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Aljazeera - PEOPLE & POWER - Ingushetia - A second Chechnya? - 01-11-09

Category: Documentary
Description:
By Dom Rotheroe and Antony Butts On October 25, Maksharip Aushev, an Ingush businessman and civil opposition leader, was murdered by unknown gunmen who sprayed his car with more than 60 bullets. Shortly before his death, filmmakers Dom Rotheroe and Antony Butts spoke with him for their film on the conflict in the Russian republic of Ingushetia. Recently, the Russian republic of Ingushetia has become the most dangerous place in the Russian federation. Endemic corruption combined with a battle between Islamic extremists and unaccountable Moscow-backed security forces has plunged the area into violence. The conflict has left many Ingushetians in despair; their human rights suppressed and their faith in the authorities in tatters. It is a cycle of bloody atrocity and counter-atrocity that seems to have no end. While the Ingush stayed out of the Chechens' recent wars for independence from Russia, this did not prevent the violence from finally spilling over. In June 2004, rebels attacked Ingushetia's main city of Nazran and killed scores of security officials. With Russia by then pretty much in control of Chechnya, Chechen rebels wanted to spread the war into neighbouring Muslim republics. And in Ingushetia discontent had been growing ever since Vladimir Putin, the then Russian president, installed the unpopular Murat Zyazikov as president there in 2002. 'Disappeared' Trapped in the middle of the decade-long dirty war are 500,000 Ingush. Maksharip Aushev, a businessman and civil opposition leader, told us that he carries a gun "because it's dangerous out there". "At any moment they can turn up in camouflage and kidnap you - and then you'll just be disappeared. "Although the gun will not protect you at least you'll manage to do something so they don't torture you, don't take you away - so you don't just go missing like most people usually do here," he said. Things changed for businessman Maksharip three years ago when his nephew, who had refused to become an informant, and son were snatched off a train by security forces. They were taken to Chechnya and tortured. "As soon as my son and nephew were abducted, I stepped out," he explained, saying that he never wanted to be involved in politics but felt forced into it. Maksharip blamed the Russian security forces (FSB) and rallied public protests, which led to the release of his son and nephew. In the process he also kicked off widespread civil opposition to the regime and became one of the most outspoken leaders of the opposition to Zyazikov, a former KGB officer and an ally of Putin. According to Magomed Mutsolgov, the co-founder of the local human rights group Mashr, it was after Zyazikov became president that anyone even vaguely suspected of opposing the regime began getting visits from the security forces. Mutsolgov co-founded Mashr when his younger brother disappeared four years ago. "Altogether we have had over 500 cases of kidnapping. Some of those people were found dead," he says. 'Nothing left to lose' The violence has been increasing exponentially. Mashr estimates that 212 people were killed in 2008. By August 2009 that number had already been reached. Yet violence by the security forces is only one side of Ingushetia's mayhem. In the last seven years, Islamic militants have killed over 200 policemen, soldiers and government officials. The most devastating attack happened in August 2009 when a suicide bomber drove a truck into Nazran's main police station, killing 24 people and injuring more than 160. In recent years religious extremists among the rebels have turned the war for Chechen independence into a jihad for a Sharia-based emirate covering all of Russia's Caucasian Muslim republics. They have also started targeting civilians whom they deem un-Islamic. Recently, two sisters, aged 52 and 60, were shot to death in a roadside kiosk, supposedly for selling alcohol. "They are psychotic. Putting seven, eight bullets into women. What Sharia law are they talking about?" the victim's sister asks. "We have nothing more to be afraid of. We have gone through all this and are ready for anything. We have lost our parents, husbands. What else can we be afraid of? We have nothing left to lose." Yet even this family lay the final blame less on the militants than on the authorities and the lawlessness and corruption they believe Zyazikov fostered. Poverty Ingushetia is not only Russia's most violent republic. It is also its poorest. "Zyazikov declared that over 70 factories had been built in the republic, that the unemployment problem had been solved, etc etc. We risked our lives trying to prove to the Russian government that there were no factories, that the huge amounts of money allocated to us were simply being fiddled away by Zyazikov and his people," Maksharip said. By October 2008, opposition to Zyazikov had grown to such a pitch and the violence and corruption had become so brazen that Moscow finally replaced him with the popular ex-general, Yunus-bek Yevkurov. The new leader set out to tackle the corruption and violence and brought advisors from the civil opposition into his administration. He also sacked some corrupt officials, tried to initiate talks with the rebels and gained the public's trust. But then, on June 22, 2009, his presidential convoy was rammed by a suicide bomber. Yevkurov ended up in a critical condition in hospital. Extra-judicial executions In his absence, and with the Kremlin demanding even better results against the rebels, allegations of extra-judicial executions by the security forces began flooding in. Many believe it is Russia's FSB, the former KGB, that is orchestrating the cycle of violence in Ingushetia. Their agents have even been caught firing on Ingush policemen, raising suspicions that Moscow is deliberately keeping the fractious north Caucasus destablised in order to justify its controlling military presence. Others believe the motive is also the money that those in power can make from conflict. "As the Russian saying goes, 'It is good fishing in troubled waters.' These kind of civil wars are started to make it easier to steal money," Maksharip said. Suspicion Suspicion of the FSB here is reminiscent of Soviet times. Several human rights campaigners have been killed in the north Caucasus in the last few years. Aslambek Paev, a human rights campaigner, told us: "Everything is monitored. You have to be very careful and observant when you work. Probably I'm the next one. "What difference does it make for us? We know we're dead anyway, that sooner or later they'll kill us." Yevkurov recovered from the attack on him and returned to office. He has since sacked his entire cabinet for making problems worse in his absence. But it is yet to be seen how far his promised reforms will go - or indeed how effective they can be in a land which both the militants and elements of Russia's power structures seem determined to keep on the boil. Losing control One month before his death, the security forces had stopped Maksharip's car and attempted to take him into custody after he left a government meeting. He escaped only because a crowd of motorists, including an aide to the governor, surrounded him. "If I had been a half-metre closer, they would have tied me up and I would have disappeared without a trace," he told Caucasian Knot, a website that covers the region. Yevkurov has reached out to human rights activists and the opposition, offering them a degree of protection, but Aushev's killing suggests that he, and by extension the Kremlin, may be losing control over the overlapping law enforcement agencies fighting a growing Islamist insurgency in the region. Though deep in mourning, Maksharip Aushev's family agreed to our film being broadcast. His assassination highlights the continuing perils faced by anyone who seeks to defend basic freedoms in Ingushetia, raising fears of further violence in the region.
Seeders: 3
Leeches: 0

The Pit Bull Hoax

Category: Documentary
Description:
The Pit Bull Hoax is an educational DVD. Its intended purpose is to remove existing Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) from the law books and prevent any cities, counties and states from enacting BSL. As of 2009, 41 states have BSL or are considering it in its legislature. Additionally, various insurance companies, housing authorities and other groups have a list of "dangerous dogs" that totals 75 breeds. Featuring interviews with: Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Jean Donaldson, Dr Ian Dunbar, Diane Jessup and Jane Berkey. Format ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : AVI Format/Info ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Audio Video Interleave File size ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 282 MiB Duration ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 13mn 55s Overall bit rate ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 2 834 Kbps Writing application ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : VirtualDubMod 1.5.4.1 (build 2178/release) Writing library ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : VirtualDubMod build 2178/release Video Format ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : MPEG-4 Visual Format profile ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Streaming Video@L1 Format settings, BVOP ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Yes Format settings, QPel ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : No Format settings, GMC ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : No warppoints Format settings, Matrix ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Custom Codec ID ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : XVID Codec ID/Hint ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : XviD Duration ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 13mn 55s Bit rate ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 2 634 Kbps Width ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 720 pixels Height ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 544 pixels Display aspect ratio ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 4/3 Frame rate ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 29.970 fps Resolution ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 24 bits Colorimetry ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 4:2:0 Scan type ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Progressive Bits/(Pixel*Frame) ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 0.224 Stream size ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 262 MiB (93%) Writing library ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : XviD 1.2.0.dev47 (UTC 2006-11-01) Audio Format ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : AC-3 Format/Info ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Audio Coding 3 Codec ID ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 2000 Duration ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 13mn 54s Bit rate mode ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Constant Bit rate ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 192 Kbps Channel(s) ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 2 channels Channel positions ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : L R Sampling rate ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 48.0 KHz Stream size ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 19.1 MiB (7%) Alignment ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : Aligned on interleaves Interleave, duration ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; : 96 ms (2.88 video frames) Interleave, preload duration ;; ;; ;; ;; : 96 ms
Seeders: 6
Leeches: 0

The Anarchist Library on torrent

Category: eBooks, Magazines, Audio Books
Description:
The whole archive of theanarchistlibrary.org
Seeders: 14
Leeches: 3

Ajami (2009)

Category: Misc
Description:
Directed by Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani. Scandar Copti is a Palestinian citizen born in Jaffa. He has made several fiction, documentary and experimental short films. His first feature, Ajami (09, co-director), won the Caméra d'Or – Special Distinction at the Cannes Film Festival. Yaron Shani is a Jewish filmmaker born in Israel. He studied film at Tel Aviv University. Ajami (09, co-director), which was awarded the Caméra d'Or – Special Distinction at the Cannes Film Festival, is his feature-directing debut. With Fouad Habash, Nisrine Rihan, Elias Saba Release Date - 17 September 2009 (Israel) Short Synopsis: Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood is a melting pot of cultures and conflicting views among Jews, Muslims and Christians. Sensitive 13-year-old Nasri and his older brother Omar live in fear when their entire family is in danger after their uncle foolishly wounds a prominent clan member. Naive young Palestinian refugee Malek works illegally in Israel to help finance the surgery that will save his mother's life. Affluent Palestinian Binj dreams of a bright future with his Jewish girlfriend. Jewish policeman Dando becomes obsessed with revenge when his brother is found dead in the West Bank... Longer Synopsis: Spiralling violence slowly permeates the emotional fabric of Ajami, a fourfold Middle Eastern saga that slowly blends into one monumental story of woe. The film is jointly directed by an Israeli, Yaron Shani, and a Palestinian, Scandar Copti, who prove that though they may be unable to share a country, they are perfectly capable of sharing a movie. It's no coincidence that the film's greatest virtue is its tenacity. By auditioning locals from Jaffa and arduously rehearsing for ten months, the directorial duo took the time to both adapt the actors to the film and the film to the actors. Each character has a special place in the script, which carefully establishes context for every new face before forging ahead with the final mission: to somehow bring them all together. In Jaffa's Ajami neighbourhood, young Nasri (Fouad Habash) finds himself in trouble when his uncle (Ghassan Ashkar), the proprietor of a humble café, unknowingly wounds a member of a powerful clan who tried to sell him protection. The attempt at retribution fails and mistakenly costs an innocent neighbour his life when, in fact, the intended target was Nasri's older brother Omar (Shahir Kabaha). The only way to survive is to pay their way out. The traditional clan meeting, a deeply disturbing scene melding greed with religion, leaves Nasri's family deeply in debt and out of options. Meanwhile, Malek (Ibrahim Frege), a teenaged Palestinian from across the border, is putting his money aside for a whole different reason. Illegally employed at a luxurious restaurant, he's hoping to pay off his mother's bone marrow transplant. On the Israeli front, family man and police officer Dando (Eran Naim) is struggling to put his brother's disappearance behind him. Sent on a drug bust, he comes across Binj (Copti), a Palestinian with a Jewish girlfriend who dreams of leaving Ajami behind. If all this seems a little overwhelming, that's because it is. Dropping you right in the middle of the ocean, Copti and Shani take their time throwing you a life buoy, just because they know that will make their rescue raft seem all the more rewarding. And believe me, it is. --- Spoken language is mostly Arabic with some Hebrew. Subtitles are in Hebrew (hard-coded) Video: DiVX 5.0 ( 720 x 552 ) 25 fps Audio: MP3 - Stereo - 44.8 khz
Seeders: 57
Leeches: 3

PIERRE JOSEPH PHOUDHON (1809—1865) - Wybór pism tom I

Category: eBooks, Magazines, Audio Books
Description:
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865) pochodził z rodziny chłopsko-rzemieślniczej. Nie zajmował się czynną działalnością rewolucyjną, gdyż w całości poświęcił się rozważaniami teoretycznymi, stwarzając podswaliny pod ruch anarchistyczny i jemu pokrewne. I to on jako pierwszy w noworzytnym świecie nazwał siebie anarchistą. O życiu jego na pewno nie da się powiedzieć, że toczyło się gładko i spokojnie. Inteligentny, nieprzeciętnie uzdolniony, porywający pisarz, człowiek obdarzony urokiem i darem jednania sobie ludzi. Proudhon był uosobieniem nonkonformisty, podważającego najgłębiej zakorzenione dogmaty jak bóg, własność, czy państwo. Należał do ludzi, którzy zawsze idą pod prąd i czynił to w sposób prowokacyjny. Stypendium przyznane przez uniwersytet w Besancon nie tylko wykorzystał dla napisania rozprawy o tożsamości własności i kradzieży, ale zadedykował ją czcigodnym akademikom, wyrażając nadzieję, że staną się na równi z nim heroldami i propagatorami równości. Jego poglądy, spotykały się ze zmasowaną krytyką ze strony zarówno establishmentu, jak i awangardy współczesnego mu ruchu rewolucyjnego. W odpowiedzi zawartą w niniejszej książce „Filozofię nędzy” Karol Marks napisał swoją „Nędzę filozofii” gdzie dał wyraz sztywności swojego myślenia o świecie. Proudhon stale spotykał się z zarzutami o niespójność jego poglądów, co było wynikiem tego iż opisywał to czego jeszcze nie było, nazywał nienazwane i na gruncie starych pojęć tworzył nowe, co ułatwiało sprawę jego krytykom, którzy notorycznie przeinaczali sens jego wypowiedzi. W ręce wasze oddajemy pierwszy tom pism wybranych Proudhona, w którego skład wchodzi korespondencja między Marksem a Proudhonem, praca „System sprzeczności ekonomicznych”, „Z powodu Ludwika Blanca”, „Zwierzenia rewolucjonisty...”, „Do mieszczaństwa”, „ Myśl ogólna rewolucji w XIX wieku”, „Filozofia postępu” i „Podręcznik spekulanta giełdowego”. Serdecznie zapraszamy do lektury.
Seeders: 1
Leeches: 1

The End of Suburbia (2004) (Repost)

Category: Documentary
Description:
The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of The American Dream Since World War II North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. As the population of suburban sprawl has exploded in the past 50 years, so too has the suburban way of life become embedded in the American consciousness. Suburbia, and all it promises, has become the American Dream. But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary. The consequences of inaction in the face of this global crisis are enormous. What does Oil Peak mean for North America? As energy prices skyrocket in the coming years, how will the populations of suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today's suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow? And what can be done NOW, individually and collectively, to avoid The End of Suburbia? Hosted by Barrie Zwicker. Featuring James Howard Kunstler, Peter Calthorpe, Michael Klare, Richard Heinberg, Matthew Simmons, Michael C. Ruppert, Julian Darley, Colin Campbell, Kenneth Deffeyes, Ali Samsam Bakhtiari and Steve Andrews. Directed by Gregory Greene. Produced by Barry Silverthorn.
Seeders: 0
Leeches: 0

TVO - Big Ideas, September 26, 2009: A Crisis in Leadership (with Naomi Klein)

Category: News & Current Affairs
Description:
TVO - Big Ideas, September 26, 2009: A Crisis in Leadership Intellectual heavyweights John Ralston Saul, Naomi Klein, Margaret MacMillan and Adam Gopnik discuss 'A Crisis in Leadership' at the Globe and Mail Open House Festival. The panelists reflect on what constitutes a good leader and why some leaders fail while others thrive. Journalist Carol Off is the moderator. For more information on this episode, including information on the guests and various other resources and links, visit the episode webpage ----- Note: This is an iPod video podcast that is available for free download from the website. Quality is good. Audio podcast (mp3 format) is also available for free download. Type: m4v file Size: 177MB Runtime: 00:54:50 Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 320x240 Audio: AAC 32000Hz mono 48Kbps Download this episode using the attached torrent file or download it directly using this link: http://feeds.tvo.org/~r/tvobigideasVideo/~5/Ui6FzonOCW0/BI_Full_20090926_834128_LeadershipCrisis_320x240_404k.m4v You can also watch a flash video of this lecture through your web-browser here: http://www.tvo.org/TVO/WebObjects/TVO.woa?video?BI_Full_20090926_834128_LeadershipCrisis ----- This program was taped in May of this year, and Naomi Klein is the best thing about it. Viewing this a couple of months later after it was taped, Naomi Klein's comments in this discussion and her wariness about The Hope-and-Change Messiah, Obama turn out to have been incredibly prescient now that has become quite apparent that "The Obama, who won an election by treating America to a year-long self-help seminar and then made off with the registration fees", to quote IOZ, or to be less glib, now that American liberals are "confronted with the titanic failure of the Obama administration to live up to a single one of his progressive supporters' more or less fervent dreams". Not only does Naomi Klein correctly identify the main problem as structural rather than a question of "leadership" but she also correctly identifies the need for the existence of a strong left consisting of social movements and organizations to apply pressure on the Democrats and on Obama to force the Democrats to actually enact progressive policies. Otherwise, as the events of the last few months have demonstrated, the Democrats do what they and other political parties always do by default, i.e., side with capital, wealth and power. Unfortunately, because because most intellectuals and media elites are themselves an elite class who are beneficiaries of the system as it exists, none of the the so-called "intellectual heavyweights" on the panel, with the slight exception of perhaps John Ralston Saul, are particularly interested in or even ideologically capable of understanding Naomi Klein's substantial critiques about structural problems of that said system, such as the ability of elites with wealth and power to corrupt and rig the political and economic system to benefit themselves at the expense of everyone else. Intellectuals move around the same circles of power with other political, corporate and media elites, and so they view the world through the very elitest, ideological blinders that Klein is trying to critique and shatter. She deserves credit for putting up a good fight though. And this bears repeating: she was right. Resources and links to related material 1) TVO - Big Ideas, May 16, 2009: John Ralston Saul on what defines Canada as a nation 2) Building on Naomi Klein's points in this discussion, read this excellent piece to understand how the American political system really works, to understand American political history and the long, sordid history of the Democratic party and its long track-record of betrayals of the left, and to understand how crucial bottom-up grass-roots activism, existence of third parties and pressure from a strong left were in bringing about civilizing, social progress like civil rights and in forcing the Democratic party to push through progressive policies like the New Deal and the Civil Rights Act 3) Dennis Perrin - That Thing With Feathers 4) Sam Smith - Can We Talk About The Real Obama Now? 5) Chris Floyd - Beyond Here Lies Nothing: Surging Further Into the Abyss 6) Chris Hedges - The Idiots Who Rule America Chris Hedges - Nader Was Right: Liberals Are Going Nowhere With Obama 7) Digby - Making Him Do It ----- TVO - Big Ideas TELEVISION FOR PASSIONATE THINKERS [quote]I had never seen your program before, in fact I had never even heard of it. I was fortunate enough to tune in today ... Nothing is quite as nourishing as food for thought. -Brian, Big Ideas viewer[/quote] [quote]I have been off and on social assistance for several years. When I watch your show, I really am in university (a place I badly miss) and I don't feel so poor. -Gillian, Big Ideas viewer[/quote] [quote]... Were it not for Big Ideas to bring this to our attention we would be clueless. You are doing important work and those of us that are fortunate enough to catch your program, greatly appreciate your efforts. -Gary, Big Ideas viewer[/quote] BIG IDEAS, now in its eighth season, has an increasingly loyal following, exemplified by viewers such as Brian, Gillian and Gary. The program started in a late, late-night time slot with - among other offerings - the literary lectures by Robert Adams. It is now an established part of our weekend schedule, airing at 4pm on Saturday, with a repeat broadcast on Sunday, also at 4:00 pm. As TVO's educational mandate grew, so did the concept for BIG IDEAS, explains producer Wodek Szemberg: "We have recognized from the passionate viewer response that there was a real niche for this kind of unapologetically intellectual programming." BIG IDEAS podcasts are among the most popular TVO web offerings. "BIG IDEAS is a showcase of ideas that shape our public debates. At their best the lectures featured on the program expose us to the differing ways of defining what matters and how that affects our understanding of the world as it is and as it is likely to be," adds Szemberg. "Each age has a set of questions by which it defines itself. If, 50 years from now, someone came across a list of BIG IDEAS shows, they would have a pretty good idea of what people thought about and debated in the early 2000s." By nature of its lecture format, pacing and inquisitive approach, it is the antithesis of the prevailing sound-bite television norm. Engaging, articulate speakers stand behind lecterns across the province addressing audiences - a stark, on-air aesthetic running counter to fast edits and whizzy sound effects. The simple, bold concept, a victory of substance over style, has found an appreciative following. The success of this public television offering is testimony to our viewers need for nothing but intelligent discussion with perhaps a dash of personality and humour. At a time when much television programming induces in many viewers feelings of guilt, BIG IDEAS is as guilt-free television experience as it is possible to imagine. BIG IDEAS offers a variety of thought-provoking topics which range across politics, culture, economics, art history, science.... The program has introduced Ontario viewers to the impressive brainpower of people like Niall Ferguson on American empire, Daniel Libeskind on architecture, Robert Fisk on the Middle East, George Steiner on the demise of literacy, Camille Paglia on aesthetic education, Tariq Ramadan on being a Western Muslim, Noam Chomsky on U.S. politics, Leon Kass on dying, Janice Stein on accountability and governance. The public face of the program is Andrew Moodie, who assumed the hosting duties for BIG IDEAS on January 7, 2006. You may recognize him as one of the three jurors who helped us to come up with the 10 finalists in 2005's Best Lecturer Competition, or you may know him as a gifted actor and playwright. TVO's Big Ideas website: http://www.tvo.org/TVOsites/WebObjects/TvoMicrosite.woa?bigideas
Seeders: 4
Leeches: 1

Democracy Now! Friday, September 25, 2009

Category: News & Current Affairs
Description:
# Report: US-Initiated WTO Rules Could Undermine Regulatory Overhaul of Global Finance As the G-20 meets in Pittsburgh, a new report from Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch warns that the World Trade Organization has long advanced extreme financial deregulation under the guise of trade agreements and could undermine the current push for increasing regulation. We speak to Lori Wallach, the director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch division. [includes rush transcript] # Pitts-web-play G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh Highlights Economic Decline of Former Steel Capital Leaders and delegates for the G-20 arrived in Pittsburgh Thursday evening under the shadow of a police crackdown on protesters. The city is no stranger to protests and has a long history of labor uprisings. We speak to longtime Pittsburgh resident, historian, and labor organizer, Charles McCollester, on the changing face of this former steel capital. [includes rush transcript] # Wangari-play-web2 Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai: If US Moves Forward on Climate Change, Rest of World Will Follow A new overview of research on global warming has found climate change is happening faster and on a broader scale than scientists projected in 2007. The new findings come in a week where the issue of global warming is at the fore with a one-day UN summit on climate change and the G-20 in Pittsburgh. We speak with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, who was chosen to speak on behalf of international civil society at the UN summit. [includes rush transcript] # Nuclear-web-play At Historic Summit, Security Council Passes Resolution to Limit Nuclear Proliferation The UN Security Council has unanimously passed a US-drafted resolution aimed at shoring up the international commitment to limiting the spread of nuclear weapons. But critics say it failed to include mandatory provisions that would have required nuclear states to take concrete disarmament steps. We speak to John Burroughs, executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee on Nuclear Policy. He recently met with several UN missions of Security Council members regarding the nuclear vote. [includes rush transcript] Today's Headlines * Iran Admits Existence of New Uranium Enrichment Plant * UN Security Council OKs Nuclear Proliferation Measure * 5 US Troops Killed in Afghanistan * US Strike Kills 4 in Pakistan * Senate Finance Panel Rejects Curbs on Drug Costs * Jailed Suspect Charged in Terror Plot * Zelaya Rules Out Coup Regime Talks * White House Retracts Promise to Block Israel War Crimes Prosecution * Chavez Criticizes US-Colombia Base Deal * US Opens Burma Junta Talks * Study Warns of Global Temperature Rise * Patrick Appoints Interim Kennedy Successor * Thousands Protest Budget Cuts, Tuition Hikes at California Schools Iran Admits Existence of New Uranium Enrichment Plant The New York Times is reporting the US is preparing to accuse Iran of building a secret underground facility to produce nuclear fuel. President Obama will reportedly make the announcement at the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh later today. The alleged site is not yet operational. The Obama administration says it decided to make the allegations public after discovering Iran was aware Western intelligence agencies had monitored the site. Earlier today, European officials said Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency of a previously undisclosed uranium enrichment plant earlier this week. UN Security Council OKs Nuclear Proliferation Measure The UN Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution to limit nuclear proliferation. The US-drafted measure calls for further efforts to achieve “a world without nuclear weapons.” But critics say it fails to include mandatory provisions that would have required nuclear states to take concrete disarmament steps. The resolution also lacks any call on states to halt production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. President Obama became the first US president to chair a UN Security Council summit, which also marked the fifth summit-level meeting of the council in its sixty-three years of existence. President Obama: “In the six-plus decades that this Security Council has been in existence, only four other meetings of this nature have been convened. I called for this one so that we may address, at the highest level, a fundamental threat to the security of all peoples and all nations: the spread and use of nuclear weapons.” 5 US Troops Killed in Afghanistan In Afghanistan, five US troops were killed Thursday in two southern provinces. Thirty-four US troops have been killed in Afghanistan this month. Last month was the deadliest month for the US, with fifty-one soldiers killed. US Strike Kills 4 in Pakistan In Pakistan, at least four people were killed Thursday in a suspected US air strike. The attack reportedly struck a town in the North Waziristan tribal region. It comes as the US Senate has approved a measure that would triple Pakistan aid to $7.5 billion over five years. Senate Finance Panel Rejects Curbs on Drug Costs The Senate Finance Committee has rejected a proposal that would have forced pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices for elderly Americans under Medicare. The measure would have saved Medicare beneficiaries more than $100 billion over ten years. The Obama administration had opposed the proposal because it would have undercut a secretive deal with pharmaceutical companies to back healthcare reform. Three Democratic senators-–Max Baucus of Montana, Thomas Carper of Delaware and Robert Menendez of New Jersey—joined with the finance panel’s Republican members to defeat the amendment by a 13-to-10 vote. Committee members meanwhile have put off debate on a public insurance option until next week. Jailed Suspect Charged in Terror Plot A Colorado man jailed since last week has been charged with conspiring to launch a bomb attack inside the United States. Twenty-four-year-old Najibullah Zazi is accused of acquiring and preparing explosive materials similar to those used in the 2005 London transit bombings. Prosecutors say Zazi bought chemicals from beauty supply stores and experimented with preparing deadly explosives. It’s unclear if authorities believe Zazi intended to attack a specific target. Zazi was initially arrested along with his father and a New York imam on allegations of lying to federal agents. On Thursday, both the father and the imam were freed on bail. The imam, Ahmad Wais Afzali, denied the allegations against him. Ahmad Wais Afzali: “As imam, it’s against Islamic law to hurt anybody, period. I am very much against this myself, very much against this. And the last time I saw Zazi was God knows how many years ago. That’s about it.” Zelaya Rules Out Coup Regime Talks In Honduras, the ousted President Manuel Zelaya says preliminary talks with the coup regime have gone nowhere. On Thursday, Zelaya said there is no chance of reaching an agreement with coup leaders and vowed to continue his attempt to return to office. Zelaya remains holed up inside the Brazilian embassy, surrounded by armed Honduran forces. In a separate interview, Zelaya accused the Honduran military of subjecting him and his supporters to toxic gases and radiation. White House Retracts Promise to Block Israel War Crimes Prosecution The White House is disavowing a top official’s promise to block a recent UN inquiry’s call that alleged Israeli war crimes be potentially referred to the International Criminal Court. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported this week a top White House official had made the promise in an off-the-record conversation with Jewish leaders. The official apparently said the administration would not allow the report’s recommendations to go beyond the UN Human Rights Council. A White House spokesperson later said the official had “misspoke.” Chavez Criticizes US-Colombia Base Deal Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was among the world leaders speaking Thursday at the UN General Assembly. Chavez invoked his 2006 speech in which he called former President George W. Bush a “devil” and said he now senses hope with President Obama in office. But Chavez criticized what he called the continued dominance of the Pentagon. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “The Pentagon, that is the imperialists’ cave. The Pentagon does not want Obama. They don’t want him. They don’t want change. They want world dominance with their military bases, their threats, their bombs, their invading soldiers.” Chavez went on to criticize Obama’s recent UN address, saying plans for US military bases in Colombia contradict Obama’s stated commitment to peace. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “He thinks of finding peace, his second pillar, with seven military bases in Colombia? Those seven bases are a threat to a possible peace in Colombia, if not peace in South America. We, the governments of South America, have reason to have expressed, in each our own way and intensity, our great worry over the installation of these seven American military bases on Colombian territory.” US Opens Burma Junta Talks The Obama administration has announced it’s begun direct engagement with the Burmese military junta in a push for democratic reforms. The US isn’t lifting sanctions, but says it will increase dialogue with junta members. The approach has drawn backing from leading Burmese democracy advocates, including the jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Study Warns of Global Temperature Rise A new study says global warming is increasing at a higher rate than previously thought. The United Nations Environment Program says researchers now predict the planet’s temperature will rise 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century even if the most ambitious proposals to address climate change are enacted. The temperature rise is two times higher than what scientists have previously identified as the maximum humans can afford to avert a climate disaster. Patrick Appoints Interim Kennedy Successor Back in the United States, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has named former Democratic National Committee chair Paul Kirk to the Senate seat vacated by the death of the late Senator Edward Kennedy. Kirk was said to be the pick of Kennedy’s family. He will fill the seat until Massachusetts holds a special election in January. Thousands Protest Budget Cuts, Tuition Hikes at California Schools And in California, thousands of professors, students and workers at all ten University of California campuses staged a protest Thursday against tuition hikes and cuts to education funding. Student tuition is set to rise as much as 32 percent over the next year. The statewide action came as most of the schools held their first day of classes.
Seeders: 68
Leeches: 12

Anarchism and Other Essays (Audiobook by Emma Goldman)

Category: eBooks, Magazines, Audio Books
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Free web Download of this file: http://depositfiles.com/files/0f9btra3o Emma Goldman (1869-1940) was an anarchist known for her political activism, writing and speeches. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europe in the first half of the twentieth century. Born in Russia, Goldman emigrated to the US in 1885 and lived in New York City, where she became a writer and a renowned lecturer on anarchist philosophy, women’s rights, and social issues, attracting crowds of thousands. Goldman was imprisoned several times for “inciting to riot” and illegally distributing information about birth control. In 1906, Goldman founded the anarchist journal Mother Earth. In 1910, she collected a series of speeches and items she had written for Mother Earth and published Anarchism and Other Essays. In addition to a comprehensive look at anarchism and its criticisms, the book includes essays on patriotism, women’s suffrage, marriage, and prisons. (summary extracted from wikipedia)
Seeders: 19
Leeches: 1

Hegemony From The Heavens - The military industrial complexes plans for Full Spectrum Dominance

Category: eBooks, Magazines, Audio Books
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This is a book I wrote about the militarisation of space and US Full Spectrum Dominace of the globe. It was written before Obama became president but the democrats being in power has not altered any of the plans for F.S.D by very much. As many of us have seen, the depression is not affecting the military industrial complex much at all. Anyhoo, I hope you like my work, it took a year to put together this small book. Your feedback, positive and/or negative on this work will be very much appreciated. Peace and solidarity
Seeders: 2
Leeches: 0