[via omjp]

On October 5th, 2005, a small contingent of Students for a Democratic Society and anti-capitalists converged at the World Can’t Wait rally in Seattle, Washington at Cal Anderson Park. The group planned to attend the rally then leave to hold workshops and skill shares with their peers. While sitting in the park sharing a melon before the rally, a cop on a bike approached the group and seized their red and black anarcho-syndicalist flag. Matthew Hyra of the Seattle Police Department began to walk away from the crowd telling the person who had been holding the flag that if he wanted it back he would have to follow him, alone. At that time everyone who was in the area stood up and followed Hyra, demanding to know why he had taken the flag, abridging their right to free speech.

As this happened, Hyra targeted an individual who was copwatching and arrested him and two of his comrades. The three were booked and processed in the King County Jail. Two of the arrested were charged with obstruction of (in)justice and resisting arrest. The third arrested was initially charged with obstruction, which later evolved into an investigation of assault of an officer. The first two were released on bail at 1:00am Friday morning and the third was released on bail at 10:00pm Friday after an earlier appearance before a judge.

Comrades of the arrestees, the “Flag Three

• bald eagle on perch pole near 4th ave bridge
• black crows cracking nuts on pavement
• a heron flying low over water
• deciding whether everything was pearled silver or silvered pearl
• all the woolies and slickers and scarves and hats and layers worn
• any open establishment having anything to do with hot drinks or books buzzing with activity.

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Wow, it only took four years and a commission to come up with a solution that most people have been saying is necessary since the beginning of the invasion.

Split Iraq into three countries! (and tell Turkey to learn to deal with a Kurdish state)

Times (UK): America ponders cutting Iraq in three

AN independent commission set up by Congress with the approval of President George W Bush may recommend carving up Iraq into three highly autonomous regions, according to well informed sources.

His group will not advise “partition