Bush Battles Back On Iraq
The above link leads to more information and video on the Bush speech. Now my regular linking engine seems to be working again I'll try to recreate what went missing earlier.
For news about Richard Neville's attempt to create a satire site based on his recent script=writing for the Australian premier, he writes ...
"STORM IN TEACUP
The domain name, johnhowardpm.org, is hosted by Melbourne IT. In less than 36 hours of its launch, following 10,500 visits to the site, the plug was pulled. By who? On what grounds? It took three days for Melb IT to make contact with me and help lift the veils of confusion. After receiving a phone call from Greg Williams of the People, Resources & Communications Division at the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet, Melb IT put the domain name on HOLD, where it remains. This domain cannot be transferred to another, more resilient host, for 60 days. In addition to the complaint from John Howard’s office, Melbourne IT said they had received calls from THREE Federal Police, and provided the name of an agent from the Australian High Tech Crime Centre. As far as I know, my passport has not met the same fate as my domain name."
For more, see Richard's Website.
Here, it's a return to the news for HRH His Dissidentness Prince Charles. He feels the pain of terrorism as he is awarded for promoting Islam in Egypt and reckons his predictions have come true. We are also warned of a looming constitutional crisis as the House of Lords reject the government's ID card proposals for the 4th time!
In the US, thousands turned out for the anti-war concert in New York at the weekend while in strangely hidden news, Congress have put a stop to building permanent bases in Iraq. Maybe there's still spunk in them yet.
It seems that looted valuable relics from Afghanistan have been turning up in London antiques markets. Some other shady trading is revealed as nude photos of unsuspecting members of the public are being sold after being culled from surveillance tapes by police personnel.
For a whole bunch of other items, see "Latest Clicks" on left. For now, it;s ...
Later.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Ghosts of old rhetoric
Old Forecasts Come Back to Haunt Bush
Well, he came, proclaimed and ... dunno - exactly why Bush called his press conference is a bit vague, nothing much new and hot on the heels of yesterday as covered in the above link. I suspect today had something to do with desparation - trying to keep up the pretense of authority in the face of declining approval ratings. It all came sadly unstuck when he took questions afterward - too much indecision in the answers, a couple of close calls on mixing up Iraq with Iran and an awful lot of attempted humour and snickering to cover up the goofs. Gawd help Amerika.
The questions were interrupted as my UK feed switched to East London where the Prime Preacher was delivering his own speech on Britain's foreign policy. It was, I begrudgingly admit, a rather compelling oratory which saught to say that long-term objectives were modernise political globalisation in line with the infrastructure of economic globalisation that has already stabilised. Very oddly, given his own religious persuasions, in an attempt to distinguish militant Islam from the moderate faith itself, Blair referred to "protestant bigots" creating obsticles to the peace process in Northern Ireland and insisted that most Muslims want to live in a contemporary democratic world. In this regard he also displayed telling knowledge of the history and tenants of Islam itself.
None of this changes the reality of the fact that Blair seems unable to see beyond his own urge toward evangelical patronage in the affairs of others, nor his conviction that the current model of economic globalisation is the right one. In an age of rampant consumerism and a market-driven capitalism that accelerates the divide between rich and poor, he has clearly given no thought to the fact that a "modern" world so defined is in serial decline. He views "terrorism" as a contemporary threat to drag so-called civilisation back into a fundamentalist dark age but never considers that it may also sometimes be motivated by disenfranchisement. Whilst there continue to be those that suffer within the new global economic hierarchy, his words remain framed by an opposing fundamentalist stance and will continue to lack the integrity he tries so hard to employ.
Later.
Well, he came, proclaimed and ... dunno - exactly why Bush called his press conference is a bit vague, nothing much new and hot on the heels of yesterday as covered in the above link. I suspect today had something to do with desparation - trying to keep up the pretense of authority in the face of declining approval ratings. It all came sadly unstuck when he took questions afterward - too much indecision in the answers, a couple of close calls on mixing up Iraq with Iran and an awful lot of attempted humour and snickering to cover up the goofs. Gawd help Amerika.
The questions were interrupted as my UK feed switched to East London where the Prime Preacher was delivering his own speech on Britain's foreign policy. It was, I begrudgingly admit, a rather compelling oratory which saught to say that long-term objectives were modernise political globalisation in line with the infrastructure of economic globalisation that has already stabilised. Very oddly, given his own religious persuasions, in an attempt to distinguish militant Islam from the moderate faith itself, Blair referred to "protestant bigots" creating obsticles to the peace process in Northern Ireland and insisted that most Muslims want to live in a contemporary democratic world. In this regard he also displayed telling knowledge of the history and tenants of Islam itself.
None of this changes the reality of the fact that Blair seems unable to see beyond his own urge toward evangelical patronage in the affairs of others, nor his conviction that the current model of economic globalisation is the right one. In an age of rampant consumerism and a market-driven capitalism that accelerates the divide between rich and poor, he has clearly given no thought to the fact that a "modern" world so defined is in serial decline. He views "terrorism" as a contemporary threat to drag so-called civilisation back into a fundamentalist dark age but never considers that it may also sometimes be motivated by disenfranchisement. Whilst there continue to be those that suffer within the new global economic hierarchy, his words remain framed by an opposing fundamentalist stance and will continue to lack the integrity he tries so hard to employ.
Later.
Intellectual Poverty
If Bush ruled the world
I've just writeen a long blog that has gone totally astray so this is a short replacement. The above link to the International Herald Tribute suggests that Bush's new National Security Policy is both incoherant and a case of intellectual poverty. CBS report that the Ape Emperor is to make an emergancy adresss about now (10am EST, 3pm UK) so I'm off to tune in.
Later.
I've just writeen a long blog that has gone totally astray so this is a short replacement. The above link to the International Herald Tribute suggests that Bush's new National Security Policy is both incoherant and a case of intellectual poverty. CBS report that the Ape Emperor is to make an emergancy adresss about now (10am EST, 3pm UK) so I'm off to tune in.
Later.
Monday, March 20, 2006
The furies down under
Powerful Cyclone Devastates Australia
Some breaking mainstream news here - the northwest of Australia has been hit by a major cyclone. News at the above link via CBS.
Also at CBS is a photo-record of Israel's recent incursion into Palestine and the Save Amerika from Treachery test.
A commendable new portal called Freecycle is a worldwide resource via Yahoo Groups. It allows you to support recycling constructively by by-passing capitalism. Give unwanted studd away and claim what you want for free. Nice one!
My own links have extended into Yahoo's "360" facility and will no doubt be connected to my main site shortly.
A curious item in Washington Post tells that most Egyptians went to the cinema rather than endure Condi Rice's appearances during a recent visit. Why? Her lookalike was performing sexual antics in a hot local film release.
That great law-making body called the US congress is seemingly so redundent that it will "only bother" to meet for 97 days this year. Is this what Amerikan government has come to? An article at Counterpuch asks Where is the resistence on the Home Front?
John Reid, the British war minister insulted us all on Saturday by describing those who attened the anti-war demonstrations as "supporting terrorists". Now he's gone a step further by joining those in denial about Iraq's Civil War. Those who are more inclined to recognise this truth are, it seems, themselves (you guessed it) "supporting terrorism". All in all, it seems like Chaos Accomplished.
Here at home the financial total of Blair's secret loans increases day by day and his ratings are down to 33% - something else he has in common with the Ape Emperor. This is all of minor consequence however as we learn that, in this supposed age of nuclear non-proliferation, his hypocritical attitude to Iran is re-enforced by Britains secret development of new nuclear weapons.
The cost of all this will also no doubt hit us hard when the chancellor reveals his budget later this week. Just as energy price rises come home to roost.
For latest clicks and more, see links at left.
Later.
Some breaking mainstream news here - the northwest of Australia has been hit by a major cyclone. News at the above link via CBS.
Also at CBS is a photo-record of Israel's recent incursion into Palestine and the Save Amerika from Treachery test.
A commendable new portal called Freecycle is a worldwide resource via Yahoo Groups. It allows you to support recycling constructively by by-passing capitalism. Give unwanted studd away and claim what you want for free. Nice one!
My own links have extended into Yahoo's "360" facility and will no doubt be connected to my main site shortly.
A curious item in Washington Post tells that most Egyptians went to the cinema rather than endure Condi Rice's appearances during a recent visit. Why? Her lookalike was performing sexual antics in a hot local film release.
That great law-making body called the US congress is seemingly so redundent that it will "only bother" to meet for 97 days this year. Is this what Amerikan government has come to? An article at Counterpuch asks Where is the resistence on the Home Front?
John Reid, the British war minister insulted us all on Saturday by describing those who attened the anti-war demonstrations as "supporting terrorists". Now he's gone a step further by joining those in denial about Iraq's Civil War. Those who are more inclined to recognise this truth are, it seems, themselves (you guessed it) "supporting terrorism". All in all, it seems like Chaos Accomplished.
Here at home the financial total of Blair's secret loans increases day by day and his ratings are down to 33% - something else he has in common with the Ape Emperor. This is all of minor consequence however as we learn that, in this supposed age of nuclear non-proliferation, his hypocritical attitude to Iran is re-enforced by Britains secret development of new nuclear weapons.
The cost of all this will also no doubt hit us hard when the chancellor reveals his budget later this week. Just as energy price rises come home to roost.
For latest clicks and more, see links at left.
Later.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
A wee bit of creative accounting?
Protests Mark 3 Years Of Iraq War
It seems I must stand corrected. Having uploaded yesterday's photos of Trafalgar Square I rushed to put some annotation in this blog. One typo resulted in my claiming a figure of 100,000 in attendence - a zero too many. Also, it did get some television media coverage - albeit buried in the far more "newsworthy" violence of events in France.
Reported attendence figures for London are officially in the region of 14,000 souls ( - yes, I typed it right this time!) although my feeling is that 10,000 is closer for those who actually marched there. The above link to last night's late edition of CBS news actually headlined the worldwide events, so I guess the point was made.
My thanks to Johnny Void (see link at left) who was not only one of those pointing out my fault, but also for reprinting my tirade from early yesterday about the time for a new revolution under the heading "Optimism".
Later.
It seems I must stand corrected. Having uploaded yesterday's photos of Trafalgar Square I rushed to put some annotation in this blog. One typo resulted in my claiming a figure of 100,000 in attendence - a zero too many. Also, it did get some television media coverage - albeit buried in the far more "newsworthy" violence of events in France.
Reported attendence figures for London are officially in the region of 14,000 souls (
My thanks to Johnny Void (see link at left) who was not only one of those pointing out my fault, but also for reprinting my tirade from early yesterday about the time for a new revolution under the heading "Optimism".
Later.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Trafalgar Square Today
Stop the War Coalition
The above link should be updated shortly - I seem to be ahead of them.
Around three and a half years ago I joined over a million people in Hyde Park to protest against the looming war with Iraq. Oblivious to common sense, the Prime Preacher ignored the public mood and pursued his agenda regardless. Most of the predictions made by speakers at that event have now come true as we remain bogged down within a culture we barely understand. I remember the demonstration most because it was a freezing winter day and I caught a chill which laid me under for a week or more.
Today was a slight case of deja vue. I've just returned after spending four hours or so with approximately 100,000 people who marched to Trafalgar Square in equally cold conditions. At least the sun came out for us.
Of as much concern now is the possibility of an impending war with Iran and the inability of the international community to prevent Israel colonising what's left of Palestine. Obviously, our withdrawl from Iraq was on the agenda too.
The quality of speakers was exceptional and wide-ranging. Highlights were mostly the usual suspects - Bruce Kent, Tony Benn, Piers Morgan, George Galloway, Ken Livingstone and Brian Eno, amongst countless others. A fine surprise was Julie Felix who ended the day with some harsh musical words for our planet's corporate war-mongers.
I've posted my own PHOTO GALLERY for your interest - the pictures aren't all as clear as hoped because I lingered in the crowd too long to secure a decent place to snap the speakers. I've no doubt video and audio will be popping up elsewhere soon - there was plenty of recording going on. Links to follow as I find them.
Whether the mainstream media has the decency to cover it remains to be seen. There were enough people to justify coverage but the main channels were not to be seen. The rolling BBC news service, "News 24" has no mention at all as I write. If there is any coverage here in the UK it will probably be on Channel 4 - but don't hold your breath for it! Lack of media attention to the anti-war campaign was one of the topics most criticised today, despite the otherwise high-profile of many concerned in the movement.
Later.
The above link should be updated shortly - I seem to be ahead of them.
Around three and a half years ago I joined over a million people in Hyde Park to protest against the looming war with Iraq. Oblivious to common sense, the Prime Preacher ignored the public mood and pursued his agenda regardless. Most of the predictions made by speakers at that event have now come true as we remain bogged down within a culture we barely understand. I remember the demonstration most because it was a freezing winter day and I caught a chill which laid me under for a week or more.
Today was a slight case of deja vue. I've just returned after spending four hours or so with approximately 100,000 people who marched to Trafalgar Square in equally cold conditions. At least the sun came out for us.
Of as much concern now is the possibility of an impending war with Iran and the inability of the international community to prevent Israel colonising what's left of Palestine. Obviously, our withdrawl from Iraq was on the agenda too.
The quality of speakers was exceptional and wide-ranging. Highlights were mostly the usual suspects - Bruce Kent, Tony Benn, Piers Morgan, George Galloway, Ken Livingstone and Brian Eno, amongst countless others. A fine surprise was Julie Felix who ended the day with some harsh musical words for our planet's corporate war-mongers.
I've posted my own PHOTO GALLERY for your interest - the pictures aren't all as clear as hoped because I lingered in the crowd too long to secure a decent place to snap the speakers. I've no doubt video and audio will be popping up elsewhere soon - there was plenty of recording going on. Links to follow as I find them.
Whether the mainstream media has the decency to cover it remains to be seen. There were enough people to justify coverage but the main channels were not to be seen. The rolling BBC news service, "News 24" has no mention at all as I write. If there is any coverage here in the UK it will probably be on Channel 4 - but don't hold your breath for it! Lack of media attention to the anti-war campaign was one of the topics most criticised today, despite the otherwise high-profile of many concerned in the movement.
Later.
Get on down
United for Peace
For some reason my calender didn't cough up the automatic link to put here earlier. I'm off to the anti-war event in London's Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of our fateful invasion of Iraq. If the light holds, maybe I'll have some photos later.
If you're reading this in London - get down there! If you're not in London or even Britain, click the above link to find the activities nearest you.
Later.
For some reason my calender didn't cough up the automatic link to put here earlier. I'm off to the anti-war event in London's Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of our fateful invasion of Iraq. If the light holds, maybe I'll have some photos later.
If you're reading this in London - get down there! If you're not in London or even Britain, click the above link to find the activities nearest you.
Later.
Good News for once
Google Avoids Surrendering Search Requests
It's strange that this breaking news hasn't even got close to being headline status anywhere. I had to hunt around the backwaters in the Washington Post to find the above link.
Essentially it seems a federal judge has ruled in Google's favour in allowing it to protect its information from the prying eyes of government. There are a few general statistics the government will be allowed to see, but it looks like individual privacy will continue to be secure in Google's hands.
Later.
It's strange that this breaking news hasn't even got close to being headline status anywhere. I had to hunt around the backwaters in the Washington Post to find the above link.
Essentially it seems a federal judge has ruled in Google's favour in allowing it to protect its information from the prying eyes of government. There are a few general statistics the government will be allowed to see, but it looks like individual privacy will continue to be secure in Google's hands.
Later.
Two faces or just vacant of purpose?
White House Welcomes Irish Leaders
A curious little news item above. Amerika has seemingly been celebrating St Patrick's Day with a vengence, largely overshadowing events in Ireland itself. Last time tyhe ape emperor donned his green tie was to welcome the McCartney sisters into the great white goldfish bowl - pronouncing at the time that Sinn Feinn were no longer welcome in the mansion of anti-terror inquisition.
Surprise then that yesterday we saw Jerry Adams accompany Irish PM Bertie Ahern into the hallowed Roosevelt room. Granted, most other Irish political faces were there too, but thankfully not Ian Paisley. Maybe there's a limit to how much fundamentalism even Dubya can take!
British readers may be interested to note that you get now register online for a new state benefit. The absence of waiting time may usefully be used to start reading "The Unbinding" - a new online novel by Walter Kim at Slate, with new chapters about twice a week. MI5 seem to believe that most office managers in the UK are encouraging terror attacks whilst the Labour Party seem to want a re-invented "Clause 4" to replace the one Blair buried on the road to power.
A happy 30th birthday approach for Apple Computer and a new US blog for the Regulation of Marijuana debuts.
Later.
A curious little news item above. Amerika has seemingly been celebrating St Patrick's Day with a vengence, largely overshadowing events in Ireland itself. Last time tyhe ape emperor donned his green tie was to welcome the McCartney sisters into the great white goldfish bowl - pronouncing at the time that Sinn Feinn were no longer welcome in the mansion of anti-terror inquisition.
Surprise then that yesterday we saw Jerry Adams accompany Irish PM Bertie Ahern into the hallowed Roosevelt room. Granted, most other Irish political faces were there too, but thankfully not Ian Paisley. Maybe there's a limit to how much fundamentalism even Dubya can take!
British readers may be interested to note that you get now register online for a new state benefit. The absence of waiting time may usefully be used to start reading "The Unbinding" - a new online novel by Walter Kim at Slate, with new chapters about twice a week. MI5 seem to believe that most office managers in the UK are encouraging terror attacks whilst the Labour Party seem to want a re-invented "Clause 4" to replace the one Blair buried on the road to power.
A happy 30th birthday approach for Apple Computer and a new US blog for the Regulation of Marijuana debuts.
Later.
Friday, March 17, 2006
US seeks enslavement of "little critters"
U.S. military plans to make insect cyborgs
A bit offbeat with the above link but it tells of plans by the US military to further enslave our planet's other species. Already experimenting with sharks and dolphins, they now have their eyes on the small fry - insects. Forget the war zones, this could be a nifty move for the surveillance state. With a population vastly exceeding that of the human race, a few trillion extra little critters crawling around spying on us will no doubt be un-noticed - even by those of us wary of CCTV cameras, web-monitoring and ID cards. Maybe not the near future - but a darkly possible future nonetheless.
Talking of dark futures, much is being made of how brave Hollywood has been in bringing "V for Vendetta" to our screens. Although the story has been sanitised, the scenario remains based in London and I suspect it would not have got made at all if transposed to the US. The original message was a warning about the direction of Thatcherism in 1980s Britain and was no more a "glorification of terrorism" than Orwell's "1984" - with which it has something in common. There may be subtexts for modern today Amerika (and indeed Britain itself) and it could have the power to make viewers question contemporary reality, yet it will probably be absorbed as pure entertainment. Those who seek to ask questions are already doing so and the danger of this movie is that it will further romanticise a silent message of authoritarianism that so many are all-too-willing to embrace when faced with a climate of fear. The original author, Alan Moore, has dis-owned this exploitation of his work.
Our current pretender to the totalitarian throne enters his own political twilight years and this week may be a landmark of sorts. Successful on the surface, his pursuit of social reforms and an enduring legacy has only been possible by cultivating support fromn what was once the idealogical opposition. He has effectively abdicated leadership of his own party political base. If that wasn't enough, his subversive attitude to party fund-raising has the same hallmarks of "sleaze" that he so vindictively fought against in his original quest for power. The evangelical arrogance of what now purports to be our government is about as far away from the movement that gave rise to it as can possibly be.
The kids of Amerika want nothing to do with the military conscription agents that are now a compulsory presence in their schools and colleges, but a report indicates a large increase in those studying for religious qualifications. It's a disturbing trend in that it seems these students have little intention of adopting the pulpit as a platform but rather see such fundamentalist education as a prerequisite to success in other career paths.
When Clinton left the White House, the Amerikan bank account was slightly in credit. Since the advent of the ape emperor that same account is in the red by so many trillions of dollars that this author's mind has great difficulty comprehending the figures. Now the senate have given him the go-ahead to borrow some trillions more - largely to finance foreign adventures and line the pockets of his corporate paymasters. No doubt the rape of world resources will continue to equate with the pillage of homeland welfare.
As predicted here last week, it seems the US are now working with Iran after all. The intent is to help solve the problem of civil war in Iraq but it stinks of hypocrisy in the light of the Condi-Bush intransience on matter nuclear. There's also a bit of a stink over "Taliban" fighers admitted as students at Yale, just as Bush has added to the list of regimes he wants to overthrow. Such contradictory behaviour, could there be signs of civil war in Amerika too?
Back in 1968, protests in France had the enduring legacy of keeping subsequent governments rather cautious about doing anything to upset a delicate status quo. The French seem be be very good at this kind of political empowerment by the people. Shades of those times, nearly 40 years ago, have come back to haunt the administration today. Not quite so volatile as yet, the new riots come all-too-soon after the recent ones by Islamic residents and the urban dispossessed.
Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the original "Summer of Love" - focal point of the hippie era and anti-vietman war movement. Those of us of that generation considered it a "revolution" and indeed so many of the social mores and attitudes of those days are now embedded in greater society. Maybe a new "revolution" is in order - after all the word itself implies the cyclic nature of events much as nature, the planet and the universe itself follow rotational patterns. This similarities between than and now are increasingly obvious, albeit the modern version obscured behind technological smokescreens, the propaganda base underlying contemporary media and news delivery and the comfort zone of consumerism. Once again, Amerika is pursuing a war of its own devise driven by the idealogical follies of fools with an ill-defined mission. Once more, governments are adopting attitudes of social dictatorship rather than acting as servants of their electorate. Once more, minorities are becoming oppressed by a vast swathe of the unthinking population who are subconsciously urged to react adversly to anything they don't understand.
Fortunately for freedom, governments rarely find they can maintain the complexity of deceit for too long. For every age of inquisition there follows a age of liberation. Maybe the time for that revolution is here again.
Later.
A bit offbeat with the above link but it tells of plans by the US military to further enslave our planet's other species. Already experimenting with sharks and dolphins, they now have their eyes on the small fry - insects. Forget the war zones, this could be a nifty move for the surveillance state. With a population vastly exceeding that of the human race, a few trillion extra little critters crawling around spying on us will no doubt be un-noticed - even by those of us wary of CCTV cameras, web-monitoring and ID cards. Maybe not the near future - but a darkly possible future nonetheless.
Talking of dark futures, much is being made of how brave Hollywood has been in bringing "V for Vendetta" to our screens. Although the story has been sanitised, the scenario remains based in London and I suspect it would not have got made at all if transposed to the US. The original message was a warning about the direction of Thatcherism in 1980s Britain and was no more a "glorification of terrorism" than Orwell's "1984" - with which it has something in common. There may be subtexts for modern today Amerika (and indeed Britain itself) and it could have the power to make viewers question contemporary reality, yet it will probably be absorbed as pure entertainment. Those who seek to ask questions are already doing so and the danger of this movie is that it will further romanticise a silent message of authoritarianism that so many are all-too-willing to embrace when faced with a climate of fear. The original author, Alan Moore, has dis-owned this exploitation of his work.
Our current pretender to the totalitarian throne enters his own political twilight years and this week may be a landmark of sorts. Successful on the surface, his pursuit of social reforms and an enduring legacy has only been possible by cultivating support fromn what was once the idealogical opposition. He has effectively abdicated leadership of his own party political base. If that wasn't enough, his subversive attitude to party fund-raising has the same hallmarks of "sleaze" that he so vindictively fought against in his original quest for power. The evangelical arrogance of what now purports to be our government is about as far away from the movement that gave rise to it as can possibly be.
The kids of Amerika want nothing to do with the military conscription agents that are now a compulsory presence in their schools and colleges, but a report indicates a large increase in those studying for religious qualifications. It's a disturbing trend in that it seems these students have little intention of adopting the pulpit as a platform but rather see such fundamentalist education as a prerequisite to success in other career paths.
When Clinton left the White House, the Amerikan bank account was slightly in credit. Since the advent of the ape emperor that same account is in the red by so many trillions of dollars that this author's mind has great difficulty comprehending the figures. Now the senate have given him the go-ahead to borrow some trillions more - largely to finance foreign adventures and line the pockets of his corporate paymasters. No doubt the rape of world resources will continue to equate with the pillage of homeland welfare.
As predicted here last week, it seems the US are now working with Iran after all. The intent is to help solve the problem of civil war in Iraq but it stinks of hypocrisy in the light of the Condi-Bush intransience on matter nuclear. There's also a bit of a stink over "Taliban" fighers admitted as students at Yale, just as Bush has added to the list of regimes he wants to overthrow. Such contradictory behaviour, could there be signs of civil war in Amerika too?
Back in 1968, protests in France had the enduring legacy of keeping subsequent governments rather cautious about doing anything to upset a delicate status quo. The French seem be be very good at this kind of political empowerment by the people. Shades of those times, nearly 40 years ago, have come back to haunt the administration today. Not quite so volatile as yet, the new riots come all-too-soon after the recent ones by Islamic residents and the urban dispossessed.
Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the original "Summer of Love" - focal point of the hippie era and anti-vietman war movement. Those of us of that generation considered it a "revolution" and indeed so many of the social mores and attitudes of those days are now embedded in greater society. Maybe a new "revolution" is in order - after all the word itself implies the cyclic nature of events much as nature, the planet and the universe itself follow rotational patterns. This similarities between than and now are increasingly obvious, albeit the modern version obscured behind technological smokescreens, the propaganda base underlying contemporary media and news delivery and the comfort zone of consumerism. Once again, Amerika is pursuing a war of its own devise driven by the idealogical follies of fools with an ill-defined mission. Once more, governments are adopting attitudes of social dictatorship rather than acting as servants of their electorate. Once more, minorities are becoming oppressed by a vast swathe of the unthinking population who are subconsciously urged to react adversly to anything they don't understand.
Fortunately for freedom, governments rarely find they can maintain the complexity of deceit for too long. For every age of inquisition there follows a age of liberation. Maybe the time for that revolution is here again.
Later.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Prankster's Hoax goes haywire
Tim Longhurst - Richard Neville tries his hand as PM's speech writer
The above link chronicles the aftermath of publication last week of an alleged speech by Australian Prime Minister John Howard. It was actually authored by that good old "Oz" prankster, Richard Neville - a dab hand with satire which he frequently posts on the web. I first received it from Op Ed News, who also publish other satire amongst their genuine body of opinion.
In this case, the article wasn't clearly marked as satire and was subsequently interpreted as fact by many - including, one suspects, most search engines. Then things went awry as Richarc explains in an email today ...
"SECRET SILENT CENSORSHIP IN CYBERSPACE
It's funny; I'm about as much threat to the state as smelly socks. And yet something happened at 8pm on Tuesday night, Sydney time, that gave me the shivers. Maybe it's a technical problem, I kept telling myself, which is why I've waited 36 hours before making it public.
As most of you who received my email on Monday now realise, JOHN HOWARD'S APOLOGY was an act of satire and culture jamming. Its impact was way beyond expectation, as was the variation in feedback. Many of you wanted to believe in John Howard's U-turn, and said he "stood taller" after the speech. Others replied he had "sniffed the wind" and was cutting his cloth to ensure his political survival. It made them hate the PM even more. A seasoned activist emailed from London, "this speech proves John Howard is smarter than TonyBlair".
To heighten its impact, I asked a student to design a site that closely resembled the official page of the Australian Prime Minister, as well as his personality - oodles of grey. For $9.71, I purchased a web-hosting package from Yahoo, which included domain name registration. Was I wrong to indulge in this undergraduate jape? My previous email reported, "A friend just sent me this link, but I can't believe it!. Well, when the site went up, the designer sent me the link and I couldn't believe how good it looked. Satire is intellectual slum clearance. It works best if people are sucked in for awhile. I left a trail of clues. Johnhowardpm.org is registered in my name, easily accessed. The embedded links were a give-away. Lotsa typos.
In the first 24 hours, the site received 10,500 visits, thanks to many of you. Then it was blocked, and remains so. I didn't realise this until I opened my emails yesterday morning. Complaints of a "dead link" were building up. Crikey.com received similar reports and asked if I had heard from the PM's office. Not a peep. At first I put itdown to local area tech probs, but over the day the site started to disappear, server by server, like watching the lights go out all over Europe. Urgent emails to Yahoo have remained unanswered for 36 hours. What's the alleged crime? Will the spooks knock at the door? During the debate on Australia's draconian "anti terror" laws, the PM kept assuring us all that free speech would never be endangered. Sure. A .pdf of the disappeared page has been posted on richardneville.com - let's see how longit lasts.
This is the direct link: http://www.richardneville.com.au/satire/Howard_speech_150306.pdf
Several questions remain:
1) who ordered the closing of the site?
2) On whatgrounds?
3) By what authority?
4) Through what mechanism?
5) Why in secret?
6) Will I get a refund from Yahoo?
If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone!"
On a personal note, my own ISP is in partnership with Yahoo and although they don't host any of my websites, I have frequently suspected censorship of certain destinations and interference with my Yahoo webmail account. It's hard to prove, but one casualty may be my own Chinese routing address (www.burnsite.int.tl) - a top level server but located within the "Great Firewall". I can no longer access it myself - weird that!
An interesting item from yesterday's CBS news asks just "How Free Will The Internet Now Be?" as Yahoo, like AOL, have plans of conquest, monopolisation and domination. Google continue to oppose the dark forces, but for how long?
Later.
The above link chronicles the aftermath of publication last week of an alleged speech by Australian Prime Minister John Howard. It was actually authored by that good old "Oz" prankster, Richard Neville - a dab hand with satire which he frequently posts on the web. I first received it from Op Ed News, who also publish other satire amongst their genuine body of opinion.
In this case, the article wasn't clearly marked as satire and was subsequently interpreted as fact by many - including, one suspects, most search engines. Then things went awry as Richarc explains in an email today ...
"SECRET SILENT CENSORSHIP IN CYBERSPACE
It's funny; I'm about as much threat to the state as smelly socks. And yet something happened at 8pm on Tuesday night, Sydney time, that gave me the shivers. Maybe it's a technical problem, I kept telling myself, which is why I've waited 36 hours before making it public.
As most of you who received my email on Monday now realise, JOHN HOWARD'S APOLOGY was an act of satire and culture jamming. Its impact was way beyond expectation, as was the variation in feedback. Many of you wanted to believe in John Howard's U-turn, and said he "stood taller" after the speech. Others replied he had "sniffed the wind" and was cutting his cloth to ensure his political survival. It made them hate the PM even more. A seasoned activist emailed from London, "this speech proves John Howard is smarter than TonyBlair".
To heighten its impact, I asked a student to design a site that closely resembled the official page of the Australian Prime Minister, as well as his personality - oodles of grey. For $9.71, I purchased a web-hosting package from Yahoo, which included domain name registration. Was I wrong to indulge in this undergraduate jape? My previous email reported, "A friend just sent me this link, but I can't believe it!. Well, when the site went up, the designer sent me the link and I couldn't believe how good it looked. Satire is intellectual slum clearance. It works best if people are sucked in for awhile. I left a trail of clues. Johnhowardpm.org is registered in my name, easily accessed. The embedded links were a give-away. Lotsa typos.
In the first 24 hours, the site received 10,500 visits, thanks to many of you. Then it was blocked, and remains so. I didn't realise this until I opened my emails yesterday morning. Complaints of a "dead link" were building up. Crikey.com received similar reports and asked if I had heard from the PM's office. Not a peep. At first I put itdown to local area tech probs, but over the day the site started to disappear, server by server, like watching the lights go out all over Europe. Urgent emails to Yahoo have remained unanswered for 36 hours. What's the alleged crime? Will the spooks knock at the door? During the debate on Australia's draconian "anti terror" laws, the PM kept assuring us all that free speech would never be endangered. Sure. A .pdf of the disappeared page has been posted on richardneville.com - let's see how longit lasts.
This is the direct link: http://www.richardneville.com.au/satire/Howard_speech_150306.pdf
Several questions remain:
1) who ordered the closing of the site?
2) On whatgrounds?
3) By what authority?
4) Through what mechanism?
5) Why in secret?
6) Will I get a refund from Yahoo?
If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone!"
On a personal note, my own ISP is in partnership with Yahoo and although they don't host any of my websites, I have frequently suspected censorship of certain destinations and interference with my Yahoo webmail account. It's hard to prove, but one casualty may be my own Chinese routing address (www.burnsite.int.tl) - a top level server but located within the "Great Firewall". I can no longer access it myself - weird that!
An interesting item from yesterday's CBS news asks just "How Free Will The Internet Now Be?" as Yahoo, like AOL, have plans of conquest, monopolisation and domination. Google continue to oppose the dark forces, but for how long?
Later.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
The Ides o' March
Amateur Hour
The above is a legal editorial at CBS examing the appalling mess Amerika has made of it prosecution of an alleged 911 conspirator. Today's update and the full setback is reported in full here.
It is a day for the courts. In Iraq, Saddam's trial continues to deteriorate as he takes the stand, in Amerika Google are still battling the goverment and the Senate have lashed into the merger policies and massive profits of the big oil companies.
In the UK my calender has just remined me that 66 year old Patricia Tabram, otherwise known as the campaigner "Cannabis Gran" is in Newcastle Crown Court today where she has opted to stand trail before a jury on grounds of cultivating the controversial herb. We wish her luck.
Drugs are also in the news here as an experiment by the pharmaceutical industry in six human guinea pigs has gone very seriously wrong. Outrage all round of course, but less serious cases like this happen all too frequently and are reported equally infrequently.
In the commons, there will be the vote on Blair's flagship education bill. The number of labour rebels is still an unknown but most concede the government will get its way through the backing of the Tory opposition. If those votes make the difference in the final tally, it will actually be a defeat for Blair as party leader. In any event, there will be a serious obsticle course in store, since the Tories will oppose a second bill concerning the timetable for implementing the first. Ah - the fun and games of Parliament!
Later.
The above is a legal editorial at CBS examing the appalling mess Amerika has made of it prosecution of an alleged 911 conspirator. Today's update and the full setback is reported in full here.
It is a day for the courts. In Iraq, Saddam's trial continues to deteriorate as he takes the stand, in Amerika Google are still battling the goverment and the Senate have lashed into the merger policies and massive profits of the big oil companies.
In the UK my calender has just remined me that 66 year old Patricia Tabram, otherwise known as the campaigner "Cannabis Gran" is in Newcastle Crown Court today where she has opted to stand trail before a jury on grounds of cultivating the controversial herb. We wish her luck.
Drugs are also in the news here as an experiment by the pharmaceutical industry in six human guinea pigs has gone very seriously wrong. Outrage all round of course, but less serious cases like this happen all too frequently and are reported equally infrequently.
In the commons, there will be the vote on Blair's flagship education bill. The number of labour rebels is still an unknown but most concede the government will get its way through the backing of the Tory opposition. If those votes make the difference in the final tally, it will actually be a defeat for Blair as party leader. In any event, there will be a serious obsticle course in store, since the Tories will oppose a second bill concerning the timetable for implementing the first. Ah - the fun and games of Parliament!
Later.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Double-turn downunder?
John Howard's apologies
The above leads to a rather unusual speech from the Australian Prime Minister. How long before Blair coughs up something similar? All this as HRH Queenie descends on those same foreign shores for her latest tour.
Here's a great slideshow on changing times by photographer Thomas Hoepker and a press release on Dick Cheney's complicity in the 9/11 attacks. Comic strip writer Alan Moore slams into what they've done to his work in "V for Vendetta" and elsewhere, whilst you can download the full page ad for The Impeachment of Bush here. It seems the impeachment drive is now going mainstream in the imperial heartland.In the undercurrents, Arab Banks are moving their assets away for the dollar and money markets are moving away from Amerika.
We've lost the notorious John Profumo and we remember Albert Einstein on his anniversary. Also, Osama Bin Laden celebrates his 49th birthday somewhere today.
A whole bunch more in "Latest Clicks" (see left) and apologies for the slowdown in this blog while I'm taking care of other business.
Later.
The above leads to a rather unusual speech from the Australian Prime Minister. How long before Blair coughs up something similar? All this as HRH Queenie descends on those same foreign shores for her latest tour.
Here's a great slideshow on changing times by photographer Thomas Hoepker and a press release on Dick Cheney's complicity in the 9/11 attacks. Comic strip writer Alan Moore slams into what they've done to his work in "V for Vendetta" and elsewhere, whilst you can download the full page ad for The Impeachment of Bush here. It seems the impeachment drive is now going mainstream in the imperial heartland.In the undercurrents, Arab Banks are moving their assets away for the dollar and money markets are moving away from Amerika.
We've lost the notorious John Profumo and we remember Albert Einstein on his anniversary. Also, Osama Bin Laden celebrates his 49th birthday somewhere today.
A whole bunch more in "Latest Clicks" (see left) and apologies for the slowdown in this blog while I'm taking care of other business.
Later.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Coming Resource Wars
AlterNet
Having been offline a lot over the last couple of days there's no real blog here. The above link has an article about how the world of ecology and politics may merge in all the wrong ways.
For a taste in wonderful semi-surreal, semi-psychedelic art installations on the web check out Larry Carlson's work and really do that Sunday lazy thing.
Later.
Having been offline a lot over the last couple of days there's no real blog here. The above link has an article about how the world of ecology and politics may merge in all the wrong ways.
For a taste in wonderful semi-surreal, semi-psychedelic art installations on the web check out Larry Carlson's work and really do that Sunday lazy thing.
Later.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Anti-Surveillance as a Fashion Statement?
New York Times
The above link points to a feature I found last week. Although vaguely related to art, it is something that normally resides beyond my frame of reference for this column.
What brought it to mind is a radio news item today which told of an unfortunate pensioner who was denied access to a local pub because her hat was proving an obstacle to their CCTV system.
As I understand it, the expression "Boyz in Da Hood" originally had connotations relating to Amerika Urban youth in their "neighbourhoods" but nowadays seems to have been sperceded by reference to headgear. Here in the UK there was much spirited outrage about "hoodies" on our streets some time back - the same kind of panic created by long hair in the 60s. Missed by these critics was the simple fact that it was and still is simply a trend - a case of mutual fashion and identity for a generation. Some disaffected yes, but hardly all.
More recently of course we have seen increased tension with Islamic culture. Many Muslim women choose to wear headgear (as do Christian "nuns" for that matter) but the symbolism of "hiding something" has not altogether helped fragile relations.
The feature at NYT makes all sorts of whimsical suggestions as to why designers may be taking an interest in headgearn but I'm intruiged for a different reason. If headgear becomes all the rage, it will lessen the unwelcome focus on those who wear it for reasons other than style. It will also make it rather awkward for those who seek to dictate our behaviour for the convenience of their surveillance systems. So, if you don;t feel comfortable with state voyeurism and its implications for privacy, hop on board and make headgear your statement of personality.
In case of emergency, maybe we should urge designers to re-invigorate another old-time fascination - the fine art of the umbrella and sunshade. If this Winter ever ends, a highly styled reflective version of the latter would be just the ticket - loud, unmissible and guaranteed to play havoc with the optical recognition software.
Later.
The above link points to a feature I found last week. Although vaguely related to art, it is something that normally resides beyond my frame of reference for this column.
What brought it to mind is a radio news item today which told of an unfortunate pensioner who was denied access to a local pub because her hat was proving an obstacle to their CCTV system.
As I understand it, the expression "Boyz in Da Hood" originally had connotations relating to Amerika Urban youth in their "neighbourhoods" but nowadays seems to have been sperceded by reference to headgear. Here in the UK there was much spirited outrage about "hoodies" on our streets some time back - the same kind of panic created by long hair in the 60s. Missed by these critics was the simple fact that it was and still is simply a trend - a case of mutual fashion and identity for a generation. Some disaffected yes, but hardly all.
More recently of course we have seen increased tension with Islamic culture. Many Muslim women choose to wear headgear (as do Christian "nuns" for that matter) but the symbolism of "hiding something" has not altogether helped fragile relations.
The feature at NYT makes all sorts of whimsical suggestions as to why designers may be taking an interest in headgearn but I'm intruiged for a different reason. If headgear becomes all the rage, it will lessen the unwelcome focus on those who wear it for reasons other than style. It will also make it rather awkward for those who seek to dictate our behaviour for the convenience of their surveillance systems. So, if you don;t feel comfortable with state voyeurism and its implications for privacy, hop on board and make headgear your statement of personality.
In case of emergency, maybe we should urge designers to re-invigorate another old-time fascination - the fine art of the umbrella and sunshade. If this Winter ever ends, a highly styled reflective version of the latter would be just the ticket - loud, unmissible and guaranteed to play havoc with the optical recognition software.
Later.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Strange Contradictions
News from Iran
Yesterday I mentioned Britain's Channel 4 network. This week their news team are reporting from Iran and the above link leads to their blog. Their reports add to the wealth of intruige about what's going on.
Fresh from posturing about how naughty Iran's nuclear ambitions are, the Ape Emperor added to the fray yesterday by claiming Iran was also supplying weapons and covert help to the insurgency in neighbouring Iraq. Yet it also seems that Iran's fondness for the game of basketball is fostering unlikely friendships with Americans and the news that both the Washington and Bagdad governments have been working behind-the-scenes to engage Iran as a mediator in their own dilemma suggests that the mainstream media have only been reporting one side of the story. Indeed, Amerika's choice of Iran as a possible intermediary with Iraq is another snub to Britain who normally facilitate communications between those countries.
As usual these days, the United Nations seem to be left out of the loop on all this as Kofi Annan focuses his attention on the "outsourcing" of its global operations for better future effectiveness. Threats to refer Iran to its Security Council don't exactly sound hollow, but that council is comprised of the world's elite power-brokers and they no longer represent the interests of any other nations than themselves. The council is little more than a world trade cartel who want no new members as they dominate the affairs of our planet.
Imperial decrees from Amerika are beginning to sound like calls to take some vague moral highway to nowhere. Their avowed intent is belied by a shortage of miliary strength and fiscal bankruptcy. It's even suggested that the corporate prostitute Amerika calls its president will veto any attempt to block the sale of ports to Dubai. Why? Kickbacks of course, including the United Arab Emirates allowing and contributing to superficially massive airforce deployments in Iran's backyard. Middle Amerika won't complain about surgical air strikes and other "hands-off" forays provided there are no more casualties with troops on the ground. "Colateral Damage" is fine - so long as it is at the enemy's cost.
The Emirates will become like Germany in the days of the cold war. An ever present bastion of dubious authority with which to keep the opposition in check. It will be a decade or more before Iran could amass nuclear weaponary, even if that is it's intent. With an ever-watchful outpost across the water, such intent will be hindered further. But Amerika could lose all. Israel will be happy.
Amerika also has its eyes on what it thinks is an Islamist Terror Enclave in South America and it seems the FBI have interfered with the Scottish justice system. All this from a nation whose dependency on psychiatric drugs has all the symtoms of creating mass insanity.
Two obituaries - the music world has lost Ali Farka Toure whose talent best reflected the bridge between Africa music and early American blues and social photography has lost Gordon Parks.
Two online media gems have shown up. Google have 80 minutes on the 911 cover-up while YourTube have found a lost Fox News item on the Israeli connection with that same event. NYT have a programme on Treating HIV in South Africa and Newgrounds offer a bit of light relief with a retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story.
Later.
Yesterday I mentioned Britain's Channel 4 network. This week their news team are reporting from Iran and the above link leads to their blog. Their reports add to the wealth of intruige about what's going on.
Fresh from posturing about how naughty Iran's nuclear ambitions are, the Ape Emperor added to the fray yesterday by claiming Iran was also supplying weapons and covert help to the insurgency in neighbouring Iraq. Yet it also seems that Iran's fondness for the game of basketball is fostering unlikely friendships with Americans and the news that both the Washington and Bagdad governments have been working behind-the-scenes to engage Iran as a mediator in their own dilemma suggests that the mainstream media have only been reporting one side of the story. Indeed, Amerika's choice of Iran as a possible intermediary with Iraq is another snub to Britain who normally facilitate communications between those countries.
As usual these days, the United Nations seem to be left out of the loop on all this as Kofi Annan focuses his attention on the "outsourcing" of its global operations for better future effectiveness. Threats to refer Iran to its Security Council don't exactly sound hollow, but that council is comprised of the world's elite power-brokers and they no longer represent the interests of any other nations than themselves. The council is little more than a world trade cartel who want no new members as they dominate the affairs of our planet.
Imperial decrees from Amerika are beginning to sound like calls to take some vague moral highway to nowhere. Their avowed intent is belied by a shortage of miliary strength and fiscal bankruptcy. It's even suggested that the corporate prostitute Amerika calls its president will veto any attempt to block the sale of ports to Dubai. Why? Kickbacks of course, including the United Arab Emirates allowing and contributing to superficially massive airforce deployments in Iran's backyard. Middle Amerika won't complain about surgical air strikes and other "hands-off" forays provided there are no more casualties with troops on the ground. "Colateral Damage" is fine - so long as it is at the enemy's cost.
The Emirates will become like Germany in the days of the cold war. An ever present bastion of dubious authority with which to keep the opposition in check. It will be a decade or more before Iran could amass nuclear weaponary, even if that is it's intent. With an ever-watchful outpost across the water, such intent will be hindered further. But Amerika could lose all. Israel will be happy.
Amerika also has its eyes on what it thinks is an Islamist Terror Enclave in South America and it seems the FBI have interfered with the Scottish justice system. All this from a nation whose dependency on psychiatric drugs has all the symtoms of creating mass insanity.
Two obituaries - the music world has lost Ali Farka Toure whose talent best reflected the bridge between Africa music and early American blues and social photography has lost Gordon Parks.
Two online media gems have shown up. Google have 80 minutes on the 911 cover-up while YourTube have found a lost Fox News item on the Israeli connection with that same event. NYT have a programme on Treating HIV in South Africa and Newgrounds offer a bit of light relief with a retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story.
Later.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Winds of Change. Londoners will now be able to receive power from alternative sources which bypass the national grid and may end up being cheaper than conventional supplies. This as the UK government's advisors report that new nuclear power plants are not a viable option. See comments below.
eTV Picture Post
Cindy Sheehan assaulted
Cindy Sheehan Arrested At NYC Protest
The above link just in - antiwar campaigner Cindy Sheehan has been arrested yet again and also, it seems, assaulted in the process. Sheehan's last arrest was at the State of the Union speech to which she had been invited. There were no charges and a mild apology was offered. The action at this latest peaceful protest shows all the signs of government harrassment and bodes ill for the future of civil rights. Cindy is due to join with REM for an anti-war concert (also in New York) in 2 weeks time - let's hope she isn't detained to prevent that appearance.
There are times when a profusion of news means that this author has a problem focusing on a given topic. For a wealth of recent hits, check the "Latest Clicks" link on the left.
The other disturbing news from the heart of empire concerns South Dakota where abortion has been made illegal. Reversing this regressive trend will mean an appeal to the Supreme Court, which is now a firmly right-wing institution in its own right. If such an appeal fails, it will set a precendent for the prohibtion of abortion throughout Amerika - effectively undoing "the right to choose" that women fought for over 30 years ago.
Also in the US, schools and colleges are to have their funding withdrawn unless they allow military recruitment agents to set up shop within them. Highly sinister.
Saturday saw the welcome return of well-researched cutting=edge satire with "Bremner, Bird & Fortune" on Britain's Channel Four television. The same broadcaster has a feature last night on the rise of fundamentalist teaching in UK schools. As Blair continues to pursue his education reforms, which include government support for so-called "faith schools", this is a disturbing sign. It's all right to criticise the teaching of extremist Islam, but such libertarian analysis is less than welcome where Christian obsession is concerned. With creationism and other archaic doctrine on the menu, such mind control techniques will do little to further the cause of cultural harmony when the recipients come of age. Oddly, although such schools preach that evolution is bad news, a US report suggests that humans are evolving right now.
Fortunately, the government here are not getting it all their own way. Their own advisors have said no to the idea of new nuclear power plants and the House of Lords have rejected the ID card proposals once again. We also hear that British taxpayers have now spent over £4 billions on invading Iraq just as climate research funding is slashed.
Another undercurrent has only been reported so far in the New York Times - in Palestine the new Hamas government have passed legislation which curbs the powers of their president. Another snub to the meddling of Amerika and Israel.
Later.
The above link just in - antiwar campaigner Cindy Sheehan has been arrested yet again and also, it seems, assaulted in the process. Sheehan's last arrest was at the State of the Union speech to which she had been invited. There were no charges and a mild apology was offered. The action at this latest peaceful protest shows all the signs of government harrassment and bodes ill for the future of civil rights. Cindy is due to join with REM for an anti-war concert (also in New York) in 2 weeks time - let's hope she isn't detained to prevent that appearance.
There are times when a profusion of news means that this author has a problem focusing on a given topic. For a wealth of recent hits, check the "Latest Clicks" link on the left.
The other disturbing news from the heart of empire concerns South Dakota where abortion has been made illegal. Reversing this regressive trend will mean an appeal to the Supreme Court, which is now a firmly right-wing institution in its own right. If such an appeal fails, it will set a precendent for the prohibtion of abortion throughout Amerika - effectively undoing "the right to choose" that women fought for over 30 years ago.
Also in the US, schools and colleges are to have their funding withdrawn unless they allow military recruitment agents to set up shop within them. Highly sinister.
Saturday saw the welcome return of well-researched cutting=edge satire with "Bremner, Bird & Fortune" on Britain's Channel Four television. The same broadcaster has a feature last night on the rise of fundamentalist teaching in UK schools. As Blair continues to pursue his education reforms, which include government support for so-called "faith schools", this is a disturbing sign. It's all right to criticise the teaching of extremist Islam, but such libertarian analysis is less than welcome where Christian obsession is concerned. With creationism and other archaic doctrine on the menu, such mind control techniques will do little to further the cause of cultural harmony when the recipients come of age. Oddly, although such schools preach that evolution is bad news, a US report suggests that humans are evolving right now.
Fortunately, the government here are not getting it all their own way. Their own advisors have said no to the idea of new nuclear power plants and the House of Lords have rejected the ID card proposals once again. We also hear that British taxpayers have now spent over £4 billions on invading Iraq just as climate research funding is slashed.
Another undercurrent has only been reported so far in the New York Times - in Palestine the new Hamas government have passed legislation which curbs the powers of their president. Another snub to the meddling of Amerika and Israel.
Later.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Prince of Pot revisited
Marc Emery
The above link leads to a longish profile of Marc Emery at CBS news. Marc's business is selling hemp seeds and it's no real problem for him in Canada. The US disagree with such liberalism and want to extradite him. We had a protest about this last year, but the issue remains.
Later.
The above link leads to a longish profile of Marc Emery at CBS news. Marc's business is selling hemp seeds and it's no real problem for him in Canada. The US disagree with such liberalism and want to extradite him. We had a protest about this last year, but the issue remains.
Later.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Countdown to Monday
How to write to a Peer about ID cards
After a welcome 24 hous completely offline, here's a link for British readers. The House of Lords will be reviewing the new ID card proposals on Monday and the above will help you let them know your feelings. Do it now.
The mood of the country seems to be increasingly wary of surveillance plans. Speaking on TV on Thursday, former Tory MP Michael Portillo noted an interesting point as his story of the week. In a recent case where police had asked for public help to identify a criminal, they asked around 4000 people to come forward for elimination. Normally, public-spirited response would have produced a large percentage of co-operative citizens - in this case however, only around 100 people came forward. The reason? It seems that anyone doing so would be given a DNA swab and filed permanently on the police database.
Maybe this is an example of how ID card legislation will, instead of helping fight crime, actually be an obstacle to law enforcement.
Later.
After a welcome 24 hous completely offline, here's a link for British readers. The House of Lords will be reviewing the new ID card proposals on Monday and the above will help you let them know your feelings. Do it now.
The mood of the country seems to be increasingly wary of surveillance plans. Speaking on TV on Thursday, former Tory MP Michael Portillo noted an interesting point as his story of the week. In a recent case where police had asked for public help to identify a criminal, they asked around 4000 people to come forward for elimination. Normally, public-spirited response would have produced a large percentage of co-operative citizens - in this case however, only around 100 people came forward. The reason? It seems that anyone doing so would be given a DNA swab and filed permanently on the police database.
Maybe this is an example of how ID card legislation will, instead of helping fight crime, actually be an obstacle to law enforcement.
Later.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Booth's Boot 2 Bush Backside
Cherie steps into row over torture of terror accused
Cherie Booth, the legal-minded spouse of our increasingly unbeloved Prime Preacher, has popped up to express her views on human rights again. A definate snub to Bush and not exactly good news for her husband either as the above link reveals. There's more coverage in the Independent too.
Talking of mouths in high places, our very own HRH The "Dissident" Charlie is revealed as having launched a "three-pronged attack on the government" in today's Times.
Elsewhere, the US military are to use brain implants to turn sharks into spies and possibly weapons. Any excuse to avoid getting their own hands dirty I guess!
Amerika also seems concerned about an invasion. This time it's from Britain's leading supermarket chain, Tesco. For once their paranoia may be justified - not that their own WalMart chain set any better example.
Later.
Cherie Booth, the legal-minded spouse of our increasingly unbeloved Prime Preacher, has popped up to express her views on human rights again. A definate snub to Bush and not exactly good news for her husband either as the above link reveals. There's more coverage in the Independent too.
Talking of mouths in high places, our very own HRH The "Dissident" Charlie is revealed as having launched a "three-pronged attack on the government" in today's Times.
Elsewhere, the US military are to use brain implants to turn sharks into spies and possibly weapons. Any excuse to avoid getting their own hands dirty I guess!
Amerika also seems concerned about an invasion. This time it's from Britain's leading supermarket chain, Tesco. For once their paranoia may be justified - not that their own WalMart chain set any better example.
Later.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Iraq & The Hidden Trap
The Iraq Insurgency: Advantage Ba'athists
The link above leads to an in-depth article at AlterNet written by the former weapons inspector, Scott Ritter. It warns that in the context of the new civil war, Amerika is walking blindly into a trap that will have far-reaching consequences for the entire region and what is left of US credibility. A must read.
Britain's queen celebrates her 80th birthday shortly, at which time she plans to reduce her workload to a three-day-week. Expect the mainstream media obsession accordingly. The question is surely whether this move will result in a shifting of additional duties to that most regal of "dissidents" - Prince Charlie.
British Gas raised their energy prices today as announced, so Powergen report they are following the trend. With the increases at an astonishing 25% (give or take), you may find this background of interest.
As the Ape Emperor takes passage to India (via Afghanistan this morning), Slate has some musings on the trip as Dubya's Indian Fantasy. In a land plagued by child labour, starvation and poverty he looks to the elite as a "new best friend".
Op Ed now have a pretty exhaustive listing of subjects. Click here. Also, George Monbiot on "Flying as Dying" and in Alternet "How the republicans sell Amerika's ass for corporate profits".
Later.
The link above leads to an in-depth article at AlterNet written by the former weapons inspector, Scott Ritter. It warns that in the context of the new civil war, Amerika is walking blindly into a trap that will have far-reaching consequences for the entire region and what is left of US credibility. A must read.
Britain's queen celebrates her 80th birthday shortly, at which time she plans to reduce her workload to a three-day-week. Expect the mainstream media obsession accordingly. The question is surely whether this move will result in a shifting of additional duties to that most regal of "dissidents" - Prince Charlie.
British Gas raised their energy prices today as announced, so Powergen report they are following the trend. With the increases at an astonishing 25% (give or take), you may find this background of interest.
As the Ape Emperor takes passage to India (via Afghanistan this morning), Slate has some musings on the trip as Dubya's Indian Fantasy. In a land plagued by child labour, starvation and poverty he looks to the elite as a "new best friend".
Op Ed now have a pretty exhaustive listing of subjects. Click here. Also, George Monbiot on "Flying as Dying" and in Alternet "How the republicans sell Amerika's ass for corporate profits".
Later.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Plummeting Time
CBS News Poll: Bush Ratings At All-Time Low
First the good news - the Ape Emperor's ratings in his homeland are falling at an all-time low at 34%. Cheney's also right down at 18%. Maybe it's time for the grassroots to emerge. Slate also have questions about Homeland Security and USA Today report that governors of the Western States are tackling global warming themselves despite a White House in denial. Best of all, one of the architects of PNAC (Project for the New American Century) has done a double-turn and reckons the epic plan should be consigned to the dustbin of history. A bit late, but better now than never.
Yesterday's UK report by the independent Power Commission has been rapidly embraced by both Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. Most other small parties too. Embarrassing criticism for the Prime Preacher, it also includes some of the notions that might, or might not, be on the agenda of that leader-in-perpetual-waiting, Gordon Brown. It would be odd to find all parties supporting similar reform come the next election.
In essence, it is claimed that Britain's future as a democracy is dependent on greater voter participation on key issues, more proportional representation, greater parliamentary accountability from the party in government and fully elected membership of institutions like the House of Lords. Although not explicitly, it suggests a future of electronic empowerment for the electorate rather than Blair's apparant vision of electronic state supression. Coverage here in the Independent today and yesterday.
Later.
First the good news - the Ape Emperor's ratings in his homeland are falling at an all-time low at 34%. Cheney's also right down at 18%. Maybe it's time for the grassroots to emerge. Slate also have questions about Homeland Security and USA Today report that governors of the Western States are tackling global warming themselves despite a White House in denial. Best of all, one of the architects of PNAC (Project for the New American Century) has done a double-turn and reckons the epic plan should be consigned to the dustbin of history. A bit late, but better now than never.
Yesterday's UK report by the independent Power Commission has been rapidly embraced by both Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. Most other small parties too. Embarrassing criticism for the Prime Preacher, it also includes some of the notions that might, or might not, be on the agenda of that leader-in-perpetual-waiting, Gordon Brown. It would be odd to find all parties supporting similar reform come the next election.
In essence, it is claimed that Britain's future as a democracy is dependent on greater voter participation on key issues, more proportional representation, greater parliamentary accountability from the party in government and fully elected membership of institutions like the House of Lords. Although not explicitly, it suggests a future of electronic empowerment for the electorate rather than Blair's apparant vision of electronic state supression. Coverage here in the Independent today and yesterday.
Later.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Power to the People - Right on! (Late reprise)
"Parliament has had many of its teeth removed and government is conducted from Downing Street."
Today's Independent features a report from an independent parliamentary "power" commission which claims that Tony Blair has "neutered" democracy and that it needs to be returned, more thoroughly, to the voting public. There are four different pieces on the issue - follow the links on the main page above.
The Scotsman reports on two intruiging drugs issues. Firstly, the military are adapting to the reality of recreational drug use and secondly, a new Conservative policy book suggests The legalisation of all drugs. More feeds here. From the weekend, also a report that MI5 will be paying compensation for mind-control experiments using LSD in the 1950s. If any of the subjects are still alive that is!
Across the water, the Ape Emperor prepares to depart for India this week in a desparate search for A New Best Friend, according to The Times.
As freedom slowly dies in the imperial homeland, one wonders just how long before abortion becomes illegal by decree of the new religious zealots. The Washington Post reports too that the states are lining up to take sides in a battle to outlaw the "morning after" contraceptive pill. An Op-Ed News piece at the weekend also examined the way the neocons are attacking women in the states.
Lots more snippets in "Latest Clicks" - see link on left.
I've also created a new link (left again) to my calender at Yahoo. Since this is not used for much else, I've decided to initiate public entries for events vaguely related to this column. If you want anything posted, email me the details.
Later.
Today's Independent features a report from an independent parliamentary "power" commission which claims that Tony Blair has "neutered" democracy and that it needs to be returned, more thoroughly, to the voting public. There are four different pieces on the issue - follow the links on the main page above.
The Scotsman reports on two intruiging drugs issues. Firstly, the military are adapting to the reality of recreational drug use and secondly, a new Conservative policy book suggests The legalisation of all drugs. More feeds here. From the weekend, also a report that MI5 will be paying compensation for mind-control experiments using LSD in the 1950s. If any of the subjects are still alive that is!
Across the water, the Ape Emperor prepares to depart for India this week in a desparate search for A New Best Friend, according to The Times.
As freedom slowly dies in the imperial homeland, one wonders just how long before abortion becomes illegal by decree of the new religious zealots. The Washington Post reports too that the states are lining up to take sides in a battle to outlaw the "morning after" contraceptive pill. An Op-Ed News piece at the weekend also examined the way the neocons are attacking women in the states.
Lots more snippets in "Latest Clicks" - see link on left.
I've also created a new link (left again) to my calender at Yahoo. Since this is not used for much else, I've decided to initiate public entries for events vaguely related to this column. If you want anything posted, email me the details.
Later.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Heartbreak in Iraq
Baghdad Burning
The above leads to a blog report from Bagdad - an emotional response to the destruction of the shrine and its aftermath. Meanwhile, Op Ed News asks Whose bombs were they anyway? and suggests the paper trail may lead to the White House. Propaganda Matrix wonder about a "black op" too.
Later.
The above leads to a blog report from Bagdad - an emotional response to the destruction of the shrine and its aftermath. Meanwhile, Op Ed News asks Whose bombs were they anyway? and suggests the paper trail may lead to the White House. Propaganda Matrix wonder about a "black op" too.
Later.
Hurrah for the watchdogs
EFF sue Telecoms over NSA collaboration
An interesting piece above reports that the Electronic Frontier Foundation (who monityor and govern affairs to do with the public internet) have issued a lawsuit against US telecoms companies. The gist of it is that the telecoms operators have broken the law and privacy of internet users by illegally colaborating with Amerika's Nation Security Agency for the purposes of wire-tapping and data mining.
The link also includes a download of the full complaint in PDF format.
Later.
An interesting piece above reports that the Electronic Frontier Foundation (who monityor and govern affairs to do with the public internet) have issued a lawsuit against US telecoms companies. The gist of it is that the telecoms operators have broken the law and privacy of internet users by illegally colaborating with Amerika's Nation Security Agency for the purposes of wire-tapping and data mining.
The link also includes a download of the full complaint in PDF format.
Later.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Beware Fifth Columnists
Bush's Mysterious 'New Programs'
Too late for the earlier blog comes the above link to Alternet's Rights & Civil Liberties portal. This in-depth piece condiders the ape emperor's mysterious new programs which include the building of prison camps inside Amerika to possibly house Muslim immigrants (?) and disloyal Americans (?) - scary stuff!
Here in Britain, Prince Charles has procrastinated on Chinese Waxworks and how he fancies himself as a "dissident". Better not plan too many more Amerikan trips then! Truth be told, the Royal Family bring in more money than they cost and I've never been wholly opposed to the. In the case of Charles, anyone who talks to his plants can't be that bad. His recent talk here on "slow food" is infact highly commendable.
Later.
Too late for the earlier blog comes the above link to Alternet's Rights & Civil Liberties portal. This in-depth piece condiders the ape emperor's mysterious new programs which include the building of prison camps inside Amerika to possibly house Muslim immigrants (?) and disloyal Americans (?) - scary stuff!
Here in Britain, Prince Charles has procrastinated on Chinese Waxworks and how he fancies himself as a "dissident". Better not plan too many more Amerikan trips then! Truth be told, the Royal Family bring in more money than they cost and I've never been wholly opposed to the. In the case of Charles, anyone who talks to his plants can't be that bad. His recent talk here on "slow food" is infact highly commendable.
Later.
Mindless rape of art and culture
Iraq heads for civil war
The above leads to an in-depth article in today's Independent on the looming civil war following yesterday's attack on the Shia shrine in Iraq. Some are blaming the US for covert engineering, others blame Sunni insurgents who have infiltrated the police force and others still are blaming Islamist outsiders trying to ferment sectarian violence. The only sure thing is the greater tragedy to heritage.
Personally, I harbour a secret desire to see all organised religion relegated to history. There is no place for it in the modern world. Faith is something for the individual to find - subscription to a doctrine devised by others (often those long dead and of archaic times) is the same symptomatic denial of freedom practised by those who would blindly fall into the prison of the totalitarian state. The latter is the unthinking, uncaring attitude of the pack animal - not the intelligent human species.
When Blair joined Bush to invade Iraq the first thing to be spun was the "collateral damage" - finding the right presentation to excuse the slaughter of thousands of innocents. Of less concern was the destruction of art, culture and heritage forever lost to future generations. Works of art, outstanding architecture and all manner of public treasures were lost, damaged, looted or otherwise corrupted. The Saddam icons may have perished, but so too did a wealth of cultural history unrelated to his regime.
The shrine destroyed yesterday is a true crime for reasons wholly unrelated to religion and sectarian conflict. Although born of the desire for what I consider unwelcome collective faith, it was also a work of art and a cultural symbol. It's destruction denies future generations (in what one hopes may be a more rational time) from experiencing a heritage of creativity. Even archeologists will have trouble picking up the pieces. A hint of what is lost can be found at this slideshow from the New York Times. Iraq has always been home to some of the earliest historical examples of civilisation and the rape of that land in a deparate attempt to grab the world's dwindling oil resources is almost a rape of culture itself. A lasting tragedy.
Later.
The above leads to an in-depth article in today's Independent on the looming civil war following yesterday's attack on the Shia shrine in Iraq. Some are blaming the US for covert engineering, others blame Sunni insurgents who have infiltrated the police force and others still are blaming Islamist outsiders trying to ferment sectarian violence. The only sure thing is the greater tragedy to heritage.
Personally, I harbour a secret desire to see all organised religion relegated to history. There is no place for it in the modern world. Faith is something for the individual to find - subscription to a doctrine devised by others (often those long dead and of archaic times) is the same symptomatic denial of freedom practised by those who would blindly fall into the prison of the totalitarian state. The latter is the unthinking, uncaring attitude of the pack animal - not the intelligent human species.
When Blair joined Bush to invade Iraq the first thing to be spun was the "collateral damage" - finding the right presentation to excuse the slaughter of thousands of innocents. Of less concern was the destruction of art, culture and heritage forever lost to future generations. Works of art, outstanding architecture and all manner of public treasures were lost, damaged, looted or otherwise corrupted. The Saddam icons may have perished, but so too did a wealth of cultural history unrelated to his regime.
The shrine destroyed yesterday is a true crime for reasons wholly unrelated to religion and sectarian conflict. Although born of the desire for what I consider unwelcome collective faith, it was also a work of art and a cultural symbol. It's destruction denies future generations (in what one hopes may be a more rational time) from experiencing a heritage of creativity. Even archeologists will have trouble picking up the pieces. A hint of what is lost can be found at this slideshow from the New York Times. Iraq has always been home to some of the earliest historical examples of civilisation and the rape of that land in a deparate attempt to grab the world's dwindling oil resources is almost a rape of culture itself. A lasting tragedy.
Later.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Ports of a strange call
The President and the Ports
I have been some befuddled as to why Arab companies should be taking over the adminstration of Amerika's ports - especially given the supposed terrorist threats from that region. Mind you, with the likes of China buring up chunks of the industrail infrastructure too, it may be no surprise. That Bush has annouced he will veto any opposition to the moves that a financial agenda is at work here to the detriment of security.
The above link leads to today's editorial at the New York Times and is surprisingly cricital. It also reveals something I didn't know - namely that the ports in question are currently administered by British companies. Maybe this weird turn of events can be better seen as yet another snub to the UK by the Ape Emperor and his minions.
Later.
I have been some befuddled as to why Arab companies should be taking over the adminstration of Amerika's ports - especially given the supposed terrorist threats from that region. Mind you, with the likes of China buring up chunks of the industrail infrastructure too, it may be no surprise. That Bush has annouced he will veto any opposition to the moves that a financial agenda is at work here to the detriment of security.
The above link leads to today's editorial at the New York Times and is surprisingly cricital. It also reveals something I didn't know - namely that the ports in question are currently administered by British companies. Maybe this weird turn of events can be better seen as yet another snub to the UK by the Ape Emperor and his minions.
Later.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Want history? Get it while you can!
U.S. Reclassifies Many Documents in Secret Review
We all know the Ape Emperor wants to redefine life, the universe and everything in his own image but this one takes the ticket. The above link points to revelations in the New York Times which indicate the Amerikan intelligence community has been set the task of re-classify previously public information from the national archives.
The fact that historians have already sourced and copied the items in question does not seem to have occurred to them - save possibly for the fact that those who otherwise innocently possess such information could, if deemed necessary, charged with espionage.
Later.
We all know the Ape Emperor wants to redefine life, the universe and everything in his own image but this one takes the ticket. The above link points to revelations in the New York Times which indicate the Amerikan intelligence community has been set the task of re-classify previously public information from the national archives.
The fact that historians have already sourced and copied the items in question does not seem to have occurred to them - save possibly for the fact that those who otherwise innocently possess such information could, if deemed necessary, charged with espionage.
Later.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Toward a Third World Britain
Taxes and Bills beyond the poor
The above link leads to The Times where they have conducted a survey of local tax increases. They are rising at over double the rate of inflation and have more than doubled since the Blair government came to power.
This comes in concert with rises in domestic energy costs which are also well beyond the scale of inflation by which our standard of living is measured. In London, an additional flat burden of increases by the mayor to pay for olypmic develoipment and infractsture changes to transport and the like adds insult to injury. The latter doesn't even take personal wealth into account since it is a contribution unrelated to property prices.
Pensioners and other recipients of fixed incomes receive yearly increases amounting to mere pennies - calculated by the rate of inflation which includes luxury goods they cannot afford anyway. Proportionately to the income of the still-working population this means that in real terms their standard of living falls annually.
The new cost of energy and local taxes will now cripple all low income sectors of our population. They will not receive anything like the welfare or minimum wage increases needed to cover this expense. Nor are they equipped to make personal cutbacks - it is a breadline existence already.
As the unthinking Blair administration continue to pursue their ideal of a totalitarian surveillance state, they remain blind to the consequences of their actions. The kind of poverty that forces people to fight for their survival is at the root of increasing social unrest and a disregard for laws and etiquette that become unacceptable in the face of desperation. Ironically, it is this disenfranchised part of the population whose lack of economic clout prevents them subscribing to the consumerist "norms" - so, as such, they exist outside the mainstream of general society.
A large part of the surveillance state depends on the ability of government and its corporate paymasters to "hookwink" us into paying for the technological trinkets by which it is to be enforced. Those unable to subscribe to the consumerist masquerade may end up being those who escape the Orwellian nightmare longest, de-stabilising the civil infrastructure in the process. The gap between rich and poor widens to the extremes that were the very thing the original Labour party sought to oppose. Blair's cosmetic repackaging of the worst aspects of Thatcherism is a betrayal of his party's legacy and his own legacy is more than likely to be that of sowing the seeds for disruption to come.
Trade unions are stirring, religions and ethnic cultures are becoming ever more polarised, a flu pandemic looks more likely then ever and power cuts are predicted. Maybe that disruption will come sooner rather than later. Time will tell.
Later.
The above link leads to The Times where they have conducted a survey of local tax increases. They are rising at over double the rate of inflation and have more than doubled since the Blair government came to power.
This comes in concert with rises in domestic energy costs which are also well beyond the scale of inflation by which our standard of living is measured. In London, an additional flat burden of increases by the mayor to pay for olypmic develoipment and infractsture changes to transport and the like adds insult to injury. The latter doesn't even take personal wealth into account since it is a contribution unrelated to property prices.
Pensioners and other recipients of fixed incomes receive yearly increases amounting to mere pennies - calculated by the rate of inflation which includes luxury goods they cannot afford anyway. Proportionately to the income of the still-working population this means that in real terms their standard of living falls annually.
The new cost of energy and local taxes will now cripple all low income sectors of our population. They will not receive anything like the welfare or minimum wage increases needed to cover this expense. Nor are they equipped to make personal cutbacks - it is a breadline existence already.
As the unthinking Blair administration continue to pursue their ideal of a totalitarian surveillance state, they remain blind to the consequences of their actions. The kind of poverty that forces people to fight for their survival is at the root of increasing social unrest and a disregard for laws and etiquette that become unacceptable in the face of desperation. Ironically, it is this disenfranchised part of the population whose lack of economic clout prevents them subscribing to the consumerist "norms" - so, as such, they exist outside the mainstream of general society.
A large part of the surveillance state depends on the ability of government and its corporate paymasters to "hookwink" us into paying for the technological trinkets by which it is to be enforced. Those unable to subscribe to the consumerist masquerade may end up being those who escape the Orwellian nightmare longest, de-stabilising the civil infrastructure in the process. The gap between rich and poor widens to the extremes that were the very thing the original Labour party sought to oppose. Blair's cosmetic repackaging of the worst aspects of Thatcherism is a betrayal of his party's legacy and his own legacy is more than likely to be that of sowing the seeds for disruption to come.
Trade unions are stirring, religions and ethnic cultures are becoming ever more polarised, a flu pandemic looks more likely then ever and power cuts are predicted. Maybe that disruption will come sooner rather than later. Time will tell.
Later.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Britain is ther world leader in the density of surveillance cameras - more infact than operatives to watch them. But with face recognition software online and the new moves to log the DNA of anyone detained (not necessarily arrested and charged) by police, the introduction of ID cards may be the tip of a virtual iceberg. More below.
eTV Picture Post
Imprisoned in the Database State
We Want Information
The above link leads to more on ID cards in the UK and the like, illustrated with pictures from the 60s classic "prisner" show.
The bird flu scares have now got as far as France. The UK goes on alert but reports suggest we are less prepared than other countries. If it hits before Spring comes, things could get very bad indeed.
Meanwhile in the heart of empire, Bush protects big business from lawsuits and some questions you shouldn't ask about 911.
For some nice art by Nik Ainley, thankfully of a wholly unpolitical nature, click here.
Later.
The above link leads to more on ID cards in the UK and the like, illustrated with pictures from the 60s classic "prisner" show.
The bird flu scares have now got as far as France. The UK goes on alert but reports suggest we are less prepared than other countries. If it hits before Spring comes, things could get very bad indeed.
Meanwhile in the heart of empire, Bush protects big business from lawsuits and some questions you shouldn't ask about 911.
For some nice art by Nik Ainley, thankfully of a wholly unpolitical nature, click here.
Later.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Toward the Database State
Stop ID cards and the database state!
The above link is a quick plug for the "No 2 ID" campaign and provides more news on last week's vote. Just in case you've been asleep - the campaign is far from over.
If you have been asleep, hopefully this will wake you up. An entertaining musical featuring Charles Clarke and a cast of thousands.
For all the rest of today's links and more, go here direct (You may have to close an intrusive pop-up window but it's usually worth it).
Later.
The above link is a quick plug for the "No 2 ID" campaign and provides more news on last week's vote. Just in case you've been asleep - the campaign is far from over.
If you have been asleep, hopefully this will wake you up. An entertaining musical featuring Charles Clarke and a cast of thousands.
For all the rest of today's links and more, go here direct (You may have to close an intrusive pop-up window but it's usually worth it).
Later.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Basking in the glory of the vague
Blair facing Lords stand-off over ID cards and 'glorifying' terrorism
I said it was a busy week in parliament but I've been buried in wires (the untappable kind) - hence the short absence.
We now have yet another bill gone though - this time on the "glorification" of "terror". As the above link points out, we can now expect a game of ping-pong as the House of Lords re-examine both it and the ID card proposals yet again. Could be fun, since the proposed legislation has not actually defined either "glorification" or "terror". An early definition of "glorification" by the government included a reference to as yet undefined "terror" within itself and was subsequently dropped before the Wednesday vote. The vote was hardly meaningless but on paper looks set to cause great confusion.
Later.
I said it was a busy week in parliament but I've been buried in wires (the untappable kind) - hence the short absence.
We now have yet another bill gone though - this time on the "glorification" of "terror". As the above link points out, we can now expect a game of ping-pong as the House of Lords re-examine both it and the ID card proposals yet again. Could be fun, since the proposed legislation has not actually defined either "glorification" or "terror". An early definition of "glorification" by the government included a reference to as yet undefined "terror" within itself and was subsequently dropped before the Wednesday vote. The vote was hardly meaningless but on paper looks set to cause great confusion.
Later.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
From a smoke filled room
That's right - yours truly is "fuming", constantly literally and frequently metaphorically. If parliament has its way here in the UK, this room will probably be the only place I can continue to do so.
It is a big week here for the British parliament, with umpteen bills for future legislation under debate. Votes on Monday and yesterday have already gone through with regard to ID cards and smoking in public places. Both have implications for individual rights and both give rise to conflict in the mind of this author.
When, way back last century, the idea of "smart-cards" came to the fore I was a supporter. The convenience of a picee of plastic which would replace beaurocracy and countless paperwork was appealing, but that was before isometrics and the extreme miniturisation of transportable microchip technologies. I still long for a portable identity in the same way I like mobile organisers and such, but not if the price to be paid infringes upon my privacy and civil rights. The information held on these cards and its inter-connectivity will be an insult to the notion of freedom.
I don't have a current passport, so if I want to leave the UK again I will need a new one. One of the crucial aspects of Monday's vote is that not only will that passport now be a high-tech version but that I will also be immediately be issued with an ID card at the same time. The expression "voluntary" becomes dubious indeed. Maybe I won't be "required" to use it - at least not yet! But how long before it becomes an indispensible accessory for negotiating dealings with all state authorities? Compulsion will come through the back door when citizens effectively can't survive without one.
Tuesday's vote was on government legislation designed to curb cigarette smoking, not only in the workplace but most other indoor venues. There were to have been exceptions but, presented as an open vote to parliament, it took on a life of its own and the ban has gone through without limitations at all. It was passed with such an astonishing majority that one wonders if the MPs had bothered to address the concerns of their constituents at all. The effect on business in the social and entertainment sectors will be profound as people resort to staying within their own homes where they can still smoke freely for now. Unless, of course, they choose to smoke non-approved products!
There is one interesting exception to the ban. Smoking will still be permitted in the Houses of Parliament! Hypocrisy or what? In the midst of endless propaganda about passive smoking, little attention is paid to the harm done to our lungs by the inhaling of motor vehicle fumes and industrial emissions - largely invisible pollutants that are killing us all slowly and the planet to boot. Nothing is being done to ban those! More hypocrisy.
When I was young, smoking was actually encouraged. Forty years on I admit I am an "addict" and rather wish I wasn't. The moves to discourage smoking are welcome, but draconian measures to reverse some people's habit of a lifetime are not. Taxes on the product itself are currently more than enough to counter-balance the healthcare costs, although ironically the government will be deprived of this extra income if the strategy to "outlaw" smoking is achieved.
Today's Independent has an insightful article on the way Blair has used the politics of fear to manipulate other recent legislation and policy in this country. I said it was a busy week, as I write we are awaiting yet another vote - this time on whether there will be a new offence for "glorification" of terrorism. Although the "religious hatred" bill was defeated recently, this one is limited to the advocation of methodology - I suspect that its interpretation, if passed, will remain a vague point for many and lead to even more contentious prosecutions.
In Amerika, all the headlines remain obsessed with Cheney's attitude to the gun and therein the parallel with the state of play practised throughout the world by the Imperial Court itself. See here for comment. Good news is that some republicans are starting to defect to the democrats, but most progressives seem to think the real future now lies in a new party born outside of the corporate payrolls altogether. Others want to help the Bush administration self-destruct of its own accord.
Later.
It is a big week here for the British parliament, with umpteen bills for future legislation under debate. Votes on Monday and yesterday have already gone through with regard to ID cards and smoking in public places. Both have implications for individual rights and both give rise to conflict in the mind of this author.
When, way back last century, the idea of "smart-cards" came to the fore I was a supporter. The convenience of a picee of plastic which would replace beaurocracy and countless paperwork was appealing, but that was before isometrics and the extreme miniturisation of transportable microchip technologies. I still long for a portable identity in the same way I like mobile organisers and such, but not if the price to be paid infringes upon my privacy and civil rights. The information held on these cards and its inter-connectivity will be an insult to the notion of freedom.
I don't have a current passport, so if I want to leave the UK again I will need a new one. One of the crucial aspects of Monday's vote is that not only will that passport now be a high-tech version but that I will also be immediately be issued with an ID card at the same time. The expression "voluntary" becomes dubious indeed. Maybe I won't be "required" to use it - at least not yet! But how long before it becomes an indispensible accessory for negotiating dealings with all state authorities? Compulsion will come through the back door when citizens effectively can't survive without one.
Tuesday's vote was on government legislation designed to curb cigarette smoking, not only in the workplace but most other indoor venues. There were to have been exceptions but, presented as an open vote to parliament, it took on a life of its own and the ban has gone through without limitations at all. It was passed with such an astonishing majority that one wonders if the MPs had bothered to address the concerns of their constituents at all. The effect on business in the social and entertainment sectors will be profound as people resort to staying within their own homes where they can still smoke freely for now. Unless, of course, they choose to smoke non-approved products!
There is one interesting exception to the ban. Smoking will still be permitted in the Houses of Parliament! Hypocrisy or what? In the midst of endless propaganda about passive smoking, little attention is paid to the harm done to our lungs by the inhaling of motor vehicle fumes and industrial emissions - largely invisible pollutants that are killing us all slowly and the planet to boot. Nothing is being done to ban those! More hypocrisy.
When I was young, smoking was actually encouraged. Forty years on I admit I am an "addict" and rather wish I wasn't. The moves to discourage smoking are welcome, but draconian measures to reverse some people's habit of a lifetime are not. Taxes on the product itself are currently more than enough to counter-balance the healthcare costs, although ironically the government will be deprived of this extra income if the strategy to "outlaw" smoking is achieved.
Today's Independent has an insightful article on the way Blair has used the politics of fear to manipulate other recent legislation and policy in this country. I said it was a busy week, as I write we are awaiting yet another vote - this time on whether there will be a new offence for "glorification" of terrorism. Although the "religious hatred" bill was defeated recently, this one is limited to the advocation of methodology - I suspect that its interpretation, if passed, will remain a vague point for many and lead to even more contentious prosecutions.
In Amerika, all the headlines remain obsessed with Cheney's attitude to the gun and therein the parallel with the state of play practised throughout the world by the Imperial Court itself. See here for comment. Good news is that some republicans are starting to defect to the democrats, but most progressives seem to think the real future now lies in a new party born outside of the corporate payrolls altogether. Others want to help the Bush administration self-destruct of its own accord.
Later.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Anticipating a "Cyber Storm"
'Cyber Storm' Tests U.S. Web Defenses
The short report above covers the conclusion of a US government "wargames" excercise. It's hard to fault the need for such simulations as a purely defensive measure against future attacks but there is some surprise that we humble bloggers have been targeted as possible providers of misinformation and activist rally-calling. Given that Britain and other selected countries were also involved, one has to balk at the global reach of this endeavour.
The state of current electronic defenses is said to be inadequate, but the results of this test won't be known for a while - if, indeed, they are ever made public at all. Of more concern is the extent to which possible defense strategies might be incorporated into the surveillance state increasingly being imposed on both the Amerikan and British civilian population. Unauthorised domestic wire-tapping by those in government is illegal and an infringement of civil liberties on both sides of the Altantic, despite the designs of the Ape Emperor and his Prime Preacher. The grey area of that issue and that of military defense and response needs to be watched very carefully.
Drunken US pilots not with-standing.
Later.
The short report above covers the conclusion of a US government "wargames" excercise. It's hard to fault the need for such simulations as a purely defensive measure against future attacks but there is some surprise that we humble bloggers have been targeted as possible providers of misinformation and activist rally-calling. Given that Britain and other selected countries were also involved, one has to balk at the global reach of this endeavour.
The state of current electronic defenses is said to be inadequate, but the results of this test won't be known for a while - if, indeed, they are ever made public at all. Of more concern is the extent to which possible defense strategies might be incorporated into the surveillance state increasingly being imposed on both the Amerikan and British civilian population. Unauthorised domestic wire-tapping by those in government is illegal and an infringement of civil liberties on both sides of the Altantic, despite the designs of the Ape Emperor and his Prime Preacher. The grey area of that issue and that of military defense and response needs to be watched very carefully.
Drunken US pilots not with-standing.
Later.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Cartoons as the future of propaganda
Hey, Kids: Spying Is Fun!
The link to Alternet above concerns cartoons again, but this time it has nothing to do with the ones causing so much Islamic unrest.
Instead, what we have here is a concerted effort by the US intelliegence community to indoctrinate today's kids into the surveillance state they will experience as adults. Presumably, if a future generation perceive "Big Brother" as the norm, all activity (including dissent) will be conducted in a 'by-then' almost invisible framework. Scary stuff.
There's now a good reason to get arrested in Scotland. It seems that the only place left to light up a cigarette is the back of a police car. Or maybe law enforcement is seen as a good career move for smokers. One wonders that if the act of smoking becomes increasingly proscribed, maybe less attention will be paid to exactly which products are being smoked in the few santuaries left to for those who do.
Later.
The link to Alternet above concerns cartoons again, but this time it has nothing to do with the ones causing so much Islamic unrest.
Instead, what we have here is a concerted effort by the US intelliegence community to indoctrinate today's kids into the surveillance state they will experience as adults. Presumably, if a future generation perceive "Big Brother" as the norm, all activity (including dissent) will be conducted in a 'by-then' almost invisible framework. Scary stuff.
There's now a good reason to get arrested in Scotland. It seems that the only place left to light up a cigarette is the back of a police car. Or maybe law enforcement is seen as a good career move for smokers. One wonders that if the act of smoking becomes increasingly proscribed, maybe less attention will be paid to exactly which products are being smoked in the few santuaries left to for those who do.
Later.
Friday, February 10, 2006
To face the music, perchance?
Foreign Affairs - Intelligence, Policy,and the War in Iraq - Paul R. Pillar
Today's first link, above, leads to a newly published and well-informed article that suggests Amerika's intelligence community are less than happy about their use by Bush for political ends. Parallels with Britain where the security services have also objected to manipulation by Blair. Curiously too, following yesterday's proclamation by Bush about a foiled terrorist attack on Los Angeles, counter-terrorism experts are jumping up to rubbish the suggestion. See here.
Back here in the UK, there has been an astonishing bi-election victory for what many had perceived as a troubled Liberal Democrat party. Without even a current leader (voting is still underway on that), Britain's 3rd principal political party has ousted Blair's labour and snubbed fledgling Conservative leader Cameron to boot. Blair's weakened house majority is now cut by one more MP and the Lib Dems have gained a seat. If this can happen despite the calamities befalling both their previous leader, an ex-new-leader candidate and one of the current leadership candidates, maybe we have cause to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Our current Prime Preacher is also backing down rapidly on proposed policy changes - most significantly the education reforms. Obviously anxious to suffer no more defeats before his time runs out he is increasingly seem as hanging on until the 10th anniversary of his election to office. That will be Spring next year and rumour has it he has agreed to hand over to Chancellor Gordon Brown at that time. The problem is that this new Lib Dem victory is even more of a snub to Brown as it is the Blair. Brown lives in the constituency and spent an awful lot of time up there recently campaigning for the loser.
Later.
Today's first link, above, leads to a newly published and well-informed article that suggests Amerika's intelligence community are less than happy about their use by Bush for political ends. Parallels with Britain where the security services have also objected to manipulation by Blair. Curiously too, following yesterday's proclamation by Bush about a foiled terrorist attack on Los Angeles, counter-terrorism experts are jumping up to rubbish the suggestion. See here.
Back here in the UK, there has been an astonishing bi-election victory for what many had perceived as a troubled Liberal Democrat party. Without even a current leader (voting is still underway on that), Britain's 3rd principal political party has ousted Blair's labour and snubbed fledgling Conservative leader Cameron to boot. Blair's weakened house majority is now cut by one more MP and the Lib Dems have gained a seat. If this can happen despite the calamities befalling both their previous leader, an ex-new-leader candidate and one of the current leadership candidates, maybe we have cause to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Our current Prime Preacher is also backing down rapidly on proposed policy changes - most significantly the education reforms. Obviously anxious to suffer no more defeats before his time runs out he is increasingly seem as hanging on until the 10th anniversary of his election to office. That will be Spring next year and rumour has it he has agreed to hand over to Chancellor Gordon Brown at that time. The problem is that this new Lib Dem victory is even more of a snub to Brown as it is the Blair. Brown lives in the constituency and spent an awful lot of time up there recently campaigning for the loser.
Later.
Cartoon Psy-Ops? But whose?
No outrage when Egyptian publication headlined drawings on Ramadan cover
A late posting of the link above which I forgot to put in the earlier piece. The unfunny aftermath of the wandering funnies gets grimmer with each report but this one takes the ticket. An Islamic newspaper first reprinted those pictures in Egypt during Ramadam last year - before the Arab summit and well before the reprints in Denmark and Europe. They can't be that offensive!
The riots are playing both ways here. They will provide the excuse for the likes of Bush and Blair to take a tougher stance and further stigmatise Muslim populations at home and abroad. They also provide the excuse for militant Islam to capitalise on increasing anti-western sentiments and further promote violence and possible terrorism. The real question must be that if psy-ops are in play here, which side is using them?
The cartoons may well have been missed on their original Danish publication, but this Egyptian reprinting would hardly have gone unnoticed in the Muslim world. So why all the fuss now after the silence of intervening months? There is clearly orchestration in the current international uprising. For Al Qaeda and the like it must be good PR, but for Amerika it is helping contribute to a volatile scenario they need to justify action against Iran and maybe Syria too.
As moderate mainstream Islam demonstrates against the demonstrations themselves here in London on Saturday, it would be nice to think the tension could fade away a bit. Sadly, it looks like it may run and run - a harbringer for darker things to come. As Bush today revealed another "alleged" terror strike was aborted in California just after 9/11, it sounds like he is "upping-the-ante" in preparation for actions to come. As suspicions increasingly abound that 9/11 itself was a PNAC-engineered "own goal", we are reminded that, in a climate of fear, a trigger is always close to hand.
These conflicts of ideaology could so easily be turned into a fully-fledged religious war. Insolvent, addicted and greedy, Amerika has little left to lose. But the rest of the world has! Civilised nations should relegate religion to the domain of private mythological pursuit and organise society around freedom of speech, thought and opinion. Of dialogue and accomodation is born our human capacity for creativity and progress. Of its absence, the stuff of medieval nightmares reborn in a nuclear age.
You may have noticed it's getting late.
Later.
A late posting of the link above which I forgot to put in the earlier piece. The unfunny aftermath of the wandering funnies gets grimmer with each report but this one takes the ticket. An Islamic newspaper first reprinted those pictures in Egypt during Ramadam last year - before the Arab summit and well before the reprints in Denmark and Europe. They can't be that offensive!
The riots are playing both ways here. They will provide the excuse for the likes of Bush and Blair to take a tougher stance and further stigmatise Muslim populations at home and abroad. They also provide the excuse for militant Islam to capitalise on increasing anti-western sentiments and further promote violence and possible terrorism. The real question must be that if psy-ops are in play here, which side is using them?
The cartoons may well have been missed on their original Danish publication, but this Egyptian reprinting would hardly have gone unnoticed in the Muslim world. So why all the fuss now after the silence of intervening months? There is clearly orchestration in the current international uprising. For Al Qaeda and the like it must be good PR, but for Amerika it is helping contribute to a volatile scenario they need to justify action against Iran and maybe Syria too.
As moderate mainstream Islam demonstrates against the demonstrations themselves here in London on Saturday, it would be nice to think the tension could fade away a bit. Sadly, it looks like it may run and run - a harbringer for darker things to come. As Bush today revealed another "alleged" terror strike was aborted in California just after 9/11, it sounds like he is "upping-the-ante" in preparation for actions to come. As suspicions increasingly abound that 9/11 itself was a PNAC-engineered "own goal", we are reminded that, in a climate of fear, a trigger is always close to hand.
These conflicts of ideaology could so easily be turned into a fully-fledged religious war. Insolvent, addicted and greedy, Amerika has little left to lose. But the rest of the world has! Civilised nations should relegate religion to the domain of private mythological pursuit and organise society around freedom of speech, thought and opinion. Of dialogue and accomodation is born our human capacity for creativity and progress. Of its absence, the stuff of medieval nightmares reborn in a nuclear age.
You may have noticed it's getting late.
Later.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Toon Wars stirring
'Toon Trouble
Today sees cartoonist Mark Fiore bring his take on the cartoon controversy itself. Follow the link above. The subject has taken on epidemic proportions on the blogs, not to mention in the real world. Richard Neville's piece mentioned yesterday is now updated and fully illustrated at his blog here while an article at Slate asks Whose God can you draw anyway?
The riots have not gone unobserved in the imperial court. Bush reckons they are "bad" but doesn't comment on the toons themselves. Henchwoman Condi is blaming it all on Syria and Iran - great fodder for the department of war-mongering. The New York Times dives in further and suggests that the whole affair began last December when Arab leaders met in Mecca.
The French rub it all in by reprinting the offending items once again and commissioning a new one to boot! Israel's contribution to the tension is to tear down a Muslim cemetery so it can build a so-called "Museum of Tolerance". Come again?
Real humour meets the real world as Alternet publish an interview with comedian and left-winger Al Franken. Probably safe enough - it's not illustrated! Something that is illustrated, here, is the Guantanamo Chair (my name).
In the UK, a nuclear plant has "lost" some of its enriched uranium (government blame the paperwork!) and Blair may cancel next year's elections while he "reforms" the process. Wish that both of these items were actually cartoons.
Later.
Today sees cartoonist Mark Fiore bring his take on the cartoon controversy itself. Follow the link above. The subject has taken on epidemic proportions on the blogs, not to mention in the real world. Richard Neville's piece mentioned yesterday is now updated and fully illustrated at his blog here while an article at Slate asks Whose God can you draw anyway?
The riots have not gone unobserved in the imperial court. Bush reckons they are "bad" but doesn't comment on the toons themselves. Henchwoman Condi is blaming it all on Syria and Iran - great fodder for the department of war-mongering. The New York Times dives in further and suggests that the whole affair began last December when Arab leaders met in Mecca.
The French rub it all in by reprinting the offending items once again and commissioning a new one to boot! Israel's contribution to the tension is to tear down a Muslim cemetery so it can build a so-called "Museum of Tolerance". Come again?
Real humour meets the real world as Alternet publish an interview with comedian and left-winger Al Franken. Probably safe enough - it's not illustrated! Something that is illustrated, here, is the Guantanamo Chair (my name).
In the UK, a nuclear plant has "lost" some of its enriched uranium (government blame the paperwork!) and Blair may cancel next year's elections while he "reforms" the process. Wish that both of these items were actually cartoons.
Later.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
More on pictures that shake the world
Richard Neville
No sooner have I posted the last blog than an old "comrade-in-charms" comes up with his own take at OpEd News - link above.
As editor of the sixties magazine, "Oz", Richard knows all about this. Both his Australian and British editions ended up in the courts as a direct result of published, you guessed it, cartoons. For more about "Oz" follow the link left to my Homepage" then pursue "Counterculture" for history.
Richard's article also includes a link to this gallery. Full of artwork depicting the prophet, some of them downright rude and of Islamic origin, it proves what I said earlier - Islam itself has not always proscribed religion in artistic expression.
Later.
No sooner have I posted the last blog than an old "comrade-in-charms" comes up with his own take at OpEd News - link above.
As editor of the sixties magazine, "Oz", Richard knows all about this. Both his Australian and British editions ended up in the courts as a direct result of published, you guessed it, cartoons. For more about "Oz" follow the link left to my Homepage" then pursue "Counterculture" for history.
Richard's article also includes a link to this gallery. Full of artwork depicting the prophet, some of them downright rude and of Islamic origin, it proves what I said earlier - Islam itself has not always proscribed religion in artistic expression.
Later.
Faces in the crowd. An unusual situation for former, present and possible future presidents as they attend the funeral for Coretta Scott King yesterday. Bush read something the copywriters prepared. Clinton ad-libbed and stole the show. Bush then had to sit through six hours of cememony while almost everyone taking the platform lashed into his policies and legacy. About time too!
eTV Picture Post
Playing the wrong toons?
A Startling New Lesson in the Power of Imagery
The link above leads to the critic's notebook at New York Times and takes a deeper look at the power of pictures. As someone with a history in the area of comics and cartoons I could not resist downloading the offending items to satisfy my curiousity over what all the fuss was about. I won't reprint them here - not only to avoid "fanning the flames" (as certain students in Cardiff did yesterday) but also because they are poorly rendered and have no editorial merit whatsoever.
In so far as I can tell, there is nothing in Islam that directly prohibits portrayal of their prophet, but there does seem to be a tradition in most of its branches that is opposed to iconography. Whether this is due to a desire for maintaining an abstract interpretation of the prophet or an actual fear of a possible "iconoclasm" in the face of such interpretation is unclear, but it is undoubtably a sensitive issue. Were such images permitted however, their use in satire (like those in christianity and elsewhere) would be certain to upset the devout. So the problem resides with the artistic expression.
I balk at the thought that one of my favourite artistic mediums has given rise to the astonishing level of unrest and violence we are now seeing worldwide. In reality, I suspect the cartoons have simply acted as a focus to trigger tensions that have been building between Islam and the west since the advent of Bush and his imperial policies.
The "cartoons" in question are, for the most part, not even that. They look like editorial illustrations which need a written article to provide any real context. The frequently cited one featuring a figure in a turban with a bomb is a case in point. Were there an essay on "Islamist" extremeists and terror tactics the picture might just have justified itself as poor quality decoration, but it has no message on its own. All it depicts is a Muslim archetype, an insult in itself, in a situation of suicidal intent for no purpose whatsoever. Moreover, one has to ask, if depiction of the prophet is forbidden, by what reference point is this assumed to be the prophet? To my mind it could be anyone at all. The controvsery has little rational basis but that is ignored as religious extremists are rallied to a cause fueled with anger and with a mind of its own.
Today, Iran has renamed "Danish Pastries" as a snub to Denmark, who of course originated the pictures in question. Yet they haven't stopped eating them. An Iranian newspaper has also launched a cartoon competition of its own - this one asking for entries concerning the "holocaust". Although portrayed as a political hub of disenfranchised Islam, Iran seems to be playing a tune of "brinkmanship" - as with the nuclear issue, insisting on keeping the scales balanced without tipping the weights too far from the position of equality. More worrying is the unrest the issue has caused in regions with fledgling democracies and less awareness of governance and international diplomacy. More worrying still is that the distinction will also be lost altogether in the Imperial Court across the atlantic.
Later.
The link above leads to the critic's notebook at New York Times and takes a deeper look at the power of pictures. As someone with a history in the area of comics and cartoons I could not resist downloading the offending items to satisfy my curiousity over what all the fuss was about. I won't reprint them here - not only to avoid "fanning the flames" (as certain students in Cardiff did yesterday) but also because they are poorly rendered and have no editorial merit whatsoever.
In so far as I can tell, there is nothing in Islam that directly prohibits portrayal of their prophet, but there does seem to be a tradition in most of its branches that is opposed to iconography. Whether this is due to a desire for maintaining an abstract interpretation of the prophet or an actual fear of a possible "iconoclasm" in the face of such interpretation is unclear, but it is undoubtably a sensitive issue. Were such images permitted however, their use in satire (like those in christianity and elsewhere) would be certain to upset the devout. So the problem resides with the artistic expression.
I balk at the thought that one of my favourite artistic mediums has given rise to the astonishing level of unrest and violence we are now seeing worldwide. In reality, I suspect the cartoons have simply acted as a focus to trigger tensions that have been building between Islam and the west since the advent of Bush and his imperial policies.
The "cartoons" in question are, for the most part, not even that. They look like editorial illustrations which need a written article to provide any real context. The frequently cited one featuring a figure in a turban with a bomb is a case in point. Were there an essay on "Islamist" extremeists and terror tactics the picture might just have justified itself as poor quality decoration, but it has no message on its own. All it depicts is a Muslim archetype, an insult in itself, in a situation of suicidal intent for no purpose whatsoever. Moreover, one has to ask, if depiction of the prophet is forbidden, by what reference point is this assumed to be the prophet? To my mind it could be anyone at all. The controvsery has little rational basis but that is ignored as religious extremists are rallied to a cause fueled with anger and with a mind of its own.
Today, Iran has renamed "Danish Pastries" as a snub to Denmark, who of course originated the pictures in question. Yet they haven't stopped eating them. An Iranian newspaper has also launched a cartoon competition of its own - this one asking for entries concerning the "holocaust". Although portrayed as a political hub of disenfranchised Islam, Iran seems to be playing a tune of "brinkmanship" - as with the nuclear issue, insisting on keeping the scales balanced without tipping the weights too far from the position of equality. More worrying is the unrest the issue has caused in regions with fledgling democracies and less awareness of governance and international diplomacy. More worrying still is that the distinction will also be lost altogether in the Imperial Court across the atlantic.
Later.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Cocks don't come for Jagger's superbowl
Jagger is lost for words as Superbowl plays it safe
Two awkward gaps marred the Rolling Stones' short performance at Amerika's equivilent of a football cup final censored seemingly with the band's permission. See report link above. The offending words, "cocks" and "come" were not even used out of their conventional context and their exclusion was simply over-sensitive pandering to the minions of a vacant-minded imperial homeland.
More's the shame. If Jagger and company had any real spirit left they'd have played "Sweet Neo-Con" from the new album and reprised "Highwire" - the latter being a single released (not on any album and one of their best ever rock tracks) at the height of the first Gulf War. Closing with "Sympathy for the Devil" would also have provided a suitable anthem for the land of Bush.
As the Strolling Bones gather considerable age, where is the spirit of rock and roll?
Later.
Two awkward gaps marred the Rolling Stones' short performance at Amerika's equivilent of a football cup final censored seemingly with the band's permission. See report link above. The offending words, "cocks" and "come" were not even used out of their conventional context and their exclusion was simply over-sensitive pandering to the minions of a vacant-minded imperial homeland.
More's the shame. If Jagger and company had any real spirit left they'd have played "Sweet Neo-Con" from the new album and reprised "Highwire" - the latter being a single released (not on any album and one of their best ever rock tracks) at the height of the first Gulf War. Closing with "Sympathy for the Devil" would also have provided a suitable anthem for the land of Bush.
As the Strolling Bones gather considerable age, where is the spirit of rock and roll?
Later.
Monday, February 06, 2006
More big bother for freedom and privacy
UK news from The Times
Britain's "Child Support Agency" exists for one purpose - to chase down absent parents who are not paying for the upkeep of their children. The original intention was to save the government untold millions in benefit payments, but since its inception a few short years ago the agency has been plagued with problems and incompetence. It's draconian pursuit of "offenders" is dictated by numbers, with little concern for individual circumstance and the real welfare of the familiies concerned. It is also claimed that the operations costs more to administer than the the savings made in the collection of maintainance payments.
In the absence of common sense, enter Big Brother. As the above link reveals, government wants to pass legislation that will futher empower this inept department by allowing financial and lifestyle surveillance on virtually everyone on its lists. The danger, as usual, is that you don't need to be a parent, let alone an absent one, to be worried about the implications of this. It is yet another state database, this time directly linked to those in the private sector. Once the system is in place, it will be child's play to extend it to cover all benefit recipients and eventually every taxpayer.
Even those who promote the surveillance society should be concerned. The mismanagement of this department, like that of the agency administering "tax credits", suggests we will experience appalling abuse of the machine by the legion of incompetent beaurocrats in charge of it.
Across the Atlantic, here are some other good reads. "The Pestilent President" is a virtual epic. "The Tyranny that follows Economic Collapse" is insightful. Both are from OpEd News - for a full headline listing see the daily feed now published here on the left.
Later.
Britain's "Child Support Agency" exists for one purpose - to chase down absent parents who are not paying for the upkeep of their children. The original intention was to save the government untold millions in benefit payments, but since its inception a few short years ago the agency has been plagued with problems and incompetence. It's draconian pursuit of "offenders" is dictated by numbers, with little concern for individual circumstance and the real welfare of the familiies concerned. It is also claimed that the operations costs more to administer than the the savings made in the collection of maintainance payments.
In the absence of common sense, enter Big Brother. As the above link reveals, government wants to pass legislation that will futher empower this inept department by allowing financial and lifestyle surveillance on virtually everyone on its lists. The danger, as usual, is that you don't need to be a parent, let alone an absent one, to be worried about the implications of this. It is yet another state database, this time directly linked to those in the private sector. Once the system is in place, it will be child's play to extend it to cover all benefit recipients and eventually every taxpayer.
Even those who promote the surveillance society should be concerned. The mismanagement of this department, like that of the agency administering "tax credits", suggests we will experience appalling abuse of the machine by the legion of incompetent beaurocrats in charge of it.
Across the Atlantic, here are some other good reads. "The Pestilent President" is a virtual epic. "The Tyranny that follows Economic Collapse" is insightful. Both are from OpEd News - for a full headline listing see the daily feed now published here on the left.
Later.
Friday, February 03, 2006
How corporate Amerika intends to hijack the web
The Shackles Of The Net
The link above is an informative report from last night's late edition at CBS news. It has the obvious Amerikan slant but the message is something we in Britain sould be concerned about too.
Telecommunications and cable companies are not the only ones involved here, but they are the front-runners in this new race powered by corporate greed. It is already almost impossible to access the web for free anymore and with broadband many providers are also limiting bandwidth use. Talk about their precious "pipes" is a nonesense - having invested in the infrastructure the ISPs are "service providers" and recoup their money from just that. Limiting access the way they envisage is not direct censorship, but by proclaiming themselves "content providers" too they are effectively seeking to control our use of the web. Only the wealthy will be able to afford the bandwidth time and width to use the electronic highway properly and even they will suffer the onslaught of preffered advertising that will garner vast sums of additional revenue for the corporates concerned.
It is websites themselves who are the content providers on the public internet and the democratic nature of the web is further threatened if audience exposure is limited to those who join up and subscribe to a system of inter-corporate hierarchy. Contractual obligations would either stop or severely hinder our access to sites and materials that were not themselves woven into the fabric of services available from any individual ISP, with small organisations and businesses relegated to the depths of a no-doubt highly customised interface. The obvious parallel is the giant supermarket chains that have all but obliterated the independent retail sector and the service once provided by local shops.
I said that this is not direct censorship, but it is censorship in a subtle form. More importantly, it plays into the hands of those who would impose direct censorship. Totalitarian-minded government will always find a way to harness the vast corporate databases and tracking systems when it is deemed they need it.
Nor is the threat only one that affects internet users. Digital convergance means that the web is joining up with television and all other home electronic delivery systems. Those "pipelines" are supply are no longer luxuries - they are essential for all contemporary communication and our access to knowledge. Information is power and the price is set to render it available only to the affluent elite. Ironically, even they will probably find themselves fed a version of truth and reality defined by advertisers and the propaganda machine. Only those at the very top of the pile will really have uncluttered access to everything without distraction and there will be nothing democratic or publicly well-intentioned in those circles.
The CBS piece also contains some very useful links. Pursue them while you can!
Later.
The link above is an informative report from last night's late edition at CBS news. It has the obvious Amerikan slant but the message is something we in Britain sould be concerned about too.
Telecommunications and cable companies are not the only ones involved here, but they are the front-runners in this new race powered by corporate greed. It is already almost impossible to access the web for free anymore and with broadband many providers are also limiting bandwidth use. Talk about their precious "pipes" is a nonesense - having invested in the infrastructure the ISPs are "service providers" and recoup their money from just that. Limiting access the way they envisage is not direct censorship, but by proclaiming themselves "content providers" too they are effectively seeking to control our use of the web. Only the wealthy will be able to afford the bandwidth time and width to use the electronic highway properly and even they will suffer the onslaught of preffered advertising that will garner vast sums of additional revenue for the corporates concerned.
It is websites themselves who are the content providers on the public internet and the democratic nature of the web is further threatened if audience exposure is limited to those who join up and subscribe to a system of inter-corporate hierarchy. Contractual obligations would either stop or severely hinder our access to sites and materials that were not themselves woven into the fabric of services available from any individual ISP, with small organisations and businesses relegated to the depths of a no-doubt highly customised interface. The obvious parallel is the giant supermarket chains that have all but obliterated the independent retail sector and the service once provided by local shops.
I said that this is not direct censorship, but it is censorship in a subtle form. More importantly, it plays into the hands of those who would impose direct censorship. Totalitarian-minded government will always find a way to harness the vast corporate databases and tracking systems when it is deemed they need it.
Nor is the threat only one that affects internet users. Digital convergance means that the web is joining up with television and all other home electronic delivery systems. Those "pipelines" are supply are no longer luxuries - they are essential for all contemporary communication and our access to knowledge. Information is power and the price is set to render it available only to the affluent elite. Ironically, even they will probably find themselves fed a version of truth and reality defined by advertisers and the propaganda machine. Only those at the very top of the pile will really have uncluttered access to everything without distraction and there will be nothing democratic or publicly well-intentioned in those circles.
The CBS piece also contains some very useful links. Pursue them while you can!
Later.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
We're off to war - period
Bush told Blair we're going to war
For an advance look at what will probably appear in tomorrow's Guardian - follow the link above. It's more on the White House leak. I wonder if Blair is wishing he'd done an absentee job on that one too!
America has now picked up on it in the progressive press, as you can see here. We'll see if it hits the mainstream tomorrow.
Later.
For an advance look at what will probably appear in tomorrow's Guardian - follow the link above. It's more on the White House leak. I wonder if Blair is wishing he'd done an absentee job on that one too!
America has now picked up on it in the progressive press, as you can see here. We'll see if it hits the mainstream tomorrow.
Later.
The cover of today's France Soir with its reprint of one of the contentious cartoons upsetting Islam. This one is probably the better of the set - the "forbidden" iconic image of Muhammed is accompanied by those of Christianity, Judeaism and either Hindu or the Budda. The detail is unclear. In a modern world such cricticism, albeit through characture, should be a matter of open discussion. The fact that most of the cartoons in question happen to be of poor editorial quality is another issue entirely. Altogether, a lot of fuss about virtually nothing. Of more concern should be the aquittal in court today of the BNP leaders who were clearly guilty of promoting intolerance and cultural agitation.
eTV Picture Post
Scholars Call Hoax
Press Release
This is the real link for the 9/11 allegations mentioned in the last blog. I accidently keyed the wrong one - interesting though it was.
For even more intel, follow the link left for Burnsite and look for the link marked "Cyberstation". It's full of undercurrents.
Later.
This is the real link for the 9/11 allegations mentioned in the last blog. I accidently keyed the wrong one - interesting though it was.
For even more intel, follow the link left for Burnsite and look for the link marked "Cyberstation". It's full of undercurrents.
Later.
White House Meeting Memo implicates Blair in Bush plans for Iraq
White House Meeting Memo
A short link for late in the day - UK chnnel 4 television news (link above) have hust broken dome rather incriminating news.
Pre-iraq invasion it is suggested that Bush had already decided on 10th March to act and only agrees to Blair's request to obtain a second security council resolution as a diversion. Blair agreed to follow Bush to war regardless of whether they obtained the resolution or not. As we know, it wasn't. More importantly, both leaders appeared to realise that Saddam Hussein was not actually in breach of conditions or an immediate threat - Bush seems more concerned with fabricating an incident which can be blamed on Iraq, in particular by disguising his own aircraft in United Nations colours and flying them low enough to be shot down.
It reminds us suspicions that the 9.11 attacks were "allowed" to take place to provide the "new Pearl Harbour" heralded by PNAC (Project for a New American Century) as suitable auspices for American imperial pursuits and agression. See recent report here.
Later.
A short link for late in the day - UK chnnel 4 television news (link above) have hust broken dome rather incriminating news.
Pre-iraq invasion it is suggested that Bush had already decided on 10th March to act and only agrees to Blair's request to obtain a second security council resolution as a diversion. Blair agreed to follow Bush to war regardless of whether they obtained the resolution or not. As we know, it wasn't. More importantly, both leaders appeared to realise that Saddam Hussein was not actually in breach of conditions or an immediate threat - Bush seems more concerned with fabricating an incident which can be blamed on Iraq, in particular by disguising his own aircraft in United Nations colours and flying them low enough to be shot down.
It reminds us suspicions that the 9.11 attacks were "allowed" to take place to provide the "new Pearl Harbour" heralded by PNAC (Project for a New American Century) as suitable auspices for American imperial pursuits and agression. See recent report here.
Later.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
The Day the Preachers lost their plots
Times Online - Crash Bang Wallop
This morning's Times is the first to report on the amazing mess of last night's parliamentary vote here in the UK. The religious hadred bill was always highly suspect but rather less contentious than other legislation Blair has planned. It was expected to pass through parliament relatively smoothly so imagine the surprise when it didn't. For the second time now, the government have been defeated in the House of Commons, but the biggest farce is that they only lacked one vote. Whose vote? Well there are quite a few candidates, but the most notable absentee was the Prime Preacher himself. Absurd or what?
By all reports, the Ape Emperor suffered too as he tried to address the hordes of the Amerikan homeland. None seem to have been impressed by the speech and most seem to have been decidedly unimpressed. Probably too self-confident have successfully got his high court appointment through, he had the audacity to use the death of Martin King's wife for a "look good" introduction. The fact that she stood for the exact opposite of his own policies was clearly loast on Bush.
Alternet are first off with the analyses - Dead Man Talking and Splicing & Dicing the Union are good reads. They are also releasing podcasts of The Alternative State of the Union today, so click to download the MP3s.
Aghast I am.
Later.
This morning's Times is the first to report on the amazing mess of last night's parliamentary vote here in the UK. The religious hadred bill was always highly suspect but rather less contentious than other legislation Blair has planned. It was expected to pass through parliament relatively smoothly so imagine the surprise when it didn't. For the second time now, the government have been defeated in the House of Commons, but the biggest farce is that they only lacked one vote. Whose vote? Well there are quite a few candidates, but the most notable absentee was the Prime Preacher himself. Absurd or what?
By all reports, the Ape Emperor suffered too as he tried to address the hordes of the Amerikan homeland. None seem to have been impressed by the speech and most seem to have been decidedly unimpressed. Probably too self-confident have successfully got his high court appointment through, he had the audacity to use the death of Martin King's wife for a "look good" introduction. The fact that she stood for the exact opposite of his own policies was clearly loast on Bush.
Alternet are first off with the analyses - Dead Man Talking and Splicing & Dicing the Union are good reads. They are also releasing podcasts of The Alternative State of the Union today, so click to download the MP3s.
Aghast I am.
Later.
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