While there is much energy around the killing of hundreds of Palestinian civilians, it’s important to bare witness to the ongoing, day-to-day violence the Palestinian people endure.

As I browsed through If Americans Knew (thanks, Ian), I was looking for a stunning graph that would show why this war is not equal, how the West has been duped into justifying Israel’s incursions and repressive regime.  I thought the most staggering was the United states funding inequity between the two regions.

This is important for a number of reasons.

1. It’s my humble belief that the United States does not involve itself in a humanitarian crisis unless there is significant capital to gain.  When we look at our recent work in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia, we can see typical financial incentives that play out in the Israel-Palestine conflict.  A boom to U.S. weapons manufacturers and private security forces, first dibs and coercive deals for natural resources, and political repayment.
2. Every single American is contributing to the oppression of Palestinians.  We must connect the money we pay in taxes to worldwide atrocities carried out and supported by the United States.  Imagine a line-item breakout of how our tax money is spent?
3. Providing weapons and finances to only one side of a conflict is not a bilateral position. The United States clearly does not want peace, they want to continue the repression of Palestinians and continue to use Israel as a stake in its continuing campaign to colonize oil-rich, Arab states.

In cities around the country, there are people in the streets demanding an end to the bombings.

A day after Israel’s air raids on Gaza, which claimed at least 290 lives and more than 900 wounded according to the Palestine News Network, a coalition of groups in Boston gathered on Park Street to protest Israel’s aggression. Protests have been carried out in several cities in the United States and around the world.

Haaretz, one of Israel’s main newspapers, reported that the attacks had been in the planning for months. Hundreds in Tel Aviv came out to protest the bombings saying that military action against Gaza does nothing to improve security in Israel. Read More

From INDYMEDIA: Solidarity Reports: Hundreds Rally in Houston | Thousands Rally in NYC (PHOTOS): 1, 2 | Protests Planned in Los Angeles, Portland and Twin Cities, MN | | | In Depth Reports From: Indybay | Rochester IMC | DC IMC | Indymedia.Org: Today We Stop The War and Massacre in Palestine – Responses and Developments | | | Alternative News Sources: Israel IMC | Palestine News Network | International Middle East Media Center and Radio Free Palestine

Facebook demonstrated the power of social media when my status message, “United States + Israel = World Terrorists” received some attention.  It’s a touchy subject, I didn’t expect anyone to chime in really, but was able to put together my thoughts on why I subjectively support the Palestinian people:

It is certainly not black and white, I completely agree. It is very complicated, but I have to say that Israel receives a highly inequitable amount of support than its poorer neighbor. Israel has held an economic stranglehold on Palestine, most Palestinians work (if they can) in Israel. It is a situation that could be compared to England’s abuse and capitalization of Ireland’s poor, working-class makeup — or even the disparity (and subsequent abuse) between North and South in our own country.

For me, I want to see economic equality for all human beings, and to see the grip Israel/U.S. have over Palestine demonstrates the real violence of poverty. This is not an equal war, when a well equipped military-state attacks a mostly civilian, poorly equipped population, it’s practically genocide. I want a peaceful solution, however in Palestine there are internal disagreements about solutions to the conflict — some choose to fight,particularly those who see their families tortured, murdered, starved, and jailed — who have had their houses bulldozed because the Israeli army accused someone of throwing a Molotov cocktail. I recommend everyone check out that book from their library, it’s a quick read and helps humanize the conflict from the Palestinian perspective. Traditionally, our mainstream media considers the conflict from the Israeli perspective.

Again, I do not discredit those who criticize the attacks on Israel, but as that site points out, it is exaggerated. It is an intentional distraction from the day-to-date violence Palestinians encounter.

See also:

• Coalition of Women for Peace
• Israel Bombs Gaza IN PICTURES – Al Jazeera
• Timeline of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

It’s been awhile since I posted about anything MUSIC related, mostly because there has been so much work in progress.  Besides throwing new tracks up in the music section of the site, I’ll be profiling new songs and such here and try to explain a little about the method behind the tracks.  Thanks to Ian and everydaybeats.net for the inspiration.  Definitely check out DJ Ian Head‘s mixtapes, if you’re smart you’ll throw those tracks on your holiday mix.

Shout Magic, my main project for the past 2 years, is getting ready to release our full length in January.  We’re now officially a national act, seeing as I live in Portland, Bogey lives in D.C., and the rest of the crew is in Philly.  We decided to keep our project going, push our new CD hard, and keep collaborating.  Unfortunately, there won’t be much live action for some time, so we put on a last-minute, “final show for a bit” at our pal Josh’s house.  Sadly, I didn’t get a recording of Shorty Boy-Boy of Saudi Arabia‘s living room set, which I sat in on air pump and household percussion.

Here are the clips from the show.  Shout Magic had exactly 1 rehearsal with only half the band in a hushed living-room practice the night before, and you’ll be able to hear us try to play a bunch of new songs for literally the first time since recording them 4 months earlier. We were some rusty ass dudes, to put it lightly.  We’re all about the transparency, especially the laughs that ensue when we all fuck up.  It was however, an especially cheerful night, one of celebration and community.

This actually turned out to be the final Philly show for Dina Elise (also from Chief City Recordings), who is now living in Long Beach, California.  Her recordings will be made available quite soon.  Until then, enjoy the live clips and stay warm.

Shout Magic – Live @ 4518 Walnut

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Dina Elise – Live @ 4518 Walnut

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Private Sea – Live @ 4518 Walnut

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Granted, the critical mass of bicyclists in Japan is large: bicycles are used for over 30% of work and school commutes. This is much higher than say Portland or New York, especially considering the comparison between these dense cities and an entire country. I wonder where this sort of massive bike parking could be utilized in the United States, maybe Grand Central Station, or JFK Airport?

Read more from Danny Choo.

When I first started riding in Critical Mass in NYC, it was light-hearted and extremely fun.  When I returned from Philly for a Halloween ride in 2006, it was like a high speed getaway from the cops, and it had really picked up some super-negi attitudes from bicyclists.

Looks like in San Francisco, where Critical Mass started in the United States, it is staying true to its roots.  I think the most encouraging sign is how happy and peaceful drivers and bus riders are throughout the ride.  Philly and NYC Critical Massers, take note!  Does Portland even have a critical mass anymore. The Portland CM website hasn’t been updated since 2005.  Then again, I don’t think I’ve gotten a single honk from a motorist after riding here for the past 3 months, although neither did I get a honk or a sore look in San Francisco either.

This is what a city with real infrastructural support looks like in 2008, despite a rainy season and plenty of hills. Imagine what naturally bike-practical, flat cities like Philadelphia, New York and Denver could do!  Portland is really at the forefront of breaking past biking as a subculture or a casual means of exercise, it’s seen as a tool for EVERYONE.  I love seeing parents pick up their kids from school on BIKE rather than a minivan.

I currently live in the yellow area (Inner Southeast) and will be moving to the blue region (Inner Northeast) at the end of the month.  I would say bicycling is our primary source of transportation, followed by walking, car, and transit.

Read more from BikePortland.

Some of today’s highlights include:

• FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is found to have abused his powers in his role as Commissioner.  This guy wouldn’t stick around to hear the many witnesses who wanted to testify at the FCC Hearings in Harrisburg last year.  Thankfully, the Democrat Commissioners stayed until the very end.
• Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois has been arrested on corruption charges stemming from an FBI wiretapping sting.  One charge included Blagojevich attempting to remove $8 million in funding from a CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL because its CEO refused to give $50,000 in campaign contributions to Blagojevich.  And this guy is supposed to pick Obama’s successor.
• Finally, 3 members of the world’s 6th largest standing army, the NYPD, have been charged with sexual assault and covering-up October’s sodomy attack on a Brooklyn tattoo artist.  Apparently the man was smoking marijuana in a subway station.  He must have been quite violent being on a drug approved for medical use in 11 states and recently decriminalized in Connecticut!  I hope they get a cell near Patrick Pogan, who assaulted a Critical Mass rider this past July.  There are times when I miss NYC, but I certainly don’t miss or respect these hitmen.

I’ll wrap up with a video I came across about a huge ride in 2007 where the NYPD targetted videographers, much like they did at the 2004 RNC.