CNN iReport - Most Commented

Federal Police Charge at Occupy DC

ebecker2000 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:18:47 GMT

A face off between the United States Park Police, enforcing a no camping regulations at McPherson Park in Washington DC, and Occupiers fearful that the police could not be trusted as they moved toward the main Occupy Library. So the Occupiers sat down ready for arrest, but instead of arrest, the Police formed a moving scrimmage line in the front, and sides - narrowing the escape route in part blocked by people sitting down. The Police charge to push through. In the mayhem, a women screams, people panic and some are trampled Some officers may have broken ranks and charged ahead but in all fairness the one caught in this video pushing against the women was one of the main commanders. who is caught in this video lunging ahead with his baton against the woman's back, she is pushed on to the fallen camera person who was taking this video.

Opinion- Komen needs to reassess

RichardLovet — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:46:45 GMT

Recently Susan G Komen For the Cure announced that it has ended its funding for the Breast Cancer Screening and education services of Planned Parenthood.

As one of the Past Presidents of the Vermont and New Hampshire Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure I am writing this note to express my disbelief that the Komen Board would take such an action. I have been active in Komen as a Grants Chair, an affiliate Vice President, and an affiliate President. I have supported Komen as a runner, as contributor. My name has appeared on the back of Komen t shirts proudly worn by men, women, and children who have joined the fight against this horrible illness.

I am an oncologist here in Vermont, I am one of the past chairs of the Vermont Cancer Plan. I am the son of a breast cancer survivor. I have a wife and three daughters, all of which have supported the Komen cause.

Why did we do it?

Komen was the preeminent Breast cancer charity. Komen funded research, education, screening, and support for the millions of women who suffer, have suffered, or will suffer from this disease. As grant chair, we in Vermont have funded grants to organizations who have helped countless women and men with breast cancer. We have never let politics play a role in our decision process. We have helped women in all walks of life, women in all social circles, women in all economic groups.

Why do we do this?

Breast cancer affects all women, all men. Breast cancer affects one out of 8 women. Breast cancer affects families, it affects husbands, children. It affects men who suffer with it. It affects communities, it affects schools when teachers have breast cancer, it affects governments when politicians have breast cancer.

In short, BREAST CANCER AFFECTS US ALL. IT AFFECTS DEMOCRATS, IT AFFECTS REPUBLICANS, IT AFFECTS LIBERALS, IT AFFECTS CONSERVATIVES, IT AFFECTS US ALL REGARDLESS OF IDEOLOGY.

Susan G Komen For the Cure must reevaluate its decision to end funding for the majority of breast cancer services done by Planned Parenthood. Regardless of political considerations, Komen must support women with breast cancer and not let ideology dictate who should live and who should die.

Komen must reevaluate and change this decision to end funding of this organization which does so much to support the health of so many breast cancer patients.

Susan G Komen For The Cure Foundation Funding Cut To Plan Parenthood A Travesty

EWillies1961 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:21:55 GMT

The Susan G Komen Foundation For The Cure funding cut to Plan Parenthood is a travesty. This is politics that materially affects our low income women. These funds were used to provide women with breast exams. It is presumed that the funds were cut under political pressure because Planned Parenthood uses a minute percentage of its budget for abortions. One can only wonder if this was an issue that affected men if it would even be an issue.

My Book– Follow Me– Visit Me

I Ride Inside

Bellydancer — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:28:47 GMT

As we watch the turmoil the GOP Party finds itself in - I would like to remind those who are inclined who see Romney as the Nominee, of the incredible lack of decency he has displayed in the past as a pet owner.

While I had heard bits and pieces of the tale of Seamus the Irish Setter, it was just recently I read the whole story.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-08/news/30605151_1_romney-family-mitt-romney-dog

“As the oldest son, Tagg Romney commandeered the way-back of the wagon, keeping his eyes fixed out the rear window, where he glimpsed the first sign of trouble. ‘Dad!’ he yelled. ‘Gross!’ A brown liquid was dripping down the back window, payback from an Irish setter who’d been riding on the roof in the wind for hours.

As the rest of the boys joined in the howls of disgust, Romney coolly pulled off the highway and into a service station. There, he borrowed a hose, washed down Seamus and the car, then hopped back onto the highway. It was a tiny preview of a trait he would grow famous for in business: emotion-free crisis management.”

Ok, let me get this straight - rather than Board the family pet - Mr.Cool strapped it's carrier to the roof of the car - where it sat for a 12 hour (one way) trip.

I could care less about his party affiliation or his Religion. What I do care about is this example of how Romney would treat the most vulnerable member of his family. When we choose to bring a pet into our home - we are responsible for their care and well being. They are dependent on us. To strap a dog to the roof of a car is irresponsible and callous. And to try and laugh it off on the campaign trail by saying that the dog "...rather enjoyed the fresh air" is..asinine.

Wow, GOP. With a platform attacking everything from Birth Control ,Child Labor, the Unemployed, the Middle Class to a President that actually eliminated Bin Ladin, one might think they'd serve up some real Candidates with a real plan. Instead you have Angry Grinch, Rev. Santorum and Mitt Griswald.

Good Luck with that.

Man Destroys Daughter's Laptop as Punishment

PCHater01 — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:33:46 GMT

A man posts a YouTube video of himself firing his pistol into his 15 year old daughter's laptop. Tommy Jordan of Albemarle, NC found a nasty post on his daughter's facebook condemning her parents for making her do chores. Jordan found the post while he was spending money upgrading her laptop the way she wanted it. Is it really so awful that we have our kids do chores? In the video he posted on Facebook, Jordan read the entire post by his daugher, responded to it by explaining the chores she is required to do. Did not seem like that much at all. Then he ends the video by firing nine rounds from his .45 into the laptop and explains to her that she can have a laptop when she can buy a laptop.

At this time the video has almost 3 million views, and with almost 107 thousand likes and only 8 thousand dislikes Jordan is receiving a 93% approval rating. That is a grade of an A by any standard and any politician wishes they could get approval ratings like that. The vast majority of comments on both the YouTube video and his Facebook page are in support of his actions. This support has come from everybody, adults and teenagers.

Are kids entitled to anything they want? Are they entitled to a laptop? I always thought that as far as material possession the only thing kids are entitled to is a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs, and food to eat. Perhaps this is a result of the entitlement minded society we seem to be making for ourselves.

Here is the whole video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzRidmU

Here is his Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/tommyjordaniii

My Annual Superbowl Sunday Rant Against Football

rosehips — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:33:46 GMT

I'm not a football fan. I think football needs new rules. Head butts should not be allowed. Any impact to the head can be potentially dangerous and should be banned from all sports.

I just read this interesting post on Scientific American's website. It's on their "60 Minute Mind" blog. I'll paste it in entirety because it is short.

60 Minute Mind:

"As you watch the Patriots and Giants smash into each other Sunday, consider this.

For two years researchers studied head impacts among 24 high school football players. They compared helmet-sensor data with brain imaging scans, along with cognitive tests. And they found that it’s not just a single blow to the head that causes concussion—it can also be the cumulative effect of multiple blows. The last impact is then the last straw for an already compromised brain. The research is in the Journal of Biomechanics.

Players received from 200 to nearly 1,900 hits to the head in one season, and sensors recorded impact forces of 20 to 100 Gs.

Of the players studied, six were officially concussed. But 17 more showed brain changes in areas associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease known to affect concussed players. The brain scans also revealed that players relied on different strategies than did most people during cognitive tests, due to a reduction in their functional abilities.

Other studies have shown that once a player suffers a concussion, they are four times more likely to sustain a second one. But concussion or not, repeated blows to the head take their toll.

—Christie Nicholson"

http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=more-than-one-blow-for-a-concussion-12-02-04

My cousin played pro football and my grandmother's cousin was the great boxing announcer, Don Dunphy. But I think boxing should be banned altogether. I don't think you can box without causing brain damage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Dunphy

photo credit:

012709concussion2_54304a.jpg

Thanks for reading!

I hope this doesn't double post. It didn't seem to take the first time, so I'm trying again...

Stay Cute and Shut Up

PCHater01 — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:38:48 GMT

For those that do not know, Gisele Bundchen, supermodel and wife of New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady ripped his teammates for dropping passes late in the game. "My husband cannot f**kin throw the ball and the ball at he same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times," she said. It was captured on video by theinisder.com website.

http://www.theinsider.com/gossip/49452_Gisele_Bashes_Tom_s_Teammates/

Enter runningback, Brandon Jacobs, who said that Bundchen should "stay cute and shut up."

Brandon Jacobs is right. We have a saying in the military. "Scan your lane." It means you worry about your business and do not overstep your status, position, or rank. Does she even know what a football is? Probably not.

Some chicks are in an uproar over this. So am I. Bandon Jacobs forgot to add, "and get back in the kitchen."

Marcellus Shale Reality Tour Part 3 EPA comes to Dimock

ScottCannon — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:39:55 GMT

This is an interview with a resident of Dimock who's water was contaminated by Cabot Oil and Gas, as well as an Trhish Taylor, EPA spokesperon overseeing water testing in the area.

2012- A Choice Between Capitalism and Socialism? Mythonomics-Part Two

Liberty1955 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:39:20 GMT

"The appeal of Republican economic policy rests on a set of myths that sound really good. They are completely false.

We must choose between capitalism and socialism!

Freedom or state control. Laissez-faire free markets vs. communism, fascism, Nazism, welfare-stateism. Well, gosh-a-roony, that’s like choosing between good and evil, happiness and misery, ice cream and boiled leeks.

But even in prisons, where the power of the state is at its maximum, people are producing and servicing, buying and selling, on a market basis. There’s no such thing as a pure free market. Or pure communism. Belief in either is theology.

All economies, in reality, are mixed economies.

Capitalist economies succeed, socialist economies fail!
It is true that in the great war between the Soviets and the West, the Eastern Bloc fell and the capitalists thrived. But the Weimar Republic, Czarist Russia, Nationalist China, Batista’s Cuba, and Vietnam were all capitalist countries. They all failed.

When the Right rails against socialism today, they rail against France, Germany, Sweden, and Finland. Which are doing very well, thank you very much. They’re mixed economies.

Government and business are in opposition.
Government is necessary to group existence.

If there no government, or not much government, or a weak government, whoever has money will act to create one. They’ll even build their own towns, with their own rules and their own police, as all sorts of companies did during the Industrial Revolution.

Or move to strengthen government.

By 1924 prominent [German] industrialists and financiers were secretly giving substantial sums to the Nazis. In 1931 members of the Coal Owners’ Association pledged themselves to pay 50 pfennigs for each ton of coal sold to go to the organization that Hitler was building.
—US Senate Committee Subcommittee on War Mobilization, 1945

Money will always attempt to influence and control government. From 1998 to 2010, the finance, insurance, and real estate sector in America spent $4.25 billion on official lobbying activities. That does not include campaign contributions.

Government jobs are not real jobs.

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee until recently, said that. Next time you’re stopped by a state trooper, tell him so. If you run into a couple of Marines passing through the airport, let them know. When you go to your next parent-teacher meeting, make it clear.

Only the market makes good production choices.

“Real Jobs, Fake Jobs,” posted on the Ludwig Van Mises Institute website, includes a standard version of this argument. Mises is sort of Ayn Rand without the ripped bodices and swooning heiresses.

The point of jobs is for people to work toward providing goods and services that are valued by the marketplace. If there is no consumer-driven demand for the things people are doing, their jobs are nothing more than waste. It does nothing for society if everyone is employed building pyramids or speculative bubbles. "

by Larry Beinhart

That's what Republicans advocate.

More of the same. This is supposed to put people back to work? We need to make things again, build things again and invest in an infrastructure and in the education of our people.

Research and innovation is how we will again regain the high road, not by downsizing every social safety net and paying off debt to countries such as China.

The wealthy gave away the store , our jobs and manufacturing so they could make a fast buck in slave labor colonies. We must take back control from the elite and those politicians that are anything but patriotic."

http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2011/4/View+From+the+Top/Beinhart-s-Body-Politic-Mythonomics

Occupy Oakland's: Move In Day

dinalee — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:19:52 GMT

On Friday January 28th Occupy Oakland held an event called Move In Day. The original plan was to march to a building, who's locale was never published, and occupy it. However their plans were thwarted by heavy police presence, so they regrouped at Frank Ogawa plaza aka Oscar Grant plaza. After several "mic checks" plans were once again made, so they took to the streets. Marching through Oakland the protesters were always followed by the police until Oakland PD made the decision to trap them on a street and arrest as many of them as possible. At least 150 were then arrested. I narrowly escaped arrest because the employee's of the local YMCA allowed us to enter the building and escape through the back door. Occupy Oaklanders were constantly followed by the police. Teargas, smoke bombs and flash bangs were set-off constantly. At least 200 Occupy Oaklanders managed to escape the arrest pen, and they once again regrouped at Frank Ogawa plaza. But instantly they all realized the doors to Oakland City Hall were left open. So they entered it, and it got messed up bad. There was no security at the doors of City Hall. An American flag was set on fire in front of Oakland City Hall. There had been several injuries during the actions, and at least 300 total have been arrested. Oakland City officials are going on the record stating the protests are hurting them financially. And the 99'ers say FIX THE ECONOMY, and HELP THE POOR. More actions are planned. I reported this action via updates on my Facebook profile. https://www.facebook.com/dinaboyer

IF?! MITT'S POOR PROBLEM

dpkronmiller — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:39:21 GMT

My reaction to Mitt Romney's remarks today regarding the "very very poor".

More from me at:
www.themiddlenation.com

Catholic Church OK with Pedophiles, But Not the Pill...Hypocrisy In the "Higher Than Thou"

Liberty1955 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:38:51 GMT

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week rejected a request by Catholic groups to be exempt from a requirement under health care reform to cover contraception and sterilization, practices their religious teachings oppose.

The administration has given religious groups a year to abide by the law, which women's rights groups support.

"We were hoping our religious convictions so deeply held would be reflected," O'Brien said during his first public appearance since his appointment to the College of Cardinals. He described President Barack Obama, who talked about working together in his State of the Union speech the night before, as unwilling to compromise."

So, the Catholic Church vehemently fights against allowing birth control to be covered in the Health care they provide workers at hospitals and Universities, but brushes the many allegations of Catholic Priest's sexual abuse cases under the rug- a little pay off here and there and back to business as usual.

And let's not kid ourselves about the Church. It's a business.

Yes, they do many things to help everyone. But how much wealth is in the cellar of the Vatican? And where did it all come from? Do they do all of what they could for "the least among us"?

Separation of church and state? OK. Then stay out of politics and our bedrooms. Then maybe we'll have more compassion for the church and what they claim to be about than they show for compassion for their workers and women's needs. Are intelligent women still as much of a threat to the church as they were during the church's "witch hunts"?

Most American Catholic women use birth control. They ignore the dictates of Rome on many issues that the church still believe are relevant.

Where in the Bible does it say God's against birth control?

It's time for this medieval church to join the 21ST Century. We can eat pork now because we know about cooking it thoroughly. Birth control is science not witchcraft or magic.

And being a pedophile is more wrong than taking the pill. Where's the Catholic's outrage over that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church_sex_abuse_scandal

Federal birth control ruling upsets religious groups

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-01-25/health/bs-hs-religion-and-birth-control-20120123_1_religious-groups-health-care-reform-religious-teachings

So Obama wants equal rights for all and the GOP pander to a church that's out of touch with reality. Any one read about the Catholic Church's Crusades?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades

He who is without sin...LOL..The Catholic Church?

Experts to Bishops: Pedophiles Lie, Trust Victims

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/bishops-told-pedophiles-lie-victims-heard-15527747

Clint Eastwood critics show what's wrong in American politics

omekongo — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:56:45 GMT

The fact that Clint Eastwood made a pro-America ad during the presidency of a democrat is not something that is worth of all of the negative attention it has been receiving. Eastwood's record is solid as it relates to who he has supported over the years so leave him alone. We shouldn't always have to wait until a time of crisis to come together as a country. I applaud him for this ad and others should too.

As deadline passes, Occupy DC defy Park Police

armandog8 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:45:20 GMT

As the deadline for all sleeping gear to be taken out of the camp passed, Occupy DC protesters erected a big tent over Gen. McPherson's statue at McPherson square. Chief police visited the installation for a quick check on the tent but no arrests have been made, yet.

To be continued...

*New material will be uploaded soon.

Occupy the NRC

rosehips — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:08:48 GMT

A week ago I argued that nuclear power was essentially "dead" in the US. Cost overruns and continued problems of waste disposal, factored in with aging nuke plants and post Fukushima anxiety, seemed to have nailed the last spike into the coffin.

Today I write just two days after the NRC announced it will issue permits for new construction of nuclear reactors in the state of Georgia. All I can say is "What the fuku are they thinking?"

This is an obvious political move and it seems ill conceived. Recent reports have been all bad regarding nuke construction worldwide. Accidents & incidents at nuke plants around the US are on the uptick. Instead of building new nuke plants, the industry has been extending the life of older ones. Thus, the increase in accidents.

One member of the NRC, Gregory Jaczko, voted against the permits. Politico quotes him: "There are significant safety enhancements that have already been recommended as a result of learning the lessons from Fukushima, and there's still more work ahead of us," Jaczko said shortly after the vote at NRC headquarters in Rockville, Md. "Knowing this, I cannot support issuing this license as if Fukushima had never happened."

In December, members of Occupy Toledo crossed the border from Ohio into Michigan to attend an NRC public meeting to express outrage at the disregard for public safety shown by the NRC by promoting construction of a nuke plant along the shores of Lake Erie.

During "Mic Check" the Occupy protesters repeated these words:
.
<b>Where as the Nuclear Regulatory commission Region 3 has a clear record of putting profit and production ahead of health and safety.

Where as there is no way to dispose of high level radioactive waste Safely.

Where as the worst nuclear disaster in history at Fukushima has reminded the world of the dangers that Nuclear Energy poses to us all.

Where as the NRC is attempting to play a manipulative numbers game using grossly exaggerated and fraudulent projections for Michigan Electric Usage in this Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Whereas The NRC cannot be trusted to protect the citizens of the Great Lakes and the Lake Erie Basin.

We denounce this ridiculous public meeting as nothing but a DOG and Pony Show prioritizing the profits of Detroit Edison over the health and safety of the citizens of this region and the natural environment.

Furthermore we find you, the representatives of the NRC, criminally responsible for endangering the citizens of this region with your ridiculous Environmental Impact Statement.

We will do everything in our power to stop this plant from being built. We are the 99 percent.</b>

An interesting fact from the Counterpunch article by Michael Leonardi of Occupy Toledo is that David Axelrod, Obama's campaign communications director, has worked as a consultant for the Excelon corporation in the past. They are the largest nuclear power owner in the US. And don't forget Jeffrey Immelt of GE. He's a White House insider and, of course, a nuclear advocate.

Somewhere I read this week that this decision is payback for a big supporter in the nuclear industry of Obama's last presidential campaign. I'm having a hard time finding the source right now.

In conclusion, I will say that my declaration that "nukes are dead" remains. That the permits were issued is a political move and it is being contested in court by 9 environmental groups. Even if the permits stand, I don't think these plants will ever be completed. It's too costly. Furthermore, the Energy Dept has no business backing these loans. It's a bad gamble. Do they want another Solydra debacle?

I encourage free expression at NRC public meetings.

Occupy the NRC. Stop the insanity.

http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/12/19/occupy-the-nrc/

Dissenting NRC member (and photo credit):

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/72680.html

Lawsuit against the NRC:

http://www.cleanenergy.org/index.php?/Press-Update.html?form_id=8&item_id=269

Thanks for reading!

9th Circuit Rules Prop 8 Unconstitutional!

k3vsDad — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:16:15 GMT

It is only a battle that was won today, not the end of the war. A 3-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that Proposition 8 violated the US Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.

While a limited ruling, it does mean that at least in the 9th Circuit states, especially California, same-gender marriage will be legal.

Whether the Court issues a stay to allow for appeals to the Supreme Court has not yet been determined. If no stay is put in place, Californian same-gender couples may once again may apply for and be allowed to marry.

This is a victory. One that those within the gay community and those who support equal rights and benefits for all. However, as I said last night, don't pop the cork on the champagne just yet. There's still a long way to go.

From the Cornfield, I couldn't be more pleased with the 9th Circuit ruling that there was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause in California.

The Economic Case Against Nukes

rosehips — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:23:46 GMT

It's becoming increasingly clear that nuclear power is dead in the U.S. and much of the world. Costs continue to mount in the wake of Fukushima, and the economic viability of this energy source is pretty dismal. Cost overruns and continued uncertainty about disposal methods of nuclear waste have caused projects to be scrapped and new plans for development to be rethought.

Adios, nuclear power.

The cost of solar power decreased by 50% last year alone. Taxpayers are subsidizing nuclear power although many don't realize it. Why should taxpayers support the nuclear industry when solar holds so much more promise and is so much better for our future, in so many ways?

And for anyone who thinks that the answer to conflict in the Middle East is a nuclear attack, please stop believing what the mainstream media is reporting about Iran's nuclear capabilities. Remember what precipitated the Iraq war in 2003? Don't believe everything you hear coming from the government. Please.

I have come out of ireport retirement, at least for today, because this issue is important to me. I welcome mature comments. Others, not so much.

Two articles in the US News in the past two days outline the increasing costs of nukes.

By Rep. Edward J. Markey:

http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-nuclear-power-be-expanded/nuclear-costs-are-going-up

By Jim Riccio of Greenpeace:

http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-nuclear-power-be-expanded/us-should-bring-an-end-to-the-nuclear-era

photo from Scientific American:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/media/inline/D41DB314-E7F2-99DF-3D6ACEC215A9A006_1.jpg

Thanks for reading!

He doesn't relate to the poor...so what?

unBroken1 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:29:20 GMT

Does it matter?

Does it really matter how much Mitt Romney relates with the poor?

Now before anyone starts with the "he only will help his own, and not the less fortunate" do you know this for certain?

Is it an absolute that only someone who cares for the "poor" would be able to help them?

IMHO...I don't believe that it is necessary or even really all that important at this point.

What is important is...who can fix the failing economy so that we don't lose everything.
I'm sorry, but the social issues can wait until after this country is once again economically strong.

I see the condition of our country in a rather strange comparison with...myself. lol

I'm one of those people who will give all I have for those in need.
To the extent it leaves me with nothing.
Then usually someone has to step in and strong-arm those around me (and myself) to enable me to get myself back on solid ground. Otherwise I will give myself into the poor house.

That is how I see this country.
We give and give and give until we have nothing left to give. We have bankrupted ourselves with this need to take care of the world.
And what has it gotten us?
A few minutes of satisfaction?
And a bankrupt nation.

So no...I don't care if Mitt Romney understand, relates, or cares for the poor.
If he has to strong arm this country in order to fix it, then let him.
The rest can wait.

The "Right to Life" Crowd are Hypocrites

Liberty1955 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:43:46 GMT

The "Right to Life" movement that claim to want to protect the unborn, don't give a damn about the child once they are born. They are hypocrites. They claim to be doing God's will, but are the first to move to strip funding from Social Safety Nets that would help to provide services to women that may not have the economic means to care for that child.

How do they square their hypocrisy?

When they say they don't want Federal money used to provide abortions to women in need, what about the money I and many that support a woman's right to choose" contribute through our tax dollars to support those that favor a right to choose?

It's not all their money. And they shouldn't get to decide what the Federal Government does with my money.

Occupy DC protests The Alfalfa club

armandog8 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:29:22 GMT

At 6pm a group from the Occupy DC camp decided to head to the Capitol Hill Hilton Hotel to protest the Alfalfa Club(*) and its members. By then the surrounding area has been heavily blocked by the police, in all directions, and the protesters had no other choice but to wait for members from the Alfalfa club to enter the premises using one of the intersections they were blocking.

At approximately 7pm, Senator Joe Lieberman(I) headed to the Hilton, by foot. As he passed the protesters a heavy cloud of glitter descended upon him and his security; he has just been 'glitter-bombed'.(Photograph #1)

As the evening turned to night the protesters decided to start a block party, with the help of a set of speakers and a laptop. 'Bulls of Parade' by Rage Against the Machine, 'F#@$ the Police' by N.W.A, '(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!) by the Beastie Boys were some of the songs played by the impromptu DJ. As the crowd started dancing 2 women took off their tops which eventually led to over 20 individuals following the same example, men and women who, with the help of a sharpie pen, wrote on their chests slogans concerning their cause. Surprisingly neither the secret service nor the MPD, both at the scene, arrested any of the individuals for indecent exposure.

By 10pm the protesters decided to head northeast looking for a way that would lead them closer to the hotel. As they approached 16th st nw and M st. officers started moving to reinforce the barrier. At this point the protesters gather into a circle and decided they would run towards the barrier. Expecting for the police to be more kind with women, they all agree that women would go first-most of them half naked. As the women charge against the barrier, police tackle all of them and pushed them to the ground. The protesters attempted to cross the police barrier at least 2 more times without any luck. By this point the police had used horses, in an attempt to push away the protesters. In a maneuver done to separate the crowd, police pushed their horses against the protesters, who at this point weren't attempting to cross any barriers, and trampled them against cars who were parked on the side of the road. At this point, several protesters started yelling that they were going to be filling a complaint with the department regarding the treatment they had just received; a few protesters also complained of some of the horses stepping on their feet.

By 11pm the protesters were back at their original destination: the enter/exit intersection from where some of The Alfalfa club members were making their way into the Hilton. As some of the guests started to exit protesters blocked their way or simply shouted at them. Police quickly came to the rescue of the guests, who were obviously distressed and, at times, scared of the protesters. This lead to more confrontations as police pushed protesters away from the guests' ways.

According to MPD no arrests were made last night.

*Alfalfa club: An exclusive annual black-tie get-together of some of the capital’s movers and shakers.

**All material has been checked to fulfill the community guidelines, because of this some photograph have been blurred.

Prospect Park In Fantasyland

anobid — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:07:45 GMT

Flo DiBona

Very few people knew who Prospect Park was before July 7, 2011 when they were awarded the licensing rights to iconic Disney/ABC soap operas All My Children and One Life to Live. They released a statement promising the shows would air online in the same format beginning with All My Children on September 26, 2011, the Monday after All My Children aired for the last time on Disney/ABC. September 23, 2011 came and All My Children aired for the last time on Disney/ABC, but the online launch was postponed as unions and actors were publicly blamed.

Meanwhile, One Life to Live, a ratings hit in daytime, came closer to its last Disney/ABC air date of Friday, January 13, 2012. Rumors of sets and studios being secured for One Life to Live circulated. Actors from both shows were confirming signings with Prospect Park. On November 3, 2011, the Wall Street Journal published an article about Prospect Park’s funding issues.

As the final week of taping unfolded for One Life to Live cast and crew, the week began on a high note with expectations of transitioning to One Life to Live 2.0 via Prospect Park. Even the Executive Producer and Head Writer had been signed for the transition. Cast and crew had been told that the existing studio had been secured and future production would continue at least initially there. However, the week did not turn out like anyone expected.

Cast and crew were unexpectedly and unceremoniously emailed a notice to have all of their belongings removed from their dressing rooms and offices or have them disposed of. Calls to Prospect Park were reportedly not returned. On November 18, 2011, the cast and crew of One Life to Live taped the last episode for Disney/ABC airing. Then, on November 23, 2011, Thanksgiving Eve and just days later, Prospect Park issued a statement that they were suspending plans for producing both shows.

On December 1, 2011, Disney/ABC announced that the One Life to Live Executive Producer and Head Writer were moving to General Hospital effective January 9, 2012. Since that time, there have been steady rumors that Jeff Kwatinetz is still seeking funding for Prospect Park to produce these shows. On December 6, 2011, Agnes Nixon spoke at Harvard University of Prospect Park having approached her about moving the shows to Canada to be produced. On January 11, 2012, it was announced that several One Life to Live actors and their characters were being transitioned to Disney/ABC’s General Hospital. Then on Friday, January 13, 2012, the last episode of One Life to Live aired on Disney/ABC.

The website Prospect Park set up for their online network remains static as it continues to be a means of collecting fans’ contact information for updates. But there have been no updates via the site to-date. Remarkably, weeks apart, two Facebook soap fan group administrators were contacted by Prospect Park. In both cases, Prospect Park accused soap fans of hindering their efforts to seek funding by making contact with them, investors, networks, advertisers and affiliates. They claimed there were threats made, threats no soap fan or group would condone.

There seems to be a great disconnect between Prospect Park and the very consumers it bases any financial projections on. The disrespect with which Prospect Park has treated the actors, crews, and fans of both shows continues in this latest contact. Words used were extremely condescending and demonstrated this disconnect.

If Prospect Park were in Fantasyland, their approach to-date would be appropriate. However, this is business and Prospect Park’s business depends on viewers. Lack of communication and respect does not bring in those viewers and the damage done thus far to that relationship is quite severe. It is questionable whether the damage done is repairable. Prospect Park does have an opportunity to redeem themselves from a place that is not going to otherwise improve any time soon. All it will take is giving fans what they want – return the licensing rights of both shows to Agnes Nixon through whatever arrangements need to be made with her and/or Disney so they can be returned to production.

Prospect Park may have had good intentions in wanting to produce these shows and bring them online. But without an intimate understanding of the genre, shows, histories, actors, crews, process, unions, viewers, appeal, and respect for each, it would likely never be successful.

Mythonomics-"Taxes Are Theft... Defend the Rich!"

Liberty1955 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:04:21 GMT

Many wealthy, point to themselves and plead with the common folks, "See, the government is coming after us now. We're the last bastion of your hope. We are the defenders of what's left of the American dream. If they take our wealth, what will be left for you?"

If it weren't so believable because FOX says it..the way Frank Luntz spins it, it would be laughable. Yet, many in the middle class take to the streets to carry the signs that support a position that is economically against their own interests.

But there's an answer to that too from FOX. "It is the fundamental right for those that are successful to keep what they have earned. Taxing the successful undermines their incentive to create jobs.

Meanwhile, the rich laugh on their way to their bank.

Many GOP supporters believe that:

"Taxes take money out of the economy."

"Governments don’t take money and just keep it. They spend it.

In general, they spend it in ways that we all agree are useful and necessary but that businesses have not, or will not, or can’t.

Roads and bridges, education, health, science, technology, regulations, safety, national security, education, clean water, clean air, waste disposal, criminal and civil justice systems.

Yes, some of that spending is no doubt wasteful. If rich people controlled it they might have invested with Bernie Madoff. Or given it to Lehman Brothers, which would have put it in credit default swaps, derivatives, and repackaged mortgages.

Which one takes money out of the economy?

"Taxes are theft. They forcibly take money from those who have earned them."

It sure feels like it. However, as a writer, I need customers who have been taught to read, roads to deliver the books to stores, a legal system that protects copyrights and enforces contracts, and a great deal more.

All that great free enterprise stuff takes place in an environment that is expensive to maintain. Even money spent on welfare, Social Security, unemployment, and the like serves the purpose of keeping the rabble from riots and revolt.

Money is the only valid measure of value.

Over 14 years Lehman Brothers, the fourth-biggest financial services company in America, paid their CEO, Richard J. Fuld, almost half a billion dollars. Fuld made $22 million in 2007 alone. In 2008, under his leadership, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt.
The average teacher’s salary is around $42,000. Which do you value more? Your children’s teachers? Or Richard J. Fuld?

Markets will always find the best solution.

The market solution for Fuld’s befuddlement was to let Lehman make stupid decisions, then pay the penalty with corporate death.

Unfortunately, Lehman took the economy of the entire world down with them. People who had no control over what they did are the ones paying for it. Fuld is still rich.

But let’s say, for a moment, that free markets do make the best decisions. The question remains, for whom? The invisible hand of the market might be pushing Americans to mortgage all their property, transfer the money to Saudi Arabia and China, so that they will become the new world leaders. Markets have no patriotism.

Right now, the Democrats, the liberals, and the left are stuck talking about fairness. In the marketplace of ideas this is greeted as whiny, wimpy, and moralistic.

They need an economic message that talks about making money, for everybody. For America. It shouldn’t be hard.

Cutting taxes for the rich, deregulation, and waiting for the invisible hand to work its magic has, in reality, led to buying up companies just to gut them, shipping jobs overseas, throwing money into utterly unproductive things like real estate, speculative bubbles, and spectacular crashes. The further we go toward “free markets” the more that will happen.

Yet, it hasn’t happened. The left has not developed a fresh and vibrant vision for our economic future that can be expressed clearly and vigorously and that can be repeated over and over again as 'nuff-said catchphrases."

Larry Beinhart

Whitney Houston's Death Shocks The World Tonight

TheVideoMan — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:39:15 GMT

Whitney Houston, one of the greatest Soul, Pop, and R & B singers of all time - and film actresses here in Hollywood, CA - has just been found dead according to the AP, CNN, and her Publicist. She was 48 years old. The cause of her death is not certain at this time.

Please watch our video tribute - Roberta and I both have musical souls, we loved Whitney and her music, what a voice! She was the music of a generation, from the 80's thru the mid 2000's. I saw her in concert here in LA in 1985 at The Roxy, she had just began her stellar career: What a voice!

According to some media sources here, her bodyguard Ray - not to be confused with Ray - Jay, the entertainer (who had been seen with her the last several days) - found her dead at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, where the Diva was scheduled to appear at Clive Davis's pre-Grammy Award's party tonight. It was Clive Davis, the music producer, who 'discovered' Ms Houston, and he was with her during most of the last 25 years.

The story is still very fluid and not all details have been confirmed. Did drugs or alcohol contribute to her death? If so, once again, we need to all learn from this. Toxicology reports could take weeks. In 2009, she told Oprah that 'She was finally clean of her Demons'. But experts say you can never beat the disease - you simply have to take one day at a time...

'The Bodyguard', where she starred with Kevin Costner, was our favorite film by her, we have seen it several times. The hit song from the movie, "I Will Always Love You", is an all time great wedding song and a Valentine's Day favorite of ours.

She was also set to appear in a re-make of the 1976 film 'Sparkle'. Was a comeback for her on the way?

Just last night, Roberta and I saw Kathy Griffin in concert, she always does a comedy piece on her. Now, the city - the world -and the Grammy's - are in mourning.

God bless her soul, there will be never be another singer like her. She joins Etta James - and all of the others - in Rock & Roll Heaven.

She was 'The Greatest Love Of All', she had battled substance abuse and behavioral problems for years - especially after she married singer Bobby Brown. They were divorced about five years ago. She had a 'God Given Talent' that will not be forgotten.

Update: At the press conference ongoing in LA right now, the Beverly Hills PD says she was pronounced dead at 3:55PM this afternoon. She was found on the 4th floor of the hotel after a 911 call. There were no obvious signs of trauma on the body per the press spokesman.

Fans are gathering outside the hotel. Ironically, she had been invited to have her Star placed here on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. But she had never actually replied to organization, per the Hollywood Chamber website.

Update: The Grammy's have announced a tribute for tomorrow night - perhaps starring Jennifer Hudson. The entire show will now have to be tweaked at the last minute.

This story continues to break, stayed tuned to CNN for further updates...

Our Heart also goes out to her very musical family, and her friends...

Park Police closing in on Occupy DC

schmiddi — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:24:15 GMT

this morning Park Police started to clean out McPherson Square in Washington DC, just a couple of blocks away from the White House and the home of Occupy DC for several months now. It was mostly peaceful, just a handful of arrests were made. The main goal for Park Police was to make protesters adhere to the policy that now camping equipment was present with the exception of tents.

The Cornfield View: Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri

k3vsDad — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:06:20 GMT

If somehow you didn't notice, there are two caucuses and a primary being conducted today in the neverending hunt to be the Republican presidential nominee.

If you didn't realize it, don't feel bad. The three contests today offer only momentum to whoever wins in each of the three ballots. No delegates will be awarded.

Other than giving the winner of each bragging rights, do the three contests matter?

What it provides to the candidates is the perception the candidate is continuing to steamroll to the nomination, is surging, is making inroads or is falling behind.

In politics perception turns into money. And money, like it or not, is what drives the campaign process.

Colorado's 36 delegates won't be awarded until the state party's April convention. In Minnesota, its 40 delegates will be divvied up later and do not have to reflect the caucus vote. For Missourians, the non-binding primary today is because of a snafu in trying to comply with national party rules. Missouri's 52 delegates will be handed out after a caucus on March 17th.

So how are things looking From the Cornfield:

Colorado: Likely to be a win for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney

Minnesota: This one is a little trickier to call. There is strong reason to believe that Texas Congressman Ron Paul may finally be able to put a win in his column. But it is still Romney's to lose. Give it to Paul, but not by much.

Missouri: Without former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on the ballot and Romney choosing not to campaign, the state looks like Santorum will pick up a 2nd win after winning Iowa in January. Will the momentum be enough to keep him in the race?

That's the way it looks early this afternoon as voters are casting their ballots.

From the Cornfield, I will as always be watching the results tonight to see who gets bragging rights and who spins a loss into a win.

Women Must Stand With The President Against Male Dominated Institutions Wanting Control Of Your Bodies

EWillies1961 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:47:46 GMT

The Church, the Catholic Church in particular should be ashamed for trying to make the law giving their employees the choice of contraception a religious rights or separation of state issue. Interesting enough the Church continuously attempts to influence policies mostly in favor of the Republican side on false moral grounds.

It is not enough that most religions keep their women in a subservient and “beneath men” state, they also want to affect even women that just work at these institutions some of which receive government funding and resources from us all.

Like any aggrieved group, women must come out and demand the right to control their own bodies.

My Book– Follow Me– Visit Me

What's In a Name?

k3vsDad — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:42:50 GMT

What is in a name? Or in this case how does a group of people self-identify themselves?

It is Black History Month. For many within the black community how they self-identify themselves continues to be problematic. A good majority of the community can trace their American roots back to the days when their ancestors were hijacked and brought from Africa to the US as slaves. But to another substantial number, there are not ties to America's tragic slavery past.

The labels used to describe Americans of African descent mark the movement of a people from the slave house to the White House. Today, many are resisting this progression by holding on to a name from the past: "black."

For this group — some descended from U.S. slaves, some immigrants with a separate history — "African-American" is not the sign of progress hailed when the term was popularized in the late 1980s. Instead, it's a misleading connection to a distant culture.

The debate has waxed and waned since African-American went mainstream, and gained new significance after the son of a black Kenyan and a white American moved into the White House. President Barack Obama's identity has been contested from all sides, renewing questions that have followed millions of darker Americans:

What are you? Where are you from? And how do you fit into this country?

"I prefer to be called black," said Shawn Smith, an accountant from Houston. "How I really feel is, I'm American."

"I don't like African-American. It denotes something else to me than who I am," said Smith, whose parents are from Mississippi and North Carolina. "I can't recall any of them telling me anything about Africa. They told me a whole lot about where they grew up in Macomb County and Shelby, N.C."

Gibré George, an entrepreneur from Miami, started a Facebook page called "Don't Call Me African-American" on a whim. It now has about 300 "likes."

"We respect our African heritage, but that term is not really us," George said. "We're several generations down the line. If anyone were to ship us back to Africa, we'd be like fish out of water."

"It just doesn't sit well with a younger generation of black people," continued George, who is 38. "Africa was a long time ago. Are we always going to be tethered to Africa? Spiritually I'm American. When the war starts, I'm fighting for America."

Joan Morgan, a writer born in Jamaica who moved to New York City as a girl, remembers the first time she publicly corrected someone about the term: at a book signing, when she was introduced as African-American and her family members in the front rows were appalled and hurt.

"That act of calling me African-American completely erased their history and the sacrifice and contributions it took to make me an author," said Morgan, a longtime U.S. citizen who calls herself Black-Caribbean American. (Some insist Black should be capitalized.)

She said people struggle with the fact that black people have multiple ethnicities because it challenges America's original black-white classifications. In her view, forcing everyone into a name meant for descendants of American slaves distorts the nature of the contributions of immigrants like her black countrymen Marcus Garvey and Claude McKay.

Morgan acknowledges that her homeland of Jamaica is populated by the descendants of African slaves. "But I am not African, and Africans are not African-American," she said.

http://news.yahoo.com/blacks-insist-im-not-african-american-181257715.html

The struggle continues on self-identification. But it is not just about those in the black community. Each of us in our own way are constantly struggling with self-identification.

In school, we try to fit in here or there and yet retain our individuality. In work, the same occurs.Now we have social networking trying to pigeon hole us. We have politicians trying to lump us into categories.

What matters is not how others define us, but how we define ourselves when we look in the mirror.

From the Cornfield, let us each define ourselves and not allow society, work, schools, religion, government or any other source define us. Rather let us continue to define ourselves and be who we see ourselves to be.

Unemployment Falls To 8.3 Even With GOP Attack On Middle Class

EWillies1961 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:52:15 GMT

Unemployment falls to 8.3% even as what can only be called a GOP attack on Middle Class. The GOP was responsible for a smaller than needed stimulus bill that would have improved the economy faster. They have blocked other forthcoming infrastructure and labor related bills. States like Texas in lieu of raising taxes on corporation flushed in money from gouging the middle class with overpriced gasoline, laid off teachers, police, firefighters, and other critical government employees thus cutting essential services to the middle class. It is poetic justice that with all these blocks enough was codified to put us on a glide path to recoevery.

My Book– Follow Me– Visit Me

Federal Employees Owe 3.4 Billion in Back Taxes

peone — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:19:21 GMT

In an AP article by Ken Thomas, it was reported that thousands of federal workers owe back taxes.

http://www.finance.yahoo.com/news/thousands-federal-workers-owe-back-taxes-231332510.html

"President Barack Obama has preached that all Americans should pay their fair share in taxes, but a government report finds that tens of thousands of federal employees — from staffers in Congress to federal agencies and even Obama's executive office — collectively owe the government billions in back taxes."

As of September 30, 2010, federal employees owed 3.4 billion in back taxes.

Does anyone else else find this number disturbing? How on earth can an administration point their fingers at anyone about taxes when they do not have their own houses in order about taxes? How can they even suggest that people should pay more when their own are not paying their fair share?

I simply do not understand the double standard that exists in our society; why do I have to pay and pay and pay and earn less benefits than those people who work for the federal government and they simply choose not to pay and still get all their benefit that I PAID FOR when I PAID MY FAIR SHARE OF TAXES?

"Data from the Internal Revenue Service found that more than 279,000 federal employees and retirees owed $3.4 billion in back income taxes as of Sept. 30, 2010.
The data showed that 467 employees of the House of Representatives, or about 4.2 percent of the workforce, owed more than $8.5 million. In the Senate, 217 employees, or about 3 percent of the workforce, owed $2.13 million.
Obama's staff was not immune, either, with 36 people in Obama's executive office of nearly 1,800 workers — about 2 percent — owing the government $833,970 in back taxes."

Any thoughts?

.

Romney and Gingrich want to get rid of bilingual ballots.

ireporttwo — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:14:20 GMT

Unbelievable. Another method to suppress the vote. I don't think it can happen because of the voting rights act. Get ready to rumble in 2012. Because if someone tells me I can't vote..... My son has to contact registrar of voting because his card came with the wrong address.
Get ready to rumble 2012 is definitely here!

http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/01/gingrich-and-romney-want-say-adios-bilingual-ballots