CBrajkovich Ramblings

I really wanted to go back to my search for inspirations, but the world isn’t cooperating.

“Liberal”, “Capitalist”, “Socialist”, “Traitor”…

I really do have to stop reading the mainstream news because I’ve been running up against a trend that I’ve always ignored though it still won’t go away. If you’ve been insane enough to follow politics lately, then you’ve also been hearing people throw about these words (and a whole lot more) as though they weren’t the word bombs that they are. Frankly it’s gotten to the point where I think that we adults don’t deserve to be making the rules any longer. The world that I’m looking at has a dirty glaze over it, coming from the washed out ashes of our inadequacies. And politics is not the only one to blame. Continue reading →

Updated: 07/25/2011 – Ai WeiWei has now opened a Google+ account.

Warning: This is really not easy to watch because it’s disturbing, but it can’t be ignored if you believe in freedom.

I just read the tweet from Imaginary Foundation and am now watching this hour-long video interview of Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei. Frankly, no matter where you are, there are issues of freedom and civil rights that are fragmenting society. It transcends politics. But we definitely have it better here in the USA than they do in China and other censored countries (for how much longer I’m afraid to think about).

This video gives us an intimate glimpse of a country that few outside of it understand. Just watch this to hear the words of a unique individual who is standing up for his own rights, at any cost, in a tunnel-visioned country, and in turn is standing up for us all. This could easily be our own story if we ignore the warning signs and stray from the path of true democracy.

Ai Weiwei: Without Fear or Favour is showing at the Imaginary Foundation. Go view it to see how thin the line between good and bad has become. This is a heart-breaking reality that many are experiencing! Thank goodness that we have people like this who can show us what is good and what is bad.

The only way to make change happen is to start the change yourself. Believe that you can, because it might be the only thing to carry you through it all.

-“They were hand made, aren’t they, each one…That just makes them that much more special, I guess..” – from visitors of the Sunflower exhibit at the Tate Museum

Note: See an update to Anonymous that I just found today (7/19/11) After you read the story, read some of the comments. The authorities might think that what they’re doing is legal (arresting conspirators), but look at the reason listed on the search warrants: “allege that Anonymous members performed a distributed denial of service attack against PayPal”. No, it’s only because they’re protecting a company. What about protection of the country? I’m really beginning to see things from the hackers point of view (and it seems that there are others who agree)?!

(original post start from here)

If you’re a hacker from the group, Anonymous, then you’re feeling a little more unwanted at the moment. That’s because they’ve just been kicked out of Google+, and had all of their other Google accounts suspended as well. Needless to say, there’s a Marshal out there and he means business! I heard this first from a DesignTaxi tweet which lead to this story. Continue reading →

While going through my posts to make sure that things were working properly, I noticed that one of the linked videos had gone blank. Since this is an unusual occurrence, I clicked on it and was greeted with “This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by the NFL Properties LLC”. Considering that this was a highlight video of Clay Matthews, I had assumed that the fan that I spoke about had spliced together the footage. Typically, I know to verify such things, but it had really looked like a fan lovingly put together this video and I was excited to watch Clay Matthews in action. It had never once crossed my mind that the NFL would even take time to do such a thing (still not convinced that they did), since they are concentrating on the best ways to make a killing in profits (NFL lockout, anyone). So, the removal sent a shock wave through my system, and dread in my heart. Continue reading →

They, Too, Sing America by Charles M. Blow for the NY Times

After you read this article, please tell me that you didn’t feel your heart tighten a little with pride for your brethren. I dare you too!

I had to share this because it’s a well-written, heartfelt testament to those laborers who are the backbone of this country. These are the unsung heroes who go about their daily lives, toiling over the hardships to ensure that they will see another tomorrow.

For too long, those who occupy a particular opulent echelon have belittled the efforts of these downtrodden simply because they didn’t have the same privileges. It’s easy to see what these privileges have produced by looking at our current leaders in many sectors of society. I know who I would go to if I needed honest help.

So, let’s celebrate the hard work of those non-STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workers that is occurring around our nation. Be proud that you’re also responsible for bringing us all another day. Charles has spoken for you, even if others won’t.