Now, don’t get me wrong… Venezuela’s government is far from being the most democratic and just and efficient government in the world, but I might have to be on Chavez’s side on this one.

Since when did we start decided what news is fit to print in other countries? How does one government have the power to control the news broadcasts in another country? Am I the only one missing something here?

The Venezuelan government is corrupt and suppresses the freedoms of its local journalists and media outlets so we respond by forcing our corporate monopolized media outlets on them? Fighting fire with hypocritical fire, I guess.

And let the crusades continue.

Venezuela Condemns U.S. Push to Broadcast
Source: Associated Press
by Christopher Toothaker
07/22/2005

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan leaders have condemned a U.S. decision to transmit broadcasts to this South American country to ensure its citizens receive “accurate news.”

The U.S. House approved a measure this week authorizing the government “to initiate radio and television broadcasts that will provide a consistently accurate, objective, and comprehensive source of news to Venezuela.” It must still be approved by the Senate.

President Hugo Chavez, frequent critic of Washington, has vowed to jam the signals.

National Assembly President Nicolas Maduro, a close ally of Chavez, said Thursday that any such broadcasts “would violate the sovereignty our airwaves … and we cannot permit that.”

Chavez’s Venezuelan critics said the move by U.S. lawmakers was an understandable response to what they claim are the leftist president’s efforts to export his so-called “Bolivarian Revolution.”

Florida Rep. Connie Mack, who proposed the move, says Chavez has limited press freedoms in his country.

“If Hugo Chavez is contending that freedom of the press exists, he would have no problem with this,” Mack said in a telephone interview. “It’s important that the people of Venezuela have an outlet for more freedom and democratic discussions.”

Henry Ramos, a member of the Democratic Action opposition party, said Chavez broadcasts his “ideological and hegemonic project … to other countries.”

Venezuela’s government has repeatedly rejected claims by organizations such as the Miami-based Inter American Press Association and Human Rights Watch that recent laws approved the Chavez-dominated Congress have eroded press freedoms.
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hadj williams www.knockthehustle.com // author@knockthehustle.com

Recently, there have been more and more reports of pharmacists and doctors refusing to treat certain patients or prescribe certain medications because of their religious beliefs. What’s going on here? Isn’t everyone entitled to medicine and medical treatment?

I can understand not wanting to do abortions if you truly believe that it’s murder (and quite frankly I’m not sure that I could perform an abortion myself), but then where do you draw the line? It’s not right to deny an unmarried person birth control pills or a lesbian couple artificial insemination services.

More on that issue here

- Jean Chen

I don’t remember who I saw perform at the first hip hop show I attended. What I do remember is what I saw — only a handful of black audience members in a packed venue for a black artist. I thought maybe the artists who I went to see weren’t the most “conscious” of black issues, but even the most militant black artists, such as Dead Prez, have predominantly white fanbases.

Here’s an interesting article from the Village Voice about the changing color of the fanbase of concsious black artists: The Cotton Club .

“I’m for the AFL-CIO,” is a stance I took a long time ago– despite their past.

Now that the Teamsters and SEIU have decided to disaffiliate, I’m wondering about the larger role of workers’ unions in the global economy. The situation, if left to our administrations, (small “a” intended) is bleak. Corporatist policy is neither Democrat nor Repug-lican.

Still, I’m hopeful (and aware that) the Labor Movement’s dealing with the challenges of the global economy. In the same way they brought us the weekend– one of my favorite bumper stickers!– they may bring us a new era of assurances and rights for people around the world who want to earn a decent wage for a hard day’s work.

Teamsters, SEIU– I hope your move moves a worldwide agenda for unionized labor. Please, please and double-Thank You.

Before the name “Minutemen” became synonomous with right wing, border-protecting rednecks with guns, The Minutemen were a punk rock band from San Pedro, Calif. that kicked much ass. The new documentary, “We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutmen” is a thorough and exciting look at one of the most provacative bands of the genre. Check it out. The film is being screened at select venues and theaters across the country.