2011 October

The trouble with Monsanto and GMO – Dr David Suzuki spells it out

October 16, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 118 Comments

In honor of World Food Day, I thought it was important to take a look at the issue of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). I’ve been asked why we’re writing so much about Monsanto and GMO.
I’m not a geneticist. If I say “We don’t know enough about this,” I’m just one guy. So I’ll let a geneticist answer those questions. But David Suzuki is one of the top geneticists in the world, and he says,
“Because we aren’t certain about the effects of GMOs, we must consider one of the guiding principles in science, the precautionary principle. Under this principle, if a policy or action could harm human health or the environment, we must not proceed until we know for sure what the impact will be. And it is up to those proposing the action or policy to prove that it is NOT harmful.”

Pages: 1 2 3 4

Times Square occupied! Police threaten arrests… of thousands?

October 15, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 1 Comment

As part of a global day of protest, tens of thousands of Occupy Wall Street protesters filled New York’s Times Square to capacity this afternoon.
But word is coming in that the New York Police Department have told the demonstrators they must disperse or face arrest. We’ll keep updating this minute-by-minute as news comes in.

DON’T close your Citibank account today. They’re arresting people.

October 15, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 95 Comments

In what can only be the stupidest public relations move in corporate history, financial behemoth Citibank reacted to customers trying to close their accounts today by… bringing in a ton of cops and having them arrested.
Even in the dark days of the 1930s and the great depression, when there were actual panics and bank runs, nobody tried such a spectacularly stupid move.

Why we occupy: The Story of Citizens United – Why Democracy Only Works When People Are In Charge

October 15, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 4 Comments

The story of citizens united vs FEC, or Democracy only works when the people are in charge

One thing keeps cropping up as people talk about Occupy Wall Street and why they’re so angry: Corporations have complete dominance of the political process. Thanks to the Supreme Court overturning 90 years of precedent and tossing out all restrictions on corporate political contributions, they can now spend unlimited amounts of money to elect or defeat any politician they choose.

Didn’t know that corporate campaign spending had been turned into a giant free-for-all? That was the Citizens United decision, which changed our political system in huge ways, and it’s why a lot of us are going out today and marching for a society in which people have as much say as corporations.

Going to an Occupy Wall Street protest tomorrow? Read this EFF guide to your cellphone security & rights

October 15, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 2 Comments

Occupy Wall Street has called for a global day of action on October 15, and protesters are mobilizing all over the world. In the United States, the Occupy Wall Street movement has already spawned sizeable protests in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, Austin, and other cities. Several of these movements have faced opposition from their local police departments, including mass arrests.
Protesters of all political persuasions are increasingly documenting their protests — and encounters with the police — using electronic devices like cameras and cell phones. The following tips apply to protesters in the United States who are concerned about protecting their electronic devices when questioned, detained, or arrested by police. These are general guidelines; individuals with specific concerns should talk to an attorney.

Pages: 1 2 3

Saturday, October 15: Occupy Wall Street, Occupy the planet!

October 14, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 3 Comments

Here we go… the Occupy Wall Street movement has called for a global day of action on Saturday, October 15th.
With events happening in more than 1500 cities around the country = and the world – YOU can get in on the action as well!
We provide links and more information… come check it out!

Arguing With Your Crazy Uncle About Climate Change

October 14, 2011 By Guest Contributor 6 Comments

climate_create_a_better_world_for_nothing

Forget “left-versus-right.” Or even arguments over taxes. The centerpiece of our current Phase Three of the American Civil War is the all-out campaign to discredit science.

Pages: 1 2

Cops go nuts after Bloomberg backs down

October 14, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 3 Comments

The movement that started it all, on Wall Street’s marble doorstep, rejoiced this morning after Mayor Bloomberg backed down from his order for them to unilaterally disarm.
But some people’s feelings must have been hurt… as a couple of “White Shirt” police got nasty on demonstrators. A legal observer was run over by a scooter and arrested for trying to get it off his foot; another cop was filmed punching a protester from behind.

Crackdowns continue on Occupy Wall Street

October 13, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 3 Comments

Actions continued today and overnight. There were crackdowns or arrests in Portland, Seattle, San Diego, Austin, Gainsville, and a massive police raid in Denver. But the big question was: What will happen in the morning at the original Occupy Wall Street, just steps from New York City’s financial district, which faces a 7 am deadline from Mayor Bloomberg….

Calvin and Hobbes explain Occupy Wall Street

October 13, 2011 By Jeremy Bloom 2 Comments

Why do people not get Occupy Wall Street? Does anyone really believe that the banks are perfectly blameless, and the only problem with our economy is a bunch of slobs who are too lazy to work?
Even twenty years go, the problems inherent in American business could be easily reduced to a twelve-panel comic strip… and as usual, Calvin and Hobbes nails it perfectly.