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From a loyal Bat-Fan in Cleveland Ohio: "Hey Jello. Earlier this week, I got into an "incident" involving the John Yates "democracy we deliver" shirt, and an article about it was written in the underground school paper. A friend suggested I forward it to you because you'd like it, so, here you are: 'Student Activist Suspended For Wearing Political ShirtBy Ricky C., May 18 2006 Some may know her as a musician. Others may know her as an artist. But no matter what, she will always be one of the most outspoken people in the school. She is none other than Sarah. The past Monday, she was seen wearing a shirt that read "Democracy we Deliver" with an image of a fighter plane on it, on her way to school. "Everyone was staring!" She exlaimed in an interview. "It's like they've never seen a girl before! No surprise there, since 'Yuppieville' is filled with republican neo-nazi's with closed minds." She was later suspended by Mr. B. for one week, and at the announcement of this, the school went into an uproar. "It was extremist liberals against extremist conservatives for the whole week, everyone had an opinion on why or why I shouldn't be suspended, even the teachers were bitter with each other". When I asked her why she wore the shirt, she replied "I just... felt like it. Making a statement is nothing new to me, but I haven't worn that shirt before (I had gotten it as a birthday gift), so maybe that's why everyone was shocked". On the second day of suspension, Sarah went back to Mr. B., with reasons why she should be allowed to wear what she wants. "I told him that if some girls were allowed to wear shirts that say 'I had a nightmare I was a brunette' on them, I should be allowed to wear mine. Both insult someone, so, if you ban one, you ban 'em all. I also said that there was nothing obscene on it, and it didn't violate any dress codes". With this, and the following days' presented petition, Mr. B. voided the suspension and let her back in. This just shows how art can be an effective way to protest.' It was actually quite fun, seeing the expressions on everyones faces when I walked in. Our whole grade is going to Washington D.C. next week... you can probably guess what I'm going to wear on our tour of the White House! Have a great weekend. Sincerely yours, Sarah"
From AT fan "Ra": Hi, This is a sad day indeed. The signing of a christian rock band to AT marks the end of an era. Simply stated christianity was started by men so they could better control women and animals. I've heard you speak out against misogyny. Christians have a pretty damn powerful version of their own.What's next for AT - white power bands? There are tons of white power/christian punk bands you could sign. They're equally fucked up and deplorable and some of them really can rock.I suppose I shouldn't fault you for signing bands that support misogyny, racism and animal abuse, it is wrapped in such a pretty package, but you've always seemed like such a stand-up guy and I doubt you lead your life based on a myth..As long as you sign Christian rock I'm going to stop supporting AT, except for The Fleshies(I'm not crazy), and I just stopped my cave news subscription that I've enjoyed for years. This sux..groove, ra There is nothing alternative about christianity but it is tentacle." And here's Michael Andrews/KOTNC response:"Hello Ra, I'm Mike from the Knights of the New Crusade. Your e-mail was forwarded to me by AT, though they didn't ask that I reply so nothing I say should be taken as a statement of the views of anyone there, including Jello. I hope you don't mind the unsolicited response, but I felt that I should try to clear up some misapprehensions you seem to have.There are many belief systems presented by various people as Christianity. Personally, I believe them to be true inasmuch as they adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the New Testament. I wouldn't be surprised if such a profession of faith causes an immediate and adverse reaction, since it does so to many people, but please bear with me.The modern, institutional "Christianity" (what Kirkegaard called "Christendom," as we do on our AT album) that hypocritical politicians and corporate interests use to cloak their distinctly unChristian practices is a pernicious corruption of Christ's teachings. Unfortunately, this is hardly a new thing: as soon as the Roman Empire co-opted Christianity (some would even say as soon as Paul started to interpolate his beliefs), true Christianity began to be obscured.I can certainly understand someone being disgusted with how Christianity has been presented over the centuries. But being disgusted with, say, Blink 182 is no reason to to be disgusted with the music of the Damned or Johnny Moped.With all due respect, I have to disagree with your simple statement, which is not only simplistic but erroneous (a statement such as you make really needs some evidence: "Saying don't make it so," as my grandfather often said). Here's my evidence to the contrary: Jesus was clearly against racism and misogony, as well as war. He told us that we should love our fellow humans, even those who hate us. We of the Knights are probably more distressed than you at how His message has been corrupted (usually by dragging in parts of the Old Testament that were superceded by Christ). Anyone who corrupts His teaching for the sake of promoting racism, misogony or war is doing the work of Satan, not God.As far as animal abuse, that's a matter of judgement. If you are a vegan, for instance, you might regard any eating or use of animals and their products as abuse. If you feel strongly enough about it, you might want to boycott all bands that have one or more members who don't conform to your beliefs: it is certainly your right to do so. I hope that whatever your beliefs in the matter, you apply them impartially. Of course, it's also your right to dislike Christian bands that eat meat and cheese for doing so, but to not mind if non-Christian bands eat meat and cheese, if that's what you wish. Please bear in mind that I'm only conjecturing what you might be thinking, since you didn't specify what you meant by animal abuse.By the way, I doubt that anyone has ever started (or corrupted) a religion in order to better control animals: animals seem rather immune to religious influence. I do apologize on behalf of my Master for sending the legion of demons into the pigs, however: as someone who's always liked pigs (one of the most intelligent animals), I've always been rather disturbed by that passage, since He seemed to be showing greater mercy to the demons than to the pigs . Maybe it made more sense to people at the time because of the Hebraic dietary restrictions: there's a lot I don't know, though I'm trying to learn.Thanks for caring enough to write to AT, and for your time. As God said to Isiah, "Come, let us reason together." From AT fan "Ra":t first I was impressed that you would respond to this lone voice but then I remembered that is what evangicals do - relentlessly. However I'm still not convinced this isn't a publicity stunt. It's hard for me to believe that someone who can compose a fairly articulate letter would disregard fossil evidence, believe this planet is less than 6000 years old and believe in a book with over 250 self-contradictions. Science says anything that self-contradicts itself even once is flawed. That makes perfect sense to me and proves the bible is fiction many times over. Not even good fiction at that.Your arguments concerning the difference between the new and old testament, god and satan, are moot to me because I'm an atheist and don't believe in utter nonsense about gods or that either of the testaments from any religion are divine in nature. When I hear a christian talk about disregarding the old testiment for the new it makes me want to point out how absurd that is but it takes way too long and they are typically too brainwashed to listen to reason. Personally I think you're trying to cash in on the fracas by standing on the shoulders of bands like Gwar.It's patently obvious that Jesus Christ was no different than Jimmie Jones, Charles Manson, Joseph Smith, David Koresh or jojo the monkey boy.. He was just another charismatic lunatic who believed he was having conversations with devils and gods - if he existed at all.For myself it's easy to see through religions transparent goal - to gain power and wealth and to control women, animals and gullible men.. I'm at a loss as to why most of the population doesn't see it that way. I can only chalk it up to ignorance and/or brainwashing because it flies in the face of reason.Take the LDS religion for example. Joe Smith(the founder) and his father were professional con men but ppl blindly believe his ludicrous story enough to give up 10 percent of their annual income. That particular religion is less than 200 years old and has millions of followers. To me that is evidence to the gullibility of most humans.Christianity is so old and convoluted it has less credence than the, obviously fabricated, LDS religion which has no credence at all. One must ignore scientific evidence to believe in christianity. That's asking a lot from rational ppl who are not brainwashed. Remember the brainwashed do not know they are brainwashed. That includes you if you're serious about this nonsense.You have absolutely no historical or empirical evidence to back the preposterous claims made in the bible. You just have blind faith and unquestioning obedience. That is the mark of ignorance and brainwashing. There is a good reason that atheists are typically very educated ppl. Education is the enemy of religion. Historically Christians use biblical scriptures to justify murder, torture, slavery, racism, sexism, speciesism and war. All in the name of a mythical god. Therefore you help to promote ignorance and evil.>>>>> "If you are a vegan, for instance, you might regard any eating or use of animals and their products as abuse." I am and I do.. >>>>> "you might want to boycott all bands that have one or more members who don't conform to your beliefs."If a band is overtly preaching something I consider evil i.e. - religion(KNC ), animal abuse(ted nugent), misogyny(much rap) - I do boycott them. I don't research what individual band members of all music I listen to believe. Who has the time for that? But if they are, lyrically, a one trick pony like you guys are then you make it obvious what you are about and I will check my wallet accordingly.>>>>> "I doubt that anyone has ever started (or corrupted) a religion in order to better control animals: animals seem rather immune to religious influence."This drives my point home that religious ppl are either ignorant or brainwashed. The list of religions that have sacrificed animals is too lengthy to mention. There are several that still practice it. Some of them derived from christianity.No thanks to the bible many amerikkkans kill snakes on sight. I even recall some scripture that said god makes them eat dust for their lives. Not to mention that god made all women suffer for Eves transgressions. News flash: The time of the bible was a patriarchal culture. Women and animals were in the same category - chattel.chat·tel Pronunciation Key (chtl) n. Law. An article of movable personal property. A slave. Animals and women were the personal property of men and could be abused or killed with no recourse.The biblical story of Adam and Eve clearly makes a woman and an animal into the enemy of man. Eve's decision to obey the snake leads to man's pain and suffering and cleary puts them below man. The bible gives man authority over animals. That's crap. Animals have their own lives and are not ours to use for any reason. Period!Your religion claims animals do not have a soul, have no conscious or feelings, only humans do. That is poppycock and is a means of control.I have more news for you.. We are animals! Humans and chimpanzees have about 98.4% of their genes in common. We are just the smartest monkey.The Bible clearly supports animal sacrifice and meateating. That is animal abuse plain and simple.The bible allows man to reduce the rest of the earth's population to serfdom. The bible is evil.If christians care about animals as their "dominion" then why don't they do something about factory farms? No pain and suffering in human history can compare with the animal abuse of factory farming methods and yet christians help it proliferate daily. That is evil.. Christians are among the most ignorant hypocrites in history. People like the Knights of the New Crusade make me proud to be an atheist and a vegetarian. The atheists I know have MUCH higher moral standards than the christians I know. The fact is that our prisons are full of christians while our institutions of higher learning are full of atheists. The christian concept of morality based upon coercion, guilt, punishment and enticements of a paradise are utterly deplorable.It creates nations of neurosis...I think christianity is disgusting, pernicious and thickheaded. I stand by my original email to Jello and will continue to boycott AT now that they have joined the dark side.If this is all a joke and you're making $ then all I can say is bravo!! Good show.. Otherwise you're a different kind of joke in my book.groove, ra "Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile." -Kurt Vonnegut"
In yesterday's interview, Palast talks about the role of oil in the Iraq war. Instead of going into Iraq to get the country's oil, Bush/Cheney and Big Oil went in to control the country's oil. As in, the US government does not want the oil to flood into the market, which is also why the US government is so against Venezuela's leader, Hugo Chavez. Venezuela has larger oil reserves than Saudi Arabia- and it's out of the control- right now- of Big Oil. The interview covers this and much more packed into a short segment (which is also transcribed here). Check it out!
From the May 12, 2006 edition of the NY Times: "LAWTON, Okla. — The Army has shaken up a program to heal recruits injured in basic training after soldiers and their parents said troops hurt at Fort Sill were punished with physical abuse and medical neglect. The program, which treated more than 1,100 injured soldiers last year at five posts, normally returns three-fourths of its patients to active duty, according to Army statistics. But at Fort Sill, recruits said, injuries were often subject to derision, ignored or improperly treated. Two soldiers in the program have died since 2004, one or possibly both of accidental overdoses of prescription drugs. The latest death, in March, remains under investigation, the Army said. "I am an inmate," one soldier, Pfc. Mathew Scarano of Eureka, Calif., wrote in a letter home in January two months before he died. "I sometimes ask those friends of mine with jailhouse tattoos if they'd rather be back in jail, or here. So far, they are unanimous — jail."
Commanders acknowledge problems with the Physical Training and Rehabilitation Program, and they have ordered changes here at the Field Artillery Center and at the other training centers. For the first time, as a result of the Fort Sill problems, a medical professional is to head each program. A civilian spokesman at the fort, Jon Long, said an investigation had substantiated "misbehavior" by a drill sergeant who, soldiers say, kicked a trainee with stitches in his knee. Mr. Long said the sergeant had been suspended and reassigned, along with another drill sergeant who, soldiers complained, had repeatedly awakened injured trainees throughout the night for uniform changes and formations..."
You can hear the interview via Real Audio or mp3 here!
Thanks for being patient & Rock On!Jesse/AT Mail Male
Businesses across the country were closed as workers walked off the job for an economic boycott dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants." Meat producing companies, including Tyson foods, Cargill and Perdue Farms closed down more than two dozen plants employing over 20,00 people. In Phoenix, protesters formed a human chain to block off Wal-Mart and Home Depot stores. Traffic was down 90 percent at the main ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, the country's largest. The boycott also attracted large student involvement. In Los Angeles, over 72,000 middle and high school students -- about one in every four students - were absent from school."
To read, listen, or watch more about yesterday's history boycott, Democracy Now's coverage (quoted above) is a good place to start!
There are many events around the country and around the world, here are just a few!
InkWorks Party, noon-6pm, Berkeley, CA
MayDay in San Francisco
ActionLA in Southern California, plus links to other US MayDay celebrations of immigrantshttp://www.nohr4437.org/
"Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the Internet's First Amendment -- a principle called Network Neutrality that prevents companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from deciding which Web sites work best for you -- based on what site pays them the most. Your local library shouldn't have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to have its Web site open quickly on your computer. Net Neutrality allows everyone to compete on a level playing field and is the reason that the Internet is a force for economic innovation, civic participation and free speech. If the public doesn't speak up now, Congress will cave to a multi-million dollar lobbying campaign by telephone and cable companies that want to decide what you do, where you go, and what you watch online. This isn't just speculation -- we've already seen what happens elsewhere when the Internet's gatekeepers get too much control. Last year, Telus -- Canada's version of AT&T -- blocked their Internet customers from visiting a Web site sympathetic to workers with whom the company was having a labor dispute. And Madison River, a North Carolina ISP, already tried to block its customers from using any competing Internet phone service."
Come on, step up now and fight or be bent over and screwed w/o lube later!
Good luck to both bands!
Sunday April 9th 7PM till 9PMish roughly at the Edinburgh Castle, 950 Geary (between Polk and Larkin) in San Francisco. $3 -5 (No one turned away due to lack of funds), 21+. Check out Lilycat.com for more information.
"Thought you might want to see The Deadly Kennedys new team photo. We ran out of time to spray paint the "S" on the front of our shirts.. Thanks AT! We love you!Iona Switchblade 8, The Deadly Kennedys
Speakers include:
Assemblymember Loni Hancock - Implementing state-wide public financing (AB 8385)
Trent Lang (what Berkeley/Oakland people can do on this issue)
Councilmember Kriss Worthington - Implementing IRV (Instant Runoff Voting)
Joanne McKray Oakland IRV (what Oakland people can do on this issue)
Jesse Townley Berkeley IRV (what Berkeley people can do on this issue)
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