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bfpnola · 1 year ago

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introductory excerpts on COINTELPRO

it came to my awareness that some folks don't know what COINTELPRO is still, so imma drop some excerpts from the wikipedia page. ofc there are a billion other resources you can check out, especially firsthand accounts, but this is always a good place to start! link attached below:

[Note that the embedded link above's photo has the following caption: "COINTELPRO memo proposing a plan to expose the pregnancy of actress Jean Seberg, a financial supporter of the Black Panther Party, hoping to "possibly cause her embarrassment or tarnish her image with the general public". Covert campaigns to publicly discredit activists and destroy their interpersonal relationships were a common tactic used by COINTELPRO agents."]

The Introduction:

COINTELPRO (syllabic abbreviation derived from Counter Intelligence Program; 1956–1971) was a series of covert and illegal[1][2] projects actively conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) aimed at surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting, and disrupting domestic American political organizations.[3][4] FBI records show COINTELPRO resources targeted groups and individuals the FBI[5] deemed subversive,[6] including feminist organizations,[7][8] the Communist Party USA,[9] anti–Vietnam War organizers, activists of the civil rights and Black power movements (e.g. Martin Luther King Jr., the Nation of Islam, and the Black Panther Party), environmentalist and animal rights organizations, the American Indian Movement (AIM), Chicano and Mexican-American groups like the Brown Berets and the United Farm Workers, independence movements (including Puerto Rican independence groups such as the Young Lords and the Puerto Rican Socialist Party), a variety of organizations that were part of the broader New Left, and white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan[10][11] and the far-right group National States' Rights Party.[12]

Methods COINTELPRO Utilized

According to attorney Brian Glick in his book War at Home, the FBI used five main methods during COINTELPRO:

Infiltration: Agents and informers did not merely spy on political activists. Their main purpose was to discredit, disrupt and negatively redirect action. Their very presence served to undermine trust and scare off potential supporters. The FBI and police exploited this fear to smear genuine activists as agents.

Psychological warfare: The FBI and police used a myriad of "dirty tricks" to undermine movements. They planted false media stories and published bogus leaflets and other publications in the name of targeted groups. They forged correspondence, sent anonymous letters, and made anonymous telephone calls. They spread misinformation about meetings and events, set up pseudo movement groups run by government agents, and manipulated or strong-armed parents, employers, landlords, school officials, and others to cause trouble for activists. They used bad-jacketing to create suspicion about targeted activists, sometimes with lethal consequences.[74]

Harassment via the legal system: The FBI and police abused the legal system to harass dissidents and make them appear to be criminals. Officers of the law gave perjured testimony and presented fabricated evidence as a pretext for false arrests and wrongful imprisonment. They discriminatorily enforced tax laws and other government regulations and used conspicuous surveillance, "investigative" interviews, and grand jury subpoenas in an effort to intimidate activists and silence their supporters.[73][75]

Illegal force: The FBI conspired with local police departments to threaten dissidents; to conduct illegal break-ins in order to search dissident homes; and to commit vandalism, assaults, beatings and assassinations.[73] The objective was to frighten or eliminate dissidents and disrupt their movements.

Undermine public opinion: One of the primary ways the FBI targeted organizations was by challenging their reputations in the community and denying them a platform to gain legitimacy. Hoover specifically designed programs to block leaders from "spreading their philosophy publicly or through the communications media". Furthermore, the organization created and controlled negative media meant to undermine black power organizations. For instance, they oversaw the creation of "documentaries" skillfully edited to paint the Black Panther Party as aggressive, and false newspapers that spread misinformation about party members. The ability of the FBI to create distrust within and between revolutionary organizations tainted their public image and weakened chances at unity and public support.[49]

The FBI specifically developed tactics intended to heighten tension and hostility between various factions in the black power movement, for example between the Black Panthers and the US Organization. For instance, the FBI sent a fake letter to the US Organization exposing a supposed Black Panther plot to murder the head of the US Organization, Ron Karenga. They then intensified this by spreading falsely attributed cartoons in the black communities pitting the Black Panther Party against the US Organization.[49] This resulted in numerous deaths, among which were San Diego Black Panther Party members John Huggins, Bunchy Carter and Sylvester Bell.[73] Another example of the FBI's anonymous letter writing campaign is how they turned the Blackstone Rangers head, Jeff Fort, against former ally Fred Hampton, by stating that Hampton had a hit on Fort.[49] They also were instrumental in developing the rift between Black Panther Party leaders Eldridge Cleaver and Huey Newton, as executed through false letters inciting the two leaders of the Black Panther Party.[49]

...

In order to eliminate black militant leaders whom they considered dangerous, the FBI is believed to have worked with local police departments to target specific individuals,[78] accuse them of crimes they did not commit, suppress exculpatory evidence and falsely incarcerate them. Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt, a Black Panther Party leader, was incarcerated for 27 years before a California Superior Court vacated his murder conviction, ultimately freeing him. Appearing before the court, an FBI agent testified that he believed Pratt had been framed, because both the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department knew he had not been in the area at the time the murder occurred.[79][80]

...

In 1969 the FBI special agent in San Francisco wrote Hoover that his investigation of the Black Panther Party had concluded that in his city, at least, the Panthers were primarily engaged in feeding breakfast to children. Hoover fired back a memo implying the agent's career goals would be directly affected by his supplying evidence to support Hoover's view that the Black Panther Party was "a violence-prone organization seeking to overthrow the Government by revolutionary means".[84]

Hoover supported using false claims to attack his political enemies. In one memo he wrote: "Purpose of counterintelligence action is to disrupt the Black Panther Party and it is immaterial whether facts exist to substantiate the charge."[85]

Intended Effects of COINTELPRO

The intended effect of the FBI's COINTELPRO was to "expose, disrupt, misdirect, or otherwise neutralize" groups that the FBI officials believed were "subversive"[58] by instructing FBI field operatives to:[59] 1. Create a negative public image for target groups (for example through surveilling activists and then releasing negative personal information to the public) 2. Break down internal organization by creating conflicts (for example, by having agents exacerbate racial tensions, or send anonymous letters to try to create conflicts) 3. Create dissension between groups (for example, by spreading rumors that other groups were stealing money) 4. Restrict access to public resources (for example, by pressuring non-profit organizations to cut off funding or material support) 5. Restrict the ability to organize protest (for example, through agents promoting violence against police during planning and at protests) 6. Restrict the ability of individuals to participate in group activities (for example, by character assassinations, false arrests, surveillance)

When did they start?

Centralized operations under COINTELPRO officially began in August 1956 with a program designed to "increase factionalism, cause disruption and win defections" inside the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). Tactics included anonymous phone calls, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits, and the creation of documents that would divide the American communist organization internally.[9] An October 1956 memo from Hoover reclassified the FBI's ongoing surveillance of black leaders, including it within COINTELPRO, with the justification that the movement was infiltrated by communists.[31] In 1956, Hoover sent an open letter denouncing Dr. T. R. M. Howard, a civil rights leader, surgeon, and wealthy entrepreneur in Mississippi who had criticized FBI inaction in solving recent murders of George W. Lee, Emmett Till, and other African Americans in the South.[32] When the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an African-American civil rights organization, was founded in 1957, the FBI began to monitor and target the group almost immediately, focusing particularly on Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and eventually Martin Luther King Jr.[33]

How did the news get out about COINTELPRO?

The program was secret until March 8, 1971, when the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI burgled an FBI field office in Media, Pennsylvania, took several dossiers, and exposed the program by passing this material to news agencies.[1][54] The boxing match known as the Fight of the Century between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in March 1971 provided cover for the activist group to successfully pull off the burglary. Muhammad Ali was a COINTELPRO target because he had joined the Nation of Islam and the anti-war movement.[55] Many news organizations initially refused to immediately publish the information, with the notable exception of The Washington Post. After affirming the reliability of the documents, it published them on the front page (in defiance of the Attorney General's request), prompting other organizations to follow suit. Within the year, Director J. Edgar Hoover declared that the centralized COINTELPRO was over, and that all future counterintelligence operations would be handled case by case.[56][57]

#reaux speaks #black panther party #fbi corruption #cointelpro #counterinsurgency #revolution #martin luther king jr #black power #intersectional feminism #indigenous #young lords #history #wikipedia #communism #socialism #j edgar hoover #mccarthyism

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kuch-toh-garbad-hai-daya · 6 months ago

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Indian Elections (Part 2)

Part 2 of the result and campaign opinions is here!

I know I said that Rajasthan was Congress's biggest comeback, well I take it back because INDIA alliance won in Maharashtra with Congress getting 13 seats, Shiv Sena (og one) with 9 and NCP (again, og one) with 8. With BJP getting 9 seats, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde one) and NCP (new one) getting 7 and 1 seats respectively, NDA lost 28 of its seats. And honestly, what a banger. Sharad Pawar probably deserves credit for this, that man is a shrewd politician. Also, the Congressi responsible for campaigning in Maharashtra also deserves credit, because Congress performed well and beyond the expectations here.

Tamil Nadu my beloved. Major INDIA sweep! DMK (22) and Congress (9) while BJP remained on the zero mark. As expected of the Tamil public. Everyone say thank you to DMK's campaign and BJP's incompetency to get the Tamilians on their side.

Chhattisgarh is an almost BJP sweep, with BJP getting 10 and Congress getting 1. Expected for Congress, given the Vidhaan Sabha results last year.

Another almost BJP (25) sweep is Gujarat, again, as expected. It is, after all BJP's garh, as my mother calls it. Very heavy campaign that paid off for BJP. Hats off to the Congressi who won 1 seat, probably worked very hard on his own.

Things get tricky in Karnataka, where BJP won with 17 seats and Congress got 9. Again, not much familiar with Karnataka politics, but BJP did lose 8 of its seats, so I guess a part of the public is losing trust in the government but it's not a majority yet. A Rajasthan like situation.

TDP shines in Andhra Pradesh with 16 seats, BJP with 4. Congress remained on its zero mark. Chandrababu Naidu come to the INDIA bloc you can be deputy PM

Congress (14), Muslim League (2) and CPIM (1) lead INDIA alliance to an almost sweep in Kerala, BJP getting 1 seat. I'm so glad that Shashi Tharoor won from Thiruvananthapuram, he is a delight to watch.

Things are perfectly balanced as all things should be in Telangana, with both Congress and BJP winning 8 seats each. I guess the public has major divide on issues and opinions.

That's it for this part, I thought this will be done in 2 parts, but guess not.

#indian elections #indpol #election 2024 #anti bjp #anti modi #desiblr

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igottoomuchtime · 12 days ago

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Famous Inventor’s Icks.

Henry Ford

Apparently, he hated Jews. He even made an entire newspaper section dedicated to telling the public just how much they're trying to achieve world domination continuously for a good number of years, on the front page, called “The International Jew: The World's Problem,” even Hitler was hyper aware of his works and praised them, soon even awarding Ford the Grand Cross of the German Eagle on his 75th birthday, 30 July 1938. Which he accepted since you know, they were far away buddies.

Thomas Edison

He hated tons like an elephant weight number of tons. 1 – Any form of criticism, got extremely annoyed when Henry Morton, the President of the Stevens Institute of Technology, called his light bulb a "conspicuous failure" in a public letter. 2 – Most (if not all) black inventors getting any kind of credit for things he majored in like, Edison sued Granville T. Woods, a prolific Black inventor, twice in the 1880s, claiming that he invented the telegraph for trains first. 3 – Tesla. Tesla eventually resigned from Edison's company after becoming convinced that Edison hadn't lived up to a promise of bonuses.

Madame Curie

Xenophobia, Curie faced xenophobia as part of the right-wing press campaign against her. Sexism was also an obvious and huge problem for her as well, some of her coworkers didn’t enjoy her much because they felt she was spending too much time in the lab rather than with her own children. In 1911, Curie was denied a seat in the French Academy of Sciences, likely due to sexism and religion. The right-wing press spread false rumors about her, including that she was Jewish and not truly French.

Nikola Tesla

He absolutely despised germs, this man was the definition of a germaphobe to the point where he declined to shake hands, even wore gloves to avoid germs and hair, just simply hated the feeling of touching hair, some speculate that his hate of feeling hair is stemming from a childhood illness, made him particularly sensitive to the idea of hair carrying bacteria.

Benjamin Franklin

Hated Germans, even saying that they weren’t “as smart as the people already living in the colonies.” As of 1750s, disparaging "low women," Catholics, and Jews; decrying "alien" German immigrants who would "swarm into our settlements;" and labeling Native Americans as "drunken "savages who delight in war. take pride in murder," and should be pursued with "large, strong, and fierce dogs." Yet, in the 1760s, when white Americans attacked an Indian settlement, he labeled the attack "white savagery." African Americans, he described as "sullen, malicious, revengeful" and "by nature [thieves.]" Yet, ever the inquiring scientist, he visited a school for black children, emerging from the visit with a "higher opinion of the black race than I had ever before entertained."

Hedy Lamarr

Lamarr was not a supporter of her husband's political views and hated fascism. She was concerned about the war and didn't feel comfortable making money in Hollywood while the world was in such a state, Lamarr was unhappy in her marriage to Mandl, a wealthy armaments producer for the Nazis. She described him as controlling and said he prevented her from pursuing her acting career. Lamarr escaped to Paris in 1937 and divorced Mandl.

Steve Jobs

Jobs famously disliked styluses, saying, "You have to get 'em, put 'em away, you lose 'em. Yuck! Nobody wants a stylus. So, let's not use a stylus". He also killed the Newton, a tablet-like device that used a stylus, also didn’t like Bill Gates very much, Jobs called Gates "unimaginative" and said that Gates was more comfortable in philanthropy than technology.

All information from google, I tried not to use Wikis, but if it’s incorrect then blame the internet, not me.

#steve jobs #inventory #hedy lamarr #benjamin franklin #nikola tesla #madame curie #thomas edison #henry ford #icks

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coochiequeens · 2 years ago

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“India has one of the highest rates of honor killing and dowry deaths, where newlywed brides are tortured, burnt, sometimes even murdered on the basis of sex. For a man with caste and class privilege living so far removed from the everyday realities of Indian women, Alok Vaid-Menon sure has audacity to call himself a ‘bride,'” she (Vaishnavi Sundar) said.

An American trans activist who identifies as ‘transfeminine’ was recently featured by the Indian publication Brides Today on their digital cover, prompting criticism on social media. Alok Vaid-Menon, 31, who uses “they/them” pronouns, was interviewed and photographed for the magazine wearing clothing resembling traditional attire for women.

Vaid-Menon’s April 19 appearance in the magazine was presented as a commentary on same-sex marriage, which is currently being debated at India’s highest court.

During the full interview, Vaid-Menon was asked his thoughts on topics such as marriage and love, stating “love is about expansion, not constriction. Permission, not prohibition… I want to be a living love poem. Every day I ask myself, ‘How can I love harder?’ Love breaks through binaries—man and woman, us and them, you and me… Love doesn’t live in should, it lives in what is.”

Yet despite the platitudes, Vaid-Menon has caused concern for a past statement in which he referred to “little girls” as being “kinky” and claimed to have himself once been “a cute little girl.”

In approximately 2016, when Vaid-Menon was using the moniker Dark Matter to promote himself as a performance artist and poet, he published a disturbing statement on his views of young girls’ presumed sexuality.

In the statement, Vaid-Menon rejects the notion that little girls need to be protected from “gender/sexual deviance,” and instead claims that “little girls, like the rest of us, are complicated people.”

Vaid-Menon was writing about legislation that had been introduced in the state of North Carolina that year establishing that public restrooms remain single-sex accommodations. House Bill 2, the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, was intended to protect women and children from being exposed to men while in a state of undress.

Vaid-Menon responded to the bill being signed into law by claiming that single-sex spaces were being upheld under a false narrative of protecting “innocent little girls” from “freaky” transgender people.

“There are no fairy tales and princesses here. Little girls are also queer, trans, kinky, deviant, kind, mean, beautiful, ugly, tremendous, and peculiar. Your kids aren’t as straight and narrow as you think they are,” Vaid-Menon wrote.

He went on to claim that he viewed the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist as being about “a little girl … exploring her sexuality (masturbation and so on) and her own demons/meanness.”

In 2021, quotes from the post began circulating on Twitter and prompting outrage, but users found themselves getting suspended for referencing or reacting to the text.

Conservative political pundit Lauren Witzke was suspended from Twitter for hate speech after retweeting a graphic showing Vaid-Menon’s quote, to which she commented that the views he expressed were “demonic.” Witzke was reinstated on the platform almost two years later, after Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought Twitter and offered “amnesty” on many previous suspensions.

The views expressed in Vaid-Menon’s Facebook post were criticized by the now-deceased lesbian activist YouTuber Magdalen Berns in a video she titled “Non-Binary Bullsh*t.” Berns concluded that in her opinion, his comments on girlhood made him “sound a bit like a pedo,” and remarked that “even his fans” disapproved, causing him to eventually delete the post.

The following year, in 2017, Vaid-Menon and fellow non-binary activist Jacob Tobia were profiled by Vice in an article titled “Why Can’t My Famous Gender Nonconforming Friends Get Laid.” The article was subject to widespread mockery for highlighting Vaid-Menon’s lack of success in dating, and included comments indicating that Vaid-Menon and Tobia had considered taking female hormones in order to date heterosexual men in an attempt to expand their dating pool.

Vaid-Menon has been a strong proponent for “neutralizing” women’s issues in order to make them “gender inclusive.” He has previously written about the importance of using gender neutral language when discussing abortion, pregnancy, or sex-based violence, also denouncing the term “women’s rights” as not being sufficiently welcoming to gender non-conforming people.

In 2020, Vaid-Menon was featured by menstrual hygiene company This is L and the Phluid Project – a “gender free” clothing and lifestyle brand based in New York – in a promotional video featuring individuals of varying “gender identities” to spread the message that periods are not specific to females. Vaid-Menon had endorsed this belief previously when, in 2019, he shared an articlefrom Seventeen magazine, a publication aimed at girls and young women, titled “What Trans & Non-Binary Menstruators Should Know About Periods.”

Women’s rights campaigner and filmmaker Vaishnavi Sundar blasted Vaid-Menon’s activism as “dangerous” while calling attention to the plight of women and girls in India.

In 2020, screenings of a documentary Sundar had produced titled “But What Was She Wearing?” were cancelled in response to previous tweets she had made opposing men in women’s spaces. Her film sought to address the sexual harassment and sexual violence that women in the nation experience, juxtaposing the contrast between what laws on paper purport and the on-the-ground reality.

“India is an extremely caste-riddled society. Indian women across all castes experience profound violence at the hands of men. A large majority still live under acute poverty, devoid of basic sanitation, education, safety, or legal recourse,” Sundar told Reduxx.

“To import gender identity ideology as some form of progressive ticket to freedom is not just obscene, it is dangerous. In a country that still kills the female newborns and blames young girls for being raped, gender identity is the last thing we want shoved down on us while we haven’t even saved ourselves from the existing misogyny,” Sundar added.

“The only group of people profiting from this ideology are the corporations, medical and pharmaceutical industries. Men like Alok Vaid-Menon are promoters of said industries under the veneer of being progressive and inclusive.”

#India #Brides Today #Alok Vaid-Menon #Trans identified males sexualizing girls and girlhood #Womb envy #Vaishnavi Sundar Spoke the truth

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therealdesitalk · 8 months ago

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Kya hamare desh mein freedom of speech jesa abb kuch baki hai? Kyuki aajkal ladakh , manipur jese incidents dekh k toh nhi lagta..

Yes freedom of speech exists in India but it's facing challenges the indian constitution's article 19 guarantees freedom of speech and expression this means you can freely express your opinions and beliefs even if they're unpopular

But there are some limits for example you can't promote violence or hate speech the government can also restrict speech if it threatens national security or public order

Recent events in Ladakh and Manipur involved the government shutting down the internet restricting speech the government argues these shutdowns are necessary to prevent violence and instability critics argue they're unnecessary and violate citizens' rights so the future of free speech in India is uncertain ..the government and citizens need to work together to protect it and prevent misuse

So here are what you can do to protect free speech -

1. Use internet : Spread awareness and educate people create community by creating blogs and making video and by creating social media pages

2.Educate yourself on the importance of free speech

3.Contact your elected officials and urge them to protect it

4.Support organizations working to defend free speech

5. Speak up when you see free speech being violated ....Free speech is a valuable right that needs protection by working together we can all do our part

#desi blog #desiblogger

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ofhouseadama · 1 year ago

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Hi! I wanted to ask your opinion as someone who used to live in New Jersey. I'm thinking of moving my family there. We want to get away because we currently live in a red state with horrific anti-LGBT laws, anti-abortion laws, and shamefully loose gun laws. One of the reasons New Jersey caught my eye as a possibility is that I've heard it has some of the strictest gun laws in the US (which is not saying much, but I'll take what I can get), which sounded very appealing to me. What's your opinion on the state? Is it a good place to raise children? Thank you for any advice or insight you can offer.

I lived in NJ the first twenty-three (ish, with college) years of my life, and have been gone long enough to feel comfortable to say that I lived in Middlesex County in Edison, Woodbridge, and Metuchen.

It's a good place to raise children, if you have money. Having now lived in both the north and the south for substantial amounts of time, I think it's hard for people not from the northeast to conceptualize how fucking expensive it is to live there. There's a reason that every other person you talk to in SC or FL are from NY or NJ -- people can't afford the goddamn property taxes. My wife who is from WV was astonished at how much houses cost, even before factoring in everything else. Seeing a 2-2 go for $500k in my hometown made her want to vomit.

But the money does fund the best public education system in the country. (Cue the joke about NJ's biggest export being college students.) When I graduated high school in 2011, I did so with 33 college credits. I had a genuinely good public school education, especially when compared to what I hear from friends and loved ones who weren't incubated in an ugly McMansion off the Jersey Turnpike.

NJ is also a cultural melting pot. Within 90 minutes of entering the state my body obligates me to order Indian food. Your neighbors are from all different countries and regions of the world. You will hear more languages than you knew existed.

As a child in NJ, I never saw, handled, or shot a gun. There's very little gun culture outside of people who go hunting. That's not to say there's not gun violence -- I was in Menlo Park Mall when this murder-suicide occurred in 2007, ten minutes from my house.

There's also still white supremacy. The Klan actively recruits in areas of South Jersey, was openly recruiting when I was in high school. NJ still has active sundown towns. I'd recommend staying closer to Philly or NYC, if the reason you're moving is to flee a red state with restrictive LGBTQIA and abortion laws. The western part of the state is a lot of rural communities and a lot of farm land and a lot of Trump country.

As with moving anywhere, I'd recommend researching where you're moving to very thoroughly.

It's going to be a big culture shock, especially if you're moving from a state that sees small talk as a requisite for politeness. The traffic will be terrible. All the roads have tolls, you have to buy an EZ Pass. Practice your bagel order before you get to the counter. The biggest sin is wasting someone's time.

I love SC, and want to stay and fight for the town where we currently live, which is about to host it's third annual Pride festival. The schools suck, but my wife and I are never going to agree on a working definition of a "good" school because our experiences with public education are wildly disparate. But I can sympathize with you deeply -- I have a trans son, and every time we reach a new election cycle I wince and wonder if my marriage will be undone for political scorekeeping. I don't understand the love affair with guns. I doubt I ever will. But it's worth fighting for, and right now the cost of staying in the fight isn't too high -- there are people we love in SC who are also staying to roll up their sleeves and refusing to budge.

For now.

But NJ is my home. If I could afford to live there, I would move back in a heartbeat.

#ask #anonymous

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haveyoureadthistransbook · 7 months ago

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Three Stories by Mors

goodreads

Three stories (Daud and Íya; Indian Blood; and Revolutionary Eviction 2) by Mors which were originally published on their blog. This publication gathers their fiction in print along with a new introduction by the author (on the interior side of the physical covers) and original cover art by Jamie Berrout. Mors' work is absolutely necessary at a time when published leftist writing seems to present us only with an endless procession of white settler projects and fictional genocidal utopias which only with great difficulty are met with open criticism. But setting aside the devastatingly powerful and insightful social-historical analysis we find in these stories, they're above all damn good stories; stories of Indigenous resistance; stories in which Native trans women get to live and fight and love; stories in which Mors works with the fundamental stuff of storytelling, with chilling suspense and blistering action while carrying on which such narrative tones, such a richly layered conversational realism, that when the impossible emerges from out of the mundane it is as if, like an unexpected courage, it was always there alongside us, only a single degree outside our field of vision.

Mod opinion: I haven't heard about this short story collection before, but it sounds incredibly interesting!

#three stories #mors #jamie berrout #polls #trans books #trans lit #trans literature #lgbt books #lgbt lit #lgbt literature #short stories #anthology #to read

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spectralreplica · 2 years ago

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where and in what order do i watch precure?

Hey! Just saw this.

In terms of officially... the very first season (Futari wa Precure) along with 4 recent seasons are on Crunchyroll (Kirakira Precure a la Mode, Healin' Good Precure, Tropical-Rouge Precure, and Delicious Party Precure). ...technically Netflix dubbed 2 seasons under the name Glitter Force, but it was a 4kids style mess, (cut episodes, editing to be more "child friendly", changing all names to Western ones, etc.) so avoid unless showing to a younger relative who can't handle subs

Unofficially, all the seasons have been fansubbed and are available at whatever website you normally use.

Each Precure season is like 48 episodes, and each are totally standalone outside of some little continuity gags, like the same stores existing in multiple seasons. The only exceptions to this are two early seasons that have direct sequels (Futari wa Precure Max Heart and Yes Precure 5 Gogo) and a yearly non-canon crossover movie where all (or at least the 3-4 most recent seasons worth) of the Cures meet up and fight some new enemy (no one ever ages, though).

So, basically, you can start with whatever season you want! I'd recommend looking at the wiki and reading the description of each season to see which one sounds the most interesting. Personally, my favorite is Star Twinkle, and I really like Heartcatch, Smile, and Tropical-Rouge. I've also heard Fresh, Go Princess, and Hugtto are pretty good. Alternatively, if you want to have the maximum interaction with other fans, Hirogaru Sky Precure, the latest season, is about to start airing on February 5th (available on Crunchyroll or less legally).

If you want my opinions specifically:

Futari wa + Max Heart: Yin yang themed; not great pacing because they were still figuring things out plus some CG that aged badly, but people really love the focus on the relationship between the leads

Splash Star: nature themed; seen as a ripoff of the 1st seasons, but some people swear it's actually way better? features the tackiest outfits

Fresh: fruit + clover themed; animation can be rough, but the story is apparently really great, esp. concerning a villain who changes sides

Yes Precure 5 + Gogo: butterfly + then rose themed; animation can really suffer sometimes; some people seem to really like it, but I mostly know it as The One Season with an Explicit Het Romance

Heartcatch: flower + fashion themed; The Edgy Season and the one with the most unique artstyle + strong animation; has really good character arcs and cool concepts (the MC's grandmother was a former Cure!)

Suite: music themed; people used to really hate this one in comparison to Heartcatch, but it's seen more fondly now? apparently has good character work but the animation suffers because the outfits were very detailed. Also, the ending got changed last minute to be lighter and softer because that was when the big typhoon hit japan

Smile: fairytale themed; not very plot heavy but consistently cute and funny; just a silly little show, but a few eps made me cry. Avoid the Netflix dub (Glitter Force)

Dokidoki Precure: playing card themed; had a lot of cool plot things going for it, but fell apart a little; MC gets accused of stealing the show, which is rare for Precure, which tends to be more team-focused than, say, Sailor Moon, where Usagi is the strongest and the main focus

Happiness Charge Precure: fashion/dance themed?; a really really cool concept where there are a whole bunch of Precure all over the world and they're known to the public and covered on the news, but the ending is weaker than the rest of the show; also, the international Cure designs can be a little stereotypical, and even the Egyptian and Indian Cures are very pale...

Go Princess Precure: princess themed; I've heard the plot is really good, but I don't know much about the details? Utena references apparently

Witchy Precure/ Maho Girls Precure: witch themed; one of the Precure is a witch from a magical world and one is a normal girl, and they both spend like half their time at magic school? despite this cool concept, it's apparently very light on plot and I've not seen any huge fans of it

Kirakira Precure a La Mode: animal + sweets themed; another light and fluffy season, but with semi-canon lesbians? very cute designs, and lots of comparisons to Tokyo Mew Mew

Hugtto Precure: future + career themed; heard it's very strong in terms of plot and characters, although some people have quibbles with the ending; started the trend among newer seasons of having a decades later epilogue to show you how the Cures grow up, which is always nice to see; features a boy or nonbinary (depends on your interpretation) Cure near the end of the season

Star Twinkle Precure: space + imagination themed; kind of an 80s aesthetic visually and with really strong designs, plus a really cool plot and good character development; the one season with a mixed race Cure; episodes split between aliens attacking Earth and the Cures visiting other planets; also, the movie is way better than it has any right to be and makes me cry every time

Healin Good Precure: healing + nature themed; the season that was cut slightly short due to COVID; also the one themed around health care? It was in production pre pandemic, so just weird timing. ...apparently it's kind of mid

Tropical Rouge Precure: mermaid + makeup themed; lots of focus on the main girls forming a club and going around the town doing fun stuff and helping classmates interrupted by going to magical mermaid places and learning some plot related stuff (there's not... NOT plot... actually there's more there than I expected! But it's very slice of life heavy); every character gets their own arc, and all the designs are super nice

Delicious Party Precure: cooking themed; do not watch on an empty stomach; kind of a light and fluffy season; has a cool nonbinary character in a support role, plus a boy who is not technically a Cure, but Cure-adjacent (still transforms, different name); I bounced off it a little, but mostly because I was busy?

Hirogaru Sky: sky + heroism themed; we only have promo stuff, but I'm very hyped

#ask #vespertin-y

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mvnandhini · 4 months ago

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Indian 2 - Disappointing | ஷங்கரின் விதவிதமாகக் கொல்லும் obsession!

ஷங்கர் இயக்கத்தில் கமல்ஹாசன் நடிப்பில் வெளியாகியிருக்கும் இந்தியன் ௨ படம் எப்படி இருக்கிறது. சமூக ஊடக கருத்துக்கள் … Saravanakarthikeyan Chinnadurai இந்தியன்-II – @ interval – வர்மக் கர்மங்கள் தவிர மற்றவை நன்று. விதவிதமாகக் கொல்லும் obsession-லிருந்து ஷங்கர் வெளிவரச் சிரமப்படுகிறார். #Indian2 #KamalHassan #Siddharth 1st half-sidharth portion was good-Killings was cringe xD– unwanted set…

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mywifeleftme · 2 years ago

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17: Alanis Obomsawin // Bush Lady

Bush Lady Alanis Obomsawin 1985, Radio Canada (Bandcamp)

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A review of the well-meaning things I meant to say about Alanis Obomsawin’s Bush Lady

“No matter how accomplished Obomsawin’s sole LP, 1988’s cult classic Bush Lady may be, it’s naturally overshadowed by her extensive work as a documentary filmmaker. Her searing Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (available to stream for free from the National Film Board), covering the 1990 Oka standoff between local Indigenous land defenders, Quebec police, and the Canadian military, is a landmark. Her films are celebrated, broadcast on public television, and taught in schools.”

1.5/5—Book report quality. This is a not-very-slick way of admitting the only one of her movies I’ve seen in her most famous one. Also saying a director’s films are “celebrated, broadcast on public television, and taught in schools” in Canada sounds a lot like saying not many people have actually seen them.

“Her roots as a singer-songwriter predate her filmmaking, however. By the late 1950s, when she was in her twenties, she was performing and writing original songs in the Waban-Aki/Abenaki language, English, and French, but her recordings are sporadic prior to cutting this set at the CBC in the mid-1980s. The material was scantly issued at the time, and it probably found its widest listenership after a 2018 reissue by Constellation Records.”

2/5—Solid enough exposition, though it does beg the question why I didn’t just paste in the press release from the label.

“Bush Lady finds her singing and playing a handheld frame drum alongside a Quebecois chamber quartet. I was drawn to the record by ‘Odana,’ a melancholy fable about resisting colonial land grabs written in Abenaki by a tribal elder in the 1800s, which Obomsawin has presumably set to music of her own devising. Arranger Jean Vanasse and the quartet, likely trying to equate the song to a mode they were more familiar with, approach it like Nelson Riddle on Sinatra’s Only the Lonely. Nocturnal strings and woodwinds ripple around Obomsawin’s satiny vocal, lending the tragic folk tale the style of a blue ballad in an urban theatre.”

2.5/5—It took a while, but finally something about the music, an opinion even!

“There may be a bit of a feint in opening an album called Bush Lady with such a high-thread-count piece. ‘Odana’ lulls the non-Abenaki-speaking listener in with its soothingly westernized take on ‘Indian music,’ the lyrics’ message about stolen land masked by the unfamiliar tongue.”

2/5—Translation: “I am sort of embarrassed that the song I like best on this protest album is the one that sounds kind of like Nat King Cole, so I’ll change the subject to rhetoric.”

“But as the music segues into the theatrical 13-minute title track, its politics become explicit even to an English speaker. Obomsawin chants ritualistically over the insistent thump of her frame drum, interspersed with semi-spoken dialogue. She acts out characters: leering white men who harass and prey upon young Native girls; scornful, gossiping housewives; and finally the ‘Bush Lady’ herself, asking a white woman to care for her blonde mixed race child for fear it will be rejected by her own people. The recurring chant serves as a Greek chorus, a mournful counterpoint to the acrid sarcasm of the dialogue. The song undergoes a dramatic shift at the end when the fallen woman is visited by the spirit by her kokum (grandmother), who ushers her into paradise, accompanied by fluttering strings.”

3/5—Decent exegesis. But, dammit man, do you enjoy it or don't you?

“The track is a surprisingly good fit with reissuing label Constellation’s own catalogue. Like their cohort of Godspeed You! Black Emperor-adjacent projects, ‘Bush Lady’ is expansive and confrontational, fusing funereal cello and violin with blunt agitprop. When it works, it has a palpable force. Like agitprop though, the song isn’t subtle fare, and I have to admit the melodramatic conclusion (which is a harp or two away from a caricature of Christian heaven) feels a bit Wizard of Oz to me. I also don’t have a lot to say about the nearly side-length ‘Théo,’ a second drum-driven story song, this one sung in French. It is even more in a spoken word style than ‘Bush Lady,’ and as an Anglophone I can’t glean much despite another magnetic Obomsawin vocal.”

2.5/5—Reader, that must be one comfortable fence.

“I’m glad to have this reissue of Bush Lady in my collection for its transfixing A-side, and its significant overall historical interest. It’s well worth a listen for the curious.”

Overall review rating: 2.2142857142857142857142857142857/5, or 5 CLICK THE LINK TO WATCH HER FILMS FOR FREEs out of 5.

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#alanis obomsawin #music review #vinyl #constellation records #'80s music

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supremec07 · 10 hours ago

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Aor Supreme Court

Supreme Court Advocates in Delhi: A Comprehensive Guide

The Supreme Court of India, located at Tilak Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, stands as the highest judicial authority in the country. It is where landmark decisions are made, shaping the legal and constitutional framework of India. For those seeking justice or expert legal representation, the role of a Supreme Court Advocate in Delhi is pivotal. This article explores the significance of Supreme Court advocates, the importance of choosing the right legal representation, and how to approach the legal process effectively.

The Role of a Supreme Court Advocate in Delhi

Advocates practicing in the Supreme Court of India hold a unique position in the legal hierarchy. They represent individuals, corporate entities, and even government bodies, addressing complex legal matters and constitutional challenges. Their primary responsibilities include:

Filing Petitions and Appeals: Advocates handle special leave petitions (SLPs), public interest litigations (PILs), writ petitions, and various types of appeals.

Legal Consultation: They provide expert opinions on intricate legal issues and help clients understand the nuances of their cases.

Court Representation: Supreme Court advocates present arguments before the bench, often dealing with constitutional law, civil rights, and criminal appeals.

Documentation and Compliance: They ensure all legal documentation and procedural requirements are met, adhering to the Supreme Court’s strict protocols.

Why Choose a Supreme Court Advocate in Delhi?

When dealing with the highest court in the land, expertise matters. Advocates specializing in Supreme Court cases bring unmatched skills and experience to the table. Here’s why selecting a seasoned Supreme Court advocate in Delhi is crucial:

1. Specialized Knowledge

Supreme Court cases often involve intricate constitutional and statutory interpretations. Advocates practicing here possess deep knowledge of the Indian legal framework and precedents, enabling them to handle even the most challenging cases effectively.

2. Access to Resources

Located in the heart of Delhi at Tilak Marg, the Supreme Court is surrounded by numerous law firms and legal resource hubs. Advocates practicing here have access to extensive legal research tools, libraries, and networks that enhance their ability to represent clients.

3. Efficient Navigation of Processes

The procedural requirements in the Supreme Court are stringent. From drafting and filing petitions to meeting deadlines, a skilled advocate ensures all steps are meticulously followed, reducing the chances of procedural delays.

Choosing the Right Law Firm in Delhi

Selecting the right law firm can significantly impact the outcome of your case. With numerous legal practices in Delhi, it’s essential to focus on certain criteria when making your decision:

1. Reputation and Track Record

Look for a law firm with a proven history of handling Supreme Court cases. Research their past successes and client testimonials to gauge their expertise.

2. Specialization

Ensure the firm specializes in the type of case you are pursuing. Whether it’s a criminal appeal, corporate litigation, or a constitutional matter, the firm’s focus should align with your needs.

3. Accessibility and Communication

A good law firm maintains transparent communication with its clients. They should be available to address your queries and provide regular updates on your case.

4. Team Strength

A strong legal team with experienced advocates enhances the chances of success. Look for firms with a mix of senior advocates and dynamic young lawyers.

How to Approach a Supreme Court Case

If you’re planning to file a case or appeal in the Supreme Court, here are some essential steps to follow:

1. Consult a Supreme Court Advocate

Reach out to an experienced advocate at the earliest stage of your legal issue. Discuss your case in detail, providing all necessary documents and evidence.

2. Understand the Legal Pathway

Your advocate will determine whether your case qualifies for direct filing in the Supreme Court or if it needs to go through lower courts first.

3. File the Petition

The advocate will draft and file the petition, ensuring it meets all procedural requirements. This stage involves meticulous attention to detail, as errors can lead to delays or dismissals.

4. Prepare for Hearings

Once the case is admitted, your advocate will prepare arguments, submit written submissions, and present your case before the judges.

5. Follow Up

Supreme Court cases can take time. Regular follow-ups with your advocate will ensure you stay updated on progress and any further requirements.

Contacting the Best Supreme Court Advocates in Delhi

For those seeking legal representation or advice, it’s vital to connect with advocates or law firms that are not only knowledgeable but also approachable. If you’re looking for reliable legal assistance near the Supreme Court of India, here’s a quick reference:

Address: Tilak Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001

Phone: 8100007400

This area is a hub of renowned law firms and advocates, ensuring you’ll find the right legal partner for your case.

Common Types of Cases in the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India deals with a diverse range of cases, including:

Constitutional Challenges: Cases involving interpretation or challenges to constitutional provisions.

Criminal Appeals: Appeals against high court judgments in criminal matters.

Civil Disputes: Complex civil cases, including property disputes and family matters.

Public Interest Litigations (PILs): Cases addressing broader societal issues.

Corporate and Commercial Disputes: High-stakes cases involving companies and financial matters.

The Future of Legal Representation at the Supreme Court

With the advent of technology, the practice of law is evolving. E-filing, virtual hearings, and advanced legal research tools are becoming integral to Supreme Court proceedings. Law firms and advocates in Delhi are adapting to these changes, ensuring efficient and tech-savvy services for their clients.

Moreover, the growing emphasis on alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration is transforming the legal landscape. These methods are often preferred for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion

Navigating the complexities of the Supreme Court requires expertise, dedication, and meticulous planning. Whether you’re an individual seeking justice or a corporation involved in high-stakes litigation, the right Supreme Court advocate in Delhi can make all the difference. With prominent legal professionals and firms located near Tilak Marg, Mandi House, accessing top-tier legal assistance has never been easier.

For consultations and legal representation, reach out to the best advocates in Delhi at 8100007400. Trust their expertise to guide you through your legal journey with confidence and clarity.

#Supreme Court Advocate in Delhi

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suganya09 · 4 days ago

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How to Develop Analytical Thinking for IAS Exam Success

Analytical thinking is a critical skill for IAS aspirants. The UPSC exam not only tests your knowledge but also your ability to analyze complex issues, draw logical conclusions, and present them coherently. Developing this skill can significantly boost your chances of success in the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages. In this blog, we’ll explore practical ways to cultivate analytical thinking to excel in the IAS exam.

What Is Analytical Thinking?

Analytical thinking involves breaking down information into smaller components, identifying patterns, and making reasoned judgments. In the context of the IAS exam, it’s the ability to understand issues from multiple perspectives, evaluate arguments, and propose solutions that are logical, practical, and aligned with constitutional values.

Why Analytical Thinking Matters in IAS Exam

Prelims: Requires quick analysis of multiple-choice questions to eliminate incorrect options.

Mains: Tests your ability to structure answers with clarity and precision, addressing different dimensions of a topic.

Interview: Demands clarity of thought, logical reasoning, and the ability to handle challenging questions on the spot.

How to Develop Analytical Thinking for IAS Exam Success

1. Read Beyond the Surface

While reading newspapers, reports, or books, focus on understanding the "why" and "how" behind events and issues. For example, don’t just note the GDP growth rate—analyze the factors contributing to it and its implications on different sectors.

2. Practice Case Studies

Solving case studies, especially for Ethics (GS Paper 4), is an excellent way to hone analytical thinking. Break down the problem, identify stakeholders, and suggest ethical solutions. This process sharpens your reasoning skills and prepares you for real-world administrative challenges.

3. Engage in Group Discussions

Discussing current affairs with peers can expose you to diverse perspectives, helping you refine your thought process. Debating opposing viewpoints also improves your ability to evaluate arguments critically.

4. Analyze Previous Year Question Papers

Study past IAS exam papers to understand the nature of analytical questions. Break down the questions to identify their core requirements and practice structuring your answers accordingly.

5. Write Daily Practice Answers

Answer writing is essential for IAS Mains. While practicing, focus on presenting a balanced analysis. Use diagrams, flowcharts, and structured points to clearly convey your reasoning.

6. Follow Editorials and Opinion Pieces

Reading editorials in newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express enhances your ability to analyze issues. Pay attention to how authors build arguments and present solutions, and apply similar methods in your own analysis.

7. Develop a Habit of Critical Thinking

Challenge your assumptions and question the information you come across. For instance, when studying policies, ask yourself:

What are the pros and cons?

Who are the stakeholders?

How will this impact society in the short and long term?

8. Take Mock Tests Regularly

Mock tests provide scenarios where you can apply analytical thinking under exam-like conditions. Regular practice improves your ability to think quickly and structure answers effectively.

9. Stay Curious

Curiosity is the foundation of analytical thinking. Always ask questions, dig deeper into topics, and strive to connect the dots between various subjects in the IAS syllabus.

Conclusion

Developing analytical thinking is a gradual process that requires consistent practice and curiosity. By enhancing this skill, you’ll not only excel in the IAS exam but also prepare yourself for the challenges of a career in public administration.

To get the right guidance and tools for building your analytical abilities, enroll in the best IAS academy in Coimbatore. With expert mentors, comprehensive resources, and regular practice sessions, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the complexities of the UPSC exam and emerge successful.

This blog highlights the importance of analytical thinking in the IAS exam while emphasizing the value of joining the best IAS academy in Coimbatore to achieve your goals.

#iasacademy #upscpreparation

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smqazi · 5 days ago

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IMPOTENT LAW IN SO-CALLED ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN, WHICH BY DEFINITION IS NEITHER DEMOCRATIC NOR ISLAMIC

UNFORTUNATELY

Things You Cannot Express – According to Pakistani Law

INTRODUCTION

Human beings have marshaled for centuries. Unfortunately, the person in chains according to Rousseau still quests to gain the right which has become a privilege i.e. free speech. The mean-spirited tales from the dim past of mankind recount the accounts of unspeakable miseries and torture which the champions of free speech have been made to suffer. What shakes the collective conscience of humanity is the merciless resemblance of our enlightened age with that of the bygone era bereft of civility insofar as putting fetters on tongues is concerned. Nonetheless, this advocation must not be comprehended as a case for absolutist freedom rather a freedom which is “reasonably restricted”.

Conceptual Basis

Art. 19[1]of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, the relevant provision in this connection, is reproduced hereunder for the facility of reference:

“Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.”

The freedom of speech is an inevitable precursor of not just the establishment but also the successful continuation of democratic dispensation,[2] for the automobile of democracy runs on the gasoline of public opinion.[3] Contrary to popular perception, freedom of speech, as a right, is not constricted to words spoken or written but also takes into fold every manner of dissemination of ideas e.g. signs, gestures, etc.[4] as is visible from the use of the word “expression” besides “speech” in Article 19. The right also covers cases involving “commercial speech” (by corporation) and “artistic speech” including dancing, painting, signing, writing poetry, etc.[5] It, in extension, encapsulates the freedom of ‘propagation’, ‘publication’ and ‘circulation’ of ideas[6] both individually or through media. Simply put, it means right to receive information and impart the same. In the words of Frederick Douglass:

“To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.”

The right to free speech inculcates political maturity, leads to the discovery of truth and grants decisional latitude.[7] Interestingly, the freedom to speak has a corresponding right to remain silent and declining to express oneself as well.[8] Though the right needs mechanisms for enforcement, even in their absence no violation of that right will be permitted, as rights exist independent of their mechanisms.[9] It is nonetheless noteworthy that the state is responsible to ensure the right to free speech and is liable for the dereliction of duty by its action as well as inaction. Freedom of press is also part of the legal provision and is no more than what has been granted to an ordinary citizen.[10] The importance of the right can also be inferred from the fact that it finds mention not only under fundamental rights but also in the preambles to different constitutions of the world, either directly or indirectly. For example, in the Indian Constitution, it’s been directly mentioned as the “liberty of thought and expression” while in the Pakistani and American Constitutions, it has been mentioned indirectly under a general commitment to guarantee freedom and liberty to citizens. Ironically, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia doesn’t mention the right to free speech at all. The only commitment to such a right can be found under article 26 of the Saudi Constitution which says that human rights shall be awarded as per Islamic shariah, which could practically circumscribe the scope of such a liberty according to what is amenable to the juristic reasoning of the leading clerics of the prevailing religious school of thought. The collective reading of the Saudi Constitution, however, shows unwavering resolve of the state to fight the satanic forces of sedition.[11]

Right to Information (Article 19-A)

Post the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, another right has been injected into Chapter 1, Part 2 of the Constitution which serves as a pivot upon which the whole concept of “liberal democracy” rests. It stresses upon transparency which in turn aims to minimize the arbitrariness of public authorities. Legally, the introduction of a separate article highlights the importance of the right otherwise covered implicitly under Article 19.[12][13] The philosophical underpinnings of such a legal ruling may have to do with a free, accurate and uninterrupted flow of information. Similarly, the notion of “informed choice” is put to shame if one is not allowed access to information and anything said or done (freedom of expression) in such a situation will be distorted or divorced from reality. Proponents of the other side argue that it is too broad an interpretation of the term and that correct information is not an inevitable prerequisite to the right of free speech. The right to information, they posit, is only relevant to information passing from the government to individuals or other bodies, and even if this specific form of information is not made accessible to people, the right to free speech still exists through other means.

Purposive Approach

A fundamental question of jurisprudence is whether rights exist independent of their need or utility. In other words, whether a person is entitled to the right of free speech even if it doesn’t serve any good. The categorical school’s approach in this case seems well-put and more in line with the requirements of justice and equity, positing that a right is a right and must be respected even if it fetches no one any good. But the consequentialist approach tends to differ and submits that a right is to be venerated only if it serves some great purpose or leads to something good.[14] Article 19 seems to have taken influence from the consequentialist approach.

Reasonable Restrictions

“We have freedom of speech, but you got to watch what you say.”

– Tracy Morgan

Jurisprudentially, absolute freedom is an absolute myth. Even the US Supreme Court has refused to attest to the ‘absolutist interpretation’ of the First amendment.[15] Further dissection of the concept reveals that the state, as a custodian of liberty, has to perform two functions simultaneously i.e. guaranteeing the right of free speech and putting fetters on the licentious use of the same, for the state owes an obligation to safeguard the rights of the society as a whole.[16] Sanctions and limits to free speech must still be guided by the principles of law and operate within the constraints set by it i.e. the restrictions must be reasonable.[17][18] As a general rule, the right is exercisable only to the extent that it does not harm the rights of others,[19] as a famous adage also points out: “your freedom ends where my nose starts!”

It also needs be remembered that a reasonable restriction can only be imposed through a statute or mandated by law and not otherwise. Moreover, the statutory authority empowered to do so has to act reasonably.[20] It is also to be borne in mind that no restriction, however reasonable it may appear, should be imposed beyond the parameters of Article 19.[21] However, there is no absolute test to ascertain if a restriction, so imposed, is a reasonable one and it is up to the courts of law to adjudicate the same.[22] This being a discretionary power must be reasonably, judicially and judiciously exercised.[23] For instance, the “clear and present danger” test has been held to be a reasonable restriction by the American courts.[24] In order to define the standard of “reasonableness”, the court has prescribed a catalogue of factors to be taken into account, including the circumstances and causes of putting restrictions, the manner of their imposition, the extent and duration of the restriction, the nature of the right violated, the extent of malice to be prevented or remedied, and the disproportion of the restriction.[25] It is in this context that under the Constitution of Pakistan the following restrictions have been imposed on the exercise of free speech:

1. Glory of Islam

In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, any manner of expression derogatory to or belittling, tarnishing and distorting the tenets or message of Islam is unconstitutional.[26][27] In fact, no religion on earth can be defamed under the pretext of freedom of speech.[28] Blasphemous speech is barred on two counts i.e. being insulting and condescending to the glory of Islam and for having the potential to incite unmanageable violence.

ICCPR 1966[29] mentions that religious freedom “may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.” But this exception is often taken as a tool to suppress legitimate causes, e.g. in 2012, the Tunisian government linked a popular uprising with artwork and films considered to be desecrating Islam. As a consequence, punishments were handed down to artists. A constitutional provision to the effect of criminalizing all attempts “against anything sacred” on the grounds of public order was also made. The government went as far as applying the ratio set in Schenck v. United States barring even a shout of “fire” in theaters.[30]

2. Integrity, Security and Defense of State

a. Integrity

Any attempt to disintegrate Pakistan, fuel any fissiparous tendencies, or preach cession by any means of expression is liable to be censored. Sedition[31] is also an offence, though mere disapprobation towards the state is not.[32] Distinction should also be made between a “government established by law” and a person carrying on administration. What is prohibited under s.124 PPC 1860 is not the criticism of the government but it’s subversion by violent means.[33]

b. Security

Any attempt to jeopardize the security of the state comes within the ambit of this provision. Any act which poses an existential threat to the state will also be deemed to be corrosive to state security. However, it must be understood that not every category of public disorder can be categorized as a threat to the security of state – it refers only to grave, serious and aggravated forms of public disorder including rebellion, war against the state, insurrection and not ordinary breaches of public order such as unlawful assemblies, affrays and riots.[34] The expression “security of Pakistan” also includes the security of any part of Pakistan. Advocacy for change of government, ipso facto, how ever diametrically opposite to the incumbent one, is not unconstitutional as long as such change is brought or attempted to be brought by constitutional means.[35] This would mean that even communism or socialism could be ushered in only through ballot and not by violent or extra-constitutional means.[36] The courts have also validated statutes preventing violent overthrow of government that could take place through acts ofanarchy and sedition, acts criminalizing insubordination in the armed forces and laws relating to treason, espionage and official secrets. Criticizing the government[37] and high dignitaries of the government[38] and exhibiting “disapprobation or bad feelings”[39] towards the government are all allowed as long as they do not entail a breach of peace or undermine the security of the state.

Finally, it must be ensured in all circumstances that there is a “reasonable relation” and “rational nexus” between the exercise of the right of free expression and breach of peace, if an expression is to attract a restriction based on the “security of state” clause.[40]

c. Defense

Any attempt to bring disgrace to the armed forces of Pakistan, any act of supporting enemy defence lines and the carrying out of synonymous acts shall come within the preview of this provision.

“…the liberty of speech and expression cannot be allowed as a means of liquidating the state.”[41]

3. Friendly Relations with Foreign Countries

It is a well-settled principle of law that states in their relations with other states are generally responsible for acts committed by persons within their respective jurisdictions. While citizens have an inalienable right to criticize even foreign governments, states tend to criminalize acts such as libel emanating from their soil against foreign dignitaries which could jeopardize their relationship with each other.[42] Section 3 of the Security of Pakistan Act 1952 also envisions restrictions on the mobility of persons suspected of acting with prejudice towards the external affairs of Pakistan.

4. Public Order

The expression “public order” is often used interchangeably with “pubic peace and tranquility”, which in turn is distinguishable from an incident of national upheaval, civil strife, war, “law and order” situation or threat to “security of state” as it refers to unrest at a local level. The term “public order” refers to conditions under which the orderly functioning of government can continue. The term “public safety” has comparatively limited scope than “public order”, for the latter denotes the absence of internal order and a rebellion-like situation.[43] An act prejudicial to public order must necessarily affect the public at large and not just an individual.[44] The constitutional protection of free speech[45] does not extend to expressions disturbing or likely to disturb public order e.g. hate speech,[46][47]blasphemy,[48][49] speeches imperiling public order which are also punishable under section 144 and 107 of CrPC 1890,[50]communal disturbances,[51] strikes to spark unrest among workers[52] and speeches prejudicially reflecting upon the supply of essential services and commodities.[53]Offences against public peace such as rioting and unlawful assembly are criminalized under chapter VIII, PPC.[54] Similarly, restrictions on the freedom of expression under various public safety laws[55][56] for the purposes of maintenance of public order have been held to be valid by the courts of law. Interestingly, public order includes public safety[57] as well as an anticipated public disturbance, be it local or general, if it jeopardizes public safety and is thus not entitled to the constitutional protection under Article 19. But, mere criticism of the government cannot be held as grounds for public disorder.[58] Lahore High Court’s ruling in Muhammad Safdar versus West Pakistan[59] which invalidated the requirement of a permit from the Deputy Commissioner for using a loudspeaker in a public place has been criticized as being wrong,[60] for the legislature may, in the wider interests of the whole community, shackle the freedom of persons including their right to use loudspeakers in a public place where the requirement to seek prior permission should not be translated as denial of the fundamental right to free speech.[61] An anticipatory measure to maintain public order such as under s.144 CrPC has also been declared as a valid action.[62] A vitriolic attack on the integrity and character of the Chief Justice of a High Court, though condemnable in every form, has no link with the maintenance of law and order.[63]

The nexus between the imposed restriction and the achievement of public order must not be remote, far-fetched and hypothetical, rather it must be direct, reasonable, proper and proximate[64][65] e.g. an instigation to one person not to pay tax wouldn’t destroy public order.[66]

The test to check if an act affects public order is whether its commission occasions disturbance in the current life of the community or whether it affects an individual only, leaving the tranquility of the society unaffected.[67] The words “in the interest of public order” include not only utterances which are intended to disrupt the order of society but also extend to expressions which have the tendency, by their very nature, to cause public disorder, though unintended.[68]

5. Decency or Morality

Freedom of expression does not extend to ‘indecent’ or ‘immoral’ publications and utterances that run counter to the prevalent standards of “decency and morality”. Nonetheless, an obscene act will probably come within the ambit of the phrase “decency and morality” which has a wider scope. However, this phrase is seen as too vague to admit a precise juridical connotation[69] as the concepts of decency and morality are relative and have a chameleon character varying geographically. The identical expression used in English common law is “obscenity” which is much restrictive in scope as compared to “decency and morality”. For a speech to be allowed in England it needs not be obscene only whereas in Pakistan it must satisfy the cannons of decency and morality as well. The courts must, as a rule of mandatory caution, decide the questions of morality, decency or even obscenity as per the existing and generally accepted notions of a given society.[70]

Obscenity, jurisprudentially, is a highly contested concept. Initially, the Hicklin test was around as the most dominant one in this connection, floated by the Lord Chief Justice Alexander Cockburn while writing for the Queen’s Bench. He postulated that material would be obscene if it had the tendency to deprave and corrupt minds with immoral influences[71] and ignite the most libidinous and impure thoughts.[72] However, the test was too tough against the literary, scientific and artistic value of certain works.

The Hicklin test got toppled in a case titled United States v One Book Called Ulysses. The question was whether a book titled Ulysses by James Joyce could be imported and consequently sold in the United States. Judge Woolsey assessed the literary capital of the entire work and analyzed its impact on a person with average sexual instincts. Under the earlier Hicklin test, the mind of the person concerned would be assessed as to whether it would be open to immoral influences, but in the case at hand, such a threshold was lowered and moderated and a person, for the purposes of the test of obscenity, was required to have average sexual impulses only. The judge went further to define “obscene” as something “tending to stir sex impulses or lead to sexually impure and lustful thoughts.” The ruling laid down was, however, upheld in appeal with the finding that Ulysses was not a dirty book.[73]

Subsequently, the Hicklin test was overruled by the celebrated Roth testformulated in the case titled Roth v United States (1957). The US Supreme Court phrased the test in the following words from the judgment authored by Justice Brennan,

“…whether to the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the dominant theme of the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest.”

The Roth test was, in significant ways, different from the earlier test. Besides lowering the bar for the depravity of the person concerned, it went on to provide a communitarian definition of obscenity bearing in mind moral relativity across a diverse nation. In addition, it also cautioned against the piecemeal and truncated portrayal of the object under scrutiny by cherry-picking certain things divorced from their context and required instead that an overall cumulative appreciation of the subject be conducted so as to have a profound idea about the subject of investigation.[74][75] Also, the test required that an obscene object must have been “patently offensive” and “utterly without redeeming social importance” (or value).

The test, however, had its own shortcomings. The introduction of the “community standard test” was nonetheless commendable but to leave something to the subjective judgment of a society would objectively militate the certitudes of morality, for morality axiomatically is always universal and not local, particular or restrictive. In addition, the phrases “patently offensive” and “utterly without redeeming social importance (or value)” were too imprecise to allow for a definitive and conclusive definition, which later also led Justice Potter to pronounce the famous “I know when I see it”[76] (test), but which was still subjective. It would also be very difficult to determine what is of value to society, for “value” may have a myriad of interpretations, e.g. economic, social, cultural, political, etc. and then there would be a concomitant problem as to which of the values should be preferred should they clash.

In our jurisdiction, cases emphasize the probable effect of the “object” reprehensible to “decency and morality” and not merely the “tendency” of the publication.[77] Obscenity subsequently has also been defined as anything unchaste, lewd, indecent and lustful[78] and calculated to inflame passions.[79]

The Indian Supreme Court accepted and applied the Hicklin test and banned the selling of a book Lady Chatterley’s Lover under S.292 of the Indian Penal Code.[80] The decision has been criticized for applying an outdated test, being obscure and having the tendency to curb guaranteed freedoms. Times have radically changed since what may have been considered ‘immoral’ in the past may be the accepted practice today e.g. birth control.[81]

It is the duty of the state to ensure that no one depraves or corrupts society on the pretext of freedom of expression.[82] Sections 292-294, PPC criminalize the possession, sale and import of obscene books, pamphlets and paintings, etc. and also attach a penal sanction. Manto’s story Thanda Gosht had also been held to be a figment of obscenity under S.292 PPC and it was held that the words employed in any writing must have been viewed in a cultural context in which they had been published and read.[83]

A balance should be cultivated between the freedom of expression and the standards of decency and morality. The determination of obscenity should be left to the courts of law wherein expert evidence may also be examined.[84]

6. Contempt of Court

The Constitution of Pakistan[85] defines contempt of court as anything having the tendency to

interfere with the due course of justice;

scandalize the court;

prejudice the determination of subject-matter; and

any other thing.[86]

No one is allowed, in the exercise of freedom of expression, to interfere with the due course of justice or lower the prestige or authority of the court.[87] In Pakistan, anything having the propensity to interfere with the orderly functioning of justice is treated as contempt. The aim is to prevent the scandalization of courts and judges in order to enable them to administer justice while being unruffled by extraneous pressure and facilitate them “in doing the right thing and work for the majesty of law, without the feeling of fear or favour hovering over their heads.”[88] Mohsin Tirmizy, a District and Sessions Judge, had been placed under a disciplinary inquiry before the High Court for describing judges of the High Court as “evil designers”. He was found guilty of “contempt of the grossest kind” and sentenced to imprisonment along with a fine of PKR 2,000.[89]

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recently raised concerns about sub judice matters being made points of discussion on media channels, as the propensity to affect the minds of judges might lead to partiality and eventually miscarriage of justice. The apex court has also raised that even though judges are wired to ignore extraneous considerations while adjudicating upon matters, the mere possibility of such considerations, however remote and inconsequential, is sufficient for the law to step in and prevent the breach of the right to fair trail of the accused person under Articles 10-A and 4 of the Constitution of Pakistan.[90] In an earlier decision, the top court prescribed the media to restrict itself to factual reporting of sub judice matters and only open them for inquiry and critique after the final decision had appeared.[91]��It is for this reason that despite guaranteeing immunity to the Members of Parliament from prosecution regarding utterances made in Parliament,[92] they are still prevented from bringing into discussion the conduct of the superior judiciary.[93][94] Furthermore, no personal attacks by the media against a person or institution will be tolerated.[95]

The right to expression does not protect from contempt of court, hence, it is subject to Article 204 which codifies the law of contempt of superior courts[96] and according to which the High Court and Supreme Court have power to punish incidents of contempt.[97]

However, a fine line must be drawn between a “statement of facts” and a baseless attribution of injustice, unfairness and partiality to judges. The former is covered as an exercise of the duly accorded right to free speech (and “fair comment”) while the latter exposes the accused to penalty. The Supreme Court of India, while dealing with contempt of court in a newspaper article, has finely distinguished the two in the following words:[98]

“If the allegations contained in the article were true, obviously it would be to the benefit of the public to bring these matters into light. But i

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yamuna111 · 8 days ago

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Mastering the IAS Interview: Tips and Strategies from Coimbatore’s Top IAS Academy

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) interview is the final and one of the most crucial stages of the selection process for aspiring civil servants. Unlike other stages of the examination, the interview assesses an individual’s personality, clarity of thought, and decision-making ability, making it a test of one’s preparedness for public service. For many IAS aspirants, this stage often proves to be the most daunting. However, with the right guidance and preparation, you can ace the interview and take one step closer to achieving your dream of becoming an IAS officer.

In this blog, we will explore tips and strategies provided by the IAS academy in Coimbatore, which help students prepare thoroughly for the IAS interview. Whether you are nearing your interview date or simply want to prepare for future attempts, these insights will help you navigate the interview with confidence.

1. Understanding the IAS Interview Process

Before diving into preparation, it's essential to understand the structure of the IAS interview. The IAS academy in Coimbatore ensures that its students are fully familiar with the process to avoid surprises on the big day. The interview panel typically consists of 5 to 6 members who will assess you based on several parameters, including:

Personality: The panel judges your demeanor, communication skills, and confidence.

General Knowledge: Questions can range from current affairs to general knowledge, including socio-political topics.

Ethics and Decision Making: How well you understand ethical dilemmas, your decision-making skills, and your ability to think critically.

Diverse Background Questions: Based on your academic and personal background, your hometown, and your hobbies, the interviewers may pose questions that assess how well-rounded you are.

Preparing for these diverse areas is key, and the IAS academy in Coimbatore offers personalized mock interviews and sessions designed to cover all aspects of the interview process.

2. Mock Interviews: A Crucial Step Toward Success

One of the most effective ways to prepare for the IAS interview is through mock interviews. These simulated interviews closely replicate the real IAS interview scenario and help students prepare for the actual experience. The IAS academy in Coimbatore places a strong emphasis on conducting regular mock interview sessions, which are led by experienced faculty members and former civil servants.

Mock interviews offer several advantages:

Simulated Environment: Mock interviews give you the chance to practice in an environment that closely mimics the actual interview. You get accustomed to the format and build confidence.

Constructive Feedback: After each mock session, instructors provide detailed feedback on your performance. They highlight areas of improvement, such as how you can better frame your answers, improve your body language, or express your opinions more clearly.

Improved Communication: The process helps sharpen your communication skills, ensuring that you speak confidently, clearly, and effectively.

Handling Pressure: Mock interviews train you to manage stress and handle unexpected questions calmly, allowing you to be more composed during the real interview.

Through regular mock interview sessions, aspirants at the IAS academy in Coimbatore develop the skills needed to handle difficult questions and respond appropriately.

3. Mastering Body Language and Confidence

During the IAS interview, the panel observes much more than just the answers you provide. They scrutinize your body language, facial expressions, and overall confidence. A candidate who presents themselves with poise and confidence is more likely to make a positive impression.

The IAS academy in Coimbatore teaches aspirants how to master their body language and ensure that they come across as composed and confident:

Posture: Sit upright with your shoulders back, maintaining a professional and respectful demeanor.

Eye Contact: Make steady but natural eye contact with the panel to show attentiveness and respect.

Facial Expressions: Avoid overreacting or displaying nervousness through your facial expressions. Aim for a neutral yet engaged facial expression.

Voice Control: Ensure your voice is steady and clear, avoiding speaking too loudly or too softly. Practice speaking slowly and articulating your words.

With personalized coaching on these aspects, the IAS academy in Coimbatore helps students prepare to present themselves in the best light possible.

4. Keeping Your Knowledge Updated

General knowledge and current affairs form a significant part of the IAS interview, and staying updated on national and international events is crucial. The panel may ask questions related to political developments, economic changes, environmental issues, and much more. The IAS academy in Coimbatore ensures that students are well-versed with the latest news and developments.

Here’s how to stay on top of current affairs:

Regular Reading: Read newspapers, magazines, and online platforms that offer comprehensive news analysis. Popular sources include The Hindu, The Indian Express, and PIB (Press Information Bureau).

Revision: Regularly revise your notes on important topics and make sure you are well-prepared to discuss them.

Expert Sessions: Many IAS academies, including the IAS academy in Coimbatore, offer expert sessions on current affairs. These sessions provide a concise overview of the most important events, helping you focus on the key areas.

Being well-informed on relevant topics helps you to answer questions thoughtfully and demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues at hand.

5. Personalizing Your Interview Preparation

Every IAS aspirant is unique, and so should be their interview preparation. The IAS academy in Coimbatore helps students tailor their preparation based on their personal backgrounds, including their academic achievements, work experience, and even regional knowledge.

Diversity of Questions: Expect the panel to ask questions related to your background—whether it’s your academic discipline, work experience, or even the region you come from. The academy ensures that students are well-prepared to handle such questions.

Hobbies and Interests: The interviewers may delve into your hobbies and interests to gauge how well-rounded you are. Being prepared to discuss your passions and how they reflect on your personality is crucial.

Through mock interviews and personalized coaching, the IAS academy in Coimbatore ensures that students are prepared to answer questions based on their individual profiles, offering a unique advantage during the interview process.

CTA: Enroll in the Best IAS Academy in Coimbatore Today!

If you're ready to crack the IAS interview and take the final step toward becoming an IAS officer, the IAS academy in Coimbatore is here to guide you. With expert faculty, comprehensive mock interviews, and personalized strategies, we ensure that you are well-prepared for this critical stage.

Don’t leave your success to chance—contact us today to enroll in our expert-led IAS coaching program and start your journey to success!

Conclusion

The IAS interview is a significant milestone that requires meticulous preparation, confidence, and a clear understanding of the subjects at hand. With the right guidance from the IAS academy in Coimbatore, you can master the art of interview preparation, handle stress, and answer questions with poise and clarity. From mock interviews to personalized coaching, this academy offers all the tools you need to succeed.

By combining expert training with your dedication and hard work, you can turn your dream of becoming an IAS officer into a reality. Start your preparation today, and ace your interview with the best support in Coimbatore!

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