bicyclemark

Looking at the calender, this week is the anniversary of Sept. 11th. And perhaps the only thing worse than that terrible occurance is the tasteless, offensive, insulting, ignorant, manipulative and just plain horrible tributes/commercializations that will take place this 9/11. If it isn’t showtime showing a rediculous and pathetic movie called 9-11 featuring GW Bush as the movie’s “hero”, it will be some corporate scheme on the part of NBC or CBS offerring hours upon hours if “tributes to America” with excessive uses of American flags and photos of people crying and troops marching. As one Village Voice reporter mentions this week, it reeks of soviet propoganda. Matter of fact, you can bet the American president will be on every television pan-handling for support for his failure of a war. 4 months ago he said fuck the UN, now he changes his tune, trying to paint himself as something other than the arrogant, ignorant, international-community disrespecting president we all know him to be.

All-in-all, it’s going to be a rough week. My heart especially goes out to New York, as once again America will invade the once autonomous and creative metropolis, and give it a red-white-and blue brain washing. Have courage New York, hopefully it doesn’t last more than a week.

It seems that the Bush administration, governor Pataki of New York State, and NYC mayor Bloomberg seriously pulled the wool over everyones eyes in the aftermath of the blackout. The press helped: from CNN to NYTimes they were producing “feel-good”stories about people waiting to get home or sleeping on the street and the “party-like”atmosphere. They dedicated plenty of pages to these fluff stories, yet practically no pages were dedicated to investigating the government’s role in power-grid mismanagement. They reported nothing on the de-regulation and underinvestment of the northeast’s power generating facilities. And the public has fallen for it hook-line-and sinker, they’ve long forgotten that someone could actually be held “accontable”in all this.

This was also true when Bush first forced his way into the presidency and held top-secret closed to the public meetings to plan energy policy. Apparently no where in those plans was the Northeast situation discussed. There were big promises following the California energy crisis about better mamagement and planning, apprently more lies. Just window dressing in hopes that people won’t notice. And the worst part is, it’s worked, people aren’t questioning… the media isn’t investigating… and the government is free to keep fabricating.

So what do I think of this Arnold for governor business? I thinks it crap. Typical crap. Hollywood is god. They produce our fantasies and a large part of our collective culture, so naturally people go nuts when some fool walks off the screen and into the state-house. Can anyone describe Arnold’s plans for Cali? NO! Do you know his experience, besides films? NO! All we know is films and magazine interviews filled with smiles and anecdotes.

By no means does a hollywood star represent the people of any state. What does he know about working as a temp, or not having health insurance, or paying a mortgage? HE DOESNT! He has plenty of houses, jobs, and money. A representative should not only understand, he should be totally familiar with what REAL LIFE is like. Arnold hasn’t lived a real life in more than a decade. This is just more political crap. The hacks in both parties realize they’re in trouble… people don’t vote — they don’t participate in the sham that is called a democracy. Some democracy… a guy who isn’t qualified might just get the job of running one of the most important state’s in the WORLD.

May as well vote Gary Coleman… he’s more fun.

Portugal, facing an uncontrolable outbreak of forest and fires and a scorching heatwave, has appealed to NATO for assistance. This assistance would come in the form of air support and heavy equipment to help fight the fires. But what is baffling to this journalist and European, is why the hell does Portugal have to ask NATO for such things? Has it gotten so bad that the European Union can’t organize itself to assist its member states in the face of emergencies? How is it that Brussels hasn’t already dispatched assistance in its various forms to Portugal, France, Spain and any other nations facing this hurrendous crisis. By not providing its member states with the necessary aid, it helps legitimize the military-industrial dinosaur also known as NATO. An organization who’s charter expired with the cold war, and tries its best to be important in world affairs, and constantly undermind EU initiatives in the areas of defence and conflict resolution.

If Brussels has in fact taken action, it should do more and be quite public about it. Don’t force your poor children to go begging the nearest scumbag just waiting to be called upon.

And while on the subject of crisis and record breaking-destructive heat, how about that… still think Global Warming doesn’t exist? Oh wait.. the only ones who didnt are in the air-conditioned white house. Maybe someday they’ll actually notice the world going on around them.

Bicyclemark was present this past Saturday, at Amsterdam’s annual Gay Festival. Coming from the New York City area, the concept of acceptance and freedom of expression when it comes to sexuality is a very familiar one, but never in New York has there been a spirit of joy, diversity, and acceptance like there was in Amsterdam on this famous holiday. Nevermind the hundreds of boats filled with decorative and entertaining themes that floated through the canals. The real subjects of pride and progress were the thousands upon thousands of people lining the canals, searching for a good seat to catch a glimpse of the parade. Senior citizens, Children, tourists, all shapes, colors, and sizes, everyone enjoys and annual gay festival. That is impressive. There are not enough places in this world which such a spirit. Which leaves one big question… how can Amsterdam export this wonderful energy, and bring the rest of the world out of its sexual dark-age.

Justice by the barrell of a gun, US Military style: No trial, No Rights, No truth – just guns and bombs and celebration. That’s the mentality. Now they say they have killed Saddam’s sons, which of course, none of us can prove, so we just believe it.

They claim that killing Saddam’s sons is important, because they organize the resistance and they are generally bad people. Such beliefs prove that the US occupation force and its leaders understand nothing of what its like to have your home occupied by a bunch of outsiders who arrest and shoot your neighbors. No killing of any leaders will stop the resistance, never has that worked in the history of occupations. Kill Saddam’s sons, but don’t believe for a second that killing will make things better. Violence can only bring about violence. And by killing their leaders, the US not only shows is disregard for justice and rule of law, but its ignorance regarding opressed people and resistance.