To build a mass movement we got to care more and be uncomfortable, says flaming fundamentalist
Curt Day was one of the occupiers of Freedom Plaza in Washington D.C. the Columbus Free Press spoke with on Friday Oct 7. He said activists on the left who want to build a mass movement have to get outside our comfort zones and directly help people with their needs, whether it pertains to housing, medicine, food, transportation, or education.
He said the political left has neglected community involvement on an individual basis and on a group basis.
“If you look at the Black Panthers in the 60s and 70s, they were doing things that served the community. They were feeding the children. They were opening medical clinics. You couldn’t have a Black Panther chapter without doing one of those two things.”
Mass movement appears to be getting started, says David Swanson
Swanson spoke with the Columbus Free Press on Saturday during the occupations in D.C. at Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square.
“It takes sacrifice but it’s very enjoyable. It takes discipline because we can be co-opted and misdirected, but I’m encouraged. We’re starting to have democratic decision-making (in the form of the people’s movement assemblies), and we’re making some pretty good decisions. So it’s a question of how many people come and join us.”
Swanson said some of the people who are joining the occupations are doing so because things have gotten worse economically and politically.
“Some of us have been trying to start this for 10 years. We’re starting it now with some extra energy---- not because the wars are getting worse, but because people are feeling it economically, and there are pros and cons to that. There are people who would be here but can’t afford to. But I think the net affect is good for activism, that things are getting worse economically for Americans. I don’t wish that to be the case but that seems to be what’s contributing here.”
Swanson said some of the people who are joining the occupations are doing so because things have gotten worse economically and politically.
“Some of us have been trying to start this for 10 years. We’re starting it now with some extra energy---- not because the wars are getting worse, but because people are feeling it economically, and there are pros and cons to that. There are people who would be here but can’t afford to. But I think the net affect is good for activism, that things are getting worse economically for Americans. I don’t wish that to be the case but that seems to be what’s contributing here.”
Pepper-sprayed for peace
I've been coughing and vomiting, and my head aches from pepper spray. I'll post videos and photos of why at the link below.
We intended to hold signs and sing inside the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, protesting its promotion of unmanned drones, missiles, and bombs, including its sponsorship by and promotion of weapons corporations. We don't have any museums promoting health coverage or education or retirement security.
We had marched from the Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square occupations, taking over the streets of DC. The museum knew we were coming. Some of our group got in and dropped a banner. Hundreds of us did not. Instead, we were greeted at the door with cans of pepper spray.
We intended to hold signs and sing inside the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, protesting its promotion of unmanned drones, missiles, and bombs, including its sponsorship by and promotion of weapons corporations. We don't have any museums promoting health coverage or education or retirement security.
We had marched from the Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square occupations, taking over the streets of DC. The museum knew we were coming. Some of our group got in and dropped a banner. Hundreds of us did not. Instead, we were greeted at the door with cans of pepper spray.
Our overripe moment
“The Future is calling and has some serious concerns. Please pick up.”
It’s a Sunday afternoon, fivish, the sun is sinking and a chill is in the air. Ah, Chicago, vibrant with culture, crime and capital, but sort of dead at this hour of the ebbing weekend. I’m downtown and I’m not sure if the future is calling, but my heart is pounding as I walk west on Jackson to LaSalle, in the shadow of the great edifices of capitalism.
At 230 South LaSalle, in front of the Federal Reserve Bank, about a hundred people are gathered in informal clusters. Signs abound, some in people’s hands, others propped against the curb or a wall: “Trillions are missing from the Department of Defense.” “Wall Street needs adult supervision.” “I am Troy Davis.” “Sick and tired and denied all benefits. I am the 99%.” Written in orange chalk on the sidewalk: “If Iceland can let banks fail so can we.”
It’s a Sunday afternoon, fivish, the sun is sinking and a chill is in the air. Ah, Chicago, vibrant with culture, crime and capital, but sort of dead at this hour of the ebbing weekend. I’m downtown and I’m not sure if the future is calling, but my heart is pounding as I walk west on Jackson to LaSalle, in the shadow of the great edifices of capitalism.
At 230 South LaSalle, in front of the Federal Reserve Bank, about a hundred people are gathered in informal clusters. Signs abound, some in people’s hands, others propped against the curb or a wall: “Trillions are missing from the Department of Defense.” “Wall Street needs adult supervision.” “I am Troy Davis.” “Sick and tired and denied all benefits. I am the 99%.” Written in orange chalk on the sidewalk: “If Iceland can let banks fail so can we.”
Über-Vultures: The Billionaires Who Would Pick Our President
Paul Singer likes to breakfast on decayed carcasses. What he chews down is sickening, but just as nausea-inducing are his new table mates: Ken Langone and the Koch Brothers, Charles and David.
Singer has called together the billionaire boys club for the purpose of picking our next president for us. The old fashioned way of choosing presidents—democracy and counting ballots and all that—has never been a favorite of this pack. I can tell you that from my investigations of each of these gentlemen for The Guardian. When the Statue of Liberty has nightmares, she dreams that these guys will combine to seize America via a cash-and-carry coup d'état.
Welcome to the nightmare. Singer, Langone and the Kochs last month decided to elect Chris Christie for us. The Jersey Governor's pseudo-campaign went belly-up before it began. But that's besides the point. Now that the Supreme Court has effectively ended campaign finance limits and allowed secretive contributions through "corporations", this new combine of the ultra-wealthy should not be viewed as just a political threat to the Democrats, but a threat to democracy.
Singer has called together the billionaire boys club for the purpose of picking our next president for us. The old fashioned way of choosing presidents—democracy and counting ballots and all that—has never been a favorite of this pack. I can tell you that from my investigations of each of these gentlemen for The Guardian. When the Statue of Liberty has nightmares, she dreams that these guys will combine to seize America via a cash-and-carry coup d'état.
Welcome to the nightmare. Singer, Langone and the Kochs last month decided to elect Chris Christie for us. The Jersey Governor's pseudo-campaign went belly-up before it began. But that's besides the point. Now that the Supreme Court has effectively ended campaign finance limits and allowed secretive contributions through "corporations", this new combine of the ultra-wealthy should not be viewed as just a political threat to the Democrats, but a threat to democracy.
Communique from the front - DC protest
Greetings from Occupy DC! Jan & I are here for the first day of the occupation of Washington in Freedom Plaza along with about 500+ others & more coming every minute. The mood is high & it is interesting to see the mix of people, ages, etc. ComFest commitment to consensus serves us well here--though these people are kinder to one another--lol.
People are here from as far away as Hawaii. A big group fro Occupy LA. There are people here from Occupy Cincinnati (kicking off next week) & Cleveland (already in progress). Where the hell is Cbus? The most progressive city in Ohio (arguably) is rep'd by me & Jan only--so far that we know of. WISH YOU WERE HERE!
Music today evoked Phil Ochs in more ways than one: first of all some of the songs are "typical" smart, acerbic, sarcastic Ochs style songs--("The last veteran of the Lincoln[brigade] has died...") & in some cases they just sang Phil's songs. A guy here is writing a book about Ochs & took Jan's email, looking for people who knew him when (at OSU)...
People are here from as far away as Hawaii. A big group fro Occupy LA. There are people here from Occupy Cincinnati (kicking off next week) & Cleveland (already in progress). Where the hell is Cbus? The most progressive city in Ohio (arguably) is rep'd by me & Jan only--so far that we know of. WISH YOU WERE HERE!
Music today evoked Phil Ochs in more ways than one: first of all some of the songs are "typical" smart, acerbic, sarcastic Ochs style songs--("The last veteran of the Lincoln[brigade] has died...") & in some cases they just sang Phil's songs. A guy here is writing a book about Ochs & took Jan's email, looking for people who knew him when (at OSU)...
We Are The 99 Percent
That’s one of the chants of about 200 people who marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on Oct 6, toward the end of day 1 of the October2011 protests for human needs and against corporate greed.
As Food Not Bombs D.C. and other community groups provided pizza, bananas and vegetables, and as David Rovics lyrically counterspun American history and current events for the couple of thousand or so gathered in Freedom Plaza, a somewhat different event was taking place down the road at the Newseum: the 2011 Washington Ideas forum.
That’s where the 200 or so marchers gathered for about 20 minutes. They banged drums and chanted “we got sold out, banks got bailed out,” and “arrest Cheney now.” The former vice president was listed as one of the speakers at the exclusive event.
Veterans denounce Obama's claimed authority to kill anybody he wants to, as long as they are overseas
As of September 29, 2011, we are only one step away from a government where the top official can kill anybody, anywhere, any time he feels it necessary – and do it in complete secret.
With last week’s lawless killings of two U.S. citizens living in Yemen, Anwar Al-Awlaqi and Samir Khan, among others, President Obama took another step closer to that frightful day by assuming the roles of judge, jury and executioner. The two citizens were reportedly executed by a combined drone strike and the same unit that killed Osama bin Laden earlier this year.
With last week’s lawless killings of two U.S. citizens living in Yemen, Anwar Al-Awlaqi and Samir Khan, among others, President Obama took another step closer to that frightful day by assuming the roles of judge, jury and executioner. The two citizens were reportedly executed by a combined drone strike and the same unit that killed Osama bin Laden earlier this year.
Will a failed solar loan guarantee kill new nukes?
Republicans up in arms about the infamous failed federal $535 million loan guarantee for the Solyndra solar panel producer are finally tasked to apply the same standards to nuclear power.
If that happens, there will be no more commercial reactors built in the United States.
Unlike solar power, atomic energy cannot attract private capital. So if the GOP succeeds in dragging down the entire federal energy loan program, the "Nuclear Renaissance" could be definitively done.
The Solyndra story is complex, and full of opportunity---for the Chinese. The Bush-era loan didn't add up from the start. Though it was for a solar company involved in cutting-edge technology, there was much reason to question the corporate numbers.
Numerous other loans for Solartopian technologies have succeeded admirably. No matter what Tea Party Republicans may wish, the future of the world's energy is with the sun, wind, tides, waves, sustainable bio-fuels, geothermal, ocean thermal, increased efficiency, conservation, and the like.
If that happens, there will be no more commercial reactors built in the United States.
Unlike solar power, atomic energy cannot attract private capital. So if the GOP succeeds in dragging down the entire federal energy loan program, the "Nuclear Renaissance" could be definitively done.
The Solyndra story is complex, and full of opportunity---for the Chinese. The Bush-era loan didn't add up from the start. Though it was for a solar company involved in cutting-edge technology, there was much reason to question the corporate numbers.
Numerous other loans for Solartopian technologies have succeeded admirably. No matter what Tea Party Republicans may wish, the future of the world's energy is with the sun, wind, tides, waves, sustainable bio-fuels, geothermal, ocean thermal, increased efficiency, conservation, and the like.