Updates 8/14/12

Hello everyone.

I'm taking the day off (kinda). Today's news was sent in by Kate. She works with a bunch of groups online that post information for each other, and I received this compilation email late last night from her. I looked it over and decided to post most of it in whole. Thank you Kate! (I hope you don't mind this. :) It was well-written and well-formed, and I need a break.)

I start school tomorrow, so I'm a little panicked and having difficulty focusing because of my nerves. I'll get over it in time. I may or may not post tomorrow. We'll have to see!

*****

From Kate:

A couple more links from the Minneapolis area. The OccupyHomesMN campaign continues to keep families in their homes.http://www.occupyhomesmn.org/victory_st_paul_lawyer_saves_own_home_from_foreclosure_with_occupy_homes_mn?recruiter_id=67 and another, with the help and support of AIM: http://www.theuptake.org/2012/08/12/bank-president-to-meet-with-foreclosed-homeowner/

 

And from Detroit:

Jennifer Britt, Detroit Homeowner, Staves Off Eviction With Help of Occupy Detroit http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/08/10/jennifer-britt-detroit-homeowner-staves-off-eviction-with-help/?icid=maing-grid10|htmlws-main-bb|dl10|sec3_lnk1&pLid=191269

Int'l news: It takes a while for this kind of info to reach us, since we're our own press and not supported as the M$M, but it gets to us eventually ;)

 

New Zealand kicked off the #9A #Chalkupy event in solidarity with OccupyLA, as did many other locations around the globe. They've put together a slideshow of chalkupy messages from 3 continents here: http://occupysavvy.com/2012/08/10/occupy-nzs-gorgeous-a9-chalkupy-solidarity-slideshow-pics-from-3-continents/ 

 

Occupy Hong Kong got their marching orders from the courts on 13 August, but vow to stay: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/13/us-hsbc-occupy-court-idUSBRE87C06Z20120813

 

This video comes from Glasgow, Scotland. Here's the message that was received w/ it: "The City of Glasgow demonstration ant facist demo co-insided with the coalition resistance to cuts" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_sg5Mld5Jw Some " viewer discretion advised" so I leave it to your judgment. Here's a short article to accompany the video: http://glasgowdefencecampaign.blogspot.com/2012/07/camerons-footsoldiers-no-shame.html (I Googled for this one since I wasn't able to confirm a date for the direct action from the video.)

 

This link isn't particularly Occupy-related, but it strikes a chord with me: http://woodwynnfarms.org/huffington-post-b-c-homeless-farm-ordered-to-evict-campers 

 

And in the spirit of #GlobalSolidarity, I'm sharing this video with you <3 I'm marking the calendar for 12-12-12:
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/312-16/12861-us-freezes-19-nuclear-power-plant-licensing-decisions

 

 *****

Kate always signs #GlobalSolidarity, which is my wish to all of you as well. 

Contact me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com if needed.

Thanks,

Kitty

Updates 8/13/12

Hello everyone.

You know why I don't like going to parties? Because going to parties is like going to Congress. People aren't going to remember what they did the night before, and then they're going to look for someone to blame for what happened or what was said. So now I kinda feel like a jerk for something that happened, when I was actually trying to be helpful. I'm not going to go into any detail, because apparently I'm in enough trouble as it is. I'm just going to stay home and send birthday cards from now on. *sigh*

Anyway, the news is short today.

-- [Charles] This link is a great one, and I thank Charles for sending it. It's a mother's account of trying to teach her children to be good citizens, and what happened when they attended a Chalkupy event in Austin. (I don't have any children, but if I ever did decide to, I would very much like to be like this mother.) The police arrive to arrest several people, and she has to explain to her children not only what is going on, but why it is happening.

http://occupyaustin.org/2012/08/erasing-dissent/

-- Occupy Hong Kong has been given two weeks to vacate the space in front of HSBC Bank's Headquarters. Occupiers have heard of the ruling, but many say they still will not be leaving. It is not yet sure what will happen if they do not vacate the area by the date set, because that decision is left for a court bailiff to decide. The Occupiers have been in their encampment since October.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/business/global/occupy-hong-kong-gets-2-weeks-to-leave-bank-buildings-space.html

***Solidarity***

To contact me, email elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Updates 8/12/12

Hello everyone.

Well, I got home at around 3:30 a.m. last night. Not because I wanted to stay out so late, but because getting a cab on Saturday night can be almost impossible. I'd already walked five miles to get there, and I wasn't interested in walking all that way home again so late. Gotta be cautious. 

-- [Charles] Here's a video from back in September of last year, when Tom Morello went on Bill Maher's show to talk about President Obama and Occupy. He has some good insight, and then the others on the panel start arguing, which in itself is a bit humorous. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fhPhOpnCtI4

-- [Charles] I think Charles feels that we need a little smile today. Last night he sent me this video parody of the Gotye song "Somebody that I used to know." It is titled "Obama that I used to know."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJnAp3YxCCw&feature=player_embedded

-- Is New York City really turning into a police state? It seems so, now that they have developed a new Domain Awareness System in partnership with Microsoft. The program links up all of the 3,000 cameras in the city, constantly scanning license plates and checking them against watch lists, as well as detecting radiation levels. Everyone in the city will be watched. The NYPD was the one to approach Microsoft and work with them on every step, so Microsoft has agreed that when they sell the programs to other cities, the NYPD will receive 30% of the profits.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/12544/microsoft-and-nypd-domain-awareness-system-makes-new-york-a-police-state

***Solidarity***

To contact me, email elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks. 

Updates 8/11/12

Hello everyone.

I start classes next Wednesday, and I'm doing my best to get prepared for them. Until I find out what my hours are, posts may be sporadic. I may not post tomorrow, or it may be quite late when I do. I have three different birthday parties to attend tonight, so I won't be getting home until quite late. Thought you ought to know.

I have a request for some of my more computer-savvy readers. I've been having issues with my internet browsers. When I have multiple tabs open, and I click on a different one to view it, the tab I've clicked opens into a new window. I'm not dragging it. Only clicking it, but it still opens to a new window. My wife's computer has been doing this as well. I'm on a laptop, she's on a PC. I'm using Chrome, she's using Firefox. I've searched for an answer, but it seems we're the only ones with this issue. It's very frustrating, and I just drag it back into the original window to make it a tab again, but I've got to fix this or I'm going to go mad. It makes writing the blog take much longer. I've already written half of it, and this has happened at least four or five times. Help?

Today we have one post brought to us by Kate, and most of the rest by Charles. Charles has found quite a few interesting topics today. And we have a bit of news that I've found.

Just remember... Brackets [] mean that person submitted the link. [Anon] means the person submitting wished to remain anonymous. If there are no brackets, I found the link. Parentheses () mean my personal comments on the article.

-- [Kate] In Minnesota, people crowded into the Governor's reception area to demand a change to welfare benefits. Welfare benefits in the state have not changed since 1986 (which is the year I was born. No wonder they're upset) and an allotment for two people is only 437$. (That wouldn't even cover my half of the rent!) The benefits have obviously not kept up with inflation, or they would be twice as much. The people refused to leave until they set in motion a plan to meet with the Governor himself.

http://www.fightbacknews.org/2012/8/9/poor-people-take-demand-mn-governor-raise-welfare-grants-now?utm_source=Fight%20Back%21%20News%20Service&utm_campaign=cd0af10c3a-UA-743468-8&utm_medium=email

-- Mitt Romney has picked his nominee for Vice-President. His name is Paul Ryan, a seven-term Republican Congressperson from Wisconsin. He's best known for his fiscal conservatism, and his desire to dismantle Medicare for seniors and strong plans against immigration. (Well, there goes Florida. Kidding, kidding, but it might be more accurate than I like to admit.) Still don't know who he is? Don't feel bad; you aren't alone. 38% of Americans have never heard of the man, and 47% of Americans who have don't like him.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/top-republicans-mitt-romney-picked-paul-ryan-vice/story?id=16983499#.UCZ_ck2PU9Y

I'm moving into links now, both because Charles sent a lot of information, and because I'm going to throw my computer across the room if it doesn't QUIT THIS SHIT! I just had to switch over to Internet Explorer... Thanks to my email for at least saving this as a draft. Almost lost everything I've typed.

-- [Charles] A live-streamer caught up with Co-Counsel after a court hearing on the NDAA injunction. Watch this video to see what they had to say about the goings-on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mq_CyMK-KE&feature=youtu.be

-- [Charles] Donald Trump vs. the 99%? Want to know more about Trump's efforts against Occupy, and the Scottish village I told you about weeks ago? This video gives a little insight, and provides some links so you can follow up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU2FlU0XyYY&feature=player_embedded

-- [Charles] Stratfor has revealed that they have a secret detailed surveillance system in place, says emails hacked and released by Anonymous. Are you affected? (Short answer, yep.) Read more here.

http://rt.com/usa/news/stratfor-trapwire-abraxas-wikileaks-313/

-- [Charles] Wikileaks has been under major DDoS attacks for five days now. The site has been down, and most of the site's mirrors (sites that reflect the same information to make sure it can still be seen in the event of such an attack) have also been attacked and knocked down as well. What's going on here? They're working hard to find out.

http://www.zdnet.com/wikileaks-has-been-under-ddos-attack-for-the-last-five-days-7000002213/

-- [Charles] OWS is putting out a global call for Chalkupy!

http://occupywallst.org/article/a9-call-global-day-action-chalkupy-world/

-- [Charles] Martial law may really be just around the corner. Many anonymous servicepeople and government informants have come forward to say that preparations for martial law are alomost complete. (This is bad. This is really bad.) Read this and see what you think. Have you noticed anything different?

http://www.unhealthyearth.com/2012/08/dhs-and-us-military-make-final.html

***Solidarity***

I'm sorry about any weirdness today's blog may hold. I've been fighting with my computer since 10 this morning to write this. It's noon. Two hours just for this. If you know someone computer-savvy and willing to help, send them my way at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading. You make a two-hour writing hell worthwhile. :P

Updates 8/10/12

Hello everyone.

We only have a few stories today, but one of them is so contradictory that I have to link to multiple articles, all from the same source, just to figure out what happened.

So last night, Charles sent me a video link about how police were readying themselves for the Occupy protests in downtown LA near the ArtWalk. 

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/7596379-police-brace-for-occupy-protests-near-artwalk-in-downtown-la/

This morning, I figured I would find out what went on. The first article I found was from the LA Times. It basically states that protesters chalked as police stood by, deciding that a certain amount of chalking would be allowed. They mention no problems with the event. They say that the Occupiers bused in from Oakland went around to galleries and artists, talking with them about what Occupy means. 

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0810-occupy-artwalk-20120810,0,895655.story

But let's go back in time a little bit. From the same outlet, posted two hours earlier, we find two stories about police arresting a man during the event. Here's the problem though. Assuming the man is the same in both stories, the reasons for his arrest differ. In this one, he was one of three people detained for chalking. 

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/occupy-.html

In this one, however, he was arrested after fighting with a man from Oakland who criticized his chalk work. 

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/occupy-protest-man-arrested-chalking-downtown-la-art-walk.html

So which is it? It's a little strange, don't you think? Two different stories. I'm betting they are the same person because of the way the articles are written, since one had to be edited to say a man was arrested. If not, I still find it odd that the would release an article basically saying nothing happened and police were okay with it. LA Times.... Get your head on straight.

Lastly, we have an Occupy encampment being dismantled in Memphis. Officials say the camp has devolved into a "homeless encampmant," and that safety and health issues show the need for its removal. Read more here:

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/morning_call/2012/08/memphis-police-tearing-down-occupy.html

***Solidarity***

To contact me, email elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading. 

Updates 8/9/12

Hello everyone.

I'm healing, albeit more slowly than I would like. I'm hoping to be back to normal (whatever that is) soon. 

On to the news.

-- [Charles] The refinery fire in Richmond has affected thousands of people, and many of them ventured out to the town hall meeting where Chevron officials were present. Many crowded the stage, asking questions and paying for doctor's visits, the effect on their families and their animals, and what can be done to fix the warning systems. Almost a thousand people ended up going to the hospital due to the fire. 

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/residents-crowd-meeting-over-richmond-refinery-fire.html

-- [Kate] Chicago is riled up over the use of TIF funds to develop a hotel while schools around the new hotel are losing money and cutting budgets due to lack of TIF funding. Many are upset over an obvious conflict of interest, as one of the School Board members is associated with the Hyatt Hotels. (She's either an owner or somehow employed with the company receiving the funds, it isn't clear from the article.) Occupy is heavily involved with the protests, but are not the majority in the activists. In the first link, you can read the article describing what is going on, and why. The second link is a video of the protest. The third is a link to the Chicago Teachers Solidarity Campaign, which shows dates, times, locations, and other information concerning the events.

http://www.newstips.org/2012/08/penny-pritzkers-tif/

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24567752

http://ctscampaign.weebly.com/

-- A man has been charged with being an accessory after the fact in the murder of a man at the Occupy Oakland encampment last year, and has been ordered to stand trial. He will also be standing trial for sexually assaulting a woman five days after the murder. He could not be charged with murder because of a lack of proof of knowledge. He had given his gun to the man who actually committed the murder, but prosecutors could not determine he knew the man would kill. The sexual assault charges are the most serious he faces, and may result in prison time from 25 years to life. To read more about the attacks and the charges, follow the link.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/occupy/ci_21267018/man-charged-connection-killing-at-occupy-oakland-encampment

-- In Las Vegas, drivers called 911 with increasing frequency after billboards were altered to read things like "Dying for Work" and "Hope you're happy Wall St." It wasn't the billboards themselves that made drivers call in, but rather the mannequins hanging from them in an attempt to create the look of a suicide. The companies that owned the billboards worked quickly to remove the dummies, worried that traffic problems or accidents could result from the distraction. It is not yet known who put the signs and dummies up, but the companies want to find out, calling it "vandalism." It is unclear whether any crimes other than vandalism have been committed.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/vegas-billboard-noose-wall-street_n_1758553.html?utm_hp_ref=business

This last one amazes me. In a bad way. Are you freaking kidding me?!

-- An Occupy Easton protester has been charged with attempted bank robbery for carrying two signs, one of which read "You're Being Robbed." The other sign read "Give a man a gun, he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob a country." The signs were directed towards the public being robbed by banks, but when the man stepped inside a Bank of America, a teller believed he was robbing them, pressing the panic button. The man faces two charges of Attempted Bank Robbery and Terroristic Threatening and one charge of disorderly conduct. Find out more here, and learn what you can do to help. (This is so stupid I can't even see straight. I just... can't... UGH.)

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/08/occupy-easton-protestor-charged-with-attempted-bank-robbery-during-organized-event-in-pennsylvania/

***Solidarity***

Contact me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Updates 8/8/12

Hello everyone. 

I'm lucky this is a blog and not a podcast. We had our first ever drill slip yesterday. I have a big hole in my tongue. I love my dentist. He felt sooo bad about it happening. It ended up that he saw decay on another tooth while he was working on the first one, and had to do both of them. Drill out the old fillings, put in new ones. Two of my teeth are now 80% filling and 20% tooth, and he wants me to come back as soon as I can to get crowns and a bridge put in. So this is fairly short today, and mostly provided by my two awesome informants, Kate and Charles. 

My face hurts.

-- [Charles] The one-year anniversary of Occupy is quickly approaching. Have you been wondering what's in store? OccupyWallStreet.org is getting ready, and has plans for you to look at and join in. 

http://occupywallst.org/article/september-join-us-you-are-not-loan-s17-ows-video/

-- [Charles] Occupy Unmasked is getting ready to hit theaters and be released on DVD. You can watch the trailer here. (I personally laughed about half-way through, when they were making Anonymous look oh-so-bad and *oops* spelled the name wrong. My first thought was "Typical.")

http://www.occupyunmasked.com/

-- [Kate] Occupiers hit Saks Fifth Avenue yesterday to protest how the founder has made his fortunes by using underpaid Hispanic employees. Check out the video to see what went down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxfbNiqZJE

-- [Kate] The NDAA has slipped rapidly out of the Corporate Media's eye, but that doesn't mean it's actually gone. This video is an interview with a lawyer involved in NDAA proceedings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9qslKgKsLA

-- According to this article from the Washington Examiner, documents have confirmed that the "Obama White House" told officials in Portland to not arrest Occupiers last year. They say that the "Obama White House" had said multiple times that they had nothing to do with the protests. So apparently there is a scandal now. (Oh, and yes, I added quotes to "Obama White House." Why? Because it doesn't make any frickin' sense. It's the White House, regardless of who is in it. I'm used to hearing "The Obama Administration, The Bush Administration, The Clinton Administration," but this is the first I've heard of someone owning the White House. Isn't that nutty? "We have to make it so they believe that President Obama personally had a hand in doing this, so let's say the 'Obama White House.' It's perfect." I get irritable when they just use a President's last name to describe them, regardless of who the President is. Respect, people. Just because you don't like them or their administration doesn't mean you should disrespect them or the office. But this? This is just dumb. If you really believe that EVERYTHING that comes out of the White House has a perfect seal of Presidential Approval, you have some logic issues. I mean, most people in say, a family of four, don't hear about everything that happens, but you expect one person to know ALL that goes on in the White House? Have you seen the White House? Have you paid attention to the size of our government? I'm not saying that the President didn't approve this. All I'm saying is that we need to realize not everything is directly attributed to the President.)

http://washingtonexaminer.com/obama-white-house-told-gsa-to-stand-down-on-occupy-protesters/article/2504238

***Solidarity***

To contact me, email elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading.