Click on the headline to link to a the Private Bradley Manning Petition website page.
Markin comment:
The Private Bradley Manning case is headed toward a late fall/early winter trial. Those of us who support his cause should redouble our efforts to secure his freedom. For the past several months there has been a weekly vigil in Greater Boston across from the Davis Square Redline MBTA stop (renamed Bradley Manning Square for the vigil’s duration) in Somerville from 1:00-2:00 PM on Fridays. This vigil has, to say the least, been very sparsely attended. We need to build it up with more supporters present. Please join us when you can. Or better yet if you can’t join us start a Support Bradley Manning weekly vigil in some location in your town whether it is in the Boston area or Berkeley. And please sign the petition for his release. I have placed links to the Manning Network and Manning Square website below.
Bradley Manning Support Network
http://www.bradleymanning.org/
Manning Square website
http://freemanz.com/2012/01/20/somerville_paper_photo-bradmanningsquare/bradleymanningsquare-2011_01_13/
The following are remarks that I have been focusing on of late to build support for Bradley Manning’s cause.
Veterans for Peace proudly stands in solidarity with, and defense of, Private Bradley Manning.
We of the anti-war movement were not able to do much to affect the Bush- Obama Iraq War timetable but we can save the one hero of that war, Bradley Manning.
I stand in solidarity with the alleged actions of Private Bradley Manning in bringing to light, just a little light, some of the nefarious war-related doings of this government, under Bush and Obama. If he did such acts they are no crime. No crime at all in my eyes or in the eyes of the vast majority of people who know of the case and of its importance as an individual act of resistance to the unjust and barbaric American-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I sleep just a shade bit easier these days knowing that Private Manning may have exposed what we all knew, or should have known- the Iraq war and the Afghan war justifications rested on a house of cards. American imperialism’s gun-toting house of cards, but cards nevertheless.
I am standing in solidarity with Private Bradley Manning because I am outraged by the treatment meted out to Private Manning, presumably an innocent man, by a government who alleges itself to be some “beacon” of the civilized world. Bradley Manning had been held in solidarity at Quantico and other locales for over 500 days, and has been held without trial for much longer, as the government and its military try to glue a case together. The military, and its henchmen in the Justice Department, have gotten more devious although not smarter since I was a soldier in their crosshairs over forty years ago.
These are more than sufficient reasons to stand in solidarity with Private Manning and will be until the day he is freed by his jailers. And I will continue to stand in proud solidarity with Private Manning until that great day.
Immediate Unconditional Withdrawal of All U.S./Allied Troops And Mercenaries From Afghanistan! Hands Off Iran! Free Bradley Manning Now!
************
"God knows what happens now. Hopefully worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms...
I want people to see the truth... because without information, you cannot make informed decisions as a public."
—online chat attributed to Army RFC Bradley Manning
Accused Wikileaks Whistleblower Bradley Manning,
a 23-year-old US Army intelligence analyst, is accused of sharing a video of the killing of civilians— including two Reuters journalists—by a US helicopter in Baghdad, Iraq with the Wikileaks website.
He is also charged with blowing the whistle on the Afghan War Diary, the Iraq War Logs, and revealing US diplomatic cables. In short, he's been charged with telling us the truth.
The video and documents have illuminated the true number and cause of civilian casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, human rights abuses by U.S.-funded contractors and foreign militaries, and the role that spying and brines play in international diplomacy.
Half of every edition of The New York Times has cited one or more of these documents during the past year. The leaks have caused Amnesty International to hail Wikileaks for catalyzing the democratic middle eastern revolutions and changing journalism forever.
What happens now is up to YOU!
Never before in U.S. history has someone been charged with "Aiding the enemy through indirect means" by making information public.
A massive; popular outpouring of support for Bradley Manning is needed to save his life.
We are at a turning point in our nation's history. Will we as a public demand greater transparency and accountability from pur elected leaders? Will we be governed by fear and secrecy? Will we accept endless war fought with our tax dollars? Or, will we demand the right to know the truth—the real foundation of democracy.
Here are some actions you should take now to support Bradley:
» Visitwww.standwithbrad.org to sign the petition. Then join our photo petition at iam.bradleymanning.org
» Join our facebook page, savebradley,
to receive campaign updates, and follow SaveBradley on twitter
» Visitwww.bradleymanning.org and
download our Organizer Toolkit to learn howyou can educate community members, gain media attention, and donate toward Bradley's defense.
The People Have the Right to Know...
Visit wvwv.braclleymaiiniiig.org to learn howyou can take action!
************
What did WikiLeaks reveal?
.
"In no case shall information be classified... in order to: conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency... or prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of the national security."
—Executive Order 13526, Sec. 7.7. Classification Prohibitions and Limitations
"Is this embarrassing? Yes. Is this awkward? Yes. Consequences for U.S. foreign policy? I think fairly modest."
—Robert Gates, Unites States Secretary of Defense
PFC Bradley Manning is a US Army intelligence specialist who is accused of releasing classified information to WikiLeaks, an organization that he allegedly understood would release portions of the information to news organizations and ultimately to the public.
Was the information that PFC Manning is accused of leaking classified for our protection and national security, as government officials contend? Or do the revelations provide the American public with information that we should have had access to in the first place? Just
what are these revelations? Below are some key facts that PFC Manning is accused of making public.
There is an official policy to ignore torture in Iraq.
The "Iraq War Logs" published by WikiLeaks revealed that thousands of reports of prisoner abuse and torture had been filed against the Iraqi Security Forces. Medical evidence detailed how prisoners had been whipped with heavy cables across the feet, hung from ceiling hooks, suffered holes being bored into their legs with electric drills, urinated upon, and sexually assaulted. These logs also revealed the existence of "Frago 242,"an order implemented in 2004 not to investigate allegations of abuse against the. Iraqi government This order is a direct violation of the UN Convention Against Torture, which was ratified by the United States in 1994. The Convention prohibits the Armed Forces from transferring a detainee to other countries "where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture." According to the State Department's own reports, the U.S. government was already aware that the Iraqi Security Forces engaged in torture (1).
U.S. officials were told to cover up evidence of child abuse by contractors in Afghanistan.
U.S. defense contractors were brought under much tighter supervision after leaked diplomatic cables revealed that they had been complicit in child trafficking activities. DynCorp — a powerful defense contracting firm that claims almost $2 billion per year in revenue from U.S. tax dollars — threw a party for Afghan security recruits featuring boys purchased from child traffickers for entertainment. DynCorp had already faced human trafficking charges before this incident took place. According to the cables, Afghan Interior minister HanifAtmar urged the assistant US ambassadorto"quash"the story.These revelations have been a driving factor behind recent calls for the removal of all U.S. defense contractors from Afghanistan (2).
Guantanamo prison has held mostly innocent people and low-level operatives.
The Guantanamo Files describe how detainees were arrested based on what the New York Times referred to as highly subjective evidence. For example, some poor farmers were captured after they were found wearing a common watch or a jacket that was the same as those also worn by Al Queda operatives. How quickly innocent prisoners were released was heavily dependent on their country of origin. Because the evidence collected against Guantanamo prisoners is not permissible in U.S. courts, the U.S. State Department has offered millions of dollars to other countries to take and try our prisoners. According to a U.S. diplomatic cable written on April 17, 2009, the Association for the Dignity of Spanish Prisoners requested that the National Court indict six former U.S. officials for creating a legal framework that allegedly permitted torture against five Spanish prisoners. However,"Senator Mel Martinez... met Acting FM [Foreign Minister] AngelLossada... on April 15. Martinez... -underscored that the prosecutions would not be understood or accepted in the U.S. and would have an enormous impact on the bilateral relationship"(3).
There is an official tally of civilian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Even though the Bush and Obama Administrations maintained publicly that there was no official count of civilian casualties, the Iraq and Afghanistan War Logs showed that this claim was false. Between 2004 and 2009, the U.S. government counted a total of 109,000 deaths in Iraq, with 66,081 classified as non-combatants. This means that for every Iraqi death that is classified as a combatant, two innocent men, women or children are also killed (4),
FOOTNOTES:
(1)Alex Spillius, "Wikileaks: Iraq War Logs show US ignored torture allega-
tions,"Telegraph, October 22,2010. http://www.telegrapti.co.uk/news/
woridnews/middleeast/iraq/8082223/WiMleab-lraq-War-Logs-show-US-
ignored-torture-allegations.html.
(2)foreign contractors hired Afghan 'dancing boys; WikiLeaks cable
reveals'guanJian.co.uk, December 2,2010, http://www.guardian.co.tik/
world/2010/dec/02/foreign-contractors-hired-dancing-boys
(3) Scott Shane and Benjamin Weiser.The Guatanamo Files: Judging Detainees'Risk, Often With Rawed Evidence'New York Times, April 24,2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/2S/world/guantanamo-files-flawed-evidence-for-assessing-risk.html;'US embassy cables: Don't pursue Guantanamo criminal case, says Spanish attorney general'guardian.co.uk, December 1,2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/202776.
(4) Iraq War Logs Reveal 15,000 Previously Unlisted Civilian Deaths,' guard-ian.co.uk, October 22,2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/won'd/2010/ oct/22/true-civilian-body-count-iraq
Thursday, June 21, 2012
From The "Guardian"-Hands Off Wikileak's Julian Assange- Free Bradley Manning
Click on the headline to link to a Guardianon-line article about Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange and his latest struggles.
Markin comment:
For the services that Julian Assange and Bradley Manning are alleged to have done for humankind in order to get at one simple truth- the emperor (or empress) has no clothes-they should be placed very high on the pantheon.
Hands off Julian Assange! Free Private Manning!
Markin comment:
For the services that Julian Assange and Bradley Manning are alleged to have done for humankind in order to get at one simple truth- the emperor (or empress) has no clothes-they should be placed very high on the pantheon.
Hands off Julian Assange! Free Private Manning!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
From The Archives Of The “American Left History” Blog-Morning in America, Morning Line, That Is
Markin comment:
One of the beautiful things about commentary on American bourgeois presidential electoral politics is that with a change of name here, maybe these days an added gender or two, maybe a longer list of contenders in one contest year than another, you can “cut and paste” from 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 ( I’m ready) and be right on point. The following piece from the archives is a case in point. But the real beauty, as stated in the entry, is that I don’t have to actually vote for any of them. That, as the commercial says, is priceless.
EXTRA, EXTRA-GET THE MORNING LINE ON THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Well, I have my sporting blood up this morning. Now that the ‘real’ political circus, blood on the floor and all, has heated up I have time to engage in a little speculation on the odds for the 2008 presidential election. Thus I can do a little ‘think’ piece here to while away the hours until January. One of the virtues of this exercise is that while I can win or lose money on various electoral propositions I do not have to actually vote for any of these people. There are, indeed, some very big benefits to being a workers party propagandist theses days.
There are now at least eight candidates on the Democratic side, only three of whom are taken seriously, and at least nine on the Republican side, again only three of whom are taken seriously, so that this early trying to handicap those races would be madness. What today’s morning line is about is which party- the Democratic or Republican- will win the presidency in 2008. Now even those like me who only hold their noses at bourgeois politics would be hard pressed to deny that the Democrats -after what will be eight years of George Bush- should be in the cat bird seat. As one Republican candidate is quoted as saying the Democrats have started to take measurements for new drapes in the White House. Let me make a few points, however, that should sober up even my liberal friends about the political realities today.
We all like to use the phrase about the unacknowledged elephant in the room to highlight some obvious problem that is better left unstated. In this case the Democrats have three-the continuing disproportionality caused by the anti-democratic Electoral College; the women and/or black question; and, the way the likely major issue of the 2008 campaign Iraq and national security may cut for the Democrats.
The rank inequity of the Electoral College system for deciding presidential elections may rank as about number 106 on a list of reasons that socialists would put together for why this bourgeois democratic system has to be replaced- but it is on the list. The aristocratically-derived Electoral College is probably the most blatantly anti-democratic aspect of the original frame of government. However, despite all the moaning and groaning in 2000 over the Bush thievery, no one to my knowledge has seriously put forth the idea of replacing it with a more democratic formula and a truer sense of proportionality in regard to the make-up of the Congress. In any case if one looks at the numbers that Republicans start with in the South and the interior West then, as has been the case in presidential politics for a while, this is already an uphill fight for the Democrats. Sure there may be some more blue in red states, etc. but the political reality is no matter how popular you are these are the real numbers. Just ask Al Gore.
Let us face it unless Al Gore makes some kind of last minute decision to entry the Democratic race this one is really about Hillary and Obama. That means the most likely Democratic candidate will either be a white woman or a black man. This is new at the presidential level. But let us face some very hard realities. In a time of perceived national security needs will a woman do? And while it is possible that hard core Democrats will find no problem with a woman as their lead candidate does that hold true for the electorate as a whole? Throw in the Hillary-haters and Clinton fatigue factors and there is a very big question about whether a woman can be elected in 2008. And whether that particular woman can get elected.
On the Obama factor let us not kid ourselves- this is a deeply racist country that is probably more segregated today that 40 or 50 years ago in the things that matter like schools and housing. Even having a white mother does not good here. Moreover, as far as politics go the questions of special black oppression like education, housing, jobs etc. that desperately need to be addressed have fallen off the political map. Watch for some very ugly general election campaigning by the Republicans if either Hillary or Obama is nominated.
You and I, dear reader, have had our fill of Iraq. We want the troops out now. However, the opinion polls that show this same desire to get out do not reflect a favored direction on the various strategies put forth for getting out. The Republicans will be hurt by the Iraq fiasco but unless Dick Cheney or Jeb Bush jumps in none of the contenders is personally responsible for the damn war. They can distance themselves adequately if they have a plan for withdrawal or some such thing. Richard Nixon was able to do so in 1968 and again in 1972 without actually having any plan at all for withdrawal from Vietnam-and won. So anything is possible. Moreover, the Democrats have been so wishy- washy of late in their responses to Bush’s strategy that people in general may not give them a break. So Iraq may not cut so favorably for the Democrats as they might think, especially in the heartland where many of the troops come from. Add the ringer of the economy upstaging the war as the central issue and all hell could break loose.
There you have it, dear reader. Today, despite what looked like a sure thing six months ago I would place the odds on a Democratic presidency at 7/5 in their favor. Any takers?
P.S. Same odd in 2012 –Markin –Get the dough up.
One of the beautiful things about commentary on American bourgeois presidential electoral politics is that with a change of name here, maybe these days an added gender or two, maybe a longer list of contenders in one contest year than another, you can “cut and paste” from 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 ( I’m ready) and be right on point. The following piece from the archives is a case in point. But the real beauty, as stated in the entry, is that I don’t have to actually vote for any of them. That, as the commercial says, is priceless.
EXTRA, EXTRA-GET THE MORNING LINE ON THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Well, I have my sporting blood up this morning. Now that the ‘real’ political circus, blood on the floor and all, has heated up I have time to engage in a little speculation on the odds for the 2008 presidential election. Thus I can do a little ‘think’ piece here to while away the hours until January. One of the virtues of this exercise is that while I can win or lose money on various electoral propositions I do not have to actually vote for any of these people. There are, indeed, some very big benefits to being a workers party propagandist theses days.
There are now at least eight candidates on the Democratic side, only three of whom are taken seriously, and at least nine on the Republican side, again only three of whom are taken seriously, so that this early trying to handicap those races would be madness. What today’s morning line is about is which party- the Democratic or Republican- will win the presidency in 2008. Now even those like me who only hold their noses at bourgeois politics would be hard pressed to deny that the Democrats -after what will be eight years of George Bush- should be in the cat bird seat. As one Republican candidate is quoted as saying the Democrats have started to take measurements for new drapes in the White House. Let me make a few points, however, that should sober up even my liberal friends about the political realities today.
We all like to use the phrase about the unacknowledged elephant in the room to highlight some obvious problem that is better left unstated. In this case the Democrats have three-the continuing disproportionality caused by the anti-democratic Electoral College; the women and/or black question; and, the way the likely major issue of the 2008 campaign Iraq and national security may cut for the Democrats.
The rank inequity of the Electoral College system for deciding presidential elections may rank as about number 106 on a list of reasons that socialists would put together for why this bourgeois democratic system has to be replaced- but it is on the list. The aristocratically-derived Electoral College is probably the most blatantly anti-democratic aspect of the original frame of government. However, despite all the moaning and groaning in 2000 over the Bush thievery, no one to my knowledge has seriously put forth the idea of replacing it with a more democratic formula and a truer sense of proportionality in regard to the make-up of the Congress. In any case if one looks at the numbers that Republicans start with in the South and the interior West then, as has been the case in presidential politics for a while, this is already an uphill fight for the Democrats. Sure there may be some more blue in red states, etc. but the political reality is no matter how popular you are these are the real numbers. Just ask Al Gore.
Let us face it unless Al Gore makes some kind of last minute decision to entry the Democratic race this one is really about Hillary and Obama. That means the most likely Democratic candidate will either be a white woman or a black man. This is new at the presidential level. But let us face some very hard realities. In a time of perceived national security needs will a woman do? And while it is possible that hard core Democrats will find no problem with a woman as their lead candidate does that hold true for the electorate as a whole? Throw in the Hillary-haters and Clinton fatigue factors and there is a very big question about whether a woman can be elected in 2008. And whether that particular woman can get elected.
On the Obama factor let us not kid ourselves- this is a deeply racist country that is probably more segregated today that 40 or 50 years ago in the things that matter like schools and housing. Even having a white mother does not good here. Moreover, as far as politics go the questions of special black oppression like education, housing, jobs etc. that desperately need to be addressed have fallen off the political map. Watch for some very ugly general election campaigning by the Republicans if either Hillary or Obama is nominated.
You and I, dear reader, have had our fill of Iraq. We want the troops out now. However, the opinion polls that show this same desire to get out do not reflect a favored direction on the various strategies put forth for getting out. The Republicans will be hurt by the Iraq fiasco but unless Dick Cheney or Jeb Bush jumps in none of the contenders is personally responsible for the damn war. They can distance themselves adequately if they have a plan for withdrawal or some such thing. Richard Nixon was able to do so in 1968 and again in 1972 without actually having any plan at all for withdrawal from Vietnam-and won. So anything is possible. Moreover, the Democrats have been so wishy- washy of late in their responses to Bush’s strategy that people in general may not give them a break. So Iraq may not cut so favorably for the Democrats as they might think, especially in the heartland where many of the troops come from. Add the ringer of the economy upstaging the war as the central issue and all hell could break loose.
There you have it, dear reader. Today, despite what looked like a sure thing six months ago I would place the odds on a Democratic presidency at 7/5 in their favor. Any takers?
P.S. Same odd in 2012 –Markin –Get the dough up.
Out In The Be-Bop 1960s Night- Songs To Sit At The Soda Fountain By- A CD Review
Click on the headline to link to a YouTube film clip of The Angels performing Cry Baby Cry.
Every “teenage nation” generation since they started to place teenage-hood as a distinct phase of life between childhood and young adulthood over a century ago has developed its own tribal rituals and institutions. Today’s teens seem to have cornered food courts at the mall, video arcades, and the ubiquitous Internet screen text mad connections through various look-at techno-gadgets although, frankly, I am not fully current on all their mores, customs and tribal language. No way. Old geezers form a line to the rear, way in the rear.
What I am familiar with, very familiar with, is the teen institutions of my generation, the generation of ’68, that came of teen age in the early 1960s. Our places of rendezvous were the corners in front of mom and pop variety stores in the days before franchise 7/11 came to dominate the quick stop one item shopping market; the ever present pizza parlor with its jump jukebox where we deposited more than a few nickels, dimes and quarters; for some of the dweebs (or if you wanted to get away with a “cheap” date, but only as a last resort ) the bowling alley; the open air drive-in restaurants complete with car hops for more “expensive” dates; and, for serious business, meaning serious girl and boy watching, the soda fountain. And not, in my case, just any soda fountain but the soda fountain at the local individually- owned drug store , Doc’s (no CVS, Osco madness with quick pitch in and out), that used the fountain to draw people (read, kids: what would we need prescription drugs for, those are for old people, we were invincible) into the store.
That last scene is what will drive this sketch, and for a simple reason. My mind just now has an illustration before it of just such a classic soda fountain, complete with whimsical teen-age frills (read girls, if you are not from my old working class neighborhood) all sipping their straws out of one, can you believe it, one paper cup while a faux beat -type looks on. Ah, be still my heart.
Needless to say this scene, complete with its own jukebox setup (although not every drug store had them, ours didn’t), the booths with the red vinyl-covered seats and Formica top tables (with paper place settings, condiments, etc., right), the soda fountain granite (maybe faux granite) counter, complete with swivel around stools that gave the odd boy or two (read: me and my boys) a better vantage point to watch the traffic come in the store (read: girls). Said counter also complete with glassed-encased pie (or donut) cases; the various utensils for making frappes (that a New England thing, look it up on “Wikipedia”), milkshakes, and cherry-flavored Cokes; a small grille for hamburgers, hot dogs and fries (or the odd boy grilled cheese sandwich with bacon); and, well a soda jerk (usually a guy) to whip up the orders. Oh, did I say girl and boy watching? Ya, I did. Still, what do you think we were all there for? The ice cream and soda? Come on. Does it really take an hour or an hour and a half to drink a Pepsi even in slo-mo 1960s (or now) teen-land?
Enough said about the décor because the mere mention of the term “soda jerk” brings to mind a Frankie, Frankie from the old neighborhood story, Frankie of a thousand stories and Frankie who was the king hill skirt-chaser (read: girl), and my best friend in middle school (a.k.a. junior high) and high school. Ya, that Frankie, or rather this time Frankie’s sister. Now when we were juniors in high school we mainly held court at the local pizza parlor which in the pecking order was way above the soda fountain. That was for kids, unless, of course, things were tough at the pizza joint (meaning girl-free) and we meandered up the street to Doc’s drug store soda fountain to check out the action there.
Of course, before we graduated to the “bigs” the old soda fountain was just fine. And it did no harm, no harm at all, to strike up friendships , or at least stay on the good side of the soda jerks so you could get an extra scoop of ice cream or a free refill on your Coke. Whatever. See, the soda jerk was usually the guy (and like I said before it was always guys, girls would probably be too distracted by every high energy teen guy, including dweeb-types, trying to be “cool”). But the thing is that the soda jerk also had some cache with the girls, I guess it must have been the uniform. Wow! Personally I wouldn’t have been caught dead wit that flap- cap they wore.
So one night we were dried up (read: no girls) at the pizza parlor and decided, as usual, to meander up the street to Doc’s. We had heard earlier in the day that Doc had a new jerk on and we wanted to check him out anyway. As we entered who do we see but Frankie’s sister, Lorrie, Frankie’s fourteen year old sister, talking up a storm all dewy-eyed over this new jerk, who must have been about eighteen. And this “cradle-robber” had his arm around, or kind of around, Lorrie. Old Frankie saw red, no double red, if not more.
See, Frankie was a guy who had more girls lined up that he could ever meet and be able to keep himself in one piece, although he has only one serious frail (read: girl again okay) that kept his interest over time (Joanne that I told you about before). So Frankie was no stranger to the old male double standard of the age, especially in regard to his sister. Not that he was really protective of her as much as he was insulted (so he told me later) by some new “jerk” trying to make moves to become king of the hill by “courting” Frankie’s sister.
And Frankie, old wiry, slender, quick-fisted Frankie was tough. Tougher than he looked. So naturally new boy “jerk” takes umbrage (nice word, right?) when Frankie starts to move “sis” away with him. Well the long and short of it was that Frankie and “jerk” started to beef a little but it is all over quickly and here is why. Frankie took an ice cream cone, a triple scoop, triple-flavored ice cream cone no less, that was sitting in a cup in front of a young girl customer ( a cute girl who I wound up checking out seriously later) and bopped, no be-bopped, no be-bop bopped one soda jerk, new or not, with it. Now if you have ever seen an eighteen year old guy, in uniform, with hat on, I don’t care if it is only a soda jerk’s uniform wearing about three kinds of ice cream on that uniform you know, you have to know that this guy’s persona non grata with the girls and “cool” guys in town forevermore.
Or so you would think. Frankie went out of town for a few days to do something on family business after this incident and one night near the edge of town as I was walking with that young girl customer whose ice cream Frankie scooped (I bought her another one, thank god I had a little cash on me, and that is why I was walking with her just then, thank you) when I saw one Lorrie sitting, sitting like the Queen of Sheba, in Mr. Soda Jerk’s 1959 boss cherry red Chevy listening to Cry Baby Cry by The Angels as “mood” music on the background car radio that I could faintly hear. Just don’t tell Frankie, okay.
Every “teenage nation” generation since they started to place teenage-hood as a distinct phase of life between childhood and young adulthood over a century ago has developed its own tribal rituals and institutions. Today’s teens seem to have cornered food courts at the mall, video arcades, and the ubiquitous Internet screen text mad connections through various look-at techno-gadgets although, frankly, I am not fully current on all their mores, customs and tribal language. No way. Old geezers form a line to the rear, way in the rear.
What I am familiar with, very familiar with, is the teen institutions of my generation, the generation of ’68, that came of teen age in the early 1960s. Our places of rendezvous were the corners in front of mom and pop variety stores in the days before franchise 7/11 came to dominate the quick stop one item shopping market; the ever present pizza parlor with its jump jukebox where we deposited more than a few nickels, dimes and quarters; for some of the dweebs (or if you wanted to get away with a “cheap” date, but only as a last resort ) the bowling alley; the open air drive-in restaurants complete with car hops for more “expensive” dates; and, for serious business, meaning serious girl and boy watching, the soda fountain. And not, in my case, just any soda fountain but the soda fountain at the local individually- owned drug store , Doc’s (no CVS, Osco madness with quick pitch in and out), that used the fountain to draw people (read, kids: what would we need prescription drugs for, those are for old people, we were invincible) into the store.
That last scene is what will drive this sketch, and for a simple reason. My mind just now has an illustration before it of just such a classic soda fountain, complete with whimsical teen-age frills (read girls, if you are not from my old working class neighborhood) all sipping their straws out of one, can you believe it, one paper cup while a faux beat -type looks on. Ah, be still my heart.
Needless to say this scene, complete with its own jukebox setup (although not every drug store had them, ours didn’t), the booths with the red vinyl-covered seats and Formica top tables (with paper place settings, condiments, etc., right), the soda fountain granite (maybe faux granite) counter, complete with swivel around stools that gave the odd boy or two (read: me and my boys) a better vantage point to watch the traffic come in the store (read: girls). Said counter also complete with glassed-encased pie (or donut) cases; the various utensils for making frappes (that a New England thing, look it up on “Wikipedia”), milkshakes, and cherry-flavored Cokes; a small grille for hamburgers, hot dogs and fries (or the odd boy grilled cheese sandwich with bacon); and, well a soda jerk (usually a guy) to whip up the orders. Oh, did I say girl and boy watching? Ya, I did. Still, what do you think we were all there for? The ice cream and soda? Come on. Does it really take an hour or an hour and a half to drink a Pepsi even in slo-mo 1960s (or now) teen-land?
Enough said about the décor because the mere mention of the term “soda jerk” brings to mind a Frankie, Frankie from the old neighborhood story, Frankie of a thousand stories and Frankie who was the king hill skirt-chaser (read: girl), and my best friend in middle school (a.k.a. junior high) and high school. Ya, that Frankie, or rather this time Frankie’s sister. Now when we were juniors in high school we mainly held court at the local pizza parlor which in the pecking order was way above the soda fountain. That was for kids, unless, of course, things were tough at the pizza joint (meaning girl-free) and we meandered up the street to Doc’s drug store soda fountain to check out the action there.
Of course, before we graduated to the “bigs” the old soda fountain was just fine. And it did no harm, no harm at all, to strike up friendships , or at least stay on the good side of the soda jerks so you could get an extra scoop of ice cream or a free refill on your Coke. Whatever. See, the soda jerk was usually the guy (and like I said before it was always guys, girls would probably be too distracted by every high energy teen guy, including dweeb-types, trying to be “cool”). But the thing is that the soda jerk also had some cache with the girls, I guess it must have been the uniform. Wow! Personally I wouldn’t have been caught dead wit that flap- cap they wore.
So one night we were dried up (read: no girls) at the pizza parlor and decided, as usual, to meander up the street to Doc’s. We had heard earlier in the day that Doc had a new jerk on and we wanted to check him out anyway. As we entered who do we see but Frankie’s sister, Lorrie, Frankie’s fourteen year old sister, talking up a storm all dewy-eyed over this new jerk, who must have been about eighteen. And this “cradle-robber” had his arm around, or kind of around, Lorrie. Old Frankie saw red, no double red, if not more.
See, Frankie was a guy who had more girls lined up that he could ever meet and be able to keep himself in one piece, although he has only one serious frail (read: girl again okay) that kept his interest over time (Joanne that I told you about before). So Frankie was no stranger to the old male double standard of the age, especially in regard to his sister. Not that he was really protective of her as much as he was insulted (so he told me later) by some new “jerk” trying to make moves to become king of the hill by “courting” Frankie’s sister.
And Frankie, old wiry, slender, quick-fisted Frankie was tough. Tougher than he looked. So naturally new boy “jerk” takes umbrage (nice word, right?) when Frankie starts to move “sis” away with him. Well the long and short of it was that Frankie and “jerk” started to beef a little but it is all over quickly and here is why. Frankie took an ice cream cone, a triple scoop, triple-flavored ice cream cone no less, that was sitting in a cup in front of a young girl customer ( a cute girl who I wound up checking out seriously later) and bopped, no be-bopped, no be-bop bopped one soda jerk, new or not, with it. Now if you have ever seen an eighteen year old guy, in uniform, with hat on, I don’t care if it is only a soda jerk’s uniform wearing about three kinds of ice cream on that uniform you know, you have to know that this guy’s persona non grata with the girls and “cool” guys in town forevermore.
Or so you would think. Frankie went out of town for a few days to do something on family business after this incident and one night near the edge of town as I was walking with that young girl customer whose ice cream Frankie scooped (I bought her another one, thank god I had a little cash on me, and that is why I was walking with her just then, thank you) when I saw one Lorrie sitting, sitting like the Queen of Sheba, in Mr. Soda Jerk’s 1959 boss cherry red Chevy listening to Cry Baby Cry by The Angels as “mood” music on the background car radio that I could faintly hear. Just don’t tell Frankie, okay.
From The Pen Of Joshua Lawrence Breslin- Singing The Cole Porter Blues-“The Very Thought Of You”
Click on the headline to link to a YouTube film clip of the late legendary singer Etta James performing this Cole Porter classic, The Very Thought Of You.
Torch Songs, various artists, 2 CD set, Capitol Records, 2004
Some days are just Cole Porter days. No not a “Love for Sale” day kind of saucy and salacious, portending of adventures or dreams of adventures, like he could do with a two-termed turn of phrase, No today, well actually since today’s brood has turned in night, tonight is a low-down blues day. So, like I have done on more occasions than I care to confess to, I headed off to Jack’s Jazz Joint over in the Camelot House across the street from Hoby’s in Harvard Square. (Harvard Square for the three people in the world who are geographically-disadvantaged is in blues-etched Cambridge which is in Massachusetts. None of that information enters into the story, not at all, but with the blues you could be in Timbuktu for all the locale mattered). Jack’s, my favorite shucking the blues watering spot. Ya, good old Jack’s.
Okay, you have probably figured it out by now anyway. All day (and night) blues, a tumble down smoky jazz- joint filled with more torch singer blues memories than one could shake a stick at, and some booze can only mean one thing- a dame (oops, Cambridge, woman). It also takes no rocket science either to figure out it was my very own Joyell, companion of a thousand love battles, big and small, and of nine hundred and ninety-nine armed truces that has me blue, blue all over… And that is the problem- the watering hole to be solved problem. This latest battle is without a current truce and it has been a week now.
Naturally, for the first day or so, it was all good-bye and good riddance but the past six days well, they have been hard. And that is also where the problem lies. Neither of us has had a good track record on giving in, letting bygones be by gone, and move on. In short everything takes on the character of a civil war and just now I am like the Confederates in early 1865- on my last legs.
And the dispute, the substance of the dispute? Who knows? Do you love me more than the whole wide world? Why don’t you get a better job? Why were you practically drooling over Lorraine at that party last night? Why didn’t you put the laundry away? Jesus, who knows at this point, although a week probably has eliminated the laundry battle as the reason for the fight.
Ah, there’s Jack’s. I wonder who is on the floor tonight. The sign said Rita Radley, a torch singer. Don’t know the name but Jacks’ is a showcase for lots of up and coming talent. Hope she can sing these blues away. As I took my seat (my usual seat when these love battles run their course) at the bar in front of Tommy’s station and ordered my first whiskey neat (I stopped throwing in a beer chaser when I started making enough dough to drink good whiskey, good enough not to be need a chaser and get a better buzz too.) I notice that Rita (recognized from the photo out front) was getting ready to hold forth.
Now this Rita was nothing but a frail (oops, again Cambridge, gal), a thin gal but with a shape, wearing an evening gown that had guys, including me, thinking about this and that and that line to work on her, and with that tussle of Irish red hair that I knew from primordial times meant Irish (and eight million tussles, novena beads and catechism tussles, for some slight lip kiss and slapped cop feel, jesus never again). I’ve had enough Irish redheads to last a lifetime (Joyell is brunette, my hair color of choice the past few times out, except that slight pass at blonde Lorraine of some battle past). But I also know, eight hundred years of English tyranny know, Easter 1916 know, struggle in the north now know, that some of these , ah, gals can sing the blues with the best of the black singers of the past like blessed Billie (Holiday), like blessed Dinah (Washington), like blessed Nina (Simone).
And as Rita gives her intro and starts up on her first song I know that eight hundred years, that 1916, that struggle in the north now sorrow drives her voice, drives her voice to that place where those aforementioned black singers live. That life’s sorrow place. For that one moment I am at peace, at peace with myself. And the next minute, after she is done, I call out to the bar-tender, “Tommy, one more here and one for the torch.” She gives me a smile, a professional kudos smile, and moves on to her next song. That next song, “The Very Thought Of You," really brings down the house, shades of Billie, shades of Etta James. But also shades of Joyell when she tears into “the mere idea of you” line of the song. And so, respectfully waiting until she finished her number, I head to the telephone out in the lobby. Thanks, Rita.
Torch Songs, various artists, 2 CD set, Capitol Records, 2004
Some days are just Cole Porter days. No not a “Love for Sale” day kind of saucy and salacious, portending of adventures or dreams of adventures, like he could do with a two-termed turn of phrase, No today, well actually since today’s brood has turned in night, tonight is a low-down blues day. So, like I have done on more occasions than I care to confess to, I headed off to Jack’s Jazz Joint over in the Camelot House across the street from Hoby’s in Harvard Square. (Harvard Square for the three people in the world who are geographically-disadvantaged is in blues-etched Cambridge which is in Massachusetts. None of that information enters into the story, not at all, but with the blues you could be in Timbuktu for all the locale mattered). Jack’s, my favorite shucking the blues watering spot. Ya, good old Jack’s.
Okay, you have probably figured it out by now anyway. All day (and night) blues, a tumble down smoky jazz- joint filled with more torch singer blues memories than one could shake a stick at, and some booze can only mean one thing- a dame (oops, Cambridge, woman). It also takes no rocket science either to figure out it was my very own Joyell, companion of a thousand love battles, big and small, and of nine hundred and ninety-nine armed truces that has me blue, blue all over… And that is the problem- the watering hole to be solved problem. This latest battle is without a current truce and it has been a week now.
Naturally, for the first day or so, it was all good-bye and good riddance but the past six days well, they have been hard. And that is also where the problem lies. Neither of us has had a good track record on giving in, letting bygones be by gone, and move on. In short everything takes on the character of a civil war and just now I am like the Confederates in early 1865- on my last legs.
And the dispute, the substance of the dispute? Who knows? Do you love me more than the whole wide world? Why don’t you get a better job? Why were you practically drooling over Lorraine at that party last night? Why didn’t you put the laundry away? Jesus, who knows at this point, although a week probably has eliminated the laundry battle as the reason for the fight.
Ah, there’s Jack’s. I wonder who is on the floor tonight. The sign said Rita Radley, a torch singer. Don’t know the name but Jacks’ is a showcase for lots of up and coming talent. Hope she can sing these blues away. As I took my seat (my usual seat when these love battles run their course) at the bar in front of Tommy’s station and ordered my first whiskey neat (I stopped throwing in a beer chaser when I started making enough dough to drink good whiskey, good enough not to be need a chaser and get a better buzz too.) I notice that Rita (recognized from the photo out front) was getting ready to hold forth.
Now this Rita was nothing but a frail (oops, again Cambridge, gal), a thin gal but with a shape, wearing an evening gown that had guys, including me, thinking about this and that and that line to work on her, and with that tussle of Irish red hair that I knew from primordial times meant Irish (and eight million tussles, novena beads and catechism tussles, for some slight lip kiss and slapped cop feel, jesus never again). I’ve had enough Irish redheads to last a lifetime (Joyell is brunette, my hair color of choice the past few times out, except that slight pass at blonde Lorraine of some battle past). But I also know, eight hundred years of English tyranny know, Easter 1916 know, struggle in the north now know, that some of these , ah, gals can sing the blues with the best of the black singers of the past like blessed Billie (Holiday), like blessed Dinah (Washington), like blessed Nina (Simone).
And as Rita gives her intro and starts up on her first song I know that eight hundred years, that 1916, that struggle in the north now sorrow drives her voice, drives her voice to that place where those aforementioned black singers live. That life’s sorrow place. For that one moment I am at peace, at peace with myself. And the next minute, after she is done, I call out to the bar-tender, “Tommy, one more here and one for the torch.” She gives me a smile, a professional kudos smile, and moves on to her next song. That next song, “The Very Thought Of You," really brings down the house, shades of Billie, shades of Etta James. But also shades of Joyell when she tears into “the mere idea of you” line of the song. And so, respectfully waiting until she finished her number, I head to the telephone out in the lobby. Thanks, Rita.
Stop The Boston MBTA Fare Hikes-They Say "Fare Hike" We Say FARE STRIKE! -JULY 1ST, 2012
FARE STRIKE!
The object of a fare strike is to convince the MBTA that they are going to lose more money because of the fare strike than they are going to gain by raising the fare or cutting service. This is entirely possible if enough people participate.
The only way the MBTA will respond to our needs is if we can put real pressure on them—if we can disrupt business as usual. We have the power to do this. One third of MBTA's budget comes from fares. They depend on us as riders to pay fares, and as workers to collect fares. When riders refuse to pay, and workers refuse to; collect, that will really hit them where it hurts.
We can get where we need to go, have a free ride, and 'put pressure on them at the same time. If this happened on a large scale, they would move quickly to reverse the fare hikes.
Get on the bus anyway you can. Go in the front door or the back door, whatever feels right to you. Don't cause a scene. Just don't pay. Or, start a conversation with the driver and your fellow riders, and together decide to participate in the strike.
Whatever you do, be polite to the driver. They are not the enemy. They have a very difficult and stressful job. Fare hikes, service cuts, and layoffs make their job more difficult. Many, if not most, of the drivers are sympathetic to our efforts.
TOGETHER, RIDERS AND DRIVERS UNITED, WE CAN WIN!
How do we build a fare strike? Get in touch!
BOSTON FARE STRIKE
What is Boston Fare Strike? We're a coalition of Boston-area organizations and individuals that came together this Spring to meet the July 1st fare hikes with a fare strike. We see this action as a first step in a long-term struggle to not only defend our public transit, but to improve and expand it to better serve the people of Boston and the surrounding environment.
Join the struggle!
Email: BostonFareStrike@rilhip.net
Website: bostonfarestrike.tumblr.com
Find us on Facebook
Read more about the MBTA hikes here: http://
mbta.com/about the mbta/?id=23567
No Fare Hikes!
No Service
No Layoffs!
They Say "Fare Hike" We Say FARE STRIKE! -JULY 1ST, 2012-
*****************
FARE HIKE?
On July 1st, the MBTA will raise fares 23%. That means your bus trip will go from $1.25 to $1.50, your subway fare from $1.70 to $2.00, and Bus-Subway combo monthly passes from $59 to $70. This increase is not to fund better service, cleaner facilities, more seating, or even more jobs. It's to knock $33 million off of the MBTA's $185 million debt.
MBTA's debt is from years of mismanagement, bad decisions by the politicians, and a recession caused by big banks. But the MBTA is asking us who have the least to spare-working people, students, immigrants, unemployed, and other members of the working class—to reach deeper into our pockets.
This is just the beginning. While "The T's yearly operating budget is millions of dollars in the red," according to NECN's Eileen Curran, "the long-term debt is in the billions." That means that
July's hikes are only a glimpse of what we can expect down the road. MBTA employees, who escaped this round of cuts mostly unscathed, will likely face major layoffs and benefits cuts next year in addition to future fare hikes. Public transportation should be defended and *expanded* to create jobs, help working people, and benefit the environment. How can the people of Boston stop these cuts and defend our transit system and our jobs in the long term? We must build power and strength together. Riders and workers must band together to launch a fare strike on July 1st!
Dublin in 2003 the bus drivers union called a fare tree as part of an ongoing fight against privatization on the city's bus system.
In 1998, a fare strike in LA organized by the LA Bus Riders Unions not only stopped a fare strike, but pressured LA into buying more buses to reduce crowding.
In some French cities, organized rare evasion became so common, it was more expensive to pay the police to watch all the metros and buses than to just make transport free which is what then happened in a number of cities*
In Italy, fare strike widespread and sucessfully stopped fare increases all over the country.
1993: in San Francisco a fare evasion campaign pressured the city to bring
back transfers which they did.
This Spring, Occupy Wall Street and TWU in New York chained exit doors open during rush hour, giving thousands of commuters a free ride.
In Greece, transportation hikes were stopped through a massive non-payment of fares while uniting with demands of transit workers.
There are successful, ongoing fare evasion campaigns in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Helsinki
The object of a fare strike is to convince the MBTA that they are going to lose more money because of the fare strike than they are going to gain by raising the fare or cutting service. This is entirely possible if enough people participate.
The only way the MBTA will respond to our needs is if we can put real pressure on them—if we can disrupt business as usual. We have the power to do this. One third of MBTA's budget comes from fares. They depend on us as riders to pay fares, and as workers to collect fares. When riders refuse to pay, and workers refuse to; collect, that will really hit them where it hurts.
We can get where we need to go, have a free ride, and 'put pressure on them at the same time. If this happened on a large scale, they would move quickly to reverse the fare hikes.
Get on the bus anyway you can. Go in the front door or the back door, whatever feels right to you. Don't cause a scene. Just don't pay. Or, start a conversation with the driver and your fellow riders, and together decide to participate in the strike.
Whatever you do, be polite to the driver. They are not the enemy. They have a very difficult and stressful job. Fare hikes, service cuts, and layoffs make their job more difficult. Many, if not most, of the drivers are sympathetic to our efforts.
TOGETHER, RIDERS AND DRIVERS UNITED, WE CAN WIN!
How do we build a fare strike? Get in touch!
BOSTON FARE STRIKE
What is Boston Fare Strike? We're a coalition of Boston-area organizations and individuals that came together this Spring to meet the July 1st fare hikes with a fare strike. We see this action as a first step in a long-term struggle to not only defend our public transit, but to improve and expand it to better serve the people of Boston and the surrounding environment.
Join the struggle!
Email: BostonFareStrike@rilhip.net
Website: bostonfarestrike.tumblr.com
Find us on Facebook
Read more about the MBTA hikes here: http://
mbta.com/about the mbta/?id=23567
No Fare Hikes!
No Service
No Layoffs!
They Say "Fare Hike" We Say FARE STRIKE! -JULY 1ST, 2012-
*****************
FARE HIKE?
On July 1st, the MBTA will raise fares 23%. That means your bus trip will go from $1.25 to $1.50, your subway fare from $1.70 to $2.00, and Bus-Subway combo monthly passes from $59 to $70. This increase is not to fund better service, cleaner facilities, more seating, or even more jobs. It's to knock $33 million off of the MBTA's $185 million debt.
MBTA's debt is from years of mismanagement, bad decisions by the politicians, and a recession caused by big banks. But the MBTA is asking us who have the least to spare-working people, students, immigrants, unemployed, and other members of the working class—to reach deeper into our pockets.
This is just the beginning. While "The T's yearly operating budget is millions of dollars in the red," according to NECN's Eileen Curran, "the long-term debt is in the billions." That means that
July's hikes are only a glimpse of what we can expect down the road. MBTA employees, who escaped this round of cuts mostly unscathed, will likely face major layoffs and benefits cuts next year in addition to future fare hikes. Public transportation should be defended and *expanded* to create jobs, help working people, and benefit the environment. How can the people of Boston stop these cuts and defend our transit system and our jobs in the long term? We must build power and strength together. Riders and workers must band together to launch a fare strike on July 1st!
Dublin in 2003 the bus drivers union called a fare tree as part of an ongoing fight against privatization on the city's bus system.
In 1998, a fare strike in LA organized by the LA Bus Riders Unions not only stopped a fare strike, but pressured LA into buying more buses to reduce crowding.
In some French cities, organized rare evasion became so common, it was more expensive to pay the police to watch all the metros and buses than to just make transport free which is what then happened in a number of cities*
In Italy, fare strike widespread and sucessfully stopped fare increases all over the country.
1993: in San Francisco a fare evasion campaign pressured the city to bring
back transfers which they did.
This Spring, Occupy Wall Street and TWU in New York chained exit doors open during rush hour, giving thousands of commuters a free ride.
In Greece, transportation hikes were stopped through a massive non-payment of fares while uniting with demands of transit workers.
There are successful, ongoing fare evasion campaigns in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Helsinki
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By-From The Janitors For Justice Struggle
In this series, presented under the headline “Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By”, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
**********
Gritos/Chant Sheet
Grito/Chant #1
Capitol escucha Estamos en la lucha
Grito/Chant #2
De norte a sur De este a oeste Ganaremos esta lucha Cueste lo que cueste
Grito/Chant #3
El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido
Grito/Chant #4
Esta lucha no se para
Ni con nieve! Ni con agua!
Grito/Chant #5
No pare Sigue Sigue
Grito/Chant #6
Que queremos? Justicia!!! Cuando? Ahora!!!
Grito/Chant #7
Estamos aquf en la calle porque
se puede
Si Se Puede
Marchando por la justicia porque
se puede
Si Se Puede
Exigiendo nuestros derechos
porque se puede
Si Se Puede
Grito/Chant #8
Arriba la Uni6n Aba jo la explotacion
Grito/Chant #9
Miren Escuchen Venga lo que venga Si aqui no hay justicia Aqui va haber candela
Grito/Chant #10
Se Puede? Si Se Puede!!!
Grito/Chaht #11
mira oye qve se mueve soinos el 9(>!!!
EngHsh/lngles
Grito/Chant #12
Hey people i
What
I got a story
What
I'll tell the whole wide world this is union territory
Grito/Chant #13
What disgusting Union Bustin Whats outrageous Poverty Wages
Grito/Chant #14
The people united
will never be defeated!!!
Grito/Chant #15
What do we want?
Justice!!!
When do we want it now?
NOW!!!
Grito/Chant #16
Move Capitol get out the way get out the way move get out the way
Grito/Chant #17
who's street our street!!
Grito/Chant #18
Were fired up
We cant take it no more
Grito/Chant #19
We are the 99% We are the 99%
**********
Gritos/Chant Sheet
Grito/Chant #1
Capitol escucha Estamos en la lucha
Grito/Chant #2
De norte a sur De este a oeste Ganaremos esta lucha Cueste lo que cueste
Grito/Chant #3
El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido
Grito/Chant #4
Esta lucha no se para
Ni con nieve! Ni con agua!
Grito/Chant #5
No pare Sigue Sigue
Grito/Chant #6
Que queremos? Justicia!!! Cuando? Ahora!!!
Grito/Chant #7
Estamos aquf en la calle porque
se puede
Si Se Puede
Marchando por la justicia porque
se puede
Si Se Puede
Exigiendo nuestros derechos
porque se puede
Si Se Puede
Grito/Chant #8
Arriba la Uni6n Aba jo la explotacion
Grito/Chant #9
Miren Escuchen Venga lo que venga Si aqui no hay justicia Aqui va haber candela
Grito/Chant #10
Se Puede? Si Se Puede!!!
Grito/Chaht #11
mira oye qve se mueve soinos el 9(>!!!
EngHsh/lngles
Grito/Chant #12
Hey people i
What
I got a story
What
I'll tell the whole wide world this is union territory
Grito/Chant #13
What disgusting Union Bustin Whats outrageous Poverty Wages
Grito/Chant #14
The people united
will never be defeated!!!
Grito/Chant #15
What do we want?
Justice!!!
When do we want it now?
NOW!!!
Grito/Chant #16
Move Capitol get out the way get out the way move get out the way
Grito/Chant #17
who's street our street!!
Grito/Chant #18
Were fired up
We cant take it no more
Grito/Chant #19
We are the 99% We are the 99%
Our Call To Action:UniteWomen.org
Markin comment:
I place some material in this space which may be of interest to the radical public that I do not necessarily agree with or support. Off hand, as I have mentioned before, I think it would be easier, infinitely easier, to fight for the socialist revolution straight up than some of the “remedies” provided by the commentators in these entries. But part of that struggle for the socialist revolution is to sort out the “real” stuff from the fluff as we struggle for that more just world that animates our efforts.
*************
Our Future, Your Future
UniteWomen.org
Our Call To Action:
Voter Education: We will continue to highlight legislative proposals for or against women's rights in all states and nationally. We will track individual lawmaker's voting record on women's rights issues.
Voter Registration Efforts: We will work with communities to register and mobilize the 46 million women who are not currently registered to vote.
Voter ID Laws: We will assist voters to fight efforts that limit voter participation by womenand low-income voters.
Elections: We will support and work for candidates that believe in full equality for women in all areas of our lives.
In an election year that could mean the difference between progress on many fronts or taking a giant step backward.
www.unitewomen.org
"All of this has been accomplished in less than two months, without money, without "connections", without really knowing what the end result might look like, and, yet, without hesitation." ~ Karen Teegarden
UniteWomen.org
Thank you for standing up and standing proud, to defend our constitutional right to make our own decisions and participate as equals within our society. The fight doesn't stop here: we must remain vigilant to legislation being proposed at state and national levels and the activities of extremist groups.
UniteWomen.org has far-ranging plans that include voter education and mobilization in every state, organizing college students, legislative and political action in states, and more.
We look forward to your continued support of UniteWomen.org. Together, we will tell the world: Enough is Enough!
About Us: UniteWomen.org is a national grassroots organization founded in February 2012 to protect and advance women's rights in all areas of our lives across our lifespan. Working with members in all 50 states, we identify our common concerns and develop action programs to address them. We work in partnership with other groups that share our mission of a better life for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.
I place some material in this space which may be of interest to the radical public that I do not necessarily agree with or support. Off hand, as I have mentioned before, I think it would be easier, infinitely easier, to fight for the socialist revolution straight up than some of the “remedies” provided by the commentators in these entries. But part of that struggle for the socialist revolution is to sort out the “real” stuff from the fluff as we struggle for that more just world that animates our efforts.
*************
Our Future, Your Future
UniteWomen.org
Our Call To Action:
Voter Education: We will continue to highlight legislative proposals for or against women's rights in all states and nationally. We will track individual lawmaker's voting record on women's rights issues.
Voter Registration Efforts: We will work with communities to register and mobilize the 46 million women who are not currently registered to vote.
Voter ID Laws: We will assist voters to fight efforts that limit voter participation by womenand low-income voters.
Elections: We will support and work for candidates that believe in full equality for women in all areas of our lives.
In an election year that could mean the difference between progress on many fronts or taking a giant step backward.
www.unitewomen.org
"All of this has been accomplished in less than two months, without money, without "connections", without really knowing what the end result might look like, and, yet, without hesitation." ~ Karen Teegarden
UniteWomen.org
Thank you for standing up and standing proud, to defend our constitutional right to make our own decisions and participate as equals within our society. The fight doesn't stop here: we must remain vigilant to legislation being proposed at state and national levels and the activities of extremist groups.
UniteWomen.org has far-ranging plans that include voter education and mobilization in every state, organizing college students, legislative and political action in states, and more.
We look forward to your continued support of UniteWomen.org. Together, we will tell the world: Enough is Enough!
About Us: UniteWomen.org is a national grassroots organization founded in February 2012 to protect and advance women's rights in all areas of our lives across our lifespan. Working with members in all 50 states, we identify our common concerns and develop action programs to address them. We work in partnership with other groups that share our mission of a better life for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.
#YO SOY 132
#YO SOY 132
Un movimiento importante en Mexico actualmente es la lucha contra el fraude electoral, la represion policial y la corrupcion endemica. Este movimiento comenzo cuando 131 estudiantes de la Universidad Iberoamericana rechaza la presencia de Pena Nieto. Ahora han comenzado a tofnar medidas para impedir la eleccion el 1 de julio del presente ano y de ser robados por un regimen criminal. Su movimiento ha llegado a ser conocido como "Yo Soy 132." Yo Soy 132 ha emitido una solicitud para estudiantes internacionales y otros activistas en el mundo a manifestarse en solidaridad con ellos. Es su esperanza que el llamar la atencion internacional sobre la corrupcion electoral de Mexico, puede ayudar a asegurar una eleccion justa.
Su peticion fue publicada en YouTube y puede servista en: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSiuTmYihWQ&feature=
Occupy Boston invita a todas las organizaciones e individuos que apoyan esta causa a unirse a nuestra manifestacion de solidaridad con "#Yo Soy 132" frente al consulado mexicano en Boston el 29 de junio, 4-6 PM.
For information or to get involved contact the following: YoSoy132BostonSolidarity page on Facebook or histheman(o)qma il.com.
Un movimiento importante en Mexico actualmente es la lucha contra el fraude electoral, la represion policial y la corrupcion endemica. Este movimiento comenzo cuando 131 estudiantes de la Universidad Iberoamericana rechaza la presencia de Pena Nieto. Ahora han comenzado a tofnar medidas para impedir la eleccion el 1 de julio del presente ano y de ser robados por un regimen criminal. Su movimiento ha llegado a ser conocido como "Yo Soy 132." Yo Soy 132 ha emitido una solicitud para estudiantes internacionales y otros activistas en el mundo a manifestarse en solidaridad con ellos. Es su esperanza que el llamar la atencion internacional sobre la corrupcion electoral de Mexico, puede ayudar a asegurar una eleccion justa.
Su peticion fue publicada en YouTube y puede servista en: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSiuTmYihWQ&feature=
Occupy Boston invita a todas las organizaciones e individuos que apoyan esta causa a unirse a nuestra manifestacion de solidaridad con "#Yo Soy 132" frente al consulado mexicano en Boston el 29 de junio, 4-6 PM.
For information or to get involved contact the following: YoSoy132BostonSolidarity page on Facebook or histheman(o)qma il.com.
SHOW OF SOLIDARITY WITH MEXICAN STUDENTS PROTESTING ELECTION FRAUD AND STATE VIOLENCE, JUNE 29™, 4-6 PM AT THE MEXICAN CONSULATE, 20 PARK PLAZA, BOSTON
SHOW OF SOLIDARITY WITH MEXICAN STUDENTS PROTESTING ELECTION FRAUD AND STATE VIOLENCE, JUNE 29™, 4-6 PM AT THE MEXICAN CONSULATE, 20 PARK
PLAZA, BOSTON
#YO SOY 132
A major movement in Mexico is presently fighting against election fraud, police repression, and endemic corruption. This movement began when 131 students began to take action to prevent the July 1st election from being stolen by a criminal regime; their movement has come to be known as "Yo Soy 132." Yo Soy 132 has issued a request for international students and other activists globally to demonstrate in solidarity with them in the run up to the Mexican election on July 1st. It is their hope that calling international attention to Mexico's electoral corruption they may help to ensure a fair election. Their appeal was issued on youtube and may be seen at: http://www.voutube.com/watch?v=kSjuTmYihWQ&feature=share
Occupy Boston invites all organizations and individuals who support this cause to join our demonstration of solidarity with Yo Soy 132 outside the Mexican consulate in Boston on June 29th, 4-6 PM.
For information or to get involved contact the following:
YoSoy132BostonSolidarity page on Facebook or histheman@qmail.com.
PLAZA, BOSTON
#YO SOY 132
A major movement in Mexico is presently fighting against election fraud, police repression, and endemic corruption. This movement began when 131 students began to take action to prevent the July 1st election from being stolen by a criminal regime; their movement has come to be known as "Yo Soy 132." Yo Soy 132 has issued a request for international students and other activists globally to demonstrate in solidarity with them in the run up to the Mexican election on July 1st. It is their hope that calling international attention to Mexico's electoral corruption they may help to ensure a fair election. Their appeal was issued on youtube and may be seen at: http://www.voutube.com/watch?v=kSjuTmYihWQ&feature=share
Occupy Boston invites all organizations and individuals who support this cause to join our demonstration of solidarity with Yo Soy 132 outside the Mexican consulate in Boston on June 29th, 4-6 PM.
For information or to get involved contact the following:
YoSoy132BostonSolidarity page on Facebook or histheman@qmail.com.
What the Occupy movement demands... of each of us
Markin comment:
I place some material in this space which may be of interest to the radical public that I do not necessarily agree with or support. Off hand, as I have mentioned before, I think it would be easier, infinitely easier, to fight for the socialist revolution straight up than some of the “remedies” provided by the commentators in these entries. But part of that struggle for the socialist revolution is to sort out the “real” stuff from the fluff as we struggle for that more just world that animates our efforts.
Markin comment:
Jesus- This laundry list below is a tall order for a movement that can barely take notes of its meetings and is barely able to decide on what color shades to put in the living room without a six-session expanded GA (and then leave it up to each autonomous individual to decide on his or her color). I think keeping the old-time ten commandments would be easier, much easier to do.
***********
What the Occupy movement demands... of each of us
By J. Ramsey contact: jgramsey(£ gmail.com Read more at www.kasamaproject.org
That we work to defeat and to overthrow the rule of the 1% (and the 0.1%) over our lives, our society, and our world;
That we devote our lives to ending the oppression and exploitation of people both near and far; That we defend what remains of public space and the public sector against attempts to destroy it;
That we stand up for freedom of speech and assembly, of dissent and public protest as rights which no law-maker can revoke;
That we work for social equality: the radical redistribution of wealth, the transformation and/or abolition of oppressive institutions, the dismantling of unaccountable hierarchies, and the thorough democratization of society;
That we live out the practice of egalitarianism in our own movement and in our own lives, seeking to build others up as our equals, not to subordinate them as tools or inferiors;
That we seek to unite the many against the few, behind an inspiring vision of emancipation;
That we work to expose, to challenge, and to shut down wars abroad and militarism at home, and the imperial and fascistic apparatus that sustains them;
That we devote ourselves to exposing and to resisting the ravages of a toxic capitalism before it poisons the climate to the point that wide swaths of our planet become unlivable;
That we work to expose, oppose, and defeat racism, homophobia, sexism and other backward ideologies and practices wherever they rear their ugly heads;
That we seek to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless across our world;
That we work to defeat and to overthrow the rule of the 1% (and the 0.1%) over our lives, our society, and our world;
That we devote our lives to ending the oppression and exploitation of people both near and far; That we defend what remains of public space and the public sector against attempts to destroy it;
That we stand up for freedom of speech and assembly, of dissent and public protest as rights which no law-maker can revoke;
That we work for social equality: the radical redistribution of wealth, the transformation and/or abolition of oppressive institutions, the dismantling of unaccountable hierarchies, and the thorough democratization of society;
That we live out the practice of egalitarianism in our own movement and in our own lives, seeking to build others up as our equals, not to subordinate them as tools or inferiors;
That we seek to unite the many against the few, behind an inspiring vision of emancipation;
That we work to expose, to challenge, and to shut down wars abroad and militarism at home, and the imperial and fascistic apparatus that sustains them;
That we devote ourselves to exposing and to resisting the ravages of a toxic capitalism before it poisons the climate to the point that wide swaths of our planet become unlivable;
That we work to expose, oppose, and defeat racism, homophobia, sexism and other backward ideologies and practices wherever they rear their ugly heads;
That we seek to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless across our world;
That we help to inspire courage, trust, and solidarity amongst those who have been beaten down by the current system, to turn our collective weakness into strength;
That we work to expose the farcical nature of our 1%-dominated, so-called "democracy," even as we may use what is left of this state apparatus to tactically leverage the needs of our movement;
That we keep our commitments and promises to one another;
That we are honest and accountable in our interactions whenever we are representing the movement;
That we approach with suspicion and skepticism those representatives of existing 1% power structures who seek to co-opt our movement, even as we are constantly on the lookout for friends and allies in unexpected places;
That we put the greater good of the people and the movement ahead of our personal interests, even as we recognize that only through such a movement can our individual talents be fully realized, and vice versa;
That we work each day to help raise our own awareness as well as the consciousness of those around us concerning the world situation—this is a global struggle;
That we inform ourselves about the current dangers and crises facing our society and our planet, and that we seek to understand not only the news and the facts, but the underlying forces driving the situation forward, and the future trajectories these forces imply;
That we seek to cultivate a tactical flexibility and creativity that can adapt to the shifting situation;
That we develop a long-term strategic plan for actually building the movement that we want to create, for actually achieving the changes we want to see;
That we cultivate an honest and humble self-critical attitude in evaluating the successes and failures, the strengths and weaknesses of our movement, its theories and its practices; that we are willing to alter our theories and practices in light of evidence and reflections we gather from the world;
That we seek to become citizens of the world, not just of any single city or nation;
That we sink roots in our local communities, in our workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, families, and other institutions, becoming attentive students of others' lives, as well as supportive allies, and where appropriate, leaders of just struggles that emerge;
That we are kind and patient with one another in the movement, working to understand deeply even those with whom we disagree, knowing that those who may be wrong on nine issues may teach us something valuable on the tenth;
That we demonstrate courage as well as wisdom in the face of threats we face;
That we seek to cultivate the fullest, deepest humanity in ourselves and in others alike;
That we work creatively and tirelessly to bring into being a society that is worthy of human beings;
That we commit to the long haul, as the fight ahead is sure to be as extended as its outcome is uncertain.
That we sustain one another in this great collective endeavor, cherishing each thinking, fighting spirit in
these dark tunes. ****
J. Ramsey jgramsey(g),gmail.com
I place some material in this space which may be of interest to the radical public that I do not necessarily agree with or support. Off hand, as I have mentioned before, I think it would be easier, infinitely easier, to fight for the socialist revolution straight up than some of the “remedies” provided by the commentators in these entries. But part of that struggle for the socialist revolution is to sort out the “real” stuff from the fluff as we struggle for that more just world that animates our efforts.
Markin comment:
Jesus- This laundry list below is a tall order for a movement that can barely take notes of its meetings and is barely able to decide on what color shades to put in the living room without a six-session expanded GA (and then leave it up to each autonomous individual to decide on his or her color). I think keeping the old-time ten commandments would be easier, much easier to do.
***********
What the Occupy movement demands... of each of us
By J. Ramsey contact: jgramsey(£ gmail.com Read more at www.kasamaproject.org
That we work to defeat and to overthrow the rule of the 1% (and the 0.1%) over our lives, our society, and our world;
That we devote our lives to ending the oppression and exploitation of people both near and far; That we defend what remains of public space and the public sector against attempts to destroy it;
That we stand up for freedom of speech and assembly, of dissent and public protest as rights which no law-maker can revoke;
That we work for social equality: the radical redistribution of wealth, the transformation and/or abolition of oppressive institutions, the dismantling of unaccountable hierarchies, and the thorough democratization of society;
That we live out the practice of egalitarianism in our own movement and in our own lives, seeking to build others up as our equals, not to subordinate them as tools or inferiors;
That we seek to unite the many against the few, behind an inspiring vision of emancipation;
That we work to expose, to challenge, and to shut down wars abroad and militarism at home, and the imperial and fascistic apparatus that sustains them;
That we devote ourselves to exposing and to resisting the ravages of a toxic capitalism before it poisons the climate to the point that wide swaths of our planet become unlivable;
That we work to expose, oppose, and defeat racism, homophobia, sexism and other backward ideologies and practices wherever they rear their ugly heads;
That we seek to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless across our world;
That we work to defeat and to overthrow the rule of the 1% (and the 0.1%) over our lives, our society, and our world;
That we devote our lives to ending the oppression and exploitation of people both near and far; That we defend what remains of public space and the public sector against attempts to destroy it;
That we stand up for freedom of speech and assembly, of dissent and public protest as rights which no law-maker can revoke;
That we work for social equality: the radical redistribution of wealth, the transformation and/or abolition of oppressive institutions, the dismantling of unaccountable hierarchies, and the thorough democratization of society;
That we live out the practice of egalitarianism in our own movement and in our own lives, seeking to build others up as our equals, not to subordinate them as tools or inferiors;
That we seek to unite the many against the few, behind an inspiring vision of emancipation;
That we work to expose, to challenge, and to shut down wars abroad and militarism at home, and the imperial and fascistic apparatus that sustains them;
That we devote ourselves to exposing and to resisting the ravages of a toxic capitalism before it poisons the climate to the point that wide swaths of our planet become unlivable;
That we work to expose, oppose, and defeat racism, homophobia, sexism and other backward ideologies and practices wherever they rear their ugly heads;
That we seek to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless across our world;
That we help to inspire courage, trust, and solidarity amongst those who have been beaten down by the current system, to turn our collective weakness into strength;
That we work to expose the farcical nature of our 1%-dominated, so-called "democracy," even as we may use what is left of this state apparatus to tactically leverage the needs of our movement;
That we keep our commitments and promises to one another;
That we are honest and accountable in our interactions whenever we are representing the movement;
That we approach with suspicion and skepticism those representatives of existing 1% power structures who seek to co-opt our movement, even as we are constantly on the lookout for friends and allies in unexpected places;
That we put the greater good of the people and the movement ahead of our personal interests, even as we recognize that only through such a movement can our individual talents be fully realized, and vice versa;
That we work each day to help raise our own awareness as well as the consciousness of those around us concerning the world situation—this is a global struggle;
That we inform ourselves about the current dangers and crises facing our society and our planet, and that we seek to understand not only the news and the facts, but the underlying forces driving the situation forward, and the future trajectories these forces imply;
That we seek to cultivate a tactical flexibility and creativity that can adapt to the shifting situation;
That we develop a long-term strategic plan for actually building the movement that we want to create, for actually achieving the changes we want to see;
That we cultivate an honest and humble self-critical attitude in evaluating the successes and failures, the strengths and weaknesses of our movement, its theories and its practices; that we are willing to alter our theories and practices in light of evidence and reflections we gather from the world;
That we seek to become citizens of the world, not just of any single city or nation;
That we sink roots in our local communities, in our workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, families, and other institutions, becoming attentive students of others' lives, as well as supportive allies, and where appropriate, leaders of just struggles that emerge;
That we are kind and patient with one another in the movement, working to understand deeply even those with whom we disagree, knowing that those who may be wrong on nine issues may teach us something valuable on the tenth;
That we demonstrate courage as well as wisdom in the face of threats we face;
That we seek to cultivate the fullest, deepest humanity in ourselves and in others alike;
That we work creatively and tirelessly to bring into being a society that is worthy of human beings;
That we commit to the long haul, as the fight ahead is sure to be as extended as its outcome is uncertain.
That we sustain one another in this great collective endeavor, cherishing each thinking, fighting spirit in
these dark tunes. ****
J. Ramsey jgramsey(g),gmail.com
This Justice for Janitors Day,Support Good Jobs for Our Communities!
This Justice for Janitors Day,Support Good Jobs for Our Communities!
Today is International Justice for Janitors Day, when we celebrate and recognize the hard work and sacrifice that property service workers across the world make. Today also marks the 10 year anniversary when thousands of janitors in the Boston region went on strike, to lift standards in the janitorial industry. That fight continues: in Houston, Texas hundreds of janitors have already gone on strike in the hopes that they can improve their working conditions and win a better way of life.
Here in Massachusetts, a better way of life is on the horizon. Our economy is looking brighter, and has been outperform-
ji ing most of the rest of country during the recovery. Boston is among the fastest-recovering metropolitan areas in the country. One of the pillars of industry driving the Massachusetts economy is commercial real estate. Vacancy rates are going down and rents are going up, with the Back Bay neighborhood being one of the strongest markets in the nation.
This summer the 14,000 contracted janitors that work in the key industries that drive our state's economy will be negotiating a new contract to continue improving standards that they have fought so hard to achieve. Like so many, their hope is to share in the continued growth and prosperity that those at the very top have enjoyed.
Unfortunately, here in Back Bay those at the top are not working to achieve this vision. Capital Properties, the owner of 31 St. James Avenue, recently made the decision to hire an irresponsible contractor, Crystal Bright, to provide cleaning services there. The dedicated janitors who cleaned this building for years were not offered employment and have been displaced. The decision to hire this irresponsible contractor, who pays poverty wages, threatens the standards for janitors across the region.
Join us to demand a shared prosperity, and a New England that works
for everyone!
Visit our website at www.seiu615.org to learn
more about Justice for Janitors and a
New England that works for everyone
SEIU Local 615 * 26 West St. Boston, MA 02111 * 617-523-6150-*seiu615.org* facebook.com/seiu615 * @seiu615
Today is International Justice for Janitors Day, when we celebrate and recognize the hard work and sacrifice that property service workers across the world make. Today also marks the 10 year anniversary when thousands of janitors in the Boston region went on strike, to lift standards in the janitorial industry. That fight continues: in Houston, Texas hundreds of janitors have already gone on strike in the hopes that they can improve their working conditions and win a better way of life.
Here in Massachusetts, a better way of life is on the horizon. Our economy is looking brighter, and has been outperform-
ji ing most of the rest of country during the recovery. Boston is among the fastest-recovering metropolitan areas in the country. One of the pillars of industry driving the Massachusetts economy is commercial real estate. Vacancy rates are going down and rents are going up, with the Back Bay neighborhood being one of the strongest markets in the nation.
This summer the 14,000 contracted janitors that work in the key industries that drive our state's economy will be negotiating a new contract to continue improving standards that they have fought so hard to achieve. Like so many, their hope is to share in the continued growth and prosperity that those at the very top have enjoyed.
Unfortunately, here in Back Bay those at the top are not working to achieve this vision. Capital Properties, the owner of 31 St. James Avenue, recently made the decision to hire an irresponsible contractor, Crystal Bright, to provide cleaning services there. The dedicated janitors who cleaned this building for years were not offered employment and have been displaced. The decision to hire this irresponsible contractor, who pays poverty wages, threatens the standards for janitors across the region.
Join us to demand a shared prosperity, and a New England that works
for everyone!
Visit our website at www.seiu615.org to learn
more about Justice for Janitors and a
New England that works for everyone
SEIU Local 615 * 26 West St. Boston, MA 02111 * 617-523-6150-*seiu615.org* facebook.com/seiu615 * @seiu615
Finally, A Refreshing Change From The Republicrats-Socialist Alternative’s Danny Keating Throws His Hat in the Ring in New Hampshire's Second Congressional District
Click on the headline to link to the Committee To Elect Danny Keating Facebook page.
Press Release
Independent Candidate Danny Keating For U.S. Congress In New Hampshire's Second Congressional District
Mr. Daniel “Danny” Keating, a construction worker and Iraq War Army Veteran raised in Nashua, has filed papers with and has been officially notified of his status as a candidate, pending getting the requisite number of petition signatures, by the New Hampshire Secretary Of State’s Office to run as an independent candidate against incumbent Republican Congressman Charles Bass his 2012 Democratic Party opponent, Ann Kuster. If elected to Congress Mr. Keating will accept the wages of an average worker in New Hampshire and donate the rest of his salary back to social justice causes. Danny is a member of Socialist Alternative and has worked tirelessly on campaigns for workers' rights and against budget cuts. Danny will bring the voice of the 99%, into a Congress that is dominated by corporations and big money.
Here are Danny's remarks made at the opening event of his campaign:
I am running for Congress as an Independent and a member of Socialist Alternative because the two parties of big business, Democrats and Republicans, have carried out deep and unfair budget cuts, stepped up attacks on civil liberties and immigrant rights, assaulted women's core rights to control their bodies and their lives, and have let further corporate control in this country go on unfettered. These are all symptoms of a sick and unresponsive system.
Trillions, yes trillions, of dollars have been handed over by the federal government to the big banks that have thoughtlessly and viciously kicked people out of their homes, scandalously dodged their taxes and helped to wreck the American and global economy. Both parties, controlled by big business, are complicit in the corporate domination of politics and our lives.
I propose some alternatives to the chaos churned out by Wall Street and Washington. We need a massive job creation program to hire workers at union wages with full benefits and rights in order to rebuild infrastructure, stop environmental destruction, and provide necessary social services. We could pay for this by closing corporate tax loopholes and increasing taxes on corporations and the top 1% as well as slashing spending on the wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. If corporations threaten to take their operations off-shore (like many have already done) in response to paying their fair share then we should take those companies' resources into public ownership with democratic workers' and community control and management using the resources for the benefit of all.
We can only win a jobs program through mobilizing a massive movement of community groups, political organizations, and unions that protest, educate and build democratically-run organizations. A mass movement for jobs and services and against racial injustice, sexual inequality, seemingly never-ending layoffs, unconscionable home foreclosures and drastic budget cuts should be connected to a political struggle against the two parties and the corporate domination they represent. We need a party of working people, run democratically, with elected representatives who are accountable to working people and are pledged to accept only the wage of the average worker.
Elected representatives of the two major parties, having long been left to their own devices, have not created progressive social and economic change. We saw this after the elections of Barack Obama in 2008 and the Tea Party-dominated Congressional agenda in 2010. To get real change we need a big protest movement. This type movement has created change in the past: from the labor movement for unionization and a 40-hour work week to the civil rights movement against racial injustice to the women's movement for equal rights mass demonstrations have shown that direct action can win real victories. If I am elected to Congress I will be a voice for these struggles against the capitalist system and for a better future democratic socialist society.
For more information about the campaign, Socialist Alternative, or requests for interviews call: 603-233-2999 or email:danny.keating.for.congress@gmail.com
Press Release
Independent Candidate Danny Keating For U.S. Congress In New Hampshire's Second Congressional District
Mr. Daniel “Danny” Keating, a construction worker and Iraq War Army Veteran raised in Nashua, has filed papers with and has been officially notified of his status as a candidate, pending getting the requisite number of petition signatures, by the New Hampshire Secretary Of State’s Office to run as an independent candidate against incumbent Republican Congressman Charles Bass his 2012 Democratic Party opponent, Ann Kuster. If elected to Congress Mr. Keating will accept the wages of an average worker in New Hampshire and donate the rest of his salary back to social justice causes. Danny is a member of Socialist Alternative and has worked tirelessly on campaigns for workers' rights and against budget cuts. Danny will bring the voice of the 99%, into a Congress that is dominated by corporations and big money.
Here are Danny's remarks made at the opening event of his campaign:
I am running for Congress as an Independent and a member of Socialist Alternative because the two parties of big business, Democrats and Republicans, have carried out deep and unfair budget cuts, stepped up attacks on civil liberties and immigrant rights, assaulted women's core rights to control their bodies and their lives, and have let further corporate control in this country go on unfettered. These are all symptoms of a sick and unresponsive system.
Trillions, yes trillions, of dollars have been handed over by the federal government to the big banks that have thoughtlessly and viciously kicked people out of their homes, scandalously dodged their taxes and helped to wreck the American and global economy. Both parties, controlled by big business, are complicit in the corporate domination of politics and our lives.
I propose some alternatives to the chaos churned out by Wall Street and Washington. We need a massive job creation program to hire workers at union wages with full benefits and rights in order to rebuild infrastructure, stop environmental destruction, and provide necessary social services. We could pay for this by closing corporate tax loopholes and increasing taxes on corporations and the top 1% as well as slashing spending on the wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. If corporations threaten to take their operations off-shore (like many have already done) in response to paying their fair share then we should take those companies' resources into public ownership with democratic workers' and community control and management using the resources for the benefit of all.
We can only win a jobs program through mobilizing a massive movement of community groups, political organizations, and unions that protest, educate and build democratically-run organizations. A mass movement for jobs and services and against racial injustice, sexual inequality, seemingly never-ending layoffs, unconscionable home foreclosures and drastic budget cuts should be connected to a political struggle against the two parties and the corporate domination they represent. We need a party of working people, run democratically, with elected representatives who are accountable to working people and are pledged to accept only the wage of the average worker.
Elected representatives of the two major parties, having long been left to their own devices, have not created progressive social and economic change. We saw this after the elections of Barack Obama in 2008 and the Tea Party-dominated Congressional agenda in 2010. To get real change we need a big protest movement. This type movement has created change in the past: from the labor movement for unionization and a 40-hour work week to the civil rights movement against racial injustice to the women's movement for equal rights mass demonstrations have shown that direct action can win real victories. If I am elected to Congress I will be a voice for these struggles against the capitalist system and for a better future democratic socialist society.
For more information about the campaign, Socialist Alternative, or requests for interviews call: 603-233-2999 or email:danny.keating.for.congress@gmail.com
Out In Red Scare Cold War Night- Edward R. Murrow’s “ Good Night, And Good Luck”
Click on the headline to link to a Wikipedia entry for the Edward R. Murrow –featured “Good Night, And Good Luck.”
DVD Review
Good Night, And Good Luck, starring David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr. and Senator Joseph McCarthy, the junior Senator from Wisconsin, Warner, 2005
For those who lived in that death red scare cold war 1950s night, or who came of television age then the events depicted in this very well-done black and white documentary-like film, “Good Night, And Good Luck” (the signature sign-off line of Edward R. Murrow on his radio and television shows), should be very familiar. And a cause for reflection for those who howled with the wolves (the McCarthy, Nixon, Robert Welch wolves) calling for the blood of every, well, every speaker against that death night. For those who came after this should be a cautionary tale very appropriate for addressing the madnesses of the political and media howling wolves today.
The story line here is pretty straight-forward, the 1953-54 struggle of Edward R. Murrow, a well-respected and honest radio and television journalist, and the rabid anti-communist monger, the junior Senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy, including actual footage of his speeches and remarks. In that red scare cold war night few reporters, fewer liberals, and even fewer average American citizens were ready to take on the howling beasts who, mainly for their own political purposes, were ready to destroy infinite numbers of lives in order to “stop the red menace” from creeping through the door. As it turned out there were a handful of actual reds (or past reds, mainly) who may have been in the government. For that few these wolves were ready to bring the whole frail democratic experience on the American continent (what Lincoln called “the last, best hope”) toppling down.
Some guys, too few guys (or gals), like Murrow (and Fred Friendly played by George Clooney) stood up in their funny way (their cloud puff dreams of an informed, educated citizenry plugged into the world via technological promise of the global village of television seem rather ironic now) to their day’s monsters. And while we, Brother Murrow and I, may have been a million miles away from each other in age, in political and cultural sensibilities, and lifestyle I am always happy to salute a kindred spirit, an honest man seeking the truth. And I encourage all to see this film.
DVD Review
Good Night, And Good Luck, starring David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr. and Senator Joseph McCarthy, the junior Senator from Wisconsin, Warner, 2005
For those who lived in that death red scare cold war 1950s night, or who came of television age then the events depicted in this very well-done black and white documentary-like film, “Good Night, And Good Luck” (the signature sign-off line of Edward R. Murrow on his radio and television shows), should be very familiar. And a cause for reflection for those who howled with the wolves (the McCarthy, Nixon, Robert Welch wolves) calling for the blood of every, well, every speaker against that death night. For those who came after this should be a cautionary tale very appropriate for addressing the madnesses of the political and media howling wolves today.
The story line here is pretty straight-forward, the 1953-54 struggle of Edward R. Murrow, a well-respected and honest radio and television journalist, and the rabid anti-communist monger, the junior Senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy, including actual footage of his speeches and remarks. In that red scare cold war night few reporters, fewer liberals, and even fewer average American citizens were ready to take on the howling beasts who, mainly for their own political purposes, were ready to destroy infinite numbers of lives in order to “stop the red menace” from creeping through the door. As it turned out there were a handful of actual reds (or past reds, mainly) who may have been in the government. For that few these wolves were ready to bring the whole frail democratic experience on the American continent (what Lincoln called “the last, best hope”) toppling down.
Some guys, too few guys (or gals), like Murrow (and Fred Friendly played by George Clooney) stood up in their funny way (their cloud puff dreams of an informed, educated citizenry plugged into the world via technological promise of the global village of television seem rather ironic now) to their day’s monsters. And while we, Brother Murrow and I, may have been a million miles away from each other in age, in political and cultural sensibilities, and lifestyle I am always happy to salute a kindred spirit, an honest man seeking the truth. And I encourage all to see this film.
Hold ‘Em Or Fold ‘Em –Steve McQueen’s “The Cincinnati Kid – A Film Review
Click on the headline to link to a Wikipedia entry for the film “The Cincinnati Kid.”
DVD Review
The Cincinnati Kid, starring Steve McQueen, Edward G. Robinson, Karl Malden, M-G-M, 1965
Okay, okay five card stud a game that reality television has gone ga-ga over(not Lady Ga-Ga I don’t think) is not my game, not even close, but the film under review, The Cincinnati Kid, made me realize that at least in a dramatic presentation it has possibilities. Especially when everybody’s 1960s cool hand, cool man Steve McQueen decides to take the table stakes. And one cannot discount, if there is any truth to the story line here, that the very appealing (1960s appealing anyway) eye-candy that drifts around where there is easy money to be found like Melba (played by Ann-Margaret) and Christian (played by Tuesday Weld) makes me think that maybe I should take up the game.
Oops, that is mistake number one brother. See what a man (or woman) needs to play poker, or any game of chance, is undivided concentration, some dough, some serious dough, and some more serious dough for the rough spots, and nerves of steel. Some fluff with come hither looks (Melba) and talk of white picket fences (Christian) is strictly off the books. Well, kind of, remember even “The Kid” has to have something to shoot for beside the dough. Someone to help him spend it, although the dough ain’t nothing, nothing except acknowledgement that he is king of the five card stud hill.
And that grail, that holy, holy grail is what drives The Kid. That and the Great Depression gnawing hunger that drove many kids, and oldsters too, to grab for the brass ring anyway they could. See old Lance (played by Edward G. Robinson last seen in this space slapping dames and old geezers around, although not for long, as old- time “Chi” town mobster on the lam Johnny Rico in Humphrey Bogart’s Key Largo) has been king of the hill since Hector was a pup, if not before. The Kid has been working his way up the ladder, cooling his heels, waiting for just the right time with just the right amount of dough to stake his claim. Of course left by itself one great pie-in the-sky winner take all poker game could not sustain a full-length film. So some sidebar stuff with those come hither and white picket fence dames, some lesser games as warm-up, and some attempts by Shooter (played by Karl Malden), his mentor, to “fix” things his way and some this and that keep the thing moving until the big finale-winner take all game (and maybe an extra prize with the dames). So is The Kid strictly from hunger or is he getting ready to be fitted for a new walking cane? Well, see the movie.
DVD Review
The Cincinnati Kid, starring Steve McQueen, Edward G. Robinson, Karl Malden, M-G-M, 1965
Okay, okay five card stud a game that reality television has gone ga-ga over(not Lady Ga-Ga I don’t think) is not my game, not even close, but the film under review, The Cincinnati Kid, made me realize that at least in a dramatic presentation it has possibilities. Especially when everybody’s 1960s cool hand, cool man Steve McQueen decides to take the table stakes. And one cannot discount, if there is any truth to the story line here, that the very appealing (1960s appealing anyway) eye-candy that drifts around where there is easy money to be found like Melba (played by Ann-Margaret) and Christian (played by Tuesday Weld) makes me think that maybe I should take up the game.
Oops, that is mistake number one brother. See what a man (or woman) needs to play poker, or any game of chance, is undivided concentration, some dough, some serious dough, and some more serious dough for the rough spots, and nerves of steel. Some fluff with come hither looks (Melba) and talk of white picket fences (Christian) is strictly off the books. Well, kind of, remember even “The Kid” has to have something to shoot for beside the dough. Someone to help him spend it, although the dough ain’t nothing, nothing except acknowledgement that he is king of the five card stud hill.
And that grail, that holy, holy grail is what drives The Kid. That and the Great Depression gnawing hunger that drove many kids, and oldsters too, to grab for the brass ring anyway they could. See old Lance (played by Edward G. Robinson last seen in this space slapping dames and old geezers around, although not for long, as old- time “Chi” town mobster on the lam Johnny Rico in Humphrey Bogart’s Key Largo) has been king of the hill since Hector was a pup, if not before. The Kid has been working his way up the ladder, cooling his heels, waiting for just the right time with just the right amount of dough to stake his claim. Of course left by itself one great pie-in the-sky winner take all poker game could not sustain a full-length film. So some sidebar stuff with those come hither and white picket fence dames, some lesser games as warm-up, and some attempts by Shooter (played by Karl Malden), his mentor, to “fix” things his way and some this and that keep the thing moving until the big finale-winner take all game (and maybe an extra prize with the dames). So is The Kid strictly from hunger or is he getting ready to be fitted for a new walking cane? Well, see the movie.
Imagining the Post-Occupy Social Movement
Imagining the Post-Occupy Social Movement
by Shamus Cooke
31 May 2012
If one were to honestly assess Occupy's current strengths and weaknesses as a movement, confusion must be the inevitable result. This is because Occupy is not one movement, but an umbrella term that encompasses several different groups that have varied aims, organizational structures, and gaping theoretical differences.
Occupy may not be dead, but its power as a powerful social movement has surely been splintered into a dozen or so mini-movements. For example, a good, broad definition of a social movement is a large group of people who collectively try to achieve certain agreed on goals.
A social movement without common goals does not move in one direction, but many; an organization without a common set of principles or agreed upon demands is not a “group,” but "groups.”
Consequently, Occupy's various mini-movements move in different directions, towards different ends, using different means, while rarely coordinating with the other groups that are focused on their respective organization, growth, habits, and campaigns.
The result is that collective mass action large enough to change social policy - another key definition of a social movement - is rendered impossible.
Sadly, this was the state of the left prior to Occupy: different groups organized on an "issue based activism" basis, focusing on their own projects, disconnected from any common vision or collective action. Occupy was different precisely because it was massive, and that these various groups found connection under a single banner. But the banner has since been pulled in hundreds of directions until it tore.
Occupy came close to becoming a real social movement but didn't cross the threshold. Although Occupy failed to evolve into a social movement, it has laid a foundation for one, through its successful mass education around highlighting the 1% vs. the 99% and experiments with organizing and its creation of a new layer of revolutionary activists. Occupy's inability to grow into a mass social movement may have been inevitable, since the left's disunity runs especially deep in the United States.
Occupy did, however, create additional barriers for itself to become a social power. Occupy was organizationally wedded to a lack of organization, preventing the enormous energy from being funneled into a social force, and thus spilling in every possible direction.
Enough Occupiers were against goal setting that no goals could be collectively pursued. The well meaning attempts to create direct democracy and inclusion - through general assemblies, consensus, spokescouncil structures, etc. - resulted in gridlock, inefficiency, and exclusion instead, since most working people found it impossible to attend the initial lengthy, daily meetings that seemed unable to push the movement forward.
Some will argue that Occupy is doing fine, and that working towards a multitude of goals will inevitably bring victory, since all paths lead toward the same end, though few Occupiers agree on what this end should be. Working class people, however, are only powerful when they are united in mass numbers and acting collectively on an ongoing basis - no social movement has achieved social change without this preliminary factor. Whereas Egypt and Tunisia steadily gained momentum, Occupy eventually lost it.
It is still possible that a faction within Occupy - and there are several - could regenerate Occupy as a whole by working towards goals with a mass appeal that unite Occupy in a campaign capable of re-inspiring and mobilizing the broader population. But lessons must be learned from Occupy's experience. The key lesson - in this writer's opinion - is that social movements are created when they base themselves on concrete issues/goals that the majority of the population is concerned with.
For example, in the Arab Spring the movement's goal was specifically anti-dictator/pro-democracy; in Europe it is anti-austerity/pro social services; South America's ongoing social movements were born fighting foreign economic domination, in the form of the austerity policies implemented by the IMF and World Bank.
In all these cases the majority of working people in these countries could relate or sympathize with the goals of the movement, which helped multiply the initial protests into what later became powerful social movements.
In the United States, the number one concern of most people today - says numerous polls - is jobs.
Occupy could demand that the federal government create millions of jobs, as was done in the 1930s, and pay for the program by taxing Wall Street as many in the Labor Movement have advocated."
Accessible, affordable quality public education and government social services are other major concerns. Occupy could focus its energies on demanding that the rich and corporations are taxed so that teachers could be rehired and tuition at colleges and universities could be reduced.
In other words, Occupy could aim at increasing taxes on the 1 percent in order to meet the needs of the 99 percent. This would also reduce the growing inequality in wealth. But these issues were lost in a whole laundry list of other goals that, although important, only concerned a periphery of the population.
The movement that Occupy gives birth to will be born at a higher level, with unity of purpose and collective action. It will not simply protest corporate power but directly challenge this power and the political system tied to it by the combined power of working people.
Shamus Cooke is a social service worker, trade unionist, and writer for Workers Action (www.workerscompass.org)
See also:
http://workerscompass.org/?p=5155
by Shamus Cooke
31 May 2012
If one were to honestly assess Occupy's current strengths and weaknesses as a movement, confusion must be the inevitable result. This is because Occupy is not one movement, but an umbrella term that encompasses several different groups that have varied aims, organizational structures, and gaping theoretical differences.
Occupy may not be dead, but its power as a powerful social movement has surely been splintered into a dozen or so mini-movements. For example, a good, broad definition of a social movement is a large group of people who collectively try to achieve certain agreed on goals.
A social movement without common goals does not move in one direction, but many; an organization without a common set of principles or agreed upon demands is not a “group,” but "groups.”
Consequently, Occupy's various mini-movements move in different directions, towards different ends, using different means, while rarely coordinating with the other groups that are focused on their respective organization, growth, habits, and campaigns.
The result is that collective mass action large enough to change social policy - another key definition of a social movement - is rendered impossible.
Sadly, this was the state of the left prior to Occupy: different groups organized on an "issue based activism" basis, focusing on their own projects, disconnected from any common vision or collective action. Occupy was different precisely because it was massive, and that these various groups found connection under a single banner. But the banner has since been pulled in hundreds of directions until it tore.
Occupy came close to becoming a real social movement but didn't cross the threshold. Although Occupy failed to evolve into a social movement, it has laid a foundation for one, through its successful mass education around highlighting the 1% vs. the 99% and experiments with organizing and its creation of a new layer of revolutionary activists. Occupy's inability to grow into a mass social movement may have been inevitable, since the left's disunity runs especially deep in the United States.
Occupy did, however, create additional barriers for itself to become a social power. Occupy was organizationally wedded to a lack of organization, preventing the enormous energy from being funneled into a social force, and thus spilling in every possible direction.
Enough Occupiers were against goal setting that no goals could be collectively pursued. The well meaning attempts to create direct democracy and inclusion - through general assemblies, consensus, spokescouncil structures, etc. - resulted in gridlock, inefficiency, and exclusion instead, since most working people found it impossible to attend the initial lengthy, daily meetings that seemed unable to push the movement forward.
Some will argue that Occupy is doing fine, and that working towards a multitude of goals will inevitably bring victory, since all paths lead toward the same end, though few Occupiers agree on what this end should be. Working class people, however, are only powerful when they are united in mass numbers and acting collectively on an ongoing basis - no social movement has achieved social change without this preliminary factor. Whereas Egypt and Tunisia steadily gained momentum, Occupy eventually lost it.
It is still possible that a faction within Occupy - and there are several - could regenerate Occupy as a whole by working towards goals with a mass appeal that unite Occupy in a campaign capable of re-inspiring and mobilizing the broader population. But lessons must be learned from Occupy's experience. The key lesson - in this writer's opinion - is that social movements are created when they base themselves on concrete issues/goals that the majority of the population is concerned with.
For example, in the Arab Spring the movement's goal was specifically anti-dictator/pro-democracy; in Europe it is anti-austerity/pro social services; South America's ongoing social movements were born fighting foreign economic domination, in the form of the austerity policies implemented by the IMF and World Bank.
In all these cases the majority of working people in these countries could relate or sympathize with the goals of the movement, which helped multiply the initial protests into what later became powerful social movements.
In the United States, the number one concern of most people today - says numerous polls - is jobs.
Occupy could demand that the federal government create millions of jobs, as was done in the 1930s, and pay for the program by taxing Wall Street as many in the Labor Movement have advocated."
Accessible, affordable quality public education and government social services are other major concerns. Occupy could focus its energies on demanding that the rich and corporations are taxed so that teachers could be rehired and tuition at colleges and universities could be reduced.
In other words, Occupy could aim at increasing taxes on the 1 percent in order to meet the needs of the 99 percent. This would also reduce the growing inequality in wealth. But these issues were lost in a whole laundry list of other goals that, although important, only concerned a periphery of the population.
The movement that Occupy gives birth to will be born at a higher level, with unity of purpose and collective action. It will not simply protest corporate power but directly challenge this power and the political system tied to it by the combined power of working people.
Shamus Cooke is a social service worker, trade unionist, and writer for Workers Action (www.workerscompass.org)
See also:
http://workerscompass.org/?p=5155
Monday, June 18, 2012
From The Pages Of The International Communist League Press-La grève étudiante secoue le Québec
Click on the headline to link to the International Communist League website and this article.
Victory To The Greek Workers! Down With The EU!-For A Workers And Peasant Government In Greece!
Markin quick comment:
In light of the June 17th Greek elections the battlelines between revolution and counter-revolution are sharply posed:
Victory To The Greek Workers!-Build Workers Councils –Arm The Workers-Take The Power Now And Build Socialism! Later May Be Too Late- And Start Reading Lenin And Trotsky Like Crazy! They Knew How To Make A Revolution.For A Workers and Peasant Government!
In light of the June 17th Greek elections the battlelines between revolution and counter-revolution are sharply posed:
Victory To The Greek Workers!-Build Workers Councils –Arm The Workers-Take The Power Now And Build Socialism! Later May Be Too Late- And Start Reading Lenin And Trotsky Like Crazy! They Knew How To Make A Revolution.For A Workers and Peasant Government!
From The Pen Of Enaa Doug Greene-Cold Water in the Eye: My Experiences in Freedom Road Socialist Organization (Left Refoundation)
Cold Water in the Eye: My Experiences in Freedom Road Socialist Organization (Left Refoundation)
http://enaadoug.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/cold-water-in-the-eye-my-experiences-in-freedom-road-socialist-organization-left-refoundation/
By Enaa/Doug Greene
From November 2008 to June 2009, I was a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization/FRSO (Left Refoundation). This was a natural outgrowth of previous political development which had largely been academic. I was well-read in Marxist theory and itching for some form of action. I believed after my initial encounters with FRSO that this was a group that was advancing a communist agenda. Very quickly, I was disabused of this notion.
Until I joined FRSO, I was largely aloof from organized communist groups. I had considered myself a conscious communist for some time, but I had not joined. Many of the groups that I considered left a bad taste in my mouth. Too many organizations I didn’t even look at because they were little more than sects debating the Marxist equivalent of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. I wanted to join an organization that was principled, not bound by sectarianism and engaged in practical organization. From my own vantage point, nothing seemed to fit the bill.
So what did I, a communist do instead of joining a group? I donated money. I attended various demonstrations. I contributed occasional pieces of writing to various magazines. Mostly I studied. I spent nearly five years in college and practically worked full time as a cashier/assistant manager to pay my way. I made it a point to deepen my knowledge of communism whenever I got the chance.
Yet mere knowledge wasn’t enough. It could serve me when debating in a college class or on a paper. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be in the struggle. So when I got the chance, I took it.
In early 2008, I had finished my undergraduate degree and was applying for graduate school (history major in both if you were wondering). Through a friend, I learned about a labor/immigrant/student political economy study group near where I lived. This friend offered to let me join in. Itching for some practical struggle, I jumped at the opportunity.
I won’t recount the details of the study group here (if you’re interested read my essay, Observations on FRSO and the Mass Line). At the time, I had a positive experience. I worked with about 15 students, immigrants, and workers. We seemed to get a basic grasp of political economy. It taught me a great deal about practical organizing, holding a study group, and just hearing people out. I think I romanticized it at the time, later after leaving I grew more critical (the group didn’t discuss communism or break with Democrat/reformist ideas). When one of the organizers (who was in FRSO) talked to me about joining the group, I was definitely interested.
Well, I didn’t get involved with the group right away. Potential members had to attend various study groups and then were formally asked to join. Through the summer of 2008, I attended about four sessions. The topics discussed were Women/Gender Oppression, National Question, Mass Line, and Marxist Politics. There were no more than seven people at each group. These groups were mostly a back and forth on what we’d read (which consisted of short articles).
The sessions certainly were friendly and respectful of the various opinions exchanged. It felt like I was among comrades. Yet there were misgivings in the background that I became aware of later on. Some of those attending the meetings were really excited about the US Presidential Elections (this was 2008 and Obama was the great hope). I didn’t see why Marxists should be involved in cheer-leading for Obama. I could see why they were excited for him since he was Black and his election could be a blow to white supremacy (yet his politics were decidedly reactionary which was never addressed by those at the meetings).
Related to this was that while there was a lot of talk about Obama, there was none about communism. Sounds strange, but hear me out. I was fighting for communism and assumed everyone else in FRSO was too (you know what they say when you assume). Communism was something in the future. It was a far off goal that wasn’t discussed. This got to me the more I thought about it. There was a lot of discussion about student and worker organizing (as there should be). But it was an incomplete discussion. What was the point of this discussion if not to advance toward communism? There was no relation of our movement to its end. We seemed to talk about getting people active (in unions and politics). All well and good. But no discussion of getting people active as communists. It was about getting active in whatever was going on at the moment and no relation to the future. Isn’t the place of a communist to raise consciousness and relate the particular struggle to the communist end?
Organizing to me made no sense if there was no relation to communism. Let me elaborate. My late father was an organizer for the local Democratic Party where I lived. He was a damned good organizer too. He could get people to meetings or a lecture. He could mail out literature. He could go door to door for a candidate. Yet it didn’t mean a thing. His organizing was all to perpetuate the status quo (we argued over the point many times). He could get people elected, but they wouldn’t challenge anything of the putrid capitalist system. They might propose a few reforms, but nothing substantial. His organizing was within the confines of the system. It didn’t raise the consciousness of those involved. It didn’t seek a new and better society. In many ways, I felt that what FRSO was doing was similar to my dad’s activities…except my dad was up-front about where he stood.
These misgivings remained with me as the summer wore on. But either through being naive or sheer inexperience, I still decided to join up with FRSO. By now, the economy was crashing and Obama was coming into office. The FRSO members were real hopeful about some kind of radical opening. So was I. I wanted to take a shot at the system.
Although I joined FRSO in November, I didn’t attend my first meeting until early January 2009. It wasn’t the best time for me to be active though. I was doing a student teaching practicum which was at least forty hours of work a week (with no pay). The practicum was part of graduate school work which took most of the rest of my time. I had a class on campus that I also had to study for. I had another job on campus too (paid!) that helped with tuition and had flexible hours, but it was still a drain. Lastly, there was a crisis in my family (someone I was close to was suicidal). As you can imagine, I was stretched to the limit. Still, I was a communist and I was determined to do my small part for the revolution.
I managed to juggle everything fairly well until my practicum ended (May if you’re wondering) which freed up my time. I was able to attend the required meetings of FRSO, but it soured pretty damned fast.
At the first meeting, the local group was throwing a party to celebrate Obama’s inauguration (other Obama linked ‘popular’ groups in the area were also attending). This disgusted me. How could a socialist group even consider celebrating the inauguration of a capitalist leader? I was supposed to pass out leaflets on campus and do some organizing on facebook. I was given a bunch of fliers dealing with the ‘celebration.’ The next time I was campus, I ditched them in the fist trash can I found. I also made an excuse to get out of the party (my father was throwing one for Obama too, why didn’t I go to that). I didn’t sign up to fight for them.
The FRSO members said that they were throwing this party to stay linked with the active masses. They said that it was to raise their consciousness and keep the Obama base involved in various struggles. Yet the only struggles talked about were more reforms that could be had. How could this be otherwise if you weren’t going to put your communist politics boldly out in front? FRSO was making out like someone who understood the masses was seemingly in power. It seems that instead of raising the consciousness of the masses, they just lowered themselves to the worst reformist illusions.
The other meetings weren’t so bad, but that isn’t to say that they were any good. It was always about pushing Obama/Democrats to the left. I remember when the health care bill came up. FRSO members talked about trying to get the best possible plan with a public option. There was never a word about socialized medicine (my dad was actually calling for that). Other topics like card check or Iraq were pretty much the same. Let’s lobby. Let’s put a little pressure on our Democrats friends by writing letters or having a rally. It was all about getting a little more and being realistic. I remember being told that you had to compromise and do what was possible since we lived in a non-revolutionary period.
Funny, I knew that if you played by the system’s rules you weren’t going to get very far. FRSO seemed to be willing to accept the game board the system had laid out. As a communist, I believed that we needed to dip that game board in gasoline and light it up. Weren’t we supposed to change the very constellation of choices? Wasn’t there a slogan that said: be realistic and demand the impossible?
There were a few other points that crept in and galled at me. One member was pretty critical of Lenin and Mao (even calling the Bolshevik revolution mistaken at one point). That got on my nerves. Here I was in a socialist organization that was more critical of Lenin than Obama. Cunning of reason I suppose.
The FRSO members seemed nostalgic of their past activities (most of those I was with were in their 50s). What they’d done in past struggles was something to be proud of. It was like talking about the exploits of being high school and all the crazy/fun things you did. But now you’re grown up and taking things seriously. I’m a historian and I like talking about the past too, but shouldn’t our past struggles be linked to the present.
I do have a slight confession to make here. I hope that you see it as a normal human failing. I remember feeling that since I had joined the FRSO and had so little experience that I should try and learn and not rock the boat (at least not until I was more active). To be fair, the FRSO members were respectful of the demands on my time and seemed to realize that everyone had other personal commitments. Whenever I went to meetings, I didn’t really speak up. I was already tired from my busy life. I just went through the motions.
This isn’t some disillusioned communist story though. During this time, I remember reading around. I read various socialist critiques of Obama. I also was attracted to Kasama’s constant reporting which was bold and refreshing for being critical of Obama and upholding communism. That was more than I could say about FRSO.
In May 2009, my teaching practicum ended which freed up alot of time. Now I wasn’t working two jobs, but just one. I still had graduate courses, but they were manageable. My family situation also stabilized. FRSO wanted me to get active since I had more free time. Yet I was determined to get out of FRSO. It all came down to a simple question: why work in the group if it wasn’t working for communism? The parting went fairly well. One member I was friends with tried to keep me in. But I didn’t want to stay. So just as quickly, I was out. I never told my dad that I was an FRSO member until I left. When I shared my experience with him, I was surprised that he found them unprincipled too.
Yet that isn’t the end of the story. Not quite. A year later, there had been a death in the family. It was pretty sudden. At this point, I had pretty much focused whole-heartedly on graduate school (I finished in August 2010). Yet I wanted to get back active. I sent out some feelers to a few friends about what organizing was going on. The FRSO got back to me. I wondered if the FRSO had seen the errors of their line (especially considering all Obama had done).Not so. According to them, they had never supported Obama! They gave me some literature to explain their position on Obama (the literature actually called for support to Obama). Well, I ditched that too and I went my merry way.
Lest you think that this is some disillusionment, please let me be clear. I’m even more of a communist now than when I joined FRSO. My problem with the FRSO isn’t that they were communist, but that they were not. I keep active. I write (fiction and politics). I maintain this blog. I keep a youtube channel going where I keep the red flag flying (check it out and comment!). I try to stay active.
As bad as my experience in FRSO was, it wasn’t too entirely worthless. I got water thrown in my eye to be sure. But I learned. Sometimes failure is a better teacher than success. I saw that the ABCs of communism that I had learned were a little different on the ground. I was sharpened my own ideas of what a communist organization had to do. Instead of hiding our ideas, let’s place them forward boldly. Let’s not beg for reforms from the powerful, but raise the consciousness of the masses for revolution now.
http://enaadoug.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/cold-water-in-the-eye-my-experiences-in-freedom-road-socialist-organization-left-refoundation/
By Enaa/Doug Greene
From November 2008 to June 2009, I was a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization/FRSO (Left Refoundation). This was a natural outgrowth of previous political development which had largely been academic. I was well-read in Marxist theory and itching for some form of action. I believed after my initial encounters with FRSO that this was a group that was advancing a communist agenda. Very quickly, I was disabused of this notion.
Until I joined FRSO, I was largely aloof from organized communist groups. I had considered myself a conscious communist for some time, but I had not joined. Many of the groups that I considered left a bad taste in my mouth. Too many organizations I didn’t even look at because they were little more than sects debating the Marxist equivalent of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. I wanted to join an organization that was principled, not bound by sectarianism and engaged in practical organization. From my own vantage point, nothing seemed to fit the bill.
So what did I, a communist do instead of joining a group? I donated money. I attended various demonstrations. I contributed occasional pieces of writing to various magazines. Mostly I studied. I spent nearly five years in college and practically worked full time as a cashier/assistant manager to pay my way. I made it a point to deepen my knowledge of communism whenever I got the chance.
Yet mere knowledge wasn’t enough. It could serve me when debating in a college class or on a paper. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be in the struggle. So when I got the chance, I took it.
In early 2008, I had finished my undergraduate degree and was applying for graduate school (history major in both if you were wondering). Through a friend, I learned about a labor/immigrant/student political economy study group near where I lived. This friend offered to let me join in. Itching for some practical struggle, I jumped at the opportunity.
I won’t recount the details of the study group here (if you’re interested read my essay, Observations on FRSO and the Mass Line). At the time, I had a positive experience. I worked with about 15 students, immigrants, and workers. We seemed to get a basic grasp of political economy. It taught me a great deal about practical organizing, holding a study group, and just hearing people out. I think I romanticized it at the time, later after leaving I grew more critical (the group didn’t discuss communism or break with Democrat/reformist ideas). When one of the organizers (who was in FRSO) talked to me about joining the group, I was definitely interested.
Well, I didn’t get involved with the group right away. Potential members had to attend various study groups and then were formally asked to join. Through the summer of 2008, I attended about four sessions. The topics discussed were Women/Gender Oppression, National Question, Mass Line, and Marxist Politics. There were no more than seven people at each group. These groups were mostly a back and forth on what we’d read (which consisted of short articles).
The sessions certainly were friendly and respectful of the various opinions exchanged. It felt like I was among comrades. Yet there were misgivings in the background that I became aware of later on. Some of those attending the meetings were really excited about the US Presidential Elections (this was 2008 and Obama was the great hope). I didn’t see why Marxists should be involved in cheer-leading for Obama. I could see why they were excited for him since he was Black and his election could be a blow to white supremacy (yet his politics were decidedly reactionary which was never addressed by those at the meetings).
Related to this was that while there was a lot of talk about Obama, there was none about communism. Sounds strange, but hear me out. I was fighting for communism and assumed everyone else in FRSO was too (you know what they say when you assume). Communism was something in the future. It was a far off goal that wasn’t discussed. This got to me the more I thought about it. There was a lot of discussion about student and worker organizing (as there should be). But it was an incomplete discussion. What was the point of this discussion if not to advance toward communism? There was no relation of our movement to its end. We seemed to talk about getting people active (in unions and politics). All well and good. But no discussion of getting people active as communists. It was about getting active in whatever was going on at the moment and no relation to the future. Isn’t the place of a communist to raise consciousness and relate the particular struggle to the communist end?
Organizing to me made no sense if there was no relation to communism. Let me elaborate. My late father was an organizer for the local Democratic Party where I lived. He was a damned good organizer too. He could get people to meetings or a lecture. He could mail out literature. He could go door to door for a candidate. Yet it didn’t mean a thing. His organizing was all to perpetuate the status quo (we argued over the point many times). He could get people elected, but they wouldn’t challenge anything of the putrid capitalist system. They might propose a few reforms, but nothing substantial. His organizing was within the confines of the system. It didn’t raise the consciousness of those involved. It didn’t seek a new and better society. In many ways, I felt that what FRSO was doing was similar to my dad’s activities…except my dad was up-front about where he stood.
These misgivings remained with me as the summer wore on. But either through being naive or sheer inexperience, I still decided to join up with FRSO. By now, the economy was crashing and Obama was coming into office. The FRSO members were real hopeful about some kind of radical opening. So was I. I wanted to take a shot at the system.
Although I joined FRSO in November, I didn’t attend my first meeting until early January 2009. It wasn’t the best time for me to be active though. I was doing a student teaching practicum which was at least forty hours of work a week (with no pay). The practicum was part of graduate school work which took most of the rest of my time. I had a class on campus that I also had to study for. I had another job on campus too (paid!) that helped with tuition and had flexible hours, but it was still a drain. Lastly, there was a crisis in my family (someone I was close to was suicidal). As you can imagine, I was stretched to the limit. Still, I was a communist and I was determined to do my small part for the revolution.
I managed to juggle everything fairly well until my practicum ended (May if you’re wondering) which freed up my time. I was able to attend the required meetings of FRSO, but it soured pretty damned fast.
At the first meeting, the local group was throwing a party to celebrate Obama’s inauguration (other Obama linked ‘popular’ groups in the area were also attending). This disgusted me. How could a socialist group even consider celebrating the inauguration of a capitalist leader? I was supposed to pass out leaflets on campus and do some organizing on facebook. I was given a bunch of fliers dealing with the ‘celebration.’ The next time I was campus, I ditched them in the fist trash can I found. I also made an excuse to get out of the party (my father was throwing one for Obama too, why didn’t I go to that). I didn’t sign up to fight for them.
The FRSO members said that they were throwing this party to stay linked with the active masses. They said that it was to raise their consciousness and keep the Obama base involved in various struggles. Yet the only struggles talked about were more reforms that could be had. How could this be otherwise if you weren’t going to put your communist politics boldly out in front? FRSO was making out like someone who understood the masses was seemingly in power. It seems that instead of raising the consciousness of the masses, they just lowered themselves to the worst reformist illusions.
The other meetings weren’t so bad, but that isn’t to say that they were any good. It was always about pushing Obama/Democrats to the left. I remember when the health care bill came up. FRSO members talked about trying to get the best possible plan with a public option. There was never a word about socialized medicine (my dad was actually calling for that). Other topics like card check or Iraq were pretty much the same. Let’s lobby. Let’s put a little pressure on our Democrats friends by writing letters or having a rally. It was all about getting a little more and being realistic. I remember being told that you had to compromise and do what was possible since we lived in a non-revolutionary period.
Funny, I knew that if you played by the system’s rules you weren’t going to get very far. FRSO seemed to be willing to accept the game board the system had laid out. As a communist, I believed that we needed to dip that game board in gasoline and light it up. Weren’t we supposed to change the very constellation of choices? Wasn’t there a slogan that said: be realistic and demand the impossible?
There were a few other points that crept in and galled at me. One member was pretty critical of Lenin and Mao (even calling the Bolshevik revolution mistaken at one point). That got on my nerves. Here I was in a socialist organization that was more critical of Lenin than Obama. Cunning of reason I suppose.
The FRSO members seemed nostalgic of their past activities (most of those I was with were in their 50s). What they’d done in past struggles was something to be proud of. It was like talking about the exploits of being high school and all the crazy/fun things you did. But now you’re grown up and taking things seriously. I’m a historian and I like talking about the past too, but shouldn’t our past struggles be linked to the present.
I do have a slight confession to make here. I hope that you see it as a normal human failing. I remember feeling that since I had joined the FRSO and had so little experience that I should try and learn and not rock the boat (at least not until I was more active). To be fair, the FRSO members were respectful of the demands on my time and seemed to realize that everyone had other personal commitments. Whenever I went to meetings, I didn’t really speak up. I was already tired from my busy life. I just went through the motions.
This isn’t some disillusioned communist story though. During this time, I remember reading around. I read various socialist critiques of Obama. I also was attracted to Kasama’s constant reporting which was bold and refreshing for being critical of Obama and upholding communism. That was more than I could say about FRSO.
In May 2009, my teaching practicum ended which freed up alot of time. Now I wasn’t working two jobs, but just one. I still had graduate courses, but they were manageable. My family situation also stabilized. FRSO wanted me to get active since I had more free time. Yet I was determined to get out of FRSO. It all came down to a simple question: why work in the group if it wasn’t working for communism? The parting went fairly well. One member I was friends with tried to keep me in. But I didn’t want to stay. So just as quickly, I was out. I never told my dad that I was an FRSO member until I left. When I shared my experience with him, I was surprised that he found them unprincipled too.
Yet that isn’t the end of the story. Not quite. A year later, there had been a death in the family. It was pretty sudden. At this point, I had pretty much focused whole-heartedly on graduate school (I finished in August 2010). Yet I wanted to get back active. I sent out some feelers to a few friends about what organizing was going on. The FRSO got back to me. I wondered if the FRSO had seen the errors of their line (especially considering all Obama had done).Not so. According to them, they had never supported Obama! They gave me some literature to explain their position on Obama (the literature actually called for support to Obama). Well, I ditched that too and I went my merry way.
Lest you think that this is some disillusionment, please let me be clear. I’m even more of a communist now than when I joined FRSO. My problem with the FRSO isn’t that they were communist, but that they were not. I keep active. I write (fiction and politics). I maintain this blog. I keep a youtube channel going where I keep the red flag flying (check it out and comment!). I try to stay active.
As bad as my experience in FRSO was, it wasn’t too entirely worthless. I got water thrown in my eye to be sure. But I learned. Sometimes failure is a better teacher than success. I saw that the ABCs of communism that I had learned were a little different on the ground. I was sharpened my own ideas of what a communist organization had to do. Instead of hiding our ideas, let’s place them forward boldly. Let’s not beg for reforms from the powerful, but raise the consciousness of the masses for revolution now.
From The Pages Of "Workers Vanguard"-Defend Quebec Students!
Click on the headline to link to the International Communist League website.
Workers Vanguard No. 1004
8 June 2012
Defend Quebec Students!
The following statement was written by our comrades of the Trotskyist League/Ligue Trotskyste, Canadian section of the International Communist League (Fourth Internationalist).
Since their strike began in mid February, Quebec students and their supporters have faced brutal repression at the hands of the capitalist state. A recent “Request for solidarity and support” by the Legal Committee of the CLASSE student federation notes that the Quebec government’s Law 78 represents “the biggest attack on civil and democratic rights since the enactment of the War Measures Act in 1970.” As of May 18, the Legal Committee had already “documented and is supporting 472 criminal accusations as well as 1047 ticket and penal offenses.” Following the passage of Law 78 that same evening, the number of arrests has risen to well over 2,500.
The CLASSE Legal Committee adds that “those numbers only reflect those charged with an offense, without mentioning the thousands pepper sprayed and tear gassed, clubbed and beaten, detained and released. It does not mention Francis Grenier, who lost use of most of an eye when a sound grenade was illegally thrown by a police officer into his face in downtown Montreal. It does not mention Maxence Valade who lost a full eye and Alexandre Allard who clung to life in a coma on a hospital bed for days, both having received a police rubber bullet to the head in Victoriaville.” In addition, students who have called to defend strike pickets in the face of court injunctions, including CLASSE spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, face “contempt of court” charges that carry fines of up to $50,000 and possible jail time. Drop all charges against students and their supporters!
The Partisan Defense Committee—the legal and social defense organization associated with the Trotskyist League/Ligue Trotskyste—has made a donation to the CLASSE Legal Committee, and we join with the Committee in urging that trade unions, other organizations and individuals do the same. Make cheques payable to “Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante,” and send them to: ASSÉ, 2065 rue Parthenais, Bureau 383, Montreal QC H2K 3T1. “CLASSE Legal Committee” should be noted in the memo line.
Workers Vanguard No. 1004
8 June 2012
Defend Quebec Students!
The following statement was written by our comrades of the Trotskyist League/Ligue Trotskyste, Canadian section of the International Communist League (Fourth Internationalist).
Since their strike began in mid February, Quebec students and their supporters have faced brutal repression at the hands of the capitalist state. A recent “Request for solidarity and support” by the Legal Committee of the CLASSE student federation notes that the Quebec government’s Law 78 represents “the biggest attack on civil and democratic rights since the enactment of the War Measures Act in 1970.” As of May 18, the Legal Committee had already “documented and is supporting 472 criminal accusations as well as 1047 ticket and penal offenses.” Following the passage of Law 78 that same evening, the number of arrests has risen to well over 2,500.
The CLASSE Legal Committee adds that “those numbers only reflect those charged with an offense, without mentioning the thousands pepper sprayed and tear gassed, clubbed and beaten, detained and released. It does not mention Francis Grenier, who lost use of most of an eye when a sound grenade was illegally thrown by a police officer into his face in downtown Montreal. It does not mention Maxence Valade who lost a full eye and Alexandre Allard who clung to life in a coma on a hospital bed for days, both having received a police rubber bullet to the head in Victoriaville.” In addition, students who have called to defend strike pickets in the face of court injunctions, including CLASSE spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, face “contempt of court” charges that carry fines of up to $50,000 and possible jail time. Drop all charges against students and their supporters!
The Partisan Defense Committee—the legal and social defense organization associated with the Trotskyist League/Ligue Trotskyste—has made a donation to the CLASSE Legal Committee, and we join with the Committee in urging that trade unions, other organizations and individuals do the same. Make cheques payable to “Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante,” and send them to: ASSÉ, 2065 rue Parthenais, Bureau 383, Montreal QC H2K 3T1. “CLASSE Legal Committee” should be noted in the memo line.
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