Friday, 4 March 2011
♪♫ Swans - Sex/God/Sex (Vera 23-11-2010)
Hilarious quote from an interview w/ Michael Gira in today's 'Age' when asked if it was true that the merch stand was selling cigar butts:
"Oh no, I was kidding," he laughs. So you were joking about the vials of semen then? "Oh no, that's for real, I generate a dozen of those a day. Good money in that."
Hate comes to Orange County
The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today released a video of a rally organized by anti-Muslim bigots to protest a February fundraising event held by an American Muslim relief group for relief work and charity in the U.S.
A few hundred protesters showed up to the rally, which was sponsored by groups such as: "We Surround Them OC 912" (a local Tea Party group), Rabbi David Eliezrie of Chabad - Yorba Linda, North Orange County Conservative Coalition, ACT! for America, and Pamela Geller (whose group "Stop the Islamization of America" has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center).
Elected officials Congressmen Ed Royce and Gary Miller, and Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly also attended and spoke at the protest rally.
The event -- held at Yorba Linda Community Center, a facility that has been frequented by Muslim families and businesses over the years -- first became a target of anti-Muslim bigots over two of the fundraiser's speakers, who were to speak on the importance of charity in Islam. Initial attempts of some groups to have the Yorba Linda Community Center and the Yorba Linda City Council cancel the fundraising event failed, followed by the protest.
In a statement, CAIR-LA said:
"We support the First Amendment right of protest\eors anywhere in America to voice their concerns, dissent, and even hatred. However, when our nation's foundational values of inclusiveness, pluralism and equality are attacked by some in favor of calls for advocating hate and violence, then all Americans have a responsibility to challenge and expose such bigotry and those who enable it.
"As the video shows, the rhetoric of the protesters became increasingly venomous toward the families and children who came to attend the ICNA Relief fundraising dinner. Protesters shouted invective statements such as "Go home terrorist," "Muhammad is a pervert, Muhammad is a child molester," "Go home and beat your wife, she needs a good beating" at the event-goers.
"Even more disturbing was the participation and encouragement of elected officials in promoting the hateful protest rally. Villa Park Councilwoman, Deborah Pauly, while addressing the crowd at the rally, appeared to threaten Muslim event-goers. Congressman Ed Royce (R-40), in a troubling trend of disparaging Islam and its followers, added fuel to the fire by encouraging protesters to continue on with their hate-mongering. The attendance of Congressman Gary Miller (R-42) was a clear surprise, since he previously has engaged with all constituents, including Muslims, toward a better America.
"We strongly urge all elected officials in attendance to distance themselves from such an exhibition of hate and bigotry. We further ask residents and elected officials of Yorba Linda, Orange County and other parts of our nation to speak out against such hateful rhetoric and the continued Islamophobia that plagues our nation."
Council on American Islamic Relations-Los Angeles (CAIR-LA), Phone: 714-776-1847, Email: info@losangeles.cair.com
ca.cair.com/losangeles
Via
Frank Zappa guest starring in Miami Vice 1986
Crockett learns that a prominent drug trafficker (Frank Zappa) believes Crockett's alter-ego, Burnett, has stolen $3 million from him, and must find out who set him up before the trafficker's hitmen get to him.
Original air date: March 14, 1986
see also List of Miami Vice episodes
just watched the whole episode on German TV...
Why America won the Second World War

via
WSee the Save Waste Fats for Explosives, 1943 Office of War Information poster promoting governmental recycling during World War II here
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Catch a Fire (1973 - Albumstream)

Catch a Fire was the major label debut for Bob Marley and the Wailers, and it was an international success upon its release in 1973. Although Bob Marley may have been the main voice, every member of the Wailers made valuable contributions and they were never more united in their vision and sound. All the songs were originals, and the instrumentation was minimalistic in order to bring out the passionate, often politically charged lyrics. Much of the appeal of the album lies in its sincerity and sense of purpose -- these are streetwise yet disarmingly idealistic young men who look around themselves and believe they might help change the world through music. Marley sings about the current state of urban poverty ("Concrete Jungle") and connects the present to past injustices ("Slave Driver"), but he is a not a one-trick pony. He is a versatile songwriter who also excels at singing love songs such as his classic "Stir It Up." Peter Tosh sings the lead vocal on two of his own compositions -- his powerful presence and immense talent hint that he would eventually leave for his own successful solo career. More than anything else, however, this marks the emergence of Bob Marley and the international debut of reggae music. Marley would continue to achieve great critical and commercial success during the 1970s, but Catch a Fire is one of the finest reggae albums ever. This album is essential for any music collection. (Vik Iyengar - allmusic; 5/5)
1. Concrete Jungle
2. Slave Driver
3. 400 Years
4. Stop That Train
5. Baby We've Got a Date (Rock It Baby)
6. Stir It Up
7. Kinky Reggae
8. No More Trouble
9. Midnight Ravers
10. High Tide Or Low Tide
11. All Day All Night
ALBUMSTREAM
Bootsy Collins - Don't Take My Funk (2011 - New Single)

New single feat. Bobby Womack
Listen HERE
from his new album
“Tha Funk Capital of the World”
to be released April 25th, 2011
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Tony Silver - StyleWars (1983)

Calisthenic breakdancing and big, bold graffiti art were in top form and popularity in the U.S. in the early and mid-'80s, and this documentary extols the spirit and the talents of a variety of New York youngsters who were expert in either one or both of these challenging pastimes. Public reactions are wildly varied. On the one hand, the youth brave a police crackdown on graffiti and face barbed-wire fences and guard dogs in the railroad yards where they spray paint subway cars with oversized lettering. On the other hand, their art is shown in a municipal gallery and analyzed with the same seriousness as a Rembrandt or a Renoir. Whether viewers judge the graffiti an "eyesore" or a bit of post-modern expressionism, it is true that both the art and the dancing are incisively presented in this hour-long exploration. (Eleanor Mannikka - allmovies)
via
Bradley Manning’s Attorney Responds to New Charges Against Him: Is Wikileaks the Enemy?
David Coombs, Bradley Manning’s attorney, released a statement regarding the government’s new charges against Manning:
The government is alleging Manning “knowingly gave intelligence information” and that Wikileaks “received” it. Does that make”Wikileaks” the “enemy” in question?
Update: From Manning’s new charge sheet (PDF):
They want to lock a 23 year-old up for the rest of his life, using a charge designed for terrorists and spies, because he embarrassed them in front of the bad guys?
Seriously?
Jane Hamsher @'FDL'
Over the past few weeks, the defense has been preparing for the possibility of additional charges in this case. The decision to prefer charges is an individual one by PFC Manning’s commander. The nature of the charges and the number of specifications under each reflects his determination, in consultation with his Staff Judge Advocate’s office, of the possible offenses in this case. Ultimately, the Article 32 Investigating Officer will determine which, if any, of these additional charges and specifications should be referred to a court-martial.
Eight months after Bradley Manning was originally charged, the government suddenly claims that he “knowingly gave intelligence information” to “the enemy alleged to have received the intelligence information.”Manning is being charged with “aiding the enemy,” which is an Article 4 offense:
AIDING THE ENEMY—GIVING INTELLIGENCE TO THE ENEMY (ARTICLE 104)
ELEMENTS:
(1) That (state the time and place alleged), the accused, without proper authority, knowingly gave intelligence information to (a) certain person(s), namely: (state the name or description of the enemy alleged to have received the intelligence information);
(2) That the accused did so by (state the manner alleged);
(3) That (state the name or description of the enemy alleged to have received the intelligence information) was an enemy; and
(4) That this intelligence information was true, at least in part.
d. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
“Intelligence” means any helpful information, given to and received by the enemy, which is true, at least in part.
“Enemy” includes (not only) organized opposing forces in time of war, (but also any other hostile body that our forces may be opposing) (such as a rebellious mob or a band of renegades) (and includes civilians as well as members of military organizations). (“Enemy” is not restricted to the enemy government or its armed forces. All the citizens of one belligerent are enemies of the government and the citizens of the other.)
The government is alleging Manning “knowingly gave intelligence information” and that Wikileaks “received” it. Does that make”Wikileaks” the “enemy” in question?
Update: From Manning’s new charge sheet (PDF):
So let me get this straight. The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, says that the “leaked cables created no substantive damage — only embarrassment.” So they’re going to charge Manning with “aiding the enemy” because they claim he knew Wikileaks would publish them on the internet, the “enemy” can see the internet, and the cables “bring discredit upon the armed forces.”10. ADDITIONAL CHARGE I: VIOLATION OF THE UCMJ, ARTICLE 104.
THE SPECIFICATION:
In that Private First Class Bradley E. Manning, U.S. Army, did, at or near Contingency Operating Station Hammer, Iraq, between on or about 1 November 2009 and on or about 27 May 2010, without proper authority, knowingly give intelligence to the enemy, through indirect means.
ADDITIONAL CHARGE II:
SPECIFICATION 1:
In that Private First Class Bradley E. Manning, U.S. Army, did, at or near Contingency Operating Station Hammer, Iraq, between on or about 1 November 2009 and on or about 27 May 2010, wrongfully and wantonly cause to be published on the internet intelligence belonging to the United States government, having knowledge that intelligence published on the internet is accessible to the enemy, such conduct being prejudicial to good order and discipline in the armed forces and being of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
They want to lock a 23 year-old up for the rest of his life, using a charge designed for terrorists and spies, because he embarrassed them in front of the bad guys?
Seriously?
Jane Hamsher @'FDL'
Bradley Manning faces 22 new charges
The US Army has charged a soldier held in connection with the leak of US government documents published by the Wikileaks website with 22 extra counts.
The new charges against Private First Class Bradley Manning include aiding the enemy, a capital offence, but prosecutors have said they will not seek the death penalty. The intelligence analyst is being held at a military jail in Virginia.
He is suspected of leaking 620,000 diplomatic and military documents.
Pte Manning, who joined the US military in 2007, was initially charged in May with 12 counts of illegally downloading and sharing a secret video of a US military operation and secret military and diplomatic documents and cables.
The new charges accuse the soldier of using unauthorised software on government computers to download classified information and to make intelligence available to "the enemy".
Under the US Uniform Code of Military Justice, the offence is punishable by death.
But in a news release, the US Army said prosecutors would not seek the death penalty, although Pte Manning could face life in prison if tried and convicted.
Fresh details Pte Manning's lawyer David Coombs said the soldier's defence team had been preparing for the possibility of additional charges over the past few weeks.
Pte Manning is being held in solitary confinement in a high-security military prison at Quantico marine base, Virginia.
Mr Coombs has said he expects a hearing to determine whether the military has enough evidence to try the soldier to be held in May or June.
The newly released list of charges offers fresh details on the records Pte Manning is accused of obtaining illegally.
Those include:
- More than 380,000 records from a database of military records from the Iraq war
- 90,000 records from a database of Afghan war files
- 250,000 records from a US state department diplomatic database
- 75 classified US state department cables, including one titled "Reykjavik-13"
- A video file named "12 JUL 07 CZ ENGAGEMENT ZONE 30 GC"
The site has also released a cable titled Reykjavik 13 that summarised US diplomats' discussions with Icelandic officials about that country's financial troubles, and a leaked video of a 2007 helicopter attack in Iraq that killed two Reuters news service employees.
@'BBC'
To be convicted of "aiding an enemy" US must prove alleged recipient @WikiLeaks, was "hostile body"
wikileaks WikiLeaks
'aiding the enemy', following US claims, suggests WikiLeaks will be defined as 'the enemy'. A serious abuse. http://is.gd/0XKqRz
Spielberg lines up WikiLeaks film based on Guardian book
Steven Spielberg looks set to oversee WikiLeaks: the Movie after securing the screen rights to WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy, the book by Guardian journalists David Leigh and Luke Harding. Reportedly conceived as an investigative thriller in the mould of All the President's Men, the film will be backed by DreamWorks – the studio founded in 1994 by Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.
Leigh and Harding's book charts Julian Assange's turbulent life and times, from his itinerant childhood through to the creation of the WikiLeaks website in 2006. It also provides the inside story of Assange's explosive partnership with the Guardian newspaper and the release, last December, of over 250,000 secret diplomatic cables.
In addition to snapping up the Leigh and Harding bestseller, DreamWorks have also secured rights to another book, Inside WikiLeaks, by Assange's former colleague, Daniel Domscheit-Berg. This has led insiders to speculate that DreamWorks executives are planning a heavily fictionalised thriller that cherry-picks from a variety of sources.
"A good template for what they are thinking is The Social Network, where Aaron Sorkin not only used the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires as a resource, but gathered actual testimony from the lawsuits filed against Mark Zuckerberg that detailed the formation of Facebook and provided high drama," suggests Mike Fleming of the industry website Deadline Hollywood. "That allowed the film to be made without a rights deal from Zuckerberg."
Spielberg's picture is the most prominent of a number of WikiLeaks movies currently at various stages of development. These include a documentary by the award-winning film-maker Alex Gibney, director of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, along with a mooted biopic, based on a New Yorker article by Raffi Khatchadourian and co-produced by HBO and the BBC.
Now in its embryonic stages, the DreamWorks version still requires a scriptwriter, a director and a cast. It may also need an ending, with all the evidence suggesting that the story of Julian Assange has some way left to run.
Reviled by his foes as a "high-tech terrorist", Assange is currently fighting an extradition order to Sweden to face accusations of sexual abuse. This week, he reportedly lashed out at his former collaborators at the Guardian, who, according to Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, he accused of being part of a "Jewish conspiracy" against him. There seems little doubt that Assange's life story provides enough red meat for dramatists. But the final act has surely yet to be written.
Xan Brooks @'The Guardian'
Leigh and Harding's book charts Julian Assange's turbulent life and times, from his itinerant childhood through to the creation of the WikiLeaks website in 2006. It also provides the inside story of Assange's explosive partnership with the Guardian newspaper and the release, last December, of over 250,000 secret diplomatic cables.
In addition to snapping up the Leigh and Harding bestseller, DreamWorks have also secured rights to another book, Inside WikiLeaks, by Assange's former colleague, Daniel Domscheit-Berg. This has led insiders to speculate that DreamWorks executives are planning a heavily fictionalised thriller that cherry-picks from a variety of sources.
"A good template for what they are thinking is The Social Network, where Aaron Sorkin not only used the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires as a resource, but gathered actual testimony from the lawsuits filed against Mark Zuckerberg that detailed the formation of Facebook and provided high drama," suggests Mike Fleming of the industry website Deadline Hollywood. "That allowed the film to be made without a rights deal from Zuckerberg."
Spielberg's picture is the most prominent of a number of WikiLeaks movies currently at various stages of development. These include a documentary by the award-winning film-maker Alex Gibney, director of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, along with a mooted biopic, based on a New Yorker article by Raffi Khatchadourian and co-produced by HBO and the BBC.
Now in its embryonic stages, the DreamWorks version still requires a scriptwriter, a director and a cast. It may also need an ending, with all the evidence suggesting that the story of Julian Assange has some way left to run.
Reviled by his foes as a "high-tech terrorist", Assange is currently fighting an extradition order to Sweden to face accusations of sexual abuse. This week, he reportedly lashed out at his former collaborators at the Guardian, who, according to Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, he accused of being part of a "Jewish conspiracy" against him. There seems little doubt that Assange's life story provides enough red meat for dramatists. But the final act has surely yet to be written.
Xan Brooks @'The Guardian'
What the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti means for Pakistan
Shahbaz Bhatti has become the second prominent Pakistani politician this year to die for his opposition to the country's blasphemy laws.
Bhatti, the minister for minorities and only Christian member of the cabinet, was shot dead outside his Islamabad home by four gunmen proclaiming themselves to be the 'Punjabi Taliban'.
Like Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab who was shot on 4 January, Bhatti advocated reform of the controversial laws, which can carry the death sentence for anyone who criticises Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. Because they do not require much concrete evidence, the laws are frequently abused to persecute minorities and settle personal scores.
The political tension over the issue flared up in November, when a Christian woman, Aasia Bibi, was sentenced to death for allegedly blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. Both men spoke out in her favour.
However, they were left politically isolated when the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - of which both were members - distanced itself from those advocating reform.
Yousaf Raza Gilani told parliament at the beginning of February that his government would not touch the legislation. "We are all unanimous that nobody wants to change the law," he said.
This followed pressure from the religious right, who whipped up public sentiment with massive street rallies. However, giving such a major concession sets a dangerous precedent and indicates that the government is unwilling or unable to fight the extremists in the battle for public opinion.
It also suggests that the administration has learnt little from the disastrous 2009 truce with the Taliban. Under that peace agreement, Islamabad agreed to let the Taliban implement Islamic law in parts of north-western Pakistan, in the hope it would decrease the violence. Predictably, it actually meant that the Taliban became more audacious in its move inland, and the deal soon fell apart.
There are now fresh fears for Sherry Rehman, a former PPP information minister who has championed reform. Although the Taliban have declared her "fit to be killed", she has so far refused to leave the country. She has been in semi-hiding since January.
Poignantly, Bhatti was well aware of the danger to his life, and recorded a farewell statement four months ago in which he referred to threats from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. He vowed that he would continue to speak out for minorities:
Samira Shackle @'New Statesman'
Bhatti, the minister for minorities and only Christian member of the cabinet, was shot dead outside his Islamabad home by four gunmen proclaiming themselves to be the 'Punjabi Taliban'.
Like Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab who was shot on 4 January, Bhatti advocated reform of the controversial laws, which can carry the death sentence for anyone who criticises Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. Because they do not require much concrete evidence, the laws are frequently abused to persecute minorities and settle personal scores.
The political tension over the issue flared up in November, when a Christian woman, Aasia Bibi, was sentenced to death for allegedly blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. Both men spoke out in her favour.
However, they were left politically isolated when the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - of which both were members - distanced itself from those advocating reform.
Yousaf Raza Gilani told parliament at the beginning of February that his government would not touch the legislation. "We are all unanimous that nobody wants to change the law," he said.
This followed pressure from the religious right, who whipped up public sentiment with massive street rallies. However, giving such a major concession sets a dangerous precedent and indicates that the government is unwilling or unable to fight the extremists in the battle for public opinion.
It also suggests that the administration has learnt little from the disastrous 2009 truce with the Taliban. Under that peace agreement, Islamabad agreed to let the Taliban implement Islamic law in parts of north-western Pakistan, in the hope it would decrease the violence. Predictably, it actually meant that the Taliban became more audacious in its move inland, and the deal soon fell apart.
There are now fresh fears for Sherry Rehman, a former PPP information minister who has championed reform. Although the Taliban have declared her "fit to be killed", she has so far refused to leave the country. She has been in semi-hiding since January.
Poignantly, Bhatti was well aware of the danger to his life, and recorded a farewell statement four months ago in which he referred to threats from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. He vowed that he would continue to speak out for minorities:
I will die to defend their rights. These threats and these warnings cannot change my opinions and principles.The government's decision to back down to religious clerics on this issue will be hugely fortifying to the country's extremists. It does not bode well for the future of Pakistan, or for its beleaguered minorities.
Samira Shackle @'New Statesman'
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