Unarmed Youth Shot by Police Caught on Three Separate Videos

This afternoon as I was browsing the Internet when I came across a story about a protest march in Oakland that became violent; one hundred people were arrested. I was shocked and confused as to how I missed this on the morning news. Surely this would have received some mention; perhaps not on the regurgitated local news but some national coverage. I watched the morning news but perhaps I missed it refilling my coffee cup. I just finished searching for some kernel, some mention, of what transpired on my local stations and there is nothing.

On New Year's day Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old supermarket worker, was fatally shot in the back while unarmed and handcuffed on the ground on a BART station platform. There are three separate videos of the shooting; the first confiscated by BART police, the second uncovered by the local news, and finally a third perspective that surfaced days after the murder of Oscar Grant.

I am deeply troubled and disturbed by how this tragedy has not received more coverage by news outlets, including CNN. I was inundated with information regarding the slaying of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos, which was the catalyst for the riots throughout Greece. I even mentioned the slain youth in a previous post.

How is this travesty not more newsworthy? How many hours of coverage did Caylee Anthony receive from national and local outlets? I've seen that cretin Anne Coulter plastered on the news with her latest "PR" stunt for the past 36 hours.

Damn, I feel like I was just sucker punched.

Shoe Thrower Gathers Support

The Baghdad reporter Muntadhar al-Zaidi, now famous for throwing his shoes at President Bush in an attempt to humilate him, is garnering support throughout the world. He yelled "This is your farewell kiss, you dog!" to Bush as he took aim at the President. Throughout the Arab world protestors have taken to the streets and airways demanding al-Zaidi's release.

His supporters are not limited to the Arab world. Bush is vilified throughout the modern world for his actions, policies and invasion of Iraq. In March of 2007 I was in Rio de Janiero when protesters threw rocks and bottles at his limo and demonstrated in the streets where ever he spoke. Riot police were the only thing that keep the protesters from their intended target.

The symbolism of throwing the shoes is now being lost as it has become a joke and ammunition for late night comedians. al-Zaidi's intent was to bring to the forefront the tens of thousands of Iraqis that have died in Bush's war.

I read a terrific article this morning, check it out: http://riverscrap.typepad.com/home/2008/12/iraqi-shoethrower-steals-limelight-from-suicide-bombers.

A Jihad for Love (2007) - Parvez Sharma

A Jihad for Love (2007)

In a time, when Islam is under tremendous attack-from within and without-'A Jihadfor Love' is a daring documentary-filmed in twelve countries and nine languages. Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma has gone where the silence is strongest, filming with great risk in nations where government permission to make this film was not an option. A Jihad for Love is the first-ever feature-length documentary to explore the complex global intersections of Islam and homosexuality. With unprecedented access and depth, Sharma brings to light the hidden lives of gay and lesbian Muslims from countries like Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, France, India, and South Africa. The majority of gay and lesbian Muslims must travel a lonely and often dangerous road. In many nations with a Muslim majority, laws based on Quranic interpretations are enforced by authorities to monitor, entrap, imprison, torture and even execute homosexuals. Even for those who migrate to Europe or North America and adopt Western personae of "gay," the relative freedoms of new homelands are mitigated by persistent racial profiling and intensified state surveillance after the terrorist attacks in New York, London and Madrid. As a result, many gay and lesbian Muslims end up renouncing their religion. But the real-life characters of A Jihad for Love aren't willing to abandon a faith they cherish despite its flaws. Instead, they struggle to reconcile their ardent belief with the innate reality of their being. The international chorus of gay and lesbian Muslims brought together by A Jihad for Love doesn't seek to vilify or reject Islam, but rather negotiate a new relationship to it. In doing so, the film's extraordinary characters point the way for all Muslims to move beyond the hostile, war-torn present, toward a more hopeful future. As one can imagine, it was a difficult decision for the subjects to participate in the film due to the violence they could face. However, those who have come forward to tell their stories feel this film is too important for 1.4 billion Muslims and non-Muslims around the world for them to say no. They are willing to take the risk in their quest to lay equal claim to their profoundly held faith. "A Jihad for Love' is produced by Sandi DuBowski (Director of Trembling Before G-d) in association with ZZDF-Arte Channel 4, and LOGO.

Les personnes que Parvez Sharma présente dans son film documentaire sont des musulmans croyants et ils sont gays. Dans la plupart de leurs pays d’origine, ils font de ce fait partie d’une minorité opprimée, une minorité dont on ne parle pas, victime de persécutions et d’humiliations, exclue de la vie publique.

Original languages:(English Arabic Hindi Persian Urdu French) hardsubbed with French. TV ripped from Arte "the intellectual" TV channel in France.

http://www.foriegnmoviesddl.com/2008/12/jihad-for-love-2007-parvez-sharma.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/173334926/JHL.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/173339002/JHL.part2.rar
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password:accatone

Twelve American presidents owned slaves; eight presidents did while they lived in the White House.

Trapped In Paradise

Thai anti-government protesters shut down Bangkok's second airport on Thursday, further crippling the kingdom as tourists scrambled to leave and fears grew the crisis was deepening.

Below is an email from my oldest friend, who was also my first love, he is trapped in Thailand.

"Guest what? I'm stuck in Thailand! Yes, my sister and I were scheduled to depart today from Phuket via Bangkok and then through Taipei into LAX. Since the takeover of the airport in BKK, we've been in the south but all flights through Bangkok that had not been re-routed are cancelled. Thousands are stranded.

We're working with out travel agency's representative to get out through Malaysia on 12/3 and perhaps then onto LAX via Taipei, but so far only Malaysia destination is certain. We're safe and yes, we are stuck, albeit in paradise. We would like it to become less cloudy, but that hasn't stopped us from getting cheap Thai massages daily, fending off the sellers of every cheap trinket, or enjoying the beach.

I hope all is well with you and I hope you enjoyed the holiday and are relaxing and taking care of yourself. I will speak with you soon and I have my laptop so I am in touch and making the best of Paradise!

Love,Marc

-- "I'll admit I may have seen better days, but I'm still not to be had for the price of a cocktail, like a salted peanut."Margo Channing (Bette Davis)All About Eve - 1950"

Dear Santa, I have totally flipped for The Flip

Bolivia on the brink of Civil War, partially blames Bush administration

Bolivia is on the brink of civil war, a nation divided by race and wealth. In the past three months hundreds have been murdered, and hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets in protest.

President Evo Morales elected in 2006 claims to be the first full blooded Amerindian to hold such a position since Spanish Conquest 470 years ago. Although some praise the ever increasing mestizo culture of Bolivia there remains great divides in wealth, education, and entitlement across racial divides.

President Morales is considered a Socialist doe to his redistribution of the wealth generated by Bolivia’s natural resources such as natural gas and his commitment to land reform. Morlaes is also titular President of cocalero, a federation of coca growers' unions who are resisting the efforts of the United States government to eradicate cocoa in Bolivia.

Although over 80% of the population supports President Morales he does have his opposition. They are demanding greater control over policies ranging from land reform to the allocation of the earnings of Bolivia's natural gas exports, which originate in their regions. Earlier this year, the departments of Tarija, Santa Cruz, Pando and Beni voted in favor of opposition-drafted autonomy statutes, but since those referenda were not sanctioned by the national electoral court, the central government refuses to recognize the results.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bush administration have been accused of supporting the opposition and inciting violence. As a result he kicked out U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg this past September, accusing him of inciting conflict. The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) has rallied to his support. At an emergency meeting the presidents of nine Latin American countries gave Morales their full support, and offered to send a team to mediate.

President Evo Morales, cast his decision on Saturday to suspend the activities of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in his country as a matter of national security. "We have the obligation to defend the dignity and the sovereignty of the Bolivian people," said Morales. "There have been DEA agents who, carrying out espionage, financed rogue groups with the intention of taking the lives of [Bolivian government] officials." The Bolivian President made clear he envisages repairing the relationship with the U.S. as soon as President Bush has gone. More than once, he referred to his own victory in Bolivia as having brought "the change we need."

Olbermann "Gay Marriage is a question of Love"

Fareed Zakaria on Obama's win

The brilliant Fareed Zakaria hosts GPS, Global Public Square, on CNN Sundays at 1:00 PM.

www.change.gov - Office of President Elect Barack Obama

President Elect Obama has launched his official transitional website. You can register your email in order to remain up to date on transition activities and appointments. Our President Elect continues to remain cutting edge on the communication front to keep us informed.