Why can't I buy a Kufiyeh at Urban Outfitters anymore?

Been slacking on the postage for some time but there has been quite a bit of action on Palestinian issues here in New Orleans.

This past week GUPS(General Union of Palestinian Students) hosted poet Remi Kanazi at the University of New Orleans.



If your in New Orleans on May 19th, you won't want to miss George Galloway speak at UNO as well.




A few inspirational videos I've come across:

First up, Invincible; a female Jewish rapper with a pro Palestinian/human slant(sorry I have to point that out but you don't come across too many). She recently performed in NOLA:




Second up, Narcicyst; a Canadian of Iraqi descent. Hilarious video!



On the local front; here in New Orleans, LSU is trying to destroy the Charity Hospital that serves mostly mentally and physically poor people of the city. Here's a link to support Save Charity Hospital

and a quick video on the issue:



Last up; if you're looking to purchase a Kufiyeh made by Palestinians and not some major manufactured one from Urban Outfitters, you might want to support The Kufiyeh Project.

Till next time!

Israel: Back against the wall

I don't know what to say. We are in the 20th day of this fucked up onslaught of killing. Over 1,000 people killed. Thousands more injured. People are starving and scared.
Are we not human beings or what? This makes my blood boil! Just imagine if this was being done to you and your family. It would make me want to go and hurt somebody(putting it nicely).

As a Jew, I have always been taught to have empathy for others and I think that's a basic principle for any human being. This type of killing and oppression is not the Jewish trait I was brought up to believe in.

From what I hear, the majority of Israeli's support this "war". Now why would they feel like this? Is it that they are scared? Is it that they feel guilty for oppressing other people? Are they confused that they have built a foundation on quicksand?
I can imagine it being confusing when you are a second or third generation person being brought up in Israel and you are thrown into this mix, but it takes a lot of courage to look at yourself and say, "maybe I don't belong here", "maybe I should look a mile away and see what's really going on".

Is it realistic that "Israeli's" are going anywhere, anytime soon? Probably not. But if they want to stay there, I think some serious ego checks are in order from the Israeli government. I think the people of Israel are reasonable people(at least I hope) and would go with serious concessions to restore their faith from the rest of the world.

Rant rant rant..........

Gaza rally in New Orleans last weekend

Another rally this Sunday for those in New Orleans. Contact me if you'd like details.

Photos by Abdul Aziz

Massacre in Gaza!!!

Wikipedia defines "Massacre" as:

Massacre, the deliberate and intentional killing of a large number of human beings, under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to "the usages established among civilized peoples" (International Humanitarian Law term from the Martens Clause).

There's 1.5 million people living in Gaza(125 miles long/3 miles wide):


Ok, so if your trying to destroy your "enemy"(Hamas in this case), within that size of a space with that many people living in it, don't you think you might kill a lot of civilians?

Israel says Hamas does not accept Israel. Does Israel accept Palestine? I think not.
Israel has been systematically forcing the people of Palestine to the brink of starvation and making life so unbearable that they hope they will leave or give up any hope of having their own land and freedoms. Now Israeli is just saying fuck going slowly, let's just destroy them. Both "sides" have a long way to go in changing their policies for a just peace but the control is completely in Israels hands.


Can you really kill everyone to have peace? Does Israel really want peace or do they just want to own the entire area (Israel/Palestine)? Are Palestinians any less human than anybody else?

I'm sorry for the picture below but it can't be denied:

Kids these days!

There's no better way to get straight to the heart than being with a young one. In a world of either us or them, good or bad, enemy or friend; just spend 5 minutes with a child and you realize how dumb it is that us "adults" can't learn to love each other. Sounds corny but I think it's true. Just check out some of the following sites to see the yout dem from New Orleans to Palestine:


A mother from Gaza writes about her daily life raising her son Yousuf with a healthy sense of humor.


A group of children from a New Orleans community center



Or a group of introspective Israeli soldiers standing up for what they see as an illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.


"Promises"", a film about Israeli and Palestinian youth and the bonds they form:




It's up to us, the grown-ups, to lead our children in a more positive manner. It's not about taking any sort of moral high ground but rather as I see it, a realistic approach to sustaining our planet.

A fellow named Avraham Burg was featured in today's New York Times and was quoted as saying about Israel (which can be applied anywhere), “If we do not establish modern Israeli identity on foundations of optimism, faith in humans and full trust in the family of nations, we have no chance of existing.”
More from that article here.

Here's track to download by Patrizia & Jimmy called Trust Your Child, Pt. 1 .

Isreal shuts down food aid. Where is the OUTRAGE?

Israel has been systematically choking Palestinians and denying them any relief from hunger. Where is the outrage??? Recently former UN High Commisioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson spoke out against this oppression despite knowing full well that it's not viewed postivley to do so. It seems that know one else has the balls. Where are the international leaders?

I believe that even most Israeli's would be appalled at what they see (or don't see for that matter). I can imagine it would be very hard to really look at reality if it was being done in your backyard. A serious case of the denials is the only thing that is keeping this country afloat and that can only happen for so long.

My personal opinion is that Israel/Palestine is one of the most majestic, awesome places on the face of the earth, but if we as Jews want there to be a place called Israel, I think we need to back off and give all people their freedom and the healing can begin. Some serious concessions on both sides need to happen in order to co-exist.

This issue is so complex because feelings run real deep on both sides but if there can be a few moderate leaders who can simplify things on a ground level and force people to change their views in order to preserve a realistic way of life for everyone, than I think peace could be possible.

I'm interested in hearing from any of you as to what could be done to help solve these issues.

CJ and Max from Tacoma, Washington sum up the evening

Although Barack has said he stands with Israel, he seems to be much more open to listen to all sides on this issue. Let's hope this leads to real positive change for human rights worldwide. Having elected him can really help to restore our standing in the world.

Looking foward to our days ahead.......

Here's a song with a great message and dope break!

Skull Snaps-"It's A New Day"