Some cities die. The people leave, the streets go quiet, and the isolation takes on the macabre shape of a forlorn ghost-town - crumbling with haunting neglect and urban decay. From Taiwan to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, these abandoned cities lurk in the shadows of civilization. Their histories are carried in hushed whispers and futures stillborn from the day of their collapse. Some have fallen victim to catastrophe while others simply outlive their function. I think we can all agree on one thing - they are all very creepy....
Dave "Phoenix" Farrell in Camp Corail
Early last year, after six hard months soldiering in Afghanistan, a group of American infantrymen reached a momentous decision: It was finally time to kill a haji.
Among the men of Bravo Company, the notion of killing an Afghan civilian had been the subject of countless conversations, during lunchtime chats and late-night bull sessions. For weeks, they had weighed the ethics of bagging "savages" and debated the probability of getting caught. Some of them agonized over the idea; others were gung-ho from the start. But not long after the New Year, as winter descended on the arid plains of Kandahar Province, they agreed to stop talking and actually pull the trigger....
If you want your favourite artists to contribute a track to Japan's relief effort "Download to Donate", a compilation of unreleased music presented by Music for Relief, just send them a tweet and ask them. This is what Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park's singer, songwriter and producer, told ArtisanNews. The important thing is that the fans make noise. Help collecting money for Music For Relief's project by tweeting Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, 30 Seconds To Mars, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Rihanna, My Chemical Romance, etc. the following:
Please help #Japan through @MusicforRelief's Download to Donate by contributing a song http://t.co/dTeCq7O"You could also write on their message boards and Facebook walls. 100% of the proceeds go to Save The Children! Check out the current tracklist and Mike's Interview after the jump. ...
As the situation in Japan continues to deteriorate in the wake of Friday's massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake, the need for assistance has spurred a number of stars to reach out to fans to enlist their help.
Just days after announcing the initial dates of his first tour, the My Violent Torpedo/ Defeat Is Not an Option Show, troubled actor Charlie Sheen announced that he will be donating $1 from each ticket sold to the Red Cross Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund.
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda has also gotten into the game quickly, designing T-shirts to benefit his band's Music for Relief charity. One shirt features the image of a paper crane-like white butterfly above the LP logo, and the other one reads "Not Alone" in a red, white and blue font. Donations of $10 can be made by texting "MFR" to 85944.
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Everyone knows by now what is going on in Japan. The country wasn't only struck by a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and a huge Tsunami, it might also have to face a nuclear catastrophe. Most relief organisations have already started to help by appealing for donations. Donate here:
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