Fierce Planet

What the...?

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:54:23 -0700

"America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future." That's primo batshit crazy.

At least it's brought the Michael Jackson tributes to a momentary halt.

Where is my vote?

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:41:27 -0700

Though the brutal crackdown in Iran has stopped the large demonstrations and slowed the flow of information from the country, the people have not stopped demanding their rights. They pray that we do not forget them, and ask that you download the .PDF file at Support Democracy in Iran, and spread them around.

Put one on your door, post them at local businesses, share with your friends! I know it doesn't seem like much, but it is one simple thing they have asked us to do. Don't let the people of Iran and their struggle vanish from sight.

Seat Al Franken Now!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:29:42 -0700

Finally!

For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled under Minn. 32 Stat. § 204C.40 (2008) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota.

Update: And Coleman concedes at his presser a few minutes ago. Time to move on.

Don't forget

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:13:37 -0700

Though martial law has shut down the big protests in Iran, the people still mourn for their lost friends and family.

Michael

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:40:32 -0700

I grew up in the shadow of Motown myself, and was a huge Michael Jackson fan for many years. A friend pointed me to this bit of video, which is lovely. Rest in peace.

It continues

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:58:45 -0700

In the clips I've seen of the protests today, the marchers seem much more determined, fearless, with a controlled fury in their voices. In some they toss tear gas canisters back at the police. In all of them, they refuse to slow or stop, pressing forward relentlessly.

In this clip, they first are shouting "Don't be scared. Don't be scared. We are all together.". And then, clearly, "Death to the Dictator."

Things get worse

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:48:54 -0700

Today the peaceful protests were met with crushing violence. Follow along via the New York Times and/or Andrew Sullivan. CNN's on-air coverage has been much better this weekend too. WARNING! Very graphic images of violence and death.

Waiting for tomorrow

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:01:21 -0700

There's nothing I can add to this.

3:09 pm: One of our readers requested that we translate the following blog post: "Tomorrow is a big day, maybe I’ll get killed tomorrow!" http://balatarin.com/permlink/2009/6/19/1625688

"I will participate in the demonstrations tomorrow. Maybe they will turn violent. Maybe I will be one of the people who is going to get killed. I’m listening to all my favorite music. I even want to dance to a few songs. I always wanted to have very narrow eyebrows. Yes, maybe I will go to the salon before I go tomorrow! There are a few great movie scenes that I also have to see. I should drop by the library, too. It's worth to read the poems of Forough and Shamloo again. All family pictures have to be reviewed, too. I have to call my friends as well to say goodbye. All I have are two bookshelves which I told my family who should receive them. I'm two units away from getting my bachelors degree but who cares about that. My mind is very chaotic. I wrote these random sentences for the next generation so they know we were not just emotional and under peer pressure. So they know that we did everything we could to create a better future for them. So they know that our ancestors surrendered to Arabs and Mongols but did not surrender to despotism. This note is dedicated to tomorrow's children…"

And again....

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:52:18 -0700

I can't tell you how it moves me to see this river of people marching for their rights. In the videos I see, they are marching in almost complete silence. Today they march again, a march of mourning for those who have been killed.

6-17-09

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:48:51 -0700

And again today, the reformers march peacefully in huge numbers, demanding justice.

More from Tehran

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:04:42 -0700

Another huge and peaceful march today.

Photo from AFP, of AL-ALAM TV picture (AFP is not allowed to report directly at this time), taken June 16, 2009.

Iran Today

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:23:09 -0700

A peaceful march, asking for a review of the vote.

Madyar's photo feed has been constantly updating over the past couple of days. The photos from the attacks on the University dorms are frightening.

Too much rain

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:53:18 -0700

At least the grapevine is happy.

Blooming

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:41:25 -0700

My head is still in the garden more than in politics.

In the Garden

Sat, 16 May 2009 10:37:22 -0700

I think about writing something occasionally, but it's really all I can do to keep up with my garden this year.

That's Minuet, a dwarf Chinese cabbage, growing next to Toy Choy.