PBS Independent Lens –The Invisible War–
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/invisible-war/
Due to technical difficulties some content is currently MIA.
Rape–in the US Military by the US Military of its Own Soldiers by its Own Soldiers–The Invisible War
May 14, 2013 at 6:35 pm (Uncategorized, history, journalism, politics, culture, movies, life, Independent film, random, ethics)
Tags: film, culture, PBS, random, values, women, ethics, movie, violence, rape, crime, men, The Invisible War, Independent Lens, miltary, training, Kirby Dick, poltitics
Some ‘My Lai’ every day in Vietnam–So went the War Game according to Nick Turse in “Kill Anything That Moves, The Real American War in Vietnam”
February 1, 2013 at 10:11 pm (culture, education, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, history, journalism, life, politics, publishing, random, Uncategorized, Writing)
Tags: "Wandering Ghosts", Book, Civilians, crimes, current events, Democracy Now, ethics, Geneva Convention, history, human life, interview, Kill Anything That Moves, miitary, My Lai, National Archives, news, Nick Turse, policy, politics, publishing, review, values, video, Vietnam, war
Recently I shared with some friendlies that I was reading Nick Turse’s Kill Anything That Moves, The Real American War in Vietnam. So far only one friendly has responded to my friendly email and that was basically to share the information that they had already read some of the many books on the Vietnam War–hence, implying that they weren’t interested in reading another tome. So I thought, yes, why indeed would anyone whose has attempted to make some sense out of a seemingly senseless waste of lives want to read Turse’s latest book? Why? I believe the answer involves the Vietnamese Civilians all too often callously dismissed as Casualties of War. Damn this sounds familiar. Care to insert Afghanistan Casualties of War? Iraqi Casualties of War? Pick any war and couple it with casualties. Civilians as totally expendable human resources is not a new concept. It’s been around a very long time. By the way, if you think this doesn’t pertain to you in any way, shape or form, please do think again. Why? Because unless you are part of the military forces you are indeed a civilian to be treated with absolute contempt by those with no regard for the tenets of the Geneva Convention–that nice little old-fashioned little agreement about how to treat people during any modern war. Somehow I doubt the Geneva Convention agreement is part of either a drone’s programming or of the human charting its course. It certainly has no value to those who send soldiers to wars. Hmm. Might it be helpful to consider the military forces at work in Vietnam as precursors to current drones? Perhaps. But there are serious limitations to drones conducting military strikes as drones are incapable of rape and torture. At least I think they are –so far. Have no doubt that some computer programmer somewhere is hard at work solving these drone limitations. Too bad that creative brainpower isn’t invested in something like combating pollution.
Now back to Turse’s tome which is all about the standard operating procedure of murder, rape and torture of Vietnamese civilians whose “hearts and minds” were supposedly being saved from the communist menace. Why read this book?
In Vietnam, where the “lives” of the deceased are believed to be inextricably intertwined with those of the living, it is thought that those who die a “bad death” may be forced to suffer as “wandering ghosts,” trapped in a limbo between our world and the land of the dead. In this shadow land, they forever reexperience the violence that ended their lives, unable to attain peace until the living truly acknowledge them and the fate they suffered.3 The idea of such wandering ghosts is an unfamiliar one for most Americans, but we should not be too quick to dismiss it. The crimes committed in American’s name in Vietnam were our “bad death,” and they have never been adequately faced. As a result, they continue to haunt our society in profound and complex ways. (p. 261)
Turse makes the case that it’s high time Americans quit turning a blind eye to the dark side of our history in war, politics and business. It’s time we all took a long hard straight on look at the military industrial complex that strives to rule the world with an iron fist. With knowledge, however nasty and unpleasant it may be, comes power. There’s a very important war emerging in the world involving everyone on the Earth. It helps to know one’s enemy. The enemy has left quite a few revealing footprints. Some of them lay in the history of the war waged on the children, women and men of Vietnam. There are older footprints, newer ones and ones currently underway. What will it take for “us” to change how we view casualties of war–and war itself? What will it take for “us” to refuse to play the game of murder, rape, torture of our fellow human beings just because some power-hungry egomaniacs demand we play? Don’t forget “we” are all totally expendable–our sons, husbands, wives, daughters, mothers, fathers, all our relations are absolutely of no account in the war games.
So yes, read Nick Turse’s book – and learn why the Winter Soldiers threw their medals at Congress. It’s not a fun read. It’s not enjoyable. It’s not a “feel good” book. It is an important book.
http://www.nickturse.com/books.html
Democracy Now! www.democracynow.org
Written transcript of interview http://www.democracynow.org/2013/1/15/kill_anything_that_moves_new_book
Geneva Convention http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Conventions
Idle No More ~ 11 January 2013 ~ Global Day of Action ~ Solidarity! Drum! Dance!
January 11, 2013 at 6:01 pm (culture, education, environment, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, history, Independent film, Indigenous People, journalism, life, music, Native Americans, photography, politics, random, Uncategorized)
Tags: #J11, 2013, Canada, dance, drum, Global Day, Idle No More, Jan.11., January, Julie Ireton, life, mmmllleee123, music, Native Canadian-American Indian Veterans and Warriors, Ottawa, Parliament Hill, Patrick Wright, politics, random, solidarity, Student Movement, Sudents, unity, Victoria Island, video
Photo by Julie Ireton CBC –Victoria Island, Ottawa, ON –Jan. 11, 2013
Global it is indeed. See one list of supporters world-wide: http://www.j11action.com/
Solidarity–Idle No More and Student Movement Unite in round dance –Ottawa, U of O.
mmmllleee123 on YouTube
On Facebook the “Native Canadian-American Indian Veterans and Warriors” are constantly posting photos from Canada and around the world.
@Patrick Wright–Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON
An Ad I Just Can’t Resist Sharing: “Exxon Hates Your Children” Not Exactly Breaking News, but—
January 10, 2013 at 9:04 pm (art, creative writing, culture, entertainment, environment, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, humor, Independent film, Indigenous People, journalism, life, movies, music, nature, politics, random, Uncategorized, Writing)
Tags: 98%, Ad, By the Rivers Dark, Canada, climate change, environment, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, Exxon, Exxon Hates Your Children, Idle No More, Leonard Cohen, movie, musings, news, Oil Change International, other98, Powertech, random, The Last Trapper, whales, Yahoo News
Random and free associations Alert!
Yes, this beauty came my way via an email to sign a petition and–well–it’s just too wonderful to not share with folks who understand the ways of the world as they’ve been–AND–that this insanity must stop! I think it’s a great ad because while the likes of Exxon have tons of cash to spread their view of how things “are” according to their well oiled brainpans, those who don’t exactly cozy up to their thinking aren’t exactly swimming in equal amounts of cash oceans for sharing a very different view of the status quo.
In other “news” which I’m still processing–I saw a video on Yahoo News about some whales trapped by ice (they’ve since found a way OUT) and the refusal of the Canadian government to render aid. Hmm. The fate of eleven killer whales isn’t of much concern to world governments–unless people start doing something about it and getting press coverage. Ouch, I think this could be applied to Indigenous/First Nations issues in Canada, the United States and pretty much around the globe. Shhh, hear that? Idle No More is dancing somewhere in the world to the beat of a very different drum.
Yikes, can I connect this thought dot with the Powertech Uranium Corporation? O hell yes I can! Do you see where this is going now? Yeah to more utter disregard for Earth, people, animals, and everything that does not bring in BIG PROFITS!
Is there a problem with some values?
Only if you’re thinking along the same interconnecting dot lines. Or perhaps some other routes too–routes that don’t lead to Wall Street, stock shares, investors and profits by any means no matter what the price in environmental degradation.
Exxon is probably well aware of this ad by now as it has 122, 457 views on YouTube thanks to the other 98% and Oil Change International. Hence, I’m sure they’re all primed and ready for PR spin. If they bother. Afterall it’s only a 30 second sound bite–just the sort of thing the multitasking population feeds on and tosses off while reaching for the next bite.
Oh and for some relief here’s some Cohen and The Last Trapper/Le Dernier Trappeur:
via KikeRio
It all works for me. Sorry if you’re confused by all these seemingly random “dots.”
Also, sorry to break the poetic streaming. Will resume soon.
namaste
Global ‘Idle No More’ Solidarity Day ~ 11 January 2013
January 6, 2013 at 2:37 pm (art, culture, environment, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, Indigenous People, journalism, life, politics, random, religion, Uncategorized)
Tags: 11 January 2013, art, Canada, culture, Culturite, Earth, Earth Tribe, event, Facebook, global, Idle No More, Indigenous, life, people, politics, poster, random, solidarity, support
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/461884363867603
Let the cyberswamp waters flow. In other words, spread the word. Do your thing.
Culturite at http://culturite.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/j11-idle-no-more-global-day-of-action/
Earth Tribe –>> http://www.earthtribe.co/
namaste
Round Dance at Parliament Hill ~ Idle No More~ First Nations ~ Ottawa, Canada
December 23, 2012 at 5:50 pm (art, culture, entertainment, environment, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, history, Indigenous People, journalism, life, movies, nature, photography, politics, random, Uncategorized)
Tags: 21 December 2012, Canada, David P. Ball, Ditto, Ditto of Jesus, environment, First Nations, history, Idle No More, Indian Country Today Media Network, music, nature, Ottawa, Parliament Hill, photograph, politics, protest, rally, Round Dance, video
Live Gov Cam Photo shared by Ditto (Singer/Songwriter) via the book of faces http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ditto-SingerSongwriter/253555851169?ref=mf
According to Indian Country Today Media Network.com 4,000 took part in the 21 December 2012 protest in Ottawa, Canada–as reported by David P. Ball. http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/article/idle-no-more-sweeps-canada-and-beyond-aboriginals-say-enough-enough-146516
World wide support for Idle No More continues to increase http://www.idlenomore1.blogspot.com/ . Indeed the “views” counter number has increased by at least 200,000 since my first visit. Information continues to be updated/added as support is shared and future events are posted.
Listen to more of Ditto of Jesus at http://www.youtube.com/dittoofjesus
A change is due and will do Mother Earth GOOD–and all living things too–including us humans.
IDLE NO MORE ~ One Heartbeat Across Turtle Island, Friday 21 December 2012 Everywhere ~ And that’s just the tip of the drum.
December 20, 2012 at 6:15 pm (environment, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, history, Indigenous People, journalism, life, music, Native Americans, nature, politics, random, Uncategorized)
Tags: "Water", 2012, C-45, Canada, communities, dance, December, drums, Earth, Economy, environment, events, Facebook, Flash Mob, Heartbeat Across Turtle Island, Idle No More, Indigenous, Indigenous Environmental Network, land, life, music, Online Reporter, Ottawa, Peaceful, people, politics, protests, random, rights, Round Dance, sustainable, treaties, video
Okay folks, Idle No More’s site has been very busy –and this morning it’s clear why. There’s a lot going on and more on the docket. You’ve got to be quick. So instead of my yapping about all the information, C-45, protests, solidarity actions and the huge issues for Canada’s First Nations AND the Earth, I’m providing a link to their very informative blog for all interested parties to visit and share widely. According to recent posting on the Indigenous Environmental Network’s Online Reporter blog thousands are expected for rally protest in Ottawa this Friday! http://www.ienearth.org/blog/2012/12/thousands-expected-at-ottawa-protest-on-friday/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IenOnlineReporter+%28IEN+Online+Reporter%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail
For much more Idle No More information and a list of events on Dec. 20, 21 and beyond- visit:
http://idlenomore1.blogspot.com/
Idle No More was formed by Nina Wilson, Sylvia McAdam, Jessica Gordon and Sheelah McLean to oppose C-45 and other Canadian legislation (in violation of treaties) that will adversely affect the environment and Indigenous people.
Mission Statement”
Idle No More calls on all people to join in a revolution which honors and fulfills Indigenous sovereignty which protects the land and water. Colonization continues through attacks to Indigenous rights and damage to the land and water. We must repair these violations, live the spirit and intent of the treaty relationship, work towards justice in action, and protect Mother Earth. On December 10th, Indigenous people and allies stood in solidarity across Canada to assert Indigenous sovereignty and begin the work towards sustainable, renewable development. All people will be affected by the continued damage to the land and water and we welcome Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies to join in creating healthy sustainable communities. We encourage youth to become engaged in this movement as you are the leaders of our future. There have always been individuals and groups who have been working towards these goals – Idle No More seeks to create solidarity and further support these goals. We recognize that there may be backlash, and encourage people to stay strong and united in spirit.
O Canada!
Hey Harper!
One thing everyone everywhere can participate in is the Heartbeat Across Turtle Island event at Noon on Friday 21 December 2012. Any form of “drum” will suffice wherever you are on this beautiful blue and green planet. http://www.idlenomore1.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-heartbeat-across-turtle-island.html
Idle No More is heating up on Facebook fast!
Methinks the tipping point has arrived.
Idle No More Round Dance Flash Mob — Drums included.
~Colors of Confinement, Rare Kodachrome Photographs of Japanese American Incarceration In World War II~
December 11, 2012 at 9:31 pm (art, culture, education, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, history, journalism, life, movies, photography, politics, random, Uncategorized)
Tags: art, Bill Manbo, Book, camps, Center for Documentary Studies, children, Colors of Confinement, culture, Duke University, editor, education, Eric L. Muller, ethics, family, Heart Mountain, history, internment camps, Japanese, Japanese Americans, Kodachrome, library, life, men, photographs, photography, politics, prisons, public, publisher, video, vimeo, women, World War II
I’m a library grazer. Yep, I confess it. Each time I visit my local public library I can’t help but shop the shelves for all the new arrivals in all genres–even the entertainment ones that often astonish me with their very existence. The downside of this book/dvd/cd grazing is that it about triples the time I spend in the library’s physical location. It also generally about triples the number of items I haul to the self check out computer and from there to the ever overflowing parlor couch where they get to catch their breath. One of the items my grazing discovered was this book of photographs from one of America’s dark actions against its own people–Japanese Americans. (Btw, there was talk of rounding up German Americans too, but that never got going. Don’t believe that? Check out the holdings at the National Archives, KCMO–oh yeah.) Not only were people forced into camps but their personal property was confiscated and they lost everything–for nothing. Is this bit of American history more than a tad disconcerting? It should be considering all the lip service paid to “human rights.” The Native Americans had/have prisons without walls via the reservations. Japanese Americans had prisons with barbed wire. As I viewed Bill Manbo’s photographs I was struck again and again at the incongruity of everything in them about people trying to maintain some sense of normalcy in a decidedly NOT normal situation–a downright irrational situation to my thinking. Usually prison/confinement is the end result of doing something “wrong”–illegal–criminal. But these families had done nothing at all — except be Japanese Americans. There’s definitely something askew in thinking that leads to such treatment of people innocent of any wrongdoing. I wonder about the American population at large that was aware of people being taken from their communities and yet allowing it, accepting it, agreeing to it. And I wonder if our current prison system is just another sign of this confining mentality. Maybe it is. Or it’s something even darker? At any rate, here is one man’s photographic record of history which shames the Americans who created and implemented this action. It also shames all those who knew it was wrong and watched it happen in silence.
Much thanks to the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University for this Vimeo film featuring Bill Manbo’s photographs.
http://documentarystudies.duke.edu/about
Colors of Confinement, Rare Kodachrome Photographs of Japanese American Incarceration in World War II, Editor Eric L. Muller with photographs by Bill Manbo. Published by the University of North Carolina in association with the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, 2012.
Save the Awa’ People. When: Dec. 10 — Where: San Francisco — Who: Survival International and Us — Why: Extinction is Forever
December 7, 2012 at 6:46 pm (art, culture, environment, exploring interconnectedness, Indigenous People, journalism, life, music, random, Uncategorized)
Tags: art, Awa, Brazil, Brazilian Consulate, Colin Firth, culture, Dec. 10 2012, Demonstration, forest, Indigenous, life, music, people, poster, random, San Francisco, Survival International, video
Detect a “theme” developing here in my blogcasa in regard to December 10, 2012? What were you expecting– Maya Calendar World Ends fear mongering? Hmm, maybe the world — as we know it– will undergo an important change. Is it possible some Big Oil CEOs will decide to clean up their toxic messes around the globe? Could all military conflicts suddenly come to standstill? Maybe a fracking operation will send an underground fault line into motion that will divide a continent? Perhaps China will end its occupation of Tibet? A natural disaster could strike the Tar Sands operation in Canada? Monsanto will give up its quest for world domination via the food supply? I suspect blue and pink piggies will sprout wings and fly first. Then again, something seems to be in the air lately . . . . It’s possible to save the Awa’ people and their forest. All that’s required is the will to do so.
Learn about the threats to the Awa’ and others via Survival Internatinal –>>> http://www.survivalinternational.org/
om mani padme hum jewel in the lotus wahupa qi prana universal life energy
