Springs loss from a winter of defeat

Spring 2012 has shown up with a huge loss of "the big Mo" carry over from the late fall and winter's devastation. The State has effectively shut it down through many schemes, from the outlawing of occupation of live-in-camps to an infiltration into the core of the individual groups. I can find but a small amount of information now days as compared to last fall, when trying to find out what is happening today. The live-streams that were so powerful in the fall have all but evaporated. They are still there, although they are with near nil content and viewership. Where is the UneditedCamera, Lorenzo? I miss the voice, the power of your rich content. It could be that I am simply missing it, through my looking at incorrect times of day or weeks, though when I now look, where is it. Truly I have not been looking nearly as much for the reason that there is little content to be found, little draw to keep me on the track of that deserving focus. I found this video this morning while watching RT.com today. Chris Hedges' interview (below) is quite telling.

Economics and Capitalism at Work

I have to admit a decline in my own willingness to continually stay informed as to what goes on with #OWS, and Occupy in general over the past weeks. I do still regularly view livestream generally from though not exclusive to livestream.com/OccupyNYC where I also at times engage in the chatroom and attempt to observe the #OWS GA. I find the GA as a process is the only actual democracy in the US. There are undoubtedly many more real democratic processes going on other than the GA of Occupy in other locations, I simply don't know of it. Now that our federal state and local governments have for the most part become a part of the best democracy that money can buy, it no longer functions to serve the people. Thus we the people are left to pick up the crumbs and scraps that are left over.

Even the live streams I see from time to time are reruns showing a lot of violence brought on to the little people by the police who's real function is to protect the people from the possible brutality of others. The police have become the brutality they are paid to prevent in many instances. That observation is hard to digest emotionally. Thus when the livestream continually displays the reruns of this brutality, it turns me off, having seen so much of it on its original run through. I understand the the message has just cause to reveal this information about police brutality and the injustice they inflict, though I am rather unwilling to see this stuff again and again. Just as I am growing weary of hearing slogans like, "who's streets, our streets," "We are the 99 percent, you are the 99 percent," as well as so many other like pieces, redundant. With this being a fact, I watch less, and seemingly slip away from the movement to some degree.

I do however maintain my desire to learn, where as I search out information. Then sometimes information is handed to me through an association with another person. The word of mouth spread of information is what has led me to many personal discoveries really. This one which I intend to share here came that way, in talking to another person. I found the information shared by this person to be very pointed. I also believe that his analysis of current situations of social distress is accurately inclusive of the root to the national problems that have brought the Occupy movement into being. So take a look at this YouTube video and come to your own conclusions.

As I do here in this blog, I near strictly attempt to present information that may lead toward a greater awareness and understanding of the Occupy Wall Street Movement or more accurately, the Occupy movement from where ever it may be, north south east and west. So if you choose, watch, listen and learn.

Occupy on the radio WBAI NYC

It is a new day and the general brilliance of Occupy is continuing to be brought to the forefront. Case in point is that I am listening to the streaming broadcast of WBAI radio where currently Lou Reed is speaking along with a couple of others. It is brilliant on many levels. I will post this now and amend it later as new stuff gets out and in my brain.

So it is a happy day hearing this stuff on the radio (via the Internet, due to living in Idaho). There is so much truth in what I hear here. The truth of the Occupy Movement is very basic because most people live their lives struggling and are now pinched by the problems of the day. There is so much struggle and strife for the general public now days. The economic injustice is hitting us all, where and how we live. The movement is growing and though the actual physical occupation of spaces has been squashed to a large degree, the tactic is now moving away from holding space physically for many reasons, though it is adapting in a way that continues to bring the masses of protesters out to the streets on given days to support and protest specific issues on specific days.

The protesters of NYC remain, strong and bring their message to the world. Listen to WBAI radio as shown above, today. It is worth while! Looks like they are going to stop traffic on Canal Street, maybe, if I understand correctly. The police are of course trying to suppress.

It is cumbersome staying up to date with the occupy movement across the nation with the black-out in force by the general media. But I try, and I attempt to share the small amounts of information I can find. Now in truth I could type stuff here all day long, never finishing because there is always something new and important. The fact is I do have somewhat of a life, where as I have a will to continue living and doing things of my personal goals. My music composition is important to me, a time consumptive process to be involved in.

The radio is very good to hear. I generally avoid radio entirely, as I now also avoid television, because for the most part those media outlet sources no longer present the real news in favor of their very selective info-tainment programming. They want to put their own view. Wow now the radio is talking of the same thing I was just writing!

Life is about living, and I am on my way. Stay strong Occupy, Where Ever You ARE! Learn of the truth. Go to Occupy Wall Street dot org and maybe more importantly watch the live stream presentations that can be found at Occupy Streams dot org. Again stay strong and if not already, become informed with real information.

PEACE

Salamander Slime

A change in direction for the day, a distraction from the normal of my Occupy writings and desire to spread the word about the Occupy movement as the worth while cause I remain convinced it is. Like the Occupy movement is about equality and justice I contend that this write is about one of the symptoms which causes our people to go out to the street demonstrating what they know to be the improper behavior of people in powerful places. As a people we have just reason to recall and learn from history. This leads me to the topic of the day.

The 21^st day of January, 1997, was a historical day in the House of Representatives where, for the first time in the history of the Congress, it voted to discipline the Speaker of the House for Ethical wrong-doing. The fine imposed was for the amount $300,000.00. The guilty party admitted that he'd brought discredit to the House of Representatives, by breaking its rules and for giving false information to the House Ethics Committee. The convicted was none other than then House Speaker, Newt Gengrich. Where is the legitimacy for anyone to support his run for President of the United States. We should refrain from allowing liars and crooks from running for the office of the President of this country. The GOP is really out of touch with reality by allowing this guy to even be participating in their politics.

For more information about this, read the Wednesday, January 22, 1997 article from the Washington Post here. I mean please don't take my word for it. There is a lot more to the story than what this article states. Such as what did Newt actually do that brought on his political demise? But what is more, why do we not pay attention to history for the value it provides to steer toward a better future?

I think that people are becoming more aware in regards to some of what is happening, but only due to their own personal struggling, caused of the times, rather than out of their need or willingness to pay attention, to the why of the conditions, they now must live in and with. Those we pay to be leaders, are not leading toward a brighter future, but rather, to their own individual greater grasp on personal wealth. We individuals now have no representation in the halls of the Congress. I know this myself through my own participation in the system, wanting my voice to be heard by my own Representatives. I can see from the replies that I get in response that what I wrote to them was likely not even read, let alone considered as to its own merit. Generally these replies are non-germane to the issues or thoughts I expounded upon in my attempt to communicate with my representatives. It is a disgustingly broken system now. This is but one of the reasons, there is need for this Occupy Movement.

We
Are
The 99 %

December 7, a Proposal

December 7, a day which will live in infamy" President Franklin Roosevelt said of 1941. He was right as today, 70 years later the day was marked in recognition.

Yesterday, in my own thinking of December 7, I came upon a thought that I retain as something that could be helpful for the Occupy Movement. I can state it as the beginning of a proposal, or possibly a complete proposal, that could help bring people to the movement and hold those now committed. There are many days in the calendar year of importance to the people. Different countries have unique days known as special to their societies. Were us Occupies, to adopt these days as our own, in some special unique way, we could benefit from it. These days can reflect both the tradition, and how that tradition fits with the movement in today's form, ie. December 7, the day that brought the USA into WWII, was also the day that the military industrial complex was born. The day could be used to identify how all those people sacrificed, and how we now have the need to shift away from empire and war. This melds with the Occupy movement quite closely and can be used as a rallying cry. Though it is too late to use this example this year, it does potentially provide an illustration of similar days. Christmas is coming, a day of waste and excess for so many. It is also a day of giving which is supposed to represent personal sacrifice. (I admit I have a negative view of Christmas) There are numerous angles that can be used to help promote Occupy, on these days through out the year. Martin Luther King Jr's. Birthday, a day to bring continued awareness of the racial inequality experienced by minority groups around the world. The list goes on.

It is an idea in the least. I present it to the world.

Now today is the anniversary of the death of John Lennon. "Imagine," "give(ing) peace a chance," and "power to the people."

West Coast Port Shutdown - December 12, 2011

The Next big, really really BIG, day of action for the Occupy Movement is planned for December 12. The plan is to shut down the entire west coast sea-ports to all shipping. Much in the same way that Occupy Oakland shut down the Port of Oakland on November 2, this day's action is organized to shut down the entire west coast in a like way, PEACEFULLY. The entire plan is sketched out in the following link here expressing the need and the cooperation between the Occupy movement and the various local and national labor unions representing the 99%.

Meanwhile, across the continent, Occupy Wall Street has filed a legal suit against the City of New York to be reimbursed for the books destroyed by the NYPD action that removed the people from Liberty Square in the early hours of November 15. The times are exciting.

Follow all the action around the globe by watching the Occupy Livestreams at occupystreams.org

Two other hot spots are Occupy Philadelphia and Occupy LA, both of whom are being contended upon by their local police to leave their respective occupy sites.

Tomorrow, November 29, Occupy Oakland is again going to re-take the Oscar Grant Plaza, establishing yet another Occupy at that location. See their statement on their occupyoakland.org website.

Still Recovering

I am still fighting the virus, and lack the energy to stay strongly informed about what is going on with Occupy Wall Street. Hopefully I will regain my strength and ability to strive in keeping up. Today I did find a very good article in The Nation.com on line edition. This article, written by William Greider will appear in December 12^th issue of "The Nation Magazine." I find the article to be worth the read, found here. I also found a video from November 12, held at "The New School in New York City," and sponsored by "The Nation Magazine. Included in the panel are: film maker Michael Moore; Occupy Wall Street organizer Patrick Bruner; member of the Applied Research Center and publisher, Rinku Sen; journalist, William Greider; and Author Activist, Naomi Klein. This conference was called "Occupy Everywhere: On the New Politics and Possibilities of the Movement Against Corporate Power." It is worth the time to see, or I considered that to be the case personally. The entire panel discussion is found here.

I believe the movement might be taking a short and well deserved recess. There are events planned, and so I believe the movement will again be gaining both strength and participation in the days to come.

WE
ARE
THE
99 %

Shall again ring out through the streets of the nation, because it is true!

Buy Nothing Days

Now for the 20^th Annual Event, please participate!

The image is a link to more information.

I remain feeling pretty wimpy from the virus that attacked my body. Turkey day alone.

The Patriot's Dream

It came to my attention through reading an article by Bill Moyers entitled "Our Politicians Are Money Launderers in the Trafficking of Power and Policy" on the website "Truth-out.org". I find Bill Moyers to be one of the most genuinely honest and compelling speakers of our day. His background has brought him to a profound understanding of American societies shaping which we all live today. He clearly understands why the occupy movement has sprung forth and shows an ability to articulate these reasons.

I too have a nearly innate understanding of the reasons for the movement, though my own definition is stated in the single word, "equality". It is the very lack of equality between the classes that has brought this diverse group of citizens out to the streets, for they themselves lack the same living opportunities that we are all taught in our schools and stated as being "attainable by all," through hard work. It has become clear that these supposed opportunities are in truth beyond the grasp of today's common human being living in the United States and beyond.

Bill Moyers closes out his speech by quoting an old song written by Arlo Guthrie. This song can be heard in this YouTube video, though the graphics of this video are very unpleasing to see, the audience can close their eyes and simply listen to the word as expressed by the original artist, YouTube

Patriot's Dream
words and music by Arlo Guthrie

Living now here but for fortune
Placed by fate's mysterious schemes
Who'd believe that we're the ones asked
To try to rekindle the patriot's dreams

Arise sweet destiny, time runs short
All of your patience has heard their retort
Hear us now for alone we can't seem
To try to rekindle the patriot's dreams

Can you hear the words being whispered
All along the American stream
Tyrants freed the just are imprisoned
Try to rekindle the patriot's dreams

Ah but perhaps too much is being asked of too few
You and your children with nothing to do
Hear us now for alone we can't seem
To try to rekindle the patriot's dreams

© 1976 by Arloco Music Inc (ASCAP)

I urge any readers truly interested "in the cause" to read the entire document presented by Bill Moyers in the Truth-out article rather than watching the speech as presented in the page's content. The text version provides some of the background supporting evidence that the actual given speech bypassed. I wish to thank Bill Moyers for his body of work and his dedication to the cause of the real American Dream because I believe, he is also one, living to rekindle the patriot's dream.

Mic Check --> Mic Check

I am watching the livestream this evening direct from the Port of Oakland as I write this. If I can prevent editing this out, you shall see these words, my nonsense scribblings!

There are some beautiful images coming through of smiling faces and road art (chalk on pavement). In the moment there are wonderful interviews of but a few of the individuals participating in the large protest that effectively shut down the Port of Oakland. I personally remain unsure of what will eventually become of the current event as I watch its growth. The people are settling in, seated on the pavement as though they have full intention of staying at and occupying the Port, keeping it closed.

The people of Oakland are incredible in the way they came together today. They remain in peace, making a statement that the numbers within the 99% are 99% greater than those of the 1%. That the 99% can actually stand in solidarity to bring change by their ability to halt the productivity that generates the cash-flow of the greedy.

Slogan of the day, "What kind of pie. Occupy!"

The Day of Shutdown, Oakland

I have had nothing to say of the movement lately. I continue finding it very interesting. Oakland California's Occupy Oakland is on course to make a potential statement that will be noticed by the real world today, November 2. For those who may still be uninformed about what is happening in Oakland, there is a half hour plus in length presentation/press conference I believe from Monday, that explains the plan as developed by the Oakland General Assembly

I can only express my own solidarity with the citizens who demonstrate their disapproval in and with the system. Stay strong and remember to keep it peaceful!

Cause of the Movement

Minute by minute the movement grows, as more people find themselves united with the cause. Most are united with the cause though they remain un-aware of the meaning in this cause. Eventually only 1 % of the people will realize their needs are separate from the needs of the 99 %. Although there are no "demand" set out by the movement, as in a list of conditions to be met before these people will go home, the bottom line need is that people in general, are not getting their basic human needs met, within the world's economic / monetary system as a whole. Stuff keeps happening that draws attention to the heart of the cause, raising awareness as the media carefully tries to manipulate the message that people see, little cracks are forming. The police violence is possibly the biggest uniting force for the cause, as they continue to take orders dished out by the power elite. Most people react to brutality. It hurts the consciousness of the human spirit, like a pin prick in the finger tip. Singularly it can be tolerated, though uncomfortable, collectively it causes outrage. Eventually the people will not stand for anything less than true human rights. The rights understood innately and spoken to in the Declaration of Independence as signed on July 4, 1776: ¹

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. ... "
These are the reasons that there are now demonstrations known as OccupyWallStreet and others names beginning with Occupy. It still holds true that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. More over these rights are inclusive of justice and equality for every human remaining able to suck air.

It has come to my attention that there are likely many people who have not seen or heard of the video shared on YouTube, of the former United States Marine in New York City ridiculing the NYPD for the injustice he knows to be true. An interview with the former US Marine Corps (USMC) Sargent, Shamar Thomas was posted today in this YouTube Video from an RT program. Shamar Thomas knows what it is to have these unalienable rights defended, as he served in the USMC in Iraq, as his Grandfather did in kind during WWII. I was also a member of the USMC in a time when it was not accepted amongst the general public as "the good cause", post Vietnam. I too understand what it is to see our rights tread upon, by our own law enforcement officers. It is a disdainful condition just knowing of their contemptible behavior.

For anyone who would like to see Shamar Thomas's interaction with the NYPD, here is the YouTube Video.

_____________
¹ - The complete text of the Declaration of Independence is at this link Declaration of Independence.

Horizontal With Hope

Happy Birthday Mom!
I have to say that hear, because I have no way to contact her in real life :(

On to the Movement, #OWS, a subject worthy of writing in a blog. As any readers may know, (of which I feel I may be the only one currently reading) I have been following the Occupy Wall Street movement pretty much since its inception. In late September I found and started watching the livestream from Liberty Plaza, NYC, where I became enthralled. Watching the General Assembly (GA) allowed me an understanding that does exhibit democracy at its best among the people participating. It is small scale democracy, though it is powerful as used by the movement. They use a system that is horizontal rather than having traditional leaders. That means that all decisions that effect others and the movement is done through a method of consensus, rather than attempting to manipulate and gain the approval of a leader or having a leader dictate any course of action. This method allows all individuals to have a voice. This is something that is missing in our current (USA) form of government. I could copy correspondence between myself and all of my current federal representatives, demonstrating, a total disconnect. Their responses are generally non-germane to the subjects that I write them about. It is as though, what I write is not even read. It seems like they use computer programs that filter for key words, so they respond to the key words with their party line from that, rather than really even attempting to understand the communication's content. In other words, they don't care. Thus my last response to one U.S. Senator, I had to call him on it, and actually said he is disgraceful. This then is a problem.

I am therefore even more drawn to the Occupy Wall Street movement. My voice is not heard by my representatives, causing me to feel left out. I, as all humans, have an internal need to feel accepted and heard. The need to be heard promotes an understanding of, clear, conscious, communication between individuals as the result of communication. Thus because of these kinds of examples, the people seek out a way to have these needs met causing the movement to grow. As it gains support it is continually morphing into something bigger. I want to say it is getting better, though of this I am yet to be convinced. I hear calls for leaders, from outside sources, yet I agree that leaderless has its own virtue. It is different to do it this way, and as we all should know change is slow. Change is a process. The process has known and coined parts as it develops. I can't seem to bring to mind the three (I think it is three) names. One of them is acceptance. Our society is not yet ready to hear that leaderless is even a viable option. Individuals are always resistant to change because as creatures of habit, our habits become ineffectual. We resist going to the unfamiliar that peals back the habits, the things which we have grown to trust in life. We tend to trust the leaders of our systems, what ever the system is, be it club, political group, tribal community , or family head. Breaking out of that habit is new, hard etc. In the pattern of change, it is and shall be slow. In this time of wanting "instant gratification", I hope those in the movement don't loose their will to keep up the fight. The fight is going to be slow. Democracy is also slow and messy. The old habits of retreat back to everyday life, with the known and dependable have the potential to come back as dominant.

I have hope in this movement, mostly because I lost hope in the old way. The old way is now a non-inclusive system. It leaves the 99% of us citizens feeling used for our money, without fair representation, and living where equality is but a meaningless word, rather than a way of life. We all need hope, just as we have need to feel heard and understood. Thus I intend to continue my participation in this blog, as an exercise of maybe sharing hope and or bringing another person into a better understanding of what the Occupy movement is all about. I will continue watching the livestream also. I watch it with the hope of its morphing into something bigger and better than it now is. I want to see it become a full-time quality vent of expression that supports the movement and its meaning. I want it to catch on to help promote the truth of the movement to, and for the 99%.

Trusting Monday For Change

Saturday night it looked like a police state at Time Square. I find it appalling when I see the police abuse their so called power, which in effect circumvents the laws of the land. In a country where the rule of law is supposed to prevail, their acts against freedom of movement is pretty blatantly wrong. They block off the streets telling the protesters to "stay on the sidewalks" then they themselves occupy the entire street, preventing all movement of private and commercial traffic.

There is no rational in keeping the streets free of pedestrian traffic if vehicles are not allowed. These are public streets. Again I hope someone brings this fact to the appropriate people in the legal system, maybe the National Lawyers Guild can take some action as to the unconstitutional behavior in the police state.

I heard something this morning that can help us all to spread the word and express personal solidarity with the movement. Make your own window sign to put in the window of your house, that says "I'm in the 99%" or "We're in the 99%", something like that! Personally since a window sign in my home could only be seen by me, I will have to make an outside sign to install by the roadside. Another chance to be artistic, while expressing my own solidarity with the OccupyWallStreet movement.

I believe the events of Saturday and Sunday confirmed this to be a movement. This movement has a lot more growth needed. I mean growth in numbers, as the message is clear, at least to me.

On another front, Dr. Cornel West was arrested yesterday for refusing to leave the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court Building, in his stand of solidarity with the movement. Before he was arrested he spoke to the OccupyDC people. This talk can be seen on this YouTube Video. The man is outstanding, as a human working for the better good of all, through his teaching at Princeton University, in his speaking clearly to the people, in his writing of books, in his spirit!

175 arrested in Chicago over the weekend for participating in the Occupy Movement. This song is once again relevant Chicago, by Graham Nash Chicago again needs the support of the people in the cause of freedom, as does the rest of the world.

FYI The livestream team of #OWS is going to present an interview with Noam Chomsky supposedly about 5 PM EDT today.

Day Two, It's A Global Revolution

Yesterday I spent the entire day watching the global activities of protest on my computer screen. From across the planet, humans joined in solidarity with the movement to create a better society for all. Most of the mainstream media continues to rebuke the cause because their sponsors are the reason for the unity. They are dictated to by the 1 %. These 1 percenters are expressing the same kind of fear-mongering that brought about the War on Terror, the dismantling of the Constitution with the Patriot Act and an establishment of the Department of Homeland Security. Although, barring the potential for instating martial law across the world, the cat has been taken out of the bag. We all know cats can't be herded and now with so many cats and kitties occupying public places these few (1 %) are going to find they can feel the majority. Now the New York Times, a sort of quasi independent voice has somewhat crossed over. Yesterday they published a rather good article about the movement, Article.

Last night I spent a bit of time reviewing to myself the events I saw in the day which I had not previously written about with the intent of writing about what I knew for me to be highlights. Now I have mixed feelings as to taking that avenue because it is all done now, in history, in as in the past. I would rather be alive in the moment as to reviewing yesterday. There is opportunity for professionals to write up the stories of yesterday. I also know that the media group of #OCW are compiling good data in video form that can do a much more accurate job of expressing the events that occurred, as they are on the front lines, with their video feeds, cameras and qualified history tellers.

I do continue my own solidarity with the movement, because "We Are The 99%", deserving of a fair opportunity in equal human rights. I am gaining a better understanding of why, police brutality and unjustified behavior, is taking its place highly emphasized among #OWS's everywhere. It is because a majority in the police are acting as mindless puppets, acting without personal consciousness while dealing with their equal counterpart in our human society.

Here is a link to all the