New Year, Same Invasions

Happy New Year. Or at least it is for some. While the atrocities of Israels relentless attacks on Gaza have today resumed, I came across this link (cheers Jarrod) in support of Israeli youth who are refusing to join the army after 12th grade as the government enforces conscription on both genders.



While it does nothing to lessen the actions of the Isreali government, it does highlight the fact that across the world, there is a generation of young people (without dreadlocks, communist badges or Che Guevara t-shirts) who are choosing life over death, peace over war and making courageous stands for humanity - even if it means ending up in jail as it does for these young people....for further info, see this website





But the main reason for this post was a slideshow of images I put together after attending an Invasion Day rally here in Brisbane on Sat. 26th Jan. For non-indigenous Australians, traditionally this day is called Australia Day; people paint their faces and drape themselves with the flag of Empire.

Meanwhile vast numbers of first Australians, who are the true custodians of the land and the many nations that existed long before white fella's arrived, are still living in appalling conditions, left with the pain and heartache of mysteriously unresolved 'deaths in police custody' cases, and face an incarceration rate 13 times higher than the rest of Australia's population....

Thankfully this Jan 26th, the streets weren't only lined with red white and blue flags....

enjoy & peace.

Sounds are provided by the Melbourne based activist urban-roots crew Blue King Brown.

Cottonmouth VIII

The blog is resurrected after nearly a year of absence....in that time I've managed to finish my MA (and pass....phew), apply for permanent residence in this nation, and get married, so no I don't feel bad for the lack of posts considering!

First up, thanks to all who came out to Cottonmouth last night, it was great to see so many out supporting live art in Perth.....especially those who were gracious enough to turn up so early and catch the spoken word first act on!

The highlights for me was Afeif Ismail Abdelrazig sharing poetry in Arabic about (among other things) the reality of Darfur (and western ignorance to it). It was good to hear someone bring such a confronting, mournful piece.

In other poetry news, applications for the 08 National Poetry Slam Perth heats are now open! It's a chance for ANYONE to step up and perform an original two minute piece in one of the least competitive environments I've been in...in the hope of getting to the national finals, as the awesome Vivienne Glance did last year....hope to see you at the heats at the Bakery!
Email and info can be found here: http://www.writingwa.org/about/programmes-services/aus-poetry-slam/

Finally, caught up with a mate Ray yesterday and was able to get hold of a rawcus CD by his band Blac Blocs.....check them out here; http://radicalhack.com/blacblocs/?q=node/2
It's great to hear that in an age when punk panders to providing a soundtrack to the ad campaigns of the Empire, that some bands still 'get' what having any association to 'punk' is all about. If you play this at the proper volume to appreciate it (ie: 11) expect complaints from the neighbors (and the cops...)

I shall endeavor to update more regular like from now on, in the meantime, check the myspace:
www.myspace.com/dissentofdidymus ....... and keep a look out for the debut Dissent of Didymus mixtape, due out Oct/Nov. at no good music outlets....

Discovering new music...

Thanks to my new brother's Harry & Jarrod for introducing me to Kev Carmody.



Rebel Jams of the finest order, armed with his voice and one 'facist killing machine'...definatly worth checking out, especialy for all you 'poms' back home...