this blog is a visual notebook of inspirations for a group of bandit bloggers. we post things we see and like. our lives don’t revolve around singular topics and neither does our blog. sorry! nothing is in-or-out of context here. enjoy xx
its a crooked world, greed is endless and no one is apparently spared. john deere is costing american farmers $4.2 billion a year by restricting them from fixing their own tractors. apple, amazon and major automakers like bmw, mercedes, ford, use the same strategies on everything you own. it’s bad for consumers and local mechanics, but excellent for corporate profits. by bb
winter, by wendy red star on display at ottawa’s national gallery of canada
no that’s not an ad for H&M winter collection, so what’s wrong with this picture? take another look and you may begin to understand what’s actually right about it…
that is a photograph by artists wendy red star who was born in billings montana in 1981 and is an enrolled member of the apsáalooke (crow) tribe. i think red start is in a way poking fun at the romantic notions and the stereo-types, we all have of the first nation people. when in reality they are here today strong as ever, many of them are living a life no different than ours as doctors, lawyers, business owners etc. and yet they are fully connected to their roots. this is not to diminish the reality and the crimes committed against them, but perhaps as a young woman born in 1981 you may get tired of all that generalization.
her work, and its kitsch references reminded me of the work of art photographer duo, pierre et gilles, and their silly portrayals of “gayness”. while i personally dress in a sailor suit all day, not all gay men look this way… so there… that is the art.
“…red star places herself at the center of her photographic tableau, dressed in the brightly hued traditional tribal attire, which she sewed herself. featuring elk teeth and beads characteristic of crow dress, her clothing is historically authentic.
artist wendy red star is debunking myths and upending clichés about first nation and native people using “humour as a bridge” and to insure not to offend the very people whose ancestors did “the deeds”
“…by making herself the main subject in each of her photographic seasons, red crow is asserting the continuing survival and presence of all indigenous people, says cross. “by wearing her tribal regalia, she is saying, ‘we’re here, we’re not going anywhere. and what she wears is not a costume, not a stereotype, it is part of a history that connects to her ancestors and her culture and will continue to do so into the future.”
“… the exhibition juxtaposes works by first nation artists with those of canadian settlers, british and european artists from the 19th to 21st centuries as a way to both celebrate and contemplate the experience of the season from multiple cultural perspectives.
in keeping with that theme, the differing ways in which each group perceives and misperceives – as well as sees and doesn’t really see – the others is what red star is asking us to reflect on in this work.
natural history museum new york
“…red star’s work talks back to the dioramas seen in natural history museums that often depict cultural habitats – including those of indigenous peoples – and treat these communities as if they were specimens for historical or anthropological study.
photographer edward s curtis (1868-1952)
“…they also critique the work of the us photographer edward s curtis, best known for his documentary portrayals of american indians – including members of red star’s crow nation – in the 1900s. still, red star regards curtis and his relationship to native people as complex. “his ability to photograph the different communities came through his interpreters, who were themselves tribal members… from my community he had alexander upshaw… so, when i look at curtis’s photos now,” she says, she thinks about upshaw.
that is fair but i must say i am glad that curtis managed to capture her incredible ancestors so we could stand in awe of them today. i simply wish there were more photographs documentary films and movies about their history and life. by xy
rent the oscar nominated national geographics documentary by julian brave noisecat here
canon USA presents behind the scenes sugarcane movie documentary
film review
a stunning tribute to the resilience of native people and their way of life, SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from julian brave noisecat and emily kassie, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning. in 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the catholic church in canada.
after years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy indigenous communities. set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere. by ts
well they are not all media channels, but we think these people are some of the most insightful parties on the youtube regarding world events. you might enjoy checking them out…
1. LINK: Glenn Greenwald – journalist, constitutional and civil rights lawyer
Greenwald is an American journalist and was born in Queens in New York City. Greenwald is Jewish, but has said his “moral precepts aren’t informed in any way by religious doctrine”. Greenwald founded a law firm concentrating on First Amendment litigation. Greenwald is the journalist who helped break the story of Edward Snowden’s leaks about U.S. government surveillance in 2013, The NSA fiasco… a collaboration that led to a Pulitzer Prize for public service as well as harassment and aggressive scrutiny from the US government and its allies over his reporting on documents leaked.
Max Blumenthal is an American journalist, author, blogger, and filmmaker. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He is Jewish. His father is a journalist and writer who served as an aide to President Bill Clinton. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
To escape Nazism, Richard David Wolff’s parents, both Jewish German citizens, emigrated to the United States during World War II. Wolff is an American Marxian economist known for his work on economic methodology and class analysis. He is a professor emeritus of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a visiting professor in the graduate program in international affairs at The New School. Wolff has also taught economics at Yale University, City College of New York, University of Utah, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, and The Brecht Forum in New York City.
4. LINK: Ben Norton – Geo political economy podcast
Benjamin Norton is a US-born journalist currently living in China. His known affiliations are political rather than religious. His religion if any, is unknown. He spent 5 years at The Grayzone but left in January 2022 to become independent. Norton is known to be an opponent to CIA-funded “compatible left”. He is also an anti-imperialist, having opposed US’s expansionist policies.
Roy Casagranda holds a PhD and specializes in the Middle East, U.S. foreign policy, and Western Civilization. He is often asked about his religion, but he does not publicly identify with one. He is a professor of government at Austin Community College, an author of historical fiction, a public speaker.
6. LINK: Judge Napolitano – podcast (?) while intelligent he did for a while play the game and contribute to fox news of all things…
Andrew Peter Napolitano is a Catholic American retired judge (New Jersey Superior Court )and syndicated columnist whose work appears in numerous publications, including The Washington Times and Reason. Napolitano served as a New Jersey Superior Court judge from 1987 to 1995. He is a libertarian and has gained prominence in part due to his criticism of the administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
Christopher Lynn Hedges is an Christian (Presbyterian) American journalist, author, commentator and Presbyterian minister. In his early career, Hedges worked as a freelance war correspondent in Central America for The Christian Science Monitor, NPR, and The Dallas Morning News. Hedges reported for The New York Times from 1990 to 2005, and served as the Times Middle East Bureau Chief and Balkan Bureau Chief during the wars in the former Yugoslavia. In 2001, Hedges contributed to The New York Times staff entry that received the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for the paper’s coverage of global terrorism.
8. LINK: Jeffrey Sachs – Professor economics Columbia University
Jeffrey David Sachs was born into a Jewish family. He is an American economist and public policy analyst who is a professor at Columbia University, where he was formerly director of The Earth Institute. He worked on sustainable development and economic development. From 2001 to 2018, Sachs was special advisor to the UN Secretary-General.
Born in Haifa, Israel, Ilan Pappé was a senior lecturer at the University of Haifa (1984–2007). He is an Israeli historian and political scientist, known for his work on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and as a leading figure among Israel’s New Historians. He is a professor at the University of Exeter’s College of Social Sciences and International Studies.
10. LINK: Gideon Levy – Israeli journalist , Haaretz paper
Gideom Levy is an Israeli journalist and author. Levy writes opinion pieces and a weekly column for the newspaper Haaretz that often focus on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. Levy has won prizes for his articles on human rights in the Israeli-occupied territories. In 2021, he won Israel’s top award for journalism, the Sokolov Award.
Mehdi Raza Hasan is a British and American broadcaster, writer, journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Oxford in England. Hasan was born to Shia Muslim parents from Hyderabad, in India, his mother a doctor and his father an engineer. Following a stint on the BBC’s The Politics Show, Hasan became deputy executive producer on Sky’s breakfast show Sunrise before moving to Channel 4 as their editor of news and current affairs. He was formerly the political editor of the UK edition of The Huffington Post and the presenter of the Al Jazeera English shows The Café. He now runs Zeteo.
Amy Goodman was born in Bay Shore, New York on Long Island[6] to secular Jewish parents who were active in social action groups. Amy is an American broadcast journalist, syndicated columnist, investigative reporter, and author. She has received awards for her work, including the Thomas Merton Award. Goodman received the Gandhi Peace Award for a “significant contribution to the promotion of an enduring international peace”. she was awarded the I.F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence by Harvard University’s Nieman Foundation. She is the author of six books.
ok in the end, it’s the top 12 not the top 10. and there are many many more of course. why is it that top 10 sound better than top 12?
talk to god about that. 12 apostles, 12 months, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 o clock, a dozen, 12″ to a foot – while not all may be works of god, there is something to that 12… enjoy. by ae
widely used in medical devices and body implants due to its unique properties
dupont current hazmat (hazardous material) suits
dupont teflon was used in the apollo mission space suit
also in your more familiar, everyday pots and pans
dupont teflon was pivitol in the manhattan project
it wasn’t for nothing… and it ended up in many useful places, but at what cost? and did we really need non stick pans? and should there have been more regulations at the factory? the water pollution? and limitation in its use of such materials across the globe? yes yes and yes. that is some crazy shit… “the biggest chemical cover up in history. PFAS has polluted the entire global water system. now, potentially dangerous forever chemicals are being found in the entire US population blood samples.”
here is an interesting history of dupont’s teflon and the forever chemicals each one of us carries today in our blood, thanks to this great invention. from polar bears in the arctic, to the fish in our oceans that we eat, to the water we drink, PFAS are everywhere… and you must note that according to the U.S. environmental protection agency (EPA),there is NO safe level of exposure to PFAS. of course thanks to donlad trump the EPA just delayed, and may possibly remove, their requirements and limits to measure PFAS or forever chemicals in our water supply. by km
documentary on louise the XVI and his wife marie antoinette
the really bad sex life (and reign) of marie antoinette & louis XVI
she was no angel but like her husband louis the XVI she wanted more equality, and for the rich to pay their fair share of taxes – that never happened.
when they told the french king “the people have no bread to eat”, marie antoinette famously said “let them eat cake” …which is untrue ….and this she never did say. but like today, the press of the time and the rich oligarchs who ran them, made every half-decent person the enemy of the people…
the king and her young wife met their end, with the unfortunate guillotine, after being hated by the elite and the oligarchs and then the people who blamed them for their inadequacies…
“when louis XVI and marie antoinette took the helm of france’s monarchy, versailles had been the home to the most powerful family in europe for over a century. a place of artistic brilliance, lavish entertainment, passionate love affairs, and outrageous scandals. but while a lucky few danced, feasted, and flirted their days away, the state was on the brink of collapse. now Louis XVI and his wife marie antoinette would face the biggest challenge in the history of their illustrious family.” good documentary worth a watch, with many parallels to what is going on today…by pp
buy the NYTimes best seller book available on amazon here
displaced palestinians make their way as they flee jabalia after the israeli military called on residents to evacuate.
PBS interview with new york time best seller author and journalist peter beinart
there is much uncertainty about the second phase of the ceasefire in gaza. after nearly 16 months of war, the humanitarian situation there remains dire. author and journalist peter beinart believes equality between the israelis and palestinians is the only way to secure peace and safety for good. it’s something he addresses in his new book “being jewish after the destruction of gaza.” the author joins the show to discuss. by xy
watch the oscar shortlisted film “from ground zero” extended schedule through january 23rd at the quad theater in west village NYC. check showtimes here.
22 short films, by 22 young and seasoned directors, filmed in war-torn gaza as recently as oct 2024. please see showtime for MN, CA, WI, VA, TN, FL and many more U.S. states…
“it’s an honor to stand in solidarity” – michael moore director of roger and me, bowling for columnine, fahrenheit 9/11, and sicko.
from executive producer michael moore and palestine’s official submission for the 2025 academy awards, “from ground zero”, is a collection of revealing stories from 22 palestinian filmmakers living through war, who capture their lives in gaza amidst war. using a blend of animation, documentary, and fiction, they create a powerful testament to the steadfastness of the human spirit. this film serves as a remarkable reflection of how art can thrive even in the darkest times, showcasing the enduring spirit and creativity that emerge amid ongoing devastation. please check for showtimes here. by dd
just learned about fred, thanks to amy goodman… heres what i found:
“as a youth, fred hampton was gifted both in the classroom and athletically, and hoped to play center field for the yankees…
at 10 years old, he started hosting weekend breakfasts for other children from the neighborhood, cooking the meals himself in what could be described as a precursor to the panthers’ free breakfast program.
vox: “why the US government murdered fred hampton”
in 1968, hampton was accused of assaulting an ice cream truck driver, stealing $71 worth of ice cream bars, and giving them to kids in the street. he was convicted in may 1969 and served time in prison.
democracy now: “the assassination of fred hampton: new documents reveal involvement of FBI director j. edgar hoover”
we know this is how russia is run, and uganda under amin, and iran, but does this shit happen in france? or in canada? or in norway?
“hampton rose quickly in the BPP based on his organizing skills, and charisma… in 1969, hampton, now deputy chairman of the black panthers party illinois chapter, conducted a meeting condemning sexism. the fbi believed that hampton’s leadership and talent for communication made him a major threat… FBI director j edgar hoover was determined to prevent the formation of a cohesive black movement in the united states. the FBI opened a file on hampton in 1967…
in late 1968, the FBI’s chicago field office recruited william o’neal to work with it; he had recently been arrested twice for interstate car theft and impersonating a federal officer. in exchange for having his felony charges dropped and receiving a monthly stipend, o’neal agreed to infiltrate the BPP as a counterintelligence operative. with oneals help fred hampton was shot in bed, in the head, while drugged and incapacitated from the night before by the imposter, william o’neal, the FBI informant.” i mean wholly shit. they drugged him, and then they shot him in the head, i mean what cowards, what bastards…. assuming all this is true. by xy
a visual collective outlet of inspiration
