There is something terribly wrong...

I've immersed myself in alternatives to our currently accepted notions of economy, humanity, and even civilization. The news, both political and economic, along with trends in manufacturing and technology have convinced me that the current economic model is unsustainable. It’s collapse is inevitable. The only real questions are, when and what will follow it? To anyone willing to look at the ugly truth of our world economic systems, the evidence is irrefutable.

So, what can be done? Certainly, austerity and anything like it are just so many nails in the global economic coffin. The current system relies on scarcity and profits from that for a privileged few, while everyone else is subjected to some degree of deprivation, the reason for most crime and social stratification.

One good argument for and example of an alternative economy is described in a book by Jas Garcha, The First Civilization. A short excerpt follows:

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”--R. Buckminster Fuller (1) 

There is a certain model that pervades virtually every aspect of our lives. It affects the way humans behave and interact with each other, determines which humans wear diamonds on their fingers and which ones dig for diamonds in the dirt, and even plays a strong hand in determining who lives and who dies. The model I speak of is human society. Our political, economic, and social systems combine to create a very peculiar model for our global society. In our current model, it's possible for one continent to face an obesity epidemic while another continent faces mass starvation. Resources that could be used to improve human lives and alleviate suffering are instead turned into weapons with which to end human lives and encourage suffering. A highly adaptable and intelligent species, capable of mastering complex technologies and surviving in virtually any environment, has become its own greatest threat to survival. Our global society seems to be a fantastic model for inefficiency, needless destruction, and the complete absence of logic and reason. 

This seems to me to be one of the most reasonable visions of a way forward for humanity. Check it out!

And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.--the character V, in V for Vendetta

People seem to romanticize non-conformists, but after the fact. Even though we are taught Henry David Thoreau’s Discourse on Civil Disobedience in high school, we Americans nevertheless disapprove of most civil disobedience. We are a very conforming society. We look to others for our opinions, from our clergy, politicians, entertainment elites, journalists, talk show hosts, our employers, the one percent, anyone, anything but our own ideas and judgments. And we accept those other judgments without critical thought or evidence of any kind... it’s easier that way. If you didn’t really make the decision yourself, I guess you are relieved of any responsibility for the outcome... Doesn’t that sound familiar? “I was only following orders”... “I’ve only done what anyone else would do in this situation.”

We are going to have to stand up and take responsibility for our own actions (or lack there of) or our whole world human society will devolve into something that will surely end in the extinction of our species.  I think that like minded people need to Occupy the Planet!

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

Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.--Friedrich Nietzsche 

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.--Albert Einstein

Walking the picket line for our mutual futures

I'm out on the line, carrying a sign, trying to get people to pay attention to what's been happening around them while they've been distracted. I hope for a reaction to my presence. It doesn't really matter if the response is positive or negative (though I prefer positive). If someone responds, it means that they see me, that they are thinking about my presence, whether they agree with what they think I stand for or not. For me, a negative response is just as much a victory as a positive one.

The ones who motivate me to keep going are the ones who don't respond, ignore my presence, wear blinders to their surroundings, are willfully ignorant. To paraphrase Don Marquis, if you flatter someone's intelligence they will love you, but if you really make them think, they will hate you. So for me, even their hate is a victory.

My intention is to bring attention to our mutual problems, to the fact that there is something terribly wrong in our country. Large corporations are given the same rights as individuals, but are exempted from the civic and social responsibilities that are expected of any other individual, and they are not held accountable or punished for their crimes, which any other citizen would be.

There is also a huge problem with representation, in that the big banks, corporations, and the super wealthy are overly represented and the poor and working classes are barely represented, if at all. Policy legislation usually favors those who have spent the most lobbying our “representatives” And they in turn represent the positions of those who contribute the most money to them. Policy is purchased for and by the richest among us. Our legislated policies no longer (if they ever did) serve the majority, or as we like to call ourselves, the 99%.

Anyone who is physically able needs to get out and vote, and at every opportunity. Vote for your own self interests, whatever you perceive them to be. No one has to cast their ballots for the same things that I do, but everyone needs to think about what it is that best serves their own interests, the interests of their children and grandchildren. And I would hope that some of those interests include education, healthcare, preserving the planet for them, and good employment so they can pursue life and liberty for their families and progeny.

 

Do we want a country that spends most of our GDP on its military and foreign wars to perpetuate oil conglomerates, or on its people? These are issues that need to be considered very carefully. And then we must vote. That is the only way to change anything. It's not a perfect solution, but the only one we have. The alternative is too horrible to even consider. Recent and ancient history tells that tale over and over again.

Sorry, but everyone needs to really think about the issues, because nothing is simple, and then commit to action. Your most potent tool is your vote. And your next most important tool is your first amendment right to free speech. In addition to voting, you need to let others know what you think about the way your governments, local, state, and federal are handling their jobs and responsibilities to their citizens, and not just the corporate ones. That right also extends to holding signs and walking picket lines in support of, or against issues we deem worthy.

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 

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.--Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac, preface, 1758 

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

Occupy Ashland on Black Friday

It was a warm and pleasant day, in the mid 60s and sunny. We walked the line from a little before noon until about 2:15. We got exceptionally good responses today, with 60-70% approvals and perhaps 30 percent of that, honks and beeps... everyone must be in the holiday spirit. It’s interesting how agreeable people are when they are about to spend a lot of money, but I digress...;-)~ We also met Kate and her family from the Cincinnati Occupation, who were in town visiting family for the holidays. They participated with us for awhile as we talked and compared notes about the divisions within their movement and the ones in ours. They have a strong group of anarchists, who would rather tear down than modify, but who are going along with the Consensus of the rest, as far as strategy and campaigns go. They no longer have an encampment either, but are involved in multiple campaigns and mobilizations. They also have at least fifty picketing and carrying signs around the clock.

Judd Plaza corner, Black Friday, 2:05pm

A couple from New York, in to see family for the holidays, and their mother, also stopped by to talk with us and took some pictures. They’ve been down to the Wall Street site too. They were excited to see our little “Occupy” here in Ashland.

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 

All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.--Aristotle 

The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.--Albert Einstein

Getting ready for the parade

Getting ready for the Thanksgiving Parade

We served dinner at the Community Kitchen today after walking the line at Judd Plaza, signs in hand, both of us... The Thanksgiving Parade was tonight, very soggy, so we didn’t attend. We return to the plaza to keep the spirit of the movement alive. If we can maintain a presence through the winter, I’ll feel pretty good about the depth and strength of the movement. Spring should tell the story. But who can say for sure. If police, mayors, university presidents continue to aggressively over react to non violent provocations, then the movement may really take off. I don’t think average Americans approve of the tactics they have seen played out on their TV screens the last couple of weeks. Those images only strengthen the movement and the support there of.


Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Kitchen. We’ll help serve from 11am till 1pm, then we’ll go walk the line for a couple of hours at Judd Plaza. We’re hoping to see many of our friends and fellow 99 percenters there too.

Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.--Susan Ertz 

It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.--Alfred Adler 

The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting.--Charles Bukowski

Occupy Ashland...November rain

It was rainy and in the 50s-60s today, and we were out on the picket line from about 11:20am till 2:15pm, and then helped to serve dinner at the Community Kitchen from 4-5pm. My mood is as good as can be expected, since there are so few of us actually walking the picket line. We supposedly have vast support, with followers on the internet and Facebook (so I've heard), but that's certainly not evident on site, where we need boots on the ground, holding signs, and interfacing with the public. We have a half a dozen or so (at best), who like me, are part timers, have jobs and/or other commitments too. So, for all the talk (and “support”), there's little to show for it. There are a couple of us on site during the lunch hours, roughly 11am to 2pm every day, plus the dinner hr 5-8 a couple of days a week, and one who spends about 10hrs a day, three times a week. Once in awhile there's one or two others. Some days we have a couple of people there during the dinner, evening "rush," but not every day. We just need more people, willing to walk the picket line. They are few and hard to come by. Don't know why... May have something to do with commitment, or maybe just "stamina." Most people I know can't even commit to an exercise class... they'll go once or twice, or for a week or two, then they're done... no staying power since, what, no instant gratification?... As far as I'm concerned, anything worth achieving takes time and effort! It doesn't happen over night.

And even though there seems to be a lot of support for us, there is still a huge number of (I don't know how else to put it) plainly apathetic or outright stupid people, who know nothing about the influences in their lives, or their own self interests, and could care less... It's mind boggling, the absolutely stupid, knee jerk responses we get. And oh so many can't seem to get up off their bar stools longer than it takes to flip us the bird and order another Bud Light.

I think too many may be taking FOX News and the like, their dismissive propaganda campaigns, more seriously than they deserve to be taken. They claim that Occupy has no agenda... which is the main argument from all those opponents of Occupy. The occupy movement has had and continues to have a clear agenda: get big money out of politics; prosecute Wall Street and corporate criminals; make the 1% pay their fair share; and bring good manufacturing jobs back to the US! There are many who would also like to see the Federal Reserve Bank abolished, one of the main cause of our financial problems, along with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund – all making the worlds economies worse.

I stand by my indictment, that people in general either don't have the commitment or stamina to walk a picket line, or they're just too stupid to stand up for their own self interests, for all of our interests... sad but true. And actually, that's undoubtedly why this country and the rest of the world are in this situation in the first place.

Is the media the problem? Certainly, many of the media with their own agendas (very conservative, i.e. FOX) are huge obstacles to enlightened discussion over the direction we as a people and nation should take, what our national values are, or ought to be. Be assured that all conservatism is based in FEAR. And the "no agenda" argument is definitely a fear based argument. (Be afraid of the Occupy Movement; they don't know what they want, all those commies, fascists, Nazis, hippies, and drug fiends - every red flag, negative image they can think of, relevant or not)... yeh, right... blow it out their asses...

And when it comes to the voluntary, willing blindness of huge portions of our population to the realities of the absolute decline and moral corruption (especially) at the highest levels of our society, it is certainly another huge obstacle to that enlightened discussion.

The powers that be have EVERYTHING to LOSE, so they will pull out all the stops to ensure the status quo, or to increase their shares of everything... that's capitalism (greed-ism); and they will not give it up. Unfortunately, it will probably have to be taken from them by force. And since they have it all to lose, you can be assured that they will fight to the death, because without their lauded positions, power, and wealth, life just isn't worth living. I say good riddance... (oops, did I say that out loud?...;-)~ And, oh yes, I'm just getting started, 'cause now I'm really getting pissed! And sometimes it takes getting really pissed off to make yourself do the kinds of things that need doing.

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

Courageous, untroubled, mocking and violent-that is what Wisdom wants us to be. Wisdom is a woman, and loves only a warrior.--Friedrich Nietzsche

Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?--Chico Marx

Occupy update and Boggs West Landing

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY - barge coming in

Update

Worked the line on Judd plaza over the lunch hour, roughly noon till 2pm... Was informed by one of our members, who had been to the local college (ACTC - Ashland Community Technical College) to rouse support for the cause, that his group could only speak from the "free speech square," a bathroom tile sized square marked on the pavement. The Political Science department head came down and told him that if the group didn't stand on the square, they'd be removed from the property... (What the ....!?). Even the college security was more concerned that the flag he was carrying not touch the ground than his freedom of speech or his groups ability to all stand on that 4 inch x 4 inch square...  What ever happened to the "Student Movement?" We volunteered to serve dinner at the community kitchen for the dinner hour. Then we went to relax at Boggs West Landing in Catlettsburg and watch barges moving up and down the river.

A mob's a monster; heads enough but no brains.--Benjamin Franklin
Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.--Benjamin Franklin
It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.--Alfred Adler

Here are more of the Boggs West Landing pictures:

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY - barge coming in

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY - looking SE at OH, Boggs East Landing?

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY - looking at coal barges on OH side

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY - looking at OH side

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY - looking at coal barges on OH side

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY - looking at Boggs East Landing, OH?

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY

Boggs West Landing - Catlettsburg KY

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