Happy anniversary Occupy Roanoke on the Sunday OPEN thread
Shot by Dan in Elmwood Park
Today’s the 6-month anniversary of Occupy Roanoke, and they’re throwing a party with a big cake in Elmwood Park this afternoon.
The festivities are 1 to 4 p.m., and I believe the cake cutting is around 2.
While you’re there, you may want to ask them about the Occupy Virginia convention they’re planning to hold here just a little ways down the road.
April 15, 2012 - 10:44 AM
Great editorial in the RT today! I’m going to try to make it this afternoon
Remember when people did this and it was called a picnic?
Ever wonder how so many Republican governed states decided to attack unions, women’s reproductive rights, and, at the same time, expand gun rights? It didn’t appear to me to be coincidental – as soon as a Republican became governor, wham! those laws began to roll out on an almost daily basis. No coincidence as you will see in the linked investigative report:
EXPOSING ALEC: HOW CONSERVATIVE-BACKED STATE LAWS ARE ALL CONNECTED
By Nancy Scola Apr 14 2012,
A shadowy organization uses corporate contributions to sell prepackaged conservative bills — such as Florida’s Stand Your Ground statute — to legislatures across the country. ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council …an organization dedicated to the advancement of free market and limited government principles through a unique “public-private partnership” between state legislators and the corporate sector. To its critics, it’s a shadowy back-room arrangement where corporations pay good money to get friendly legislators to introduce pre-packaged bills in state houses across the country. Started in the mid-1970s, ALEC’s existence has been long known but its practices, largely, have not; the group hasn’t been eager to tie its bills in Wisconsin to those in Ohio to those in North Carolina.
For years, political types had vague notions of the state-to-state connections, but it was difficult to see the whole picture. …[or] the involvement of the Koch brothers, [as] early ALEC funders.
The Stand Your Ground Law –“How did this bill become a law in so many states? How does a bill that seems to immunize a shooter from even getting before a jury end up introduced across the country?”
It quickly became clear that these new guns laws had found their start in ALEC
The whole article is well worth reading…
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/04/exposing-alec-how-conservative-backed-state-laws-are-all-connected/255869/?google_editors_picks=true
We had a great time, especially my 2 year old son.
There was a great crowd when we left, and it was only 130pm then. Lots of honks as always!
I know some on this blog will disagree, but I happen to agree with Bill Cosby on this.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-04-15/bill-cosby-trayvon-martin/54295998/1
Just to be balanced in my efforts, here’s one I strongly disagree with.
http://familyonbikes.org/blog/2012/04/imagine-something-better-than-school/
Speaking of ALEC: “After Complaining About Being Silenced, ALEC Is Deleting Critical Comments From Facebook Page”
http://news.coffeepartyusa.com/p/1602611466/after-complaining-about-being-silenced-alec-is-deleting-critical-comments-from-facebook-page
ALEC is a Turd Blossom!
An excellent opinion piece on Travon Martin, Ron.
http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=4z5Q7LhI+KVBjmEgFdYACPLKh239P3pgCXhN1f3K3sKdvCJorKS4KSYk3g6nk8FL/axZLaedOIpAVjJencyMjkmZUJZTiWwHF1E2Q6gD6ktXm1vJFeYiB94JjypKTQKIlFSheUVpYAxFwiLFZ9nO1w==&campaign_id=129&instance_id=14454&segment_id=32229&user_id=8378d1048cea2cceac13932eaa86476d
More and more companies are abandoning ALEC – especially as the Stand Your Ground Law gets more and more negative publicity.
“Yesterday, the candy company Mars, Inc. and the Arizona Public Service Company (Arizona’s largest electric utility) became the latest in a group of high-profile companies to part ways with the American Legislative Exchange Council. They join Kraft, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Intuit, and the Gates Foundation.” http://www.nationofchange.org/what-make-alec-exodus-1334409417
The veil is coming off!
Great post @3 Hillary. The problem is that the radical insurgents in the GOP have had a plan for years and they are carrying it out. Just now are we waking up to the threat to our rights and freedoms earned over the past 150 years. Where have the Dems been while the GOP is rolling back social issues?
The Dems need to get off their duffs and get organized and retake America for AVERAGE Americans. The ones at the top have done enough trickling down on the rest of us.
Ron, Cosby was half right, but still has the “guns on the streets” liberal talking points knowledge of guns.
“He [Cosby] says there is a need to get guns off the streets and that people should be taught to use every possible alternative before shooting someone.”
I agree that we need to use up our available opportunities before shooting. One thing that would help is Virginia changing our CHP to CWP so that we could carry non-lethal weapons. We CANNOT shoot with the intent to wound, so opening that up as Kentucky, Florida, and other states have done would help.
I have always had a lot of respect for Cosby for his willingness to encourage black men to be responsible role models by being a role model himself. Kudos to Bill!
Best thing to happen in Rke for some time
Gosh, Dan, I thought you’d get terps back for sure with this thread.
“The Dems need to get off their duffs and get organized and retake America for AVERAGE Americans. The ones at the top have done enough trickling down on the rest of us.”
Cold n P,
I get that you are going to vote Democrat this time and you’ve been a cheerleader for them. Do you think that the Democrats are “where it’s at” or is it a best-of-the-choices thing for you, or are you really enamored by the Democrats’ policies? Guessing the GOP is no longer cool with you, what do you think about the Libertarian Party? Are there elements where the GOP has it right?
Please elaborate on what the ideal political party would be.
“Are there elements where the GOP has it right?”
No. The GOP exists to make rich people richer, not unlike their Democratic counterparts. One could get behind Ron Paul if he wasn’t such a loon. Face it, middle class America is farked.
Art Hill, I don’t think Ron Paul is as loony as he is esoteric; either way, he’s unelectable. He’s a smart guy, but depth beyond talking points is nothing but background noise to MOST voters, keeping in mind that most of the people on this blog ARE NOT typical voters. Ron Paul is doing the best he can for the moment. It’s not his fault; it’s just not yet time for the Libertarians. Obviously… they have to run a nationally electable ticket as Republicans. The big issues to more voters than I care to think, but really believe: looks, height, and charm. Ron Paul is 0 for 3 there. As it goes down the pipe with Red and Blue, Libertarians are slowly gaining ground.
RIP Benny Baker.
Way to twist things around, Ann.
“It was my early birthday present for someone to be critical of me as a mother,” Ann Romney said Sunday at a fundraising event, according to NBC News and The Wall Street Journal. “That was a really defining moment, and I loved it.”
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/04/ann-romney-birthday-virginia-fundraiser-/1?csp=34news
God… no one was “critical of her as a mother”. In context, the comments about Ann Romney’s suitability as an “economic advisor” per her husband were 100% correct. I don’t get why on earth the right thinks it can sling mud the way it does – the stuff said about Michele Obama and her girls is rank and disgusting – but when someone on the “left” makes a completely accurate IF perhaps not sufficiently butt-kissing comment about someone on the right, all hell breaks loose.
Ann Romney, I don’t care if you raised 100 kids. You have never in your life been in a position to know what a REAL “working mother” has to contend with, and if you haven’t figured that out you’re as delusional and as entitled as your husband.
When you have to twist that hard to make the truth an insult you are the TP/GOP.
There is no ideal political party, and the Libertarian Party is worse than either of the other two IMO. A perfect political party serves the nation above itself and it’s special interest money. We so not have such a party.
What is a real working mother? Who defines such parameters.
When Axelrod has to condemn it immediately, professionally speaking it is an insult.
This isn’t a Merriam-Webster definition, but my mother reared three children, took care of our house, was the Treasurer of our farm corporation. She worked a full time job. She attended the local community college part time and eventually a nearby state university. She sang in our church choir, served on a variety of church committees, participated in a bowling league twice a week, served as an advocate for a local shelter for women & children, chaired the local campaign for United Way twice, organized and managed the local Relay for Life event for at least 20 years, and advocated before the Indiana state legislature on behalf of women’s banking rights in the 1960s and 1970s. She ultimately completed a Master degree in Business Information Systems and was honored in 1980 by the American Business Women’s Association as one of the top ten business women in the United States. She was an example to countless women on how to live her life by balancing her role as a mother, wife, business women and community activist. She was, for me, a prime example of a “real working mother.”
Sandi:
21.”There is no ideal political party, and the Libertarian Party is worse than either of the other two IMO. A perfect political party serves the nation above itself and it’s special interest money. We so not have such a party.”
Seriously, if you like liberartian less than the left or right, and from your statement think we need to serve a national government that knows what’s best, per the political compass, you are a statist. Is this fair to say?
No John Wilburn, I am not a “Statist”.
“What is a real working mother? ”
Someone paying the bills. It’s not complicated. I don’t begrudge Ann Romney her situation, but to pretend it’s anything but other than it is is insulting.
And Ann’s not qualified to render any valuable insights on any women’s issues more complex than how much to pay the help. If Romney wasn’t so dim as to explain that his wife is his bestest “go to” person on women and how they’re faring in today’s economy, the entire topic would never have come up.
I well remember the upheaval when Clinton was running and talked about Hillary’s (a professional with something to offer) influence on him and how his positions were occasionally informed by her views and information.
Jon Wilburn, when you say “Libertarian” I’m not sure what you mean? They have zero chance of having an effect on national politics unless you count the tea party insurgents holding the GOP hostage to its policy of No, no, no and have made the GOP’s mission to fight this president on EVERY issue even the ones originating from the GOP such as Cap and Trade and Health care reform.
So will I throw my vote away on a libertarian candidate? NO. Not this time. Nice try though.
That being said I have made my choice to support the Democrats on the local, state and national level for this election cycle. I consider myself an independent and if the Dems don’t make some progress on the gridlock in DC and take back some Governorships over the next 2-3 years, Yes I will be looking for another party to support.
Does the GOP have anything right this time around? That’s a big fat Zero. They have become the party of No and until the adults in the GOP regain control I will in no way support the current batch of idiots leading the party at the time. Start with getting rid of Cantor and Boehner and McConnell and then lets see what the GOP looks like. Right now they are a train wreck.
I’ll get back to you on the “idea” political party. They would have to be able to implement change of a systemic nature and I’ve espoused some ideas in the past. I do not have time right now to give the subject justice.
Hint. Job 1 and 2 is to get the money out of politics and shrink the election cycle. Do that and 80% of our problems are solved.
#16 – “I don’t think Ron Paul is as loony as he is esoteric”
Definition of esoteric:
esoteric opinions or beliefs,[1] that is, ideas preserved or understood by a small group or those specially initiated, or of rare or unusual interest.
Yep, he sure is esoteric…now if I could only find my tin-foil hat and my racist newspaper I could join his “small group”.
“So will I throw my vote away on a libertarian candidate? NO. Not this time. Nice try though.”
I won’t waste my vote on a candidate with no chance either, but I wasn’t trying to sway you.
Who’s the Occupy guy who wears the beret and carries the red flag? I always want to burst into a chorus of “When Tomorrow Comes” when I see him. Aux barricades!
Actually John Wilburn, I think you will do just that. Win or lose, Romney has ZERO chance to fix what ails this nation. Romney has ZERO chance to even begin to know how to lead. Romney has ZERO chance of getting the money out of politics (mainly because he sees no need to do so). Romney has ZERO chance of being a good President. Whatever negative you give to Obama, multiply that by 100 and you have Romney. Yes, you will waste your vote on a candidate with no chance. No chance at all.
“Who’s the Occupy guy who wears the beret and carries the red flag? I always want to burst into a chorus of “When Tomorrow Comes” when I see him. Aux barricades!”
That Occupy guy goes by the nickname Commander Zero. He’s the only actual Marxist in the bunch.
“Romney has ZERO chance to fix what ails this nation. Romney has ZERO chance to even begin to know how to lead. Romney has ZERO chance of getting the money out of politics (mainly because he sees no need to do so). Romney has ZERO chance of being a good President.”
I think Sandi’s dead on about this. Perhaps Romney is the one who should be nicknamed “Commander Zero.”
I am, quite literally disgusted that the people who have B&M’d about Obama since November 2008 have so dishonored this nation with putting up a Wall Street Corporate Raider that I can barely contain myself. This is an ultimate insult, the ultimate disrespect for what struggling families are going through, what so many have lost. It is just so unconscionable that Willard Romney is the nominee that I am now fearful ODS has made them unstable. My God, how good you? He is, and will be until defeated, salt in the wound.
“Yes, you will waste your vote on a candidate with no chance. No chance at all.”
With such confidence, are you going to stay home and post on the blog instead of vote?
Sandi, I’m confident based on our posts that we are virtually opposites on the political compass. I’m well toward libertarian and some to right. I bet you are a good amount to the left and well toward authoritarian. Dave Hicks, Mr. INTJ, has posted the Meyers-Briggs perosnality test on here in the past. Do you know what you are? I’m not sure of mine, but bet it conflicts with yours frequestly. I’m trying to get some insight as to why we are oil and water without some “because I’m right and you’re stupid” argument.
No, I am so close to Ghandi I can almost touch him on the “political spectrum” (Socialistic Capitalism, they call it) and as usual, your perception is only about half right. We are nothing alike. But the reason we are “oil and water” is that you are not honest, do not do the hard work of researching before you bombast, and you are mean. All good debaters pounce on posers.
ENTJ
Frank, decisive, assume leadership readily. Quickly see illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. Enjoy long-term planning and goal setting. Usually well informed, well read, enjoy expanding their knowledge and passing it on to others. Forceful in presenting their ideas.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — August 24, 2010 @ 8:44 pm
30.”I’ll get back to you on the “idea” political party…..I do not have time right now to give the subject justice.
Hint. Job 1 and 2 is to get the money out of politics and shrink the election cycle. Do that and 80% of our problems are solved.”
Please do get back when you can as I would like to know what you think would work. I do like the idea of shriking the election cycle and agree it would help a lot. dave agreed with me on that too. I’d like to see a primary held on ONE day so the media has less hand in promoting and steering the voters. Outside of that, I don’t know a truly workable or fair way to rid the elections of money. Unfortunately, people are going to vote for who they are comfortable with from seeing them advertised constantly. Marketing works with candidates just like products. Educated voters work in opposition to advertised candidates. Again, this blog is not a good sample of such (general voting populace) as most of the folks here are educated voters.
I have not missed a Presidential vote since 1976 and will not start this year.
Sandi, I wish we could stand together as we vote against Gordon Gekco. I am over the top outraged at what the GOP has lowered itself to.
Yet, this will not be an easy victory. I was at my aunts eightieth birthday party this weekend and when politics came up, I’ve never seen such virulent behavior from my normally easy come easy go relatives. I’d say we are equally pro dem pro GOP yet we had to quickly stop the discussion when one cousin said “We need to go out and buy up all the ammo we can get our hands on, I hear too many idiots wanting to vote this lop eared SOB back into office.” It was a tense moment rarely seen in our loving family.
I see tons of folks lining up hoping for the best out of the Corporate Raider. Reminds me of a sign I saw somewhere. “Arbeit macht frei”
Think about that before you pull the lever for the GOP at any level this year.
Jesus and Gandhi were not that far apart (although Gandhi was a Hindu rather than a Jew). One of my favorite questions to ask RW Christians is, “Do you believe Gandhi is in hell?” They have to answer yes to that one, because Gandhi never accepted Jesus as his lord and savior. Unless you do, in their minds, you go to hell.
Still, it confuses them, and they stutter a lot over the answer. And then, no matter what they say, you ask the followup: “Are you saying that because Gandhi politically defeated a bunch of Christians conquerors, or for some other reason?”
And then they stutter some more.
Romney has ZERO chance to even begin to know how to lead
OMG. What the hell had Monkey Boy ever led when he ran in 2008? Romney on the other hand? He’s led a populous state, and he’s led a multi-billion dollar company. Pretty impressive.
Sandi:
“We are nothing alike.”
Obviously.
“But the reason we are “oil and water” is that you are not honest, do not do the hard work of researching before you bombast, and you are mean. All good debaters pounce on posers.”
You are incorrect. I am very honest. Like I said, even if my opinions are wrong, I’m not lying about them. Just as you couldn’t understand the thing with appraisers, I didn’t call you a liar because you were just guessing. Just like you do on gun rights topics where you’re clueless on many things.
Your “hard work of research” is any left-wing talking point. I was not mean when I came hear, you must admit that. I just got sick of taking Sandi Sauders angry, authoritarian, leftist, rants and they brought my civility down. This makes me agree with Dave Hicks when he said he didn’t like the changes that heavy participation in this blog made in him. It has made me as grouchy as Sandi. Sandi, you are down right unpleasant and arguing with you has brought my demeanor down.
Sandi, when you make statements like “I am going nowhere!”, it makes me think you validate yourself through this blog. This is “home” to you. it’s a forum to me, but I’ve dabbled here too long.
I’ll try to make it a point to get out of here more often.
John Wilburn, what makes a person honest is KNOWING the truth and presenting it. You cannot say “I am not lying, even when I am wrong I am being honest” with a straight face! It is not that your opinions are wrong, it is that the information you pass off as fact are wrong. Like your assertion of the need to be armed, like your assertion of Hitler disarming people and taking over, like your assertion that having guns will prevent the local police, much less the government from “coming for you”, like your assertion that a gun will make all the difference, like your assertion that gun rights groups care about more than one right, like your assertion that anyone who disagrees with your POV and way of supporting the second amendment is “anti RKBA”. You are NOT honest!
I was not “guessing” in my assertions about crooked, complicit real estate agents and appraisers, I offered you link after link to back up the truth I was telling. I do the same thing on gun rights issues, I offer evidence for my POV. You are NOT honest!
GO back and find your first few responses, you were and are, arrogant, rude, and insulting to call us “antis”, no matter what we said to the contrary. I did nothing to make you do anything but show your true colors. Blaming me for your bad behavior is yet another Suzie tactic and it falls flat. I am a good debater and I challenge you if that was not your purpose in coming here all full of fire and vinegar, then stop whining. You are NOT honest!
I do not validate myself through this blog, whatever the hell that even means. I have been here a long time and this has become like the internet version of the Cheers bar for some of us. I come here because I enjoy Dan’s columns, his thread topics, his POV and the discussions I have with other bloggers. I have told you every way possible to bring up your game or suffer the consequences and still you want to blame your poor skill and lack of facts on me. No sale, you are NOT honest!
If you cannot be honest, don’t debate.