By: Harry Waisbren
Rage Against the Machine made an impromptu performance at the Republican National Convention despite having their scheduled show canceled. Considering the disturbing police state like militarization to both the RNC and DNC (though the RNC is at a completely more frightening scale), I think we need a whole lot more groups like RAGE to come out and remind artists how political passion fueled the Vietnam era cultural revolution.
Check out video of their set below (via Crooks and Liars):
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Think Progress interviews Rachel Maddow
By: Harry Waisbren
Think Progress was able to get an interview with Rachel Maddow today about her upcoming MSNBC show. I'm quite a fan of hers and think it's a pretty major development for progressive media and hope to cover a lot of what she talks about through clips on this site. Before then, you can watch Think Progress' interview below:
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Final Season of The Shield Begins!
By: Harry Waisbren
So I have been telling myself for far too long to write out a thorough list of my predictions about what is to come and what themes will be developed from the greatest television show of all time---The Shield. Of course, with far too many other projects afoot I have left this one for far too long, but I'm going to leave a few choice predictions before the first episode just to say I did and will later on flesh them out much more (especially as they are proven right no doubt).
Anyways, here are the three most important interrelated predictions I have :
1. The Shield finale will assert its status as most highly acclaimed television drama of all time. Yes, ahead of the Sopranos. In fact, the Sopranos finale will be discussed to contrast The Shield in terms of how to make at thematic point yet also leaving the audience satisfied. If it weren't for the following two though, then this status would not be possible.
2. Vic Mackey will die in one of the most shocking twists of TV history. He will be turn himself in and admit that his is a cop killer, and will be killed by lethal injections. This will be incredibly controversial as the viewer will desperately not want him to die, and most likely could not fathom that he would die in such a way. However, since the first episode of the series there has been a long standing theme that can only be explained in one way.
and lastly...
3. The theme of "the shield" will be regarded as one of the most profound messages ever depicted on television, film, theatre, or any media for that matter. The show has been explaining since the very first episode how Vic is able to kill another cop and generally be "Al Capone with a badge" (as Acevada describes him) yet still believe wholeheartedly that he is a good cop. The reason Vic believes this is that he shields the truth from himself by internalizing the notion that all of the craven things he does are "not my fault". Vic has used his badge as his shield to believe that he is really a cop and not a criminal, yet in the end there will be osmethign not even he can do and his shields will break. He will recognize that he is a criminal, and a pretty notorious one at that, and will turn himself in...no matter the consequences.
As I said before, much more to come. I am far too into this show, but in all honesty, I don't think there is any other media example that has taught me more about human nature. And in the coming weeks, as the pinnacle of my television viewing experience to this point is reached, I hope to help others have this sort of experience that I have had as well!
So I have been telling myself for far too long to write out a thorough list of my predictions about what is to come and what themes will be developed from the greatest television show of all time---The Shield. Of course, with far too many other projects afoot I have left this one for far too long, but I'm going to leave a few choice predictions before the first episode just to say I did and will later on flesh them out much more (especially as they are proven right no doubt).
Anyways, here are the three most important interrelated predictions I have :
1. The Shield finale will assert its status as most highly acclaimed television drama of all time. Yes, ahead of the Sopranos. In fact, the Sopranos finale will be discussed to contrast The Shield in terms of how to make at thematic point yet also leaving the audience satisfied. If it weren't for the following two though, then this status would not be possible.
2. Vic Mackey will die in one of the most shocking twists of TV history. He will be turn himself in and admit that his is a cop killer, and will be killed by lethal injections. This will be incredibly controversial as the viewer will desperately not want him to die, and most likely could not fathom that he would die in such a way. However, since the first episode of the series there has been a long standing theme that can only be explained in one way.
and lastly...
3. The theme of "the shield" will be regarded as one of the most profound messages ever depicted on television, film, theatre, or any media for that matter. The show has been explaining since the very first episode how Vic is able to kill another cop and generally be "Al Capone with a badge" (as Acevada describes him) yet still believe wholeheartedly that he is a good cop. The reason Vic believes this is that he shields the truth from himself by internalizing the notion that all of the craven things he does are "not my fault". Vic has used his badge as his shield to believe that he is really a cop and not a criminal, yet in the end there will be osmethign not even he can do and his shields will break. He will recognize that he is a criminal, and a pretty notorious one at that, and will turn himself in...no matter the consequences.
As I said before, much more to come. I am far too into this show, but in all honesty, I don't think there is any other media example that has taught me more about human nature. And in the coming weeks, as the pinnacle of my television viewing experience to this point is reached, I hope to help others have this sort of experience that I have had as well!
Mad Progress TV: Vietnam's End and Winter Soldier
By: Harry Waisbren
Our first episode of Mad Progress TV analyzes the coming Winter Soldier investigation to be held at 3:00 PM at the University of Wisconsin's Union Theatre on Sept. 27. Madison Winter Soldier is being organized primarily by Iraq Veterans Against the War, but I am very proud to say that Madison's chapter of Campus Progress is supporting this effort as much as we possibly can. We will be working with these true patriots to amplify their voices and hopefully force our elite decision makers to listen to those most affected by their blood-drunk decision making. Just as it was in Vietnam, our soldiers are once again being compelled to commit immoral and illegal acts, and it is long past time for their calls for redemption to be heard!
Our first full episode of Mad Progress TV is dedicated to discussing what Winter Soldier really is, why it is important to listen to veterans who oppose the wars they fight, and why this is such a worthy cause to support. The episode will air this coming Saturday on channel 4 WYOU, but until then we will be publishing various segments with added analysis right here on Madprogress.com.
Check out one such segment below where Campus Anti-war Network leader Chris Dols helps explain the highly obscured history of Winter Soldier's integral role in ending the war in Vietnam:
In the above segment Chris explains how the realization from our veterans in Vietnam that the stated goals of the war, including spreading "freedom" and "democracy", were farcical and then some, the war was not long able to be maintained. This collective realization came about as more and more veterans realized that our liberties and security at home were becoming decreasingly available, and the war came to a close as our soldiers' will to fight rapidly collapsed.
The concept of the Vietnam war ending more due to our soldiers' refusal to fight over that eras protest industry certainly goes against the grain of our establishment's historical narrative, yet it remains incontrovertible fact. Paul Rosenberg of OpenLeft.com has written superbly about this very topic and has cited Col. Robert D. Heinl Jr. to confirm this point:
It is shocking to believe that our soldiers would ever engage in such a grave crime as "combat refusal", much less go so far as to FRAG THEIR OFFICERS (i.e. throw a grenade into their room and run)! It is useful to remind ourselves that the same ruling class that forced our soldiers into such predicament then are still in power today, as it is the most brazen example of just how far down the path of irreconciable misdeeds our power elite will go. Furthermore, it should be seered in our societies collective memory as an example of just how much horribly wrong things can go in war, and why it is so important for the people to compel their media and government to disclose the most important issues of war and peace.
Our first episode of Mad Progress TV analyzes the coming Winter Soldier investigation to be held at 3:00 PM at the University of Wisconsin's Union Theatre on Sept. 27. Madison Winter Soldier is being organized primarily by Iraq Veterans Against the War, but I am very proud to say that Madison's chapter of Campus Progress is supporting this effort as much as we possibly can. We will be working with these true patriots to amplify their voices and hopefully force our elite decision makers to listen to those most affected by their blood-drunk decision making. Just as it was in Vietnam, our soldiers are once again being compelled to commit immoral and illegal acts, and it is long past time for their calls for redemption to be heard!
Our first full episode of Mad Progress TV is dedicated to discussing what Winter Soldier really is, why it is important to listen to veterans who oppose the wars they fight, and why this is such a worthy cause to support. The episode will air this coming Saturday on channel 4 WYOU, but until then we will be publishing various segments with added analysis right here on Madprogress.com.
Check out one such segment below where Campus Anti-war Network leader Chris Dols helps explain the highly obscured history of Winter Soldier's integral role in ending the war in Vietnam:
In the above segment Chris explains how the realization from our veterans in Vietnam that the stated goals of the war, including spreading "freedom" and "democracy", were farcical and then some, the war was not long able to be maintained. This collective realization came about as more and more veterans realized that our liberties and security at home were becoming decreasingly available, and the war came to a close as our soldiers' will to fight rapidly collapsed.
The concept of the Vietnam war ending more due to our soldiers' refusal to fight over that eras protest industry certainly goes against the grain of our establishment's historical narrative, yet it remains incontrovertible fact. Paul Rosenberg of OpenLeft.com has written superbly about this very topic and has cited Col. Robert D. Heinl Jr. to confirm this point:
"Frag incidents" or just "fragging" is current soldier slang in Vietnam for the murder or attempted murder of strict, unpopular, or just aggressive officers and NCOs. With extreme reluctance (after a young West Pointer from Senator Mike Mansfield's Montana was fragged in his sleep) the Pentagon has now disclosed that fraggings in 1970(109) have more than doubled those of the previous year (96).
Word of the deaths of officers will bring cheers at troop movies or in bivouacs of certain units. In one such division -- the morale plagued Americal -- fraggings during 1971 have been authoritatively estimated to be running about one a week....
The issue of "combat refusal", and official euphemism for disobedience of orders to fight --[is] the soldier's gravest crime
It is shocking to believe that our soldiers would ever engage in such a grave crime as "combat refusal", much less go so far as to FRAG THEIR OFFICERS (i.e. throw a grenade into their room and run)! It is useful to remind ourselves that the same ruling class that forced our soldiers into such predicament then are still in power today, as it is the most brazen example of just how far down the path of irreconciable misdeeds our power elite will go. Furthermore, it should be seered in our societies collective memory as an example of just how much horribly wrong things can go in war, and why it is so important for the people to compel their media and government to disclose the most important issues of war and peace.
Health Care for America Now upcoming video: Diagnosis Now
By: Harry Waisbren
The Health Care for America Now campaign is releasing a movie created in partnership with Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films about people who are not at ease with their private health insurance plans. There will be viewing parties for "Diagnosis Now!" across the country on Sept. 14, and if you are still on the fence you can watch a preview of the movie below:
The Health Care for America Now campaign is releasing a movie created in partnership with Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films about people who are not at ease with their private health insurance plans. There will be viewing parties for "Diagnosis Now!" across the country on Sept. 14, and if you are still on the fence you can watch a preview of the movie below:
Disturbing Militarization of RNC
By: Harry Waisbren
Constitutional law attorney turned blogger Glenn Greenwald spent the labor day weekend reporting on the myriad of incredibly disturbing developments throughout the RNC thus far that have led to the arrest of 280 citizens including various journalists and lawers. This civil liberties crippling effort included the massive deployment of highly armed police to raid the houses of suspected protesters. Greenwald reports that:
Constitutional law attorney turned blogger Glenn Greenwald spent the labor day weekend reporting on the myriad of incredibly disturbing developments throughout the RNC thus far that have led to the arrest of 280 citizens including various journalists and lawers. This civil liberties crippling effort included the massive deployment of highly armed police to raid the houses of suspected protesters. Greenwald reports that:
Protesters here in Minneapolis have been targeted by a series of highly intimidating, sweeping police raids across the city, involving teams of 25-30 officers in riot gear, with semi-automatic weapons drawn, entering homes of those suspected of planning protests, handcuffing and forcing them to lay on the floor, while law enforcement officers searched the homes, seizing computers, journals, and political pamphlets.
This story is complemented by a video Greenwald and Jane Hamsher made of a house that had just been raided:
Since then, Greenwald has continued his intrepid coverage and has discovered that these raids are stemming from the federal government through the FBI. This was done through a months long program in which FBI agents would go undercover to infilitrate these organizations in a massive domestic spying effort.
Greenwald has since followed up again on the story with this major development:
Beginning last night, St. Paul was the most militarized I have ever seen an American city be, even more so than Manhattan in the week of 9/11 -- with troops of federal, state and local law enforcement agents marching around with riot gear, machine guns, and tear gas cannisters, shouting military chants and marching in military formations. Humvees and law enforcement officers with rifles were posted on various buildings and balconies. Numerous protesters and observers were tear gassed and injured...Perhaps most extraordinarily, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now -- the radio and TV broadcaster who has been a working journalist for close to 20 years -- was arrested on the street and charged with "conspiracy to riot."
That's right---Amy Goodman of Democracy Now has been arrested! Can this really be happening in America, and how can our mainstream media stay silent with their coy "oh those dirty hippies must deserve it" smirks throughout this travesty? Watch the video of Amy Goodman being arrested below, and ask yourself what you are going to do about it:
IVAW at the Conventions
By: Harry Waisbren
The Iraq Veterans Against the War had a major victory last week when they successfully delivered a message to senior Obama staffers to endorse the three main goals of IVAW: Immediate withdrawal, full veterans benefits, and reparations for the Iraqi people. This victory is particularly impressive considering the draconian police state conditions utilized for our conventions in these times, and it is also particularly telling that it is even a risk that Iraq veterans might be arrested for engaging three speech rights. The American News Project was but one of the independent media outlets to cover this, and you can watch their video report below:
The Iraq Veterans Against the War had a major victory last week when they successfully delivered a message to senior Obama staffers to endorse the three main goals of IVAW: Immediate withdrawal, full veterans benefits, and reparations for the Iraqi people. This victory is particularly impressive considering the draconian police state conditions utilized for our conventions in these times, and it is also particularly telling that it is even a risk that Iraq veterans might be arrested for engaging three speech rights. The American News Project was but one of the independent media outlets to cover this, and you can watch their video report below:
Think Progress also reported on a rally featuring Iraq veterans at the Republican National Convention which began yesterday in St. Paul, MN. They report that "after denouncing Sen. John McCain’s treatment of veterans and his failure to vote for increase funding for veterans health programs, the speaker of the group said his fellow Iraq vets would travel to New Orleans to serve in relief efforts." You can also check out that video right here:
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