In 2009 we conducted a study of online distribution of pirated media.  The questions were: “How do they make money?”, “Why do the sites survive?”, and, “Who pays the operators?”.  The answers were strange, and changed noticeably over the course of a single year.

The pirate media distributors stream their wares out of server farms on sovereign native people’s territories in the West, and in Sweden, Ukraine, and China to the East.  Using legal loopholes, bribery, and protection from mob and government interests, the sites not only survive, they thrive and propagate.

Often it seemed there was hardly any money making involved, where it begged the question why so much time was being spent mounting the pirated materials beside the distribution of malware to steal private data.  Ad revenue visibly increased every month, however.

22% of studied pirate streams had ad placements for major corporate interests on Jan 1st, 2009.  By June major corporate placements had gone to 39.5%, and by September, 52.5%.  By Jan 1st 2010 it was 91%. It is what the slaves to cliche call a tipping point.

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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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Ciné Institute Director David Belle reports from Port-au-Prince: “I have been told that much US media coverage paints Haiti as a tinderbox ready to explode. I’m told that lead stories in major media are of looting, violence and chaos. There could be nothing further from the truth. “I have traveled the entire city daily since my arrival. The extent of damages is absolutely staggering. At every step, at every bend is one horrific tragedy after another; homes, businesses, schools and churches leveled to nothing. Inside every mountain of rubble there are people, most dead at this point. The smell is overwhelming. On every street are people – survivors — who have lost everything they have: homes, parents, children, friends. “NOT ONCE have we witnessed a single act of aggression or violence.  To the contrary, we have witnessed neighbors helping neighbors and friends helping friends and strangers.  We’ve seen neighbors digging in rubble with their bare hands to find survivors. We’ve seen traditional healers treating the injured; we’ve seen dignified ceremonies for mass burials and residents patiently waiting under boiling sun with nothing but their few remaining belongings. A crippled city of two million awaits help, medicine, food and water. Most haven’t received any. “Haiti can be proud of its survivors. Their dignity and decency in the face of this tragedy is itself staggering.” David Belle, January 17th, 2010 Go to Ciné Institute’s website for latest photos and footage coming from the students in Jacmel. cineinstitute.com

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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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