Author Archives: Sabina Becker

Think protesting doesn’t work?

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Think again. Here’s how it worked out for Baltimore: According to local US congress member Elijah Cummmings, street protests brought about the indictment of the six cops currently accused of killing Freddie Gray. That’s good work!

Posted in Cool Beans, Cops Behaving Badly, Law-Law Land, The United States of Amnesia | Comments Off

Happy May Day!

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Sabina Becker

This version of “The Internationale” comes as a coda to another song, which was cut off. According to the YouTube link: “In 1944, to honor the Allied victory in Italy, legendary counductor Arturo Toscanini — a refugee from Fascism in … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Cool Beans | Comments Off

The ugly truth about Baltimore

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Her sign says it all. Photo: Harry Fear. Whenever I hear about Baltimore — Maryland, that is, as there’s a Baltimore, Ontario not far from where I live — I can’t help but recall this Countee Cullen poem I first … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops Behaving Badly, Fascism Without Swastikas, Filthy Stinking Rich, Isn't It Ironic?, Isn't That Illegal?, Isn't That Racist?, Israelly Uncool, The United States of Amnesia | Comments Off

Economics for Dummies: The African refugee situation, summed up

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Sabina Becker

It’s not just boats that are sinking. It’s PEOPLE. The fact that so many Africans are fleeing from their homes and drowning off the coast of Italy makes me think that, just like the Haitians who are still being punished … Continue reading →

Posted in Deepest Darkest Africa, Economics for Dummies, EuroPeons, Fascism Without Swastikas, Filthy Stinking Rich, If You REALLY Care, Isn't That Racist? | Comments Off

Music for a Sunday: Don’t call the doctor…

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Yup, kiddies, your Auntie Bina is down with the mother of all head and chest colds. Don’t write me off yet, ‘kay?

Posted in Music for a Sunday | Comments Off

“In Tatjana’s Shoes”: German art students taken on prostitution, human trafficking

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Sabina Becker

“In Tatjana’s Shoes”, a street art exhibit by a group of students from Osnabrück, Germany. Photo: EMMA. Human trafficking and prostitution are big topics in Germany right now. A law reform is on the table, but the real debate is … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Confessions of a Bad German, If You REALLY Care, Law-Law Land, Uppity Wimmin | Comments Off

“Dear Madame Minister”: A German ex-prostitute’s open letter

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Sabina Becker

The no-doubt-ironically-named Paradise bordello…just one of several German brothels which were recently raided by police on suspicion of human trafficking. Think Germany is a paradise for women in prostitution? Think again. A formerly prostituted woman has written to Manuela Schwesig, … Continue reading →

Posted in Confessions of a Bad German, Crapagandarati, Filthy Stinking Rich, Isn't It Ironic?, Isn't That Illegal?, Law-Law Land, Men Who Just Don't Get It, Sick Frickin' Bastards, Uppity Wimmin | Comments Off

Cuban anti-cancer vaccine heads to Roswell Park, NY

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Dr. Candace Johnson of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, speaking at a press conference in Cuba. Behind her, at left, is New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Well. If THIS isn’t historic, I don’t know what is: The Molecular Immunology Centre … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Beans, Cuba, Libre (de los Yanquis), Deepest Darkest Africa, Economics for Dummies, Isn't It Ironic?, She Blinded Me With Science, Socialism is Good for Capitalism!, The United States of Amnesia | Comments Off

Quotable: Eduardo Galeano on Utopia

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Sabina Becker

The recently deceased poet of Latin American journalism reads one of his loveliest, truest and most poignant pieces aloud. The on-screen translation’s a bit wonky, but I think you’ll get the idea: PS: According to one of the commenters on … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Paraguay, Uruguay, Quotable Notables, Under the Name of Spain | Comments Off

Music for a Sunday: Knee deep in the hoopla

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Sabina Becker

“Marconi plays the Mamba, listen to the radio…don’t you remember?” Ah yes. Big ’80s sound, big ’80s shoulderpads, and of course, THAT HAIR. Who could forget? The best part, though, is when Abe Lincoln gets up to dance.