Tag Archives: history

Bloggers Go Dutch

Despite the fact that its Saturday night and we all know people don’t read as many blogs on the weekend since you’re not pretending to do work at work, as you normally are; I wanted to report about the big to-do here in Amsterdam.

Tomorrow we talk philippinesA group of prominent US bloggers are in town on a Holland Tourism sanctioned trip, a few of which I read, a few of which I’ve heard of, and some of whom I may never read. And so when the democrats abroad organized a little seminar/informal chat this afternoon, naturally I turned up. Primarily because I wanted to meet she behind Majikthise in person, as I’ve sporadically read that blog for the past few years. I was also curious about the other guests some of which were very familiar names, if I started to name them now your eyes would start to burn and your mouse hand would cramp up.

Anyway not that you need to know the entire content of the discussion, but it was mostly about US politics and the democratic party versus the republican party. Or wait.. maybe it was the liberal versus the conservative blogosphere? Who knows… I normally get bored with all those bloggers who everyone refers to as the best. Plus I despise both the republican and the democratic party in general, my apologies to the 10% of democrats in congress that actually have a spine and some progressive ideas in their aging brains. I guess for that reason alone it was good for me to listen and not just dismiss everything as I normally do if left to my own devices. And in the end, people like Ezra Klein and Amanda of Pandagon had plenty of interesting things to say and defended their viewpoints well.

Mañana I’m leading a few bloggers around the Jordaan and Prinseneiland, it’s the bicyclemark reality tour… some of you may have taken it before. History as I remember it.

bm103 Zionism, Liberation, and Oppression

Growing up in Berlin during Hitler, then moving to British controlled Palestine, witnessing the creation of the Israeli state, Hanna Braun talks about the underlying agenda and the undeniable hypocracy therein.

AudioCommunique #103 (mp3)

In this show:

Edward Said on Finding the Truth
The way Arabs are drawn now, the was Jews were then = history repeating itself
Germany in the 30’s
Palestine and the zionists
The dream of a secular state
Defence Force, Paramilitary, and the use of violence
Evictions and clearing of villages
Ben Gurion, Ariel Sharon, etc.
Opposing Voices not allowed, Leaving Israel
Education
Activism

Music:

Edith Piaf – Jerusalem
Alpha Blonde – Jerusalem

I’m off to Winterberg, Germany again.. to practice my snowboarding and drink hot cocoa.

bm101 Still They Ride

The co-producer and co-director of the documentary Still We Ride joins me to discuss the history of the critical mass movement and in particular, the Republican National Convention 2004 in New York City where cyclists have become the target of a police campaign.

AudioCommunique #101 (mp3)

Discussed:

Emmanuel from Off the Hook’s experience at RNC 2004, audio
The events of the weekend of demonstrations around the convention
Andrew Lynn, Still We Ride the movie.
The Bicycle Defence Fund and the court cases cyclists still face
The past, present and future of Critical Mass

Music:

The Strokes – NYC Cops
Jurassic 5 – the game
The Smiths – This Charming Man

bicyclemark95: The Transition from Terrorism to Politics

FIXED*Lots of people won’t want to hear the comparisons or the logic behind this program. This show presents the history and current state of 3 political parties which are related to an infamous terrorist group. The idea is that there is evidence that such parties, if engaged and allowed to be involved in the political scene, can help to reduce violence, and tranform the fight to a nonviolent political struggle. There three parties I focus on: Sinn Fein, Batasuna, and Hamas. Spare me the comments that just insult, bring me real discussion and counterpoints.

AudioCommunique #95(mp3)
32min+, 80kbps, 18Mb+

Discussed:

Emmanuel on Off the Wall
The importance of history for the future
Sinn Fein, from its orgins to its present state
Batasuna, from party to outlaw
Hamas, at the crossroads of terrorism and politic-ing
For all its faults, politics can reduce violence
Comparisons for other groups in other countries?
Thanks for all the feedback and tips in the tip jar

Music:
Gil Scott-Heron – Free Will
Imogen Heap – Just for Now
Steve Earle – Jerusalem
Dave Mathews – Wake Up
Leonard Cohen – Thats no way to say goodbye
Some Protestant and Catholic songs from Northern Ireland songs from the BBC archive note– in the show I mistakenly call them old IRA songs… apologies.

Thai’s Don’t Want Your Free Trade

Free Trade agreement with North America. Free Trade Agreement with Jordan. Free Trade Agreement with Chilé…. seems like everday they’re negociating a new one. After awhile one has to wonder, what’s the point? It’s not like it’s special anymore. And even the results are questionable; with some countries reporting improved economies, but they also report high prices, increased poverty, etc etc. There’s no solid conclusion that can be drawn about free trade, for every good side it seems there is a bad side.

But nevermind my own musings about FreeTrade, let’s look at Thailand, where thousands upon thousands have been on the streets this week to say “we don’t want your free trade” while US and Thai officials negociate what is supposed to be a lovely free trade agreement. I’ve been reading the list of reasons that people are opposing this deal:: The dominance of expensive American perscription drugs, US managed deregulation of utilities, and of course the impact of cheap farm products driving Thai farmers out of business.

When you consider the importance and prevelance of farming as a way of life for a nation such as Thailand. And then consider the 600,000 people living with AIDS and dependant on affordable medicine, it is no wonder they’re out there protesting, asking the often overlooked question, Free Trade for Who?

PS– Im working on a show about engaging what some call terrorist groups in the political process. I’ll be discussing the history and present situation of three in particular: Sinn Fein, Batasuna, and Hamas. If you’ve got any unique insight on these or other groups, get in touch.

Disgust and Shame for the US and the World

I’m feverish and sneezing and soon to pass out from the pill my dear roomate convinced me to take in order to fight this here sickness of mine. But before I collapse, I had to point out one of the most gut wrenching and startling reports about what is going on in Iraq, which was on DemocracyNow today.

History teachers, parents, average citizens… not only in the US but worldwide, should listen to this testimony and tell everyone about it. This cannot go intold. These crimes must not be buried, they must be exposed. This soldier, among all the soldiers who have slowly and bravely come forward, about the crimes they committed and observed in Iraq, their messages must be heard and must make us realize that as citizens, we too are responsible and blood is on OUR hands.

You owe it to yourself and every one of the thousands upon thousands who have died in Iraq over the past 3 years. Listen to this army interrogator tell about how his task was to rifle through the pockets of dead bodies in a warehouse in fallujah. Listen to him talk about how the government expected him to take their finger prints and retnal scan but they had no fingers or eyeballs to be recorded. They had been burned, rotted or eaten away by dogs. Listen to him talk about how they would freeze and starve detainees. How they would break their limbs or induce hypothermia, all in their quest to bring freedom to the middle east.

It reminds me, on the one hand, why I’m ashamed and always will be ashamed to be american. And it also reminds me of how all nations worldwide, including the one I reside in , have blood on their hands. They keep doing business with the US. They love the money and the power and they stand by or participate during attrocity after attrocity. I for one will work my whole life to remind everyone, regardless of nationality, what a terrible distaster every war in history was, especially the one they claimed would bring freedom to the middle east.

After listening to this terrible account, and so many others over the past year about all the destruction and torture, I can only say, I HATE YOUR FREEDOM.