Sorry Ain't Enough No More

A song originally written about the Gulf Oil spill, but seems appropriate in other contexts.  Can we afford any more "mistakes?"  Sorry Ain't Enough No More from Shamarr Allen, Dee-1, Paul Sanchez, and Bennie Pete of Hot 8 Brass Band. 

Love Stories

 

Can economic and social crisis be turned into a love story?  Or should activists in the U.S. be more deeply concerned with "taking power," for example, as activists in Europe and Latin America (among other places) have traditionally effected change? And versus, say, "processing feelings?"   

In the video below, Paul Jay talks with Brooklyn-based director Velcrow Ripper about this important subject, along with his now traveling film on the Occupy movement, Occupy Love.  (Find a copy or host a showing in your community by going here.)



*Photo credit/Vancouver Film Festival/Anonymous protester at Occupy demonstration with sign reading "Always Know You Are Loved - The Universe."

Dangerous Precedent

Bradley Manning's historic trial started today after three long years of waiting -- but mainstream media was more interested in grumpy cat.  In the video below, Andrew Blake reports on the scene in the courtroom, notable persons attending, and the dangerous legal precedent that could be set if Bradley Manning is convicted;  i.e. he is being charged with "aiding the enemy," essentially, by posting information on the internet that could be read by anyone.  He faces the possibility of life in prison.

Interview

A livestream interview with Julian Assange, still unable to leave the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.  Mr. Assange talks about internet activist Jeremy Hammond, Bradley Manning, and his own case with Wikileaks.  Bradley Manning goes on trial next week.  Yesterday, various news sources reported that Mr. Hammond plea bargained a ten year sentence - and in order to avoid a possible 30 year sentence because of overzealous prosecution.  He has already served 15 months with weeks in solitary confinement.  Mr. Hammond stated,

"Now that I have pleaded guilty it is a relief to be able to say that I did work with Anonymous to hack [private intelligence firm] Stratfor, among other websites. Those others included military and police equipment suppliers, private intelligence and information security firms, and law enforcement agencies. I did this because I believe people have a right to know what governments and corporations are doing behind closed doors. I did what I believe is right."

 

Poetry

The Recipe Poetry Group in Engineering Poverty.  Recipe hails from the city of Ottawa with poets Emcee- E (Ian Keteku), OpenSecret (Ikenna Onyegbula), Poetic Speed (Komi Olafimihan) and Brandon Wint.

Memorial Day

Thinking about the rain.


*Photo credit/Veterans For Peace, Santa Barbara Chapter/"Sand Soldiers" at Arlington West. 

Monsanto Demonstrations

An overview of yesterday's global marches against Monsanto's practices.




U.S./D.C. focus coverage here.  Watch the Raging Grannies perform in Montreal here.
 

5.28.2013 Update:  More worldwide photographs and video of marches here. 

5.29.2013 Update:  NYC march coverage here.