(no subject)

[cblj_backup]

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday!

Ways To Give:

redstapler linked me to editrx, who just can't get a break -- she was featured last week for assistance with a medical dental emergency, and now is facing foreclosure on her home. She's looking for advice on fighting the foreclosure and help finding a lawyer in New Hampshire.

adelheide is raising $500 to get her past-due car insurance restored. She's selling jewelry to raise the funds, and has a post up here with links to her LJ sales posts and Etsy shop.

pocketmouse linked to a fundraiser for Daniel, a freelance artist who has just undergone surgery for a brain tumor. He's without insurance and facing bills in the range of $450K. The fundraiser has reached its goal, but every little bit helps.

v_mures and Paganaidd are raising money for security deposit and first month's rent on a small house to help their friend Heather get into health-safe housing. The donation page is here and there's more information on Heather's predicament and the difficulties of multiple chemical sensitivities here.

Stephanie linked me to a fundraiser for Chloe, a Rottweiler who needs surgery for a torn ACL & CCL.

Fans Helping Fans:

happi_feet is in the process of purchasing a piece of property in Tennessee, and is looking for someone to occupy the house on the property on the cheap, in return for cleaning up the land around it and repairing some aspects of the house.

adsartha is setting up shop as am editor and translator, with particular interest in helping self-publishers, at Word Alchemist, and is looking for advice on advertising her services -- places to post, ways to advertise, et cetera.

ljgeoff is looking at purchasing and renovating a house in Charlotte, Michigan, to turn it into a low-cost, accessible housing cooperative. There's an indiegogo fundraiser in the works, but first she needs help making a video for the fundraiser. There's more information on the process of fundraising and the kind of help she needs here.

News To Know:

tealin brought to my attention that there was a dreadful anti-Islam film made that has led to protests and deaths over its depiction of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. Now actors are coming forward to tell their side of the story -- specifically that they filmed an entirely different script, and were dubbed over without their knowledge or consent.

brainwane let me know that the entire 91-episode run of Little Mosque On The Prairie, a light-hearted sitcom about a community of Muslims living in a small Canadian town, is now available free for viewing on Hulu.com. I've heard awesome things about the show, check it out!

Just For Fun:

goseaward linked me to a fascinating article on the Faces of CMU. Startling, but awesome.

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can always post items for my attention in comments here (or on any post) or email me at copperbadge at gmail dot com. If you're not sure how to proceed, here is a little more about what I do and how you can help (or ask for help!). Remember, brevity is the soul of RFM.

Comments

[girlingoldboots.livejournal.com]

Psst: You've got the wrong editrx. There's no "i" between the r and x.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Dammit I knew that too because I double checked it somewhere else...

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

The actions of ordinary Libyans are being willfully misrepresented in some news markets, if you know I mean. Some news channels claim Libyans dragged Christopher Stevens' body through the streets: in fact, they searched for him in the embassy, and when they thought he was alive, they said, "He's alive! He's alive! God is great!"----and then carried him out, to a vehicle, and to a hospital. He died from smoke inhalation. Libyans have been carrying signs mourning him now for nearly two weeks. Stevens was fluent in Arabic, loved the Middle East (very understandably so), and was, as some of those heartbreaking signs attest, "a great friend to all Libyans."

Unarmed Libyans gathered by the tens of thousands at the bases of at least two militias late last week and drove them out of Bengazi---and the government issued an order for any and all such groups to leave the country. Usually we see only the extremists in cases like this, but this coverage is a welcome change of pace.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

I'm not in the least surprise the news media is misreporting things...

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

Well, don't you know? All Muslims are terrorists, because the civilians and the regime are exactly the same. Hive mind, you know.

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I've heard rumours of this side of the story and maybe one article on it, but it's been drowned out.

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's disgusting. When you figure all the ways the US has repeatedly screwed the citizens of these countries, and how often desperation turns to anger.....Most Americans can't imagine living under conditions that are common in some areas of the Middle East. And then, there's the TV coverage.....How many people know that after a Copt Church was bombed, Muslims----even Mubarak's own sons-----formed human shields for and in churches? And during the huge demonstrations in Tahrir Square, Christians guarded Muslims so they could pray and vice versa?

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

That's incredible, I didn't know any of that. It's disgusting and scary, because while I know to take the news with a grain of salt and know that there's another side of the story out there, too many people take it as Truth, and don't consider that the media isn't reporting everything. And when other stories come out contradicting that Truth, it's dismissed as untrue. I've seen it in my own family, where I've had to explain why a lot of the news coming out of this is misrepresenting, and I like to think that my family are decent people (if unfortunately a bit ignorant).

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

When I came back from Iraq and told my family flatly there were no WMDs, Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11 (and rattled his saber principally to keep Iran away, because of the disastrous eight-year Iran-Iraq war) and Iraqis were pretty nice and friendly, I more or less got disowned. I mean, what would I know about WMDs or terrorists, despite having talked to the latter? (Oh, and torture. A bunch of conservative scumbags tried to get me court-martialed for speaking out against it while on active duty.)

We could have won Iraq if we had kept the Iraqi Army intact, not disbanded the Ba'ath Party, and given a lot of Halliburton's jobs to Iraqis. They wanted jobs, electricity, clean water-----instead, we spent millions of dollars on Halliburton and Blackwater----and don't get me started on Blackwater.

As far as WMDs.....let's see, a WMD attack would have required every soldier downrange to don a protective suit over their uniform. This suit was like a duvet. Then a rubber gas mask. This on top of body armor, full uniform, and sometimes rubber boots over your combat boots. I lost forty pounds in a couple of months there, and if I'd have had to put on one of those and walk around in it, I would have died of heat stroke, along with a lot of other soldiers. This is what we call a 'force-multiplying' weapon. If you had such a weapon, and knew---as bin Laden did, after watching the US's response to the disastrous Battle of Mogadishu in the nineties------that the US would not stand for sudden large groups of casualties----you would use it. But I guess the US is okay with the day-by-day trickle of dead soldiers by the one or two, while dead and injured civilians outnumber the soldiers by about a factor of high single digits, maybe as much as ten times higher than the rate for soldiers.

Nah, not bitter at all. Needless to say, I came back from Iraq with a completely different attitude toward Muslims, which is so shameful. The stuff you see on TV....it's lies.

[duckyjane.livejournal.com]

Rachel Maddow had some pretty good coverage (even the night of and night after, when news was still sketchy) about the fact that the attack was more likely a terrorist thing than an unruly mob. You might be interested in listening to or watching the shows from that week (you can stream them from MSNBC's website, works even if you aren't in the US).

I know that I got coverage of the guarding/praying swap, so either she covered that or Canadian news (specifically CBC) did stories on it. You might find Canadian coverage more thorough? Although a lot of it is borrowed from BBC reporters (I assume either because of access or manpower issues) so going straight to the source might also help you feel a little better about the state of media and give you access to the information you want.

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah, I watch Maddow religiously, because she's got an excellent foreign correspondent in Richard Engel, and I've mostly given up on Western sources. It's interesting to check other US coverage, though, to assess the biases. I get my news about the Middle East from Al-Jazeera and places like that, then wait to see how the US covers it. Or if, really.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

I get pretty much all my news from the CBC and BBC, and am always a little mystified by people complaining about the US media outlets. This is the age of the internet! If you want better news, you have options! Both the CBC and BBC do a very good job, comparatively, of covering 'alternate' news (the CBC especially) – I frequently stumble on 'the media isn't covering this!' or 'media coverage of X is totally slanted!' rants online and am bemused because it was covered, and covered relatively fairly, on 'my' media. And I get most of my American news on the CBC, because they have more actual information than US sources, including NPR.

I really can't say enough wonderful things about the CBC.

And the anchorperson on TV goes la de da de da de diddy diddy da ...

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's been on CBC that I've seen any alternative coverage. I tend to just read articles online since I don't have much by way of tv (nor inclination to watch it), but I'll go check out more of their coverage on their website. Thanks.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Radio, man! One of the top things I miss about Canada is being able to make CBC radio the background pattern of my universe without having to boot up the computer. CBC radio made my forfeit of TV in 2006 completely painless. <3 <3 <3

ETA: And the nice thing about radio is that you can listen to it while doing other things – if it weren't for this fact, either I'd get nothing done or be woefully uninformed. :)

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

I've tried listening to the radio for background noise while working on other things, but it becomes just irritating noise to me. I'm not one to even play music in the background because it usually just grates on me. But that's usually because I'm generally doing thinky-things, and noise just interfers with my thinky (unless it's something I've seen a bajillion times, like BBC Pride and Prejudice - that was the background music to my thesis). I should try playing it while doing something more mindless, like dishes or cleaning. That's usually when I play something like Quirks and Quarks (best damn radio show going, at least for sciency geeks like me!)

ETA: although a portion of my thinky things is looking up news online, so.... :D Yeah, maybe I'll try out CBC news instead this week. Thanks. :)

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can't have the radio on while thinking either, or doing anything involving words ... luckily most of what I do all day is solidly right-brained so the radio keeps my left brain occupied and allows the right side to get on with things unhampered. :) CBC's Saturday lineup is perfect for chores and otherwise boring grownup fiddly things around the house! Q&Q (not to be confused with Q) used to be my favourite, but since moving to the States and being irritated at the lack of critical thinking around me, I have gained an enormous appreciation for Day 6. then again I think Day 6 was only born after I moved, and before that it was Go which was very different ... and I am rambling.

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

But it's an interesting ramble? :D

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm glad you find it interesting ... usually when I start going on about radio people get a glazed look and try to get back to what they were doing as subtly as possible. :)

One last thing: Ideas is great! It has changed my life twice! Weeknights at 9 (and online all the time)!

That is the end of my CBC squee for today. (probably.)

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed your CBC squee! I'll check out these programs. :)

[duckyjane.livejournal.com]

In all honesty, I'm a disaster at radio for background noise (I tune out and then miss something and then I'm like wait, what? Who said what?), so I mostly make the effort for World at 6. The last time parliament got prorogued (sp?) I didn't find out for two months (and I worked for the feds at that time), and realized that my all american news all the time was a problem, so I download the podcast. I listen while driving, walking somewhere, or cleaning.

[evilstorm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I remember more or less giving up on most Western media for news during the Arab Spring (some exceptions, like the Grauniad) and turning to Al-Jazeera English instead. AJE is really surprisingly good for regional news.

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

Thank God for the internet. American cable won't carry it.

[evilstorm.livejournal.com]

Ayup. Fuck'em, there were like a million viewers on the AJE stream at one point.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

The links for happi_feet and adsartha's posts both go to adsartha's post.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Fixed now.

[ljgeoff.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Sam!

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

Free viewing of Little Mosque on the Prairie on Hulu is only for those in the US. Which is sad because I've only seen a couple episodes and loved it, and would love to catch up on it. :(

[moonbeamsfanfic.livejournal.com]

Try going to Watch Series (http://watchseries.eu/letters/L), they have all the episodes up and anyone anywhere can watch them. Actually, you can watch just about every episode of every show in existence! I love this site ridiculous amounts, but I'll warn you that it's got lots of ads to avoid so if you've got an ad-blocker running on your browser you are set. Once the video starts playing it's smooth sailing though, so long as it has a chance to buffer first.

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

*hugs you forever*

...in a non-creepy way, of course. :D

[v-mures.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for boosting the signal! It is greatly appreciated.

[stephani673.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Sam! Chloe's mom is just beside herself about the surgery/costs. (She's a student and can't afford to pay, but Chloe is in a lot of pain.)

[gypsylady.livejournal.com]

"Little Mosque on the Prairie" is fantastic. I did whatever I had to to see it. I used to live in Saskatchewan. I can picture that exact town. And that makes me happy.

[doyoulikebread.livejournal.com]

*Dusts off her livejournal* I was wondering if I could post a request for a signal boost for next RFM? My friend and fellow role-player is trying to make up the difference of a 'I have to move now or I will be on the street' move to California. They are an artist who does lovely work and is taking commissions. They tumblr page has all their comission informaion and samples of their work.
http://oldmanloki.tumblr.com/post/32069815539/ooc-in-cali-need-help Thank you!

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

I absolutely can RFM, thank you!

[grey-bard.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this counts as fans helping fans, because I'm the one offering the free item, but on the other hand, if a fan takes it, they're helping me by getting it out of my apartment!

I have an iHome Ipod speaker/radio to give away. It plays any model of Ipod though it doesn't charge the newer ones, and the radio works fine.

It doesn't work as an alarm anymore, though, and a friend gave me a radio that does, so that's why it has to go. It's free to a good home if picked up in the New York City area, or the price of shipping if sent anywhere else.

It really is very good as a high quality Ipod speaker, it just doesn't wake you up in the morning.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Can RFM! Thanks for thinking of the cafe when offering it :)

[tree00faery.livejournal.com]

I'm in Vermont, but would be happy to pay for shipping if nobody else has claimed it!

[topgeargirl2.livejournal.com]

Hi I got the list of top ten frequently challenged books of 2011 (ie banned) for RFM

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/top-ten-most-frequently-challenged-books-2011

Also banned and challenged comic books

http://cbldf.org/2012/09/banned-and-challenged-comics-revealed/

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Will RFM :)

[topgeargirl2.livejournal.com]

You're Welcome :D

[lavenderspark.livejournal.com]

Something for RFM tomorrow, just something to know, not a request for help. I know several people on here are gluten free and I just wanted to share a recipe book that my friend just put together. It's an ebook and it's $9.99 for 100 recipes. http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/pd56644b19929a83ad9d7 (http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/pd56644b19929a83ad9d7)

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Can RFM.

[miss-sabre.livejournal.com]

I know this might be a little late for tomorrow's RFM (I hope not!), but I was hoping you could signal boost Sherlock Seattle, a convention that will be happening in Seattle Nov. 3rd and 4th. Here is the convention website:

http://www.sherlock-seattle.org/#!home/mainPage

People can help by buying memberships, or, as you will see on the site, if people donate money to the cause, they will get art in return!

Registration closes Oct. 25th, and there will be no at the door registration. If people would like to come, we are hoping that everyone will register right away, so that we know how much money we have to make the convention the best it can be. Info for the con can also be found here(http://mamishka-fic.livejournal.com/), at Mamishka's LJ. Mamishka is the con director. It's a first time con, and it should be a lot of fun!

If you don't get this in tomorrow's RFM, next Monday would be perfectly fine.

Thanks!

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Ach, god, I meant to add this in and then totally forgot in the half-awake formatting I did this morning. I will totally throw it into next week's, though!