Saturday, January 31, 2009

Response On Nihilistic Anarchy

Not long ago, I posted about Nihilistic Anarchism/Communism and strongly criticized it as articulated by Pistols Drawn.
I got comments from friends/comrades asking questions and posing their own ideas. I greatly appreciated the feedback and instead of posting a reply comment on a post no one probably will see, I decided to post a new entry.


READ ORIGINAL POST (AND COMMENTS) HERE

One of the beautiful luxuries of anarchism but also one of the biggest hurdles for anarchists is that there is no 'one path' or 'party program.' This is also one of anarchy's greatest strengths.

If nihilistic anarchism is a position/ideology that is still in the developmental stages, I can accept that. However, it is in no way beneficial to present a position that is purposefully vague. I am also well aware that most anarchists- at least posties, would not subscribe to the term 'ideology.' It is more a matter of semantics here than anything else. I understand and support the effort to redefine language on our own terms. I also usually see the anarchist rejection of terms such as 'politics' and 'ideology' as an attempt to draw a distinction between anarchy and Leftist politics which I don't necessarily see as crucial. We would have to define ideology because any definition I can think of would encompass anarchist positions.

I do not know what the world will look like after this undesirable and murderous social order. We don't seem to need a roadmap of how to get there or a blueprint of what it will look like (unlike our Communist brothers and sisters). I see this as inclusive rather than exclusive. The urgency that we might feel to destroy this system and anything that represents it is not unfounded. Violence against the state as a sort of cathartic release is not revolutionary… it is not even necessarily rebellious. I don't mind banks, cops, or government offices being attacked and I think the more those actions become part of the accepted lexicon of struggle, the closer we get to systemic change(s) we desire. It is childish/bourgeois for any 'movement' or struggle to engage in actions solely for individualistic fulfillment. That is ineffectual! I firmly believe that if we want to transform this social order or destroy it and build anew, our actions must take into account the sustainability of our resistance and that of others. This doesn't mean sustaining resistance for the next 5 years either. I am talking about being able to build upon it for generations.

Another insanely illogical premise put forth by a lot of nihilistic anarchists and post-Leftists is that it is somehow authoritarian to do any outreach or try to influence others. (How are we going to destroy this system and/or build a new one without more allies? Oh ya, I forgot. They don't believe we are going to "make" change. How did they become radical anti-authoritarians? I suppose they were born in an anarchist hatchery.) That premise is so illogical and laughable that it hardly needs me to argue against it and its doomed-to-lose proponents.

More on Racist "Anarchists"

I previously posted about the bullshit Bay Area National Anarchists. Well, they seem to be keeping tabs on me.

We can keep our eyes on the real enemy and should not bother getting distracted by an insignificant group of youth co-opting 'anarchy' for their White Power agenda. Nonetheless, we should be aware of them and what they represent.

One of them pleads:
"I protest because people need to be free, not just my people, all people. So whatever you think you might know stop and learn more about us and re-think. If we constantly fight each other then the real enemy wins. You going against us is exactly what the government wants. We share a majority of the same views, so why all the aggression and blind rage?"
And then goes on to talk about the evils of race mixing and then hype up their demagogue Troy Southgate.


It gets even better on Stormfront, the White Pride messageboard, where a BANA fuck has this for a signature:
MINE THE BORDERS * THIS IS VALHALLA * "The race that does not adapt is doomed to die."
"We are the last of our race. Let us be the best as well."---
Gen. Joseph O. Shelby, CSA

Fuck you and your black metal romanticizing wanna-be Odinistic buddies.

North America/South America (NASA)


N.A.S.A.'s "The Spirit Of Apollo" on Anti may not be solid magical bangers but any project with this many amazing collaborators is worth mentioning. Check it:
E-40
David Byrne
KRS-One
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Tom Waits
Kool Keith
Kanye West
Santogold
M.I.A.
DJ Qbert
Wu-Tang Clan

and many more

DL

Friday, January 30, 2009

Tom Gabel @ The Nimbus Damn

No Hoops For Sasha

Unfortunately, it looks like Celtic won't be picking up USAmerican Sacha Kljestan.

I was hoping to see him Celtic.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

FMTM Preview


As we all wait for the epic full length "On Little Known Frequencies" by From Monument To Masses, Dim Mak Records has put out a teaser ep and remixes.

Get "Beyond God & Elvis" MP3 or the "Beyond God & Elvis (Felix Cartal Remix)" HERE.
It's your choice if you want to have some introspective revolutionary inspiration or want to go for the coked out hipster Euro vibe.
_____

Look out for future joint endeavors and FMTM features on this here blog as "On Little Known Frequencies" nears release!

Trash Talk For Oscar Grant

In case you missed it


Trash Talk also have an AWESOME new t-shirt:

_____

I admit I have been rather burnt out on HC lately but tomorrow looks good...
Ceremony, Soul Control, Never Healed, Grace Alley, Streetwalkers
DNA Lounge, SF
and you can watch it online!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Palestine/Israel on 60 Minutes

CBS aired an insightful piece on Palestinians in the West Bank and Zionist settlers. Check it out:

Watch CBS Videos Online
Also tell CBS if you dig them actually showing the insane hardships that Palestinians live under.
CONTACT FORM

Sunday, January 25, 2009

"Missiles In The Sky Say U-S-A On The Side"

The more Bambu I hear, the more I love.

"When Will The Time Come"

droppin' bombs over Gaza
missiles in the sky
say U-S-A on the side

Saturday, January 24, 2009

"Walk For Life"

Catholics and their anti-abortion friends flooded into SF today to march against abortion.

Mel got me to go and boy am I glad I went. We had a fuckin' party annoying Christians all day!

Anarcho=pranksterism in full effect!

With nothing to really accomplish, I joined in shouting insane comments, insults, and suggestions at the anti-abortion forces. Everything from "I love abortion!" and "Premarital sex is great!" to "Let's go see the seals and get chowder bowls!" and many a shout regarding screamo crunk, Brokencyde, and Underoath Christcore.
I am certain that we pissed off many parents and confused a lot of kids. (Mission accomplished!)


I hope all the Christian fascists enjoyed their stay in SF. Now go home!

CHECK OUT ALL MY PHOTOS!

Shout outs to Mel (and her clever sign), Robin, Jackson, Jordan, Jenna, Bryan, Pryesh, David, and Travis.

How Many Days Will It Be Before Obama Attacks Another Country?

3

3 Days in office and the Obama administration has already attacked another nation: Pakistan.
The US unmanned drone killed 19 people in Pakistan on Friday Jan. 23rd.

Change?

Friday, January 23, 2009

No Help For Palestine

At least 1,300 Palestinians were killed, nearly a third of them children, and 5,500 injured in the Israeli attack of Gaza.

You know how organizations like to have televised fundraiers? Well, Disasters Emergency Committee appealed to the BBC to air a fundraising telethon for the poor people of Gaza. DEC said there was "clear evidence" the British public wanted to help.
The BBC refused.
Zionist bastards!

You can donate though.
_____

Our new President, Obama, said he intends to "actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians" but then also reiterated the US view that Israel had a right to defend itself from Palestinian rocket attacks (meaning, "Y'know those rockets that don't kill people or do much damage and are barely even "rockets"? Feel free to kill as many people as you like in response.")

Ben Edge On Music 11


Battalion Of Saints:
"The first Battalion album is incredible. If I needed to illustrate what hardcore is to someone who doesn't know, and I could only play him/her two songs, they would be "Revenge" by Black Flag and "Second Coming" by Battalion of Saints.
Battalion of Saints A.D. stands for "after death" because everyone in the original band died, with the exception of the singer. That Cuts album isn't good.
They were playing around a few years ago with two dudes from the band Heroin, and they were phenomenal."

_____


Uniform Choice - 84 demo:

"I've been rocking that one since about 8th or 9th grade. A lot of people say they are a total Minor Threat rip off, but they are really just as much of a Stalag 13 rip off. I like UC more than Stalag 13 though."
_____


Tesco Vee - "Dutch Hercules":
"Funny record, but the music is pretty bad. Tesco Vee has such a mastery of the English language, that he makes bigotry intellectually stimulating."
_____


Impact Unit - "My Friend The Pit":
"Not very good. You know who the singer is, right? Dicky Barrett from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. That voice sold hundreds of thousands of records."
_____


Megadeth:
"I never got into them, but I have been told by Megadeth fans that the second album is the most favored. These same fans usually agree that Rust In Peace is the last good one."
_____


Magma:
"They invented "zeuhl" music. I'm not making this up. I had a friend who had an internet radio show, and he played almost exclusively zeuhl music. Someone e-mailed him complaining that his show wasn't 100% zeuhl. Such a trip."
_____


Beyond:
"Beyond was the shit. Most original sounding '88 NYHC band.
I have the CD that Some Records put out about 10 years ago. It has the album and the demo on it. I guess another label was talking about re-releasing the discography, because the CD I have is out of print."

MSG

Help Leonard Peltier

Poltical prisoner, Leonard Peltier, was transfered from one prison to another. When he arrived and was released into General population he was severely beaten by other inmates. It is believed that he was set up by prison guards.
He may have a concussion and he's suffering from headaches that are a direct result of the beating. His middle finger on his left hand may be broken. He has a large bump near his right wrist. He is experiencing pain in the area of his right rib cage and chest (which is bruised).

HELP HIM OUT

Avatar In White


Avatar: The Last Airbender is popular cartoon series. I dig it. It is very well written and not dumbed down for kids.
If you haven't seen it yet and are into fantasy, I recommend it.

A live action film adaptation is being made. All of the cast in this live action version are White.
What does it matter you say? The cartoon is as much Asian as The Lord Of The Rings is European.

Click on the below images for the whole deal.




Luckily, Asian Americans ain't having it.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The New Racism 2

Of course, there is nothing new about racism. It's the same ol' shit and any feel-good Liberal or delusional character who desperately want Obama's election to mean we can stop combatting racism is wrong.
However, I am very interested in spotlighting and analyzing examples of the USA, White America in particular, where a new sort of discussion is opening up... and revealing the slippier side of race/racism.

I coulda just named these segments The New Black & White. Which is better?

_____

Talking corpse Larry King announced,
"There's a lot of advantages to being black...Black is in."

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Nihilistic Communism, say what?!


A lot of criticism against (what I will call) social liberation anarchy has been emanating from the post-Left anarchy camps. Nothing new.
It was recently brought to my attention that a popular or important concept with the 'posties' is Nihilistic Communism/Anarchism. As I often feel like the critiques from posties are confusingly illogical, I was very intrigued by Nihilistic Communism/Anarchism.

Here is a description of the ideology as written by some of its proponents:
"Nihilist anarchy is an anarchist perspective that does not posit a positive program for social change. It does not subscribe to any singular, or multiform, revolutionary program for social change. Unlike most anarchists a nihilist anarchist does not subscribe to models of progress, evolution, the general strike, the insurrection to end all insurrections, or the supremacy of theory over action. Instead, the nihilist anarchist begins with the simplest of premises.
The nihilist anarchist may or may not subscribe to notions of the efficacy of individual (or social) action in the face of an enormous system of social control. The nihilist anarchist may or may not be a social creature themselves. A nihilist anarchist questions it all, not as a pointless exercise in self-righteous navel gazing but as an understanding that the connections that this society makes between us and them, you and I, the individual and the social are not as they appear. They are not simple. More, that the relationships that are assumed are the most dangerous of all. "


Awesome. Completely pointless. Let's announce that we plan to do nothing and give it a name!
As a friend stated, " It tries to deflect the obvious criticism that this is self-righteous navel gazing, by saying that it is not self-righteous navel gazing, then going on to describe what is essentially self-righteous navel gazing"

The do-nothing posties do love the internet and stirring shit up amongst fellow anarchists online (just like agent provocateurs), so I wouldn't be surprised to read some comments posted. Honestly, I welcome any Nihilistic Communist/Anarchist to explain how this is any different from choosing to turn a blind eye to oppression and privilege. Doing nothing is doing nothing. There is no god to judge what is in your hearts and minds.

To quote the great film The Big Lebowski:
"Say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos."

Bitter White People

With a Black man occupying the highest government position in the land (/the world), this racism thing is gonna get trickier.

Want to see 2 bitter old White men project their disdain onto 2 musicians?

"Offended many people" ?!? Like who? The crowd that went nuts in that club?
They haven't got a fuckin' clue and are obviously only pandering to a decreasing number of curmudgeons like themselves.

HC Nostalgia in Village Voice

The Village Voice reported on the Unbroken, Swing Kids, Undertow, Jenny Piccolo reunion show.

"One day, in other words, kids were being kicked out of the scene for being insufficiently committed to not smoking cigarettes, and the next, those same kids were rolling around the floor, covering Joy Division songs"

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

uh "Screamo Crunk"

Metal Inquisition rules. We all know that. Well, MI posted an amazingly insightful article about the phenomenon of Screamo Crunk.

READ IT because they do a far superior job explaining than I can.

I also can't help but relate to the author's sentiments coming from the overly serious and overly male HC scene.

Today

Some dude was selling bootleg Obama shirts on the corner. Folks are in a frenzy. Cell phones are all gonna die tomorrow at 9am PT. I am so sick of Shepard Fairey. The right is still scared shitless for no apparent reason. My office is having an inauguration party that I have to organize. I imagine DC to be like a cross between Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Woodstock when the rapes happened but surrounded by fanatical Liberals. But Hov has a hot remix of 'My President Is Black.'

I may already have Obama fatigue.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Gaza Review

Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire (actually creating a permanent state of war in which Israel will not have to even pretend to adhere to any sort of terms) and is withdrawing troops. I have tried to create a bullet-point list of items noteworthy.


-1300 dead Palestinians, plus another 5400 wounded, with well over half of the total being accounted for by civilians

-USA is growing tired of Israel's mad dog routine, which threatens US hegemony in the region by alienating Arab allies and threatening others with domestic political upheaval because of Israel's penchant for killing Arab civilians.

-There MUST be an international boycott/divestment campaign against Israel!



(thank you Lenin's Tomb)
_______

I am highly critical of anarchists who not only refuse to support the Palestinians but refuse to even deal with this struggle calling it simply a fight between two states or statist authorities.

There is no such thing as neutral. It is our government that is funding Israel's wars and no matter how much you don't want to recognize the USA's authority over you, we pay for it and we unjustly benefit from it. So, any silence or inaction is simply condoning the status quo.

If you truly believe in the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, you would support it. One does not have to erase their criticism of a group such as Hamas to support the survival of Palestine! If you pay lip service to people's liberation and then withhold support until it looks exactly how you would like it to, you are no different than the rest of the White "First World" who thinks they know what is best for the lowly masses.

I will pick a side. I will always side with the oppressed.


The Co-opting of Oakland


"...self-appointed political leaders. When confronted with mass rebellion, such leaders will immediately use the threat of violence as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the oppressors, promising to pacify the masses if reforms are made."

Oakland resident, George Ciccariello-Maher, has written an EXCELLENT piece on the riots that followed Oscar Grant's murder by BART Police and how they affected the whole situation.

Ciccariello-Maher carefully points out how it was the street-level resistance that led the state to act.
It was the newly formed liberal running dogs of Coalition Against Police Executions (CAPE) that have continuously attempted to hijack the anger and momentum and turn the powers/police against those who correctly articulate the anger and frustration against Police violence and murder!

They use the "anarchist" and "outside agitators" lines to attempt to divide the movement.
"Where did the "outside agitator" sound byte, with all its paternalistic and racist implications, come from in the first place? As one might suspect, it was the police who first deployed it, the media who followed, and the unwitting organizers who followed."

CAPE has tried to turn opinion against those who have articulated and furthered the rebellion. CAPE act like the pigs.
_______

I often criticize anarchists who seem to spend an inordinate amount of time and energy cursing socialists or "Leftists" and enjoy drawing distinctions between themselves and whatever other radicalism they encounter.
I am not saying that insert-type-of-anarchy-here shouldn't act accordingly and let distinctions be drawn. I just usually don't think the radical left (or post-left, if you like) in this country is anywhere near where this hairsplitting is relevant or productive.

However!.. Here is a great example where anarchist insurrection joined perfectly with non-anarchist youth to produce a viable answer to the violence of the state, liberals/progressives have sought to steal the momentum for their own gain, and we must meet it with criticism and confrontation.

_______

"I see a lot of warriors out there," he said, "and I just want to ask you to make sure that the babies and the children get home safely tonight."

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Mike Shinoda Mixtape 1

I don't know if anyone reading this is gonna enjoy it as much as me but... This is my blog...
Mike Shinoda's Mixtape:
Pearl Jam - Jeremy Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends Fugazi - Cashout Method Man - Bring The Pain Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man One Day As A Lion - Wild International Boogie Down Productions - Illegal Business Above The Law - Murder Rap Nine Inch Nails -Ghosts 1, Track 7 Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt. 2 The D.O.C. - Funky Enough LL Cool J - Boomin System Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me Cool Kids - That'll Work Radiohead - Reckoner Tribe Called Quest - Push It Along Nas - The World Is Yours (demo version accapella)

(even his use of Pearl Jam is tolerable!)

Friday, January 16, 2009

Bruce Wayne + Final Crisis

On Jan.14th, 2 of my favorite things were in Oakland.
TOO $HORT & RIOTS!

$hort Dog condemns violence... but he condones pimpin'

tear gas
_____

"The powers that be are playing it as always: arresting one of their own to try and convince that its only about “bad apples” and that no more rebellions are needed because the “justice” systems works.”
-Jose

A lot of the attention on the Oscar Grant riots has focused on anarchists (rightfully so?).
A great analysis of anarchists' participation as well as the flawed narrative being presented is OAKLAND ON FIRE by Kara N. Tina.
"The allegations of an anarchist takeover are destructively misleading. At best they come from ignorance and at worse they represent a flawed and divisive ideology of social change which embodies paternalistic and racist assumptions about those involved in the actions. To scapegoat anarchists for what transpired, robs from marginalized and oppressed youth of color the agency they possess and the power to resist which they demonstrated that evening. It also ignores the remarkable diversity and unique solidarity in the streets that created an liberating experience far beyond any rally or march."

Coming from a blog I read and support, Miss Kristia gives her folks some decent advice on recommended protest attire. Unfortunately, she also levels a pretty harsh and somewhat naive criticism against anarchists.
"For example White anarchist and White radical groups usually cover up. These groups also have a growing reputation for doing inconsiderate and/or hurtful shit at rallies. They rarely take into consideration the presence of elders or children. They don't plan their shit out enough. Really I could go on forever. But the worst part is that because of their bad decision-making, it's frequently Black and Brown men and women who get blamed and arrested for the shit these folks do."
I completely agree that White adventurism often leads to communities of Color bearing the brunt of police repression. However, in situations where it helps to have one's identity hidden (i.e. riots or property destruction), I would have to point to (White) anarchists as providing decent examples of principled action and organization.
Let's take into consideration Miss Kristia's words and move forward taking folks and communities around us into consideration. (I am speaking to anarchists of all stripes.)
_____

Multiple targets have been attacked all over the Bay Area in solidarity with Oscar Grant and the hyphy / anarchy riots. I believe 3 banks have been attacked in one week! Go to Social Rupture for further updates!

On a side note: We would be stupid not to think the pigs are setting up sites detailing actions against the state to track visitors.


Stormtroopers Preparing for Battle
_____

On Feb. 6th on Oakland, there will be an Anti-Police Brutality Art Show.


Free Jeff x2

Jeff "Free" Luers benefit cd out now! It is folk and punk and proceeds go to help Jeff's release fund.
Jeff was railroaded into a 23 year bid for burning a SUV.
_____

MMA fighter Jeff Monson caught a vandalism charge due to ESPN printing a photo of him allegedly spray painting an anarchy symbol on the Washington capital building.

C'mon, don't let photos be taken of you performing a criminal act!

Watch American Gangster (BET)


One of the best and most progressive shows on TV is BET's American Gangster. Not only does it tell the amazing tales of various well known and lesser known gangsters, hustlers, and criminals but it balances the tales with their effect on communities and relationship to power, oppression, and the "law."
I love criminal culture but I also love how the show's tales are framed in the context of these gangster's social environments. A lot of the figures possess a Robin Hood-like quality.

This week's episode features the infamous Romper Room gang out of Vallejo. Anyone who was in Northern Califoolya in the early 90's or is a fan of the late Mac Dre knows about Romper Room and will want to see the show.

The last episode of this current third season will feature Mutulu Shakur in what should be one not to miss. Shakur was a Black Liberation Army soldier, was a close confident to and family member of Tupac, and is currently a political prisoner/prisoner of war.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

thank you


+

+

=
yay!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

34

Awaydays


He's part of a gang called The Pack. The Pack are notorious; they dress in a cultish, almost effeminate style that's at odds with the boneheads and bootboys they fight against. They have androgynous wedge haircuts worn with Fred Perry shirts, Lois jeans and Adidas Forest Hills training shoes.

(thanx Mark)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Get Ready To Fight!

Right-wing racists calling themselves National Anarchists have sprung up in the Bay Area.

National Anarchism is a bullshit ideology attempting to co-opt the hip term "anarchy" for racist/nationalistic/"tribal" motives. They advocate racial separatism and believe in the nonsensical idea that anarchy can exist in an autonomous zone alongside capitalism.

These fucks have shown their faces at a recent anti-Israel protest in San Francisco.
Like our European comrades, who have already dealt with "National Anarchists", we must meet them with outright confrontation!

Please Note: I do not condone fighting each other in the midst of a protest called by and in support of Palestinians. I also dislike the idea of more anarchist infighting but these guys are NOT anarchists.
(They apparently operate out of the White bastion of Dublin, CA.)

Bay Area National Anarchist Website


(thanx Pranjal)