We�re Not in Lake Wobegon Anymore -- In These Times
The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the few is the death knell of democracy. No republic in the history of humanity has survived this. The election of 2004 will say something about what happens to ours. The omens are not good.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Monday, August 30, 2004
Oly Junkies! : Be Careful and Tell Your Friends
I was talking to Long Haired Dave today and he was telling me that four people have overdosed in Oly in the last 3-5 days. So if you are on the junk, or know somebody who is, tell them to be careful with what they put in their bodies (in general, of course but especially now.) According to LHD this is of course not getting reported in the mainstream press.
via word-of-mouth
via word-of-mouth
Hundreds of Thousands March Against Bush, War
Hundreds of Thousands March Against Bush, War
via commondreams
Tune in to Common Dreams for solid coverage of the Republican National Convention Protests in New York City.
via commondreams
Tune in to Common Dreams for solid coverage of the Republican National Convention Protests in New York City.
Indy Media Center's ISP harrassed by feds
Independent Media Center | www.indymedia.org | ((( i )))
Supposedly this "fishing expedition" was aimed at New York Indy Media in an attempt to dig up something nefarious on those planning protests at the RNC.
via IndyMedia
Supposedly this "fishing expedition" was aimed at New York Indy Media in an attempt to dig up something nefarious on those planning protests at the RNC.
via IndyMedia
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Our buddy Klintron is starting an mp3 Lit Mag
Technoccult
To furthur demonstrate my insanity, I've decided to start an mp3 format lit mag. Obviously, this is still in very early planning stages. The basic idea here is to publish spoken word stories and slam poetry
Klintron has an outline of his basic goals and questions regarding this project on Technoccult, and is putting out a call for feedback, ideas, and assistance.
Last Word wishes him luck and will offer him whatever mutual aid we can.
To furthur demonstrate my insanity, I've decided to start an mp3 format lit mag. Obviously, this is still in very early planning stages. The basic idea here is to publish spoken word stories and slam poetry
Klintron has an outline of his basic goals and questions regarding this project on Technoccult, and is putting out a call for feedback, ideas, and assistance.
Last Word wishes him luck and will offer him whatever mutual aid we can.
NYC IMC: home
NYC IMC: home
Indy Media has a page devoted to live updates of the chaos that will be the RNC.
( I think this is getting a lot of traffic so be patient. In the week to come this may be one of the better non-corporate sources of news from the RNC.)
Indy Media has a page devoted to live updates of the chaos that will be the RNC.
( I think this is getting a lot of traffic so be patient. In the week to come this may be one of the better non-corporate sources of news from the RNC.)
Saturday, August 28, 2004
DOOM! CHAOS! and the RNC
spasticrobot: A Wende for Our Times; NYC, the GOP and hundreds of thousands of techno-protestors
One of the better analyses/predictions of a wholesale cluster fuck in NYC for the RNC. This one utilizing SF author Bruce Sterling's concept of a "wende."
Sterling describes the Wende as, “rumor, boosted by electronic and digital media, in a feedback-loop with crowd dynamics and modern mass transportation. A non-linear networking phenomena”. He goes on to say that by identifying the Wende city officials ensure that the event will come to pass, “There are things you can do, of course, put police and firefighters on overtime. Hire more private security. Disaster control for lights, traffic power, data. Open the shelters and stock first-aid medecine and warn the whole population. But when a city tells its people a Wende is coming that guarantees the Wende will come.”
via BoingBoing
One of the better analyses/predictions of a wholesale cluster fuck in NYC for the RNC. This one utilizing SF author Bruce Sterling's concept of a "wende."
Sterling describes the Wende as, “rumor, boosted by electronic and digital media, in a feedback-loop with crowd dynamics and modern mass transportation. A non-linear networking phenomena”. He goes on to say that by identifying the Wende city officials ensure that the event will come to pass, “There are things you can do, of course, put police and firefighters on overtime. Hire more private security. Disaster control for lights, traffic power, data. Open the shelters and stock first-aid medecine and warn the whole population. But when a city tells its people a Wende is coming that guarantees the Wende will come.”
via BoingBoing
The Jinx that is Dick Cheney
RollingStone.com
"Cheney's manner and authority of voice far outstrip his true abilities," says Chas Freeman, who served under Bush's father as ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "It was clear from the start that Bush required adult supervision -- but it turns out Cheney has even worse instincts. He does not understand that when you act recklessly, your mistakes will come back and bite you on the ass."
old but cool via Disinfo
"Cheney's manner and authority of voice far outstrip his true abilities," says Chas Freeman, who served under Bush's father as ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "It was clear from the start that Bush required adult supervision -- but it turns out Cheney has even worse instincts. He does not understand that when you act recklessly, your mistakes will come back and bite you on the ass."
old but cool via Disinfo
Friday, August 27, 2004
Eris lost her frog
local6.com - News - Minn. Frog Found With 5 Legs, 23 Toes
A 9-year-old Minnesota girl found a five-legged frog with 23 toes near Stewartville, Minn., according to a report. ... Experts say the animals are particularly sensitive to pollutants, which can be absorbed through their skin. Because of that, deformed frogs are considered a sign of environmental problems.
via Discordian Research Technology
A 9-year-old Minnesota girl found a five-legged frog with 23 toes near Stewartville, Minn., according to a report. ... Experts say the animals are particularly sensitive to pollutants, which can be absorbed through their skin. Because of that, deformed frogs are considered a sign of environmental problems.
via Discordian Research Technology
Scientists & Engineers for Kerry
John Kerry for President - Scientists & Engineers for Kerry-Edwards
Forty-eight Nobel Laureates issued a letter to the American people on June 21, 2004, calling John Kerry a “clear choice for America’s next president” who will “restore science to its appropriate place in government and bring it back into the White House… He will stimulate the development and deployment of technologies to meet our economic, energy, environmental, health, and security needs…He will recreate an America that provides opportunity to all at home or abroad who can help us make progress together.”
via Cyborg Democracy
Forty-eight Nobel Laureates issued a letter to the American people on June 21, 2004, calling John Kerry a “clear choice for America’s next president” who will “restore science to its appropriate place in government and bring it back into the White House… He will stimulate the development and deployment of technologies to meet our economic, energy, environmental, health, and security needs…He will recreate an America that provides opportunity to all at home or abroad who can help us make progress together.”
via Cyborg Democracy
All That Secrecy Is Expensive
Wired News: All That Secrecy Is Expensive
Well, duh we're talking about the president who classified all the documents from his gubernatorial administration right before the last election. There is no way this administration's priorities include greasing the wheels of information flow. Data is currency now, baby, no reason (beyond , er AHEM! the basic informational needs of a supposed democracy) to just be giving away currency. that would be bad business.
via WiredNews
Well, duh we're talking about the president who classified all the documents from his gubernatorial administration right before the last election. There is no way this administration's priorities include greasing the wheels of information flow. Data is currency now, baby, no reason (beyond , er AHEM! the basic informational needs of a supposed democracy) to just be giving away currency. that would be bad business.
via WiredNews
The Great American Shout Out | An Al Franken, Air America Radio Project
The Great American Shout Out | An Al Franken, Air America Radio Project
Al Franken author of "Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: a Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" and "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot" (boy that's a fun title to type!) is organizing nationa wide scream therapy for the trauma the Bush administration has inflicted on us. Cool.
via BoingBoing
Al Franken author of "Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: a Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" and "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot" (boy that's a fun title to type!) is organizing nationa wide scream therapy for the trauma the Bush administration has inflicted on us. Cool.
via BoingBoing
Bush gives CIA chief new powers
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Bush gives CIA chief new powers
Big Brother just keeps on gettin' bigger.
found on BBC
Big Brother just keeps on gettin' bigger.
found on BBC
Teacher says he lost course for using Abu Ghraib photos
Boston.com / News / Local / Mass. / Teacher says he lost course for using Iraq photos
One parent complained to school officials about nudity in the photos after a class in May, while the other said the images from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq portrayed America in a negative light, teacher Brian Newark said yesterday.
found on American Samizdat
One parent complained to school officials about nudity in the photos after a class in May, while the other said the images from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq portrayed America in a negative light, teacher Brian Newark said yesterday.
found on American Samizdat
Op Ed: How Long Can the Country Stay Scared?
Op Ed: How Long Can the Country Stay Scared?
Speaking about terrorist threat warnings, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge said: "We don't do politics in the Department of Homeland Security." Despite these words, it's increasingly clear that politics is at the heart of Bush's counter-terrorism program.
found on boingboing
Speaking about terrorist threat warnings, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge said: "We don't do politics in the Department of Homeland Security." Despite these words, it's increasingly clear that politics is at the heart of Bush's counter-terrorism program.
found on boingboing
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Contemporary American Sociology
Rafael at Media Island has posted this analysis by Joe Bageant, of the hidden foreign policy goals of Christian Fundamentalists.
"These Christian conservatives believe peace cannot ever lead to The Rapture, and indeed impedes the 1,000 year Reign of Christ. So anyone promoting peace is an enemy, a tool of Satan, hence the fundamentalist support for any and all wars Middle Eastern, in which their own kids die a death often viewed by Christian parents as a holy martyrdom of its own kind. "He (or she) died protecting this country's Christian values." One hears it over and over from parents of those killed."
Bageant says that only a Liberal born into a fundamentalist family can understand this predicament, and I gotta say he brings to light many of my own fears for this century.
"These Christian conservatives believe peace cannot ever lead to The Rapture, and indeed impedes the 1,000 year Reign of Christ. So anyone promoting peace is an enemy, a tool of Satan, hence the fundamentalist support for any and all wars Middle Eastern, in which their own kids die a death often viewed by Christian parents as a holy martyrdom of its own kind. "He (or she) died protecting this country's Christian values." One hears it over and over from parents of those killed."
Bageant says that only a Liberal born into a fundamentalist family can understand this predicament, and I gotta say he brings to light many of my own fears for this century.
Radical Reference for RNC
radical reference: answering questions from those who question authority Radical Reference is a service provided by library workers from all over the United States to give assistance to demonstrators at the Republican National Convention in New York City. We will answer your reference questions via blog, e-mail, chat, and in the street. Blog: www.radicalreference.info Ask your question by filling out a form. Your privacy will be protected Email: librarians@radicalreference.info Street: Look for librarians wearing baseball caps (tan with a blue bill) with an "I" on it if you need legal info, subway directions, a bathroom, or have any other questions. Librarians: Write info@radicalreference.info to volunteer your services Law and News librarians and those who can read and write other languages especially sought, but all will be put to work.
“…librarians are more freedom fighters than shushers.” Ms. Magazine online
We’ve got access to hundreds of expensive subscription databases …and we know how to use them!
This all quoted from an (edited) email forwarded to many activist groups, and just goes to prove that Librarians are some bad-ass sexy folks!
“…librarians are more freedom fighters than shushers.” Ms. Magazine online
We’ve got access to hundreds of expensive subscription databases …and we know how to use them!
This all quoted from an (edited) email forwarded to many activist groups, and just goes to prove that Librarians are some bad-ass sexy folks!
Dead Marine's father's direct action
"the Miami Herald, quoted a military officer who said that 'it doesn't appear [Carlos Arredondo] was trying to hurt himself. . . . He was trying to destroy the vehicle. This gentleman was determined to exercise some of his grief on the only government entity he saw.' "
from the United for Peace of Pierce County website
from the United for Peace of Pierce County website
Hyperglyphs and the Hyperglyphic
Great essay on Key23 about the concept of "hyperglyphs"
"In terms of comic books, it means that the more times a character is drawn, the more energy the character has from which to draw."
For the love of whatever heathen gods you sacrifice gerbils to, will somebody check this out and discuss it, hopefully connecting it to Baudrillard?
Seriously if not I'm just going to ranting about it at the bar for the next week.
"In terms of comic books, it means that the more times a character is drawn, the more energy the character has from which to draw."
For the love of whatever heathen gods you sacrifice gerbils to, will somebody check this out and discuss it, hopefully connecting it to Baudrillard?
Seriously if not I'm just going to ranting about it at the bar for the next week.
"e-jihad" fails to materialize
Experts are calling the reports (linked to here yesterday) of electronic jihad crashing large parts of the internet "hype", as such crashes fail to materialize today.
Kubler-Ross, Hospice and dignity in death pioneer dead
"PHOENIX -- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a psychiatrist who revolutionized the way the world looks at terminally ill patients with her book "On Death and Dying" and later as a pioneer for hospice care, has died. She was 78. "
From the Olympian
From the Olympian
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Allah Save the Queen
Iran not such a facist regime?
"Rock band Queen, fronted by gay icon Freddie Mercury, has become the first rock act to receive an official seal of approval in Iran."
from the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3593532.stm
"Rock band Queen, fronted by gay icon Freddie Mercury, has become the first rock act to receive an official seal of approval in Iran."
from the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3593532.stm
4th Ave. gossip - Bar Code closing
"The Bar Code, the most notorious Olympia nightclub in recent history, will close its doors for good Oct. 2. Co-owner Joey LaRocque announced the decision to shut down the business last week."
This is from an opinion piece in the Olympian. I don't know if I agree with all of this, but it does seem that 4th Ave might be a little more peaceful soon.
http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20040825/opinion/129351.shtml
This is from an opinion piece in the Olympian. I don't know if I agree with all of this, but it does seem that 4th Ave might be a little more peaceful soon.
http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20040825/opinion/129351.shtml
Internet terrorism
A coordinated online strike against Internet servers by terrorists, dubbed "electronic jihad," may or may not strike this week, security experts said. One security researcher in Moscow warned that Thursday would be the day in question.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1639246,00.asp
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1639246,00.asp
This is Burning Man (Book)
Boing Boing has a post today on the book This is Burning Man. Since we just got a copy of this in the store, and the population of Black Rock is about to soar, I thought I'd post a link to the book's website.
http://thisisburningman.com/
http://thisisburningman.com/
grumpy people are smarter (so don't tell me to cheer up!)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA -- People in a negative mood provide more accurate eyewitness accounts than people in a positive mood state, according to new research.
The surprise finding, which is to be published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, is the first to assess the effect of mood on memory and human thinking.
People in a positive mood such as happiness were shown under experimental conditions to have relatively unreliable memories, and show poorer judgement and critical thinking skills.
By contrast, those who experienced a negative mood such as sadness were shown to provide more reliable eyewitnesses accounts and exercise superior thinking and communication skills.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-08/uons-era082004.php
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
when i have a little money...
wow. like, a radical used bookstore in olympia, washington, man? blows one's gourd, it does. increasing the burden of awareness are we? best not to meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup. when's the poetry start, man? I want some powerful words infused with meaning directed at my cerebellum like pronto. i wonder if this thing even works yet. greengo? are you out there?
WHEN I HAVE A LITTLE MONEY I BUY BOOKS, THEN I BUY FOOD AND CLOTHES. - erasmus
--
Posted by Anonymous to Last Word Blog at 8/24/2004 02:10:54 AM
Monday, August 23, 2004
Website is up!
Well it looks like those of you who want to see are measly bare-bones website will now be able to .
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Website problems
Greengo here,
Well I tried the general website up at school and still just get the Zhonka log-in screen. The blog shows up if the direct url is entered. Won't be able to get to the bottom of this until tommorrow I imagine. Sorry kids!
Well I tried the general website up at school and still just get the Zhonka log-in screen. The blog shows up if the direct url is entered. Won't be able to get to the bottom of this until tommorrow I imagine. Sorry kids!
Saturday, August 21, 2004
re: holy shit batman!!
well now...don't we look like we know what we're doing. but do we ever truly understand what we do, what we are?
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