Wednesday, October 31
Thank you, Joshua Glenn, for this
very good piece of writing.
In America, if you stand out, you may be rewarded. But if you stand
up, you may be
punished. (Username: opensewer; password: iswatching.)
Happy All-Hallows Eve! And, with no intent of irony I'm sure, today is also the day that
Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the church door at
Wittenberg, ensuring that the long-standing tradition of religious conflict in the world would continue for years to come. Shudder to think, what would the world be like
without religious conflict?
Tuesday, October 30
A li'l reality check,
here. (NYTimes article: Login-Opensewer/Password-Iswatching)
Monday, October 29
After years of fairies, little girls and sleeping babies the most vapid Ashton Drake collectable doll company presents the ever-so-cute
Semper Fi Marine toddler doll just $80 in four easy payments! Despicable.
Sunday, October 28
The Crusaders' Giant Footprints, an article in the Washington Post last Tuesday, provides some insight into the mindset of Islamic culture as it relates to current events. Sometimes we seem to forget that the Earth has been patiently rotating for thousands of years, and not all of the most important things in history happened during the 20th Century. (Via
Arts & Letters Daily.)
Saturday, October 27
Well, it's about time! No less than a full
19 days after the actual event, we now present to you
full summaries and photographs of all seven Opensewer 10 Gatherings. Enjoy! We'll be posting information on Opensewer 11 sometime in the first half of November.
Friday, October 26
Criticize me if you want, label me way to the left... think what you want. But
this article is a must-read, whether you want to admit it or not.
Thursday, October 25
C'mon sing along with me (to the tune of Mickey Mouse):
M-C-C -- A-R-T -- H-Y-I-S-M ! ! !
With the passing of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, if we're not careful,
it's going to start all over again. Don't say I didn't warn ya.
This is
exactly what I'm talking about when I wonder what to believe anymore ... but now I'm thinking that maybe it's not The Press, but rather, the Government! Don't say one thing in the morning, then take it back in the afternoon - which is it? What the hell?
Tuesday, October 23
An
Associated Press article wonders about the fine line between patriotism and transparency, and restraint and good judgment by the Press. While I agree with the need for good judgment by the press relative to national security, what about censorship, freedom of the press and the right to know?
Monday, October 22
This week's
On The Media reported about Viacom's president Mel Karmazin finding a silver lining in the current war. As if Viacom isn't controlling most of our entertainment already, they plan to use the current unrest to build an even bigger empire. Listen
here.
Wanna know what really going on with the "war"? Don't read US websites - read others such as the
BBC ... for instance,
this story about a Coke factory in India getting attacked in "retaliation of the US bombing of Afghanistan." Think we'll see it on MNSBC or other similar sites? Nah... the gov's only going to tell us what they want us to know!
Ever think about where all the money to front the war is coming from? Well, here's where
part of it is coming from: Your future social security check. Read
here for details.
Sunday, October 21
To artist
Carol Es, painting is an independent entity that both guides and humbles her. Difficult to fit into any particular genre, her mixed-media paintings represent a simple, powerful release of the generator inside.
Saturday, October 20
The question is, can you destroy destruction? Dropping more bombs on Afghanistan will only shuffle the rubble, scramble some old graves and disturb the dead.Not very comforting, but insightful in many ways, The Algebra Of Infinite Justice examines U.S. retaliation for 9/11 from an Indian perspective.
Friday, October 19
"To fight what is a global threat, the world's nations are going to have to act globally." So states
this article about a different kind of "war" that the world is facing now.
Thursday, October 18
Yesterday's
Working Assets Radio focused on what
this story in the New York Times didn't say, including what stakes the Bush family has in Saudi oil. When Bush Sr. left office he took a bunch of advisors and officials with him and joined a company called the Carlyle Group which has interests in foreign oil. As someone in the show said - no one is going to refuse a meeting with the former head of state from the US. Read the recap of the show
here, and read about the Carlyle Group on Bloomberg
here (a story cited in the show). For each show Working Assets Radio offers a great toolbox, I copied yesterday's:
Project Underground helps environmental, human rights and indigenous- rights movements carry out focused campaigns to counter abusive oil and mining activities. The organization seeks to systematically deal with problems the oil and mining industries create by exposing environmental and human-rights abuses and empowering communities facing mineral and energy development to achieve economic and environmental justice.
Corp Watch counters corporate-led globalization through education and activism. CorpWatch works to foster democratic control over corporations by building grassroots globalization - a diverse movement for human rights, labor rights and environmental justice. Find out how you can support CorpWatch online.
TomPaine.com. The online journalism site funded by the Florence Fund seeds the national public policy debate with the common sense ideas, opinions, and analyses the mainstream media usually misses. Heck, the site even offers essays on history!
What the World needs now is a Superhero, like
this.
Wednesday, October 17
'Tis a sad state of affairs when this can be done so easily - yet it doesn't even surprise me. The scoop: People can easily access your long distance or cell phone bills for the last month. One way to protect yourself: Request that your telephone company password protect your billing records and other personal data.
Here's the article.
Tuesday, October 16
Our Friend Fran emailed us recently asking about a link to show one's ecological footprint. In consideration of today's link about SUVs, we thought it was worth another mention - so
here it is.
We have always bitched about SUVs - now
here's a reason to think about not driving one, or, why you really really
REALLY need that big ol' honkin' gas guzzler.
Monday, October 15
The RND# Project is currently a collection of six short films which explore our "increasingly bizarre dependence on and relationship with technology."
Richard Fenwick conceived this idea and it is being sponsored by
IDEO. Fenwick's intentions are that the project will eventually consist of 100 films. (Link via
Memepool.)
Sunday, October 14
Sometimes Sunday is a good day to turn off your computer and go outside if you can. Other days are good for this, too, but Sunday particularly so.
Saturday, October 13
Who knows what to believe anymore.
Friday, October 12
Two weeks ago we attended a wedding of two close friends. At the reception afterward, a friend of the bride requested to sing a song with the band. The band approved, but I’m sure thought to themselves, “Oh, boy, this should be a sight.” Well, it
was a sight—the woman delivered the most rip-roaring, heart-warming version Janis Joplin’s “Me & Bobby McGee” the crowd had ever heard. This earned her the nickname “Little Janice” for the rest of the evening.
September 11 was still fresh in everyone’s mind, and the song resonated with the crowd. Thinking back now, one line from the song (though a bit out of context) stands out as particularly sobering:
Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose…
Thursday, October 11
Opensewer 10 is over! Judging by the Ithaca gathering and the reports we've received so far from other cities, it was a great success! I always feel buzzed for days after these meetings, and no, it wasn't what I had to drink. Please be patient as all of us coordinators write our summaries and develop our film--we'll post the complete story as soon as we can. In the meantime,
email us if you'd like to be on the mailing list for the next gathering.
Wednesday, October 10
Opensewer 10 is meeting tonight! The gatherings are occurring in 7 cities, so there's likely one near you. Come and join us--share your thoughts about life in America after September 11, and the current threats to peace in the world.
Tuesday, October 9
From our "Gotta Love It" Department -
an article by Michael Moore.
Monday, October 8
"Nearly all Americans support the U.S. bombing campaign against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll found Sunday. A majority of those surveyed also said they believed that terrorists would strike the United States again." Bullshit! This survey is comprised of 513 people - 513! Nobody asked me!
Today is when
Columbus Day is observed, and also the anniversary of the
Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Today, like yesterday and tomorrow, is a good day to live on the Earth.
Sunday, October 7
Artist update: The irresistible call of art, nature and Southern Culture convinced artist and former graphic designer
Anthony DiFatta to leave the corporate world and pursue his true love.
Saturday, October 6
All seven venues for Opensewer 10 have been confirmed. Contact the local coordinator to let them know you're coming!
Friday, October 5
I am aware that there are
many obstacles in the way of peace in the Middle East, but
these people (both sides) have
got to knock it off! And Sharon needs to stop being a hothead - now!
Thursday, October 4
A little something to think about before we all "move on" and lose track of what's important.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 10 and join us for Opensewer-10, "America: Life After September 11th" in seven cities across the United States. Our NYC Chapter will be discussing national security and privacy issues. More information can be found
here.
Wednesday, October 3
First of all, what's with the buzzword "pundit" being used in practically
every article I read these days?? But on to today's Blog:
Like father like son? Let's hope not. And yes, the "U.S. government could make an enormously profound statement by bombarding Afghanistan with massive supplies of food instead of warheads." Naive thinking, but alas, a more-than-interesting thought.
Tuesday, October 2
Here's a little something from the "
Do As I Say, Not As I Do" Department. How sad if all of this is true.
Monday, October 1
Visited
The Onion lately? Gotta love it - we can all use their sense of humor right now!
Archives
05/01/2000 - 06/01/2000
06/01/2000 - 07/01/2000
07/01/2000 - 08/01/2000
08/01/2000 - 09/01/2000
09/01/2000 - 10/01/2000
10/01/2000 - 11/01/2000
11/01/2000 - 12/01/2000
12/01/2000 - 01/01/2001
01/01/2001 - 02/01/2001
02/01/2001 - 03/01/2001
03/01/2001 - 04/01/2001
04/01/2001 - 05/01/2001
05/01/2001 - 06/01/2001
06/01/2001 - 07/01/2001
07/01/2001 - 08/01/2001
08/01/2001 - 09/01/2001
09/01/2001 - 10/01/2001
10/01/2001 - 11/01/2001
11/01/2001 - 12/01/2001
12/01/2001 - 01/01/2002
01/01/2002 - 02/01/2002
02/01/2002 - 03/01/2002
03/01/2002 - 04/01/2002
04/01/2002 - 05/01/2002
05/01/2002 - 06/01/2002
06/01/2002 - 07/01/2002
07/01/2002 - 08/01/2002
08/01/2002 - 09/01/2002
09/01/2002 - 10/01/2002
10/01/2002 - 11/01/2002
11/01/2002 - 12/01/2002
12/01/2002 - 01/01/2003
01/01/2003 - 02/01/2003
02/01/2003 - 03/01/2003
03/01/2003 - 04/01/2003
04/01/2003 - 05/01/2003
05/01/2003 - 06/01/2003
06/01/2003 - 07/01/2003
07/01/2003 - 08/01/2003
08/01/2003 - 09/01/2003
09/01/2003 - 10/01/2003
10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003
11/01/2003 - 12/01/2003
12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004
01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004
02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004
03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004
04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004
05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004
06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004
07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004
08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004
09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004
10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004
11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004
12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005
01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005
02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005
03/01/2005 - 04/01/2005
04/01/2005 - 05/01/2005
05/01/2005 - 06/01/2005
06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005
07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005
08/01/2005 - 09/01/2005
09/01/2005 - 10/01/2005
10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005
04/01/2006 - 05/01/2006
10/01/2007 - 11/01/2007
11/01/2007 - 12/01/2007
12/01/2007 - 01/01/2008
01/01/2008 - 02/01/2008
02/01/2008 - 03/01/2008
03/01/2008 - 04/01/2008
04/01/2008 - 05/01/2008
05/01/2008 - 06/01/2008
06/01/2008 - 07/01/2008
07/01/2008 - 08/01/2008
08/01/2008 - 09/01/2008
09/01/2008 - 10/01/2008
11/01/2008 - 12/01/2008
12/01/2008 - 01/01/2009
01/01/2009 - 02/01/2009
02/01/2009 - 03/01/2009
03/01/2009 - 04/01/2009
04/01/2009 - 05/01/2009
05/01/2009 - 06/01/2009
06/01/2009 - 07/01/2009
07/01/2009 - 08/01/2009
08/01/2009 - 09/01/2009
