Parallel bars

Parallel bars by Vicente Meavilla http://im-possible.info/english/art/vicente/for-children-9.html#6

Open Letter from Dr Derek Wall 'A warning to Anonymous'

Dear Anonymous,I don't want to sound like your dad but I am warning you.You will face huge pressure to change your tactics and your strategy.I am writing in response to a recent open letter entitled 'Right Fight, Wrong Action' appealing to you to stand down and reject illegal tactics such as hacking (see below)However it is necessary in an unjust world to break unjust laws.Morality can be debated

Central London church to host event promoting repentance of homophobia

A central London church will mark the final destination of a Christian writer's pilgrimage of repentance for homophobia. Symon Hill announced in December that he will walk from Birmingham to London this summer in repentance for his former homophobic attitudes. He has now said that he will finish with a talk at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church on the evening of Friday 1 July, before joining in

'There is something terribly wrong....'

I suspect the arms trade and an extractive capitalist economy are wider issues however lets just say 'nice'.

BBC site hacked after 26th March broadcasts by anonymous

Anonymous have claimed to have taken down the BBC website, according at least to UkUNcuts activist Aaron Peters.A response to the failure of the BBC to report accurately on the anti-cuts protest on 26 March.Anonymous do view Britain as a hive of secret police activity and repression as you can see from the statement below and they do have the capacity...However I am guessing that the argument

“I do not want art for a few, any more than I want education for a few, or freedom for a few.”

Sam West's amazing speech on 26th March, headlined with a William Morris quote.Originally blogged here, thanks Sam!Speech to the TUC’s March for the Alternative,London, 26th March 2011 “I do not want art for a few, any more than I want education for a few, or freedom for a few.” William Morris said that. Early trade unionists were quite clear about how a 24-hour day should be divided: eight hours

Nuclear power means nuclear disaster!

MEETINGNuclear power means nuclear disaster!The ecosocialist alternativeWednesday 6th April, 7.30pm, ULU, Malet StreetSpeakers:Kate Hudson, CNDRomayne Phoenix, Green LeftLiam McQuade, Socialist ResistanceOnce again the evidence shows that nuclear technology can never be 100% safe. The risks are so frightening that the conclusion is obvious: it is imperative to abandon nuclear energy, and as

Photo of impossible figure by Daniel Abolafia

http://im-possible.info/english/art/sculpture/daniel-abolafia.html

BARCLAY'S CLOSE BRANCH EARLY AFTER CHRISTIANS PLAN PEACEFUL PROTEST

had this yesterday, make my day and send me a relevent photo, had some nice Sikh, Muslim green politics stuff posted recently and have a nice Jewish link to post soon, so any other sound religious stuff is very welcome....religion often promotes justice and ecology so good! Barclay's Bank is facing accusations of running scared from peaceful protest after closing a central London branch in an

Greening the Hajj

'but waste not by excess:for ALLAH loves not the wasters.Quraan Chapter 6 v.141Islam expresses great concern for the environment. A number of verses in the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad have addressed this issue. Islam’s solution to environmental problems lies in man’s adaptation of its guidance. Allaah has stated that He made all the material objects on earth for man’s use, not for

'It was a grand, exhilarating, and hopeful day'

just got this, incidently I am speaking at a Worthing Forest Rally, 14 May, pic is not Sussex but gets the spirit of the thing. Sussex Keep Our Forests Public Forest lovers celebrate first victory in a long campaign against public forest privatisation Exactly 100 people enjoyed a 'grand day out' of celebration, discussion and forest rambling to mark the government's climb-down from its proposal

Adam Ramsay freed this evening.

Over 20 hours in police cells for non violent direct action against tax dogers says it all.Good for Adam.UK uncuts people had shoes and clothes taken away and were spread across London police station.Repression if you ask me, shows they are being effective.Lets support them against the tax dodgersAdam writes for Bright Green here, take a look.

Bijzettafeltje met stekelbessen

Bijzettafeltje met stekelbessen by Jos de Meyhttp://im-possible.info/english/art/mey/mey11.html#93

Green Party's Adam Ramsay still in police cells for Fortnum and Mason protest

I believe Adam Ramsay is still in police cells after taking part in a totally non violent UK Uncuts protest yesterday at Fortnum and Mason.The judicial system protects the corporations and the mass media largely acts to support the elite.Hope he is free soon.Buy the man a drink.A great example of what really political greens should be doing.Bright Green Scotland that he contributes to goes from

Drawings by ContaminatedFaith

http://im-possible.info/english/art/pencil/contaminatedfaith.html

You May Ask

You may as well ask why they would assault Jody Macintyre, put Alfie Meadows in hospital, punch a fifteen year old boy, and rough up teenage girls. It is because it is their job to contain threats to 'public order', and they see violence and intimidation against selected groups of identified 'troublemakers' and 'ringleaders' as the most effective means of doing so. History would suggest that they

Massive police violence in Trafalgar Square

Getting nasty, will no doubt be mis reported by the media.PennyRed Laurie Penny Just saw a police officer use a baton on a crying unarmed 19 year old girl. #march26History repeats:A demonstration was called for 13 November 1887 by the Metropolitan Radical Federation and the Irish National League to protest against repression in Ireland, the imprisonment of Irish MPs and to assert the right to

Telegraph journalist endorses killing of TUC cuts protesters

Surprised to see Telegraph journalist advocating the killing of protesters here, but hey its happening in places like Bahrain and Saudi, often with British weapons.Is this a genuine tweet from James Delingpole?@JamesDelingpoleJames DelingpoleSurely the RAF could afford to divert one Typhoon from Libya for a humanitarian strike on Hyde Park?

Centaur-knight

Centaur-knight by Oleg Zhevelevhttp://im-possible.info/english/art/computer/oleg-zhevelev.html#4

Trafalgar Square occupied!

Mark Bergfeld's campaign has worked and as I blog Trafalgar Square is occupied by protesters and is now Tahrir.Well done Mark.Party atmosphere, come on down!

Today we were 500,000

Great march today.Joined an unofficial feeder march at Kennington Park with the Latin Americans against the cuts group.Met up with Green Left and friends who squatted Gaddaffi's house.Really lovely to see some many friends including Martin Empson (whose new anti-nuclear booklet I will review soon!)Took almost an hour to march down Whitehall because there were so many of us.The policing seemed ok,

Planning Ahead For Nepal And Tibet

My trekking permit from 1971

The first time I was in Kathmandu was 1971. Nepal had just gotten it's first paved road-- in honor of the marriage of the Crown Prince. For me it was like a pilgrimage... the end of the road after a long, hard trip from England, across Europe, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. This summer we're going again, my third time, Roland's second. The reason isn't just to visit Nepal again, but to take the next step: Tibet.

The Chinese don't make it easy to get in. In the past you could drive up to the border and stare. It opened up quite a bit in the last few years-- even to the point of allowing individuals to wander through the country. That's over now. The only way to get an entry permit is through an authorized travel agent and you're obligated to book a tour with a guide/minder. Getting the tickets are difficult too. You can't buy them online and doing it on the phone is fraught with roadblocks. I had to spend the entire day arguing with people at Air China yesterday. But in the end I got the tickets, $709.70 roundtrip, although they made me sign a letter saying that if I couldn't get the entry permit I wouldn't get a refund.

I'll keep copious notes on Tibet and report back. As for Kathmandu, we'll see how different it is from the link above (which mostly covers 1971). The monarchy is gone, of course. I was just reading yesterday that the new Prime Minister, Jhalanath Khanal, is the chairman of the Communist Party. The political stability of the country is tenuous. Great report in the Al Jazeera video below. Last time we stayed at the Yak and Yeti but we're thinking about Dwarka's this time. Anyone been to Kathmandu recently with any suggestions about a hotel?

I don't want to get anyone in trouble-- especially not myself-- so let me figure out how to give away all the secrets of booking this whole Tibet thing for after I get back. I'll say one thing though-- well two: normal travel agents can't or won't do it and everything is very negotiable... everything.

Microsoft switches off privacy for Hotmail users in war-torn and repressive states

For reasons unknown, Microsoft has changed the settings on Hotmail to disable HTTPS for users in several countries including Bahrain, Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Hotmail users in those countries can now be readily spied upon by ISPs and their governments. The Electronic Frontier

TUC RIGHT OFF

Just had this from Schnews, so you later peopleWednesday's budget was another banker-friendly cop-out, with acut in corporation tax (like they don't make enough from taxavoidance...), designed to encourage the multi-nationals to set up inthe UK, while ordinary people feel the brunt of the spending cuts. Thefreezes in fuel and aviation tax may be a PR-friendly concession forthe Ford Focus, Florida

Secret sex police spy Simon Wellings outed by mobile phone miscall

Newsnight have undercovered yet another sex policeman....he was noting down the preferences of Globalize Resistance activists.The conversation involving Mr Wellings took place in 2005, and was recorded when the officer accidentally telephoned another of the group's members without knowing he had done so.The other member failed to pick up, so the call was diverted to their answer phone, which then

‘There is an alternative it’s called TUC get off your knees.’

The TUC demonstration in London on March 26th has the banner title of ‘There is an alternative’.And there is. This should be the day we say "Defy the cuts, confront the anti union laws and follow the lead given by the students by supporting walkouts and occupations."Jerry Hicks, who came second on a strong and uncompromising platform in the election for General Secretary the country’s biggest

Meet me in Kennington Park, 11am amigoes!

Christians Bail-In Against the Cuts

Christians concerned about the cuts will be holding an ecumenical service in Barclays on 16-17 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 1BH at 2pm. Be in the store at 2pm and join in when you here “O Come All Ye Faithful” start. The British taxpayer bailed-out the banks with £1 trillion of public money and they haven’t paid us back. So now we are bailing-in and transforming this Barclays into a church. Churches

Cartoon with Escher waterfall

Cartoon by Larry Wentzelhttp://im-possible.info/english/art/cartoons/larry-wentzel.html

Sunrise in the Nature Reserve

Sunrise in the Nature Reserve by Sandro del Pretehttp://im-possible.info/english/art/delprete/delprete3.html#4

Keep safe, bust card and legal advice for March 26th

Legal Defence & Monitoring Group [LDMG] Please forward urgently to your members, and to all anti-cuts networks throughout London and the UKMarch 26 Demonstration Some important legal information for all contingentsPlease see attached a copy of the Bust Card for March 26. Please print it out (2 sided / 8 per A4 sheet) and distribute to all members of your contingent. Legal Observers in orange bibs

University staff in 'orgy of self-congratulation and cowardice'

Just saw this, little out of date but in Con Dem Britain, its screw the majority so a minority can enjoy the spoilsJonathan Silvertown says:December 5, 2010 at 10:43 pmDear UCL Occupiers,I am a Professor at the Open University. A week ago last Thursday (Nov 25th) I sat down to dinner in the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane with 1,200 other university staff to celebrate the achievements of

Wooden Beams

Wooden beams by Wilson Hennessyhttp://im-possible.info/english/art/montage/wilson-hennessy.html

Death to knowledge

Death to Knowledge is the striking title of a piece of work from Marina de Stacpoole, an innovative artist who combines strong images with political critique in her new exhibition opening in April. It is inspired by the UK government’s assault on arts and culture. A banking crisis caused by lack of regulation after decades of neo-liberal economics is being used to justify an even more market

TUC ban Caroline Lucas MP from speaking

The only politician to have been given a platform at the 26 March anti-cuts rally in London is Ed Miliband. Miliband wrote Labour's 2010 election manifesto, which promised the same cuts as the coalition, but over 6 years, not 4 1/2. People are marching on 26 March for a different kind of politics, not for Ed. Why isn't Caroline Lucas allowed to speak?Because the TUC don't want to give a platfom

New artwork by Oscar Reutersvärd

Escher feedback water fall

Escher feedback water fall by Nobody of Nowhere (n0b0d1)http://im-possible.info/english/art/escher-inspired/nobodi.html

Zizek on the picket line supports UCU strike

Well good to see him supporting all those of us taking industrial action at the University of London today.Some splendid sentiments in A typical essay from the hombreThe system react with characteristic venom. The same is true of the UCU strike itself – the press will be at pains to describe its actants as bedraggled, ugly, Trotskyite perverts, ivory tower intellectuals and so on to stress the

HYDE PARK ON SATURDAY WILL BE EGYPT!

The Plan : Take London!1. Occupy Hyde Park!In the Dual Power / Resist 26 meeting of the 26th Feb, it was agreed that Hyde Park although not a political target is the best place to unify people and gain the maximum amount of support from the TUC marchers. Many people will be skipping the march to set up things at Hyde Park (Marble Arch Corner) and make things comfortable.2. At 2:11pm take over,

HYDE PARK OCCUPATION NOT CANCELLED!

artsauthors | March 22, 2011 at 11:http://wp.me/p1cz3y-rJ Facebook have kindly cancelled the facebook events (Stay 4 One Day, Seed Drop etc) not to mention accounts that were linked to the events. Apparently we aren’t allowed our own facebook revolution (too many paid advertisers in the west) :DPlease help us get the word out by posting on your blogs, tweeting and changing your facebook status

I am marching with my Latin America comrades!

I am marching with my Latin America comrades!Just had this statement for 26th March meet up!We oppose the cuts being imposed to the working class and want to raise our voice together with other migrant communities and with the native working class. The meeting point is Kennington Park at 11:00 am (near Oval tube station). We will have COLACOR guides throughout the park. We will be wearing an item

March 26th, its Oxford Street 2PM

I am joining UK UNCUT at 2pm on saturday as part of the day of action against the cuts.Marching is not enough.And I am supporting the efforts to Tahrir Trafalgar Square.

You'll Have to Postpone Seeing Yemen's Mud Skyscrapers Until The Revolution Is Over

In the best of times Yemen is always rated among the top 10 most dangerous countries to visit. And things have gotten worse this year. In fact, this weekend, every member of the cabinet who hadn't already resigned to protest President Ali Saleh's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, was summarily dismissed by Saleh. The minister of tourism, Nabil Hasan al-Faqih, had already quit Friday, citing the "unjustifiable use of force" against protesters. After all, there hasn't been much for him to do lately. In 2009 we looked at how dangerous Yemen was for tourists even when revolution was just smoldering in the background. And now Arab and international investment has decreased and tourism has dried up. Five star hotels in Aden, Sana’a, Mukala and Taiz are complaining about the significant decrease of tourists from Yemen and abroad.

Yemen's nascent tourist industry isn't the only one hit. Tourism across the whole Middle East is suffering-- if not comatose. Travel agents and governments are warning tourists away from Yemen-- as well as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman and Algeria.

Travel to the Middle East is suffering a double whammy. Images of mass protests and outright war have scared visitors away while oil prices are lifting the cost of jet fuel and airfares. Last year’s fastest-growing travel market and looking forward to another good year in 2011, the Middle East industry is now in trouble, Euromonitor International says in a report.

...As of last week, the US State Department has travel warnings issued for nine Middle Eastern countries and travel alerts for two others. The latest addition to the list was Yemen. Britain has advised against any travel to Libya and Yemen and has more limited warnings for Bahrain, Iran and Iraq.

Here's the official State Department warning as of March 6 (and, keep in mind, things have gotten far worse since then, with hundreds of people killed by Saleh's forces:

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest. The Department urges U.S. citizens not to travel to Yemen. U.S. citizens currently in Yemen should consider departing Yemen. The Department of State has authorized the voluntary departure from Yemen of the family members of U.S. Embassy staff and non-essential personnel. This replaces the Travel Warning for Yemen issued October 15, 2010.

...The security threat level in Yemen is extremely high due to terrorist activities and civil unrest. Piracy in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean is also a security threat to maritime activities in the region. Terrorist organizations continue to be active in Yemen, including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The U.S. government remains concerned about possible attacks against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived U.S. and Western interests. There is ongoing civil unrest throughout the country and large-scale protests in major cities.

Sounds very different from the WikiTravel description:

Yemen is country that everywhere just simply must be visited. It is a tourist's country, where although the accommodation might not be the best, but the country itself holds so many treasures that appeal to any open-minded visitor. The sights are amazing, the people are friendly, their culture is unique, and their food is tasty. Take trips with a personal driver through the mountains to see natural beauty located nowhere else on the planet. See the historical role Yemen played as it survived even during the times of the Sumerians and the Ancient Egyptians, and how no one was able to completely conquer Yemen. And enjoy what the country provides, like gemstones literally littered throughout the mountains, precious beaches, and historical artifacts from this multi-faced nation with one heartbeat... [T]he rewards for the persevering tourist are an unforgettable experience, populated with very friendly and open hosts. Despite being adjacent to Saudi Arabia and on the same peninsula as the United Arab Emirates, Yemen is definitely a place apart.

UPDATE: Tyrant Offers To Step Down

Now that many of the country's top generals have joined teh tourism minister in deserting Ali Abdullah Saleh, the dictator, the government has all but collapsed. Saleh is trying to negotiate for his life by offering to step down.

Back-channel negotiations between the controversial U.S. ally and Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar-- a top commander who withdrew his loyalty from the president on Monday-- haven't yet yielded a clear transition of power, but the political process so far has succeeded in keeping the power struggle from devolving into military conflict or civil war.

Tanks commanded by Mr. Saleh's son are deployed around the presidential palace in the capital, while tanks manned by forces loyal to Gen. Ahmar have set up nearby, as well near several sensitive government buildings, like the Central Bank, according to residents.

The prognosis of the talks remain unclear, and the threat of military conflict remains a possibility, according to officials in San'a. Saudi Arabia and Yemeni tribal leaders are involved in the negotiations, according to people familiar with the situation, but President Saleh appears to be staking out untenable terms.

Soldiers Preparation

Soldiers preparation by Oleg Zhevelevhttp://im-possible.info/english/art/computer/oleg-zhevelev.html#3

Saudi Women Revolution Statement

The repressive and ridiculous regime in Saudi Arabia needs over throwing.Wahhabism is fundamentalism that distorts Islam, women in Saudi Arabia have fewer rights than at the time of Mohammed.Imagine calling a country after a family.Politicians in the UK love the Saudi regime arming it, paying huge bribes and changing UK law to make this happen.The women are mobilising and will keep mobilising

Jody McIntyre 'war is peace'

The war-mongerers are at it again, or the peace-mongerers should I say? That is why we should bomb Libya; to tear down the tyrant Gaddafi, to establish peace and to ‘liberate’ the Libyan people.The Bahraini government destroyed the Pearl Roundabout this week, hoping to erase the stain of the uprising from it’s memory, but thousands continue to march in the villages of Sitra and Daih, mourning

Art Threat Afghan War Rugs

The tapestries include images of tanks, helicopters, kalashnikovs, rocket launchers and other weaponry, as well as maps of Afghanistan and flags of various countries involved in the Afghan conflict.These photos come without any description, so we are left speculating as to who created them and why. My hypothesis is that these rugs are produced by Afghans with the intention of selling them to

Labyrinth tussen vlak en ruimte

Labyrinth tussen vlak en ruimte by Jos de Meyhttp://im-possible.info/english/art/mey/mey11.html#92

Tower 3

Tower 3 by Andreas Aronssonhttp://im-possible.info/english/art/computer/andreas-aronsson.html#20-03-2011

Clare Solomon interview

Quite good for the Guardian, once they sack Rory Carroll, I might even start buying it again.The comments as usual are very abusive, trolls like to trawl the net.Major events often throw up unexpected figureheads, and the student protests in November were no exception: from among the masses of students flowing past Downing Street, manning the barricades in Parliament Square and shouting at the TV

Photos of impossible shelf

Photos of impossible shelf, which was designed by John Leung and ClarkeHopkinsClarke.Source http://im-possible.info/english/art/sculpture/john-leung-chc.html

Climate week sponsored by RBS is like an animal welfare project being supported by a butcher

#Climateweek sponsored by RBS, is like an animal welfare project being supported by a butcher, insane but that's the world we live in.If people work for our climate like the indigenous in a serious way they get killed, beaten and destroyed, in contrast climate week is pr support for corporations.Nasty, sad that the Transition Town people seem so naive to cooption.So why have I decided to stay in?

Artwork by Oscar Reutersvärd

Lorraine on the bus

It is impossible to overstate how important it is that you take Lorraine’s example, and get people along to the march on the 26th. You don’t know about it? Then watch this video of Lorraine.March for the Alternative takes place on Saturday 26th March. You must not miss this. It is your chance to register your disapproval, but, more importantly, to make the point, loud and clear, that we all know

Aaron Porter, disgraced NUS President, loses bid to become Leicester South MP

UPDATE: Porter didn't make it on to short list, see hereJon Ashworth is the Labour Party candidate for Leicester South.I am not sure how much intervention there is from the NEC, I am guessing if youwon as a socialist you would be cut out by them?Can the left take part in internal Labour Party contests?How do the short lists work? I was shocked that John McDonnell MP failed twice to geton the

Hawai'i's Tourism Industry Takes A Big Hit

Hawai'i's economy isn't totally based on tourism. Military spending is also a factor. But mostly it's tourism. The state, basically 19 volcanic islands, offers unparalleled natural beauty, great surfing, tropic rainforests, a choice between a slick, luxurious tourist industry or an opportunity for spiritual peace and quiet. And it isn't seasonal; the weather is always alluring. Hawai'i gets around 8 million visitors a year-- and they bring over $10 billion a year into the economy. A rule of thumb around the world is that American tourists spent five to ten times more than tourists from other countries. Hawai'i is the exception. The average Japanese tourist spends more than the average American tourist in Hawai'i-- and their presence-- even as more South Koreans and Chinese are starting to visit-- has declined. 2009's sharp increase in South Korean visitors (55,000, up 43% over 2008) came at a time when declines in Hawai'i's top five visitor markets contributed to an overall 4.5% drop in visitor arrivals. Arrivals from Japan, long the mainstay for tourism-- about $2 billion worth in 2010-- fell by 4.9% to 1.1 million visitors.

Hawaii tourism officials are worried fewer Japanese tourists are visiting the state and are trying to figure out how to reverse the trend.

Figures show 1.37 million Japanese visitors came to Hawaii last year, down 9.4% from the year before. That's 36% lower than the peak of 2.15 million hit in 1997.

Japanese visitors spend more on average in the islands than travelers from the U.S. mainland and other countries, making them valued customers for the state's tourism industry.

"We're all concerned because Japan is still a much-sought-after and important market for the state," said Marsha Wienert, the state tourism liaison.

Industry experts say fewer flights from Japan, fuel surcharges on those flights, and a rise in Hawaii hotel room rates are encouraging Japanese tourists to go elsewhere for their vacations.

Hawaii remains popular for U.S. mainland and Canadian tourists, however. Data shows 2.6% more travelers from the U.S. mainland visited Hawaii last year and travelers from Canada grew 9.9%.

And that was before the earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima. The average Japanese tourist in Hawai'i spends $261.90/day (compared to $231 for a Korean and $322.70 for a Chinese tourist). The NY Times reported this week that the catastrophic in Japan is making an already bad trend for Hawai'i even worse.

The tour and hotel cancellations began within hours, and they have been continuing-- a reminder of how dependent Hawaii is on tourists who make the nine-hour trip here from Tokyo. State officials, well aware of the history of Japanese tourism fallout after other calamities-- including the Kobe earthquake in 1995 and the swine flu epidemic in 2009-- are now bracing for a sharp drop in tourism and the revenue it produces.

“We are heavily dependent on Japanese visitors,” said State Representative Marcus R. Oshiro, a Democrat from Honolulu and the chairman of the House Finance Committee. “There is no doubt in my mind that at least in the short term, we are going to be severely impacted by the earthquake and tsunami. It may be anywhere from $15 to $20 million in state revenues lost just from that tourist market.”

Japanese tourism is not what it once was: Last year, 1.2 million Japanese visited Hawaii, down from a peak of about 2.2 million visitors in 1996. The downturn reflects the effects of the worldwide recession but also changing travel tastes of Japanese tourists. But by any measure, Japanese citizens are a critical part of the tourism industry, which is a critical part of the state’s economy.

Japan ranks third in the number of visitors it sends to Hawaii, following the Western and Eastern United States mainland, but Japanese tourists are much more aggressive spenders and thus contribute disproportionately to the economy. They spend far more money per day on food, hotels and shopping, particularly luxury goods. A typical visitor from the Western United States spent $146 a day last year, while a Japanese tourist spent $274, state officials said.

Hawai'i itself didn't suffer too much physical damage from the tsunami. The Big Island’s Kona Village Resort and the Four Seasons at Hualalai took some major damage and both are closed. So far there hasn't been any radiation from Japan detected.
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie estimates the loss in revenues from Japanese tourists will be in the tens of millions of dollars.

According to Abercrombie, “The economic consequences will be severe for us… it’s going to be terrible. It’s something we have to come to grips with.” David Uchiyama, the Marketing Director of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, told USA Today that “this is just the first shock wave… a cultural sense of obligation and responsibility ” holds Japanese from international travel during domestic crises.

This sentiment is also shared by Jürgen Thomas Steinmetz, president of the privately-held Hawaii Tourism Association (HiTA). Steinmetz has made some waves in Hawaii in recent years, criticizing the government-run Hawaii Tourism Authority for not diversifying enough beyond traditional markets such as the U.S. West Coast and Japan… a shortcoming that is now coming to roost as the state will have to scramble to make up for the expected drop in arrivals from Japan.

According to Steinmetz, the Japan tsunami and its aftermath are a wake-up call for Hawaii to reach out to new markets. At the top of his list: wealthy countries whose citizens don’t require a visa to enter the US, such as most of Europe, Singapore and Brunei. Steinmetz, who hails from Germany, believes that Europe is a particularly promising opportunity: “Europeans not only love to travel but get a lot of vacation time. Where Americans might stay for days, European tourists can afford to think in terms of weeks.” The Aloha State might not exactly be around the corner from Frankfurt or Rome, but Europeans don’t hesitate to travel to New Zealand, or Fiji. So why not Hawaii? China and India are also promising markets in Steinmetz’s view.

For starters, Hawaii Tourism will need to learn that showing up is half the battle. At ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade show, Libya and Afghanistan were represented. Even the Seychelles, which has a small fraction of the population and per capita income of Hawaii, had dozens of exhibitors. According to Steinmetz, Hawaii had no comparable presence.

It might be too early to tell if Hawaii’s 2011 and 2012 tourism prospects will be a case of “too little too late” or “saved by the bell.” But one thing is clear: it’s high time to diversify.

Zizek and Lady Gaga play joint gig (5pm, 22nd March) in support of strike

I mean I looovveee Lady Gaga, especially her gaytastic pop tunes but is she really coming out on strike with yours truly and the other UCU members....we shall see, just had this (below) which claims she is and will be jamming with Zizek.I do think sexuality is cultural as well as 'natural' and I don't go for the meat dress, nonetheless....Zizek is great as well.On Tuesday 22nd and Thursday 24th

arms company pimps are us!

Viridis Lumen has left a new comment on your post "Saudi weapons used to attack Bahrain protesters ma...": They revoked arms sales licenses in February 2011 - nothing like too little, too late! And at the very same time, UK Ministers were at the biggest ever IDEX international arms fayre just across the Gulf in Abu Dhabi pushing Ocelots, which are new style armoured personnel vehicles...

Stil-leven met Brood en Wijn

Stil-leven met Brood en Wijn by Jos de Mey

Impossible figure by Oscar Reutersvärd

Saudi weapons used to attack Bahrain protesters made in Britain

Saudi Arabia has sent scores of UK-made armoured personnel carriers into Bahrain to aid the government's bloody suppression of pro-democracy protesters. The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has criticised the UK government for allowing the sale of the armoured vehicles, made by BAE Systems.The vehicles, marketed as Tacticas, were manufactured by BAE Systems Land Systems Division in

Killing spree in Yeman, Clegg and Cameron say nothing

Libya has oil.Yeman is a US ally, so they can kill no problem.Blood thirsty hypocrites rule!Aljazeera: #Yemen Dr. from Change Sq. Indicated at least 28 ppl killed and 100's wounded, live bullets on heads & chests! #Sanaa @JamjoomCNN @BBCArabicNews @BBCBreaking @cnnbrk @CBCNews @andersoncooper @WSJ

'I like America and America likes me'

And I like Joseph Beuys, he died in the 1980s, a Green Party radical, he believed in art as political performance.Highly controversial but always fun in my humble.Went to see the Tate exhibition of his stuff way back from which this description comes.I have changed the video, also some of the indigenous references are a bit cheesy, I just think this looks and sounds beautiful, enjoy.....the other

Windsor Against The Cuts: Public meeting, Tues 22nd March, 7pm, Firestation Arts Centre,

Spread the word my green left ecosocialist friends Marc Green and Dan Cooper are always worth listening to!Windsor Against The Cuts: Public meeting, Tues 22nd March, 7pm, Firestation Arts Centre, St Leonards Rd, Windsor.Launch meeting of the newly-formed Windsor Anti-Cuts Alliance. The meeting will bring together local people, activists and trade unionists to discuss alternatives to the cuts and

LEGO sculpture of endless staircase

Sculpture by Alex Eylar (Profound Whatever)

Clare Solomon loses ULU Presidency

By just a 100 votes.I am gutted, she has been such a briliant campaigner.A big defeat for students.Anyway I am sure she will do other important things.So sad. I am sure those who believe students unions are all about water polo rather than political resistance will be happy.However left candidates have won other posts as Alex notes:Clare Solomon has, sadly, not been re-elected president of

junkfoodfight

New arts/politics/culture magazine, could be good, could be funStay Alert, Stay Aware, Stay AwakeJunkfood is here to be your podium. All things art and all things political. So if you would like to join the team or contact us at editor@junkfoodfight.co.uk. Junkfood Magazine will be luanched in May 2010 in print and as a PDF download! Keep checking the site for more informationIf you are thinking

Early day motion 1619 JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE

Early day motion 1619 JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE· Session: 2010-11· Date tabled: 16.03.2011· Primary sponsor: McDonnell, John· Sponsors: McDonnell, John That this House supports the call for the immediate return of Jean-Bertrand Aristide and Mildred Trouillot, his wife and colleague, issued on International Women's Day by Haitian women in tent cities and in sweatshops by market women and by small

Logo of web site now.ru

union city gig Thursday 17th March, 7pm - late

Pre-demo gig to raise money for union members A gig to be held a week before the TUC’s anti-cuts demonstration in London will raise money for members of the Public and Commercial Services union who lose pay through taking industrial action. The event – organised by Union City, whose slogan is ‘fighting the cuts, one beat at a time’ – will be from 7pm until late on Thursday 17 March at The

London Libyan Embassy roof occupied

Phoned up by the Today programme ten minutes ago to ask if I knew them.Alas not.Not good to be woken at 7.19 rather than 7.30 but good to be woken with good news.The news from Libya has on the whole been grim but Libyans are fighting Gadaffi and we must support them.However Cameron can fuck off, no no fly zone for Gaza when Israel killed with impunity and still arming Saudi as they invade Bahrain

LIBYAN REBELS AIRFORCE ATTACK GADDAFI

Picking up this but no real confirmation23:16 Update: A trusted source has confirmed to us this story: The pilot who flew his plane into Baab Al Aziziyah took off as part of a 2 plane team with the mission of bombing strategic points in Al Guradibya base in Sirte. Their orders were to return immedietly after completing the mission. One pilot followed orders while the other flew to Tripoli where

HELLO DEPTFORD

Political parties don't always do what they say on the tin, social justice can sadly sometimes mean injustice! I do however love this! Hello Deptford!16 March · 12:00 - 22:30Location Occupied Deptford Job CentreDeptford High StreetLondon, United KingdomCreated by: More info We will be opening our doors to say “HELLO DEPTFORD” on Wednesday afternoon and evening to coincide with market day. We

Impossible string - 36

Impossible string - 36 by Vicente Meavilla

A BP-led consortium is breaking international rules governing the human rights

A BP-led consortium is breaking international rules governing the human rights responsibilities of multinational companies in its operations on the controversial Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the UK Government ruled today.1Environment and human rights groups, which had filed an official complaint against BP eight years ago, say the ruling puts the oil multinational in breach of its loan

Mad Pete!

I do love Pierrot le Fou.Little idea what its about.But its, its beautiful.Love Godard!

Union election to be rerun after court order

UCATT General Secretary Alan Ritchie has been ordered to step down immediately and there will be a re-run of the grossly fiddled 2009 election for the General Secretary post at UCATT. This is a great victory for MICK DOOLEY who was fiddled out of winning by a totally corrupt election organised by useless fat bastard Ritchie and his cronies…..of 130,000 claimed members ballot papers were sent out

The Slits 'Heard it through the Grapevine'

Good!Good!Good!

Anti-Gaddafi protester on London Libyan Embassy roof

An anti-Gaddafi protester has managed to get on the roof of the Libyan embassy in London and replaced the official flag with the pro-revolution one.The embassy had previously removed the flag from the front of the building and placed it five stories up at the very top to stop protesters from attempting this.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-13(I haven't the up to date

Twisted temple with ominous sky

Twisted temple with ominous sky by Roelof Bos

More blood for oil at the Tate!

On a recent visit to Tate Britain we couldn’t help but notice this new display in Room 13 of pieces by such artists as Peter Kennard, Conrad Atkinson, Judy Clark and Keith Piper. Looking back at a 1978 exhibition organised by art critic Richard Cork the blurb on the wall explains ‘The artist here is in many ways an activist and art is harnessed for political, or broadly speaking ideological,

Controversial Ad shows Gadaffi links extend beyond LSE

Artwork by Oscar Reutersvärd

'the next line of coke, the next seven minutes, no longer serves anyone but the super rich'

I finally went to see this last monday, I have been busy with Green Party meeting, visit to squatted Gadaffi house and much else besides but finally have a moment for a short review.I saw it at a very strange cinema that smelt of moth balls in Notting Hill. If you can, go and see it and pay cash or buy the DVD, I believe in free but this needs supporting.Political documentaries are not really my

Amazon people ban ecotourists.

The fight for our planet is not a holiday, support the indigenous!"This was a decision taken at an important assembly of the inhabitants," said Juvencio Pereira, an indigenous guard, who stands watch at the guards' cabin."What we earn here is very little. Tourists come here, they buy a few things, a few artisanal goods, and they go. It is the travel agencies that make the good money."The Ticuna

Desert Peace 'Counting the Class War'

This is what class war looks like, US figures, but remember its happening here too corporation tax down, VAT up, cuts, etc.Figures from Desert Peace

Jewish Socialist Group meeting “THE PEACE PROCESS IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE”

Sunday March 20th, 7.30pmConway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL“THE PEACE PROCESS IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE – FROM BREAKTHROUGH TO BREAKDOWN – IS THERE A WAY FORWARD?”Speaker: AFIF SAFIEH – PLO Roving Ambassador for Special MissionsAfif Safieh, born in Jerusalem in 1950, is one of Palestine’s most distinguished diplomats. He served as General Delegate of the PLO in London throughout the 1990s

Aaron Porter, disgraced NUS President, bids to be Leicester Labour MP

NUS President Aaron Porter is going for the Labour nomination in Leicester South. Give him a decade and he will be supporting illegal Labour wars.NUS hacks are recycled into those who do serious evil.Hope I wrong but suspect I will not be,Nasty careerists, yes I may be over the top over this but remember when I did student union politics, Phil Woolas was President of NUS.Students deserve better

Dear Joel and Ethan Coe

Please reply to: BRICUP, BM BRICUP, London WC1N3XX email: bricup@bricup.org.uk www.bricup.org.uk Dear Joel and Ethan Coen: We understand that you’re among this year’s winners of a $1mn Dan David prize, awarded jointly by the Dan David Foundation and Tel Aviv University. We read that you’re likely to attend the award ceremony in

What you aren't being told about cancer.

I haven't seen this and I wonder if it is a little conspiratorial.However no doubt that pharmaceutical companies kill millions.Monopoly patents massively inflate drug prices and like idiots we put up with it.Cancer prevention does not generate profit so is of little interest.Planet Corporate does not work and resistance is necessary.Idiot Cycle web here

'Worst possible scenario' Nuclear Meltdown in Japan

Absolutely horrifying.Politicians have consistently work to make our planet less safe.Here the main threat comes from the Liberal Democrats.

How Lefties Commit Romance

This is quite droll.

Nick Clegg's support for nuclear power will destroy Lib Dems

When you voted Lib Dem, if you voted Lib Dem, they were against nuclear power, now they are for. Does voting make sense, the Lib Dem u turn seems to justify protest and direct action.The horrifying events in Japan show that nuclear power is a highly dangerous technology.I hope people inside the Lib Dem Sheffield conference walk out and/or throw fruit, conference resolutions are simply

Britain's tea party 'a heady mix of Magna Carta, contract law and monarchical anarchism'

Intriguing and bizarre from Schnews:AWFUL REBELLIONNow SchNEWS has been hearing a fair bit about the whole 'LawfulRebellion' thing now for a year or two, picking up where 9/11truth left off. It's a heady mix of the Magna Carta, contractlaw and monarchical anarchism (Occassionally it makes some good pointsabout the relationship between state and individual.) But to be honestwe'd not realised quite

Anti-cuts arts coalition disrupt 'orgy of the rich'

Arts = accumulation.Everything = accumulation!Art is increasingly about commodity and a badge of the hyper-rich.So I was intrigued to see this:“We are here to expose the orgy of the rich that the Sotheby’s auctions represent,” says one of the protestors inside the auction rooms. “The super rich, bankers and collectors who buy this art exist in an international bubble of their own and don’t seem

Derek calls on the Gaddafi brothers in Hampstead

Well I didn't actually get to piss in their toilets, investigate the wine cellar or play on Saif's Xbox.However it was not entirely a wasted journey.The house in Hampstead owned by the Gadaffi's (value £7 million) was occupied on tuesday by my good amigoes the squatters.Thursday night saw them pass it on to the Libya opposition.Non Libyans are no longer allowed in, so I didn't get to play inside,

Artwork by Jos de Mey

Knock-out van de Grote Witte Beer na contactname met de Post-Escheriaanse Architectuur by Jos de Mey

In a Ticino Village

In a Ticino Village by Sandro del Prete

A million conceptual art workers make a minority hyper rich

Dark MatterGregory Sholette - Pluto Press, £17.99Wednesday 09 March 2011by Gwyn Griffiths I recently read that such is the allure of elite high art that it attracts more money to London than anything else except the stock market. Art is big business, and there are artists able to command huge sums of money for their works. Way below them there is a vast flat field of enthusiastic amateurs and

Conservatives try to kill historic tree in Windsor

The Windsor and Maidenhead Council have decided to cut down a beautiful tree in Windsor to save money.There is nothing wrong with the tree.The council knowing that this would appall local residents have given just three days notice.When I hear more I will let you know.Local residents are mobilising, I think they should occupy the tree and start blogging!Just seen this:I write having just learned

Tourist trap II

Tourist trap II by Erwin Bonsma

Gaddafi's Hampstead home occupied by squatters

There is a move by Nick Clegg to make squatting illegal, no doubt the increasingly nasty party of British politics the Lib Dems, will laugh at the homeless entering our increasingly bitter winters on the streets rather than warm in other wise empty homes.So really good to see the squatters fighting back and for a cause that is even better than Red Nose Day.A group called 'Topple the Tyrants' have

VOTE CLARE SOLOMON

I'm sure I don't need to explain why it's essential Clare Solomon is re-elected as ULU president, considering her track record and profile as a leading left-wing student activist. But just in case you need your memory jogging, have a look at her campaign blog:http://ulucampaigner.wordpress.com/ Also see here: http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/news/173-news/

Escher Zum Mitnehmen

Escher Zum Mitnehmen by Kopfinger

'Can you type?' or 'Why men dominate the economics profession!'

International Womens Day is a good day to look at the workof Elinor Ostrom the first women to win a Nobel Prize foreconomics, she had to battle to become an academic in the 1950s and 1960s.This is from her biographical paper 'A long polycentric journey'Looking for a job in the 1950s as a female andas a new college graduate was an “instructive”experience. The first question in every interviewwas

Whose Turn is it to Clean the Loo? - International Women's Day

Guest post from Jessica Goldfinch.Whose Turn is it to Clean the Loo? - International Women's Day How I wish that this 'day' didn't have to exist, sadly it does and it needs to exist.Women still earn in the regions of 17% less (full time work) and 36% (part time work), than their male counterparts for the same job descriptions. My union, 'Unison', regularly sends out reminders to get you pay level

Climacophobia

Climacophobia by Grant Reyes (tnar/g/rant)

The Budgie Cage

The Budgie Cage by Sandro del Prete

ROSA LUXEMBURG

Yesterday I was reading about the reasons for the disappearance of song birds in Germany. The spread of scientific forestry, horticulture, and agriculture, have cut them off from their nesting places and their food supply. More and more, with modern methods, we are doing away with hollow trees, waste lands, brushwood, fallen leaves. I felt sore at heart. I was not thinking so much about the loss

Das Kapital always gorgeous, funny and fundamental.

Das Kapital always gorgeous, funny and fundamental.Love seeing this makes me very proud to write for the same newspaperYour starter for 10.Which famous treatise on economics dismisses a rival's work as "shit" and details an aristocratic lady's skill at fellatio?Answer - Karl Marx's Das Kapital.Introducing the second edition Marx wrote: "No-one can feel the literary shortcomings of Capital more

PR firm with Peter Mandelson link hired to whitewash Libyan regime

A PUBLIC relations firm set up by a close friend of former British business secretary Peter Mandelson was hired by Muammar Gaddafi to whitewash his tyrannical regime and win acceptance for Libya in the West.Brown Lloyd James promoted the dictator as a "fascinating contemporary world figure" and his son Saif as a human rights champion. Lord Mandelson, who also knows Saif, has stayed at the

RESIST PRO-GADDAFI PROTEST AT LONDON LIBYAN EMBASSY

ShababLibya THERE IS A PRO-GADDAFI PROTEST KICKING OFF OUTSIDE THE LONDON LIBYAN EMBASSY SPREAD THE WORD! PPL COME N PROTEST AGAINST!

SAS captured in Libya 'This is no way to conduct yourself during an uprising'

"They were carrying espionage equipment, reconnaissance equipment, multiple passports and weapons. This is no way to conduct yourself during an uprising."Gaddafi is bringing in thousands of mercenaries to kill us, most are using foreign passports and how do we know who these people are?"They say they're British nationals and some of the passports they have are British. But the Israelis used

James Bond gone wrong in Libya as rebels capture SAS

"At that time it just seemed all a bit outlandish, frankly, because there was a British warship here in town just a few days ago, if anyone wanted to make contact with the authorities here they could have just walked down the gangplank and hailed a taxi," he said."But for some reason they decided to have gone a slightly more James Bond route about it."But I can't absolutely confirm this. As you

SAS captured in Libya

A Special Air Service (SAS) unit and a junior diplomat were being held by rebels in eastern Libya following a bungled mission to put the envoy in touch with them, The Sunday Times said.The broadsheet, citing sources, said the SAS unit, thought to be up to eight men, were captured along with the diplomat they were escorting through the rebel-held east."We can neither confirm nor deny the report,"

Urgent Solidarity with occupation of Porcupine Elderly Meals Building!

Just got this from RowlandPORCUPINE, PINE RIDGE INDIAN NATION, S. Dak. — The Porcupine Elderly Meals Building has been peacefully taken and is now occupied. Oglala President John Steele and Vice President Leonard Poor Bear have finally promised a full hearing for the elders and have said the tribal police will not attempt to take back the building. Despite this, the occupation will not leave

More wisdom from the Daily Mail

A banker, a Daily Mail reader and a benefit claimant are sitting at a table sharing 12 biscuits. The banker takes 11 and says to the Daily Mail reader, 'Watch out for the benefit claimant he wants your biscuit'.

Vote Romayne Phoenix!

Romayne is chair of the Coalition of Resistance and Green Party Executive Campaigns person.I am hoping she gets a healthy number of first preference votes in the GLA Green Party selection contest, she would make an excellent member of the GLA and as some one at the forefront of the anti-cuts campaign would do excellent work.I have to admit that Romayne, Andy Hewett, Farid Bahkt and Noel Lynch who

Tribute to M.C. Escher

Tribute to M.C. Escher by Jim Green (painter1980)

ANDY HEWETT!

I would vote for Andy if I was a London member, good long standing Green Party member and one of the few to increase our vote in a tough general election.As you may well know, a selection process is underway for the Green Party list for the London Assembly elections in 2012. Some GLL members are standing, some have already posted their campaign statements on this list. For those who have a vote

Royal Holloway students violently evicted from Bedford Sq

Royal Holloway students violently evicted from anti-cuts occupation in Bedford Square in Central London.More details here

GAY HUMANISTS CONDEMN MURDER OF CHRISTIAN MINISTER IN PAKISTAN

London 2nd March 2011Britain's Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has condemned the murder of Pakistan Cabinet Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian who was a prominent opponent of the country's blasphemy laws.GALHA was founded 30 years ago partly in response to Britain's then archaic blasphemy laws which were being used to censor and silence gay people in Britain. Since then GALHA has

UCU members vote to take industrial action

UCU members vote to take industrial action, just had this from Sally Hunt.I am pleased to report that members in more than sixty institutions have agreed to support both strike action and action short of a strike in order to defend USS pension rights. The ballot was disaggregated by institution but if the results are taken together a total of 64.55% of those who voted have supported strike action

NHS plans profit can be made by cutting patient care.

The real danger of NHS privatisation was laid bare today after plans emerged to set up a private company that would take control of GPs' commissioning budget.Private health firm IHP has outlined proposals for a consortium's NHS commissioning budget to be handed over to a private company in which GPs would own a 20 per cent stake - leading to practices being partially floated on the stock

Orchid of Love

Orchid of Love by Sandro del Prete

Impossible arch

Impossible arch by mysterio

Farid Bahkt on Gaza!

Farid Bahkt would make an amazing Green Party Mayor of London!

Climate Camp statement, no camp this year but lets have a revolution!

Just got this!Metamorphosis: A statement from the Camp for Climate ActionThe near-collapse of the financial system; droughts in the Amazon, floodsin Pakistan; a new government in the UK; a violent programme ofunprecedented cuts; food prices rising and real incomes eroding;revolutions across the Middle East… This is all very different from 2005when the Camp for Climate Action first met to spark

Greed, Lust & Gender: A History of Economic Ideas

Just preparing my feminist economics lecture for my third year undergraduate political economy course.Could I resist this book title, no way.Self-interest, as the focus for market based decision making, sets greed and lust as its logical culmination. Folbre neatly contrasts a relatively benign approach to self-interest, such as Adam Smith’s, to self-interest in the extreme, such as that of the