Britain And Ecuador In Diplomatic Crisis Over Julian Assange

British authorities threaten to raid the Ecuadorian Embassy in London to get Assange

The wire services of Reuters is reporting that a major diplomatic crisis escalated on Wednesday in London over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after UK authorities indicated that they would storm Ecuador's London embassy if Ecuadorian diplomats did not turn over Mr. Assange, who has been taking refuge there for two months.

In response, the Ecuadorian government quickly raised legal and diplomatic concerns over the British threats. Reuters reported that Ecuadorean government officials said such a raid would be considered a "hostile and intolerable act," and it would violate the sovereignty of Ecuador's government, and, by extension, its Embassy in London.

"We want to be very clear, we're not a British colony. The colonial times are over," Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said in an angry statement after a meeting with President Rafael Correa, Reuters reported.

The Ecuadorian Embassy in London posted the following statement yesterday on it's mission's website :

“We are deeply shocked by British government’s threats against the sovereignty of the Ecuadorian Embassy and their suggestion that they may forcibly enter the embassy.

This is a clear breach of international law and the protocols set out in the Vienna Convention.

Throughout out the last 56 days Mr. Julian Assange has been in the Embassy, the Ecuadorian Government has acted honourably in all our attempts to seek a resolution to the situation. This stands in stark contrast to the escalation of the British Government today with their threats to breakdown the door of the Ecuadorian Embassy.

Instead of threatening violence against the Ecuadorian Embassy the British Government should use its energy to find a peaceful resolution to this situation which we are aiming to achieve.“

The Associated Press wire service has already reported that British police have made arrests of peaceful activists outside the Ecuadorian Embassy.

Cosmo Girl, Helen Gurley Brown, Dead at 90

Hellen Gurley Brown, who edited Cosmopolitan magazine during an era of great social change for women, died today. She was 90.

Ms. Brown tapped into the revolution in both society and in publishing that was already taking place in the late 1950's and early 1960's when she wrote her bestselling book, "Sex and the Single Girl," in 1962.

Ms. Brown updated Cosmo with sexy young contributors, who, as trailblazing writers, had embraced writing about daring and controversial subjects, such as workplace sexual harassment, pre-marital sex, birth control, and abortion. Among the bright and famous contributors, whom Ms. Brown recruited to write for Cosmo, included Rona Jaffe, who some argue helped to launch the sexual revolution in America with the 1958 publication of her shocking novel, "The Best of Everything."

Historians and women's rights archivists debate about which early writer was the first to begin to influence society away from the repressive and conformist 1950's, even at this late date, most people attribute "Sex and the Single Girl" with more influence, even though "The Best of Everything" preceded it by four years. For example, look at how The New York Times puts Ms. Brown into a separate category, as if Ms. Jaffe hadn't already begun to alter social mores with her own writing :

Helen Gurley Brown, who as the author of “Sex and the Single Girl” shocked early-1960s America with the news that unmarried women not only had sex but also thoroughly enjoyed it — and who as the editor of Cosmopolitan magazine spent the next three decades telling those women precisely how to enjoy it even more — died on Monday in Manhattan. She was 90, though parts of her were considerably younger. (NYTimes)

But there is no doubt that Ms. Brown did provide a platform for writers, such as Ms. Jaffe and others, to create an outlet for an alternative view of about what women had the freedom to do, other than to push each other on the rat race down the marriage aisle, like Ms. Jaffe used to say.

Cosmopolitan's Helen Gurley Brown dies aged 90 ; Editor's 32-year stint at helm of women's magazine saw introduction of frank discussions about sex (Guardian)

Suzannah B. Troy Chad Seigel YouTube Video Rewind

VIDEO REWIND AND PARODY UPDATE

One year ago, on August 12, 2011, Suzannah B. Troy posted a YouTube video about Chad Seigel's response to a grievance complaint that Ms. Troy filed against Mr. Seigel's professional ethics.

And only yesterday, Ms. Troy was moved to criticise Mr. Seigel's perceived misogynist attitude by producing and staring in a parody video about the fact that Mr. Seigel once described a woman's vagina as a "Venus fly trap."

Chatroulette "Call Me Maybe" Parody (VIDEO)

Steve Kardynal has made a viral YouTube video (with over 8 million views in less than 3 days) from the song "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. The hilarious parody was made from videos recorded from Chatroulette.

Steve Kardynal Makes Chatroulette 'Call Me Maybe' Parody, Dances In Bikini (HuffingtonPost) * Bikini-Clad Fur Dude Shocks Chatroulette Users With Flawless Carly Rae Impression (PerezHilton)

Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen (Chatroulette Version)

Hilarious, viral YouTube video made by Steve Kardynal of the song "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen, set with videos recorded from Chatroulette.

Joseph Hayden Faces 7 Years

From The Amsterdam News :

The judge has set another date in the criminal case against 71-year-old community activist Joseph “Jazz” Hayden. Last week, a large group of supporters packed the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse demanding that District Attorney Cyrus Vance drop the charges against Hayden.

Hayden faces two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, stemming from a December 2011 incident when police found a pocketknife and a miniature replica baseball bat after searching his car.

Hayden alleges that the charges against him are a result of his filming police activities in the Harlem community. “I can unequivocally state that this stop and arrest were in retaliation for my work as a citizen reporter aggressively covering police-community relationships in the Harlem community,” said Hayden.

For the past four years, Hayden has implemented “Copwatch,” a program in which he and his team patrol the Harlem area and videotape police as they stop and frisk people. ...

Read more : Harlem activist could face up to seven years in prison

Watch as how Joseph "Jazz" Hayden has documented the questionable NYPD use of "stop and frisk" :

Fran Lebowitz on Occupy Wall Street

Fran Lebowitz spoke about the intersection of Occupy Wall Street and Michael Bloomberg, and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

"The thing I have enjoyed the most, I have to say, about Occupy Wall Street, because I am a vengeful and superficial person, is to see Bloomberg not have any idea which way to go with this thing. ... We know how he really feels, because, I mean, this mayor is not even in the 1%. He's in the 1% of the 1%. We have a mayor, who is so rich, that he will not live in a place actually called Gracie Mansion. It's not nice enough for him, you know ? He has not in any way attracted the ire of these [activists], which is shocking to me. I mean, when I walk around and sometimes these kids talk to me, I say, 'Go to Bloomberg's house.' You know, the day that they went to rich people's houses, I said, 'Go to Bloomberg's house,' and those kids said to me,'No, no, no. He's O.K., he said we could stay.' I said, 'What are you talking about ? This isn't his city. Anybody can stay. This is not his estate.' ...

"And we've seen the new, doe-eyed Christine Quinn -- all of a sudden, champion of the people, you know, not in fact his henchman or henchwoman that she's been for the last 40 years of his mayoralty, who helped him overturn two elections in order to have this third term.

Two days after the Zucotti Park eviction, Ms. Lebowitz said, Mike Bloomberg "is a central villian in all this." In respect of Speaker Quinn, Ms. Lebowitz said, "She is an architect of this."

Rupert Murdoch Endorses Paul Ryan

Rupert Murdoch endorses Paul Ryan selection for GOP VP candidate.

News Corporation Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch tweeted yesterday that he supported Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as the vice presidential running mate for the 2012 GOP presidential ticket. Mr. Ryan has a history of trying to destroy Medicare.

Rupert Murdoch ‏@rupertmurdoch : Thank God! Now we might have a real election on the great issues of the day. Paul Ryan almost perfect choice.

NYPD Shoots Knife Carrying Man Dead Near Times Square

NYPD officers open fire, killing man carrying a knife after terrifying chase through Times Square, The New York Daily News reports.

A deranged knife-wielding man was gunned down by police near Times Square Saturday after a bizarre backward chase in broad daylight that sent terrified tourists scrambling for safety. (NYDaily News) * Cops shot a knife-wielding maniac dead on a packed Midtown street yesterday after several officers drew their weapons and chased him at gunpoint through Times Square. (NYPost) * According to the police account, officers pepper sprayed the man six times but he held onto the knife throughout the seven-block pursuit. At West 37th Street, he lunged at police and two officers shot him in the torso, police said. He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. (AP)

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012) Trailer

The film examines this complex intersection of artistic practice and social activism as seen through the life and art of China's preeminent contemporary artist. From 2008 to 2010, Beijing-based journalist and filmmaker Alison Klayman gained unprecedented access to Ai Weiwei. Klayman documented Ai's artistic process in preparation for major museum exhibitions, his intimate exchanges with family members and his increasingly public clashes with the Chinese government. Klayman's detailed portrait of the artist provides a nuanced exploration of contemporary China and one of its most compelling public figures.

Senior Citizen Arrested For Asking Paul Ryan Question About Medicare Cuts

Mitt Romney's newly announce vice presidential running mate, Paul Ryan, has announced his support for severe cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, along with other controversial policies.

At a community meeting, Mr. Ryan was speaking about Medicare cuts when a senior citizen rose out of his chair and spoke in protest. Tom Nielsen was then promptly grabbed by police and security, and Mr. Nielsen was dragged to another room, where he was shoved to the ground and handcuffed. Meanwhile, Mr. Ryan was making unbelievable jokes about the poor senior citizen, who paid into Medicare his whole life, and only whats given to him what he paid for and what the government promised him now he has reached 71 and is in his old age years.

In John Waters's Film, Female Trouble, Aunt Ida Plays With Her Breasts (Edith Massey), But Once Suzannah B. Troy Talks Politics, YouTube Drapes e-Burka Over Her Videos : Censorship ?

It is a shame to see how blogs and YouTube videos, which discuss critical news about SAIC and the billion-dollar high-tech deals that give birth to insider dealing and mega corruption, can be labeled with adult warnings, but I've seen clips of John Waters' movies on YouTube with nudity and self-gratification scenes, but that's deemed perfectly funny by our admittedly raunchy online standards.

But as soon as a blogger starts talking about RICO charges and triple damages and civil and criminal trials, then we focus our eyes and attention on boobs, and we find reasons to restrict access to information that no msm outlet is putting out there. I wonder what would happen if I shaved my chest and put on a pair of falsies under a bikini top ? Would you give me a free pass, like topless YouTube clips of Edith Massey ? Would I finally get some attention focused on my Kickstarter project ?

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/louisflores/roots-of-betrayal-the-ethics-of-christine-quinn

But then again, I'd probably get labeled as adult content by your same sick and twisted double standards, and I'd only succeed at getting warnings on my online content.

Just because all men stare at Suzannah's boobs don't mean we should drape a digital full-body cloaks (aka ''adult warnings'') on her YouTube videos -- against her will.

Did I miss something, or isn't this exactly what you are doing to her work ? She's too sexy even in clothes, so let's drape her videos in adult warnings like a quasi "e-burka."

1960's French Music & Inspired OOTD

Some of my french music recommendations and inspired OOTD.

Sorry for the excessive finger pointing. I hope you enjoy the tunes!

MISS DIOR CHERIE COMMERCIAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oWGD5yYS9g

BRIGITTE BARDOT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANJjxQaIcoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMCfnLAKRl8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB112Vbl8-A

BRIGITTE BARDOT'S MUSIC IN STELLA ARTOIS AD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKpiYTRNsh8

FRANÇOISE HARDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V-b8QIYOpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPD-WPNxpmU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ST0EHvgsc

FRANCE GALL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwsTm7cRAV8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-iysdFu_TQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHR8wwv1qUk

APRIL MARCH COVERING FRANCE GALL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NDsbEiCxXw

CHANTAL GOYA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZfI2A601i8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fSoyXQeD8c

UNE FEMME EST UNE FEMME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dby0CpgBwV4

Golden Girls Attack Ad

Exclusive - Election Center - Jon Stewart produces a hilarious Golden Girls Attack Ad. Since Barack Obama became president, America has lost 75% of its "Golden Girls."

Note that the embedding code has been disabled by The Daily Show, please click through to The Daily Show website for a link to the funny Golden Girls Attack Ad clip.

Yo Soy 132 and #OWS Protest Against Carlos Slim at Saks Fifth Avenue

Correction : Early press releases for this event erroneously declared Mexico's Yo Soy 132 would be involved with the Carlos Slim event in New York. That, in fact, was not the case. Occupy Wall Street and Two Countries, One Voice emhpasized at the event that, while there is solidarity between the movements, Yo Soy 132 was not participating in the event. (The Nation)

Updated : Javier Soriano, a prominent freelance photographer and journalist, was shut out of the Monday's “Two Countries One Voice” press conference.

Cerca de 100 activistas realizaron una protesta frente a la tienda Saks Fifth Avenue en Nueva York. Los activistas denunciaron los beneficios del monopolio de telefonía de Carlos Slim. El gordo es dueño de una gran parte de la empresa Saks Fifth Avenue.

"As the richest man in the world, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helú has his hand in many honeypots including the phone company Telmex, the New York Times, and apparently Saks Fifth Avenue. Itself an icon of Manhattan luxury, protesters have picked the department store for a four-day rally beginning this afternoon: What's left of Occupy Wall Street plans to join forces with Yo Soy 132, the similarly amorphous Mexican student group, under the umbrella of what they're calling Two Countries, One Voice, for a demonstration against Slim's "monopolistic practices" at his telecommunications companies. "Carlos Slim is the 1 percent of the 1 percent," said one Occupy organizer. But the would-be villain himself won't be there, and doesn't seem to be sweating it." (NY Magazine)