Self-Immolation: The Power Of Suicide As Political Protest
In the last few days, in the Middle-East, a few men have embraced self-immolation as the ultimate form of political protest, following the example of 26-year-old Mohammed Bouazizi. Bouazizi torched himself when police prevented him from selling fruits and vegetables. The case of Bouazizi, who later died from his wounds, was a critical catalyst in […]
Machinima, Popular Education And Climate Change Deniers
Machinima is? a) a technique for video production that progressives barely use; b) a German cyber-goth band; c) a name for pit-bull/doberman hybrids; d) videos produced using computer game engines. Recently climate blogger (and scientist) Michael Tobis posted “Dogs and Deniers,” a post illustrating the similarity between a particular Far Side cartoon and real life […]
Incarceration Up, Education Down: America’s Cannibalistic Profiteering
The privatization of these crucial social programs has resulted in a situation contradictory to the benefit of society. The rate of incarceration has increased five fold during the same period that the cost of a post secondary education has increased threefold, and all for profit. America’s educational system and technological advances have declined over the same period that the county’s prison population has expanded. These results have benefited private interests while causing lasting and possibly irreparable damage to the nation and it’s citizens.
Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution: Spreading Fear Among Arab Dictators
Autocratic governments across the Middle-East are watching the events, quickly unfolding in Tunisia after the toppling of Ben Ali by a popular uprising, with anxiety and fear. In Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Syria, Yemen, Libya and even the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the Arab autocratic rulers have a new fear: a popular uprising from their […]
Tunisia: Will Ben Ali’s Resignation Inspire Revolutions In Other Arab Countries?
Today, in a completely dramatic and unexpected turn of events, Tunisian autocratic President Ben Ali was forced out of office by the will of the Tunisian people. He quit his post on Friday night, panicked and fled the country defeated by the Tunisian popular uprising. The protests started a few weeks ago, originally triggered by […]
