whitebeard

Don't curse the darkness, light a candle.

 

 

Glance here

posted by: Whitebeard at 13:02 | link | comments |

Cannes Picks

Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911"

April 21, 2004

Friends,

I just got word that my new film, "Fahrenheit 911," has been selected by the Cannes Film Festival to premiere there in competition next month!

This is only the second time in the last 48 years that a documentary has been chosen to be in the main competition (the first being "Bowling for Columbine" in 2002) -- and, in fact, another documentary has also been chosen for this year. The non-fiction film revolution rolls on!

I am deeply honored by this announcement, considering it comes from our mortal enemy, the French.

This year's jury in Cannes is headed by Quentin Tarantino and also includes director Jerry Schatzberg, Kathleen Turner, Tilda Swinton and others.

"Fahrenheit 911" will be in theaters across the U.S. (and the rest of the world) this summer. More info, gossip and all the juicy details to follow...

Thanks everyone for your support.

Michael Moore
mmflint@aol.com
www.michaelmoore.com

posted by: Whitebeard at 08:13 | link | comments |

About Israel

"The real differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs; Protestants and Catholics; Muslims, Croats and Serbs. The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to clench their fists; between those who believe that God made all of us equal and those foolish enough to believe they are superior to others just because of the color of their skin, of the religion of their families, of their ethnic background. None of us has the moral standing to look down on another and we should stop it."

Lawrence of Cyberia

posted by: Whitebeard at 07:59 | link | comments |

Heads Up

 

April 14, 2004

 

Friends,

 

I have never seen a head so far up a Presidential ass (pardon my Falluja) than the one I saw last night at the "news conference" given by George W. Bush. He's still talking about finding "weapons of mass destruction" -- this time on Saddam's "turkey farm." Turkey indeed. Clearly the White House believes there are enough idiots in the 17 swing states who will buy this. I think they are in for a rude awakening.

 

I've been holed up for weeks in the editing room finishing my film ("Fahrenheit 911"). That's why you haven't heard from me lately. But after last night's Lyndon Johnson impersonation from the East Room -- essentially promising to send even more troops into the Iraq sinkhole -- I had to write you all a note.

 

First, can we stop the Orwellian language and start using the proper names for things? Those are not “contractors” in Iraq. They are not there to fix a roof or to pour concrete in a driveway. They are MERCENARIES and SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE. They are there for the money, and the money is very good if you live long enough to spend it.

 

Halliburton is not a "company" doing business in Iraq. It is a WAR PROFITEER, bilking millions from the pockets of average Americans. In past wars they would have been arrested -- or worse.

 

The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not "insurgents" or "terrorists" or "The Enemy." They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow -- and they will win. Get it, Mr. Bush? You closed down a friggin' weekly newspaper, you great giver of freedom and democracy! Then all hell broke loose. The paper only had 10,000 readers! Why are you smirking? 

 

One year after we wiped the face of the Saddam statue with our American flag before yanking him down, it is now too dangerous for a single media person to go to that square in Baghdad and file a report on the wonderful one-year anniversary celebration. Of course, there is no celebration, and those brave blow-dried "embeds" can't even leave the safety of the fort in downtown Baghdad. They never actually SEE what is taking place across Iraq (most of the pictures we see on TV are shot by Arab media and some Europeans). When you watch a report "from Iraq" what you are getting is the press release handed out by the U.S. occupation force and repeated to you as "news."

 

I currently have two cameramen/reporters doing work for me in Iraq for my movie (unbeknownst to the Army). They are talking to soldiers and gathering the true sentiment about what is really going on. They Fed Ex the footage back to me each week. That's right, Fed Ex. Who said we haven't brought freedom to Iraq! The funniest story my guys tell me is how when they fly into Baghdad, they don't have to show a passport or go through immigration. Why not? Because they have not traveled from a foreign country -- they're coming from America TO America, a place that is ours, a new American territory called Iraq.

 

There is a lot of talk amongst Bush's opponents that we should turn this war over to the United Nations. Why should the other countries of this world, countries who tried to talk us out of this folly, now have to clean up our mess? I oppose the U.N. or anyone else risking the lives of their citizens to extract us from our debacle. I'm sorry, but the majority of Americans supported this war once it began and, sadly, that majority must now sacrifice their children until enough blood has been let that maybe -- just maybe -- God and the Iraqi people will forgive us in the end.

 

Until then, enjoy the "pacification" of Falluja, the "containment" of Sadr City, and the next Tet Offensive – oops, I mean, "terrorist attack by a small group of Baathist loyalists" (Hahaha! I love writing those words, Baathist loyalists, it makes me sound so Peter Jennings!) -- followed by a "news conference" where we will be told that we must "stay the course" because we are "winning the hearts and minds of the people."

 

I'll write again soon. Don't despair. Remember, the American people are not that stupid. Sure, we can be frightened into a war, but we always come around sooner or later -- and the one way this is NOT like Vietnam is that it hasn't taken the public four long years to figure out they were lied to.

 

Now if Bush would just quit speaking in public and giving me more free material for my movie, I can get back to work and get it done. I've got four weeks left 'til completion.

 

Yours,

 

Michael Moore

mmflint@aol.com

www.michaelmoore.com

 

posted by: Whitebeard at 09:20 | link | comments |

enemy combatants

Oggetto: Supreme Court to Hear Indefinite Detention Cases
Data: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 15:33:08 -0400 
  Dear Urbano Cipriani,

On Tuesday, April 20, and on Wednesday, April 28, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the power claimed by the President to designate people as "enemy combatants" and have them incarcerated by the military--indefinitely, without charges, and without access to the court system--solely on his say-so.This is a critical moment in United States history. How the court rules on these cases will determine the type of country we will be living in. We urge those of you who can to be present outside the Supreme Court on these dates. For further information please see www.nlg.org/eccases.

Not In Our Name statement
working group
 
  found in my email - pick up and pass to others

   

posted by: Whitebeard at 09:06 | link | comments |

 

 

Uri Avnery

"It is easier to get the Jews out of the ghetto than to get the ghetto out of the Jews!" - this dictum of the early Zionists is now assuming a new meaning. Israel is cutting itself off from the world and enclosing itself in a ghetto, and not only physically.

In The Hague, the proceedings of the International Court of Justice on the Separation Wall have started. Sharon's people understand that they have no chance of winning and have decided, therefore, to boycott the session. Instead of arguing their case before the court, they decided to organize a street event, in the spirit of the classic Israeli maxim: "If your case is weak, raise your voice!"
A Prime Minister is waging war. The great majority of the people oppose the war. The majority vote for the Prime Minister. Absurd? Well, that was the situation in Spain. It also applies, more or less, in Israel. But here the similarity ends.

The Spanish people have thrown their Prime Minister out. The Israeli people go on supporting their Prime Minister.

The Spaniards, in their innocence, believe that if a Prime Minister does the opposite of what the great majority of the people want, he has to go. They think that this is what democracy is all about. In Israel, such a thing is unthinkable.

And that is not the only difference. follow...

Israel is the only state in the world that has a population of 200%. And that's a fact. Public opinion polls show that it has two simultaneous majorities. One is peace- loving, the other supports extreme nationalism.

At the present time, it looks like this: In every public opinion poll there is a large majority that supports the Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. Sharon wants, of course, to enlarge the settlements, intensify the war against the Palestinians, eliminate Yasser Arafat, postpone a permanent solution and refuse any peace negotiations until unattainable conditions are met. Anyone who supports him must be a radical right- winger. follow...

posted by: Whitebeard at 15:07 | link | comments |

 

 

 

an awful lot of courage

IT DOESN'T take an awful lot of courage to murder a paraplegic in a wheelchair. But it takes only a few moments to absorb the implications of the assassination of Sheikh Yassin. Yes, he endorsed suicide bombings - including the murder of Israeli children. Yes, if you live by the sword, you die by the sword, in a wheelchair or not. But something went wrong with the narrative of the news story yesterday - and something infinitely more dangerous, another sinister precedent - was set for our brave new world. follow here

Israel's extrajudicial executions

In the latest and most dramatic of Israel's extrajudicial executions, the Israeli air force killed the spiritual leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, early Monday morning on March 22 in a helicopter attack. Israeli planes fired three missiles at Yassin’s car as he left a mosque near his house in Gaza City, killing him along with seven of his bodyguards. Seventeen people were injured. follow...

escalation in Israeli occupation tactics

The assassination of Sheik Ahmed Yassin marks a serious escalation in Israeli occupation tactics. While Israel had (in earlier assassination attempts) already crossed the "red line" that once defined some limits in aggressive acts, its message in the Yassin murder was that there are no limits, that Israel's military attacks face no restrictions. Counting accurately on Washington’s unwillingness to challenge its aggression, the assassination also ushers in a new Israeli campaign to win official U.S. support for wide-spread annexation of major West Bank settlements as part of Tel Aviv’s “unilateral withdrawal from Gaza” plan.

follow...

posted by: Whitebeard at 15:00 | link | comments |

 

glance at

http://www.zmag.org/weluser.htm

every so often

posted by: Whitebeard at 08:14 | link | comments |

 

Macbeth (from Shakespeare)

The Ghost of Banquo

Act 3, Scene 4: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth welcome the guests to their banquet. . . . Macbeth hears from First Murderer that Banquo is dead, but Fleance has escaped. . . . The bloody Ghost of Banquo -- which only Macbeth can see -- appears among the guests. . . . When his guests are gone, Macbeth tells his wife he's going to find out why Macduff didn't attend their banquet. Then he hints that he may have to shed more blood, and decides he will speak to the witches again.
Act 3, Scene 5: The three Witches appear with Hecate, who scolds them for having dealings ...

Act III

SCENE IV. The same. Hall in the palace.

A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSS, LENNOX, Lords, and Attendants
MACBETH
You know your own degrees; sit down: at first and last the hearty welcome.

Lords: Thanks to your majesty.

MACBETH
Ourself will mingle with society, And play the humble host. Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time We will require her welcome.

LADY MACBETH
Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks they are welcome.

First Murderer appears at the door

MACBETH
See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks. Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure The table round.

Approaching the door

There's blood on thy face.

First Murderer
'Tis Banquo's then.

MACBETH
'Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatch'd?

First Murderer
My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.

MACBETH
Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's good That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it, Thou art the nonpareil.

First Murderer
Most royal sir, Fleance is 'scaped.

MACBETH
Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect, Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, As broad and general as the casing air: But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe?

First Murderer
Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on his head; The least a death to nature.

MACBETH
Thanks for that: There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present. Get thee gone: to-morrow We'll hear, ourselves, again.

Exit Murderer

LADY MACBETH
My royal lord, You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making, 'Tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home; From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony; Meeting were bare without it.

MACBETH
Sweet remembrancer! Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both!

LENNOX
May't please your highness sit.

The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH's place

MACBETH
Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, Were the graced person of our Banquo present; Who may I rather challenge for unkindness Than pity for mischance!

ROSS
His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please't your highness To grace us with your royal company.

MACBETH
The table's full.

LENNOX
Here is a place reserved, sir.

MACBETH
Where?

LENNOX
Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness?

MACBETH
Which of you have done this?

Lords
What, my good lord?

MACBETH
Thou canst not say I did it: never shake Thy gory locks at me.

ROSS
Gentlemen, rise: his highness is not well.

LADY MACBETH
Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat; The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well: if much you note him, You shall offend him and extend his passion: Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?

MACBETH
Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that Which might appal the devil.

LADY MACBETH
O proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear: This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts, Impostors to true fear, would well become A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all's done, You look but on a stool.

MACBETH
Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. If charnel-houses and our graves must send Those that we bury back, our monuments Shall be the maws of kites.

GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

LADY MACBETH
What, quite unmann'd in folly?

MACBETH
If I stand here, I saw him.

LADY MACBETH
Fie, for shame!

MACBETH
Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ere human statute purged the gentle weal; Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd Too terrible for the ear: the times have been, That, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end; but now they rise again, With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, And push us from our stools: this is more strange
Than such a murder is.

LADY MACBETH
My worthy lord, Your noble friends do lack you.

MACBETH
I do forget. Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends, I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing To those that know me. Come, love and health to all; Then I'll sit down. Give me some wine; fill full. I drink to the general joy o' the whole table,
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; Would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst, And all to all.

Lords Our duties, and the pledge.

Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO

MACBETH
Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with!

LADY MACBETH
Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other; Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.

MACBETH
What man dare, I dare: Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves Shall never tremble: or be alive again, And dare me to the desert with thy sword;
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mockery, hence!

GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

Why, so: being gone, I am a man again. Pray you, sit still.

LADY MACBETH
You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder.

MACBETH
Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me strange
Even to the disposition that I owe, When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,
When mine is blanched with fear.

ROSS
What sights, my lord?

LADY MACBETH
I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse; Question enrages him. At once, good night: Stand not upon the order of your going, But go at once.

LENNOX
Good night; and better health Attend his majesty!

LADY MACBETH
A kind good night to all!

Exeunt all but MACBETH and LADY MACBETH

MACBETH
It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood: Stones have been known to move and trees to speak; Augurs and understood relations have By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth The secret'st man of blood. What is the night?

LADY MACBETH
Almost at odds with morning, which is which.

MACBETH
How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person At our great bidding?

LADY MACBETH
Did you send to him, sir?

MACBETH
I hear it by the way; but I will send: There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow,
And betimes I will, to the weird sisters: More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good, All causes shall give way: I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er: Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd.

LADY MACBETH
You lack the season of all natures, sleep.

MACBETH

Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse Is the initiate fear that wants hard use: We are yet but young in deed.

Exeunt

 

posted by: Whitebeard at 21:24 | link | comments |

 

Banco's shadow

From  MACBETH

(spaventato) (terrified)

Va, spirto d'abisso!... Spalanca una fossa,O terra l'ingoia... Fiammeggian quell'ossa! Quel sangue fumante mi sbalza nel volto! Quel guardo a me volto trafiggemi il cor!

Go, spirit from Hell!Let a pit open wide,
O earth, engulf him…
Let those bones blaze!
That steaming blood leaps into my face!
That look turned on me
pierces my heart!

TUTTI Sventura! terrore!

ALL Misfortune! Terror!

posted by: Whitebeard at 09:12 | link | comments |

 

United for peace & justice

Bush Says “Bring ‘Em On.”We say: Bring ‘Em Home!

posted by: Whitebeard at 11:24 | link | comments |

My obsession

Ora basta. And now it's enough!

posted by: Whitebeard at 08:23 | link | comments |

 

My dream

Impeachment

We got him

THE HANDFUL of impeachment drafts floating around the web have a few common themes. They want to get rid of Bush for "crimes against peace and humanity," "war crimes," and the "deprivations of the civil rights of the people of the United States and other nations, by assuming powers of an imperial executive unaccountable to law." (from the press)

posted by: Whitebeard at 08:12 | link | comments |

Faces of the fallen

posted by: Whitebeard at 23:03 | link | comments |