bm129 Playing Politics with Immigration in the Netherlands

Anyone who remembers the murder of the film director Theo Van Gogh is likely to remember the person who wrote the film that he would later be murdered over. Somali born asylum seeker and member of Dutch parliament Ayaan Hirsi Ali has won international admiration as well as cirticism over the past few years, as an outspoken critic of Islam. Now a new chapter in her political career, the attempted deportation and the political and perhaps social fallout that follows. Famed videoblogger Marc the Mindcaster returns to the program to explain it to we the non-Dutch who are trying to make sense of it all.

AudioCommunique #129 (mp3)

Useful Links:

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is all over YouTube, go watch
The NYTimes article about the recent events

Music:

K’Naan – Hoobaale
Neil Young – We Need a Leader

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bm98 GI Jane off to Afghanistan

Jane is an American soldier who was supposed to be a civilian by now. Instead, with questionable body armor, little notice, and being legally blind, she’s being shipped to Northern Afghanistan. Hear the excellent and eye-opening conversation I had with her recently from her base in the US. Special thanks to Madame L for putting me in touch with her.

AudioCommunique #98(mp3)

Discussed:
Portuguese Geriatric Presidental Elections
New Canadian Government
Insane Dutch Minister of Immigration and How Im prepared to go to jail
Interview with GI Jane (vital listening!)
More audio of GI Jane on Madame L’s podcast

Music:

Nas – Revolutionary Warfare
Dixie Chicks (stop laughing) – Travelling Soldier
Clash – English Civil War

Famooose

Man oh man… yesterday was insane. It was as if the entire world woke up, went to work, got bored at work, and found my podcast. First I got a cd from xtx in the mail. Enclosed in the envelope was a Sigfried & Roy hologram, met de vite tigers.

And then – BAM.. the communiqu? got more hits than Michael Jackson yesterday.. set a new personal record. Got a great response from Adam Curry, the godfather of pod, to my site-seeing tour, and as I write this I’m listening to his today podcast and sure enough — IM ON IT! What an ego booster.. I got emails from real life friends I didn’t know were listenin, folks that had never come to the blog before, and best of all, lots of Dutch people who liked my tour. It’s very much validating to hear natives enjoy the reflections of a little ol’ immigrant like myself.

But fear not fair reader… this post isn’t only about me and my shallowness. MAIS NON! I brought a news item that blows my mind and it going to be the talk of the preverbial town in the coming years. THE BUILDING OF A TUNNEL BETWEEN SPAIN AND MOROCCO.

Yes that’s right! Under the sea for you and me. And let me just say.. I’m 100% in favor of it. I think. My policy, in general, is that I hate borders. I’m in favor of having policies that allow people to freely travel between countries. When i have my own country, OPEN BORDERS. And if that makes you nervous, despite your xenophobic tendencies, I’ll look into making you a special play-pen. Cause I wouldn’t want you all upset.

Anyhoot, I’ll be surprised if this ever happens, despite the plan. Too many years of racism and profiteering from illegal immigration via waterways. Then again, I guess we’ll just see more of the same, only via train and car.

If you want to see a great Video-blog or Video-Cast of Amsterdam, check out the Mindcaster’s creation. Tell me he doesn’t hit at least 5 people while riding the streets with his camera in hand. I guess I myself hit 3 people per day and it doesn’t really effect me. -Suckers.

PS – Tomorrow’s podcast features a special guest cinefile who wants to talk movies. — yuck. )

Today’s Sounds: Me First and the Gimme Gimme’s – Take a Break

Arrived all over myself

I landed smack dab on Newark today. Place of my birth. Land of hundreds of thousands of Portuguese, and their somewhat American offspring.

Dad was there, at the gate to greet me. Isn’t it weird how dads get shorter? I remember when my dad was the tallest man in the world. Now he’s shorter than me in a cute way. He even wore an old man hat to the airport, I felt like Colombo had come to pick me up.

I had to lie in customs. Fuck the immigration dept. Fascists with a god complex. Even though the guys I got were nice. At one point they asked me “so you’re student?” Rule #1 of talking to INS folk: KEEP IT SIMPLE. So of course I said “yes.” And then she asks “What school?” just as I was walking off. I stumbled, “actually in Lisbon.” Whatever the fuck that means.

If I could have my own world, there would be none of these bullshit borders and passports and whatnot. I hate seeing people panicking on the plain, worried that they will fill out their form wrong and be banished by the wizard of INS. I want to start a low budget airline that uses no security but offers super cheap flights with speedy check in times. We could call it AT YOUR OWN RISK AIR.

Home has changed a lot, details in the coming days. Mostly it involves the presence of baby equipment everywhere. My bed has been pushed into a corner in favor of a crib for the A-Ren who spends a few of his days sleeping in my room. Which is totally cool by me. Plus, I love that my old stuffed animals are among his own collection.

Hello NJ. it’s me. I just wanted to come see you for a few days. You look tired and used. Get some sleep.

Today’s Sounds: Mates of State – Team Boo