Sunday, December 30, 2007
Strategic Opposition
I'm only half way through A Quiet Revolution by Mary Elizabeth King, but I can already say that her analysis of the first Palestinian intifada, as well as her detailed documentation of the use of nonviolent resistance by the indigenous residents of the annexed and occupied territories over the last century of conflict with the Zionists, is unequivocally the most useful discussion of strategic opposition that I have read in a long time. For Americans, unaccustomed to thinking in the intergenerational time frames usually necessary for achieving independence -- not to mention the requisite investment in the social infrastructure of ideas -- King's contribution to comprehending the arts of community-based political science is a most welcome addition to our sadly thin pool of knowledge. I look forward to adding it to our list of classic texts on communication for change.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Flack Attack
If there's a species less honorable than politicians, it has to be their mouthpieces. In this article by GW Schulz of the San Francisco Bay Guardian, we learn the sad news that due to media consolidation and layoffs, some journalists are making the switch to the dark side. Truly a bad omen.
I mean, who would want their child to grow up to be a member of the Public Relations Society of America?
I mean, who would want their child to grow up to be a member of the Public Relations Society of America?
Friday, December 28, 2007
Republic of Penguins
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Punishing Protest
Public Eye magazine examines new tactics used by police to prevent dissent and silence free speech. In this article leading up to the DNC and RNC 2008 conventions, Heidi Boghosian and Abby Scher look at NYPD 2004, and how by using techniques such as undercover "snatch squads" to kidnap and detain legal observers, New York police were able to intimidate protestors.
Reviewing the methods of police to infiltrate and manipulate pro-democracy groups like the American Friends Service Committee and National Lawyers Guild, we learn of widespread FBI threats targeting community activists, deliberate provocation by police, and doctored evidence to criminalize critics of mainstream politics.
Possibly the most important article you'll read this year.
Reviewing the methods of police to infiltrate and manipulate pro-democracy groups like the American Friends Service Committee and National Lawyers Guild, we learn of widespread FBI threats targeting community activists, deliberate provocation by police, and doctored evidence to criminalize critics of mainstream politics.
Possibly the most important article you'll read this year.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
No Beijing 2008
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
End Point
Vanity Fair covers the limits of empire in the Korengal Valley, where children with guns -- American boys who enlisted because they were curious, bored, or given a choice between jail or combat -- endure tours in Afghanistan that will lead many of them to psychiatric meds, ruined marriages, and resumption of misfit lifestyles as civilians.
Monday, December 24, 2007
An Indomitable Will
Sweet Relief: The Marla Ruzicka Story by Jennifer Abrahamson, is such a delightful telling of the remarkable life of an extraordinary young woman, that we'll leave it there. At a time when most people wring their hands over the state of the world, it is truly refreshing to meet someone who refuses to take no for answer when it comes to compassion for others.
As remarked at Marla's funeral in 2005, "In a just world, Marla would have represented the United States at the UN." We couldn't agree more.
(Read A Disarming Presence by Pamela Constable of the Washington Post.)
As remarked at Marla's funeral in 2005, "In a just world, Marla would have represented the United States at the UN." We couldn't agree more.
(Read A Disarming Presence by Pamela Constable of the Washington Post.)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Stories to be Told
Documenting the death of an institution of higher education is neither fun nor rewarding. It is, however, important for creating a record from which lessons can be learned.
As author Leslie Marmon Silko once remarked, stories aren't just entertainment, they are all we have to fight off illness and death.
There are many stories waiting to be told about New College of California. Here is one.
As author Leslie Marmon Silko once remarked, stories aren't just entertainment, they are all we have to fight off illness and death.
There are many stories waiting to be told about New College of California. Here is one.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
You Get What You Need
Friday, December 21, 2007
New College Unravels
Our source on the Dr. Linda James Myers PHLUTE scam at New College of California informs us that Pamela Gilmore was a pawn used by Myers, possibly because of her husband Keith Jackson's San Francisco city hall connections. The source stressed the fact that Gilmore is now known to have been manipulated by Myers, and probably set up to take the fall. We have no reason to think otherwise, and have modified our earlier posts to more accurately reflect the nature of the relationship between Myers and Gilmore.
Ms. Gilmore would undoubtedly like us to delete these posts all together, or at least remove her name from them. We believe that was the reason for the recent contact by our source on her behalf. We are reluctant to do this for two reasons: 1. Gilmore has repeatedly exercised poor judgment when it comes to selecting associates and following legal rules and procedures enacted to prevent fraud, and 2. Gilmore, like it or not, is part of the historical record of the New College fiasco.
Related to this drama, our source also informed us that Dr. Myers has resigned, possibly as a result of court depositions, and that Myers and her husband are no longer employed by New College.
On another subject we broached this summer, our source claims that the Arlene Francis Foundation (or some other bank account controlled by New College trustee Peter Gabel) was used for depositing New College federal funds, possibly for interest skimming. Allegedly, NC trustee James Sweeney and his wife Renee Stonework (NC financial aid office) were involved in moving this money around, and might have taken a payoff to keep quiet.
It is not known if any of this is under investigation.
It is also believed by attorneys involved that New College bankruptcy is being seriously considered, despite claims to the contrary.
Ms. Gilmore would undoubtedly like us to delete these posts all together, or at least remove her name from them. We believe that was the reason for the recent contact by our source on her behalf. We are reluctant to do this for two reasons: 1. Gilmore has repeatedly exercised poor judgment when it comes to selecting associates and following legal rules and procedures enacted to prevent fraud, and 2. Gilmore, like it or not, is part of the historical record of the New College fiasco.
Related to this drama, our source also informed us that Dr. Myers has resigned, possibly as a result of court depositions, and that Myers and her husband are no longer employed by New College.
On another subject we broached this summer, our source claims that the Arlene Francis Foundation (or some other bank account controlled by New College trustee Peter Gabel) was used for depositing New College federal funds, possibly for interest skimming. Allegedly, NC trustee James Sweeney and his wife Renee Stonework (NC financial aid office) were involved in moving this money around, and might have taken a payoff to keep quiet.
It is not known if any of this is under investigation.
It is also believed by attorneys involved that New College bankruptcy is being seriously considered, despite claims to the contrary.
Freedom Before Sports
PEN seeks release of 41 writers jailed in China before 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Long Overdue
Sometimes it takes a while to shake off denial. This has certainly been the case with the demise of New College of California.
For many associated with the institution, the news of imminent accreditation loss last summer signaled the end of the school as we knew it. For some of us, major change in management and oversight was viewed as long overdue.
Yesterday's article in the San Francisco Bay Guardian asked the question, "Is New College Dying?" Judging by events since July, the only reasonable conclusion is yes, it is.
For alumni and faculty and others wishing to see the institution resurrected on a sound financial and academic footing, there are two primary objectives: 1. remove the culprits who ran the school in the ditch from the board of trustees, and 2. build an endowment to create an authentic college where altruistic rhetoric matches reality.
In the meantime, there are emergency relief needs for those caught by surprise by bouncing student loan checks and a delinquent payroll. A working group of independent alumni are already establishing a committee for this purpose.
For many associated with the institution, the news of imminent accreditation loss last summer signaled the end of the school as we knew it. For some of us, major change in management and oversight was viewed as long overdue.
Yesterday's article in the San Francisco Bay Guardian asked the question, "Is New College Dying?" Judging by events since July, the only reasonable conclusion is yes, it is.
For alumni and faculty and others wishing to see the institution resurrected on a sound financial and academic footing, there are two primary objectives: 1. remove the culprits who ran the school in the ditch from the board of trustees, and 2. build an endowment to create an authentic college where altruistic rhetoric matches reality.
In the meantime, there are emergency relief needs for those caught by surprise by bouncing student loan checks and a delinquent payroll. A working group of independent alumni are already establishing a committee for this purpose.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Democracy in Action
Students, faculty and alumni/ae at my alma mater are petitioning to remove a corrupt and disruptive trustee in order to prevent imminent loss of accreditation and federal financial aid. We think that democratizing New College of California by removing tyrants is a skookum idea.
Coming Soon to a Democracy Near You
G8 protestors from Genoa, Italy sentenced to prison.
Mexico criminalizes human rights protestors under anti-delinquency cloak for martial law.
Mexico criminalizes human rights protestors under anti-delinquency cloak for martial law.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
IEN v UN
Indigenous Environmental Network delegates challenge United Nations fraud on climate change solutions. Native American delegates invited to Bali conference barred from participating in talks.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Bureaucratic Abuse
In the ongoing saga of Professor Perry Mills, we gain insight into the tools of bureaucratic abuse unleashed in academia.
Having survived the kangaroo court mustered by the Western Washington University administration, and now headed for the Washington Supreme Court, the illustrious theatre arts instructor has again been thwarted from teaching until he completes a session with a shrink on acceptable professional behavior. Amusing as this nonsense may seem, imagine yourself facing this intentionally humiliating experience placed in front of you by the very people you blew the whistle on for fraud and money-laundering in a public institution of higher learning.
For the understandably reticent professor, we fire a twenty-one gun salute. With any luck, some of the projectiles will find their mark.
Having survived the kangaroo court mustered by the Western Washington University administration, and now headed for the Washington Supreme Court, the illustrious theatre arts instructor has again been thwarted from teaching until he completes a session with a shrink on acceptable professional behavior. Amusing as this nonsense may seem, imagine yourself facing this intentionally humiliating experience placed in front of you by the very people you blew the whistle on for fraud and money-laundering in a public institution of higher learning.
For the understandably reticent professor, we fire a twenty-one gun salute. With any luck, some of the projectiles will find their mark.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Moyra Was Ere
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Celebrating Inclusion
Bolivia first member of UN to adopt human rights for indigenous peoples.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Blood for Sale
Canadian government called to task for not reining in Canadian mining corporations committing global human rights violations. Rhetoric of corporate social responsibility fails to address reality of widespread commercial support for brutally repressive regimes.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Stolen Property Returned
Monday, December 03, 2007
Feudal Force
Pakistan implodes as US-backed junta defies rule of law. Lawyers, students, and religious leaders prepare for showdown with army.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
No Wahoo for Yahoo
PEN American Center reports on Yahoo turning over dissident IDs to Chinese government. Four writers imprisoned for up to ten years as a result of Yahoo's unconscionable collaboration.
