Misspelling Conservatives Hold Well-Orchestrated "Protest" Against Obama

George Bush attracted thousands, tens of thousands and countless millions of protesters at various points during his Presidency. Barack Obama is only a little over a month into his term and already he has groups taking to the streets to protest his quest to stimulate the economy. Conservatives fear that by spending money on vital infrastructure programs and putting people to work, that Americans will see that government can work for them. That possibility has the potential to put the Grover Norquists and Pat Toomeys of the world out of power for decades. So what does a corporate-loving, poor-people loathing, bunch of elitist white guys do about this threat to their very existence?

Start a faux protest of course:

The extensive media coverage of the event was perhaps disproportionate to the actual size of the protests, which drew around 200 to 300 participants in most locations. The greatest turnout may have been in St. Louis, Missouri, where some 1000 people showed up. The protest was inspired by a rant against Obama's housing bailout plan delivered last week from the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade by CNBC's Rick Santelli, who denounced struggling homeowners as "losers." Planning moved ahead quickly, thanks to the use of YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, and especially Twitter.

Sounds exciting and "revolutionary," especially as the group tried to compare themselves to the founding fathers that dumped tea in Boston Harbor to protest a tax that they had no influence on (unlike now when the American people overwhelming elected Barack Obama to do exactly what he is on track to accomplish). The only problem with their grassroots endeavor was that it wasn't exactly "grassroots."

Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin calls the protesters "a fledgling grassroots movement." However, sociologist Eugenia Deerman, a student of conservative social movements, told the Christian Science Monitor, "I’m suspicious only because ... the conservative movement has repeatedly used this tactic of creating an appearance of grassroots activism when they’re actually very well orchestrated." Many progressives are also skeptical of the grassroots claim. For example, blogger Jeffrey Feldman points out that the Washington, DC sponsors of the events include such old-line anti-tax groups as Americans for Prosperity, Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform, the National Taxpayers Union, and FreedomWorks.

To people like Norquist and Toomey, smoke and mirrors is SOP without having any real, substantive movement behind them. Perhaps that is because Obama is planning on cutting taxes for 95% of Americans and raising them for the wealthy income earners and the special interest groups that represent them. Fighting progress must be hard, especially when you can only muster a few thousand people to protest the agenda that seventy million voters whole-heartedly endorsed this past November.

Differences Between Bush And Obama Seen On The Streets Of Ottawa

One could write a novel's worth of differences between our new President and the previous Executive. No matter the topic, you are bound to find a split in opinion between the two. That also goes for how the world sees the two men. While we as "free" Americans were allowed to protest Dubya in specially designated First Amendment zones, countries around the world would meet President Bush with a flood of protesters holding all sorts of anti-Bush signs and the passion to back it up.

Now that Barack Obama is traveling to his first foreign country (directly north of us), the atmosphere has decidedly changed:

Already, there’s been a noticeable difference in the way the Canadian public has received the two presidents. Bush was wildly unpopular in Canada. Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who supported the Iraq war (and later admitted it was a mistake), was lambasted by Canadians as supporting “Harper-Bush” policies. Not surprisingly, Bush’s visits to Canada spurred massive protests:

– “Thousands of protesters marched on Parliament Tuesday, rallying against President Bush’s visit and the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Twelve people were arrested after scuffling with police on the fringes of the peaceful demonstration.”[...]

“Early Crowds Await Obama,” the Toronto Star reads today. “American flags are being hung up around Ottawa in preparation” for Obama’s visit, reports the Ottawa Citizen. Some of the stories today:

– “Small groups of people gathered in the pre-dawn gloom on Parliament Hill in hopes of catching a glimpse of [Obama]. Not even a snowfall could deter diehard fans of the popular U.S. leader.”

– “With stars and stripes flapping in the wind, enamoured Canadians will line the streets of the capital today trying to catch a fleeting glimpse of U.S. President Barack Obama.”

Everyone had a hunch that Obama would be treated better around the world than Bush was, and now we have our first clear indication of that. Of course, it isn't some unexplained phenomenon. Barack Obama actually cares what the world thinks of us and is committed to being a nation among nations, unlike the Deciderer that came before him. "Change" wasn't just some empty rhetorical device that Republicans claim it was (since that is what they rely on to snatch up voters every two years). With an active citizenry pushing Congress and the President (that Obama encourages), we will see that change come to fruition in the next four to eight years, both here at home and abroad.

NYC Turns Out Against Bigotry And The Mormon Church

Last night New Yorkers who support human rights for all came up to Lincoln Center to protest their neighbor across Columbus Avenue. Only a few hundred feet away from the best of the arts is a church that has rallied for stripping gays of their right to marry whomever they choose and spent millions to do it. The ballot initiatives may have been in California, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas (gay adoption ban in this one) but that doesn't mean protests against their hateful ways will stop across the country.

From The NY Daily News:

Thousands of human rights advocates massed outside the Mormon Temple on the upper West Side Wednesday night to protest the church's vigorous role in banning California's same-sex marriages.

After some speechifying, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and entertainer Whoopi Goldberg led demonstrators on a flag-waving, drum-beating, slogan-chanting march to Columbus Circle.

The peaceful protest drew young and old, white and nonwhite, straight and gay, most of whom smiled and waved at spectators as they chanted things like, "Gay, straight, black, white, marriage is a civil right," and "separation of church and hate."

Officials at the Mormon Church feigned outrage at this and other protests outside their facilities. While they play "poor little me" the rest of us know and understand exactly how they put themselves into the public sphere and their actions that helped tens of thousands in California to lose their fundamental human rights. If they want to interject their hate and bigotry, they should understand they'll get a response.

Protest The Mormon Church Over Prop 8 Tonight In NYC!

The electoral battles over gay marriage and adoption were fought in several states outside of New York, but that does not mean the fight is over nor can New Yorkers do their part to protest for human rights and equality for all no matter what your sexual orientation. Tonight at the Mormon Church of New York City on Columbus and 65th from 6:30 til 8pm, hundreds if not thousands will come together to peacefully protest the Mormon Church's interference in the ballot issues and remind people of how they helped to curtail the rights of so many people that simply want the same treatment under the law as straight people.

Here's the organizer of the event, Corey Johnson to explain a few things about what this is all about (via Gothamist):

Apparently thousands are expected at tonight's protest. What do you have planned?
We can not emphasize enough that this is a peaceful protest. We will not respond to their hatred with hatred. There will be a picket line with signs and chanting and also speeches from community leaders.

Can you explain why Proposition 8 is hateful?
For the first time, a state Constitution has been amended to take away existing rights -- in this case, the right to marry. And this Prop. victory could invalidate more than 18,000 marriages that have happened in CA since June 17.

Why target the Mormon Church, rather than Catholics or other religious groups who oppose Prop 8?
The Mormon Church distinguished itself from all other anti-gay groups by getting their congregation to contribute more than $20 million in their campaign of homophobia which resulted in the passage of Prop. 8, thereby doing away with marriage equality for all.

There's a lot of anger at Mormons, do you think it's all justified?
The anger is not towards Mormons, but rather towards the leaders of the Mormon Church, who purposely spread lies about gays and lesbians to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred.

So yeah, it isn't about hating Mormons back for their church leaders' decisions. The protest is to create an awareness about what the church hierarchy's role was in all of this and to eventually get them out of the process where a tax-exempt religious institution infringes on another person's right to equal rights. Bigotry is ugly no matter where it pops up and where we see it, it is our duty to quash it. Today that is at the Mormon Church and that is where we'll go.

NYPD To Stop Intimidating Protesters With Cameras

Perhaps this comes with the end of the Bush Administration and their disrespect for the Constitution, but any good news about the NYPD is welcome. The memo from the top of New York City's police force is that they will stop videotaping protesters for the sake of documentation. For far too long after September 11th, our Constitutional right to have freedom of assembly was infringed upon and suppressed. Now we might be seeing brighter days ahead.

From Newsday:

The New York Police Department has stopped videotaping demonstrators at protests, ending a practice it had been trying to formalize since the 2004 Republican National Convention in Manhattan.

The decision was hailed by lawyers involved in the case as a victory for activist groups and New Yorkers who feel strongly about their right to protest without fear of winding up in a police dossier.

The NYPD, however, said it was never in the business of spying. "There was no political surveillance," says Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne.

The development is the latest in the decades-old Handschu case, a 1971 class action lawsuit that resulted in guidelines prohibiting police from investigating political groups unless a crime is happening or is about to happen.

Paul Browne is either an idiot or a liar, because surveillance of political protests is exactly what the NYPD was engaged in. Browne and his superiors may not hold high regard for the Bill of Rights, but it is a great day for those that do. Putting pressure on the NYPD for their un-Constitutional behavior is finally at an end. Of course, I fully expect the Police Department to find other ways of intimidating citizens (such as billy-clubbing bicyclists) who want to take to the streets to protest, so in no way is the battle between the NYPD and activists over.

Going After Henry Kravis

People like Henry Kravis is one wealthy bastard that would rather not be seen or heard. The decisions he makes helps to spread the gap between the rich and the poor. Personally he earns more money in an hour than most Americans make in an entire year. So that is why the SEIU got together this past Thursday to send him a letter and protest outside of his offices at KKR here in Manhattan:

McCain Protested By PA Workers

I wonder what type of voters John McCain was trying to sway in the swing state of Pennsylvania when he visited a company that grossly neglects their workers:

Protests Over Sean Bell Verdict Today, How Will The NYPD Respond?

Today a sizeable portion of the community will come out and address a serious problem in our city and our country by protesting one example of our national dilemma. Racism is still alive and well in the United States, despite having someone of color as the Democratic nominee (almost). The death of Sean Bell and the resulting "Not Guilty" verdict stunk to high hell and reminded Americans of the realities of race in our nation. Today the community will speak, pray and protest that outcome in our legal system.

From The NY Daily News:

Prayers and protests by Sean Bell supporters could turn Wednesday's evening commute into a New York nightmare.

Led by the Rev. Al Sharpton, the demonstrators have chosen six spots around the city - that also happen to be near key transit locations - to stage "pray-ins" aimed at getting the attention of the feds.

The protesters will begin mobilizing at 3 p.m., and simultaneous demonstrations will be staged in front of federal buildings in Chicago and Atlanta, where the Bell tragedy has also sparked outrage among African-Americans.

Sharpton insisted the demonstrations will be peaceful, but he's willing to get arrested to protest the acquittal of the three cops who gunned Bell down on his wedding day in a 50-bullet barrage.

Sharpton is a controversial figure in our society, but the people who are protesting with him are not. They are Americans, just like everyone else that lives in these 50 states. They want the same things as the rest of us. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are rights that should be afforded to everyone, but they weren't to Sean Bell. Then justice for him and his family were thrown out the window as well. If our government isn't going to give that to him, then the people must take it for themselves.

Riots aren't the answer, they never are, though sometimes they happen to vent the rage that simmers under the surface of society. Today though, many will peacefully protests and cause some traffic jams in our city and others. If the police think that is something to arrest people over considering what they are protesting, then their image is going to continue to be tattered. Bloomberg said no one's rights will be violated, but we'll see if the NYPD follows that starting at 3pm this afternoon.

Protest Cheney Today In NYC For Being Cheney

Known endearingly as Darth Vader and looking like the Joker from Batman, gun-toting, sneering and all-around vile Dick Cheney is sticking around New York City for another day after sending the Pope off on his way back to Italy. Why on Earth would Dick hang around a liberal town like ours for any longer than necessary? Well, its to raise money on the bi-partisanly (sp?) rich Upper East Side for the anti-troop, anti-Staten Island Republican Congressman Vito Fossella that supposedly represents the borough.

From The NY Times:

The event is likely to boost financing significantly for Mr. Fossella’s bid for another term as the only Republican member of Congress from New York City. His district covers Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

Democrats contend that Mr. Fossella’s continued support of the war in Iraq has put him out of touch with the district. Furthermore, they say, Staten Island has been hit hard by the nation’s mortgage crisis and health care has deteriorated.

The fund-raiser for Mr. Fossella will be at the Upper East Side home of David H. Koch, the billionaire executive vice president of Koch Industries, a company with major oil and gas holdings.

The oil and gas industry, thats a real shocker. Cheney is so versatile, even though he specialized in war-profiteering at Halliburton, he is still good enough to help out those that harm the environment in other ways than waging outright wars. Cheney's appearance suggests that Fossella is going to need some strong support to keep his NY-13 seat and that is because he is being challenged by a strong candidate.

That man is Steve Harrison (though there is supposedly another challenger named Dominic Recchia) and he is fighting to change Staten Island for the better and represent them in Washington with the progressive values that they deserve. So while you can go protest this morning at 10 AM outside the apartment Dick and Vito are at (710 Park Avenue @71st St.) the best way one can express their outrage at Cheney and simultaneously the Republicans in the House is to make a donation to Steve Harrison and then sign up to help out!

Bombing The Army Recruiters Isn't Going To Stop The War

While most of the city slept, someone thought it would be a bright idea to detonate a small explosive outside the army recruiting office in Times Square. Obviously the bomber did not want to harm anyone due to the timing, so that was nice. Besides his thoughtfulness for passerbys, this guy or gal is a Grade-A moron. Obviously fueled by hatred for the military, this was their way of expressing that anger. Well, whoever you are, that is not the way we are going to stop the war, just in case you thought it would do anything to stop anything at all. As the photo shows, some glass was shattered and that was that.

While I am in favor of non-violent protest, I must condemn this cowardly act. Not only does it do squat for the anti-war crowd (which is a majority of the country I might add), it angers most Americans and riles the pro-war fanatics up, using incidents like these to say that anyone against the war is a wacko that hates America. That may or may not be the case for this bomber, but I assure it is not for the great majority of us that have opposed Bush and his war since he started talking it up publicly in 2002.

So to all you pro-war people that are left out there, if there is any sanity left in your heads, remember this is an act of one man or woman and that is that.

Jesse To March On Wall St

The subprime mortgage disaster has been picking up speed in the press...as well as it is beginning to hurt the large banks. Thanks to people like Jesse Jackson, the crisis will also remind us that the worst effects are on the people who have had to foreclose on their homes, and those that might have to in the future. Jesse plans to march on Wall Street and bring the spotlight to the industry that has helped bring about this crisis.

From The Daily Politics:

The Rev. Jesse Jackson came to City Hall today to tout his Dec. 10 march/rally on Wall Street in hopes of pressuring big lenders to focus on, as he puts it, “restructuring, not repossession,” in hopes of staving off massive foreclosure crisis he believes could send the national into another Great Depression.

Jackson also announced support of Council resolution 1112 which “denounces” foreclosures precipitated by subprime and predatory lending and in support of federal and state legislation that regulates lenders and assists borrowers.

Denouncing the practice of foreclosing is not enough. We need real change and real regulation to prevent Wall Street from doing so much damage to middle class homeowners here in New York and across the country. With the $38 billion in Christmas bonuses that the industry is receiving this year, it is time to give those billions back and reimburse the all of their victims...at least those that have been foreclosed on.

If you have time on December 10th, put those marching boots on and stand against the corporate banking giants.

Come Walk Through The Crowd

My own little video footage from the protest today here in NYC:

I Don't Know Who Will Stop The Rain But The Rain Won't Stop Us

I had to leave before the protest got down to Foley Square, but I must say that despite the rainy weather, hundreds if not thousands came out to support UFPJ's fight against the Bush regime and the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly in Iran. Most people met up on the north side of Union Square where the band was playing alongside the shoppers at the Farmer's market. Other groups met on Broadway between 17th and 23rd.

It was good to see so many people get together to oppose this terrible war and it helps prove that the American people want this mess to end. See the pictures below:


The cops were there early and waiting


The main stage at 17th and B'way


Protesters even came in chains


Code Pink was out in the rain and showed strong support


Who better to quote protest songs from than Bob Dylan

Put On Your Rainboots And March To End The War!

Yes, it is a little wet out in the NYC area this morning, as it probably is down in D.C. as well. But that is no reason to stop you from dressing up for the weather and coming out to protest our President and his misbegotten war. This may not be the 60s and we aren't facing a draft (yet) but civilians in Iraq and our troops are dying, it is still serious business. For those of you that are blasé about walking the streets and chanting "hey hey, ho ho, George Bush has got to go," read this excellent post by Meteor Blades over at DailyKos.

There are plenty of groups meeting at 11am in the Union Square area and will start to march at noon from 23rd and B'Way down to Foley Square. After much internal debate I'm going to leave the suit and tie off and put on some more comfortable gear to march with the Democracy For New York City group. They're all ex-Deaniacs (like myself) and if you want to check them out, see more here.

Last time, don't be lazy people. Get outside and do something about this war. Protesting will not end the war tomorrow, but as Meteor Blades said, it is an important tool in our arsenal against the dictatorial George Bush.

Peaceful Protesting Still Gets You Arrested In NYC

Things didn't get out of hand like some incidents back in 2004 when the GOP held their convention here (I wonder why they held it in the same city as 9/11, hmmm) but the police decided to arrest protesters today anyways. Bush was speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, mouthing off his usual bullshit in the hall him and his followers detest so much. A few hundred people gathered to protest that BS and the NYPD chose to be....well, the NYPD.

From AM New York:

About a dozen anti-war protesters were arrested Tuesday during a peaceful demonstration of President Bush's speech before the U.N. General Assembly.

The arrestees were among about 400 people opposing the Bush Administration's war in Iraq, and its incarceration in Guantanamo Bay of more than 300 men on suspicion of terrorism or links to al-Qaida or the Taliban. Many in the crowd wore orange jumpsuits in solidarity with the Guantanamo detainees.

The arrested demonstrators were taken into custody by police after kneeling on the sidewalk in an act of civil disobedience at the rally near the United Nations. One of them, 58-year-old Bill Ofenloch of Manhattan, said they were trying to serve an "arrest warrant" on Bush for "high crimes against humanity."

The police should have followed the protesters advice. Protesting the President is part of our basic freedoms. When our leaders are acting against our own best interests (or any interests at all) it is more than our right, it is our duty to speak out. In this day and age the authorities barely allow protest, they use fear and intimidation, from wearing riot gear to treating peaceful protesters as if they were actually rioting.

The police presence is overwhelming at the U.N. Even from my vantage point at 28th and 2nd Ave, their helicopters emit an unending noise to remind us that we should behave. Well, until the President behaves, the NYPD and the President shouldn't expect us to either.

Aussies Prefer Bums To Bush

This is what Australians think of our President. If you don't like seeing bare Aussie arses, you may not want to click play:

This Is What Democracy Looks Like In 2007

Lessons In Lunacy: Hillary Fundraiser Delayed By A Coffin

Protester Steven Pierce made a big impact in the lives of Hillary and her supporters in Sacramento the other day. He placed an empty coffin on the side of the street near a private fundraiser, prompting the bomb squad to come out and investigate. After two hours of waiting in the street people paying to see Mrs. Clinton had to walk through brush to enter the house from the back. The event finally took place, but not before the local media got this footage:

UMass Gives It To Andy Card

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst may have given former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card an honorary degree, but students and faculty had other ideas. As he was awarded the degree, the crowd booed him, along with some faculty on the stage, managing to drown out the Chancellor's presentation.

From The Huffington Post:

AMHERST, Mass. — President Bush's former chief of staff Andrew Card was loudly booed by hundreds of students and faculty members as he rose to accept an honorary degree at the University of Massachusetts on Friday.

The boos and catcalls _ including those from faculty members who stood onstage with Card _ drowned out Provost Charlena Seymour's remarks as she awarded the honorary doctorate in public service. Protesters claim Card lied to the American people in the early days of the Iraq war and should not have been honored at the graduate student commencement.

Card smiled slightly while Seymour spoke and raised his hand in thanks, then sat down without speaking.

What the &%@# was he smiling at? He knew he didn't deserve the degree. He has no honor and does not deserve a graduate degree in anything other than destroying the Constitution. He recently made the news again when James Comey testified that Card went to John Ashcroft's hospital bedside to manipulate him into approving illegal wiretapping. Andrew Card is a sinister human being that should be in jail for his crimes, not given a bullshit degree from any University.

May Day: The Holiday Most Of Us Forget

To many of us, May Day is one of those weird mentions on the calendar as we start the new month. To others however, it is a celebration for the struggle of the common worker. The people that make America hum. Many rights have been won for workers over the last 120 years. But then in the last seven years so many of them have been cut by the Bush Administration. So we continue to fight, and protest for fair treatment for all laborers throughout the country and around the world.

Here in New York City there will be a huge demonstration at Union Square this afternoon at 4pm. There was a tremendous presence last year and we hope to see it again today. After people assemble there will be a march downtown to Foley Square. If you have some time this afternoon, come out and support the cause. You might find a lot more than just a protest, as I did last year at the event. And if you aren't in New York, check this site to see what else is going on around the U.S.