A clear analysis of major problems in Mayor Sam Adams' Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) proposal.

The draft JTTF resolution does a very good job trying to balance the interests of FBI with local interests in the abstract given that proposal choses to entangle the PPB with the JTTF once again. It is a really tremendous first effort and shows its roots in the diversity, creativity and populism of Portland and the Mayor's office. Certainly, a proposal not to coordinate with the JTTF except to receive information would be the more wise choice for safety and privacy of our citizens. Notwithstanding the poor choice to engage with the JTTF at all, there are several fatal flaws in the proposal as it stands which will ultimately fail again to protect the civil rights and liberties of Portland and Oregon citizens. Unfortunately, the proposal in its current form amounts to a return to business as usual for the PPB and JTTF. This draft is just the a kinder, gentler Old Emperor in new clothes that are not so transparent. Read More | Link to Draft Resolution

On Tuesday the New York State legislature passed Governor Andrew Cuomo's austerity budget. 1500 children, parents, educators, students, and activists rallied outside the Senate and Assembly chambers to defend their interests. Citizen Action and other NPO lobbyists were kept out, 100 plus State Troopers were on duty, and anti-Austerity forces were literally swept underground. This was a teachable moment for the left, and a declaration of war upon the poor from the Powers-That-Be.

As we arrived later at 3:00pm to the capitol, the contingent from Buffalo was herded single-file (which broke down rather soon) across the street. The buses were organized by Citizen Action (CA) and Alliance for Quality Education (AQE), with People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH) and local student organizers (e.g. Buffalo State Students for Peace) recruiting locally. On the way to Albany we received the message: sleeping bags and blankets were not allowed into the state capitol. As we entered the state capitol, we were immediately ordered into a line that curved line to enter the security barrier that was staffed by no less than 4 security guards and 1-2 state troopers throughout the day. People were turned away not just for bedding but, their security crackdown also extended to arresting someone for accidentally hitting a guard with a gong later into the afternoon. read more by cliffleft | Report from NYC-Indymedia: New Yorkers Standing up to Budget Cuts (Video) By Michael Fox

More Related Coverage — From Indybay: We are One Rallies in Solidarity with Wisconsin on April 4th | From DC-IMC: Mayor Gray Declines to Meet with Safety Net Supporters

A showdown looms in Madison later this afternoon at 4pm, the time when Governor Scott Walker and his officials intend to close the Capitol building--the site of massive pro-labor protests over the past two weeks.  Many protesters say they will intend to stay inside, where they were recently joined overnight by police union members.  It's unclear whether the police will follow Walker's orders, with the result possibly depending on the number of protesters who remain inside ready to be arrested.

Meanwhile Saturday, MoveOn.org held rallies in every state, including a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.  Despite temperatures hovering just above zero degrees, approximately 2,000 people gathered on the Capitol lawn surrounded by recently plowed snowbanks.  An independently organized rally has been called for Monday at 4pm at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

Last Thursday saw the biggest day of protests ever held in Wisconsin outside of Madison, with at least 26 rallies recorded in 18 cities. 500 people also rallied in Duluth, MN (photo).  On Saturday in Madison, many estimated the crowd at over 100,000.For up to the minute news from Wisconsin, follow the activists and reporters on our twitter list: http://twitter.com/tcimcfeatures/solidaritywi

Recent open published reports at TCIMC: WI Unions Vote to Prepare General Strike--The Time to Act is Now | San Francisco Solidarity Rally | Audio: From Wisconsin to Oregon, Egypt to Palestine, Solidarity Everywhere! | Fight Back! News: Thousands Rally in St. Paul to Support Wisconsin Workers | TC Daily Planet: Seeing Madison--February 26 Protests | Video: Singing "This Land is Your Land" in at the MN Capitol | The Uptake: Capitol to Close at 4pm Today--Protesters Plan to Stay (Video) |  Dane101.com: TAA and other organizers plan to continue Capitol occupation | WeAreWisconsin.org | DefendWisconsin.org

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Rahm "Voldemort" Emanuel — ballet dancer, corporate hack, and Democratic-party politico — has won the 2011 Chicago mayoral race. He skirted a bid to oust him from the ballot on a technicality, and outraised funds against his combined five mayoral opponents by a 5-to-1 ratio, playing off positive vibes as "Obama's guy".

Emanuel's political career is rife with controversy, conflicts of interests, and corporate kowtowing. He worked as a consultant to Richard M. Daley (whom he's succeeding as mayor) while illegally consulting for bond firms which did business with the city. He joined the Bill Clinton campaign and served as arm-twister-in-chief to marshall Democrats' votes in 1993 to approve the controversial NAFTA treaty.

The largest protests in Wisconsin in years continued Thursday at the state capitol in Madison, which was occupied by upset state workers earlier this week in response to Governor Scott Walker's proposal to cut salaries, benefits and collective bargaining rights and his threat to call in the National Guard against the workers.  On Wednesday, Walker's measure was advanced in committee, and the State Senate is expected to take up the measure today. Read More from Twin Cities IMC

Related: Steelworkers Rally in Solidarity with Mexican Miners | Labor Picket at Janus Youth Programs Office

Citizens and clean water advocates heralded the Buffalo Common Council’s move to become the first city in New York State—and the second major city nationwide—to ban hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. The Common Council passed “Buffalo's Community Protection from Natural Gas Extraction Ordinance” today by a 9-0 vote, following months of citizen lobbying by Frack Action Buffalo, a local grassroots group. Full Press Release | Lots of Video | Buffalo IMC Feature

By Heights Parent to the Open Publishing Newswire: I attended the HISD Community Conversation meeting yesterday and was astonished to learn of the amount of budget shortfall HISD will soon face in a few months. Like many of you, I had heard of the State deficit and knew there would be cuts. Until now though I did not realize the staggering amounts of the cuts and the direct impact it will have in the Houston area. Unfortunately, I am not exaggerating to say the situation is bad for school districts across the state. HISD is anticipating a hit of multi-millions being cut.

What kind of budget cut is HISD expecting? HISD will in all likelihood experience a $202-$348 million loss for the 2011-2012 school year. The impact to HISD will be detrimental to say the least. These numbers are 16%-20% of the HISD general operating budget.

What is causing the shortfall? HISD will lose federal stimulus money that expires at the end of this school year, property values are estimated to drop and the cost of running the district continues to increase. However, the primary source will be the multi-millions lost from the state when they balance the state budget this session. Texas is facing a budget shortfall of $15-$27 billion. The law requires the state budget be balanced. State officials plan on accomplishing this in the form of cuts rather than increases in tax revenue. [read full article]

The Buffalo Common Council Chamber was the scene of a spirited discussion Tuesday, January 18,2011 as those on both sides of the hydraulic fracturing issue clashed. The Common Council will decide on a moratorium for the controversial method of drilling for natural gas will be allowed in the city limits of Buffalo. This decision is mostly symbolic considering there are few places in the city suitable for such drilling. However, the common council’s decision will be seen as setting precedent for the future of fracking. read more

A credentialed reporter, who was prominently displaying a press pass issued by the very police agency who arrested him, can be lawfully arrested for jaywalking simply for standing in a parking indentation/turnout while filming an incident on a street blocked off to traffic, according to a decision issued on October 12th by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Indybay journalist Mark Burdett's attorney Ben Rosenfeld says the ruling "confirms many people's disgust that courts today exist to launder the bad behavior of the rich, the powerful, and the police."

Talent, Oregon -- September 30, 2010: Dozens of concerned Talent residents rallied today in front of the Post Office and let it be known how much they support the current mail delivery system! "Don't mess with our post office!" was heard loud and clear. One supporter was amazed at the strength of Talent citizen support. Read More & Photos | Past Coverage: Talent, Oregon Post Office Under Attack

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli continues to send the message that legitimate scientific research is not welcome in Virginia. On September 29, he officially submitted another Civil Investigative Demand (CID)—essentially a subpoena—to the University of Virginia (UVA) regarding research and communications by climate scientist and former UVA professor Michael Mann and more than thirty of his colleagues. In August, a Virginia judge dismissed four previous subpoenas on the grounds that the attorney general had offered no evidence of wrongdoing by Mann or any other climate scientist. Timeline of the Virginia Attorney General's Misguided Investigation

A new poll released Thursday by the Public Policy Institute of California shows Proposition 19, the statewide initiative to control and tax cannabis (marijuana) leading 52-41, with just 7 percent of likely voters still undecided.

Proposed NORD changes criticized by Safe Streets

The Oregon Water Resources Department is considering a water transfer application for a water exchange that would effectively allow Nestl? to access water coming out of Mt. Hood National Forest and bottle it.

This is another significant step forward in Nestl?'s plan to profit off of Oregon's clean drinking water sources in the town of Cascade Locks in the Columbia River Gorge. The Oregon Water Resources Department has the power to stop this transfer and could effectively shut down Nestl?'s plan's to bottle Oregon's water.

They are accepting public comments now. Please take action by September 30th by using this action tool.

Enter your zip code to continue on and send a message to the Director telling them Oregonians don't want Nestle profiting from our water!

Bark Website

Flagstaff, AZ – After 4 hours of meeting, the Flagstaff City Council voted 5-2 to not amend a proposed substitute agreement to sell 180 million gallons of Flagstaff's drinking water to Arizona Snowbowl for snowmaking on the Holy San Francisco Peaks. More than 150 concerned community members attended the Council meeting including Tribal representatives from Hopi, Navajo and Havasupai Nations.

The deal was initially presented as a "less offensive" option for Tribes who hold the San Francisco Peaks holy, but overwhelmingly the Tribes opposed the plan. Read More

Past Coverage: AZ Snowbowl plans to destroy the northern Arizona environment & desecrate sacred sites | March, Rally & Vigil to be held in Phoenix, AZ against AZ Snowlbowl desecration of sacred land | Related: Chris Francisco on The Longest Walk 3, Portland to DC