October 4, 2007 The free-content news source that you can write! Page 1

Top Stories Wikipedia Current Events Wikipedia Current Events owned by Harmony Gold Mining. Severe Tropical Storm Lekima (Hanna). •The United States and Russia sign a pact to use Russian •The President of South Korea Roh technology on NASA missions to Moo-hyun and the leader of North hunt for water on the moon and Korea Kim Jong-Il commence Mars. talks in Pyongyang. •United States President George •Kim Jong-Il proposes to extend W. Bush vetoes an expansion of the talks by one day, but Roh the State Children's Health Moo-hyun refuses. Insurance Program. Thousands of Monks in Burma •At the six-party talks in Beijing, to be imprisoned •Edward Pietrzyk, the Polish North Korea agrees to fully shut Thousands more reported dead. ambassador to Iraq, is hurt and down its nuclear program by the his bodyguard is killed by a bomb end of the year. Patron of Republican Sinn attack in Baghdad. Féin Dan Keating dies at age •Former Pakistani Prime Minister U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter 105 Benazir Bhutto says that the introduces bill to cut federal Dan Keating, life- corruption charges against her funding for Columbia long Irish republican have not been dropped, and that University and patron of Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad's On September 26, United States Republican Sinn Féin announcement is part of a Representative Duncan Hunter (R- has died today after disinformation campaign. Calif.) introduced a bill to prohibit a short illness. he federal grants to Columbia was 105 years old. •Lal Masjid mosque opens for University in response to public three months after being Columbia's decision to allow Iran's seized by the Pakistani army. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Featured story •2007 Burmese anti-government to speak on campus. Titled the Bat for Lashes plays the protests: "Restore Patriotism to University Bowery Ballroom: an Campuses Act", the bill states that Interview with Natasha Khan •The State Peace and "[t]hrough their invitation, Musician Natasha Development Council releases 80 Columbia University provided a Khan spoke Buddhist monks and 149 public, prestigious platform on recently with Buddhist nuns. United States soil from which on Wikinews about •United Nations envoy Ibrahim September 24, 2007, President art, transvestism Gambari leaves the country, while Ahmadinejad spoke and defended and drug use in arrests and intimidation of his wide-ranging support for the music business. demonstrators continue. terrorist activities."

Wikipedia Current Events •Soe Win, the Prime Minister of Hunter, who is seeking the Myanmar, dies of leukemia. More than 3,000 gold miners are Republican Presidential trapped underground in a mine at •2007 Pacific typhoon season: nomination, argued in favor of the Elandsrand, northwest of Vietnam evacuates 400,000 bill last week. "If the left-wing Johannesburg, South Africa, people from the provinces of leaders of academia will not Nghe An and Ha Tinh ahead of support our troops, they, in the

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit en .wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 2 very least, should not support our Soares. The snap was caused by a gold on the planet. adversaries," he said. "By hosting "fatigued" water pipe which fell President Ahmadinejad, Columbia down the shaft damaging the Ontario Votes 2007: Interview University openly insulted the "steelwork and electrical feeder with Libertarian candidate Alan thousands of servicemen and cords," added Soares. Mercer, Scarborough—Rouge women serving in Iraq, most of River whom are direct targets of the "They are all safe," said CEO of Alan Mercer is running for the munitions that he is sending Harmony mining, Graham Briggs Ontario Libertarian Party in the across the Iraq-Iran border." who also said that the miners have Ontario provincial election, in the been contacted and have been Scarborough—Rouge River riding. Prior to Ahmedinejad's speech, given "food and water." Wikinews' Nick Moreau interviewed U.S. President George W. Bush him regarding his values, his expressed a different view, saying However; according to Lesiba experience, and his campaign. that Columbia's invitation "really Seshoka, a spokesman with the speaks to the freedoms of the National Union of Mineworkers, the Stay tuned for further interviews; country." "I'm not so sure I'd offer miners have not been heard from every candidate from every party the same invitation, but for hours. is eligible, and will be contacted. nevertheless, it speaks volumes Expect interviews from Liberals, about the greatness, really, of "This is a terrible situation. The Progressive Conservatives, New America. We're confident enough only exit is blocked, probably by a Democratic Party members, to let a person express his views," fall of ground," said Seshoka. Ontario Greens, as well as he said. members from the Family Rescue workers will use a mine Coalition, Freedom, Communist, 3,200 trapped in South African shaft that is next to the damaged Libertarian, and Confederation of mine one in an attempt to reach the Regions parties, as well as As many as 3,200 mine workers trapped miners. The company says independents. are trapped in Elandsrand mine, a that a few hundred can be lifted to gold mine in South Africa about 50 safety at a time and that most Why have you chosen to involve miles west of Johannesburg in should be rescued within the next yourself in the political process? Gauteng province, after an 24 hours. There is no emergency Why did you choose to run in this incident at 8:00 GMT. The mine is exit in the shaft which is reported constituency? owned by Harmony Gold Mining to have "not been maintained for I live in Scarborough—Rouge River. Corporation. ages," added Seshoka. I'm involved in the political process because of my desire to promote The mining company says that a "An escape route is the most the message of individual liberty lift electrical cable broke on a important thing and they have during provincial and federal basket that was carrying miners, failed miserably. They need to elections, and to help build the trapping thousands at least 2,200 ensure that the shaft is libertarian political movement in meters below the earth's surface. maintained. This is why we have Ontario and Canada. There is more There are no injuries, but some this disaster. Our main worry is for information about me at reports say that rescuers have not more than 3,000 people who are http://www.libertarian.on.ca/Elec2 been able to contact miners. underground," said National Union 007/A_Mercer.htm and Reports from MSNBC and the of Mineworkers for S. Africa http://www.thestar.com/ontarioele Guardian Unlimited say that the chairman, Deon Boqwana. ction/ridings/candidateprofile/2529 shaft may have collapsed when a 84 and water pipe burst. The Elsrand mine is currently http://www.canadianliberty.com/bl under development and has been og "They were underground when the since February 2001 when accident happened and they were Harmony bought the mine. What prior political experience do not able to surface because an you have? What skills and insight electric feeder cable that is The mine is located in the can you bring to office, from other connected to the mine lift was Witwatersrand Basin of South non-political positions you may severed," said a spokeswoman for Africa, which is said to be the have held? the mining company, Amelia location of the largest area of raw I ran in the provincial by-election

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 3 in Scarborough—Rouge River in liberty and allows the electors to regulations. Increasing 2005, and I was a candidate in the hear this message. The opportunities for health care and 2006 federal election for the Conservatives do not even come educational freedom. Liberty in all Libertarian Party of Canada. I was close to voicing free market areas of life. Justice reform so that elected to the Board of Directors of positions or any opposition to the needs of victims of crime are the Libertarian Party of Canada in infringements on personal liberties addressed through the principle of May, 2005, and I was appointed and property rights – such as the restitution. president of the LPC in February, Smoke-Free Ontario Act or the 2006. I have also served on the Greenbelt Act or the Liberals Are the property taxes in your executive of the Ontario forcing teens to stay in school until riding at a fair level for the amount Libertarian Party. I have had they’re 18. The major political of services received in the opportunities to explain libertarian parties still advocate price controls municipality? principles and positions to various on the economy and the Greens No property tax is fair. Property media. are just the most extreme kind of tax violates property rights, and I helped to write the Ontario control-freak mentality that the they oppress those who are least Libertarian Party's current major parties represent with their able to afford them. People need environment policy and the corporatist-socialist policies. There to be able to pay for the services Libertarian Party of Canada's is a complete vacuum and they use and opt out of those they current platform libertarians need to get involved don’t. I have contributed press releases right now and get their own pro- for both the Ontario LP and LP of liberty message out to the How can the province lead the way Canada, which include Canadian public which is starved of in stimulating job creation? "Scarborough-Rouge River this. Free up the economy. Eliminate Libertarian on crime, restitution, price controls such as minimum foreign policy and civil liberties", What do you feel are the three wage and rent controls, which "Block the Extradition of Marc most important issues to voters in respectively stop people from Emery: The War on Drugs is a War your riding? Are these the same finding low-wage employment and on Liberty", "Libertarian Party top three issues that are most stop landlords from being able to Rejects 'Smart Growth' as a Dumb important to you? What would you maintain low-income housing. Idea", "Ontario Organ Donation Bill do to address these issues? Eliminate the professional Seeks Government Ownership of I'd say that poverty, education and monopolies that impose one your Body", "Response to the the economy are all important standard for certification and lock Liberal Government's Agenda", issues to both myself and to out immigrants from the economy. "Response to Statements in the voters. The welfare state Let young people into the economy Liberal Throne Speech Concerning mentality, along with forced wealth and stop imprisoning them in Education", and "Thalidomide transfer through taxation, and schools if they would rather work Cancer Drug Only 9 Cents in Brazil restrictions on people through or start their own businesses. while Canadians Spend their Life ever-increasing authoritarian Reduce taxes and reduce the size Savings". regulations are just going to push of government drastically right us towards worse conditions. I now. Which of your competitors do you advocate the separation of school expect to pose the biggest and state. People should not be What are your views on the mixed challenge to your candidacy? Why? forced to pay for the public or member proportional What makes you the most separate school system if they do representation (MMP) referendum? desirable of all candidates running not want to use it. Property tax is If MMP leads to more diversity in in the riding? highly unjust and oppressive and the legislature and allows more The incumbent has all the should be abolished. I oppose the representation by smaller parties advantage, and after that the NDP Tory plan to impose government (they need to pass 3% which is candidate and Conservative control over faith-based schools. still a real obstacle), that may be a candidate in that order. Literally, positive thing, but the proposed there is no other candidate in the What should be the first order of system may also decrease the riding who is even going to come business in the 39th Legislative level of representation in parts of close to presenting a libertarian Assembly? Ontario, and there is a problem message. My candidacy represents Rolling back government taxes and with accountability to the

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 4 electorate. Unfortunately, MMP is a this electoral district? To the provincial election, in the Don distraction from freedom issues, province as a whole? Which was Valley East riding. Wikinews' Nick i.e. personal sovereignty vs. least beneficial, or even harmful, Moreau interviewed him regarding authoritarianism. To reform our to your this riding? To the province his values, his experience, and his society in a libertarian direction, as a whole? campaign. since we have to appeal to the There is some really destructive majority anyway, I think political provincial legislation from the Wayne did not answer "Of the libertarians should consider the point of view of people who care decisions made by Ontario's 38th pros and cons of direct democracy. about the liberty and personal Legislative Assembly, which was In other words, each citizen being responsibility of Ontario’s citizens. the most beneficial to your this their own representative in a One example is Bill 52, Education electoral district? To the province virtual legislature. This may act as Amendment Act (Learning to Age as a whole? Which was least a check on the power of 18), 2006 which suspends the beneficial, or even harmful, to government through allowing more drivers’ licenses of 16-18 year olds your this riding? To the province as voices of dissent, more ideological who don’t stay in school. And also a whole?" diversity and more opinions to be of course the infamous Smoke- heard in the legislature. I don’t Free Ontario Act [1]which copy- Stay tuned for further interviews; believe things are really heading cats the rest of the world’s efforts every candidate from every party this way with MMP. MMP might to crack down on personal is eligible, and will be contacted. have the opposite effect and freedoms. I could go on and on. Expect interviews from Liberals, empower the establishment parties Bill 56, Emergency Management Progressive Conservatives, New even more. But a movement Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 Democratic Party members, towards direct democracy could is a direct threat to civil liberties in Ontario Greens, as well as open up an opportunity for the event of a flu pandemic or members from the Family libertarians to appeal more directly other excuse. The Greenbelt Coalition, Freedom, Communist, to the public rather than to the Protection Act, 2004 interferes Libertarian, and Confederation of special interests who use the with the rights of landowners. The Regions parties, as well as major parties to milk the public. Clean Water Act, 2006 interferes independents. even more with private property What role, if any, does “new rights. [edit] media” play in your campaign, and Bills can be found here: Interview the campaign of your party? http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/b (websites, blogs, Facebook, ills_all.do?locale=en Why have you chosen to involve YouTube videos, etc) Do you view Botton line: the government of yourself in the political process? it as beneficial, or a challenge? Ontario is giving itself more and Why did you choose to run in this I think new media is a critical more power over our lives – over constituency? element in our campaign. Our land, over homes, over educational I was inspired to enter politics by website www.libertarian.on.ca is decisions, over personal decisions. reading authors, Ayn Rand and central to our campaign. We use As a libertarian, I fundamentally George Orwell. Soon after, I looked mailing lists. I make use of my object to this whole massive at the political landscape in personal blog system of centralized control which Canada and noticed it was - and www.canadianliberty.com/blog as has been growing for decades, and still is- a haven for Statists. much as possible. Also we have believe it’s time for society to I felt that those of us that started to make use of Facebook move in the opposite direction understand the ideological roots of through the "Libertarian Party of towards decentralized person-to- liberty need to involve ourselves in Canada" group. The OLP and LPC person systems of rights the political process. are still small parties, but I think protection. I'm running for Don Valley East we can make more and better use because Don Mills has been my of the Internet if we grow in our Ontario Votes 2007: Interview home for 31 years. volunteer base. with Freedom Party candidate Wayne Simmons, Don Valley What prior political experience do Of the decisions made by Ontario's East you have? What skills and insight 38th Legislative Assembly, which Wayne Simmons is running for the can you bring to office, from other was the most beneficial to your Freedom Party in the Ontario non-political positions you may

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 5 have held? of services received in the Progressive Conservatives, New I've been studying philosophy, municipality? Democratic Party members, history, politics and economics for No. There is no "fair" level. Who Ontario Greens, as well as approximately 20 years. I bring can determine the "fair" level? This members from the Family the insight of having a historical question presupposes some kind Coalition, Freedom, Communist, understanding of individual rights mystical collective way of Libertarian, and Confederation of in the West. determining fairness with regard Regions parties, as well as This knowledge has armed me to taxation. independents. with the ability to make sound, principled, policy decisions. How can the province lead the way Why have you chosen to involve in stimulating job creation? yourself in the political process? Which of your competitors do you Abolish the provincial income tax Why did you choose to run in this expect to pose the biggest and scrap property taxes, for constituency? challenge to your candidacy? Why? starters. I chose to involve myself in the I have no illusions about winning political process in order to in this election. I'm running so that What are your views on the mixed address the deficiency of integrity those living in my riding have an member proportional and morality in government. This opportunity to vote for a representation (MMP) referendum? province has suffered from principled, non-statist, candidate. MMP would make majority irresponsible leadership and Governments difficult - if not management for too many years. What makes you the most impossible. It is only by Freedom Now is the time to step forward, desirable of all candidates running Party forming a majority become involved, and demand in the riding? Government where the necessary accountability. That is why I am I'm the only rationally principled, uncompromising changes can be running as a candidate in this non-statist, candidate running. made to restore Government provincial election. respect for the individual's right to I chose to run as a candidate in What do you feel are the three life, liberty and property. the riding of Willowdale in this most important issues to voters in election on account of being a your riding? Are these the same What role, if any, does "new student at a university which is top three issues that are most media" play in your campaign, and situated in the riding (Tyndale important to you? What would you the campaign of your party? University College). In the past do to address these issues? (websites, blogs, Facebook, four years of study, I have become There's is no way for any Politician YouTube videos, etc) Do you view acquainted with the riding, the to know with certainty what the it as beneficial, or a challenge? people who live there, and the three most important issues are in They're all beneficial. The party issues they face. With the insights their riding. The question has uses practically all methods of new I have gained, I believe I can smuggled into it a collectivist media. serve the people of Willowdale. premise that a Politician is some kind of Rousseuian grand legislator Ontario Votes 2007: Interview What prior political experience do who has mystical insight into the with Family Coalition Party you have? What skills and insight "General Will" of his community. candidate Kirsten Monster, can you bring to office, from other Many people are concerned about Willowdale non-political positions you may excessive taxation. Many are Kirsten Monster is running for the have held? concerned about the lack of choice Family Coalition Party in the I grew up with politics. Even from in Education and Healthcare. Ontario provincial election, in the a young age, I can remember Willowdale riding. Wikinews' Nick discussing events and issues which What should be the first order of Moreau interviewed her regarding were affecting the province, the business in the 39th Legislative her values, her experience, and country, and the world. As a Assembly? her campaign. teenager, I assisted in grassroots Cutting taxes, specifically, property campaigning for the Christian and income taxes. Stay tuned for further interviews; Heritage Party. I have attended a every candidate from every party number of political conferences, Are the property taxes in your is eligible, and will be contacted. joined pro-life and pro-marriage riding at a fair level for the amount Expect interviews from Liberals, rallies in Ottawa, and have

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 6 participated in Show the Truth do to address these issues? promote this. The education demonstrations in both Oshawa The three most important issues to system should be opened to and Toronto. In 2006, I was voters in the riding of Willowdale parental choice and free market nominated and elected to the in this election are transportation, competition. position of Secretary of the board senior care, and education. One or for the CHP riding association of two of these issues are the same What should be the first order of Durham. as, or related to, the issues that business in the 39th legislative In addition to this political are most important to me assembly? experience, I have held leadership (protection of all human life, The first order of business in the positions in discussion-based protection and promotion of the 39th Legislative Assembly should groups, positions that require tact family, and parental choice in be to address the issue of the right and the ability to mediate education). of women to be informed. At controversial topics, as well as For Willowdale's issues, I would present, women opting for the organization and communication propose the following solutions: elective procedure of abortion are skills, and also compassion and Transportation. Recently, Toronto's not informed of the risks this understanding. I have a strong budget shortfall made funding for procedure poses to their health work ethic: I am competent, the TTC and the quality of and the health of the child in the thorough, and pursue excellence in transportation in this riding into womb. Medical practitioners should my work. Furthermore, attending serious issues. I suggest as a be required to make this a university which attracts possible solution that the information available to women students of different cultural and provincial government pursue patients considering abortion. religious backgrounds, I have had having the TTC buses (and other the unique opportunity to interact public transit systems) privatized, Are the property taxes in your with and establish friendships with and encourage competing bus riding at a fair level for the amount a wide variety of people, and thus companies to become established. of services received in the I have confidence that I can relate This would contribute to lower fare municipality? to and serve all the different prices and better service, and Property taxes need to be people of my riding. would most likely attract more reconsidered. I believe cities consumers and create more jobs. should be subject to the Taxpayer What makes you the most The money that was originally Protection Act. City and desirable of all candidates running being used for the TTC buses could municipality budgets should be cut in the riding? then be invested in improving and back to focus on the essential Of all the candidates running in maintaining the subway system services and operations of the riding of Willowdale, I can offer (for the present). government. The Family Coalition my constituents honesty, integrity, Senior Care. Seniors are valuable Party opposes the proposed and morality. I am not making people, who deserve respect and additional provincial land transfer campaign promises to be broken proper treatment. I believe that, tax in Toronto. Our direction is later, as others have done. I am on a general basis, the best care- exactly the opposite: a reduction not pledging millions of dollars for givers are their family members. I of taxes. In addition, we are the sake of buying votes. I am will provide tax breaks for persons considering removing the simply presenting principles and who support and properly care for collection of the education portion reforms for managing government their aged parents, and will create from property taxes, which affairs responsibly, efficiently, and incentives for others to do so. I penalizes home ownership, and we fairly, and am offering my services would rather see seniors at home, would use general revenue to fund to the people of Willowdale. being cared for by family members education. This would be a big Whatever this office asks of me, I who love them, than in long-term incentive towards property will seek to do the best for my nursing facilities. ownership, personal savings, and riding. Education. The education of a child would improve the economy in is not something for the general. What do you feel are the three government to decide: parents most important issues to voters in have an inalienable right and duty How can the province lead the way your riding? Are these the same to oversee the education of their in stimulating job creation? top three issues that are most children, and the provincial The province can lead the way in important to you? What would you government should respect and stimulating job creation by

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 7 removing some of the tax burden School in Tralee. Tralee was also and returned to his native placed on small businesses and the place where Keating did his Ballygamboon, Kerry in 1978. To individuals. apprenticeship. During this time he this day he refuses to accept a became a skillful Gaelic football state pension because he What are your views on the mixed player in his native Kerry. considers the 26-county Republic member proportional of Ireland an illegitimate state representation referendum? Keating joined Fianna Éireann in which usurped the 1916 Irish I support mixed member 1918. In 1920, during the Irish Republic. In 2002 he refused the proportional representation. In the War of Independence, he joined state's standard €2,500 award to current first-past-the-post system, the Boherbee B Company, 3rd centenarians from president Mary a politician can win a seat in a Battalion, 1st Kerry Brigade, Irish McAleese. After former IRA gun- riding even when the majority Republican Army. On 21 April runner George Harrison died in voted against him. In such cases, 1921, Royal Irish Constabulary November 2004, Keating became the votes cast have unequal value, Constable Denis O’ Loughlin was patron of Republican Sinn Féin. the majority of the constituents shot dead in Knightly public house are not receiving representation, in Tralee. Keating, Jimmy O’Connor PTS Taiwan holds "Why and the politician can avoid and Percy Hanafin were suspected Democracy?" the Movie Pre- accountability to his riding. MMPR of the killing, and were forced to launch Seminar to examine the provides a fairer voting system go on the run. On 1 June Keating democratic process in Taiwan that will ensure that everyone's was involved in an ambush Before world-wide launch of the vote counts, and that everyone's between Castlemaine and Milltown political documentary film "Why voice is heard. This new electoral which claimed the lives of 5 RIC Democracy?" on October 8, Public system allows greater voter men. On 10 July, a day before the Television Service Taiwan (PTS choice, fairer election results, and truce between the IRA and British Taiwan) held a preview seminar on stronger representation. forces, Keating’s unit was involved this movie and invited professional in a gun battle with the British from politics and academics at What role, if any, does "new Army near Castleisland. This Eslite Bookstore Tung-nan Branch, media" play in your campaign, and confrontation resulted in the Taipei City today. the campaign of your party? deaths of four British soldiers and (websites, blogs, Facebook, five IRA Volunteers. Yuan-huei Hu (President and CEO YouTube, etc.) Do you view it as of PTS Taiwan) hoped that beneficial, or a challenge? Keating opposed the 1921 Anglo- governments, academics, and New media has played a major Irish Treaty and fought on the organizations in Taiwan will learn role in my campaign. I have taken Republican side in the Irish Civil some of good experiences from advantage of websites (h: ad my War. He was involved in operations the movie imported by PTS own made), and utilized the other in counties Kerry, Limerick, and Taiwan. "Without democracy, Teng- internet websites (mainly Tipperary, before his column was hui Lee and Shui-bian Chen won't newspapers). New media has arrested by Free State Forces. be the elected President of the proved beneficial for my campaign. Keating spent seven months in Republic of China." Ron Rong- Portlaoise Prison and the Curragh chuan Chen (Executive Director of Patron of Republican Sinn Féin Prison before being released in Newtaiwanese Cultural Dan Keating dies at age 105 March 1923. Foundation) remarked at opening. Dan Keating, life-long Irish republican and patron of Keating remained an IRA member At the Executive Panel, Thomas Republican Sinn Féin has died for a long time after the Civil War. Chin-peng Peng (Secretary today after a short illness. he was He was arrested several times General of Taiwan Competitiveness 105 years old. during the thirties on various Forum) pointed out the problem of charges. Keating was active in politics and democracy in Taiwan, Keating, born on January 2, 1902 London during the 1939/1940 IRA and mentioned the disadvantage and raised in the townland of bombing campaign. such as bribery at voting and Ballygamboon, Castlemaine, process of a election on the movie County Kerry, received his Keating subsequently returned to "Please Vote For Me" ever education in local schools, Dublin and worked as a barman in happened in Taiwan. "Demoracy including the Christian Brothers' several public houses. He retired has its advantage or not." Peng

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 8 said. 2007 arguably the worst collapse don't interact: downtown in Major League Baseball history. coffeehouse denizens of poetry "A leader should play a suitable To describe the anguish fans felt, and the denizens of Shea Stadium. role after elected by others with The New York Times turned to a It is Frank Messina who has their anticipation and understand poet, Frank Messina. "Nothing was personalities as diverse as Joe what they need." Chi-chang Hung really representing the fan's point Benigno, the archetype of the New (Chairman of Straits Exchange of view," Messina told Wikinews York sportscaster at WFAN, Foundation, Taiwan) said. reporter David Shankbone in an reflecting on love and poetry. "No interview. "There's a lot of hurting one would question a poet writing Even though the documentary film people out there who can't express about love for a woman," said "Please Vote For Me" is directed by what happened." Benigno, "but when you’re a fan of Wei-jun Chen (Producer of Wuhan a team, the emotional attachment Television), but due to the political And to those who read the Times is even stronger...." Benigno problem, this film is available last Saturday, Messina wants you sounded similar to avant-garde world-wide except China. Wen- to know his father never writer and musician David Amram, tang Cheng (Film Director in apologized for raising him as a who said Messina's poems paint Taiwan) mentioned that without Mets fans. "I never asked for his "the stark beauty of the streets, the content but to review apology, and he never apologized, the pain of 9/11, the joy of accomplishment of this film, he nor did he owe us one. I was everyday life, the mysteries of love hoped that spectators should misquoted in the New York Times." all fill the pages of this book. It's a experience the difference from feast of images and sounds that every country in the series film. Messina's parents taught him stay with you." about opposite ends of the By the Way, Chien-jen Tsai (Chief spectrum of life. "My mother was I spoke with the person Bowery Editor of Taiwan Lihpao) remarked supportive even when I made Poetry Club founder Bob Holman that this series film may be mistakes. She taught me to never called the "Rock n' Roll Poet hopeful to someone who has give up no matter what vocation Laureate" recently in Washington anticipation on democracy and you choose in your life." Whereas Square Park: politics, if governments in Taiwan Messina's mother taught him to respected the process and learned never give up, his father taught DS: You have received a good deal their experiences, maybe this is him how to die with grace. He of attention recently. hopeful in the process of passed away from cancer in 2005. FM:Even though I'm not Michael democracy in Taiwan. "I got to see a man who accepted Jackson or somebody, when people his fate. He was like the Captain of come up to me and introduce After the seminar, PTS Taiwan the Titanic. My mother was also themselves and say, 'Hey Frank, predicted that more than 300 calm. I was the one freaking out my name is John,' I say, 'Hey million people in 200 countries will inside. I saw someone who had John, my name is Frank' and they watch this series film and attract acknowledged his own demise, laugh. It's a funny phenomenon. some discussions and topics on accepted it, and died at home. He politics and democracy. was a tough old guy. It takes a lot DS: What goes through your head to accept that; it takes a very when that happens? Frank Messina: An interview strong person. Some of the special FM: I understand it. I've gone to with the 'Mets Poet' moments toward the end was readings and concerts. I look at it In the early Olympic games, sitting with him and watching as human interaction. Over the athletes used to run a mile and baseball games." years I have performed in 32 then recite a poem. The first poet- countries and 40 states. I've been in-residence of an English football It is baseball that has garnered doing this professionally since I team, Ian McMillan, remarked that Messina attention now. He has was in my twenties, and before football chants are like huge tribal performed in 32 countries and 40 that since I was sixteen doing little poems. Generally, though, sport states, and in 1993 he founded the tidbit poetry readings in and poetry have never seemed band Spoken Motion, a spoken coffeehouses. The band I started natural companions in human word band. What is striking about in 1993, Spoken Motion, received enterprise. Until the New York Messina is that his work has a lot of recognition as a spoken Mets baseball team suffered in branched two worlds that often word band born out of the New

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York spoken word scene. I worked FM: This was a piece that the We Know'. That's all it said. Then with some great musicians and Times only quoted one stanza, but earlier this year these shirts performed around the world. I it's about preparation for a battle, started to come out that said, remember signing my first and being prepared to either rise "Poet says We Know". It was autograph to a kid when I was 25 to the occasion, or go down: amazing. We didn't use the banner years old. As time went on, I came this year, though, because we out with books and CDs, and I Do you know what it's like didn't know. The team wasn't so became used to that kind of thing. to be chased by the Ghost of far ahead that we knew. Last year To me, the ultimate feeling of Failure we just knew we were going to the success as an artist, is to move while staring through Victory's playoffs; we knew we were going somebody enough where they door? post-season. This year we weren't thank you. When someone comes Of course you do, you're a Mets sure. We were walking on up and says, 'Frank, thank you, fan eggshells. your work is great." caught in a do-or-die moment There was a woman, a season in late September at Shea ticket holder and a die hard fan. DS: You have a long career in She was staggered by the loss last poetry, but as of late the attention As one that's battled hard year to the Cardinals. Last year you have garnered is for the Mets- through many a broken dream she came up to me during one of inspired work. How do you feel Let me say, "in order to rise to the the games late in the season; she about having a lot of your work occasion was so happy we were going to overshadowed by the Mets work? you must be willing the post season. By that point we FM:It's ironic. Some of the to go down with the ship", had clinched it. She handed me a greatest poetry has been born out Have no fear, no hesitation, shirt she bought at the stadium of failure and the depths of for Winning shall be it's reward! and she gave me a big hug. With adversity in the human tears in her eyes she said, "Thank experience. Walt Whitman, the Don't let them get in your head! you, Mets Poet, thank you." It's first great American poet, wrote you've kept it up this long cool...it's like another family. about the Civil War. He went You're a Mets fan in late looking for his brother, George September DS: Moments like that must make Whitman, after he a telegram and you'll fight til the glorious end you realize you have touched telling him his brother was injured Cheer the team today; people who aren't normally in the South. When he started out (your boys in orange and blue) touched by poetry. his poems were about beating Let them hear you shout FM: It's opened up a new fan drums, and blow, bugle, blow. Real as they fight for what's mightily base, so to speak. For the last year patriotic. Then he started to see due SNY has broadcast footage of me the real horrors of war. He was (copyright Frank Messina; with my poems, so quite a few able to tap into the human reprinted with permission) fans known about the 'Mets Poet'. condition and the situation at that I have never called myself that, by time. Eventually when he found his DS: Sports fans aren't known as the way. The back of my jersey brother he had resolution. patrons of poetry. Have you had says 'The Poet' because growing I experienced that kind of interaction with 'new readers' up that was my nickname. My adversity during 9/11 being a through your Mets work? brother was a runner and they civilian volunteer. I loaded ferry FM: This one person who I never used to call him The Birdman-- boats in Jersey City across the met took a picture of me and sent Birdie--and they called me The river to deliver goods to Ground it to me in an e-mail. The e-mail Poet. It was a natural thing, but I Zero. I turned to Whitman to find said, 'Frank, I have never bothered never coined myself as 'The Mets some understanding of what is you during the game, but I just Poet.' happening in the world right now. wanted to say thank you for your When I wrote my 9/11-related work and thank you for making DS: Jack Nicholson once said, "The poems, that was true adversity. I some sense of the successes and fuel for the sports fan is the ability realize baseball is just a game. failures and I wish you much to have private theories." What are success with your work.' some of your private theories? DS: Can you recite a stanza that Last year in my section at the FM: The fan is always right. No expresses how you feel right now? stadium I had a banner that read matter if he is wrong, he is right.

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The fan always has an opinion. level, be it emotional, physical, or that. Ron Whitehead is a dear That's why we have talk radio and political. But there are some wars I friend. We have mutual respect for people call Joe Benigno and Steve think that are necessary. History each other but we disagree on a Somers and Mike and the Mad Dog has shown this. Was this one lot of issues. Nevertheless, there's all day long. That's why we have necessary? I don't know. Twenty only one man I want fighting in 24/7 sports-related talk. If you years from now we'll have to figure the trenches of life with me, and were to come from another planet that out. I hope that we've all that's Ron Whitehead. with only three hours on Earth to learned something from it. find out what human beings are DS: When you look at the state of like, to discover how dynamic life DS: What is your feeling toward the world, what five descriptors is as a human being, you would the Iraq War now? come to mind? take them to a baseball game. A FM: It's a mess. It's a mess. We FM: Chaos. Yearning for peace. season is like a life, but a game is went in to get a job done, get Confusion. Desperation. Hope. like one day in that life. A season Hussein out of there, liberate the has its beginning, its renewal, its Iraqi people as was dictated in the DS: And are you hopeful? innocence and its arch into 1998 Liberation Act that Senator FM: Yes. maturity into the season. Panic Lieberman helped draft and sets in when it hits the middle-age President Clinton put out there. DS: Where do you get that hope of the season. Will it we have President Bush, Congress and the from? success, or will we have failure. At American people supported going FM: My faith in the human spirit. I end of season, fans have to accept in there. I'm not going to think people are inherently good. whether we have failed or whether backtrack: I did support going in we have achieved victory. Kansas there, and even as an artist and a DS: Joe Benigno said, "No one City Royals fans know at the poet, and as a freak, I made a would question a poet writing beginning of the season that, more decision, that it was time to take about love for a woman, but when than likely, nothing is going to this guy out. I spoke with many you’re a fan of a team, the happen for them. As Mets fans, we Iraqi Americans who live in my emotional attachment is even want to win, but we never expect neighborhood who also supported stronger, because women come it to be easy. It's always going to that. Lebanese and Iranian friends and go, but your team never be a fight; it's always going to be I have supported it. One of my changes." Do you think that hard. childhood friends, Adel Nehme, analogy really holds, because you came out of Beirut, Lebanon are attracted to the Mets, and you DS: The second-class citizen in a around 1972. We met in are attracted to women, and the first rate city idea that is found in kindergarten and we've been players on both of those teams in one of your poems. friends ever since. He was your life change. FM: Yeah, you're going to get someone who escaped that FM: Loving a baseball team is pushed around. People are going turmoil. His family brought him to having to put up with the to disagree with you. It's not going New Jersey specifically to pull him imperfections, the routine of what to be easy. You're going to have to out of that hell, like the way my kind of mood is it going to be take a lot of pills, take an extra father took us out of the gangland today. It doesn't come down to drink, go to the gym an extra day hell of the South Bronx. Like any whether we are going to win or to run off some energy. father would do, to protect his lose, it comes down to: is the family. player going to perform this way? DS: You and poet Ron Whitehead Or , is the pitcher going to be embarked on a "War Poets" tour of DS: Do you still feel the Iraq War ambivalent? Am I even going to Europe. You as a pro-war poet, is protecting us, and that the have enough strength to watch and Whitehead as a pro-peace original reasons you supported it this game? Am I going to wash my poet. Forgive the crude are still valid? hands? Am I going to lay in bed all terminology; I realize there is FM: It's a mess. The original day? What am I going to do? The probably nuance in there. In the reasons? Yes. Looking back, game becomes a reflection of true over four years since that tour has hindsight is always 20/20. Unlike life in that way. your outlook evolved at all? many artists, I have vocally FM: I've never been for any war. I supported the war. Many artists DS: The difference is that you try to avoid altercation on any who support this war won't say know what to expect from the

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 11 players on the Mets. They have accepted the nomination, like all, but something, we knew, was defined roles and there is some young people do each year, terribly wrong. I saw a flash of certitude. With women, as the because of his poetry, not because light when it hit the plane and a players change you don't know of his politics. I was proud. That is fellow across the aisle said, "Did what they are going to do; what the award was designed for. you just see that?" and I said that whereas in baseball the players There are laws in this country for a I thought we were struck by have roles and you know what to reason, to protect children and to lightning. He said it felt like expect of them. protect people from predators. something got ripped off the FM: It's a dangerous proposition Whether Allen was a predator or plane. There was so much being any fan, but particularly a not, I don't have any idea. turbulence. The stewardess came Mets fan, because you are going to out with one of the co-pilots, who have to accept you will fall in love DS: All evidence is that he was not announced we were struck by with imperfection. When you fall in a predator, but that he was a voice lightning, but that we were going love with a woman, you are for change of age-of-consent laws. to continue the flight. There was a accepting them for all their flaws, FM: To me, it's a non-issue. Put moment there, I think a good 30 those elements that make them your hand on my kid and believe seconds, where I was certain the human, worts and all. And I accept me, it's all over for the predator. plane was going to break apart. my team worts and all. They have That's my policy. When someone's given me a great deal of joy, a 18, that's the deal. I'll stick with DS: Did you have any realizations? great deal of entertainment, the law on that one. FM: I thought, this is it. This is it. exhilaration, and a hell of a lot of There was acceptance. When my pain like in any fan. This isn't the DS: What's a lesson your mother father was diagnosed with cancer Brady Bunch, this isn't Leave it to taught you? in June of 2005 and I got to see a Beaver. Few things are, if FM: To never give up. She was man who accepted his fate. He anything. supportive even when I made died two months later. He was like mistakes, as a good mother will the Captain of the Titanic. My DS: You were the recipient of the do. In school my parents were mother was also calm. I was the 1993 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award. called up a lot. It was not easy one freaking out inside. I saw In 1996 I met Ginsberg at the being a parent of Frankie. Teachers someone who had acknowledged Naropa Institute in Boulder. I were constantly calling. I was his own demise, accepted it, and asked him about NAMBLA, the disruptive, I would talk out of line, died at home. He was a tough old North American Man/Boy Love I was a class clown. She taught guy. It takes a lot to accept that, it Association. He told me to follow me to never give up no matter takes a very strong person. In this him into the bathroom. As I stood what vocation you choose in your culture we value life very much, there he peed and told me he life. My mother was never critical and some people look at death as wasn't for having sex with of my poems and writing. We're a failure, but it's going to happen children, but that he thought that good friends and she's a lot of fun. to all of us. My theory is to help age-of-consent laws were yourself, and help others in life. outdated, that he knew what he DS: How would you choose your "The excerpted poem is wanted when he was fifteen and death? copyrighted and must be fully that he thought everyone does at FM: Either in battle or laying in credited and not cited separately that age. He said he wasn't for sex bed with family around me. from this article" with children, but that it should not be illegal to have sex at that DS: Have you ever had a moment Third day of 2007 NSW fire age. When you accepted the where you saw your death? season sees 46 fires burning Ginsberg award, did you have an FM: Yes, a couple of times. Once I The official New South Wales issue with some of his political was on one of those small planes bushfire season for 2007 has been stances? flying to Pittsburgh last year—to declared for only three days and FM: I was too young at the time to see the Mets, actually—one of already 46 fires burn across the realize what he thought. I never those 25 seat airplanes flying out state. It is believed that at least knew what went on behind closed of Newark in a lightning storm. We some of the fires have been doors with Allen, and aside from had ascended over Newark and the deliberately lit. meeting him a few times, I never plane was struck by lightning. knew him on a personal level. I There was no panic on the plane at Weather conditions are hampering

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 12 firefighting efforts, with high Buhari's army showed up to haul to continue to mine his life? Is it temperatures and strong winds everyone to jail. Kuti was an difficult to come up with new helping to fan the flames. opponent of the government who angles? was in jail, and they came to VG: The original biography was Major fires are currently burning at arrest his coterie of supporters. written in a weekend and it was Little Pittwater Bay on Sydney's They grabbed Goldman and were based upon my extensive West Head, Cowan North of about to throw her in a truck until interviews with him, whereas the Sydney, Port Stephens and at Pascal Imbert, Kuti's manager, Exodus book took two and a half Evans Head on the NSW North yelled out, "Leave her alone. She years. I must have been a year coast. The fire at Cowan has just arrived from Paris! She's my past deadline, because it kept on caused transport chaos as it wife! She knows nothing! " growing. Even I had to caused the closure of the Pacific acknowledge it was a more mature Highway, F3 Freeway and the Goldman stops for a moment and work. After I wrote the first one, Northern railway line for several then smiles plainly. "They thought all these other people came out hours this afternoon. I was just some stupid woman.... with books. I read them, and they That time sexism worked in my were all good in their different Residents around the fires at Port favor." ways, but there was a story that Stephens and Evans Head have had not been told but that I had been advised by the NSW Rural Vivien Goldman has become a lived so intensely, a deep story Fire Service to prepare their living, teaching testimony of the that had shaped my whole life. It properties for the onset of fire. golden era of punk and reggae. demanded I write a book about it. She is an adjunct professor at New Nobody else has the experience, With many of the fires thought to York University who has taught and I still have that oompf. of been started by arsonists, NSW courses on the music scene she Premier Morris Iemma warned that was thrust in the middle of as a DS: You were there with Marley arsonists would face young public relations through that time when he really imprisonment. "It makes you sick. representative for Island Records. caught on; was it obvious to you There are sadly too many people She writes a column for the BBC then that there was something out there that don't get the called "Ask the Punk Professor" amazing and unique happening? message," Mr Iemma. where she extols the wisdom she VG: It was really something, and it gained as a confidant of Bob was huge, but I didn't examine it "They are sick minds who Marley; as the person who first put then. I believed in Bob with every deliberately light these fires, or Flava Flav in video; as Chrissie fiber of my being, but it was hard even to recklessly do it". Hynde's former roommate; as the to realize how everybody in the woman who worked with the The world would get it in the end, and A police strike force with 10 Clash, Sex Pistols, The Slits and just how towering a figure and officers and two support staff to The Raincoats. enduring he would prove to be. He investigate the fires had also been deserves everything and more; the set up with Mr Iemma stating that As Wikinews reporter David role that he occupies is so central. if more resources were required, Shankbone found out, Goldman is It would have been hard to the strike force would be provided one of those individuals that when envisage how huge he became, with them. you sit in her presence you realize though. she simply can not tell you Vivien Goldman: An interview everything she knows or has seen, DS: Warhol’s Factory with the Punk Professor either to protect the living or to photographer, Billy Name, once Vivien Goldman recalls with a respect the dead. told me he knew that what was laugh the day in 1984 when she going on was amazing, but he saw her death, but the laugh fades DS: The first biography of Bob never thought Warhol would as she becomes lost in the Marley, Soul Rebel, Natural Mystic, become the entire fabric of the art memory. She was in Nigeria was written by you based upon world as he is now. staying in Fela Kuti's home; she your personal experiences with VG: Especially in New York. Warhol had just arrived hours before and him, and you have recently written was so associated with the punk found people sleeping everywhere a book about Marley called The scene. like house cats when Muhammadu Book of Exodus. How difficult is it

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DS: But Marley has become a think of. It’s an inclusionary spirit VG: He thinks he is a punk, but fabric of sorts... that is punk. he's too destructive. If I was VG: Oh, he’s beyond the fabric of sitting in the madrassa in the reggae, he’s the fabric of the rebel DS: Your philosophy is that punk is desert chanting the Koran seven spirit. Now everybody just puts on not just musical, but also an days a week, I'd think, yeah, he's a little red, green and gold and aesthetic. That it can imbibe a punk. But I'm not, so I don't. they feel it identifies them as anything; that it stands for change being there in the struggle. Even if and for changing a system. Let me DS: Is the definition of punk it is someone flying to the give you a few names, and you to relative, then? He's a Madrasah Hamptons for the weekend, they tell me how you think they are or punk but not a Manhattan punk? bring out Marley to expresses the are not punk. Britney Spears. VG: Having said that, they would rebel aspect they don’t want to VG: Oh, no she’s not punk. Punk is loathe punks, so I think we can completely lose. not just about wearing smeary safely say, not a punk. black eyeliner, but some sense of DS: How do you define punk? engagement. That’s it in a DS: Pete Doherty. VG: There are two things. First, nutshell. She doesn’t have that VG: Oh yeah, I think he's a punk. the aesthetic: harder, faster, sense of engagement. She is He's a punk and he engages with louder. But the second thing is society. the system in terms of how a what interested me more, which powerful a presence he's become. was the rebel spirit and attitude. DS: Dick Cheney. He is the Keith Richards of his day. That free spirit of punk; that VG: He is the essence of implicit sense of wanting to change Babylonian, old structure DS: If punk is about change, then a system that is always unfair capitalism, which is about greed why the maudlin sentimentality wherever you are, except for and how much one can take for over the closing of CBGB's, which maybe in the Netherlands. But it's himself. I could see capitalism that at times turned into demonizing a become so commodified is mutually beneficial, such as ‘I homeless shelter? want a bigger customer base,’ but VG: Yeah, and they had not paid DS: What is the commodified they don't. Take a place I know their rent, had they? I sided with version of punk selling? well like Jamaica. I don’t know if the homeless shelter in a way, VG: Edgy and dangerous. It is you have seen that documentary except I thought the whole thing amazing: you open the New York Life and Debt, about how the INF was ridiculous because somebody Times and the free bits fall out and squeezed everything out of should have stepped in and bought you get Urban Outfitters or Old Jamaica, but that’s a typical thing it and paid it and fixed it up, in the Navy with lines of punk kiddie that happens. Instead of building sense there is no shrine. They don' clothes. K-mart, even. I was trying these people up and paying them think about the tourism, do they? I to see what was so deeply punk a living wage for their work, where expect that of America now. Los about those clothes. They were we could sell more to them, we Angeles just destroyed the Brown maybe more colorful or something, just want to suck everything out of Derby, and the modernist but they weren’t punk. It's like the the place. Suck the sugar, suck the architecture. That's the thing Swarovski crystal take on punk, I labor. And that is not very punk. about America. There seems to be mean, please! It’s the opposite of punk. That’s very little regard for legacy. I think what Dick Cheney represents to they should have kept CBGBs, but DS: That aesthetic is everywhere, me. He tries to bring about I think that more cynically. My as though if one spikes his hair he change, but change that just students had a huge debate about is punk. fattens his pocket. It's not thinking it. VG: Well, the punk is in the heart, of the community, and that's what to paraphrase Deee-Lite. I was punk is about. DS: I felt it was what it was at a writing about Good Charlotte and certain moment, but it wasn't that The Police. They adopted the DS: Kanye West. anymore. They were charging trappings of punk. They aren’t bad VG: He seems to be a positive eight dollars for a beer. That's not groups, but the punk aspect is force. In that sense, I would file very punk, and that wasn't more manifested by somebody like him slightly under punk. attracting the punk crowds. It was Manu Chao. He’s one of the like people who move to the punkiest artists out there I can DS: Osama bin Laden. Bowery because they think it's so

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 14 edgy but it's really a boulevard of weren't very vibey in terms of the band Spearhead. I'm looking glittering condos. stagecraft, as it were. The around for conscious artists. VG: Nostalgie pour la boue: projection. Not to diss anybody, nostalgia for the mud. Not all of but I needed someone to bring a DS: What about G. G. Allin? He them, though. Patti Smith. bit more life into it; it was very used to defecate on the stage to Anyway, the spirit had moved on low-budget, a vérité kind of shoot. make a point. to Williamsburg. We were in a playground in the VG: That's quite extreme, and projects and there were all these very unhygienic. I wouldn't need DS: Where do you think New blokes hanging around, and there to see that. I don't think that's York's culture is going? There are was one who was super-sprightly, necessarily punk, it's just so few places on Earth with such a like a live wire. I didn't know it scatological. Some people might large concentration of creatives was Flava Flav and I shouted out, think it's punk, but I personally who meet and influence each Hey, you, will you come over and wouldn't dig it. It's outrageous, other, but the city is becoming less be groovy for us? and he did and a but not in the way I find affordable and cleansed of any lot of the action in the video is interesting. grit. Is there a place for punk in Flava Flav spinning around, doing the Manhattan of the future? a Dervish in the middle of the DS: Well, he's dead. Do you think VG: They are flushing out the playground. people are afraid to speak out artists. Manhattan is now a ghetto today? for the very rich. When punk DS: At the time he wasn't known? VG: I guess in Vietnam you did, started it was in weird places, VG: Well, it turned out he was in a but now the culture isn't nearly as places you broke into and that had group called Public Enemy. The organized. never been used for shows. It was first time I heard them was at a never in regular venues, but now rooftop party, and it's one of my DS: Is violence for the cause of every nook and cranny is a regular great New York memories. It was a social change punk? venue and it doesn't leave much warehouse building that's still VG: Violence will occur in social space for the old punk spirit. ABC there behind Houston and Bowery change. Violence has always been No Rio, I think they manage to and I remember it was amazing associated with punk, although work it in the system. And there because you never heard music punk wants peace in a way. When are places like The Stone, John like that before. It was blaring. It you look at all the bands in punk, Zorn's place, which has avant- was so hot and we were in the like No Future and Blank garde free form jazz. He subsidizes middle of the city with graffiti on Generation, it has implicit an that place, so it remains a little the walls, people smoking spliffs. aspiration to a place where you haven. There are a few little It was very free. You don't see that don't have to be violent. Often it pockets, but it has a lot do with anymore. Everything is more happens. The punk era was the rent. Realistically, there's loads heavily policed. violent. Very, very violent. So of stuff happening in places like many people were beaten up Brooklyn, more than there seems DS: Do you think apathy is a during those days. I'm very much to be in Manhattan. When I problem today? a peacenik, but violence often jammed with The Slits, that VG: There's less intelligent, critical happens, one observes, on the happened at some after-hours content in general, and celebrity road to social change. thing in Brooklyn in some magazines pay the most and sell warehouse. I remember loads of the most. It's the Lowest Common DS: Sandra Bernhard once did an things in funny places. The first Denominator. Britney Spears is an homage to what she called the time I heard Public Enemy I was unbelievable example. She's so Big-Tittied Bitches of Rock n' Roll: on the rooftop of a building. young with no good guidance Heart, Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks. She around her, and she is fodder for mourned that there were no big- DS: You're friends with Flava Flav, them to sell more magazines. tittied bitches left. Who are the right? There's a gladiator aspect of it: the big-tittied bitches of Rock n' Roll VG: Yes, although I haven't seen worse off she is, the better for that today? him in a very long time. I industry. But I'm still looking for VG: M.I.A. Tanya Stephens. Joan remember how I met him. I was the people who have conscience. Jett, still. The Slits, who still suffer doing this video for I Ain't No Joke Michael Franti, he's one of the only from the system and they are still with Erik B and Rakim, and they ones I look to now. He had that brilliant. Male bands of that statute

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 4, 2007 Wikinews Page 15 would have more deals. Big-tittied may be the way I go? some stupid woman. That time in terms of cojones, as opposed to VG: There was a lot of violence in sexism worked in my favor. cleavage as such. the punk times and I got beaten [Laughs] She doesn't know up in street brawls. I particularly anything! They were about to take DS: Do you have moments of remember once in Nigeria... I was Pascal away and I rushed up to the extreme self-doubt where you there to make a documentary for head guy very bravely—Pascal wonder if anything you do matters Channel 4 about Fela Kuti. He was always gives me props for this— to anyone? in jail at that time and he wanted and I said, "Where are you taking VG: I have a lot of moments of to draw attention to his plight to my husband?!" They were actually extreme self-doubt, but you have showcase what was going on in taking him to a secret jail. to be humble and listen to what Nigeria. It was hard to get through people say. Although I was never customs because my guides DS: What happened to him in the top of the New York Times book weren't there to meet me. I found secret jail? chart, I know people have liked my them hiding in the carpark VG: There's a documentary about stuff, and that keeps me going. because the police were after it. He got very thin, he contracted The classes have been amazing. I them. dysentry and he got various had done a lot of television and We went to Fela's house where I diseases. No food, or terrible food. media, but it was the first time I was going to stay; we went to the Luckily for him after some months had done something one-on-one. shrine and it was amazing. The there was an amnesty and he was It was the old cliche that a person whole house was covered in people amongst the prisoners who were learns as much as they teach. sleeping. I was woken up by this released. That was a very heavy Loads of my old students keep in little girl very early in the morning, moment. I thought I would die, touch with me; one wrote to me to only about two hours later. She either right then or in a Nigerian tell me he is free-lancing for XXL was tapping me on the shoulder jail. and some other rap magazines, and when I looked around there and how the classes really have was nobody there, whereas it had DS: In Jamaica there was so much been useful and he always refers been covered in people. She said, violence during the civil war. to them. Even just one person is "Come! Come! The army is here!" VG: I've seen a lot of death. Many gratifying and encourages me to I went outside and there was the of the people I knew in Jamaica continue my work. army arresting everyone. People are dead. I think of them a lot; like were lined up against the wall. my very, very close friend Massive DS: You have worked for two Pascal Imbert, a French guy who Dread. He did so much for the corporations that are seen by was managing Fela, was already community. At Christmas he'd hold many as the least punk in their on the truck and they were about a big party for the kids, and all the respective communities, the BBC to take him away. There were all rival gangs would come. He was and NYU. How does one remain these really serious, heavey trying to break up some of the punk in such environments? Nigerian soldiers with machine coke runnings. They started to VG: I'm a freelancer. I go in, do guns around. Not friendly, more have crack dens in Trenchtown and my thing, and if they don't like it like stone-faced Belsen guards. It he worked against those. He was then I don't do it anymore. I stay was like that Bob Marley song opening a library called the true to myself, and if it doesn't Ambush in the Night: there were Trenchtown Reading Center, in the work out then I guess 'fuck off' on four guns aiming at me. They all middle of this broken down ghetto, both sides. I haven't had to turned their guns on me and said, where kids could sit down to do compromise myself; nobody has "What should we do with her?" homework and read books in this asked me to. BBC America is a From the truck Pascal shouts out, nice courtyard. It was really different animal than the BBC. As "Leave her alone! She's my wife! worthwhile. long as I can say what I want to She's just arrived from Paris! She say; I think people come to me doesn't know anything!" The because they know what they are combination of the words "She's getting. my wife, she doesn't' know anything" were enough. Of course, DS: Have you ever been in a I had neither arrived from Paris situation where you feared for nor was his wife. But they just left your life, where you thought, this me alone; they thought I was just

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Today in History we are worrying about 1830 – Belgian Revolution: A government. ~ John Perry Barlow provisional government in Brussels declared the creation of the Word of the Day independent and neutral state of ruddy; adj Belgium, in revolt against the 1. Reddish in color, especially United Kingdom of the of the face, sky, or fire. Netherlands. 1910 – Manuel II, the last King of About Wikinews Portugal, fled to the United We are a group of volunteer journalists Kingdom when a revolution whose mission is to create a diverse erupted in Lisbon and his palace community where citizens from around was shelled. The Portuguese First the globe (including you) can Republic was proclaimed the next collaborate to report the news on a day. wide variety of current events. By 1957 – Soviet spacecraft Sputnik making our content perpetually available for free redistribution and use, 1, the first artificial satellite to we hope to contribute to a global digital orbit the Earth, was launched by commons. an R-7 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome near Tyuratam, Got news and no computer? Kazakh SSR. Call the Wikinews Hotline 1985 – Software developer Richard +1-866-653-4265 (toll-free in the U.S.) Stallman founded the Free +1-202-742-5918 Software Foundation to support (outside the U.S.) the free software movement. +44-871-218-6397 1993 – Russian Constitutional (U.K. / Europe) Crisis: Tanks bombarded the White License House in Moscow while demonstrators against President This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. Articles Boris Yeltsin rallied outside. published in this Print edition were October 04 is Simchat Torah created by Wikinewsies. Other content begins at sunset (Judaism, 2007); released under the GNU Free Independence Day in Lesotho; Documentation License. Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (Catholicism); World Animal Day. To view a copy of the CC-BY license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ Quote of the Day or send a letter to I'm an optimist. In order to be Creative Commons libertarian, you have to be an 543 Howard Street, 5th Floor optimist. You have to have a San Francisco, California, 94105, USA benign view of human nature, to To view a copy of the GFDL, visit: believe that human beings left to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html their own devices are basically Wikipedia Current Events good. But I'm not so sure about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_events human institutions, and I think the Today in History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page real point of argument here is Quote of the Day whether or not large corporations http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Main_Page are human institutions or some Word of the Day http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Main_Page other entity we need to be thinking about curtailing. Most libertarians About Wikinews Print Edition are worried about government but For more information about Wikinews not worried about business. I think Print Edition visit: we need to be worrying about http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Wikinews:Print business in exactly the same way

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