Friday, 11 June 2010
Israeli document: Gaza blockade isn't about security
As Israel ordered a slight easing of its blockade of the Gaza Strip Wednesday, McClatchy obtained an Israeli government document that describes the blockade not as a security measure but as "economic warfare" against the Islamist group Hamas, which rules the Palestinian territory.
Israel imposed severe restrictions on Gaza in June 2007, after Hamas won elections and took control of the coastal enclave after winning elections there the previous year, and the government has long said that the aim of the blockade is to stem the flow of weapons to militants in Gaza.
Last week, after Israeli commandos killed nine volunteers on a Turkish-organized Gaza aid flotilla, Israel again said its aim was to stop the flow of terrorist arms into Gaza.
However, in response to a lawsuit by Gisha, an Israeli human rights group, the Israeli government explained the blockade as an exercise of the right of economic warfare.
"A country has the right to decide that it chooses not to engage in economic relations or to give economic assistance to the other party to the conflict, or that it wishes to operate using 'economic warfare,'" the government said.
Is This the Craziest Bridge Ever Designed?
I don't know if the Pearl River Necklace bridge is the craziest bridge ever designed, but it sure looks like the most twisted one. It's a clever solution to a very real and obvious problem, however.
The bridge is part of a proposal by NL Architects to connect Hong Kong with mainland China. To do that, they had to solve a problem: In Hong Kong, people drive on the left side of the road. In mainland China, they drive on the right side. Here's the solution: A road flipper that physically twists the roads over each other.
Jesus Diaz @'Gizmodo'
Soccamix
.jpg)
Essential listening for the next month!!
The Kop Choir - You’ll Never Walk Alone (Live) (Hallmark)
Depth Charge - Goal (First Half) (Vinyl Solution)
Primal Scream, Irvine Welsh And On-U Sound Present - The Big Man And The Scream Team Meet The Barmy Army Uptown (Full Strength Fortified Dub) (Creation)
Depth Charge - Goal (Sudden Death Penalty Shoot Out) (Vinyl Solution)
Barmy Army - Sharp As A Needle (On-U Sound)
Colourbox - The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme (4AD)
Tackhead - The Game (You’ll Never Walk Alone) feat. Brian Moore (On-U Sound)
The Real Sounds Of Africa - Soccer Fan (World Cup 12” Remix by Norman Cook) (Cherry Red)
Depth Charge - Romario (EFA Medien GmbH)
Moog - Moog Lose The World Cup (Dust2Dust)
Black Grape feat. Joe Strummer and Keith Allen - England’s Irie (Radioactive)
Depth Charge - Goal (Second Half + Extra Time) (Vinyl Solution)
England New Order - World In Motion (Carabinieri Mix/No Alla Violenza Mix/Original Version) (Swamp Megamix) (White Label)
Barmy Army - England 2 Yugoslavia 0 (On-U Sound)
121 MB; 76 minutes
(Thanx HerrB! - I had forgotten about this one...)
What happened in the Gulf of Mexico
" These wells have the potential of an uncontrolled
release of hydrocarbons to the environment."
Sound in Technicolor
Now that digital technology allows rapid creation of new interfaces for music and sound, the question of how to represent those elements visually has new life. But whether digital or not, practitioners of music have long been interested in applying further descriptions to music, from the Baroque Doctrine of Affectations to the involuntary association of color in Synesthesia.
Applying colors to the notes of a musical scale is one particularly common idea, but the late master composer/orchestrator Arthur Lange had a different idea: why not give colors to range? Building on ideas from orchestrators Francois Auguste Geveart and Rimsky-Korsakov, he applied colors to registers of tone across each instrument. This way, it’s possible to see, in livid color, how ranges are applied in orchestrations, even down to unisons and harmonic density.
Lange wasn’t just any composer/orchestrator: he was a four-time Academy Award nominee, head of MGM’s Music Department, a Tin Pan Alley mainstay, a bandstand and studio regular from the 1920s, and an orchestrator on everything from 20s dance band numbers to MGM’s “The Maltese Falcon.” Seeing his creative and more-than-a-bit idiosyncratic approach says a lot about the ingenuity of America’s musical Renaissance at the time.
Contnue reading
Peter Kirn @'Create Digital Music'
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Jive Records blocks Outkast collaboration
Sony division Jive Records is blocking Universal's Def Jam from releasing three tracks on the new solo album from Big Boi because they feature guest vocals from his Outkast partner Andre 3000. Although Def Jam are handling the release of 'Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty', Outkast remain under contract to Jive, who claim that the three tracks in question - because they feature both halves of the Outkast enterprise - fall under their deal.
It's extra frustrating for Big Boi because Jive were given first refusal on the whole album (they have first dibs on any solo work by the Outkast boys under their contract with the duo) but knocked the project back. Big Boi explained to GQ: "It's plain stupidity. It's stupid business and it's stupid politics. Jive Records told me my album [was] a piece of art, and they didn't know what to do with it. So, I moved it over to Def Jam. And now Jive is trying to block Dre from being on my record. We can't be on songs together now".
The three tracks featuring Andre 3000's vocals have now been removed from the final version of the album, due for release next month, though a track produced by him, 'You Ain't No DJ', does remain. Explained Big Boi: "We tried to get everything solidified but Jive said, 'Naw'. Then I was going to take Dre off and make my own version, but then I thought, 'No. Fuck that. If he can't be on it, then I'm not using it'".
Of course, none of this means the world at large will miss out on the new Big Boi/Andre 3000 collaborations, it just means Outkast fans will justifiably access the new tracks via illegal routes, meaning Jive won't have stopped the new songs from going public, they just won't earn any money from them (presumably there could have been some sort of licensing deal between the Sony and Universal divisions had the will been there).
One of the collaborations, 'Royal Flush', actually leaked back in 2008, while another, 'Looking For Ya', found its way online this week. Big Boi certainly won't be keeping the missing tracks from his solo album locked up in a vault. He added in his interview with GQ: "They can't stop us, man. For these people that we don't even know [to block these songs - people] that haven't even had a hand in our career at all - that's fucking blasphemy. Either they're going to do it the right way, or they're going to do it my way. I'm no stranger to that internet, baby".
Record companies - don't you just love 'em?
Taliban allegedly executes 7 year old boy for spying
Suspected Taliban militants have executed a 7-year-old boy, accusing him of spying for the government, officials in southern Afghanistan said Thursday.
The execution took place Tuesday in the Sangin district of Helmand province, said Dawoud Ahmadi -- the provincial governor's spokesman.
In the past, militants have carried out similar killings of those accused of spying, Ahmadi said.
Three years ago, a 70-year-old woman and a child in the Musa Qala district of the province were executed following the same allegations, he said.
During a news conference Thursday, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said officials were looking into reports of the execution and said he condemned the act if it is confirmed to be true.
"I don't think there's a crime bigger than that that even the most inhuman forces on earth can commit," Karzai said. "A 7-year-old boy cannot be a spy. A 7-year-old boy cannot be anything but a 7-year-old boy, and therefore hanging or shooting to kill a 7-year-old boy ... is a crime against humanity."
"If this is true, it is an absolutely hiorrific crime," British Prime Minister David Cameron said during the news conference on an unannounced stop in Kabul. "If true, I think it says more about the Taliban than any book, than any article, than any speech could ever say."
♪♫ Sage Francis - The Best Of Times
Sage Francis will be touring Australia towards the end of the year
Only $378.80 (!)
Although it's actually a female pelvis and two fetal heads designed to demonstrate the birth process (here).
I reckon with a bit of fiddling it would make the best bedside light!
Terry Southern on 'Time On The Scows' with Alex Trocchi
Photo by Steve Shapiro
"We were barge “Captains,” as they called themselves—rather euphemistically since it was a job so lowly that it was ordinarily held by guys who had been kicked out of the Longshoreman’s Union—old winos and the like, being replaced now by this new breed, the dopehead writer. It was one of those classic writer’s jobs, like hotel clerk, night watchman, fire-tower guy, with practically no duties (“Just keep her tied up and pumped out”). Alex Trocchi found it by chance, wandering around the West Side docks after a few hours at the White Horse Tavern. The guy who did the hiring happened to be Scottish, a Scotsman called Scotty, in fact. So he took a fancy to Alex, Alex being a Ludgate Scholar from Glasgow, who had boss charm besides. (Scottish accent; “Have ye had any experience at sea, lad?” “Only with small craft, sir—punting on the Clyde and the like.” “Good enough, lad, I like the cut of yer jib.” So Alex was in. And about a half a dozen of us—of similar stamp and kidney—were quick to follow … under auspices of The Great Troc."
Full interview
The Killing of Furkan Dogan? (The Freedom Flotilla)
If this film is genuine - what does it tell you about the 'most moral army in the world' and their claims of self defence?
Ambush Journalism
Do we really want to live in a world where you can get fired because some guy comes up to you unannounced, launches questions for which you haven’t prepared, forces you to say things you had no plans to say, then edits the video down into the most damning soundbite before hanging you with it?MORE
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Ezikiel Ch 47: V 13
13: And it came to pass in the city of Jabeth that a dog did bismirch itself in the tavern.
14: Seth, a shepherd, was taken with a mighty thirst and did enter the tavern.
15: A great misfortune befell Seth as he bestrode the cur's befoulment.
16: Seth beslid into the wall with a mighty crash.
17; And Seth did wail and make great lamantations.
18: Jethro, a moneylender, did moments later enter the tavern. For he too was taken with a mighty thirst.
19: Jethro did also bestride the befoulment.
20: And once more there was a mighty crash and Jethro was filled with sorrow.
21: "Verily", quoth Seth, "I just did that".
22: And Jethro did smite Seth.
14: Seth, a shepherd, was taken with a mighty thirst and did enter the tavern.
15: A great misfortune befell Seth as he bestrode the cur's befoulment.
16: Seth beslid into the wall with a mighty crash.
17; And Seth did wail and make great lamantations.
18: Jethro, a moneylender, did moments later enter the tavern. For he too was taken with a mighty thirst.
19: Jethro did also bestride the befoulment.
20: And once more there was a mighty crash and Jethro was filled with sorrow.
21: "Verily", quoth Seth, "I just did that".
22: And Jethro did smite Seth.
One of the funniest blogs out there...
Pierre Littbarski declares his desire to takeover from Pim Verbeek
World Cup winner Pierre Littbarski fears Germany will be at its most vulnerable against a Socceroos side set to revel in their underdog status in Monday's group D showdown in Durban.
The Berlin-born former midfield general who played in two World Cup deciders, including the then West Germany's 1-0 final win over Argentina in 1990, rates Australia as his nation's hardest group opponents from Ghana and Serbia.
Littbarski, 50, admits to having a soft spot for Australia, having coached Sydney FC to the inaugural A-League crown in the 2005-06 season.
"Physically they can cope with the Germans, so that will be for us the most difficult game in the first round, when you're not yet in a rhythm," Littbarski said from Switzerland. "It will be a very good test of German strength.
"If you play high-speed football and pressure a team, Ghana and Serbia will fall apart, but Australia won't."
Littbarski revealed he would like to become Australia's coach as Pim Verbeek's contract ends after the World Cup.
Without a job after being sacked by Liechtenstein-based Swiss second division club FC Vaduz, German legend Littbarski appears long odds to have a genuine shot at coaching Australia.
"I'm absolutely interested in the Socceroos job," he said.
"Because I know the coach (Verbeek) is finishing, it's very enticing for me, but it depends what the federation (Football Federation Australia) thinks."
Littbarski dismissed Australia's 3-1 loss to the United States at Roodepoort Athletics Stadium on Saturday, saying warm-up matches counted for little.
"I don't give much thought to these games . . . some teams are still training hard and they're trying different things out," he said.
But if there is a weakness in Australia, according to Littbarski, it is their pace at the back, which could play into hands of German midfield prodigy Mesut Ozil.
Mona says:
Well it is going to be an interesting game as I think if Australia gets a good result (and that would include a draw) then they will have confidence going into the next games. The major stumbling block as far as I can see is that Verbeek seems to always play for a draw!
I also think that Littbarski could be a good choice as the 'Socceroos' coach as he knows the Australian
A-League. If Australia do well in this World Cup it will only help soccer in this country as was shown by events four years ago...
WTF???
LimeWire owes $1.5T http://is.gd/cI8wa. BP, $69M. So music sharing is 200,000x more damaging than catastrophic oil spill
Niels van Nimwegen - Once upon a time in Utrecht....
Tracklisting:
1. Axel Bartsch - Daight (Sven Tasnadi & Juno6 Remix)
2. Midland - More Than You Know
3. Afefe Iku - Bodydrummin'
4. Sonarpilot - Osaka
5. Space Dimension Controller - Journey To The Centre of The Unknown Sphere (Kyle Hall's I'm Only Breathing Remix)
6. Flying Lotus - Do The Astral Plane
7. Floating Points - Shark Chase
8. Echologist - Hustle
9. Sigha - Shake
10. Martyn - Is This Insanity? (Ben Klock Mix)
11. Herman - Prototype
12. Steve Rachmad - Electronic Afternoon
13. Marcel Dettmann - Captivate
14. Oni Ayhun - OAR4 - A
15. Mount Kimbie - Vertical (SCB Edit)
16. Basic Soul Unit - Jak'd Freq (A Made Up Sound Acid Bonus)
17. T Williams - Afric
18. Altered Natives - Oh My Zipper
19. Cosmin TRG - Groove Control
20. A Made Up Sound - Alarm
21. Geiom - Luna
22. MJ Cole - Thekla Riddim
23. Deadbeat - Grounation (Berghain Drum Jack)
24. Grievous Angel - Move Down Low V.I.P
25. Schuurman - Nu Ga Je Danse
26. Aaliyah - R U That Somebody (Brenmar Windy City Remix)
27. Doc Daneeka - Swine Flu
28. Mosca - Gold Bricks, I See You
29. YTAC - Switchism
30. Blawan - Iddy
31. Joe - Claptrap
32. Spatial - 90807
33. Mala - Lean Forward
34. James Blake - CMYK
35. I.D. & Baobinga - Still Tippin'
36. Zwart Licht - Dubtrip (FS Green Remix)
37. Kavsrave - Pclart
(For Son #1!)
Norwegian Boy saves Sister from Moose Attack using World of Warcraft Skills
Hans Jørgen Olsen, a 12-year-old Norwegian boy, saved himself and his sister from a moose attack using skills he picked up playing the online role playing game World of Warcraft.
Hans and his sister got into trouble after they had trespassed the territory of the moose during a walk in the forest near their home. When the moose attacked them, Hans knew the first thing he had to do was ‘taunt’ and provoke the animal so that it would leave his sister alone and she could run to safety. ‘Taunting’ is a move one uses in World of Warcraft to get monsters off of the less-well-armored team members.
Once Hans was a target, he remembered another skill he had picked up at level 30 in ‘World of Warcraft’ – he feigned death. The moose lost interest in the inanimate boy and wandered off into the woods. When he was safely alone Hans ran back home to share his tale of video game-inspired survival.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
