Samhain Eve... Plus Occupy

Went to the Pumpkin House today in Kanova WV to see what all the hubbub was about... pumpkins/jack'o'lanterns galore. Here's a link to YouTube vids...
very interesting: Pumkin House

Occupy Ashland

Ashland movement is evolving. starting to schedule the few available for more specific times on the line. As our numbers grow, so will our presence on Judd Plaza. Some say you need 10% of a community paying attention to initiate change. If that is true, then we've still a ways to go. I think we are lucky to have not much more than 5% to 6% of the attention judging by the number of acknowledgements we've receive during my time on the line. But, awareness is growing, little by little, one encounter at a time.

  

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.--George Orwell 

The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.--Sophocles 

If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you.--Don Marquis  

At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid.--Friedrich Nietzsche 

 

 

Occupy Ashland continues...

Sunday 10-23 ... a cold day

Yesterday (Monday Oct 24 2011) was the eleventh day of Occupy Ashland. We have so far only a committed few showing up to hold signs and talk with the public, to stand on the front line, our main interface with the public that we are hoping to awaken to the fact that they are the 99%, along with those of us on that line. And that we are here protesting for them as well as ourselves.

Monday 10-24 .. a warmer day and wet too...

Each person here brings his or her own perspectives and grievances to the movement. So it is by no means a partisan affair. There are those of different political persuasions and creeds here, agreeing on the basics that our government is broken, that among other things, there is too much money in politics, that our representatives are auctioned off to the highest bidders, that the criminals on Wall Street need to be prosecuted, that we need to focus on the economic recovery of this country by creating jobs, by forcing the big banks and corporations to stop sitting on the approximately 3 trillion dollars they currently have and are not circulating into the economy, by fixing the tax code so that the 1% pay more of their fair share of the tax burden that they've shoved down on the 99% over the last thirty years.

One thing seems certain, none of the one percent lives in Ashland... so every one here is a ninety-nine percenter. Unfortunately, most are still in denial. You should see all the thumbs down and sour looks we get, from those who obviously are no where near being among the one percenters, like we've insulted them by accusing them of not being filthy rich... I just don't get it... people who are against their own self interest.

The poor have little,
Beggars none;
The rich too much
Enough not one.
--Benjamin Franklin

Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a folly.--Benjamin Franklin

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.--Benjamin Franklin

Check out the Ashland Independent's report of Occupy Ashland's encounter with City Counsel at:
 http://dailyindependent.com/local/x2117288260/Occupy-movement-plans-to-get-permit-change-locations

Occupy Wall Street, Ashland, the world...

Occupy Ashland - Oct 16, 11

The Occupy movement is alive and well. We occupied Judd Plaza in Ashland since Friday night, and plans are to keep it going as long as it takes. Of course that will depend on how many people realize that they are the 99% and will support the effort to get the corrupting money and power of Wall Street out of our democratic processes. It depends on the 99% realizing that the game has been changed, that the richest among us have reneged on the deal that allowed our country to prosper, for there to be a prosperous working class. Since the early '80s, the working class has been squeezed, production has increased, while wages have remained stagnant. At the same time, healthcare and other benefits have declined, and the working poor, elderly, and out of work poor have been crushed with the systematic elimination of the safety net, and that of the richest county in the world.

Occupy Ashland - Oct 15, 11 (World Occupation Day)

It's way past time for a change. And we don't believe congress has it in them to make the changes necessary to give our government back to the people, by and for which our constitution has supposedly provided it. The occupy movement is not a partisan movement. It is open to all who realize that our system is broken. That our "representatives" are auctioned off to the highest bidders, that they can't change the system even if they wanted to, and they don't, because it's a great gig... great pay, plus perks and gifts from lobbyists, a fantastic pension (100% of their salary...for life), and a Cadillac health care plan. Of course they want to be career politicians, thinking only about how to keep their jobs. Not by pleasing their constituents, but by accepting unlimited campain funds from the richest among us, who want even more, and who don't think they should have to pay anything to help the other 99%.

Ashland Occupation - Oct 16, 11

If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going.    --Professor Irwin Corey 

I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time.--H.L. Mencken

A lie told often enough becomes the truth.--Lenin 

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.--George Bernard Shaw

St. Louis trip...

Was recently in St. Louis. It so happened that I was there during the Taste of St. Louis weekend, where local food vendors of all stripes displayed their wares for sampling. Some of the streets were closed off and the vendors hocked their wares in rows of tents. There were also artisan tents, but not as many as in an “art fair.” There was also a large stage and musical entertainment, music typical of St. Louis. I took the opportunity to photograph some of the public space in mid town(?... I guess...). And as you'll see, not too far from the Gateway Arch. Had a good time with my son and his girlfriend, who live in the area.

Gateway Arch from Taste of St. Louis

Taste of St. Louis vendors and taste-ees...

Performance Stage

Public walking space

Public walking space

Public space...

Midtown public space

Midtown public space

Inner City Blues Band - 1860 Saloon, St. Louis

Now for some politics...

Love what's going on with the demonstrations on Wall Street and around the country. It's about time people quit putting up with the absolute greed that's running this country into the ground. Since politicians are auctioned to the highest bidders, it's time for us, the disenfranchised, to take matters into our own hands. And we're not alone, look at Europe. If Europe collapses, can we be far behind. We started this mess after all, which led to the '08 collapse of our economy, which rippled throughout the world economies. Perhaps the time for the Jacque Fresco and Zeitgeist movement's ideas of a resource based economy has finally arrived. I certainly hope so. Check out the Venus Project (link in my list of links).

And to all those out there who think “Austerity” is the answer to our problems, austerity is one of the ultimate punishments to all those who depend on life saving government services, regulation, and infrastructure maintenance.

All in all, punishment hardens and renders people more insensible; it concentrates; it increases the feeling of estrangement; it strengthens the power of resistance.                   --Friedrich Nietzsche

And I think the demonstrations around the world are proof of that. I'm wondering just how far this will go? Has the revolution finally begun? I guess only time will tell. But I must also echo Nietzsche again,

All things are subject to interpretation; whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.--Friedrich Nietzsche

Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!--Friedrich Nietzsche