Las Malvinas aka the Falklands is one of the last available theaters available to the Brits for flag waving and displays of military-style jingoism. They’ve been upping the ante lately. Prince William weighed in in his role as coptor co-pilot inflaming an already volatile situation that has seen angry headlines,
Continue readingAuthor: Jay Cables
Drive-by Planet: Citizen Poet project sends Vladimir Putin a message
Increasing numbers of Russians are fed up with Vladimir Putin’s power games, with rampant corruption and the slow pace of reform. After the ‘gap years’ with stand-in Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s orchestrated return to the Kremlin is being greeted with a heavy dose of cynicism. Where there is cynicism there is
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Song Byeok: N. Korean artist paints Kim Jung il in drag
What comes to mind when you mention “art” and “N. Korea” in the same sentence is propaganda – art that venerates Great Leader, glorious military victories, joyous workers and racial purity. It seems inconceivable that a N.Korean artist who dedicated his talents to producing state propaganda could ever be responsible
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: The Law in These Parts: difficult truths about Israeli justice
The Israeli film The Law in These Parts, was awarded Best Documentary at the 2011 Jerusalem Film Festival and the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Director Ra’anan Alexandrowicz, said it was the hardest film he has ever made. It’s a brilliant piece of work.
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Brock U study links low IQ with racism, prejudice
A Brock University study has come up with findings guaranteed to ignite a few fires on the net. Put in the most basic terms the research finds that people who succumb to racism and prejudice are less intelligent and likely to be drawn to right-wing ideologies. Researchers conducted in-depth analysis
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Brock U study: right-wingers less intelligent, more prejudiced?
A Brock University study on intelligence has come up with findings guaranteed to ignite a few fires on the net. Put in the most basic terms the research finds that people who are prejudiced towards gays and races other than their own are likely to be less intelligent and attracted
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: P183: Russian graffiti artist draws Banksy comparison
A Russian graffiti artist P183 aka “Bankski” to some, has been doing what is being described by as Banksy-like murals around Moscow. Such comparisons though aren’t particularly helpful. P183 could as easily be linked with Blek le Rat – in the end it’s about P183 and his brave venture in
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Âlâ magazine: is ‘Islamic fashion’ un-Islamic?
There is a degree of hypocrisy when it comes to Islam and its relationship with fashion. There has been an explosion of websites, magazines, fashion houses and events that showcase what can be described as “Islamic fashion” and yet there are those in the Islamic community who see the term
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: South Africa: interracial poster generates heat
Even with apartheid gone racial sensitivities still run deep in South Africa. There is nothing like a provocative photo to trigger a reaction. A political poster put out by the student wing of the Democratic Alliance – the main opposition party – is guaranteed to push a lot of buttons.
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Siberia: toys and dolls stage Russian mini-demo
Russians unhappy with rigged elections and the prospect of the return of Tzar Vlad don’t always have it easy making their objections known, especially if they happen to live in the Siberian city of Barnaul. Would-be protestors had to become resourceful when a protest was broken up and requests to
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: CasaPound: Ezra Pound’s daughter defends fascist papa
Top: Ezra Pound/Mary de Rachewiltz The daughter of the American poet, Ezra Pound, is demanding that the Italian extremist organization CasaPound stop using her father’s name. Mary de Rachewiltz was spurred to take legal action by the Christmas killing of two Senegalese traders in Florence. The perpetrator, Gianluca Casseri –
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Breivik’s manifesto 2083 to be adapted for stage by Cafe Teatret
The manifesto of Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik is headed for a dramatic makeover. The artistic director of the Copenhagen based Cafe Teatret, Christian Lollike, has plans to adapt the 1,500 page manifesto for the stage. Lollike said that the views espoused by Breivik aren’t unique and that it’s
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Loomit and year of ‘Germany in India’
The German graffiti artist Mathias Koehler aka Loomit has been working in India under the aegis of the year of “Germany in India”. Graffiti artists Zebster, Tasso and Wok have also been involved with the project. Here’s part of the statement put out by Infinite Opportunities that describes the aims
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Rick Perry’s misguided ‘Islamic terrorist’ spin re Turkey
As though we need any more proof that American politics on the right risks a descent into unhinged nuttiness, up steps Rick Perry with his wisdom on Turkey. Perry, who isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, has screwed up time and again in the course of the Republican race.
Continue readingDrive-by Planet: Murdoch tweets target Google, White House and Silicon Valley
Rupert Murdoch has had his hands full of late. He has been exploring his ‘human side’ with a Twitter account. No coincidence of course that he has taken to a Twitter facelift in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal involving News International. Employees in the Murdoch trenches have been accused
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