Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuesday Travel With Vice Magazine: Lybian Lockdown

So, my Mom is going to be here this week! I haven't seen anyone in my family in five years, so I am really looking forward to it. Two weeks ago my best friend from college finally made it down here with his wife, so I don't feel as much like I am living on the damn moon anymore. More of you guys need to come down and visit so I can spoil you for a bit by parking your happy asses on a beach hammock with a rum drink served out of a coconut for a while. Everyone needs to experience that at least once...

That said, this week's offering from Vice Magazine and VBS.tv is one that has some bearing on today's events in the Middle East and was filmed just a few months ago. Shane and the Vice crew are invited to a "youth conference" in Libya hosted by Muammar Gaddafi with the intention of selling the world on the idea of a "United States of Africa" with him as it's eternal president. No, he's not crazy at all...

And just like their expose on North Korea, they test the boundaries of what an indy journalist is allowed to do in an oppressive country. But unlike their trip to North Korea, they get into actual serious trouble. I for one hope the Libyan people are able to overthrow this fruit cake because he someone who stopped being a fit leader many decades ago....


I personally wish they could have filmed more while there, but I guess alot of film was confiscated by the authorities. It befuddles me how people can willingly submit themselves for totalitarian rule like this, but recent events tell us that human beings as a whole are getting tired of this sorry nonesense be it from governments or corporations.

And THAT is a good thing... 

30 comments:

ed said...

beach hammock with rum sounds good. north korea situation sucks

Anonymous said...

Enjoy time with your mom! I bet you're really stoked to see her!

Melanie said...

yay mom time!!!

Alphabeta said...

Shame there was a distinct lack of footage alright.

Enjoy having the mother visiting.

Shutterbug said...

Not too many people could say they look forward to spending time with their mom, especially the sons! It's great that you two have a close relationship. Hope you have the time of your life! :)

Jay said...

thanks for the vid, and have a good visit!

The Reckmonster said...

LOVE RUM! Booking my flight now...

Amalek said...

bad situation there

Sharon Day said...

Really good observations! I agree. The world is becoming too small for those kinds of leaders to get away with it anymore. Oh, and as for the rum drinks--you'd have to see if there are decency laws there because rum tends to make my clothes come off. It's not a pretty sight! Have a blast with your mom! She will be relieved to see you are doing well.

Kicking Rocks said...

a rum drink served out of a coconut sounds amazing!

Marlene said...

Have a nice visit with your mom!

duffboi said...

Wow, that video coverage was very limited indeed. What an odd situation they found themselves in.

On a brighter note, I'd love to be in a hammock for a spell, sipping a rum drink out of a coconut. Man, now THAT would be relaxing I'm sure! Maybe I can have some doctor foot the bill! hahaha

G said...

It's interesting to see how the internet is making more and more of these regimes twitchy

G said...

It's interesting to see how the internet is making more and more of these regimes twitchy

Bob lehcror said...

What an eye opener! cool post

skinned sheep said...

sounds good! thanks for the article.

notforeverybody said...

enjoy your visit with your mom :)

Rachel Neilson said...

Enjoy your time with her! It'll be great to see her again =)

d0t said...

Enjoy the time with your family!

Unknown said...

The thing is, people get tired of totalitarian governments when they fail to provide for the needs which were previously sufficient. It's easy enough to allow yourself to be consumed by the hatred a demagogue is charismatically speaking. Of course! Why not channel the hatred latent in others in a time of crisis? I think the Romans understood this the best, implementing a 6 month period for the dictator in a state of emergency.

Enjoy your mother's visit by the way. She's very lucky!

pizzafuckyes said...

and to think that there are people stupid enough to support someone who bombs their own citizens... so yeah, i'm talking about Hugo Chavez.

Enjoy your time with your mom!

Gloria Baker said...

Aaron enjoy your time with your Mom, xxgloria

Patti D. said...

You are right, at the end, people will rise.

jules said...

hi aaron, i'm a follower living in PR, so technically the US, but we have different copyright laws re watching any US program or movie on TV. you posted links for expats - i'm in limbo here. i can't watch shows from the network sites or from netflix or any of the sites that direct you the network site. i can't afford tivo. what can i do?! there are a few shows i'd really like to watch a full episode of. i know you're in costa rico, but being the computer wiz you are, i was hoping you'd have a suggestion. i'm posting here since you don't have a contact link.
hope you had a great visit with your mom. your writing is very good, so keep up the good work! wish i'd stumbled into such a situation even with the back story you had to go through.

Kicking Rocks said...

you've been gone for a while...been expecting something lately.....

Justin said...

I agree with everything I just read, from spending some time on a beach hammock to governement and corporations sucking.

Tuneroll said...

Enjoy your time with her!

tigey said...

weird country this Libya

jopjopjop said...

i hope you have a nice visit with your mom.

Gloria Baker said...

I want to know how are you my friend! gloria