NO LOGO

Links
ZNet - ParEcon - http://www.zmag.org/parecon/indexnew.htm
CorpWatch - http://www.corpwatch.org/

No logo is presented as the “spirit of anti-corporate resistance”. Logos are the consistent mark, slogan, or symbol of a particular company or product. We are all familiar with the Nike swoosh, Pepsi circle, and MacDonald’s Arches in fact we can not possibly ignore them. These logos are presented to us in every aspect of our lives as Americans. We no longer have a choice not to see the marketing of products. All this marketing started with mass industry; when your friend or neighbor no longer produced the product it became distant and strange. Therefore, large manufactures used logos to comfort people and to let them know they were getting the same product in Alabama as they did in Virginia. Through time marketing has become more important than the product itself. Companies sell an idea or a lifestyle; family, peace, love, and the American dream become commodities. The tangible product is no longer the purpose. Companies have the intention of establishing cultural roles; essentially, they can sell us back to ourselves. The merge of culture and the market means there is not a public sphere outside the market. We can not be citizens with out being consumers. In order to be a consumer we must be within the market and the market is privately owned by the corporations, this means the corporations control the flow of information within the market. No one can pass out pamphlets, peacefully demonstrate, or publicly speak about the companies affairs without being sanctioned. Many times companies do not adhere to public values or even the ideals they market, however, the behind the scene business is censored and hidden from the public. Companies’ sales may go down if commercials aired showing sweatshops, and told the public about the restriction of unions and global auctions for the cheapest labor, which is the most abusive. Business is doing what is best for them, but it is not good for the overseas workers they ‘employ’ or for us as Americans. Corporations view profit as more important than human dignity or the environment. The ideals of democracy, choice, and power and rights of the people are rapidly slipping away in part due to the practices of large corporations. As American citizens we can inform ourselves and others of the corrupt practices of corporations. Then we will be able to make wise decisions within the market place.

Control Room

Link to NPR interview with ilmmaker Jehane Noujaim.
http://www.npr.org./templates/story/story.php?storyId=1863575

Link to an article published in New York Times (2004)
http://commondreams.org/headlines04/0402-10.htm

3 Gap Countries

1. Belize
2. Morocco
3. New Guinea

Serenity

This is a futuristic science fiction movie that is action packed. It takes place in space involving ships and various planets. The political set up of this futuristic universe is suprisingly similar to the world's today. The inner 'civilized' planets form the alliance which has a parliment and totalitarian regime with a powerful military force. There are rebels and outer planets who are reluctant to join the alliance so there are seen as uncivilized animals. The plot of the film revolves around revealing the horrific secret the corrupt government is hiding.

The Pentagon's New Map

This is a good source of information about Thomas Barnett's book.
http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/pmn/index.htm

Comedy video links

Stephen Colbert C-SPAN
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879&q=genre%3Acomedy&hl=en

Chris Rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auqRgzuLaK8

Crude Addiction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kRgZEBLNVU

Michael Klare Speech

In August of 2004 Michael Klare released his book Blood for Oil, he spoke about the book and its relevance to the current disturbances between the US and the Middle East. Mr. Klare is not an eloquent public speaker, but his information and connections are well researched and formed. The book focuses on US policy and energy. The major link between terrorism and energy is revealed in a compelling way. Before the 9/11 tragedy George W. Bush was greatly concerned with attaining more oil for the US, this concern is emphasized by the release of the NEP. Anyone can look around and see that Americans are greatly dependent on oil. We could not go about our comfortable daily lives with out an abundant supply of oil at low costs. America was the first place that oil was developed and used on such a massive scale. Big business formed from the desire for oil’s conveniences. John D. Rockefeller with Standard Oil was only the beginning. Now there are a few Exxon or Chevron stations in every town. This displays our addiction to oil. After clarifying America’s interest in oil Mr. Klare gives us a small history lesson from the time of WWII. He explains the legislation known as the lend lease act, and that it ensures that America will provide assistant to countries essential to US security. In 1945, the leader of our free world, President Roosevelt, met with the King of Saudi Arabia, the sovereign power of a country that is abundant in oil. During that five hour meeting the two seemingly different men worked out an agreement to benefit both. They formed an alliance that provides Saudi Arabia’s royal family with protection and ensures the US with privileged access to oil form the region. Every since that meeting we have had a continuing interest in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Finally, the 1990’s Persian Gulf War is tied in to the equation. When Saadam Hussein invaded Kuwait it threatened the Saudi Arabia border and in doing so threatened our control of its oil. I was surprised to find out that we were not the only ones to offer assistance against Hussein; the other offer came from Osama Bin Laden. The US encircled Iraq attempting a containment and sanction strategy that only hurt the citizens and made Saadam stronger. We formed a lasting presence of outside military force in the area, which was distressing to Osama as well as the Royal family. This brings us back to the happenings of 9/11 and the cause of it – our countries greed for oil. The US is now militarizing ties with other countries, such as Nigeria, who have important resources. I’m shocked and appalled at my government’s hypocrisy. In every conflict our own economic interests have been top priority only covered by reasons of self-protection or freedom for others.

Syriana

George Clooney and Matt Damon both give stunning performances in this flick. It is definitely action packed and high paced. The story line is complicated and somewhat hard to follow. The movie gives the idea that culture, religion, and government (democracy/sovereign) are only underlying factors in US conflict with Middle East countries. Syriana points to economic factors as the leading and driving forces of conflict. Some of the problems caused by our addiction to oil include internal corruption and war. The oil company ultimately over powered all other factors of conflict. The royal families in the Middle East were coerced by company owners or officials that stopped them from doing business in a profitable and honest way. Highlighted by the competition between U.S. and China to develop and become similar. Small groups in both areas turn to religion differences to focus on and resist each others ideologies. These religious beliefs flow into all facets as a way to justify the actions carried out by individuals and groups such as company executives or terrorists. The thing that impacted me the most is that the lives of normal Americans and Middle East people are being affected and intertwined everyday. We are truly more alike than we are different. The movie gave a web site for more information about the topics the movie brings up.
www.participate.net/oilchange