:: GussetBLOG ::

:: Friday, July 25, 2008 ::

No Mo Emo?

Dozens of black-clad emo music fans protested Saturday in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk against plans by Russian lawmakers to ban their dark style from the country's schools [and government buildings].

Russian authorities are considering legislation aimed at heading off the "dangerous teen trend" of emo culture.

"The document states that emos are aged from 12 to 16, wear black and pink, and have long, black hair which may "cover half the face". Other characteristics identified include black fingernails, black belts with studs and pins, and ear and eyebrow piercings."

Hmm, I think I'm safe. I may be wearing some pink but I'm too old and don't have enough hair to cover half my head let alone my face.

It's as ridiculous as the Commie witch hunt in the US in the '60s, where the list of signs to look out for included 'may carry a guitar.' (I can't find an online reference for that. I think I'm quoting a Bob Dylan documentary.)

Are musical sub-cultures really as dangerous as oppressive states make out? Maybe so. It's claimed that Rock and Roll brought down communism in Hungary, so maybe there is something in it.

And that's all the more reason to encourage it. It's not really about the way someone might dress or what music they choose to listen to, it's about controlling the way people think, and that is never acceptable.

I may not identify myself that strongly with either goth or emo culture, but I love to see people setting themselves outside of the norm. (Although I worry that in both cases what is considered outside of the norm in the West is just as prescribed and marketed as the norm itself. Just have a look around a branch of Clare's accessories to see that.) But in some countries if you don't even have the freedom to choose which harmless subculture to belong to, that's a worrying state of affairs.

As one of the protestors placards said, "Why Do We Have To Think The Same?"

Labels: Goth, News, Politics

:: Dan 25.7.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Interesting responses from the papers to the Max Mosley vs the News of the World case. For those who don't know, the News of the World [NotW], a UK gutter-press tabloid fond of kiss and tell stories, secretly filmed and published stories about F1 boss Mosley, accusing him of partaking in an orgy with six prostitutes that had Nazi overtones.

Mosley claimed for libel, on the grounds there weren't any Nazi overtones. He didn't deny any of the rest of it, that was his own private business. He won a record £60k damages.

The Guardian editorial this morning sums up the case:

Judges and journalists might disapprove of all sorts of unconventional sexual behaviour but - so long as it was between consenting adults in private - it is not the business of the state, the courts or the media to intrude. "It is not," said Eady, "for journalists to undermine human rights, or for judges to refuse to enforce them, merely on grounds of taste or moral disapproval."

In a great piece on Channel 4 news [skip 14min into this video] last night the NotW's legal expert was interviewed about how the paper felt the case had gone. They felt that the ruling had severe implications for freedom of speech and maintained that knowing what sexual acts a person in power gets up to in their own time, between consenting adults, is in the public interest, whilst glossing over the fact that they embellished the story to make it sell better. At the end of the interview John Snow challenges him to name a previous story that may no-longer be publishable because of this ruling, although he dodged the question it is a very good one.

Most of the press are quick to the defensive, The Telegraph reporting Judge has hampered freedom of expression, for example. Then, in classic right wing press tradition, they go on to blame the Human Rights Act in just the same was the NotW blamed Europe (see video).

Why has Human Rights become a dirty word? The press hate it. This irritates me every time I see an example of it, which is almost daily. They are convinced it has done nothing but harm to their right to print whatever they like and acting as self-appointed judge and jury themselves. Even the Guardian editorial, above, spins the case for using the Press Complaints Commission rather than the courts. True, this may be easier in many cases, but I can't see the PCC handing out landmark rulings and record compensation.

The Times, on the other hand, spins a conspiracy theory about missing evidence: Max Mosley orgies and missing emails.

The New York Times, bless them, completely misses the point by putting the wrong word in inverted commas in their headline: British Tabloid Loses Suit Over Nazi ‘Orgy’ Article.

The Irish Times has the sense to point out Mosley ruling does not appear to threaten public interest defence.

"The implication of yesterday's judgment by Mr Justice Eady," The Independent reminds us, "is that people who have sexual habits others might find bizarre or unpalatable have the same right to privacy as anyone else." And that's a very good thing.

Labels: Fetish, News, Politics, Privacy

:: Dan 25.7.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"Ingrid Betancourt, freed from captivity and humiliation in the jungles of Colombia, returns to her beloved France and a hero's welcome Friday in the gilded halls of the presidential palace. ... [she] was freed Wednesday in a daring Colombian operation involving military spies who tricked FARC rebels into handing over Betancourt and 14 other hostages without firing a shot."

"[she] described their ecstasy with unforgettable vividness. 'The helicopter almost fell. We started jumping, we screamed, we cried, we hugged - we couldn't believe it. God carried out this miracle.'"

No he didn't. Fuck God.
Try thanking your rescuers.
Ungrateful bitch.

Um, apart from that this is a good thing, obviously.

Labels: Amnesty, News, Politics, Religion

:: Dan 4.7.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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[thanks japes]

Labels: Humour, Photography, Politics

:: Dan 13.6.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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The City of London Police are prosecuting a teenager for calling the Church of Scientology a "cult" during a demonstration

I've been umming and ahhing about whether to post this story. It is ridiculous and an insane erosion of the right to protest obviously, but Scientology is such an easy target I can't get myself worked up about the campaign against it. So lets start with the facts. Scientology was started for a bet. Its mere existence, and the fact that any idiot follows it at all, demonstrates the ease of forming a religion and the gullibility of people to accept what they are told without asking questions. The question I ask every time I hear something about Scientology is, 'Why do people take religion seriously, what evidence is there to accept what any of them say?'

As null device links, Charlie Stross of antipope steps in here:

The difference between a "cult" like Scientology and a "respectable" religion such as Christianity is not in the plausibility of their beliefs. ... IMHO, religions and their believers should be judged on their actions, rather than on the respectability of their particular brand of mythology. (As Voltaire wrote, there is nothing more respectable than an ancient evil.) And religions shouldn't be automatically entitled to be handled with kid gloves and reverential deference, or, indeed, to impose restrictions on those who do not adhere to them (such as the proposed bans on embryo research), just because their organisations are founded on supernatural or unprovable beliefs.

Labels: News, Politics, Religion

:: Dan 25.5.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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By email:

Please sign the End Water Poverty petition. It's really quick to sign but incredibly important and urgent - we've only got six weeks to go before the G8 meet in Japan!

www.endwaterpoverty.org/action

Dear Friends,

Help end water poverty:

The End Water Poverty campaign, which WaterAid supports, has been targeting the G8 to agree a global action plan for sanitation and water since 2007, but we now need to build even more pressure in the lead-up to the summit in July.

We need more signatures targeted at the Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, who is this year's G8 host. Click below and become one of almost a million action-takers!

We need to show it's time for change! Sanitation and safe water are basic human rights. Everyone in the world should have access to them. But without these services thousands will continue to die each day. The solutions are simple but the G8 need to commit to this action plan. Please tell them: it's time for change.

To take action today, go to www.endwaterpoverty.org/action

Thank you so much for your help - please forward this email to friends!

Labels: Environment, Politics

:: Dan 24.5.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Einstein letter shows disdain for religion 'Albert Einstein regarded religions as "childish" and "primitive legends", a private letter he wrote a year before his death has revealed.' - Glad that's cleared up. I'm sick of religious people telling me Einstein believed in God.

Vatican says aliens could exist and may be free from sin! Only decades rather than centuries late to the band wagon now.

Sweet Dreams Security
"An outfit named Sweet Dreams Security is making designed objects for a more paranoid age; from spiked railings, barbed wire and CCTV camera covers in the shape of cute animals to heart-shaped chains and (perhaps more practically) lace curtains shaped like anti-burglar grilles."
[via null device]

"Over the last 50 years, Syd Mead has created startling pictures for clients all over the world. His technique infuses finished scenarios with a vivid reality, allowing the viewer to gain a look into many visions of future worlds. He has designed and illustrated for corporations, motion pictures, themed entertainment, and a wide range of transportation projects. Syd's combination of recognition and creative imagination has graced scores of films, books, and other exhibits. His film work includes Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner, Tron, 2010, Aliens, Short Circuit and other films."
[via Jen]

Labels: News, Politics, Religion

:: Dan 16.5.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Kommissar
Originally uploaded by gusset.


I decided to pop into the Cold War Exhibition at the RAF Museum Cosford when I drove past it the other day. Although some of the aircraft are interesting and seeing them in the flesh is much more impressive than I expected, that wasn't really what interested me. I liked the display cases they had put together to demonstrate differences between West and East during the Cold War. Differences in sporting achievement, arts, etc. It reminded me of the Russian propaganda display at Tate Modern I saw last year, the graphic design in those magazines was way ahead of its time. In the life style section I spotted the Kommissar board game from 1966, above. It's effectively US anti-commie propaganda for kids, based on a Monopoly like board where you try to collect enough of “the peoples money” to get to “the peoples airport” to escape Serbia to retirement somewhere warm. The idea seem to be that everyone is a capitalist at heart and is just trying to escape from tyranny. Hmm.

Labels: Flickr, Gaming, History, Politics

:: Dan 16.5.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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New Steal From Work show. A group urban art show celebrating International Workers Day.

1st May – 11th May, 2008
Opening night - Thursday 1st May 7pm-10pm
Then open everyday 12pm-7pm (closed on Tue 6th)
The Old Motorcycle Workshop
15-19 Stokes Croft (opposite Pieminster), Bristol, UK

After the huge success of December’s ‘12 Days of Xmas' we bring you our next major group exhibition.

Lost behind the jangling of Morris Dancing and Maypoles, May 1st has long stood as the date to remember the common struggles and achievements of workers around the globe. ‘Not A Penny Off The Pay, Not A Second On The Day’ will be a celebration of the working classes, featuring a truly international line up of acclaimed urban artists

...and...



1st - 11th May 2008
Various venues, Bristol, UK

It's a lovely coincidence that the Not A Penny show coincides with this event, as it’s just round the corner so you can easily go to both!

Programme

Labels: Art, Bristol, graffiti, Politics

:: Dan 1.5.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Two teenage boys have been jailed for life for the murder of a woman who was killed for dressing as a Goth
I can't remember whether I've commented on this case before or not but I have been following it.

Passing sentence at Preston Crown Court, Judge Anthony Russell QC described the attack as "feral thuggery" which raised serious questions about the "sort of society which exists in this country".
He added: "This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all who have heard about it.
"At least wild animals, when they hunt in packs, have a legitimate reason for so doing, to obtain food.
"You have none and your behaviour on that night degrades humanity itself."

Strong words, totally justified. It's a sad, sad society we live in. Any form of prejudice grieves me but this one in particular stands out as she was so beautiful and caring and it is such a pointless waste of a young life. My heart goes out to her boyfriend, whom she was trying to protect, and to all her friends and family. RIP

Labels: News, Politics, RIP

:: Dan 29.4.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Red lines: Robert '3D' Del Naja's massive attack on the art world

Labels: Art, Politics

:: Dan 26.4.08 [Arc] [1 comments] [links to this post] ::
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unsubscribe-me.org

Labels: Amnesty, Film, Politics

:: Dan 23.4.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Food Fight is an abridged history of American-centric war, from World War II to present day, told through the foods of the countries in conflict. Watch as traditional comestibles slug it out for world domination in this chronologically re-enacted smorgasbord of aggression.



Breakdown of the foodstuffs
Breakdown of the actual battles portrayed in the film

Labels: Animation, Food, Humour, Politics, Video

:: Dan 12.3.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"Tibetans launched the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay in Olympia today under intense scrutiny and harassment from Greek police and 15 to 20 Chinese government officials."

"Despite the excessive police resence, the twelve Tibetans carried out the lighting ceremony in frontof the ancient archaeological site of Olympia, Greece, pre-empting hina’s Olympic Torch Relay launch there later this month. The TibetanFreedom Torch represents the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people or freedom and justice and will be carried to more than 20 countriesworldwide, reaching Tibet on the eve of the Beijing Games. The Freedom torch also highlights Tibetan opposition to the Chinese government’s politically motivated plan to carry the Olympic Torch through Tibet"

Edit: 14.03.07 Website linked above has been taken down already. Hopefully this reuters link will last longer.

Labels: Amnesty, News, Olymipcs, Politics

:: Dan 10.3.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Noise more important than environment says NAT

Labels: Acoustics, Environment, News, Noise, Politics

:: Dan 21.2.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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China feels heat as activists take their cue from Spielberg. 'Focus on Darfur as human rights campaigners salute film director and vow to target main sponsors of the games'

"The director stepped down from his role as artistic adviser to Beijing late on Tuesday, citing his opposition to China's support for the Sudanese regime responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. He accused China of not doing enough to press Sudan to end the "continuing human suffering" in the troubled region. China imports two-thirds of Sudan's oil and in return is said to be the African country's biggest arms supplier."

Well, it's been a long time coming. It's a shame that it took the Darfur situation to prompt it rather than an objection to China's human rights record in general and the crack down on free-speech and peaceful protest that is directly related to the games themselves. However, it's a step in the right direction and he should be applauded for that. [2006 Amnesty report: China: The Olympics Countdown - Failing to keep human rights promises. There are plenty more up to date sources on specific issues if you search.]

Athletes too are raising awareness

"For the last 20 years team members have been obliged to sign a contract as a condition of taking part in the Games. But for the first time a clause had been inserted into the Team Members Agreement stating athletes must not comment on politically-sensitive issues during the event in Beijing." [BBC news]

The IOA deny this is a problem, as the events should be "about sport" and nothing else. But shouldn't sport be about something? Isn't it about bringing people together? Former British Olymipic swimmer Duncan Goodhew made a good point about how pivotal the Moscow Olympics was in bringing about change in Russia [I think the comment has been edited out of the above article since] but that doesn't mean we should take a back seat and just wait for things to change. Putting on more pressure will speed up the process and now is the perfect opportunity.

Labels: Amnesty, China, News, Politics, Sport

:: Dan 14.2.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"Wonder even sang a little dittie, with a harmonica, that was sung as if he were reciting the musical scales in ascending and descending order to the name of “Ba-rack O-ba-ma.”"
Stevie Wonder sings for Barack... and it sounds awful. What was he doing?

In my mind it works best sung to the tune of Long Distance Clara from Pigeon Street. He should have tried that.



[That wonderful example of Alan Rogers artwork is available as a print from easyart.com. Thanks for the bandwidth!]

Labels: Animation, Art, Humour, Music, News, Politics

:: Dan 6.2.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Afghan journalism student sentenced to death for reading about women's rights

"A young man, a student of journalism, is sentenced to death is by an Islamic court for downloading a report from the internet. The sentence is then upheld by the country's rulers. This is Afghanistan – not in Taliban times but six years after "liberation" and under the democratic rule of the West's ally Hamid Karzai.

"The fate of Sayed Pervez Kambaksh has led to domestic and international protests, and deepening concern about erosion of civil liberties in Afghanistan. He was accused of blasphemy after he downloaded a report from a Farsi website which stated that Muslim fundamentalists who claimed the Koran justified the oppression of women had misrepresented the views of the prophet Mohamed."

Sign our e-petition at www.independent.co.uk/petition

______________________________

Is a Small Island in the Indian Ocean Holding Prisoners in the War on Terror?

"MPs and human rights group have accused ministers of a cover-up over government knowledge of rendition flights and the use of British military bases to hold suspects after the United States launched its war on terror more than six years ago.

"Now ministers have blocked an attempt by an influential parliamentary committee to secure the release of secret military papers which they believe will reveal whether the British island territory of Diego Garcia was used as a detention center for rendition prisoners."

Labels: Amnesty, News, Politics

:: Dan 4.2.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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You don't expect to see the phrase "widespread gusset anxiety" in the Guardian everyday, but it was there yesterday, when quoting Jeremy Paxman nonetheless.

Paxman raises smalls problem with M&S [full text]

Quote:

Jeremy Paxman, the Newsnight anchor famous for grilling cabinet ministers and airing his robust opinions on subjects as diverse as the future of broadcasting and the latest entries in Who's Who, has now voiced his dissatisfaction on another matter of importance to the nation: Marks & Spencer underpants.

The broadcaster is so concerned about the declining standards of men's underwear that he has written to Sir Stuart Rose, the chief executive of M&S, detailing his "anxiety" about its gussets, which he said no longer offered "adequate support".

"Like very large numbers of men in this country, I have always bought my socks and pants at Marks & Sparks," he wrote. "I've noticed that something very troubling has happened. There's no other way to put this. Their pants no longer provide adequate support. When I've discussed this with friends and acquaintances it has revealed widespread gusset anxiety. I do feel that someone should take up this mighty battle.

I have to say I'm with him on this, on two counts:
1. I also buy my underwear in Mark's and its quality has been declining over the years, and
2. It gets the word 'gusset' in the broadsheets.

[via lmg]

Labels: Fashion, Gusset, Humour, News, Politics

:: Dan 23.1.08 [Arc] [1 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Americans seek international database to carry iris, palm and finger prints



"Although each participating country would manage and secure its own data, the sharing of personal data between countries is becoming an increasingly controversial area of police practice. There is political concern at Westminster about the public transparency of such cooperation."

Labels: ID, News, Politics

:: Dan 15.1.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"America has told Britain that it can “kidnap” British citizens if they are wanted for crimes in the United States. A senior lawyer for the American government has told the Court of Appeal in London that kidnapping foreign citizens is permissible under American law because the US Supreme Court has sanctioned it." read more

This story was published a month ago but I missed it at the time. Found on Hijack.

Labels: Amnesty, Freedom, News, Politics

:: Dan 11.1.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"Opinion is polarised. Some believe that the mass collaboration ethos that gave us Wikipedia and YouTube could also beneficially transform politics, the public sector and business, while others hold that it kills culture and undermines economies. Shane Richmond investigates"
[thanks to Tania for leaving a copy of the RSA Journal in the house]

Labels: FOSS, Media, Politics

:: Dan 10.1.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"The fun-loving Burmese regime has apparently found a non-violent method to restrict satellite TV access to foreign news services - hiking the cost of a licence by 16,700 per cent from 6000 kyat (£2.50) to 1m kyatt (£400, or "three times the average annual salary", as the BBC explains)."
[via The Register]

Labels: Amnesty, News, Politics

:: Dan 3.1.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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A business trust is looking at sites for a Christian showplace to challenge the theory of evolution

"The 5,000-capacity park will be the first of its kind in Britain, but not in the world. In Orlando, Florida, hundreds of thousands of visitors make pilgrimages to the Holy Land Experience, where they can see a bloodied Jesus forced to carry his cross by snarling Roman soldiers."


[source msnbc]

"By producing its own films, the trust believes it will be able to provide an antidote to modern culture. It says on its website: 'On television today there is so much sex and violence, it is no wonder our youth are binge drinking ... '"

I fail to see the logic there. And I'm not taking the quote out of context. (Unless the Observer have done that already, but I doubt they would need to.)

"'Evolution has falsely become the foundation of our society and we need the television studio to advocate Genesis across this land in order to remove this falsehood, which presently is destroying the church foundation.'

"The theme park's anti-evolution bias and its emphasis on Genesis has raised eyebrows among planning officials, according to Jones, who originally wanted to build the park at the site of an old B&Q store but was refused permission by the council.

"'Wigan council slammed the door in our faces. You mention the C [Christian] word, and people don't want to know,' Jones said."

Go Wigan!


[originally a b3ta image, sourced here, worth a read for a laugh]

Labels: News, Politics, Religion

:: Dan 17.12.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Labels: Environment, Politics, Video

:: Dan 15.12.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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I mentioned David Wachtenheim & Robert Marianetti's Saddam and Osama cartoon when I attended Inspirational International at the animation festival in 2005. At the time I called it, "an absolutely hilarious satire of US foreign policy and the supposed connection between their two greatest enemies." I've just found it on YouTube finally (its only been there a year), and although it doesn't work as well online as it did in a cinema packed with liberals at the hight of the Iraq conflict, it's still well worth a viewing.

Labels: Animation, Humour, Politics

:: Dan 13.12.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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FBI Hoped to Follow Falafel Trail to Iranian Terrorists

Like Hansel and Gretel hoping to follow their bread crumbs out of the forest, the FBI sifted through customer data collected by San Francisco-area grocery stores in 2005 and 2006, hoping that sales records of Middle Eastern food would lead to Iranian terrorists.

The idea was that a spike in, say, falafel sales, combined with other data, would lead to Iranian secret agents in the south San Francisco-San Jose area.

The brainchild of top FBI counterterrorism officials Phil Mudd and Willie T. Hulon, according to well-informed sources, the project didn’t last long. It was torpedoed by the head of the FBI’s criminal investigations division, Michael A. Mason, who argued that putting somebody on a terrorist list for what they ate was ridiculous — and possibly illegal.

[via dev.null]

Labels: Food, Humour, Politics

:: Dan 8.11.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Amnesty has infuriated the Vatican by expanding its definition of human rights to include access to abortion for rape victims and women whose health is at risk from giving birth. And about time too. The linked article explains the reasoning behind it well as well as giving some background behind the organisations soul searching of the last couple of years. There was more detail on this in the last issue of their magazine although I can't find the copy on line at the moment. I'll update this post if I find it.

Labels: Amnesty, News, Politics

:: Dan 13.8.07 [Arc] [1 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"Hitler's record collection contained recordings by Jewish and Russian musicians who were banished from the concert halls of the Third Reich. The revelation came after about a hundred of his gramophone records were discovered in the attic of a former Soviet intelligence officer." [RealAudio, skip to approx 18min in]

More: Times, Guardian

Goes to show how music transends belief and the inherent hyprocies that brings to surface.

Labels: Music, Politics

:: Dan 9.8.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Listen to yesterday's Talking Politics from Radio 4 for an incisive debate about the workings and biases of the BBC.

The ease with which they use the phrase 'groupthink' brings Orwell's Newspeak just a little too close for comfort.

Labels: BBC, Politics, Radio4

:: Dan 5.8.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Freegan.info
"Freegans are people who employ alternative strategies for living based on limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources. Freegans embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed."

Sounds great in principle but I wouldn't recommend going as far as eating out of supermarket bins. When I worked in a supermarket you couldn’t open the lid of the bin without retching. Given the choice I wouldn't go near one of those again never mind scamper around inside it like the image on the website gaily depicts.

Interviews from Radio 4:
"Tom Feilden reports on the political creed known as Freeganism which is based on the conviction that pretty much ever area of economic activity is based on some form of exploitation." [About 20 mins in here]
"We continue our discussion on Freegonism and are joined by Kevin Hawkins the director general of the British Retail Consortium." [About 10 mins in here]
And as an aside, "Research being conducted at the University of Hertfordshire suggests that robots can help children with autism form relationships. We speak to Dr Ben Robins who is leading the team." [About 10 mins in here]
[Real Audio links]

Dear Today programme,
Why have you stopped putting individual story links on your website? The half hour chunks are nowhere near as useful when sharing stories with others. Thanks.

Labels: Food, Politics, Radio4, science

:: Dan 31.5.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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"From Hitler to Pinochet and beyond, history shows there are certain steps that any would-be dictator must take to destroy constitutional freedoms. And, argues Naomi Wolf, George Bush and his administration seem to be taking them all."
[via dev.null]

So plausible as to be quite scary. You can see where Blair/the UK government have avoided the same risks (eg prisons) but have gone along with others (eg ID cards).

Now, how do you stop someone making that final step? They are just waiting for an opportunity, to move against it you would need to rebuild all of the erosion already caused.

Labels: News, Politics

:: Dan 25.4.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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The Imus vs Rutgers debate in the US at the moment has intrigued me. Some of the media there are playing the bigoted racist angle by selectively only using photographs of the female basketball team that only show black players, there are white players on the team too. They are quick to call Imus's comment – he called them "nappy headed hos" – racist and sexist, which it could be, or it could just be a very badly judged joke. I don't know.

(I'll quickly make the point here that I had never heard of Imus before this and my initially impression of him is that of someone I would dislike and would be unlikely to agree with.)

Parts of the media have then attempted to position his comment (and in part explain it) but showing use of similar phrases in gangster rap and saying that it's perfectly normal then. (I'm thinking of Channel 4 news in the UK when I say that.) Yet they never question the borderline racism in preventing white people using words that are seemingly acceptable from a black person (in my mind as long as the context is the same it should be ok) or the issue of the glorification of sexism and degradation of women in rap culture.

By using that phrase was he pointing out the inherent hypocrisy in the allowable use of language? Or intentionally trying to provoke a response? Or just being naïve? I think he might actual just be stupid, but calling for his resignation because of that is ignoring the bigger issue and exacerbating a double standard.

Labels: Feminism, News, Politics, Rasism

:: Dan 12.4.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Terry Jones on the Iranian treatment of captives
[via rms]

Labels: Amnesty, Humour, News, Politics

:: Dan 5.4.07 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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