The View from Down Here

My name is Eric James Jacobson, and I am 31 years old.

I was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1977 and raised in the hills of Central Pennsylvania.

I was baptized Lutheran, and confirmed in the church when I was 13.

Yet, since I was just six years old, I have counted myself an Atheist.

No, I do not believe in God.

Despite this, the following things are true about me:

I am a hopeless romantic, and above all things, I have faith and belief in the fucked up emotion we humans call Love.

I'm a very caring person. Every chance I get, I contribute to social projects like Habitat for Humanity, or donate time and effort to charities for things like Breast Cancer and Autism research.

I try my best to be a good friend to those whom I call friend. I'm there when they need a ride, an ear to chew off, or when they need a shoulder - figuratively or literally.

Pending the results of a DNA test, there is a good chance that I am a father. And I don't plan on being one of those deadbeat dads, either. No fucking way in hell. I have every intention of being the best father I can be for Lucas, my limitations be damned.

I'm an animal lover, especially cats, if that isn't obvious by now. While I'm not some sort of PETA freak by any stretch of the imagination, I do believe that the other members of the Animal Kingdom (yes, we're members, like it or not) have every right to co-exist with us in some way, while still obeying the natural order (which we're lucky to be near the top of).

I'm the kind of guy who'll hold open a door for other folks, let them cut line, give them right of way on the road, and generally stay out of their way. I'm not here to inconvenience anyone.

I am an entertainer. I sing and perform, mostly because people like it. It brings me great joy to entertain other folks and make them happy. If they like what I'm doing and it makes them smile, then I can go home and sleep good knowing that I did my job.

I am not a bigot. Black, White, Native American, Latino, Arab, Indian, Asian, Gay, Bisexual - I don't care WHAT you are. What matters to me is WHO you are. There is only one race: The Human Race. We're all in this together, and quite frankly, we need all the help we can get from every source available.

And yet, I am one of the least-trusted people in America. I am discriminated against with insane prejudice. I am looked down upon. People would more likely fire a crass word at me and walk away fuming than say hello and ask how I am. I am trusted less than Hindus, Muslims, Bhuddists, Scientologists, and pretty much any other fringe group you can possibly think of.

Why?

The don't trust me because I'm a godless heathen.

Yes. My lack of belief in any sort of deity is the sole reason. Because I don't believe in God, I can't be trusted. I must be the enemy, because I am not with them.

Despite all the positive aspects of my life - aspects that I think make me just like a lot of other people who do the same things, regardless of faith - I am still at the bottom of the popularity food chain.

They say crazy things, like "Atheism is a religion." Um, no. Theism is practicing Religion. Atheism is literally "Without Theism," or without practicing Religion. To use an analogy that will make Christians uncomfortable: Sexual Reproduction is reproducing through the act of sex. Asexual Reproduction is reproducing without the act of sex. Yummy! Sex!

They say that we're "Agents of Satan." Um, no. If we don't believe in any sort of God figure, then it logically follows that we don't believe in any sort of Devil figure, either, sorry.

They claim that America is somehow a "Christian Nation." This would lead one to believe that they think we don't belong as citizens of this "Christian America" because we're not Christian. Well, I'd like to remind them that while I'm obviously not Christian, I'm not anything else, either. And no, the Founding Fathers, Christian though some of them may have been, had the foresight to make sure that our basic rights included Freedom of Religion, and that our Constitution made it clear that no one religion would be established as a State Religion. No "Christian Nation" for you, sorry.

And there's another thing: Why am I saying sorry so damned much? What have Atheists done throughout history that they should be sorry for? Should Abraham Lincoln be sorry because he abolished slavery, a practice abused by so many Southern Christians?

Christianity, and Religion as a whole, has a lot to be sorry for, and it's all well-documented historical fact. So, I'm done saying I'm sorry.

I won't say it until the Irish Catholic Church apologizes to the people it abused and faces justice for its actions - In the Name of God.

I won't say it until the Vatican cracks down on filth like that worldwide, and apologizes for centuries of abuse and cover-ups - In the Name of God.

I won't say it until supposedly-good people like Pat Robertson and Fred Phelps quit spewing their rancid bile and apologize for being absolute, colossal douchebags - In the Name of God.

And you know what else? I'll continue being an Atheist. But more importantly, through my words and my actions combined, I will continue to be as good a human being as I can be, and contribute positively to society as much as I can. I will continue to love, to entertain, to give, to drive, to build, and to care.

In the name of Human Kind.

Cuts Like a Knife

Holy shit.

Found this under the Fark Video Tab (FT): Meet Machii Isao - The Modern Samurai Legend. This guy slices and dices through all kinds of crazy stuff. In this poorly-subtitled clip, you see some of the stuff he's carved up in the past, as well as several new (to that broadcast, anyway) challenges - Including a BB fired from an Airsoft gun! Witness:

That's just sick. Kinda makes Anime a little more believable. They need to get this guy on Mythbusters. Seriously...

Ready to Rock

Two weeks and one day.

Antsy? Hell yeah. Excited? Hell yeah. Nervous? A little, would be lying if I said I wasn't.

Bemused? After a few recent events, yes, most assuredly. I learned a lot about a fellow musician's true nature today. It'll be interesting to see if he comes to the show or not. I'm indifferent either way, really. I neither need nor desire his approval of what we do. Honestly, if he's going to make that much of an issue of it, it's not worth it in the end.

All in all, though, I'm really looking forward to the whole night overall. It'll be interesting to see - out of all those people who've said they'd come - who actually does show up, how many people in general show up, and what kind of crowd it will be. We're all hoping for a big one, of course.

What's really going to set that weekend off, though, is Friday night. My friend TT is a part of fellow local rockers Rapid Fire, and we have a mutual acquaintance of sorts. They've invited me to their show Friday night to sing a song (what one, I don't know). Whether this mutual "friend" shows up or not, it doesn't really matter. It's about the rock, and these boys know how! It'll be awesome to share a stage with them!

So what does this mean for the rest of the world? Not much. I just needed to get some of that out so I can stop thinking about it and relax. I'm going to see Candlelight Red tonight, and you know what?

I might actually have a date. Who knew, right?!?

In the meantime, though, I have a truck to clean out and some laundry to do...

The Evil of the Thriller

I know I said some pretty nasty things about Michael Jackson the other day. I still stand by them, in fact. But when you separate the music from the personal life, there's still a bright spot. Let's face it: Jacko wrote some pretty fucking good songs.

And now is one of the fruits of his inspiration. This was actually released in October of last year, but now that Jacko is gone, I figure it's a fun way to say hey, I'm not all negative about the Gloved One. Enjoy: 64 a a'cappella tracks, no instruments: Just one man, his voice, a web cam and some creative editing!

Hollywood is Dying

It's been a bad two weeks - and overall, a bad two years - for Hollywood.

Bea Arthur. Ed McMahon. Farrah Fawcett. Michael Jackson. Billy Mays.

And today, the death of legendary supporting man Karl Malden. And that's just halfway through 2009. Thank [insert deity here] that Abe Vigoda is still alive.

The tragic loss of Heath Ledger. The passing of Star Trek Matriarch Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. King of Comedy Bernie Mac, entirely too soon. Marlon Brando's son Christian, killer though he was convicted as. Brad Renfro, sadly of the juice.

I really don't want to spend all day hunting down all of these people on Wikipedia, but there are many, many more to add to that list. All big names. Some old, some unfortunately young.

And with them is going the industry that made them all famous in one way or another. Hollywood itself, like the stars that seem to shine for such a short time in its limelight, is dying.

Years of rampant corporate consolidation has taken what was once a mecca of high-art and creative exposition into a watered-down, purely commercial cesspool of crap, with the occasional bright spot.

We have hacks like Michael Bay, who's taken a franchise that I love and turned it into a barely recognizable General Motors/Chevy commercial, full of nothing but the banal eye candy of special effects and explosions.

Don't get me wrong, I like special effects and explosions. But I also like my Transformers Generation One compatible. Let's get over ourselves already, people: Megatron is a HAND GUN. Wah fucking wah. And not having Frank Welker provide his voice alongside Peter Cullen's Optimus Prime is blasphemy. And I remember a time when Transformers told a pretty boss story. Why they had to deviate from that (yet again, like so many rip-off TV evolitions) is beyond me.

We're flooded with sequel after sequel after sequel. While some movies, like the Harry Potter adaptations, have no choice but to use multiple sequels to tell the full story, most are just made to cash in on the successful first movie. If that cash-in is worth anything during any sub-sequent release, more will ultimately be made.

Shrek Forever After (once called Shrek Goes Fourth) is coming soon. Oh yes, a fourth one. The first two were funny as hell, but the third kinda drug its feet. The only thing I hope it does is encourage Justin Timberlake to quit music and get into comedy acting, because he's honestly one very funny motherfucker. I am holding hope, though, since the plot sounds fairly cool, and Sir Paul McCartney is voicing a character as well.

Here are some sequels that absolutely ruined great original movies:

The Neverending Story II and III - What. The. FUCK?!? There is absolutely no reason for the Rock Biter to sing Born to be Wild. That is all I have to say. Avoid these like the plague. The only bright spot is a then-unknown Jack Black in III, but even that can't save it.

Any Direct-to-DVD Disney Animated Feature sequel - If you create one masterpiece, then you leave it alone. If you can't get the original voice actors back, there's no point. There are only so many songs that can be written about any given subject. Please, Disney. STOP.

Ace Ventura Jr. Pet Detective - Oh yes, this one exists, and many of your children have seen this flaming turd on Cartoon Network. The sequel to the only real sequel Jim Carey has ever consented to do. It's so bad, it went straight to air on Cartoon Network and hasn't even hit DVD that I know of as of this post.

Austin Powers: Goldmember - OK, the second one was good, but it obviously slowed down from the first. Meyers should have stopped there, because the third one was just reaching, grasping at straws, whatever clichè you want to use for the well running dry.

There are entirely too many remakes being made as well, of both old films and film versions of old TV shows. Starsky and Hutch, Charlie's Angels, The Italian Job, The Brady Bunch, Land of the Lost, Lost in Space, The Day the Earth Stood Still...

All illustrates one giant, gaping flaw in the current Hollywood design: They're just plain out of ideas.

And so they keep going back to the well, even though it's bone dry, and still they managed to somehow pack theaters with mindless junk. Even though - for now - the money's coming in, time is still running out.

They can't keep this up for much longer. More and more big-budget films bomb. And as drugs, age, and accidents continue to claim its marquee stars, it's losing it's second greatest asset.

Their greatest asset? Writers, and for some reason, they're actively shunning the really good ones by shelving their products or seeing no marketable hook/catch that they can make a mint off of.

It's no longer about producing good cinema. And when cinema isn't good, the industry's healt isn't good, either. Hollywood is dying, and only it can save itself.

But like the rest of the corporate world, it's a slave to the almighty bottom line, servants of shareholders who care nothing for anything but profit.

And as Hollywood goes, so follows America...

That Was It - Michael Jackson 1958-2009

If you're coming here to see a heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson, you might want to turn around now. I won't be saying anything nice about the King of Pop, that's for damned sure. I'm positive that you'll find the solace you seek by turning on the absolutely disgusting wall-to-wall Jacko coverage on any of the 24 hour cable news networks, and also FAUX News.

And now, the absolute truth about Michael Jackson's death:

Although the tox report won't be back for 6 or 8 weeks, it's not hard to figure out what killed the iconic performer. His personal physician did what everyone else has done for this man all his life: Gave in to his begging and pleading to end the pain. In this case, the relief Michael begged for came in the form of what has been reported to be a rather larger-than-normal dose of Demerol, a high-powered pain killer.

Sometime after this shot, Michael's body shut down and his heart went into cardiac arrest, commonly known as a heart attack.

It's been reported that his personal physician tried to revivie Michael himself, failing and having someone call 911 instead. This attempt at resuscitation probably took about two or three minutes before the decision was made to call for help. The call itself lasted about a minute, minute and a half. To be fair, we'll only add one minute to the tally.

Total time since collapse so far, at least 4 Minutes.

Reports state that it took approximately 3 minutes for Rescue Vehicle 71 to reach the rented mansion. Add another minute for them to back in, unload, and actually reach whatever room Jackson was in.

Total time since collapse so far, at least 8 Minutes. That's 8 minutes that Jackson hasn't been breathing, and his heart hasn't been pumping blood throughout his system, including the brain.

The paramedics tried to revive Jackson at his home just after they arrived. Given that these are highly trained professionals, they wouldn't have tried very long before determining that the patient would need to be immediately taken to the hospital. That said, they probably tried for around two minutes, and then took another two minutes to load him into the waiting work bay of Rescue Vehicle 71.

Total time since collapse so far, at least 12 Minutes.

It was reported that the ride to UCLA Med took approximately 7 minutes, during which time the paramedics continually tried to revive Jackson.

Total time, at least 19 Minutes.

Once at UCLA Med, the staff there tried for well over an hour to revive Jackson, to no avail. They pronounced him dead at just after 2pm PST.

Total time, at least 1 Hour and 20 Minutes.

According to WikiAnswers, the human brain can survive about five or six minutes without fresh oxygen, at which point irreversable brain damage begins. At around 9 or 10 minutes, the brain is essentially dead.

Jackson's true time of death was, at most, 11 minutes after his initial collapse. He was dead before Paramedics could even get into full swing.

Everything after that was a hopeless waste of time. Had they succeeded in reviving Jackson, he would have been a vegetable.

And that would have been just another Freakshow trait for him. He was spared that humiliation, though.

So for all of you people who want to say that the medical teams were in any way "Valliant" or "Gave it their best," save it. Everything they did was for nothing. Had they succeeded, they would have turned it into something much worse than just another death.

Oh yeah, I'm just getting warmed up.

Michael Jackson killed Michael Jackson.

As a child, he couldn't handle his brothers' teasing, and that was made worse by his abusive father Joseph. Instead of standing up to these demons, Michael repressed them. It was the taunting that would lead to his Parade of Freak Noses.

Having been an entertainer since the age of nine, Jackson pretty much had no childhood to speak of. Sadly, though, he didn't quite grow up throughout the whole process. Even into his adulthood, he held an unhealthy devotion to what some folks call Peter Pan Syndrome: A person refuses to believe that he or she is growing up, and still act as though they're an innocent child.

But Michael didn't act like an innocent child, did he. Oh no. Acquittal or not, people still think he did it. And who's to say otherwise? A jury? Fuck no. The Court of Public Opinion is what convicted him. He allowed this pressure to further debilitate his mental state.

All his life, due to his celebrity and fortune, he was surrounded by people who gave him whatever he wanted. This culture led to Michael's addiction to painkillers and other scrip drugs, since people would just cowtow and get them for him at his whimsy. Nobody stood up and said "Enough." Nobody stopped him. And he chose to surround himself with these people.

He estranged himself from his family at different times for different reasons, pretty much destroying the only real support system he had left amidst the Neverland Fantasy world he built for himself.

He blew hundreds of millions of dollars on what amounted to pointless impulse buys, pretty much because he could, and noone told him he couldn't.

At any point throughout all of this, Michael Jackson could have chosen to end the fantasy and come back to reality. At any time, he could have stopped the culture around him that was destroying his life. At any time, Jackson could have simply walked away and taken time to heal himself, instead of the rest of the world at the expense of his own life.

But he chose the path that led to his death.

It wasn't untimely. It was right on schedule, in fact. Michael Jackson was a bomb waiting to explode, and the fuse finally burned down to its bitter last.

And he died beyond help, because he refused to ever get the right kind of help.

The only person who's really to blame is the Freakshow known as Michael Jackson.

Now, don't get me wrong. Michael's career as an entertainer - when looked at completely on its own - is undisputed. He was probably the greatest entertainer in all of recorded history. His cultural impact was global.That will never be taken away from him.

But face facts: He was an absolute freak who did nothing to help himself save his own life.

Don't feel sorry for Michael Jackson. Hopefully, the lesson he failed to learn will teach the rest of you before its too late and you die early of self-loathing and absolute self-neglect.

Michael Jackson deserved to die. Michael Jackson killed Michael Jackson. Think about it: From "Bad" on, we watched him go from handsom black musician to deathly white freak corpse. You can't say you didn't see this coming...

Dear North Korea:

Please kindly shut the fuck up and sit back down.

Really. This is childish and annoying. Not to mention you're trying to steal the thunder of the Iranian people.

Wait your turn, we promise we'll treat you as Internationally Relevant at the first available opportunity.

Until then, though, please try to behave. We know its difficult, being an isolated bunch of loonies, but we figure even the most immature of nations can grow up a bit and wear big-boy pants.

Sincerely,
Eric Jacobson, speaking on behalf of the rest of the world.

What Have You Become?

OK. For argument's sake, let's just say there is a God. Hypothetically, in my case, but for this post, we'll assume that there is, in fact, an invisible man in the sky with an illegitimate Hebrew Zombie as a son, who is worthy of singing songs to every Sunday. Right.

Now, the Bible is what it is: A collection of "testaments," most of which were not written anywhere near extant to the lifetime of Joshua of Nazereth, that is the only known record of any sort of divine acts. It neglects most of the life of Joshua, from his formative years up until his early 30's. Despite this huge omission, he is the central figure of the book's second half.

In this half, Joshua makes the claim that he "will come again." OK, fair enough.

Now, take a look at Christianity today. They argue amongst themselves about who is and isn't a "True Christian." Most of those that readily and vehemently claim that title are the hardcore "Genesis is the story of Creation," "Jesus Will Come Again Soon," "Revelation Times Are Almost Upon Us" nutbars. They're the ones who want Genesis taught as fact in schoos (completely dumbing them to natural science in the process), who think that America is some sort of "Christian Nation" where we should follow a Christian doctrine of laws, and who honestly believe that Joshua will return in their lifetime.

People like Pat Robertson. Here's a man who gets on TV day after day and spews nothing but hatred and bile. Let's see him in action, commenting on educational professionals he sees as radicals:

People like those who think that this woman - a wannabe beauty queen with a chip on her shoulder who thinks she can fake her way through politics - should be the leader of the free world:

People who are inspired by Christianity to create things like this abomination:

People like Scott Roeder, the man who murdered Dr. George Tiller - IN THE MAN'S OWN CHURCH.

Now explain something to me: If Joshua were what he claimed to be and indeed were able to come back, WHY THE FUCK WOULD HE WANT TO?

Why the hell would he want followers like these people? Why would he want to come back when the core of his teachings has been warped and twisted by the power-hungry mind of man for almost two millenia, and has created followers like these nimrods?

And you're all believing in the same God? You people need to get your ducks in a row internally before you even think of invading anything on a national scale, like education or law.

True Christians you are not. Joshua would probably laugh at you, wave his hand, and condemn you all to your deserved fate in fire and torment.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

If Joshua is waiting to come back, he's not going to do so with lunatics like you people running about claiming to be in his graces. He'd be daft and outright embarrassed, I would think! I mean, look at this lot! What the fuck! How do you claim that God created and loves all things, and then turn around trumpeting his name in tandem with hatred and violence?

Sorry, kids, but I'm pretty sure even Joshua - OK, Jee-zuss - would have you all put away.

Stop ruining it for everyone else: The True Christians who believe in love and tolerance and changing with the times, people of other faiths who have every right to co-exist with one another in equality, people who think differently than you about the God problem - that's us, Atheists! - and people who's ideas and moral structures don't quite gel with yours in general.

These people need to stop. Seriously. It's been old for a very, very long time, and Humanity has about had it, I think...

Change of Pace

Sometimes, you just have to take a break and see something that makes you feel good. Watch this (Fark Thread Here):

Now that kid is totally getting all kinds of laid. Good on you, Aaron Shutway!

Powder Keg

Uh oh.

As I've been following the situation in Iran, I'm slowly starting to get a picture for what's happening at home. Not good, deffinately not good...

The Obama Administration has taken what I feel is a somewhat-correct approach and, while encouraging and supporting the Iranian people in their efforts for election - and ultimately national - reform, they're not taking direct action. Military action from the US is most certainly not necessary at this time, but I'm not ruling out that it may be necessary should the situation in Iran collapse, which it easily could.

But there are some here at home who think that a forceful response is, in fact, warranted. Why they think we should be the world's military nanny is beyond me. We're already up to our necks in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention potential troubles from North Korea.

The GOP has been critical of the Administration's response to the situation in Iran, and given their status as a party fighting for its very political life, it could create a serious problem. You see, Iran is an Islamic Republic. The Republican Party's remaining base is still predominantly Evangelical Christian. These are two religions that DO NOT get along. If the Republican Party can whip up the Christian Right into an anti-islamic frenzy by saying this is our chance to overthrow yet another Islamic regime (Hussein's Iraq doesn't really count as one) and install Democracy, there could be quite a push for military deployment.

In the name of God.

You have to remember that, no matter what the Christian Right thinks, there are still a few facts they can't ignore:

1) While the protestors in Iran are denying the current regime, they are not turning away from their Islamic beliefs. They will remain followers of Islam no matter what happens.

2) This is NOT a Christian Nation. Sorry. We have Muslims, Jews, Taoists, Bhuddists, Hari Krishnas, Atheists, Catholics - all kinds of flavors of religion or lack thereof. You do NOT make the decisions for all of us, majority or not.

But will they heed that? Will they instead follow the party line and push for military action?

The results are too scary to think about. Believe me, you don't want to see the pictures rolling through my head.

Meanwhile, those of us with our heads screwed on are taking a different approach, which alot of us feel is the correct one. Americans left and right are not only supporting Iran in word, but also in deed. Posting on Twitter, disseminating video and pictures, making sure the Iranian people - suffering from a state-ordered media blackout and blockage - have an outlet that will ensure that their voices are heard.

What I'm doing is one tiny, nearly insignificant part. But all these tiny parts add up to a very significant whole. I don't think we should militarize and meddle in Iran's burgeoning revolution, but I don't think we should sit idly by and watch without acting, either. You have to find a middle ground, and then walk it.

But you can't stop looking over your shoulder, either. Because you never know what homeward forces could be plotting to take advantage of the situation for their own gain.

Nobody light a match, alright?

The World is Watching

Update: 12:49pm EST - More video is available, sourced from HuffPo and the NYT Liveblogs. First up is a lengthy 7 minute clip, apparently from today, showing police and protestors clashing, with a decent veil of tear gas all around. Scary stuff indeed. The others are CNN iReport videos, also apparently from today. CNN is currently running video of what may be an unofficial protest rally that has grown quite large despite the crackdown on planned rallies. I'm going to try and find these videos if I can. Any suggestions, please send them to me via Twitter...

I'm going to see about pulling these videos down and reposting them to create copies just in case Iran's current regime grows some balls and tries to take down everything...

Update: 12:30pm EST - @BreakingNews Online is reporting that Iranian protestors who are either killed or wounded are being carried away almost immediately by police forces. To me, this looks like a clear attempt to prevent people and the media from seeing the results of what are clearly sickening and horrifying acts. For some of the fastest updates in the world of news, I suggest following them on Twitter.

BNO is also confirming that Mousavi has, in fact, said that he is "Ready for Martyrdom" and fully intends to continue working for change until his death. Confirmed by a Reuters-based witness.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I think I'm ready to call it: The Iranian Revolution has begun.

This calls memories of Boris Yeltsin standing on a tank and talking to the Russian people during the collapse of the USSR. I truely have lived during very fascinating times indeed...

Update: 12:05pm EST - CNN still says opposition leaders haven't been seen, yet HuffPo is running tweets from Iranians confirming his location, as well as his speeches and the chants of protestors:

"Crowd rushing to Jihoun St, where people are saying Mousavi is there and talking with protesters"

Protesters in Revolution sq r chanting: Goftim agar taghalob besheh basatetoon jam misheh!! "We told u if u cheat it'll be the end of u"

The situation is heating up. This is history, kids! My thoughts are with the people of Iran right now. Going to take a break, smoke a cigarette, visit my cats and try to calm my nerves.

Update: 11:53am EST - Still no confirmation found for the Kohmeni Shrine Bombing. The International Media Blackout is somewhat effective, preventing agencies like CNN, BBC etc. from doing independent confirmation. State-run media is still the only source of information on that.

From the Huffington Post Live-Blog:

A report on opposition leader Mousavi:@LilyMazahery: "Mousavi is at head of Jayhoon ave. giving a speech."

Reliable Iranian on Twitter: "mousavi among people: I am ready for death"

Another: "Mousavi - Confirmed - I have prepared for martyrdom"

Tweets from the TehranBureau.com staff: i'm dying with worry. please pray for us. 13 minutes ago from web

i'm worried 14 minutes ago from web

she hasn't returned 14 minutes ago from web

my young sister has taken to the streets as well 14 minutes ago from web

things are horrible, please pray for us 14 minutes ago from web

And from the New York Times Live-Blog:

From Shiraz, by way of our reader gb’s mother:

My mom is again stressing that the protesters were totally peaceful not even chanting when they were attacked. My mom’s friend said she saw right in front of her that a plain clothes person hit this young man with a baton so hard that the baton broke.

Another friend that lives in Daneshjoo Square (the place the protests took place) said that plain clothes police came to their homes this morning and told them they are not allowed to let any of the protesters seek refuge in their houses or they will be held responsible.

Yes, I'm Atheist. But I urge you all to do whatever it is you do to show your support for the people of Iran. We were once like them, in a revolution against an unjust system. We won our freedom, the people of Iran can, too...

Update: 11:40am EST - CNN is reporting that, in the second video I have posted below, protesters are shouting "Death to Kahemeni" in Farsi. They're also reporting that protests and marches have sprung up in the USA as well.

Some Iranians are posting pictures on Twitpic of the various scenes in and around Tehran.

Republican leaders are butthurt because we're taking a passive stance on Iran so far, at least in an official government capacity. I guess they really do love to meddle in international affairs, especially when it comes to oil-producing nations. Meanwhile, American citizens are NOT taking a passive stance, taking to Twitter, Facebook, etc., helping to disseminate information and post news links.

Update: 11:24am EST - OK, here we go. First of all, welcome to everyone pouring in from Twitter! Glad you decided to stop in for my take on the situation in Iran. And now, I'm going to make a lame attempt at live-blogging history. First up, here's the video I linked to previously, as well as some others culled from various sources around the web:

Students and police clash. A billboard appears to be set on fire, and reportedly, the police forces fired on the students on-camera. I can't really tell, maybe you all can.


Video, apparently from a storefront, shows riot police backing up as protestors advance. This video has been aired on CNN.

While reports indicate that the major protests called for today have been more or less blocked by state forces, people are still taking to the streets in Tehran and, presumably, the rest of Iran.

IF YOU'RE IN IRAN AND HAVE VIDEO, POST IT ASAP AND LINK IT ON TWITTER! Eventually, I'll get my hands on it and - like so many others of us around the world - we'll throw it up in order to keep these images from being drowned out!

Still no confirmation on the Kohmeni Shrine Bombing. No images yet, only state-run media reports that there are two dead and 8 injured. This is up from 1 dead and 8 injured, which would lead me to think that the updated figure should read 7 injured if one died. Take everything you get from Iranian State Media with an entire can of salt, because it's probably pro-regime bullshit.

More updates to come...

ORIGINAL POST: For every kid who's ever said that history isn't important. For every kid who's ever said that the world is a boring place where nothing happens. For every ignorant fuck who thinks that things half a world away has nothing to do with them.

History is happening right now in Iran. This Video shows a clash between students and police. I can't really make it out, but at some point, the students are fired upon.

The Huffington Post is live-blogging, with video as it comes out of Tehran and other parts of Iran.

State-run Iranian TV is reporting on a bomb blast at Ayatollah Kohmeni's mausoleum earlier today. Of course, it's state-run TV, so take it with several grains of salt. There are rumors that they actually reported the blast a few moments before it actually happened, which is very possible and - if true - could be a thorn in the side of the current power structure. There have also been reports that there's no evidence of any bombing at all yet. Interesting.

And you people thought this didn't affect you. Need I remind you that Iran is a nuclear capable rogue state? Remember the Bush Years when you were all happy to be afraid? Well, now you actually SHOULD. Depending on the outcome of any potential revolution, some very interesting people could be in charge of some very powerful weapons...

To the people of Iran, if you can find a way around the blocks and censors and can actually find and read my site: STAY STRONG, DON'T BACK DOWN, KEEP FIGHTING. Despite what your government says, not all Americans are evil. In fact, many of us are behind you 100%, spreading news, pictures, and video to protect your work by making it as widely available and as hard to trace as possible.

WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED! GOOD LUCK!

Another Once in a Lifetime

As promised, Nick has sent along the awesome pictures that he took from our vantage point on Monday! I'll shut up and post a few here, but the rest, you'll have to view at my Flickr Page!

Legends - Mario Lemieux and the Stanley Cup

A victorious Sidney Crosby and Lord Stanley's Mug

The Flower Blossoms - Marc-Andre Fleury

Pittsburgh Fans prove why we're The City of Champions!

Update: Gone done and put them up on MySpace as a Photo Album as well. Now all you MySpace addicts (you know you're still out there) can leave silly comments, too...

Once In A Lifetime

Yep, you know me. You know that I just HAD to be in Pittsburgh to catch the Penguins and the Stanley Cup. Although this picture totally sucks, let me assure you that that is Sidney Crosby, hoisting the Stanley Cup aloft on the stage at Stanwix and the Boulevard. Because of the quality, it looks like I was forever away, but in fact, I was probably ~75-100 feet away from the stage. And let me tell you, the view was AMAZING!

Hopefully soon, Nick - a fellow fan I met at South Hills Junction, who had a WAY better camera - will be sending me many more amazing shots. Big thanks to him and the guys who drove all the way from New Jersey (!) for this once in a lifetime event.

To have that much star power - Crosby, Lemieux, Talbot, Fleury, Malkin, Staal, Guerin, Gonchar, and the legendary Mike Lange - in one place at one time... It was something I'll never, EVER forget.

WAY TO GO PENGUINS!

And, thanks to those amazing Pittsburgh Steelers, we are once again The City of Champions! Two major titles in one year! Suck it, Sports World!

Lord Stanley's Prayer (Pittsburgh Version)

Something I came up with for the Crosby haters on Fark:

Our Crosby, who art in Pittsburgh
Hallowed be thy game
Thy Hat Trick come, Mario's will be done
On the ice as it is in the locker room
Give us this day our Stanley Cup
And forgive us, our trash talking
As we forgive those who trash talk against us
And lead us not into obscurity
And deliver us from Bettman
For thine is the Dynasty, The Power Play, and the Glory
Forever and Ever.
GO PENS!

Blasphemy, when used properly, can be a helluvalotta fun...

The Sweet Taste of Irony

Dear Marion Hossa: SUCK IT! Smooth move, asshat. You wanted to win what? Shoulda stayed in Pittsburgh. Fuckwad!


PENGUINS WIN! 'Nuff Said!