SUENOSDEUOMI'S RUMINATIONS AND PERSPECTIVE
Why?
Why do I support the Occupy Movement? Because it is time!
I absolutely hate US war mongering along with corporate driven mainstream media's underreporting of the peace protests. I am so fed up with the cowboy mentality that brought so much devastation with no repercussions to the instigators, Bush, Cheney and cohorts. Sadly these days this is continued by our US government, ironically by our Nobel Peace Price winning President Barack Obama, who must have sanctioned the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. Unforgivable for our President, a lawyer, to not have made every effort to apprehend and to have brought before an international court of justice Osama Bin Laden.
I hate US simple mindedness, of which George Bush will forever serve as poster child. It allowed for Bush to be elected twice, no matter any deceit, he got a lot of votes. This made America the laughing stock of the world. On top Bush got away with it all. No repercussions, except for a few countries (Spain and Canada, maybe others) ready to arrest him if he so much as touches their ground.
I hate US expansionism, no doubt pushed by corporate greed. We are given bogus reasons for invading and manipulating sovereign countries, even when the world knew Saddam had not been involved with 9/11 and we the US were begged to wait for the special report on Saddam's nuclear capabilities and intentions. We can not allow this same mistake, as some like to put it, or deceit, as others see it, to happen again with Iran!
"Military spending, found in the Department of Defense and other departments, has increased dramatically during each year that George W. Bush and Barack Obama have been president, roughly doubling during the past decade... both as measured in real dollars and as a percentage share of discretionary spending. Military and related “security” spending is now at over $1 trillion per year and comprises well over half of federal discretionary spending. It is also very nearly equal to the military spending of all other nations on earth combined. Ending our two most costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before the 2013 fiscal year budget would save $1.8 trillion, as compared with ending those wars on the currently planned schedule, with savings of $108 billion per year." The 99% Deficit Proposal
"Military spending, found in the Department of Defense and other departments, has increased dramatically during each year that George W. Bush and Barack Obama have been president, roughly doubling during the past decade... both as measured in real dollars and as a percentage share of discretionary spending. Military and related “security” spending is now at over $1 trillion per year and comprises well over half of federal discretionary spending. It is also very nearly equal to the military spending of all other nations on earth combined. Ending our two most costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before the 2013 fiscal year budget would save $1.8 trillion, as compared with ending those wars on the currently planned schedule, with savings of $108 billion per year." The 99% Deficit Proposal
I hate to see all those funds go in to war mongering and useless defensive strategies when the American people are suffering and living in 3. world conditions already. Brown University estimates that our wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan have cost 236,000 lives and $4 trillion. My state of residence for the last quarter century holds the 14th highest position of food insecurity. Kids go to bed hungry, here in the US! I want to see America close bases all around the world and especially in Germany, but instead it was announced the other day that expansionism will be continued now with bases in Australia, supposedly to keep an eye on China.
While President Obama got elected under the premises of offering change, what we got is small change rather then real change. A mandate for the poor to get health insurance will bolster the insurance industries on cost of those that can afford it least. Nothing but universal health insurance will do. President Obama, while he admitted in an ideal world that would be best, never fought for us, the 99% of Americans.
One of the most egregious acts against the 99% may well come from the Superior Court's decision of having awarded corporations personhood along with an ability of unlimited funding to causes of their choice. This effectively has undermined our current democracy of one person - one vote, to one where those with the funds will be able to buy their votes, not in small part through deceptive and rigged, right wing media. (Why anyone would pay attention though to propaganda by either party, especially before an election is beyond me.) I shudder at all the wasted money thrown down this media monster machine in an endless frenzy of attempted manipulation. Meanwhile real people with real bellies and real mouths and real eyes go hungry, homeless and do not receive the medical care they need, or get it too late. (Check on the stories on We Are The 99%, they are heart breaking.) "Somewhere along the way, capitalism reduced the idea of justice to mean just "human rights." Arundhati Roy
As regards taxation, I am not in the camp that simply believes the rich should pay for the poor. What I do want is fair taxation that no longer allows corporations and individuals to use legal loopholes for tax evasion purposes. "Closing corporate tax loopholes would return the fair share of taxes paid by corporations to the funding of government. Declining corporate taxation is another prime factor in increasing ...deficits. Corporate income taxes have fallen from roughly 4.8% of GDP in the 1950s to only 1.8% of GDP over the past decade. Ending just two large breaks, deferral of overseas revenue and accelerated depreciation would raise about $114 billion over a decade. The Treasury Department lists $365 billion in corporate tax breaks being gifted annually — that’s $3.65 trillion over the next 10 years. Due to tax loopholes, corporations pay record low tax rates — they actually pay 21% on average. Indeed, a recent report by Citizens for Tax Justice found that Wells Fargo received $18 billion in tax breaks, while both Verizon and General Electric paid negative taxes. Earlier Citizens for Tax Justice reported that 12 major companies which together made $171 billion in profits from 2008-2010 paid a negative $2.5 billion in taxes, thanks to $62 billion in tax subsidies." The 99% Deficit Proposal
There is too the world of lobbyists I personally have little experience with, but somehow understand the need for reform as there is an urgent need as well in the area of finance and banking regulations.
The Occupy movement has only just begun to scratch the surface, but tapped in to an outrage that is profound and will last and will be transformed only with real change. Global occupation sites have shown the world that it is time and that we, the 99 percent, are willing to go to great length toward global justice.
While President Obama got elected under the premises of offering change, what we got is small change rather then real change. A mandate for the poor to get health insurance will bolster the insurance industries on cost of those that can afford it least. Nothing but universal health insurance will do. President Obama, while he admitted in an ideal world that would be best, never fought for us, the 99% of Americans.
One of the most egregious acts against the 99% may well come from the Superior Court's decision of having awarded corporations personhood along with an ability of unlimited funding to causes of their choice. This effectively has undermined our current democracy of one person - one vote, to one where those with the funds will be able to buy their votes, not in small part through deceptive and rigged, right wing media. (Why anyone would pay attention though to propaganda by either party, especially before an election is beyond me.) I shudder at all the wasted money thrown down this media monster machine in an endless frenzy of attempted manipulation. Meanwhile real people with real bellies and real mouths and real eyes go hungry, homeless and do not receive the medical care they need, or get it too late. (Check on the stories on We Are The 99%, they are heart breaking.) "Somewhere along the way, capitalism reduced the idea of justice to mean just "human rights." Arundhati Roy
As regards taxation, I am not in the camp that simply believes the rich should pay for the poor. What I do want is fair taxation that no longer allows corporations and individuals to use legal loopholes for tax evasion purposes. "Closing corporate tax loopholes would return the fair share of taxes paid by corporations to the funding of government. Declining corporate taxation is another prime factor in increasing ...deficits. Corporate income taxes have fallen from roughly 4.8% of GDP in the 1950s to only 1.8% of GDP over the past decade. Ending just two large breaks, deferral of overseas revenue and accelerated depreciation would raise about $114 billion over a decade. The Treasury Department lists $365 billion in corporate tax breaks being gifted annually — that’s $3.65 trillion over the next 10 years. Due to tax loopholes, corporations pay record low tax rates — they actually pay 21% on average. Indeed, a recent report by Citizens for Tax Justice found that Wells Fargo received $18 billion in tax breaks, while both Verizon and General Electric paid negative taxes. Earlier Citizens for Tax Justice reported that 12 major companies which together made $171 billion in profits from 2008-2010 paid a negative $2.5 billion in taxes, thanks to $62 billion in tax subsidies." The 99% Deficit Proposal
There is too the world of lobbyists I personally have little experience with, but somehow understand the need for reform as there is an urgent need as well in the area of finance and banking regulations.
The Occupy movement has only just begun to scratch the surface, but tapped in to an outrage that is profound and will last and will be transformed only with real change. Global occupation sites have shown the world that it is time and that we, the 99 percent, are willing to go to great length toward global justice.
Cutie Patoutie
Sumo stares at me intently.
"Your are leaving without me?"
Yes, I am off to protest
and stand at a busy intersection
not too safe a place for doggies, sorry.
My Experience with Occupy
I want to explore still why I am so attracted to the Occupy movement, like I take to it like a Mermaid to water. But the influx of information, opinions and happenings are overwhelming. On top I feel like I ought to present a masterly dissertation in favor of the Occupy movement. But I am conflicted like with most anything and things keep on changing. Even while I was writing my post 11.11.11 describing the progress of our local encampment, the fire department had been checking out the site and had ordered the disuse of propane, leaving the kitchen stranded for the weekend, well kinda. Charcoal grills that are part of the park are o.k. to use and of course the community came to assistance.
On my way home from the encampment through the Farmers Market on Saturday, I managed to score a whole chicken and proceeded to cook my very first chicken soup from a whole bird. I was scared to reach inside and deal with the innards, but my fear was unfounded, all was wrapped in plastic and much appreciated by my pups, but not our Pretty Kitty, he is a finicky eater for sure. I was ready to deliver the goods, a pot of steaming hot soup with vegetables from the community garden across the encampment, on my bike at night, but got a response from my post on-line and got a ride, appreciated in frigid winter temperatures. The feedback next day was glowing "the best soup ever" despite little salt and spice since some of the campers can not tolerate such and our "Chef" had suffered a stroke. Tough to camp out in winter temperatures after a stroke, but he insists it to be his choice. There would be beds and warm meals at the shelter, but he prefers to be an essential part at our occupation site.
The very next day one crotchety, senior part time camper told me that he wished I would do something on my visits to camp. We seem to have a lot of those senior, sinewy, seemingly uptight guys in our local occupation movement. I have been walking my pups to the occupation site and through the park twice daily most days now since the site at my nearby park got occupied. It is a good way to get a feel for things, relay some information and offer a helping hand where needed.
I want to state that I did not vote for establishing an encampment, I abstained, because I knew I would not be an occupier and because I am not convinced that the freedom to assembly includes the freedom to create tent cities in public places.
There are those that abhor the mere mention of such doubts and want those voices to shut up and go someplace else. I find that offensive and unacceptable. Americans really seem to be unable to tolerate dissent. One dear senior expressed a wish for those homeless occupiers to get pocket money for cigarettes and time off, maybe to hang out in a warm coffee shop. While his desire no doubt came from his heart and his experience spending nights at the site, I find it wholly unacceptable to pay protesters. I always object to providing anyone with their drug of choice, be that cigarettes, alcohol, dope or donuts. My senior buddy stomped off upon hearing my remark, somewhat flippant I admit, and we have not communicated since.
At such times it is good to go back to basics, do what's in front, take the next step. Despite having caught a cold during our last General Assembly and despite my doubts about the legitimacy of a tent city in an urban environment, I took to the street with my erasable bulletin board the morning after the unnecessarily forceful clearing of the People's Park, the Occupy Wall Street encampment. I was mostly standing alone! Campers did not feel like it! There were never as many as even a dozen protesters in the main intersection where our protest were to be held, announced on line while the destruction of OWS still was in full progress! A movement that can not mobilize at a moment's notice seems to me is not a movement! Movement or not, I believe we are the 99%, maybe 99.99%! I might take to the streets, or rather side walks alone, because it is time!
I object to police brutality, to the devious secrecy of the military style police action, and to the thrashing of personal property including the public library, all hauled off in dump trucks (60 out of 5000 books do not restore what must have been an outstanding library donated in part by Pattie Smith.) If you have not done so yet, feel free to place your objections with Major Bloomberg by calling 1 212 639 9675.
We can not eradicate an idea whose time has come!
99 Versus 1 Percent
11.17.11, Noon: MoveOn coordinated civic action,
locally, across from Whole Foods,
near our Occupy Santa Fe encampment.
11.11.11
It has been now over a full month of involvement for me with the Occupy movement. All along I have been feeling a need to express why I felt such an immediate attraction and got actively involved locally as soon as I discovered our first camp across Bank of America, erected on impulse, after that first successful demonstration on October 8th. Unlike my more usual reluctance to join any one group, I have been feeling compelled to stand up and be counted, so to say, and to do my part in speaking out and taking a stand against our global and local, social and economic injustices.
Lacking proper gear and equipment for camping in winter temperatures, I have no inclination of joining our encampment as an occupier. My passion is for the causes (there are so many) rather then the occupation. But if it takes an occupation to join a global movement for justice then I am all for supporting those that are willing to occupy.
This said, I am in awe on what Occupy Santa Fe has managed to accomplish in such a short time. As I mentioned in an earlier post, besides a circle of about 25 tents, the kitchen got moved in to the bigger tent and got organized with the help of two welcome shelves, what a difference. The rotating crew puts out three warm and delicious meals a day, despite challenges of accessing clean running water (frozen during frigid nights.) A third generator, now encased in straw bale to dampen the noise, supports meetings at the big tent with light and heat at night. Two solar panels got set up and are working, able to juice up computers and cell phones. Various working groups have been busy and teach-ins already happened and continue to do so, including today.
Yet there is trouble, here locally, like there is at occupation sites world wide, challenged by the winter season in particular, and for us locally by part of our population that is homeless, addicted, sometimes psychotic and on occasion violent. So despite great achievements the occupation has been seriously put in to question. Discussions will be had in these next few days. Should we give up the encampment and move somewhere indoors? There are no easy answers. I will keep you posted. Come back if you care to find out.
to be continued
Occupy Santa Fe
Occupy Santa Fe has grown to now feature two generators, two solar panels, a media tent, a good size tent used by the kitchen, and since this morning a large tent to accommodate good sized groups of activists for general assemblies, teach-ins and working groups. A circle of individual and community tents fill in a good size circle that is the occupation site. We are lucky to have bathrooms available near by along with 2 outhouses placed by order of our Major.
Occupy Santa Fe now has a website that features forums and the various working groups anyone can participate in, once signed in with WordPress. Of course Occupy Santa Fe can be found on facebook, twitter and also on flickr.
As of yesterday Occupy Santa Fe raised $2500. There is now an account with Del Norte Credit Union.
Tomorrow Occupy Santa Fe will partake in a nation wide action "Move Your Money". For that purpose a protest will be held in front of Bank of America and Wells Fargo on St. Michael's Drive, starting 9 in the morning. If you have not yet moved your money out of the major banks and are not yet motivated to do so, you may check on these 10 reasons to get inspired. If you have moved your money already, like I did ages ago, fed up with the treatment I got, still show up at a demonstration near you and lend your body to a worthy cause.
This action will be followed by teach-ins and trainings, check the Events page for details.
Today's Tidbits
"Because you kept your progressive mouth shut, I am gonna leave you a tip" my client proclaimed today. I know he was happy to leave with a lot less pain then he arrived. One has got to love those charming customers that are able to keep a sense of humor. We laughed heartily and yes, I did not engage in a conversation about my new 'Occupy Santa Fe' bumper sticker, he of course noticed, nor about the Canadians hoping to arrest former President Bush during his visit, same as the French and Spainiards threatened.
The Occupiers took it upon themselves to clean the bathrooms, a welcome service to the community. The street folks have been out in force it seems at the park with police nowhere in sight. The occupiers take turns in keeping watch during the night, a prudent thing to do. Some horror stories surfaced of folks entangled with families and alcohol. The Occupiers will have to hold a fine balance as regards their role and boundaries at the encampment with the street folks that have been occupying our park all along.
Moral Outrage Fuels The Occupy Movement
These last almost 2 weeks have been busy since the start of my involvement with Occupy Santa Fe/Occupy Wall Street, really Occupy Everywhere. The first day I arrived at the encampment across from the Bank of America, after that first big demonstration on October 8th, I simply joined a group of protesters and held up my own erasable board with my message. I live right near the birthplace of the nuclear bomb, Los Alamos, one of the wealthiest communities in the US, that of course thrives, due to their focus on military defense, rather then a focus on green sustainable invention in science. I am outraged at the money that flows in to military spending and I want it to stop!
Soon though I realized that there is wisdom in not making outright demands, yet. This now global movement just emerged. It is crucial to not splinter off in separate factions, to not alienate too many with our individual grievances. But it is time, it is truly time, we are overdue for a rising up and making our voices heard. This is what I believe. Injustice, not just economic, but social runs through the whole fabric of our American society, it is truly shameful.
George Lakoff is right when he calls the Occupy movement a positive and moral force that contrary to the Tea Party does not only care for it self, but includes the 99 percent (in Santa Fe we like to not be divisive and think of it as the 100%) as well as animal and environmental welfare along with world wide inclusiveness. The occupy movement does not hinge on camping out and partying, but it is about a deep moral outrage brought forth in a peaceful, non-violent manner, which may include civil disobedience.
The 99 Percent Declaration states a list of grievances, not approved by Occupy Wall Street, but certainly worth our contemplation and discussions. What follows are a few points of theirs of my choice:
1. Implementing an immediate ban on all private contributions of money and gifts, to all politicians in federal office, from individuals, corporations, "political action committees", "super political action committees", lobbyists, unions and all other private sources of money or thing of value to be replaced by the fair, equal and total public financing of all federal political campaigns. We categorically REJECT the concepts that corporations are persons or that money is equal to free speech because if that were so, then only the wealthiest people and corporations would have a voice.
5. A complete reformation of the United States Tax Code to require ALL citizens to pay a fair share of a progressive, graduated income tax by eliminating loopholes, unfair tax breaks, exemptions and deductions, subsidies (e.g. oil, gas and farm) and ending all other methods of evading taxes. The current system of taxation favors the wealthiest Americans, many of whom, pay fewer taxes to the United States Treasury than citizens who earn much less and pay a much higher percentage of income in taxes to the United States Treasury. We, like Warren Buffet, find this income tax disparity to be fundamentally unjust.
6. Medicare for all American citizens or adoption of a single-payer healthcare system. The Medicaid program, fraught with corruption and fraud, will be eliminated except for the purpose of providing emergency room care to indigent non-citizens who will not be covered by the single-payer healthcare system.
12. Recalling all military personnel at all non-essential bases ...
20. An immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan ...
Finally, I do believe the US needs a 3. non-partisan, independent party, eventually.
Finally, I do believe the US needs a 3. non-partisan, independent party, eventually.
We are the 99 Percent!
It is time.
It is time.
We got the power in numbers.
We will be silent no more.
Occupy Santa Fe Encampment
Since the first demonstration last Saturday, Occupy Santa Fe has spontaneously created and manned an encampment right across the Bank of America. The big tent is stacked with art supplies for the making of signs and holds tables and chairs for peaceful assemblies. Meetings will be held 6 pm every day of this week until the big event next Saturday, October 15th, 10 am at the Round House. This will be an assembly from the people, for the people. No politicians or political parties will be allowed to take over with their agendas. There will be no PA system, but the human mic will be employed, same as it's done on Wall Street, with people repeating each sentence, so as to really take in the spirit and take to heart what is voiced.
Our Major and the police are well aware of these first stirrings of what we hope will be a movement for positive change. They have expressed their support. Will you join in and show your support? People are needed at this camp, day and night. I will be there again tomorrow 4-6 pm and expect to attend the evening meetings this week. I estimate about 50 concerned citizens showed up for today's meeting and I was glad to find myself among a very well functioning, organized, civilized, friendly group of spirited people. Check out this Occupy Together Field Manual.
Occupy Santa Fe
In Solidarity with Occupy Wall Street.
We are the 99%
Dr. Lakind, Protester and Activist
Awake!
Tax Cheat
Dad insisted on attending today's protest.
Eloquent Jewish Mom
Objects in 3 Billion/Year Aid to Israel
while Education is threatened with cuts.
Bank of Avarice
Corporate Personhood
Corporations and Congress
Balance the Budget on OUR Backs
My neighbor Amba
wants corporate money
out of politics and climate.
I could not agree more.
It's good to have like-minded neighbors.
It's about time people take to the streets!
They are, and not just in Santa Fe,
and not just the young,
or poor, or uneducated ones.
It's about time
Bring back the troops!
Stop the occupations!
Close military bases across the world!
Why is the US still stationed in Germany?
The free market does not protect the worker.
We need unions!
Universal Health Care for all!
No one in their right mind
can believe these protests are about Debit Card fees.
Banks were given bail out money with no strings!
Executives received obscene and immoral bonuses,
while home owners were left to hang and dry.
They have taken homes
through an illegal foreclosure process,
despite not having the original mortgage.
We come to you at a time when corporations --
which place profit over people,
self-interest over justice,
and oppression over equality --
run our governments.
Voila, a hotchpotch of slogans
taken off the net, mainly facebook,
not my original thoughts,
but all resonating in my heart.
Weather permitting I will take to the street tomorrow.
Will you?
We Are the 99 Percent
We Are the 99 Percent
Occupy Wall Street
Eloquent Manifesto
dramatically read by Keith Olbermann
in text rather then video format, for now:
The statement issued from Zuccotti Park by the general assembly at Occupy Wall Street.
We come to you at a time when corporations -- which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality -- run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here as is our right to let these facts be known.
They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give executives exorbitant bonuses.
They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in workplaces based on age, the color of one's skin, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.
They have profited off the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices.
They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.
They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is, itself, a human right.
They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut worker's health care and pay.
They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people with none of the culpability or responsibility.
They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams, but look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.
They have sold our privacy as a commodity.
They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.
They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products, endangering lives in pursuit of profit.
They determine economic policy despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.
They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them.
They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.
They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people's lives, or provide relief in order to protect investments that havealready turned a substantial profit.
They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.
They purposefully kept people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.
They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners, even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.
They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.
They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.
They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.
To the people of the world,
We, the New York City general assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.
Exercise your right to peaceably assemble, occupy public space, create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.
To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.
Join us and make your voices heard."
dramatically read by Keith Olbermann
in text rather then video format, for now:
The statement issued from Zuccotti Park by the general assembly at Occupy Wall Street.
"As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies. As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members. That our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors. That a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people, and the Earth, and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power.
We come to you at a time when corporations -- which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality -- run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here as is our right to let these facts be known.
They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give executives exorbitant bonuses.
They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in workplaces based on age, the color of one's skin, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.
They have profited off the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices.
They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.
They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is, itself, a human right.
They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut worker's health care and pay.
They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people with none of the culpability or responsibility.
They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams, but look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.
They have sold our privacy as a commodity.
They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.
They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products, endangering lives in pursuit of profit.
They determine economic policy despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.
They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them.
They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.
They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people's lives, or provide relief in order to protect investments that havealready turned a substantial profit.
They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.
They purposefully kept people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.
They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners, even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.
They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.
They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.
They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.
To the people of the world,
We, the New York City general assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.
Exercise your right to peaceably assemble, occupy public space, create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.
To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.
Join us and make your voices heard."
Support Occupy Santa Fe
Occupy Santa Fe will hold a rally Saturday, October 8th,
at Bank of America, Saint Francis and Paseo de Peralta
10 am to 5 pm.
Steve Jobs - October 5, 2011
Apple changed my life,
thanks to the creative genius of Steve Jobs.
What a giant of a man!
We mourn his premature passing.
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. Stay hungry. Stay foolish."
I remember my commutes across the bay in the late nineties, with billboards along 580 doing for once for me what they were designed to do - invoke a desire for the product they advertised. Those iBooks in their sleek design and their cute colors (purple my favorite, but the blue one was on sale refurbished) looked like something I might actually want to lay my eyes on, have near me and learn how to use.
"I read a study that measured the efficiency of locomotion for various species on the planet. The condor used the least energy to move a kilometer. Humans came in with a rather unimpressive showing about a third of the way down the list....That didn't look so good, but then someone at Scientific American had the insight to test the efficiency of lomotion for a man on a bicycle and a man on a bicycle blew the condor away.
That's what a computer is to me: the computer is the most remarkable tool that we've ever come up with. It's the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds."
That's what a computer is to me: the computer is the most remarkable tool that we've ever come up with. It's the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds."
I took to the Apple iBook like a Mermaid takes to water. Not a geek by any means I was able to learn, mostly by myself and would not be here without an Apple laptop, I am currently still only on my second iBook, now in it's 7th year of use.
"It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them."
This quote of Steve's sure rings true in my ears and supports my experience in my approach to bodywork. Clients would show up for one, usually superficial reason, relaxation, and leave often with an epiphany. They had no idea, about the state of their bodies, their true needs and wants! Steve Jobs differed in that he knew how to advertise his products. He knew how to create a desire for products we had no idea yet we wanted, much less needed. He also had inventions for sale that could be looked at, held, inspected, played and experimented with. Very different from my selling an experience that comes and then goes and gets forgotten, or at best stored as a cherished memory in some deep dark recesses of the brain.
"[Y]ou can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."
Jobs had grown Apple into the world’s most valuable technology company through his scrupulous attention to detail and his ability to, in his own words, marry technology with liberal arts and humanities to “make our hearts sing.” Huffington Post
"... great things in business are never done by one person, they're done by a team of people."
Many blame Apple for manufacturing their products outside the US and depriving Americans of badly needed jobs. Laws may need changing in this respect, but to blame a company for choosing cheaper labor in areas of the world with lower living standards is excessively idealistic and unreasonable. What may constitute worker exploitation needs to be adjusted to each culture, but world wide basic standards ought to apply. Nobody wants to exploit child labor, yet some children are rather happy to be able to work. I started a paying job, illegally then in Switzerland at the age of 14, and loved it! Maybe a hefty import tax would solve the problem?
Many blame Apple for manufacturing their products outside the US and depriving Americans of badly needed jobs. Laws may need changing in this respect, but to blame a company for choosing cheaper labor in areas of the world with lower living standards is excessively idealistic and unreasonable. What may constitute worker exploitation needs to be adjusted to each culture, but world wide basic standards ought to apply. Nobody wants to exploit child labor, yet some children are rather happy to be able to work. I started a paying job, illegally then in Switzerland at the age of 14, and loved it! Maybe a hefty import tax would solve the problem?
Steve Jobs died of complications of Pancreatic Cancer, diagnosed in 2004. He worked as CEO of Apple until 6 weeks prior to his passing. "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being," Apple
President Barack Obama said Jobs was "among the greatest of American innovators -- brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. "
President Barack Obama said Jobs was "among the greatest of American innovators -- brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. "
RIP Steve Jobs!
In A Quiet Celebratory Mood
It must be canine heaven to race free on trails and across meadows, up on the mountain along a stream in National Forrest, where the rules of society no longer apply, where there is freedom.
The green grass seems to transform both of my pups in to cows, chomping away happily. I do not believe as a remedy for their sick stomachs. They simply seem to like the taste of juicy green grass, not so easy to come by in our high desert climate where lawns really have no sane reason for existence. I am reminded of my surprise in discovering the sweetness of Wheat Grass, an alkalizer to our too often acidic blood stream.
It is Sumo's 6th birthday, but a trip up the mountain was sadly not in the cards. Instead we are in a quiet, celebratory mood. Sumo was overjoyed with our walk out the door by 7 am (earlier then usual.) They got to explore the nearby park off lead for a change, even though it is illegal and could result in a hefty fine. Of course Sumo had to immediately check out all the places we usually avoid, such as the kid's playground, where the Squirrels like to hide and the ditch, too close to the train tracks for my comfort.
A treat even before and while breakfast was being prepared was nothing to sneeze at either. Freshly boiled chicken with sweet potatoes certainly pleased our Isabella-girl, but I am not so sure about our birthday-boy. I had to hand feed him and the kitty the first few bites. Maybe too much of the good and healthy stuff like added Brewer's Yeast, Flaxseeds and Braggs?
Getting a chance to accompany me on errands, running along side my bike was a definite winner. We have been doing less of that, because I do not like to leave our Isabella-girl behind as she should not stress her joints and has not been running since early Spring. Sumo is such a good boy though, attentive and so obedient and all too eager to exert himself.
Gizzards for dinner were a hit, no doubt. I am not a fan of raw, red meat, but I do understand that some is good for dogs and cats and Sumo looks a bit too skinny to me of late. Maybe all those 12 mile runs with Eric (see below.) Love does go through the stomach, does it not? I am no fan of human-like celebrations for our pets, but believe a bit of extra love, attention and morsels of their liking will go a long way.
It's raining cats and dogs since mid-afternoon, so instead of our evening walk it will be some more cuddling. We need the rain and will not complain. Sumo is great company, very easy to live with, sweet, attentive, non-demanding, very expressive, sometimes impish, mischievous and outright funny.
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