Filed under: Anarchism, Mutual Aid | Tags: Activism, activists, advertisement, mutual ads
For those of you that don’t know, Mutual Ads is a service run by activists for activists. Groups can submit industry-standard banners for their website, and it will appear, cycling, on websites offering Mutual Ads web space.
Mutual Ads is a great resource, but they aren’t in as many places as they can be. Please, if you have a website, even a non-political one, please consider putting up an ad. We know we will be.
Filed under: Mutual Aid, Organizer Resources, Propaganda of the Seed | Tags: 2004 election, google, google bomb, googlewashing, patriot act, power rangers, Propaganda of the Seed, search engine, search engine bomb, search engine wash
Let’s face it, you use Google. While it is doubtful that you have issue with their decision not to share your browsing information with the government, you may have issue with a single entity dominating the Internet, and computing, so completely. But odds are when you want to know who that guy from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is doing now, you’re going to Google him. And that is why this works. Google is by far the leading search engine in the US (if not the world) so if you want people to find something, you want it on Google.
Google is rather protective of how it generates it’s search results, but we do know one thing: linking plays a part in that. It focuses on anchor words. For example, if I were to link the words “Giant Inflatable Duck” to this image of a . . . well, giant inflatable duck, it will be more likely to show up as a search result in Google.
Done individually such links aren’t likely to have a large impact, unless your search term is so obscure as to not to have many results. However when multiple people googlebomb, the effects can be significant.
The effect is compounded when people use their signatures in forums, message boards, or blogs as a tool. These fields automatically update older posts, so if you update your signature at that Power Rangers board you have been frequenting a bit too much over the last 5 years you will multiply your impact by the number of posts you have already logged.
It is up to you what you googlewash, but so long as you keep in mind that this is only a tool and not a substitute for more substantial activism, it is doubtful you can stray far. Use it to promote a rally, a group meeting, or your favorite radical blog!
Filed under: Anti-War, Breaking News, Law Enforcement, Mutual Aid | Tags: kidnapping, murder, Mutual Aid, prisoner, school of americas, solidarity, torture, watch
The School of the Americas is an Army run training camp for death squads, goons, and the personal armies the US government uses to topple “unfavorable” governments in Latin and South America. The SOA has been implicated in training many groups of questionable background in torture, kidnapping, and intimidation. All hallmarks of the sort of brutal dictatorships you see in Latin America.
SOA Watch is a grassroots organization seeking an end of the School of Americas. While not an expressly anarchist organization, they are seeking to stop the state supported torture of innocent individuals for corporate profits. Isn’t that something we can all agree on?
SOA Watch has a long tradition of November protests at the SOA campus in Ft. Benning, GA, in commemeration of the Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas massacre. The most recent vigil drew over 20,000 protestors. Among that number were six individuals who entered the base to deliver a letter of intent to Ft. Benning’s kommandant. Upon setting foot on the base they were arrested and since have been sentenced. Below is their contact information, and full biographies of each can be found HERE.
Father Luis Barrios #93613-020
MCC New York
Metropolitan Correctional Center
150 Park Row
New York, NY 10007
Release date: May 9, 2009
Theresa M. Cusimano #93611-020
FMC Carswell
Federal Medical Center
2 South
P.O. Box 27137
Fort Worth, TX 76127
Release date: May 11, 2009
Kristin Holm #93610-020
FCI Pekin
Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 5000
Pekin, IL 61555
Release date: May 9, 2009
Diane T. Pinchot #93612-020
FPC Alderson
Federal Prison Camp
Glen Ray Road, Box A
Alderson, WV 24910
Release date: May 11, 2009
Albert L. Simmons #93614-020
FCI Butner Low
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 999
Butner, NC 27509
Release date: May 9, 2009
Lou Wolf (House Arrest)
4107 Ellicott St. NW
Washington, DC 20016
Lou’s house arrest ends on July 28, 2009
Noted whistleblower website WikiLeaks is currently experiencing technical difficulties dues to increased public interest in their services.
Please, if you have the scratch, consider making a donation.
Filed under: Anarchism, Downloads, How-To, Mutual Aid, Open Source Software, Propaganda of the Seed | Tags: amarok, anarchy, BLAG, bsd, computers, firefox, foss, linux, LinuxMint, open source, pidgin, software, songbird, thunderbird, ubuntu
Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) is a prime example of anarchism in action. Operating systems like Linux and FreeBSD allow computer users complete freedom in their use of their hardware. In short: If your hardware can do it, FOSS operating systems will allow you to do it. While this may not seem to be an issue, ask a serious computer user. They will tell you that Microsoft and Macintosh both charge exorbitant fees in order for users to modify their source code.
So what, you may be saying. You are not interested in modifying source code, and in all sincerity why would you. Your computer works, so who cares? Well the reason why you should care, as an anarchist, is because FOSS is, for the most part, entirely community supported. That means that if you need something fixed, a new feature added, or something removed, you either need to do it yourself or seek the assistance of other community members. Most FOSS programs/operating systems rely entirely on mutual aid in order to function.
There are countless reasons to use FOSS. Some choose to use it because unlike commercial software, it is legally available free of charge. Still others enjoy the enhanced customization possibilities, and some do it simply because they prefer the user interface of FOSS to that of commercial alternatives. But whatever the reason for using FOSS, every person who does so enhances the community and takes the world one step closer to a world without plutocrats like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.
If you are still unsure about whether FOSS is right for you, search the web to your hearts content. Odds are that you will find the answer to every question you think to ask, and if you don’t, well feel free to contact us! One of us (I won’t tell you which) uses only FOSS, and would be more than glad to help you on the road to digital freedom!
If you are convinced, but don’t know where to start, here are some helpful projects for you to consider. All of them are windows compatible, and can be installed on any computer without experiencing any kind of program interference with the programs they are designed to replace (meaning if you don’t like it you can always go back):
The Mozilla Project
Odds are you already know these guys. Firefox is quickly taking down Internet Explorer, and for good reason. Not only is it mostly FOSS, Firefox renders websites better, is safer, and completely free. Thunderbird is their anti-Microsoft Outlook. Most features remain the same, along with many new features enhancing the usefulness of this program. Songbird offers those who wish to escape the tyranny of iTunes DRM a familiar interface and similar features.
Pidgin
Offering support for nearly every known instant message protocol, Pidgin is superior to most commercial IM clients for one main reason: no ads. Programs like AIM put ads on your computer, often slowing down other programs or using valuable bandwidth. By using Pidgin you not only make it more difficult for unwanted third parties to follow you, but you are also ridding your computer of those pesky ads. But the best part, by far, is being able to chat with friends using AOL, GMail, Skype, MSN, and IRC all through the same program.
Amarok
Once only available on Linux, this iTunes killer is now available on Windows. While features like Last.fm compatibility and smart play list have made their way to iTunes and other commercial media players, Amarok has had these features for some time, along with a number of other useful features which apparently have yet to make the jump. MP3 support is nearly universal, with the obvious exception of iPod Touch and the iPhone (all other iPods are supported). All known non-iPod mp3 players are supported. Amarok also supports most known file types, meaning you can finally listen to those .flac files of John Coltrane you have been saving for a rainy day.
Operating Systems
While the above programs offer a lot of freedom to those who choose to use them, some people may not be satiated and want more freedom. So, for those who are looking for it, here are some Linux distributions for you to try. They are listed in order of ease of use:
- LinuxMint: LinuxMint is an offshoot of the Ubuntu distribution. Designed with ease of use in mind, this operating system is designed to be installed and run by someone who knows absolutely nothing about computers.
- Ubuntu: Considered by some the king of Linux, Ubuntu has the most active support community, excellent hardware compatibility, and is well within the reach of anyone with even a very basic knowledge of computers.
- BLAG: A distribution created by the Brixton Linux Action Group (get it?). It is 100% free of commercial software, licenses, and drivers. It is created by anarchist for anarchists, but is also notoriously difficult to work with. For experienced hackers only.
It is worth noting that all of these operating systems can be installed on your computer without removing the existing OS. That means that if you want to try your hand at Linux, but don’t want to run the risk of losing computer availability, you can install Linux while still keeping your “old” Windows or OS X computer.
Share and enjoy!
Filed under: Mutual Aid, Propaganda of the Seed | Tags: alternative, alternative media, Anarchism, anarchist, anarchy, donate, infoshop, little black cart, media, Mutual Aid, News, project, Propaganda of the Seed, Support
Our first seed is likely going to be our biggest seed. As anyone who frequents any of the Alternative Media Project sites (InfoShop.org and its subsidiaries, OpenWiki, Anarchist FAQ, and countless others) already knows that Chuck is going through a rough time with the site. AMP computer needs to be replaced, servers need to be updated, and bills need to be paid. If you find yourself in a time of plenty, please consider donating to the AMP fund. If you can get to InfoShop or InfoShop News there is information showing what you can do to donate any amount, but as of 1:00 PM the website is experiencing some difficluties, so there is no gaurentee that will work. Instead please consider donating through the Little Black Cart online bookstore. Donations can be made HERE in incraments of $20. I know $20 is a lot of scratch, but if you can consider how important InfoShop is to the movement, and how many InfoShop users don’t have the money to spare to support the good work, you quickly realize that $20 is a small price to pay for all the good AMP does.
I know this is a big seed, but please realize that the size of a seed is insignificant next to the effect it has on the world. InfoShop and the AMP are some of the most active and visited anarchist communities on line, and the importance of that cannot be put into words.
If Little Black Cart isn’t quite the way you were looking for to help, then you can send checks (made out to AMP) or well concealed cash to the following address:
AMP
PO Box 7171
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207, USA
or donate online HERE.
Share and enjoy!
Filed under: Mutual Aid | Tags: 2008 election, john mccain, national day of solitdarity with the rnc 8 dnc, repulican national convention, sarah palan, st.paul minnesota
The street battles that took place in St. Paul, Minnesota over the course of the Republican National Convention are now a memory–battles hard won by those brave protesters who defied the thousands of police and National Guard in place throughout the Twin Cities to guard what is most precious to those in power: law and order.
The authorities had hoped to preemptively contain the RNC protests by unleashing a tsunami of repression against local organizers who were involved in logistical support work. Eight people, after early morning house raids and preemptive arrests mere days before the action would begin, have now been charged as terrorists under a state-version of the Patriot Act and are facing 12 and a half years in prison and fines of $25,000 per person.
Just as the authorities failed to quiet the protests that engulfed downtown St. Paul, we must act to once again disrupt their well-laid plans! Through ingenuity and solidarity we can accomplish the most amazing feats, as those on the streets of St. Paul can attest. The prosecution of the RNC8 is a naked attempt to criminalize above-ground legal organizing — and we will not let friends and fellow travelers go to jail without a fight!
DEFEND THE RNC8!
This case is pivotal! If the RNC8 are found guilty, this will serve as a precedent for prosecuting those who organize in their communities to resist the systems of greed and exploitation that threaten us all.
Therefore, money is crucial. Lawyers, investigators and expert witnesses cost money. The estimated cost of the trial is $250,000. Though none of us have that kind of money just lying around, the price becomes more manageable if we all kick in.
Please organize an event in your area! Email info@rnc8.org to let us know you are, and we can help by sending literature, a sample press release and more.
Some ideas for events are:
Film screenings (to download Terrorizing Dissent go to www.terrorizingdissent.org)
Workshops/Teach-ins
Support rallies
Speakers (to see if a member of the RNC 8 or a support committee member can come to your town contact info@rnc8.org)
Fundraisers (potlucks, garage sales, 5-k runs, bike rides,
booksales, etc)
Shows or music festivals
Theater
This call comes from a national support network for the RNC8. From New York to Santa Cruz, Grand Forks to Houston, and all places in between, solidarity is everywhere. Join us!
For more info:
www.rnc8.org
Find an existing contact in your area:
www.rnc8.org
Sign the petition:
www.thepetitionsite.com
Get announcements:
www.rnc8.org/
Download cool stuff:
www.rnc8.org
Donate: http://rnc8.org/donations/
The legal expenses are estimated at $250,000 for the RNC 8. Contributions of all sizes are appreciated.
If you would like to support the RNC 8 with a donation:
Communities United Against Police Brutality is collecting donations for the RNC 8 Legal Defense Fund. Donations will help cover the legal fees and other expenses related to the trial. You can donate via PayPal:
With a minimum $50 donation (minimum $40 in Minneapolis or St. Paul), you can also take advantage of our Solidarity Satchels offer while supplies last! Click here for details. [As of February, we're out of the satchels and are trying to get more. If you'd like one, feel free to indicate so with your donation, but understand that you might not get it if we can't get some more ourselves! Thanks.]
If you’d like to donate in the form of a check, make the check out to “CUAPB” and put “RNC 8” in the memo. Send the check to:
RNC 8 Legal Defense Fund, c/o CUAPB
3100 16th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
If you plan to donate more than $100 and would like your donation to be tax deductible, make your check payable instead to “National Lawyers Guild Foundation” (not CUAPB) and note “RNC 8” in the memo area. Mail your check to the same address:
RNC 8 Legal Defense Fund, c/o CUAPB
3100 16th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Thank you for your support!
