Kim Jong-Il

I don't know how else to respond to Kim Jong-Il's death. As Manuel, a man who runs the art space I'm staying at said "Well, that's the good thing about dictators, they have to die eventually. Their sons- those are the bad things about it." That's all I gotta say pretty much. Now click on this link and wonder at how someone on the internet has devoted so much of their time to collecting pictures of Kim Jong-Il looking at things. That's right- just picture after picutre of him looking at things.

Internet, you're a weirdo.

Quick Videos on Losing Our Rights

So until I get my work done no more posts, but here is video about my last post. I really don't have time to research if it is just as scary as it seems with finals and such going on, but as far as I can tell yes, yes it is. It is this bad ladies and gents. Here is another video of a over-opinionated lady talking about the issue. HOWEVER i does have parts of Obama's speech. Oh, and here's a link to a good article about it! Sorry I don't have time to dig deeper, I wish I did too. Also, it doesn't help that no one really is covering it. It's all little blogs and youtube videos with less than 1,000 views. Anyways, write letters, make phone calls, look at real estate in Canada.... KIDDING. Stick around and turn this around!! Don't let it happen!

Thoughts on the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012

Being here in Thailand on the Burmese border I am exposed to some harsh realities. One of them is meeting former political prisoners who have spent years being tortured and held without trial and for doing nothing more then speaking their mind. The interviews I have done over the last two weeks have made me realize just how lucky I am to be from a country where, sure not everything is perfect, but at least I can write this blog. At least I can read what I want (more or less) on the internet and at least I have been able to go to school. There are lots of at leasts... I'm fully aware that I am lucky.

That being said, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 is going to Obama's desk right now. This is a bill that, as far as I can tell, will allow the U.S. government to charge U.S. citizens as terrorists and hold them without trial indefinitely. It being rationalized as a new way to fight the war on terror. The war on terror eh? Sound's a little hypocritical uncle sam.... Now, I understand that we need to fight terrorists but there are so many reasons why this act doesn't do this effectively. First, look at our country's history in a context outside the U.S. over the last fifty years. We fund wars, we trick countries into debt they can not get out of, we back military regimes. This isn't conspiracy theories, it's fact that the U.S. has had more then its "fare" share of terror-motivated actions in the past.

Secondly, and more importantly, this bill gives the government the right to detain a citizen by calling them a terrorist. There is no trial in the deal and no time limit for how long said citizen can be held. This would help to detain people who are terrorists that the U.S. can't justify detaining now, but it also allows for a protester, a writer, a speaker, an educator, who speaks out in a way that questions the U.S. and it's policies to be detained because they would be "suspected as terrorists." This is a horrifying concept and it is hard to believe that it has even MADE it to Obama's desk. Here are some quotes, click on their names and it will take you to the piece it's from.


"Up until now, no matter how much (or how little) wealth you had... no matter how much or little education and influence you had... every American was at least guaranteed a freedom from fear: your government could not come in the middle of the night with military non-police forces, without charge, and take you away. If the National Defense Authorization Act clears the House and is not vetoed by President Obama, that will no longer be true. None of us will be safe. And you won't be given access to a trial or a lawyer. The media is not telling the public about this bill, which means you have to, before your right to speak out disappears. Tell everyone. This cannot be allowed to stand. This is still the United States of America."- David Seaman


"... the conference committee left unchanged the controversial language that denies accused terrorists, including U.S. citizens arrested within the country, the right to a trial and could subject them to indefinite detention." - Rania Khalek


“Moreover, applying this military custody requirement to individuals inside the United States, as some Members of Congress have suggested is their intention, would raise serious and unsettled legal questions and would be inconsistent with the fundamental American principle that our military does not patrol our streets.” - Ron Paul

I have to say that most of the writings I have been able to find on this issue are extreme to a point where I have to question their validity, but in the end I think that these extreme comments aren't exagerations, they are reality. Why? Because there is almost no mainstream coverage. There is no "other side" being put out there. All extensive media coverage on the issue is from small, independent sources or blogs. Even the coverage it is getting in the mainstream news isn't all good.

"This bill would also violate or even end the Posse Comitatus Act which limits local governments and law enforcement to use the military to enforce the law. The act was passed 1878 and a response to military occupation by the U.S. Army during the ten years of Reconstruction after the Civil War. Some could even argue the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act would even hurt Fourth Amendment rights to unlawful search and seizure." - Amelia Waters, FOX news

I have to conclude that yes, it really is that bad. It's surreal, to say the least, being so far away from the U.S. and studying a country where activists are detained without trial and held for years. It is hard to hear their stories and it makes me feel lucky to be a U.S. citizen. I can't even begin to explain how it feels to realize that the U.S. isn't so far away from being in a similar situation. I'm not going to compare Burma to the U.S., that isn't even comparing apples and oranges, it's like comparing apples and pig's ears. BUT I am going to say that this bill is horrifying and should. not. be. passed. Do your own research on it, form your own opinion if you disagree with mine, but all I can say it that this. is. wrong.  Rise up, make calls, send emails. This isn't alright with us.

Band-More-Than-Just-a-Crush: Brother Ali

Music is what is keeping me sane and helping me process over the last few days. Why is rap so. good?? The quality stuff of course- Eyedea and Abilities, Atmosphere, Dessa, DOOMTREE, eMC, Living Legends, Aesop Rock. I don't know too much about the world of hip-to-the-hop being all folk-y and such, but god I love it. Why is Brother Ali so good? mmm. He gives me chills. Words have so much power and he sure knows how to use them.


The world's getting too small to stand in one place
It's like we are just roommates sharing the space
Can't separate and still carry the weight
Gotta heal gotta get away from the fear and the hate

Band Crush: The Kooks

Many years ago when I was a wee child I discovered the Kooks. Well, not really. But it was still a good four or five years ago. I danced around to Naive, I learned (a very basic) Seaside on guitar. Then I sorta forgot about them. Then I rediscovered them.  Mhhm. I enjoy The Kooks. They are english, have good lyrics, and so damn catchy! Their influences include Dylan and The Beatles and Mason Jennings. Of course I like them. As a side note, I am developing a theory that all four letter K bands are accented and fun to bop around to. Kinks, Kooks, ye? The biggest obstacle I have encountered in this theory in Korn. But you COULD bop around to Korn.... sorta? Like head banging is another form of bopping? And they COULD have accents... they scream a lot. It's hard to tell. ANYWAYS, doesn't matter. Here, Have a Kooks video to bop to. Sorry I can't find one with a real video, but here's a song at least.



FUNFACT: They decided to form a band when shopping because they found outfits and hats that they thought would be spiffy. They then proceeded to book their first gig without a demo. How? Because the guy booking them liked their hats. So I guess the plan worked. They didn't play the gig though... they were recording their demo.

Amazing Thing of the Day:

Barbara Ehrenreich is a neat lady. I mean she is featured in a musical- American Ruling Class. I haven't watched it. I didn't know it even existed. But now I all I want to do is watch it. This is a clip my friend posted. Stick around till the end though. The first part is informative but the second part has singing, dancing, and BANJOS. Everyone's favorite, I know. Seriously though... don't be hatin' banjos are cool. Disagree? Listen to some Tallest Man on Earth. Oh and at the end she predicts occupy. CHECK IT.

Ah work. Work work work. I have been researching and writing all day for two days. Very ready to do some more interviews and art teaching tomorrow! Once I get the actual PAPER on Burma done I will be posting a lot more about the education system in place and the current situation in Burma. The New York Times did post THIS VIDEO REPORT (caps lock makes you want to click on it more maybe?) that looks at the exiled people of Burma. I have had a few meeting with the King Zero, the monk pictured above that they interview. At least watch his and the Win Min video, that one talks a little about what I am studying. They are short, well made, and informative. Please check them out!