Value-added analysis and commentary on economic and social affairs. The blog name is my handle; G D A E are the four notes on a violin or mandolin; music is one of my diversions.
While CNN frets over Tiger Woods, a major political upheaval is well underway in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan... Note the footage showing the riot police running away from the onslaught of pissed off Kyrgyzs
According to Shockfront Blog:
one of the issues involved is the US military air base in Manas (sorry, the "Transit Center at Manas," as the US Air Force likes to call it now), newly regained by Obama, and apparently at the behest of Afghan president Hamid Karzai, after the Bush administration had lost the base under likely pressure from Moscow.
Most people haven't a clue 'bout the pent up frustration in the world. Most people in the US that is, 'cuz most people are in the group that's frustrated. People are frustrated by an economic system that's been sold as "democracy" and as "the natural order" when it's not.
In the world of corporate capitalism, "democracy" means "one dollar, one vote." In a world where corporate capitalism is divine, the machinery of nations become tools for advancing corporate power and the consolidation of wealth. Free Trade rules are structured to favor transnational corporations, and the small elite group, who clearly stand out in a lesser developed country, like Haiti.
While it's great that Tony Karon, and TIME, have written about boiling frustrations, it's clear that the corporate brainwashing has affected the presentation. Take for instance the following statement by Karon:
Ironically, it may be the very success of capitalism in transforming regions previously restrained by various forms of socialism that has helped create the new crisis.
Maybe Karon is merely waxing philosophical, but examine those words. Corporate capitalism simply cannot be wrong. Karon credits capitalism with removing the "restraints" of socialism.... and leading to this unraveling mess. The mess, "credited" to capitalism, has recently had to be "restrained" to avoid a chain reaction leading to utter economic chaos (the "restraint" came in the form of a US tax-payer backed consolidation of Bear Stearns into JPMorgan Chase.)
We're facing an extreme case of what happens when trickle-down economics is.... er, run into the ground. All the money goes to one side of the hour glass, and it needs to be tipped over so the sand can run the other way. Food riots are one pathetic means of redistributing the sand. It's "pathetic" in the sense that, as a society, humans are still so primative as to allow food riots to occur. They "believe" in corporate capitalism, in part because the mass media message is controlled by corporate capitalism. Only saying the obvious, again.
I could go on, but I won't other than to say that Karon's piece is worth a read.
. Score another one for alternative media. Dan and his partner give you a feel of what the cops were doing in MacArthur Park and surrounding areas in LA on May 1, 2007. The LAPD is reported to have shot at least 240 "non-lethal" rounds. This is a "must see" video, and I've looked at a number of others.
Independent Videographers Caught in MacArthur Park Police Sweep May 1, 2007
The image of police in black riot gear with "non-lethal" weapons is becoming very common (See Pentagon Photos). We need to take the riot toys away from the police departments. "Nonlethal" weapons kill people and make it too easy for cops to use excessive force.
In an analysis of 373 incidents in which 969 projectiles were fired, the following statistics were identified:
Recent Growth in Use (reflects only those surveyed for the study):
56 Incidents were from 1985 - 1995 312 Incidents were from 1995 - 2000
Results of 782 Impacts:
680 resulted in a Bruise, Abrasion or Laceration 27 resulted in a bone fracture 14 resulted in a penetration (photo below of a projectile lodged near a man's eye) 10 Deaths
Range of Fire:
60% were shot within 30ft 40% were shot within 20ft
Munition Types:
About 80% were bean bag varieties. The others were baton rounds (various plastic, foam, rubber, wooden projectiles).
Carl Kesser, independent Miami filmmaker, with a bean bag lodged near his eye.
He was shot while covering the protest of the Free Trade Area of the America in Miami Florida, November 2003 [2]
In addition to deaths caused by "non-lethal" projectiles, there are numerous reported deaths due to taser weapons.
In November 2004 Amnesty International published a report detailing its concerns about taser use in the USA, including the circumstances in which more than 70 people had died in the USA and Canada after being struck with the weapons.[1]
The cops need to back off, and stop forming riot lines. The cops need to realize they are working class people, and be prepared to switch sides "when the time comes" and it will.
Sources:
1. USA: Excessive and lethal force? Amnesty International’s concerns about deaths and ill-treatment involving tasers AI Index: AMR 51/139/2004
2. The city of Miami agreed Tuesday to pay $180,000 to Carl Kesser. After medical costs and attorneys' fees, Kesser said that he was ''breaking even'' by taking the offer. Kesser said he was disappointed the courts did not find Miami violated his constitutional rights, as he'd hoped to make a statement with his suit against the city. On the plus side, he said, ``there's probably 150, 170 cases behind me.'' Article. Study on the effects of less-than-lethal weapons [PDF]. IMPACT MUNITIONS DATA BASE OF USE AND EFFECTS, Ken Hubbs ; David Klinger, February, 2004.
As noted in the "Overview," the march led to a speaker's stage set up with the Pentagon in the background. The second area of activity was a police barrier across Washinton Boulevard at the bridge crossing Route 110 (Jefferson Davis Highway). The bridge is in the background of the photo below. The police line was formed on the left side of the bridge relative to the photo below.
Crowd listening to Speakers at the Pentagon Protest. Washington Blvd. bridge in background. March 17, 2007.
Upon arriving at the bridge, some people were saying that somebody had been arrested and sprayed with mace. A small crowd stood in front of the police comprising a group of direct action protesters, other marchers, and a variety of journalists.
Crowd standing in front of a police line the on Washington Blvd. bridge crossing Rt. 110. Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007.
The line was composed of a variety of different police forces including State police, park police, and local police.
Police line blocking off Washington Blvd. looking South-East toward the Pentagon. Note grass median and exit lane markings. Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007
Police line blocking off Washington Blvd. looking Nouth-West away from the Pentagon. This is about half of the police line. Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007
The dynamic weather and setting made for some interesting photo opportunities. Despite good intentions, the Air Force memorial, seen in the background of the following photo, can't help but look a bit evil, like barbs of satan emerging from the ground.
Police line with helicopter and Air Force Memorial in the background. March 17, 2007.
A group of direct-action protesters were assembled behind me from the vantage point of the police line photo immediately above. They were debating whether or not to confront the police line.
Direct-action protesters debate options at the Pentagon Protest March 17, 2007.
The protesters decide to pull back, standing and conducting an organized retreat saying that they would meet the authorities again some day.
Anarchist protesters on Washington Blvd. perform an organized retreat from the police blockade. Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007
A chartered bus got trapped on the Washington Blvd. bridge. The poster displayed in the window made the Vanderhoof bus company appear to be in support of the impeachment of George Bush.
Charter bus trapped on the Washington Blvd. bridge. Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007
Charter bus trapped on the Washington Blvd. bridge. Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007
Eventually, the police line started to slowly move forward to clear people off of the bridge. The process involved the line taking a few small steps forward, then stopping. The process was briefly altered when the police line reached a yellow school bus that had been trapped on the bridge, which it eventually let pass through the line.
Advancing Police line encounters a trapped school bus on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110 March 17, 2007
Police line allows trapped school bus on the Washington Blvd. overpass to pass through. March 17, 2007
School bus passes into the distance beyond the advancing police line clearing Washington Blvd overpass March 17, 2007
Protesters stayed several steps ahead of the advancing police line.
Advancing Police line encounters a hoolahoop peace sign on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110 March 17, 2007
Advancing Police line encounters a bicycle rider on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110 March 17, 2007
This sign was prominantly displayed as the police line advanced on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110 March 17, 2007
One couldn't help but see the stark resemblance of the State Police riot gear and the Darth Vadar. March on the Pentagon, 03/17/07.
