Good Morning

Book 20 - John Pilger "The New Rulers of the World"

John Pilger "The New Rulers of the World" (Verso)





This book is four essays on a world dominated by corporations and imperialist governments that cause much death and suffering to further their goals. It's all a bit over the top, but probably more true than most of us would let ourselves believe.

The first essay called "The Model Pupil" is about how western governments supported the brutal reign of Indonesia's General Suharto and the overthrow of the nation's popular government and then allowed corporate interests to divvy up the country. Next, "Paying the Price", tells of the suffering of Iraq's citizenry from post-Gulf War sanctions that limit the food, medicine, and material allowed into the country, as well as constant military action such as bombings in the "No Fly Zone." Saddam Hussein profited during this time and the western military helped keep down uprisings to keep him in power. The story is continued in "The Great Game" where the specter of terrorism is compared to the atrocities of much greater magnitude initiated or covered up by western governments, as well as the oft-told story of the CIA's involvement in creating Osama Bin Laden. In the final essay, "The Chosen Ones" Pilger writes about his home country of Australia welcoming the Olympic games while hiding their dark past and shameful present in oppressing the aboriginal peoples. One interesting idea I got from this book is that although the US government has been behind much atrocity, greed, and dishonesty that it is not just an American trait. Pilger puts it clear that Britain, France, and Germany have done the same when they've had the power and that any country in control could (and probably would) do the same.

Wonderful, if distressing stuff. Highly recommended.

Dimensions of Dialogue

If you love surrealism then you must have Jan Svankmajer's short films collection.

Dimensions of Dialogue (Jan Svankmajer)

ENJOY

International Women's Day

Sunny day again but still ruddy cold.

Anyway, dear reader, I am just announcing that Monday is International Women's Day so my music posts will be all women composers and women soundtrack score creators.




It is celebrated on 8 March around the world. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights.

After the Socialist Party of America organized a Women's Day in New York City on February 28, 1909, German delegates Clara Zetkin, Käte Duncker, Paula Thiede and others proposed at the 1910 International Socialist Woman's Conference that "a special Women's Day" be organized annually. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted by the feminist movement in about 1967. The United Nations began celebrating the day in 1977.

Commemoration of International Women's Day today ranges from being a public holiday in some countries to being largely ignored elsewhere. In some places, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day that celebrates womanhood. Not to be ignored by me, I will feature them in the next few music posts. There should be more women composers, soundtrack composers and female electronic musicians.


A couple of tunes by women - just a taster for my next load of posts. 

Laura Karpman & Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum - Regarding Susan Sontag

Elizabeth Maconchy - Music for Strings: 1/ Molto moderato

ENJOY