Author Archives: Maia

A feminist issue

Posted on November 29, 2007 by Maia

When I knocked on the door at 7.15 that morning Anura was still asleep. Anura, aka the frog, is two, and his godless father was in prison. It was the first day any of us could visit Thomas, ((I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Whatever | 14 Comments

Ha Ha

Posted on November 24, 2007 by Maia

I don’t imagine most readers of Alas follow Australian politics particularly closely – neither do I. The main political issues I’ve followed have been union issues, racism against immigrants and indigenous issues, particularly the invasion of the Northern Territories. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Colonialism, Elections and politics, International issues | 3 Comments

Where I've been

Posted on November 20, 2007 by Maia

On October 15 the police raided over 60 houses throughout New Zealand. They arrested 16 people on jointly possessing a number of firearms, and one person on drugs charges. From the very first day the police were talking about charges … Continue reading →

Posted in Colonialism, International issues, Race, racism and related issues | 25 Comments

Now Give Me Back My Friends!*

Posted on October 22, 2007 by Maia

A week ago today the New Zealand police invaded homes all over the country. They arrested 17 (or 18) people with breaches of the Firearms Act. But the search warrants were issued under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Those arrested were … Continue reading →

Posted in Buffy, Whedon, etc., International issues, Race, racism and related issues | Comments Off on Now Give Me Back My Friends!*

Start them young, confuse them greatly

Posted on October 11, 2007 by Maia

Thomas, a 7 year old child I look after, is holding my inflatable globe. “I’m going to find England, where J K Rowling lives.” A few minutes later he’s back, he can’t find England. “There it is,” I point to … Continue reading →

Posted in International issues | 21 Comments

Review: Sugarshock

Posted on October 6, 2007 by Maia

Sugarshock is Joss Whedon’s free on-line comic. If you haven’t read it yet you should: part 1, part 2, and part 3. It’s an extremely silly, story about a band called Sugarshock. Made up of Dandelion who hates vikings and … Continue reading →

Posted in Buffy, Whedon, etc., Cartooning & comics, Popular (and unpopular) culture | 19 Comments

Indymedia: for heterosexual men's gratification

Posted on October 3, 2007 by Maia

I’ve never believed the hype about indymedia (for good reason). I think that if you take a space and make it equally open to all then you don’t get utopia; you get a replication of all the existing power imbalances … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Gender and the Body | 4 Comments

Jesus Fucking Christ

Posted on October 1, 2007 by Maia

From inforwars School security guards in Palmdale, CA have been caught on camera assaulting a 16-year-old girl and breaking her arm after she spilled some cake during lunch and left some crumbs on the floor after cleaning it up. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, racism and related issues | 26 Comments

Once they even believed in the redistribution of wealth…

Posted on September 29, 2007 by Maia

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that George Bush can’t open his mouth without saying something stupid: This has received attention from “Bush is stupid” commenters around the world. But in commenting on George Bush’s inability to communicate even the most … Continue reading →

Posted in International issues, Iraq | 10 Comments

Myanmar

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Maia

Here’s a nifty stencil. While I might take issue with the limited image it paints of the resistance – but I understand the advantages of a simple image. The condemnation of SLORC is coming from all sides, including Bush and … Continue reading →

Posted in International issues | 1 Comment