Underdog's glory days are long gone
Proving my surveillance is like taking one step forward and ten steps back. Arrghh! Just last night, my mother said to me, 'everybody gets hang-up calls - it happens all the time.' For godsakes, I know that. If people are going to second-guess even my most basic evidence - that is, the constant weird phone calls I still receive - I'm literally gonna go crazy.
All I know is: major things are going on; I'm being threatened; and others are seriously at risk. Yet, when one lacks credibility - as I do - it's impossible to say or do anything about anything. (Correction: Something can be done.)
Too bad, I didn't have a recorder back in 2001. I could've taped some of the *crazy* Hollywood-movie-type encounters I've had with people. Now that I do actually have an audio recorder, I can see how and why intelligence agencies appear to have benefitted from their close study of my overanxious self, and my outspoken ways. (All of this goes beyond your wildest dreams.)
Despite my new gadgets (ie, camera, recorder), connecting all the dots remains a challenge. [1] What I need people to do is to step 'outside the box' with me, in order to better grasp the situation. I've been called an innovative person before, and my strategies for coping with surveillance have been somewhat inventive. Yet, to credibly describe how my surveillers have reaped countless benefits from my oppression, my inflammatory ways, my dismal employment experiences, and others' disbelief in me, would take forever.
Well, now that I've got all that off my chest, let's dive right in...
Fine-Tuning the Capitalist System - Part 1
(I haven't gotten to my discussion on water yet, but this is a start.)
In February, I happened to watch American Justice: The Erin Brockovich Story on TV. [2] Being suspicious, paranoid me - a response largely developed through the relentless surveillance and harassment I've been experiencing for four years now - I immediately wondered WHY this program was being aired. [3] Then, a few days later, surprise! U.S. President George W. Bush announces a new bill, which limits class-action lawsuits against companies. Unbelievable as it may seem, this makes corporations even less culpable now.
Where does this leave public accountability?
Perhaps the Bush administration was watching and waiting on the results of Canada's Walkerton water case to gauge public responses in Canada. The trial had ended just two months before, in late December 2004, and a very light sententence had been passed.
[Edit: To avoid writing too long a post, I did not comment on the Walkerton water case. Yet, it's pretty clear the Canadian government neatly sidestepped its role and responsibility in this disaster. Other thoughts to come...]
Actually, the U.S. feds probably knew how minor Canada's punishment would be for such an unnecessary tragedy, which killed seven people and caused sickness for more than 2000 residents in Walkerton, Ontario. [4][5]
The new U.S. bill blocking class-action lawsuits may not prove my 'surveillance theories.' But please just bear in mind the overall context of my concerns: I believe corporate monopolies are rapidly being strengthened, as a result of illegal government surveillance tactics, and unprecedented co-operation among major corporations is currently underway - particularly in the IT (information technology), digital media, food/agriculture, and other major industries. I believe such invasive surveillance and research is taking place in Toronto - and across Canada - on a scale that few people would ever possibly believe.
The new bill being implemented by the U.S. government is consistent with concerns I had expressed in this post about growing totalitarianism.
For a more technical, yet left-leaning explanation about the anti-class action bill, please see:
'Bush signs bipartisan bill to curb class action lawsuits' - World Socialist Web Site, Feb. 22, 2005.
It seems, to me, both the wealthy and the powerful are being protected, in more ways than one. According to iWon News, 'President Bush brought another new law into force last month, by setting tough penalties of up to 10 years in prison for anyone caught distributing a movie or song prior to its commercial release.'
Tsk, tsk for those who believe in affordable art and entertainment. Never mind the health and lives of those who are knowingly subjected to various forms of industrial pollution, chemical side effects, and the like.
(By the way, my neighbour downstair's door just slammed heavily, as I was adding the above paragraph. Paranoia? Perhaps. But I can show, later, that this person has clearly been harassing me for two long years, without due cause. While I may bare my teeth at others, except for two brief responses from me - which another neighbour fully applauded, before finally moving out in frustration from the music and noise - I have never given this person reason to perpetually harrass me.)
Entertainment is the grandest illusion of them all. Average consumers pay a good portion of their earnings on entertainment products. This leaves them disempowered and dependent on media, as well as being susceptible to any propaganda they may inevitably bring.
'Feds Shut Web Site in Piracy Crackdown' - iWon News, May 25, 2005.
The timing of this media piracy crackdown is interesting. The article indicates authorities had prior knowledge and evidence, yet they chose to shut down the site and arrest the webmasters, after the Star Wars sequel was released, and massive downloading was well underway.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is an amazing film, by the way. Definitely worth seeing. I'm a Star Wars fan, yet nothing could compare with the incredible fandom of a friend from my former school programme.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND SEEING American Justice: The Erin Brockovich Story.
-----------
[1] I'll eventually post a complete list of both my 'Basic Activist Survival Kit' and my 'Digital Gear Guide for Activists.' Neither one will be comprehensive: they will simply specify what I personally use for survival and self-defense.
[2] Although the ANDERSON v PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC case took place just ten or so years ago, I can assure you that with today's sophisticated technology and insidiously widespread surveillance, such a successful crusade as Erin Brockovich and Ed Masry's is never likely to happen again - unless it is deliberately contrived. Expect many of the latter to surface in the news.
[3] I was unsurprised to discover The Erin Brockovich Story documentary is several years old, which means the recent February 2005 airing was not part of American Justice's regular season schedule.
[4] I'm certainly no fan of jail sentences, as being a cure-all for society's many complex problems. In May 2000, I participated in the International Penal Abolition conference at Ryerson University. Compared to expensive U.S.-backed super-jails, like those we now have in Ontario, the concept of 'healing or transformative justice' takes a broader approach. Healing justice does not absolve governments of responsibility, nor does it minimize the impacts upon victims and communities - instead, it focuses on rehabilitation. Wrong-doers are taken to task at a deep personal level. Perpetrators can then see how much they have either wronged others or transgressed society - and hopefully, will reform. This also allows victims more personal closure.
(Note: I participated in an anti-police brutality protest march, during the ICOPA conference. In retrospect, I now believe several people I had met 'by chance' are probably government moles or plants.)
[5] More articles on the Walkerton water disaster:
Deadly E.coli in Ontario - About.com Canada Online, May 31, 2000,
'Walkerton water tragedy' - The Globe and Mail, Oct. 18, 2004.
All I know is: major things are going on; I'm being threatened; and others are seriously at risk. Yet, when one lacks credibility - as I do - it's impossible to say or do anything about anything. (Correction: Something can be done.)
Too bad, I didn't have a recorder back in 2001. I could've taped some of the *crazy* Hollywood-movie-type encounters I've had with people. Now that I do actually have an audio recorder, I can see how and why intelligence agencies appear to have benefitted from their close study of my overanxious self, and my outspoken ways. (All of this goes beyond your wildest dreams.)
Despite my new gadgets (ie, camera, recorder), connecting all the dots remains a challenge. [1] What I need people to do is to step 'outside the box' with me, in order to better grasp the situation. I've been called an innovative person before, and my strategies for coping with surveillance have been somewhat inventive. Yet, to credibly describe how my surveillers have reaped countless benefits from my oppression, my inflammatory ways, my dismal employment experiences, and others' disbelief in me, would take forever.
Well, now that I've got all that off my chest, let's dive right in...
Fine-Tuning the Capitalist System - Part 1
(I haven't gotten to my discussion on water yet, but this is a start.)
In February, I happened to watch American Justice: The Erin Brockovich Story on TV. [2] Being suspicious, paranoid me - a response largely developed through the relentless surveillance and harassment I've been experiencing for four years now - I immediately wondered WHY this program was being aired. [3] Then, a few days later, surprise! U.S. President George W. Bush announces a new bill, which limits class-action lawsuits against companies. Unbelievable as it may seem, this makes corporations even less culpable now.
Where does this leave public accountability?
Perhaps the Bush administration was watching and waiting on the results of Canada's Walkerton water case to gauge public responses in Canada. The trial had ended just two months before, in late December 2004, and a very light sententence had been passed.
[Edit: To avoid writing too long a post, I did not comment on the Walkerton water case. Yet, it's pretty clear the Canadian government neatly sidestepped its role and responsibility in this disaster. Other thoughts to come...]
Actually, the U.S. feds probably knew how minor Canada's punishment would be for such an unnecessary tragedy, which killed seven people and caused sickness for more than 2000 residents in Walkerton, Ontario. [4][5]
The new U.S. bill blocking class-action lawsuits may not prove my 'surveillance theories.' But please just bear in mind the overall context of my concerns: I believe corporate monopolies are rapidly being strengthened, as a result of illegal government surveillance tactics, and unprecedented co-operation among major corporations is currently underway - particularly in the IT (information technology), digital media, food/agriculture, and other major industries. I believe such invasive surveillance and research is taking place in Toronto - and across Canada - on a scale that few people would ever possibly believe.
The new bill being implemented by the U.S. government is consistent with concerns I had expressed in this post about growing totalitarianism.
- Bush Signs Bill Curbing Lawsuits - Fox News, Feb. 20, 2005.
- 'Bush signs limits on class actions' - MSNBC News, Feb. 18, 2005.
- Bush Signs Bill to Curb Class-Action Suits - NewsMax.com Wires, Feb. 19, 2005.
- 'Bush Signs Bill to Curb Class-Action Suits' - ABCNews.com, Feb. 19, 2005.
For a more technical, yet left-leaning explanation about the anti-class action bill, please see:
'Bush signs bipartisan bill to curb class action lawsuits' - World Socialist Web Site, Feb. 22, 2005.
It seems, to me, both the wealthy and the powerful are being protected, in more ways than one. According to iWon News, 'President Bush brought another new law into force last month, by setting tough penalties of up to 10 years in prison for anyone caught distributing a movie or song prior to its commercial release.'
Tsk, tsk for those who believe in affordable art and entertainment. Never mind the health and lives of those who are knowingly subjected to various forms of industrial pollution, chemical side effects, and the like.
(By the way, my neighbour downstair's door just slammed heavily, as I was adding the above paragraph. Paranoia? Perhaps. But I can show, later, that this person has clearly been harassing me for two long years, without due cause. While I may bare my teeth at others, except for two brief responses from me - which another neighbour fully applauded, before finally moving out in frustration from the music and noise - I have never given this person reason to perpetually harrass me.)
Entertainment is the grandest illusion of them all. Average consumers pay a good portion of their earnings on entertainment products. This leaves them disempowered and dependent on media, as well as being susceptible to any propaganda they may inevitably bring.
'Feds Shut Web Site in Piracy Crackdown' - iWon News, May 25, 2005.
The timing of this media piracy crackdown is interesting. The article indicates authorities had prior knowledge and evidence, yet they chose to shut down the site and arrest the webmasters, after the Star Wars sequel was released, and massive downloading was well underway.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is an amazing film, by the way. Definitely worth seeing. I'm a Star Wars fan, yet nothing could compare with the incredible fandom of a friend from my former school programme.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND SEEING American Justice: The Erin Brockovich Story.
-----------
[1] I'll eventually post a complete list of both my 'Basic Activist Survival Kit' and my 'Digital Gear Guide for Activists.' Neither one will be comprehensive: they will simply specify what I personally use for survival and self-defense.
[2] Although the ANDERSON v PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC case took place just ten or so years ago, I can assure you that with today's sophisticated technology and insidiously widespread surveillance, such a successful crusade as Erin Brockovich and Ed Masry's is never likely to happen again - unless it is deliberately contrived. Expect many of the latter to surface in the news.
[3] I was unsurprised to discover The Erin Brockovich Story documentary is several years old, which means the recent February 2005 airing was not part of American Justice's regular season schedule.
[4] I'm certainly no fan of jail sentences, as being a cure-all for society's many complex problems. In May 2000, I participated in the International Penal Abolition conference at Ryerson University. Compared to expensive U.S.-backed super-jails, like those we now have in Ontario, the concept of 'healing or transformative justice' takes a broader approach. Healing justice does not absolve governments of responsibility, nor does it minimize the impacts upon victims and communities - instead, it focuses on rehabilitation. Wrong-doers are taken to task at a deep personal level. Perpetrators can then see how much they have either wronged others or transgressed society - and hopefully, will reform. This also allows victims more personal closure.
(Note: I participated in an anti-police brutality protest march, during the ICOPA conference. In retrospect, I now believe several people I had met 'by chance' are probably government moles or plants.)
[5] More articles on the Walkerton water disaster:
Deadly E.coli in Ontario - About.com Canada Online, May 31, 2000,
'Walkerton water tragedy' - The Globe and Mail, Oct. 18, 2004.
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