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Monday, June 24, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Clark: ‘Red Dawn’ shows truth is stranger than fiction
Whoever came up with the supermarket “impulse buy” had a sucker like me in mind.
I can’t stand in a checkout line without grabbing a candy bar or a tube of lip balm or another box of mints from the goodies that have been put there to tempt the weak and simple-minded.
That’s how I wound up owning a copy of “Red Dawn,” the documentary about Spokane being invaded by North Korea.
It was in a box of “previously viewed” DVDs that was located suspiciously close to my checkout line.
A few minutes later, I was $7.99 poorer and cursing my lack of willpower.
See, I made a point of boycotting “Red Dawn” when it hit the theaters late last fall, and here’s why:
While the movie is supposed to take place in Spokane, “Red Dawn” was actually filmed somewhere in Michigan.
I take civic insults like that to heart.
Then the other day I gave in. I decided that since I already own it, I might as well watch the damn thing.
And I’m glad I did. Whoever made this even-worse remake of a bad ’80s movie (the original was set in Colorado) has completely misrepresented our Spokane way of doing things.
Here are some observations I made while watching “Red Dawn” so that you can see just how screwed up this movie is.
MOVIE – It opens with kids playing football for a local team whose mascot is the Wolverines.
REALITY – It should’ve been the Cougars, but too many WSU players have been arrested to field a team.
MOVIE – A massive blackout occurs when saboteurs cut the power.
REALITY – An Avista spokesman promises to restore power just as soon as customers agree to the company’s latest outrageous rate hike.
MOVIE – Spokane citizens wake up to the sight of thousands of North Korean paratroopers floating gently down from the sky.
REALITY – The invasion turns out to be flying carpenter ants that have matured all at once due to unseasonably warm weather.
MOVIE – Enemy aircraft meet almost no resistance.
REALITY – Fairchild Air Force Base would surely mop up any invading aircraft. As long as that new casino doesn’t get built, that is. If that happens, we’re pretty much hosed.
MOVIE – The young heroes try to find out what is happening by turning on a radio.
REALITY – No matter what emergency it is, KXLY radio talk host Rick Rydell will blame liberals who are trying to grab our guns.
MOVIE – North Korean military leaders turn the football field into a prison camp.
REALITY – County Commissioner Todd Mielke quickly offers the Spokane County Raceway Park since it has more space and is rarely used.
MOVIE – “North Korea?” says one of the actors in a confused tone. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
REALITY – Actually, it makes more sense than going to Michigan to make a movie about Spokane.
MOVIE – The freedom fighters set up camp in a dark dirty cave.
REALITY – The Ridpath Hotel would be the perfect hideout since it looks like it’s already lost a war.
MOVIE – The “Wolverine” heroes steal weapons and ammo off dead enemy soldiers.
REALITY – In the event of war, I’m raiding Domini Sandwiches for pastrami and cheese.
MOVIE – The middle section of “Red Dawn” is so slow that I actually doze off for 15 minutes.
REALITY – I did the same thing once during a Council meeting.
MOVIE – The Wolverines engage in rooftop gunbattles.
REALITY – Any war in Spokane will be waged in the skywalks.
MOVIE – Soundtrack features Creedence Clearwater Revival.
REALITY – A Spokane movie without Bing Crosby is like “Celebrity Apprentice” without Donald Trump.
MOVIE – Enemy forces take over the Spokane police station.
REALITY – The Police Guild already owns the Spokane police station.
MOVIE – With North Koreans finally on the run, the Wolverines vow to keep fighting for family, freedom and the American Way.
REALITY – I say let the North Koreans take over if they’ll promise to get all the potholes filled.
I can’t stand in a checkout line without grabbing a candy bar or a tube of lip balm or another box of mints from the goodies that have been put there to tempt the weak and simple-minded.
That’s how I wound up owning a copy of “Red Dawn,” the documentary about Spokane being invaded by North Korea.
It was in a box of “previously viewed” DVDs that was located suspiciously close to my checkout line.
A few minutes later, I was $7.99 poorer and cursing my lack of willpower.
See, I made a point of boycotting “Red Dawn” when it hit the theaters late last fall, and here’s why:
While the movie is supposed to take place in Spokane, “Red Dawn” was actually filmed somewhere in Michigan.
I take civic insults like that to heart.
Then the other day I gave in. I decided that since I already own it, I might as well watch the damn thing.
And I’m glad I did. Whoever made this even-worse remake of a bad ’80s movie (the original was set in Colorado) has completely misrepresented our Spokane way of doing things.
Here are some observations I made while watching “Red Dawn” so that you can see just how screwed up this movie is.
MOVIE – It opens with kids playing football for a local team whose mascot is the Wolverines.
REALITY – It should’ve been the Cougars, but too many WSU players have been arrested to field a team.
MOVIE – A massive blackout occurs when saboteurs cut the power.
REALITY – An Avista spokesman promises to restore power just as soon as customers agree to the company’s latest outrageous rate hike.
MOVIE – Spokane citizens wake up to the sight of thousands of North Korean paratroopers floating gently down from the sky.
REALITY – The invasion turns out to be flying carpenter ants that have matured all at once due to unseasonably warm weather.
MOVIE – Enemy aircraft meet almost no resistance.
REALITY – Fairchild Air Force Base would surely mop up any invading aircraft. As long as that new casino doesn’t get built, that is. If that happens, we’re pretty much hosed.
MOVIE – The young heroes try to find out what is happening by turning on a radio.
REALITY – No matter what emergency it is, KXLY radio talk host Rick Rydell will blame liberals who are trying to grab our guns.
MOVIE – North Korean military leaders turn the football field into a prison camp.
REALITY – County Commissioner Todd Mielke quickly offers the Spokane County Raceway Park since it has more space and is rarely used.
MOVIE – “North Korea?” says one of the actors in a confused tone. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
REALITY – Actually, it makes more sense than going to Michigan to make a movie about Spokane.
MOVIE – The freedom fighters set up camp in a dark dirty cave.
REALITY – The Ridpath Hotel would be the perfect hideout since it looks like it’s already lost a war.
MOVIE – The “Wolverine” heroes steal weapons and ammo off dead enemy soldiers.
REALITY – In the event of war, I’m raiding Domini Sandwiches for pastrami and cheese.
MOVIE – The middle section of “Red Dawn” is so slow that I actually doze off for 15 minutes.
REALITY – I did the same thing once during a Council meeting.
MOVIE – The Wolverines engage in rooftop gunbattles.
REALITY – Any war in Spokane will be waged in the skywalks.
MOVIE – Soundtrack features Creedence Clearwater Revival.
REALITY – A Spokane movie without Bing Crosby is like “Celebrity Apprentice” without Donald Trump.
MOVIE – Enemy forces take over the Spokane police station.
REALITY – The Police Guild already owns the Spokane police station.
MOVIE – With North Koreans finally on the run, the Wolverines vow to keep fighting for family, freedom and the American Way.
REALITY – I say let the North Koreans take over if they’ll promise to get all the potholes filled.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Rebellion on the rank over taxi split
THERE’S tension in the air among Warrnambool taxi operators after at least seven of them broke ranks to sign with an alternative Melbourne-based despatch system.
As of Sunday there will be two separate booking numbers — the first major split among operators since 1985 when two former companies merged to form Warrnambool Radio Taxis.
However, the breakaway group already promoting its new 13CAB number is yet to formally notify the longstanding parent company, which still has them on the membership list.
“It’s a legally grey area,” Warrnambool Radio Taxis spokesman Andrew Watson told The Standard yesterday.
“We are acutely aware many of our clients have been led to believe that recent developments could mean Warrnambool Radio Taxis and our contact number 131008 will cease operation.
“I can categorically assure everyone in south-west Victoria that this is absolutely not the case.
“We have a long and proud tradition in this region of providing people with a friendly, efficient transportation service for almost four decades and this will continue along with our number.”
He said he was confident the company would retain a fleet of 12 vehicles, including three which were wheelchair accessible, plus about 40 drivers.
“We will retain our operational base in Warrnambool and we are taking steps to ensure our service is not only maintained, but improved for our many clients,” Mr Watson said.
It is understood some Warrnambool operators had been unhappy over glitches in their 131008 despatch system and sought out 13CAB which is part of the huge Black Cab Combined group.
Last week 13CAB told The Standard eight Warrnambool taxi operators had signed up to its high-tech booking system and more were expected to follow.
However, Mr Watson disputed that figure and said he anticipated only seven would defect.
He predicted passengers could have to wait longer for cabs because the overall pool of vehicles had been split into two.
“And there will have to be more driver shifts to cover the busy times,” he said.
“There will be no price advantage for passengers because it’s a tightly regulated industry.
“The only difference will be two phone numbers.”
As of Sunday there will be two separate booking numbers — the first major split among operators since 1985 when two former companies merged to form Warrnambool Radio Taxis.
However, the breakaway group already promoting its new 13CAB number is yet to formally notify the longstanding parent company, which still has them on the membership list.
“It’s a legally grey area,” Warrnambool Radio Taxis spokesman Andrew Watson told The Standard yesterday.
“We are acutely aware many of our clients have been led to believe that recent developments could mean Warrnambool Radio Taxis and our contact number 131008 will cease operation.
“I can categorically assure everyone in south-west Victoria that this is absolutely not the case.
“We have a long and proud tradition in this region of providing people with a friendly, efficient transportation service for almost four decades and this will continue along with our number.”
He said he was confident the company would retain a fleet of 12 vehicles, including three which were wheelchair accessible, plus about 40 drivers.
“We will retain our operational base in Warrnambool and we are taking steps to ensure our service is not only maintained, but improved for our many clients,” Mr Watson said.
It is understood some Warrnambool operators had been unhappy over glitches in their 131008 despatch system and sought out 13CAB which is part of the huge Black Cab Combined group.
Last week 13CAB told The Standard eight Warrnambool taxi operators had signed up to its high-tech booking system and more were expected to follow.
However, Mr Watson disputed that figure and said he anticipated only seven would defect.
He predicted passengers could have to wait longer for cabs because the overall pool of vehicles had been split into two.
“And there will have to be more driver shifts to cover the busy times,” he said.
“There will be no price advantage for passengers because it’s a tightly regulated industry.
“The only difference will be two phone numbers.”
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Health care tips to be shared
A presenter at the Aberdeen Area Senior Center Friday will share tips on how to improve clinic visits.
A student from the University of Mary will share information on health care. The public is invited to attend.
The program is called "Access to Healthcare, Health Communication and Health Information Technology." The presentation is at 10 a.m. in the Helen Schultz Activity Room at the Aberdeen Area Senior Center, 1303 Seventh Ave. S.E.
A student from the University of Mary will share information on health care. The public is invited to attend.
The program is called "Access to Healthcare, Health Communication and Health Information Technology." The presentation is at 10 a.m. in the Helen Schultz Activity Room at the Aberdeen Area Senior Center, 1303 Seventh Ave. S.E.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Spring Health Tips From Dr. Marty Becker
Although some sections of the country still are experiencing below-average frigid temperatures, I find it hard to believe that spring arrives in only four days.
To help pet parents gear up for springtime, Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian” shared some of his timely tips and tricks for the upcoming seasonal transition.
With spring shedding upon us,you might be already seeing an abundance of pet hair settling on furniture, carpets and floors. To deal with this spring shedding, brush your pet thoroughly to help get rid of the loose hair and finish by giving your pet a bath.
Since animals have a different skin pH than humans, only use a shampoo made specifically for pets. Dr. Marty highly recommends the Furminator as an excellent grooming tool for cats. This easy to use accessory not only reduces up to 90 percent of pet shedding, it also helps kitties from producing those nasty and potentially dangerous trichobezoars (aka hairballs). Be sure to check out the included directions so your kitty’s experience with the Furminator is purrfect. Our own cats love it!
During the winter months, pets tend to get less exercise and gain those extra pounds. Now that the weather is getting warmer, while pets don’t worry much about the upcoming “bikini season”, maintaining our pet’s optimum weight is essential to keep them healthy.
Did you know that 52.5 percent of dogs, and 58.3 percent of cats in the United States are overweight? Since obesity in pets is the cause of many serious medical conditions, it’s a no brainer that Dr Marty encourages getting that excess weight off. Please consult with your veterinarian prior to putting your pet on exercise and weight reductions programs. And since pets age at a much faster rate than humans, Dr. Marty stresses the importance of pets having semi-annual veterinary wellness exams in order to nip in the bud any underlying medical problems.
Providing your pet with excellent nutrition is the cornerstone of robust health. At the same time, to prevent weight gain and keeping it off, Dr. Marty recommends feeding pets smaller portions several times a day. Using food puzzles is an excellent way to give pets some exercise pets and to keep them from getting bored. However, most food puzzles for cats are configured to dispense dry food only, so for guardians who feed moist food, Dr. Marty suggests putting small amounts of their food on plastic container lids, hidden in different locations throughout the house.
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is crucial to keep pets in great condition. While many owners brush their pet’s teeth regularly, Dr. Marty also recommends the C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews for dogs and cats, which are available online.
Speaking of nipping medical conditions in the bud, Dr. Marty strongly recommends year-round pet parasite control--no matter in what part of the country you reside. Indoor pets are at just as high a risk of becoming infested as those who live outdoors. Fleas, ticks and other “heinous hitchhikers” can enter homes on the pant legs or shoes of an unsuspecting human. They can gain access through an open screened in window, and hop right onto an unwary cat or dog. In fact, just one tiny mosquito carrying heartworm larvae can transmit this extremely dangerous parasite to your beloved furry companion.
To help pet parents gear up for springtime, Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian” shared some of his timely tips and tricks for the upcoming seasonal transition.
With spring shedding upon us,you might be already seeing an abundance of pet hair settling on furniture, carpets and floors. To deal with this spring shedding, brush your pet thoroughly to help get rid of the loose hair and finish by giving your pet a bath.
Since animals have a different skin pH than humans, only use a shampoo made specifically for pets. Dr. Marty highly recommends the Furminator as an excellent grooming tool for cats. This easy to use accessory not only reduces up to 90 percent of pet shedding, it also helps kitties from producing those nasty and potentially dangerous trichobezoars (aka hairballs). Be sure to check out the included directions so your kitty’s experience with the Furminator is purrfect. Our own cats love it!
During the winter months, pets tend to get less exercise and gain those extra pounds. Now that the weather is getting warmer, while pets don’t worry much about the upcoming “bikini season”, maintaining our pet’s optimum weight is essential to keep them healthy.
Did you know that 52.5 percent of dogs, and 58.3 percent of cats in the United States are overweight? Since obesity in pets is the cause of many serious medical conditions, it’s a no brainer that Dr Marty encourages getting that excess weight off. Please consult with your veterinarian prior to putting your pet on exercise and weight reductions programs. And since pets age at a much faster rate than humans, Dr. Marty stresses the importance of pets having semi-annual veterinary wellness exams in order to nip in the bud any underlying medical problems.
Providing your pet with excellent nutrition is the cornerstone of robust health. At the same time, to prevent weight gain and keeping it off, Dr. Marty recommends feeding pets smaller portions several times a day. Using food puzzles is an excellent way to give pets some exercise pets and to keep them from getting bored. However, most food puzzles for cats are configured to dispense dry food only, so for guardians who feed moist food, Dr. Marty suggests putting small amounts of their food on plastic container lids, hidden in different locations throughout the house.
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is crucial to keep pets in great condition. While many owners brush their pet’s teeth regularly, Dr. Marty also recommends the C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews for dogs and cats, which are available online.
Speaking of nipping medical conditions in the bud, Dr. Marty strongly recommends year-round pet parasite control--no matter in what part of the country you reside. Indoor pets are at just as high a risk of becoming infested as those who live outdoors. Fleas, ticks and other “heinous hitchhikers” can enter homes on the pant legs or shoes of an unsuspecting human. They can gain access through an open screened in window, and hop right onto an unwary cat or dog. In fact, just one tiny mosquito carrying heartworm larvae can transmit this extremely dangerous parasite to your beloved furry companion.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Top 4 Health Tips: Keep your fruits and veggies safe
An apple a day will keep the doctor away … but only if you clean it first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 23 percent of all food-borne illnesses are caused by contaminated vegetables. That's 2.2 million out of 9.6 million reported cases. And produce foods — which include vegetables, fruits and nuts — sicken 4.4 million people a year.
Scary stuff. Here are ways from Women's Health magazine, published by Rodale, to help you take precautions to lower the number of harmful microbes that could be present.
CHECK FOR BLEMISHES
1 Fruits and vegetables with bruises, cuts and nicks have a greater risk of being contaminated with a food-borne illness. Make sure you inspect every surface of produce you intend to buy beforehand so that you don't contaminate other foods in your shopping cart.
WASH BEFORE YOU EAT
2 It's tempting to sneak a few grapes between shopping aisles, but hold off until you're home. Most of the harmful bacteria are on the outer skins of produce. For bananas and oranges, peeling the outer layers will leave you with safe food on the inside — just make sure your hands are clean. For other foods, a minute of thorough rinsing will reduce potentially dangerous bacteria.
COOK AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE
3 You may prefer your veggies raw, but washing them is only half the battle. Cook vegetables at 160 degrees Fahrenheit will kill most of the harmful microbes. Boiling and steaming will get the job done, but if you're grilling, heat the outer surfaces well.
STORE SAFELY
4 Don't let your food sit in your fridge uncovered. Store food in closed plastic containers or cover with plastic wrap and cool them in a temperature of at least 38 degrees. Vegetables last three or four days, so be sure to eat them in that time frame. Keep these closed foods away from raw meat on a separate shelf or compartment so juices won't drip on them.
Source http://articles.mcall.com/2013-02-15/entertainment/mc-top-4-health-tips-lehigh-valley-0216-20130215_1_food-borne-safe-food-fruits-and-veggies
Scary stuff. Here are ways from Women's Health magazine, published by Rodale, to help you take precautions to lower the number of harmful microbes that could be present.
CHECK FOR BLEMISHES
1 Fruits and vegetables with bruises, cuts and nicks have a greater risk of being contaminated with a food-borne illness. Make sure you inspect every surface of produce you intend to buy beforehand so that you don't contaminate other foods in your shopping cart.
WASH BEFORE YOU EAT
2 It's tempting to sneak a few grapes between shopping aisles, but hold off until you're home. Most of the harmful bacteria are on the outer skins of produce. For bananas and oranges, peeling the outer layers will leave you with safe food on the inside — just make sure your hands are clean. For other foods, a minute of thorough rinsing will reduce potentially dangerous bacteria.
COOK AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE
3 You may prefer your veggies raw, but washing them is only half the battle. Cook vegetables at 160 degrees Fahrenheit will kill most of the harmful microbes. Boiling and steaming will get the job done, but if you're grilling, heat the outer surfaces well.
STORE SAFELY
4 Don't let your food sit in your fridge uncovered. Store food in closed plastic containers or cover with plastic wrap and cool them in a temperature of at least 38 degrees. Vegetables last three or four days, so be sure to eat them in that time frame. Keep these closed foods away from raw meat on a separate shelf or compartment so juices won't drip on them.
Source http://articles.mcall.com/2013-02-15/entertainment/mc-top-4-health-tips-lehigh-valley-0216-20130215_1_food-borne-safe-food-fruits-and-veggies
Monday, January 28, 2013
Rebellion a topical shifting idea: Jeet Thayil
Booker-nominated author Jeet Thayil, who was caught up in a controversy for reading out portions of Salman Rushdie's banned book during last year's Jaipur Literature Festival, today said there are people in every gathering who are quick to take offence.
"It seems (that especially here) there is a contingent of people at every gathering looking at a sentence or a gesture to get offended. It is cheapening of the idea of rebellion," said Thayil addressing a session titled "A rebel state", at the the Lit Fest here.
In the spirit of the theme of the session, when invited to read out from his debut book "Nacropolis", the Delhi-based poet and author chose to read out a section filled with a very common Hindi swear word.
Issuing a disclaimer before he began to read, Thayil said, "My apologies to anyone who might feel offended. But this is being said by a character in my book."
"It contains a word that is very commonly heard in Mumbai but is not very often employed in English literature," he said.
As the audience applauded at the end of his reading, Thayil expressed his gratitude to the small gathering at the first session of the last day of the five-day festival.
"Thanks for being a sport," he said.
Thayil was in conversation with Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade who extended his support to the author, and said "there is ample scope for rebels like Jeet to exist".
The discussion that centred around rebellion in literature.
Nemade also argued that every rebellion is necessary in some way. "Every rebellion has a constructive value," he said.
Thayil also pointed out the idea of rebellion changes over time.
"The writers or poets who were once considered rebels are now thought of as part of the cannon. So rebellion is a topical shifting idea," he added.
What remains to be seen, according to him, is how any writing considered rebellious now is perceived in the future.
"We need to see how these books are read in the 30 to 50 years," Thayil said.
At the the end of the session, Nemade had a message for the young generation to go much ahead of just rebellion in books. "A bit of revolution will clear the country forever. So, this would be my message to the younger generation."
At the JLF 2012, Thayil was at the center of a row after he read passages from Salman Rushdie's banned book "Satanic Verses". The aftereffects were seen even this year when some groups voiced opposition to his inclusion in this year's festival and also when he bagged this year's DSC Prize for South Asian Literature.
"It seems (that especially here) there is a contingent of people at every gathering looking at a sentence or a gesture to get offended. It is cheapening of the idea of rebellion," said Thayil addressing a session titled "A rebel state", at the the Lit Fest here.
In the spirit of the theme of the session, when invited to read out from his debut book "Nacropolis", the Delhi-based poet and author chose to read out a section filled with a very common Hindi swear word.
Issuing a disclaimer before he began to read, Thayil said, "My apologies to anyone who might feel offended. But this is being said by a character in my book."
"It contains a word that is very commonly heard in Mumbai but is not very often employed in English literature," he said.
As the audience applauded at the end of his reading, Thayil expressed his gratitude to the small gathering at the first session of the last day of the five-day festival.
"Thanks for being a sport," he said.
Thayil was in conversation with Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade who extended his support to the author, and said "there is ample scope for rebels like Jeet to exist".
The discussion that centred around rebellion in literature.
Nemade also argued that every rebellion is necessary in some way. "Every rebellion has a constructive value," he said.
Thayil also pointed out the idea of rebellion changes over time.
"The writers or poets who were once considered rebels are now thought of as part of the cannon. So rebellion is a topical shifting idea," he added.
What remains to be seen, according to him, is how any writing considered rebellious now is perceived in the future.
"We need to see how these books are read in the 30 to 50 years," Thayil said.
At the the end of the session, Nemade had a message for the young generation to go much ahead of just rebellion in books. "A bit of revolution will clear the country forever. So, this would be my message to the younger generation."
At the JLF 2012, Thayil was at the center of a row after he read passages from Salman Rushdie's banned book "Satanic Verses". The aftereffects were seen even this year when some groups voiced opposition to his inclusion in this year's festival and also when he bagged this year's DSC Prize for South Asian Literature.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Kitty Seawall road best site for 1823 Slave Rebellion monument- Sculptor
Amid controversy over government’s location of the1823 Slave Rebellion Monument, Sculptor Ivor Thom insisted that the Kitty Seawall Road is the best site.
“The land space was there, place for parking and everything was there and more than , anything else, the viewing was very good,” he told a news conference.
He said “we thought that that would have been the best place to put it” because it could be easily seen by persons traversing to and from East Coast Demerara from different directions.
“I still think that…it is the best of all the areas that were suggested,” said Thom.
A broad cross section of African Guyanese groups had planned to meet with Thom to urge him to make a public statement about the location. Those groups plan to ignore the government-built monument and go ahead with plans to build their monument on Parade Ground. They say that it was there slaves were tried, convicted and executed.
However, Culture Minister Frank Anthony has said that a monument on Parade Ground would not be widely seen by Guyanese and it would obstruct the playing of football and other games there.
The state-run Government Information Agency (GINA) said Thom explained the sequence of events that led to the selection of the current location, which he said fulfills the criterion.
Thom outlined the circumstances regarding the site’s selection. He noted that while preparing his model for the monument he had Paradise, on the East Coast of Demerara, as a possible site however, after being awarded the contract he became aware that certain criterion had to be met regarding the monument’s location. This includes emotional and physical connection to the rebellion, ambience, adequate land space, accessibility, public view, parking and connection to African people.
Currently the base for the monument is being completed and when that is done the monument will be unveiled.
A number of areas were suggested and visited including the Victoria Law Court, Parade Ground, National Park, Success/Montrose, Château Margot, LBI, Old RDC office at Paradise, Melanie Damishana, Ann’s Grove, Belfield, Bachelor’s Adventure and Mahaica.
Thom explained that points were awarded to the suggested areas on the site selection criteria, and based on that Paradise and LBI received the most points. However, LBI was ruled out since it is a predominantly East Indian community and does not tie in with the criterion which entails connection to African people.
After reviewing the other areas, Melanie was identified since Paradise didn’t have the adequate land space. Thom noted that challenges arose with regards to locating the owner of the available land space in Melanie. Indications of its unavailability were clear after a basketball court was constructed on the said land.
With regards to the protests, Thom stated that it was being peddled that Former President Bharat Jagdeo had turned the sod for the 1823 monument however, after visiting the archives it was found that the former President had turned the sod for an Emancipation monument, and not for the 1823 monument.
Additionally, advertisements were issued in the newspapers seeking suggestions for the monument site and only one person responded with Parade Ground. It was found that there was not suitable for several reasons, one being that the monument had to be of a certain height and based on that its viewing would have posed as challenge.
In this regard, it was decided that if there was no suitable place on the East Coast for the monument then it should be placed as close as possible to the ECD, hence the current site, at Carifesta and Vlissengen Roads, was viewed as the gateway to the ECD.
Thom recalled that in 2007 one of the African groups in Guyana contacted him to design a monument based on the contributions made by Africans to Guyana and such was done. Thom brought a model/scale version to Guyana to show the group that said it was sexist because it only had a male figure. The necessary changes were made, and to this date the group has not made contact with Thom again.
“The land space was there, place for parking and everything was there and more than , anything else, the viewing was very good,” he told a news conference.
He said “we thought that that would have been the best place to put it” because it could be easily seen by persons traversing to and from East Coast Demerara from different directions.
“I still think that…it is the best of all the areas that were suggested,” said Thom.
A broad cross section of African Guyanese groups had planned to meet with Thom to urge him to make a public statement about the location. Those groups plan to ignore the government-built monument and go ahead with plans to build their monument on Parade Ground. They say that it was there slaves were tried, convicted and executed.
However, Culture Minister Frank Anthony has said that a monument on Parade Ground would not be widely seen by Guyanese and it would obstruct the playing of football and other games there.
The state-run Government Information Agency (GINA) said Thom explained the sequence of events that led to the selection of the current location, which he said fulfills the criterion.
Thom outlined the circumstances regarding the site’s selection. He noted that while preparing his model for the monument he had Paradise, on the East Coast of Demerara, as a possible site however, after being awarded the contract he became aware that certain criterion had to be met regarding the monument’s location. This includes emotional and physical connection to the rebellion, ambience, adequate land space, accessibility, public view, parking and connection to African people.
Currently the base for the monument is being completed and when that is done the monument will be unveiled.
A number of areas were suggested and visited including the Victoria Law Court, Parade Ground, National Park, Success/Montrose, Château Margot, LBI, Old RDC office at Paradise, Melanie Damishana, Ann’s Grove, Belfield, Bachelor’s Adventure and Mahaica.
Thom explained that points were awarded to the suggested areas on the site selection criteria, and based on that Paradise and LBI received the most points. However, LBI was ruled out since it is a predominantly East Indian community and does not tie in with the criterion which entails connection to African people.
After reviewing the other areas, Melanie was identified since Paradise didn’t have the adequate land space. Thom noted that challenges arose with regards to locating the owner of the available land space in Melanie. Indications of its unavailability were clear after a basketball court was constructed on the said land.
With regards to the protests, Thom stated that it was being peddled that Former President Bharat Jagdeo had turned the sod for the 1823 monument however, after visiting the archives it was found that the former President had turned the sod for an Emancipation monument, and not for the 1823 monument.
Additionally, advertisements were issued in the newspapers seeking suggestions for the monument site and only one person responded with Parade Ground. It was found that there was not suitable for several reasons, one being that the monument had to be of a certain height and based on that its viewing would have posed as challenge.
In this regard, it was decided that if there was no suitable place on the East Coast for the monument then it should be placed as close as possible to the ECD, hence the current site, at Carifesta and Vlissengen Roads, was viewed as the gateway to the ECD.
Thom recalled that in 2007 one of the African groups in Guyana contacted him to design a monument based on the contributions made by Africans to Guyana and such was done. Thom brought a model/scale version to Guyana to show the group that said it was sexist because it only had a male figure. The necessary changes were made, and to this date the group has not made contact with Thom again.
Monday, December 17, 2012
After a Decade of Hardship, State Spending Still Up
As Virginians ponder the amendments to Virginia’s two-year budget proposed this morning
by Governor Bob McDonnell, it is worth remembering the extent to which
state government spending has increased over the past 10 years despite
three years of hardship occasioned by the 2008 recession.
Over the last decade, Virginia’s operating budget increased by $15.4
billion (62%) — a 35% increase in general funds and an 86% increase in
non-general funds. When controlling for growth in population and
inflation, total budget growth was 18% over the ten-year period.
So says “The Review of State Spending: 2012 Update”
released November by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
(JLARC). After adjustments, General Fund spending actually declined 1%
over the decade but non-general fund spending more than made up the
difference.
Nine of 196 programs — including health care, education and
transportation — accounted for 78% of the total budget growth over the
10-year period. Interesting… health care, education and transportation
are three of the most dysfunctional sectors of Virginia’s (and the
United States’) economy. All three sectors are exempt from market
discipline, and all three are resistant to fundamental re-thinking or
reform. While tinkering on the margins, Virginia’s political
establishment continues to pump more money into these broken
institutions.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
ALMS: Rebellion Confirms Single P1 Entry For 2013
As first revealed in a SPEED.com exclusive last month,
Rebellion Racing made its plans official Wednesday to enter the
American Le Mans Series, committing to a single full-season entry for
its Lola B12/60 Toyota.
The Anglo-Swiss squad, which took overall honors in October's Petit Le Mans, will additionally field a second P1 class contender in the 2013 season-opening Twelve Hours of Sebring, with driver lineups for both cars yet to be confirmed.
A parallel program in the FIA World Endurance Championship, where Rebellion won this year's Endurance Trophy for Private LMP1 teams, is also being evaluated, which could see the team's other two Lola-Toyotas put into action in the global sports car championship.
"We want to build upon those results in 2013 and aim to add to our tally of overall race wins," said team manager Bart Hayden. "The visibility generated by overall wins is more in line with what our partners require and desire.
"The WEC is a World Championship and we would like to find a way to continue racing there too. Over the coming weeks, we will be striving to put together a program to complement our presence in the ALMS.
"We are a team that has grown up with the Le Mans spirit since our involvement in the GT class in the early 2000’s and we want to continue racing in championships that mix the very best professional prototype and GT teams. I will be particularly pleased if we can succeed in finding a way to run cars in both the ALMS and the FIA WEC in 2013.”
On the driver front, SPEED.com has learned that 2012 European Le Mans Series champion Mathias Beche has already signed with the team, with the remainder of the lineup set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The official confirmation of Rebellion's presence in the premier prototype ranks of the ALMS will see no fewer than three full-season entries in 2013, joining at least one Dyson Racing Lola B12/60 and reigning champions Muscle Milk Pickett Racing with its soon-to-be-upgraded HPD ARX-03c.
The Anglo-Swiss squad, which took overall honors in October's Petit Le Mans, will additionally field a second P1 class contender in the 2013 season-opening Twelve Hours of Sebring, with driver lineups for both cars yet to be confirmed.
A parallel program in the FIA World Endurance Championship, where Rebellion won this year's Endurance Trophy for Private LMP1 teams, is also being evaluated, which could see the team's other two Lola-Toyotas put into action in the global sports car championship.
"We want to build upon those results in 2013 and aim to add to our tally of overall race wins," said team manager Bart Hayden. "The visibility generated by overall wins is more in line with what our partners require and desire.
"The WEC is a World Championship and we would like to find a way to continue racing there too. Over the coming weeks, we will be striving to put together a program to complement our presence in the ALMS.
"We are a team that has grown up with the Le Mans spirit since our involvement in the GT class in the early 2000’s and we want to continue racing in championships that mix the very best professional prototype and GT teams. I will be particularly pleased if we can succeed in finding a way to run cars in both the ALMS and the FIA WEC in 2013.”
On the driver front, SPEED.com has learned that 2012 European Le Mans Series champion Mathias Beche has already signed with the team, with the remainder of the lineup set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The official confirmation of Rebellion's presence in the premier prototype ranks of the ALMS will see no fewer than three full-season entries in 2013, joining at least one Dyson Racing Lola B12/60 and reigning champions Muscle Milk Pickett Racing with its soon-to-be-upgraded HPD ARX-03c.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
White Ribbon Day: A white ribbon rebellion
BENDIGO men are saying no to violence against women.
About
30 men stood on the steps of The Capital theatre yesterday morning,
united in their stance against violence as part of Bendigo’s White
Ribbon campaign.
The Bendigo Business Council hosted a White
Ribbon breakfast yesterday and a free community event will be held in
Hargreaves Mall tomorrow from noon.
Bendigo Police Inspector Mark Edwards spoke at the White Ribbon breakfast yesterday and said violence against
women took up a lot of police time.
“Crime is broken into two categories,” he said.
“We
have crime against property and crime against a person. If you look at
crime against person, which is stuff like assaults, robberies and all
that sort of stuff, 80 per cent of that category is assaults.
“Of
that 80 per cent, a third of it is family violence.” Inspector Edwards
said police had done a lot of work on repeat victims and offenders.
“We
try to link our victims into the right services, try to give them the
courage and the opportunity to make that break, and get out of the cycle
that they’re stuck in...So we’ll do things like, rather than wait for a
call-out to these addresses, we’ll go to these addresses to check up.
“We’ll just drop in to see how things are going and try to get a feel for the place.”
Family violence adviser Sergeant Margaret Singe described the response to yesterday’s breakfast as “fantastic”.
“Particularly
because probably 50 per cent of the participants were men,” she said.
“And White Ribbon is all about men leading the charge.
“The breakfast was really the starting point in our White Ribbon activities.
“On
Friday we’ve got the community lunch, which goes from noon until 2pm in
the mall. And the yarn bombers have been down and decorated our area
for us. They’ve got white all around the area.”
Sergeant Singe has her fingers crossed that as many people as possible will support the event.
“It’s free but there will be a cost for the barbecue lunch,” she said.
“We’ll also have some entertainment – performers who’ve both written songs specifically for Friday about White Ribbon.”
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Councillors urged to join rebellion against Pickles
Labour councillors up and down the country were called on to co-ordinate
for a dramatic fightback against government-imposed cuts to local
budgets today.
Grassroots Labour Representation Committee (LRC) activists have vowed to
bring together party-run councils to declare war against both Tory
minister Eric Pickles and cuts hawks within Labour itself at their
annual conference on Saturday.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Mr Pickles is presiding over massive cuts to council budgets, which the LRC warn disproportionately hit the working class and Labour councils that represent them.
A minority of Labour councillors who have refused to support cutbacks were praised, including Lambeth's Kingsley Abrams who was suspended in June for voting to oppose cuts to jobs and services.
LRC activists warned against a right-wing mentality within Labour that is helping to push through government-imposed cuts without a fight.
And they stressed that one or two councils refusing to make cuts will not be enough to defeat the government's ideologically-driven agenda, stating that there should be "no local cuts in the name of the Labour Party."
Hull Labour councillor Gary Wareing said: "We have been trying hard to develop a strategy to fight cuts imposed on the council by this Con-Dem government.
"We need an alternative. We need to bring together a coalition of councillors and local community groups to say that what the Tories are doing is not what we want in Hull."
Labour MP John McDonnell said a date for the meeting of Labour councillors and councils will be made as soon as possible.
It comes after three council leaders wrote to Mr Pickles on Friday demanding that he come clean over what their budgets will look like for 2013/14, not due to be revealed until December.
The leaders of Labour-run Southampton, Green controlled Brighton and Hove and Liberal Democrat Portsmouth demanded to be told now so they can budget properly.
It will not be the first time Labour councillors have stood up to Tory-imposed central government cuts.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Clay Cross dispute in 1972, when 11 Labour councillors stood up to Ted Heath's Housing Finance Act by refusing to implement increased council housing rents.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Mr Pickles is presiding over massive cuts to council budgets, which the LRC warn disproportionately hit the working class and Labour councils that represent them.
A minority of Labour councillors who have refused to support cutbacks were praised, including Lambeth's Kingsley Abrams who was suspended in June for voting to oppose cuts to jobs and services.
LRC activists warned against a right-wing mentality within Labour that is helping to push through government-imposed cuts without a fight.
And they stressed that one or two councils refusing to make cuts will not be enough to defeat the government's ideologically-driven agenda, stating that there should be "no local cuts in the name of the Labour Party."
Hull Labour councillor Gary Wareing said: "We have been trying hard to develop a strategy to fight cuts imposed on the council by this Con-Dem government.
"We need an alternative. We need to bring together a coalition of councillors and local community groups to say that what the Tories are doing is not what we want in Hull."
Labour MP John McDonnell said a date for the meeting of Labour councillors and councils will be made as soon as possible.
It comes after three council leaders wrote to Mr Pickles on Friday demanding that he come clean over what their budgets will look like for 2013/14, not due to be revealed until December.
The leaders of Labour-run Southampton, Green controlled Brighton and Hove and Liberal Democrat Portsmouth demanded to be told now so they can budget properly.
It will not be the first time Labour councillors have stood up to Tory-imposed central government cuts.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Clay Cross dispute in 1972, when 11 Labour councillors stood up to Ted Heath's Housing Finance Act by refusing to implement increased council housing rents.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
A tale of resistance & rewards
Three years after the British took over Kodagu, a rebellion
against the rulers erupted in the region. Among the rebels was Guddemane
Appayya. C P Belliappa charts the chronology of events immediately
after the rebellion was quelled.
In 1837, three years after the British take-over of Kodagu, a rebellion erupted against the colonisers. This uprising is popularly known as ‘Amara Sulya da Katakai’. The primary reason for this revolt by some of the peasants in Sulya was their objection to the British collecting land tax in currency instead of in kind as was the practice during the reign of the rajas. There was also a rather mysterious individual named Kalyanaswamy who proclaimed himself a descendant of the Haleri rajas and claimed the throne of Kodagu.
The rebellious peasants rallied round him. Guddemane Appayya took command of the rebels. The entire uprising was not well organised and there was a great deal of confusion. However, it soon spread to Puttur and then right up to Mangalore, where some of the establishments of the East India Company were ransacked. Emboldened by their success, the rebels made a bid to attack Madikeri, the capital of Kodagu.
Three years of British administration had brought peace and stability in Kodagu and a majority of the people did not want this disturbed. Compared to the misrule of Chikka Veerarajendra, the administration was streamlined and there was equitable law. People-friendly policies were implemented in various fields. The alarmed British enlisted the support of Kodavas to quell the rebellion. The two dewans, Apparanda Bopanna and Chepudira Ponnappa, mustered the Kodavas, and within days the insurgency was put down. The British did not want any repetition of such revolts against their rule. Harsh punishments were meted out to those who took part in the rebellion. Amongst those executed were Kalyanaswamy and Guddemane Appayya.
After this operation was completed, a large amount of booty was collected from the rebels. The British offered the spoils of war to the Kodavas for having helped them. To the surprise of the British, Kodavas rejected sharing the war booty.
Awards for quelling rebellion
At the time, Colonel Mark Cubbon who was posted in Bangalore was also the Commissioner of Kodagu and Captain Le Hardy was the superintendent. It was Colonel Mark Cubbon who recommended to the then governor-general Lord Auckland that the gallant Kodavas should be suitably recognised for their distinguished service in quelling the rebellion. On Mark Cubbon’s recommendation, the following awards were presented: gold medals with gold chains worth Rs 400 to the two dewans, 12 gold medals with chains worth Rs 200 to subedhars and principal chiefs, 20 gold medals without chains for parpatigars and others of equal rank, 10 gold medals worth Rs 50 for peasants who supported the British, 200 silver medals worth Rs 10 for lower ranks and peasants.
Several bronze and copper medals were presented to the foot-soldiers. All these medals were two inches in diameter. They were cast in the same moulding with a Kodava warrior on the obverse and a trophy of Kodava arms on the reverse. Weights of the gold medals were adjusted by varying the thickness.
In addition, there were grants of land, Pegu ponies, fowling pieces (guns), shawls, clothes, turbans, etc.
But there was a 70-year-old subedhar named Monnaiah (spelt Moonien by the British) who rejected all that the British offered. He was crestfallen, because during the operation, he had lost his prized sword which was a gift from Dodda Veerarajendra. He wanted nothing other than replacement of the sword!
Mark Cubbon immediately acted on this request and had an exact replica made and presented to the subedhar. I wonder if this sword exists somewhere in one of the Kodava homes. Likewise, none of the gold and silver medallions are with any of the Kodava families.
However, I have one of the bronze medals, which was very kindly gifted to me by A Franklin, an avid art collector in Bangalore.
Franklin is also the proud owner of the autographed Bible that Queen Victoria presented to her god daughter Princess Victoria Gowramma of Coorg in 1852.
History has nevertheless come full circle. Recently an imposing statue of Guddemane Appayya on horse-back has been installed at the entrance to Madikeri town. He is recognised as one of the earliest freedom fighters.
In 1837, three years after the British take-over of Kodagu, a rebellion erupted against the colonisers. This uprising is popularly known as ‘Amara Sulya da Katakai’. The primary reason for this revolt by some of the peasants in Sulya was their objection to the British collecting land tax in currency instead of in kind as was the practice during the reign of the rajas. There was also a rather mysterious individual named Kalyanaswamy who proclaimed himself a descendant of the Haleri rajas and claimed the throne of Kodagu.
The rebellious peasants rallied round him. Guddemane Appayya took command of the rebels. The entire uprising was not well organised and there was a great deal of confusion. However, it soon spread to Puttur and then right up to Mangalore, where some of the establishments of the East India Company were ransacked. Emboldened by their success, the rebels made a bid to attack Madikeri, the capital of Kodagu.
Three years of British administration had brought peace and stability in Kodagu and a majority of the people did not want this disturbed. Compared to the misrule of Chikka Veerarajendra, the administration was streamlined and there was equitable law. People-friendly policies were implemented in various fields. The alarmed British enlisted the support of Kodavas to quell the rebellion. The two dewans, Apparanda Bopanna and Chepudira Ponnappa, mustered the Kodavas, and within days the insurgency was put down. The British did not want any repetition of such revolts against their rule. Harsh punishments were meted out to those who took part in the rebellion. Amongst those executed were Kalyanaswamy and Guddemane Appayya.
After this operation was completed, a large amount of booty was collected from the rebels. The British offered the spoils of war to the Kodavas for having helped them. To the surprise of the British, Kodavas rejected sharing the war booty.
Awards for quelling rebellion
At the time, Colonel Mark Cubbon who was posted in Bangalore was also the Commissioner of Kodagu and Captain Le Hardy was the superintendent. It was Colonel Mark Cubbon who recommended to the then governor-general Lord Auckland that the gallant Kodavas should be suitably recognised for their distinguished service in quelling the rebellion. On Mark Cubbon’s recommendation, the following awards were presented: gold medals with gold chains worth Rs 400 to the two dewans, 12 gold medals with chains worth Rs 200 to subedhars and principal chiefs, 20 gold medals without chains for parpatigars and others of equal rank, 10 gold medals worth Rs 50 for peasants who supported the British, 200 silver medals worth Rs 10 for lower ranks and peasants.
Several bronze and copper medals were presented to the foot-soldiers. All these medals were two inches in diameter. They were cast in the same moulding with a Kodava warrior on the obverse and a trophy of Kodava arms on the reverse. Weights of the gold medals were adjusted by varying the thickness.
In addition, there were grants of land, Pegu ponies, fowling pieces (guns), shawls, clothes, turbans, etc.
But there was a 70-year-old subedhar named Monnaiah (spelt Moonien by the British) who rejected all that the British offered. He was crestfallen, because during the operation, he had lost his prized sword which was a gift from Dodda Veerarajendra. He wanted nothing other than replacement of the sword!
Mark Cubbon immediately acted on this request and had an exact replica made and presented to the subedhar. I wonder if this sword exists somewhere in one of the Kodava homes. Likewise, none of the gold and silver medallions are with any of the Kodava families.
However, I have one of the bronze medals, which was very kindly gifted to me by A Franklin, an avid art collector in Bangalore.
Franklin is also the proud owner of the autographed Bible that Queen Victoria presented to her god daughter Princess Victoria Gowramma of Coorg in 1852.
History has nevertheless come full circle. Recently an imposing statue of Guddemane Appayya on horse-back has been installed at the entrance to Madikeri town. He is recognised as one of the earliest freedom fighters.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Most Dysfunctional Board in the Country?
Talk about a crazy situation… After months of delay, the Washington,
D.C., City Council is scheduled October 2 to approve amendments to a
bi-state compact with Virginia that would expand the board of the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), giving the Old
Dominion greater representation. The amendments were based upon
legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Obama at the
behest of Rep. Frank Wolf, Va-10.
Assuming the council acts as expected, it still will be behind the
curve. Frustrated by “appalling decisions” made by the MWAA board, Wolf
has submitted a new bill that would shrink the board and give
Virginia representatives an outright majority. The board, which worked
actively to block implementation of the previous changes is
“dysfunctional,” he says.
The current board lacks transparency and accountability, said Wolf in an August press release,
pointing to a series of “appalling” decisions over the past two years,
including a $200,000 confidential settlement with an unsuccessful
candidate to run the authority and sweetheart deals for former board
members and board staff. He also cited lavish travel by board members.
“MWAA used to have a well-functioning and highly successful board,”
Wolf said. “Now it has just dissolved into bitter acrimony. Board
members are subpoenaing each other. It is internecine warfare. This
cannot stand. It is time to give Virginia control.”
Last week the MWAA board did adopt a new travel policy and hiring
policies, as the new chairman, Michael A. Curto, sought to re-establish
credibility with the authority’s stakeholders.
After the MWAA board’s session last week, Curto stated:
As I started my tenure as chairman, I laid out three priorities for the organization: increased cooperation with our partners, especially the Commonwealth of Virginia, greater transparency for management and board operations, and the timely and cost-effective completion of the rail project. While it is true that the Authority has made its share of mistakes, and there are a number of issues that have yet to be adequately addressed, I think our harshest critics would also acknowledge that we have made significant progress on those key objectives.
President and CEO Jack Potter reported last week that the Authority
was closing out all “sole source” professional services contracts that
had been exempted from competitive bidding. In effect, that meant firing
former director Mame Reiley, whom he had hired under a multi-year
contract for a $180,000-a-year job. Her contract still called for a
one-year severance.
The new travel policy would preclude any more junkets, such as one in
which then-board member Dennis Martire, a a senior executive with the
Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) charged MWAA for a
nine-day trip to Europe with his girlfriend on the pretext of attending
a 36-hour conference on by the Airports Council International.
At least two other former board members – and a former staff member
of the board – have been beneficiaries of sweetheart deals, Wolf said,
citing exposes by the Washington Examiner. Last year the board awarded a $100,000 contract to a law firm where a board member’s wife works.
In other questionable activities, the board paid $200,000 to an
individual who was “all but promised” – but never offered – the CEO
position. The deal was struck to avoid a potential lawsuit.
One issue yet to hit the media involves the confiscation of a board
member’s papers left at his seat after a recent meeting, Wolf said. The
Congressman stated in the press release that “it was his understanding
that” a board member left the July session for a lunch meeting, fully
intending to return. The board meeting adjourned, however, before he
came back and board staff collected his things. “Instead of just putting
the documents in an envelope, the staff read through them and then
passed them onto the board secretary, who, I understand, also went
through them,” Wolf said. “Believing the documents could be pertinent to
litigation involving MWAA, the board secretary turned them over to the
authority’s general counsel. This incident has led to series of
subpoenas being issued to several board members and others, including me
and my chief of staff.”
Another incident revolves around the attempted removal of a Virginia
board member — Martire, the labor executive — for cause by Governor
McDonnell, Wolf said. The board member has challenged his removal in
court and MWAA is paying his legal fees.
“I suspect MWAA will have to start paying the legal fees of other
board members who have now been subpoenaed in the case,” Wolf said.
“Knowing how fast legal fees can accumulate, I am deeply troubled by
these latest turn of events, especially considering taxpayers are
footing the bill.”
The problems do not end here, Wolf said.
The terms of all three of the federal appointments have expired and finding replacements continues to drag on and on. The District left an appointee on the board for nearly two years after his term has expired, despite being under house arrest in the Ivory Coast and attending only one meeting between 2009 and 2011. It was going to be that member’s proxy vote to hire the unsuccessful CEO candidate who received a $200,000 settlement. Board members also used to meet with the former chairman the night before meetings to plot strategy for the next day’s meetings, Wolf said.
“All this points to a board that is totally dysfunctional, fiscally irresponsible and tone deaf,” Wolf said.
MWAA’s actions last week come too little and too late for Wolf. “The
Congressman’s new bill will “give Virginia complete control” over the
MWAA board, Daniel Scandling, Wolf’s chief of staff, told me.
Scandling acknowledged the political difficulties in persuading
Maryland and Washington to agree to an arrangement that would further
diminish their power on the board, but he noted that the bill enjoyed
bipartisan support among Virginia’s congressional delegation and has
been backed by leading business lobbies in Northern Virginia. “Never say
never.”
McDonnell spokesman Jeff Caldwell did not respond to two phone calls
and an email from Bacon’s Rebellion to address the Washington City
Council’s action, or lack of it, on the bi-state compact.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Scottish independence: Labour dismisses rebellion
LABOUR chiefs say a rebellion among its grassroots members in favour
of independence lacks “any real support” within party ranks.
A website has been launched called Labour for
Independence, which is urging Scottish party leader Johann Lamont to
allow members a vote on the constitutional question, with a view to
shifting the party’s stance in favour of leaving the UK in the 2014
referendum.
Senior Labour figures say the website, launched by
party member Allan Grogan, has attracted plentiful backing from SNP
supporters. But the party
insists that members are free to bring policy
suggestions before Labour conference.
A posting by Mr Grogan on
the website states: “I’m pleased that we have given the pro-indy Labour
voters a home to voice their opinions.
“In the last month, we
have gained 24,000 Facebook viewers, created our own website, which
after one week has more than 2,000 hits.”
He also urges pro-independence Labour supports to turn out at a major rally planned for 22 September.
“We
need to show the Labour Party, the rest of the political parties and
the media watching, that there is a genuine demand from Labour voters
for independence,” he adds.
“In the coming months, we will look to
appeal to Ms Lamont and the heads of the Scottish Labour Party for a
membership vote on Labour’s stance.”
Nationalists were quick to
seize on the move, with Christine McKelvie, who chairs Holyrood’s
external relations committee, urging the party
hierarchy to listen to
its grassroots. membership.
“People of all parties and none are warming to the idea of an independent Scotland,” Ms McKelvie said.
“It
is only fair and democratic that grassroots Labour members should be
given the opportunity to discuss the merits of voting Yes to an
independent Scotland in 2014.
“Johann Lamont and the Labour Party
in Scotland leadership’s sponsored silence on Trident, abandonment of
free higher education and anti-independence pact with Tories is leaving
them looking very lost indeed. It is little wonder the people of
Scotland are looking elsewhere for politicians to
reflect their views
and values.”
Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling is the man
leading Better Together, the official campaign for Scotland to stay in
the United Kingdom. Ms
Lamont joined Tory leader Ruth Davidson and
Liberal Democrat chief Willie Rennie at the official launch earlier this
year.
Labour North East MSP Richard Baker, who is a member on the
Better Together board, yesterday played down the pro-independence move
within the party.
“Labour members have the right to bring policy
suggestions to conference where they can be debated,” he said. “However,
as we are focused on social justice in the widest sense, we believe
that we all achieve more together than apart.
“I also note that
the website has lots of support from SNP backers, but lacks any real
support from within our own ranks. Scottish Labour will fight to keep
Britain together, because we believe that we are stronger together.”
A
recent opinion poll on behalf of think-tank Reform Scotland, which is
behind the devo-plus campaign, found that almost three-quarters of
Labour voters wanted unionists to campaign for more powers for the
Scottish Parliament during the referendum campaign.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Mississippi Tea Party Chairman Calls For Open Rebellion Against Federal Government After Obamacare Ruling
Of all the right-wing meltdowns following yesterday’s decision by the
Supreme Court to uphold the individual mandate in the Affordable Care
Act, this statement put out by the chairman of the Mississippi Tea Party may take the cake:
When a gang of criminals subvert legitimate government offices and seize all power to themselves without the real consent of the governed their every act and edict is of itself illegal and is outside the bounds of the Rule of Law. In such cases submission is treason. Treason against the Constitution and the valid legitimate government of the nation to which we have pledged our allegiance for years. To resist by all means that are right in the eyes of God is not rebellion or insurrection, it is patriotic resistance to invasion.
May all of us fall on our faces before the Heavenly Judge, repent of our sins, and humbly cry out to Him for mercy on our country. And, may godly courageous leaders rise up in His wisdom and power to lead us in displacing the criminal invaders from their seats and restore our constitutional republic.
Despite Nicholson’s repeated charge that the Obama administration is
guilty of high crimes, the only treason in play here is the suggestion
of an open revolt against the federal government. Nicholson’s hardly the
first Tea Partier to demand that people rise up in opposition to
President Obama, in fact he’s not even the first to do so this week.
Matthew Davis, an attorney and former Michigan Republican Party spokesman, wrote yesterday
that citizens might be justified taking up armed rebellion. In an email
moments after the ruling with the subject line “Is Armed Rebellion Now
Justified?” Davis wrote “There are times government has to do things to
get what it wants and holds a gun to your head. I’m saying at some
point, we have to ask the question when do we turn that gun around and
say no and resist.”
While few comments go as far as either Nicholson or Davis’, Slate compiled
several other funny and over-the-top reactions from prominent
conservatives, like Sarah Palin who thanked God for firing up “the
troops,” or Breitbart.com’s Ben Shapiro, who tweeted that the decision “is the end of America as we know it. No exaggeration.”
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
U.S. Supporting Rwanda As It Destabilizes the Congo
Jacques Bahati, a policy analyst at the Africa Faith; Emira Woods,
co-director of Foreign Policy; Maurice Carney, executive director of
Friends of the Congo
Washington, D.C. - infoZine - BBC is reporting "The UN says it has
evidence that a rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo is being
fueled by recruits and support from neighboring Rwanda." Human Rights
Watch reports that "Rwandan army officials have provided weapons,
ammunition, and an estimated 200 to 300 recruits to support Ntaganda’s
mutiny in Rutshuru territory, eastern Congo." A leading Congolese
newspaper, Le Potentiel notes "The mutiny underway in the eastern DRC
receives support in manpower and logistics from Rwanda, in the face of
astonishing passivity from the international community (U.S., Britain,
EU, etc.)."
Jacques Bahati ( bahati@afjn.org ) , a policy analyst at the Africa Faith and Justice Network says “DRC has been the playground of Rwanda since 1996 and this will never change if serious reforms are not made. On a long list of problems needing urgent solutions, DRC must address corruption in its leadership, army reform and make a priority the grievances of all warring parties.” www.afjn.org
Jacques Bahati ( bahati@afjn.org ) , a policy analyst at the Africa Faith and Justice Network says “DRC has been the playground of Rwanda since 1996 and this will never change if serious reforms are not made. On a long list of problems needing urgent solutions, DRC must address corruption in its leadership, army reform and make a priority the grievances of all warring parties.” www.afjn.org
Emira Woods ( emira@ips-dc.org
) , co-director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy
Studies, said today: "Rwanda's role in destabilizing the Congo has
contributed to the millions who have perished as result of the conflict
since 1996 and the 100,000 displaced persons since March of this year.
It is time that the United States, which provides significant funding to
the Rwandan government, uses its leverage to hold Rwanda accountable
for its destructive actions in the Congo." www.ips-dc.org/staff/emira
Maurice Carney ( info@friendsofthecongo.org ) , executive director of Friends of the Congo, said today: “The Rwandan government has acted as a major destabilizing force in the east of the Congo since 1996. However, as a staunch ally of the United States and the United Kingdom, the Rwandan government has benefited tremendously from the diplomatic cover and protection that accompanies its relationship with such powerful nations." http://friendsofthecongo.org
Maurice Carney ( info@friendsofthecongo.org ) , executive director of Friends of the Congo, said today: “The Rwandan government has acted as a major destabilizing force in the east of the Congo since 1996. However, as a staunch ally of the United States and the United Kingdom, the Rwandan government has benefited tremendously from the diplomatic cover and protection that accompanies its relationship with such powerful nations." http://friendsofthecongo.org
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
WRAPUP 2-Watchdog leaves EU banks in dark on capital
Europe's banking watchdog has delayed telling individual lenders how much capital they must raise to safeguard their survival until EU finance ministers can agree on broader plans to shore up confidence in the financial system.
The delay is a blow to banks and investors keen to get to grips with how much cash is needed as the bank sector faces multiple risks that threaten to spill over to the real economy.
The European Banking Authority (EBA) had planned to finalise by Wednesday how much cash banks need to meet a minimum 9 percent core capital -- a preliminary estimate had put it at 106 billion euros ($141.5 billion) for the 70 lenders under scrutiny.
But European Union finance ministers (Ecofin) meeting to discuss the euro zone debt crisis need to help banks as part of a wider plan. If they agree on the bank measures, the EBA is likely to release details next week, a spokeswoman for the EBA said.
The euro zone crisis has shown how closely banks are tied to the health of their country, which continues to hurt Greece's lenders. Some 13-14 billion euros of deposits left Greek banks in September-October, and the outflows continued in the first 10 days of November, the country's central bank chief said.
Cyprus's largest lender, Bank of Cyprus also showed the risk of sovereign troubles spilling over borders, as it slumped to a loss after losing 1 billion euros on its holdings of Greek government bonds.
Banks are under pressure from worries about sovereign health, capital and liquidity, analysts said.
"For the funding markets to reopen, banks need a minimum of 160 billion euros (more capital) in a mild recession and 215 billion in a stress scenario," said Kian Abouhossein, analyst at JPMorgan.
If the credit market doesn't reopen, he said banks could face a "systemic problem" as they need to refinance 680 billion euros of debt next year. "We see funding as one of the key challenges in 2012," he said.
The European bank sector was down 0.1 percent by 1700 GMT, languishing not far from a more than 2-1/2 year low set last week.
BROADER PACKAGE
Banks across Europe are stepping up plans to shrink balance sheets in the face of these difficulties, prompting Portugal's banking regulator to warn its banks to shrink slowly to limit damage to its fragile economy.
Germany's Commerzbank may shift bad assets from its loss-making property arm Eurohypo to the German state, sources close to the bank told Reuters.
The move could allow it to avoid a potentially punitive fresh state-aid inquiry by the European Commission. It has been ordered by the Commission to sell Eurohypo by the end of 2014 as a condition for approving state aid in 2008/09.
France's Societe Generale is selling property loans worth more than 600 million euros ($801 million) as it seeks to slash its exposure to the volatile sector and bolster its balance sheet, a person close to the situation said.
Rivals BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole and banks in Italy, Spain, Germany, Britain and Ireland are also deleveraging aggressively to meet tougher capital rules and ease funding strains.
That could put more pressure on sovereign debt or squeeze lending to the economy, according to a report prepared for the Ecofin meeting.
"There are serious concerns about a possible inappropriate deleveraging by banks when implementing the measures that would prejudice an adequate supply of lending to the real economy or put excessive additional pressure on sovereign debt," officials wrote in the report seen by Reuters.
Sweden's central bank told its lenders to adopt tougher global rules on liquidity ahead of the deadline, ratcheting up pressure on the sector just days after introducing tougher capital requirements than European rivals.
The Riksbank said Swedish banks should speed up changes to short-term liquidity and the way they fund themselves in the longer term so that their assets and liabilities match better.
The EBA said it had made progress in finalising its recapitalisation plan, but it was part of a broader package also including improving long-term funding and dealing with losses on Greece's debt. Funding appears to be the sticking point for policymakers.
A public guarantee scheme was considered to support banks' access to term funding, but there were objections to a pooled guarantee and now national guarantees are on the cards.
The EBA is also due to publish guidelines for banks that want to issue hybrid debt known as contingent capital to help fill any capital shortfall.
Source http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/29/banks-europe-idUSL5E7MT23V20111129
The delay is a blow to banks and investors keen to get to grips with how much cash is needed as the bank sector faces multiple risks that threaten to spill over to the real economy.
The European Banking Authority (EBA) had planned to finalise by Wednesday how much cash banks need to meet a minimum 9 percent core capital -- a preliminary estimate had put it at 106 billion euros ($141.5 billion) for the 70 lenders under scrutiny.
But European Union finance ministers (Ecofin) meeting to discuss the euro zone debt crisis need to help banks as part of a wider plan. If they agree on the bank measures, the EBA is likely to release details next week, a spokeswoman for the EBA said.
The euro zone crisis has shown how closely banks are tied to the health of their country, which continues to hurt Greece's lenders. Some 13-14 billion euros of deposits left Greek banks in September-October, and the outflows continued in the first 10 days of November, the country's central bank chief said.
Cyprus's largest lender, Bank of Cyprus also showed the risk of sovereign troubles spilling over borders, as it slumped to a loss after losing 1 billion euros on its holdings of Greek government bonds.
Banks are under pressure from worries about sovereign health, capital and liquidity, analysts said.
"For the funding markets to reopen, banks need a minimum of 160 billion euros (more capital) in a mild recession and 215 billion in a stress scenario," said Kian Abouhossein, analyst at JPMorgan.
If the credit market doesn't reopen, he said banks could face a "systemic problem" as they need to refinance 680 billion euros of debt next year. "We see funding as one of the key challenges in 2012," he said.
The European bank sector was down 0.1 percent by 1700 GMT, languishing not far from a more than 2-1/2 year low set last week.
BROADER PACKAGE
Banks across Europe are stepping up plans to shrink balance sheets in the face of these difficulties, prompting Portugal's banking regulator to warn its banks to shrink slowly to limit damage to its fragile economy.
Germany's Commerzbank may shift bad assets from its loss-making property arm Eurohypo to the German state, sources close to the bank told Reuters.
The move could allow it to avoid a potentially punitive fresh state-aid inquiry by the European Commission. It has been ordered by the Commission to sell Eurohypo by the end of 2014 as a condition for approving state aid in 2008/09.
France's Societe Generale is selling property loans worth more than 600 million euros ($801 million) as it seeks to slash its exposure to the volatile sector and bolster its balance sheet, a person close to the situation said.
Rivals BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole and banks in Italy, Spain, Germany, Britain and Ireland are also deleveraging aggressively to meet tougher capital rules and ease funding strains.
That could put more pressure on sovereign debt or squeeze lending to the economy, according to a report prepared for the Ecofin meeting.
"There are serious concerns about a possible inappropriate deleveraging by banks when implementing the measures that would prejudice an adequate supply of lending to the real economy or put excessive additional pressure on sovereign debt," officials wrote in the report seen by Reuters.
Sweden's central bank told its lenders to adopt tougher global rules on liquidity ahead of the deadline, ratcheting up pressure on the sector just days after introducing tougher capital requirements than European rivals.
The Riksbank said Swedish banks should speed up changes to short-term liquidity and the way they fund themselves in the longer term so that their assets and liabilities match better.
The EBA said it had made progress in finalising its recapitalisation plan, but it was part of a broader package also including improving long-term funding and dealing with losses on Greece's debt. Funding appears to be the sticking point for policymakers.
A public guarantee scheme was considered to support banks' access to term funding, but there were objections to a pooled guarantee and now national guarantees are on the cards.
The EBA is also due to publish guidelines for banks that want to issue hybrid debt known as contingent capital to help fill any capital shortfall.
Source http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/29/banks-europe-idUSL5E7MT23V20111129
Monday, October 3, 2011
Anti-capitalism rebellion in progress in US
They are in a rebellious mood against their economic system as it is grinding to a halt. During the past week alone some $4 trillion of paper assets on the global stock exchanges went down the drain, because they were speculative ‘assets’ that had no real material (real economy) base.
They were paper assets acting as parasites on the real economy. The meltdown of the bubble economy that begun in 2008 is now in full swing because despite the pumping in by the US government of large amounts of dollars into the economy through ‘stimulus packages’ the recession did not ebb. Instead it worsened into what is now being called a ‘double dip recession.’ The result has been that the US unemployment rate has continued to worsen. It is now standing at 9.1 per cent and as a result it is creating problems for Obama’s second term re-election hopes.
Last week the Governor of the Federal Reserve abandoned all efforts of pumping more printed dollars into the economy to help ‘quick start’ the recovery with what the Federal Reserve has recently called “Operation Twist” after it abandoned the “Quantitative Easing” of printing more dollars as the appropriate response.
In Europe, the Euro zone is in the grip of the Greek ‘sovereign debt’ crisis due to the worsening of the economic recovery in that zone. Many of these countries adopted stringent budgetary controls as a response to the meltdown, but these strategies have not produced any astounding results.
In the case of the UK, these policies have led to serious social tensions that erupted in the city riots that threatened to burn Britain down. The Greek debt crisis has threatened the Euro Zone as a regional monetary system. Countries are pulling back into their national cocoons to run away from supporting Greece. Many members are insisting that the holders of the Greek state bonds should also contribute to solving the crisis. The Italian credit system has recently been downgraded from A+ to A. The other ‘PIGS’ countries (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) are on the edge.
In the meantime, the increasing inequality in the distribution of wealth all over the world, which is capitalism’s main weakness, has begun to have toll on the billionaire’s confidence. They are increasingly being looked upon as the real problem for the world economy because of their insatiable greed. The mood among the large numbers of unemployed is beginning to turn rowdy and rebellious. The recent British riots were a clear warning to the Western leaders of the upcoming upheavals. Now the anger is beginning to emerge in the US where there have been plans by the youth to occupy Wall Street, the headquarters of American financial capitalism.
According to a recent article in the Guardian, the rebellion begun on Saturday September 17, when over 5,000 young Americans descended on to the financial district of lower Manhattan with signs, banners, drums, slogans and proceeded to walk towards what they called the “financial Gomorrah” of the nation as they vowed to “occupy Wall Street” and to “bring justice to the bankers.”
Although the New York police thwarted their efforts temporarily, locking down the symbolic street with barricades and checkpoints, the protestors were undeterred. They walked around the area before holding a people’s assembly and setting up a semi-permanent protest encampment in a park on Liberty Street, a stone’s throw from Wall Street and a block from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Three hundred of them spent the night in the streets and several hundred reinforcements arrived the next day to back them up. Using the social network, the protesters sent messages to the world that they were hungry and a nearby pizzeria received $2,800 in orders for delivery in a single hour. Emboldened by an outpouring of international solidarity, the protestors said they’d be there to greet the bankers when the stock market opened the following Monday. The police, according to the Guardian realised they could not stop them. The ABC News reported that even though the demonstrators did not have a permit for the protest they were nevertheless” digging in for a long-term occupation.”
According to news reports, the campaign to “Occupy Wall Street” was inspired by the “People’s Assemblies of Spain,” which were in turn inspired by the “Arab Spring.” Although the concept “Occupy Wall Street” was floated in a double-page poster in the 97th issue of Adbusters magazine, it was nevertheless spearheaded, orchestrated and carried out by independent activists. It all started when Adbusters magazine asked its network of culture jammers to flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens and peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. The idea caught on immediately on social networks and the unaffiliated activists seized the idea and built an open-source organising site.
A few days later, a general assembly was held in New York City and 150 people showed up. These activists became the core organisers of the occupation. The mystique of Anonymous pushed the idea into the mainstream media with a video communiqué endorsing the action. This attracted 100,000 views resulting in a warning from the Department of Homeland Security addressed to the nation’s bankers about what was going on. But the ‘indignation’ was spreading in other cities. When, in August, the ‘indignados’ of Spain sent word that they would be holding a solidarity event in Madrid’s financial district, activists in Milan, Valencia, London, Lisbon, Athens, San Francisco, Madison, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Israel and beyond vowed to do the same.
There is thus a shared feeling on the streets around the world that the global economy is a ‘Ponzi scheme’ run by and for ‘Big Finance,’ meaning the billionaires who do not want to pay taxes. People everywhere are waking up to the realisation that there is something fundamentally wrong with a system in which speculative financial transactions add up, each day, to $1.3 trillion, which is 50 times more than the sum of all the production and commercial transactions. Meanwhile, according to a United Nations report, “in the 35 countries for which data exist, nearly 40 per cent of jobseekers have been without work for more than one year. A jobless Vietnam veteran protestor said the demonstration was “a worthy cause because people on Wall Street are blood-sucking warmongers”.
The indignation was an expression of a feeling among the protestors that the standard solutions to the economic crisis proposed by leading politicians and mainstream economists such as stimulus packages, budget cuts, debt management, low interest rates, neo-Keynesian propping up of ‘demand’ though increased consumption were all false approaches that would not work.
This is not just a concern of the Western unemployed youth, it is also increasingly becoming an issue among rural folk in Uganda in areas such as Buliisa where people’s lands are being grabbed by the oil speculators and Bugisu where the peasant farmers cooperators are determined to ‘walk naked’ to demand the restoration of their cooperative union. These rural folk have also decided to join hands with the New York and Madrid ‘indignados.’ This mood amongst the world’s poor is bound to reverberate for some time to come and who knows what is likely to come out of the protests - a World Revolution?
Source http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/ThoughtIdeas/-/689844/1245982/-/bms5nc/-/
They were paper assets acting as parasites on the real economy. The meltdown of the bubble economy that begun in 2008 is now in full swing because despite the pumping in by the US government of large amounts of dollars into the economy through ‘stimulus packages’ the recession did not ebb. Instead it worsened into what is now being called a ‘double dip recession.’ The result has been that the US unemployment rate has continued to worsen. It is now standing at 9.1 per cent and as a result it is creating problems for Obama’s second term re-election hopes.
Last week the Governor of the Federal Reserve abandoned all efforts of pumping more printed dollars into the economy to help ‘quick start’ the recovery with what the Federal Reserve has recently called “Operation Twist” after it abandoned the “Quantitative Easing” of printing more dollars as the appropriate response.
In Europe, the Euro zone is in the grip of the Greek ‘sovereign debt’ crisis due to the worsening of the economic recovery in that zone. Many of these countries adopted stringent budgetary controls as a response to the meltdown, but these strategies have not produced any astounding results.
In the case of the UK, these policies have led to serious social tensions that erupted in the city riots that threatened to burn Britain down. The Greek debt crisis has threatened the Euro Zone as a regional monetary system. Countries are pulling back into their national cocoons to run away from supporting Greece. Many members are insisting that the holders of the Greek state bonds should also contribute to solving the crisis. The Italian credit system has recently been downgraded from A+ to A. The other ‘PIGS’ countries (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) are on the edge.
In the meantime, the increasing inequality in the distribution of wealth all over the world, which is capitalism’s main weakness, has begun to have toll on the billionaire’s confidence. They are increasingly being looked upon as the real problem for the world economy because of their insatiable greed. The mood among the large numbers of unemployed is beginning to turn rowdy and rebellious. The recent British riots were a clear warning to the Western leaders of the upcoming upheavals. Now the anger is beginning to emerge in the US where there have been plans by the youth to occupy Wall Street, the headquarters of American financial capitalism.
According to a recent article in the Guardian, the rebellion begun on Saturday September 17, when over 5,000 young Americans descended on to the financial district of lower Manhattan with signs, banners, drums, slogans and proceeded to walk towards what they called the “financial Gomorrah” of the nation as they vowed to “occupy Wall Street” and to “bring justice to the bankers.”
Although the New York police thwarted their efforts temporarily, locking down the symbolic street with barricades and checkpoints, the protestors were undeterred. They walked around the area before holding a people’s assembly and setting up a semi-permanent protest encampment in a park on Liberty Street, a stone’s throw from Wall Street and a block from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Three hundred of them spent the night in the streets and several hundred reinforcements arrived the next day to back them up. Using the social network, the protesters sent messages to the world that they were hungry and a nearby pizzeria received $2,800 in orders for delivery in a single hour. Emboldened by an outpouring of international solidarity, the protestors said they’d be there to greet the bankers when the stock market opened the following Monday. The police, according to the Guardian realised they could not stop them. The ABC News reported that even though the demonstrators did not have a permit for the protest they were nevertheless” digging in for a long-term occupation.”
According to news reports, the campaign to “Occupy Wall Street” was inspired by the “People’s Assemblies of Spain,” which were in turn inspired by the “Arab Spring.” Although the concept “Occupy Wall Street” was floated in a double-page poster in the 97th issue of Adbusters magazine, it was nevertheless spearheaded, orchestrated and carried out by independent activists. It all started when Adbusters magazine asked its network of culture jammers to flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens and peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. The idea caught on immediately on social networks and the unaffiliated activists seized the idea and built an open-source organising site.
A few days later, a general assembly was held in New York City and 150 people showed up. These activists became the core organisers of the occupation. The mystique of Anonymous pushed the idea into the mainstream media with a video communiqué endorsing the action. This attracted 100,000 views resulting in a warning from the Department of Homeland Security addressed to the nation’s bankers about what was going on. But the ‘indignation’ was spreading in other cities. When, in August, the ‘indignados’ of Spain sent word that they would be holding a solidarity event in Madrid’s financial district, activists in Milan, Valencia, London, Lisbon, Athens, San Francisco, Madison, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Israel and beyond vowed to do the same.
There is thus a shared feeling on the streets around the world that the global economy is a ‘Ponzi scheme’ run by and for ‘Big Finance,’ meaning the billionaires who do not want to pay taxes. People everywhere are waking up to the realisation that there is something fundamentally wrong with a system in which speculative financial transactions add up, each day, to $1.3 trillion, which is 50 times more than the sum of all the production and commercial transactions. Meanwhile, according to a United Nations report, “in the 35 countries for which data exist, nearly 40 per cent of jobseekers have been without work for more than one year. A jobless Vietnam veteran protestor said the demonstration was “a worthy cause because people on Wall Street are blood-sucking warmongers”.
The indignation was an expression of a feeling among the protestors that the standard solutions to the economic crisis proposed by leading politicians and mainstream economists such as stimulus packages, budget cuts, debt management, low interest rates, neo-Keynesian propping up of ‘demand’ though increased consumption were all false approaches that would not work.
This is not just a concern of the Western unemployed youth, it is also increasingly becoming an issue among rural folk in Uganda in areas such as Buliisa where people’s lands are being grabbed by the oil speculators and Bugisu where the peasant farmers cooperators are determined to ‘walk naked’ to demand the restoration of their cooperative union. These rural folk have also decided to join hands with the New York and Madrid ‘indignados.’ This mood amongst the world’s poor is bound to reverberate for some time to come and who knows what is likely to come out of the protests - a World Revolution?
Source http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/ThoughtIdeas/-/689844/1245982/-/bms5nc/-/
Friday, July 22, 2011
The rebellion continues
Jeff Stone, the Riverside County supervisor who's become the latest to float a breakup of California, continues to press the idea --- creating a website complete with manifesto and even a Facebook page whose fans have already created the "South California" flag.
If you can judge from our recent online poll, the sentiment for a divorce remains very strong in the north state as well. Only one problem: Under Stone's plan, South California's secession --- which would carve off some of the more conservative-leaning parts of the state --- would leave our equally conservative region lumped with the even more liberal remainder.
Just to put it in perspective, voter registration in today's California is 44 percent Democratic, 31 percent Republican, which has given Democrats a complete lock on the state government.
Without the counties of "South California," it would skew even more strongly --- 48 percent Democratic and just 20 percent Republican.
For those many Shasta County conservatives who feel alienated from the state government and the values it embodies, this particular breakup plan would make things far, far worse.
Source http://blogs.redding.com/bross/archives/2011/07/the-rebellion-c.html
If you can judge from our recent online poll, the sentiment for a divorce remains very strong in the north state as well. Only one problem: Under Stone's plan, South California's secession --- which would carve off some of the more conservative-leaning parts of the state --- would leave our equally conservative region lumped with the even more liberal remainder.
Just to put it in perspective, voter registration in today's California is 44 percent Democratic, 31 percent Republican, which has given Democrats a complete lock on the state government.
Without the counties of "South California," it would skew even more strongly --- 48 percent Democratic and just 20 percent Republican.
For those many Shasta County conservatives who feel alienated from the state government and the values it embodies, this particular breakup plan would make things far, far worse.
Source http://blogs.redding.com/bross/archives/2011/07/the-rebellion-c.html
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