Not That Any Time Makes "Sense", But Why Now?

Environmental protections and safeguards. Unemployment levels in the workforce. Foreclosures. Vet's in need of shelter. People going hungry, in need of access to health care and education. The U.S. is arguably in its most brittle state as an empire since it began. Many residents need help and are hurting. No empire has ever been able to sustain itself with prolonged war. From Afghanistan to Iraq, to drones like the picture shown here bombing Pakistan, with increased threats of militarization to the Asia-Pacific and beyond. The economy continues to have a poor outlook amongst a deficit that is completely unreal in it's amount.

Why Now?

U.S. and Iran to Hold Major Military Exercises in the Persian Gulf

Iran and the United States have both announced plans to hold major military exercises in the Persian Gulf in the coming months. The U.S. exercise will be done in conjunction with Israel. Meanwhile, in defiance of the United States, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has welcomed Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Venezuela. On Friday, a State Department official said, "We are making absolutely clear to countries around the world that now is not the time to be deepening ties, not security ties, not economic ties, with Iran."

From: Democracynow.org

Time Magazine's Person of the Year: THE PROTESTER!!!

"The times they are a changin'" could not be more truthful than at this beginning of the new year, 2012. In a surprising nomination Time Magazine has named its 2011 Person of the Year The Protester. We couldn't agree more, from OWS to the Middle East and beyond, 99% of the world's population is not okay with the economic, social, political, and environmental oppression employed by the top 1% or those who ascribe to be a part of the top 1%.

We encourage you to delve into this issue on Time, learn why they named The Protester person of the year, educate yourself on why this nomination matters, why people across the world are protesting, and how you are effected and can get involved.

A Happy and Just 2012 to all, let this year be the year for impartiality to rein free and rampant across this planet once and for all!

From time.com:

History often emerges only in retrospect. Events become significant only when looked back on. No one could have known that when a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in a public square in a town barely on a map, he would spark protests that would bring down dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and rattle regimes in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain. Or that that spirit of dissent would spur Mexicans to rise up against the terror of drug cartels, Greeks to march against unaccountable leaders, Americans to occupy public spaces to protest income inequality, and Russians to marshal themselves against a corrupt autocracy.Protests have now occurred in countries whose populations total at least 3 billion people, and the word protest has appeared in newspapers and online exponentially more this past year than at any other time in history.

Is there a global tipping point for frustration? Everywhere, it seems, people said they'd had enough. They dissented; they demanded; they did not despair, even when the answers came back in a cloud of tear gas or a hail of bullets. They literally embodied the idea that individual action can bring collective, colossal change. And although it was understood differently in different places, the idea of democracy was present in every gathering. The root of the word democracy is demos, "the people," and the meaning of democracy is "the people rule." And they did, if not at the ballot box, then in the streets. America is a nation conceived in protest, and protest is in some ways the source code for democracy — and evidence of the lack of it.
The protests have marked the rise of a new generation. In Egypt 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Technology mattered, but this was not a technological revolution. Social networks did not cause these movements, but they kept them alive and connected. Technology allowed us to watch, and it spread the virus of protest, but this was not a wired revolution; it was a human one, of hearts and minds, the oldest technology of all.

Everywhere this year, people have complained about the failure of traditional leadership and the fecklessness of institutions. Politicians cannot look beyond the next election, and they refuse to make hard choices. That's one reason we did not select an individual this year. But leadership has come from the bottom of the pyramid, not the top. For capturing and highlighting a global sense of restless promise, for upending governments and conventional wisdom, for combining the oldest of techniques with the newest of technologies to shine a light on human dignity and, finally, for steering the planet on a more democratic though sometimes more dangerous path for the 21st century, the Protester is TIME's 2011 Person of the Year.


Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102139_2102380,00.html #ixzz1iRddFyR0

RE-OCCUPY YOUR PUBLIC SPACE ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.S HOLIDAY

From Food Not Bombs:

A Proposal for a coordinated
RE-OCCUPATION OF PUBLIC SPACE in honor of the goals of Martin Luther King Jr. January 13-16, 2012

"Occupy Wall Street, on the other hand, has chosen a fixed target. And
you have put no end date on your presence here. This is wise. Only when
you stay put can you grow roots. This is crucial. It is a fact of the
information age that too many movements spring up like beautiful flowers
but quickly die off. It’s because they don’t have roots. And they don’t
have long term plans for how they are going to sustain themselves. So
when storms come, they get washed away."

Occupy Wall Street: The Most Important Thing in the World Now by Naomi
Klein - October 7, 2011

The occupation movement is the most important movement of our lives. I
get calls everyday from average middle American asking how they can
help, calling to say they are so proud of everyone, some even coming to
tears expressing that we just had to succeed.

The corporate media is seeking to claim that the police have
successfully swept away or movement but as you know this is just the
beginning. Reporters claiming that we have "moved" to walking from town
to town or other valid actions that should be supported but the
occupations are the action that is applying pressure and providing a
space for innovation and community.

We have the corporations and their governments really freighted. They
have a coordinated media and police campaign to shut us down but their
logic while effective in the short run won't work for long if we
continue to reclaim public space. Even if this means we must survive a
wave of evictions at some point there will be another critical event,
news of a national default or major bank failure, U.S. government
failing to continue unemployment payments or government shut down. News
that points to the fact that we are sliding into a great depression and
harsh austerity policies are necessary to transfer more of our resources
to the one percent. Our continued presence will provide a visible place
for those not yet living at the occupations to join us as their personal
situation changes or revulsion at the bold disregard shown by the
corporate state is so strong they feel they must take action.

As has been the case in past years the media will start to announce
that holiday sales just weren't as good as first predicted in mid
January. The re-writing of Martin Luther King Jr's legacy will be in
full swing as usual, this year with special effort to ignore the fact
that he would have been one of the first to sleep at Occupy Wall Street.

If there is a link it will be an attempt by the Democratic Party to
strengthen the connection between King and Obama with their special
effort to ignore the impact of Wall Street on the policies adopted or
not adopted by the president over the past four years. It is time to
dust off our copies of King's last book "Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos
or Community?" and remind America that King would most likely be
attending our General Assemblies and encouraging us to Re- Occupy Public
Space after each eviction.

What would be a more fitting way to celebrate the legacy of one of
America's most dedicated nonviolent advocates for the 99% then to
Re-Occupy Public Space during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday?

The hundreds of Occupations that have not been evicted or have returned
can remind our communities that news of our demise was premature. For
the other occupations that have been driven from public space we could
return with large card board paintings of our tents and spend the
holiday demonstrating the absurdity of clearing public space of our
message at a time when half our people are struggling to survive
according to the U.S. Census. America is not alone as we can see. The
Euro zone is collapsing as resistance to bank bailouts continues. The
Chinese and Indian economies are teetering and resistance is growing
there as well. People all over the world are resisting the austerity
measures proposed by the One Percent. Economic leaders announce daily
that the global economy is on the brink of disaster. If we don't shop
our way out of this crisis 2012 will be the big end we have been
promised. Or more likely the new beginning we know is necessary. What
is more important? Clean sidewalks and undisturbed lawns or the future
of our country and the world?

Our work is not finished. We have made it clear that we must take money
out of politics and replace it with democracy. We are the lobby of the
99% seeking a new economic and political system even as the current
crisis continues to force our friends and family into poverty.

January's economic news and reality will dramatize the continued need
for our occupations. Lets continue to talk and introduce some of these
ideas at the next General Assembly.

A. Organize a campaign of Re-Occupation during the Martin Luther King
Jr. holiday arriving first with paintings and other "images" of tents to
challenge the logic of restrictions against tents in addition to all
other types of culture jamming actions.

B. Continue the global dialog seeking a transition from the current
failed political and economic system to a post capitalist "real"
democratic future.

C. Strengthen inter occupation communication of ideas, solutions and
calls for global days of action.

D. Consider adopting some simple guidelines such as a dedication to
nonviolence, that the food is free for everyone without restriction,
that decisions will be make by consensus at the General Assembly and
that drugs and alcohol are not to be consumed at the occupation.

E. Encourage local officials to end their efforts to drive the
occupations and tents off of public space with petitions, meetings,
participation in public hearings and all other nonviolent actions.
Remind city officials that the UN and other international organizations
support our right to continue these very important occupations.

It is time for Obama Administration and city officials to stop their
efforts to evict our occupations. Clean pavement and healthy lawns are
not even close in importance as seeking solutions to the global crisis
and as we can see our presence occupying public space has been the
catalyst for this discussion. We know this from first hand experience.
Decades of marches, rallies, phone calls, letters, law suits and public
comment at hearings just didn't push the debate into public conscience.
The occupations did and will if we don't let ourselves be pushed out of
sight and out of mind. And I am sure your local Food Not Bombs group
will be happy to do what they can to support the kitchens so don't worry
about needing to eat. We aren't going any where.

Thanks for your consideration.
Keith McHenry

A modest proposal from Food Not Bombs co-founder Keith McHenry after
speaking with other activists about our transition and the corporate
media's attempt to clam our movement is history. Not an official idea
from a GA but hopefully one that will be discussed at your GA. I have
been a participant in GA's, kitchens and resident of at least 15
occupations so far with more to come.

ARTICLES TO SUPPORT THE SPIRIT OF THIS PROPOSAL

Why Tents (Still) Matter for the Occupy Movement by Jen Schradie
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/11/24-1

Occupy Wall Street: The Most Important Thing in the World Now by Naomi
Klien
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/10/07-0


Top GOP Strategist Admits He’s ‘Scared’ Of Occupy Wall Street Because
It’s ‘Having An Impact’ by Zaid Jilani
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/12/01-3#.TtfFTyYTztk

U.N. Envoy: U.S. Isn't Protecting Occupy Protesters' Rights
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/occupy-wall-street-un-envoy_n_1125860.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref

Today is a National Day of Action!!! Celebrate 2 Months of This Profound Social Movement for 99% of the World's People!!!

From Democracy Now!

National Day of Action Kicks Off Third Month of OWS

Protests are being held across the country today as part of a national day of action marking the two-month anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Here in New York, organizers have been distributing posters reading "Shut Down Wall Street! Occupy the Subways! Take the Square!" The massive day of action comes just two days after New York police raided the Occupy Wall Street at Liberty Square and tore down the encampment. On Wednesday, the Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy addressed Occupy Wall Street protesters at the Judson Memorial Church in Washington Square Park.

Arundhati Roy: "The Occupy movement has joined thousands of other resistance movements all over the world in which the poorest of people are standing up and stopping the richest corporations in their tracks. Few of us dreamed that we would see you, the people of the United States, on our side, trying to do this in the heart of empire."

95 Arrested at Bank of America in San Francisco

In San Francisco, 95 protesters were arrested on Wednesday after occupying a Bank of America branch in the financial district. The demonstrators pitched a tent inside the branch before they were detained. The action came as part of an Occupy march through downtown San Francisco to denounce tuition hikes and budget cuts at University of California schools.

This third headline is related of course, but somewhat detached from the OWS movements. However, it goes to shows that as unfortunate as it is, President Obama is just another face in the crowd of so called leaders of hegemony and empire. With so much happening on the ground at home, with so many of the poorest people, the 99%, those who need the most assistance calling for help at home right now, why is energy being placed on establishing a permanent military presence in Australia? Why? Because that's what empires do, especially when they're worried about an impending change in the guard that is inevitable, and arguably has already happened...

U.S. Establishes Permanent Military Presence in Australia

The Obama administration has unveiled plans for a permanent military presence in Australia. Starting next summer, the U.S. will deploy 250 marines for six-month tours, eventually reaching a force of 2,500 troops. Speaking before the Australian parliament, President Obama said the U.S. military presence in the Pacific is "here to stay."

President Obama: "So here’s what this region must know. As we end today’s wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and mission in the Asia Pacific a top priority. As a result, reductions in U.S. defense spending will not—I repeat, will not—come at the expense of the Asia Pacific. My guidance is clear, because we plan and budget for the future. We will allocate the resources necessary to maintain our strong military presence in this region. The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay."

How Can This Brutality Against Non-Violent Protesters Be Tolerated?

Courtesy of: rt.com



Almost forty University of California students were arrested and dozens of others suffered bruises and abrasions following a police crackdown on an attempted encampment at a local plaza on Wednesday.

“We had the tents set up for about a half an hour when the police decided they wanted to shut down the camp,” student protester Erick Uribe recalled in an interview with RT. “What the students did is they set up a human wall around the tents. Soon after that, the police approached with full force in riot gear, with batons. We had no intention to move, but they jabbed some of us repeatedly in the stomach, pulling people onto the floor and arresting them.”

Hundreds of protesters had gathered at the town’s Sproul Plaza to protest against tuition fee increases and public education funding cuts.

Following the line of Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Oakland, they planned on setting up an encampment.

While the police had allowed them to use the Plaza as a gathering spot at any time, camping out was strictly prohibited.

University officials addressed the crowd offering a compromise, but were given a negative response. After that the police pushed their way through the human chain and took the tents down by force, prompting a reaction from the crowd.

Remove Dams from the Klamath River Now!

This is a clear example of a multifaceted land-use conflict that connects issues socially, economically, politically and environmentally. It also speaks to justice driven holistic sustainable land-use policy that ultimately promotes peace and well-being for all affected parties.

From EPIC:

Tell the Secretary of the Interior to Remove Dams on the Klamath River Now!

Comment Deadline: November 21, 2011

Dams on the Klamath River must come down to restore Coho and Chinook salmon runs to their historic spawning grounds. Right now, the federal government is considering a proposal to remove the dams beginning in 2020. It is critical that government officials hear from you now to advance the restoration of the Klamath River. Please take a moment to submit your comments before the deadline of November 21, 2011. We encourage you to be original, and consider EPIC’s key points to include in your comments.

Follow this link to Take Action Now!

http://www.wildcalifornia.org/blog/action-alert-remove-dams-on-the-klamath-river-now/

EPIC encourages you to include the following points in your comments:

1. I support the immediate removal of all dams on the Klamath River and its tributaries.

2. I also support the restoration of all historic wetlands and marshes in the upper Klamath basin, including Lower Klamath Lake, Tule Lake and Upper Klamath Lake.

3. The restoration activities must also improve conditions for salmon on the Scott and Shasta Rivers.

4. In addition, I demand that an absolute minimum flow of 1,300 cubic feet per second at the Iron Gate gauge be established for the dry season. The National Marine Fisheries Service has required a minimum flow at Iron Gate pursuant to biological opinions to comply with the Endangered Species Act, and therefore the Secretary should include a minimum flow for fish.

5. Lastly, the Secretary of Interior should ensure that more water from the Trinity River stay within the watershed so that increased water flows in the dry season to assist salmon migration in the Lower Klamath River.

Occupy Wall Street (OWS) and Occupy Everywhere (OE)

It's almost surreal. Massive grassroots movements have been sprouting up all over the U.S., even internationally, and the people's collective voice is being heard. It's about the 99%, not just the top 1% the capitalist system serves. People are pissed, and finally it seems the proletariat's are rising up against the bourgeoisie.

The movement has grown, starting in Wall Street, the center of the capitalist state, but they have spread far and wide. However, the police state continues to attack peaceful, nonviolent protesters. This link,

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/10/27/iraq_war_vet_hospitalized_with_fractured

will bring you to the story of Scott Olsen, a 24 year old Iraq war vet who was shot by police in Oakland and brought to the hospital with a fractured skull. He was protesting peacefully.

Ultimately this link, http://www.democracynow.org/tags/occupy_wall_street

will get you up to speed on what's been happening, where/why, and how you can get involved. An economic system designed for the top 1% to thrive while it feeds off of the bottom 99% supporting everything else is completely unsustainable. It always has been and always will be. But to those with the wealth and power, who have benefited from the system for so long, why would they want to equalize and relinquish power? There are no safeguards from an environmental or social perspective when such a overarching system is in place to serve so little that wield such power. Read these links, learn, get educated, and whether you find yourself on the street tomorrow, or writing an opinion piece to your local paper later tonight, locate what moves you the most about this movement and act. There's a revolution brewing, and now more than ever, we need help from any and every direction!!!

In Solidarity,
PJS