And back to the best of...
So for this one post I will deviate from radical politics to offer a category that is not radical nor political.
Best Basketball Team of the Decade: The Los Angeles Lakers
If you have been reading this blog you know that I write about sports from time to time, offering a radical perspective. There is nothing radical about the Los Angeles Lakers except that they play "the holy game". If you don't know why basketball is "the holy game", I'll have to explain it to you another time. I can say that the players play the game because it has been their destiny and it makes them lots of money and the owners just like to make lots of money.
The Lakers are like the New York Yankees of basketball. They spend lots of money on the best players and they win lots of championships. (For full disclosure, the Lakers have been my favorite basketball team since I was six years old.) I've chosen to write about them today because there has been some debate about who the best basketball team of the decade is...
The team of the decade is indisputably the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN analyst Marc Stein, mistakenly picked the San Antonio Spurs. Sports Illustrated on the other hand, ranks the Los Angeles Lakers as the best sports franchise of the decade. How could the Lakers go from being the second best basketball team to the best sports franchise of the decade? They can't. That's why Stein is wrong, but let's look at the facts.
The Lakers won four NBA titles and the Spurs won three. That should settle the debate. But the Spurs were more consistent this decade winning at least 50 games (out of 82) every season. The Lakers had one terrible year (34 wins) and two mediocre years (42 and 45 wins). And if the award was the most consistent team of the decade, I would begrudgingly give the award to the Spurs. But it's not. The Lakers started the decade by winning 67 games and the NBA championship and closed the decade winning 65 games and the championship. The most games the Spurs ever won in the decade was 63. Additionally the Lakers played in the NBA finals 2 other times and lost. That means the Lakers have 6 NBA finals appearances and four championships (rings) compared to San Antonio's 3 appearances and 3 rings. What that tells us is that the Lakers excelled at the highest level more often than the Spurs and that is the most important marker for selecting the best team.
And to Marc Stein: "I'm right and your wrong."
But don't worry I'm not quitting my day job.
And back to the best of...
So for this one post I will deviate from radical politics to offer a category that is not radical nor political.
Best Basketball Team of the Decade: The Los Angeles Lakers
If you have been reading this blog you know that I write about sports from time to time, offering a radical perspective. There is nothing radical about the Los Angeles Lakers except that they play "the holy game". If you don't know why basketball is "the holy game", I'll have to explain it to you another time. I can say that the players play the game because it has been their destiny and it makes them lots of money and the owners just like to make lots of money.
The Lakers are like the New York Yankees of basketball. They spend lots of money on the best players and they win lots of championships. (For full disclosure, the Lakers have been my favorite basketball team since I was six years old.) I've chosen to write about them today because there has been some debate about who the best basketball team of the decade is...
The team of the decade is indisputably the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN analyst Marc Stein, mistakenly picked the San Antonio Spurs. Sports Illustrated on the other hand, ranks the Los Angeles Lakers as the best sports franchise of the decade. How could the Lakers go from being the second best basketball team to the best sports franchise of the decade? They can't. That's why Stein is wrong, but let's look at the facts.
The Lakers won four NBA titles and the Spurs won three. That should settle the debate. But the Spurs were more consistent this decade winning at least 50 games (out of 82) every season. The Lakers had one terrible year (34 wins) and two mediocre years (42 and 45 wins). And if the award was the most consistent team of the decade, I would begrudgingly give the award to the Spurs. But it's not. The Lakers started the decade by winning 67 games and the NBA championship and closed the decade winning 65 games and the championship. The most games the Spurs ever won in the decade was 63. Additionally the Lakers played in the NBA finals 2 other times and lost. That means the Lakers have 6 NBA finals appearances and four championships (rings) compared to San Antonio's 3 appearances and 3 rings. What that tells us is that the Lakers excelled at the highest level more often than the Spurs and that is the most important marker for selecting the best team.
And to Marc Stein: "I'm right and your wrong."
But don't worry I'm not quitting my day job.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Best of Decade part 3
Merry Christmas everyone. Sorry to invoke the images of consumerism, I just hope that everyone is enjoying themselves, wherever you are. Here is my third entry for the Best of the Decade.
Best Demonstration of Hope Even if I Wasn’t Drinking the Kool-AID : Gathering at Grant Park in Chicago after the election of President Barack Obama
People that know this blog understand that I’ve never been a supporter of Barack Obama. The main reason for my lack of support is my disenfranchisement from the system he represents. But today’s entries are not about those differences. It’s about me sitting on the living room floor of some friends in Arizona on Navajo Land. It was the morning after the election. Even though it was fairly obvious that he was going to win, most people still couldn’t believe it. As I looked at the T.V., I stared at the crowds of people that swarmed the park on a brisk evening. You could see people of all races and generations united in pure joy. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t in awe. I actually wanted to be there. It was invigorating to witness history like that. I knew that I would tell my kids where I was when this happened.
I listened as an older Native American woman went off about how Obama was like a savior. I listened to her son bombard her with critiques, the same ones I was thinking. But I have to say the thought on my mind was, “we should let her have today, no matter what happens tomorrow, today is hers.” And that’s how I felt for all of the people assembled in Chicago. I was happy and proud because people that view the world from the same direction as me, made this happen. This seemingly impossible event was manifested by hard working black, brown and white progressive Americans. And it certainly felt nice to have a reprieve from GW.
I had a conversation with Bill Ayers shortly after the election; he said it was important not to confuse Obama with the Obama energy. In the past and present, I have been critical of the Obama presidency. But I will have to say, that freedom fighter, Mr. Ayers, was right. The Obama Energy was one of the most uplifting images to witness this lifetime. Even an anarchist like me can appreciate that.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Best of Decade part 2
First things first, it turns out that Hewlett-Packard has created a webcam that is racist. Click here to see a video of it.
If you think this is a youtube hoax you can go to CNN and read a story about it.
Also some people have been checking out a post I wrote a little while back entitled "I guess I'm a racist."
In case you missed it you should check it out.
And finally on to my next best moment of the Decade....
Best Demonstration That Almost Happened: IMF/World Bank demonstration -Washington DC 2001
The demonstrations set to take place on September 29 and 30, 2001 were cancelled shortly after the attacks of September 11. This demonstration was setting up to be one of the largest and most intense anti-capitalist convergences in United States History. It's hard to remember what the climate was like back than on the eve of 9/11.
The anti-globalization movement had grown increasingly large in the U.S. as well as around the world. Activism in general had a resurgence not seen since the sixties and seventies. In 1999, "The Battle in Seattle" (No not the movie featuring Charlize Theron) also known as the WTO demonstrations rocked the powers that be to the point where the meeting had to be cancelled. Simultaneously a strong movement for U.S. political prisoners was developing with large demonstrations like Jericho 98 and Millions for Mumia. All of this taking place under the watch of a Democratic President (William Jefferson Clinton). In the first 8 months of the decade, massive demonstrations continued to develop including the A16 mobilization against the IMF and World Bank in DC as well as crazy brawl like demos in response to the Democratic and Republican Conventions in Los Angeles and Philadelphia respectively.
And than George W. Bush was (s)elected as the new president. Bush was instantly seen as a joke. This fueled the anti-capitalist movement even more. And everything was about to coalesce into something extraordinary. The AFL-CIO signed on as supporters of the mobilization saying: "This fall, America's unions will unite with a broad range of activists from around the world to insist on transforming the rules and institutions of the global economy to ensure that they work for working people....". An organization as large and connected as the AFL-CIO signing on, for a demonstration like this, was a sign that this was going to be a serious event. Their leadership knew full well that this wasn't going to be about sign-holding, rather massive blockades and and organized effort to shut the meetings down utilizing a wide range of tactics, some quite illegal. This was the level of organized anger towards the capitalist power structure that directs world economies. And it was going to be a fierce representation of resistance to repressive forces.
And then 9/11 happened...
George W. Bush was suddenly (and temporarily) seen as a great leader. The AFL-CIO immediately backed out of the mobilization and the IMF/World Bank postponed their meeting. The demonstration never happened. I believe that activism in U.S. has not recovered from that time period. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan led some people to focus more energy on electing Kerry, Clinton and Obama than focusing on resisting the entire power structure.
And here we are some 8 years later, with a dream President, a super-democratic majority in congress and the war in Afghanistan is escalating. Meanwhile the IMF and World Bank continue to promote policies that deprive developing nations of the opportunities they need to create sustainable economies. It's interesting to see how things unfold sometimes.
If you think this is a youtube hoax you can go to CNN and read a story about it.
Also some people have been checking out a post I wrote a little while back entitled "I guess I'm a racist."
In case you missed it you should check it out.
And finally on to my next best moment of the Decade....
Best Demonstration That Almost Happened: IMF/World Bank demonstration -Washington DC 2001
The demonstrations set to take place on September 29 and 30, 2001 were cancelled shortly after the attacks of September 11. This demonstration was setting up to be one of the largest and most intense anti-capitalist convergences in United States History. It's hard to remember what the climate was like back than on the eve of 9/11.
The anti-globalization movement had grown increasingly large in the U.S. as well as around the world. Activism in general had a resurgence not seen since the sixties and seventies. In 1999, "The Battle in Seattle" (No not the movie featuring Charlize Theron) also known as the WTO demonstrations rocked the powers that be to the point where the meeting had to be cancelled. Simultaneously a strong movement for U.S. political prisoners was developing with large demonstrations like Jericho 98 and Millions for Mumia. All of this taking place under the watch of a Democratic President (William Jefferson Clinton). In the first 8 months of the decade, massive demonstrations continued to develop including the A16 mobilization against the IMF and World Bank in DC as well as crazy brawl like demos in response to the Democratic and Republican Conventions in Los Angeles and Philadelphia respectively.
And than George W. Bush was (s)elected as the new president. Bush was instantly seen as a joke. This fueled the anti-capitalist movement even more. And everything was about to coalesce into something extraordinary. The AFL-CIO signed on as supporters of the mobilization saying: "This fall, America's unions will unite with a broad range of activists from around the world to insist on transforming the rules and institutions of the global economy to ensure that they work for working people....". An organization as large and connected as the AFL-CIO signing on, for a demonstration like this, was a sign that this was going to be a serious event. Their leadership knew full well that this wasn't going to be about sign-holding, rather massive blockades and and organized effort to shut the meetings down utilizing a wide range of tactics, some quite illegal. This was the level of organized anger towards the capitalist power structure that directs world economies. And it was going to be a fierce representation of resistance to repressive forces.
And then 9/11 happened...
George W. Bush was suddenly (and temporarily) seen as a great leader. The AFL-CIO immediately backed out of the mobilization and the IMF/World Bank postponed their meeting. The demonstration never happened. I believe that activism in U.S. has not recovered from that time period. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan led some people to focus more energy on electing Kerry, Clinton and Obama than focusing on resisting the entire power structure.
And here we are some 8 years later, with a dream President, a super-democratic majority in congress and the war in Afghanistan is escalating. Meanwhile the IMF and World Bank continue to promote policies that deprive developing nations of the opportunities they need to create sustainable economies. It's interesting to see how things unfold sometimes.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Best of Decade part 1
Alright y'all, the decade is coming to an end and I've been busy thinking up cool ideas to bring it to a close in the blogosphere. So I've decided to share my best of the decade with you. You should check in every day and you will find a new entry from now until the end of the decade. (10 in total) What are the topics? You will have to tune it to find out. So here goes the first one:
Best Demonstration attended by Me: Impromptu March in response to the acquittal of the four police officers that shot Amadou Diallo -Albany, NY 2000
I want to make clear that when I use the word "best" here I am referring to the energy of the people during the demonstration. It's hard to use the word "best" to describe anything to do with the trial of those police officers. I have lived in Albany for years and it's not often that we have major national news stories here. At the time of the trial, there were news trucks lining Washington Ave. The only other time I've seen anything like it was the Elliot Spitzer Sex Scandal. To get an idea of how big a story this trial was, I've provided a link to the transcript from Larry King Live on the day of the acquittal.
If you don't know who Amadou Diallo is, well that is a shame (not shame on you, shame on our society for not keeping his name in the forefront of everybody's mind). He was killed in 1999 by four police officers. They fired forty-one bullets at him; nineteen struck his body, killing him. He committed no crime; he was merely on his way home from work. They asked him who he was and he responded by pulling out his wallet, and they "mistook" it for a gun and fired 41 times. The defense attorney for the officers applied for a change of venue, claiming that the cops couldn't receive a fair trial in the Bronx. The trial was moved to Albany.
Thousands of people demonstrated across the street from the courthouse during the trial. I was one of them. Some days there were only a few heads and other days there were hundreds. Al Sharpton came on more than one occasion. Rosa Clemente, recent Green Party Vice-Presidential Nominee, was one of the chairs of the local organizing group, the Justice for Diallo Committee (J4D). Most of us were well aware that the cops may be acquitted, but I can say I was shocked when it actually happened.
The mood outside the courtroom was anger and disbelief. Our numbers grew. Eventually there was a large group and we needed something to do. We marched up Washington Ave. and the numbers kept on growing. We marched down Lark St towards Clinton Ave, and decided to take over the street. The police, trailing behind, didn't do a thing. I remember feeling like it was our city. Eventually some of us were arrested voluntarily and we had a brief encounter with the Albany Courts before our charges were dismissed. After some time, people moved on.
I learned a lot from that time period. I've learned how there can be an ebb and flow to things. How there can be tremendous amounts of energy one day and none at all the next day. I've been apart of powerful movements for social change. I've witnessed some intense demonstrations but I've never felt the power of my community and the possibilities of our strength, the way I did that day. I hope I will again soon and I hope it doesn't take someone to get killed for it to happen.
Honorable mention: A16 IMF/World Bank Demonstration -Washington D.C. 2000; Millions for Mumia -Philadelphia 1999 (It didn't actually happen this decade but it's my list)
Best Demonstration attended by Me: Impromptu March in response to the acquittal of the four police officers that shot Amadou Diallo -Albany, NY 2000
I want to make clear that when I use the word "best" here I am referring to the energy of the people during the demonstration. It's hard to use the word "best" to describe anything to do with the trial of those police officers. I have lived in Albany for years and it's not often that we have major national news stories here. At the time of the trial, there were news trucks lining Washington Ave. The only other time I've seen anything like it was the Elliot Spitzer Sex Scandal. To get an idea of how big a story this trial was, I've provided a link to the transcript from Larry King Live on the day of the acquittal.
If you don't know who Amadou Diallo is, well that is a shame (not shame on you, shame on our society for not keeping his name in the forefront of everybody's mind). He was killed in 1999 by four police officers. They fired forty-one bullets at him; nineteen struck his body, killing him. He committed no crime; he was merely on his way home from work. They asked him who he was and he responded by pulling out his wallet, and they "mistook" it for a gun and fired 41 times. The defense attorney for the officers applied for a change of venue, claiming that the cops couldn't receive a fair trial in the Bronx. The trial was moved to Albany.
Thousands of people demonstrated across the street from the courthouse during the trial. I was one of them. Some days there were only a few heads and other days there were hundreds. Al Sharpton came on more than one occasion. Rosa Clemente, recent Green Party Vice-Presidential Nominee, was one of the chairs of the local organizing group, the Justice for Diallo Committee (J4D). Most of us were well aware that the cops may be acquitted, but I can say I was shocked when it actually happened.
The mood outside the courtroom was anger and disbelief. Our numbers grew. Eventually there was a large group and we needed something to do. We marched up Washington Ave. and the numbers kept on growing. We marched down Lark St towards Clinton Ave, and decided to take over the street. The police, trailing behind, didn't do a thing. I remember feeling like it was our city. Eventually some of us were arrested voluntarily and we had a brief encounter with the Albany Courts before our charges were dismissed. After some time, people moved on.
I learned a lot from that time period. I've learned how there can be an ebb and flow to things. How there can be tremendous amounts of energy one day and none at all the next day. I've been apart of powerful movements for social change. I've witnessed some intense demonstrations but I've never felt the power of my community and the possibilities of our strength, the way I did that day. I hope I will again soon and I hope it doesn't take someone to get killed for it to happen.
Honorable mention: A16 IMF/World Bank Demonstration -Washington D.C. 2000; Millions for Mumia -Philadelphia 1999 (It didn't actually happen this decade but it's my list)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Romantic Comedies
So awhile back I wrote that I hold the belief that When Harry Met Sally is the best Romantic Comedy ever. I said I was willing to entertain other possibilities. I have. And I have determined that When Harry Met Sally is hands down the best Romantic Comedy ever period, end of story.
I put Boomerang at number two and Say Anything at number three. I will accept disagreement with those two but I have found no evidence that anything comes close to Harry and Sally.
Yes I know this is not a commentary. I'm working on it. Geez.
I put Boomerang at number two and Say Anything at number three. I will accept disagreement with those two but I have found no evidence that anything comes close to Harry and Sally.
Yes I know this is not a commentary. I'm working on it. Geez.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Romantic Comedies
So here is the question. What is the best Romantic Comedy of All time? I know this may not be considered an essential discussion in terms of radical politics but I think this question needs to be answered. In my mind there really is only one answer:
When Harry met Sally
But several people have attempted to refute this claim. None of these individuals can make as passionate claim as I can. But nonetheless I will allow some time for discourse on this subject before we crown When Harry Met Sally.
And for the record my argument is simple: When Harry Met Sally will destroy all other romantic comedies in any form of battle known to human kind. Period.
So here I some of the other contenders our there:
Boomerang (one of my favorites)
Barefoot in the Park
Say Anything
High Fidelity (John Cusack is the real deal)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (I haven't seen it yet but just acquired it, legally of course)
And that's about all I've got. Feel free to give your suggestions.
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan rule the world!
When Harry met Sally
But several people have attempted to refute this claim. None of these individuals can make as passionate claim as I can. But nonetheless I will allow some time for discourse on this subject before we crown When Harry Met Sally.
And for the record my argument is simple: When Harry Met Sally will destroy all other romantic comedies in any form of battle known to human kind. Period.
So here I some of the other contenders our there:
Boomerang (one of my favorites)
Barefoot in the Park
Say Anything
High Fidelity (John Cusack is the real deal)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (I haven't seen it yet but just acquired it, legally of course)
And that's about all I've got. Feel free to give your suggestions.
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan rule the world!
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