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Beyond The Dumpster Fire: Political Predictions For 2018
A worn analog alarm clock with a water-stained face sits atop a cracked wooden surface. (Pixabay / Monoar, public domain)
January 6, 2018
Kit
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Beyond The Dumpster Fire: Political Predictions For 2018

Posted in Creative Commons, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism

2017 was a challenging year, but one that was actually rewarding on a personal level.

I began the year by losing my job at MintPress News, but by the end of the 2017 I’d accepted a position as editor of Ministry of Hemp, a niche media site that’s still in its early stages but rapidly growing into a respected voice.

I started Gonzo Notes in late 2016, and during 2017 it reached many new people and became an important part of my monthly output. One issue, “What Are The Antifa Doing After Harvey?” was quoted internationally.  My writing career continues to grow more rewarding in all kinds of ways, especially in the feedback and support I get from my readers.

Read moreBeyond The Dumpster Fire: Political Predictions For 2018
scott crow On The Media In An Age Of Antifascist Conflict
A journalist films on a video camera while a row of riot cops advances on and sprays pepper spray at a crowd of protesters. (Pixabay / Stocksnap, public domain)
January 1, 2018
Kit
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scott crow On The Media In An Age Of Antifascist Conflict

Posted in Creative Commons, and Journalism

I sat down with anarchist organizer and author scott crow last month at my house in Austin when he delivered some copies of his book, “Emergency Hearts, Molotov Dreams: a scott crow reader” to use in my Gonzo Giveaway.

While our paths cross frequently in the Austin activist community, I don’t get a chance to formally interview him often. “Emergency Hearts” features another, a three-part interview I originally published when I edited for Firedoglake (now known as Shadowproof).

2017 was a historic year in so many ways, many of them disturbing ones, and I wanted his perspective on what often seems like the collapse of democracy as we’ve known it.

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What Were The Most Important Hemp Stories Of 2017?
The top of an agricultural hemp plant growing in a field. (Pixabay / herbalhemp, public domain)
December 30, 2017
Kit
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What Were The Most Important Hemp Stories Of 2017?

Posted in Journalism, and Ministry of Hemp

2017 was an exciting year for supporters of hemp.

The stigma surrounding this plant has continued to decrease as more and more people discover hemp’s almost limitless uses. While hemp isn’t completely legal in the U.S. (yet), there’s growing bipartisan support in Congress, and at every level of our government, in support of full legalization.

And since we’re big fans of CBD oil, a healing supplement made from hemp, we were thrilled that more people learned about CBD and its many benefits. Global attitudes are changing too, with some of the most influential authorities on international drug policy also changing their tune about CBD in 2017.  

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World Health Organization On CBD Oil: Safe & Should Remain Totally Legal
The main conference room at the Geneva headquarters of the World Health Organization. Dozens of chairs surround a central dais, while the WHO logo is hung on the wall overhead. (Wikimedia Commons / Thorkild Tylleskar, CC SA license)
December 21, 2017
Kit
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World Health Organization On CBD Oil: Safe & Should Remain Totally Legal

Posted in Journalism, and Ministry of Hemp

A division of the World Health Organization declared CBD oil to be safe, with many potential benefits, and recommended that it should remain fully legal.

The recommendations came in a report from the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD), which advises the global body on how to handle various substances that could be addictive or otherwise harmful.

The authors were unambiguous about their assessment: “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.”

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The New, Improved Approximately 8,000 Words
A closeup of the face of an excited, open-mouthed lemur, covered in fluffy white, gray and black fur. Overlaid on this image is a logo of a fist holding a pencil and the words "Thank You!"
December 12, 2017
Kit
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The New, Improved Approximately 8,000 Words

Posted in Website

This is just a short note to say thank you to all my supporters. I’ve just upgraded this homepage, Approximately 8,000 Words (a.k.a. kitoconnell.com), to a dedicated Wordpress hosting plan.

What this means is that my website should be faster and more reliable, with less downtime. It also gives me room to grow, if I decide to expand the site. I hope to bring you a lot of important, exciting, and enlightening stories in 2018 and I’m taking some time this month to take care of some behind-the-scenes fixes like this.

I couldn’t do this without the backing of my supporters. Thank you so much for making it possible to bring you my words and my reporting each month.

Read moreThe New, Improved Approximately 8,000 Words
Don’t Wait To Take The Streets, Don’t Wait To Organize (Gonzo Notes)
An armored and helmeted riot cop menacingly holds a shield as he movs down a street blocked by police vehicles. Washington, D.C. January 20, 2017. (Flickr / Joe Catron, CC NC license)
November 24, 2017
Kit
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Don’t Wait To Take The Streets, Don’t Wait To Organize (Gonzo Notes)

Posted in Creative Commons, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism

A year after Donald Trump’s election and, despite everything that’s happened, some on the left want the “resistance” to stay home.

No one expected all of the thousands upon thousands who came out for the Women’s March and other inaugural protests to stay engaged, but many have remained, protesting outside lawmakers offices against brutal cuts to health care or inhumane tax plans. Others have organized around radical, anarchist, socialist, and antifascist movements and issues of all kinds.

Overall though, the picture is grim despite some recent electoral victories (for those who put stock in voting). Each day brings some new atrocity or takes us a step closer to a pointless, brutal new war with whomever President Skidmark offends on Twitter.

Read moreDon’t Wait To Take The Streets, Don’t Wait To Organize (Gonzo Notes)