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The Fog of Elections

I was on the phone with the great D-Rock yesterday evening. He is now working for a political campaign. He spoke a bit about the tasks he has to do… if you’ve ever heard people talk about American elections, you’ve probably heard about the phonecalls, donations, speeches, going door-to-door, etc. (do they still do that last one?)

Nevermind what I think of the whole system. Lets put that aside.

I decided to go look at what’s on the local New Jersey ballot that I’m no longer elligible to use.

Now besides the normal dry, corrupt, and uninspiring selection of candidates, you also get what are called “Public Questions”. I guess it is something like a referendum only with a different name. Here’s how they read:

Dedicates Annual Revenue of an Amount Equal to a Tax Rate of 0.5% under the State Sales Tax for Property Tax Reform

Constitutional Amendment to Expand Uses of Dedicated Tax Revenues to Fund Improvements and Facilities on Preserved Open Space Lands

Constitutional Amendment Changes the Dedication of Motor Fuels Tax to State Transportation System

Generally boring, I know. But I find number 3 to be fun; maybe they’ll further re-introduce all the train systems and light rail systems they spent the better part of the last 60 years dismantling.

Time to go find the more interesting ballot questions around the country.

BM Will Travel to VlogEuropa

I tend to poo-poo conferences. Let’s be real; no matter what the topic and how noble the mission, the world is full of conferences with bullshit topics where obscene amounts of money are spent in order to talk about a problem for which we will have to hold another conference to continue the discussion- repeat process for a few years, run out of money or interest and move on to another catchy titled conference.

Anyone who’s annoyed with what I just wrote is probably a frequent participant in such conferences.

Despite that, and contradicting my normal outlook on conferences, I’m going to a very modest and enjoyable conference in a few weeks: (hahaha) VlogEurope. If you were at the first one than you know how low budget (or non-budget) it was and how the priority was figuring out how to get this wonderful forum – videoblogs- into the hands of people who don’t want to learn to be nerds, but have a story that lacks representation in this world of media.

One year on, obviously alot has happened and more people are doing vlogs and watching them, but it is still far from where we hope for it to be. Plus, in making our videos and maintaining our sites, we don’t often get to sit together in person and experience the energy and feed off the inspiration. So this year, when we meet up in Milano for a weekend, we will have that rare occasion for all of this and more.

If you can make it to Italy, or you’re just curious to know more: read up and consider joining. Or don’t… either way Ill be reporting from Italy, Slovenia, and more, come November 17th.

Cluster Crimes Against Humanity

21 people have died and over 100 have been injured as a result of cluster bombs left over from the Israeli invasion and bombing of Lebanon over the summer. I was just reading yet another report about it. DemocracyNow had also mentioned last week that Hezbollah had used cluster ammunition. We know that the US has used cluster bombs at various times during their invasion of Iraq. I was also recently informed that the Dutch military owns cluster bombs for an unknown purpose.

Cluster bombs. What useful purpose could such a thing serve, as if bombs themselves weren’t destructive enough. Apparently the chance to have tiny bomblets drop everywhere and blow up later is an appealing thing for all these armies.

Finding Cluster bombs in Bananas!

It is indeed a crime against humanity, if not a war crime, when these bombs are used and then days, months, and years later, civilians are blown up when they happen to encounter an unexploded cluster bomb. This recent story in Lebanon was of children picking olives in an orchard.

Besides the obvious condemning of each of the above mentioned governments, as well as any nation that owns cluster bombs, there are more guilty parties out there. Specifically, the companies that produce these bombs and make big money selling them. They include: General Dynamics Corp, L3 Communications Holdings Inc, Raytheon Co, Lockheed Martin Corp, Alliant Techsystems Inc, EADS Co (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company) and Thales SA. All of these companies should face charges for their role in international crimes; producing weapons that have no defensive use and are known to be uncontrollably destructive.

Now that I made that list, not only am I outraged but I’m also ashamed that so many companies are involved in producing such a terrible weapon.

Uganda’s Beloved American Blogger

The question is frequently posed: what do I like about living in Amsterdam.

One common answer, that proves very true this season, is that it feels as though Amsterdam is the center of the world. Or rather; a meeting point for the world, en route to somewhere else. Probably because that airport is so dam big!

This past weekend I had a visit from Josh, a man I know as a Uganda based blogger, originally from the US. I guess it’s more than just this city, but also the power of blogging, podcasting, etc., that made it possible for us to have exchanged emails a few weeks ago and finally meet for some drinks and important conversation.

We spoke at length about the role of the internet in Uganda, and perhaps in the larger African picture. The man has plans, and he has already kicked-started them. And underlying everything, is the hope that I share, that this technology must become more accessible, so that those that are disenfranchised, forgotten, disillusioned, lost, yearning for knowledge and communication; all these people and beyond, will have these tools which we enjoy here in the wealthy west, or elsewhere.

But indeed, it is a long way off in a country recovering from so much conflict and loss. Certainly a story that I hope to bring forward using my own tools, especially audio and video for all of you.

All-in-all, an excellent though brief meeting with another world citizen who is using his abilities and his strength to go somewhere very few are willing to go and doing a job that can truely make some direct impact on a population in need.

bmtv24 My Nephew Has Rhythm

Click To Play

Time to start going through the archives and putting together vlogs from the past few months. This one is for all the A-Ren fans… brace yourself.. he’s got a guitar and he’s not afraid to use it.

These Kids from Minnesota Crack Me Up

I’m not being sarcastic either. These guys are hilarious.

I’m referring to the group from some higher education institution called Carleton in Minnesota. They’re here on a seminar I helped organize on everyone’s favorite topic “New MEdia”.

Today I made sure the allstar vlogger herself met some of the Amsterdam vloggers, to join in that ritual we call thursday night vlogger drinks.

We Want to Join Europe, the sign reads.

And if you yearn for real information, skip this bla bla and go watch what Richard posted on Insane Films, a video of the news that doesn’t get reported in Iraq. It is very eye-opening and should rightfully drive you insane. Like the fact that its too late for a New Jersey absentee ballot.