Hugh Timmerman has been gathering facts based on his own memory of living under occupation in world war II Holland. The events that took place before his eyes and in his family home would forever be burned into his memory and remain something he wanted to better understand. More than 65 years later his research and his travels have helped him piece together the story of the allied plane that crashed on his property, as well as the stories of all the soldiers that died on his family farm.
This month Hugh returned to the Netherlands from his home in Canada, to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary. Together we sat down to do this podcast, part 1 of 2, on what he remembers from his childhood during the war, his experience as an immigrant in Canada, and how he went about putting together this book.
Lots of non podcast related action getting in my way this week.? But its just as well I know lots of people want to bask in the light of positive feelings and relief after Obama’s swearing in. And as many of you know, I have a tendency to try and poo-poo the popular sentiments of the day. So again, its good that I’m busy and you can enjoy this very big happening.? As I was reminded.. or rather.. yelled at by an American several years my senior: You don’t realize how it used to be, you didn’t live it. Of course I argued back that one needn’t live every part of history to undertstand it… but still.. maybe I deserved to be yelled at. Some choose to do it in the comments of this site, some as I sit watching an innaugeration, either way is valid.
The Wire gives alot of great examples of the type of behavior and power struggles that take place in all levels of life.? In this video, I look at 2 particular Wire characters and who they represent, and juxtapose that with what is happening in the middle east. Yes, Im serious.
My recommendation for you on this friday is a very inspiring podcast conversation that came out on Radio Open Source recently.? Chris’s guest was Slavoj Zizek, a fantastically crazy human who mixes history with philisophy with 80’s movies… and uses it all to help us understand what is going on around us and what can be learned from it.
Among my favorite of his statements is when he is speaking about the US political culture and the current presidential race, he mentions the tendancy for some candidates to say “We’ve had enough talk, we need action” to which Zizek? something like NO. Now more than EVER, WE NEED TALK. TALKING is essential before we take significant action.
As you run around this weekend, turn on this episode of Radio Open Source, Zizek is a fantastic blend of your favorite teacher, your favorite movie critic, and you crazy next door neighbor.
Linguist and citizen of the world Thomas Milo of Decotype joins me to discuss arabic script, working as a translator for UNIFIL, and mind blowing stories from his days as an intercontinental trucker.
It is no secret that the post Katrina rebuilding effort has been mismanaged, but now the city of New Orleans is taking that to a new level, post Gustav. My guest on this podcast is Karen Gadbois, who writes the blog squanderedheritage.com, focusing on housing and history in New Orleans. Together we look at the city’s accelerated policy of demolishing houses with minimal to no notice.
Among the topics we discuss:
The policy
Gustav as the excuse
Post Ike damage
The living museum that is NOLA
Grassroots action and organization
The role of bloggers
The other arguement, rationalizing the speedy demolitions
Demographic change and development plans
Wetlands resoration and the need for it
Entergy
Jail
Music:
Mof Def – Dollar Day
Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Whats going on?
Among my favorite of his statements is when he is speaking about the US political culture and the current presidential race, he mentions the tendancy for some candidates to say “We’ve had enough talk, we need action” to which Zizek? something like NO. Now more than EVER, WE NEED TALK. TALKING is essential before we take significant action.
Among the topics we discuss: