Wednesday 31 October 2012
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Bernie Sanders Calls Out CEO Tax Dodgers over Deficit, Hypocrisy
'The last thing we need to do is listen to these deficit increasing CEOs'
Sanders reveals how many of the CEOs who issued the statement have evaded at least $34.5 billion in taxes through more than 600 subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands and other offshore tax havens since 2008.
Roughly a dozen of their companies did not pay federal income taxes at all in recent years and some received an additional $6.4 billion in tax refunds from the IRS since 2008. Many of the companies were among those who received the $2.5 trillion from the Federal Reserve following the banking industry induced financial crisis.
In addition, many of those companies are responsible for vast amounts of unemployment, due to the practice of employment outsourcing to foreign countries.
All of these actions, Sanders argues, are direct causes of the American deficit. The hypocrisy in the CEOs' "lecture to the American people" is stifling.
Sanders elaborated today:
Sanders reveals how many of the CEOs who issued the statement have evaded at least $34.5 billion in taxes through more than 600 subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands and other offshore tax havens since 2008.
Roughly a dozen of their companies did not pay federal income taxes at all in recent years and some received an additional $6.4 billion in tax refunds from the IRS since 2008. Many of the companies were among those who received the $2.5 trillion from the Federal Reserve following the banking industry induced financial crisis.
In addition, many of those companies are responsible for vast amounts of unemployment, due to the practice of employment outsourcing to foreign countries.
All of these actions, Sanders argues, are direct causes of the American deficit. The hypocrisy in the CEOs' "lecture to the American people" is stifling.
Sanders elaborated today:
There really is no shame. The Wall Street leaders whose recklessness and illegal behavior caused this terrible recession are now lecturing the American people on the need for courage to deal with the nation’s finances and deficit crisis. Before telling us why we should cut Social Security, Medicare and other vitally important programs, these CEOs might want to take a hard look at their responsibility for causing the deficit and this terrible recession.
Our Wall Street friends might also want to show some courage of their own by suggesting that the wealthiest people in this country, like them, start paying their fair share of taxes. They might work to end the outrageous corporate loopholes, tax havens and outsourcing provisions that their lobbyists have littered throughout the tax code – contributing greatly to our deficit.
Bloomberg Says Prisoners Will be Abandoned While City Evacuates
With Hurricane Sandy approaching the New York Area, Mayor Bloomberg declared a state of emergency and ordered the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in low laying and vulnerable areas.
In a press conference this weekend about the hurricane, Bloomberg was asked about the condition of the prisoners in case of an emergency and replied by saying “don’t worry about them getting out”.
This cold and heartless response is the talk of a super villain, but sadly this sadistic attitude went largely unnoticed by the mainstream media.
In a press conference this weekend about the hurricane, Bloomberg was asked about the condition of the prisoners in case of an emergency and replied by saying “don’t worry about them getting out”.
This cold and heartless response is the talk of a super villain, but sadly this sadistic attitude went largely unnoticed by the mainstream media.
Republican Senator endorses President Barack Obama for re-election
From examiner.com
The great Republican legislator Larry Pressler, who served South Dakota in the U.S. House and Senate for a span of 22 years, has written an article describing why he voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and why he will be voting for the president's re-election in November.
Senator Pressler is one of thousands of Republicans that are part of a mass exodus to the Democratic party. The Republican party has become infested with those who are uninterested in morality and civic duty, and only in corporate profits. Pressler elaborates:
The great Republican legislator Larry Pressler, who served South Dakota in the U.S. House and Senate for a span of 22 years, has written an article describing why he voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and why he will be voting for the president's re-election in November.
Senator Pressler is one of thousands of Republicans that are part of a mass exodus to the Democratic party. The Republican party has become infested with those who are uninterested in morality and civic duty, and only in corporate profits. Pressler elaborates:
Behind closed doors with his donors, Romney made clear he'd write off half of America -- including service members and veterans -- because, as he said "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility for their lives."Unlike many others who politically pontificate Larry Pressler is one of a handful of people on the planet who knows the United States budget's intricate detail. He once served as Chairman of the Commerce Committee, and was a member of both the U.S. Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. He is a man who leaves little room for argument when he so directly says in his article posted by The Huffington Post:
Let's be clear, Romney and Ryan would be disastrous for America's service members, veterans and military families.Pressler closes by reaffirming his support for President Obama:
As a life-long Republican, I stand by him as he stands by all of us, putting national allegiance ahead of party affiliation. I endorse President Obama for re-election in 2012.Having alienated nearly every minority group sometime in the last 18 months, and brazenly shilling for corporate welfare has placed the GOP in a paradoxical position; they are trying to woo voters, but members of their core constituency are fleeing.
Sunday 28 October 2012
Occupy Oakland one year on: Iraq veteran on where the movement stands today – video
Occupy activist Scott Olsen, an Iraq War veteran critically injured during a heavy-handed eviction by Oakland police during last year's protests, speaks about his experiences with Occupy and where it stands today.
The movement that swept the globe in 2011 has not seen as much success in 2012. What obstacles has it faced in its efforts to maintain momentum? And what can it do to bring people back into the streets?
The movement that swept the globe in 2011 has not seen as much success in 2012. What obstacles has it faced in its efforts to maintain momentum? And what can it do to bring people back into the streets?
Thousands march in Madrid against government austerity measures
A picture taken on October 27, 2012 shows placards on a fence installed by police to protect the Spanish Congress during a protest against the government's austerity reforms and the public payment of bank's debts in Madrid
A massive police escort accompanied tens of thousands of Spaniards marching on the country’s parliament in Madrid as part of anti-austerity protests.
The 2.3-kilometers march organized by the "Surround parliament" protest group was closely guarded by law enforcement with dog teams, vans with reinforced windows, officers in full riot gear as well as mounted police.
At the Parliament, the crowd was greeted by an even larger police presence and pushed them back behind a chain of metal rail barricades.
Demonstrators were protesting against the latest measures introduced by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government as tens of thousands of jobs were lost in the third quarter with a bank bailout in sight.
A massive police escort accompanied tens of thousands of Spaniards marching on the country’s parliament in Madrid as part of anti-austerity protests.
The 2.3-kilometers march organized by the "Surround parliament" protest group was closely guarded by law enforcement with dog teams, vans with reinforced windows, officers in full riot gear as well as mounted police.
At the Parliament, the crowd was greeted by an even larger police presence and pushed them back behind a chain of metal rail barricades.
Demonstrators were protesting against the latest measures introduced by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government as tens of thousands of jobs were lost in the third quarter with a bank bailout in sight.
Violent clashes erupt as Italy protests austerity (VIDEO)
Demonstrators march during the No Monti Day demonstration on October 27, 2012 in Rome
Violent clashes erupted between police and protesters in the northern Italian town of Riva del Garda as tens of thousands took to the streets of Italy in a nationwide anti-austerity demonstration dubbed ‘No Monti Day.’
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd of angry protesters who fought back with clubs and banners on the streets of Riva del Garda.
Reports say the country’s Prime Minister Mario Monti, who is seen by many as a root cause of the Italian people’s suffering, was attending a meeting in Riva del Garda when the clashes began.
The demonstration in Riva del Garda was just one out of many taking place in Italy on Saturday.
27 10 2012 Rome, Italy Firemen march amongst the 150.000 protesting against government austerity policies and the technocratically appointed Prime Minister Mario Monti.
Violent clashes erupted between police and protesters in the northern Italian town of Riva del Garda as tens of thousands took to the streets of Italy in a nationwide anti-austerity demonstration dubbed ‘No Monti Day.’
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd of angry protesters who fought back with clubs and banners on the streets of Riva del Garda.
Reports say the country’s Prime Minister Mario Monti, who is seen by many as a root cause of the Italian people’s suffering, was attending a meeting in Riva del Garda when the clashes began.
The demonstration in Riva del Garda was just one out of many taking place in Italy on Saturday.
27 10 2012 Rome, Italy Firemen march amongst the 150.000 protesting against government austerity policies and the technocratically appointed Prime Minister Mario Monti.
Now it's the turn of the police to protest in Madrid, Spain
3,000 off-duty national police officers rallied outside the Ministry of the Interior in Madrid on Saturday, protesting austerity measures and budget cuts, including the loss of their Christmas bonuses.
Spanish police officers take part in a demonstration against the Spanish government's latest austerity measures in Madrid on October 27. Hundreds of police officer gathered in front of the interior ministry to express their anger against the austerity measures and benefit cuts
Spanish police officers take part in a demonstration against the Spanish government's latest austerity measures in Madrid on October 27. Hundreds of police officer gathered in front of the interior ministry to express their anger against the austerity measures and benefit cuts
The officers,
wearing blue caps, some wrapped in Spanish flags, blocked the central
Paseo de la Castellana Boulevard in Madrid, while their on-duty
colleagues looked on. The protesters charged and threw fireworks into
the air. One banner said "Police officers can no longer take it."
David Letterman Busts Donald Trump’s Hypocrisy on China
Let me just say congratulations to David Letterman for a great 1-2 punch on Mr. Trump. The look on his face is priceless … BUSTED stone cold and even one of the world’s biggest bullshitters couldn’t figure out what to say.
See if you can explain the disconnect between Donald Trump’s constant lambasting about China with the FACT that Donald Trump makes a lot of money by his products being made in China instead of the U.S.
It’s called hypocrisy. How does a person pretend to be pro-American jobs on the one hand … constantly deriding a president who has a very good record of taking on the Chinese with tariffs and then on the other hand cashing in paychecks hand over first by building Chinese made products and selling them to American consumers?
Well – this is the same problem that Mitt Romney has; you can read more on Mitt Romney’s China problem HERE.
See if you can explain the disconnect between Donald Trump’s constant lambasting about China with the FACT that Donald Trump makes a lot of money by his products being made in China instead of the U.S.
It’s called hypocrisy. How does a person pretend to be pro-American jobs on the one hand … constantly deriding a president who has a very good record of taking on the Chinese with tariffs and then on the other hand cashing in paychecks hand over first by building Chinese made products and selling them to American consumers?
Well – this is the same problem that Mitt Romney has; you can read more on Mitt Romney’s China problem HERE.
Unemployed man asks Paul Ryan about jobs, Ryan laughs and offers the man candy
From examiner.com
Video evidence of Paul Ryan mocking a constituent before the start of a parade in 2011 has surfaced. The constituent asks Ryan about jobs, and the congressman responds by smiling and asking the man if he wants a piece of candy.
The incident took place in Janesville, Wisconsin, Ryan's hometown around Sept. 2011.
While walking with his family to the Janesville Labor Day Parade, Ryan is approached by an unnamed man who attempts to start a conversation. Ryan declines, apologizes, and says that the event is about to start.
He then walks away. The man proceeds to follow him and asks Paul Ryan this question:
Paul Ryan looks to his wife, Janna, and smiles. She smiles back and he responds with:
Video evidence of Paul Ryan mocking a constituent before the start of a parade in 2011 has surfaced. The constituent asks Ryan about jobs, and the congressman responds by smiling and asking the man if he wants a piece of candy.
The incident took place in Janesville, Wisconsin, Ryan's hometown around Sept. 2011.
While walking with his family to the Janesville Labor Day Parade, Ryan is approached by an unnamed man who attempts to start a conversation. Ryan declines, apologizes, and says that the event is about to start.
He then walks away. The man proceeds to follow him and asks Paul Ryan this question:
So what should I have to work for to get a job? Should I have to work for the same wages as in China? Should I have to work for one dollar an hour?
Paul Ryan looks to his wife, Janna, and smiles. She smiles back and he responds with:
Have a nice day, alright? Would you like some candy?
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Mass rallies mark 1956 Hungary uprising
October 23 2012, Budapest, Hungary - Tens of thousands protest against the government. Today is the memorial day of the Hungarian Revolution happened in 1956.
Now a large part of the Hungarian people protest against the present governor party, which has more than 2/3rd of the Parliament. Hence, they can do whatever they want, they have already changed the Hungarian constitution without any debate! via Zoltan G. Batho
Now a large part of the Hungarian people protest against the present governor party, which has more than 2/3rd of the Parliament. Hence, they can do whatever they want, they have already changed the Hungarian constitution without any debate! via Zoltan G. Batho
Wal-Mart faces wage lawsuit as walkout threat looms
A new lawsuit accused Wal-Mart Stores Inc and two staffing agencies of requiring temporary employees to show up early for work, stay late, and work through lunch at the world's largest retailer.
The proposed class action, filed on Monday in a Chicago federal court, alleged Wal-Mart and the agencies violated minimum wage and overtime laws which could affect several hundred temporary workers in the Chicagoland area.
Wal-Mart has faced protests in various U.S. cities lately and some workers have planned to walk off the job on Black Friday, the busy shopping day right after Thanksgiving. Such actions are being sponsored by a groups including a contingent of workers called OUR Walmart that is trying to speak out about what it says are tough working conditions.
In early October, workers who are part of OUR Walmart staged what the group called the first-ever strike against Walmart in Los Angeles, while Walmart itself called the event in Los Angeles a rally. Walmart store employees also walked off the job in other cities including Dallas in actions sponsored by OUR Walmart.
Longer strikes also took place at a Southern California warehouse and at a distribution center in Illinois that supplies Walmart stores.
OUR Walmart, a group of current and former Walmart employees, is backed by the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union. UFCW members work at grocery stores that compete with Walmart.
Wal-Mart's labor practices have garnered criticism among consumers and have gotten attention in the press, but so far have not affected investors. Roughly half of Wal-Mart's stock is controlled by descendents of company founder Sam Walton.
The proposed class action, filed on Monday in a Chicago federal court, alleged Wal-Mart and the agencies violated minimum wage and overtime laws which could affect several hundred temporary workers in the Chicagoland area.
Wal-Mart has faced protests in various U.S. cities lately and some workers have planned to walk off the job on Black Friday, the busy shopping day right after Thanksgiving. Such actions are being sponsored by a groups including a contingent of workers called OUR Walmart that is trying to speak out about what it says are tough working conditions.
In early October, workers who are part of OUR Walmart staged what the group called the first-ever strike against Walmart in Los Angeles, while Walmart itself called the event in Los Angeles a rally. Walmart store employees also walked off the job in other cities including Dallas in actions sponsored by OUR Walmart.
Longer strikes also took place at a Southern California warehouse and at a distribution center in Illinois that supplies Walmart stores.
OUR Walmart, a group of current and former Walmart employees, is backed by the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union. UFCW members work at grocery stores that compete with Walmart.
Wal-Mart's labor practices have garnered criticism among consumers and have gotten attention in the press, but so far have not affected investors. Roughly half of Wal-Mart's stock is controlled by descendents of company founder Sam Walton.
"Global Noise" protests for global justice
In this episode: "Global Noise" protests for global justice.
OWS Week has been to New York City's aiming the megaphones at political and financial elites: A solidarity action with worldwide protesters to make Global Noise for global justice. This while Occupy Detroit gathered to celebrate their first anniversary and plan their second year of community actions.
OWS Week has been to New York City's aiming the megaphones at political and financial elites: A solidarity action with worldwide protesters to make Global Noise for global justice. This while Occupy Detroit gathered to celebrate their first anniversary and plan their second year of community actions.
Third Party Presidential Debate and pre-debate show - Full Version
This presidential election is not just about Obama and Romney, there are
also third party presidential candidates.
RT is honored to be presenting a platform for the major third-party candidates also vying for the White House this election year to debate. We are offering the event live in cooperation with the debate's organizers, the Free and Equal Elections Foundation.
The event is moderated by multi-award winning broadcast journalist Larry King and is broadcast live from Chicago, Illinois. Thom Hartmann, the star of RT's The Big Picture and noted radio host, is one of a few select journalists hand-picked to hit the candidates with questions about their campaign.
Below is the entire debate minus the extra dialogue the video above has.
>br>
RT is honored to be presenting a platform for the major third-party candidates also vying for the White House this election year to debate. We are offering the event live in cooperation with the debate's organizers, the Free and Equal Elections Foundation.
The event is moderated by multi-award winning broadcast journalist Larry King and is broadcast live from Chicago, Illinois. Thom Hartmann, the star of RT's The Big Picture and noted radio host, is one of a few select journalists hand-picked to hit the candidates with questions about their campaign.
Below is the entire debate minus the extra dialogue the video above has.
>br>
Election Software Company Could Intercept and Change Ballots Without a Trace
The Free Press has previously reported, Scytl, a Barcelona based e-voting company will be counting votes in 26 states.
They will be doing so through something called the Federal Overseas Voting Program or FVAP.
FVAP is a program designed to allow military personnel and other overseas Americans to vote in their home districts seamlessly through electronically delivered absentee ballots.
Intercepting and changing these ballots, as well as voting electronically on behalf of service people that have no idea such a thing is happening, is something that Scytl is uniquely positioned to do because of their cellphone spyware sister company, CarrierIQ.
These stolen votes, distributed throughout jurisdictions across the country, could become a critical component of any scheme to defraud the 2012 presidential election. By means of changing a relatively small number of votes, and laundering those stolen votes in the correct places, the net effect would be a near silent theft.
They will be doing so through something called the Federal Overseas Voting Program or FVAP.
FVAP is a program designed to allow military personnel and other overseas Americans to vote in their home districts seamlessly through electronically delivered absentee ballots.
Intercepting and changing these ballots, as well as voting electronically on behalf of service people that have no idea such a thing is happening, is something that Scytl is uniquely positioned to do because of their cellphone spyware sister company, CarrierIQ.
These stolen votes, distributed throughout jurisdictions across the country, could become a critical component of any scheme to defraud the 2012 presidential election. By means of changing a relatively small number of votes, and laundering those stolen votes in the correct places, the net effect would be a near silent theft.
Monsanto GM field trial destroyed in Haryana
In a stunning development, farmers in Kurukshetra (where field trial of Monsanto’s GM corn was being done) forced the Haryana Agriculture University authorities to fulfill their promise on completely destroying the field trial today.
This happened after a day long drama where Monsanto’s officials, with the support of University staff, tried to sneak out the GM corn from the field trial this morning.
Alert villagers stopped them. Hundreds of farmers under the leadership of Gurnam Singh, state president of BKU, surrounded the research station when the news spread that Monsanto is stealthily removing its GM corn from the trial site inside the research station.
They forced the University authorities to comply with the promise given to the agitating farmers yesterday that the field trial will be completely destroyed without even a single cob of corn being taken out.
The original data sheet has also been destroyed.
This finally happened at 4.30 pm in the presence of the Deputy Director Agriculture, Shahbad, Kurukshetra.
This protest yesterday in Haryana and today’s developments come in the wake of a Parliamentary Standing Committee recommendation that all field trials of GM crops be stopped immediately in the country. Mr Deepinder Hooda is incidentally a member of the 31-member Committee which signed off the report unanimously.
This happened after a day long drama where Monsanto’s officials, with the support of University staff, tried to sneak out the GM corn from the field trial this morning.
Alert villagers stopped them. Hundreds of farmers under the leadership of Gurnam Singh, state president of BKU, surrounded the research station when the news spread that Monsanto is stealthily removing its GM corn from the trial site inside the research station.
They forced the University authorities to comply with the promise given to the agitating farmers yesterday that the field trial will be completely destroyed without even a single cob of corn being taken out.
The original data sheet has also been destroyed.
This finally happened at 4.30 pm in the presence of the Deputy Director Agriculture, Shahbad, Kurukshetra.
This protest yesterday in Haryana and today’s developments come in the wake of a Parliamentary Standing Committee recommendation that all field trials of GM crops be stopped immediately in the country. Mr Deepinder Hooda is incidentally a member of the 31-member Committee which signed off the report unanimously.
The Native American Vote in New Mexico & Beyond
Narrated by PETER COYOTE, this film is OSCAR-nominated, EMMY-winning, filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman’s latest documentary.
"RECLAIMING Their VOICE" follows Native Americans in New Mexico taking a stand against injustice in the political process. Personal stories demonstrate how minority communities are using their voting rights as they participate more fully in elections.
These stories capture a microcosm of growing awareness and activism which is taking root across the United States.
In addition to documenting the Native American suffrage movement historically, the film follows a groundbreaking project led by the Laguna, NM Native community. Their efforts lead to significant positive changes in New Mexico state election law.
This story serves as a model for how other minority populations throughout the U.S. can work together to make sure they can cast their votes and that their votes will be counted.
"RECLAIMING Their VOICE" follows Native Americans in New Mexico taking a stand against injustice in the political process. Personal stories demonstrate how minority communities are using their voting rights as they participate more fully in elections.
These stories capture a microcosm of growing awareness and activism which is taking root across the United States.
In addition to documenting the Native American suffrage movement historically, the film follows a groundbreaking project led by the Laguna, NM Native community. Their efforts lead to significant positive changes in New Mexico state election law.
This story serves as a model for how other minority populations throughout the U.S. can work together to make sure they can cast their votes and that their votes will be counted.
Spain Mulling Plan to Ban Photos & Videos of Police
In a move sure to send shivers down the spines of activists and civil liberties advocates everywhere, the Spanish government is taking steps to prohibit the filming and photographing of on-duty police and security forces, the New York Times reports.
Described by Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria as a reaction to the recent shocking clashes between police and demonstrators – such as the Madrid anti-austerity actions – this ban is necessary, they claim, to strike a balance "between citizens' right to protest" and the need "to uphold the integrity of state security forces."
The deputy prime minister made his announcement a day after Spain's director general of police, Ignacio Cosido, said that said that draft legislation for such a ban was already in the works.
This position is in direct conflict with European laws governing the freedom of the press and human rights and an affront to all the dedicated citizen journalists putting themselves in harm's way in the service of transparency. The proposed new legislation also makes it illegal to disseminate photos and videos of security forces over social networking sites such as Facebook.
Described by Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria as a reaction to the recent shocking clashes between police and demonstrators – such as the Madrid anti-austerity actions – this ban is necessary, they claim, to strike a balance "between citizens' right to protest" and the need "to uphold the integrity of state security forces."
The deputy prime minister made his announcement a day after Spain's director general of police, Ignacio Cosido, said that said that draft legislation for such a ban was already in the works.
This position is in direct conflict with European laws governing the freedom of the press and human rights and an affront to all the dedicated citizen journalists putting themselves in harm's way in the service of transparency. The proposed new legislation also makes it illegal to disseminate photos and videos of security forces over social networking sites such as Facebook.
Black Friday Strike - Walmart
We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and support them - NO SHOPPING AT ANY WALMART IN AMERICA on Friday, November 23, 2012!
Please watch this informative documentary about WalMart and their practices, 'WalMart: The High Cost of Low Prices':
Please watch this informative documentary about WalMart and their practices, 'WalMart: The High Cost of Low Prices':
UK police clashing with anti-austerity protesters at TUC event
Hundreds of protesters broke away from a huge anti-austerity demonstration in London on Saturday, and attempted to storm various multi-national companies on Oxford Street, in the West End central shopping district.
The breakaway protest finished at Trafalgar Square around 1600GMT, after two hours of running skirmishes with the police.
Saturday's march was against the latest austerity cuts proposed by the UK government. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Central London in support of the protest, organised by the TUC (Trades Union Congress) - READ MORE HERE
The breakaway protest finished at Trafalgar Square around 1600GMT, after two hours of running skirmishes with the police.
Saturday's march was against the latest austerity cuts proposed by the UK government. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Central London in support of the protest, organised by the TUC (Trades Union Congress) - READ MORE HERE
Pennsylvania's Mount Pleasant Journal 'Falsely Claims' ID Is Required To Vote In State: Report
A Pennsylvania newspaper owned by a "top right-wing funder" has published an article that "falsely claims" that ID will be required to vote, Think Progress writes.
In a Monday report, the political news website notes that the Mount Pleasant Journal printed an "inaccurate story" about voter ID requirements last week. "All voters will be required to show a photo identification (ID) before voting at a polling place," said the article, which reportedly appeared last Thursday.
The article also notes that voters who do not show government-issued identification will need to cast a provisional ballot, before showing ID at a later date. A scanned copy of the article, headlined "Photo ID required for November election," appears on the Think Progress website.
Earlier this month, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert E. Simpson Jr. postponed the enforcement of Pennsylvania's new, strict voter ID requirement until after the upcoming presidential election.
In other words, though voters in Pennsylvania will be asked to show ID at the polls this November, they will not be turned away or given a provisional ballot if they do not have a government-issued photo ID.
Read full report here at ThinkProgress Justice
In a Monday report, the political news website notes that the Mount Pleasant Journal printed an "inaccurate story" about voter ID requirements last week. "All voters will be required to show a photo identification (ID) before voting at a polling place," said the article, which reportedly appeared last Thursday.
The article also notes that voters who do not show government-issued identification will need to cast a provisional ballot, before showing ID at a later date. A scanned copy of the article, headlined "Photo ID required for November election," appears on the Think Progress website.
Earlier this month, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert E. Simpson Jr. postponed the enforcement of Pennsylvania's new, strict voter ID requirement until after the upcoming presidential election.
In other words, though voters in Pennsylvania will be asked to show ID at the polls this November, they will not be turned away or given a provisional ballot if they do not have a government-issued photo ID.
Read full report here at ThinkProgress Justice
Ann Romney worries for husbands mental health!
Mitt Romney is a pathological liar it has been proven time and time again by his own statements.
No wonder Mrs. Ann Romney is worried about his own mental well being.
It is more than a critical issue, when a candidate for President’s wife makes a statement that she is worried about a possible future President’s state of mental health- before an election.
No wonder Mrs. Ann Romney is worried about his own mental well being.
It is more than a critical issue, when a candidate for President’s wife makes a statement that she is worried about a possible future President’s state of mental health- before an election.
Investigate Tagg Romney owning voting machines in OHIO
Investigate Tagg Romney owning voting machines in OHIO
This is a conflict of interest to say the least, and could invite fraud~!!!!
Sign the petition here.
Attorney General Eric Holder: Investigate Tagg Romney owning voting machines in OHIO
This is a conflict of interest to say the least, and could invite fraud~!!!!
Sign the petition here.
Attorney General Eric Holder: Investigate Tagg Romney owning voting machines in OHIO
Does the Romney Family Now Own Your e-Vote?
Will you cast your vote this fall on a faulty electronic machine that's partly owned by the Romney Family?
Will that machine decide whether Romney will then inherit the White House?
Through a closely held equity fund called Solamere, Mitt Romney and his wife, son and brother are major investors in an investment firm called H.I.G. Capital. H.I.G. in turn holds a majority share and three out of five board members in Hart Intercivic, a company that owns the notoriously faulty electronic voting machines that will count the ballots in swing state Ohio November 7.
Hart machines will also be used elsewhere in the United States.
In other words, a candidate for the presidency of the United States, and his brother, wife and son, have a straight-line financial interest in the voting machines that could decide this fall's election.
These machines cannot be monitored by the public. But they will help decide who "owns" the White House.
They are especially crucial in Ohio, without which no Republican candidate has ever won the White House.
In 2004, in the dead of election night, an electronic swing of more than 300,000 votes switched Ohio from the John Kerry column to George W. Bush, giving him a second term.
A virtual statistical impossibility, the 6-plus% shift occurred between 12:20 and 2am election night as votes were being tallied by a GOP-controlled information technology firm on servers in a basement in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In defiance of a federal injunction, 56 of Ohio's 88 counties destroyed all election records, making a recount impossible.
Ohio's governor and secretary of state in 2004 were both Republicans, as are the governors and secretaries of state in nine key swing states this year.
Will that machine decide whether Romney will then inherit the White House?
Through a closely held equity fund called Solamere, Mitt Romney and his wife, son and brother are major investors in an investment firm called H.I.G. Capital. H.I.G. in turn holds a majority share and three out of five board members in Hart Intercivic, a company that owns the notoriously faulty electronic voting machines that will count the ballots in swing state Ohio November 7.
Hart machines will also be used elsewhere in the United States.
In other words, a candidate for the presidency of the United States, and his brother, wife and son, have a straight-line financial interest in the voting machines that could decide this fall's election.
These machines cannot be monitored by the public. But they will help decide who "owns" the White House.
They are especially crucial in Ohio, without which no Republican candidate has ever won the White House.
In 2004, in the dead of election night, an electronic swing of more than 300,000 votes switched Ohio from the John Kerry column to George W. Bush, giving him a second term.
A virtual statistical impossibility, the 6-plus% shift occurred between 12:20 and 2am election night as votes were being tallied by a GOP-controlled information technology firm on servers in a basement in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In defiance of a federal injunction, 56 of Ohio's 88 counties destroyed all election records, making a recount impossible.
Ohio's governor and secretary of state in 2004 were both Republicans, as are the governors and secretaries of state in nine key swing states this year.
Monday 22 October 2012
Occupy Walmart Tampa Black Friday
At Wednesdays’ General Assembly members of Occupy Tampa, concerned citizens and Local Wal-Mart Associates met with Representatives from OUR Wal-Mart.
We heard heartbreaking stories of people from all across the nation and even the world about the daily struggles that workers face under the ever tightening squeeze of Wal-Mart’s labor practices while simultaneously reaping record profits in the billions of dollars.
Wal-Mart’s overwhelming labor monopoly allows them to set the standard for labor practices far beyond their corporation.
OUR Wal-Mart is planning a national day of action for Black Friday. ------ One of the best ways we can offer our support locally is to simply inform and direct as many Wal-Mart associates as we can reach to the OUR Wal-Mart website and allow them to contact representatives that can offer them support and help to build a local network of supporters.
We heard heartbreaking stories of people from all across the nation and even the world about the daily struggles that workers face under the ever tightening squeeze of Wal-Mart’s labor practices while simultaneously reaping record profits in the billions of dollars.
Wal-Mart’s overwhelming labor monopoly allows them to set the standard for labor practices far beyond their corporation.
OUR Wal-Mart is planning a national day of action for Black Friday. ------ One of the best ways we can offer our support locally is to simply inform and direct as many Wal-Mart associates as we can reach to the OUR Wal-Mart website and allow them to contact representatives that can offer them support and help to build a local network of supporters.
Fukushima farm’s dead cattle and calves of Fukushima syndrome, “The smell even comes to the bed”
From Fukushima Diary
Fukushima Diary reported cattle are starting to die of “Fukushima syndrome” in the farm of hazard area.
“The farm of despair. Over 100 cattle have died of Fukushima syndrome since last year.”
Fukushima Diary reported cattle are starting to die of “Fukushima syndrome” in the farm of hazard area.
“The farm of despair. Over 100 cattle have died of Fukushima syndrome since last year.”
Jill Stein in Live Debates Virgil Goode, Gary Johnson and Rocky Anderson
Watch a real debate among third party candidates this Monday and Tuesday! DemocracyNow.org will livestream a debate on Monday, October 22nd at 8:30pm EDT as part of their ongoing “Expand the Debate” coverage.
Ballot access organization Free and Equal will livestream a debate moderated by Larry King on Tuesday, October 23rd at 9pm EDT. Watch a simulcast of that livestream with your fellow Greens at the GPUS Livestream page.
Why not host a debate watching party? Check JillStein.org to find out how, including where to register your party with the Stein Campaign.
Ballot access organization Free and Equal will livestream a debate moderated by Larry King on Tuesday, October 23rd at 9pm EDT. Watch a simulcast of that livestream with your fellow Greens at the GPUS Livestream page.
Why not host a debate watching party? Check JillStein.org to find out how, including where to register your party with the Stein Campaign.
Anger grows over large companies' tax bills as attention turns to eBay and Ikea
Pressure is mounting on large multinational companies to pay their fair share of tax following new revelations about the amount of tax paid by eBay and Ikea.
The focus on the tax affairs of the internet auction house and the Swedish retailer comes amid increasing anger about Starbucks, which Reuters exposed last week as not having paid corporation tax in the UK for the past three years.
The Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott called for the chief executive of the US coffee company to appear before a parliamentary committee after notching up £1.2bn of sales in the UK. "[Chief executive Howard] Schultz must come to parliament and come clean on why they pay so little corporation tax," said Oakeshott.
The internet auction site eBay and Ikea are the latest companies to face scrutiny after the Sunday Times reported that eBay legally channels payments through Luxembourg and Switzerland to avoid paying nearly £50m in tax in Britain. Ikea is said to have legally halved its corporation tax bill in the UK by siphoning off profits abroad in the form of royalty payments to a sister company.
The focus on the tax affairs of the internet auction house and the Swedish retailer comes amid increasing anger about Starbucks, which Reuters exposed last week as not having paid corporation tax in the UK for the past three years.
The Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott called for the chief executive of the US coffee company to appear before a parliamentary committee after notching up £1.2bn of sales in the UK. "[Chief executive Howard] Schultz must come to parliament and come clean on why they pay so little corporation tax," said Oakeshott.
The internet auction site eBay and Ikea are the latest companies to face scrutiny after the Sunday Times reported that eBay legally channels payments through Luxembourg and Switzerland to avoid paying nearly £50m in tax in Britain. Ikea is said to have legally halved its corporation tax bill in the UK by siphoning off profits abroad in the form of royalty payments to a sister company.
Friday 19 October 2012
Greeks say no to EU austerity with general strike
Much of Greece is at a standstill amid a general strike, as many people want to send a clear message to EU leaders saying ‘no’ to further austerity.
The streets of central Athens were quiet on Thursday morning, with workers staying home in response to the 24-hour stoppage called by the two largest unions.
Ships stayed in port, public transport in the capital was disrupted and hospitals started operating on emergency-only, while public offices and many shops remained closed.
Several marches are planned, which are expected to end in demonstrations outside parliament. In the past they have often led to clashes with police and security will be tight.
Greece is planning 11.5 billion euros of cuts to secure its next tranche of bailout aid.
The streets of central Athens were quiet on Thursday morning, with workers staying home in response to the 24-hour stoppage called by the two largest unions.
Ships stayed in port, public transport in the capital was disrupted and hospitals started operating on emergency-only, while public offices and many shops remained closed.
Several marches are planned, which are expected to end in demonstrations outside parliament. In the past they have often led to clashes with police and security will be tight.
Greece is planning 11.5 billion euros of cuts to secure its next tranche of bailout aid.
Greece Protests: Anti-Austerity Violence Breaks Out During Demonstrations (PHOTOS)
Greece — Hundreds of youths pelted riot police with fire bombs, bottles and chunks of marble Thursday as yet another Greek anti-austerity demonstration descended into violence, less than a month after more intense clashes broke out during a similar protest.
Authorities said around 70,000 protesters took to the street in two separate demonstrations in Athens during the country's second general strike in a month as workers across the country walked off the job to protest new austerity measures the government is negotiating with Greece's international creditors.
Authorities said around 70,000 protesters took to the street in two separate demonstrations in Athens during the country's second general strike in a month as workers across the country walked off the job to protest new austerity measures the government is negotiating with Greece's international creditors.
Fallujah babies: Under a new kind of siege
Last Modified: 06 Jan 2012 11:25 Still relevant, STOP WARS
While the US military has formally withdrawn from Iraq, doctors and
residents of Fallujah are blaming weapons like depleted uranium and
white phosphorous used during two devastating US attacks on Fallujah in
2004 for what are being described as "catastrophic" levels of birth
defects and abnormalities.
Dr Samira Alani, a paediatric specialist at Fallujah General
Hospital, has taken a personal interest in investigating an explosion of
congenital abnormalities that have mushroomed in the wake of the US
sieges since 2005.
"We have all kinds of defects now, ranging from congenital heart
disease to severe physical abnormalities, both in numbers you cannot
imagine," Alani told Al Jazeera at her office in the hospital, while
showing countless photos of shocking birth defects.
Join us on the March for a Future That Works
On 20 October War on Want will be marching alongside trade unions, community groups and ordinary people from across the UK because we believe that poverty is political.
War on Want will be marching against austerity and the attack on the welfare state. The UK government is not punishing the few in the banking and finance sector that caused the global financial crisis, but instead hitting hard the many who are the poorest in society.
We have always put workers' rights at the centre of our work. We have always shared the vision for a future that works.
War on Want will be marching against austerity and the attack on the welfare state. The UK government is not punishing the few in the banking and finance sector that caused the global financial crisis, but instead hitting hard the many who are the poorest in society.
We have always put workers' rights at the centre of our work. We have always shared the vision for a future that works.
Thursday 18 October 2012
Romney exposed
Romney's secrecy in business is detailed, and revealed; as well as his
role as a drug money launderer for GHW Bush; his connection, through
Bush, to CIA death squads in Central America; his role in 9-11; in the
murder of US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens; and the
significance of his endorsement of and by Cheney.
"Why You Don't Even Know That A Presidential Candidate Was Arrested Last Night" - MOC #179
A Presidential Candidate was arrested last night AT THE PRESIDENTIAL
DEBATE. And as if that's not insane enough, it's not even news?! Is that
the kind of country you want to live in?
A MESSAGE FOR ALL OF HUMANITY - Extended Version
This includes a portion of Charlie Chaplin's amazing speech in "The
Great Dictator" that is usually cut out of most versions I have seen on
youtube and was even cut out of mine.
I think this portion of the speech is largely under-rated, and really completes the speech as a whole. Thus I thought after the success of my last version, I may as well make an extended version with the entire speech in it. Enjoy!
I think this portion of the speech is largely under-rated, and really completes the speech as a whole. Thus I thought after the success of my last version, I may as well make an extended version with the entire speech in it. Enjoy!
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Romney's Bain Selling Out American Workers to China
Mitt Romney and Bain Capital continue to move good, American jobs overseas for big profits. Watch and share the story of Sensata workers in Freeport, Ill., to see how selling out American workers and moving jobs to China continues to line Romney's pockets.
Barack Obama comes out swinging in ugly debate clash with Mitt Romney
Watch highlights of the fiery debate
BREAKING: Over 50 Enter Tree Blockade in Defiance of Police Repression to Defend Tree-Sitters
On Monday, after a weekend of nonviolent civil disobedience training, supporters of the Tar Sands Blockade rallied in Winnsboro, Tex., where protesters were holding a “sit-in” 70 feet off the ground in a swath of trees.
The trees stand in the middle of a corridor already cleared for the pipeline. The tree-climbing pipeline foes unfurled a banner that reads: “Rise Up and Defend Your Homes.”
“The only option afforded to powerless individuals who have been abused by the system is this tactic of nonviolent civil disobedience,” said Seifert, the Tar Sands Blockade spokesman. “Everything has been done to petition for justice at every level. And the institutions failed. This is a clear case of injustice, and it’s up to people to rise up and defend themselves.” Read the full story here.
The trees stand in the middle of a corridor already cleared for the pipeline. The tree-climbing pipeline foes unfurled a banner that reads: “Rise Up and Defend Your Homes.”
“The only option afforded to powerless individuals who have been abused by the system is this tactic of nonviolent civil disobedience,” said Seifert, the Tar Sands Blockade spokesman. “Everything has been done to petition for justice at every level. And the institutions failed. This is a clear case of injustice, and it’s up to people to rise up and defend themselves.” Read the full story here.
26 Major Corporations Paid No Corporate Income Tax For The Last Four Years, Despite Making Billions In Profits
Last year, Citizens for Tax Justice found that 30 major corporations had made billions of dollars in profits while paying no federal income tax between 2008 and 2010.
Today, CTJ updated that report to reflect the 2011 tax bill of those 30 companies, and 26 of them have still managed to pay absolutely nothing over that four year period:
– 26 of the 30 companies continued to enjoy negative federal income tax rates. That means they still made more money after tax than before tax over the four years!
Amongst the 30 are corporate titans such as General Electric, Boeing, Verizon, and Mattel.
Today, CTJ updated that report to reflect the 2011 tax bill of those 30 companies, and 26 of them have still managed to pay absolutely nothing over that four year period:
– 26 of the 30 companies continued to enjoy negative federal income tax rates. That means they still made more money after tax than before tax over the four years!
Amongst the 30 are corporate titans such as General Electric, Boeing, Verizon, and Mattel.
Mitt Romney’s 5 Biggest Lies During the First Half of the Town Hall Debate
The lies are rolling off Mitt Romney’s tongue at a rapid pace during the second presidential debate, but here are his 5 biggest of the first half of the debate.
1). Romney claims fewer people are working today than when Obama took office.
The Truth: From CBS News, “The job market has been improving, sluggishly but steadily. Jobs have been added for 24 straight months. There are now 325,000 more than when Obama took office.”
1). Romney claims fewer people are working today than when Obama took office.
The Truth: From CBS News, “The job market has been improving, sluggishly but steadily. Jobs have been added for 24 straight months. There are now 325,000 more than when Obama took office.”
Matt Taibbi: The Secret to Mitt Romney’s Fortune? Greed, Debt and Forcing Others to Foot the Bill
A new article by reporter Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone sheds new light on the origin of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s fortune, revealing how Romney’s former firm, Bain Capital, used private equity to raise money to conduct corporate raids.
Taibbi writes: "What most voters don’t know is the way Mitt Romney actually made his fortune: by borrowing vast sums of money that other people were forced to pay back.
This is the plain, stark reality that has somehow eluded America’s top political journalists for two consecutive presidential campaigns:
Mitt Romney is one of the greatest and most irresponsible debt creators of all time. In the past few decades, in fact, Romney has piled more debt onto more unsuspecting companies, written more gigantic checks that other people have to cover, than perhaps all but a handful of people on planet Earth."
Taibbi writes: "What most voters don’t know is the way Mitt Romney actually made his fortune: by borrowing vast sums of money that other people were forced to pay back.
This is the plain, stark reality that has somehow eluded America’s top political journalists for two consecutive presidential campaigns:
Mitt Romney is one of the greatest and most irresponsible debt creators of all time. In the past few decades, in fact, Romney has piled more debt onto more unsuspecting companies, written more gigantic checks that other people have to cover, than perhaps all but a handful of people on planet Earth."
Occupy London - Little Book of Ideas
On the first anniversary of the Occupy London Stock Exchange camp just by St Paul’s Cathedral, Occupy London is pleased to announce the publication of its first book, which aims to demystify the financial world and provide possible solutions.
Today’s announcement also follows yesterday’s successful action inside St Paul’s Cathedral, which saw four female protesters chain themselves to the pulpit to put pressure on the leadership of the Cathedral ‘to stop sitting on the fence and join the fight against rising inequality in the UK and beyond’.
Download it here.
Today’s announcement also follows yesterday’s successful action inside St Paul’s Cathedral, which saw four female protesters chain themselves to the pulpit to put pressure on the leadership of the Cathedral ‘to stop sitting on the fence and join the fight against rising inequality in the UK and beyond’.
Download it here.
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein arrested in protest outside presidential debate at Hofstra University
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Green Party candidate Jill Stein
and her running mate Cheri Honkala appeared to be arrested early
Tuesday evening during a protest outside the main gates of Hofstra
University, where President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt
Romney are scheduled to have their second presidential debate.
Stein and Honkala were protesting the exclusion of all but the two major political parties from participating in the debate.
And from Democracy Now
Expanding the Debate Exclusive: Third-Party Candidates Break the Sound Barrier as Obama-Romney Spar
As President Obama and Mitt Romney squared off for the first time on Wednesday night, Democracy Now! broke the sound barrier by pausing after Obama’s and Romney’s answers to get real-time responses from candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party and Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party. Stein and Anderson joined Democracy Now! for a live special just miles away from the Obama-Romney contest at the University of Denver.
Stein and Honkala were protesting the exclusion of all but the two major political parties from participating in the debate.
And from Democracy Now
Expanding the Debate Exclusive: Third-Party Candidates Break the Sound Barrier as Obama-Romney Spar
As President Obama and Mitt Romney squared off for the first time on Wednesday night, Democracy Now! broke the sound barrier by pausing after Obama’s and Romney’s answers to get real-time responses from candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party and Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party. Stein and Anderson joined Democracy Now! for a live special just miles away from the Obama-Romney contest at the University of Denver.
‘Romney-Ryan tax plan still makes no sense’: Matt Taibbi urges the media to demand answers
“Every single day in the newspapers it should be, you know, ‘Romney-Ryan tax plan still makes no sense,’” Taibbi says.
“They should be getting hammered every single day for doing this because it’s an incredibly cynical thing, what they’re doing — they’re making this extravagant promise. They’re saying, ‘We’re going to cut everybody’s taxes by 20 percent, it’s going to be like fairyland,’ and yet they’re being treated as though it’s a serious political campaign — and they should be being slaughtered by the press for this.”
“They should be getting hammered every single day for doing this because it’s an incredibly cynical thing, what they’re doing — they’re making this extravagant promise. They’re saying, ‘We’re going to cut everybody’s taxes by 20 percent, it’s going to be like fairyland,’ and yet they’re being treated as though it’s a serious political campaign — and they should be being slaughtered by the press for this.”
The Vice Presidential Debate: Joe Biden Was Right to Laugh
The load of balls that both Romney and Ryan have been pushing out there for this whole election season is simply not intellectually serious.
Most of their platform isn't even a real platform, it's a fourth-rate parlor trick designed to paper over the real agenda – cutting taxes even more for super-rich dickheads like Mitt Romney, and getting everyone else to pay the bill.
The essence of the whole campaign for me was crystalized in the debate exchange over Romney's 20 percent tax-cut plan. ABC's Martha Raddatz turned the questioning to Ryan:
Most of their platform isn't even a real platform, it's a fourth-rate parlor trick designed to paper over the real agenda – cutting taxes even more for super-rich dickheads like Mitt Romney, and getting everyone else to pay the bill.
The essence of the whole campaign for me was crystalized in the debate exchange over Romney's 20 percent tax-cut plan. ABC's Martha Raddatz turned the questioning to Ryan:
MS. RADDATZ: Do you have the specifics? Do you have the math? Do you know exactly what you're doing?So now the ball is in Ryan's court. The answer he gives is astounding:
REP. RYAN: Look – look at what Mitt – look at what Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill did. They worked together out of a framework to lower tax rates and broaden the base, and they worked together to fix that. What we're saying is here's our framework: Lower tax rates 20 percent – we raise about $1.2 trillion through income taxes. We forgo about 1.1 trillion [dollars] in loopholes and deductions. And so what we're saying is deny those loopholes and deductions to higher-income taxpayers so that more of their income is taxed, which has a broader base of taxation
Spreading Wal-Mart strikes have huge potential for workers nationwide
In recent weeks there have been a series of wildcat strikes and work disruptions at Wal-Marts and Wal-Mart warehouses around the country.
And workers are now threatening to strike on Black Friday, the largest shopping day of the year, right after Thanksgiving.
Wal-Mart’s workers are not unionized. The company has viciously fought off small-scale organizing efforts of the years, firing workers who attend to organize their shops and cutting hours of sympathetic workers.
The work culture at Wal-Mart is one which is profoundly anti-worker and, as Stoller notes, they have driven a race to the bottom in terms of low-pay and non-existent benefits.
But Wal-Mart is a huge beast in the economy. And if workers are able to force them to concede better working conditions, pay, and benefits, it could have a massive ripple effect outward in the economy.
The value would not be merely an economic one, though the prospect of tens or hundreds of thousands of workers getting significant pay raises would fire off potentially massive new economic growth.
Rather the real value would be the highly visible statement of some of the lowest hourly wage earners in the country forcing the largest retail business to its knees would prove that any group of workers at any employer in the country can organize their shop.
And workers are now threatening to strike on Black Friday, the largest shopping day of the year, right after Thanksgiving.
Wal-Mart’s workers are not unionized. The company has viciously fought off small-scale organizing efforts of the years, firing workers who attend to organize their shops and cutting hours of sympathetic workers.
The work culture at Wal-Mart is one which is profoundly anti-worker and, as Stoller notes, they have driven a race to the bottom in terms of low-pay and non-existent benefits.
But Wal-Mart is a huge beast in the economy. And if workers are able to force them to concede better working conditions, pay, and benefits, it could have a massive ripple effect outward in the economy.
The value would not be merely an economic one, though the prospect of tens or hundreds of thousands of workers getting significant pay raises would fire off potentially massive new economic growth.
Rather the real value would be the highly visible statement of some of the lowest hourly wage earners in the country forcing the largest retail business to its knees would prove that any group of workers at any employer in the country can organize their shop.
Ryan Campaign Forced its Way into Soup Kitchen for Fake Photo Op, Jeopardized Charity's Funding
In the process of trying to score political points by washing dishes that didn't need to be washed, Ryan injected politics into the charity, which is supposed to stay away from politics.
Brian J. Antag, president of the Mahoning County St. Vincent De Paul Society, said that he was not contacted by the Romney campaign ahead of the Saturday morning visit by Ryan, who stopped by the soup kitchen after a town hall at Youngstown State University.
“We’re a faith-based organization; we are apolitical because the majority of our funding is from private donations,” Antag said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “It’s strictly in our bylaws not to do it. They showed up there and they did not have permission. They got one of the volunteers to open up the doors.”
He added: “The photo-op they did wasn’t even accurate. He did nothing. He just came in here to get his picture taken at the dining hall.”Actually, it was worse than nothing. Because in the process of trying to score political points by washing dishes that didn't need to be washed, Ryan injected politics into the charity, which is supposed to stay away from politics.
MPs ‘exempt from local pay’ UK
A REVIEW appeared to rule out lower “local pay” for MPs in the North yesterday – even as ministers continue to pursue the idea for public sector workers.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) suggested the idea was a non-starter because all MPs “live and work in London for a large part of the week”.
Opponents of local pay – which threatens state workers in the North with longterm pay freezes, given the one per cent public sector cap nationwide – had suggested it should, at the very least, apply to MPs as well.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) suggested the idea was a non-starter because all MPs “live and work in London for a large part of the week”.
Opponents of local pay – which threatens state workers in the North with longterm pay freezes, given the one per cent public sector cap nationwide – had suggested it should, at the very least, apply to MPs as well.
Portuguese protests against austerity measures
From European Revolution on facebook
You wont hear about in the mainstream media, but thousands of Portuguese surrounded their parliament last night to protest against another round harsh austerity measures. Protesters clashed with riot police and lit a large fire in front of the parliament photo from Lisbon 15/10/12
You wont hear about in the mainstream media, but thousands of Portuguese surrounded their parliament last night to protest against another round harsh austerity measures. Protesters clashed with riot police and lit a large fire in front of the parliament photo from Lisbon 15/10/12
Wall Street protests go global; riots in Rome
(Reuters) - Anti-greed protesters rallied globally on Saturday, denouncing bankers and politicians over the international economic crisis, with violence rocking Rome where cars were torched and bank windows smashed.
Galvanized by the Occupy Wall Street movement, protests began in New Zealand, touched parts of Asia, spread to Europe, and resumed at their starting point in New York with 5,000 marchers decrying corporate greed and economic inequality.
Galvanized by the Occupy Wall Street movement, protests began in New Zealand, touched parts of Asia, spread to Europe, and resumed at their starting point in New York with 5,000 marchers decrying corporate greed and economic inequality.
Decriminalize Drug Possession, UK Experts Say
In a report six years in the making, the United Kingdom Drug Policy Commission, a non-governmental advisory body chaird by Dame Edith Runciman, has called for a reboot of British drug policy and for decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use.
The report, A Fresh Approach to Drugs, found that the UK is wasting much of the $4.8 billion a year it spends fighting illegal drugs and that the annual cost to the country of hard drug use was about $20 billion. A smarter set of drug policies emphasizing prevention, diversion, and treatment would be a more effective use of public resources, the report found.
Some 42,000 people in the UK are convicted each year of drug possession offenses and another 160,000 given citations for marijuana possession. Arresting, citing, and jailing all those people "amounts to a lot of time and money for police, prosecution, and courts," the report said.
But the Home Office, which currently administers drug policy in Britain, wasn't having any of it. Things are going swimmingly already, a Home Office spokesperson said.
"While the government welcomes the UKDPC's contribution to the drugs debate, we remain confident that our ambitious approach to tackling drugs - outlined in our drugs strategy - is the right one," the spokesperson said.
Typical.
The report, A Fresh Approach to Drugs, found that the UK is wasting much of the $4.8 billion a year it spends fighting illegal drugs and that the annual cost to the country of hard drug use was about $20 billion. A smarter set of drug policies emphasizing prevention, diversion, and treatment would be a more effective use of public resources, the report found.
Some 42,000 people in the UK are convicted each year of drug possession offenses and another 160,000 given citations for marijuana possession. Arresting, citing, and jailing all those people "amounts to a lot of time and money for police, prosecution, and courts," the report said.
But the Home Office, which currently administers drug policy in Britain, wasn't having any of it. Things are going swimmingly already, a Home Office spokesperson said.
"While the government welcomes the UKDPC's contribution to the drugs debate, we remain confident that our ambitious approach to tackling drugs - outlined in our drugs strategy - is the right one," the spokesperson said.
Typical.
Monday 15 October 2012
Police Arrest 16-Year-Old Girl Protesting Mom’s Lay-Off From Bain-Owned Company (VIDEO)
From Addicting Info
Police arrested 16-year-old Karri Penniston and two other protesters at the Sensata Technologies plant in Freeport, IL last week on October 8th. The workers and their supporters had an altercation with a truck driver hired to move equipment from the plant.
The protests began last month on September 12th, when Sensata — a company owned by Bain Capital, the notorious leveraged buy-out firm founded by Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney — announced that 200 workers would be laid off by the end of this year, and that their jobs are being sent to China.
To add insult to injury, Bain Capital ordered Sensata workers to take down the American flag when their Chinese replacements arrived for training (yes, part of Bain’s “harvesting” process requires workers to train their own replacements).
Police arrested 16-year-old Karri Penniston and two other protesters at the Sensata Technologies plant in Freeport, IL last week on October 8th. The workers and their supporters had an altercation with a truck driver hired to move equipment from the plant.
The protests began last month on September 12th, when Sensata — a company owned by Bain Capital, the notorious leveraged buy-out firm founded by Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney — announced that 200 workers would be laid off by the end of this year, and that their jobs are being sent to China.
To add insult to injury, Bain Capital ordered Sensata workers to take down the American flag when their Chinese replacements arrived for training (yes, part of Bain’s “harvesting” process requires workers to train their own replacements).
Another CEO Threatens To Fire Employees If Obama Wins
Last week, billionaire CEO David Siegel, who runs a timeshare empire, threatened to fire employees if President Obama is reelected in November, saying in an email, “the economy doesn’t currently pose a threat to your job.
What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration.”
And Siegel is not alone in pushing his employees to cast their vote a certain way. MSNBC’s Chris Hayes reported today on another CEO — Arthur Allen of ASG Software Solutions — who said in an email to his employees that they’d only have themselves to blame if they lose their jobs if Obama wins. The email reads, in part:
Many of you have been with ASG for over 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years. As you know, together, we have been able to keep ASG an independent company while still growing our revenues and customers. But I can tell you, if the US re-elects President Obama, our chances of staying independent are slim to none.
What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration.”
And Siegel is not alone in pushing his employees to cast their vote a certain way. MSNBC’s Chris Hayes reported today on another CEO — Arthur Allen of ASG Software Solutions — who said in an email to his employees that they’d only have themselves to blame if they lose their jobs if Obama wins. The email reads, in part:
Many of you have been with ASG for over 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years. As you know, together, we have been able to keep ASG an independent company while still growing our revenues and customers. But I can tell you, if the US re-elects President Obama, our chances of staying independent are slim to none.
Koch brothers threaten to fire employees if Obama wins
The billionaire Koch brothers this month threatened to fire many of their more than 50,000 employees if they dare to vote for President Obama or any other Democrats in the 2012 elections.
The Kansas-based Koch brothers, who run a multi-national group of companies called the Koch Industries, sent a voter information packet to 45,000 of its Georgia Pacific subsidiary this month, threatening that “many of our more than 50,000 US employees and contractors may suffer the consequences” if they vote for Democrats.
The packet also included an op-ed by David Koch endorsing Mitt Romney and one by Charles Koch slamming Obama, reported the monthly magazine, In These Times.
The brothers also warned that electing Democrats would also lead to other consequences, including higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation and “other ills.”
The Kansas-based Koch brothers, who run a multi-national group of companies called the Koch Industries, sent a voter information packet to 45,000 of its Georgia Pacific subsidiary this month, threatening that “many of our more than 50,000 US employees and contractors may suffer the consequences” if they vote for Democrats.
The packet also included an op-ed by David Koch endorsing Mitt Romney and one by Charles Koch slamming Obama, reported the monthly magazine, In These Times.
The brothers also warned that electing Democrats would also lead to other consequences, including higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation and “other ills.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)