Watergate Summer

LA Takes a Stand Against Corporations...Who will be the Next City to Move to Amend ? Maybe Yours ?

2012-01-31T15:17:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Occupy Tribute....( Sharing from @Sethp23)

2012-01-31T15:11:00.001-05:00

Awopradio Show for Sunday January 29th 6:30-9PM EST Guests Include Denis Campbell and Kyle McCarthy

2012-01-29T15:35:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Awopradio Show Blog, The Show is now 6:30PM EST and runs to 9PM EST on Sunday Evenings. It is now on USTREAM and also if you can't join us, you can now listen to the Show on iTunes ( see the Sidebar for the Link). Please also do check out the Sidebar as there are links to the A World of Progress Video Channel ( great place to see some of the fine Music and Interviews, including John Clark, The HoneyCutters, and Lyric). Also there is the Links to the 99 Report and the blogs of Kim G ( The AWOP Publisher @awop or @awopradio ) and @Mommapolitico ( Perry) , as well as my Blog "Watergate Summer". Kim G. is our fearless leader, she is the person who see on the USTREAM screen and is the one who has been working so hard to improve the audio of our show. At 6:30PM she does the Intro to the Show, and then I follow with the #99Report, and then at 7PM we have @Mommapolitico ( Perry) our resident political wonk brings us the goodness of Kitchen Table Politics. And then our First Guest is at 7:30PM EST and then our second guest is approximately at 8 PM EST. The 99 Report now has it's own blog with information and updates about the 99 Percent and OCCUPY sites and issues, and coming in February it will have a one hour show on Friday Afternoons ( on BlogTalkRadio) So stay Tuned for that.
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Our First Guest joins us again from across the Pond, a fine Journalist, Author Denis Campbell, @UKProgressive is another soul who keeps Twitter lively with his political insights and observations. He is known on Twitter as @UKProgressive, but he is also a renowned journalist working with ITN and Al Jezeera and BBC Wales, The Guardian and many other fine UK publications. During the Egypt Uprising he became one of the many to really track the Movement on Twitter. Yet he also was astutely tweeting American Politics. This year he was one of the first to recognize the strength of Twitter during the Egypt Uprising, and it is woven into his book "Egypt Unshackled" that has just come out. And taking it to the next step he has been tweeting and appreciating the Occupy Movement in a global sense. ( Denis was last on our show on 10.23.11 , we are happy to have him during the One Year Celebration of the Egypt Uprising.)
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For those that followed the Egypt Uprising Online and especially on Twitter, this book is riveting, and really stunning, and you will immediately appreciate watching the story unfold tweet by tweet. @alikat747 another known twitter soul was also an editor on this project.
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Our 2nd Guest is Kyle McCarthy he is known as @Swarmster on Twitter, he calls himself a "People Mobilizer", he also tweets at the @Default Movie and he started the hashtag #OccupyStudentDebt and is also found at @OccupyStudentDebt.Org . His website , http://OccupyStudentDebt.com/, has a wealth of information, and is also where folks share their Student Loan Debt Stories. Many are starting to appreciate that the Student Loan Crisis is just beginning to come into focus, and may indeed be much more serious and expansive than the Mortgage Crisis.

Kyle McCarthy of Krotala Films ( known on Twitter as @swarmster )currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach for Default: The Student Loan Documentary. DEFAULT has appeared in over 200 various media and is now airing on over 150 PBS affiliates and is part of this year's San Francisco Independent Film Festival. Kyle was recently named one of "10 Leaders Who Are Fighting for Student Loan Reform" for establishing Occupy Student Debt. This has been covered by the AP, Forgive Student Loan Debt, The Backbone Campaign.
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Video from DEFAULT The Documentary about Student Loan Debt....Learn more at the Default Movie Website about Student Debt and your Rights, as well as the true story about the Debt that so many college grads, college students, grad students, and their families are carrying for debt. The Link for the Default Documentary is here, do try to see it on PBS and also at screenings around the country. ( We also interviewed the Default Film Makers earlier on our show in the fall and their interview is archived as well. )

This Article in Forbes has a great deal of information about the Student Debt Crisis in our Country.

( From Forbes) The statistics around loan debt and the cost of post-secondary education in America are sobering:

(1) Average debt per borrower has risen 18%, from $19 300 to $22 700 since 2000. (The College Board, Trends in Student Aid, 2008)
(2) In 2007–2008, private lenders provided about $17 billion in educational loans. This represents a 592% increase over the last decade. (The College Board, Trends in Student Aid, 2008)
(3) Borrowers who drop out of college are twice as likely to be unemployed as borrowers who receive a degree and ten times as likely to default on their student loans.
(4) As of June 2010, student loan debt currently exceeds consumer credit card debt.
(5) Federal student loan debt outstanding reached approximately $665 billion and private student loan debt reached approximately $168 billion in June 2010. Total student loan debt is increasing at a rate of about $2,853.88 per second.
(6) (Nov2011) This month, Rep. Eric Cantor proposed that students begin paying interest on their student loans while they’re still enrolled in school.
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Be sure to Visit Lester and Charlie and take part in their weekly POLL...it will give you a smile and a laugh.....

99 Report EXTRA REPORT ::: OCCUPY OAKLAND AND MASSIVE ARREST ACTION BY POLICE ON SATURDAY JANUARY 28TH

2012-01-29T15:03:00.001-05:00

Cops fully masked up and in riot gear and gas /smoke visible in background....
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Hundreds Kettled, then arrested and lined up against wall of YMCA waiting to be processed.
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First An Update on What The Hell Happened in #OccupyOakland Last Night
This Photo is a Still Photo taken from @Oakfosho's Live Stream last night. These are actual arresttees lined against the wall waiting to be processed. Oakfosho again managed to get to a site where he could film the action, but going across the street and hanging out a window. People were lined up ( estimates are 200-300). The rule is that each arresstee must have an arresting officer with them to process. ( So it would seem that The Mayor had gotten 300 extra cops on a Saturday Night as an planned arrest action ? Occupy Oakland had a Planned Action yesterday that included a Planned March and an occupation of an Abandoned Building. According to Oakfosho and other Streamers they never reached the Building, and by the time they reached the YMCA , the Police began Kettling and other Tactics including Flash Guns ( not sure that is the right term) and also deployed Tear Gas. I have the photos of the Tear Gas I will add to this post later.

They did Kettle approximately 200 people by the YMCA alone ( arrests estimate 200 to 300 ? total). The Kettling made no sense and according to the Streamers there was NO initial Dispersal Order given. And then announcement was made to disperse while Kettling was occurring and they were back against a wall, so there was Nowhere to go. And why the Chemical Agents were used on people peacefully assembled and marching remains Questionable. On another Front the police were pretty much arresting who ever they kettled, including Journalists.

(The Photo above is the Arrestees lined up by YMCA at about 10PM last night. Thousands were watching the Streams last night. Oakfosho's stream had about 5000 and Elle had over 1000 and Pirate had about 900 and Global Revolution had about 3000. So On a Saturday Night 6- 3am East Coast, they had thousands bearing Witness Watching through most of the Night.)
The Watchers included people from the UK, South America and Japan and Ireland and Down Under. There was also OccupyTV and TRWBL. Some of the Livestreamers that were arrested wisely hand their cameras and equipment off to other people. The Police did not set up zones for the reporters or citizen journalists. ( There are questions about what happens to people arrested when cameras and phones are with the Arrested). Also the Main Medics were arrested last night as well, and it is unclear whow as left to take care of other people during this situation. ( Medics with the Red Cross Armbands and NLG Legal Observers the Green caps are not to be arrested.)

While the Police Action was ongoing by the YMCA another showdown was ongoing at 14th and Broadway, this is the same infamous corner where Scott Olsen was injured earlier this fall. Hundreds of cops descended and gave Dispersal Warning ( saying that Chemical Agents would be used) and yet all of us watching the Streams were puzzled as there was literally less than 50 people there, it made no sense.

There was a handful of protesters that broke free and went to city hall and broke in and supposedly took and burned a flag. There are a couple of versions of the story, some Occupy People say that those were anarchy people , NOT occupy, and not part of the planned Occupy Action ( This was a dispute that was discussed On Twitter and the Streams). Also that the flag they burned was not City Halls' that they brought it with them. But again this was a handful of about 8-10 people.

There were officers and units and equipment and Buses seen from the State, the County and other towns and cities, including Union City, Newark, Santa Clara etc. ( Whose funds are paying for all of this, hundreds of cops used against a peaceful protest, leaving other areas of California without protections and services ? And the equipment - Chemical Agents are not cheap, and the armored vehicles ? It just seems that this is wasting Tax payer funds and resources ?)

Tweets re. Journalists Kettled /Arrested included ::
(1) Gavin Aronsen @garonsen
I got kettled by OPD along with 300 or so #oo'ers by the YMCA. I was in a back corner with reporters @vivianho and @KristinHanes.
(2) ReallyRick @TheReallyRick
Reporter @KristinHanes of @KGO Radio in San Fran placed in zipties because she does not have Oakland press pass. #J28 #OccupyOakland

Twitter Coverage ::
(1) Occupy TV. Thanks to @OaktownPirate and @BellaEiko
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If you are inclined to write or call Oakland Authorities ::: MT @Occupy_Police PD Chief Howard Jordand (510) 238-3365 Oakland PD (510) 238-2384 (510) 777-3333 OAKLAND Mayor phone: (510) 238-3141 #OcPo

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More Resources and Information:::
(1) Greg Mitchell of The Nation has a complete Weekend Report that is much more detailed than mine....

(2) TIME even did report and carry OakFoSho's feed ( did not credit him, but might have been trying to protect him at the time ? as Police were photographing photographers and streamers). According to their report it was 300 arrested.

(3) Another Website called Right Now compiled the Tweets and photos of the night. Pretty stunning collection.

(4) Mother Jones Josh Sterns Arrest Reports go back to September but also includes last night in Oakland

This Post is more about the Militarized Police Vehicle being used at Oakland last night. ( Pretty Pricey for use against Peaceful Marchers.)
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PHOTOS::::

Officers Kettling against Buildings wearing Gas Masks....So Plan did include Chemical Agents.
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Tear Gas ? Or Smoke Bomb? used in Afternoon ( against small number of marchers ?)
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While Hundreds waited hours to be processed the Cops handed out water to each other and also ate off the back of the cars, Carryout, chinese and burritos mostly. ( and yes we watched all of this on USTREAM).
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Police with Rifle and full riot gear and gas mask look for the "flag burners " by City Hall. ( Over reaction ?)
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#opd is attaching smoke grenades (bottom) to CS grenades (top) #oo #j28 pic.twitter.com/tTIWjjfm { Photo by a Medic}
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Woman taken away on stretcher after being knocked down , batoned. ( Was taken away via ambulance)
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Mom and Daughter in Afternoon came to the March, clearly confused after gas and trying to figure out where to go
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Closer look at the Cannisters used for Chemical Agents
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Full Riot Gear with Chemical Protecters and Firing What ? Unclear what kind of rifle this was, this is an afternoon photo off twitter.
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Armored Vehicle used by the Y, unclear why it was needed against unarmed Peaceful Protesters ? Show of Force ?
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Lines and Lines of Cops over by 14th and Broadway ( less than 40-50 people there per Ustream) unclear why the show of forces there

Saturday Goodness....

2012-01-28T15:32:00.002-05:00

Encountering Greatness.....( From the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society)

2012-01-26T02:22:00.003-05:00

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
A story that never gets old. Incase you may have missed it...

A front page story in the San Francisco Chronicle told the story of a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. The whale also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted the whale just east of the Farallon Islands (beyond the Golden Gate bridge) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived. They determined that the whale was so bad off that the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. The team worked for hours, carefully slashing through the labyrinth of lines with curved knives. Eventually, they freed her.

The divers say that once the female humpback was free to move, she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. The whale then came back to each diver, one at a time, and gave each a nudge, pushing her rescuers gently around as she was thanking them. Some divers said it was the most beautiful experience of their lives.

The diver who cut the rope out of the whale’s mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time. And he will never be the same.
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This has been all over Twitter and Facebook this week.....so amazing and inspiring it had to be shared.
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Appreciating What Is Under the Sea....

One Year Anniversary of Egypt's Uprising.....

2012-01-26T02:20:00.003-05:00

Tahrir Square One Year Later....1/25/12 at 4PM......Incredible....

A Message From Gabby....

2012-01-25T14:28:00.000-05:00

How to Explain OWS to Confused Relatives...#WhyWeOccupy The #STATS

2012-01-24T15:39:00.001-05:00

( Originally Posted For Thanksgiving Nov24th)
So this Thanksgiving I am going down to visit Occupy, take them some hot Turkey Sandwiches, and some winter goodies.( Many thanks to Bonni in Mass. who made incredible warm scarves for them...) and some mittens and gloves, cold medicine and I will be checking the medical bag. But it occurs to me that Thanksgiving is about families gathering and many won't get it, don't understand how many are damaged by this Economy and how it got this way.There is true economic pain that can be measured in Numbers. So here are some to share as you pass the gravy. ( If you follow me on Twitter you know I do this #WhyWeOccupy hashtag every couple of days to educate folks.) So here are some of the Facts.

The STATS ::: #WhyWeOccupy....in America :::
(1) 50 Million are still without Healthcare ( due to loss of jobs,States HighRisk Pools pricing folks out)
(2) 46 Million Living in Poverty ( this Number includes Working Poor)
(3) 49 Million On Food Stamps
(4) 22 Million Children living in Poverty
(5) One in four Children going to bed hungry every night
(6) 29 Million UnEmployed and UnderEmployed
(7) 14 Million of our Elderly Living in Poverty
(8) 47,000 Dying Without Healthcare per year
(9) 235,000 Vets returning from Warzones to NO Job
(10) Vet Unemployment rate consistantly at 29%
(11) 600,000 Vets Sleeping on the Streets each night
(12) 26,000 Vets Lost Homes 2010 ( some while serving overseas)
(13) 18 Vets commit suicide per day
(14) 8 Million Homes Lost In Foreclosure in past 3 years
(15) 62% of All Home Loss in Foreclosure due to Medical Debt

Awopradio Show for Sunday January 22nd, 2012: Guests Include Cliff Schecter and Jim Dean of Democracy For America

2012-01-21T15:17:00.004-05:00

This Sunday is our 3rd USTREAM show, please bear with us while we are "Under Construction". We are still trying to determine our New Format. In particular, we are still trying to determine our TimeLine. For Tonight we are doing a 3 Hour Show tnight, but we are looking at a 2.5 Hour Show starting next week on 1/29/12 at 6:30PM. But tonight our Show is starting at 6PM EST. At 6PM Kim gives an introduction to the show and our guests. At 6:30PM I give the #99Report which covers Issues effecting the #99Percent and Why there is an Occupy Movement. At 7PM is Perry @mommapolitico with her #KitchenTablePolitics covering all the latest on the Political Spectrum ( and there's plenty this week). And at 7:30 PM is our First Guest Ashley Arrington bringing us an update from the South Carolina Primary Scene and also the We Do Campaign. And at 8PM is Cliff Schecter with update from the Start up of his New Progressive DC based Radio Station. And then at 8:30PM there is Jim Dean of Democracy for America.
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Ashley Arrington 7:30PM EST is coming on the show to share with us her work with Southern Equality .Org and the "We Do Campaign" and also give us an update on the South Carolina's Primary. ( Ashley has been on the show before and always keeps us up to date on important issues, we are grateful that she is returning to the show.)

Southern Equality.Org and the We Do Campaign.

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Cliff Schecter at 8PM. Cliff is a longtime Blogger and Writer and Pundit and Progressive Voice. ( This is his latest Post on "Remembering Tuscon" is an excellent read. He has has written for Huffington Post and The Guardian. We invited Cliff on to share and discuss his new Project, the Progressive Radio Station in DC. ( And for those of us that are long time bloggers who still miss Air America we are excited for this new Station.) Cliff is a long time Political Voice and pundit, who has studied Politics and worked hard to educate those via Independent News and Blogs and Internet News. He is also known for his first book . ( Via Wikipedia " In April 2008, Schecter published his first book, The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him And Independents Shouldn't. The book controverted the image of Republican Presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, as a maverick politician who worked assiduously in the public's interest." Do read more from his BIO, we are very lucky to have someone so educated on the Political Landscape and issues.

We Act Radio Website
A wide assortment of progressive shows, Elon James to Bill Press to Elon James to Ed Schultz to Stephanie Miller,Shannyn Moore and Nicole Sandler, and David Shuster doing News,and Cliff's own show with Lizz Winstead called Loose Ends and so much more. WPWC 1480 AM DC Progressive Talk Radio has arrived to the airwaves and to DC.
More Details about the Scheduled Programming, with chart explaining shows and schedules. You can follow on Twitter at @WeActRadio, it is broadcasting out of Anacostia SouthEast. On their twitter page " Get Out There and DO SOMETHING!" #WeActDC #1480AM #DoSomething . The Lineup is impressive from News to Music to Humor to Political Wisdom, it has it all. We invited Cliff on to talk about this New Station and Welcome him and the Station to the Airwaves.
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Jim Dean of DFA 8:30PM EST , he is Chairman of DFA, the largest Progressive Political Action Committee based in Burlington Vermont. DFA was founded in 2004 after Howard Dean ran for President, and has been raising awareness on many issues and actions since then. Jim Dean has been involved with giving speeches, organizing and strategy and strengthening the Progressive Network across the Country. Dean currently travels across the country promoting grassroots and progressive activism in all levels of government through DFA’s training academies. Dean also takes part in national fund-raising efforts for the organization.

"I love the hard work Democracy for America members do. You are the boots on the ground working for progressive change year after year. They understand that when we get local and speak up, there is no stopping our movement."~~Micheal Moore

In an interview with Truthout.com, Dean is quoted as saying, “Democracy is not a spectator sport, and politics is way too important to be left up to the politicians.”

(1) Learn More about Democracy for America and their work across the Country.
(2) DFA has worked on so many important issues from Health Care to Marriage Equality to Getting Out the Vote to Here is the sight that highlights so many progressive actions.

(3) DO Follow on Twitter: @DFAaction

Micheal Moore::"I love the hard work Democracy for America members do. You are the boots on the ground working for progressive change year after year. They understand that when we get local and speak up, there is no stopping our movement."

About Silent Fallout...

2012-01-16T22:38:00.008-05:00

I wrote earlier this Month that my book "Silent Fallout" is now out. For those that don't know the story of the book, I have been working on this book for quite a few years. It is the story of living in the North West and witnessing Dumping and working hard to solve the Mysteries of the Dumping. I ended up doing a County Wide Health Study and being a FOIA goddess, and creating a Non Profit to study the health of the County and confront the Powers that be about the level of illness and the level of contamination. Below is a sample chapter, that hints at the story that unfolds. It is now available on Amazon. And it is also available from Authorhouse, and you can check the site here. And then there is Barnes and Nobles' Website also has it listed. I am hoping to have a book signing at some of the local smaller Bookstores that I love and support locally.

Sample Chapter Below.....
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Chapter Six: Midnight Dumping....
"Sometimes we see Something that changes Everything we know to be true, and Nothing is the Same ever Again."~ David La Chapelle
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"To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful."~ Edward R. Murrow

Chapter Six : Midnight Dumping

On a dark and stormy night in September 1999 in our little cabin house I would see Something that I had never seen before. We went to bed after reading Harry Potter and watching the Xfiles. I let my son and the dogs snuggle on my bed with cookies and milk as the winds and rains railed against the House. At around 2am the dogs had to go so I hustled them out to the deck off the back of the house. With the heavy rains I knew that we would not see the Mama Cougar and her baby.

I took them out on the deck to wee, as undignified as that sounds.I felt that they were safer on the Deck, even though we had seen the Mama Cougar below a few times. While they did their duty I would usually stand watch over the Bassatt and the Scotty and I would look over the Creek that wound down the hill towards the Lake. As I stood on the deck watching the Swaying tall Pines and Cedars I could also hear another Sound above the Winds and the Creaking. I realized I heard Trucks Engines running.I also could breathe in a terrible aroma, like Ammonia mixed with skunk. It was so strong it took my breathe away, made my eyes water and made me gag. I pulled my turtleneck above my mouth and wiped my eyes.

As I looked down the Hill, I could make out Two Red Tanker Trucks down by the Creek. ( They were double Tankers). I was puzzled so I went inside and got my Birding Binoculars. ( I had gotten the Binoculars hoping to watch all kinds of new birds at our new home, sadly there had not been as many I hoped). As I looked down the hill I could see the Tankers. They were pulled by the Creek, and One tanker had a hose hanging out the back snaked behind the Truck going to the Creek. And the Other Truck had simply opened a valve in the back and just gushing fluids into the Creek, hoses laying in a messy pile by the truck. The two workers were running back and forth and yelling at each other. I could make out no writing on the Trucks, they were older Tankers and very dirty.

I took the dogs inside and sat on the sofa stunned. Had I just witnessed Midnight Dumping ??? Was there still such a thing ? I sat and listened to the Trucks come and go , over and over until Dawn. By morning the Smell would be overwhelming and nauseating.By the next morning the questions would be rattling in my head. Did the Creek Feed into Our Drinking Water Lake ( I was pretty sure that it did). Was the Creek near a Drinking water Intake ? What the Hell was the Smell ? Were those Dangerous Chemicals they dumped ? WHO were they and where did they come from ? Who do you call when you think you have seen Midnight Dumping ? ( It's not like there is Hotline listed in The Yellow Pages). And How Many people drink water from that Lake ?Should we even be bathing in this Water ? Who else knew ? I sat there stunned and worried and realized that I did not really Know what to do. I also prayed that I would never see the trucks again.

So that day I went and bought bottled water for the animals and the people. And the Rains continued and by late afternoon, the smells had dissipated greatly. I remained worried. I promised myself that if I ever saw The Red Trucks Again, I would call Someone or Do Something. I was not sure What "Something" was, I just knew I needed Answers, for me,for my son, for my dogs. I knew that the smell made me ill, and that it was a Creek that meandered down to the Lake, a Lake that we drank from, so that made it seem more urgent....maybe even Dangerous.

But the Second Night arrived and at 2 am , I awoke when I heard the Trucks, and I knew they were back. Now during the day I had told my son about the Trucks. I had to , as I would not allow him outside due to the smell. ( Not that he wanted to anyways, after smelling the deck). l got the binoculars and looked down the hill, and they were in position again, backed up to the Creek. I sat up and listened to them yelling and running back and forth. It was still raining hard, but I could hear them unloading. I decided that I could follow them and see where they went , and that would give me a clue as to What they Dumped in the Creek. The Men were still rushing about and I could hear them yelling, coughing and gagging. I stood on the back porch bundled in an old coat and with a scarf over my mouth and nose, trying to see them better with the binoculars.

As I stood in the rains for a second night, straining to see with the binoculars, and biting my lip and wiping my eyes, I realized that I was going to have to make a decision about What to do. I had only lived there for 5 weeks, but I needed to Know More. I knew in my heart, my gut I was going to have to do something Drastic. I was going to have to see WHERE the Trucks came from, and there was only one way to do that. On that wet deck and in the Dark I made a Decision that would Change Everything, there was No Turning back from that moment.

So I got dressed, and also got my son dressed with a jacket over his jammies, and then I put supplies in the car. In my knapsack, A Camera, maps, a flashlight, and cookies and juice, and dog treats. I loaded all my sleepy crew in the car as quietly and quickly as I could. There were some groans. I could not leave my son alone and my Husband was working, so there was no other plan.I treated it like an Adventure , another Great Learning Experience.I am just a nurse, a mom, I have limited MacGuyver skills or Magnum PI skills, but I figured that I could atleast get answers to some of these questions, it should not be that hard.

So we drove down the bottem of the hill, and parked off to the side around a Turn, where the Trucks could not see us and waited for them to pass. I had a hunch they came to town, so I made sure to be on the road that headed back to town. Sure enough within minutes the two Double Tankers came zooming by and I decided to follow them. I figured I could atleast trace the trucks, or see where they came from. I did not count on Empty Trucks moving very fast, even in the rain and on the wet roads. So there we were, my son, my dogs and the little hatchback following the Tankers.

My son was sleepily propped in the seat , sharing cookies with the dogs, pointed out that the tankers were going pretty fast. I agreed. He said it was fun being sneaky dressing in black and sneaking out of the house, that it was a real adventure, that were were like Scully and Mulder ( off Xfiles). He also pointed out that the Tankers were pretty sneaky with their dirty license plates and hard to read initials on the back of the truck. It as amazing how Dirt could camouflage the information we needed. I asked my son that we kind of keep this Adventure our little secret, that others might not appreciate our Mission.( I wondered if this would end up on the Homeschooling Scoresheet as a "Good Idea". ) He giggled at one point and looked at me with his big eyes and the crumbs on his face and said " Maybe this is Our X File". Time would tell how accurate that statement was.

We did our best to follow the Trucks , but they were too fast for us. I was never sure if they saw us, or just drove like that all the time. I did for sure note they were indeed headed into town, but after the fourth turn I lost them, and I refused to drive that fast on wet slick back roads by the Lake. My carsick dogs also contributed to this decision, my son had already fallen back to sleep. So we headed home and everyone was asleep in the car by the time we got there. I put everyone to bed and noted the horrible odor again.

And so Began my quest to track down the Midnight Dumpers.....little did I know that would be just the first time following trucks and making a Bold Decision at 2am, there would be many more. Midnight Dumping was merely just a small piece of a much bigger Puzzle that had been in place for many years. But for some reason I was the First and Only Mom that ever decided to Follow the Trucks.

And that Quest would lead in many directions that I did not expect or could never have predicted.....Boxes and boxes of data, 40 years of data in 10 different offices, and thousands of letters to all kinds of Officials and Offices....and Heights of Corruption that still make my head hurt. And there would be Names that later would be prominent in headlines of an Administration plagued with Lies...and by then the Red Trucks would make Sense. And the trucks were just a small piece in a very ragged Jagged Dangerous Jig Zaw Puzzle and the question was would the Puzzle be solved in time to help a little town ?

Awopradio Show for Sunday January 15th, 2012

2012-01-13T21:03:00.016-05:00

This is our 2nd show of our new season on USTREAM, and we start at 6PM EST. First there is the Intro from Kim and then the 99 Report at 6:30PM and then we get our Wonk on with Perry @mommapolitico does Kitchen Table Politics. Perry has been doing a great job keeping up with the GOP antics and Debates. ( 99Report is continuing focus on #OccupyStudentDebt and #OccupyForeclosures and #OccupyingTheDream that starts Jan16th and updates will be posted on the 99 Report Blog).

We have such Great Guests tonight....
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Guest During the 99 Report :::
Please read Matt Bieber's Post about His Removal and Arrest at a Romney Event on January 9th....in New Hampshire.
I am having a special guest during the 99 Report at 6:45PM , a Divinity Student from Harvard went to NH to watch and be a part of the Primary Process there and had an Experience that needs to be heard. Matt Bieber is a eloquent young man that was removed from a Romney Event and then arrested. There are many questions about how this situation was handled and why he was arrested. Is Romney "Hiring" Police Departments to Work Security at his events at Private Settings ? Is that legal ? Is Romney allowed to have Citizens arrested ? Is Romney allowed to suspend the Constitution at his Events ? Shouldn't we be encouraging our young people to be a part of the process ?
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And tonight during Perry's Kitchen Table Politics 7-7:30PM EST she has a special Video Interview with Chuck D of Public Enemy and Air America which she taped this weekend, so this is a special treat. ( Video will be posted here after the show. ) And you can also find @MrChuckD on twitter too. Perry did a great interview with him and she talked Music and Politics with him, and great that we have this chance to hear from him on the Politics of these Times....And his concerns about Homelessness and his efforts and work to Give Back. Do go to his website and see how he is working to use his music and political Voice to give back. And share the information about Operation Skid Row. His Concert Series Starts January 15th In Southern California to raise awareness and funds and support for Homelessness Operation Skid Row Give Back Festival is inspiring and getting it done.

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And our First Guest is at 7:30 PM with JasonLeopold Editor of Truthout and founder of The Public Record. ( You can find him on Twitter @jasonleopold) and he is a return guest, invited back as he has been writing extensively on the 10 Year Anniversary of Gitmo.
(1) This Post about Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield on GITMO is a must read.....and was updated 1/9/12

(2) And this post from Nov.2011 is also shares perspectives from an Former GITMO Prosecutor.

(3) This November Post about the Pentagon Propaganda Video is also a Must read.

(4) This link is to the Interview with Leopold about his Interviews of David Hicks of Gitmo.

(5) This RT/Truthout Link is about Jason's Interview regarding NDAA and Ongoing Detention issues.

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Sarah Price of TIME Magazine is our 2nd guest at 8:00PM EST. Sarah is an accomplished MidEast Writer covering the Middle East for many years, and most recently focusing on Iraq and all that has been going on there, from the Winding Down of Military Operations to the escalating strife and violence of this year. You can read more of her writings on her blog, MidEast View .Blogspot.com. One of her pieces on Bin Laden is fascinating and a Must Read and raises some interesting questions about Al Queda and the Mideast going forward.
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Don Scime of "The David Dance" Film at 8:30PM EST

Don is an accomplished actor and writer, he has acted in everything from the Chappelle Show to Shakespeare. He has had stellar reviews, and in his latest work, quite a few of the reviews pointed out he has a certain Sam Waterson quality that is endearing to audiences. He has a long and accomplished Resume that is worth seeing....

More about Don on his website, WWW.DonScime.com has about his current projects, and the latest updates on The David Dance, which he wrote and stars in and produced. The other site that is a must see is the actual website for the Film, WWW.TheDavidDance.com has background info, clips, trailers and reviews. The film has exquisite Lighting and beautiful music and story tenderly told with sensitivity and humor and insight. The Film is about Self Discovery, Love, and Relationships....This film will be entering the film festival circuit this spring, so do keep your eyes open for it.

From The David Dance Website This Synopsis:

"Set in a cold winter in Buffalo, New York “The David Dance” tells the story of siblings, David and Kate Patrone. David is the host of a local radio show called “Gay Talk”, which usually focuses on such breezy topics as “Body-Piercing: Fashion or Faux pas?” Kate is a thrice divorced banker with a yen for Schumann and cats. Though they are both successful in their own right, they share a secret inadequacy about themselves. Kate decides to adopt an orphan in Brazil and asks David to be the father figure. David grapples with his self doubts about this while courting an amiable technical assistant who also moonlights as drummer for an all-lesbian rock band. Told from present to past and back again, we experience the bittersweet life of a man as he struggles to pull its colorful pieces together. "

Beautiful Trailer and music.....

More about Don on his website, www.donscime.com - about his current projects and the latest updates on "The David Dance" which he wrote, stars in and produced. ( In case you the links above are confusing) The other site that is a must see is the actual website for the film, www.thedaviddance.com , has background info, a teaser trailer and reviews of the play it's based on. ( again the site is also listed about and the Trailer here is from that site) .This wonderful film is currently in the final stages of of post-production and will be entering the film festival circuit soon ( hopefully this Spring).

MLK...."How Long ? Not Long!"

2012-01-13T13:38:00.003-05:00

(2 Minutes...from March 25,1965)

Reflections on Haiti 2 years since Quake...

2012-01-12T08:06:00.005-05:00

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."~~
Mother Teresa

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This school is the only completed school, it is a Middle School, for 750, it is completely rebuilt since the Quake, it is the Academy of Peace and Justice, rebuilt and funds raised by artists and the film community..... APJ worked with the St.Luke Organization to create this school.
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About the work of Artists for Peace and Justice...

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About the School that APJ built...

2011 New Wing Opening Ceremony from bryn mooser on Vimeo.

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"I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?"~~
Mother Teresa
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It's been 2 years since the devastating Quake in Haiti, so much destruction and so much death, and yet the word gave and came together after that quake, and it yet it is still on many levels broken, shattered, undone....250,000 lives lost and still over 500,000 homeless and living in rubble. It bothers me that all of us gave and sent money...yet I see children still in the camps, schools still not rebuilt, and children with no shoes walking by debris piles...It is the one place my heart still goes easily and I dream of it at night and can hear creole...The streets there are so familiar and I can't explain it , but I do think my future is tied to this place....It's odd how Creole and Thai, my heart and brain understand...The only two places that have tugged at my heart...my dreams...my soul...And the world in many ways has moved on, I watched the news this morn, and Haiti was not mentioned....and that is why there are still piles of rubble there....We are so good at "Moving On" that we are not good at "Showing Up and Seeing it Through"....
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"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."~~
Mother Teresa
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This Eddie Vedder song ...about Ruins is what comes to mind about Haiti...not sure why...

"When Mitt Romney Came to Town"

2012-01-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

( This needs to be shared far and wide, I know Newt's people made it, but....)

Monday Meditation Music....and a little bit of Wisdom

2012-01-09T12:27:00.003-05:00

Music to take you to another place...hear crickets, wind and the trees.....and watch Sunset in Madageskar.

These are hard times, and there is much chatter, much of it devoid of compassion or really much wisdom.....Listen only to what nurtures your heart, your soul....if it is not spiritually nourishing or grounded....and saddens you, walk away....find some sun, some solace, even if it is the Light of the Moon.

"Genuine politics -- even politics worthy of the name -- the only politics I am willing to devote myself to -- is simply a matter of serving those around us: serving the community and serving those who will come after us. Its deepest roots are moral because it is a responsibility expressed through action, to and for the whole."~~Vaclav Havel
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Talk to people around you, try not to isolate yourself....No one has to get through these times alone. There is always someone out there that is suffering more than you....if you carry the burden together...it is lighter...
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"All change, even very large and powerful change, begins when a few people start talking with one another about something they care about."~~Margaret J. Wheatley

Awopradio Show for Sunday January 8th, 2012

2012-01-07T16:41:00.007-05:00

This Sunday Awopradio will be LIVE via Ustream, you can listen and watch via Ustream, or you can also go to the Awopradio Facebook page. The Show will be at 6 PM EST with my 99 Percent report at 6:30 PM and then Perry @mommapolitico at 7:00PM with her Kitchen Table Politics. ( Please know that are show is still archived over at Blogtalkradio and we are moving and saving all of our previous shows.) During the show, we won't be able to have Calls In, but we will be monitoring the Ustream Chat Room and the Facebook Page to be able to talk to our Listeners. Kim, Perry and I do want to talk and hear from Listeners just like when we were at BlogtTalkRadio. Click the Title to get to the Ustream Link or go to the SideBar and click the Red Radio....

Our First Guest will be Lyric, an amazing singer from North Carolina who is like nothing you have heard in 10 years. If you love Funk, Jazz, Blues sung soulfully you will love Lyric. And because we have a new Format you will be able to see Lyric perform in the Liberal Loft of Kim our host down in North Carolina. This Article has an amazing write up in "Women Making Music" about Lyric and her sound, and her talent.

This Snippet from the article in "Women Making Music" by Peggy Ratusz,
"The first time I heard Lyric was the first time ninety percent of the full house audience that evening first heard Lyric. She fluttered in like a brassy butterfly; initially unassuming. She was methodical, taking her time to blow us away with her melodic poetry and her bountiful soulful voice. Whew, lordy people, if you haven’t heard of or heard Lyric, you simply must give yourself the gift. “Guitar Feet” is her latest release."

Audio of "Open Roads' is down below, and you can also watch the video of the same song here, there are 11 videos of her performing, all are excellent.

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At 8:30PM our second guest is Jill E .Bond, who is known to many on Twitter and Facebook, she is a political pundit from Florida.She is ranked Florida's #1 Political Tweeter, and is also a frequent guest and commentator on Progressive Radio, including Left Neck Chick and Kenny Pick's evening show. We will be talking Politics with her, and also the future of progressive radio, especially during this pivotal election year. Jill has also just begun a new venture as a columnist for the Examiner.com and we talk to her about that work as well. You can follow Jill at @JillEBond on Twitter and her site at JillEBond.com. And do check out her Political Posts on the Examiner.com where she shares the latest on the political scene as the GOP sets their sights on Florida this month. She is covering it all handily, from Santorum's underwhelming surges to Gingrichs antics....A Great Read. ( And the GOP is there after SC on January 31st, so there will be plenty to follow as things heat up.)
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(1) Article from Women Making Music about Lyric has a great interview with Lyric.
(2) Lyric Singing "Open Roads" on Reverbnation Must See Video....
(3) Lyric's Reverbnation Channel , will have you hooked....and come on and come join her fans there....
(4) Perry @mommapolitico covered the new financial agency in her Kitchen Table Politics ( KTP) and the website has plenty, from info for older adults facing financial hurdles to Foreclosure questions/concerns to Student Debt issues, So remember to share ConsumerFinance.gov with your friends or people needed financial questions answered. The site also has a nice write up about their new appointed head Richard Cordray.
(5) Please do give even just some cards and thoughts and prayers to the Fuller Family, as they are having to make more medical trips for AJ even just a little money to help them with gas would truly help them.....

It's done...finally.....Silent Fallout

2012-01-01T23:58:00.002-05:00

It's finally done....it's available on Amazon and the Price is already reduced. ( I am not sure if that is good or bad). It will be available electronically in February, and you can email me if you want more details on that. And yes, this is my Whistleblower story....and yes, it is a bit bumpy in sections , but is is all true. Non Fiction, True Story of a NorthWest Town that fights back....( kind of chilling that is coming out in these times...) It is also available on the Publisher'swebsite.

Happy New Years....." The Great Bell Chant"

2011-12-31T14:53:00.002-05:00

The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering) from R Smittenaar on Vimeo.

Thank You and Happy New Year to all of Our Amazing Listeners and Guests on Awopradio

2011-12-26T18:36:00.016-05:00

Awopradio was just starting back in the summer, in July. And I came on the show as a guest to talk about my book, invited by Perry. At the time I was a nervous wreck, I had never done a full radio interview, and never done any interviews on the book. "Silent Fallout" was done, and I was wading through final edits and legal reviews, but I thought I should find some courage and take the plunge. On another note I have had a deep curiosity and longtime love of Radio. I miss Air America terribly and I even collect old radio shows ( on tape). So for those that think I found my courage, actually I think I found my passion. I am still shy on the radio, and Kim and Perry are relaxed and funny and that makes it all go better. I am so blessed to be able to help the show and schedule guests, and contribute to such a venture.

Kim has a Molly Ivins quality that I adore and Perry is the political wonk, she reminds me of Linda Ellerbee. And then there is Nunzia who used to work at CNN and is a true journalist. This is a top notch team....And we began inviting all kinds of guests....and amazingly enough they came, and all of them were and are wonderful. So The Video below is to thank our Amazing Guests who helped make the First 6 Months such an amazing ride. So the video below has our Amazing Guests and some of their fine works. ( Please know that we tried to find photos of @WhoDat and @EileenLeft and @Symbolman, @PirateLarry .....if I get their photos I will add them. I also added our January Guests.Please know that I am still new making videos. this is only my 3rd one, so the order is not quite right.....)) But the Video is really a way to Thank Our Wonderful Guests...
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Christmas 2011...Giving Thanks and Looking Forward....

2011-12-26T17:16:00.009-05:00

To all that come here....I am so grateful to know you and talk with you and share...I would never have dreamed that this blog would still be going...here we go on the 7th year...

This year was quite a year, so much to see, watch and learn from...The World is Changing, and I can only hope that America is part of that waking up process, Occupy shook up and woke up many. And there was the Arab Spring, I will never forget watching all of it unfold this year......

And there was Japan and Fukushima...and Gabby Giffords...and the horrible incident in Norway...all lessons in courage...and that Time is indeed a Gift...Life can be so fragile..fleeting....treasure those around you and what and who they are....No One knows what tomorrow brings......

And for me...I made peace with many things this year...MS....My Book ( which is done and will be available in January). And I tried new Things I worked for Democracy For America and even explored ( and fell in love with Internet Radio)....and I found that going down to Occupy eased a lot of the pain of Poverty....and I was so lucky to have a Garden...and I took this year to come up with a Better plan for 6-6 to help him reach his NYC /Education Dreams......

And to all of you, everyone who connected to me Here, or Twitter or the Radio...I am so grateful.....I wish the best for all for the New Year. Much Love, Much Light.....Namaste....

The Power of Words....

2011-12-23T01:02:00.003-05:00

We All Came From Somewhere Else.....A Tribute to Our "Forefathers" by Dan Fogelberg

2011-12-22T23:47:00.000-05:00

Out of This World...( Honoring Solstice)

2011-12-22T12:27:00.000-05:00

Requiem For a Dream with Global Footage....really Stunning..you feel like you are riding in a Shuttle looking down on Earth...

Solstice Post....And Some Thoughts about Courage and Who Matters...

2011-12-20T23:39:00.009-05:00

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"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."~Ambrose Redmoon

About Courage....And Why It Matters....
Courage matters in so many ways, large and small and sometimes even silently. I am mentioning this issue because I am tired of watching a Smear Campaign unfold day after day over on Twitter. There is someone there who is attacking really good people, I am not even sure why, maybe it makes him feel good or "Bigger", or maybe it is for attention. But this I do know most people are having a hard time this Christmas, his attacks are cruel and baseless, and unwarranted. So many people are dealing with illness, and job issues and economic issues, his attacks could seem Petty and small minded. But they are damaging and hurting the Fabric of the Left. I have lost friends because of his attacks and lies and smearing. I have lost Followers on Twitter and Facebook and even gotten emails that were hate filled and senseless. I am and was a whistleblower, I know a thing or two about attacks, trolls and hate. Yet I have to say there is nothing worse than Hate on Our Own Side that is spun into a frenzy and fueled by people acting like Children. It is why I wrote the Cyberbullying Post, because I don't think Silence helps anyone. ( The post I wrote on Cyberbullying is here that I wrote earlier this month.)

I share here and on Twitter and Facebook..I share my life, my home, my political thoughts. And yes, I post my Home, because in many ways I open up my heart and my home to all, I share. And yes, if you are rude to me, or my friends...I shut the door, I have to.....( On Twitter or Facebook that means you are Blocked...)

So I am just saying it right here, right now. I stand by my friends, and I say what I mean and mean what I say...... And there are certain people I value, not all of them get along or are even friends...but I love them all and value them...very very much and I have told them Publicly and Privately. The past two years working on the Book there were certain people who really were a Rock ....and I am grateful...very. So as this Solstice reveals and unfolds this year , I value those in my life and also those who have been there for me....I honor Who and What you are, and I KNOW you...

Is it Wrong to want Peace here and in Twitterland ? Is It Wrong to not want to be gossiped and slammed like a Highschool nerd ? Is it wrong to want Peace for dear Friends ? (seriously I had enough of that so many years ago) Is it wrong to want Solidarity on the Left ? Is it wrong to expect and hope that People will act like adults and have Compassion ?

Signed...
Praying for Peace...We Need It.
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A Video for Solstice...

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"Every day you either see a scar or courage. Where you dwell will define your struggle. " ~Dodinsky

More Christmas Wonder...

2011-12-19T22:00:00.000-05:00

More Christmas Wonder....

2011-12-19T08:52:00.007-05:00

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"When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul."~~Langston Hughes
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Anonymous Donors Pay off KMART Christmas Layaway Accounts
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And a Gift for you....Stunningly Beautiful Video....just watch....

Awopradio Show For Sunday December 18th, Eric Byler of the Coffee Party and An Update from Occupy Pittsburgh ...

2011-12-18T17:19:00.004-05:00

(Posted 12.15.11)
Nothing better than Sunday Evenings to tune in and Listen up to Internet Progressive Radio. First we have the 99 Report and then we have Perry @mommapolitico with her Undercover Liberal Report ( involving a trip to a Gun Show ), at 7:30PM and then we have our Guests. We continue focus on how OCCUPY Movement is helping focus on real American issues. At 8PM we have a Report from an RN,Marcy that has been working with Occupy Pittsburgh and she will update us from her state. And then there is Eric Byler of the Coffee Party at 8:30PM who will update us multiple sites of Occupy and also share his experience of being arrested while photographing and reporting/tweeting Occupy in LA as it was raided by Police. And there will be plenty else going on as well as chatroom will be open, so please join us....7PM EST on Sunday Eve. ( Just Click the Radio over on the Side Bar.) Or you can click here too...
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LINKS to share and Read
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(1) Eric Byler Filmaker and Co Founder of the Coffee Party shares his story of being arrested while Filming Occupy LA, it is a compelling well written piece....
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Listen to internet radio with AWOP Radio on Blog Talk Radio

99 Report Awopradio Sunday December 18th....."The Bush Depression"

2011-12-18T14:22:00.018-05:00

My Question for the Week:
Why Aren't we calling this Bush's Depression. ? Bush spent two years pretending we were not in a Recession , ignoring it , and then bottom fell out in Summer of 2008. ( Remember the Reporters were not even allowed to say the "R" word). Meanwhile Bush gave Many corporations and rich individuals tax breaks, all of this contributed to this Economic Situation. And yet in the Debates Bush or his Damage are not mentioned. And yet it's Christmas and we have kids sitting on Santa's Lap asking for a "Home" or a "Job for Daddy? "

And these are the Numbers for the Wars that the Bush Regime waged:
Cost of Operation Iraqi Freedom: $806 billion Projected total cost of veterans’ health care and disability: $422 billion to $717 billion.

Business Insider has more stats about Vets, from Prison rates to Suicide. ( Suicides are at 18 /day, 600,000 Vets Sleep on the Street per night, 29% Unemployment Rate, 236,000 Vets home from Warzones Jobless, and 26,000 Military serving lost their homes last year in foreclosure. The Wars have hurt this country, especially Our Own Military and their families.

One in Two People are Low Income....NPR...good read.
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Update on #OccupyCleveland
(1) How they helped to try to stop an Eviction in Orwell ( and it did get media coverage via Newsnet5 and MSNBC).
I was going to go and take photos and video , even had press passes ready, but got sick as a dog all week. ( Post will be up later tonight).
(2) They are now looking to occupy an empty office building downtown ( there are plenty, I am still putting together my photo montage, if anyone can help me do a Video for Youtube I really need lessons).
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More on Another aspect of the Bush years : Bank Failures
(1) Really Interesting Article on the Bank Failures and what led to them in the last decade, and how it's a bigger under reported mess than we know. 88 Billion Dollar Mess....yet why aren't we seeing Banking Regulations examined , reinstated ? and why aren't there JD investigations about these Banking 's Behaviors ?
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Who in the 99 Percent can we Help this week ?
(1) I have a post up below about the Fuller Family down in Kentucky and their battle with cancer, AJ is nine and they really are battling it, for over 4 years. Dad serves our country and is for now stationed in KY. Please help me help them have a Christmas, driving to Nashville for AJ's cancer care is really hurting their budget, read more here how you can help. They are a really wonderful Family.
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Other #99 Reports :
(1) Foreclosures And Homelessness and Displaced families really are a bigger problem than we can truly appreciate.
(2) Stats to Share with Family Over Holidays and the Stats really tell the story of Working Poor, and our vanishing Middle Class. We need to really educate people.
(3) Poverty ( especially Children) Is another aspect that needs our focus as the Economy has really effected our Children. This Christmas do try to give to Charities that are really working with Children. Salvation Army and Feeding America.
(4) Suicide Prevention tips, I mention this as it has been helpful on Twitter. Sadly due to the economy the Suicide rates are up, and also Vet Suicide rates are at 18 /day.
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FDR talking about People who didn't support his efforts on Social Security and Care of the Poor.....really interesting Parallels to the Republicans of today and their lack of concern for the Poor and Middle Class in this country...food for Thought.
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"Merry Christmas Here's your Orange" a story about the Christmases during the Great Depression in the Plain Dealer in 2008
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My Video..."Another World is Possible"

Another World Is Possible - how to make a free slideshow

99 Percent Occupy Fall 2011 ( test video....)

2011-12-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

The 99 Percent Occupy Fall - free slideshow maker

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I am trying to figure out how to make Youtube videos...Music is by Josh Woodward "Ovethrown"

Tacky Christmas ....More Dec. 14th

2011-12-14T08:39:00.003-05:00

My Attic...My Tacky.....and Christmas Lights...( I think it needs more Lights....I have Blue and White up...So far...)The Christmas Tree was from the local Dollar store, under 10 dollars...( and we are waiting to see how long it takes for 20PoundWonder Kitty to bring it down...as you all remember he took down my Tree two years ago...in under 24 hours...so far we are now on day 4 ..so I have some hope). I made all the ornaments over the years , some with 6-6 and some before he was born, and they have traveled all over the Country with us....My fascination with Lights and Tacky Christmas started with my Grandmother Flo, or Mimi as we called her...she would drive us around in the evenings we would sit in the back seat eating Silber 's Cookies and look for the Best Lights, the more the better, the tackier, gaudy the Better...and she would play christmas carols on the Radio....And when my son was little I did the same with him for many years....So even now I find myself searching yearning for Lights and Music....That is all i really need to know it is Still Christmas.
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One of my Favorites....Greg Lake singing " I Believe in Father Christmas"

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And some Sax..The Christmas Song....( and yeah, it's Kenny G...)

Let's Help Give This Amazing Military Family Fighting Cancer a Real Christmas

2011-12-13T17:19:00.020-05:00

Last year I shared my refugee work with you all, an Iraqi Family needed our Help getting Settled and Welcomed to the States, and that family with the wonderful pregnant mother and the 5 children was so blessed by you all. This Christmas I am sharing another Family that needs our help and our love. I want to tell you about the Fuller Family, they are a wonderful Military Family that is on a path that needs our Love, Prayers, Light and Support. Dad Adam serves our Country proudly and is now stationed in Kentucky. Their son AJ has been battling Medulloblastoma, brain cancer for over 4 years. He is a really special little boy, feisty, funny and really a Fighter. And his Big Sister Delainey, who they call Laine or Lainey is really amazing as well. AJ is 8 going on nine and Laine is 11 years old. For AJ's Cancer treatments he needs to travel all the way to Nashville, which is alot of gas money twice a month. ( They are a Military Family, money is very tight, and that Trip twice a month is really eating into the budget on all levels).

And the Reason I am blogging about them, is because there is no money for them to have a Christmas, and they are a family that is helping Serve Our Country, while AJ is Fighting Cancer. We Need to help them with their Battle Against Cancer, and we need to also help them have a Christmas as a Family. If you want to help you can email me to learn more. Any Money that is raised here on the Radio I am buying them Gas Cards and also Walmart Give Cards as that is the Closest Store to them and that way Mom can go pick out some Special Christmas goodies for AJ and Lainey. You can also follow me on Twitter @watergatesummer if you want to help Tweet This and raise money and support for them.

This is the Website that explains more of their situation ( written by Ann AJ's Mom, it is called the Caring Bridge.

This YouTube Video has more of their story, and was made my Ann and AJ to tell their story...that has gone on for over 4 years....

The Address is in the comments....
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December 19th Update:::
I want to thank Twitterland, AWOP Radio Listeners, and Watergate Summer readers:
Thank you all so so much, I was able to send Mom Ann a Walmart Gift card so she can go get Christmas goodies for Lainey and AJ and also some gas money. I sent it all off yesterday and some huge homemade cookies, and I also learned from Ann that others folks had sent goodness in the mail...I am humbled and so grateful that you all are so giving ....and generous....even in Hard Times. Thank you again.....

"One More Step "Video : Beautiful Inspiring...Please Share

2011-12-12T14:58:00.000-05:00

This amazing video shows NYC on November 17th, and has the words of many profound. The title is based on Dorli Rainey the 84 Seattle Activist who after being PepperSprayed appeared on Countdown and said " Take One More Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone". The video shows the People Rising....Marching all over NYC and over the Brooklyn Bridge. And it highlights the beautiful inspiring Bat Signals that were shown onto the Verizon Building that night....I am Thankful for the Occupy Movement....I am Thankful We Are the 99% and We Are Everywhere...We Are Together.Another World Is Possible.

(hat tip to Sassy Songstress...Sharon for finding this...originally posted 11.24...)

99 Report AwopRadio Sunday December 11th : Foreclosure Stats

2011-12-11T14:54:00.023-05:00

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(1) First I am going to highlight the Numbers from Last week Poverty Numbers and UnEmployment Numbers as combined with the FoodStamp Numbers they tell the story of America and the 99 Percent and why OWS is fighting for the 99 Percent. There are huge numbers of People Impacted. I watch these GOP debates and they talk of their God given rights and family values and I would just like to ask them, even one Why they think it is Acceptable for them to let their neighbors live like this ?

And if someone has lost their job, you can bet that they are either on Foodstamps or living in their car, or buying Catfood for dinner or having to send their Kids to School Hungry. And While Real Americans, Millions of them are facing these Living Conditions GOP is Gutting Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, Planned Parenthood. And I have seen these Republican Candidates say well let them seek Charity and Churches for help. Well news to them, in many of the poorer Cities the Churches are even closing due to lack of funds. All of these folks are our Brothers and Sisters, they are Americans and they are the 99 Percent. So I say give what you can and Occupy The Vote and do what you can to help : Salvation Army and Feeding America do stellar work and do Support the Occupy Movement.

The Stats that Tell The Story of the 99 Percent
29 Million UnderEmployed and UnEmployed
46 Million Living in Poverty
49 Million as of this Month on Food Stamps and SNAP
22 Million ( or 12 Million depending on sources) Of our Elderly living in Poverty or eating catfood
On In Four Children going to bed hungry
22 Millon Children living in Poverty, this includes living in shelters,or hotels, and Hunger Issues
8 Million Foreclosed Homes 2008-2010, 4 Million More so far for 2011, and 2 Million facing foreclosure next 90 days
( Example for Cleveland that is 25,000 Empty Homes. Water Depts. have the Best Records on this)
Commercial buildings the Foreclosure Rate is even higher over 9 Percent ( which explains the empty buildings downtown)

****** THIS NPR MAP has imagery that shows the Economic Mapping, so you can examine your area and see UnEmployment and Foreclosure Issues Mapped.Really raises questions were the Banks Targeting Certain Neighborhoods and areas ?

*** Meanwhile here in Cleveland where there are 25,000 Empty Homes, The City Council Here passed an Emergency Resolution in support of the Occupy Movement, it is four pages long and beautifully written and describes the movement as related to the Economic Distress of our times, it was passed 18 to one. You can read more here, and see the Resolution.

(2) Occupy Is moving their focus to Homes and Empty Buildings, trying to save Homes from Eviction,
as well as reclaim homes for homeless families and also reclaim Empty Structures for use for shelters.
( Some folks would say that this is encouraging "Squatting", I would like to point out in parts of Europe Squatting is actually legal and that folks are allowed to squat as long as they keep structures clean, don't burn anything, or mis use fuel, and
they leave the Water on so that people can keep themselves and the structures clean).

(3) Residential Foreclosures 2008 to 2010 = Over 8 Million ( yet not all the numbers have been fully disclosed).This year 4 Million so far and another 2 Million are facing it in the upcoming 90 Days. Commercial Real Estate is over 9.1% which explains many of the empty urban regions.What I did start examining are Regional Maps ( from NPR) that I am including in the Post on Foreclosures that clearly show that only certain areas of larger cities had Foreclosure Issues, and the neighborhoods with certain middle class jobs and incomes were indeed targeted, and the JD should be investigating those banks that targeted those Hoods. ( IE. In Washington State Washington Mutual which sold their debts to Bank of America should be scrutinized). And another article also explained that the FDIC did know that 1: 200 Homes were starting to face Foreclosure in 2005. ( Some articles also pointed out that some of these homes were VA Loans and possibly related to change of employment due to war Serving). So even in 2005 the Foreclosure rate was rising to 250,000 per quarter, and it kept rising per year.

********Here are some of the Stats::: from the FDIC.

(4) The Occupy Stats are explained more here in the Thanksgiving 99 Report, and are great for explaining the 99 Movement to folks.

(5) The Post On Poverty and Children in America from last Sunday is a Must Read and has more information.

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To Folks who say " I Don't Understand the 99 Percent Issue, or the Occupy Movement" I say "Which Side Are You On?"
It's about Americans being being Attacked by the GOP under 8 Years of Bush and the Current Congress, So Do Occupy the VOTE, but also do talk to your Neighbors, Know your Neighbors. And to President Obama I say, you do need to Acknowledge the 99 Percent, many of us Voted and helped get you to the Whitehouse, and are now facing Homelessness, Hungry Kids and Joblessness, and yeah, Millions of Us VOTE.The Occupy Movement is truly about the Middles Class being destroyed, and the Republicans and Tea party continue to be hell bent on destroying working class jobs and also taking away any efforts to help the Economic recovery.

99 Report Help ZONE...These Fine Folks need our Help and Support...

2011-12-11T01:10:00.005-05:00

(1) First please do head over to Rump Roast and learn how you can help with the fundraiser for Strangeappar8us , it's a serious situation and if we all help it will make a difference.
(2) Do send good thought s, prayers and Light to Xeni Over at Boing Boing as she is newly diagnosed and battling Breast Cancer.
(3) Please Do check back I have information about an Situation of a Family who has been helping their child battle Cancer ( AJ) and we need to find ways to help them. ( Twitter friend @ohthesweet forwarded this info) This is the Family's Homepage, where you can learn more about how to help the Fuller Family.
(4) Salvation Army is really helping families in need this Christmas from food to warm clothes to bedding to Christmas Gifts for children and families, please do support their work. And then there is Feeding America DO contact them in your area they do so much with so little, and every little bit helps.

Awopradio Show For Sunday December 11th : Guests Faydra Deon and Walter Brasch

2011-12-11T00:08:00.007-05:00

Sunday Night on Awopradio on BlogTalkRadio 7-9PM EST we have a great show planned with two really amazing writers. First we have the 99 Report 7-7:15PM and then we have Perry @Mommapolitico will give us the rundown on Kitchen Table Politics. ( This Week on the 99 Report the focus will be the Foreclosure Crisis and the Occupy Movement's Focus on reclaiming homes and empty buildings. ( The Post below will have details 99 Report of the Foreclosure Mess and Occupy Homes, and also more data on Vets losing their homes.)
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Faydra Deon

And Our First Guest at 8PM is Faydra Deon, who is well known on @Faydra_Deon as a real Twitter Wonder, and Internet maven. She also as a Blogger is writing and publishing her first Books. Her First Book is Called" The Pride" , an amazing book about 4 Strong Women. ( She has two other books upcoming "The Village " and the "The Project". ) She has been on Twitter for over 2 years and has truly forged a presence there as well, helping people learn how to blog and also connect. Her main Website is here FaydraDeon.com and has links to so many of her projects. She does not just help folks with Wordpress, she also is now helping folks get self published. And then there is the publishing site that has more info on how to get her books, on solamente publishing. She is offering really good help for folks trying to navigate blogging or selfpublishing.

The Pride
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Our Second Guest at 8:30PM EST is Walter Brasch who is an activist and journalist. His newest book, "Before the First Snow", is extraordinary and spans from the 1960's to right before the Gulf War starts. Great Blog by Walter called the Wanderings has more about his book "Before the First Snow". And his website is really wonderful and worth a read as well, Walter's Website on his activism and journalism.

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This is the World of Progress Radio logo ( Which I am trying to add to the Sidebar.)

You can click here to listen to the Show.
Radio Promo Kim's Radio Promo ( Audio) awesome...
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Listen to internet radio with AWOP Radio on Blog Talk Radio

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Occupy Movement is now Focused on the Foreclosure Crisis....

2011-12-11T00:02:00.000-05:00

The Occupy Movement this week moved it's focus to the Foreclosure Crisis, and the number of empty Homes and Buildings and the number of Misplaced families and Homeless. In 25 Cities Homes and Buildings were reclaimed and families settled, and in other cities Homes were occupied in an attempt to save them from Eviction. This Washington Post article covers in some detail. ( I will try to post photos from Ohio, from Cleveland and Toledo over the next few weeks, I have been taking photos of foreclosed empty buildings and homes. I am not trying to put together a film of that project, or YouTube).

Cyberbullying....And Why We On The Left Should Be Talking About It...

2011-12-10T20:40:00.001-05:00

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Why Talk About Bullying ?
( Originally written and post December 7th)
I am bringing up this issue for two different reasons. I have been witnessing people on Twitter getting Bullied on a regular basis. I have witnessed the Insults and hurtful words that are thrown at different people. And I have witnessed it being perpetrated by people who say that they are on The Left . For many years many of us have dealt with Bullies that appear as Trolls from the Right Wing hurling insults at us on Blogs and Twitter, but never from our Own Side. I have even see good people leave Twitter due to this behavior, and people who were new to Twitter and were immediately bullied and confused and hurt they left.

I am also blogging about this because I have had to assist late at night with two suicide situations, one of which involved Twitter Bullying. I am not saying these incidents are connected, but I am trying to point out that Bullying is Dangerous and Damaging to many involved and we as a Community of Adults should be able to talk about it and Recognize it and Stop it, if it is Damaging To Our Twitter Community.
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Look Closely at this Sign, ALL of these Bullying Behaviors have been happening on Twitter, a small group has been Bullying Other Twitter Folks on the Left, for no real reason, except that they can. ALL of the Behaviors have been seen by other people as witnesses, and yet the Bullying Continues. Why Anyone on the Left would Bully Others is beyond me, this is an Election Year when Dems and those on the Left and Liberals should be coming together. Some of us have noticed that the Bullying is happening to people who are viewed not progressive enough ? Or Not Supporting Obama enough ? Could they be paid Operatives ? Why would they be so relentless ? So heartless to others on the Left ? They sometimes behave as cruelly as Right Wing Trolls ( and many of them actually are paid) , So it is a valid question.
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"I've been actually really very pleased to see how much awareness was raised around bullying, and how deeply it affects everyone. You know, you don't have to be the loser kid in high school to be bullied. Bullying and being picked on comes in so many different forms."
Lady Gaga
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Definition From Olweus.org.
The definition is below with explanation, With Asterisk****, I have elaborated how this definition corresponds to what we have been witnessing on Twitter.
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Cyber bullying is bullying through email, instant messaging (IMing), chat room exchanges, Web site posts, or digital messages or images send to a cellular phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) (Kowalski et al. 2008). Cyber bullying, like traditional bullying, involves an imbalance of power, aggression, and a negative action that is often repeated.

Cyber bullying has some rather unique characteristics that are different from traditional bullying:

Anonymity: As bad as the "bully" on the playground may be, he or she can be readily identified and potentially avoided. On the other hand, the child who cyber bullies is often anonymous. The victim is left wondering who the cyber "bully" is, which can cause a great deal of stress.

**** Instead of the "Playground" let's suppose the "Battleground" is Twitter, a giant open Chatroom, or Blogs with Comment threads, or Facebook with Comment Threads. On Twitter people have Codenames or handles, their True Idenities often hidden. This gives the Bullies more power in an uneven landscape.

Accessibility: Most children who use traditional ways of bullying terrorize their victim at school, on the bus, or walking to or from school. Although bullying can happen elsewhere in the community, there is usually a standard period of time during which these children have access to their victims. Children who cyber bully can wreak havoc any time of the day or night.

***** Please note that this site says "Children", but Adults acting like 12 year old children can also Bully other adults. Yet the Accessibility issue also is true for the Twitter landscape. On Facebook, there is a Safety division and people can be reported for behavior that is not appropriate, where as on Twitter there are no Safety Moderators to report harassing or rude behavior. So Bullies can act with abandon and no that they will not meet any fate or reprimand. No Consequences for the Bully and No Protection or course of Action for the Victim.

Punitive Fears: Victims of cyber bullying often do not report it because of: (1) fear of retribution from their tormentors, and (2) fear that their computer or phone privileges will be taken away. Often, adults' responses to cyber bullying are to remove the technology from a victim - which in their eyes can be seen as punishment.

*****On Twitter there is No Authority for the Victims to report the Bullying. Yet an interesting pattern that has occurred on Twitter that people that face off with the Bully are often later suffering Hacking or computer virus problems, which could just be an ugly coincidence that happens more often than not.

Bystanders: Most traditional bullying episodes occur in the presence of other people who assume the role of bystanders or witnesses. The phenomenon of being a bystander in the cyber world is different in that they may receive and forward emails, view web pages, forward images sent to cell phones, etc. The number of bystanders in the cyber world can reach into the millions.

*****Witnesses and Bystanders who witness Bullying on Twitter are often left trying to ascertain what to do, how to help and how to stop the Bullying.

Disinhibition: The anonymity afforded by the Internet can lead children to engage in behaviors that they might not do face-to-face. Ironically, it is their very anonymity that allows some individuals to bully at all.

******The Cyber Bully is empowered because he/she does not have to show his/her face or reveal his name, it is like being slugged in the Dark Alley by someone wearing a Mask in the dead of Night.
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I have been trying to Tweet Solidarity to the Person(s) being attacked. I have been trying to change the dialogue, to provide support to the person suffering. I have at times also been at the Brunt of this small little gang on Twitter, so I do understand how horrible it can be and how it can hurt some many involved. I don't have any solutions or answers, but I have concerns, and I can no longer be silent watching good people getting Hurt. Something has to stop this behavior on Twitter.
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From Twitter This Tweet Was Posted tonight... From John Dean::: " I'm writing on CYBERBULLYING: If you have experience(s) to share, on or off-the-record, send me a note: jwd.re.cyberbullying@gmail.com"

Suicide Prevention Tips ( For Use on Twitter/ Internet)

2011-12-10T04:32:00.000-05:00

(originally posted 11.29.11)
(1) If you notice someone in their Timeline is Voicing Depression , Hopelessness, "Wanting To End It" Wanting Out" Etc. Do Read their Whole Page, try to see what triggered this line of thought, do see if they are talking to Anyone ? Or are they talking to themselves. If they are talking to themselves, this also means that they are still willing to talk, and NEED to talk. Do Engage, but ask quietly, nicely " Are you Ok? What is going on? I am worried about you? I care.."

(2) If they don't respond it is fine to send Tweets of comfort, hope, caring, let the person know they are not alone. That you are THERE, you are not going anywhere.

(3) This does especially come up at Holidays. If they tweet that they have reasons, let them talk, let them cuss, voice concerns, even get pissed. That is fine for if they are pissed off, or venting, atleast then they are talking, and not engaging in hurting or harming themselves.

(4) Offer to help, ask if there is anyone you can call for them, anyone that might be able to help. ( This is also to remind them that there are others close by that care about them and that would miss them. )

(5) By looking at their page try to ascertain do they have Intent, Means, ( ie weapons, alcohol, pills, drugs, razors, sharp things, even rope, hints do happen, especially on twitter ). Again do keep them talking, tweet at them , tell them they are Loved, that they matter.

(6) Do not try to deal with the Situation alone-do get help and try to work it as a team, do try to engage people that are known to the person to also help, even dig through their tweets trying to assess their followers, friends etc. If needed try to find out their name , location etc, even from the friends.

(7) If they say they want to be Dead or Dead by a certain time, and if they show photos of Plan etc. DO CALL POLICE. Be specific. If you live in another state, be emphatic when you call. Do explain why you are concerned. Do also Screen Save the Page and keep track of time called etc.

(8) As an Old ER Nurse and Old Time Blogger I have seen these situations turn out a number of ways, bottomline unless you re THERE, you don't know the facts, so you have to assume the person is in pain and needs help, so you must do what you can. If you see someone Taunting them or Bullying them , or worse Daring them Shut THAT DOWN. It is Critical, as taunting like that can literally push someone over a psychological edge. ( I mention this as there are many bullies in Cyberworld and they tend to show up during crisis times, and compassion can be lacking.) Cyber Bullying is very real , and they do say things like "Oh Just do it" "Stop Whining" etc etc. So for every tweet of compassion you send, do know that there are other tweets out there that are pushing that person, doing damage.

(9) No one due to distance and Internet constrictions, No one can make assumptions or yell at the person " attention seeking" or worse, because no one knows the state of mind of the Person Tweeting. But if they are tweeting Pain, Death Wishes etc, they must be in a good amount of pain.They Need Compassion and Help. And if a Team works together, it can make a difference.

** This page was written due to concern over an Occupy Seattle Person tonight who did have a plan and was in the middle of acting on it... and there was a massive effort to mobilize resources and help. And Police were contacted, and even Other Media searched for this person. Please know that at the different Occupy sites that there are problems of depression, PTSD and especially among Unemployed, VETS and homeless, these are Real Issues, and Real People in Real Pain.**
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - With Help Comes Hope
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255): Suicide hotline, 24/ 7 free and confidential, nationwide network of crisis centers

Tacky Christmas Day 9 and Some Music....

2011-12-09T23:06:00.000-05:00

Occupy Boston Survived Their Raid tonight...

2011-12-09T02:21:00.003-05:00

This Marine Showed up...with his uniform and his sign to support #OccupyBoston. The Police Showed up and the tried to evict and shut down the Park encampment,so the people moved to the streets, setting up their tents ( ironically in front of the Federal Reserve.)

Friday Flash Mob Wonder....Some Christmas Cheer

2011-12-09T01:57:00.001-05:00

University of Minnesota....School of Management was visted by the School of Music in November...300 Very talented Musicians...wait and watch for the Security Guard...and the Mascot....

More Inspiration for #Occupy Everywhere....More Music

2011-12-08T12:32:00.014-05:00

Imagine.....RIP John Lennon....

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." ~ Walter Winchell || Occupy is about Not Walking Out...when the Rest of the World does...I think John Lennon's spirit is alive in NYC..and across the country in the Occupy Movement....
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Jamie Gilchrest "We Are the 99 Percent"

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Occupy The Street Song

By John L. Samuels Jr.-Esco (theescoexperience@gmail.com)

Tacky Christmas Day 8....

2011-12-08T11:55:00.002-05:00

Truthfully I love this little trailer, and it was found on a Tacky Christmas Website...but I think it is lovely...almost Zen....and now for a little Music...Frank Sinatra...singing "I'll Be Home for Christmas"....

Thought for the Day....

2011-12-07T11:53:00.002-05:00

Occupy Humanity ....More Inspiration

2011-12-06T02:17:00.000-05:00

December 6th: BlogTalkRadio Lucinda Marshall Interviews Feminist Legend and Writer Robin Morgan Tuesday at 2PM EST

2011-12-05T16:12:00.028-05:00

Earlier this year @Awopradio welcomed Lucinda Marshall on to discuss Health Care Issues and legislation. And now that she and her Feminism Network have moved to Washington DC she continues her amazing work. She also is entering BlogTalkRadio and has her first guest on tomorrow. Lucinda founded the The Feminist Peace Network in 2001 and BlogTalkRadio will help her ongoing work interviewing Voices or our Times. ( Yours truly is fortunate enough to be there co hosting this wonderful Interview). Her first guest is a Walking Talking breathing legend for women, and so inspiring with her lessons and writings over the Years, Robin Morgan. ( Do Click the Title to Listen to the Interview.)
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Robin Morgan is known for her feminist activism and writing. She is a poet, a novelist, and has also written non-fiction. Several of her anthologies are classics of feminism, including Sisterhood is Powerful ( Stunning Anthology). Many of us that read Ms.Magazine remember her as an editor of Ms. Magazine 1990-1993 after serving as a contributing editor for many years. (Robin Morgan, as a child actress, had a radio show and appeared on the television series I Remember Mama.) You can read more about her on her own Website and her Writings and Works, including her latest book " Fighting Words" : A Tool Kit for fighting the Religious Right.

To Read More about her Lifetime of Work, in 2007 The Humanist Org. Awarded her an Award, and wrote this fine piece and Interview with her that is a wonderful read about her Work and her Legacy for all of us, that truly examines her work in a different light, as a Humanist, work carried out with compassion, and wisdom.

Some Favorite Well known Robin Morgan Quotes::

"I am an artist and a political being as well. My aim has been to forge these two concerns into an integrity which affirms language, art, craft, form, beauty, tragedy, and audacity with the needs and vision of women, as part of an emerging new culture which could enrich us all."

"If I had to characterize one quality as the genius of feminist thought, culture, and action, it would be the connectivity."

"Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible."

"Don't accept rides from strange men -- and remember that all men are strange as hell."

"Women are not inherently passive or peaceful. We're not inherently anything but human.
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** Side Note :: I grew up in the Sixties and by the time the Seventies rolled around she was inspiring millions of women. I first read "Sisterhood of Women" in a hotter than Hades Sunbeam Trailer in New Mexico in 1976 where I was staying with organic farmers who were raising Ostriches and Peacocks. They also ran a very nice new age Bookstore. I was sixteen working my way cross Country, and that Sunbeam trailer and that Bookstore were my oasis that long hot summer. For a teenage girl who had been struggling growing up in a Donna Reed is Perfect Republican Household that book and those essays were a beacon, a path to a better future. And that book was one of the books that traveled the road with me the rest of the Summer . It has stayed in my library and my heart all these years.***

Tacky Christmas Calendar Day 4 and Beautiful Music...

2011-12-04T23:37:00.000-05:00

Just for a smile...I am sorry but these kinds of decorations, the more tacky and the more gaudy and glittery I love....When son was little I used to drive through neighborhoods and play Christmas Music tapes....searching for just this type of wonder...I will be posting One Wonder now every day until Christmas..Enjoy.
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Band Aid : Best Video "Do They Know Christmas "

99 Report for Awopradio Sunday December 4th : Focus on Poverty in America and How it is Effecting Our Children and Youth

2011-12-04T13:15:00.003-05:00

"I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?"~~Mother Teresa
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Numbers Tell The Story...MIC CHECK:::
22-29 Million Children Living in Poverty....in America
8 Million Foreclosed since 2008 and 4 Million more due to Foreclose...In America
49 Million People on Foodstamps....In America
46 Million Living in Poverty....in America
One in Four Children go to Bed Hungry....In America
You can listen to the Full 99 Report here at Beginning of AWOPradio show 7PM EST.
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If we are to talk about the 99% that the Right would love to paint as Losers, Worthless Hippies, try redirecting their focus. Explain to them that the past ten years have not been kind to Our Children or our Youth. That we now have more children living in Poverty then we have had in over 80 years. They also are growing up in Poverty, facing issues such as Homelessness, Joeblessness. This Holiday Season Store Santas are now being trained as to what to say to Children that are asking for a Job for Mommy or a Home. For People who don't understand the 99 Percent or the Problems that the 99 % and Occupy are trying to Highlight, need a Wake Up Call. They need to be told the Numbers and the Truth.

The Mortgage Crisis has made living conditions for Children a nightmare with no security and no permanance. One Crisis that has not been properly dealth with is that many of these displaced families have nowhere to go, they don't have the money or the credit rating to even rent. They are forced to live in their car or flea bag hotels because most Homeless Shelters do not allow families, they are divided by genders. They often don't know where they are sleeping that night or what or if they will get to eat.

Food Insecurity is the new Fancy Term the Government is using for HUNGER. The Numbers are staggering. 49 Million Americans now on FoodStamps. 40% of those are Children.

From News Change.Org ( who is monitoring and measuring Poverty in America), They have more on the shocking stats of Children in Poverty.

SNIPPET:::
And that's only those who technically live in poverty — at or under the U.S. poverty line, which is $22,050 for a family of four. But a study from the Economic Policy Institute shows that families need more than twice that, at least $48,778, to meet basic living expenses. When we take into account all the families who are struggling to meet these basic needs — defined as low-income families — the number poor children jumps to 29 million, or 41 percent of all American children.The poverty rate is higher for children than any other age group. Children make up 26 percent of the population, but they are 39 percent of the people who live in poverty. Every day, 2,660 children are born into poverty.

While many still think of homeless people as single adult men, children and families are actually the fastest growing group among the homeless, making up 40 percent of the homeless population. One in 50 children in the U.S. is currently homeless.
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LEARN MORE HERE:::
(1) National Center for Children in Poverty.
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(2) Feeding America has more about WHO is Hungry and how you can help, and the Actual Stats of Hunger.
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(3) CBS has been doing an amazing series about Children Living in Poverty
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(4) Current GOP plans would shove 50 Million more into poverty, read more here and remember to VOTE...
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(5) Read more about Poverty in America and Learn more here, about how extensive this hidden crisis is...
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(6) DO Read this excellent Daily Kos post by Erika , or @BeautyVault on how OccupyCleveland is bringing focus to Foreclosures and it's impact, on working class families and why it needs more attention...and why it is a Crisis in America.

(7) And then there is this from Miranda Leitsinger ( with MSNBC and Rachel Maddow, and the Maddow Blog ) , Miranda included in her story the Foreclosure Mess in Cleveland and how the Occupy Movement is trying to spotlight this deplorable issue...her story includes how OccupyCleveland came to help a single mome fight for her home...incredibly moving. ( In October I canvassed so many hundreds of homes, and seeing so many empty homes and notes left on the doors and toys in the yard...it was heartbreaking, I am glad that this issue is finally getting Media coverage.)
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If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

Awopradio Show For Sunday December 4th, Guests include Ashley Arrington and Jordan Capatano

2011-12-04T12:12:00.004-05:00

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"The radio for these women is like television is for us today, which is really like looking at the Radio."~~Debbie Allen || Radio is again where women are connecting...And as History rolls on Radio is again making a comeback...especially Internet Radio...Connecting Blogs,Indie Media and Twitter....
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This Sunday's show 7-9PM EST we have Author Jordan Catapano on her latest book, "A Girl Walks into a Bar", and LGBTQ Activist Ashley Arrington updating us on her latest work down south and all that is happening there in Asheville NC with the Blue Ridge Pride Movement. ( We last had Ashley on the show in the fall, so it will be good to get an update on what has happened there since September.) We also will having the 99 Report, Kitchen Table Politics and a call in with a report from the West Coast Occupy Movement from @OakfoSho. As well as some Occupy Music from JimmyReeferCake. You can tune in and Listen Up Here or you can also click on the radio over on the Sidebar.

Jordan is a bartender that has written a book that might be very handy with the holidays coming up as it has home mixing ideas, and also shares her stories as a long time bartender.
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This week's 99 Report will be focused on the Problems of Youth, Children of the 99 Percent . ( Please look for the separate post below for more details as I post that the day of the show.) I also am giving a huge shout out to Erika , known as @BeautyVault on Twitter, as she has written a Post for Daily Kos about Occupy's Next forefront, as winter has come upon the Occupy Movement. You can read her post here, where she explains how OCCUPY will focus on on the Foreclosure Crisis , as the Cleveland Occupy targets this massive nationwide problem. ( Other Occupy sites are also directing attention to this massive crisis.) You can also follow OccupyCleveland on Twitter and Facebook....)
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Tonight again we had @OakfoSho on and he shared with us about Occupy and what it means to him as a young man with an MBA, who recently decided to work Fulltime filming and being a Documentarian for the Movement. He is a fine Citizen Journalist really doing a fine job with the LIVE Ustream, you can read his UStream here and also learn more about his work as he covers the Occupy Movement on the West Coast. He's talented and really should be scooped by someone like the Young Turks....He has real broadcasting skills.

My Attic..Yes this is where I Write and Do the Radio...

2011-12-04T12:10:00.000-05:00

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Folks have been asking if I have cool Radio Loft like Kim of Awopradio, nope, I have my Attic ( in the summer I did it on my back porch..but it's too cold out there now)...actually it is where the cats and the dog lounge in the sun by the window..and do horrible things in my closet...This room was made from scratch...I painted it , pulled up the stinky 20 year carpet, to find stinky tile that someone had glued to the floor that had to be removed and then I finally stained it....I did all that in 100+ degree heat in August 2010 before we moved here...All of the furniture was "found" , not a dime was spent on any of it..the desk or the rocker or the mirrors or the Art....And it is my favorite spot to drink tea and write...And the Giant Tree right outside the window by the bed makes it feel like a TreeHouse...

Portland Raided Downtown Occupy Site Last Night....

2011-12-04T12:09:00.000-05:00

Portland Police Arrived Full On Riot Gear to Arrest Protesters and drive them out of the Park. They were dressed in Full Body Armour, Riot Gear, against Peaceful Protesters. ( Note even the Shin-Guards are A Weapon, and how many police does it take to tackle one 15 yr old and smoosh him like a bug ?) The Protesters did what they could, stood arm in arm, sang songs, Mic Checked, and quoted the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Police did chase some, beat up some and arrested 15. There were injuries. Yet those watching the Live Stream And on twitter put out the call for reinforcements. The Police Herded them from the Park, so as they went through Downtown the Protesters gathered support, people came out of Bars, and Restaurants and joined them singing, and doing Mic Check, even quoting Lemony Snicket and 1984 to them ( Portland is a town that Reads).They eventually even reclaimed the Park. So what started as a Police action at 10PM, Show of Force, really did not disperse 300, instead it turned into a march that gathered over a 1000. ( These Photos are from the Oregonian, I will post the Regathered photos when I find them.)All of us that monitored the 4LIVEUStreams watched it unfold over 3 hours.

Enigma Editorial ....Special Comment ::::
This Comment is being written after watching 4 Nighttime Raids in one week, and multiple raids this month. Thousands of us have been monitoring Live Streams as this helps keep Citizens safer, as it decreased Police Brutality if the know they are on Film. We also started Tweeting Obama last night, his Silence during all of this Police Brutality is worrisome. Sooner or later someone, a kid or a Vet or a Granma is going to end up Dead thanks to these Massive Adrenalin Stoked Police Actions,MidNight Raids, and people will be asking questions about the Coordination or HLS "Advice" or "Training". Who paid for the Riot Gear ? That is some pretty expensive gear. But if someone ends up dead, no one will forget that the President was silent on Police Brutality on Lawful Peacefully Assembled Citizens. And No One will forget that the Tea Party Gathers were Threatening, carried Weapons, and Threatened Violence "2nd Amendment Remedies" " Reload" and yet they never were threatened with Arrest, much less Police Brutality.Taking a Stand Against Police Brutality and Loss of Liberties is part of Leadership, the President has spoke out about Egypt and Libya and the Citizens Safety there, yet here in the Dark of Night Citizens are being Beat up and Arrested by their Own Police. Is this a Police State ? Does that Explain the Media Black Out as well ? Or have the Corporations Ordered the Silence ? We the 99% do Expect and Hope that the President will at Some Point Remember we Voted for him, and helped put him in the White House. And his own Silence may indeed Determine the 2012 Election.)

Inspiration for Occupy Everywhere....

2011-11-29T16:20:00.003-05:00

Beagle Freedom Project ....Please Help These Dogs....

2011-11-29T16:20:00.002-05:00

From The Video:::
On December 23, 2010, ARME rescued two Beagles from a medical testing laboratory. These dogs had never seen the outdoors, walked on grass or felt a gentle touch. We captured their first steps into a kind world. They had also been de-barked and fed only "laboratory chow." ARME will continue with these rescues when it can. If you are interested in adopting or fostering our next rescues, please contact us at: armeteam@gmail.com

99 Report for Awopradio Sunday November 27th

2011-11-27T13:03:00.008-05:00

#OccupyCleveland NEEDS: Videocam and laptop ( theirs was stolen), also more winter wear, and they need visits, books, and company and do go down, they are wonderful folks. Every Sunday I give a 99 Report on Awopradio, this is the summary of that 15 minute report.::
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(1) Best Video ever about Occupy called "One More Step" so beautiful, inspired by 84 yr old Dorli Rainey activist of Seattle.
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(2) Letter by Protester's Mom Lorli Vest to Mayor Bloomberg and NYT about the Police Brutality. Please share this as of Nov27th still NO Newspapers have shared or printed this beautifully written letter.
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(3) 99 Percent Blog has more to share about Occupy.
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(4) #WhyWeOccupy : Sharing the Stats of the economic pain.
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(5) The Full Length Video of "INSIDE JOB", narrated by Matt Damon has been making the rounds, and is a stunning film explaining the Economic Collapse and how the Corporate Greed and Ominous manuverings of the past 30 years brought us to this economic precipice, One of the finest documentary films I have ever seen.
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(6) Please do help the OWS Zucotti Park Occupy as their Library was destroyed, learn more about where you can send books.
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Sunday AWOP Radio Show November 27,2011 : Film Maker and Writer Laine Causey and Musician John Clark

2011-11-24T22:50:00.002-05:00

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Vintage Radio Ads posted to Honor the History of Radio....
"During the past few decades, modern technology, with radio, TV, air travel, and satellites, has woven a network of communication which puts each part of the world in to almost instant contact with all the other parts."~~David Bohm American-born British quantum physicist who contributed to Manhattan Project.Friend of Albert Einstein and later investigate by House Un-American Activities Committee for his "radical" politics. (He was a member of the Mobilization for Peace Organization)~~

SCHEDULE...

First we have the Introduction by Kim @waopradio and then we have the 99 Report 7:15-7:30 PM and then Kitchen Table Politics by @mommapolitico from 7:30PM to 8PM. And at 8PM Our Guests.
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Our First Guest is Laine Causey an aspiring Film Maker who has written a Lesbian Love Story set in 1960s Texas. She is moving to LA this winter to start Production on this Film. As there have been few Lesbian Love films and ever fewer set in the Texas of the bygone Sixties this will be an interesting discussion. Her Film Company is Magnolia Bay Films is based In Houston Texas. You can read more about Magnolia Bay Films and her film Marfa Texas to learn more. She is also on Twitter at @ProducerLaine.
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John Clark "LIVE" "Hope in Hard Times" ( Michelle Shocked has been playing this song world wide)
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John Clark is our second guest. He and his wife Mary Ann are down in Tampa Florda working hard to support the Occupy Movement. We will talk to them about Occupy, but also talk to John about his music and how his music has contributed to Social Justice Issues and Causes. He has written another song called "What We Came Here For" that is dedicated to the Occupiers. You can listen to more of his LIVE tracks saved on MYSPACE And it's free and in MP3 format.

On Facebook::
http://www.facebook.com/johnclarkthebakeract
http://www.reverbnation.com/johnclarkthebakeract

On Twitter: @JohnClarkBaker
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If we have time we might play some of the video below, one of our Listeners sent this to me, it is a Video made as the anthem for Occupy America, and in the beginning the first few minutes have some chilling poignant words of Martin Luther King,

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LINK TO THE SHOW HERE, OR LINK TO THE RADIO IN THE SIDEBAR....

A Protester's Mother Writes a Letter to Mayor Bloomberg about the Police Brutality

2011-11-24T11:20:00.000-05:00

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( Originally posted 11.21.11)
Daniel...Leading a March on Wall Street, November 17th, He had been arrested on Tuesday early AM at Zucotti Park, was freed and then hours later there was a March. Daniel is an Organic farmer from New England, his family lives in Japan. And In Kobe Japan his family and friends have been watching Occupy Wall street unfold. They are proud of Daniel standing up for such an important cause.
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Police beating down the protesters, and clearly you can see very long weighted sticks now. ( What ever happened to little 12 inch long billy clubs ?) When did these huge weighted sticks become the new norm? How many people have been hurt by the Police Brutality by these new tactics. Oakland with VETS being wounded with a ruptured spleen and a Vet with a Head Injury. And the Vet that was wounded got NO Medical Care for many hours, it appears that Beatings now are encouraged and Medical Care is not to be given, regardless of the wounds.
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Daniel's Parents all the way in Japan woke Friday Morning to See this on the New York Times and for many hours they had no way to check on Daniel , even though they had seen that the Police Beat peaceful Protsters.The Police would give them no information. They were not even sure he had been arrested, or merely beaten.
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Today is Monday November 20th This is the Letter that Lori Vest Wrote to the Mayor and the New York Times,

From Lori Vest..
(*mom of young man in the NYT Front Page Photo*)

Nov. 20, 2011

To the editor of the NY Times, Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Kelly, and US citizens,

I made my first trip to New York City last summer and spent a small fortune (not for you, Mr. Bloomberg, but on our school teachers' salaries) enjoying city life. We paid our share of sales tax, city fees, tourist fees, etc. Little did I realize that this would help fund the NYPD to beat my son over the head with a metal club, as he was peacefully trying to follow his convictions and help the US people. He was on the front page of this paper, the NY Times, on Friday, Nov. 18th. My son is a self-employed farmer, a small business owner, an educator in sustainable farming, and a young man who has helped build houses for Habit for Humanity in three different countries.

As a first grade teacher, I spend lots of time discussing that it is not okay to hurt others, no matter how mad you are. Lately we have all seen pictures of dictators abusing the people of their country and we are appalled. President Obama said on Jan. 28th, 2011, “The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association, the right to free speech, and the ability to determine their own destiny. These are human rights. And the United States will stand up for them everywhere “. However, the same brutality is being shown to peaceful US citizens. It is time we get appalled and stop it, whether we agree with the OWS protests on all levels or not. Each one of the demonstrators is someone's son, daughter, parent, brother, sister, etc.

Sincerely,

Lori Vest
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"When I see a policeman with a club beating a man on the ground, I don't have to ask whose side I'm on." ~~George Orwell

The 99 Report : Sunday November 21,2011

2011-11-23T11:04:00.017-05:00

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Blogpost Explaining this Letter.
Today is Monday November 20th This is the Letter that Lori Vest Wrote to the Mayor and the New York Times,

Nov. 20, 2011
( emailed from Japan)

To the editor of the NY Times, Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Kelly, and US citizens,

I made my first trip to New York City last summer and spent a small fortune (not for you, Mr. Bloomberg, but on our school teachers' salaries) enjoying city life. We paid our share of sales tax, city fees, tourist fees, etc. Little did I realize that this would help fund the NYPD to beat my son over the head with a metal club, as he was peacefully trying to follow his convictions and help the US people. He was on the front page of this paper, the NY Times, on Friday, Nov. 18th. My son is a self-employed farmer, a small business owner, an educator in sustainable farming, and a young man who has helped build houses for Habit for Humanity in three different countries.

As a first grade teacher, I spend lots of time discussing that it is not okay to hurt others, no matter how mad you are. Lately we have all seen pictures of dictators abusing the people of their country and we are appalled. President Obama said on Jan. 28th, 2011, “The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association, the right to free speech, and the ability to determine their own destiny. These are human rights. And the United States will stand up for them everywhere “. However, the same brutality is being shown to peaceful US citizens. It is time we get appalled and stop it, whether we agree with the OWS protests on all levels or not. Each one of the demonstrators is someone's son, daughter, parent, brother, sister, etc.

Sincerely,

Lori Vest
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"When I see a policeman with a club beating a man on the ground, I don't have to ask whose side I'm on." ~~George Orwell
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The Front Page that Lori Vest a Mom far away saw Last Friday Morning....

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Questions about Our Civil Liberties in this Country...
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Rev. Freddie Pinkney speaking about Democracy ::

( He is with the Benton Harbor Occupy, and on Awopradio we will be giving them a Shout out..and his radio show on BlogTalkRadio).

He has a disturbing report of a Man that is missing ( who was in police custody at the time). Timonthy Bulldog Williams. Rev.Freddie Pinkney also interviewed the family on his Radio Program.

Questions about Police Brutality and Endangered Civil Liberties...

2011-11-22T11:42:00.001-05:00

What Happens When "Benton" Tries to Round Up the Deer....

2011-11-22T05:16:00.000-05:00

( We used to have a Scottie that would do this with Geese, and my Bassatt in California used to try to follow Deer in the Park...she was a lousy Hunting Hound, she would sit and watch them eat bushes at the window-that was the extent of her "Herding" or"Hounding" skills....) But Benton in the video gets the Entire Herd of Deer Moving....

Pepper Spray Medical Advice and Medical Information for OCCUPY as Police Brutality Escalates

2011-11-21T23:53:00.000-05:00

Oregonian filmed this. Portland. Wed.Nite. Girl did throw up and recover.
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UC Davis Lt Pike Sprays students in Face ( I will post video below the Students all did the right thing, Chanting Shame and Filming.)
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PEPPER SPRAY AND TEAR GAS REMEDIES
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If site is to be exposed to Pepper Spray or Tear Gas protesters have to learn how to rinse face and eyes and nose and mouth with this solution to remove the sting. It is a 50/50 Solution of Mint Maalox and Water and it works better than anything else ( Egypt has really taught us much about coping with Chemcial Sprays). It is called a LAW solution as it is Liquid Antacid and Water as the basic solution. Do be sure it is MINT Maalox as the Lemon or plain has no cooling effect. Get Spray Misting Bottles that you can mix the formula in, have atleast a couple and teach everyone how to make this and have some made if you suspect Cops are arriving.

(1) This site actually explains fairly thoroughly that people need to be able to resist rubbing as this makes it much worse and also other Solutions that can be used including Milk and that water will not remove as it is a oily substance. And it also encourages people with contacts to take them out right away.
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(Originally posted Nov15...)
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HOW TO SET UP MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR STREET MEDICINE FOR OCCUPY SITES
As a Nurse I am encouraging my Medical Brothers and Sisters please do get involved with the 99% Occupy Movement as the Occupy Sites around the Country need our Skills. If you can check with National Nurses United and see if they are already involved in your city at the Occupy Location. Check and see if they need your services or skills or supplies. If your city does not have a Medical Tent or Bin at the Occupy Site See if you can put together a Kit yourself. Also offer to train in First Aid, so that there is always someone on site who can render first aid.

Gather what is Needed ( if you pick Certain Pharmacies or Dollar Stores you may even get Some Supplies willing Donated if you explain the purpose). If you can try to supply the Occupy Site with One Stationary Bin and One Mobile Medical bag that could be used for Marches or to bring Aid to someone in need. ( IF you are in NYC please do contact the National Nurses Union link below and see what they need to replenish their stocks after the Monday Night Raid).

Supplies in Medical Bag ( Street Medicine):
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Sturdy Duffel Bag Label with Large Medical Cross
(encourage the Site Medic to wear a Cross on Arm-can even just be Duct tape).
Bandage and Dressing Supplies
(Do add absorb ant materials including sanitary napkins or cloth diapers-as they can absorb volumes of blood)
Saline in Bottle Form( Sensitive Eyes for Contacts, as this is good for later washing eyes out after Gassing or Pepper Spray)
Peroxide for wound care
Tape ( water proof and even Duct Tape as it holds well and can be used for Pressure Dressings)
Hot Cold Packs that you can press and the change temp
Water Bottles
Minted Maalox (see below)
Extra Face Masks, Goggles, and Scarves, Bandannas
Extra Tubes of Icing ( For Low Blood Sugar as Diabetes is a real urban problem)
Good Surgical Scissors
Sewing kit ( if needed )
Crazy Glue To Mend Cuts ( and if stitches are not available)

*** Do encourage people to bring Helmets ( Bike Helmets or Climbing Helmets) and also long sleeves or jackets, cover skin protectively. Also to wear extra shirts or clothes as if the clothes get soaked in solution you need to change as the clothes will sting.
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More about National Nurses United, please do check their site here to see if your occupy site already has an ongoing Medical Tent, as many of the Larger Cities do , such as Chicago and New York and also Boston. And they are up and running and some have already had to cope with Raids and Arrests. Read more about the Union's stance and their Medical Concerns and why they have joined the Occupy Movement.

FlashMob in the Dubai Airport....Enjoy

2011-11-21T14:51:00.004-05:00

This was sent to me by a fellow from Dubai, and it's the Dubai Airport, really stunningly welldone...

AwopRadio Show For Sunday November 20th,2011 : Guests Include Twitter Wonder,BLUNT Creator "Laffy", and Movie Mom Nell Minow

2011-11-18T12:45:00.024-05:00

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(As part of honoring Radio's part in our History I try to find iconic Vintage Radio Posters, if you wish to purchase it please go to this link.
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Our Radio Show is from 7-9 PM EST Sunday Night . 7:00 PM Kim welcomes the show, and then 7:15PM to 7:30PM I give the 99 Report and then from 7:30PM to 8PM Perry has Kitchen Table Politics. Our Blog Talk Radio LINK is here, so Tune In and Listen Up....

99 Report and Links.
(1) Information about the 84 yr old Pepper Sprayed Activist in Seattle The Story of Dorli Rainey is here.
(2) Information about Medical Advice for Pepper Spray ( and Tear Gas) Updated Post from me the Nurse on this issue.
(3) Information about How People can Help Rebuild the Zucotti Park OWS Library that was destroyed this week. Here is more information about the OWS Library.

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Guest Nell Minow, "Movie Mom", 8:00- 8:30PM joins us to talk about her website as a Movie Mom and her upcoming Book "101 Must See Movies" that is due out in January. She has two wonderful Must See Websites, Movie Mom.com and GMI Ratings.com. Both are really wonderful for Movie junkies and a real find.
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Our 2nd Guest of the Evening is "Laffy" or @GottaLaff as she is known on Twitter. She is a Twitter Wonder, keeping thousands connected and informed daily. She has found a way to weave News, Political Events and Humor that is a Must Follow whether it be on Twitter or on her Blog that she writes with Paddy called "The Political Carnival". On her Blog she also posts short edited Video Segments on Timely Issues called "BLUNTS".These segments have gotten National Attention , even recognized recently at a Van Jones Event in DC when shared and honored by Lizz Winstead. BLUNTS are created by people from the Internet and Twitter contributing their own commentary for 30 seconds and then she edits them into short segments adding music and humor. Indeed she has created an effective progressive tool that creates thoughtful dialogue and a way to share on critical issues of our times. ( There is a whole Library of BLUNTS that cover a multitude of issues and is wonderful to explore). You can check out BLUNTS here and indeed you will be hooked. and her Blog with Paddy, the Political Carnival is is here and is a must read, updated throughout the day.

On another note if you want to listen in to Laffy she is on the Nicole Sandler Show "Radio or Not" on Tuesday Mornings, it's a great show and a must to add to your schedule. ( Reminds me of Air America Days, listening to Smart Women really talk Political Turkey.)

We The People....

2011-11-17T20:24:00.000-05:00

“Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.” ~~Robert F. Kennedy

Police Brutality At Seattle Occupy Event 84 yr old Dorli Rainey is PepperSprayed....

2011-11-16T06:25:00.034-05:00

Seattle PI photo by Joshua Trujillo Taken Tuesday November 15th in the Evening. ( By 6th and Pine or by Westlake Center)
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From the Seattle PI::: "Pepper spray was deployed only against subjects who were either refusing a lawful order to disperse or engaging in assaultive behavior toward officers," said Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel
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When this little elderly lady was Pepper Sprayed in the Face on Tuesday Night did the Seattle Police realize who this amazing little lady was ? Did they care ? Is this how Elderly are to be treated peacefully marching or assembling on a Seattle Street ?

Dorli Rainey is 84 Years Old, 4 feet 10 inches and full of spunk and politically active and aware. She joined in a Occupy Solidarity March in Seattle. She is not just anyone's Granma that bakes cookies, she is a real American. In 2009 she was concerned about many issues facing Seattle, including Homelessness, Tent City Dwellers needing permanent shelter, and Infrastructure and Water Quality and Sewer issues. Smart sharp little lady who loves Seattle and her country, enough to run for office at 82 years old. She withdrew from the race partly because of Bus Stop concerns and too many late evening meetings, but also because she was worried no one was taking her concerns seriously. So she withdrew in May 2009.
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Tuesday Evening she was helped away from the scene ,taken care of by other Protesters. Please note how tiny she really is, she surely posed no threat to any one on site.
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(Photo from UK Daily Mail)
Please note the Canisters and how close they are to faces, I am still trying to get verification from others as to what type of Pepper Spray was deployed. Nurses have been actively encouraging Occupy protesters get safety goggles or even swim goggles, and to have LAW solution at the ready as well as to wear a scarf to protect face and breathing. ( LAW Solution is made up of Mint Maalox and Water 50/50 and placed in a spray bottle, can cool and calm face against Pepper Spray. And according to the Arab Spring Protesters can also work fairly adequately against Tear Gas.) It is unclear if Ms.Rainey had any protection and any access to medical relief at the site. It is also unclear if she has any other medical conditions that would put her at risk, example Glaucoma or Cataracts are very sensitive to such Chemicals and Sprays.
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The Story could well end with the horrific photo of her injured crying tear stained face, but it doesn't, because The Stranger reached out to her and interviewed her, And I am sharing their post with you it is quite amazing.

"Dorli Rainey, a longtime liberal activist who moved here from Austria in 1956, also sent us this email explaining how it happened:

Something funny happened on my way to a transportation meeting in Northgate. As I got off the bus at 3rd and Pine I heard helicopters above. Knowing that the problems of New York would certainly precipitate action by Occupy Seattle, I thought I better check it out. Especially since only yesterday the City Government made a grandiose gesture to protect free speech. Well free speech does have its limits as I found out as the cops shoved their bicycles into the crowd and simultaneously pepper sprayed the so captured protesters. If it had not been for my Hero (Iraq Vet Caleb) I would have been down on the ground and trampled. This is what democracy looks like. It certainly left an impression on the people who rode the No. 1 bus home with me. In the women's movement there were signs which said: "Screw us and we multiply."

Ms. Rainey, you are a civic treasure."
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Indeed The Stranger got it right, Ms.Rainey is indeed a True American Treasure....and Amen to what she said " Screw Us and We Mulitply." And she raises a good question, IS This really What Democracy Looks Like ? And note once again an Iraq War Vet came to her Aid and Protected her. Our VETS really are protecting and serving Our Country , and we need to thank them, as we battle to find our ways in these times. And I have been haunted all day I keep thinking about MsRainey how for 10 years she worked as a Translator for our Military while she lived in Austria after WWII and how she wanted to come to America to be part of a Democracy, that is what she yearned for. So in 1956 she came to America and she came during the Cold War and the Ike Years and The Hearings for those That were Anti American, and now here we are. What kind of Democracy is she experiencing now ? What kind of Democracy are we ? How did this happen that an 84 yr old petite elderly woman could be treated so horribly....There is Something Very Wrong in America.
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Here is an amazing interview with her from August 2010, The full interview is 28 minutes, but the first 3 minutes of her explaining about surviving WWII Living in Europe, and hungering to live in a real Democracy is haunting.....( She also did Translation for Our American Army in Europe for 10 years, as she was born in Austria:

(1)Seattle Weekly article on Ms.Rainey's Mayoral Run.
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(2) This UK Daily Mail article has more details than the Seattle PI article and better photographs, and also details how a pregnant woman and a priest were also hurt by Police Actions on Tuesday Night.
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(3)Seattle PI had little up regarding this incident at 2AM , I will update this link when more info is available, especially about the Injured Pregnant woman and the priest and the total number of arrests.
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(5) Ms.Rainey even started a Blog the Year she ran for Mayor, it was called Old Lady In Combat Boots, politically astute and pithy.
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(6)The Late Night Post from The Stranger with her Interview.
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(7) Noon Seattle PI Updates on the Pepper Spraying of Ms.Rainey and also a Priest.
SNIPPETS From Seattle PI Article :::

"An elderly woman, a pregnant woman and a priest were among those who were pepper-sprayed during a protest in support of the Occupy movement on Tuesday.The demonstrators taking part in the Occupy Seattle movement marched from their current camp at Seattle Central Community College to Westlake Park late Tuesday afternoon.

While en route, they came across police officers at several points. At the intersection of Fifth and Pine, the crowd was met by a line of several dozen police officers on bicycles who blocked the way.Tensions mounted until police deployed pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd and get the protesters out of the streets. About a dozen people were hit with the stinging fume.

"Pepper spray was deployed only against subjects who were either refusing a lawful order to disperse or engaging in assaultive behavior toward officers," said Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel.

Police said six people were arrested during the march. A 17-year-old girl was pepper-sprayed then arrested after allegedly swinging a stick at an officer. Three others - a 17-year-old boy, a man and a women - were arrested for suspected pedestrian interference. A man was arrested after he allegedly threw an unknown liquid at an officer's face, and another man was arrested for alleged assault.By 7:30 p.m., the protesters were back at their camp at Seattle Central Community College.

The local protesters were marching in support of the Occupy Wall Street protesters who were kicked out of their camp at Zucotti Park in New York and a judge ruled that their free speech rights do not extend to pitching a tent and setting up camp for months at a time.The protesters have been camped out in the privately owned park since mid-September.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he ordered the sweep because health and safety conditions had become "intolerable" in the crowded plaza.

On Monday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved a resolution in support of the growing Occupy movement."
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Update The Night after the Arrests Dorli Rainey was interviewed on Countdown by Keith Olbermann, it was one of the best interviews he has ever done, and while he was interviewing her she began to trend on Twitter. I will post the Link here and post the entire interview below.
Here is Dorli Rainey's amazing interview by Keith Olbermann on the importance of Activism.

The Amazing Library at Zucotti Park Occupy Site was destroyed, so please help them rebuild it.....

2011-11-16T06:20:00.003-05:00

Zucotti Park Occupy Site had an amazing Library of more than 5000 books on so many subjects, from Peace Leaders and Non Violence Training and Economics and even health eating and childrens books and Pet Care. When the Camp was raided at 3:30 AM Very Late Monday Night ( early Tuesday Morning) Much of the camp was destroyed or scooped up and put into the trash dumpsters that came. Tents were slashes and pulled apart and belongings thrown away. It had been set up in a Tent donated by rocker Patti Smith.

There are some items that are still being searched for including the Bike Powered power generators and the Professional Drums and yes The Library.At first it was said it was destroyed in all the confusion this seemed likely, and the protesters were given less than 10minutes warning and were asleep, so there was not time to gather that many books. And then later yesterday the Mayors Office said that the books were moved to a storage area, but the photo showed only a few hundred books. So on Twitter the cry went up to Rebuild the Library and yes, you can ship them to NYC. Here is more about how to Ship them, So let's all give to the People's Library, here's the link, let's get busy sending them Zinn, Mandela, MLK etc etc... You can also go help retrieve the ones that Sanitation Dept stored.

The UPS Store
Re: Occupy Wall Street
Attn: The People’s Library
118A Fulton St. #205
New York, NY 10038
(via Occupy Wall Street Library Blog)

Here is the People's Library blog and they also explain that they need help rebuilding the Library and Retrieving the Books from the Sanitation Storage Locker. And if you are on Twitter you can follow here, @OWSLibrary (The People's Library). UPDATE :: Today People did go and try to retrieve the Library, and you can read their blogpost that the Mayor's Tweet that the library was "saved" is not true, only a little of it was saved and a good bit of it is gone forever and other books that were saved are damaged. They are still doing inventory at the Sanitation Garage as of 1PM.

*** Here is more from last Night when the Mayor's Office issued statement about the People's Library and that it was stored or part of it was stored, LA Times has more details about the Situation. If you can help them retrieve the books please contact the twitter address above.
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The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC also covered the Peoples's Library Tuesday Nov15th:
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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY UPDATE ON THE DESTROYED LIBARY SITUATON:::

So the day after the Raid of Zucotti Park, teams of people with vehicles went to the Sanitation Garage to retrieve the Library that the Mayor had claimed via a Tweet had been saved and taken to the Garage. These photos are what is left of the OWS Library. Gone are all the Shelves of books and materials, even the Reference Library and the Kids Library. 5500 Books, the Laptops that kept track of everything. These photos show only a few hundred books and a damaged chair. When Books are treated like Garbage we are indeed in Dark Times. I do ask that you read the attached websites and do find a way to give or send books. ( I personally think we should all mail copies of "1984" to the Mayor's Office). Books had been donated from all over and even autographed and sent, so we need to Rebuild what was truly a wonderful thing. Libraries have been closing all over, but that Librarians worked so hard to make this a REAL Library is beyond heroic. ( And the Librarians were even Jailed that night as well.) Please do what you can to Help this Noble Cause.

*** AS OF THURSDAY NIGHT NOW THE THUGS GUARDING ZUCOTTI WILL NOT ALLOW BOOKS IN OR MUSIC OR FOOD. IT IS TRULY BECOMING A WARSAW GHETTO.****

More Police Brutality From Occupy Around the Country During the Media Blackout ....

2011-11-16T01:12:00.002-05:00

At Seattle Occupy on Tuesday Night this woman who is named Jenn or Jennifer was taken away after being sprayed and according to one report ( not verified) that she was hit and kicked ? Also according to internet and facebook and Twitter reports is Pregnant ( some reports said 2 months, others said 4 months).Again if anyone can verify her condition and situation that would be appreciated.
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This Man was taken away from Zucotti Park ( According to Tweets it was after the Food Tent was sprayed and people were tweeting that some was having trouble breathing. If anyone knows him or his condition please do make contact). Also this situation arose after the Police had destroyed and dismantled the Medical Tent which clearly put so many at risk as that tent was supplied for injuries, but also even for Breathing troubles and even had patients when it was raided. If you look at his Stomach clearly Someone on site was writing his vital signs on his stomach.
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Monday Night at 3:30AM Zucotti Park This cop is clearly punching a woman.
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When Crimes are Committed Against Children And There are Lies and A Cover Up, it is NOT a "Sex Scandel".Period.

2011-11-13T14:05:00.001-05:00

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(*Originally posted Nov.10th*)
36 Hours ago the MSM began reporting that there was a "Sex Scandal Breaking Involving Penn State Football Program". This Headline that was on Tickers could not have been more Wrong Headed and Misleading. What was "Breaking" was a Horrendous Crime Cover Up was being revealed, that involved Children and Predatory Crimes against them including Rape and Sodomy. When I first saw the Headline I didn't even think of going to look it up, I thought it was some Slimy sex mess, I had no idea it was about Children that had suffered at the hands of a Pedophile or that it had been covered up by a Large University and it's powerful Leaders and Coaches. Someone emailed me the PDF link and I sat and read in horror of what the Victims, mere Children suffered.

This is the Actual Link to the PDF of the Grand Jury Report, that was made public actually over 10 Months ago, and is now just being Publicly Shared. It details not only the Crimes by Sandusky but also the Cover up by the Administration and Coaches and "Leaders" at Penn State in clear concise details. Victim #2 's Rape is the case that is most horrid to read, and why Police were NEVER notified in the past nine years is mind boggling. Pennsylvania is a State where Authorities and Police must receive reports of ALL Statutory Rape and Rapes of Children (covered in their Statutory Rape Laws link is below). McQuery an grad Assistant at the time who witnessed the Attack and Rape did report it to his Bosses at the time, but he did not stop the attack or help the child.He and all involved did NOT contact the Police or get the Child Medical Care. The ONLY consequence of this horrendous Crime was that the Locks of the Locke room were changed and Sandusky's keys were taken away.

The One 2002 case that is most haunting is of a 10 year old child's rape by Sandusky that was Witnessed by McQuery in the Penn State Locker Room, Sandusky who was no longer employed by the School, but still had access to the Facilities for his Charity Work. He had originally set up his Charity in 1977, as a way to supposedly reach out and nurture Troubled Children who had unstable Homes. It reads like a a Predatory Horror Film. He even has written a book about his work called " Touched" that is troubling and disturbing, and hopefully the Authorities will read it closely for Clues and possible other Victims. The Grand Jury report outlines Crimes against 8 Children, but that is only of the last 10 years, and even now another Victim has come forward this week. (Criminally Sandusky is already facing 40 Counts. Yet at some point there are many that Enabled him and his Crimes and and even lied for him, one has to wonder when they too will face Justice). In 1999 He was let go from the School so he could supposedly work more on Second Mile , his Children's Charity, yet one has to wonder did the Administration let him go due to Problems or reports ? If so then the 2002 Witnessed Rape should not have happened ? But A College where Children and Young are Nurtured and Taught and a Rape is Reported and the ONLY thing that happens is that the Locks are Changed and Keys take away ? And McQuery the Witness went on to an illustrious career at PSU , how could he go to work everyday and walk by that Lockeroom ever seeing a CHILD raped and knowing he did NOTHING ?

In America today we are witnessing What Broken Trust Looks Like ? What happens when Power and Money and Greed and Ego Collide , are Crimes Committed ? Talk to Each other about This, it is not a small issue and this unfolding Horror Story is not about Old Coaches and Broken Dreams , it is about Crimes and When Greedy Men Cover Up Crimes. America is at a Cross Roads....Let us hope many find their Moral Compass...for the Sake of the Our Children.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mother Teresa
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MORE INFO:::
(1) More Details from Mother Jones on why Coach P should have never even been coaching this season.
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(2)STATUTORY RAPE REPORTING LAWS FOR PA. ALL involved were obligated to report Immediately at the time, it is now NINE years later.
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(3) This is the link to Jerry Sandusky's Book that is Called "Touched",that really is a concerning book and needs further study, but it documents his "Charity" work and predatory path.
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(4) And NOW it gets worse, the Original DA that was trying to Prosecute Sandusky in 2005 went MISSING..DO READ THIS.......
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(5) More on Jerry Sandusky and his Charity and his book.
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Post in Washington Post written by a Sexual Crime Survivor shows a different perspective on watching the Events unfold this week at PSU.
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15 Adults KNEW of the Abuse at PENN STATE and did NOT act....More From Alternet.
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More Updates from the Weekend 11.11-11.13th
The Judge who set Sandusky's out on Bail is also a 2nd Mile Volunteer. ( Sandusky was not viewed to be a flight risk so he was sent home without even an ankle bracelet after it was desided that an UNSECURED Bail of 100,000 dollars was sufficient. As he faces increasing Counts of Crimes against children it is not clear if Child Safety issues were considered. Does Sandusky live near any schools or in a neighborhood full of children ? Over the weekend there was some damage at his home, and it was reported he was not at the Home. If he is NOT at the Home , then where is he ? Isn't he supposed to be Home , being Monitored ? And about the Judge who decided that he could be out on Bail, why didn't she recuse herself from his case if she has relationship with his Charity ? Again more questions than answers.
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The Student Press Law Center begins to explore the Issues of Reporting Issues, what are the ramifications of not reporting Sexual Crimes against Children by an Educational Institution.
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AwopRadio Show for Sunday November 13th 2011, 7-9PM EST

2011-11-13T01:35:00.013-05:00

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Be sure to tune in at 7PM EST we have a great show. Kim @awop and Perry @mommapolitico are the main hosts and there is the 99 Report and Kitchen Table Politics and great guests. We have a talented Indie Musician known on Twitter as @Pirate_Larry and we will talk with him about his music ( you can give him a listen here).
And then those that are following Occupy know that Oakland has really been in the thick of it and we are lucky to have SpencerforHire or @oakfosho coming on to give the Latest on Oakland which is having a perilous weekend and Oak has been doing an amazing job with the Ustream this weekend.

More From Larry,
His LIVESTREAM channel. Larry is a talented artist lending his expertise to others and also helping OCCUPY ( in Tijuana as well.)

So Listen In and Listen At 7PM EST to 9PM EST...there will be much radio goodness.....

Alan Grayson Explains #Occupy .....Why It Matters as a Movement....

2011-10-24T22:06:00.003-04:00

Educating PJ Rourke on Bill Maher......

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In October on Rachel.....

Monday Wisdom....

2011-10-24T10:12:00.000-04:00

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” ~~~Robert F. Kennedy

Awopradio for Sunday October 23rd,Our Guests include Denis Campbell, Nicole Belle, and Erin Kotecki Vest

2011-10-20T09:02:00.026-04:00

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Please join our Radio show on Sunday Evening 7-9 PM EST. The show's main hosts are Kim @awopradio and Perry @mommapolitico and I am a contributing host/producer. And then there is @NunziaRider who also helps with the research, blogging and editing and Chat Room. Our show is reaching out across the Country to the Occupy Movement, covering Political Events and Battles, and also honoring those Fighting the Good Fight Day in and Day out. We strive to honor the 99% , Real People, Real Stories.... You can Link here or the Radio over on the Sidebar...Tune In and Listen up....
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Our First Guest is from across the Pond, a fine Journalist, Author Denis Campbell, and is another soul who keeps Twitter lively with his political insights and observations. He is known on Twitter as @UKProgressive, but he is also a renowned journalist working with ITN and Al Jezeera and BBC Wales, The Guardian and many other fine UK publications. During the Egypt Uprising he became one of the many to really track the Movement on Twitter. Yet he also was astutely tweeting American Politics. This year he was one of the first to recognize the strength of Twitter during the Egypt Uprising, and it is woven into his book "Egypt Unshackled" that has just come out. And taking it to the next step he has been tweeting and appreciating the Occupy Movement in a global sense.
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Guest #2 on Sunday Night will be Nicole Belle, one of our favorite Poltical Bloggers from "Crooks and Liars", who has been keeping us on our political toes for the past 5 years and is one of our Favorite longtime Women Bloggers. Her coverage this fall from GOP debates and other GOP dashing silliness to analysis of other timely interviews has been stellar. Do be sure to see the Paul Krugman Interview and analysis. She shows clips and dissects and analyzes better than any of the MSM talking heads. Through the Bush years, Nicole's posts were always timely lessons of painful times. One of my personal favorites is her post that she wrote called "What goes around comes around and is on was on the ACLU website, it is a poignant personal post about an Iranian family living in America after 911 written in 2008, that one post reflected our Civil Liberties in the clouded mirror that arrived during the Bush Regime ( and still remains in many ways unhealed even today.)
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Erin Kotecki Vest is our 3rd Guest, many on Twitter know her as @QueenofSpain , she is doing her best as a Media Strategist, wonder Blogger, but she is also an amazing mom, and is battling Lupus.Her blog is touching and insightful from Mom Moments shared to day to day revelations about Lupus, her "Queen of Spain" blog is beautifully written. We plan to talk with her about her ongoing Lupus Battle and hope to help spread the word about this disease that does not get enough public attention.
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We All Are The 99%, We Are Here, Connecting, and Changing Our World.

Do you live in Ohio ? Learn about Kasich and his Union Busting Manuevers, and Fight Back SB2, VOTE NO ON ISSUE2

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here in Ohio, Gov.Kasich has created a very hostile Environment, pitting Workers against Workers and via a "Concerned Budget" agenda, he and the Republicans had decided to cut the Benefits and pay and negotiating powers of 350,000 workers across the state via passage of SB5, from custodians, to teachers to police and fire, to Nurses. Basically this Union Busting strategy would effect a huge number of families across the state. He also has cut jobs and staff in this state, already eliminating over 21,000 jobs and with 30,000 at risk due to SB5. ( No MSM has talked about this worrisome statistic and trend).

So this summer many of us worked to collected petition signatures, over 1.3 Million Signatures were gathered, one of the largest numbers ever in an effort to overturn SB5 via Referendum. Destruction of Collective Bargaining Rights effects Worker's Rights. You can also learn more at "We Are Ohio " group's website has all the details and latest you can do to help the Working People's Efforts here. And here is the webpage that explains the Facts Vs Myth and clears up much of the confusion.

Why Nurses are Voting NO on Issue2, to protect Safe Staffing Levels,

And why Firefighters also say NO on Issue2 as SB5 puts Communities at risk,

In August when Petitions were being passed around the state, even the Clergy came out and supported Worker's Rights.

#OccupyCleveland...Click this title for Updates....

2011-10-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you are a Nurse, please do Volunteer your time to help with the OCCUPY Movement

2011-10-20T07:40:00.001-04:00

National Nurses United is helping with the Occupy Movement and setting up Medical tents at the Different Occupy Locations, as a Nurse I encourage my Nurse Sister and Brothers, do find out how you can get involved and donate time , skills and supplies to this ongoing movement.....We are needed....Click the Link for more info.

Best Bumper Sticker of the Week : "We are the 99%"

2011-10-20T07:26:00.003-04:00

I saw one of these stickers this week, and was immediately wondering WHERE do I get THAT !!!?? And then today I got the email that told me how....Democracy for America ( Howard Dean's organization ) is making the sticker......Love it...Want it...Must Get !!!

Awopradio for Sunday October 16th : Mike Farrell,Director of Death Penalty.Org, and also Jeni Decker author

2011-10-11T13:31:00.013-04:00

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This Coming Sunday we will be welcoming Mike Farrell to Awopradio. to have a Discussion focused on the Death Penalty in America. The Execution issue is regaining focus due to the Execution of Troy Davis and the GOP debates ( and Perry's Record). Mike Farrell is known by many as a fine actor and for his work on M*A*S*H as B.J.Hunnicutt , but he also has worked as an activist for 30 years, educating and advocating on many Human Rights Issues, including the Abolition of the Death Penalty. You can read more of his fine Human Rights Work on his own website.
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Brave New Films video introduced by Cenk Yuger for "Meet the Bloggers"
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Some of the Mythes that are mentioned in the videos and on Cenk's blog are still issues that arise today ::

Myth: Death by lethal injection is painless and humane.
Myth: The death penalty provides "closure" to families of victims.
Myth: The death penalty is enforced only after all efforts for appeal have been exhausted.
Myth: The death penalty is faithful to the Constitution.

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On GritTV ( Ann Flanders) (Sept2011) ( 2 Min. PSA on Death Penalty)

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On GRIT TV with Laura Flanders speaking on many issues, (17minutes) Sept 2011, including speaking on Healthcare ( please see the 2 min PSA on Single Payer, Medicare4All in this video).

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MORE:::
On Mike Farrell's Biography and his organization, WWW.Death Penalty.Org , you can read more here.

Huffpo post on Issue has an article by Mike Farrell from 2010 that is a must read.
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We also will be having Jeni Decker on the second half of the show to talk about her upcoming book about living with and raising her two Autistic Sons. Jeni Decker (@Jeni_Decker). "Author of I Wish I Were Engulfed in Flames." Earlier this Fall we had her on with Kat Nove as she is the Co-author of "Waiting for Karl Rove". We are looking forward to talking more with this creative writing Mom.

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Listen to internet radio with AWOP Radio on Blog Talk Radio

About The Death Penalty.....

2011-10-10T17:04:00.000-04:00

~originally posted 9.29.11~

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About Life....
I have a Bird Feeder on my back porch.It was set up lovingly for both the birds and my cats. A couple of weeks ago, things got rough at the Feeder, and a little one got pushed off the food dish and fell to the ground and died. My little neighbor who is five came to me crying, " Can't you fix him, put Life Back in him ? You are a nurse, a grown up, are you going to just let him die ?". Together we buried The Little Dead Bird we tried to give him some dignity as we wrapped him in Basil and Morning Glories, and put him in a spot where the Cats would not get to him. And I tried to explain to her that Life was so fragile sometimes, and that even Big People can not always "Fix Life or Save All Living things" . "But you try right ?" She Said with such urgency....

It was the same day that Troy Davis was executed, and her pleading voice and her Big Eyes haunted me.....
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About Death.....

Ever since watching that GOP Debate where Perry's Record Execution Number was met with thunderous applause I have been haunted by the issue of what the Death Penalty really means to us as a People, as a Country. It was not just one person who clapped, and the clapping was not polite golf clapping, it was actual enthusiasm. And Perry smiled shyly, smugly in the warmth of the applause, not a drop of shame, not even a single moment of moral intrepidation. It was like expected applause or praise for this "Record". And I can not comprehend that he feels "pride" in his Execution Number, that he is proud to have ended other's lives. In yet another debate he proudly said that he is Pro Life, I am confused how he can honestly make that statement when he has knowingly ended more than 200 lives.

This month I tried to have discussions with people I know about the Death Penalty and the "Applause " Moment. And I was struck that others were not as concerned as I was. "Well, It is part of our Justice System." "Maybe they were only applauding Perry, not the actual number". "It is more cost Effective to execute than to have people sitting on Death Row". "Isn't it better for the Victim's Families to have the situation resolved". "Maybe the number is high because Texas is large and has more crime." "Well, it is Part of Our Justice System" " You are Buddhist and a Nurse, that is why you have a hard time accepting the Death Penalty".

I was stunned at the number of rational justifications and even placid acceptance offered to me. And some of these people are very religious and morally sound and some were and are even liberal and progressive. So I am left wondering, do I not understand my fellow Americans ? Or is our Moral Courage damaged ? Do we lack a Moral Compass on this Issue ? Are we as a Country damaged when some Americans justify Killing Other Americans by stating it is Legally and Religiously Sound ? Are we really a "Civilized" Industrial Modern Nation that values Ancient Law of "Eye for an Eye" ? 139 Countries (some more developed than others) have abolished the Death Penalty since 1976, why is America not one of those Countries ?

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Wisdom from Others.....

"Capital punishment is the most premeditated of murders."
-Albert Camus, French philosopher

"As if one crime of such nature, done by a single man, acting individually, can be expiated by a similar crime done by all men, acting collectively."
-Lewis Lawes, warden of Sing Sing prison in NY in the 1920s and 30s

"Imposition of the death penalty is arbitrary and capricious. Decision of who will live and who will die for his crime turns less on the nature of the offense and the incorrigibility of the offender and more on inappropriate and indefensible considerations: the political and personal inclinations of prosecutors; the defendant's wealth, race and intellect; the race and economic status of the victim; the quality of the defendant's counsel; and the resources allocated to defense lawyers."
-Gerald Heaney, former appellate judge

"To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice."
-Desmond Tutu

"The most glaring weakness is that no matter how efficient and fair the DP may seem in theory, in actual practice it is primarily inflicted upon the weak, the poor, the ignorant and minorities."
-Pat Brown, former CA governor

"I have yet to see a death case among the dozen coming to the Supreme Court on eve-of-execution stay applications in which the defendant was well represented at trial... People who are well represented at trial do not get the death penalty."
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

"In the US the overwhelming majority of those executed are psychotic, alcoholic, drug addicted or mentally unstable. They frequently are raised in an impoverished and abusive environment. Seldom are people with money or prestige convicted of capital offenses, even more seldom are they executed."
-George Ryan, former Illinois Governor

"The reality is that capital punishment in America is a lottery. It is a punishment that is shaped by the constraints of poverty, race, geography and local politics."
-Bryan Stevenson, Death Row lawyer

"It can be argued that rapists deserve to be raped, that mutilators deserve to be mutilated. Most societies, however, refrain from responding in this way because the punishment is not only degrading to those on whom it is imposed, but it is also degrading to the society that engages in the same behavior as the criminals."
-Stephen Bright, human rights attorney

"I think this country would be much better off if we did not have capital punishment.... We cannot ignore the fact that in recent years a disturbing number of inmates on death row have been exonerated."
-John Paul Stevens, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

"I'm of the opinion that we should eliminate capital punishment. Having been involved with justice agencies around the world, it's been somewhat embarrassing, quite frankly, that nations just as so-called civilized as ours think we're barbaric because we still have capital punishment."
-Reginald Wilkinson, was a prison director in Ohio

"Death is not only an unusually severe punishment, unusual in its pain, in its finality and in its enormity, but it serves no penal purpose more effectively than a less severe punishment; therefore the principle inherent in the clause that prohibits pointless infliction of excessive punishment when less severe punishment can adequately achieve the same purposes invalidates the punishment."~ William J.Brennan , judicial opinion, Jul. 2, 1976

"When a juvenile commits a heinous crime, the State can exact forfeiture of some of the most basic liberties, but the State cannot extinguish his life and his potential to attain a mature understanding of his own humanity."~ Anthony Kennedy ,judicial opinion on Roper v. Simmons, Mar. 1, 2005

"Since I was a law student, I have been against the death penalty. It does not deter. It is severely discriminatory against minorities, especially since they’re given no competent legal counsel defense in many cases. It’s a system that has to be perfect. You cannot execute one innocent person. No system is perfect. And to top it off, for those of you who are interested in the economics it, it costs more to pursue a capital case toward execution than it does to have full life imprisonment without parole."
~Ralph Nader , Meet the Press interview, Jun. 25, 2000

"It's just really tragic after all the horrors of the last 1,000 years we can't leave behind something as primitive as government sponsored execution." ~Russ Feingold

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Facts To Share....
(1) Amnesty International has carefully researched the Cost Issue, and shown that actually the Death Penalty is not Cost Effective, far from it.

(2)And for those that say America does not execute that many, 58-92 People are still executed per year. 3300 Are at any one time on Death Row, either serving life sentences or awaiting sentencing.

(3) National Coalition to End the Death Penalty also has more on this situation, explaining that it does not cut costs, or deter crime, or "save lives". ( President George Bush used to say that at Debates...and no one every challenged him for the Stats.)

(4) Death Penalty Information Organization ( also called Death Penalty Focus) has more information and is a site that has valuable insights.

Change in Thinking, for the 1% and the 99%

2011-10-09T16:49:00.001-04:00

About Hope...

2011-10-09T16:32:00.001-04:00

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"All of us are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the Stars" ~Oscar Wilde
I have been thinking alot about the Occupy Movement, I shop at the Dollar Store, and More and More of My Neighbors do too. At first it was just for Cleaning Supplies and then Toiletries, but now we also have been buying food. More and more neighbors and college students and elderly neighbors also are shopping there. I have been pondering the Numbers, Numbers that the MSM is ignoring.

Living Conditions of the 99%.....
46 Million on FoodStamps/Assistance....
1;4Children living in Poverty and Hungry.....
26Million UnEmployed&Underemployed.....
8 Million Foreclosed....
50 Million Still with No Healthcare.....
Unemployment for Under Age25 is 50% (yes, that includes College Educated)......

I am One of the 99%, I have been working part time jobs, I am definitely UnderEmployed, I am UnInsured, I have been moved when Landlords went through Foreclosure. I have watched neighbors leave, homes taken away. I have watched so many businesses gone, closed up. I have had to put my son's college dreams on hold, because the Loans that were offered were too expensive, I did not want to burden him with debt. Yet watching the OccupyTogether OccupyWallstreet Movement has been inspiring as people speak out and up and to each other. No Longer is there hidden shame silently born by so many. The Government has been more responsive to Wall Street and Lobbyists than to The People, so hopefully a shift is occurring.