Friday, August 13, 2004

McProtests R Us

OR: Would You Like Some Fries with Your Black Mask?

“Complain all you want; but do as you’re told.” -Frederick the Great of Prussia

In a matter of weeks, politicians, protesters, and police will converge on my beleaguered city...and that is precisely why I’m skipping town for a few days. The police state tactics and color-coded alerts are reason enough...but I’d also rather not witness firsthand the death throes of protest as we know it.

To read the full article, click here:
http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/mickeyz08122004/

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Posted on 08/13 at 07:52 AM
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Thursday, August 12, 2004

Human Traffic Skills

While reading “The Culture of Make-Believe” by Derrick Jensen...this passage stood out:

“Attempting to maintain complete awareness of the fact that each person has a history, each one has preferences, each one has hobbies, causes me existentially to seize up, like an engine run too far in the red. I can feel my internal pistons begin to tap, then knock, and I know I’ve got to slow down. I can’t always be aware of the fact that my postal carrier was once a child, nor that the bank teller might have bunions. All of this is one reason I live in a small town: To navigate within cities demands intense objectification in defense of one’s sanity.”

Reminded me of something the zoologist Desmond Morris wrote:

“In the busy streets, you develop human traffic skills of amazing dexterity. In crowded buses, trains, and elevators, you acquire a blank stare. You have eyes only for those you know. This enables you to enjoy the varied delights of the big city while mentally re-creating a personal tribe existence.”

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Posted on 08/12 at 11:13 AM
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Wednesday, August 11, 2004

New Z Poetry

“After squeezing my way past the
slack-jawed dupe playing a goddamned
video game in the doorway of a rush
hour #5 train, my eyes move to a
story in the new free daily rag
they’re giving away at every subway station”

For more, click on:
http://www.b-u-m.net/LittoralVerseKK.html

(Thanks to Russ)

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Posted on 08/11 at 04:29 AM
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