Tag Archives: violence vs non-violence

If you’re going to be compared to a terrorist, it might as well be a brilliant one

On Sunday afternoon, I was standing in the rain in Ann Arbor, by myself, with a half-eaten cupcake in my hand, when a friend approached me, and greeted me with a question that I’d never been asked before. “How’d you like being compared to the Unabomber?” Having no idea what in the hell he was […]

Posted in Mark's Life, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Alan Haber on the origins of SDS, similarities to the Occupy movement, Ann Arbor at the height of McCarthyism, and why he never built that second bomb

I spent yesterday morning with my friend Jeff, at the home of Alan Haber, the first president of Students for Democratic Society (SDS). We talked about Ann Arbor at the height of McCarthyism, the circumstances which gave rise to SDS, the drafting of the Port Huron Statement 50 years ago, and the opportunity that may […]

Posted in Ann Arbor, Civil Liberties, History | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Derrick Jensen on the necessity of armed revolution, the futility of conservation, and the inherent violence of science

A few nights ago, as a part of Eastern Michigan University’s weeklong “Activism and Education” festivities, noted author and environmental activist Derrick Jensen addressed students and members of the Ypsilanti community at Pease Auditorium. What follow are my very rough notes. As I spent half my time mopping sweat from my red, wrinkled brow, I’m […]

Posted in Civil Liberties, Environment, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

UC Davis Chancellor escorted from her office as hundreds of students line her path, staring in deafening silence

By now, you’ve probably seen the the footage of the UC Davis students being pepper sprayed. It’s disgusting stuff. The students are sitting down in a line, across a sidewalk, protesting recent tuition hires, and, ironically enough, episodes of police brutality elsewhere in the University of California system. They are peaceful. No one is yelling. […]

Posted in Civil Liberties, Other, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Dear Sarah Palin

A cousin of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, an abortion rights advocate by the name of Lynn Paltrow, posted what I found to be a very reasonable letter to Sarah Palin today. I’d encourage you to read the whole thing, but here’s how it ends. …Your response so far, has been to defend the images and language […]

Posted in Observations, Other, Politics, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

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