Provocations

Motivations in Copenhagen Climate Change talks

Take three minutes to listen to some simple thoughts on the Copenhagen talks from Naomi Klein.

The recent UN report on the Israeli invasion of Gaza - from the source, Justice Goldstone

In their attempts to be fair, the mainstream media has been pretty flabby on the recent report by Justice Goldstone on the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Here's an interview with Goldstone himself which describes the report with some clarity. It also emphasizes how much opinion is from people who haven't read it and those who object giving no reasons for their stance against the report.

Michael Jackson and Rabbi Schmuley Boteach

I'm so saturated with this MJ stuff, irritated and concerned that the fascinated repetition of every detail is obscuring matters that really do need our attention. I realize also that the sheer weight of never-ending information - where a hiccup receives equal analysis with a heart-stop - is obscuring the real lessons that this man's life contains, beyond the talent and the music.

Michael Jackson, from an interview with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach:

I am going to say something I have never said before and this is the truth. I have no reason to lie to you and God knows I am telling the truth. I think all my success and fame, and I have wanted it, I have wanted it because I wanted to be loved. That's all. That's the real truth. I wanted people to love me, truly love me, because I never really felt loved. I said I know I have an ability. Maybe if I sharpened my craft, maybe people will love me more. I just wanted to be loved, because I think it is very important to be loved and to tell people that you love them and to look in their eyes and say it.

Rabbi Shmuley’s statement on the passing of Michael Jackson

My family and I have just heard that Michael Jackson has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his children and the Jackson family. Michael Jackson’s death is not just a terrible tragedy for three young children who will now be orphaned. It is also an American tragedy that affects us all. Our culture, in which fortune and fame readily eclipse family and life nurturing-values, is claiming an increasing number of casualties. There was a great beauty and gentility in Michael’s soul. His talents far surpassed those of his contemporaries and he yearned deeply to make the world a better place. I am saddened that the emotional pain he lived with prevented him from finding the meaning and connectedness which he longed for. The saddest aspect to this tragedy is that so many watched it happen and few did anything to stop it. I pray that Michael’s death will not be in vain and that we see a return, even among Hollywood celebrities, to the spiritual and family values that are life sustaining.

Historic power shift in El Salvador

A story that could use a little more exposure and depth: El Salvador's first left-wing government in its 130-year history:

Canadian Liberal - New Democrat coalition gains momentum

A simple summary, in word and image, of the current state of the coalition challenge to Steven Harper's Conservative government.

Canadian elections and climate change

With all the he-said she-said stuff, it's important to keep the basics in mind:

See also: Sierra Club Canadian Voters' Guide ranks parties

Russia invades Georgia - a look behind the obvious

So, where do you stand on the Russian invasion of Georgia? The mainstream media have had no problem in telling us where they think we should stand and, on the face of it, framing the Russians as the baddies is a natural. However, if you'd like to take six minutes and look a little deeper, this talking head (Pablo Escobar) video does a pretty good job of adding a little depth and perspective.

Naomi Klein on the Olympics and China's authoritarian capitalism

"I think this is an incredibly efficient, actually, a scarily efficient way of organizing society that's actually being celebrated here, which is a hybrid of some of the worst elements of authoritarian communism - mass surveillance of the population, total lack of civil liberties, lack of a free press, lack of democratic rights, authoritarian central planning, all harnessed not to advance the goals of social justice, even in name, although there may be some lip service still paid to that, but to advance the goals of global capitalism. "

More

See also:

• Naomi Klein: The Shock Doctrine
• Sharing and the global market

The Perseid Meteor Shower is back

The annual Perseid meteor shower is already showing in northern hemisphere skies. It will peak on the 12th. NASA says "it should be a good show . . There should be plenty of meteors - perhaps one or two every minute", and recommends watching "during the dark hours before dawn on Tuesday, August 12th."

Summer Solstice 2008