Protesters from Individuals for Justice and the Oregon Progressive Party demonstrated outside the office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer and delivered a petition to pressure him to sign on to bills H.R. 2404 and 3699. Portland, OR, USA, 21/07/2010.

One protester, Joe Roe held and wore a diaper with Earl and 4899 referring to the bill H.R. 4899. The bill was passed by the Senate in May and if signed by Obama would provide, "$34.7 billion to support US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq in addition to providing non-military assistance and building up State Department Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It also provides $24 billion to help keep teachers, police, and firefighters employed during the recession, $13 billion to Vietnam War veterans that have been exposed to Agent Orange, $2.8 billion for Haiti relief, $5.7 billion for PELL grants, $677 million to strengthen the border, $275 million for the Gulf oil spill, and $725 million to offset other needs."

SO WHAT IS THIS RULE WE ARE SO PISSED AT? March 24, 2010 Roll call number 186 in the House (Blumenauer voted yes to 4899) Question On Passage: H R 4899 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes Ayes: 239 (Democrat: 234; Republican: 5) Nays: 175 (Democrat: 8; Republican: 167) Abstained: 14 (Democrat: 10; Republican: 4) Result: Bill Passed

In the Senate{.} H.R.4899: Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purpose{...} May 27, 2010 Roll call number 176 in the Senate Question On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 4899, As Amended) Ayes: 67 (Democrat: 53; Republican: 12; Other: 2) Nays: 28 (Democrat: 2; Republican: 26) Abstained: 5 (Democrat: 2; Republican: 3) Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 1/2 (50%) Percentage of 'aye' votes: 67% Result: Bill Passed

This is where the Senate passed amendments to make this bill into a Supplemental for the War/Occupation of Afghanistan, (Obama's Surge.) The Bill HR 4899 is now a way for the President to get his blood money, but there are problems in the House, some "Anti-War Dems" do not want to vote for a war supplemental, but could be bought off with some social programs. The GOP will vote for more killings but not for more social programs; the Bill HR 4899 could fail.

Schumer was the special guest at a hipster romp [last] Sunday. I heckled him off the stage.

From Jews Against Israeli Chutzpah: [Last week], as I found myself deep in a sea of Williamsburg hipsters awaiting a "Pool Party" concert at East River State Park, a rather unexpected "special guest" was announced by an entirely too enthusiastic emcee for the artfully apathetic aesthetes who dared not display any sentiment beyond irony. I assumed maybe we'd be graced by some luminary of the scene (spending the last five years in Binghamton, NY prevents me from naming whom that might be)...

Iraq Veterans Against the War, SF, write: The flag is a symbol of our unity and the blood sweat tears of those that came before us. The flag also has a purpose, some times it is a beacon or a message a warning that something is wrong. Jacob Crawford and Josh Wolf write: While millions across the United States of America celebrate freedom (for some), a flag [was burned] to send the statement that many are still waiting to reclaim true freedom.

Buffalo Forum alongside youth and community activists from Buffalo stood together with tens of thousands of Canadians to denounce the anti-people agendas of the G8/20 in Toronto and stand up for the rights of the peoples. Actions took place from June 21-28 and those against criminalization of dissent are continuing across Canada (see cpcml.ca for more).

Buffalo stood proud during a week of protests, representing the fighting stand of Americans to join with Canadians and all the world’s peoples to say No to the Anti-People Agendas of the G8/20! No to Criminalization of Dissent! One Humanity, One Struggle! By organizing to participate in these actions we took up the duty of Americans to stand against the wars, aggression and militarization of the U.S. and represent the drive of the people for their rights, including their right to govern and decide. Our banners flew high, Defend the Rights of All, No to U.S. Imperialism and U.S. War Crimes, Fight for the Fraternal Unity of the Peoples! Directly participating and being part of the various actions gave expression to this fraternal unity, which develops on the basis of organizing inside the U.S. for the change the people require and standing together with all those worldwide doing the same.

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The truth about American politics is this: disguised by the theatrics of squabbling Democrats and Republicans, Washington governs according to limits prescribed by a fixed and narrow consensus. The two main parties collaborate in preserving that consensus. Doing so requires declaring out-of-bounds anything even remotely resembling a fundamental critique of how power gets exercised or wealth distributed. -Andrew Bacevich

There are oil spill nets still needed that would contain the spill and keep the currents underwater from picking up the oil and sloshing it all over the place.. the fact is, there were containment nets needed for the "exxon valdez " , "selendang ayu", "cougar ace",and "cosco busan, and the "f/v baranof and the tug "pathfinder' and the "dubai star" . These nets that would have been effective in heading off disasterous impacts have STILL NOT BEEN MADE!

Date and Time: Thu, 2010-06-03 19:00Location: 

Nobody's Art Center, Forest & Elmwood.

Thursday June 3, 7pm
Nobody's Art Center
Forest & Elmwood
(enter on Forest,
across from Mobil Station)

Come Hear Youth Speakers on Racist Police Profiling in Buffalo against African Americans, Puerto Ricans and Arabs. Examples and discussion of government profiling and impunity, justified using the "war on drugs" and the "war on terrorism."

Find Out About Racist Arizona SB 1070 and demonstrations to oppose it. Hear why Senator Schumer's Plan is worse than Arizona's law:

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While the President spoke to cadets during commencement, more than 100 challenged his war making

During a visit by Obama to West Point, he was greeted by protestors who called attention to the fact that he is as culpable as George Bush for the illegal killings taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Related: Conscientious Objector Exposes Treatment of Prisoners at Gitmo

On May 24th, protesters near the White House demanded that Congress pass H Res 1224 asking Colombia's government to address the needs of people displaced by things like death squad activity.

Please help us tell Obama to stop selling out his base! Join us for a Demonstration in response to President Obama’s visit to Buffalo. For the most up to date information call the Western New York Peace Center –716.332.3904.

April 7 2010 Show: Andrew Willis Garces, of Save Our Safety Net - saveoursafetynet.com, raises concerns about $100 million in cuts in safety net programs by Mayor Fenty. Garces pointed out that people who make $40,000/year are paying the same DC taxes as those making millions in income, and the Mayor needs to collect more taxes from those with higher income. The main focus of the show is correcting the mainstream media portrayal on Venezuala, specifically addressing these issues: Has the U.S. relations with Venezuela really changed with the Obama administration? Or is it more of the same as with Bush? Livia Suarez, press attache of Venezuela Embassy, and Eva Golinger, Venezuelan-American attorney speak. Audio

Throughout the country, "Tea Party" activists and political hopefuls staged protests on and around the federal tax deadline date in response to the Obama administrations policies concerning taxation, healthcare, immigration and the growing federal deficit. In many cities they were met with vigorous counter-protests expressing support for universal healthcare, immigrants rights, and in some cases the Obama administration.

In Washington, DC, thousands gathered in front of the Washington Monument, and were met by a dozen or so counter-protesters. (See photo by Isis.) Philadelphia IMC reported that a rally at Independence Hall drew "several hundred people, most of them middle-aged and polite." Signs spotted include "You Work for Us" and "Seal Our Borders. No Amnesty for Lawbreakers." Los Angeles IMC reported that a protest outside Senator Diane Feinstein's office was composed of Libertarians, Evangelicals, Catholics, Republicans, a percentage of Democrats, LBGT Republicans, Jewish, Atheist, immigrant, wealthy and middle class conservatives.

Clashes between protesters and conter-protesters characterized many gatherings. In Boston, MA, progressive activists infiltrated the tea party protest, holding farcical signs that targeted speaker Sarah Palin, including "Sarah, Shut Up!!" and "Elect Sarah Palin / Paris Hilton / Bimbo party 2012." In San Francisco, CA, Tea Party protesters and counter-protesters held signs accusing each other of being infiltrators and bad spellers, respectively.

In Champaign, IL, the Mayor spoke at the rally, saying he didn't think that President Obama is an American. The statement was caught on tape by a student and made national news. Chicago IMC reported that nazis and other race-hate groups have been eying the Tea Party as a potential recruiting ground for new members.

Commentary: Tea Parties and the Politics of Opposition | The Tea Partiers | | | Related Coverage: Slavery-Denial in Old Virginny | Tax Wall Street Day of Action | http://rogueimc.org/en/2010/04/16044.shtml

Here's Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart at the Tea Party in Champaign on April 15, 2010.

The Mayor says about Obama, "I don't think he's American, personally," and denies the existence of the President's birth certificate.

CHAMPAIGN- On April 1, 2010, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D) paid a quick visit today to the Illinois Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall to speak about jobs, health care, and FutureGen, a coal project in Illinois.

Senator Durbin said he finds it "inexcusable and unacceptable" that wages have gone down when worker productivity is at an all-time high.  He touted the new healthcare bill that recently passed saying that is it "good for everybody." And he fueled hopes that FutureGen, a proposed  coal-fueled power plant with near zero-emissions, is still a possibility for Mattoon, Illinois.

Of particular interest to Indymedia fans was Durbin's renewed support for the Local Community Radio Act, a bill pending in the Senate that would open the airwaves for hundreds of new non-commercial stations across the country, bringing low power radio to urban areas for the first time.