Jimmy Breslin, Newsday.com writes about some Familiar, Haunting Words. (via rc3.org). At this point, I like to think we’re not quite there yet, but it seems we are heading down that road.

I asked a co-worker the other day, if it felt like this during the Vietnam war era. I was hoping that perhaps I was just missing the historical perspective and over-reacting. The gist of the response was that it was too early to really tell, although I have personal misgivings about it all… Back then they didn’t have the Patriot Act. I suppose history will tell.

I still get some interesting referers from the free_culture thing. Here’s one: Art and the Internet: What effect has the Internet had on Artists?

First person protest accounts up north:

• The Battle of San Francisco – Kevin Burton reports, w/ pictures
• ongoing coverage by Lisa Rein
• Raph gets arrested

Hardcopy – freeware Windows printscreen enhancement.

Clear Channel sponsors pro-war rallies – flipping around channels and actually heard the stuff on the airwaves. Hoo-fuckin-ray.

In 1987 the FCC repealed the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to cover controversial issues in their community and to do so by offering balancing views. With that obligation gone, Morris said, “radio can behave more like newspapers, with opinion pages and editorials.”

I didn’t realize it until right now, but as of this afternoon, our entire team is working on ‘war’ related web-stuff.

• Defense Tech – info on US munitions, ground fighting, etc
• Where is Raed – blogging from Baghdad
• BBC NEWS Reporter’s Log – blogging from Baghdad
• The Agonist – minute by minute updates
• Reuters: Focus Iraq
• Kevin Sites – photo/blogging from Northern Iraq
• bloghdad: Watching the war – William Saletan’s running commentary… err, w/o permalinks
• Electrolite – Patrick Nielsen Hayden w/ good commentary

Indy News/Commentary:

• IMC
• AlterNet.org
• disinformation
• The Morning News
• Media Channel

Tired of lame-o cellular networks? Yeah, me too. Can’t wait for the wi-fi phones. [mesh networks, here we come!]

• Nextel plans Smartphone, Wi-Fi phones
• Texas Instruments Introduces Industry’s First Tri-Wireless Personal Digital Assistant Concept Design
• Triad works to wed Wi-Fi to cellular

Today, I Weep for my Country… – Mar 19, 2003, Sen Robert Byrd (D-WV)

Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.

Another viewpoint: Sorry, Mr. Franklin, “We’re All Democrats Now” – Jan 29, 2003, US Rep Ron Paul (R-TX)

You won’t see any of this on CNN, although you’ll find some speculation on how much it’ll cost in the Money section. Can we super-size that? Might be a better value.

Interesting that a search for Rachel Corrie turns up nothing from any of the major US news outlets. Here’s a news flash, we don’t need you. [warning, some images are semi-graphic]

• Rachel Corrie In Her Own Words: Indymedia Italia
• Amnesty International Condemns Killing of Rachel Corrie
• Remembering Rachel Corrie, Photo story: Israeli bulldozer driver murders American peace activist
• Pictures of 23 year old ISM activist Rachel Corrie — crushed by an Israeli bulldozer
• Boucher: U.S. “Deeply Regrets” Death of American Peace Activist in Gaza
• Respect dignity of Palestinians, U.S. tells Israel
• University if Maryland Student Scorns Death of Rachel Corrie

In other news, IOF Assassinate 2 Palestinians, Extend Closure Indefinitely, BBC rouses anger by ‘burying’ documentary on Israel, oh and courtesy of the Ministry of Truth FOXNews, et al: Bush prepares to give the go-ahead for war.