Regarding the Attack on the United States Embassy in Libya and Anti-American Demonstrations in the Middle East

Over the past few days, I've been struggling to grapple with some of the questions Americans are asking about the attack on the American embassy in Libya and the ongoing anti-American demonstations in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Libya. Perusing the internet, I continually find themes that echo sentiments such as "Why are Islamists so violent?" or "Why do they always react so violently when we insult their prophet?" The purpose of this writing is to examine the true nature of the anti-American demonstrations and question the affiliations of the terrorists that attacked the American embassy in Libya on September 14.

One one hand, it pains me to see so much virulent hate towards an entire religious group (much of which is moderate, peaceful, and without blame) that has been humiliated and feared by the West as well as being subjugated to incredible oppression internally. On the other hand, radical militant groups are threatening the security of our diplomats and upsetting the fragile balance of ethnic relations in North Africa and the Middle East. Although I could never condone the violent acts of these groups, I think it is important to view a couple points that may be of importance when looking specifically at the anti-American demonstrations taking place in Egypt and elsewhere.

1.     Many of these people have little conception of free press. In Tunisia, for example, the push for privatization after the coup of '87 led to traditionally state-run media sources to be sold to the elite of the old guard (the only people who could afford to buy it) creating an oligarchy and a monopoly in the hands of the wealthy few and continuing to suffocate freedom of speech. Therefore, when these people see an inflammatory and hateful video posted on a public forum, it may be almost second nature for them to believe it is deemed permissible by the government inside which the hateful content was released.

2.     The numbers of people taking part in anti-American demonstrations are incredibly small in comparison to the number of people who would ascribe to Western ideologies, specifically the push for democracy. Figures on the protests in Egypt say that about 2000 Egyptians demonstrated near the American embassy in Cairo. First, Cairo is a city of 20 million. Second, it has been estimated that more than 150,000 Egyptians packed Tahrir Square last winter to demand democracy as well as free, fair, and transparent elections. These anti-American protestors are in no way a representation of the religion of Islam or citizens of their respective nations, many of which are currently laying the foundations of a free state that shows interest in cooperating with the West. Although a small faction may not be support us, by no means are the people that burned my flag in Egypt representative of prevailing Egyptian sentiment towards America.

I'm inclined to agree with Maddow in her best conjecture that this act was planned to a certain degree and carried out by a Libyan national or international terrorist organization. I listened to Professor Juan Cole speak at my university tonight about the Arab Spring (part of the reason I was inspired to write this was due to his informative lecture) and he suggested that these militants may have been influenced by the Salafis, a radical group that is ideologically based on many of the oppressive Saudi laws and has been tied to attacks on unveiled women, among other groups.

The entire situation saddens me for the deep-seeded hatred that is held toward Muslims in America and the profound misunderstandings we have about the religion of Islam. I hope all parties responsible for causing terror in this region are brought to justice and the people of North Africa and the Middle East may finally start to rebuild after decades of external demonization and internal conflict.
(note: hover over "Maddow" and "Professor Juan Cole" above for insight in regards to the September 14 attacks and the Arab Spring)

Do you like it when you're in a town?

All things considered, Marietta is a pretty nice place.

Comeback

Double exposures are fun.

 

Life Without Buildings

I had to coerce the fine people at CVS to get this film processed.

They told me it probably wouldn't develop correctly, but in a stupor the magnitude of which could only be brought on by a full day of Palmerfest "activities", I insisted.

I won't describe the details because I know no one cares, but basically, the film got fucked up exactly like they said it would.

Luckily for me, the images were salvageable and a majority of the imperfections were removed in Photoshop.

(the fact that Isaac is shirtless in only one of these photos represents a great disservice to the amount of time he was actually shirtless over the course of this weekend)

I also shot packs on packs on packs of dat Impossible film, which will in all likelihood be posted retrospectively in the coming weeks (months).

Who cares.

New Beat

Blogger kept fucking up but now it's not so I guess I'm back?

Don't bank on it.

 

 Shot a bunch of film over break.
Also went backpacking with some friends.
More coming shortly. (hopefully)

If you follow Fuck It, you probably know, but, well, fuck it.

goldsweatshirt.com/author/evanchwalek

Heems - "Nehru Jackets"

Greedhead exec / Das Racist rapper Himanshu Suri teamed up with Queens non-profit community organization Seva NY to release "Nehru Jackets". Blending social commentary with Heems' playful style and nods to his Punjabi heritage, the tape is broad in scope and makes for an entertaining listen. Produced entirely by Mike Finito, "Jackets" showcases Finito's all too obvious knack for beatmaking. Features spots from artists Danny Brown, Mr. Muthafuckin' Exquire, Action Bronson, Big Baby Gandhi, Lakutis, and Kool AD.
Oh. And Childish Gambino goes in on a verse too.
Check it out.


download

Stagnation

People that know me know I'm pretty crazy about Polaroids.
With that being said, I'm going to do a couple Polaroid themed posts over the next week.
The photos below were taken Halloween night in Athens.
Suffice it to say that these pictures are now more or less my only memories from that night.

I don't remember the name of the girl dressed as a cat and I wanted to use the picture so instead of trying to find her so I could ask permission I just censored it.

Whatever.

We can walk out after dark

I don't know how to introduce these photos, so here's a couple funny Christmas pictures from when I was young(er).

I was the best magi there THE OTHER KIDS WEREN'T EVEN LOOKING AT JESUS
Plus I went to Catholic education with a girl that actually had an eyepatch

Merry Christmas everyone.
I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT DAY IT IS LISTEN TO THIS SONG AND FONDLY REMINISCE ON CHRISTMAS PAST 

Danny Brown - "Monopoly"

Lemmie say a couple words about Danny Brown.
Brown  doesn't hide his vices: he loves his marijuana, amphetamines, and alcohol. And because of that, he is divisive, and because of that, I absolutely love him.
Danny Brown's second video from his mixtape "XXX" is titled "Monopoly" and the nearly three minute long chorus-less boastfest does not disappoint. In "Monopoly", Brown confronts competition with jeering lines like "...To me your label seems like one of them pageant mommas /So guess who's the little bitch? / That's you / You must suck a lot of dick / That's true". Danny goes off in "Monopoly", and its darkness is exemplified by certain lines that shouldn't be considered too deeply while eating for risk of appetite loss. (1:17)

And you don't even want to know what I'd do for that Mishka V-jacket.


Danny Brown
"Monopoly"

Winter break update

Here's the deal.
I'm sitting in front of my T.V. enjoying a holiday cooking special featuring Giada De Laurentiis (hot) and Mario Batali (hotter) and I've been doing shit like this for the past two weeks so needless to say my preoccupations are justified and none of you can blame me for neglecting this piece of shit blog.
Hold on they're making ravioli.
So what I'ma do is dump a bunch of pictures from no particular event and you're just going to have to deal with it.

 We built an impressive gingerbread house.

 We fucked around in a park.

 Miles purchased some delicious Warhead brand drinks.

 Eggnog and ribs because we're real fuckin' men.

Nate wanted to tour the bus, we weren't havin' that.

That's all I feel like posting.

Don't worry, I'll keep you updated. (maybe)

Music.

Animal Cops is a really misleading show

Haven't had the ability to post much as of late, as I have been busy sleeping in and enjoying the company of my friends over this long winter break. But for all the work I don't put into this blog, just as much goes into a new venture I've been anticipating for a couple months. There's food, pictures, and all kinds of things that would be appealing to those who enjoy "FUCK IT".
Seriously. Check it out.
thatstuffweate.wordpress.com

To what was Isaac giving a thumbs up? Probably Omegle dick.

MFW I'm back in Marietta

Ready. To. Go.

Regarding the events at UC Davis

On November 18, 2011, students and faculty of the University of California Davis joined in protest of tuition increases, and to stand in solidarity with the victims of alleged police brutality that took place at UC Berkley on November 8, 2011, as well as the worldwide Occupy movement. The students participating in the November 18 protest are seen seated in an open area on campus, covering a section of sidewalk and peacefully assembling. The police, wearing riot gear and carrying clubs as well as pepper spray and tear gas guns, were dispatched by UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi when protesters refused to dismantle tents set up in the quad the previous day. The protesters formed a circle around the law enforcement officers and sat down, linking arms and refusing to move. According to UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza, the protesters were putting the officers in danger, stating "There was no way out of that circle. They were cutting the officers off from their support. It's a very volatile situation."


The protesters, many of them with their backs turned to the law enforcement officers, proceeded to engage in chants, shouting "You use weapons! We use our voice!" Tensions begin to rise as police are seen preparing cans of pepper spray and communicating via radio. Students, aware of the impending events, chant "Don't you do it!" and begin distributing scarves and bandannas to the seated protesters in an attempt to protect the demonstrators from the impending use of force. Police officers approach the protesters from both sides, and Lieutenant John Pike is seen stepping over the line of demonstrators, turning around to face them, and spraying pepper spray in the face of those seated. Chaos breaks out as the police begin to make their arrests and retreat, followed by the protesters and chants of "Shame on you!" coming from what appears to be hundreds of students. These were peaceful demonstrators.



Alleged police brutality against UC Davis students, November 18


The events of November 18 are not unlike a similar event in the history of civil disobedience in California. In January 2002, The United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (coincidentally the same circuit in which the events at UC Davis transpired) held a hearing known today as Headwaters Forest Defense v. The County of Humboldt in which nine protesters alleged that the use of excessive force was employed against them by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. (For the sake of brevity, only one of  three similar instances will be mentioned in this article, the complete facts of the case can be found here). The protesters, speaking out against the logging of ancient Redwood trees, staged a demonstration in which they sat inside the headquarters of the Pacific Lumber Company, and after repeated warnings from the police to leave, the protesters refused. The law enforcement officers then proceeded to apply pepper spray with a Q-tip to the eyelids of the demonstrators and after an hour and "multiple" applications, the protesters were lifted by the police, placed onto stretchers, and carried out of the building, a process that took two officers only six minutes to accomplish.


The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office began using pepper spray beginning in the fall of 1997, and its use was to be specifically for "hostile or violent subjects". The events of Headwaters Forest Defense v. The County of Humboldt marked the first use of pepper spray in Humboldt County, the State of California, and the first time anywhere in the country against nonviolent protesters.
Humboldt County Sheriff Dennis Lewis and Chief Deputy Sheriff Gary Philip were acquitted in district court on the grounds of qualified immunity, which states that government officials are shielded from liability for civil damages as long as their conduct does not violate specific statutory or constitutional rights.


The appellate court, however, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, stating that Lewis and Philip were not entitled to qualified immunity, and their acts violated the Fourth Amendment rights of the protesters. The United States Supreme Court court granted certiorari, vacating the judgment of the appellate court, and remanded the case back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court reviewed the case again and reaffirmed its conclusion that Lewis and Philip are not entitled to qualified immunity and the protester's constitutional rights were violated.


The factors that determine the amount of force used by law enforcement officers include the severity of the crime, the immediate safety of the officers as well as bystanders, and whether the suspect was actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. In both the cases, the charges against both parties are of little severity. The charges being brought against the demonstrators at UC Davis amount to failure to disperse and lodging without permission of the owner, both misdemeanors. The protesters of Headwaters Forest Defense v. The County of Humboldt and November 18 at UC Davis did not endanger the immediate safety of the officers and bystanders were at no risk whatsoever, conflicting with the quote of UC Davis Police Chief Spicuzza. The officers demonstrated their belief that they were in no danger, turning their backs to the crowd on multiple occasions. Also, in both cases, the protesters were seated, obviously posing no flight risk. Furthermore, the protesters were separated and handcuffed within minutes, although undoubtedly expedited by the use of force, the law enforcement officers could have easily accomplished this without it.


When Police Chief Spicuzza stated "there was no way out of that circle", was that truly accurate? Were they, in fact, "cut off from their support"? Did the peaceful demonstrators create a "volatile situation"? One witness testimony stated the irritant caused a woman to cough blood for forty-five minutes after Lieutenant Pike began spraying. Was this an appropriate and justifiable use of force?


The acts of Sheriff Lewis and Chief Deputy Philip were not entitled to qualified immunity.


The acts of Chancellor Katehi, Police Chief Spicuzza, Lieutenant Pike and the UC Davis Campus Police are now under investigation.


Using the "Human Microphone" tactic, the protesters were able to deliver one final message as the police retreated from the quad.
"This is how they react to peaceful assembly. We will resume conversation Monday at noon. Join our strength."
I look forward to the evolution of the Occupy Davis movement, stand in solidarity with the members of Occupy Davis, and hope the UC Davis administration and police force handle further confrontations legally and peacefully.


I know the subject matter of this blog is usually much more lighthearted, but this was something I felt that I needed to post.
Thanks.

King of the Beach

I went to Puerto Rico last summer.

Aside from the benefits of being able to legally drink, the place was fucking gorgeous.
We climbed waterfalls and ziplined over rivers through the jungle canopy.
I ate fresh tropical fruit straight from the tree.
To get to such a location, we took a long drive that literally brought us up the face of a mountain.
On our way out, we stopped at what the locals and guides call "downtown", a central location to the sparsely populated groups of people living in those mountains. It consisted of nothing more than a cantina and small convenience store.
My brother met the town drunk.
He had a bunch of hats.
Later that week, my family and I made a trip to El Yunque National Forest. While my family took a trek to get to a waterfall crowded with tourists, I chose to investigate the tributaries by myself.
This is what I saw.

AND I LISTENED TO WAVVES ALL FUCKING WEEK