NEW WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY ISIS HAS A *REAL* WEBSITE

www.isisimagery.com








HOPE TO SEE YA ALL THERE!

PEACE!!!

The August 12 ANSWER-ADC Rally Part 3

This is part 3 of the photos I took of the August 12th ANSWER-ADC Rally in DC.
Once again, I am having issue uploading photos to Blogger.

I am working on fixing this soon.

Please stay tuned!!

A Hate Crime in Virginia

The word "FAG" sprayed painted on the mailbox was just a small portion of the estimated $10,000 worth of propery damages to a home in Loundoun County Virginia.

Imagine waking up one morning and finding the over 100 trees in your yard cut down, gasoline pured all over your lawn and words inspired by hate sprayed painted all over your driveway and other parts of your property?

On Saturday July 29 2006 a gay couple in a section of Loudoun County Virginia called "Aldie" woke up that morning to find just that.

This is an action that has hit many members of the community through their hearts to face such a high level of hate that would be behind this kind of destruction.

There is a plea for any help or info as well as more photos of the property on the Equality Loudoun web-site to be found here:

http://www.equalityloudoun.org/aldie_hatecrime.html

If we look at history, hate and Virginia have been linked before as we reference to that famous case "Loving vs Virginia" when an interracial couple fought against the laws that banned the marriage they united just over the border in Washington DC June 12, 1967.

Now, nearly 40 years later the debate on who has a legalized partnership is once again in debate.

Now, a differenct kind of couple is facing the same legal challenge for it is the

same sex couple

as this fall Virginia faces a Marriage referendum that will ban and deny any chance of same sex relationships and/or purhaps other kinds of unmarried partnerships the same rights of the legal union between a married man and woman.

This is what the intent to change the Virginia State Constitution will read if this passes by the vote of the public:

ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 15-A. Marriage.

That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage

Now, I know what you all are thinking. You are thinking: Isis is it fair to tie a hate crime to a referendum based in state legislation?

Well, dear readers, I usually do not rant or rave or show a bias in my reporting, and I pride myself on that. But, if you clicked onto the link for Equality Loudoun and saw the photos, you will see that I was the photographer who took those photos, and the pain I felt during that shoot is beyond words to describe.

It is one thing to have a political based rally and voice an opinion, I will never condem anyone for that, but a crime of violence to this degree is not exceptable.

According to several reports including this one from the Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/center/splcreport/article.jsp?aid=152

Gays and lesbians in America are victimized in hate crimes twice as often as blacks, and numerous studies show these attacks are much more brutal than most assaults.

And, there are many links to this rise in hate crimes to gays to the rhetoric, actions and legislations put forth by the anti-gay movement even if it is indirect as this hate crime might have been.

It is one thing to step on a soap box against people you disagree with.

I am a die hard Constitutionalist and freedom of speech, anyone's speech, is something I will always defend the right to.

But, once there is an opening of a door to pass laws that do indeed target and scapegoat, I cannot agree.

And, if there are law makers who try to disempower members of our community though legislation it is the responsiblity of all citizens to take the stand to say NO.




As a proud citizen of the United States of America and as a resident of the state of Virginia, I will not stand around idle and watch a group of people being viciously targeted both by violence and by legislation.

*deep breath*

Peace OUT!

Isis

Isis on the radio with Rev. Barry Lynn Friday July 28 @ 5pm est

Isis will talk candidly and openly with the defender of separation of church and state Rev. Barry Lynn of American's United on his state of the edge talk show : CULTURE SHOCKS

http://www.cultureshocks.com/

Listen live every weekday from 5 to 6pm Eastern Time, 2 to 3pm Pacific.

Listen to Culture Shocks weekdays on the following radio stations:

KCAA 1050 AM, Los Angeles
KCXL 1140 AM, Kansas City, MO
KRXA 540 AM, Monterey, CA
WBNW 1120 AM, Boston
WMET 1160 AM, Washington, DC
WPUL 1260 AM, Daytona Beach
Please listen and enjoy an interview that explains the purpose of Isis's grassroots photojournalist project.

If you miss it, don't worry it will be archived at the Culture Shock website
at
http://www.cultureshocks.com/


PEACE

Isis

The Other Side of The Story

"...the U.S. government has no clue what to do over there, and peace for the Palestinians and Israel is going to take the support of entire world, and ignoring it, neglecting it, punishing one side or the other, which has been the policy of many countries, has failed, and that’s why we have this conflict. So, we want to see people stop fighting. We want people to sit down and talk and recognize each other’s right to exist, each other’s right to live where they want to live in peace. Who needs the borders, frankly? Who needs the borders?"--Adam Eidinger a wheat paster for peace.

On Sunday, July 16, 2006 the Washington Post magazine printed a five page article call: A Beautiful Friendship? In search of the truth about the Israel lobby's influence on Washington By Glenn Frankel

Of course the Post like most main stream media focused only on what is happening with the fools on The Hill, once again turning a blind eye on the public and the grassroots activist groups.

On Tuesday July 18, 2006, at right outside the White House in Washington DC there was a rally of a few hundred people from various groups and organizations who gathered to protest the Israeli actions against Lebanon.


















This is not a complete post as of yet, but I thought I might just get these images out for now

Patriots, Peaceniks, Pagans and Potheads: July 4th 2006

This July 4th 2006 was a very wild time here in DC for grassroots activists. And as I extend my apologies for taking so long to get this post up, you will see that this time I am trying a new style for my blog that involved much more tech than I am used to. Also, this time I have a few interviews with Kristinn Taylor of Free Republic, Malachy Kilbride from D.A.W.N., and a very special and informative interview with the Rev. Barry Lynn from Americans United.

The 4 events I covered for the 4th were all very passionate and high energy events.

It all started on July 3rd with Free Republic protesting the New York Times.

To find the Free Republic article CLICK HERE


And then later that evening it was a beautiful bread breaking for a last meal before the big "Fast for Peace" with Code Pink and the Dc Anti War Network aka D.A.W.N.

You will find the Code Pink story CLICK HERE








And on the day of July 4th, the Pagans rallied for the rights of the pentagram with the Rev Barry Lynn just a few blocks from the White House. To see this article please CLICK HERE.



And last but not least, July 4th tradition for the past 37 yrs, the legalize marijauna "Smoke-in". To see some interesting photos and for information on the history of marijauna laws and some resources on what the laws are like today, CLICK HERE.

I hope at some point in the future, I can get all of this done quicker and without some of the tech challenges I have faced this past week.

Please enjoy, and have a wonderful and safe rest of the summer.

Peace OUT

Isis

Images of The Ku Klux Klan Today

On June 10th, 2006 in Antietam Battlefield National Park the Ku Klux Klan of MD had a rally to honour the battle fought by the Confederate Army as it's first attempt to push the Civil War northbound.

After the civil war was over, Nathan Bedford Forrest founded the Ku Klux Klan as a secert social society to preserve what they believed was the social structure of the traditional south from before the war.




This past Saturday, on June 10th, The Imperial Wizard of the World Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Rev. Gordon Young (above photo with mic) organized a rally for those like himself who want to keep those ideals alive in tradition.



Very closely sharing the views of the KKK was The National Socialist Movement (American Nazi Party). Bill White (photo above) who is the national spokeman for the NSM was there with a handful of other NSM members in uniform.



Also, joining the event was controversial radio host Hal Turner.



The event was an interesting blend of the various racial based groups and their different attires. Yet, they all seemed to have a common theme of concern and rhetoric of what they believe on the issues of race.



There were some very strong ideas about crime, and one speech that was made even suggested bringing back lynching.

Immigration came up, as did their views of people of colour and those of the Jewish heritage.



I regret to say that I was unable to cover the "anti" side of the rally, as the police would not let me go over there to shoot photos. I do pride myself with trying to be fair and balanced, but freedom of the press is really "not" these days.
But, I do have a shot of Daryle Lamont Jenkins of The One Peoples Project who is standing in the shot of the press.

Making The Minute Tick

On the evening of May 15, 2006, the President made a very interesting speech. In fact I believe it was the first time I actually saw him take any kind of firm stand on the immigration issue.

Yes, the immigration issue, which has taken this country by the throat and has brought out concerns for our border security as well as becoming a growing political wedge issue , not to mention bringing racially based individuals out of the woodwork.

One of the groups who have taken up the immigration issue is the Minuteman Project. The Minuteman Project was started by Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox of California out of border and illegal immigrant concerns, yet, there has been much controversy on whether they are racist based or just an issue based organization.

(Chris Simcox below and Jim Gilchrist in photo on right)






They claim there is no racist based motivation for starting the group, yet they have had a tremendous struggle weeding out racists who have been attracted to volunteering for their movement.

So, with facing trouble from both racists and anti-racists, last spring, Simcox and Gilchrist had decided that they needed extra professional help with public relations, fundraising and the Gilchrist congressional campaign, so they signed on with the management group Diener Consulting, which is headed by Mr. Philip Louis Sheldon, Jr., the son of the Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition.

(Bill White, in Nazi uniform, crashes Minuteman Rally in DC)

Now, for those of you with a good memory, Phil Sheldon also operates Responseunlimited.net, which is an ideologically conservative mailing list service.

If this still does not ring a bell, let me remind you of the Terri Schiavo extravaganza, Diener and “Response Unlimited” with Phil Sheldon were the handlers of the public relations, the rallies, and the fund raising and in return have all the names and information of individuals who supported and gave to the Schindlers.

Much to their credit, Diener did help the Minutemen by giving the group a good professional polish. They hired and placed some experienced people from the DC area to handle some of their concerns and to help organize their rallies, lists and fundraising.

But, what people might not realize, as they were not aware of with the Terri Schiavo situation, is that when they signed up for the Minutemen they were also handing their personal information to be sold and used for profit by thousands upon thousands of conservative and Republican organizations and campaigns for bucks in the pockets of Mr. Phil Sheldon.

Now, really, this isn’t unusual in the political world, but, the public should be aware that when they sign up for a cause they feel passionate about, where is their information and money going and how it is going to be used at a later time.
On the 15th of December 2005, due to some heated disagreements about using Diener as their public relations firm, Gilchrist and Simcox split up and parted ways.

Simcox is still signed with Diener and runs a Minuteman group called “Minuteman HQ/ Minuteman Civil Defense Corps”, while Gilchrist with his own group which is called “The Minuteman Project”.

Well, hope this has helped inform the public on the behind the scenes of this odd world of grassroot politics.

Until next post

Peace OUT!

Isis

How the Military is Marketing to Kids.

I was strolling through a small town USA fair/festival. It was a pretty normal and standard family fun day, the air thick with funnel cakes and burnt sugar.

Crafts, face painting, games tempting with the latest in TV icons hanging from booth ceilings.

But, one thing I noticed that I had never seen before was a booth and a simulated ride from our very own United States Army.

Now, I was a little curious, so I tried to get a better look, and from what I could gather, it was a big painted up truck set up like a fun house, and inside was some sort of flight simulator show. It was all free, it required no money or ticket to climb up the stairs, take a look at some cool graphics and walk out the other end impressed.

But, there was one requirment and that was for all the teenagers who were interested in this high stimulation for a few minutes, and that was to fill out forms providing the military personel running the booth with all of their personal information.
Now, I'm a mom of a teen and nobody knows as much as I do how great it is to drop a group of high energy teens off at a town fair, where we all assume they will be safe, and let them run around and get those "ya-yas" out with as little worry to us as possible. But, while I watched in awe how many of these kids were just handing over their names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails and who knows what other info to complete strangers in total trust to most likely be put on a government military contact list without their parents even being aware.

Now, with that, I want to make it clear that this is not an anti-military article, what my goal it to bring awareness to parents everywhere that this is happening and in the most innocent of places, where we least expect it, and if you are a parent who would object to the United States military having all of your child's personal information, it might be time to sit down and have a little chat with your trusting teen.

>>>>Heros Armed with Hardware *and* Software.<<<<

The military is extremly glamourous. Everything from military helicopters to tanks, to missile launchers were on display on the mall in Washington, DC from May 1st to the 7th in a Dept of Defense sponsored event called "Public Recognition Day".

The goal of the event was explained to me as a way to show the public what the military is doing, using for combat as well as put a friendly face on the American soldier.
I really sort of am embarassed to admit that I had a great time while I was there. I thought the whole event was kinda cool. I got to climb on tanks look at big powerful guns up close, and there were a lot of give aways, not to mention some VERY good looking soldiers. But, as some of the camo smoke screen was lifting and my hormones got somewhat in check, I noticed that it was pretty obvious that the event and the freebies were geared to marketing the military to kids.
Screen savers, video games, and posters were handed out showing kids very high tech graphics and slick images. The big friendly soldiers were available playmates and it was an arsonal playground. As an overgrown tomboy, I remember playing soldier, I had toy cap guns and threw many a water balloon grenade. But, in reality is it fair to our children to show live and up close that military hardware and wartime action is a game? As fun as it is to play on this large and powerful equiptment, in other parts of the world there are children who are facing military hardware in an atmosphere of terror, death and fear. Is it so wrong to also show our children and keep them informed of the gruesome visions of the piles of bodies and survivors of wartime with missing limbs and broken lives? I saw no mention or images of that side of war reality.



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Dress Up Fantasy<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Dressing up is loads of fun. When you are a kid, your imagination can go boundless and there is that precious magical world of make believe and for hours you can be whatever you want.
I decided to strike up a conversation with one of the children playing. I asked him how he feels about the military and the war at present. He seemed very positive and supportive about all of it. I asked him if he would go to war when he grows up and he answered with a very enthusiastic "yes". I then asked him if he would be willing to die in a war, he again, nodded a yes. I then asked him if he mother was aware of this, and he just smiled and shrugged. As we are showing our children the impressive bravery our soldiers are facing, and giving them the honour they deserve, we also have a responsibility to let them know that war is not a game, a fantasy and a playground. As parents we have the power to keep abreast what Washington is marketing to the trusting minds of our offspring. It does not matter how your family feels about the military, or if you agree or disagree with this war, these are our children, they are being raised by us, not the Federal Govnerment and it has become apparent to me that we must all keep a close eye on the fact that the military is keeping a closer eye out on them.


Well, I hope I have brought some awareness to an age old situation. Yes, I know the military has always appealed to kids, but, there are now some new ways that you might or might not know about. Keep your eyes open and keep yourself informed.

Until next time!

Peace OUT

Isis

Is This Good Mourning, Mr. Phelps?

*WARNING HIGHLY OFFENSIVE AND DISTURBING MATERIAL*

On may 30 of this year, I will have been shooting photos for exactly one year.
I have shot various grassroots groups from all walks of the political spectrum, and never have I ever found any group as disturbing as Fred Phelps and his Phelpslings.
In case you don't know who this guy is, he is the loon who came out with the "godhatesfags.com" web-site. A site that celebrates the murders of gay youth.
Mostly everyone from all political views, even those who have issues with gay rights, denounce his cruel and sadistic approach to gay hate.
He would even go as far as to picket and wave his cruel signs at the grieving families during the funerals of their lost children.

And now, as of late, as if THAT display of disgrace to the human race wasn't bad enough, Phelps and his followers, who are all just his family (the Phelpslings)have taken to attacking our soldiers who are being killed and wounded in Iraq by picketing their funerals and outside military hospitals where there are wounded soldiers.
On April 28, 2006, they were picketing outside the Navel Hospital in Bethesda MD next to NIH.
Here are the images of that event. And may I warn you, these are some of the cruelest picket signs I have ever photographed.













Okay, just to rest everyone's mind, there was some very strong opposition, as this guy from Protest Warrior http://www.protestwarrior.com/

But, the main organizers of the opposition were the conservative based grassroots group called Free Republic (Freepers) www.freerepublic.com









And, to make the whole day complete to honour the wounded...in rolled the thunder... www.rollingthundermotorcylerally.com






And in the mist of all of this, was the DC Avon Walk for Breast Cancer walk.avonfoundation.org
Many of these walkers, even some who told me they were "anti-war", high fived those defending the troops, as everyone honours the soldiers, no matter how they feel about the war, and NOBODY supports Phelps.


And may I add a thank you to the Montgomery County PD who treated everyone fairly and showed both a fair and friendly approach as well as top notch security.

Tell next time!

PEACE OUT!!

Isis