In the final days of the calendar year, the people in power in this country want to reiterate their undying support for the ongoing genocide in Gaza. For the 2nd time this month the murderous Biden administration chose to bypass the so-called elected representatives in congress and approved an emergency weapons sale to the apartheid state of Israel as they continued their war crimes in Gaza under increasing international criticism.
The State Department said yesterday that secretary of state Antony (Tiny Tony) Blinken had informed congress of a 2nd emergency decision covering $147.5 million worth of lethal equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, all needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased. I’m not openly advocating for anyone to commit tax fraud, but we’re definitely getting pretty close to the point where paying taxes in America should be considered accessory to murder. Biden is apparently powerless in the fields of student loan forgiveness, assault weapons bans, and anything resembling police reform, but when it comes to arming colonizers, don’t you worry your pretty little head, the dusty old husk of a man has got that covered.
Meanwhile, upstanding nations like South Africa have declared their intention to pursue a case at the United Nations’ top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and demanding the court to order Israel to stop its attacks. There’s not much chance of actual success, but this would be the first such challenge made at the court over the current iteration of the 75 year zionist project. South Africa’s submission to the International Court of Justice alleges that “acts and omissions by Israel ... are genocidal in character” as they’re committed with the intent “to destroy Palestinians in Gaza” as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group. Israel predictably rejected the filing “with disgust” and dodged anything resembling accountability.
If there’s one thing to be thankful for this year, it’s how many people in the west and around the world are finally having their eyes opened to the crimes of the apartheid state of Israel. Last year, the average westerner wasn’t remotely aware of the daily realities in the besieged region of Gaza or the occupied West Bank. Now I’m beginning to see some conversations about just how many Israeli prime ministers, let alone politicians in general, have been actual terrorists, with reputations laundered and legitimized by the compliant west. Go back all the way to Israel’s founding and recognize that Yitzhak Shamir assassinated a UN peace negotiator out of fear that people might like his proposal for Palestine and this killer still became prime minister.
One thing I’ve learned this year is that I share a dream with Kwame Ture, the legendary civil rights activist and organizer, who spoke of a dream rooted in reality, not in imagery. Ture simply dreamt of having mint tea in Palestine. May 2024 bring us all closer to our dreams of liberation and justice.
Side Items
Worst Film of 2023: I finally did it. I watched the worst movie of the year, directed by a man named Gareth Edwards. “The Creator” is the film title, but I can already hear my father saying, “There’s only one Creator" (that would be God/Allah, shoutout Baba). But this movie is a stinker of the highest order. What were you thinking Gareth? The movie stars John David Washington (son of Denzel) and features got over two hours of beautiful visuals coupled with a haphazardly strewn-together plot devoid of any real meaning. Humans are once again fighting Artificial Intelligence in the form of robots and cyborgs, and the performances leave much to be desired. A solid 3/10 film, not even worthy of being watched on a plane
Top Content of 2023: Here are the links to some of the tidbits of internet content I’ve really found joy in this year. Have a look, perhaps they can spread the cheer
Philly Cop falling down the slide (and all of it’s various iterations)
The surprisingly apt and timely Pop Tart self-immolation: a truly devastating self-critique of both college sports & our capitalist system destroying itself
This incredibly filmed wave that smashed Ventura, CA yesterday, injuring several people, but not this particular videographer, who managed to mostly outrun the wave.
German Cops “defending a coal mine”
A visual tale of persistence, bravery, and perhaps a bit of stupidity
Film of the Year: The one I’m sure you’ve been waiting for, the best film released this year, in my opinion, is May the Lord Watch: The Little Brother documentary telling the story of a North Carolina-founded rap group in a beautifully depicted tale of brotherhood, growth, and self-belief that we can all learn from