Re: <nettime> i support steven kurtz [da costa, broeckmann, thacker]

[Daniel Perlin <Daniel@undividedproductions.org>]

Dear nettimers, 
Although I agree with certain tenets of the latest debates regarding the
nature of nettime in general (i.e. its social makeup and relative obscurity
within the larger communities of internet discourse), I can't help but feel
compelled to aid in what are clearly explicit and disturbing injustices
inflicted upon artists and intellectuals.

I recommend that attention be drawn at an effective level. I think a
spectacle should be made to respond in suit.

I therefore suggest that this letter at the bottom of this email drawn by
Eugene Thacker be faxed to Senator Hillary Clinton

fax at (202) 228-0282, phone at (202) 224-4451

or copied and emailed to Senator Clinton at

http://clinton.senate.gov/email_form.html

Although each voice is individual, mass interference might augment the
effect and help (re)draw attention to the truly fascist nature of the
Patriot and Patriot II acts. I am quite sure that this particular aggression
is only the tip of the iceberg, but perhaps it is as good as any place to
start. 

Thanks, 

daniel perlin

On 6/3/04 2:36 PM, "nettime's_support_group" <nettime@bbs.thing.net> wrote:

> Re: <nettime> International Support Letter for Steven Kurtz / CAE
>    Beatriz da Costa <beatrizdacosta@earthlink.net>
> Re: Fwd: letter of support for Critical Art Ensemble
>    Andreas Broeckmann <abroeck@transmediale.de>
> Re: <nettime> International Support Letter for Steven Kurtz / CAE
>    Eugene Thacker <eugene.thacker@lcc.gatech.edu>
> 
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> 
> From: Beatriz da Costa <beatrizdacosta@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: <nettime> International Support Letter for Steven Kurtz / CAE
> Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 00:56:23 -0700
> 
> Dear Eric & Eugene,
> 
> As of now no such letter has been drafted. It would be wonderful if you
> could take that on. I am too closely involved to take this task on
> myself.
> 
> thanks!
> Beatriz / Carla
> 
> On Jun 2, 2004, at 11:55 AM, Eugene Thacker wrote:
> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> Great idea Eric. It seems that word has been slow to get around.  Perhaps
>> Carla Mendes, the CAE spokesperson, already has a letter of support, or is
>> the person to draft one?
> <...>
> 
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> 
> Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 12:26:47 +0200
> From: Andreas Broeckmann <abroeck@transmediale.de>
> Subject: Re: Fwd: letter of support for Critical Art Ensemble
> 
> friends,
> 
> i cannot stop thinking that all this is taking place while steve's
> wife hope has just passed away... when somebody close to you dies, it
> is already a most painful and unfathomable experience. it pains me to
> think that steve, in this time when he would need all his strength to
> mourn his wife, is burdened with such a stupid distraction.
> 
> if you have support to offer, remember that this moment is not only
> one in which, in some twisted way, the work of the CAE of the last
> years makes it possible to actually deal with the
> scientific-political dimension of the legal case building up, and
> with the biotech regimes which it is connected to. to actually turn
> this case into an arena of cultural activism is one important task
> now.
> 
> however, do also remember that this is a moment of bereavement.
> 
> regards,
> -a
> 
> 
> ps: check here for some photos of hope and steve during a CAE
> performance at N5M2 at v2_ in rotterdam, january 1996.
> 
> http://framework.v2.nl/archive/search/minimal.xslt?query=critical+art+ensemble
> &class=&x=12&y=6
> 
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> 
> Date: Thu,  3 Jun 2004 12:42:52 -0400
> From: Eugene Thacker <eugene.thacker@lcc.gatech.edu>
> Subject: Re: <nettime> International Support Letter for Steven Kurtz / CAE
> 
> Here is a draft - feel free to edit/add etc. - nettime can be a starting
> point, since each of us has further networks - since the website provides
> ample background, perhaps shorter is better:
> 
> ********************************************************
> LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL ART ENSEMBLE
> http://www.caedefensefund.org/
> ********************************************************
> 
> To ?
> 
> We, the undersigned, would like to express our support for Critical Art
> Ensemble (Steve Kurtz, Beatriz da Costa, Steve Barnes, and Paul Vanouse) in
> the investigation being made against them under the USA Patriot Act.
> 
> We believe that the US Joint Terrorism Task Force has committed a gross error
> in their inability to distinguish art from bioterrorism. Critical Art
> Ensemble’s art projects, while raising political issues, have for many years
> been dedicated to fostering education and public awareness concerning
> biotechnology. Critical Art Ensemble is NOT engaged in bioterrorism.
> 
> An investigation such as this not only serves as an example of how the US
> Patriot Act threatens to limit civil liberties, but it will also have an
> adverse effect on the capacity of art to foster dialogue, encourage critical
> thinking, and to serve as a voice of dissent.
> 
> We urge the federal grand jury, as well as the Joint Terrorism Task Force, to
> carefully consider the implications of this investigation.
> 
> Signed,
> 
> Name
> Affiliation (university, gallery, etc.)
> 
> Name
> Affiliation
> 
> Name
> Affiliation
> 
> 
> ********************************************************
> LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL ART ENSEMBLE
> http://www.caedefensefund.org/
> ********************************************************
 <...>

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