Audio – Page 79 – Citizen Reporter

Friday Night Demonstrations

I was ringing ringing the artist formerly known as frisbee girl’s doorbell last night, as we were set to go catch “Me, You, and Everyone We Know”. As I stood there and the little intercom featured her voice saying — be right down– I noticed three bike cops standing next to me. I looked at each of them and they looked back at me and I said, Hello. They returned the hello. Then 2 scooter cops pulled up, followed by a police car. There they are.. six cops, and more coming down the road. I kept wondering what crime I had committed lately and I was prepared to dial the American embassy’s emergency legal-aid number which is programmed into my phone cause I am convinced I will one day need it.

FG came out and was also surprised at the number of cops. As we walked away she overheard one of their conversations and it had to do with squatter demonstrations. She deduced that squatters were going to demonstrate against all the evictions lately and the general spirit of the government that says — no more squatters, build more fancy housing for wealthy people.

That was basically that. We mused a bit about what a shame it is that police and squatters have such bad relations. I mused about how I should be there with my camera and microphone, but instead I feel the need to see a film with a good friend. Go figure.

Since that hardly seems like alot of breakthru information this evening, I present to you three of my latest photos, part of my celebration of the new Sony Cybershot M2 beauty that I own:

One of these Taylors is a Sociopath

Actually I don’t know anything about Charles Taylor the Republican House Rep from North Carolina. I just found it fun that he shares a name with the ex-Liberian president now on trial.

Charles G. Taylor, American-Liberian. Meaning born in Liberian but having American roots in his family. I know it’s common human rights protocol to condemn him as a warlord, but can I just say – this man fascinates me to no end.

Naturally if your family was hacked to pieces by his soldiers, you probably don’t want to hear this. But all the killing aside, this man is much more than a warlord. His behavior has been described by the BBC as that of a “showman” for his tactics during various moments as president where he would appear in distinct costume (military uniform or all in white) and his use of religion to justify his decisions (sounds familiar).

I’ve read the interviews over the years while observing his actions. With the reports coming out of the first days of trial, I’ve started thinking that perhaps Taylor fits the profile of a sociopath. I’m Portuguese from New Jersey, which makes me automatically qualified as an amateur social worker, so lets use the sociopath checklist on Taylor:

failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

– evidence suggests — CHECK.

deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure

– seems to be his specialty. Check.

impulsivity or failure to plan ahead

– not sure, but the fact that he got caught – check.

irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults

he started lots of wars, and he’s pretty aggressive in interviews. half-check.

reckless disregard for safety of self or others

the scores of dead and maimed would prove this one true. Check.

consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations

money has repeatedly gone missing under his care. Check.

lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

well, he has collapsed on the ground and begged forgiveness from god. But during this trial he seems completely withoout remorse. So this ones hard to tell. Half-check.

I’ve said it many times before. The world needs an army of psychologists to be rapidly deployed wherever people are suffering or have suffered. They can evaluate the situation, work out the collective and individual issues that lead to conflict, and identify the leaders that are mentally unstable.

Shit, I just noticed there is additional criteria for classifying a sociopath. somebody get me Taylor’s childhood behavior record, I’m on the job.

bm118 Nepal: Life, Liberty, and the whims of the King.

Lodged between India and China who perhaps steal the spotlight, Nepal continues to suffer as the King tries to keep a tight grip on citizen rights. Meanwhile Maoist Rebels and Government troops clash in a struggle for power. In between these two forces, you will find the Nepalese people growing increasingly impatient with the behavior of both sides and calling for a return to the democracy they once knew. Dinesh Wagle of United We Blog! For a democratic Nepal is my special guest to talk about these themes and much more.

AudioCommunique #118 (mp3)

Reporters Without Borders on Nepal

Music:

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros- Can Anyone
Rasham Firiri – (I think the song is called Srangi, but Im not sure)
Ani Difranco – Everest

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podcast made possible by you the listener and also Springheeljack.net

bm117 Pursuing Global Peace by Developing Bigger Bombs

During a recent press conference when asked why he wanted to go to war so badly, GW Bush told Helen Thomas that no president wants war. Yet this president, like many before him, encourages the development of new nuclear weapons and conventional weapons that can cause more destruction. Today the military announced new tests in Nevada, of a conventional bomb more powerful than any before it. What message do such developments send to the world, regarding the longterm goals of the nation? How does it effect the growing conflict between the US and Iran?

AudioCommunique #117 (mp3)

Lots of audio from Operation Ivy, the US military experiments developing the H-Bomb.
Guardian Article on the Nevada Tests
Normon Solomon, in 2001
The Downwinders
Senator Harry Reid’s Campaign Contributions

Music –

We Are Scientists – Bomb within a Bomb
Operation Ivy – Bombshell
Streetlight Manifesto – Here’s to Life
Steve Earl – Rich Man’s War
The Stars – Soft Revolution
etc etc

Inconsistent Gardener

For we of the four day work week, the weekend has arrived. Which is good cause its 2am and I’m exhausted from my various jobs as well as podcasting til 3am last night. However, tomorrow will be time to take on the garden, as recently nature freed up some space and now I have room to plant and sun.

But before I go off to dreamland I wanted to talk about my new hero of videoblogging. Obviously I have lots of vlog idols, they’re all in my blogroll, as you can see with your own pretty eyes. However, I was watching some French vlog last week and the dude mentioned vinvin’s Bonjour America. I thought, that sounds fun, let’s go see…

What I discovered is my new favorite vlog. It is hilarious and fun, two things I usually don’t get enough of amidst my concern for the state of the world. VinVin explains all things French to the world, especially to Americans. But it’s the style he does it with, it has me spitting up my cereal every morning as I go through the new vlogs. Specifically I refer you to his episode where he makes a Big Poll of French People regarding the US, and then his epic French Cheese Project where he puts Blair Witch to shame.

VinVin, I salute you! Readers and new video blog watchers — Subscribe to Bonjour America!

bm116 Exxon Valdez, The Disaster after the Disaster

It was more than a decade ago, March 24th 1989, when Exxon’s oil spilled into the Prince William Sound. Everyone remembers the images of the dead sealions and otters being picked out of the toxic sludge and thrown into the fire. But who remembers the fallout, as the community imploded and their industry choked to death along with the ecosystem. And what of the verdicts in the trials that followed, against Exxon who has since added a dash Mobile and boasts record setting profits year after year. Join me and exceprts from the well produced Sierra Club TV video blog, to examine and relive the Exxon-Valdez.

AudioCommunique #116 (mp3)

Music–

Ill list it when I wake.