Some underreported stuff

Progressive Islam

This article on the Huffpost, was quite fascinating. There's a monolithic understanding of Islam that doesn't quite do justice to dynamism of a religion that is practiced by over 1 billion. I'm grateful to the author for highlighting such an element in Islam in the US, though I feel that I'm rather put off by its link(the link to it said something like "dangerous new branch of extremist Islam, I understand that people have to click on it...). I've also watched a documentary a few years ago A Jihad for Love that covers the issue of homosexuality in Islam that was pretty intriguing. Further, there is another documentary that deals with transexuals in Iran which is incredible, for people that have yet to see it. It is incredible for the fact that it shows a side of Iran that many in the US haven't seen. One of my Iranian friends told me that a majority of Iranians have seen or know about this film. It is a definite must see. 

Death Penalty in Japan

Being a Japanese citizen, I was often puzzled by why Japan never gets mentioned as one of the "industrialized countries," that practices the death penalty. Many, when debating the Troy Davis case, omitted Japan from the countries that conducts this rather inhumane practice. The number of executions conducted in Japan pale in comparison  to even those conducted in the US, the methods employed are rather barbaric, archaic, and inhumane. Executions are carried out by hanging (Japanese criminal code 11.1, more here) and is usually dependent on the nature of the crime committed named the Nagayama Standard, which has 9 criteria ranging from prior convictions to social impacts of the of the crime (more here Japanese, English, another article in English)

The suprapartisan group Diet members for the abolition of the death penalty gathered on the 29th condemning the executions (article in Japanese), and the SDP party leader (in the majority coalition) spoke against the DPJ's continuation of the executions.  

American Hero

A tragic story, though one that shows the bravery and selflessness of a US soldier in Afghanistan. We pray for the family of the soldier and pray for the swift end to the war so that lives will no longer be lost, nor would it be in danger of being lost. Video here

Saudi Drifters and India's Food Collective

I just read this article on Al Akhbar English and saw this video.
I guess drifting is the in thing in Saudi Arabia for guys to do but they take it to another level.

Check this video out...

INSANE.

Tafheet is the Arabic name, and it's different from the image of drifters that I had. They don't have the subarus and the lancers smashing out on some race track, but they got stuff like mom's Camry and auntie's Accord zipping through 2 lane roads.

It reminds me of like when Jeff and I used to take the mirage by the shop, but these guys are on another level. They'll weave in and out of traffic. What's even crazier is the bunch of dude hanging out on the side cheering this on. The other video that they had on Al Akhbar shows a guy filming from inside a car while he's chasing these dudes doing 720 in the middle of a busy street... NUTS.

On another note, I saw another video on a community food collective.

The project was initiated by a local Muslim leader and it's genius.
I love that they were able to empower women, get the families back eating together and strengthening the community.
By the way, the food looks delicious!

AJE's coverage of the Kony Fiasco

I guess AJE made a whole page dedicated to the issue.

This article by Professor Branch was particularly insightful for me.

Once I'm done with my finals , I'm looking forward to what Dr. Mamdani is going to say about it. 

If you haven't checked out Dr Mamdani's insightful, and one of the most eye opening books that I read in undergrad check it out here.  The book is titled Good Muslim, Bad Muslim, it'll give a great insight into Cold War politics and the Mujahideens to the War on Terror. 

Hopefully, this'll be one of my last post on KONY2012, as there's other things that are out there I feel that I can speak on a with a little bit more knowledge.

An insight from the Jewish Scriptures

סור מרע ועשה תוב בקש שלומ ורדפהו

sur meira v'eseih tov, bakesh shalom vrodfehu  

(depart from evil, a do good; seek peace and pursue it)
(Tehillim34:15)
 In search for peace, though we should not to turn a blind eye to the injustices done here 
and abroad and never turn to violence for an answer.

Helvetica Warriors talking about Child Soldiers

If a world where no child is recruited to become a soldier, then  such a world must be realized in the land that you call your home.
In the gated neighborhoods and the clean suburban streets, there must not be middle school kids that are recruited as street soldiers.

If  a world where children do not have to see the horrors of war, then such a world must be realized in the land that you call your home.
In the cities with Wholefoods and Trader Joe's, streets lined with liquor store-gun store-pay day lenders-fast food chains-foreclosed homes must be a world away, a world away from the horrors of a war failed.

If a world where no children are orphaned by the causalities caused by wars, then such a world must be realized in the land that you call your home.
In the prep-schools and mega-churches, there must not be babies without their fathers away in battle in a distant mountainous land.


Or are they all just invisible children, hidden away from the conscience of insulated minds?


Helvetica, Attention.

Helvetica Bold, Important.

Helvetica 16pt Bold, Urgent, Take Action.

10 dollars, taking a step...
30 dollars, towards... change?

It's just change... change that will stop clinging and clanging; pesky sounds no longer ringing in my ear to wake me up to the reality that change is needed around me, on me, within me.
 




________________________________
Reminded me of this book
Glynn Cochrane: Festival of Elephants  not quite the same issue but similar case of how an issue can neatly get packaged to be consumed.

Nice

Nice. Very nice. 

Big up to volunteers that spend their time working at hospices, they are as much, if not more of a hero than the people that donate money to the organizations.

New Documentary.

Unlike last year, I wasn't able to watch many movies this year. Needless to say, I didn't catch any films, opening week.

I just got around to checking out the list from this year Oscar nominated documentaries. Last year I had the fortune of catching 2 out of the 5 nominated films opening week (which was quite a hard task as 2 of the films played in LA for 3 days), and got around to watching all of them before the awards. I personally liked Gasland and Waste Land the best, but the most refined film out of the nominees, Inside Job took the award. This year's nominees seem to be quite eclectic, having one ultra artsy film (Pina), which I don't think I'll be watching.

Anyway, needless to say, I got my hands on two of the films: Hell and Back Again and If a Tree Falls.
Hell and Back Again, seems intense and covers the topic of the Afghan War vets, which I'm quite happy about, as it seems that the plight of these soldiers' and their families' lives are not covered enough. It seems to be very well made from the trailer and I'm very excited to watch it.

Today, I was able to watch the latter of the ones I got, If a Tree Falls, a doc, about the Earth Liberation Front, an environmental activist group. The trailer was well made, so I was expecting the movie to be well made also, though it was very choppy and didn't get into the depth of the characters. Further, there were scenes that seemed straight up corny with the use of primitive black and white effect for the reenactment of the crime scenes. The topic itself was quite interesting and it brought up a great point of discussion on the use of violence in social change. Unfortunately, the movie didn't catch much of that aspect and concentrated more on the storyline of the man being accused of "eco-terrorism" going through his trial and eventually being sentenced. There were plenty of gems and angles that I thought could have been worked on but it just ended up being like an extended nightly news piece, not too much character and very flat reporting (maybe it's just me...) Hopefully the other films in the list would be better...
Let me know if there are other documentaries that are, or seems interesting... Next one I want to watch is The Invisible War.

Reset, Acting, Physical Fitness, 1/2 off Sushi and yes, "Baby Cakes"

The title, that just sums up my day.

Today was a very weird day where I woke up at 6:30am, though I went to sleep at 3:30am.
Went through the whole stack of e-mails and started working on a Japanese project that I had on hand. It's really hard to get Japanese proxies to work correctly!
After struggling with that for a few hours, headed to Hollywood for a reading for a new network show.

My first time reading or acting thing ever, which turned out to be quite fun. Hopefully I'll get something out of it, but if not it was really fun.

Rushed my way back through LA traffic and met up with my homeboy for a training session.
It is really encouraging to see my buddy Josh stronger than the week before.
I'm really moved by his work ethic.

After the run + exercise thing, I met up with Michaela at the laundromat to get our 3 weeks worth of clothes cleaned. I spotted a Sushi spot around the corner from the laundromat and we decided to grab some food while we were washing and drying. 1/2 off sushi was pretty cool, except the fact that the items were overly inflated in price and made it seem reasonable with the half off thing.

Anyway, the spot was okay with its creative sushi (well, it wasn't really that great), nothing can compare to the likes of Fujiyama or Japon Bistro, and I wasn't expecting it to... ahaha.

We both head back to the laundromat to fold and clean our clothes, then we hear this dude pick up his phone "Hey, BABY CAKES."

I thought the dude was joking so I looked at the man, straight into his eyes... nope my man was serious, it was like this phrase squeezed out every ounce of his affection for his partner...


Weird day... should have never woken up that early.
Reset, Recharge, so I can wake up Renewed... hopefully.

How's this for a meaningless photo? Do you like the placemats? It's from World Market.