Surveillance and silencing

Wish I could stick to one topic: surveillance. Yet understanding this complex issue requires reading my long-winded, baseless theories and self-centred thoughts, as these indirectly convey the why's and how's of government surveillance and harassment, plus general invasion of people's privacy.

My critiques of different people and cultures, for example, have benefitted my surveillers greatly. Famous political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal recently mentioned in a taped interview how Muslim people were being tortured and imprisoned, to force them to spy upon, and betray, their own communities.[1][2]

Unfortunately, by listening to my various commentary, and observing my constant encounters with prejudice, intelligence agencies have learned how to achieve the same results - on a very broad scale. They're now adept at pitting people and groups against one another, with just a few well-placed words, incentives, or subtle pressures.


Academics and Social Critics Beware

Recent developments of aboriginal academic and activist Ward Churchill being asked to step down as Chair of Ethnic Studies at University of Colorado, Boulder are fascinating. Churchill may even be forced to give up his tenured position.

The professor's comments about victims of the September 11th attacks, among other things, were controversially-worded. Yet, the sudden political pressure being placed on this outspoken, yet relatively harmless academic is inexplicable, and ironic.[3] I'll discuss the relevance of all this, later.

'Political Animal' by Kevin Drum examines political and media dimensions of this well-hyped affair (Washington Monthly; Feb. 25, 2005).

This is the essay for which Professor Ward Churchill is resigning his position, and may even be fired from the University of Colorado:

'Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens' (Churchill; Sept. 12, 2001). Updated version here.

Churchill has written extensively about Aboriginal genocide in North Amerca. He has been under FBI surveillance for a long time. His first wife died in an untimely car accident. None of the news articles mention these facts, as possibly influencing his decision to resign as Chair of his department. Why this sudden fury about his work, anyway?

Michael K. Smith's essay, 'Ward Churchill's Real Sins,' compellingly dissects Churchill's notions around free speech and theories of compliance in Nazi Germany (Feb. 8, 2005). I agree with certain ideas from both Smith and Ward.

Smith's essay offers insight into the current War Against Terrorism, propaganda, and public apathy. Indirectly, it gives clues as to how and where we as citizens of supposedly free and democratic countries should focus our efforts, if we want good governance and lasting peace.

The debacle around Ward Churchill is a clear sign that anyone questioning the events of 9-11 and the 'Official Story' - particularly people from marginalized groups - will be in for rough times.

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[1] Excerpt from freemumia.org: 'Mumia Abu-Jamal is a renowned journalist from Philadelphia who has been on death row since 1981 for allegedly shooting Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. Mumia has received international support over the years in his efforts to overturn his unjust conviction.'

[2] Brief bio on Mumia (same as above). The case of Mumia Abu-Jamal' by Terry Bisson. More on supporting Mumia; his commentaries and Freedom Journal.

[3] Check out articles on Professor Ward Churchill's and Professor Nancy Rabinowitz's respective resignations from key posts:

'Prof quits chair over 9/11' - DenverPost.com (Feb. 1, 2005)

- Ward Churchill gets blamed for criticizing corporate America's part in provoking international retaliation; yet, as a 60 Minutes news program has shown in 'Doing Business with the Enemy,' New York City firefighters and police were outraged to discover part of their pensions are being invested in American companies doing business in Iraq, which includes military contracts - Halliburton being a prime example. Are any of those big-wigs facing any media heat, major protests, or resigning their positions? Ridiculous. [Edit: See 'The spin on Ward Churchill.']

'College official resigns after furor over guest speaker' - WBOC-TV (Feb. 21, 2005)

'N.Y. professor loses post over Churchill controversy' - DenverPost.com (Feb. 11, 2005)