bm201 Jason Burke on Afghanistan

He has been traveling and writing about Afghanistan since before most western media decided it was important. He has seen first hand what is going right and what is going wrong in the battle to create present day Afghanistan. Journalist and Author Jason Burke joins me.

His book, On the Road to Kandahar

We Discuss:
-His visits there during Taliban rule
-The three different phases
-Situation in various villages
-What people need from government
-If the military left?
-Soldier’s relations with the public
-Who’s doing business in the country
-Military commitments from Europe and North America
-Working as a journalist there
-Media’s commitment to Afghanistan

 

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.

Click To Play

Queens Day HAs Not Left Yet

I promise this is the last post about celebrations here in Amsterdam. But considering the scale and unavoidable appeal, here’s my official post about Queen’s Day ’07. (cross posted from my sister blog, Trippist.com)
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One thing you may not hear about on Queen’s Day is the underlying spirit on the canals. Sure there are lots of drunken people, lots of loud music, tons of crap for sale, and plenty of men peeing in to canals. But what you may not hear about, and what Ive grown to love, is the spirit of sharing amongst boat people.

At some point all my passengers want off, so I pull over and off they go. Suddenly Im boating alone, trapped in the thickest boat traffic possible.. elbow to elbow with all kinds of people partying. And one after another, they all react the same way when they see me and my empty boat. “You’re alone? Why are you alone? You need to pick up people!” And then comes the second phase, “Here, have a beer. Here have this fruit. Here have cheese and cake.” Suddenly I’ve let go of the stick and people around me are pulling the boat along, from all sides, while I eat all this food people hand me.

And that is how it goes all afternoon long. At some point I want to give some love back, and just then – a boat pulls alongside me on the Amstel and asks “Do you have any beer?” I say nothing and hold up a wine bottle, handing it over to them. “Wait” they shout, grabbing my boat to keep me from floating away, “Have some wine with us”, I put the engine in neutral and drink a toast to the Amstel river. We chat for a bit about what canal is good to ride on at this hour, and then I speed away.

You’ll hear plenty of stories about Queen’s Day, and mostly they’ll paint it as one big mess. They’re not wrong. But on the canals, I know a different tradition, and its the real reason I like Queens Day.

Drag Queens Day

Normally I try to provide yee good readers with the occasional story/first hand account of what is happenning in this city of Amsterdam which I so love.

But today, on the eve of the biggest national mess of the year, I was so overbooked that I could not perform my duty as public internet servant. I did not make it to the drag queen olympics ’07. Dammit.

Fortunately we have the internet and Amsterdamers have all sorts of mobile blogging gadgets, even in their skimpy dresses. So full credit to the flickr members who took excellent photos which you can see here.

Myself I hereby vow to be there next year, standing at the finish line of the Stilleto Sprint, or watching them measure distances for the Handbag Throw.

For all the the terrible people who keep trying to change this country and this city, to make it into a bland, conformist, tourist trap. I’m proud and relieved that the Drag Queens are still here and the Olympic Flame burns on. Thank you ladies.

bm200 Chile Turns on Bachelet

Just over a year ago, Michelle Bachelet was elected the first female president of Chile. A moderate socialist, there were high expectations about social programs and a more progressive Chilé. However things have not gone as many imagined, and in the last year there has been a sort-of revolt against the president from many social groups. This podcast tells that story.

Guest: Rosario Lizana of Global Voices Online

We Discuss:
-Bachelet’s popularity
-Problems with the education system
-Public Transport Revolt
-The president before
-The situation for women
-The media versus the blogs
-Pasqua Lama goldmine
-The silver lining?
-Argentina

 

note: There will be no special 200th episode, too much time is wasted on the self-congratulating process in the blog-pod-vlogosphere. However, thanks to everyone out there who has listened and still listens to my program, its an honor to part of your listening routine.