Thursday, August 17, 2006
Is there anything they can't do?
I try to stay away from the pedestrian run-of-the-mill trashy blog news, but I couldn't resist this one. In Israel breast implants saved a woman from a Hezbollah rocket attack. 
Monday, August 14, 2006
The New Danger: The Project For The New American Century
So if you need anymore evidence that neo-conservative American imperialists are plotting to take over the world, I direct you to this site. The Project for The New American Century is a think tank run by the people who run America and have been running it since 2000. Their mandate is essentially to achieve the goals of Pax Americana and Manifest Destiny . They believe that since America is the only superpower left in the world (at least it was at he close of the 20th century), they should spread their ideals across the globe through economic, military and diplomatic influence.
I know I may be biased so lets try this: the PNAC is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to a few fundamental propositions: that American leadership is good both for America and for the world; and that such leadership requires military strength, diplomatic energy and commitment to moral principle. That ialicized part comes straight from their own website, I didn't change a word. I first discovered PNAC in 2002, not too long after 9/11, which they have used as a springboard to launch their agenda. The thing I find interesting about PNAC is that they are so blatant about what they do, and yet they are so clueless that 'trying to take over the world' is a terrible ideathat won't work. The Iraq war was their first real experiment to spread democracy and American ideals and it has been a collosal faillure.
I find it funny that even conservatives are uneasy to the idea of PNAC and its mission. I remember a few years back when I was talking to my good friend (who happens to be a conservative) and asked her what she thought about PNAC. Well no surprise she hadn't heard of it, or that all these guys (Jeb Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld) who founded PNAC were the ones who were directing American policy. I told her that that they are spreading American ideals all across the globe and that it is all clearly written on their website. She incredulously dissmised my 'facts' as left wing conspiracy theories. I told her I'd send her the URL and she was like I don't wanna waste my time with your internet hoaxes, such a thing doesn't exist. So that was the end of that. No discussion, no clue. But yeah we have all lived through the New American Century for the Past 6 years and in the spirit of the man who inspired the PNAC I have to ask: 'Are you better off then you were 6 years ago?'
Here's a great interview with William Kristol (director of PNAC) on the Colbert Report. Although its a comedy show, it gives you an idea of what they are all about (if it wasn't already clear enough).
I know I may be biased so lets try this: the PNAC is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to a few fundamental propositions: that American leadership is good both for America and for the world; and that such leadership requires military strength, diplomatic energy and commitment to moral principle. That ialicized part comes straight from their own website, I didn't change a word. I first discovered PNAC in 2002, not too long after 9/11, which they have used as a springboard to launch their agenda. The thing I find interesting about PNAC is that they are so blatant about what they do, and yet they are so clueless that 'trying to take over the world' is a terrible ideathat won't work. The Iraq war was their first real experiment to spread democracy and American ideals and it has been a collosal faillure.
I find it funny that even conservatives are uneasy to the idea of PNAC and its mission. I remember a few years back when I was talking to my good friend (who happens to be a conservative) and asked her what she thought about PNAC. Well no surprise she hadn't heard of it, or that all these guys (Jeb Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld) who founded PNAC were the ones who were directing American policy. I told her that that they are spreading American ideals all across the globe and that it is all clearly written on their website. She incredulously dissmised my 'facts' as left wing conspiracy theories. I told her I'd send her the URL and she was like I don't wanna waste my time with your internet hoaxes, such a thing doesn't exist. So that was the end of that. No discussion, no clue. But yeah we have all lived through the New American Century for the Past 6 years and in the spirit of the man who inspired the PNAC I have to ask: 'Are you better off then you were 6 years ago?'
Here's a great interview with William Kristol (director of PNAC) on the Colbert Report. Although its a comedy show, it gives you an idea of what they are all about (if it wasn't already clear enough).
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Cold as Ice...
So, the 16th annual International HIV/AIDS conference is being held in Toronto this week and our Prime Minister was nowhere to be found. The first time in the 16 year history of the conference that the head of government declined an invitation to attend. Why? Because Harper decided that defense of our Arctic border was a bigger priority. I have to say that is utterly disgraceful. HIV/AIDS is the largest global epidemic, and it is still a problem in Canada among many disenfranchised groups (women of colour, gays). With Harper running off to the Arctic, he's essentially saying that AIDS is not a priority of this country.The truth is that for Stephen Harper, it isn't. Every decision that he has made as PM (caving on softwood, extending Afghanistan mission, limiting press coverage, not denouncing Israeli offensive in Lebanon) has been to repair our relations with (re: suck up to) the Bush administration. The Bush administration have repeatedly shown that AIDS is not a priority of their government. So since Canada no longer forges its own foreign policy, AIDS isn't a priority to this government either. Whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever, as a Canadian, you should be offended by Harper's actions today. AIDS is the global epidemic of our time, and for our head of government, to be complacent about it is deplorable.
Friday, August 11, 2006
"The Purpose of Art is to Provoke Introspective Thought"
About 3 years ago I got very bored with movies, which is weird because I used to be a comic book nerd and they've come out with movies for some of my favourite titles and I've been pretty disapointed across the board. This is because studio movies, in general are brutally devoid of any depth or artistic merit. Or, maybe it was because I was a broke Uni student who could only afford to see Free Friday Films. Either way the couple of times I went to to FFF I caught some of the best movies I've ever seen (Memento, City of God, Afropunk). The latter movie is a feature doc and I really enjoyed it. In fact I realized that I enjoy feature docs moreso than theatrical movies. They tend to be more artistic and make you think more in depth about any given subject. I think I enjoy them for the same reason that I enjoy non-fiction books. Unlike some theatrical movies, they tend to be more effective at provoking introspetive thought. Here are a few that I've caught as of late that are really worth checking out.
Afropunk- This movie is wicked. It explores what it is like to be black in the punk/hardcore scene. Basically what its like to be an outsider in an outsider community. But its deeper than racial identity: the movie explores issues of isolation, social exile, black power, defying stereotypes, appropriation of culture, the hisory of black music, interracial dating, cultural aesthetics, political music, individuality, rebellion and a million other issues. I really loved this movie, partly cause I love punk music and can relate to being the only black guy at the punk show. But more than that, the movie addresses the larger issues of community and identity. And the sountrack for the movie is killer.
Just for Kicks- I've established that I'm a sneakerhead. I love sneakers, this documentary breaks down what sneaker culture is all about. It gives an insider look as to the nuances in styles of sneakers and the lengths that a true 'sole collector' will go to for his kicks. Also it goes into the history of the sneaker phenomenon and how Hip Hop culture (think Run-DMC) and basketball (think Michael Jordan) influenced corporate America and made sneakers a billion dollar a year industry. The movie is funny and very entertaining but more than anything you don't realize how big of an effect hip hop culture has had on corporate America. It begs the question, is it a cultural exchange or is it exploitation?
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme- Basically the best documentary ever made about rap music. This movie breaks down the lyrical art of freestlying. I like it because it took the contrarian view of rap music: that when you boil it down to its essence, freestlying is about artistic expression. Pretty much everybody that they feature in this movie isn't rapping because they want the bling, benzes, bitches and Bacardi. They are rapping out of passion for the music and because they need an outlet for their expression.
Afropunk- This movie is wicked. It explores what it is like to be black in the punk/hardcore scene. Basically what its like to be an outsider in an outsider community. But its deeper than racial identity: the movie explores issues of isolation, social exile, black power, defying stereotypes, appropriation of culture, the hisory of black music, interracial dating, cultural aesthetics, political music, individuality, rebellion and a million other issues. I really loved this movie, partly cause I love punk music and can relate to being the only black guy at the punk show. But more than that, the movie addresses the larger issues of community and identity. And the sountrack for the movie is killer.
Just for Kicks- I've established that I'm a sneakerhead. I love sneakers, this documentary breaks down what sneaker culture is all about. It gives an insider look as to the nuances in styles of sneakers and the lengths that a true 'sole collector' will go to for his kicks. Also it goes into the history of the sneaker phenomenon and how Hip Hop culture (think Run-DMC) and basketball (think Michael Jordan) influenced corporate America and made sneakers a billion dollar a year industry. The movie is funny and very entertaining but more than anything you don't realize how big of an effect hip hop culture has had on corporate America. It begs the question, is it a cultural exchange or is it exploitation?
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme- Basically the best documentary ever made about rap music. This movie breaks down the lyrical art of freestlying. I like it because it took the contrarian view of rap music: that when you boil it down to its essence, freestlying is about artistic expression. Pretty much everybody that they feature in this movie isn't rapping because they want the bling, benzes, bitches and Bacardi. They are rapping out of passion for the music and because they need an outlet for their expression.
"They Should've Just Left...."
If you are paying attention to what's happening in the Middle East right now then you have undoubtably heard every possible opinion on the Israel-Lebanon story. But here's a new one and I can't believe I heard it. Two weekends ago Israeli forces launched an attack on a Lebanese village, killing 56 civilians (mostly defensless women and children). The Israeli government justified such an abhorrent act by saying that flyers were dropped hours before the attack was launched, and the people were warned as to what was coming. That may be tue but it by no mean justifies what took place.
I got into an argument with a friend of mine who likened the Lebanese victims of this attack to the victims of Hurricane Katrina last year. She said that she didn't understand the mindset of these Lebanese villagers, that they are unwilling to leave their homes and basically stopped short of saying that it was their fault for not leaving their homes. I personally was disgusted by this mode of thinking. First off you can't compare a deliberate act of war to a natural disaster. Secondly, my friend totally takes for granted that when you are impoverished and beleagured it is difficult to just leave your home in such chaotic circumstances. It is difficult for a number of reasons: 1) you don't have the means to leave: If you are a poor Black family of 6 on wellfare in New Orleans you can't just pack up all of your Louis Vuiton bags in your SUV and go and stay in a hotel for a week. You probably don't have a car, you don't have money to be on the run for an indeterminant amount of time, and you don't have the resources to take care of your family's health and wellbeing without any support structure. 2) Where are you supposed to go? You and your family are not a nomadic tribe. If you have nowhere to go and nowhere to stay, why would you risk all the uncertainty only to become more vulnerable 3)All you have is your house and separation anxiety sets in and you may have trouble letting go and leaving.
The same goes to these Lebanese villagers: how were they supposed to get out? where were they supposed to go? who was gonna help them get out? No amount of flyers could answer these questions.
With Katrina, the US government was complicit because they knew that the storm was coming and they should have sent the national guard in to assist people with the evacuation. They should have ensured that people had the means to get out safely and take care of their families.
The Lebanese government has a responsibility to denounce Hezbollah, but the Israeli side must also realize that if they are fighting the war on terrorism, this is an unconventional war. They can't use conventional war tactics to fight an unconventional threat. Indiscriminant carpet bombings of a country is only killing innocent civilians. If they want to 'break Hezbollah' they should employ counterintelligence programs and halt their reactionary military response, because that is only provoking Hezbollah to respond with their own attack.
edit: And yeah the people in New Orleans who did evacuate and go to the Superdome and the Convention Centre as they were told were not better off. So yeah: 'They should've just left. Right?'
