Pet Shop Boys
We’re All Criminals Now

Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve changed
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’re blamed
We’re all criminals now

Just a routine procedure
(We’re watching you)
A sample of your DNA
(The things you do)
Queuing to be finger-printed
(You could be dangerous)
Going to the USA
Another routine procedure
(We’re on your case)
Driving in your car
(We’ve seen your face)
Stopped and searched and questioned
(Some place before)
Can you prove who you are?
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve changed
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve been framed
We’re all criminals now

Hey, hey, hey
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey, hey
We’re all criminals now

Got the bus to the station
Music playing in my head
Ran to get on the tube train
Police shot someone dead

Don’t ask me how We’re all criminals now

Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’re blamed
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve been framed
We’re all criminals now

Excellent talk by Howard Zinn on “War and Social Justice” as broadcasted by Democracy Now!. Please watch/listen to this talk and support Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! for its excellent work in the independent journalism.

Today is an International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It is sad that in 2008 we still have to worry about this. But unfortunately today women are still prosecuted for anything from trying to apply for “men” jobs to trying to decide what to do with their bodies and their health. And they are still traded as objects.

Women are in several regards still treated as a secondary citizens. And this is not only promoted by men. There are several women who continue to propagate this stereotype. For example, the Kansas State Senator Kay O’Connor said publicly that “Men should take care of women, and if men were taking care of women (today) we wouldn’t have to vote.” But this is not an isolated case. Women in public commonly downplay the role of women. They are traditionally viewed as the mothers and house wives. And a woman with a career is seen as an outsider and tough.

The most recent example of perpetuating of the weak women myth that I can think of happened during the Obama’s first press conference. In the middle of financial crisis there were several men and women journalists asking tough questions about economy. Out of three women (compared to four men), one Lynn Sweet switched from the problematic economic crisis to talk about where Obama will send his kids to school and what type of dog he will buy. So, in the midst of the issues facing the new president, what this journalist finds important is the type of dog. I guess in her mind this is what women want to know. But this is just one example. If you want more example of perpetuating the weak women myth, just watch some women TV shows.

Finally, most weddings I went to, especially the religious ones, clearly stated that the woman will become man’s property with the wedding. If something is your property then there is no reason to treat it with respect. Te woman becomes an object and therefore it is ok to, well, do to it whatever you want.

So, society has to grow up and stop treating women as a secondary citizens. The society should condemn violence of any kind, especially when it includes physical or psychological torture. Also, any kind of notion that women are weaker, property, or objects, should be eradicated. This includes for both men and women participants of society.

But to wrap this up, let’s just make sure that we are nice to each other. Furthermore, let’s do something special today. For example, smile to a stranger, or hug somebody. And don’t forget to say some nice words to anybody you see.

It started! “If you are not with us, you are against us…” Isn’t that so. Well, looks like people that do not agree with establishment will be put to jail. Among them my favorite journalist and an awesome person Amy Goodman. Why, well, because she is trying to show public how things like 1st amendment and various other freedoms are great for invading countries, but prosecuted with a military force in this country. Be careful Glenn Greenwald, you are next!

• Scenes from St. Paul — Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman arrested
• Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested At the RNC

Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfuly detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman’s crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.

Please help Amy spread freedom!

The following videos really made my day. Thank you Amy for letting me know. Also, thank you Matt for making them. The put tears in my eyes.

Don’t forget the 2005 and 2006 editions.

These videos are just another proof that the world is a really happy and pretty place. Let’s work together to keep it that way.

As you are probably aware if you live in US there will be some minor elections this fall. There are several interesting propositions on those elections. Here are some that I have a strong opinion about:

Proposition 1: Build a high speed train between the San Francisco and Los Angeles area. The major opposition falls into three major camps. There are people who say that since California cannot pay for education and health care, why spend money on this. Second argument is that it would never really be complete and it is a waste of money. Finally, the third argument is that it would have a huge environmental impact. Since I am not a finance person, I will ignore the first two. I assume somebody did the math. The only thing to add is that the money will be saved by people not having to drive or fly there. Also, since less people would drive, there would be substantial positive impact on the environment.

Proposition 2: This one has to do with the ethical treatment of farm animals. Though I don’t agree with people abusing farm animals in any way especially not for food production, I think baby steps can help sometimes. That said, baby steps when they really do something, not like a recent PETA fiasco with the Canadian KFC, where now PETA is promoting KFC. But hey, opposition says that the cost of eggs will go up. That is a good thing, isn’t it. So, I would say opposition to any animal cruelty is a great thing. Especially when it involves words such as “Go Vegan!“.

Proposition 4: Requires parents to be notified and consent to the abortion on a minor. Though in general I agree that the parents should be involved with the life of their children, unnecessary delaying potentially harmful pregnancy on a minor can be extremely serious. In addition this law would increase the underground abortion sites which are generally extremely unsafe, unsanitary and dangerous, compared to the abortion in the proper medical setting. Finally, I see this proposition to be a stepping stone towards making abortion illegal.

Proposition 8: Constitutional amendment with text “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” To quote a famous philosopher Wanda Sykes: “if you don’t believe in same sex marriage, then don’t marry somebody of the same sex.” But in general the message that people should get into their thick head is that this one does not affect them at all! Environment, diet, exercise, financial decisions, etc.. will all affect them, but letting same sex people to marry will not. For more information, check out Let California Ring. Also, check out the arguments against same sex marriage.

Let’s all work together to make this world a happy place. Let’s not bicker about who can associate with who, who has a right to live and who does not, who has access to prosperity and who does not. We are here together and let’s work together to make everybody’s life happy. That includes your life, my life, cats lives, chickens lives, and even lives of people that you do not agree with. And finally, let’s make the lives of our children happy, buy not destroying the environment they will be forced to live in, but protect our precious planet for our children, cats children, chickens children, and anybody else they will share it with.

Michael Franti – Bomb The World

Please tell me the reason
Behind the colors that you fly
Love just one nation
And the whole world we divide
You say you’re “sorry”
Say, “there is no other choice”
But god bless the people them
Who cannot raise their voice
(chorus)

We can chase down all our enemies
Bring them to their knees
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can’t bomb it into peace
Whoa we may even find a solution
To hunger and disease
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can’t bomb it into peace

Violence brings one thing
More more of the same
Military madness
The smell of flesh and burning pain
So i sing out to the masses
Stand up if you’re still sane!
To all of us gone crazy
I sing this one refrain
(chorus)

And i sing power to the peaceful
Love to the people y’all
Power to the peaceful
Love to the people y’all

Bomb the world (armageddon version)

I don’t understand the whole reason why
You tellin’ us all that we need to unify
Rally round the flag
And beat the drums of war
Sing the same old songs
Ya know we heard ‘em all before
You tellin’ me it’s unpatriotic
But i call it what i see it
When i see it’s idiotic
The tears of one mother
Are the same as any other
Drop food on the kids
While you’re murderin’ their fathers
But don’t bother to show it on cnn
Brothers and sisters don’t believe them
It’s not a war against evil
It’s really just revenge
Engaged on the poorest by the same rich men
Fight terrorists wherever they be found
But why you not bombing tim mcveigh’s hometown
You can say what you want propaganda television
But all bombing is terrorism
(chorus)

We can chase down all our enemies
Bring them to their knees
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can’t bomb it into peace
Whoa we may even find a solution
To hunger and disease
We can bomb the world to pieces
But we can’t bomb it into peace

911
Fire in the skies
Many people died
And no one even really knows why
They tellin’ lies of division and fear
We yelled and cried
No one listened for years
But like, “who put us here?”
And who’s responsible?
Well, there’s no debatin’
Cause if they ask me i say
It’s big corporations
World trade organization
Tri-lateral action
International sanctions, satan
Seems like it’ll be an endless price tag
Of wars tremendous
And most disturbingly
The death toll is so horrendous
So i send this to those
Who say they defend us
Send us into harm’s way
We should all make a rememberence that
This is bigger than terrorism
Blood is blood is blood and um
Love is true vision
Who will listen?
How many songs it takes for you to see
You can bomb the world to pieces
You can’t bomb it into peace

(chorus)

Power to the peaceful
And i say, love to the people y’all
Power to the peaceful
And i say, love to the people y’all
(chorus)

Democracy Now! played most of the talk by broadcast legend Bill Moyers on Media Reform: “Democracy Only Works When Ordinary People Claim It as Their Own”. They also included an argument between Bill Moyers and Barry Porter.

This article / video / audio is a must hear. The message is super important for the future of peace and freedom. And not the military freedom that people around here are all about, but the real freedom.

While on the Democracy Now! website, make sure to subscribe to their podcast, video-podcast, or any other form of content delivery.

Without Chains, by Patti Smith

Every time I see some movie or photos of some old war it always makes me sad. What is impressive is how people are so forgetful. For instance not that long ago UN was saying that it should never again happen on our watch. They were talking about Rwanda that happened 14 years ago. Five years ago the mess in Darfur started. I guess UN will make sure that the next war (5-10 years from now) will also not happen.

Similar thing is happening with other wars. For example Vietnam war started close to 50 years ago. And today, like people would not learn nothing from that war, there are more wars like that raging in the world. When will people learn?

Almost 40 years ago, two young guys John and Paul wrote the following song:

Finally, I saw the movie “Across the Universe” and I strongly recommend it to everybody.

Amy Goodman from the radio and TV show “Democracy Now!” and David Goodman wrote a new book called “STANDING UP TO THE MADNESS: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times”. She is doing a tour throughout USA. I will try to visit the San Francisco stop of the tour.

Don’t you just love when two groups are arguing about the methodology to solve the problem instead of trying to solve the problem? It reminds me to that scene in the “Life of Brian”, where Campaign for Free Galilee and People’s Front of Judea are fighting each other. Eventually Brian jells:

“Brothers! Brothers! We should be struggling together!”
“We mustn’t fight each other! Surely we should be united against the common enemy!”

To this they all respond in one voice:

“The Judean People’s Front?!”

Some of you young folks been saying to me
Hey Pops, what you mean What a wonderful world
How about all them wars all over the place
You call them wonderful
And how about hunger and pollution
That aint so wonderful either
Well how about listening to old Pops for a minute
Seems to me, it aint the world that’s so bad
but what we’re doin’ to it
And all I’m saying is
See what a wonderful world
It would be if only we’d give it a chance
Love baby, love
That’s the secret, Yeah
If lots more of us loved each other
We solve lots more problems
And then this world would be better
That’s wha’ ol’ Pops keeps saying

Louis Armstrong What A Wonderful World

Ok, 2007 is over and 2008 is here. First of all, Happy New Year!! to everybody. Yeah, it was a good one. Here is a recap:

• Lots of travel
• New Job
• Drive from NY to CA
• Move to CA
• Lots of biking
• Meet new people
• More biking
• Found several vegan restaurants
• I love this place
• Even more biking

So, time to make some New Year resolutions. Here they are:

• More biking
• More fun
• Meet more people
• Do more for the environment and peace (kind of cliché)

Beyond this, I will attempt to do a century a month thing this year, next to biking to work every day.

… Yoko Ono unveils the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER. …