chuck kottke

Is it fair trade?

A most excellent interview! I think it helps when they are interviewed by someone who actually thinks and feels, makes for a better all around friendly atmosphere and better responses. Well worth the time to listen. ;)

Some things cannot be bought and sold like so many pounds of silver or so many bushels of grain. Occupy Wall Street | NYC Protest for American Revolution It isn't government that's the problem, it is government controlled by a wealthy minority, which then no longer serves the greater good of all citizens. But if we are to make government smaller, I am in favor of that only if it shrinks the components of government which are Orwellian in nature, or shrinks that which can be easily misused by the powerful, and the savings passed on to the working classes, for they actually buy things (as opposed to investing in lucrative scams to further suck dry the workers) and have been given such a raw deal in recent decades, they actually deserve some reimbursement. But then, we need to actually make things citizens want, and fix the roads and bridges and rail system to get the good and the people safely to market. Richard Wolff isn't off the mark on this, indeed he hits many a sensitive nerve of those in high places, and I think he's on the right track. Here's what Professor Wolff has to say about Occupy Wall Street's 99%: Criticism, Violence and Roosting Chickens | Scoop News "So now, the weapon of criticism wielded by the 99 percent suffers the counter criticism of violence by servants of the 1 percent. No one will miss which side resorted to organized, massive violence so early and so unnecessarily in this conflict. As in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, having failed to win hearts and minds, US government agencies cover their failure by resorting to violence. Chickens raised abroad return home to roost as they often do. Consider the image: New York Police Department machines and personnel destroy the free library that had functioned so well in Zuccotti Park. New York has acquired newly renamed mayor: Mubarak Bloomberg. Situated atop the 1 percent, he gave the order to "clear and clean" Zuccotti Park. This mayor, who presides over some of the world's filthiest tunnels and stations - that daily threaten the public health of millions of subway riders - suddenly acquired an obsession with cleanliness in the small Zuccotti Park. This mayor - whose city handles garbage by piling it in bags on the street that forever break and scatter their contents across the streets - wants us to believe he is concerned about public safety. Will the failures that renamed New York's mayor spread to yield a Mubarak Obama too? Or will the Arab Spring - so blithely praised by Secretary of State Clinton as "freedom struggles" - resurface here to confront the Clintons with their hypocritical complicity in repression policies at home? The deepening economic inequality, the moneyed corruption of politics and the collapsing fortunes and prospects of the mass of Americans: none of those basic conditions and causes of Occupy Wall Street have been addressed by Bloomberg or Obama. Instead, they seek to repress those who expose and oppose those conditions. Meanwhile, the system that keeps reproducing those conditions - a capitalism becoming increasingly intolerable - loses more bases of support. In times like these, the criticism of weapons risks losing to the weapon of criticism. Will the Arab Spring be reborn as the American Winter?"

Welcome!

Happy Birthday Ian!!:sunny::crown: and perhaps that 10-year-old is correct - kids often hear things we miss!;) Just be thankful your birthday isn't on Guy Fawkes Day..:artist:

It's a world of amazing coincidences, I keep World Wildlife Federation's Calendar April 2010 image of a baby orangutan above my desk here, and I understand many of the problems wild orangutans face - I wish you well in your request :sunny:+ Holding a benefit concert to help save the endangered Orangutans sounds like a great idea to me as well, although I'm less aware of who to contact in their organization than others on the board here - the moderators will know better than I, or the site owners. Wishing the Best of Success to you!;) from Chuck.

Dispatches from the front lines in the global velvet revolution, this side of the Atlantic: From Those Inside Of Central Booking Posted 6 hours ago on Nov. 16, 2011, 5:24 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt While we've been imprisoned here we've held Assemblies and Mic Checked corrections officers to attend to urgent medical conditions, some of which were the result of police brutality during the raids. There is no food except for bread, no cleanliness, no hygene, no waters, no showers. There are non-occupiers who are suffering here as well. We do not know what we have been charged with. We want freedom! This message was consensed upon by a group of occupiers imprisoned by Billionare Michael Bloomberg and his private army, and relayed to members of the Legal Working Group of #ows. 212 Comments #N17 Global Day Of Action! Posted 7 hours ago on Nov. 16, 2011, 4:40 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt Sixty days into the struggle #OccupyWallStreet was violently evicted by the NYPD, who leveled our homes at Liberty Square to the ground. Our movement, however, is stronger than it has ever been. In these sixty days we have brought about a massive awakening, perhaps the largest one in the country since the Civil Rights Movement fifty years ago, and certainly the first global one in modern history. People around the world, from Spain to Australia, from Chile to the U.S. have opened their eyes together to the decadence and injustice of the common system that exploits us. This is what we mean when we say with the deepest significance: you cannot stop an idea whose time has come.

The Declaration of the Occupation of New York City: Declaration of the Occupation of New York City | NYC General Assembly # Occupy Wall Street And this has a lot to do with Coldplay. Make Trade Fair anyone? Sustainable Ecosystems anyone? OXFAM for aiding those in the developing world, and who's going to make the economic system fair if not us? We are the 99%!:sunny: It's all connected

Well, there's a place for caricatures of the alligators running the economic system without a doubt, but you're right - with something real to say!;) Maybe you've convinced him to make better sense? Hang with a better crowd maybe, make better connections I would suggest - you'll do fine if you have patience, better guys are out there. Occupy Wall Street has moved into music!:cool: These words are taken from the preamble of The Declaration of The Occupation of New York. Free and for the people. Take it! Use it! Forward it! SING IT. Credits Words by Occupy Wall Street, song by Nehemiah Luckett and Laura Newman lead vocal Laura Newman Reverend Billy & The Stop Shopping Gospel Choir Recorded at Theater for The New City, NYC by Jason Candler Lyrics As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies. As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known. We Are The 99% (as we gather together) | Reverend Billy & The Church of Earthalujah!

Welcome Ksenia to Coldplaying, glad you came on board!!:sunny::hug::sunny: """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

I believe it's all like an interconnected web; vibrate a string and something happens elsewhere in the web. What we do sets up a series of vibrations that ripple and may set off others to amplify or reflect the same vibration, or respond in a certain fashion, and this affects the whole of our human web, of society. For we are interconnected, though separate at times, nonetheless come back to that connection with what we have gained. So send out good vibrations, vibrations that improve humanity and humanity's understanding! For in doing so, we all make a wonderful sound that rises higher and higher to the heavens and beyond. The love you take is equal to the love you make. The message in a bottle comes back to you a thousand fold. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

> Amazing how coincidental it all is.;) As though, there's a coordinated effort to dampen the movement.. nah, that could never happen in this world!:laugh3: Orwell's world maybe, but not ours.. I think so too - it's time for shopping, for the seasonal economic feeding frenzies, so hey, wouldn't want a citizen revolt to get in the way of commerce! All those messages getting out to shoppers, it might make them reconsider the nature of our economic systems, and who's in power.. Song Someone to Love - not following that, tuned to a different drummer right now.. Learned how Canadians get ripped off by our US banks today! If the exchange rate favors the value of the Canadian dollar, the extra money you might make here goes to the bank. But if it's the other way around, you take the loss. So either you get only 10,000 USD for 10,000 Canadian dollars when the exchange rate is let's say offering 11,500 USD for 10,000 Canadian dollars, or when it's reversed, and Canadian dollars are worth less than US dollars, you get less. No averaging - just bankers skimming the cream off the top. But at Credit Unions, they just charge a standard fee for the transaction, or nothing at all for members, depending on their bylaws. You get what your money is worth, will a little fee for doing their jobs. Just another reason to Move your Money.;)

It's a world of amazing connections, amazing the resonant chords that the Beatles struck within us all. :sunny:

Hello Mike!:) > I understand what you're getting at, and I think the movement is going right to where the financial misdeeds took place, and to where the money and influence flows from, as a spotlight. It makes a bold statement to protest in the heart of the financial district, and more importantly Occupying Wall Street acts as a rallying point for citizens who want reform. It's more about gathering all who's hearts and minds are focused on the problem and drawing the attention of the public to a place and a gathering which cannot be ignored. It's not about trying to convince members of Wall Street's establishments to change directly, or politicians directly, but to embolden citizens to organize, become aware, believe in themselves, and press for reform and accountability, by going right into the heart of where the problems arose. Would Washington be better? Both are places where the corrupt and complicit got their way in what had happened with the financial crisis, both are where the revolving doors spin through the corridors of power, both are involved in the buying of elections, and the like. But here is a chance to point out that not just Washington but many of Wall Street's biggest firms have done harm to the nation and to the world. Protests in Washington often are ignored, protests on Wall Street of this magnitude are a historical first, and focus attention right on one end of the problem. > Hm, well I think about the million man marches, and there wasn't hardly an ounce of coverage in the mainstream press. Makes one wonder about our press.. Washington might see a mass mobilization yet, one that can't be ignored, but as with those million man marches, I have to wonder what it takes to call attention to the problems in our nation's capitol. :thinking: > I hope so too Mike, since it seems like the elephant in the room which they keep side-stepping. But often those in power blind themselves to that which they are afraid to see or realize, or are blinded by their own hubris and believe their own lies. They think things will go on as business-as-usual, long after the citizens rise up and will no longer tolerate the abuses of power. Perhaps though some will come to their senses, I would much rather see that than a full-blown revolution. What more than anything politicians want is simply to get re-elected, and with enough organized people-power, I believe we can drive home the main points to be put into law, and pass new amendments to clearly define our rights, for in time those written rights become rallying points for change, and the legacy we leave for our children: a blueprint for fair representative government and a protection of our rights as citizens, as human beings. And I'm glad you're not a smug greedy bastard :laugh3:. Sadly there are some who are, they are the types who provided ample material for the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Most of us are Who's living in Whoville, which is one step from Hooverville these days.:hat:

One quote from a participant in Occupy Wall Street, "This is an idea who's time has come. You can't evict an idea." You Can't Evict an Idea Whose Time has Come | Common Dreams

Reform and accountability: Tell Your Senators: Confirm Richard Cordray to Lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Help add some teeth the the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. ;)

>> How do you build a sense of solidarity and strength in the face of a system which has allowed such injustices to go on? Thomas Paine's writing which stirred the spirit of the revolution was written on a drum head. :drummer: "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." I missed it last time, but I am responding this time to you. One doesn't rally the troops with whispers and papers blowing in the breeze, one does so with drums and the voice of reason spoken loud and clear, as we have seen on the streets and in many a meeting recently, as the voice of justice is spoken en masse- "this is what democracy looks like." This isn't going away any time soon, I will guarantee that to you. Until reform become reality and a redress of grievances is made real, assemblies will continue on.

Embroideries really are cool:cool:. I would say do what you want, it's a free world! ;) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

teprgtjore the epileptic project requirements going towards just & orderly recall of emperors.

Mayor Bloomberg, his excellency, is attempting to disband Occupy Wall Street just in time for the holidays. We wouldn't want to inconvenience in any ways holiday shoppers with the trifle matter of a democratic government corrupted by Wall Street money just a few blocks away, and a citizen assembly drawing attention to that matter, now would we?? Hm.... nothing surprising here - he tried to install police in Albany against the mayor's wishes there, so this seems quite apropo for NYC's mayor..

Some times you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. Nutella's got nuts, bacon don't. It's a horse apiece. :rolleyes: Give me hazels nuts any-day, we squirrels know where the good things in life are!:P ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

======================================================| :laugh3: Welcome Becky, glad you could join our merry troupe of fans!:elephant::sunny::flutterby:| ======================================================|

And the best way to save the planet, when you're not walking or riding a bike, is to enjoy where you're at! :sunny: And you'll save money, lots of it. So, invest in a new set of wheels, invest in a... New Grand Piano!!:elvis: You'll feel like a King:crown:, sitting in front of your very own John Lennon - Steinway & Sons or this one, styled with the sleek look of a classic Cris-Craft boat:mudkip:! Julianne - Steinway & Sons And if you prefer a Baldwin, with rich wood tones and richer sounds, Gibson.com: Baldwin M1 Or the top-selling Yamaha line:hat:, done in a fine black lacquer: C3 - C Series - Grand Pianos - Pianos & Keyboards - Musical Instruments - Products - Yamaha United States

OOH, my mistake, thanks Nick for clarifying that! I've seen the light-brown haired, blue-eyed Jesus in the Lutheran Church, that's right! So, that makes for an interesting story; the Israelites were then a wandering tribe, and they wandered all the way down from.... Denmark?:stunned: I did not know this! But it must be true, I've seen the painting. The winters were harsh, so they decided first to stay a while in Egypt because they had tasty dates there, and all got a good tan making bricks all day long in the sun. Ahh, it's starting to make sense! Jehovah works in mysterious ways.. Then, after a lengthy spell of wandering, they began their long trek north to lower right Jutland, but forgot their ships, so they settled on the coast of Judea. Hence, Jesus really is of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. Now why didn't I realize this sooner? Wow, this story beats Homer's Odyssey hands down. But isn't Chris Martin actually Jesus with shorter hair? I'll bet he is, he's just not very forthcoming with the details of his younger years. ;) He does have a following, and there is a Church of Chris Martin, so..

Imagine all the people, living life in peace.. whohoohooowooo, some say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. Some day you will join us, and the world will live as one. Imagine - John Lennon What is your favorite color?