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Become A Media Activist

chepchumba — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:30:11 +0000

Pointless Act of Violence

whitewraithe — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:19:03 +0000

While America's Races Keep Annihilating Each Other, Our Enemies Keep Winning

From my friend, INCOG MAN

Stupid Obama Girl Left Dead, Shot in the Head

Kirsten Brydum is described as a “free spirited community activist” by friends. She was apparently shot in the head for being white, while campaigning for Negro presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama.

EXPECT THIS STORY TO BE 100% CENSORED, COVERED UP, AND BLACKED OUT BY THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA.

From the Council of Conservative Citizens:

A 25 year old white female Obama campaigner was riding her bicycle in a virtually all black neighborhood of New Orleans. She was on a “cross country trek” to support Obama. So brainwashed by multi-cultural propaganda that this “community activist” thought nothing about venturing around a black NOLA neighborhood after dark. She was SHOT IN THE HEAD, and her body was left lying on the sidewalk.

Apparently it didn’t matter that she had come all the way from San Fransisco to campaign for Obama. She was just another white victim to the local residents. Local residents left her body lie on the sidewalk and didn’t even notify police. Her body sat for hours until it was seen by a construction crew that was there to gut houses damaged by Katrina.

Take a minute to imagine what would happen if a black woman campaigning for Obama had been found shot in the head in a white neighborhood. THIS WOULD THE LARGEST NEWS STORY IN THE WORLD!

Update: The San Fransisco Chronicle has posted a shameless and transparently disingenuous “tribute” to the murdered girl. Even though the New Orleans police have explicitly stated “robbery does not appear to be the motive,” the San Fransisco Chronicle used the headline “activist slain in New Orleans robbery.” Then it has the audacity to say she was “on vacation” in New Orleans! Who takes a vacation in a Hurricane ravaged all-black ghetto with possibly the highest murder rate in the Western Hemisphere?

Read the rest of this entry »

William Ayers, Barack Obama, Black Panthers and the Weathermen

goodtimepolitics — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:19:37 +0000

Initially formed as a splinter group which believed that peaceful protests were ineffective, the Weathermen were widely criticized for their use of violence as a means of social and political change.

But for the Weathermen, violent action was nothing short of necessary in a time of crisis, a last-ditch effort to grab the country’s attention. And grab attention they did—in March 1970, just days after Bernardine Dohrn publicly announced a “declaration of war.” When an accidentally detonated bomb killed three Weathermen in the basement of a Manhattan townhouse, the group suddenly became the target of an FBI manhunt, and members were forced to go into hiding. The bomb had been intended to be set off at a dance at a local Army base.

How did the Weathermen arrive at this point? Some of the group’s former members, interviewed in THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, cite the murder of Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark in a December 1969 Chicago police raid as a turning point. What many believed to be a government-sanctioned killing in an effort to wipe out militant groups such as the Panthers was, for the Weathermen, the final straw.

As the decade continued, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, an organization founded by Martin Luther King, Jr. in order to promote nonviolent protest, grew increasingly militant—as did the mostly white, middle-class “New Left,” which took cues from the civil rights movement, protested policies both home and abroad, and sparked factions like the Weathermen. By the late 1960s, activist movements had also mobilized among Asian Americans, Native Americans, Chicanos and Puerto Ricans, as well as a second wave of activism among women, gay and lesbians and the disabled.

Source: Click here to read more

Read here for more on this subject: McCain Gets the Long Knives Out for Obama
Click here for more on subject: New York Times reports liberal rage at Andy Martin’s comments on Fox News’ “Hannity’s America”

More on this subject: http://goodtimepolitics.com/2008/10/05/2288/

So the Black Panthers and William Ayers weathermen had strong ties, and Obama has strong ties with Ayers! Out of all this came By the late 1960s, activist movements had also mobilized among Asian Americans, Native Americans, Chicanos and Puerto Ricans, as well as a second wave of activism among women, gay and lesbians and the disabled. Sounds like Barack Obama's campaign does it not? Socialist at work! Barack Obama in my opinion is more or less keeping up the protest and thats could be why he is running for president! What do you think?

AN ACTIVE VISION: BEVERLY UMEHARA...LABOR ACTIVIST...1945-1999

liachang — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:16:46 +0000

[caption id="attachment_177" align="alignright" width="400" caption="(l-r) Bev Umehara with daughters Tami Chang, Karina Umehara, Lia Chang and Marissa Chang-Flores in San Francisco c1998."][/caption]

It's been nine years since my mother died and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her. I celebrate her today by posting an article I wrote shortly after her death, highlighting her achievements as an Asian American Union Activist.

When the paramedics brought my mother to UC-California Medical Center on October 2 with a brain aneurysm, the doctors said she wouldn’t make it through the night. They didn’t know my mother. She hung on while my sister Tami and I rushed from New York to the hospital, and we were able to hold her hands when she finally slipped away. That was our mom, Beverly Umehara, a women warrior holding court even in the last hours of her 53 years of life.

My mother was a remarkable woman with an indomitable spirit and movie star looks. A social butterfly, she was the embodiment of energy, warmth, and vitality. Born in San Francisco on December 18, 1945, Bev (as her friends and family called her) was the eldest daughter of Nancy Chang, a beautician and Harry Kai Chong Chang, a merchant seaman. She grew up very poor in the vibrant SF Chinatown community.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about her career was that calling came relatively late in life, at 47, when she made a sudden transformation from a humble, hardworking secretary and mother of four, into a labor activist, a respected union leader, and a role model for rank-and-file workers, women of color, and for all Asian Pacific Americans.

I was fortunate enough to sit down with my mother in 1998, to hear her share the roots of her activist drive: “In 1992, as a secretary and assistant to the head of the California Labor Federation, I attended a reception announcing the formation of the first organization of Asian American trade unionists, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO,” she said. “There was a steering committee composed of over 40 Asian Americans of different unions from all over the United States, some rank-and-file, and some in leadership positions within their unions. APALA’s emerging mission was to increase the number of Asian American leaders in the labor movement, to advance the rights of immigrants, and to help Asian Pacific Americans who were trying to organize into unions and gain a voice in the workplace. I didn’t know anything like this existed and was impressed. I had waited over 20 years for direction like this; I knew I had to be at APALA’s Founding Convention in Washington, D.C.”

Against all odds she made her way to that convention. She described how enthralling it was for her to be with so many Asian American union activists, like steering committee chair Katie Quan, a leading organizer of garment workers; Kent Wong, a brilliant young labor activist at UCLA; Guy Fujimura, Secretary-Treasurer of the powerful International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local in Hawaii; and Gloria Caoile, a leading Filipina activist and assistant to the head of AFSCME, a million-member union of government workers.

Bev returned to SF committed to APALA’s agenda, and helped establish the San Francisco chapter of APALA where she was elected Chapter Secretary. She told me her knees were knocking when she made her first speech to the California Workers Assistant Program, but her passion drove her on, pushing her to continue to take on leadership roles.

In 1995, she was elected to APALA’s National Executive Board, and was appointed as president of the San Francisco Chapter. As president, she led the San Francisco Chapter of APALA in forming lasting community-labor coalitions that worked against anti-labor, anti-affirmative action and anti-immigrant ballot initiatives on the California ballot. Under her leadership, the chapter recruited new Asian Pacific American union organizers, assisted workers seeking to form unions, participated in local community struggles, and engaged in non-partisan voter registration and “get out the vote” efforts.

Her colleagues on the National Executive Board were aware of Bev’s powerful work, and her evolution as a leader. At the APALA national convention in August, 1999, she was awarded the ART Takei Leadership Award, named after the pioneering Nisei activist who first became a union organizer in the 1950’s after learning about injustice in the internment camps.

As she stepped up to the podium to accept the award, she held the audience spellbound as she spoke from the heart saying, “I believe that I am currently living the vision. While growing up as a third-generation Chinese American, Chinese daughters were not taught to have vision. This award is proof that progress has been made. Not only am I a woman but I am an Asian American woman activist, and proud of it!”

Chatting with U.S. Representative Patsy Mink at the end of the evening, the congresswoman told my mother she should run for office; that she had what it took to be a true leader. I believe that Congresswoman Mink was right: whatever the future would have held for my mother, it would have been bright. And it would have involved workers, especially immigrants, who are exploited in the workplace. I have lost my mother but she enriched so many lives that the Asian American community and the labor movement lost one of its leading voices and spirits.

(Originally published in the March, 2000 edition of A Magazine.)

STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA AT THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LABOR ALLIANCE 5th CONVENTION & BIENNIAL BANQUET in Washington D.C. on August 6, 1999.

China Should Immediately Release Jailed Olympics Dissident Hu Jia, Says HRW

chinaview — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:36:14 +0000

Human Rights Watch-

(New York, October 2, 2008) – The Chinese government should immediately exonerate or grant medical parole to imprisoned human rights activist Hu Jia, Human Rights Watch said just ahead of the sixth-month anniversary of his flawed conviction. Human Rights Watch also called on the government to cease the harassment and surveillance of Hu’s wife Zeng Jinyan and infant daughter Qianci.

A leading HIV/AIDS advocate, Hu Jia became an outspoken critic of human rights abuses related to the preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was sentenced to a three-and-a-half-year prison term on April 3, 2008, for “inciting subversion against the state.” Authorities have limited his access to his lawyer, thus violating Hu’s fundamental rights and resulting in proceedings that did not meet international fair trial standards. He suffers from liver cirrhosis linked to chronic hepatitis B infection.

“Hu Jia was incarcerated for doing nothing more than exercising rights expressly guaranteed by China’s constitution,” said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “If the government won’t exonerate Hu, it should at least release him to get proper medical care.”

Hu, a long-time activist who originally focused on violations of the rights of Chinese citizens infected with HIV/AIDS, was formally arrested on January 30, 2008. He was charged with “incitement to subvert state power,” which criminalizes criticism of the government and the Communist Party of China. Hu’s criticisms included a September 2007 letter written with Teng Biao, a fellow human rights activist and leading civil rights lawyer, entitled “The Real China and the Olympics.” The letter detailed specific and wide-ranging violations of human rights by the government, and called on the international community to hold Beijing to the promises it made when bidding to host the Olympic Games, including improving human rights.

Human Rights Watch said that Hu’s arrest and conviction was part of a systematic crackdown on Chinese citizens critical of human rights abuses linked to the preparations for the 2008 Beijing Games. Other activists targeted by the Chinese government include Yang Chunlin, a property rights activist detained in July 2007 for his involvement in a petition, “We Want Human Rights, Not the Olympics,” signed by farmers protesting land seizures; Ye Guozhou, serving a four-year prison sentence for organizing protests against Olympics-related forced evictions; and Wang Ling, sentenced to 15 months of “re-education” in November 2007 for opposing demolition of her property for an Olympics-related project.

Hu’s wife, Zeng Jinyan, has documented the decline in Hu’s health since his arrest in December on her blog. But, despite a 2006 diagnosis by Beijing’s Ditan Hospital of “acute liver cirrhosis,” the Chinese government in June 2008 rejected Zeng’s April 2008 application for Hu’s medical parole. Authorities told Zeng that Hu is not “critically ill,” and that any such applications can only be filed after he has served one-third of his sentence. On July 25, 2008, Zeng wrote that “[Hu’s] eyesight had declined greatly in his time at the detention centre. … [He] also said that because his right hand was handcuffed so tightly, it was digging into his flesh, and leaving marks.” On September 16, 2008, a national security officer told Zeng that medical parole for Hu was impossible because he had been “disobedient” and refused to be “quiet,” thus violating prison rules.

On September 8, 2008, Zeng also noted in a blog entry that prison authorities were confiscating letters that Hu had written and that they were refusing to allow Zeng and other relatives to visit Hu in line with prison regulations. Zeng said that police had told her they were linking an improvement in Hu’s prison conditions with an end to his activism for better conditions inside the prison. “He had put forward suggestions about how to improve the prison, and he wouldn’t drop the issue of human rights, thus making things difficult for the prison’s staff and management,” Zeng wrote in her blog.

Zeng has been under house arrest in Beijing since May 18, 2007, and continues to be the target of police surveillance along with her 10-month-old daughter Qianci. House arrest without charge is an extrajudicial punishment that has no legal basis in either Chinese or international law. Beijing police, who closely monitor Zeng’s activities and restrict her movement outside her apartment, escorted her and her daughter from their home on August 7, 2008, the day before the start of the Beijing Olympics, and kept her incommunicado in the coastal city of Dalian until August 23, the day before the end of the Beijing Games. “For 16 days, I knew nothing of what was going on in the world,” Zeng wrote in her blog. “Home remains the same – there are still plainclothes police officers in the courtyard and at all the exits.”

“The authorities’ relentless harassment of Zeng Jinyan and her young daughter not only violates their basic rights, but is essentially collective punishment for Hu Jia’s activities,” said Richardson. “Is this Beijing’s definition of the ‘rule of law?’”

- China: Release Jailed Rights Activist Hu Jia, by Human Rights Watch

5-day Traditional Chinese Performing Arts Wraps up Successful Toronto Run

chinaview — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:35:33 +0000

Epoch Times Staff Oct 1, 2008 -

: (Victor Chen/The Epoch Times)

Celebrities, politicians, artists and CEOs alike were captivated by the Mid-Autumn Spectacular, a Chinese cultural show that just completed a five-day run at Toronto’s John Bassett Theatre.

The force behind the Spectacular is the New York-based Divine Performing Arts, a group of leading artists who have been reviving China’s ancient culture using the best of traditional Chinese performing arts.

Olympic figure skating champion Elvis Stojko, who attended Saturday night’s performance, said after the show that “everything was impressive.”

“I felt a sense of happiness and a sense of peace when I finished watching the whole thing,” said Stojko.

“It’s a breath of fresh air and there’s a great lyricism and a great sense of, how can I put it, there’s that delicacy to the way that the dances are done.”

Fashion designer Dan Liu, creator of the Tatsuaki fashion line sold at Holt Renfrew, said the Spectacular will inspire his next collection.

"The show is spectacular. I was surprised, honestly. I can only say — stunning, I must repeat again — I’m stunned,” said Liu.

“Trust me, the costumes gave me a lot of ideas for my next collection. I’m going to design more Chinese-style dresses and outfits. They looked fantastic. Tonight I’m going to go home and go back to my office and just close the windows, close the doors, and just start drawing.”

Vanessa Harwood, a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, is also a choreographer, artistic director, teacher and actor. It was Ms Harwood’s second time seeing the Spectacular.

“I enjoyed it again very much. As you know it’s my second time and once again I’m still taken with my Mongolian dancers. They’re still my favourite even though the whole program was very delightful. And the two MC’s were great too ... very funny.”

Ms. Harwood said it was “very nice” to see Michelle Ren, one of the principal dancers in the Spectacular.

“She’s beautiful. She was delightful, very passionate. She has more experience and you can feel that in her portrayals of some of the more emotional things.”

Ms. Harwood attended the show with her friend, Nadia Potts, director of Ryerson’s Dance Program and also a former principal dancer in the National Ballet.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Ms. Potts. “I was impressed by the ardency and the passion of the dancers and how beautifully rehearsed they are. They all seem to really enjoy what they’re doing.”

The two also shared their observations on some of the unique characteristics of Chinese classical dance.

“The feet are very different, and the hands and everything because it’s all very specific – where the hands go, the way the arms are held, where the head is held and so on. And they’re very true to it ... It was beautiful,” said Ms. Harwood.

“Everything has meaning,” added Ms. Potts. “Sometimes we miss that in today’s performers.”

...... (more details)

Canada has Anti-Gay Politicians Too......and They Want Us Dead

snaketat — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 22:28:24 +0000

[caption id="attachment_269" align="aligncenter" width="280" caption="This Man Wants Gays DEAD!"][/caption]

Check out this link. The LGBT population of Canada, has to deal with right-wing politicians who hate gays too. This guy told 200 kids at a candidates forum that GAYS should be KILLED.

Canadian Pol Wants Gays Dead

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIVA

snaketat — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:56:01 +0000

I know I have posted a number of KIVA related things recently. Please consider helping other through this method. Following are some facts---to show that you will be in good company.

And don't forget, with the KIVA TEAMS concept, you can group your loans with those of other GLBT folks and show the impact our community can have on the world.

Total value of all loans made through Kiva: $45,214,335
Number of Kiva Lenders: 343,405
Number of loans that have been funded through Kiva: 63,404
Percentage of Kiva loans which have been made to women entrepreneurs: 77.68%
Number of Kiva Field Partners (microfinance institutions Kiva partners with): 90
Number of countries Kiva Field Partners are located in: 42
Current repayment rate (all partners): 98.62%
Current default rate (all partners): 1.38%
Average size of loan for funding: $459.08
Average total amount loaned per Kiva Lender (includes reloaned funds): $131.60
Average number of loans per Kiva Lender: 3.50
Cumulative Volume of Loans Made Through Kiva as of 2/29/08.

Fact Sheet
Kiva is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, incorporated in November 2005.
"Kiva" is a Swahili word which means "unity" or "agreement".
Kiva is the world's first online micro-lending platform.
Kiva was co-founded by Matt and Jessica Flannery, when they were 28 and 27 respectively.
Previously, Kiva CEO and Co-Founder Matt Flannery was an engineer at Tivo. Premal Shah, Kiva President, was a product manager at PayPal.
PayPal provides Kiva with free payment processing. Kiva's is the first account at PayPal with a free payment processing agreement.
The minimum amount that can be loaned to an entrepreneur on Kiva is $25.
Kiva partners with microfinance institutions around the world, referred to on the Kiva website as Field Partners.
Recipients of a Kiva Loan are referred to as "entrepreneurs", contributors to a Kiva Loan are referred to as "Kiva Lenders".
Anyone with an email address can create a Kiva Account. Anyone who can make payments using a credit card or PayPal account can be a Kiva Lender.
Currently, Kiva Lenders can only receive 0% interest on their loan. Kiva hopes to allow Field Partners to offer non-zero interest rates to Kiva Lenders soon.
Kiva is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
Kiva currently employs 24 full-time and 9 part-time staff members.

About "Helden Galerie"

heldengalerie — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:26:15 +0000

"Helden Galerie" is the dream of an American photographer from New York City who is currently living and working in Hamburg Germany. "Helden Galerie" in English means "Hero's Gallery". It's mission is to help raise much needed capital for the worlds charitable non-profit organizations. In doing so "Helden Galerie" hopes to aid these organizations to continue their individual missions which include environmental, conservation, education, housing the homeless, feeding the starving, providing medical aid, disaster relief, medical research, clean energy research, etc.

It has been said that "Artist will save the world". Well this just may be the way it is saved.

"Helden Galerie" is entered in the Google "Project 10 to the 100th" www.project10tothe100.com ; names at Google involved with the contest: Bethany Poole, product marketing manager at Google, Andy Berndt, managing director of Google's Creative Lab.

"Helden Galerie" as a non-profit charitable organization would sell donated Fine Art Photography, donating 50% of the proceeds to the worlds non-profit charitable organizations. Here is where the Hero part comes in. "Helden Galerie" receives donated Fine Art Photography from world class international photographers, new up and coming photographers as well as celebrity photographers. "Helden Galerie" would offer this art for sale, donating a total of 50% to non-profits and charities. The artist directs 25% of the sale from his/her donated photographic art to the charity or nonprofit organization of his/her choice. The art buyer when purchasing an image from "Helden Galerie" also chooses a charity or nonprofit organization to receive 25% of the proceeds from the purchase of the art. In doing so both, the artist photographer and the art buyer, become Hero's. The art that is sold is not just beautiful to the buyer but also to those who are helped as a result of its sale. This is truly "The art of Compassion". Please tell your friends to support this dream.

If you would like to support "Helden Galerie" you can leave pledges supporting the idea either on this blog or by contacting Google and supporting the idea. If you are a photographer you may donate a photo art series or a single motive to "Helden Galerie" for sale. If you work for a charity, non-profit organization or you support one and you would like to register it with "Helden Galerie" please enter the information at the end of your comment post. If you would like to invest capital, "Helden Galerie" will soon have a page where this will be possible. Please keep checking back for information concerning being able to make cash donations.

"Helden Galerie" will be coming live onto computers around the world very soon. Thanks for your support.

Christopher St. John

Founder of "Helden Galerie"

Kirsten Brydum, Rest In Peace

marcflores — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:53:43 +0000

Life is certainly a precious gift, as cliché as that may seem, but for Kirsten Brydum life was cut far too short. At the young age of 25, Kirsten had already accomplished so much and undoubtedly changed many lives. She was an activist in San Francisco, and by a simple Google search, it's easy to see how much she will be missed. Kristen, the organizer of Really Really Free Market in San Francisco, was brutally murdered in the city of New Orleans on September 26, 2008. The murderer fired several shots into Kristen's head after a robbery attempt, making it difficult for her to be identified. The killer is still out on the loose.

This is a sad reminder of just how wicked the world can be, so I hope that everyone can do their part in making life a little easier for everyone. Let's not let Kirsten's death be in vain and certainly do not let a tragedy be the only thing that motivates us to do good whenever we can. Appreciate life, appreciate your friends and family, and most of all appreciate your fellow human beings. Hit the following links for more information regarding Kirsten's life, her contributions to humanity, and for her memorial.

Virtual Memories

Ryan Is Hungry

SF Gate

China Dissident Hu Jia Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

chinaview — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:18:05 +0000

By Lillian Chang, Epoch Times Staff Sep 30, 2008 -

Chinese dissident Hu Jia has been nominated for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, but it is unlikely he will be able to receive the prize should he win.

Mr Hu, who became an activist advocating for rural aid sufferers, has become one of the most internationally recognised human rights advocates in China today. However, he has been in detention since earlier this year.

Suggestions that a Chinese dissident has been nominated, has also brought condemnation from Chinese authorities who say Beijing will not be happy should Mr Hu be selected.

Hu Jia, a democracy, environmental and AIDS activist was first detained in July 2006, when he was on the way to Europe with his pregnant wife Zeng Jinyan to promote a film they had both made about being activists in modern China.

The couple remained under house arrest until December last year, at which point Mr Hu was removed to a detention centre.

In April this year, he was officially charged and found guilty of “inciting subversion of state power” for criticising the Chinese Communist Party. He is now serving a three-and-a-half year sentence in Tianjin prison, not far from Beijing.

Reports from unnamed sources say he has been put into solitary confinement and his health is suffering.

Zeng Jinyan and baby remained under house arrest until the week before the Olympics at which point neighbours reported her disappearance. She has not been seen since.

Zeng was named one of Time Magazines 100 most influential people in 2006 for her blog detailing her life as an activist.

Nobel Peace Prize

Rumours that Mr Hu had been nominated for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, which is to be announced in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on October 10, surfaced last week when a number of selectors hinted that a Chinese dissident could be the winner.

Janne Haaland Matlary, professor of international politics at Oslo University, suggested that it could be time a Chinese dissident received an award for their advocacy of human rights, although she suggested that a Russian rights activist was also in the running.

Head of Oslo’s International Peace Research Institute Stein Toennesson, however, was more specific saying jailed democracy activist Hu Jia would be his first choice for nomination.

According to Reuters, Chinese authorities have reacted with customary posturing saying Beijing would not welcome a Chinese dissident winning the award.

“So we hope that related parties make the correct choice on this issue and do not do anything that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao was reported as saying.

There has been only one award linked to China in the 107 year history of the Nobel Peace Prize. That was 19 years ago when the Dalai Lama was selected as the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

- The Epochtimes

NFFTY News | National Film Festival for Talented Youth

brandibratrude — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:55:19 +0000

The National Film Festival for Talented Youth has some news!

Check out the NFFTY Newsletter for updates on
*Voter Registration Rallies
*Film Premieres and film screenings
*The new NFFTY social network and
*NFFTY 09 Call For Entries

I Hate Sarah Palin

crustyriotgrrl — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:44:52 +0000

It's true. I know this may be confusing. For some reason, I've consistently been questioned by why I do not like her. She has a vulva, so we must have things in common, right? Actually, not much more than that 2nd X chromosome. Here are a few things that I know about Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin:

- Elected as Governor in 2006 and previous political history includes being mayor of her hometown of about 6,700 people (Wasilla)
- Youngest person and first female to become Governor of Alaska
- Strongly opposes abortion, even in cases of rape, incest and when the woman's life is in danger
- Has a lifelong membership with the NRA
- Enjoys slaughtering animals for sport and helped Alaska to sue over polar bears being declared endangered because it would "cripple offshore oil and gas development"
- Supported Alaskan legislature that would allow wolves to be hunted from airplanes
- Believes marriage to be solely between one man and one woman
- Free market capitalist
- Part of the Alaskan Independence Party, who would like to secede from the United States
- Chief achievement in any office was 2006 award from the National Arbor Day Foundation
- Currently under investigation by state lawmakers over the dismissal of a public safety commissioner, who allegedly did not fire her ex-brother-in-law, a state trooper who is currently in a custody battle with her younger sister
- Married to a BP oil field production operator
- Claims to be unaware of Wasilla policy on treating rape victims that would charge them up to $1200 to be able to obtain a DNA evidence kit in order to put their attacker to justice
- Lies about Alaska supplying 20% of U.S. energy
- "When asked last month about the vice presidency, she said, "I still can't answer that question until someone answers for me: What is it exactly that the VP does every day?" When asked about Iraq, she said, "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq."" [Source]

Palin's gender has nothing to do with her political background. I thought Obama's rep was meager until I heard about this woman. She is wholly inexperienced and has never dealt with big issues such as foreign policy. There is no doubt that she will attempt to work with McCain in order to achieve his dream of overturning Roe v. Wade as well as making sure that gay rights are not synonymous with civil rights. She is an animal killer who is married to a fucking oil field producer; think the situation about renewable energy will get any better? She openly admits to not knowing anything about what the VP even does! Have we ever elected a male as president who has done the same?

It is blatantly obvious that she was chosen as a running mate to give McCain one last headliner over Obama as well as attempt to win over Hillary supporters. His choice of Palin was purely positive discrimination. McCain was surrounded by plenty of experienced politicians and yet, he picked the girl just to give his ticket some good ol' diversity as well. McCain is not progressive or a political "maverick". His campaign is sexist and just struggling to adapt to the standards that Obama's nomination has set. Even the National Organization for Women is endorsing Obama!

I am a hardcore feminist but I rue the day that this woman steps foot into the White House.

Other helpful sources:

***Women Against Sarah Palin.org***
FactCheck.org
Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention
Palin's Biography
Women Against Sarah Palin Blog
Examining Palin's Record on Violence Against Women
'Sarah Palin Feminism'? More Like Sarah Palin Sexism
Sarah Palin's History of Indifference to Sexual Assault

Some of your comments

davidhernandez — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:27:20 +0000

Marie San Pedro

Posted: 09:30 am [PST] on September 30 2008

It is awful that Senior Citizens have to buy the cable box then worry how to connect the thing. GIVE US A BREAK

Ana Trinidad

Posted: 09:26 am [PST] on September 30 2008

Public Access Channels are the only ones not owned by big corporations. It is the only media format where the people actually mandate what is being fed to them. It is a platform for community organizing and expression. Without which, many would have little to no contact or context to what really goes on in marginalized communities which unfortunately are primarily of color. You will be doing a great disservice to youth and fledgling producers, who like myself would have never had the opportunity or the access to video equipment.

alan gorg venice, california

Posted: 08:47 am [PST] on September 30 2008

Public access provide the only TV not censored by companies or government. Stopping it is an attack on freedom of speech and the welfare of the public.

Jennifer Reed San Fernando Valley

Posted: 08:11 am [PST] on September 30 2008

THIS is definitely a LOSE-LOSE for the PEOPLE of Los Angeles. City Council is VIOLATING the spirit of PUBLIC ACCESS -- you need to REDO this legislation and reinstate the public airwaves NOT controlled by the CITY. You took away something that belonged to THE PEOPLE. Shame on the legislators who thought that cable companies could just write a check and wash their hands of this responsibility. This isn't a "revenue source" for CITY GOVERNMENT. This is a benefit for the PEOPLE who should have public access free from government control. Don't SHUT DOWN MY public access stations.

Jack Kennedy MA

Posted: 09:06 am [PST] on September 29 2008

The situation in LA is a dark reminder that municipalities are as big an impediment to cable access TV as are the cable and phone companies.

RB Wis

Posted: 07:43 am [PST] on September 29 2008

You might want to tell the folks out there about YouTube. It's the new way for the public to express themselves and not be limited to the boundaries of cable TV.

I produced programs for public access for nearly 3 years and got feedback from about 3 people; which is typical for producers. I was on the board for about 3 more years and heard occasionally from people complaining how awful public access was while others that didn't watch it were praising the value of it. But then I went to YouTube, and Revver, and BlipTV, and several others to get lots and lots of feedback and actual reports showing people were watching. I like the feedback.

I think public access is great, but the times are a changing. I don't produce for public access anymore. I don't need it, and I didn't watch the video above on public access - I watched it on this new thing called the Internet. That's were television is migrating to, so I suggest checking out the migration route.

Moira Foxe Redondo Beach

Posted: 05:30 pm [PST] on September 28 2008

Public Access survival should be a priority for any public official!

Bob Boermeester Massachusetts

Posted: 10:27 am [PST] on September 28 2008

Remember who elected you! Stop trying to silence the public by eliminating public access television or we, the public, will silence you by voting you out of office. We can speak louder than you.

World Vegetarian Day

homoeconomicusnet — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:58:05 +0000

Today sees the kick off for Vegetarian Awareness Month on what is known today as World Vegetarian Day (WVD) - which unlike WMD has the capacity to make the world a better place for everyone, humans and animals alike.

Started in 1977 it is a chance to get involved, whether it is just going veggie for the day, holding a party, getting to know the issues, or to make a positive change beyond the month. Thing is to have fun with it, and celebrate a life style in harmony with sustainable living and being green. Whatever you do enjoy, and get involved. Here are some ideas.

To see events happening in the world check out the International Vegetarian Union.

Leave a comment to say how you will be celebrating and share ideas.

OTHER BLOGS:

Going one step further: Vegetarianism

Blog Hate Mail: How Liberals Deal With Critics, and How I Deal With Them

gotea — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:52:30 +0000

You know I love when people post comments. Sure I get the normal amount of spam like any other blogger, but I never deny a opposing opinion a voice. I am pretty confident I am correct most of the time. I thought I would share with you one of our most vocal word press liberal "Obama Disciples" e-mail response to a comment I made on a recent post. I can honestly say it was probably quite innoculous. I don't drop poo in other peoples backyards. So here is her response e-mail with highlighted insults. (I am not even going to print your real name.)

Title: Hi Stupid

Did you come to my site to show you were simply or just to show in your world of stupid you thought what you said represent wit? Don’t bother to answer, I’ve dealt with your juvenile kind before.

If that video was speaking about me then I know for sure they included your mother, father and grandparents as well. Although how one can derive at that conclusion I will leave to you since you are so utterly stupid.

You can vote for who ever you want because I already know you are too dumb to find out a thing about either candidate. In your pathetic attempt to show your rage you gave me a laugh. You can hate me all you want that’s what most juvenile’s do. I’m an adult and do not have time for childish games from the immature. Go scream at your mommy or daddy and bless them with your undeniable wit (ha). The rest of the world have no time for petty conversations with wannabe adults.

Ok, anyone who has been to my blog can probably figure out I am an adult. That is kind of a softball. What strikes me as amazing about this person and her like, is the rage and piss poor skills at honest debate. The problem is the Liberal Rage issue facing the blog-sphere. It is just plain loony. This blogger who goes under the name chamay.....(somethingorother), is so invested in the Obama gleam that she may actually explode. She makes Al Sharpton seem reasonable. I really feel for this person. There is actual hate in her heart for anyone who supports any other candidate than Barak Obama. When Barak Obama loses this election there will need to be a mass deprogramming of his supporters. They have so invested themselves in the Hate-Change Movement( or Cult) they will become ticking time bombs of negativity. It is a great thing that many political newcomers have gotten involved via their own blog. It will be even better when those same people invest the time and effort to educate themselves in the areas of political ideals and principals.

In closing, if a liberal has an issue with my retroconservative agenda please feel free to post a comment. it will be approved then decimated in a public forum. Obama is wrong for this country. I stand by that with good reason. I have always found when directly debating or responding to a person, never use the word stupid, or bring family members into it. I still honestly have no clue what this wingnut is talking about, and I may be better for it.

Only a liberal would bring a knife to a gun fight.

October is LGBT History Month

snaketat — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:26:02 +0000

October is LGBT History Month. This is a good time to reflect on all the progress that Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Trans Activists have made throughout the years. Much that is good about gay life in the 21st century can be traced to the actions of some very brave and dedicated leaders.

This link will take you to a web site where you can learn about the people who have stood up for our rights.

Each day in October an individual is recognized for their efforts. Please visit each day and learn more about the history of the LGBT movement.

GAY HISTORY MONTH

National Coming Out Day is October 11

snaketat — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:17:27 +0000

Welcome to the Premier Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Information Site!

haloofembers — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:59:56 +0000

First off, welcome to my site.

Secondly, you're in the right place. You know how I know this? Because this site is the center of everything related to being an LGBT activist, a LGTB supporter, or just an LGBT person, anything you want to know can be found here. And if you can't find it, e-mail me, and I'll put it up.

I guess a good place to start would be with me. There's not too much to me, I guess. As of right now, I'm enrolled as a full time college student. I work at Vector Marketing Corporation (which I'm bound to post at least a few articles on), and I'm double majoring in Psychology and Business. I'm single-handedly paying my way through school, as well as running a not-for-profit organization known as the Berrien County Gay-Straight Alliance. It has around 50 members, and it's been incredibly successful in our little farming community.

The reason I started this site was quite simple: I want to pass on all the knowledge I've gained over the past year with other people who want to start changing the world around them. When I began to dream of having a group such as a GSA, I didn't find much about it online. There were a few sites, and those few sites helped me to form a basic outline for our group. Since then, I've gained so much knowledge from our group, as well as from speakers who visited and organizations that lent help.

Since the start of the group, things had been running pretty strongly. We held a dance in July, and it was a huge hit. But then I ran smack-dab into a huge wall; I graduated, and half of the group moved onto colleges across Michigan, and the other half were still in High School, too busy with sports and jobs to care too much anymore.

So here I am, trying to teach other up-and-coming LGBT activists the trade. It's not that hard, and by the end of my "course", you'll be ready to take on anything.
Halo

LGBT TEAM on KIVA LOANS OVER $10,000 in LESS THAN 30 DAYS

snaketat — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:06:44 +0000

The LGBT community has shown that helping others is a priority. If you have not heard of KIVA, please go to this site and learn more. SImply, this is a way for folks with plenty to help those with little.

KIVA makes loans to people in many nations who are trying to work their way out of poverty. You can help directly with a small ($25) loan.

Recently KIVA has created a team structure. This allows people with a common interest to group together.

No doubt, the LGBT team on KIVA is growing quickly. The 200+ members have raised over ten thousand dollars as a group---and the group has existed less than a month.

Please join. I can't think of a better way to invest $25 in the world.

KIVA LGBT TEAM

North Carolina Sodomy Law History

snaketat — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:17:16 +0000

Some North Carolina history that is not taught in Middle School.

Sodomy laws were added to NC state law in the post-revolutionary era.

1912 was the first year that a sodomy case was brought to trial.

In 1914 oral sex was added to the general category of sodomy crimes and "crimes against nature"

The year 1919 gave courts the opportunity to call for sterilization as part of the punishment for sodomy. By the late 40's several thousand people had been sterilized.

CURRENT STATUS IN NC

Sodomy Law

The United States Constitution forbids criminal prosecution based on a status or condition rather than an act. Therefore, homosexuality as such is not and cannot be made illegal in North Carolina or any other state. Despite this, some politicians and members of the public still believe that homosexuality is outlawed. For example, during the 1985 General Assembly, Rep. Michael Decker introduced a bill to outlaw gay/lesbian groups in the University of North Carolina system, asserting that by allowing such groups, the university system was "aiding and abetting a felony." In 1999, a state senate hearing on a bill to reform the Crime Against Nature (CAN) law, Sen. Jim Forrester asked if the bill would "legalize homosexuality." And the 1995 General Assembly passed an "abstinence before marriage" law, N.C.G.S. ' 115C(e1)(3), that requires schools that provide AIDS education to teach students about the current legal status of same-sex activity. The bill’s sponsors apparently believed that all homosexual acts are illegal in North Carolina.

Although North Carolina does have a law on the books barring certain sexual acts (please see the section "Crime Against Nature," below), the act does not draw a distinction between hetero- and homosexual performance of these acts. Of greater legal significance, however, in the 2003 case Lawrence v. Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional for states to prohibit acts such as oral and anal sex between consenting adults, regardless of sex or marital status, in the privacy of their own homes. As North Carolina legislators have yet to repeal the statute in Lawrence’s wake, it remains to be seen whether courts will allow prosecution of CAN arrests made for sexual activity taking place in public places.

In a Nutshell

Due to the recent U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas, it is legal to have oral or anal sex with a consenting adult in private. It is also legal to ask someone to have oral or anal sex with you if it is clear that the acts will take place in private.

Law enforcement officers in North Carolina are still arresting people under the CAN law for having for having oral or anal sex in public. They may also continue to arrest people under the CAN law for having oral or anal sex with a minor, with an incapacitated or disabled adult incapable of consent, or for material gain (prostitution). However, it remains to be seen whether, in light of Lawrence, the higher state courts will allow prosecutors to charge people with CAN for these activities.

You may still be arrested for SOLCAN for asking someone to have oral or anal sex with you in public (or even in an "unspecified place") or for offering money for oral or anal sex. Again, it remains to be seen whether courts would allow prosecution.

CAN and SOLCAN cases are often very difficult for the estate to win if the defendant does not plead guilty and the case goes to trial. If you are arrested for CAN or SOLCAN, a lawyer can help you weigh your options.

If you are arrested for CAN or SOLCAN, do not give the officers any more information than your name or address.

I am an Activist.

vlmarie — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:20:59 +0000

The statements to which I answered in the "Let's Get Political" quiz determined me as an ''Activist", which to my belief is not completely concise. According to the description of an Activist in wordpress.com, they are those who "care passionately about political and social issues, and do care enough to do something about it." They are people who tend to make differences through voting, and exerting effort toward activities that help shape their communities. I think that I am more of an "Explorer", which desrcibes them as those who want to know basic details concerning candidates, campaigns and issues. I find myself laying within that range of political engagement.

Being a participant and member of Bishop Amat's JSA (Junior State of America) organization is one evidence that backs up my involvement and interest.

So, if you enjoy political and social issues, and are fascinated with debate, join our school's JSA today!

Organizations like JSA enable high school students of demonstrating their civic engagement. Other ways that we can all show our involvement, other than voting on Election Day may include showing support toward our local government, being aware of recent events that affect us, fighting for causes we hold a passion for, making a difference in people's lives through donations, dedidication toward local charities and organizations, making a better effort throughout our workplaces and school, etc. Any form of occurence that changes and effects a cause for the better!

Start getting involved :]