DEAD MAN IN YOUR BED

What happened?

2009-07-12T07:53:27Z

feels bad for abandoning livejournal
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has been reading the Animal Welfare codes. Thinks a government welfare code entitled 'Code of recommendations and minimum standards for the welfare of politicians during the removal of fingers' should be slipped into cabinet's Friday afternoon paper pile for cabinet approval Monday morning. I love that web applications these days have squiggly red lines under spelling errors. I wonder how many words I could fit into
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valec @ 2009-04-04T18:17:00

2009-04-04T05:44:01Z

I really need some good inspiring new music.

valec @ 2009-01-04T13:11:00

2009-01-04T00:19:00Z

So. I'd just like to say how much my heart sinks at the thoughts of so many people who talked about how great Obama is/would be.

Thousands injured in Haza, Hundreds dead. And within Israel the left are being interogated, detained, beaten - and much worse if you're an Israili Arab. And all actively supported by the USA.

Yeah, what a great guy. Maybe you all should go into Gaza and tell them how great Obama is.

People are so nieve.

valec @ 2008-11-24T11:30:00

2008-11-23T23:10:49Z

Last night we headed out to a gig at the Acoustic Routes Folk Club!

Quite an interesting dynamic, all these old folk fans in the front rows - and us young anarchists (and close-to) up the back.

The gig was Alistair Hewlett (Australian based Scottish socialist folk singer), and David Rovics - who was bloody awesome. I really recommend checking out his music. You'll laugh! You'll cry! And he has an album of childrens pirate songs out too! :)

Yup, good fun.

valec @ 2008-11-17T12:49:00

2008-11-16T23:50:14Z

We're closing Oblong (which also contains The Freedom Shop).

Stink.

A lesser of two evils is still EVIL!

2008-11-10T23:01:11Z

Voting the lesser of two eveils is still voting for evil....

2008-11-04T21:31:48Z

An Open Letter to Barack Obama

RALPH NADER

November 3, 2008

Dear Senator Obama:

In your nearly two-year presidential campaign, the words "hope and change," "change and hope" have been your trademark declarations. Yet there is an asymmetry between those objectives and your political character that succumbs to contrary centers of power that want not "hope and change" but the continuation of the power-entrenched status quo.

Far more than Senator McCain, you have received enormous, unprecedented contributions from corporate interests, Wall Street interests and, most interestingly, big corporate law firm attorneys. Never before has a Democratic nominee for President achieved this supremacy over his Republican counterpart. Why, apart from your unconditional vote for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, are these large corporate interests investing so much in Senator Obama? Could it be that in your state Senate record, your U.S. Senate record and your presidential campaign record (favoring nuclear power, coal plants, offshore oil drilling, corporate subsidies including the 1872 Mining Act and avoiding any comprehensive program to crack down on the corporate crime wave and the bloated, wasteful military budget, for example) you have shown that you are their man?

To advance change and hope, the presidential persona requires character, courage, integrity-- not expediency, accommodation and short-range opportunism. Take, for example, your transformation from an articulate defender of Palestinian rights in Chicago before your run for the U.S. Senate to an acolyte, a dittoman for the hard-line AIPAC lobby, which bolsters the militaristic oppression, occupation, blockage, colonization and land-water seizures over the years of the Palestinian peoples and their shrunken territories in the West Bank and Gaza. Eric Alterman summarized numerous polls in a December 2007 issue of The Nation magazine showing that AIPAC policies are opposed by a majority of Jewish-Americans.

You know quite well that only when the U.S. Government supports the Israeli and Palestinian peace movements, that years ago worked out a detailed two-state solution (which is supported by a majority of Israelis and Palestinians), will there be a chance for a peaceful resolution of this 60-year plus conflict. Yet you align yourself with the hard-liners, so much so that in your infamous, demeaning speech to the AIPAC convention right after you gained the nomination of the Democratic Party, you supported an "undivided Jerusalem," and opposed negotiations with Hamas-- the elected government in Gaza. Once again, you ignored the will of the Israeli people who, in a March 1, 2008 poll by the respected newspaper Haaretz, showed that 64% of Israelis favored "direct negotiations with Hamas." Siding with the AIPAC hard-liners is what one of the many leading Palestinians advocating dialogue and peace with the Israeli people was describing when he wrote "Anti-semitism today is the persecution of Palestinian society by the Israeli state."

During your visit to Israel this summer, you scheduled a mere 45 minutes of your time for Palestinians with no news conference, and no visit to Palestinian refugee camps that would have focused the media on the brutalization of the Palestinians. Your trip supported the illegal, cruel blockade of Gaza in defiance of international law and the United Nations charter. You focused on southern Israeli casualties which during the past year have totaled one civilian casualty to every 400 Palestinian casualties on the Gaza side. Instead of a statesmanship that decried all violence and its replacement with acceptance of the Arab League's 2002 proposal to permit a viable Palestinian state within the 1967 borders in return for full economic and diplomatic relations between Arab countries and Israel, you played the role of a cheap politician, leaving the area and Palestinians with the feeling of much shock and little awe.

David Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, described your trip succinctly: "There was almost a willful display of indifference to the fact that there are two narratives here. This could serve him well as a candidate, but not as a President."

Palestinian American commentator, Ali Abunimah, noted that Obama did not utter a single criticism of Israel, "of its relentless settlement and wall construction, of the closures that make life unlivable for millions of Palestinians. ...Even the Bush administration recently criticized Israeli's use of cluster bombs against Lebanese civilians [see www.atfl.org for elaboration]. But Obama defended Israeli's assault on Lebanon as an exercise of its 'legitimate right to defend itself.'"

In numerous columns Gideon Levy, writing in Haaretz, strongly criticized the Israeli government's assault on civilians in Gaza, including attacks on "the heart of a crowded refugee camp... with horrible bloodshed" in early 2008.

Israeli writer and peace advocate-- Uri Avnery-- described Obama's appearance before AIPAC as one that "broke all records for obsequiousness and fawning, adding that Obama "is prepared to sacrifice the most basic American interests. After all, the US has a vital interest in achieving an Israeli-Palestinian peace that will allow it to find ways to the hearts of the Arab masses from Iraq to Morocco. Obama has harmed his image in the Muslim world and mortgaged his future-- if and when he is elected president.," he said, adding, "Of one thing I am certain: Obama's declarations at the AIPAC conference are very, very bad for peace. And what is bad for peace is bad for Israel, bad for the world and bad for the Palestinian people."

A further illustration of your deficiency of character is the way you turned your back on the Muslim-Americans in this country. You refused to send surrogates to speak to voters at their events. Having visited numerous churches and synagogues, you refused to visit a single Mosque in America. Even George W. Bush visited the Grand Mosque in Washington D.C. after 9/11 to express proper sentiments of tolerance before a frightened major religious group of innocents.

Although the New York Times published a major article on June 24, 2008 titled "Muslim Voters Detect a Snub from Obama" (by Andrea Elliott), citing examples of your aversion to these Americans who come from all walks of life, who serve in the armed forces and who work to live the American dream. Three days earlier the International Herald Tribune published an article by Roger Cohen titled "Why Obama Should Visit a Mosque." None of these comments and reports change your political bigotry against Muslim-Americans-- even though your father was a Muslim from Kenya.

Perhaps nothing illustrated your utter lack of political courage or even the mildest version of this trait than your surrendering to demands of the hard-liners to prohibit former president Jimmy Carter from speaking at the Democratic National Convention. This is a tradition for former presidents and one accorded in prime time to Bill Clinton this year.

Here was a President who negotiated peace between Israel and Egypt, but his recent book pressing the dominant Israeli superpower to avoid Apartheid of the Palestinians and make peace was all that it took to sideline him. Instead of an important address to the nation by Jimmy Carter on this critical international problem, he was relegated to a stroll across the stage to "tumultuous applause," following a showing of a film about the Carter Center's post-Katrina work. Shame on you, Barack Obama!

But then your shameful behavior has extended to many other areas of American life. (See the factual analysis by my running mate, Matt Gonzalez, on www.votenader.org). You have turned your back on the 100-million poor Americans composed of poor whites, African-Americans, and Latinos. You always mention helping the "middle class" but you omit, repeatedly, mention of the "poor" in America.

Should you be elected President, it must be more than an unprecedented upward career move following a brilliantly unprincipled campaign that spoke "change" yet demonstrated actual obeisance to the concentration power of the "corporate supremacists." It must be about shifting the power from the few to the many. It must be a White House presided over by a black man who does not turn his back on the downtrodden here and abroad but challenges the forces of greed, dictatorial control of labor, consumers and taxpayers, and the militarization of foreign policy. It must be a White House that is transforming of American politics-- opening it up to the public funding of elections (through voluntary approaches)-- and allowing smaller candidates to have a chance to be heard on debates and in the fullness of their now restricted civil liberties. Call it a competitive democracy.

Your presidential campaign again and again has demonstrated cowardly stands. "Hope" some say springs eternal." But not when "reality" consumes it daily.

Sincerely,
Ralph Nader

Forest activists attacked in Tasmania

2008-10-26T22:33:42Z

Forest activists attacked in the Upper Florentine Valley, Tassie

A peaceful action by conservationists in the Upper Florentine was targeted by violent logging contractors, with one activist kicked in the head and blockade infrastructure attacked with a sledgehammer, seriously endangering two activists.This occurred while a Forestry Tasmania employee watched on.

“Members of the Tasmanian community engaged in legitimate peaceful protest in defence of ancient forests should not be subjected to this kind of violence, nor should it be condoned by Forestry Tasmania employees” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokeperson Ula Majewski.

“Due to the carbon-storage value of this forest, the contentious nature of this logging operation and today’s violence, Still Wild Still Threatened requests an immediate cessation of logging in coupe FO042E” Ula Majewski said.

“Violence of this kind is perpetrated by a small minority of logging contractors. Contractors such as Howell’s Logging should focus their anger on those who are endangering their livelihoods, such as Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Limited, who continue to damage Tasmanian communities and forests with an unsustainable, woodchip based industry” Ula Majewski said.

“Activists will be pursuing this matter with the police” said Miss Majewski.

The Hobart Mercury reported that Forestry had denied one of their staff witnessed any confrontation. In the video above you can see this is a complete lie as the Forestry Tasmania employee (wearing a yellow hard hat) leans down and warns one of the protestors before the loggers go ape.

***************************8
And then a few days later:
EDIA RELEASE
Friday, 24th October 2008

Activist cars torched in the Upper Florentine Valley, Tasmania

Late last night, two cars belonging to peaceful forest activists were set on fire at a community blockade in the Upper Florentine Valley. A number of unknown individuals arrived at ‘Camp Florentine’ around 11:30pm and used jerry cans of petrol to set the vehicles on fire. A forest activist who was sleeping in the vicinity of the vehicles was woken by shouting and loud smashing. A forest information booth provided for tourists was also set on fire and a gas cooker inside the booth exploded.

“These violent attacks against peaceful community activists are an absolute disgrace. It is incumbent upon the Tasmanian Government to find a resolution to these conflicts by protecting our precious old growth forests and compensating logging contractors” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.

“Tasmanian forest defenders who are peacefully standing up against the devastation of our old growth forests should not be subjected to this kind of barbaric, vigilante behaviour” said Miss Majewski.

“We will continue to speak out against the continued decimation of the irreplaceable carbon dense forests of the Styx, Weld and Upper Florentine Valleys” said Miss Majewski.

The incident has been reported to the Tasmanian Police.

***************************

Vegan feast!!!

2008-08-28T23:26:10Z

Hey,

Come along next Saturday to this great banquet to help support those on the ground fighting for animal freedom! The last one (fundraising for the Save the Beagles campaign)was excellent, with multiple courses of all sorts of amazing foods (including a truly awesome dessert round!) to be had.

valec @ 2008-07-30T12:14:00

2008-07-30T00:16:21Z

The Dark Knight: Hollywood’s Terror Dream

What’s on the menu in The Dark Knight? The same thing that’s on the two-party American political menu, year in and year out.

The moral is as old, and as conservative, as Hobbes: we can live in a wild, murderous wasteland or a lawless, authoritarian police state. It doesn’t matter which of these options the film presents as more appealing or fun; all that matters is that no other options—e.g., left-wing anarchism, participatory democracy, decentralized communism, democratic socialism etc.—present themselves.

if I had a sickle...

2008-07-25T02:16:22Z

ABC Wellington invite you to a film screening and talk by Waihopai ANZAC Ploughshares activist and arrestee Adrian Leason.

Come along this Saturday (i.e. tomorrow) to view this film documenting the US/NZ military relationship, followed by a talk from Adrian Leason on why he took direct action against the Waihopai spy base.

Tea and biscuits (vegan) provided.

Look forward to seeing you there! :)

Media blocked from Free Trade show.

2008-06-20T00:46:16Z

Alliance Party national spokesperson Victor Billot says media were turned away from a Dunedin seminar run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise yesterday.

The Otago Daily Times raised concerns with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Officials after being told that allowing media into workshops would inhibit speakers from "full and frank discussion."

Mr Billot says the free trade seminars were paid for by New Zealanders, but media were told they could not directly report or photograph proceedings on the first day, and were then barred completely from reporting workshop discussions on the second day.

Mr Billot says this is a disgrace and shows how there was an anti-democratic agenda in free trade deals.

He says free trade agreements have been jacked up behind closed doors, and now New Zealand media were being excluded from publicly-funded seminars on the basis that they might report something that the Government and its corporate allies might not like in the public domain.

"This is a publicly funded forum to discuss free trade. What gives the right for unelected, unaccountable state servants to shut off the public from being told what free trade has got in store for them?"

Mr Billot says that it was obvious manufacturing jobs were going to evaporate under free trade agreements, and such sensitive issues had been placed off the agenda.

"The workers who are being laid off at Fisher and Paykel when their jobs got moved to Mexico have a right to know what is going on with free trade deals, since their taxes are paying for these cosy chats with the select few. Why aren't workers being invited to these seminars?"

"This is exactly what the Alliance has been saying all along. The restrictions on democracy and free speech in out free trading partners will spread back towards us. Information is being restricted and controlled, and the public will be kept in the dark and fed public relations spin."

Mr Billot says free trade has nothing to do with democracy.

"It's essentially a system where privately owned corporations own and control the world's economy and give orders to elected Governments."

He says that free trade is about far more than just trading with other countries.

"Of course New Zealand will always trade with other nations - but free trade means far more than simply buying and selling. Free trade is about who owns the New Zealand economy, what decisions our people and their elected Government can make, and the democratic rights and economic security of workers."

For more information, contact Alliance Party national spokesperson Victor Billot on 021482219 or email victor.billot (at) alliance.org.nz

Playing at Valve

2008-05-30T13:28:18Z

I'll probably be playing on a few tracks at the above gig on the 6th, if you're in Wellington y'all should head along.

Global solidarity on Climate Change

2008-05-26T00:40:45Z

We invite you to join the 1st international planning meeting in Copenhagen from the 13-14th of September 2008. The meeting aims at preparing a large mobilisation for direct action against the root causes of climate change in Copenhagen and throughout the world during the UN Climate Conference (30 Nov-11 Dec 2009).

Towards climate action in Copenhagen 2009

First international planning meeting

We stand at a crossroads in history. The facts are undeniable. Global climate change, caused by human activities, is happening. We all know that, world over, we're facing a manifold and deepening crisis: of the climate, energy, food, livelihoods, and of political and human rights. Scientific, environmental, social and civil society movements from all over the world are calling for action against climate change.

Massive consumption of fossil fuel is one of the major causes of global warming, a problem that threatens the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Instead of leading the way, governments are prioritizing economic growth and corporate interests while ignoring the speeding train of climate change hurtling towards the abyss. The corporate exploitation of the planet's resources cannot be allowed to continue any longer. We have precious little time to react to this threat. We need action NOW to stop climate change, and if the so-called 'leaders' won't lead the way, we must.

On the 30th November 2009, world leaders will come to Copenhagen for the UN Climate Conference (COP15). This will be the most important summit on climate change ever to have taken place, and it will determine how the countries of the world are going to respond to the climate threat. The decisions taken there will define the future for all the people of the world. The previous meetings give no indication that this meeting will produce anything more than empty rhetoric and a green washed blueprint for business-as-usual.

There is an alternative to the current course and it’s not some far-off dream. If we put reason before profit, we can live amazing lives without destroying our planet. But this will not happen by itself. We have to take direct action, both against the root causes of climate change and to help create a new, just and joyous world in the shell of the old. And so, we call on all responsible people of the planet to take direct action against the root causes of climate change during the COP15 summit in Copenhagen 2009.

The exact plans for our mobilization are not yet finalized. We have time to collectively decide what our best course of action may be. We encourage everyone to start mobilizing in your own countries. It is time to take the power back from the leaders not responsible enough to hold it. The power is in our hands!

Practical information

The meeting is free for everyone, accommodation and food will be provided by local activists. Note also that the meeting will be held the weekend prior to the European Social Forum (ESF) in Malmö, September 17-21. People are welcome to stay in Copenhagen in the intermediate days.

Please announce your arrival to sept08 (at) klimax2009.org. We're happy to respond to any questions you might have. You can also subscribe to the international mobilization mailing list.

Please circulate, translate and distribute this call widely.
Climate Network 09
e-mail: sept08 (at) klimax2009.org
Homepage: www.klimax2009.org

Olymmpics 2010

2008-05-26T00:35:16Z

No Olympics on Stolen Land

Overview

The 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver-Whistler Canada from February 12-27, 2010, is today a very real threat to Native peoples, the urban poor (many of whom are also Native), and the environment. While cutting social services, healthcare, education, etc., the British Colombia Liberal government is at the same time providing billions of dollars to construction companies & other Olympic-related industries. The capitalists are making millions, while the poor are literally dying in the urban & reservation ghettos. Already, more land has been destroyed for the expansion or construction of highways, ski resorts, & Olympic venues.

The Olympic organizers operate with a budget of almost $2 billion, and other costs to government surpass $6 billion. Despite all the Olympic-related mega development, Vancouver is now home to North America’s fastest growing homelessness crisis. Indigenous people account for 30% of this homeless population, despite making up only 2% of the total population in the province. Much of the resistance to the Olympics is recognition for the real intentions of such games; to further the colonial process, and to produce massive profits for the private sector at the expense of the people and the land.

The Campaign

The campaign is currently in an outreach and community building stage as Indigenous and allied groups organize to disrupt the Olympics. A convergence is being planned during the Olympics and the Indigenous community asks that as many allies as possible be present during this action. Meanwhile, the Canadian state is organizing the largest security operation in the country’s history. Anti-terror threat assessment squads have stated that Indigenous groups and anti-capitalist activists in the No Olympics campaign to be the single greatest threat to security. 12 500 police, military and security personnel will be deployed in 2010 including Emergency Response Teams, riot cops, helicopters and armoured vehicles. Despite this, the scale of the Olympics is so great that the opportunity for disruption and creative resistance is considerable.

Background

BC is unique in Canada in that most of the province is unceded, non-surrendered Indigenous territories. The national government chose to introduce the Indian Act of 1876 as a means of extending government control over all Natives in Canada. Natives were dispossessed of their land, which came under the control of the government. At the same time, the Indian Act imposed the band council, reserve and status systems, and authorized the relocation of Native children & youth into Residential Schools.

Aotearoa Context

The 2010 Olympic games is a further example of colonial repression of indigenous peoples around the world. Through the guise of the Olympic spirit the manifestations of neo-liberal policies are rammed down peoples throats. However, alliances between Indigenous Peoples, Anarchists, environmentalists and other social justice movements continue to grow both here and abroad. From anti-colonial and anti-capitalist campaigns, to Indigenous solidarity work, the No Olympics campaign can provide useful lessons.

Links: no2010.com | 2010watch.com | noii-van.resist.ca

Death Punk Fest '08

2008-05-15T02:39:52Z

I'll be playing a couple of chords at the above gig, unless I get fired first. In New Plymouth! Go road trip, come along, be grimly!

valec @ 2008-05-14T12:13:00

2008-05-14T01:01:06Z

Watched some stuff....

Last night Rosie and I watched Life and Debt - a look into the effects of Globalisation, and specifically the IMF and World Bank, on the economy and people of Jamaica.

Quite a good insight, however I did find that the makers of the film could have looked a litle deeper into _why_ the USA acts in this manner - _why_ the USA subsidises their milk powder exports 130% etc. And also a greater analysis of how to escape the present issues, and exploration of options for self sustenance and moving away from the capitalist system (left with them from colonisation.. they never really gained true independence), and then possibly string in why _that_ would be difficult.. given that unpaid IMF debts will result in offshore takeover and resistance will be met with force.

I think the one aspect that stuck with me was the hopeless, helpless feeling, as there was little mention that these effects of globalisation can be resisted with a massive uprising against imposed power structures and economies.

Having said that, I'm recommending people take the time to watch this, it's a really good account of the workings of the IMF, WTO, World Bank and world superpowers, as well as some history of post colonial Jamaica and a look into todays offshore lower classes.

The tourist vs reality format was quite an interesting addition also, although at times I did find the OTT renditions of the tourists was a bit much.

Occupation 101

"Conveys the history, the current reality, and the vast financial American connection of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

This is a great representation of the Israili-Palestinian conflict, was not a drawn out tedious watch as so many of these things are, and presented statistical data and a number of factual accounts in an easily digestible manner. I'd recommend this for anyone who knows little to nothing of the issue, as well as those who are pretty well versed. It contains some great footage and personal accounts.

My one issue is really that they didn't (or maybe I missed it) go into the pre 19th century history of the jewish people and their connection to the area, although I feel this is a small factor, the main issues being presented being teh Zionist movement and the occupation.

Really got to me though, the injustices of this world tend to pull on the heartstrings.

Network

"I'm mad as hell! And I'm not going to take it anymore!"

This film was made in 1976, and is a fictional account of the exploitative profit motives of the media.

Howard Beale, a long time Anchor man is fired after a steady decline in the ratings share. He suffers a nervous breakdown and on air claims that he will commit suicide. He then becomes an angry television personality, all the while suffering from insanity. He berates the public for their apathy, getsa people shouting out of windows and presents his show with gusto. He discloses and explains the workings on air of a Saudi takeover, but then learns a little more about the dehumanising of our world and the power of global capital.

His shows become more depressing, and this loses the rating share again. Something has to be done. Something that really brings in the ratings......

I did find this movie a bit less exciting than I originally anticipated. Beale's rants are great, and the analysis of people just living out TV script lives was great, but I found the rest of the movie quite slow and just a bit of a drama show. I'd say it's worth seeing though, to say you've seen it and all, although I suspect all the good bits will be on youtube so one could just watch that :)

"You're beginning to believe the illusions we're spinning here, you're beginning to believe that the tube is reality and your own lives are unreal. You do. Why, whatever the tube tells you: you dress like the tube, you eat like the tube, you raise your children like the tube, you even think like the tube. This is mass madness, you maniacs. In God's name, you people are the real thing, WE are the illusion. "

NZ Open Rescue - Pig farming video

2008-05-11T08:02:58Z

Small piece on Pig farming here in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

valec @ 2008-04-21T12:13:00

2008-04-21T00:19:33Z

Please pass this notice through your networks and to any media that you
have contacts with. Thank you.

Public meeting: Tino Rangatiratanga, Tuhoe and the Terror Raids. Thursday
1 May 7-9pm at Mungavin Hall, Lower Mungavin Avenue. Porirua. Come along
to find what the October 15th 'terror raids' mean for you and your family,
find out how we can make Tino Rangatiratanga happen in Aotearoa now and
what Tuhoe is doing to stand up to police violence. Come along and get
involved in the campaign for freedom.

The public meeting is sponsored by October 15th Solidarity Crew
Wellington. We are a grassroots group committed to securing the
unconditional freedom of the now 20 people arrested in the terrorism raids
and working for Tino Rangatiratanga and Te Mana Motuhake o Tuhoe. For more
information, check out www.October15thSolidarity.info

valec @ 2008-03-31T12:34:00

2008-03-30T23:37:42Z

British spy satellite films Chinese instigating Lhasa riots.

New Zealand private surveillance ruling.

2008-03-27T00:44:34Z

Spy case proves TCIL operate with impunity

I have just read this article on Aotearoa Indymedia. Unfortunately not written in the easiest manner for digestion, but one of the points really struck out to me. A private company placed security cameras on public land, with no contract to do so. After a complaint was brought to the crown the ruling has come through that this company had every right to do this, which I think holds huge issues for the future privacy of all citisens within this country.

"In regard to the camera the ruling was simple. Mr Harrison stated that as TCIL's directorship also hold security guard's licences ... they were obviously only serving a security function. This is despite the fact that there is no contract or mandate to "secure" this section of **public** land. However Clark in his statement admitted the camera belonged, and was placed by TCIL, not ProVision Security Ltd."

Coming soon to legislation near you....

2008-01-24T21:44:44Z

The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act
I've been fuming over this a while now, and nobody here seems to have heard of the damn thing! I hate it so much because it'll come here soon. We followed the Patriot Act with the Terrorism Suppression Act, happily send our SAS on special missions for/with the US, have troops in Afghanistan under US command, etc etc. We follow the US right? We already know it so no need for me to make it clearer.

We're all heading toward a totalitarian police state and it makes me sick.

valec @ 2007-10-26T03:08:00

2007-10-25T14:15:43Z

Aotea Sq, Saturday. 12 Noon.

valec @ 2007-10-22T20:31:00

2007-10-22T07:35:00Z

What is Anarchism?

From the Sunday Star Times. I think it's a great representation :)

valec @ 2007-10-17T17:30:00

2007-10-17T04:43:40Z

Spotted this today. It was spray painted on the monument to 'The Colonial and Imperial Soldiers' and 'friendly Maoris' who died in the New Zealand wars, located on the corner of Wakefield and Symonds Street. The monument also - which I found really amusing - has the phrase 'Through War They Won The Peace We Know' inscribed on it.

Anyway, good stuff I say, I find these actions by the NZ Government and Police totally over the top and disgusting. We're all about critising America and the way it treats it's own citizens (let alone those of other countries), and meanwhile it's happening right here under our noses!

BTW it reads 'Free Tame Iti' and 'No Jurisdiction'