Not Anonymous

The greed of the media companies is one of the more disgusting things plaguing our culture today.

Not to mention stifling it completely.

The public domain, as it currently stands, is in danger of being eaten away by the greed of corporate giants who could give a flying fuck about how art and dialogue are created and expressed.

When you deny new artists from being inspired and actually using the art, texts and music and images that have come before, you deny artists the right to actually create.

Not to mention that one of the points of copyright is to make sure the creators and artists are protected from intellectual property theft, such as it is. The whole point of taking things out of the public domain and licensing them is to make a profit out of them, which the original creator can no longer have a piece of.

Once again, corporate giants behaving like avaricious disgusting spoiled children.

When you think of platforms like Megaupload, which has been shut down, you can't help but wonder why the media moguls don't adopt that style of economy. I'd pay, I'm willing to pay a fee for a certain amount of downloads if the price is fair. People would rather pay a reasonable price than commit piracy. But you know, paying 20$ for a season in a DVD boxset, when I 20$ for a filesharing website gives me unlimited download ability - I know what I and millions of others, chose - if the moguls actually took into account the fact the internet has changed the way content is distributed and didn't see as a threat and rather an opportunity we would be seeing SOPA, PIPA, Copyright extension, etc. Well, they'd be making so much money they'd be thinking how they can more content distributed to more people with easier access.

But hey, what do I know. I'm just the consumer.

Speaking of Megaupload, this is absolutely sickening.

h/t to amethystfirefly for the links.

A month ago when the civil unrest in Israel began and I put aside my cynicism in order to participate in the protests and demonstrations, I was irked to hear people (friends and not friends) say they hoped these demonstrations don't turn "political".

I was baffled.

Social justice is probably the most political standpoint in society at large. The demand that resources, the economy and legislation treat everyone fairly is without a doubt a hard political line.

But in Israel, "politics" doesn't mean the power dynamics between groups of people, or how one's identity creates intersections of privilege and disparity, oh no, politics is that dirty laundry best left to elected officials, you know, which dirty laundry I'm talking about.

Racism. Occupation. "Security".

One of my friends the other day accused me of not liking her as much, because she's Right Wing. I'm like, you're not Right Wing, you support economic justice and she's said, in more words but that's the gist, that I was being deliberately obtuse and that Right and Left in Israel don't mean what they mean in other places in the world.

It's true, Left in Israel means opposing the Occupation to the point of hating Israel and Right means that the only way for Israel to survive is for the Occupation to stand because then Israel will be on the brink of destruction.

Safe to say those are two extreme positions even without breaking down the facets of race, nationalism and trauma that are intertwined into both arguments.

The demonstrations against the high cost of living, the class disparity and the over-all economic injustice that swept through the nation did not touch on the subject of the Occupation. I felt that it should have, because so much of what creates the economic disparity in Israel has to do with building settlements in the West Bank, has to do with building the Separation Wall, has to do with troops out there culling non-violent protests and with pushing an Apartheid economy in the West Bank.

An unregulated cartel like economy thrives in conditions like an Occupation.

I don't know much about the economy, but I do know that.

So the Occupation and the Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank were excluded from the discourse and activity to do with the social justice campaign the Tent Demonstrations started.

For good reason, Left and Right, such as they are conceived in Israel have to do with security, how Israeli Jewish bodies can be kept safe in the face of the big bad terrorists.

The government solution, bomb the shit out of civilians living under siege (because of Israel) and under social and religious oppression (because of Hamas), even though the People's Resistance Committee (PRC), who committed the co-ordinated attack, are not affiliated with Hamas, have nothing to do with the Hamas government and were all ID'd and killed by the IDF on the day of the attack.

And not to mention that the skirmishes that followed on the Egyptian border killed 5 Egyptian soldiers, after they had to deal with a suicide bomber of their own.

This, as they say, is a clusterfuck.

Beyond the diplomatic nightmare (Egypt has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel) and the "cease fire" between Israel and Hamas being thrown out the window.

Yes, beyond that, the Israeli paradigm that Security trumps society will be tested, and I fear that it will hold true, because we are nothing if not predictable. Our fear and trauma prevents us from seeing that war benefits very few (Israelis and Palestinians) and hurts the innocent more than anyone who actually perpetrates violence.

The Hebrew Leftists blogosphere is already talking about the end of the social justice demonstrations in light of the government's hawkish endeavours. I'm hoping the people have wised up a little, and notice that the government who sweated due to the fact that we know they used the economy against us, will have wised up and see that the government will exploit this renewed violent conflict in order to get back the control it had briefly lost on the citizens.

My response?

Resist and go back to the streets where we've been for the past month.
Resist and don't accept the idea that "security" demands social justice to be forfeited.

*V For Vendetta. What else?

This post contains criticism of religion and belief in god. If that sort of thing bothers you scroll by.
I do not mind or care whether anyone believes in a god (or gods, or any other deities), that isn't my business, but I have a great many issues with the way god as an idea and what religion as an institution does in the world we live in today.

---

I was told my previous post about religion was a tad sombre.

Let me just reiterate. I'm very happy having no soul.

I'm very happy not being religious.

I'm actually really relieved that I've come to the conclusion that I didn't need to believe anything, because I tried to be a believer, but unfortunately my scepticism and doubt are always my greater motivations towards curiosity.

I do think religion constricts thought. I think the idea of "God" (or any dogma) that relies on an ultimate absolute truth is something humanity needs to overcome.

Traditions and histories that bring "tribes" together are important, I wouldn't be who I am without the Jewish tradition and its blood drenched history.

I've been called intolerant more than once for being vehemently anti-religious. Because, I am. I think religion as a rule does more harm than good. You can call Reform as much as you like, the notion that there's some underlying law removed from this world and it somehow is a force of causality in this world just doesn't make any logical sense.

It also comes down to the fact that religion is a force of tangible law and affects people's lives in a way that doesn't mesh with the right to be free of and from religion. That some, not all, but enough, follow the "ethical" decrees of religion without any question asked is bothersome and scary.
That there are laws that apply to one subset of the population, but not to another is prejudicial and unjust.

Change can only come from questioning authority.
Religion is possibly the most tangible force of oppressive authority I can think of. Patriarchy, Racism and Heterosexism all coalesce together under religion.

Yes, there are non-Patriarchal religions, there are religions that preach against Racism. Religion has been a great tool in the fight against racism... heterosexism doesn't appear to be challenged.

I also speak from a position of great material privilege.
To me that means that the distribution of wealth, health and hope in a better world here on earth is what is needed, not religious charities that do their best to convince their followers that through their suffering, through their mitvot, through their whatever the preacher says they must do, they will be rewarded in some other world or way.

God is a way of thinking the world. It is a limiting one. It stops you from seeing other things because everything is filtered through that idea.
Humanity is a part of this world.
We've grown past the need for gods and monsters to explain earthquakes, death, life and the chrysalis.
Why are we holding on so tightly still?

Yes, I'm a heretic in the eyes of many. Those are not the eyes who matter to me, nor should they matter at all.

As some of you know, Israeli cell phone company Cellcom released if not one of the most offensive ads I've had the misfortune of viewing, then at the very least, one of the most cynical portrayals of the Occupation in media for a long time.

You can watch right here, via YouTube:

If you have to ask why this ad is offensive, do not be afraid to ask (I'm not being sarcastic), really do.
It may not be overly apparent for some.

The West Bank village on Bil'in, which has been demonstrating and protesting against the wall for over four years now, put together a brilliant response for this fucked up add.
This is what really happens, which the IDF returns the ball:

If you need to ask why what is portrayed in this video is fucked up, please, go read an Occupation 101 manual or something and educate yourself please.

Questions will be answered seriously, should you actually have any.

I'm no expert, I just say it as I see it and think it.

A good May Day to you all!
I am not wearing red, but my sister, sib-in-law and their kids are.
I've been singing The Internationale and Pete Seeger the whole morning.

sabotabby and I were obviously sharing a brain!

I'm watching CNN at the moment and there's the whole "Socialist" spiel going on.

I do not understand United States political discourse.
Really I don't.

I get that Socialism is a very, you know, feared method of economics, what with the redistribution of wealth, taxing the wealthy and regulating the markets.
And the pundits are really harping about the "redistribution of wealth" thing, because the whole American Thing isn't about the quality of life for each individual citizen, but the quality of the over all monetary state of Uncle Sam.

But only for those people who actually have the money.

This is especially poignant with the Bail Out plan, which probably the most Socialist move the US Government has done... perhaps more so than The New Deal.

There was also a mention that in Western Europe, Socialism as a creed isn't really on the table anymore.
It's all about The Third Way.

Sometimes I feel as though I was born in the wrong time.
I mean, what I posted the other day, the sinfest, it's exactly that.
We're living in a world in which profit and not human beings are considered important. Yes it sounds very sugary and humanitarian and such.
But really, is it so fucking hard to give a damn.
And to want people to have a quality of life that is worth while.

Socialism is not a four letter word.
"Rich" is, though.

I'm blocked.

I have, like, lots of ideas for entires that may or may not be interesting to other people, but they're definitely interesting to me.
I mean, I've been reading all sorts of things critiques about the economic bail out and the economy in general, since many Lefties are calling for reform and saying "Nyah! We told you this system was bad *razzberry*".
I mean, it does sort of seem like that doesn't it?

In any event I'm not writing anything in depth about the economy, or the local political situation which may keep me from beginning University on time.
Again.
Fuck the ministry of finance!
You fucking suck!
Economic disparity is bad for everyone, but fuck fuckity fuck!!! If someone deserved to get their ass bitten in the current financial climate it would the minister of fucking finance, Bar-On - the two fingered slaute is way, WAY to mild for what I fantasize about happening to you - you greedy, over-paid, neo-liberal, lying, double dealing fascist shit!

And yes, I know, it's bad form to wish ill on anyone in general and specifically on the Eve of Yom Kippur, just before we're supposed to be Atoning for sins we committed amongst ourselves and God.
Screw it, okay?!
I'm an Irreverent Heretic no matter which way you look at it.
But yeah, Days of Awe will be done tomorrow and I must say... wasn't feeling too Awesome this year.
Last year I felt a much deeper connection to what was going on, even before we went to schul, but this year I think I'm in a spiritually numb place... or my peak has come and gone, or it's yet to come over Sukkot which is next week.
In any event.
Feck it.

I'll probably blog something nice, meta-ish or critique-y later on.

Shanah Tovah and Eid Mubarak to those who celebrate Rosh Ha'Shana and Eid al-Fitr on my f-list and the lurkers around.
A good Tuesday to the rest of you, make it a good one, it is a New Moon after all.

For some reason I'm not feeling terribly celebratory.
I could blame it on my period (kind of apt that I began to bleed on a new moon, on one of the most important Holidays of the year), but that always seems like a cop out to me.
I don't know.
Even coffee doesn't taste as nice this morning (*gasp* *horror* I know).

Maybe it's the knowledge that this New Year isn't actually starting all that auspiciously, both at home and Internationally, which in this day and age are the same thing.
Glocalisation anyone?
I mean when you read News about an economic crisis which I know happened, but don't understand why or how, only that the debt that was rising in order to make a profit was too much and now people like my parents need to pay it because private banks are there to act not as a service, but as a for profit company.
Speculative capitalism rose, if you'll pardon the crassness, like erection and pretty much fell the same way.
I'm kind of hoping it stays impotent do that something can be done to recreate the economy, but Blue Pills are in fashion, and it's only a matter of time (which correlates to money and lives) for people to forget this crisis, because once the owners of the mainstream News outlets are no longer quaking... they'll be talking about something new.

It's not just the economy, which as you can see by the abundance of smilies and metaphors I don't actually know much about.
I only feel about it.

I haven't lost hope, my cynical optimism doesn't allow me wallow is apathy about my country as much as it used to. Also since my cynicism is about the current system of governance and social structure and my optimism is about the change that can and needs to be brought about.
The olive harvest is starting this month and unlike last year, this year I'm much more apprehensive.
The tension between the Israeli factions is very, very high.
And you never know if Settlers and their sympathizers will come and disrupt a picking just for the hell of it... which has happened. Not to mention the IDF forces that may or may not be away, or stand around and glare at us like happened last year.
But I'm not really worried about it.
I'm still trying to get other people to come with me, because last year I pretty much went alone and didn't know many people. I probably know more people this year and will make new friends but still, it's nice to be with people you know.
I'm still stoked about the fact that I managed to get my Parental Units to come with me last year!

Another thing that's causing me to be a wee bit down is the fact that I've finally noticed that nothing has really changed. I mean, I feel I've changed, because I consciously refuse to become static. Stasis is much more the mind killer than fear. Fear makes you react, without fear you can't be courageous... you're just stupid.
I'm very wary of this non-change that I see.
That on this side of the fence (wall) life goes on as usual, whole Over There things are also unchanging but are in rapid deterioration.
And under the surface eruption is immanent.

Sorry about the downer.
But what's misery without company right?

Tomorrow is my Nephew's fourth birthday.
There will be a party
Expect a more optimistic and happy entry at some point.

Once again Have a Good New Year, a Happy Eid and a Successful Tuesday.

I dunno about you... but Paul McCartney is a poor replacement for Leonard Cohen.

Yeah, Cohen isn't coming and Paul McCartney is charging 400 shekels (approx. 110 USD) starting price, because he's being paid - last I heard - 15 million shekels (approx. 4.1 million USD), which is, I'm sorry, is crazy.

I like the Beatles, but with half of them dead, one reclusing and the one coming here a bit of a schmuck - Heather deserves every penny, he was stupid enough not to write up a pre-nup, he has only himself to blame... and fuck the media for vilifying her as a shrew, I mean really! In any event, I don't think any one person or institution should have the amount of money that could pay the deficit of various countries in debt. But I digress.

I like Cohen more than McCartney, full stop.
If it were Lennon though...
Anybody know a good Necromancer? Though if you think about, Yoko probably hired a few years ago.

Two pieces of News concerning the separation wall:

#1 Israeli Settlement Builders Sued, because the new neighborhoods are being built on usurped. Two Canadian corporate companies are building these neighborhoods, they're called Green Park International and Green Mount International, sister companies and they're registered in Quebec.
The village suing the companies is Bil'in.

I hope you've all heard of the curfew and struggle going on in Ni'ilin regarding the illegality of the wall encroaching and usurping their land as well.

#2 UN criticises West Bank barrier. They've been doing that for a while.
International law... oh, fiddlesticks.

The modern Israeli ethos is to make sure you aren't a פראייר (a chump) and that includes disregarding rules, regulations and laws that just don't suit the agenda.