Soft and Music

A BBC documentary examining the relationship between Israeli ravers and Goa’s psychedelic trance scene had concluded that key common factor is war.

‘Post-Military Trip’ (PMT), to be broadcast in May, says raves satisfy вЂ?young Israel’s restless frenzied search for a freedom that has nothing to do with war and bloodletting’, with traumatized вЂ?trance-dancing’ soldier seeing Goa as вЂ?a near-mythical exercise in blissful escapism’. (India Times).

Details of the show emerged as Israeli news agency Ynet news said Israelis are continuing to ignore official advice to stay away from Goa to avoid �massive Al Qaeda terror attacks’ they believe are being planned.

“Targeting tourist sites is a common occurrence for Islamic organizations, and we are familiar with this from many attacks. On one hand, these are relatively easy attacks to carry out. On the other hand, they cause economic and perceptive damages,” Dr. Eli Karmon, an international terrorism expert, told Ynet.

“Since it is well-known that there are many Israeli tourists in Goa, and that a large part of them are after the army, a fact symbolizing an Israeli spirit, raises the attractiveness of the target,” he added.

In more rave news, leading Goa politician Jitendra Deshprabhu publicly accused drug cops from Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of extorting money from travellers, this week as well actively colalaborating with dealers in the area.

“The ANC has been running the drug business in Goa,” Mr Deshprabhu claimed (in response to claims that he blocked police from raiding a rave on his property), “And the Deputy Superintendent of Police, ANC, Allan D’Sa, is the kingpin.” (CNN-IBN)

CNN also reported this week that drug busts have increased in Mumbai sixfold in the last three years, with more people (850) arrested for possession in the first two months of this year than for the whole of 2004 (when 825 were busted).

Having unearthed artists such as The Killers, Mylo, The Bravery, We Are Scientists, prefuse 73, Madlib and DJ Yoda amongst countless others, Diesel-U-Music awards is once again preparing to swing into full gear. The competition, aimed at uncovering unsigned and unseen talent all around the world, is supported by an international network of independent record labels, managers, agencies and media.

From April to May in 2007, unsigned bands can upload their music on the official website (www.diesel-u-music.com). Entries will be checked daily and a public vote will also be set up on the site that will allow any music fan the access to listen to and vote for their favourite nominee from any territory and genre.

The judging partners, assigned to each territory, will then announce a shortlist of three territory finalists in each genre (rock, hip hop or electronica) making a total of nine finalists in each territory. The panel will then choose one winner from each genre to bring to the finals in London in June.

Please check http://www.diesel-u-music.com/ for more info.

Top US columnist Daniel Clark suggested global warming theories are being concocted by metrosexuals in a dastardly plot against manly men, this week.

“The latest point of emphasis in the global warming movement is that cattle farming endangers the planet by producing too much methane. So now, steaks and hamburgers are classified as instruments of destruction, along with large vehicles, lawn mowers, and charcoal grills. It can’t be much longer before cowboy movies, cigars and hockey are held to be enemies of the earth as well,” he wrote in his heavily syndicated column.

“Wouldn’t it be more plausible if a few items like styling gel, latte makers and tofu were said to destroy the planet as well?”

The American writer urged real men to stop being �namby-pamby rice cake eaters’ and offered poignant fashion tips for those worrying about how to dress.

“Never is it manly to ask, �Does this make my butt look big?’ he decreed, “Even if you want the answer to be yes.”

In better news for retro males, scientists from the University of Missouri said this week that men possessing the �tenets of traditional masculinity’ tend to recover quicker from accidents, after studying accident victims and their attitude to pain.

“For years, experts have said that the strong, silent male is not one to ask for help when he’s hurt, and therefore at a disadvantage when it comes to getting better. But new research says this might not be completely accurate,” the report said.

“This masculine identity often associated with men in the armed forces and other high-risk occupations may actually encourage and quicken a man’s recovery from serious injuries,” the study suggested.

End Time Links:

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0206-01.htm (Apocalypse Now: How Mankind is Sleepwalking to the End of the Earth Floods, storms and droughts. Melting Arctic ice, shrinking glaciers, oceans turning to acid. The world’s top scientists warned last week that dangerous climate change is taking place today, not the day after tomorrow. You don’t believe it? Then, says Geoffrey Lean, read this . . .’)

http://www.junkscience.com/news/taubes2.html (�Apocalypse Not: �Predictions that global warming will spark epidemics have little basis, say infectious-disease specialists, who argue that public health measures will inevitably outweigh effects of climate . . .’)

American gay rights pioneer Larry Kramer issued a despairing plea to �straight people’ in the LA Times this week asking �Why do you hate gay people so much?’

“Gays are hated. Prove me wrong,” the 72 founder of Act-Up challenged.

“Gays do not realize that the more we become visible, the more we come out of the closet, the more we are hated. Don’t those of you straights who claim not to hate us have a responsibility to denounce the hate?” he asked.

“Why is it socially acceptable to joke about “girlie men” or to discriminate against us legally with “constitutional” amendments banning gay marriage,” he continued, adding “I think your hate is evil.”

“What do we do to you that is so awful? Why do you feel compelled to come after us with such frightful energy? Does this somehow make you feel safer and legitimate?”

His angry polemic was published as Elton John spoke out again against worldwide homophobia and called on people to challenge intolerance.

“For many, basic rights are still a matter of life and death. Individuals suffer because of their sexuality every day,” he told the New Statesman.

“The bigots still have a loud voice and they’re not being shouted down.”

Test Links:

http://games.stupid.com/index.php?action=play&id=4616 (Gay test site)

http://www.brokennewz.com/displaystory.asp_Q_storyid_E_908gay (�The Ultimate, 100% Accurate Gay Test . . .’)

http://www.avert.org/hsexu2.htm (�Am I gay? Many people have feelings towards other people of the same sex, and wonder whether this means that they are gay . . . �)