philly

March on Washington: END THE WAR ON IRAQ

United for Peace and Justice is organizing a huge march on Washington scheduled for Saturday September 24^th, that's one month from now. Cindy Sheehan will be there. Josh from Skaroff Blog will be there. eRobin from Fact-esque will be there and then explains why:

I've been struggling to put together a grand unified theory of protest politics for a while. It's a struggle because while I support peaceful protests of all shapes and sizes, I understand the frustration people have with anyone who distracts from what they consider to be the Big Idea. I also understand, but disagree with, the argument that the message is weakened by protesters who confuse some Americans by not looking exactly like those Americans. I admit frustration with the anarchists whose affinity for violence not only doesn't fit into my definition of peaceful, but is also way too easy an image to hang on the non-violent protest efforts. But, at the end of the day, I would rather have to deal with all of those weaknesses inherent in protest politics than voluntarily give up my right to assemble and air grievances. And today, Women's Equality Day, is a good reminder why.
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And so I will proudly march in D.C. on September 24th to stand with Cindy Sheehan and thousands like her and to expose the growing tide of public disapproval for an illegal war of choice sold to America with lies and being paid for with the blood of American soldiers and Iraqis alike as well as with the misery of the families they leave behind. I believe, as Alice Paul did almost a hundred years ago about her parade, that this is march will be taken to indicate the importance of the peace movement by the press of the country and the thousands of spectators from all over the United States. And if the young man next to me has green hair and a t-shirt that says "Buck Fush," and if the woman behind me is carrying a sign that says "Free Mummia," and the group behind her wants to free Haitians from their current torment and a future of corporate slavery, then I'll say "Welcome, brothers and sisters. Let me shake your hand and thank you for marching today. Maybe this is the day we'll change the course of history together and in peace."

I know it's going to be big, huuuge and awesome. It'll be great to meet new people from all over at this weekend of action. I think it would be pretty cool to get a crew from the area to head on down there and represent Philly together at the march. Anyone else planning on going down?

Saving Indonesians

Listening to NPR on the way to work [for the last time, the car goes back to CT tomorrow morning] I heard a short piece on volunteers from America over in the tsunami ravaged countries of SE Asia. The piece focused mainly on voluntourists, those spending a short period of time there, helping out and having a pseudo-vacation on the cheap. And they ended the piece talking about a Christian group who went there to build houses... and spread the gospel.

This group of high schoolers from the U.S. [I can't remember their name] is over there to build a house for an Indonesian Christian man. After they're done they said they were going to talk to a group of Buddhists. A high school girl was interviewed and she said [paraphrased]:

The people of Indonesia have lived their lives believing in spirits, asking spirits to protect their people and their land and now, the spirits they prayed to have let them down. We're here to show them how Jesus Christ will look after them and that he will not let them down.

I just wanted to get on a plane over to Indonesia to find this girl and scream into her face "Are you fucking crazy?!" And with Chris Rock's permission, shake the shit out of her. What kind of ignorant bullshit is that? What is she learning in this group of hers? Does she not forget the millions upon millions of Christians who have died during the last two millenia since Christianity was founded? Buddhism has a longer history than Christianity. And as far as I can recall, Buddhists don't wage war against each other with both sides claiming that God is on their side.

Maybe groups like these should concentrate on saving themselves.

Off to Pittsburgh? Nope.

For some reason, I had this crazy idea two nights ago to take a day trip over to the other side of the state to Pittsburgh via da bus. But I was shocked to see a roundtrip price of $80. That's just rediculous. Nevermind.

Now, I think I shall explore the subways this weekend a little bit. Take the train somewhere I've never been before, get out and explore with my camera.

AK's Inevitable Return Stateside

Travelster AK will return stateside one week from today. He'll return to Staten Island, to hold court at Taco Bell for all to marvel. Incredible. He's been gone for around seven months now, travelling South America before he starts up law school out in Chicagy. Doubtful I'll make it up to NY for a chalupa, but will AK come head down to Illy before taking off for the Windy City for a round of 'steaks?

Annatopia Will Not be at Live 8 in Philly

You can read her post here on how elated she was at receiving the invite and then why she can't come. It would've been nice to meet a Liberal blogger from Texas, but it was not meant to be. We'll hold down the fort the best we can Anna!

Happy Birthday AK

My former apartmentmate turned travelstar AK turns twenty-five today joining the You're-Now-Closer-to-Thirty-Than-You'll-Ever-Be-to-Twenty-Club of which I've been a member since February 3^rd. Happy Birthday to you and make it back stateside in one piece from your seven months in South America so that I can kick your ass in Madden. Or whatever the youngins are playing these days. Maybe even go wilding. Yes, it's been a good long time since I've gone out wilding.

NY For Father's Day

I'm headed up to NY for the weekend for Father's Day [aren't I a good son!] on Friday night. I plan on leaving right after work with Lady. Hopefully, we'll get to NYC in time for the NYC Photobloggers Event at the SoHo Apple store. I've wanted to go to one for the longest time now, well, since they started three times ago.

The event starts at 7p so I should be able to make it. I can't wait to meet/see some of my favorite photobloggers who have influenced, inspired and helped me and reminded me of home these last thirteen months.

Off to Toronto?

Lady and I may be off to Toronto in the coming weeks for a weekend. Why Toronto you ask? Well, why the fuck not. Sounds cool enough to me. We've also both been on the Montreal, Quebec, Ottowa circuit too. I hear it's about a seven or eight hour drive though. Ugh.

A final road trip before we give the car up. Huzzah [if we do it that is]!

Situation in Bolivia from an American Travelster's POV

Folks out there may have heard of the situation in Bolivia, perhaps read an article or two, but my friend Austin has been travelling through South America for the past seven months and has some choice words for the situation in Bolivia.

He was there when it started and left as it was still going on. His travelblog is a very interesting read.

Another Friend Abroad

I just found out on Sunday that one of my best friends is taking off to travel the world for an entire year. First Austin left for South America for about six months in between quitting his corporate IT gig and the start of law school. Now, my buddy Glenna is off, first to Australia.

She sent me a short email saying that she'd be leaving from JFK on September 20^th, a one way ticket. I spoke to her beifly yesterday about the trip. She said she was going to travel through Australia and New Zeland and then make her way through South East Asia, Thailand for Christmas for sure. Other than that, it's pretty open ended.

I'm rediculously happy for her. She's been planning this trip for ages now. She originally planned this several years ago. She's been saving forever. I wish I had that kind of discipline. I don't think I could save that much for that long. It's not like she's been making tons of money either. I don't know how she did it, but I'm proud and happy for her.

It's gonna be weird not being able to press a couple of buttons and talk to her whenever I feel like it or take a ride down to D.C. to crash on her couch. But I look forward to all the postcards.