So I drove a couple hours to catch Against Me!, (full disclosure: Against Me! is one of my favorite current bands) in Charlotte, VA for their 2010 pre-album (White Crosses) release tour.  A note on the venue, the redone Jefferson Theatre is beautiful, and has perfect sound… but they sell this brand of beer called Nobel, which I unfortunately tried… gym-sock beer… it was the first time I ever returned beer to a bar.  Not a good omen, it turned out.

In the crowd an excited fan told his friend, “You are gonna love these guys… they are as good as it gets…”  His friend nodded eagerly as the support acts played. (Standout: Moneybrother)  Finally, Against Me! took the stage to massive cheers. What happened?  All that is revealed is Warren Oakes must be a genius.  The greatest live act in America, with a host of rocking songs, played the weakest, most tired set imaginable in the lovely Jefferson theatre.  Was it just a bad night?  Strain from the White Crosses Album reviews?

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Haiti does not need military occupation.

Haiti needs flour, rice, medical supplies, and active compassion.

No geopolitics.

No manipulation.

Only one love.

Is this a press story?  What is anything, but people?  This is a human story, and the tiny,  maligned island which encompasses Haiti, birthplace of African democracy, needs global assistance, nothing more, nothing less.

The nation hated for defeating French colonialism and enslavement, the nation hated for usurping American imperialism, this tiny island alone faces the equivalent total devastation of the asian tsunami.

Forget hatred for Haiti’s pride, and determination.  This time, reward that perseverance with unrestrained assistance.  Let every billionaire and millionaire send their little used yachts laden with food and clothes to this place.  Let every corporation send their jets and freighters to this place.

Stand together now, and set a standard, or face a future alone.

The choice is yours.

Yele Haiti.  Forget the negativists and the injured souls, act now for God’s sake.  The preacher will tell you, God does not care after persons.  That is so we shall learn to care after one another.

Give now, act now, help now.

Help Here

or Here

or even HERE, just help.

Now.

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The editors recommend checking out Ahniwanika’s site Intercontinental Cry regularly!

In the month’s Underreported Struggles: 20,000 Lepchas Vow to Die for Their Community; Nicaragua Recognizes Indigenous Land Rights; Dam workers attack the Enawene Nawe; and 18 other stories about the ongoing, world-side struggle for land, rights, and life.

December 29 – Indonesia Police Destroy Indigenous Village – Indonesian police forces have violently evicted 400 indigenous people from their land in the province of Riau on the eastern coast of Sumatra. According to Amnesty International, approximately 700 local security forces entered the village of Suluk Bongka, firing bullets and tear gas. As the villagers fled into the forest, two helicopters dropped what was thought to be a fire accelerant on the village, burning it to the ground.

December 26 – We shall give up our lives but not our land – “We shall give up our lives but not land.” The slogan is overwhelming across the state of Jharkhand against displacement induced by the development projects. It is not only a slogan for the Adivasis but it is also their determination, pledge and hope to ensure their ownership rights over the natural resources i.e. land, forest and water.

December 24 – Uprising against Barrick Gold in Tanzania – Earlier this month, thousands of villagers raided a gold mine in Northern Tanzania, setting fire to $7 million worth of mine equipment. Most reports claim the action was performed by “gold-seekers”, however, local reports say the uprising was the result of a murder by a Barrick Security Guard.

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