brainstorming and spastic banter
Dear Photograph,Bernice and Zeke fell in love at first sight. It was true puppy love. Even though Bernice has long since passed away, Zeke loves to sit on that same back step, just like always. I wonder who he is thinking about…
Kiley
“
Thousands of documents detailing some of the most shameful acts and crimes committed during the final years of the British empire were systematically destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of post-independence governments, an official review has concluded.
Those papers that survived the purge were flown discreetly to Britain where they were hidden for 50 years in a secret Foreign Office archive, beyond the reach of historians and members of the public, and in breach of legal obligations for them to be transferred into the public domain.
The archive came to light last year when a group of Kenyans detained and allegedly tortured during the Mau Mau rebellion won the right to sue the British government. The Foreign Office promised to release the 8,800 files from 37 former colonies held at the highly-secure government communications centre at Hanslope Park in Buckinghamshire.
”Britain destroyed records of colonial crimes | The Raw Story
Read the rest at the link. It’s really worth it.
(via redlightpolitics)
(via mohandasgandhi)
One killed every half hour in Mexico drug-related violence
One person died in drug-related violence every half hour in Mexico last year, amounting to 48 executions per day on average, according to the Mexican Excelsior newspaper, a sign that the violence surrounding the country’s powerful cartels continues unabated.
A total of 12,903 were murdered in the first nine months of 2011, Excelsior and other newspapers reported, sourcing data from the country’s Attorney General’s office (link in Spanish).
Nationwide, 47,515 people have been killed since December 2006, when President Felipe Calderon deployed thousands of troops to drug hot spots, through to September 2011, the Attorney General’s Office said on Wednesday. The deaths include those involved in the drugs trade, civilians and members of security forces fighting the cartels, according to Excelsior.
The most dangerous city in the country during the first nine months of 2011 was Ciudad Juarez in Chihuahua, on the border with the United States, and the second-most dangerous was Acapulco, Guerrero, on the western coast of the country.
Innocent lives being taken because too many powerful people make too much money off of our ass-backwards prohibition laws and mass incarceration.
(Source: anticapitalist, via mohandasgandhi)
![stay-human:
The Massacre of Deir Yassin, Palestine; April 9th, 1948
Irgun and Stern Gang, the Jewish forces, stormed into the village of Deir Yassin on this day 63 years ago [64 now], they sprayed the houses with machine gun fire, killing many. They raped and killed some of the women, they gathered the remaning villagers in one place and shot them all in cold blood.
Fahim Zaydan was 12 at the time;
“They took us out one after the other; shot an old man and when one of his daughters cried, she was shot too. Then they called my brother Muhammad, and shot him infront of us, and when my mother yelled, bending over him- carrying my little sister Hudra in her hands, still breastfeeding her- they shot her too.”
Zaydan was shot too (he survived) when the troops lined up children against a wall and sprayed them with bullets “just for the fun of it”.
Research suggests that between 93-170 people were massacred, this list doesn’t include the people killed during the fighting.
Info source; The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe (see pages 90-92)
Picture source; http://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/authors/Darkmoon-Rachel.html](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lje4bbU8zu1qi4g1ho1_400.png)
The Massacre of Deir Yassin, Palestine; April 9th, 1948
Irgun and Stern Gang, the Jewish forces, stormed into the village of Deir Yassin on this day 63 years ago [64 now], they sprayed the houses with machine gun fire, killing many. They raped and killed some of the women, they gathered the remaning villagers in one place and shot them all in cold blood.
Fahim Zaydan was 12 at the time;
“They took us out one after the other; shot an old man and when one of his daughters cried, she was shot too. Then they called my brother Muhammad, and shot him infront of us, and when my mother yelled, bending over him- carrying my little sister Hudra in her hands, still breastfeeding her- they shot her too.”
Zaydan was shot too (he survived) when the troops lined up children against a wall and sprayed them with bullets “just for the fun of it”.
Research suggests that between 93-170 people were massacred, this list doesn’t include the people killed during the fighting.
Info source; The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe (see pages 90-92)
Picture source; http://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/authors/Darkmoon-Rachel.html
(via mohandasgandhi)
Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior
Paul K. Piffa, Daniel M. Stancatoa, Stéphane Côtéb, Rodolfo Mendoza-Dentona, Dacher Keltnera
Seven studies using experimental and naturalistic methods reveal that upper-class individuals behave more unethically than lower-class individuals. In studies 1 and 2, upper-class individuals were more likely to break the law while driving, relative to lower-class individuals. In follow-up laboratory studies, upper-class individuals were more likely to exhibit unethical decision-making tendencies (study 3), take valued goods from others (study 4), lie in a negotiation (study 5), cheat to increase their chances of winning a prize (study 6), and endorse unethical behavior at work (study 7) than were lower-class individuals. Mediator and moderator data demonstrated that upper-class individuals’ unethical tendencies are accounted for, in part, by their more favorable attitudes toward greed.
“Ethics is subjective” anyway.
And that’s study # 5,023 with this conclusion….
“George Zimmerman has not been charged in the Feb. 26 shooting of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was walking home from a convenience store in Sanford, Fla., near Orlando. Zimmerman, who patrolled the Retreat at Twin Lakes development in his own car, had been called aggressive in earlier complaints to the local police and the homeowner’s association, according to a homeowner who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
At an emergency homeowner’s association meeting on March 1, “one man was escorted out because he openly expressed his frustration because he had previously contacted the Sanford Police Department about Zimmerman approaching him and even coming to his home,” the resident wrote in an email to HuffPost. “It was also made known that there had been several complaints about George Zimmerman and his tactics” in his neighborhood watch captain role.”
George Zimmerman Neighbors Complained About Aggressive Tactics Before Trayvon Martin Killing (via robot-heart-politics)
End. Of. This. What law enforcement agency doesn’t arrest someone who just shot a teenager armed with nothing but tea and Skittles for his little brother when said person also has a history of noted aggression and complaints filed against the way he conducts himself in his privileged position? This is getting extremely bizarre.
(via mohandasgandhi)
I’m hearing murmurs that he’s a police informant. And in a weird way, I hope that’s true. I really, truly hope there is some reason that a man who killed a child in cold blood is walking free today. Some reason other than “he killed a Black kid and no one cares.” If Zimmerman was harassing (ostensibly white) neighbors too without any police intervention… that smells fishy to me.
And the “it was self-defense” argument wouldn’t hold water even if it WAS true, which it most certainly is not. If you murder someone, even in self-defense, you still are arrested and have a trial. THEN they declare it was self-defense and maybe you can go home. (Unless you’re a woman who murdered her husband in self-defense, in which case you get an average of 15-20 years in the slammer.) There is no legal precedent whatsoever for George Zimmerman to be walking free.
-Jess
(via stfuconservatives)
I hope to god it’s the case that Zimmerman is an informant or that there’s some other reason why police are trying to absolve him of criminal responsibility. It just does not make sense to me that multiple law enforcement officers would ignore incredibly basic protocol over a murder committed by someone with a history because the victim was a Black kid, knowing what the legal consequences are, even though it happens quite often. I don’t know, maybe the entire police department is incredibly racist but they’re stretching a lot, from what I’ve read, just to protect a white guy with a record of aggression because he killed a Black teenager. Are entire police departments really this stupid? Do you really want to play a judicial role when your job lies in enforcement of the law, an executive role? Yes? Good, then you can all be fired.
(via mohandasgandhi)
(via mohandasgandhi)
![laughterkey:
bigbardas:
TRIGGER WARNING: RACISM, VIOLENCE, DEATH
isitscary | squintyoureyes | osobigbear:
Unarmed Black Teen Gunned Down By Neighborhood Watch Leader After Being Deemed Suspicious
Trayvon “Trey” Martin, 17, of Miami was visiting relatives living in a gated community in Sanford, Florida. He had just left a local 7-11 after buying a snack and was on his way home around 7:00 PM on February 26. George Zimmerman, a 26-year-old member of the local neighborhood watch, saw Martin and called police to report a suspicious man in the community. He tailed Martin in his car. He had a loaded pistol on him. The police told Zimmerman they would handle it.
For some reason, Zimmerman didn’t obey. Minutes later, a number of local residents called police to report a fight. A gunshot was heard. Martin died 70 yards from the house he was staying in. Zimmerman was arrested and then released. He was carrying the pistol legally and has claimed that he was acting in self-defense.
Said Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. in an interview with the Huffington Post, “For some reason he (Zimmerman) felt that Trayvon, the way that he was walking or appeared seemed suspicious to him.”
Ah, yes. The way he was walking and his appearance were deemed “suspicious.” Oh, did I forget to mention that Martin is black? And that the gated community, called Retreat at Twin Lakes, is predominantly white?
Martin’s parents are demanding the police make an arrest and release the 911 call. They are expected to file a suit in state court on Friday.
“Zimmerman, an adult, had a gun. Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old, had Skittles. No way you can say self-defense,” said the family’s attorney, Benjamin Crump.
what the fuck do you mean they’re calling for his arrest. the fact that Zimmerman isn’t right now in custody is all the proof anyone needs of what is still happening in this country.
#i’m sure if a white kid had been killed #by a black dude or ANYONE for that matter #he’d be able to just walk the fuck around while they investigate #zimmerman CONFESSED by the way #too bad no one gives a fuck about dead black children
What irks me the most about this situation is that Zimmerman is trying to claim self defense. How in the hell are you going to plead self defense against a 17-year-old boy when he had nothing but Skittles in one pocket and a damn iced tea in the other?
Is it possibly THAT hard to just be a decent human being and admit that the basis of your “suspicion” came from the fact that he was black?
Some reports are stating that when police arrived on the scene Zimmerman’s back was wet, his nose was bloodied, and he was yelling about how he cried for help and no one came. So “‘There is some physical evidence and some testimony that would corroborate [his claim of self defense].” Which is fucking ridiculous.
He was a twenty six year old man in a car following a seventeen year old kid at night. He has all the power in this situation. He is older, he is more familiar with the area, he is armed, and he is inside a goddamn car. The only way an altercation occurs is if he gets out of his car. If it’s night and I’m walking alone and a car begins to follow me, I am going to be terrified of that car and it’s driver. I can completely understand a young kid reacting aggressively in that situation because that’s a terrifying situation to find yourself in. The only person who should be held responsible for any alteracation that occured is the grown ass man who thought it appropriate to follow a young kid around in the dark after the police dispatch explicitly told him not to do so and then GOT OUT OF HIS CAR.
Zimmerman is clearly and undeniably the aggressor here and the fact that he has not been arrested is disgusting.
I don’t even know what to say.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0lv4eOK2k1qbtpyuo1_1280.jpg)
TRIGGER WARNING: RACISM, VIOLENCE, DEATH
isitscary | squintyoureyes | osobigbear:
Unarmed Black Teen Gunned Down By Neighborhood Watch Leader After Being Deemed Suspicious
Trayvon “Trey” Martin, 17, of Miami was visiting relatives living in a gated community in Sanford, Florida. He had just left a local 7-11 after buying a snack and was on his way home around 7:00 PM on February 26. George Zimmerman, a 26-year-old member of the local neighborhood watch, saw Martin and called police to report a suspicious man in the community. He tailed Martin in his car. He had a loaded pistol on him. The police told Zimmerman they would handle it.
For some reason, Zimmerman didn’t obey. Minutes later, a number of local residents called police to report a fight. A gunshot was heard. Martin died 70 yards from the house he was staying in. Zimmerman was arrested and then released. He was carrying the pistol legally and has claimed that he was acting in self-defense.
Said Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. in an interview with the Huffington Post, “For some reason he (Zimmerman) felt that Trayvon, the way that he was walking or appeared seemed suspicious to him.”
Ah, yes. The way he was walking and his appearance were deemed “suspicious.” Oh, did I forget to mention that Martin is black? And that the gated community, called Retreat at Twin Lakes, is predominantly white?
Martin’s parents are demanding the police make an arrest and release the 911 call. They are expected to file a suit in state court on Friday.
“Zimmerman, an adult, had a gun. Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old, had Skittles. No way you can say self-defense,” said the family’s attorney, Benjamin Crump.
what the fuck do you mean they’re calling for his arrest. the fact that Zimmerman isn’t right now in custody is all the proof anyone needs of what is still happening in this country.
What irks me the most about this situation is that Zimmerman is trying to claim self defense. How in the hell are you going to plead self defense against a 17-year-old boy when he had nothing but Skittles in one pocket and a damn iced tea in the other?
Is it possibly THAT hard to just be a decent human being and admit that the basis of your “suspicion” came from the fact that he was black?
Some reports are stating that when police arrived on the scene Zimmerman’s back was wet, his nose was bloodied, and he was yelling about how he cried for help and no one came. So “‘There is some physical evidence and some testimony that would corroborate [his claim of self defense].” Which is fucking ridiculous.
He was a twenty six year old man in a car following a seventeen year old kid at night. He has all the power in this situation. He is older, he is more familiar with the area, he is armed, and he is inside a goddamn car. The only way an altercation occurs is if he gets out of his car. If it’s night and I’m walking alone and a car begins to follow me, I am going to be terrified of that car and it’s driver. I can completely understand a young kid reacting aggressively in that situation because that’s a terrifying situation to find yourself in. The only person who should be held responsible for any alteracation that occured is the grown ass man who thought it appropriate to follow a young kid around in the dark after the police dispatch explicitly told him not to do so and then GOT OUT OF HIS CAR.
Zimmerman is clearly and undeniably the aggressor here and the fact that he has not been arrested is disgusting.
I don’t even know what to say.
(via wilwheaton)
stolen
“The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him…
a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - - - so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating.”
— Pearl Buck
