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local and national features
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Aug 23 2010
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75th Anniversary of the Social Security Act Celebrated |
Social Security was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. Originally a plan for retired workers, it soon became a program to provide monthly income to widows and widowers and their minor children as well as the disabled. Calling the plan "America's promise to its citizens" and opposing any movement to privatize the program, activists in San Francisco and San Jose held demonstrations around the 75th anniversary of Social Security this past week.
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Aug 14 2010
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Democrats Say "F#@K You" to Border Communities |
Congress passes border death bill in Machiavellian election year hijinks
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Aug 12 2010
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Government to Restart Program to Watch Peaceful Civilians |
by Joseph Caye TALON(Threat and Local Observation Notice) was a program ostensibly created to track the activities of those deemed potential terrorist threats. The aim was to gather loads of raw, unfiltered data from citizen reports, and use it to stop disruptive or violent activity. The TALON program grew out of Eagle Eyes, a program created by the Air Force Office of Special Investigation that called on the denizens of each air force base to keep an eye on their scheming neighbors and report suspicious activity. TALON was essentially the same thing, but it was run under the Department of Defense, and so was no longer specific to Air Force bases, and it required hundreds of people and more than a billion dollars to collect and catalog the thousands of reports they received every year. While it existed, if you had reason to believe someone was involved in any activity you deemed “suspicious,” you could call the toll free number, 1800-CALL-SPY, and leave an anonymous, unverified voicemail for the Pentagon. Like many government programs created in response to 9/11, it attacked our personal freedoms and instilled anxiety and distrust in many people. This is the program they’re going to revive.
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Jul 21 2010
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Congressman Blumenauer stand up for peace |
Protesters from Individuals for Justice and the Oregon Progressive Party demonstrated outside the office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer and delivered a petition to pressure him to sign on to bills H.R. 2404 and 3699. Portland, OR, USA, 21/07/2010. One protester, Joe Roe held and wore a diaper with Earl and 4899 referring to the bill H.R. 4899. The bill was passed by the Senate in May and if signed by Obama would provide, "$34.7 billion to support US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq in addition to providing non-military assistance and building up State Department Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It also provides $24 billion to help keep teachers, police, and firefighters employed during the recession, $13 billion to Vietnam War veterans that have been exposed to Agent Orange, $2.8 billion for Haiti relief, $5.7 billion for PELL grants, $677 million to strengthen the border, $275 million for the Gulf oil spill, and $725 million to offset other needs."
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Jul 21 2010
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Lone Vet Report |
SO WHAT IS THIS RULE WE ARE SO PISSED AT? March 24, 2010 Roll call number 186 in the House (Blumenauer voted yes to 4899) Question On Passage: H R 4899 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes Ayes: 239 (Democrat: 234; Republican: 5) Nays: 175 (Democrat: 8; Republican: 167) Abstained: 14 (Democrat: 10; Republican: 4) Result: Bill Passed
In the Senate{.} H.R.4899: Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purpose{...} May 27, 2010 Roll call number 176 in the Senate Question On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 4899, As Amended) Ayes: 67 (Democrat: 53; Republican: 12; Other: 2) Nays: 28 (Democrat: 2; Republican: 26) Abstained: 5 (Democrat: 2; Republican: 3) Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 1/2 (50%) Percentage of 'aye' votes: 67% Result: Bill Passed
This is where the Senate passed amendments to make this bill into a Supplemental for the War/Occupation of Afghanistan, (Obama's Surge.) The Bill HR 4899 is now a way for the President to get his blood money, but there are problems in the House, some "Anti-War Dems" do not want to vote for a war supplemental, but could be bought off with some social programs. The GOP will vote for more killings but not for more social programs; the Bill HR 4899 could fail.
In the Senate{.} H.R.4899: Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purpose{...} May 27, 2010 Roll call number 176 in the Senate Question On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 4899, As Amended) Ayes: 67 (Democrat: 53; Republican: 12; Other: 2) Nays: 28 (Democrat: 2; Republican: 26) Abstained: 5 (Democrat: 2; Republican: 3) Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 1/2 (50%) Percentage of 'aye' votes: 67% Result: Bill Passed
This is where the Senate passed amendments to make this bill into a Supplemental for the War/Occupation of Afghanistan, (Obama's Surge.) The Bill HR 4899 is now a way for the President to get his blood money, but there are problems in the House, some "Anti-War Dems" do not want to vote for a war supplemental, but could be bought off with some social programs. The GOP will vote for more killings but not for more social programs; the Bill HR 4899 could fail.
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Jul 20 2010
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Interruption as Intervention: Why I Fucked with Chuck (Schumer) |
Schumer was the special guest at a hipster romp [last] Sunday. I heckled him off the stage.From Jews Against Israeli Chutzpah: [Last week], as I found myself deep in a sea of Williamsburg hipsters awaiting a "Pool Party" concert at East River State Park, a rather unexpected "special guest" was announced by an entirely too enthusiastic emcee for the artfully apathetic aesthetes who dared not display any sentiment beyond irony. I assumed maybe we'd be graced by some luminary of the scene (spending the last five years in Binghamton, NY prevents me from naming whom that might be)...
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Jul 08 2010
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July 4th: Burning the Flag Day |
Iraq Veterans Against the War, SF, write: The flag is a symbol of our unity and the blood sweat tears of those that came before us. The flag also has a purpose, some times it is a beacon or a message a warning that something is wrong. Jacob Crawford and Josh Wolf write: While millions across the United States of America celebrate freedom (for some), a flag [was burned] to send the statement that many are still waiting to reclaim true freedom.
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Jul 05 2010
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Buffalo Joins Toronto G8/20 Protests |
Buffalo Forum alongside youth and community activists from Buffalo stood together with tens of thousands of Canadians to denounce the anti-people agendas of the G8/20 in Toronto and stand up for the rights of the peoples. Actions took place from June 21-28 and those against criminalization of dissent are continuing across Canada (see cpcml.ca for more).
Buffalo stood proud during a week of protests, representing the fighting stand of Americans to join with Canadians and all the world’s peoples to say No to the Anti-People Agendas of the G8/20! No to Criminalization of Dissent! One Humanity, One Struggle! By organizing to participate in these actions we took up the duty of Americans to stand against the wars, aggression and militarization of the U.S. and represent the drive of the people for their rights, including their right to govern and decide. Our banners flew high, Defend the Rights of All, No to U.S. Imperialism and U.S. War Crimes, Fight for the Fraternal Unity of the Peoples! Directly participating and being part of the various actions gave expression to this fraternal unity, which develops on the basis of organizing inside the U.S. for the change the people require and standing together with all those worldwide doing the same.
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Jun 19 2010
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Truth through a soda straw |
The truth about American politics is this: disguised by the theatrics of squabbling Democrats and Republicans, Washington governs according to limits prescribed by a fixed and narrow consensus. The two main parties collaborate in preserving that consensus. Doing so requires declaring out-of-bounds anything even remotely resembling a fundamental critique of how power gets exercised or wealth distributed. -Andrew Bacevich
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Jun 15 2010
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Still no OIL SPILL NETS MADE!!! |
There are oil spill nets still needed that would contain the spill and keep the currents underwater from picking up the oil and sloshing it all over the place.. the fact is, there were containment nets needed for the "exxon valdez " , "selendang ayu", "cougar ace",and "cosco busan, and the "f/v baranof and the tug "pathfinder' and the "dubai star" . These nets that would have been effective in heading off disasterous impacts have STILL NOT BEEN MADE!
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Jun 03 2010
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Racist Government Profiling, Immigration, and You |
Date and Time: Thu, 2010-06-03 19:00Location:
Nobody's Art Center, Forest & Elmwood.
Thursday June 3, 7pm
Nobody's Art Center
Forest & Elmwood
(enter on Forest,
across from Mobil Station)
Come Hear Youth Speakers on Racist Police Profiling in Buffalo against African Americans, Puerto Ricans and Arabs. Examples and discussion of government profiling and impunity, justified using the "war on drugs" and the "war on terrorism."
Find Out About Racist Arizona SB 1070 and demonstrations to oppose it. Hear why Senator Schumer's Plan is worse than Arizona's law:
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May 25 2010
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Anti-war activists challenge Obama at West Point graduation |
While the President spoke to cadets during commencement, more than 100 challenged his war making
During a visit by Obama to West Point, he was greeted by protestors who called attention to the fact that he is as culpable as George Bush for the illegal killings taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Related: Conscientious Objector Exposes Treatment of Prisoners at Gitmo
During a visit by Obama to West Point, he was greeted by protestors who called attention to the fact that he is as culpable as George Bush for the illegal killings taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Related: Conscientious Objector Exposes Treatment of Prisoners at Gitmo
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May 25 2010
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Reportback from Rally for Colombia's Displaced |
On May 24th, protesters near the White House demanded that Congress pass H Res 1224 asking Colombia's government to address the needs of people displaced by things like death squad activity.
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May 12 2010
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Buffalo 513 Coalition asks "Obama, Where is your change?" |
Please help us tell Obama to stop selling out his base! Join us for a Demonstration in response to President Obama’s visit to Buffalo. For the most up to date information call the Western New York Peace Center –716.332.3904.
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May 08 2010
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Venezuela Bilateral Relations with the U.S. |
April 7 2010 Show: Andrew Willis Garces, of Save Our Safety Net - saveoursafetynet.com, raises concerns about $100 million in cuts in safety net programs by Mayor Fenty. Garces pointed out that people who make $40,000/year are paying the same DC taxes as those making millions in income, and the Mayor needs to collect more taxes from those with higher income. The main focus of the show is correcting the mainstream media portrayal on Venezuala, specifically addressing these issues: Has the U.S. relations with Venezuela really changed with the Obama administration? Or is it more of the same as with Bush? Livia Suarez, press attache of Venezuela Embassy, and Eva Golinger, Venezuelan-American attorney speak. Audio
from the open publishing newswire...
- Dissent! G8 USA Infotour 01/29/2007