Anarchoblogs

In no particular order…

*The good friends at Crimethinc have recently released a very interesting new text, definitely worth your time.

*In the land of the free, it is now apparently perfectly legal for the government to track your moves with GPS, without the permission of a court of any sort. When I first read the title, I thought it was the usual leftist exaggeration. You can now read about it on „Time“ magazines website, and the title is „The Government Can Use GPS to Track Your Moves.“ Scary.

*Speaking of scary, since the post-surgery bed rest period has converted me into something like the eye in the sky of the internet (in that I see *everything*), here is something that, while scary, you definitely need to see:

Your band is terrible, and thats certainly OK. But….recording it and putting it on Youtube??!!

*Surgery: Was this week. I survived. Now I have three screws in my big toe, putting the total in the right foot/ankle at 21! And maybe Im getting really desperate in the search for a silver lining here, but this „extra“ surgery means that the next, and final, surgery to remove the metal workshop from my ankle will be Lucky Number 7! (As in, 7th surgery).

*In the „kind of interesting, kind of bizarre“ category, here is the indoor football team of the Russian Communist Party, currently in second division. There is of course a long tradition of parties and popular organizations having their own sporting teams, but notice the brand that clothes them and some of the sponsors! I know that the Russian CP is about as reactionary as can be, but still…Id kill for that jersey.

Russiand friends: whoever can get us that jersey gets a shopping spree at Fire and Flames!

On the other hand, ugliest jersey ever, from a French Rugby team. Immediate eye cancer….

*Just discovered „Saga,“ Swedish Nazi rock with a less frightening image. Aside from a whole slew of „ballads“ about race, nation, ancestry, and so forth there is even a three album „Tribute to Skrewdriver.“ Basically Skrewdriver goes female fronted soft rock. Here is „European Dream,“ enjoy…

The question one might ask is, how do the good people at Fire and Flames stumble on to such Nazi garbage? Simple, the video is prominently placed on the *personal* Myspace page of ex-Tolbiac Toads guitarist. For those who may not know, Tolbiac Toads was *the* fascist skinhead band in France in late 80s and early 90s. We were reminded of the Tolbiac Toads because of this picture on Oire Szene:

Yes, it is Sebi from Stomper 98 again. But dont worry, without even knowing the answer we can tell you the very logical explanation….“I just like it for the music,“ and „somebody came by, put the shirt on me real fast and took this picture without me realizing. It could happen to anyone…“

*Even though Sizzla cancelled, the reasons given by the festival organizers and their dealing with the issue were less than ideal, so we wanted to still promote the following kündgebung. A little late, sorry…

*Next week, two Fire and Flames tables…some of us will be in Oberhausen at the Libertäre Medienmesse, and others will be at Schanzenfest. Be there (and in Dortmund!) and come visit!

*Tonight…20:30, Atlanta vs Flandria. You are all very excited, I know…

Selling Your Daughter into Slavery, Stoning the Neighbors, Owning Canadians, and Determining Degrees of Abomination.

Its never not a good time to make fun of obscurantists, and this is particularly funny. Enjoy….
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In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, written by a US man, and posted on the Internet. It’s funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination … End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can‘t I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don‘t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‚degrees‘ of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading
glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn‘t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I‘m confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan.

Author unknown

We interrupt this blog for yet another update in the ridiculous broken bone saga. Went to the doctor today for a X-ray checkout, feeling confident that I would be told everything is healed again and I can start walking again (again…).

Exactly the opposite happened. The broken piece isnt healing, and is lodged in the joint (of my big toe!), should be operated on as soon as possible.

Long story short….on Monday I will be going in for surgery, where they will be implanting two further screws into my foot. No walking for 6 more weeks, making a total of two and a half months for a broken toe. Not to mention 6 surgeries in 15 months, with a 7th still ahead.

I dont even know enough bad words or insults to convey the mood. This party sucks.

One the silver linings of being once again temporarily amongst the „walking deprived“ was that, when the time came for the great „who does the Force Attack table?“ discussion came, I wasnt an option. That said, after having heard the anecdotes and reading the latest „news“ from the Krawallbrüder website….Im starting to, shockingly, somewhat regret my absence. To begin with, lets allow Krawallbrüder to enlighten us as to some of the highlights of the „rebellion of the punks“….

Von 5000en vor der Bühne, dachten dann 2-3 Ultrarevoluzzer es wäre schick die KrawallBrüder mit zusammengeknüllten Dosen zu bewerfen. Aber liebe Freunde auch der revolutionärste Geist sollte ab und an mal auf den übermäßigen Genuss von Alkohol verzichten, denn dann würde man eventuell auch treffen… Und ein kleiner Tip am Rande, eine volle Dose würde vielleicht auch wenigstens ein bißchen Schaden anrichten, aber so verbissen ist man dann doch nicht in seiner Politik, als daß man sich den Genuss eines 5.0 in einer schwarz/rot/goldenen Dose entgehen lassen würde, nicht wahr Ihr Schnapsleichen?

No comment. But it gets MUCH better when it comes to our good friends from The Exploited, who apparently had a full-on „punk rock uprising“ against their presence with over 50 people throwing stuff at them to get them off the stage! Congratulations to these people, and here is what the heros from Krawallbrüder have to say on the subject:

Da fragt man sich doch, was sich für ein menschlicher Abschaum auf so einem Festival rumtreibt! Als Exploited die Bühne betreten hatten und begannen zu spielen gab es für einige kein Halten mehr und ein Regen aus Scheisse (!), Feuerwerkskörpern, Bierdosen, Glasflaschen, Batterien und was auch immer ergoß sich über die Bühne, was für ein Dreck! Kurzerhand gingen wir also in’s Publikum um einige der Randalierer mal flott von den Füßen zu holen, entschuldigt bitte „unangemessene“ Grobheit die für Kleingeister eurer Art wahrscheinlich nch zu freundlich war! Es ist ja wohl das Allerletzte, feige aus dem Publikum heraus eine derartige Sauerei zu veranstalten, aber das liegt ja in der Natur dieser Trottel…

What heros! Their commando action in defense of the poor and innocent was apparently so professionally executed that nobody we spoke to seemed to notice it! What people DID notice and several little birdies informed us here with much joy, is that one outraged antifascist went up to the singer of this mighty Deutschrock band and unceremoniously poured his bottle of beer on his head. The reaction? Nothing. I dont know how it is in the German „oi oi oi“ scene, but in the rest of Europe, nobody would take you seriously anymore.

And as for The Exploited…they should just be thankful they didnt get a „reception“ like they got in Madrid!

The title is of course not ours, if it were „humane“ would be in quotes. But still, the emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment is certainly a welcome departure from the standard discourse in regards to „crime and punishment.“ Furthermore, the mentions to the role of the media in sensationalizing crime and the „rehabilitation“ statistics are in left-wing circles widely known facts, but surprising and pleasant to read this a mainstream media outlike the likes of Time magazine.

Original article from: Time Magazine

By the time the trumpets sound, the candles have been lit and the salmon platters garnished. Harald V, King of Norway, enters the room, and 200 guests stand to greet him. Then a chorus of 30 men and women, each wearing a blue police uniform, launches into a spirited rendition of „We Are the World.“ This isn‘t cabaret night at Oslo’s Royal Palace. It’s a gala to inaugurate Halden Fengsel, Norway’s newest prison.

Ten years and 1.5 billion Norwegian kroner ($252 million) in the making, Halden is spread over 75 acres (30 hectares) of gently sloping forest in southeastern Norway. The facility boasts amenities like a sound studio, jogging trails and a freestanding two-bedroom house where inmates can host their families during overnight visits. Unlike many American prisons, the air isn‘t tinged with the smell of sweat and urine. Instead, the scent of orange sorbet emanates from the „kitchen laboratory“ where inmates take cooking courses. „In the Norwegian prison system, there’s a focus on human rights and respect,“ says Are Hoidal, the prison’s governor. „We don‘t see any of this as unusual.“

Halden, Norway’s second largest prison, with a capacity of 252 inmates, opened on April 8. It embodies the guiding principles of the country’s penal system: that repressive prisons do not work and that treating prisoners humanely boosts their chances of reintegrating into society. „When they arrive, many of them are in bad shape,“ Hoidal says, noting that Halden houses drug dealers, murderers and rapists, among others. „We want to build them up, give them confidence through education and work and have them leave as better people.“ Countries track recidivism rates differently, but even an imperfect comparison suggests the Norwegian model works. Within two years of their release, 20% of Norway’s prisoners end up back in jail. In the U.K. and the U.S., the figure hovers between 50% and 60%. Of course, a low level of criminality gives Norway a massive advantage. Its prison roll lists a mere 3,300, or 69 per 100,000 people, compared with 2.3 million in the U.S., or 753 per 100,000 — the highest rate in the world.

Design plays a key role in Halden’s rehabilitation efforts. „The most important thing is that the prison looks as much like the outside world as possible,“ says Hans Henrik Hoilund, one of the prison’s architects. To avoid an institutional feel, exteriors are not concrete but made of bricks, galvanized steel and larch; the buildings seem to have grown organically from the woodlands. And while there is one obvious symbol of incarceration — a 20-ft. (6 m) concrete security wall along the prison’s perimeter — trees obscure it, and its top has been rounded off, Hoilund says, „so it isn‘t too hostile.“

The cells rival well-appointed college dorm rooms, with their flat-screen TVs and minifridges. Designers chose long vertical windows for the rooms because they let in more sunlight. There are no bars. Every 10 to 12 cells share a living room and kitchen. With their stainless-steel countertops, wraparound sofas and birch-colored coffee tables, they resemble Ikea showrooms.

Halden’s greatest asset, though, may be the strong relationship between staff and inmates. Prison guards don‘t carry guns — that creates unnecessary intimidation and social distance — and they routinely eat meals and play sports with the inmates. „Many of the prisoners come from bad homes, so we wanted to create a sense of family,“ says architect Per Hojgaard Nielsen. Half the guards are women — Hoidal believes this decreases aggression — and prisoners receive questionnaires asking how their experience in prison can be improved.

There’s plenty of enthusiasm for transforming lives. „None of us were forced to work here. We chose to,“ says Charlott-Renee Sandvik Clasen, a music teacher in the prison and a member of Halden’s security-guard chorus. „Our goal is to give all the prisoners — we call them our pupils — a meaningful life inside these walls.“ It’s warmth like that, not the expensive television sets, that will likely have the most lasting impact.

Now not only broken, but sick as well…wayyy too much time on my hands. Three weeks no walking, probably three more to go. And since 10 days ago Doctor even forbid me the stationary bike. Mood is very bad. Anycow…

*First the work…

By far most exciting…all the design and color scheme work on the fall collection is finished, and the revised sample items should be here for confirmation in a week or two. Next week we will be making first payment on three different jackets for which design and all details have already been sorted out, and the first jackets should be here around early to mid October. Keeping with the brutal honesty with which Fire and Flames communicates with you all…the collection will come stretched over a couple of months, two or three textile types at a time, since we cant afford to produce everything at the same time. A complete update and presentation with pictures will be forthcoming as soon as we have recieved all the finalized samples.

Equally exciting, if all goes well we will have new releases from BRIXTON CATS, OPCIO K-95, and ZARTAKO out in September.

Worked on the catalog as well, BANDA BASSOTTIs double live album, „Checkpoint Kreuzberg“, recorded live at SO36 is finally online, as well as ENRAGED MINORITYs
debut album.

Finally, even the FAQ has become somewhat more complete. Still a work in progress though…

*I promise if I manage to get my hands on this t-shirt, I will never ever wear anything else again….

*Also attracting my attention as of late, but fortunately in a somewhat less shallow way, is „Paradoxes of Utopia: Anarchist Culture and Politics in Buenos Aires 1890–1910″

Paradoxes of Utopia gives us an engaging look at fin de siècle Buenos Aires that brings to life the vibrant culture behind one of the world’s largest anarchist movements: the radical schools, newspapers, theaters, and social clubs that made revolution a way of life. Cultural history in the best sense, Paradoxes of Utopia explores how a revolutionary ideology was woven into the ordinary lives of tens of thousands of people, creating a complex tapestry of symbols, rituals, and daily practices that supported-and indeed created the possibility of-the Argentine labor movement.

Hopefully well have it online soonish…

*Midly interesting video on the mobilization around the „conviction“ of the Oakland cop who killed Oscar Grant. Lots of bonus points to the guy in the second video pulling a flaming dumpster around while riding a bicycle!

*More moderately productive ways to spend your time online…

An interview with RASH Bogota on Colombian television. Probably the most positive mass media coverage a RASH group will ever get…

Old but good documentary on British Antifascist Action. Heres the link to the first part…

(Related Reading)

*The beloved police department of our quaint little town of Göttingen was again in finest form yesterday, harassing an anti-racist demonstration of almost 200 people because some vandal threatened public safety by writing with *chalk* on a wall. Further proof that there isnt enough real work for these people in town.

*Finally, Atlanta 1 – 1 Tristan Suarez yesterday. Very frustrating, because the game was in Villa Crespo and Atlanta played with 1 extra player for almost thirty minutes.

The German police state in its ridiculous brilliance. A house raided because of an „illegal“ sticker….

# Prozess nach Übergriff auf Flensburger Hausprojekt im Dezember 2008 endet mit einer Einstellung (gegen Bußgeld)

# Vor dem Prozess durchsucht die Polizei Räumlichkeiten bei einem der Angeklagten, der in dem Hausprojekt wohnt

# Dabei wird ein Aufkleber Motiv von dem anarchistischen Mailorder ‚Black Mosquito‘ kriminalisiert

Der Prozess

Im Dezember 2008 überfiel die Flensburger Polizei eine Party in dem Wohnprojekt Senffabrik. Dabei wurden einige Leute verletzt und schlussendlich 3 Personen angeklagt – wegen Widerstand und Beleidigung.Genau wie der Überfall ist der nachfolgende Prozess eine Farce gewesen um linke Strukturen in Flensburg zu kriminalisieren und zu schwächen. Der Polizeipräsident hatte in einem Schreiben an die Staatsanwaltschaft eine Verurteilung gefordert, da er den Angeklagten ein ‚ganz erheblich über das übliche Maß hinausgehendes fehlendes Unrechtsbewußtsein‘ unterstellte.
Details zu dem Übergriff können in dem Flyer ‚Cum on – Feel the Noize‘ und in der Prozesserklärung nachgelesen werden.

Der Prozess an sich verlief ziemlich ruhig. Ungefähr 25 Beobachter_innen waren zum Prozess gekommen um die Angeklagten zu unterstützten.
Nach dem der erste der beiden Zeugen (beides Polizisten) verhört wurde, beschloss das Gericht schon, dass es heute nicht mehr zu einem Abschluss kommen könne. Durch einen Vorschlag des Anwalts und der Anwältin der Beklagten wurde dann allerdings eine Einstellung des Verfahrens gegen ein Bußgeld von je 360 Euro erreicht.
Die Angeklagten und ihre Unterstützer_innen sehen in diesem Urteil in sofern einen Erfolg, als dass dadurch der Forderung der Polizei nach Verurteilung eine Absage erteilt wurde.
Weiterhin konnten durch das Ausfragen des einen Zeugen immerhin noch einmal deutliche Zweifel an der Geschichte der Polizei geweckt werden.

Die Durchsuchung

Skandalös an diesem Fall ist allerdings, dass die Polizei am morgen vor der Verhandlung eine Hausdurchsuchung bei einem der Angeklagten durchführte. An dieser Aktion waren Polizisten des K5 (Staatsschutz) beteiligt, die auch schon die Ermittlungen im Fall der ‚Party-Repression‘ durchführten.Es handelt sich dabei um einen Versuch, den Angeklagten einzuschüchtern und ihn tiefer gehend zu kriminalisieren.

Anlass für die Durchsuchung ist ein Aufkleber, den der Beschuldigte durch den anarchistischen Versand ‚black-mosquito‘ vertrieben haben soll. Bei dem kriminalisierten Motiv handelt es sich um einen rot-schwarz gestreiften Aufkleber, auf dem ein stilisiertes Polizeiauto mit einer stilisierten Flamme zu sehen ist. Versehen ist der Aufkleber mit dem Slogan ‚Burn a Car!‘.

Die Polizei fand 18 Exemplare des besagten Aufklebers. Zudem wollte sie von dem Beschuldigten die Anschriften aller Kunden, die eben dieses Motiv bestellt hätten – besonders waren sie dabei an Kunden aus dem Bereich Duisburg interessiert.
Sie fanden 2 Ordner mit Rechnungen aus dem Jahr 2009. Selbstverständlich machte der Beschuldigte keine Aussagen!

Vorgeworfen wird dem Beschuldigten ‚öffentliche Aufforderung zu Straftaten‘ (§111 StGB) – in diesem Fall mit einem sehr hohem Strafmaß bis hin zur Freiheitsstrafe.

Was nun

Die Aktion des Staatsschutzes vermiest leider ein bisschen die Freude -trotz hoher Kosten- über den guten Verlauf des Prozesses.

Die Durchsuchung ist nicht nur ein schwerer Angriff gegen einen der Angeklagten, sie ist auch eine weitere Provokation gegen das Projekt Senffabrik und zudem eine scharfe Attacke gegen den anarchistischen Vertrieb ‚black mosquito‘.

Momentan gibt es noch nicht mehr Details zu berichten, wir versuchen aber alle Interessierten auf dem Laufenden zu halten und in nächster Zeit ausführlicher auf die Repressalien und den weiteren Umgang damit einzugehen.
Bislang sind ‚nur‘ einige alte Rechnungen in der Hand der Polizei – dennoch solltet ihr euch sofort mit uns in Verbindung setzen, falls die Polizei sich bei euch meldet. Lasst euch nicht einschüchtern!

Durch einen merkwürdigen Zufall ist der Server, der ‚black mosquito‘ beherbergt in der Nacht zu Dienstag Opfer einer dDos Attacke (ein üblicher Angriff, bei dem der Server durch Spam in die Knie gezwungen wird) geworden und zusammengebrochen. Bis morgen (29.07.), spätestens den 30.07. wird dieses Problem behoben und BM wieder wie üblich zu erreichen sein.

Wir lassen uns durch diese Moppelkotze nicht unterkriegen und fordern alle Rebell_innen dazu auf, angemessen auf solche Attacken zu reagieren!

In einem der größten europäischen Ballungsgebiete mit mehr als acht Millionen Menschen, stellen vom 3. bis 5. September 2010 libertäre Verlage, Zeitschriften, Radio-, Video- und Internetprojekte ihr Programm vor. Drei Tage Messe, Projektvorstellungen, Lesungen, Kultur, Veranstaltungen, Infos, Leute treffen und Pläne schmieden für eine Welt jenseits von Krise und Ausbeutung. Dafür möchte die 1. Libertäre [...]

Terrible terrible frustration and bad mood have overcome me in the last few weeks, as those who have had the misfortune of spending time in my vicinity as of late can very well attest to. Truth is, Im just not made for being injured, and again not being able to walk or play sports [...]

Continue reading at Fire and Flames …

I used to believe myself unbreakable. Then, THIS happened, deeply shaking this conviction. But crashing into the wall feet first on skates at full speed, breaking a few bones is probably standard.

However, after managing to break my big toe yesterday while playing futbol (first ball touch of the day, kicked the ground), Im starting to think that the bones in my right leg are made of a material probably stronger than sand, but somewhat more fragile than porcelaine.

It is of course nothing serious compared to last years crisis (although, in the most unpleasant moment of the day…the first doctor who looked at the X-Ray proposed a „small surgery“), but still…3-4 weeks cast, cant really walk, 6 weeks no sports, no swimming, and so forth. And once thats done with, I get to work on getting all the muscles and tendons around the the right ankle working well again (rehabilitation Nr. 2, to get ready for surgery, and then do rehabilitation again!) so that they are in good enough shape for….the next surgery. The fun never ends.

Whatever, shit happens, and no complaints as long as all is well that ends well. But do expect more posts and a fair amount of whining and moaning.

Hospital anecdote highlights…

-The Polish doctor telling me that his uncle also lived in Argentina, „he went there after World War 2 when the communists came. He fought with Germany against the communists so he was afraid.“ Nice.

-In the room next to me, guy who clearly looked like he got the worst part of a fight somewhere talking to the hospital psychologist.
Psychologist: „Did the alcohol have something to do with you getting in this fight?“
Battered Guy: „No.“
Psychologist: „But youre blood alcohol level was 2.6 promille!“
Guy: „Yes, but I normally drink about the same amount and dont always get in fights…“

Nice.