Author: leigh

Looming Assault Weapons Availability

September 9, 2004 Off

Jaw-dropping but true, the U.S. senate placed an expiry date on the “Brady Bill” ban on assault weapons (e.g AK-47s, Uzi’s etc). Presumably the honourable senators assumed that somehow there would be a pressing need to arm the U.S. population with people-killers in 10 years time. That expiry date is September 13th and the Republican…

By leigh

Howard Government Protests the Hicks Trial Fairness

September 6, 2004 Off

According to The Australian, even the Howard government doesn’t think the Hicks trial is fair: A statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and Attorney-General Philip Ruddock last night said that “following our observations of the preliminary hearing, it appears that some improvements are required to ensure that understandings on procedural fairness are…

By leigh

Coalition Casualities

September 4, 2004 Off

Two sites referenced by Juan Cole provide monthly break downs of coalition casualties. The discrepencies between the two sites are explained by icasualties using confirmed numbers of those dead which have been identified, whereas globalsecurity.com uses total number of dead before they have been identified. The real stand out is the massive increase in the…

By leigh

Guantanamo on the Hudson

September 2, 2004 Off

Further to my description of the Critical Mass bike rally and the police excessive arrests for traffic violations, it is increasingly evident from reports filed on Democracy Now! and through personal reports that the police are arbitrarily arresting people including NYPD approved press and bystanders in the vicinity of a protest and keeping detainees in…

By leigh

Sanchez Called On The Dogs

September 1, 2004 Off

The Washington Post continues to dig into the torture at Abu Ghraib, reporting a memo that General Ricardo Sanchez ordered the use of dogs, later modifying that order to use muzzled dogs only, still in contradiction of current Army manuals and the Geneva conventions. The WaPo article is detailed and refreshingly questioning in it’s investigations.

By leigh

What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes?

August 31, 2004 Off

In the tradition of funk with a message and big props to Fela Kuti and James Brown, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have a new single out What If We All Stop Paying Taxes?, hosted on the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee site. I’m here to attest these guys and gals are incredible live…

By leigh

Birthday Biking and Parenthood Planning

August 29, 2004 Off

Last night I had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday joining (according to the NYPD) 5000 bike riders in a critical mass bike ride through Manhattan streets. That some 264 riders were arrested is ridiculous – at worst there were some traffic violations of riding through a red light – riders never impeded an ambulance…

By leigh

Howards Silence Speaks Volumes

August 27, 2004 Off

Australian Prime Minister John Howard is refusing to comment on reports by U.S. military investigations that the Australian army officer who glossed over Red Cross reports was gagged by the Liberal government. Also of note is that Howard is expected to call an election this weekend in order to stifle debate in the parliament set…

By leigh