Speaking of PSY and Things Wrong With America!:

Check out this feisty comment by Glenn Greenwald with the Guardian:

The PSY scandal: singing about killing people v. constantly doing it

Americans would benefit from less outrage at anti-US sentiment and more energy toward understanding why it's so widespread

He suggests a lot more than I have the balls to. He's also got a great George Washington quote i'll take the liberty to cut and paste:

Actually, I'll also include a paragraph of his sentiments, for those too lazy to click a hyperlink:

If you want your country to rule the world as an aggressive and militaristic empire, then accept the inevitable consequence of that: that there will be huge numbers of people in the world who resent and even hate your country for that behavior. Don't cheer while your country constantly kills, invades, occupies, and dominates the internal affairs of countless other nations - and then expect to be liked. Immorality aside, producing this reaction is one reason not to do such things. This kind of imperial behavior, inevitably and in every era, generates extreme levels of animosity and, ultimately, returned violence. That's why George Washington, in his 1796 Farewell Address, warned against all of this:

"[N]othing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. . . .

"Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests."

... Sorry, GW.

Art's Disturbing Sometimes .2

(Sometimes it's not even really art, it's just purposed craftwork.) 

The Collapse of the American Dream Explained in Animation:

The Rise of the Globalized Dream Explained in Korean/Dance: 

The juxtaposition of these two things is happenstancial, and therefore artistic and beautiful.

Because I said so.

Sorry that this is the first thing i've posted since Tuesday... ... 
Fact is: I'm slow to write.
#***worst blog ever***

Another Lousy Petition Totally Worth Signing .2

To:
U.S. Attorney General (Eric Holder) 

Don't impose a death sentence on an 82-year-old nun.

Sister Megan Rice and two U.S. veterans, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed, went to Oak Ridge TN in a spirit of nonviolence and peace, to bring an end to the scourge of nuclear weapons. New charges against them would amount to a death sentence and ought not be considered.

These courageous people remind us of the United States' obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to make concrete steps towards full nuclear disarmament. It is your duty as Attorney General to make sure no new charges are brought against these three heroes.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]

These people called their peaceful protest of USA uranium/nuclear stockpiling "Transform Now Plowshares"-- and they acted on religious principle. For photos of the action they are serving time for, go: here

"The Transform Now Plowshares action focuses attention on the ongoing production of nuclear weapons of mass destruction in Oak Ridge [,Tennessee] and the plans for a new $7.5 billion weapon production facility, the Uranium Processing Facility, at Y12."

Anyone Feel Like Harassing NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg Today? Someone Might Thank You

Four weeks after super-storm Sandy, there are still places in Staten Island that are without running water or a working electric grid. Though they do have an assortment of molds and strange coughs. Mayor Bloomberg, shortly after flying in to the area via private helicopter to get a picture of the situation--- which he's got a real skill for doing without actually stopping to talk to anyone --- ordered city officials to "clear public spaces" and to evict local relief volunteers and the Occupy Sandy volunteers from their organizing hub near Midland Beach.


This information from an article on the Occupy Wall St website:

This Friday morning Staten Island police representing the mayor’s office have threatened eviction action against the crucial Staten Island hub at 489 Midland Avenue, in the heavily hit Midland Beach area. Aiman Youssef, a 42-year-old Syrian-American Staten Islander whose house was destroyed in the hurricane, has been running a 24/7 community pop up hub outside his property at 489 Midland Avenue since the day after the storm. He and a coalition of neighbors, friends and community members are serving hot food and offering cleaning supplies, non-perishables, medical supplies, and clothing to the thousands of residents who are still without heat, power, or safe housing. This popular hub is well-run, well-staffed, and has a constant hum of discussion, support, and advice as well as donations and pick ups and volunteer dispatch through another pop-up group, volunteers who call themselves “The Yellow Team.”



If you feel that Mayor Bloomberg's actions are blatantly contrary to the public's best interest and true needs--- TELL HIM.


You can call the Public Advocate's office at: (212) 669-7250 9am-5pm, and EMAIL: GetHelp@pubadvocate.nyc.gov


Is there any good reason to shut down a site where people are massing food and clothing for the most desperate? Or is Bloomberg just acting childishly because he perceives the Occupy movement as his enemy -- a threat to his powerdigm?



Much of this information was re-blogged from the Daily Kos, which sourced it from other places. Thanks, ek hornbeck.

TEENAGE MUTANT CORN

 These pictures brought to you by a weed-loving Facebooker: "Genetics Gone Mad" ---he says they're from Fukushima... that might be a joke, it might not. He also says he's a HAZMAT certified first-responder. I don't know what the frack this is. I don't even know if they grow corn in Japan. We could always blame Monsanto... 

I don't even know...

Art's Disturbing Sometimes .1

but "BEAUTY IS THE PROMISE OF HAPPINESS"

dogonaut.com presents

"Strange Overtones" by David Byrne and Brian Eno
A Short Film by Jon Yeo

Syrian Government Shuts Down Internet, Damascus Netted in Conflict, Chaos and Tragedy

International peacekeepers remained relatively dormant and gridlocked this year, and Syria is in the thick of civil war, now.

The internet was shut down yesterday; it is believed the government did it to stymie rebel group communications. I have no idea how long this will last. The Guardian article i've linked to also suggests that nearby airlines are ceasing inbound flights.

I am told that this is one of the last videos to surface on YouTube before the communications were cut, published November 29th. I believe it depicts Damascus---- the city is in ruin, and men are gathering in the streets to gather the injured children and other civilians from the rubble scattered everywhere around them. It is devastating footage, and one can bet that its tragedy is mirrored in many other videos that won't be uploaded any time soon. 

WARNING: INCREDIBLY GRAPHIC

May the violence end its tyranny over the people, May peace come soon.