Red for Rangoon

Red for Rangoon They’re saying to don red clothing, For unity with freedom bleeders; Rangoon moral authority makers, Dreamers of peaceful revolution and A world of star gazers and monks. But when the baton meets the bald head What power does prayer and protest have, Let alone the color of the shirt I wear? A Molotov cocktail and a sniper Or a chant and a song, what revolution Has been born here on my television? The princess elect has been moved From house arrest to a prison cell. A disgruntled postman seized Power and fancies himself king. A world of sympathy knows not How to rectify the beleaguered beauty Of the possessionless peacemaker. Blinded by tear gas and deafened by Automatic rifles, tortured in the bowels Of an unidentified chamber. How this red shirt does so little and why A fist in the air fails to empathize. There are no strong words, only strong arms And tomorrow's revolution will be televised.

Powered by ScribeFire.

My trip to Ghana

Ghana is considered to be an oasis in an Africa marred by conflict and poverty. I was surprised to find that human trafficking was so common and that I didn't have to dig to do my research. I thought to myself that if Ghana had such a problem there is likely to be an even greater problem in neighboring countries. But this may not be the case. The US State Dept. recently said that as many as 50,000 people are trafficked into the US each year. Ghana has a very well written law on human trafficking and slave-like exploitation but struggles to enforce it. I think that in the US there are similar laws and efforts and no one wants to say the word "slavery." Trafficking in humans doesn't necessarily rely on abductions or long journeys in shackles. Todays slaves often make the trip themselves, coerced into thinking that a job waits for them, only to arrive and find it impossible to leave. Forced prostitution is the most common form of this phenomena in the US and the most lucrative aspect of human trafficking globally. However, children are also used in forced labor in agriculture and as I learned, fishing. Areas that have economic opportunity are likely to also find ways to cut costs to the 'bottom line.' Globalization and capitalism run amuck is the source behind treating people as disposable units. It is why there are more slaves today than during the Trans-Atlantic trade and they are available at a fraction of the cost. some fascinating reads on this subject are written by Dr. Kevin Bales, such as "Disposable People" and "Understanding Global Slavery." Also worth looking at are the organizations Anti-Slavery International, Free the Slaves and Stop the Traffik. This ugly side of the global economy exists not only because it is lucrative but because people don't know how to identify it or don't pay attention. One of the most common forms of slavery in the US is from domestic servitude and it often happens with people who are very well respected. Keep your eyes and ears open and get informed!

chocolate: more slavery than savory

Nearly 1/2 of the world's cocoa beans come from the Cote D'Ivoire (ivory coast) in West Africa. It is believed that over 12,000 children have been enslaved to feed the world's love for chocolate in this country alone. Look at the guide provided by Stop The Traffik to find out what chocolates are best to buy and to find out more about this repugnant industry.

Powered by ScribeFire.

May, 2007: Bronze metal for most deadly month in Iraq War

Recent figures show that the month of May was the 3rd most fatal month for US troops since the 2003 invasion of Mesopotamia. The waxing and waining range of deaths that accompany the approaches of the US military are very interesting to examine. For example, November 2004 was the siege on Fallujah, spurred by the sabotage and ambushing of 3 Blackwater employees. Subsequently, 135 troops died in April of 2004 as insurgent methods grew more complex and the campaign against Sadr and the Mahdi Army reached fever pitch. However, US troop deaths have dropped greatly over the past 3 years, though civilian deaths and ethnic killings have soared. The idea that Iraq was rapidly descending into civil war is now something more questionable, as it appears that to a certain extent, fighters will fight whoever there is to fight. US troops represent a "common enemy" but when they are not engaged, the power struggle between Iraqis and between foreign fighters ensues. Is it a lose/lose? The "theater of war" that Bush/Cheney Co. has sought to create is something we should view in a different light. If not Iraq, then in the streets of America became an anthem for the neoconservatives during the early days of the war. This idea was repulsive to all progressive thinkers, thought to be something no more than scare tactics. Its a no-brainer that Iraq was a mistake. But what now?

Powered by ScribeFire.

Real buffalo soldiaz

How many times a rapper gets shot will translate into how many millions they are likely to make. The trend started by Tupac Shakur was continued by 50 Cent and a slew of other urban rappers. In the world of street credibility, it shows their willingness to stay alive and lends to the myth that they are hard to kill. But is selling drugs and competing for an audience in the race for the dollar really anything to admire? Why are there so many musicians who feel they earned their way to stardom by competing in such businesses, believing they grew up in a war-zone? I only ask this because Slate magazine wrote an article about a band called Tinariwen that is definitely worth checking out. They have a page on myspace that will allow you to hear some of their stuff. Though the language is in the African Toureg, the songs are mostly about their time in guerrilla movements against the Malian Government that forced them off their traditional land. Their following has grown from the deserts of Mali to a big part of Europe. The pain and anger are still evident in their songs, who's lyrics are expressing the pain of being away from home. Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin helped to produce and promote the band, after seeing them in the Festival in the Desert in 2001. These are true warriors. It is very rare that musicians are anything more than wanna be revolutionaries and are simply violence aficionados. They are playing at the Glastonbury Festival on Sunday the 24th and at the Exeter Festival on the 25th. I really want to see them...anybody who is planning on attending, let me know!

Powered by ScribeFire.

Think slavery ended hundreds of years ago?

Take a look at this article on modern day slavery. I'm going to Ghana in the month of July to do research on child slavery in the fishing industry. It is important to realize that slavery in various forms is bigger today than at any point in history. This phenomenon is not confined to the continents of Africa and Asia. Take a look at the various stories and most importantly: BE VIGILANT! Slavery in various forms may be existing under your very nose.

Powered by ScribeFire.

bananas and paramilitary terrorists in Colombia

Chiquita ignored the specifications of employing terrorists that the US government had sought to prevent. Chiquita, who has operations throughout South America, employed a paramilitary group that has been responsible for kidnappings and executions in the conflict with the FARC that has lasted for roughly 50 years. Chiquita settled for $25 million but the Colombian government is seeking extradition. Boycott Chiquita and buy fair trade bananas. They're better anyways.

powered by performancing firefox

Bring 'em home

Although our leaving will lead to a bloody collision for power, the departure of US troops will relieve Sunni and Shia of a common enemy and force a political solution to occur. This will likely heavily involve Syria and Iran but I think it should, as they are neighbors. Of course the dilemma that could arise is for a situation similar to Lebanon, where neighbors have their hands deep in pockets and democracy is constantly under siege. Still, democracy means the will of the people and any foreign occupier only postpones that development. I hope this is the beginning of a pull-out. It won't happen until the Dems have one in the White House, which we can only pray comes in the next 1.5 years. Go Dems. You've partially restored my faith in you. Don't go wobbly on me.

powered by performancing firefox

America missed a great opportunity by passing up Al Gore

What if Al Gore had been elected? Would 9/11 have happened? Would we be in Iraq? Would we take the lead in green development? lots of what ifs. This dick-head senator from Oklahoma, calling the former VP "Senator" throughout, is clinging to the remnants of a once prosperous part of the US, who's oil has now dried up. He, like the fossil fuels he covets, are dinosaurs and have no more use on this planet. God bless you, Al Gore. If America can develop a new steam engine economy based on carbon capping and clean energy consumption, it is possible that many developing countries will not be forced to destroy their environments to bring their people out of poverty. It is probably just a dream, but who knows. Technorati Tags: Al Gore, carbon, global warming, senate

powered by performancing firefox

Yoga in a capitalist orgy

I blame California for this. We all know you have the 8th largest economy in the world and you all want to be green buddhists, but we don't care! Nomisday, bitches.

powered by performancing firefox

The Clotfather: Don Dick Cheney and his date with destiny

Scooter Libby's lawyers immediately filed for a new trial after the guilty verdict. Though the trail was blazed directly to the Vice President's door, Cheney was conveniently romping around Asia. But Big Dick can't run or hide from the inevitable. He will surely be called on by Congress to answer for his involvement under oath. It is my prediction that he will go before the senate in the waning days of the Bush presidency and get the 3rd degree for fixing intelligence and cherry picking in the lead up to the Iraq War. During this time, he will no doubt do as his good friend Ken Lay did and die from a heart attack. The man has had 4 heart attacks and will not likely survive the 5th or a stroke. If the law don't get him, the mountain will, as was said on the Duke's of Hazard. Or maybe I'm just dreaming again. The Clotfather operates like Machiavelli. He was initially chosen as the man to find a vice-president for George W. and after interviewing a dozen candidates, he chose himself. Afterwards, he orchestrated massive governmental changes in energy and military affairs but did so in the shadows, removed from the public eye and one with the solitude. Like Vito Corleone from Mario Puzzo's classic, Cheney will die years after he was meant to, old and on top of a mountain of wealth. There will be few tears on this day...I will roast a pig in the ground and get a keg of beer.

powered by performancing firefox

X-Ray vision ain't just for Superman

I'd prefer this over getting rubbed down by some fat TSA dude anyday. what's the fuss? I don't want to worry about whether the guy next to me has some home-made shank he smuggled onboard or worse, the makings for a bomb. Zap away, it'll give the TSA x-ray girl a little perk to her job. http://www.slate.com/id/2160977/nav/tap1/

powered by performancing firefox

Island boy/Mexican Reincarnation

The brambles and patches of thorns and thicket Where blackberries explode in the time of the sun Fleeting and harsh when the Autumn nights crescendo And the sleepless city, concrete furnace will not be subdued The Nortena people sleep outside in white sheets Like the magi in their tents, searching for a star on the horizon Through the swelter and feverish confusion Dreaming of a vast lake where a city sits in the midst Closed to intruder and where the dead walk with children The fantasies of an island man, in the midst of winter's chill An inferno that was cursed by this very same mind Awakens the sentiments of my Mexican alter-ego And the cobblestone echelons of Villa and Hidalgo. But green are the hills and the tulips are mighty The grass and the heather ripple in the flurry of wind An old suite to wear and a comb in my hair, vintage romance She is knitting by the radio and baking a pie Or is it another life, where the berries of my northern existence Are replaced by the corn tamales and a tequila for our hero Cardenas Left in the window, that we dare not disturb out of great admiration.

Child Drug Dealers... in need of a labor union?

Studies have shown that many children the world over are a valued component of a family's income and to deny them of work would put the family in jeopardy. Does this apply to children who are dealing drugs? Maybe, if it weren't in a wealthy nation. The unfortunate fact, is that children are less likely to do jail time and are very impressionable, leaving major drug dealers with an appealing workforce. Is this different than other forms of child-labor...many of whom in other countries go unpaid? http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=341592007

powered by performancing firefox

Female suicide bombers... Evidently it's a man's world above and below

http://www.slate.com/id/2160963/fr/flyout





Remember the movie G.I. Jane? Girls can be killing machines too, damnit. Girl power may take many faces and causes and no other cause shows that evolution as much as female suicide bombers. Contrary to popular belief, suicide bombers do not predominantly come from poor families. They are not burned out on drugs and looking for salvation. The majority are college educated and fall into some kind of shame spiral because they see their countrymen suffer but can do little about it. We have all heard the stories of what happens to martyrs. I don't know how many could possibly swallow such a load of pig shit but, hey, people are easily brainwashed, its no different for kids going to fight in Iraq, thinking they're doing the 'right thing.'



But women do not have the same status in muslim nations as they do in the west. Under Sharia law, it takes 2 women witnesses to equal the word of one man. Many muslim mullahs call women "inadequate" due to hormones. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) married a 9 year old girl and it is common for women to be married before the age of 13 and many die of complications during child-birth, simply because they are too young. Women are viewed with nothing but contempt when they venture out in public and their place in heaven is one of of debate amongst muslim scholars. That women are not as likely to be perceived as a threat or as potential suicide bombers is the sole reason that women have been incorporated into terrorist activities. Last week, a woman went into a predominantly Shiite University and blew herself up, killing a dozen young students. She was able to enter through a side entrance, an entrance that a male would never have been able to pass through.



That most Muslims consider suicide to be a grave sin is rationalized by jihadists, as martyrdom is considered to be a great accomplishment. But that women, the inferior sex, can carve out a piece of paradise is a very new development in the jihadist movement. Women do not get any sexual gratification in the next life, nor are they rewarded with multiple souls as their reward. Instead, they get the first fuck of another martyr. The first fuck is likely not to last long, but at least it is the first because there are 71 that will follow. So there will be no sloppy 2nds or 72nds for that matter. Still...aren't they being short changed a little bit? Men get 72 virgins and something like 3000 other women at their command should they become martyrs for the cause. Women should at least get a 12 inch fat cock and the power to orgasm at any moment. But what should we expect from the most radical fringes of a perverse ethos. That US soldiers aren't at least offered a blonde super freak with DD titties and will do anal is truly a lack of inventiveness and if we are going to win this war on terror, we need to not only find a heavenly award for men but also for women who want to kill people for some twisted cause.

powered by performancing firefox

US out of Iraq?

Living in England hasn't provided the escape of American politics that I was expecting. Its been about 4 months since we moved here but there is rarely a day that goes by where I don't read or hear about American politics. Birmingham is a very multi-cultural city. I had never really seen women walking around in burkas before or Indian folk with the bendi on their forehead. Being closer to Iraq and to islamic terrorism in general may be one reason for my inability to escape the decisions of the USA. But more likely is that leaving my country, who's politics I am overly familiar with (and burdoned with), is not something to shrug off. I don't have much of a clue about British governance or democracy. I really don't care to. As Britain prepares to pull out of Iraq, some democrats are pushing for the same but clearly not all. This is the beginning of the Democratic oversight of this war and it is my fear that it will drag on due to the shrinking supply of oil, the warlords who will soon control African oil and the alliance of Venezuela and Iran. Team USA will pay for Iraqi oil with thousands of more US troops dying and injured and 100s of 1000s of Iraqi deaths. So goes the need to fulfill the vast interstate system and competition with China. As the US prepares for a new cold-war with the chinese, oil will remain the hot commodity, as it has since WWI. From Nigeria and Liberia to Bolivia and beyond, this struggle for the world's remaining petroleum will no doubt be bloody and gruesome one. As I recently learned in a module at the University of Birmingham, the fall of the Berlin wall was supposed to usher in an era of stability, income growth and happiness. Instead, the fall of the wall started a new form of civil war, of warlord domination of natural resources such as diamonds and oil and the erection of a new wall, this time in Palestine. Lawyers guns and money as Warren Zevon once said. It was blood in and blood out, get your kinsman some guns and take it. The barbaric face of capitalism and greed showed its true self and the mask of smiles and partnership fell to the floor. American companies have stopped supporting their workers and have abandon their families health insurance plans. The word 'democracy' has lost all meaning and is now used alongside 'freedom' as a way to demand compliance, not cooperation. The horrific situation of the world is not solely on the shoulders of the US, ofcourse. It is in the nature of humanity. It is in the massacre of villages and the abduction of children to use as child soldiers. It is the new barbarism.