Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Peddlers of Crisis
Secret government in the US, of course, isn't anything new; unaccountable agencies have been running amok destabilizing the world since Truman signed them into law in 1948. Jerry Sanders' 1983 classic Peddlers of Crisis is a good place to begin understanding how our democracy unraveled. Perhaps motivated by budget scams, the scale of these operations undermining self-governance now threatens to become totalitarian, if we let it.
Free Expression
As a result of institutionalizing indigenous human rights, indigenous-produced media in South America makes significant advances, while their North American cousins still languish in 20th century models imposed by markets and states.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
What Are They Waiting For?
The war in the US may not be as visceral as what my friends in Sarajevo or Gaza experienced, or as intense as what my cousins in Belfast endured, but it is every bit as demoralizing in terms of the sense of helplessness it can evoke. One of the major differences between the US conflict and the others is that they were invaded, while we have been attacked from within. As such, the remedies and rules of engagement we impose upon ourselves are unique; civil disobedience and boycott is OK, but sabotage and armed insurrection are viewed as beyond the pale. A restricted arena of moral sanction.
One of the unusual aspects of US social activism, however, is that resources of discontent are focused on attempting to mobilize the inactive, rather than used to support those who have already chosen to act--a classic cart-before-the-horse scenario. Utterly illogical and ineffective.
To answer the question what to do, I can only suggest looking for someone or some group that appears to be fighting intelligently, and offer to lend a hand. Given these people are in the news and online everyday, my question to the dissatisfied is, What are they waiting for?
One of the unusual aspects of US social activism, however, is that resources of discontent are focused on attempting to mobilize the inactive, rather than used to support those who have already chosen to act--a classic cart-before-the-horse scenario. Utterly illogical and ineffective.
To answer the question what to do, I can only suggest looking for someone or some group that appears to be fighting intelligently, and offer to lend a hand. Given these people are in the news and online everyday, my question to the dissatisfied is, What are they waiting for?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Something Better
Whenever I correspond with colleagues in countries like Sweden, I am reminded what a chasm exists between cultures of inclusion and cultures of exclusion. Observing the results of social investment in health and education for everyone, the contrast with the depravity of our militarist oriented society is staggering. Watching lives wasted and opportunities lost on such a grand scale leaves me wondering where we are heading. Knowing there is a possibility of something better, given the will, our commitment to ending empire becomes all the more imperative.
The Afghan Papers
Wikileaks' Julian Assange discusses the release of the Afghan war logs, 200,000 secret US military documents just made public.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Inherent Rights
Northern California coastal tribes give notice to state that they will continue to gather resources under their inherent rights and not be regulated by California Fish and Game.
The Children of Palestine
Stephen Lendman examines the lives of Palestinian children growing up under occupation.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Climate Change
As climate change remedies die in the US Senate due to the pervasive serious fraud infecting Congress, the battle is underway here in California, one of the leading economies in the world. Regional institutions might want to watch or weigh in on what happens here.
The Right to Communicate
One of the things readily apparent to me now that I am limited to slow DSL service is that some video on the Internet plays well while most are inaccessible. Something for my colleagues to keep in mind when designing studios and communications projects for global indigenous audiences.
My situation is partly financial, and partly provider infrastructure, but I know that our associates in locations lacking fiber optic wiring are limited in their capacity to communicate, even when they have free access.
Indigenous-produced media has advanced rapidly in the last few years, but investment in equipment and software that can circumvent barriers to communication is still sorely needed. If the UN Human Rights Commission wants to advance meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples, then the Human Rights Fund should make access a priority.
My situation is partly financial, and partly provider infrastructure, but I know that our associates in locations lacking fiber optic wiring are limited in their capacity to communicate, even when they have free access.
Indigenous-produced media has advanced rapidly in the last few years, but investment in equipment and software that can circumvent barriers to communication is still sorely needed. If the UN Human Rights Commission wants to advance meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples, then the Human Rights Fund should make access a priority.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Psychology of Facts
Cyrano's examines the interaction of facts, information, beliefs and misinformation in media-saturated American opinion.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Going Nuclear
Mogadishu Maelstrom
Glen Ford's commentary on Black Agenda Radio examines the expanding US war against Somalia and its implications for central Africa.
