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POPSRHETORIC OF HATE In case you didn't know this week is "Islamo-Fascist Awareness week on over 200 campuses" If that makes you as sick as it makes me wear green to show your support for the islamic world, muslim americans, and just being a human f*cking being. This is the rhetoric of hatred and intolerance - FIGHT IT.
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POPSBURMA NOW: LIST OF PRISONERS Click on the first link or here: http://www.mediafire.com/?24pg4yxnjti ITs a list of all those captured and recorded by the regime - the importance of keeping such an article might not be readily apparent but when people are disappeared such documents may be the only trace of them left - let us hope its not a list of the dead but as the photo of the monk in the river shows - they are disposing of some of those detained. Second photo is a particularly mocking bit of writing at the regime - the writing of it on the foot considered the lowest most insulting part of the body is no coincidence. Other shots are from the shooting that occurred around September 26. Let us hope
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POPSBURMA NOW: KILLINGS BEHIND THE SCENES Bamadwe - di hma : http://www.austinatlarge.org/Resist/001_A_005_tunn.mp3 These reports are filtering out and should not be taken lightly - evidence is emerging that those who are listed as missing are being killed without any record of their death - these people are then made "permanently missing" a terrifying attempt at erasing their lives, struggle and cause. I post this in part for burmese who may see it and click on the audio.
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POPSBURMA NOW! This is the state of affairs in Myanmar - the following sites are but a few please explore the web many Burmese are our there raising their voices.
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POPSBush yacks up Burma - GET OFF THE SOAP BOX AND GET SERIOUS So Bush and the US responds in the only way it knows how to with more sanctions. This time they target the heads of the country - perhaps only because we already have extensive sanctions against every other part of the country which have been strangling the economy for the last 17 years - sanctions which have also guaranteed that the west has no market influence on Burma anymore, making it such that the only countries with economic leverage are its supporters China and India. We need real policy not shoddy displays of self righteousness after which the continuing plight of the people is soon forgotten. GET SERIOUS!
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POPSProtests in Burma VIDEOS In case you've been wondering what its like on the ground over there here are some videos of the monks protests - followed by a clip BBC did on the topic. Its important to note that the military regime has long justified its rule through its heavy associations with the Buddhist Sangha (community), while the monks have not really been supporters of the Regime they've been forced into an awkward political position for quite some time now. For them to rise up in protest is perhaps the most potent symbolic attack upon the regime (and as seen as such by locals) - and has only happened on a few occasions before (like the big democracy movement between 1988-1990). In the past they've protested by turning over their alms bowls to military leaders (denying the leadership any merit) which would be analogous to say a pastor refusing to let a corrupt or violent politician into church (in protest).
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POPSEgo or Egalitarianism? Maoists on the move in Nepal Its official they're no longer part of the government and they're taking measures to disrupt upcoming elections. BBC paints them as looking to fail in the polls almost implying that their desire to disrupt elections is some sort of self serving power move. This may be fair, but at the same time one should consider their concerns - previous peoples movements (Jana andolan) in Nepal have been followed by brief acts of appeasement and institutionalized corruption (particularly the 1990 movement). I guess only time will tell if this is ego of egalitarianism.
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POPSLarry Craig's toilet new best attraction in St Paul Its good to know that his memory is becoming preserved as a "cheezy slice of americana"-tourist attraction. I have to say though - I can understand getting your picture taken with it once but the guy who's been there twice...?
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POPSGlobal Warming opens up new trade route? This is probably going to mean some positive feedback cycles in the albido affect and possibly mess with some polar bears...but on the other hand any bets as to when its going to get opened up for ecotourism? Also I wonder how this will affect the whole debate over ANWAR, with increased year round sea access?
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POPSUN Goes Ethnic - but who's really indigenous? So the UN has declared that now indigenous people have their own legal provisions in the international system. The subject the didn't address though is - what is indigenous? After what point of habitation do people become indigenous? 40,000 years? 20,000 years? 3,000 years? Take Israel v. Palestine - who's more indigenous?
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POPSNat. Holiday for Make Sexy times in Russia! Anyone out there who does stuff on Gender Studies and nationalism get a load of this! Copulation and nationalism at last joined! I don't know if Biopower has ever been more explicit! Somewhere the skeleton of Foucault is cackling maniacally... oh yeah...and not to be tasteless but ... doesn't the woman with the baby in the pic almsot look like jimmy page or one of the members of rush...
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POPSBAM ABE You Got Served Man this year just keeps getting better, hopefully other unpopular war batting nationalist leaders of world powers will take the hint and do like wise
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POPSBurma Protests Rage On Protests continue on and appear to be heating up with even monks involved in very aggressive acts of resistance. Things are looking like 1988 all over again. And what is perhaps most remarkable is that people do this in spite of a long history of brutal crackdowns, hunts for activists, phone tapping, and all manner of atrocities. Power and respect to the people.
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POPSRepublicans who like Spankings (a year of fond memories) Oh you sexy sexy conservative big boys, gay-bashing by day and lurking in mens bathrooms by night - so naughty! Good to know that deep down inside theres a little rainbow in all of you. Oh yeah and check out Haggards ripped boyfriend - would of figured him the top type but guess I called that wrong! This isn't mature content this is a serious trend in conservative politics. Seriously now, allegations and confessions are piling up I just picked out the four biggest profile cases, don't be surprised if there are more. Not all these guys are proved guilty but you read it and evaluate it. Look around - new republicans on the block? Do you feel safe as a homophobic straight man? By the way anyone wanna pitch in on making a Republican Hotties 2008 calender?
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POPSThe Late Great RL Burnside "I just shot him in the head" I may be pro-gun control (in this country) but because every now and then the subject of Gun Control comes up I thought I'd just pop this article on. I'd say its a better argument than most conservatives can come, at least its got more style than any of them can ever hope to have. Also like the line survived by wife and "numerous children" ... yeah Burnside.
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POPSNepal Donors Pass the Buck After successfully waging people's movement and eschewing the cold-war era advice of outside countries like the US, Nepal has attempted what few other nations have - to come to terms with Communists. In this time where there is the potential for tolerance and progress, many of the countries who were too eager to offer aid to Nepal when the government openly suppressed democracy are now weaseling out. It is sadly typical in this era that compromise and reconciliation are frowned on and that absolutist campaigns that create conflict and social divide are favored all in the name of 'peace.' I will not glorify the Maoists and the violence they used but the response of the international community to this delicate time is appalling. This also raises the question of the ethics of international aid. Nepal has long relied on it, and now when it is needed most it dries up. Is the international community responsible?
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POPSNationalist Twitching? Or Deeper Problems in Border Development Secmol was founded to promote Ladakhi culture (a group similar to the tibetans who live in present day Jammu and Kashmir state of India) and education for peoples who live in very remote areas. Their missions have included solar power projects and education, basic education for impoverished locals, and putting together excellent work on keeping Ladakh Ladakhi inspite of excessive tourism and national marginalization. Often forgotten in discussion of the problems in Kashmir, they have faced numerous struggles to get equal rights in India. This issue in particular raises some serious questions as to what kind of India the government is really trying to create. Anyone with opinions or thoughts from anywhere is welcome to comment. I'd also be curious to hear what other Indian nationals feel about this often neglected corner of India.
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POPSLets Make it a Pretty Olympics Well this isn't the only sight reporting it - and it points out some of the mentalities going into the preparation of the olympics. I've included some background info in the clip, but for more info check out www.kachinnews.com for the minority perspective. Keep in mind the Wa and the Kachin have large connections to not only narco-trafficking (heroin and more recently methamphetamines) but also have phenomenal natural resources in terms of gold, precious stones, and timber all of which plays a role in the international situation.
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POPSKilling Missionaries - Travesty or Fair Game? Not to suggest in anyway that it is not unfortunate that these two South Koreans lost their lives, but I don't think anyone can say they can't figure out how oh how this all could ever happen. Lets face it you go into a Taleban hotbed promoting a religious Islamic state and you try to convert people to Christianity thinking you'll survive on Christ love alone occupational risks be damned - Guess what Jesus may love you but he ain't Rambo - you're on your own. Seriously when someone commits the act of disrespecting other cultures in order to propagate one's own ideology in a war zone where battle lines are drawn on ideologies, are these people victims? Or are they instead casualties to their cause? Perhaps it is time to reevaluate these global church institutions - are they really selfless? are they really performing humanitarian work? and when they get people killed are they responsible? No offense meant, and all comments welcome
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POPSCheck out this FINE Incan Mummy While I can sympathize with the locals feeling a little weird about somebody finding one of their ancestors and putting them on display in a museum, the other side of me goes damn so thats what people looked like back then. Sorry indigenous ethno-nationalist/tribal-rights movements. This is just too cool.
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POPSWhen was the last time Bush spoke this straight
1 The media's terming "the speaker" to cast the video's authenticity into doubt is almost laughable - lets face it Osama's not dead - efforts to actually kill him are more laughable. He even name drops Sarkozy's victory and other recent events - its him and scary enough he sounds reasonable 2 Most provocative is his charge against the American people & 'our' democratic system (in USA) seem disturbingly valid. Even now many republicans recognize the corruption which Bush has engaged in and even those who don't accept it, recognize that electioneering has become a game of financing, smear campaigns, talking points, and all around media domination - not individual democratic participation. Is this an indictment of democracy? Or should this be a call to recognize that democracy starts at home? and that America's own corruption is not so remote from the 'backwards' countries it accuses of lacking democracy or frauding elections. I hope we can prove democracy to be better than this
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POPSPerv Adventures in Subway land delay 80,000 The F*CK? Jumping into a subway? Because Tokyo only has the most frequent train system in the world? Even if you don't get hit, dude its rush hour just go into a crowd they'll never find you! Sararimen all wear the same damn clothing, smell of shochu and probably have similar hair cuts. Also, so how many of the salary men delayed for work engaged in opportunistic sexual her-ass-ment during the delay? Thats the stat I wanna know. I say run the trains.
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POPSMonks Takin' the Power BACK Thats what I call takin' the power back! And news flash recent Buddhist converts - you can put your showbiz Richard Gere pacifism aside, burning cars and kidnapping police is legit non-violence! and now security forces won't even show their walky talkies - I believe thats what we call making them your b*tch in the industry.
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POPSPlane God Hungers for Goat Flesh Not even BAAA RAAAM EWWE can save these guys. I guess in Nepal you really do fly with the gods, and they get hungry. And yes that just might be the goat.
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POPSKing Gyanendra: You got served Anyone know how to say "you got served" in Nepali? If anyone knows whats going to happen to the palaces - or if they'll be on the open market let me know! I have a subtle feeling they might turn into Prachandra ko Swimming Pool, Prachandra ko Summer Palace, etc. etc. but hey at least it wipes the smug grin off this guys face.
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POPSBurma's Heating Up Three protests in the streets of Yangon in a week, are gas prices and the more liberal air in Yangon since the capital move pushing things towards another 1988? Any thoughts and comments welcome. Burma hasn't seen this kind of public protest in a long time...
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POPSGive Abe the Finger Well, thats nationalism for ya, apparently they'd didn't appreciate his display of affection. Poor guy.
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POPSHusban Replaced by 400 Teddy Bears So, I guess it goes without saying that if you devote every last bit of your life to your work for 40 years (過労死ぽっくない！？) That you shouldn't be surprised when one day you come home and your wife has replaced you with some sort of wet blanket collection that would make even Imelda Marcos blush. Japanese guys out there (and others) : こんなに仕事無理しちゃだめよ！飲み会とかそんなに行かないでね。いつか早く帰ってみて、奥さんとゆっくり時間すごせば、幸せになるよ。風俗より、奥さんとセックス楽しんでみてね、奥さんといろいろと楽しめば、こういうのは無可能性だよ。 That said, while I'm incline to think this guy is overstating things, honestly I've run into too many desperate housewives in Japan - and I was just trying to Teach English jeez!
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POPSHippos are Dangerous You know, hippos in Africa are the number one cause of death for foreign tourists. Like seriously don't ever try this at home, in fact don't put any part of your body that you value anywhere near a hippos mouth. Never trust a hippo
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