bicyclemark

Intelligent Urban Planning

The city of Louvain-la-Neuve is located less than an hour south of Brussels. I had long heard that it was a major University City for the Franch-speaking Belgians. But what I never fully understood is the story of why and how the city was built, only 40 years ago, in a very unique manner.

So today, accompanied by my cousin, we headed down to LLN to see the city and how it all works. As we rode the train into town, I knew we had arrived when suddenly everything went dark and the train went into a neverending tunnel.

This is not only true for trains, but for cars as well, all traffic circulates underneath the city. As we got off the train and climbed the stairs up to street level, you look around and see people walking in every direction, the occasional bicycle, and only the sounds of people.

It was pretty amazing to see, a city who’s construction began only in 1968. And even back then, they understood that to create a truly vibrant and healthy city, you should find a way to have NO cars on the roads. Voila, you never see the cars because they are underground. Occasionally you run into a stairwell or an elevator to the sub-level street where there is parking. But otherwise, you see nothing but college students in their early 20’s, a beautiful site in such a calm environment.

A place like this amazes me when you consider the terrible cities that exist in this world. Obviously most of them were not properly planned and are so old that extreme circumstances led to some aspects getting out of control. But still.. then you visit Louvain-la-Neuve, and while it may not be the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen, it is still wonderful… especially when you think to yourself… people can create and live in a place like this.

Emmanuel in North Korea

Many of you may be familiar with Emmanuel Goldstein of 2600, host of Off the Hook, amongst other audio programs. Long ago I was singing his praises for his trip-without-taking-a-plane around the world. Already a radio icon in my eyes, he became my traveling idol.

Well two weeks ago he did it again. This time, his trip that made me drool, was to North Korea. Now while he chose not to try and broadcast or record himself while in North Korea, he did record lots of local radio there, and has given full accounts of his trip on the program. Much of which was met with heavy criticism from listeners who felt he was wrong to go there or that he had been brainwashed by the regime.

But I’ve listened to Emmanuel since I was a wee teenager, and I trust him more than any Dan Rather or, DARE I SAY, John Stewart. And when he spoke about how amazing North Korea was, and how wonderful people seemed, and the whole laundry list of things that were different yet, admirable…. I listened attentively.

It’s like what people always ask me about the world of blogs and the future. How will we know what is true and what is bullshit? See I know, because of time. For years and years I’ve listened to this person and I’ve grown to know him just by his weekly radio program. And I’ve come to know his strengths, and I’d even dare say – his faults. And what is left is a trust… he has earned my trust through his work. And I didn’t need the new york times, or NBC news, or even HBO to convince me… I decided it on my own, over time. And that is exactly how blogs, podcasts, and vlogs should work for you. With time, you build trust and you can weed out what is not worthy of your trust or what doesn’t check out when you do your own checking.

But back to North Korea… what an amazing trip. If I ever emerge from bankruptcy, it is already on my shortlist. Please give his latest programs a listen if you want to experience some of it.

85% Voter Turnout

Greetings from an almost secret location in Belgium where I’ll be stationed for a few days. Coincidentally, just close enough to France so that everyone is this area is clinging to the French election results, and for the most part, pulling their hairs out in disappointment and frustration.

While it is hardly under-reported news, it is interesting, watching these elections in the global context. An old friend of mine in France once said, as much as his fellow citizens would never admit it, the French are very similar to Americans in many things. Every now and then, like in these elections, I think she was right.

He plays on fear. He threatens to be tough on immigrants and to cut taxes and benefits and whatever else he can cut. He goes on and on about national pride and what a great country it is. He could basically be a president candidate in the USA, but in fact, he is the new president of France, Nicholas Sarkozy. (or as I heard him referred to today, mini-bush)

As people learn the result of today’s election, you’ll hear lots of disgusted responses. “So embarrassing” people will say. Sounds familiar.

But unlike the US, where even if you bus people to the polls you can’t get a 50 percent turnout, reports from today say that turnout was at 85%! 85%! Now at first glance, that’s impressive. People can say, and they are, that it is a healthy sign for democracy because people are participating.

Then again, 85% voting ~~for~~, with more than 50% of them choosing a pretty hardline conservative candidate also makes it hard for a country to deny who they are. At least in the US you can say “hey.. thats only half of the 40+% that vote who chose that bum, we’re not really like that”. In France, you can’t say that anymore. So if Sarko ends up rounding up all the immigrants and putting them in labor camps. Or joining the US military in its latest adventure to invade and bring democracy somewhere. It won’t be just a small percentage of crazies that took over the government. Nope… it’s a majority of the country that actually shares (at least some of) these values.

Once again, I don’t have a better idea yet, but western democracy is still overrated.

Art, Violence, and Other Recommendations

Art, violence, politics, sometimes they all just hit me in the face in one sitting. And so allow me to share some links with you today to illustrate:

First, I was watching a lovely vlog entry on insanefilms.com, featuring my good friend and wonderful artist Hollye Davidson. Her explanation of how colors can be seen and how she sees colors what particularly fun for me to watch. Plus if you’re a dog person, or like me.. just enjoy watching dogs and not having one, there’s some great video of two very unique creatures.

From there I read Pauline’s latest entry from Equatorial Guinea. Not that she encountered physical violence, but her account of what I see as mental and emotional violence got me very upset. You’ve probably heard Pauline on my podcast in the past, and her blog continues to rise in terms of richness of content.

Then it all comes apart, as it so often does when I watch Euronews’ Nocomment section. I’ll spare you the video of Turkish police beating the crap out of horrified pro-democracy protesters, but what I do recommend is that you watch the Iraq entry. (follow this link, and scroll down, click on 30/04
If you watch, you’ll see amazing beauty in one of the worst parts of Baghdad. The terrible wall they have sadly laid down to divide communities, being painted in such amazing ways by local people. Instantly a disgusting wall that symbolizes so much violence and hate, becomes something beautiful to look at. (though still representing a pretty sad policy)

Don’t just scroll and take my word for it, see with your own eyes, and hear with your own ears… if you’re so lucky to be able to.

New Name, Same Great Taste

Breaking News:

Dear Readers, Listeners, Viewers and anyone who does not feel included in those three categories including methodists. As of today I am retiring the title of this site, Bicyclemark’s Communique. After some un-careful reflection, considering that being a podcaster, a blogger, and a videoblogger is more than just a hobby, but in fact, a calling… I needed a change of title.

This change is to hopefully take the emphasis off my internet pen name, bicyclemark, which of course will live FOREVER! And to bring to the forefront what is that I set out to do, especially through my audio and video. Also because I’ve grown tired of people not understanding my title or having no clue what a communique is. A name like citizen reporter should be easier to understand at first glance.

Originally inspired by the Zapatista movement, which I so admired in the late 90’s, the name communique has served me for more than 8 years, going back to my first website where I would write my opinions on world events, before I knew how to setup a blog.

So there you have it, spread the word, make a mental note, Bicyclemark’s Communique is now, CitizenReporter.org. Still committed to breaking down the mainstream, shedding light on the marginalized, and questioning the answers. Naturally with the occasional dispatch relating to life and experiences.

Thanks for your time and support. Now I leave you with a photo of a floating BarBQ.

bmtv47 MLC, A Different Kind of Community. Part 1

Last month I was in Tallahassee, Florida, where I happenned to visit a land cooperative. A very special community with a very interesting story. Thanks to my kind host, Dave Brightbill, I was able to record what will be a 2 part vlog about how the community works and how it began.

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