The UK paper The Observer reported on Sep. 25 that “British troops will start a major withdrawal from Iraq next May under detailed plans on military disengagement to be published next month”. There doesn’t appear to be any public document or timetable – remeber how that shrub doesn’t talk timetables? Could this signify actual movement towards ending the war in Iraq? via: Richard Stallman
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
UK pulling out of Iraq next may?
Sunday, October 9th, 2005Reassuring a Plane’s passengers from MSNBC
Wednesday, September 21st, 20058:30pm EST : I’m watching live, the JetBlue flight 292 circle LAX on the cable news channel MSNBC. The airplane is having serious landing gear problems. They are about to make an emergency landing. The LA NBC affiliate news host just reminded the MSNBC folks that all of the Jetblue planes have TVs in their headrest. It’s possible the passengers could be watching the news coverage of this event as we speak. In attempt at being reassuring the host told the passengers that everything that could be done is being done. I almost hope they are not watching. How horrible to see this perspective from INSIDE an airplane. Is this a media first? The plane should land within minutes.
UPDATE: 9:20pm EST The plane has landed safely. The front landing gear just melted away without collapsing. They brought it to a complete stop with no apparent fire. Wow!
MSNBC says they have spoken ( or texted via a blackberry?) to a passenger on the plane “confirming” that the TVs on the plane were turned off. They also say that there were MSNBC Universial employees on-board whom have texted them.
9:42pm Now they are speaking to a passenger via cellphone who is on a bus just off the plane. He just said that the passengers where watching MSNBC and “getting great information from MSNBC”. He was sitting in the exit row. He also said they shut off the LIVE TV along with the air conditioning three to four minutes before landing.
Socially Responsible Hurricane Katrina Relief
Tuesday, September 6th, 2005Ruby tells us that the Radical Reference librarians have links to Socially Responsible Hurricane Katrina Relief. Check ‘em out.
In other news… The US Department of Homeland Security won’t let the American Red Cross into New Orleans. This is the Red Cross’s official FAQ about the matter. Here is a news story about it and here is another. IMHO ya’ll should still give blood and money to the Red Cross. So many people who’ve left N.O. need help, too. Just select your donations carefully with your heart and mind.
(more…)
Relief for the People of New Orleans
Thursday, September 1st, 2005Yesterday I heard some New Orleans jazz on the radio and almost cried. Here is a list of links to sites that are doing all they can to help the refuges of Hurricane Katrina. (That’s a link to Wikipedia’s great page of info)
Network for Good has a lits of charities that could use your help.
Craigslist is doing amazing things. With their large national network people are mobilizing all by themselves. Here is their Katrina relief page. Craig Newmark has been linking to amazing acts of kindness on his blog.
Andy Carvin of the Digital Divide Network has set up a blog called Katrina Aftermath. Anyone can blog on the site via email, record a bit of audio on the phone that becomes a podcast, and put a picture up. He has also suggested that Friday, September 2 be International Blogging for Disaster Relief Day. So link to this technorati url here from your blog post about Hurricane Katrina relief. http://technorati.com/tag/International%20Blogging%20for%20Disaster%20Relief%20Day
Update: Marie Gonzalez allowed to stay
Thursday, July 7th, 2005In a earlier post I told you about Marie and her fight to stay in the US. According to the Fair Immigration Reform Movement website Marie Gonzalez has been allowed to stay in the US by the Department of Homeland Security for one year. Sadly her parents are still being forced to leave. Yet another example of how broken immigration law breaks families apart. Check out Marie’s blog and podcast to learn more.
Bombings in London
Thursday, July 7th, 2005Just heard on the BBC that several bombs have exploded in London tube stations and on a bus killing and injuring many. My heart is out to everyone there. I’m thinking all the good thoughts I can and sending them to you.
Ring Tones for Revolution
Thursday, June 30th, 2005A cell phone ring tone is being used as a tool of protest by the opposition to Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The protesters are calling for her resignation because the recording used in the ring tone sounds like President Arroyo discussing the fixing of the presidential election. The example I heard on BBC radio had a hip hop beat with a woman’s voice saying, “Hello Garciâ€. As if talking with senior Philippines election official Virgilio Garcillano.
“In the full conversation, which the government says was illegally wiretapped and then doctored, a woman who sounds like Arroyo asks senior election official Virgilio Garcillano whether she would win by more than 1 million votes in a southern area.” From: Khaleej Times
Imagine a world where we make our own media by recording what ever we hear with our cellphones and play the audio recordings back like voice mail or convert them into ring tones to “broadcast” to your immediate vicinity. We might huddle around our friends cell phones to get the latest news. Or maybe we’d hear it from a distance in the next cubicle over. After hearing about this story on BBC radio I kept imagining what it would be like if a large crowd played the same protest ring tone all at once. I’m not sure if that would be musical or unbearable noise. Whichever I say, Bring on the noise!
Whether or not the source audio is real, this is an amazing example of a swarm advocacy. This is media broadcast by the people!
Via: BBC radio, Boing Boing, Smart Mobs
I’m going to Live 8 Philly!
Wednesday, June 29th, 2005This just too wild! Looks like I’ll be going backstage at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia, PA on July 2. I’m driving 8+ hours from NC to PA. Then when the show is over I’ll drive back. Dang, talk about whirl wind tour! To top it all off, when I get home I can sleep a few hours and then hang with my new in-laws and my parents who will meet for the first time at our engagement party. At least I’ll have some stories to tell. 
Also Ruby is the best partner any man, or woman, could hope for! Live 8
I’m against Poverty
Tuesday, June 28th, 2005Recently David Sifry, Technorati’s Founder & CEO, announced that 50 bloggers will be given backstage passes to the Live 8 concerts organized by Bob Geldof. To get a chance to go you have some interesting requirements. This promotional campaign is really novel. It could demonstrate the swarm power of bloggers and podcasters. The power of individuals to organize around a common cause and create lasting positive change.
As the One campaign video says, “We’re not asking you for your money, we’re asking for your voice.” Is this a real example of network centric advocacy on a massive scale or a sophisticated marketing campaign hustle? Or both? Either way it boils down to trust. I suspend my skepticism and give this action my trust.
All I really want for participating is to learn how the money and political capital raised from this event saved real lives in Africa. Live 8
We Are Marie
Tuesday, June 28th, 2005On July fifth Marie Gonzalez and her family are being forced to leave the United States. Because of unreliable legal advice and broken US Immigration law the Gozalez family overstayed their visa. They didn’t find out that their immigration status had lapsed until they were placed under deportation proceedings.
Fifteen days before they have to leave Marie started podcasting and blogging. Here’s her blog wearemarie.blogspot.com and here’s her podcast feed feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/wearemarie. Please download the mp3s and listen to what she has to say.
This is one of the best examples of activist podcasting I’ve heard. It’s exactly what I’m trying to tell people is possible. Maria’s podcast demonstrates how a simple recorded phone call, nothing real fancy just a elegant and heartfelt message, can document the important moments in peoples lives. The experience of listening to her podcast is as if she called my phone voice mail and shared her thoughts just with me. I feel honored to listen to her story. Because of the first person conversation style we can all catch a crucial glimpse of peoples lives. It can really motivate you to act.
Here are some ways you can take action to help Marie and her family. Contact your elected representatives and tell them to intercede on their behalf. Specifically if you live in Missouri your Republican Senators — Kit Bond and James Talent can introduce a private bill on the Gonzalez behalf. Also there’s a electronic petition to sign.