Tag Archives: government
[VIDEO] Leah-Lynn Plante: Statement From an Anarchist
I didn’t know much about Leah-Lynn Plante’s story until this morning and was quite intrigued. Miss Plante resisted the government, and while that may seem like she did something wrong, the resistance came from what they had done to her and her housemates. I want to share my support for this brave person and hope that you will too.
It seems odd that the news here in the US shares the story of a 14-year-old girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban (a mutual enemy), but happens to leave out the 24-year-old American girl who has been sent to prison by her own government because she’s standing up for her rights. Both stories are awful, and both victims are heroic. Malala Yousafzai and Leah-Lynn Plante are both standing up against something that they feel is wrong, yet, the girl in Afghanistan has been the victim of our enemy.
Leah-Lynn Plante and the other two people who were arrested, Matthew Kyle Duran and Katherine “KteeO” Olejnik, had no connection with the crimes that were committed, the reason that the FBI had bombarded their home. After knowing that there was no involvement, these three people were still subpoenaed to testify and had personal property (books, etc.) taken as evidence. Seems unnecessary, in my opinion. Hear her story below.
Continue reading below the video.
Vimeo: Leah is a 24 year old political prisoner currently serving time at FDC Seatac. Leah was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury three times, refused three times and was thrown into prison for civil contempt on October 10th, 2012.
For more information about this young anarchist, you can check out her website. This has journal entries that she is writing from prison, contact information, news stories, and much more. Here is a little more about her, as told on her ‘About Me’ section:
Leah Plante is a 24 year old anarchist prisoner who is currently being held in FDC Seatac. She has lived in Portland, OR for the last five years. In that time she has been involved in numerous radical projects and collectives.
Leah identifies as queer, vegan and straight edge. Friends describe her as genuine, compassionate, and as someone who stands out in a crowd as a fun and outgoing individual. She is very silly and awkward.
When she is not looking at pictures of space or cats, she is often found sorting through her rare anarcho-punk records or playing Magic: The Gathering with her beloved housemates. When she gets ouut, Leah looks forward to riding her bike, seeing her friends and loved ones, eating burritos and going on epic adventures. She is a screen printer, graphic designer, web designer and bicycle mechanic.
Leah would love it if people would write to her about their pets, their travels, Lord of the Rings, space, ancient civilizations, paleontology, herbal medicine, DIY, crafting, bad 90’s movies, pop culture, their kombucha brewing techniques, gardening, or whatever else comes to mind.
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[VIDEO] The Real America: Terrorists in The Eyes of The World
I don’t care about the consequences of people knowing how I feel about this video and the atrocities committed by some Americans. This video highlights how our actions are affecting those around the world and how our soldiers seem to be completely detached from any emotions. I am not in any way blaming this on all military persons, but the government’s decision to go to war with other countries only to put more money into their greedy pockets and drain the already poor countries resources is sickening. Some of those soldiers over there are good men and women, but there are also some who are not and take advantage of the situation that they’ve been put into (I’m referring to the soldier killing 17 civilians and the soldier throwing a puppy).
We don’t have freedom, what we have is the appearance of freedom. Everyday we are being stripped of our rights and being prepped for a government takeover. I’m not saying this will happen now or even in 100 years, but the way we are handling ourselves as a country is not the America I had read so much about, as a child. The price of gas is going up, foreclosures and bank owned properties are almost all that’s left in the real estate market, we could be arrested if the government has “probable cause” and never have to be tried by a jury and held for as long as they insist, and most recently, Obama signed a bill that stated his administration could take control of our food, energy, water, etc.
This video highlights many things that we may have known, may have not wanted to know, or were too unaware to know, but either way, this is the truth. People see America in a way that we cannot. Our media is controlled and we are only shown so much (freedom?) and able to form unintelligent decisions. I am heartbroken at knowing the state of our country, economy and reputation. Is this the American Dream?
Related articles
- Abbas Honors Terrorist Who Stabbed IDF Soldier (israelnationalnews.com)
- Death to liberal terrorists! (luvsiesous.com)
- A Soldier’s Perspective (terribradyblog.com)
- Letter: Why does America get involved in all wars? (tcpalm.com)
- “Terrorists” at Home (project-syndicate.org)
- Details of Terrorist’s Video Disclosed (israelnationalnews.com)
- The Economics of the War on Terror (azizonomics.com)
- Only in the US: Destroy America Tweet Makes You A Terrorist (ryocentral.info)
- Obama’s Deal With The Devil Will Reign Hell In America, Around The World (neosecularist.com)
[UPDATED] [VIDEO] Who Is Joseph Kony? PLEASE SHARE! It Is Important!
(For everyone who read up on KONY, please be aware that the Invisible Children Organization has their own skeletons in the closet. Not only do they work with Sudan People’s Liberation Army (who has a similar reputation as the LRA), they also exaggerate the statistics and refuse to let the BBB look into their operation. While I love that they raised awareness, I don’t know if their organization is what we should support, but rather the people of Africa as well as humanity. Research and awareness takes time and effort while following the majority takes nothing. Be aware and continue on fighting!)
When I first sat down to watch this amazing film, I had no idea what I was getting myself in for and very little knowledge on what it would actually be about. I must admit that a range of emotions have since overwhelmed me and I can’t help but to feel ashamed, saddened, angry, bitter, hopeless, hopeful, but more than anything, I am happy to feel compassion for humanity.
Joseph Kony is a despicable man coward, that preys on those who can’t fight him, controls their will, desires, AND freedom, all to gain nothing but power and superiority over the masses. What bothered me even more that Kony himself was the carelessness and inhumane way that OUR government, the Unites States of America, reacted when they first heard the pleas of this filmmaker (who is truly, much more than that). Financially and socially not a big enough issue for us to get involved?! Excuse me, but are you fucking serious?! Thank goodness you though otherwise during the time of Hitler or we may be a much different world today.
The film brings great insight into the advantages of technology in the modern world and how we, as a people, can use this to our advantage. No longer should the politicians, 1%, and media have the say in who or what we fight for, but rather, the people, are the ones who can now make decisions on a global level. Please watch this film and find a way to be a part of the change in our system! Don’t fight for America, fight for humanity!
UPDATE March 7th, 2012 at 3:05PM: I was hoping to do more research on this after I got home from work and was able to spend some time investigating, but have discovered, I shouldn’t wait that long. An article posted by Jezebel has already brought up many issues that I feel everyone who watches this video should be aware of:
Dubious Finances
From “Visible Children”:
“Invisible Children has been condemned time and time again. As a registered not-for-profit, its finances are public. Last year, the organization spent $8,676,614. Only 32% went to direct services (page 6), with much of the rest going to staff salaries, travel and transport, and film production. This is far from ideal, and Charity Navigator rates their accountability 2/4 stars because they haven’t had their finances externally audited. But it goes way deeper than that.
Exaggerated Claims
From Foreign Affairs magazine:
In their campaigns, such organizations [as Invisible Children] have manipulated facts for strategic purposes, exaggerating the scale of LRA abductions and murders and emphasizing the LRA’s use of innocent children as soldiers, and portraying Kony — a brutal man, to be sure — as uniquely awful, a Kurtz-like embodiment of evil.
Support for Military Intervention
From “Visible Children:”
The group is in favour of direct military intervention, and their money supports the Ugandan government‘s army and various other military forces. Here’s a photo of the founders of Invisible Children posing with weapons and personnel of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Both the Ugandan army and Sudan People’s Liberation Army are riddled with accusations of rape and looting, but Invisible Children defends them,arguing that the Ugandan army is “better equipped than that of any of the other affected countries”, although Kony is no longer active in Uganda and hasn’t been since 2006 by their own admission. These books each refer to the rape and sexual assault that are perennial issues with the UPDF, the military group Invisible Children is defending.
Marketing Tactics
From Yale Professor Chris Blattman:
“[The video] feels much the same, laced with more macho bravado. The movie feels like it’s about the filmmakers, and not the cause. There might be something to the argument that American teenagers are more likely to relate to an issue through the eyes of a peer. That’s the argument that was made after the first film. It’s not entirely convincing, especially given the distinctly non-teenage political influence IC now has. The cavalier first film did the trick. Maybe now it’s time to start acting like grownups.
…
There are a few other things that are troubling. It’s questionable whether one should be showing the faces of child soldiers on film. And watching the film one gets the sense that the US and IC were instrumental in getting the peace talks to happen. These things diminish credibility more than anything.
“Invisible Children is staffed by douchebags” (A woman after my own heart.)
From Vice:
“Now when I first watched the Kony 2012 video, there was a horrible pang of self-knowledge as I finally grasped quite how shallow I am. I found it impossible to completely overlook the smug indie-ness of it all. It reminded me of a manipulative technology advert, or the Kings of Leon video where they party with black families, or the 30 Seconds to Mars video where all the kids talk about how Jared Leto’s music saved their lives. I mean, watch the first few seconds of this again. It’s pompous twaddle with no relevance to fucking anything.”
I am still going to try and decide where I stand on this matter, because whatever the facts about Invisible Children are, they still made one difference: People all over the world now feel empowered to know that they can make a difference. One person can make change, (s)he just has to ignite the passion within another. Kony is a bad man. Invisible Children is an organization trying to make change (whether it be 2 stars or 4). You decide what you want to do, because YOU have the freedom to do so.
If Kony 2012 inspired you to donate money to the region, check out these charities, all of which received four star ratings on Charity Navigator: AMREF USA, Doctors Without Borders, and Water.org.
YouTube Description:
KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.
HOW TO HELP:
Join TRI or Donate to Invisible Children: http://bit.ly/yp5Ffv
Purchase KONY 2012 products: http://invisiblechildrenstore.myshopify.com/
Sign the Pledge: http://www.causes.com/causes/227-invisible-children
FOR MEDIA INQUIRES ONLY: Monica Vigo pr@invisiblechildren.com
DIRECTOR: Jason Russell
LEAD EDITOR: Kathryn Lang
EDITORS: Kevin Trout, Jay Salbert, Jesse Eslinger
LEAD ANIMATOR: Chad Clendinen
ANIMATOR: Jesse Eslinger
3-D MODELING: Victor Soto
VISUAL EFFECTS: Chris Hop
WRITERS: Jason Russell, Jedidiah Jenkins, Kathryn Lang, Danica Russell, Ben Keesey, Azy Groth
PRODUCERS: Kimmy Vandivort, Heather Longerbeam, Chad Clendinen, Noelle Jouglet
ORIGINAL SCORES: Joel P. West
SOUND MIX: Stephen Grubbs, Mark Friedgen, Smart Post Sound
COLOR: Damian Pelphrey, Company 3
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, Laren Poole, Gavin Kelly, Chad Clendinen, Kevin Trout, Jay Salbert, Shannon Lynch PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Jaime Landsverk
LEAD DESIGNER: Tyler Fordham
DESIGNERS: Chadwick Gantes, Stephen Witmer
MUSIC CREDIT:
“02 Ghosts I”
Performed by Nine Inch Nails
Written by Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor
Produced by Alan Moulder, Atticus Ross, and Trent Reznor
Nine Inch Nails appear courtesy of The Null Corporation
“Punching in a Dream”
Performed by The Naked and Famous
Written by Aaron Short, Alisa Xayalith, and Thom Powers
Produced by Thom Powers
The Naked and Famous appear courtesy of Somewhat Damaged and Universal Republic
“Arrival of the Birds”
Performed by The Cinematic Orchestra
Written by The Cinematic Orchestra
Produced by The Cinematic Orchestra
The Cinematic Orchestra appears courtesy of Disney Records
“Roll Away Your Stone“
Performed by Mumford and Sons
Written by Benjamin Lovett, Edward Dwane, Marcus Mumford, and Winston Marshall
Produced by Markus Dravs
Mumford and Sons appear courtesy of Glassnote Entertainment Group LLC
“On (Instrumental)”
Performed by Bloc Party
Written by Bloc Party
Produced by Jacknife Lee
Bloc Party appears courtesy of Vice Records
“A Dream within a Dream”
Performed by The Glitch Mob
The Glitch Mob appears courtesy of Glass Air
“I Can’t Stop”
Performed by Flux Pavilion
Flux Pavilion appears courtesy of Circus Records Limited
Related articles
- Information About Kony 2012 and Details of Augusta Event to “Plaster the City” on April 20, 2012 (thevalleyvoice.org)
- Kony 2012: Viral Campaign Aims to Take Down War Criminal [Video] (inquisitr.com)
- Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 Video About Uganda Conflict: The Making Of A Viral Masterpiece (fastcompany.com)
- Millennials Want To Make Kony Famous In 2012 (ypulse.com)
- Meet Kony: He’s a Ugandan warlord and he’s about to be famous (thestar.com)
- What You Need to Know About Joseph Kony (collegecandy.com)
- Kony 2012 (girlmeetsbulgaria.com)
An Infographic Showing Arrests Across The US As A Result Of The Occupy Movement
Below is an inforgraphic that shares how many arrests were made in each city as a result of protesting in the Occupy Movement. It is rather large, so if you click on the image below, you’ll be able to read it much more clearly. Muhammad Saleem from Online MBA shared this infographic with me and I feel I have no choice but to pass it on and share with everyone just how many people have been arrested and/or jailed while fighting for a change in our economy, government, laws, etc.
The Occupy Movement is a coming together of the 99% who have no say in our justice system, economy, government, etc. and to see the sheer amount of people who have been arrested while fighting for our freedoms and a chance to bring America back as a thriving country, is absolutely mind-blowing. Please share this with people and if you’re still confused about what the Occupy Movement is truly about, check out another post:
Understanding The Occupy Movement
Via: Online MBA Guide
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- Vatican joins Occupy Movement [Jeff Mowatt] (ecademy.com)
- The Occupy Movement (everymaninvesting.com)
- Occupy Wall Street Infographic (iflizwerequeen.com)
[VIDEO] Retired Police Captain Joins Occupy Movement And Is Arrested
Former Philadelphia police captain Ray Lewis was arrested during the Occupy protests in full uniform. Lewis was fed up with the way his former co-workers were handling the protesters and felt that what they were fighting for was justified. Unfortunately, he, like the protesters, were not viewed in a great light by the police and they decided to take action against their former Captain.
The ex-cop was taking part in the demonstrations in New York when he was detained by fellow officers who put toughened plastic bands around his wrists and shoved him to the floor.
Startling footage posted on YouTube shows his uniform blending in with a dozen other officers – before they grab him and haul him away.
It’s really nice to see people from a different point of view who still agree with the issues at hand. This man didn’t approve of the way that New York was handling the Wall Street Protests and brought a sign to share his disgust with the police’s actions towards these people. He makes very obvious points about why our bickering about dirty parks and traffic due to the amount of people gathering, is utterly ridiculous.
‘They complained about the park being dirty,’ he said.
‘Here they are worrying about dirty parks when people are starving to death, where people are freezing, where people are sleeping in subways and they’re concerned about a dirty park.
‘That’s obnoxious, it’s arrogant, it’s ignorant, it’s disgusting.’
Lewis was just one of the 300 hundred people who were arrested on November 17th, the ‘Day of Action’. The reason for this particular protest was because people didn’t agree with the way New York mayor Michael Bloomberg was handling the situation.
Mr Lewis lambasted his fellow officers as being ‘workers for the 1 per cent and they don’t even realise it’, a reference to what the protesters claim are the few who run the U.S.
He also attacked the harsh tactics of the NYPD as unacceptable and said that they had to end.
Speaking after the Day of Action, he said: ‘You should, by law, only use force to protect someone’s life or to protect them from being bodily injured.
‘If you’re not protecting somebody’s life or protecting them from bodily injury, there’s no need to use force.
‘And the number one thing that they always have in their favor that they seldom use is negotiation – continue to talk, and talk and talk to people.
‘You have nothing to lose by that. This bullrush – what happened last night is totally uncalled for when they did not use negotiation long enough.’
Related articles
- Meanwhile, in New York City . . . (philly.com)
- Occupy Movement News Update of the Day: Special “Day of Action” Edition (thedailywh.at)
- Occupy day of action brings clashes and arrests in New York (guardian.co.uk)
- Day of action sees dozens of Occupy protesters arrested – video (guardian.co.uk)
- Occupy Wall Street roundup: Day 61 (dailykos.com)
[VIDEO] Occupy Cal Berkeley 11/9/11
Many students at Cal State University Berkeley were protesting and faced some brutality coming from the police which was, in my opinion, uncalled for. The administration on campus had said it would not tolerate these protests which led to the police even being involved in the first place. Having a campus like Berkeley not allow its students to protest in regards to issues they feel strongly about seems rather unethical.
The encampment, approved in a nearly unanimous general assembly vote by the protest’s participants, was formed to show solidarity with the national Occupy movement but focused on the increased privatization of the UC system, according to Amanda Armstrong, a UC Berkeley head steward for UAW Local 2865 — a union representing graduate student instructors — and organizer of the event.
This movement is not going to just end because the police are acting defensively, in fact, this is giving those protesters ammunition to keep fighting for their right and freedoms as citizens of the United States Of America. We live her and appreciate our freedoms, but we also have the right to speak up and have our voices heard when we don’t agree with the economical and political decisions being made by those in charge.
Sadly there were arrests in Berkeley, but this doesn’t come as a shock. Hopefully fewer people are hurt and more changes are made so we stop seeing our peers being jailed and injured because they want change in our country.
Related articles
- The Occupy Movement is Coming Home to UC Berkeley (studentactivism.net)
- Riot police break up “Occupy Cal” protest – CBS News (cbsnews.com)
- Police move to disband UC Berkeley ‘Occupy’ camp (sfgate.com)
- Stop Beating Students of the Day (thedailywh.at)
Ex-Marine Accused Of Raping 7-Year-Old Family Member On The Run
Charles Dyer, ex-marine who previously served time in Iraq, is currently on the run from police after being arrested for the rape of a seven-year-old family member. He was supposed to show up to court in Oklahoma on these charges but never showed up and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The 40-year-old is a member of the Oathkeeper militia movement which vows to uphold the Constitution of the United States ‘against all enemies, foreign and domestic’.
‘I have been pushed to the limits multiple times by law enforcement and the judicial system in an attempt to cause me to take violent action against them.
‘If I do, I know I will be the monster they depict me as.
‘Our judicial system is nothing more than a system of liars and crooks working under the color of the law, where the rich go free and the poor are made to suffer injustice. Something MUST be done to expose it.’
White House Admits Marijuana Has “Some” Medical Value
So just a few days after the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) deems that there is no medical value to cannabis, the White House has chosen to contradict that fact, somewhat. This is what was said in the report:
“While there may be medical value for some of the individual components of the cannabis plant, the fact remains that smoking marijuana is an inefficient and harmful method for delivering the constituent elements that have or may have medicinal value.”
The method by which you choose to use marijuana should have no effect on whether it is legal or illegal. To me this just seems like an easy way for them to get away with keeping marijuana classified as an illegal drug, but having to admit the facts that there are medical advantages.
You would think that with how far we’ve come on the research of marijuana and medical advantages for patients with pain, that the government would feel more obligated to use the facts of the matter to make a LOGICAL decision. But, of course, we’re depending on the corrupted American government for this.