Unseasonably good weather = Uncharacteristically good mood.
A few life mandates:
I'll always root for the underdog. I will be a champion for mediocrity (WHY does someone always have to be the best? Can't we all be pretty good?). I won't resist change. I'll always break the rules and never settle in the suburbs. I promise not to stop appreciating life. I promise not to ever let fear or anger run my life (heart& mind). I'll constantly reevaluate my mandates.
Trick or Treat?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Action Jackson
I wish there wasn't such a disparity between what I want to do and what I actually get done!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Mutual Aid is much better than Lemon Ade
American Revolution II (free documentary)
"You are paying taxes for the cops to come and whoop your ass." - Bobby Lee
This is an interesting documentary about how a true 'Rainbow Coalition*' on the basis of opposition to poverty and police brutality in the tumultuous 1960's worked together to try and take back their communities.
In 1969 Mayor Daley tried to stop the release of this film he used his influence with the Screen Projectionists Union to make sure that no theater would screen it. It took Hugh Hefner’s money to finally show it. When it finally did Roger Ebert gave it four stars.
Did I mention you can watch it for free? Did I mention I really think that the Black Panthers were the coolest activist group that ever hit the United States? The Free Breakfast for School Children program in itself was awesome, not to mention its countless other social programs! Oh yeah, they fed and took care of anyone that needed it, not just blacks. Who wants to revive the Panthers with me?
* Before Jesse Jackson took the name for his own campaigns, The Rainbow Coalition was truly a group made up of all different colors.
Black Panthers (African Americans)
Young Patriots (poor southern whites living in and around Chicago)
Young Lords (Puerto Ricans living in the United States)
Brown Berets (Mexican Americans)
FOR FUN:
What would happen if Palin became president? Find out here! (hilarious)
"You are paying taxes for the cops to come and whoop your ass." - Bobby Lee
This is an interesting documentary about how a true 'Rainbow Coalition*' on the basis of opposition to poverty and police brutality in the tumultuous 1960's worked together to try and take back their communities.
In 1969 Mayor Daley tried to stop the release of this film he used his influence with the Screen Projectionists Union to make sure that no theater would screen it. It took Hugh Hefner’s money to finally show it. When it finally did Roger Ebert gave it four stars.
Did I mention you can watch it for free? Did I mention I really think that the Black Panthers were the coolest activist group that ever hit the United States? The Free Breakfast for School Children program in itself was awesome, not to mention its countless other social programs! Oh yeah, they fed and took care of anyone that needed it, not just blacks. Who wants to revive the Panthers with me?
* Before Jesse Jackson took the name for his own campaigns, The Rainbow Coalition was truly a group made up of all different colors.
Black Panthers (African Americans)
Young Patriots (poor southern whites living in and around Chicago)
Young Lords (Puerto Ricans living in the United States)
Brown Berets (Mexican Americans)
FOR FUN:
What would happen if Palin became president? Find out here! (hilarious)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Negative by my calculations ...
This has been one of the most boring days I've had in a really long time.
Bring on the entertainment!
On the weather channel.
Ring, is that someone calling me?
In the valley of fox. Suburban hell.
Not my idea of fun.
Going to shoot myself?
:(
Bring on the entertainment!
On the weather channel.
Ring, is that someone calling me?
In the valley of fox. Suburban hell.
Not my idea of fun.
Going to shoot myself?
:(
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Alternate Reality - Blogging with a Purpose
Today is international Blog Action Day! This year's topic is POVERTY! Blah ick YUCK! So here goes some serious blogging:
When one thinks of poverty what comes to mind? A homeless man begging for change on the street? Maybe the more compassionate mind brings an image of a foreign child swatting flies away from her ragged clothes. While both of these images may be an accurate portrayal of poverty it isn't the full picture.
PovertyNet says it best, "Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom." Poverty is a loss of dignity and the loss of motivation to pursue your true desires, because one's basic needs cannot be met.
Poverty is a lot more serious and far reaching than we in the Western middle class world may ever understand. According to the United Nations, one person every three and a half seconds, dies of poverty related illness. It is children who die most often. Think back to a time when you were the hungriest you've ever been. Reach into your brain and recover that feeling that takes a hold of your stomach when you've merely skipped a meal. It's hard to think about anything else when your stomach is constantly rumbling. Now imagine that feeling of hunger as a way of life. Imagine that wrenching in your stomach always there constantly reminding you of what you don't have, and may not get for a long time. Could you live like that without turning to theft or just giving up? Many of us couldn't, but millions are faced with those options every single day.
The thing with poverty is that it doesn't have to exist. Studies have proven that there is plenty of food and water to go around. If everyone shared a fraction of their resources no one would go hungry, everyone would have shelter, and not one single child would die of hunger or hunger related illness.
As a global culture we need to create ways of meeting our individual needs that simultaneously provide for the needs of others. Otherwise, every time we take care of our own needs, we simply reinforce the system of scarcity that makes others suffer,and it is in no one’s best interest that we live in a world of misery.
What can you do to end poverty? Well, a whole lot. First off arm yourself with a realistic picture of where poverty is, and why it exists. Do you think the United States is free of this burden? Think again. You can help at home or abroad. If you don't have dollars to donate change the way you live your life. Consume less so others can consume more. Give your leftovers to the mother and daughter begging for change on the EL. Employ underemployed or at-risk workers. Micro-finance a loan for the working poor (as little as $50 to microfinance). Demand that your local government enact programs that break the cycle of poverty that exists in your school and prison system. Participate at a food shelter or food not bombs program. Get creative, you want to be in charge? Create your own group or plan a fundraiser to give money directly to the people who need it!
Here are a few websites to get you started:
Analysis of Poverty in our day and time
Poverty.com
Wikipedia on Poverty
Spotlight on Poverty: What the current presidential candidates have to say about this issue.
Food Not Bombs Movement
Heifer International: Ending Hunger, Caring for the Earth
Microfinancing: Small person to person loans that save lives and alleviate poverty. This idea is relatively new and majorly cool! Microplace.com and Kiva.com
Also, Happy Birthday to Rahmon and Juan whoop whoop
When one thinks of poverty what comes to mind? A homeless man begging for change on the street? Maybe the more compassionate mind brings an image of a foreign child swatting flies away from her ragged clothes. While both of these images may be an accurate portrayal of poverty it isn't the full picture.
PovertyNet says it best, "Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom." Poverty is a loss of dignity and the loss of motivation to pursue your true desires, because one's basic needs cannot be met.
Poverty is a lot more serious and far reaching than we in the Western middle class world may ever understand. According to the United Nations, one person every three and a half seconds, dies of poverty related illness. It is children who die most often. Think back to a time when you were the hungriest you've ever been. Reach into your brain and recover that feeling that takes a hold of your stomach when you've merely skipped a meal. It's hard to think about anything else when your stomach is constantly rumbling. Now imagine that feeling of hunger as a way of life. Imagine that wrenching in your stomach always there constantly reminding you of what you don't have, and may not get for a long time. Could you live like that without turning to theft or just giving up? Many of us couldn't, but millions are faced with those options every single day.
The thing with poverty is that it doesn't have to exist. Studies have proven that there is plenty of food and water to go around. If everyone shared a fraction of their resources no one would go hungry, everyone would have shelter, and not one single child would die of hunger or hunger related illness.
As a global culture we need to create ways of meeting our individual needs that simultaneously provide for the needs of others. Otherwise, every time we take care of our own needs, we simply reinforce the system of scarcity that makes others suffer,and it is in no one’s best interest that we live in a world of misery.
What can you do to end poverty? Well, a whole lot. First off arm yourself with a realistic picture of where poverty is, and why it exists. Do you think the United States is free of this burden? Think again. You can help at home or abroad. If you don't have dollars to donate change the way you live your life. Consume less so others can consume more. Give your leftovers to the mother and daughter begging for change on the EL. Employ underemployed or at-risk workers. Micro-finance a loan for the working poor (as little as $50 to microfinance). Demand that your local government enact programs that break the cycle of poverty that exists in your school and prison system. Participate at a food shelter or food not bombs program. Get creative, you want to be in charge? Create your own group or plan a fundraiser to give money directly to the people who need it!
Here are a few websites to get you started:
Analysis of Poverty in our day and time
Poverty.com
Wikipedia on Poverty
Spotlight on Poverty: What the current presidential candidates have to say about this issue.
Food Not Bombs Movement
Heifer International: Ending Hunger, Caring for the Earth
Microfinancing: Small person to person loans that save lives and alleviate poverty. This idea is relatively new and majorly cool! Microplace.com and Kiva.com
Also, Happy Birthday to Rahmon and Juan whoop whoop
Monday, October 13, 2008
Solidarity
Today, Monday October 13, 2008, join the national call in day to St. Paul officials to demand that all charges against Republican National Convention protesters be dropped!
During the RNC in early September, St. Paul was a police state replete with steel fences, protest pens, military- style checkpoints, and thousands of riot police. Before protests even began, police raided homes and activist gathering spaces, detaining hundreds of people and confiscating people's belongings.
Throughout the RNC, the police systematically violated the rights of thousands, violently attacked protesters, and arrested over 800 people. St. Paul city officials were complicit in enabling this scenario, and now they need to hear from you!
Eight members of the RNC Welcoming Committee are currently charged with Conspiracy to Commit Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism, a 2nd degree felony that carries the possibility of several years in prison.
These people among many others facing misdemeanors were arrested for exercising their free speech. We cannot let free speech become a crime! You must question your government and demand accountability.
You can help out these folks by calling St. Paul officials and demanding all charges be dropped or you can donate your dollars to cover legal costs. Be a part of the solution!
1. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
(651) 266-8510, mayor@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Coleman did nothing to prevent the militarization of St. Paul and the numerous violations of peoples' rights that occurred there. After the RNC, he called the actions of police "nothing short of heroic." Call him to demand a real, independent investigation that holds police accountable!
2. Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner
(651) 266-3222, RCA@co.ramsey.mn.us
Gaertner is responsible for prosecuting all felony cases, including the RNC 8 who are facing 7+ years on trumped up charges of "terrorism," under the first ever use of the Minnesota version of the Patriot Act. Gaertner plans to run for governor in 2010. Call her to demand an end to the repression of activists and an immediate dismissal of all charges.
3. St. Paul City Attorney John Choi
(651) 266-8710, Choi@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Choi is in charge of prosecuting all misdemeanor RNC-related cases. He referred to RNC protesters as "outsiders who wanted to create mayhem." The vast majority of those arrested were Twin Cities residents who were protesting the agenda of the real criminals gathered in the Xcel Center, site of the RNC. Call Choi to defend our right to protest without permits and demand that all charges be dropped!
4. Friends of the RNC8, Donate.
5. Cold Snap Legal Collective, Donate.
6. National Lawyers Guild, Donate.
7. United for Peace & Justice, Donate.
8. A reminder of what a police state looks like, Ground Noise and Static.
During the RNC in early September, St. Paul was a police state replete with steel fences, protest pens, military- style checkpoints, and thousands of riot police. Before protests even began, police raided homes and activist gathering spaces, detaining hundreds of people and confiscating people's belongings.
Throughout the RNC, the police systematically violated the rights of thousands, violently attacked protesters, and arrested over 800 people. St. Paul city officials were complicit in enabling this scenario, and now they need to hear from you!
Eight members of the RNC Welcoming Committee are currently charged with Conspiracy to Commit Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism, a 2nd degree felony that carries the possibility of several years in prison.
These people among many others facing misdemeanors were arrested for exercising their free speech. We cannot let free speech become a crime! You must question your government and demand accountability.
You can help out these folks by calling St. Paul officials and demanding all charges be dropped or you can donate your dollars to cover legal costs. Be a part of the solution!
1. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
(651) 266-8510, mayor@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Coleman did nothing to prevent the militarization of St. Paul and the numerous violations of peoples' rights that occurred there. After the RNC, he called the actions of police "nothing short of heroic." Call him to demand a real, independent investigation that holds police accountable!
2. Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner
(651) 266-3222, RCA@co.ramsey.mn.us
Gaertner is responsible for prosecuting all felony cases, including the RNC 8 who are facing 7+ years on trumped up charges of "terrorism," under the first ever use of the Minnesota version of the Patriot Act. Gaertner plans to run for governor in 2010. Call her to demand an end to the repression of activists and an immediate dismissal of all charges.
3. St. Paul City Attorney John Choi
(651) 266-8710, Choi@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Choi is in charge of prosecuting all misdemeanor RNC-related cases. He referred to RNC protesters as "outsiders who wanted to create mayhem." The vast majority of those arrested were Twin Cities residents who were protesting the agenda of the real criminals gathered in the Xcel Center, site of the RNC. Call Choi to defend our right to protest without permits and demand that all charges be dropped!
4. Friends of the RNC8, Donate.
5. Cold Snap Legal Collective, Donate.
6. National Lawyers Guild, Donate.
7. United for Peace & Justice, Donate.
8. A reminder of what a police state looks like, Ground Noise and Static.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
Same as it ever was! SAME AS IT EVER WAS!
An excerpt from Cliff Schecter's book, "The Real McCain" :
It might be a good thing if they win the presidency because you will see a whole lot more pissed off Americans that are willing to get off their butts and do something about the way "their" country is run.
But, if Mccain/Palin win the presidency I think we're all quite screwed. I'm really astonished (and terrified to be honest) that the approval ratings, according to the most recent gallup poll, Obama only leads McCain by 11 points. Really? It's that close? 53% to 41% respectively? REALLY? What is the American public thinking? Are they thinking that Palin is so loveable or that Obama really has less experience than a hockey mom who believes that dinosaurs existed with humans 5,000 years ago? Do you want the type of person that will openly call his wife a cunt to be deciding legislation on your reproductive rights?
Wake up America! If this voting for president bull shit has to happen could you at least make it your business to make an effort to really get to know these people. This is serious stuff and democracy only works for the people when the people go into these things armed with a full picture of who these people are and how they are going to make decisions about your life. If they fuck up, it's partly because we fucked up. You dig?
Okay I'll stop. On a sunnier note, an article about a group of people who are benefitting from the housing crisis, "Renters Turned Squatters." The article is about a group of renters that haven't had to pay rent for over ten months! Very neat.
Today starts an almost week long stretch of no work! Wahooo. Hurray for Columbus Day. I've updated my sidebar of good links and blogs I read so check some out and have a great week.
All Power to the People!
<3
I'll leave you with a wonderful video:
Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain's intemperance. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt." McCain's excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.I don't like McCain. I don't like him as a person, I don't like his awful big money policies, and I don't like how stiffly he moved during last night's presidential debate.
It might be a good thing if they win the presidency because you will see a whole lot more pissed off Americans that are willing to get off their butts and do something about the way "their" country is run.
But, if Mccain/Palin win the presidency I think we're all quite screwed. I'm really astonished (and terrified to be honest) that the approval ratings, according to the most recent gallup poll, Obama only leads McCain by 11 points. Really? It's that close? 53% to 41% respectively? REALLY? What is the American public thinking? Are they thinking that Palin is so loveable or that Obama really has less experience than a hockey mom who believes that dinosaurs existed with humans 5,000 years ago? Do you want the type of person that will openly call his wife a cunt to be deciding legislation on your reproductive rights?
Wake up America! If this voting for president bull shit has to happen could you at least make it your business to make an effort to really get to know these people. This is serious stuff and democracy only works for the people when the people go into these things armed with a full picture of who these people are and how they are going to make decisions about your life. If they fuck up, it's partly because we fucked up. You dig?
Okay I'll stop. On a sunnier note, an article about a group of people who are benefitting from the housing crisis, "Renters Turned Squatters." The article is about a group of renters that haven't had to pay rent for over ten months! Very neat.
Today starts an almost week long stretch of no work! Wahooo. Hurray for Columbus Day. I've updated my sidebar of good links and blogs I read so check some out and have a great week.
All Power to the People!
<3
I'll leave you with a wonderful video:
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)