“Latest Articles - Dissident Voice” plus 4 more |
- Latest Articles - Dissident Voice
- Lord of the Dance’ enchants families at Gallo Center - Modesto Bee
- Backgrounder: APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) - Investors Business Daily
- Mayor Ray Nagin planning December getaway to Mexico - New Orleans Times-Picayune
- Going for the Bling - New York Times
| Latest Articles - Dissident Voice Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:36 PM PST I have stopped hating Thanksgiving and learned to be afraid of the holiday. Over the past few years a growing number of white people have joined the longstanding indigenous people's critique of the holocaust denial that is at the heart of the Thanksgiving holiday. In two recent essays, I have examined the disturbing nature of a holiday rooted in a celebration of the European conquest of the Americas, which means the celebration of the Europeans' genocidal campaign against Indigenous people that is central to the creation of the United States. Many similar pieces have been published in predominantly white left/progressive media, while indigenous people continue to mark the holiday as a "National Day of Mourning." In recent years I have refused to participate in Thanksgiving Day meals, even with friends and family who share this critical analysis and reject the national mythology around manifest destiny. In bowing out of those gatherings, I would often tell folks that I hated Thanksgiving. I realize now that "hate" is the wrong word to describe my emotional reaction to the holiday. I am afraid of Thanksgiving. More accurately, I am afraid of what Thanksgiving tells us about both the dominant culture and much of the alleged counterculture. Here's what I think it tells us: As a society, the United States is intellectually dishonest, politically irresponsible, and morally bankrupt. This is a society in which even progressive people routinely allow national and family traditions to trump fundamental human decency. It's a society in which, in the privileged sectors, getting along and not causing trouble are often valued above honesty and accountability. Though it's painful to consider, it's possible that such a society is beyond redemption. Such a consideration becomes frightening when we recognize that all this goes on in the most affluent and militarily powerful country in the history of the world, but a country that is falling apart — an empire in decline. Thanksgiving should teach us all to be afraid. Although it's well known to anyone who wants to know, let me summarize the argument against Thanksgiving: European invaders exterminated nearly the entire indigenous population to create the United States. Without that holocaust, the United States as we know it would not exist. The United States celebrates a Thanksgiving Day holiday dominated not by atonement for that horrendous crime against humanity but by a falsified account of the "encounter" between Europeans and American Indians. When confronted with this, most people in the United States (outside of indigenous communities) ignore the history or attack those who make the argument. This is intellectually dishonest, politically irresponsible, and morally bankrupt. In left/radical circles, even though that basic critique is widely accepted, a relatively small number of people argue that we should renounce the holiday and refuse to celebrate it in any fashion. Most leftists who celebrate Thanksgiving claim that they can individually redefine the holiday in a politically progressive fashion in private, which is an illusory dodge: We don't define holidays individually or privately — the idea of a holiday is rooted in its collective, shared meaning. When the dominant culture defines a holiday in a certain fashion, one can't pretend to redefine it in private. To pretend we can do that also is intellectually dishonest, politically irresponsible, and morally bankrupt. I press these points with no sense of moral superiority. For many years I didn't give these questions a thought, and for some years after that I sat sullenly at Thanksgiving dinners, unwilling to raise my voice. For the past few years I've spent the day alone, which was less stressful for me personally (and, probably, less stressful for people around me) but had no political effect. This year I've avoided the issue by accepting a speaking invitation in Canada, taking myself out of the country on that day. But that feels like a cheap resolution, again with no political effect in the United States. The next step for me is to seek creative ways to use the tension around this holiday for political purposes, to highlight the white-supremacist and predatory nature of the dominant culture, then and now. Is it possible to find a way to bring people together in public to contest the values of the dominant culture? How can those of us who want to reject that dominant culture meet our intellectual, political, and moral obligations? How can we act righteously without slipping into self-righteousness? What strategies create the most expansive space possible for honest engagement with others? Along with allies in Austin, I've struggled with the question of how to create an alternative public event that could contribute to a more honest accounting of the American holocausts in the past (not only the indigenous genocide, but African slavery) and present (the murderous U.S. assault on the developing world, especially in the past six decades, in places such as Vietnam and Iraq). Some have suggested an educational event, bringing in speakers to talk about those holocausts. Others have suggested a gathering focused on atonement. Should the event be more political or more spiritual? Perhaps some combination of methods and goals is possible. However we decide to proceed, we can't ignore the ugly ideological realities of the holiday. My fear of those realities is appropriate but facing reality need not leave us paralyzed by fear; instead it can help us understand the contours of the multiple crises — economic and ecological, political and cultural — that we face. The challenge is to channel our fear into action. I hope that next year I will find a way to take another step toward a more meaningful honoring of our intellectual, political, and moral obligations. As we approach Thanksgiving Day, I'm eager to hear about the successful strategies of others. For such advice, I would be thankful. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Lord of the Dance’ enchants families at Gallo Center - Modesto Bee Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:29 PM PST First performed in Ireland in 1996, the show has since been seen by more than 50 million people in 60 countries. Told solely through dance with no narration, the fairy tale story centers on the battle between the Lord of the Dance and the evil Don Dorcha. Each man has an army and beautiful women to keep him company. Theres also a goddess who sings, two women who play the fiddle and a spirit who plays Simple Gifts on the flute throughout the show. The striking single set is an ancient-looking stone castle decorated with Celtic symbols and a unicorn. The cast seems to change costume about every five minutes, and has outfits of every color, including in neon shades. In one brief sexy interlude in the decidedly G-rated show, the women strip off their traditional short dresses and dance in halter tops and shorts over tights. The heavily amplified music and sounds of tapping feet may be too loud for some. Others may find the traditional Irish step dancing of stiff arms fast-tapping feet too repetitive and limiting. Theres only so much you can do with the form. But those who attended Thursdays show appeared only enchanted by the production. As the crowds filed out, more than a few children joyfully did their best to replicate the fancy footwork they had just seen. For more on Modesto area arts, visit www.twitter.com/lisamillegan or thehive.modbee.com/artsbeat. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Backgrounder: APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) - Investors Business Daily Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:50 PM PST SINGAPORE, Nov 13, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the culmination of the APEC meetings throughout the year, opens in Singapore Saturday. In November 1993, former U.S. President Bill Clinton established the practice of an annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting which brings together heads of state and representatives to set the strategic policy direction for the APEC. Before that, the APEC only operated at ministerial level. The AELM was held on a yearly basis. During the meeting, leaders discuss a range of strategic, economic and trade-related topics. On the agenda at recent meetings included regional economic integration, the Doha Round of trade talks, climate change and terrorism. At the end of the meeting, the APEC Economic Leaders' declaration will be issued, outlining the shared views of leaders on key topics and setting the strategic direction of the APEC for the forthcoming year. As a tradition, the leaders attending the meeting participate in a photo op in which they dress in a costume that reflects the culture of the host member. Previous AELMs: The following are basic facts about the previous Economic Leaders' Meetings of the APEC: -- Seattle, the United States, 1993 The leaders discussed topics such as the future of the Asia- Pacific region, regional cooperation and its mechanism. The most remarkable achievement of the meeting was the creation of a vision of community of Asia-Pacific economies. A statement released by the meeting said that the forum should foster the spirit of openness and partnership, support an open international trade system, and reduce trade and investment barriers. -- Bogor, Indonesia, 1994 The meeting endorsed the Bogor Goals, which envisioned the achievement of free and open trade and investment for developed member economies by 2010 and developing ones by 2020. The meeting also adopted the Bogor Declaration, known as the Declaration of Common Resolve. -- Osaka, Japan, 1995 The economic leaders approved a Declaration for Action (Osaka Declaration) and adopted the Osaka Action Agenda as a framework to achieve the commitments of the Bogor Declaration. The documents firmly established the "two wheels" of the APEC activities: trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and economic and technical cooperation (Ecotech). The Osaka Action Agenda also provided individual action plans and collective action plans for the implementation of the Bogor Goals. -- Cubic Bay, the Philippines, 1996 The economic leaders approved the Manila Action Plan for the APEC and the APEC Economic Leaders' Declaration: From Vision to Action. The plan included the following themes: greater market access in goods and services, an open investment regime, reduced business costs, an open and efficient infrastructure sector, and strengthened economic and technical cooperation. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Mayor Ray Nagin planning December getaway to Mexico - New Orleans Times-Picayune Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:07 PM PST By Michelle Krupa, The Times-PicayuneNovember 13, 2009, 10:10PM Less than a month after he jetted off to Cuba on a fact-finding mission, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is planning another tropical junket: a four-day, taxpayer-financed excursion next month to Merida, Mexico, featuring a private tour of ancient ruins. According to a travel itinerary obtained by The Times-Picayune, a City Hall delegation has booked rooms on four executive floors at the Hyatt Regency Merida, on the Yucatan peninsula, from Dec. 7 through Dec. 10. Besides flight and lodging information, however, the only event on the agenda is a "private tour" by bus of the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, complete with "in-bus cooler," lunch and a "one-hour open bar" at the on-site Mayaland Hotel. The itinerary -- which was sent Wednesday to all council members, along with an invitation to attend -- does not appear to include any events connected to public business. Nagin spokesman James Ross said by e-mail Friday that additional details are being worked out. "The purpose is to re-sign a 'sister city' agreement with Merida," he said. "This is follow-up from a visit by several Merida officials earlier this year. The city of New Orleans and Merida are working to renew their historic cultural and business ties, which have lessened in the past few years." Nagin and Merida Mayor Cesar Bojorquez Zapata also are expected to "inaugurate a business exchange," Ross said without elaborating. The mayors agreed during a September meeting in New Orleans to renew a cross-continental bond forged by their predecessors two decades ago. They talked about the possibility of moving struggling local firms' production facilities from Louisiana to Mexico to help the companies save money,
 Mayor Ray Nagin speaks during a press conference at the Melia Cohiba Hotel in Havana, Cuba, on Oct. 20. The itinerary for next month's trip also indicates that Nagin and his wife, Seletha, could have extended their stay beyond the four-day calendar. In a note to Nagin's international relations director, Lisa Ponce de Leon, the city's travel agent, Carlos Monge of NatureTours, wrote: "Also remember the invitation for the mayor and his wife to stay a couple of extra nights at the fabulous Hacienda San Antonio Millet at no additional cost to the city (A MUST)." Ross said the Nagins have declined the offer. Several City Council members confirmed Friday that they received the itinerary this week via e-mail, though it appears the tour didn't stir much interest. Initially scheduled to last through Dec. 11, Ross said the trip was pared back this week by one day. Council members Arnie Fielkow, Stacy Head, Shelley Midura, Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and Cynthia Willard-Lewis declined to participate, aides said. James Carter said he also would not attend, and Jackie Clarkson's chief of staff said her boss was unlikely to make the trip. Ross said members of the city's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also were invited. As for expenses, taxpayers will foot the bill for Nagin's travel, as well as any other administration officials, Ross said, adding that so far, only Ponce de Leon is slated to go. Council members would have to tap their publicly financed office budgets, he said. Ross ignored repeated questions about how Seletha Nagin's expenses would be paid. He said members of the Hispanic chamber would have to pay their own way. According to the itinerary, travel expenses amount to $1,675 for single-room occupancy, with a savings of $260 for double occupancy. The Nagin administration has not responded to a request from The Times-Picayune for billing records related to the Cuba trip. Documents obtained by the newspaper show that city taxpayers paid nearly $30,000 for the Nagins and four city officials to travel to China and Australia in June.
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| Going for the Bling - New York Times Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:14 PM PST LOS ANGELES THE gang's nickname is still up for grabs. Four teenage girls and two men suspected of stealing jewelry and clothing from the homes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom and other celebrities have been tagged with a few tantalizing names since their purported crime spree came to light. "The Burglar Bunch," trumpeted TMZ. "The Bling Ring," rhymed The Los Angeles Times. The "Hollywood Hills Burglars," said the Los Angeles police. The group, most 18 and 19 years old, used celebrity Web sites, according to investigators, to figure out when their victims — a roster of young Hollywood that also includes Rachel Bilson of "The O.C.," Ashley Tisdale of "High School Musical" fame and Audrina Patridge of "The Hills"— would be attending premieres and other events and would therefore not be home. In the stars' homes, burglars helped themselves to Rolex watches, Louis Vuitton bags and other baubles featured in celebrity magazines, authorities say. Six accused members of the ring have been charged with residential burglary and other crimes, including one, Alexis Neiers, who was arrested on the set of a reality show pilot she is filming for E! with her sister Tess Taylor, a Playboy model. Rich enough for you? The tale lies at the intersection of celebrity, teen culture, reality TV and the Internet. It doesn't hurt the chances of the — let's go with "Bling Ring" — becoming the subject of a movie that the teenagers "look like the cast of 'Twilight,' " as one Hollywood lawyer put it. The six who have been charged are Nicholas Prugo, 19; Diana Tamayo, 19; Courtney Ames, 19; Ms. Neiers, 18; Roy Lopez Jr., 27, a bouncer; and Jonathan Ajar, 28, nightclub promoter. Mr. Ajar faces related drug and weapons charges but has not been charged with burglary. Another teenager, who police in Los Angeles have said is the ringleader, Rachel Lee, 18, was arrested in Las Vegas and is expected to be charged soon, said Detective Brett Goodkin of the Los Angeles Police Department, the lead investigator in the case. A search of Ms. Lee's father's home in Las Vegas turned up over $20,000, designer jeans and photos of Ms. Hilton, Detective Goodkin said. Mr. Ajar has pleaded not guilty. The others, whose arraignments are expected in the next few weeks, have not yet entered pleas. Most of the teenagers knew one another from Calabasas, Calif., an affluent suburb of rolling foothills in the western San Fernando Valley. Although it is more rural than the Hollywood Hills, some 30 minutes away, where many of the celebrity victims live, Calabasas has its share of stars: Will Smith and Kourtney Kardashian from the reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." Celebrities — and a celebrity lifestyle — are close enough to reach out and touch, even more so thanks to gossip Web sites that track the nightly antics of young celebutants, and reality shows like "The Hills" that portray beautiful young people, seemingly just like you, living large. "Young people see a lifestyle on television and have peer pressure and constant bombardment from media to have what other people have, to want what other people want and to try to live the dream," said Jason Peirce, the host of "Calabasas Teen Forum," a local cable television program. Police say that some of the stolen bling was fenced for cash, while other items were kept as trophies. Friends of the accused say they wore the stylish clothes and Rolex watches belonging to the stars. In the case of Ms. Hilton's home, they returned three or four times, authorities said. The Bling Ring is not a reality show. It is reality, with a wide-ranging cast of characters. Ms. Lee and Mr. Prugo were classmates at a remedial high school, Indian Hills, to which they transferred because of truancy issues at Calabasas High School, friends said. Ms. Lee, who drove a white Audi A4, was named "best dressed" in the 2007 Indian Hills yearbook. "She dressed very trendy, things like what celebrities wore," recalled Dani Ley, a classmate. "Everyone would be in jeans and shorts. She would come in fancy jean skirts and fancy tops." Friends said that Ms. Lee had trouble at home. Her mother, who had been single for many years, started a relationship that displeased her, said one longtime friend of Ms. Lee's, who asked that her name not be used to avoid retribution from the Bling Ring. "That's when she started having problems with her mom," the friend said. Ms. Lee's small house near the high school was sometimes a hangout, where Mr. Prugo, Ms. Ames and others from Indian Hills could be found "having a kickback," said the friend. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
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