Václav Havel: The Power of the Powerless

OCCUPY MICHIGAN in LANSING & DETROIT

Tony Lagace

Václav Havel: The Power of the Powerless

"The Power of the Powerless" (October 1978) was originally written ("quickly," Havel said later) as a discussion piece for a projected joint Polish Czechoslovak volume of essays on the subject of freedom and power... in May 1979, some of the Czechoslovak contributors who were also members of VONS (the Committee to Defend the Unjustly Prosecuted), including Havel, were arrested, and it was decided to go ahead and "publish" the Czechoslovak contributions separately.
Havel's essay has had a profound impact on Eastern Europe. Here is what Zbygniew Bujak, a Solidarity activist, told me: "This essay reached us in the Ursus factory in 1979 at a point when we felt we were at the end of the road. Inspired by KOR [the Polish Workers' Defense Committee], we h...ad been speaking on the shop floor, talking to people, participating in public meetings, trying to speak the truth about the factory, the country, and politics. There came a moment when people thought we were crazy. Why were we doing this? Why were we taking such risks? Not seeing any immediate and tangible results, we began to doubt the purposefulness of what we were doing. Shouldn’t we be coming up with other methods, other ways?
"Then came the essay by Havel. Reading it gave us the theoretical underpinnings for our activity. It maintained our spirits; we did not give up, and a year later-in August ig8o-it became clear that the party apparatus and the factory management were afraid of us. We mattered. And the rank and file saw us as leaders of the movement. When I look at the victories of Solidarity, and of Charter 77, I see in them an astonishing fulfillment of the prophecies and knowledge contained in Havel's essay."

http://www.vaclavhavel.cz/showtrans.php?cat=clanky&val=72_aj_clanky.html&typ=HTMLSee More

http://www.vaclavhavel.cz/showtrans.php?cat=clanky&val=72_aj_clanky.html&typ=HTML

www.vaclavhavel.cz

In Madison, 1,000 Singers Defy Walker’s Edict www.progressive.org

Nicole Desautels Schulte and 14 others shared a link.

In Madison, 1,000 Singers Defy Walker’s Edict

www.progressive.orgDespite Gov. Scott Walker’s edict that no more than three people can gather inside the capitol for a demonstration without a permit, about 1,000 people joined the Solidarity Sing-along at noon on Monday.

YaleNews | Cereals advertised heavily to children bought most often by ethnic minority households

YaleNews | Cereals advertised heavily to children bought most often by ethnic minority households

December 15, 2011

In the first study to examine cereal-buying patterns in homes in the United States, researchers at the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity found that African-American and Hispanic families are most likely to buy cereals that are advertised directly to children, which are also the least nutritious cereals. The study appears online in the journal Public Health Nutrition.

Researchers used data from the Nielsen Company to study cereal purchases by U.S. households over the course of a year. They looked at purchases by households with and without children and analyzed the families’ race, ethnicity, and income. Each cereal was given a score for its nutritional quality, whether it was advertised on TV, and whom the advertising targeted. Read More Here | YaleNews

Scott Walker Recall Effort Collected 507,000 Signatures in a Month | Mother Jones

Scott Walker Recall Effort Collected 507,000 Signatures in a Month | Mother Jones

With a month to go, activists trying to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have collected more than 507,000 signatures in just a month's time, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin announced Thursday.

Walker foes need at least 540,208 signatures to trigger a recall election of the first-term governor. It's now obvious they'll easily surpass that requirement. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin, part of the coalition of groups spearheading the recall effort, say they hope to gather 720,000 signatures by the end of the two-month window. They say that's a large enough cushion to account for legal challenges and bogus signatures thrown out by recall activists and the Wisconsin elections board, which ultimately vets the signatures. Read More Here | Mother Jones

Happy 69 Year Old Lady Has Not Used Money For 15 Years | Wake Up World

Happy 69 Year Old Lady Has Not Used Money For 15 Years | Wake Up World

Van Jones can’t occupy us - Salon.com

Van Jones can’t occupy us - Salon.com

Post Idea World | Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters

Post Idea World | Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters

ARIZONA IS CALLING FOR A DIVERSITY OF TACTICS TO SHUT DOWN THE UPCOMING ALEC CONFERENCE IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ ON NOVEMBER 30TH.

OCCUPY ALEC! - YouTube

Uploaded by Adamladamla on Oct 18, 2011

ARIZONA IS CALLING FOR A DIVERSITY OF TACTICS TO SHUT DOWN THE UPCOMING ALEC CONFERENCE IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ ON NOVEMBER 30TH.

ALEC thinks they're meeting in Scottsdale, AZ this November...

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a massive non-profit
body that brings corporations and legislators together to draft "model"
legislation. For example, AZ Senator Russell Pearce and Corrections
Corporation of America (CCA), the nation's largest private prison firm,
have been members for years. ALEC finalized the model legislation which
became, almost word for word, Arizona's SB1070, aka "Support Our Law
Enforcement." It's the latest in the historical pattern of colonization,
slave codes, convict leasing, and the drug war, that CREATES crimes and
therefore criminals, for profit.

With British Petroleum (BP) and the Koch brothers as some of their
funders, ALEC has pushed for Three Strikes and Mandatory Minimum
sentencing, as well as the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. More than 200
of ALEC's model bills became actual laws throughout the country over the
past year.

We're a group of people in occupied Indigenous lands, now called Arizona,
who demand the end of SB1070 and 287g, the criminalization—and then the
incarceration—of migrants, and the militarization of the border. We oppose
private prisons, detention centers, and security companies, not simply
because they are private, but because we are sickened by profiteering on
human misery. ALEC desires "free markets" and "limited government,"
which means they use the state to support profit-making, the continuance
of colonization, and neo-liberal policies (NAFTA, CANAMEX, etc.) that draw
lines, make laws, and build freeways and prisons to exploit labor and the
earth.

Whether maintained by the state or corporations, we're against all systems
of control. We are for freedom of movement for all people.

ALEC should know there are a million better things to do with their time
than plotting mass incarceration. But there's nowhere we'd rather be than
confronting their meeting. We're calling for four days of action here in
occupied Onk Akimel O'odham lands from November 29th -- December 3rd, 2011, with an emphasis for action on November 30th (N30!). We encourage a
creative diversity of tactics on N30, the 12th anniversary of the Seattle
uprising against the WTO. No matter the acronym, ALEC is no different
than all the other gangs of businessmen, politicians, and bureaucrats that
we've been resisting for over 500 years.

In solidarity with everyone locked up and locked down in AZ, and all
O'odham, Yaqui, Lipan Apache separated by the border, and anyone
dispossessed by the wealthy and powerful...

Please Share this information with others.

Hungry Guy: Emergency in Platteville/Grant County Wisconsin

Hungry Guy: Emergency in Platteville/Grant County Wisconsin
"Hey there readers, if any of you are in the Grant county area or the city of Platteville we could really use some help. I'm down here working on the recall effort and we are encountering some serious problems. I just came back from Dem headquarters here and we are under attack.
Threats are coming in and staff is running scared. We need people to help canvass for recall signatures. We need folks to double and triple up for the sake of safety. You don't even actually need to collect signatures,..." Read More Here | Emergency in Platteville/Grant County Wisconsin

John Nichols: Under Walker, Wisconsin is No. 1 job loser

John Nichols: Under Walker, Wisconsin is No. 1 job loser

Egypt imports 21 tons of tear gas from the US, port staff refuses to sign for it - Bikya Masr

Egypt imports 21 tons of tear gas from the US, port staff refuses to sign for it - Bikya Masr

Wisconsin Democrats hit halfway mark in recall effort against Gov. Walker | The Raw Story

The Raw Story

Organizers say they have collected nearly 1,040 signatures per hour.

Wisconsin Democrats hit halfway mark in recall effort against Gov. Walker | The Raw Story

www.rawstory.com

Organizers working on a campaign to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch are more than half-way to their goal, they announced Monday.

Scott Olsen Interviewed After Release From Hospital - YouTube

Scott Olsen Interviewed After Release From Hospital - YouTube

Scott Walker Opponents Collect More Than 300,000 Signatures In 12 Days For Recall Election

Scott Walker Opponents Collect More Than 300,000 Signatures In 12 Days For Recall Election

WASHINGTON -- Activists pushing to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) announced on Monday evening that they have collected more than 300,000 signatures for the effort in just 12 days.

To trigger a recall election, Walker's opponents -- coordinated by the group United Wisconsin -- need to collect 540,208 valid signatures by Jan. 17, which is 60 days after the campaign launched. Organizers said they are aiming for 600,000 to 700,000 signatures.

11-29-11 Restore Goldengate | Occupy Detroit

11-29-11 Restore Goldengate | Occupy Detroit

Occupy Detroit has several neighborhood projects we are pursuing. We are working on restoring the neighborhoods that our government has neglected.

This Tuesday, November 29 we are asking for more hands involved in the restoration of our location around 160 Goldengate, located 4 blocks south of 7 Mile Rd, between Woodward Ave and John R Rd in Highland Park. The space is being prepared as a work to live location and we anticipate branching out to work on additional homes in the area. Lets work at creating the neighborhoods we desire.

We need people that can lend skills like carpentry, masonry, plumbing. We need resources like wood, plastic, insulation, brick, mortar, nails, screws, caulk, and more. Bring tools that fit your hands.

Waziyatawin Speaks to Occupy Oakland - YouTube

Waziyatawin Speaks to Occupy Oakland - YouTube

Fake Facebook Identity Used By Military Contractors Plotting To Hack Progressive Organizations | NationofChange

Fake Facebook Identity Used By Military Contractors Plotting To Hack Progressive Organizations | NationofChange

Detroit Police and the Occupy Movement » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

Detroit Police and the Occupy Movement » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
In the last analysis the police are like a domestic military force and like the military have been trained and paid to respond in the interests of the 1% rather than the 99%. This is true even though they themselves are a part of the 99%. However there is hope that there will be restraint and defections. It’s interesting to note, for example, that in the last week or so when faced with a reduction in pay by the financially strapped City of Detroit, some police took a page from the Occupation handbook and conducted a sick-in, refusing to report for duty. They were suspended as a result, but it’s just like being arrested, there’s a price to pay for standing up for your rights.

The BRAD BLOG : UT Paper Ballot Op-Scan 'Recount' Halted, Results Found 'Extremely in Favor of Opposite Candidate'

The BRAD BLOG : UT Paper Ballot Op-Scan 'Recount' Halted, Results Found 'Extremely in Favor of Opposite Candidate'

New Hampshire, Utah, and dozens of other states use the same type of voting systems that were shown to be easily manipulated in the climactic final scene of the 2006 Emmy-nominated HBO documentary Hacking Democracy as well as numerous scientific analyses carried out across the country over the past several years.

Nonetheless, while some 20 to 30% of voters next year will be forced to vote on 100% unverifiable touch-screen voting systems next year, the very same paper-ballot optical-scan machines that failed in 2008 in the New Hampshire primary and in this month's Provo Municipal Council race (and in dozens of other elections over the years) are set to be used once again all across the country during the 2012 Presidential election cycle.

BREAKING NEWS: Wisconsin GOP Faithful Stoop To New Lows In Tampering With Recalls | Addicting Info

BREAKING NEWS: Wisconsin GOP Faithful Stoop To New Lows In Tampering With Recalls | Addicting Info

Segway Jeremy Ryan revealed the people behind the hate websites and how to help shut them down.

Heidi HadenoughofWalker Waddell

Barbara With
Segway Jeremy Ryan revealed the people behind the hate websites and how to help shut them down.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/11/28/breaking-news-wisconsin-gop-faithful-stoop-to-new-lows-in-tampering-with-recalls/

BREAKING NEWS: Wisconsin GOP Faithful Stoop To New Lows In Tampering With Recalls

www.addictinginfo.org

As many people know the recalls of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch are officially underway. These, combined with the wins in Ohio, will set an example across the country of what the people will and will not tolerate.

Occupy, Rigged Elections, and The Bastille Line | Election Defense Alliance

Occupy, Rigged Elections, and The Bastille Line | Election Defense Alliance

How Wall Street Occupied America | The Nation

How Wall Street Occupied America | The Nation

Belittling the Occupy Movement – By Eugene Occupier Samuel Rutledge :: Occupy Eugene

Belittling the Occupy Movement – By Eugene Occupier Samuel Rutledge :: Occupy Eugene

The Original Occupation: Native Blood & the Myth of Thanksgiving | Unsettling America

The Original Occupation: Native Blood & the Myth of Thanksgiving | Unsettling America

The Original Occupation: Native Blood & the Myth of Thanksgiving

Posted on November 23, 2011 | 3 Comments

This piece is available as podcast. It is part of our larger Kasama offerings on peoples’ history.

The Puritan colonists of Massachusetts embraced a line from Psalms 2:8:

“Ask of me, and I shall give thee, the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

by Mike Ely

Intro to that first occupation

It is a deep thing that people still celebrate the survival of the early colonists at Plymouth — by giving thanks to the Christian God who supposedly protected and championed the European invasion.

Let's see the reality of Thanksgiving -- and the founding of the United States in slavery and genocide

The real meaning of all that, then and now, needs to be continually excavated. The myths and lies that surround the past are constantly draped over the horrors and tortures of our present.

We are talking widely among ourselves about “occupying” Wall Street — taking the center of an empire back for the people of the world. We are talking about “Occupy Everything” — sharing our dreams of taking all society away from banks, police, and the heartless authority of money. We hope this moment marks a beginning of the end for them. Read More Here | Unsettling America

People Of Color Organize! | Decolonizing Indigenous Traditionalism

Decolonizing Indigenous Traditionalism

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Enaemaehkiw Túpac Keshena

"Spirituality is the center of our Indigenous Being and in our history our Spiritual Institutions were subject to changes where another world view was introduced which affected these things and also where our Spiritual Institutions made illegal by our oppressors which forced us to keep these things hidden underground, where these things were almost lost. Now we are seeing a resurgence of our Spiritual Societies and Ceremonies thriving. With this we should not be so ignorant to believe that our Spiritual Societies are not exempt of the colonial stains which have infiltrated our other Indigenous Institutions. We need to be conscience of this and correct oppressive behaviors within our various societies as we are seeing a majority of our people return to our ways where they are doing it through our Spiritual Institutions.

Although our spiritual societies play a significant role in our decolonization process traces of colonialism is still entrenched in them instilling passive values which are making us submissive to our oppressor. We must also not make the mistake that “Traditionalism” or our Spiritual Institutions is the only thing there is to our Identity. We also have our own political, judicial, warrior, hunting, medicine, economic societies to reestablish." Read More Here |Decolonizing indigenous TRaditionalism

Confront Racism: Zeitgeist Movement and #Occupy | People Of Color Organize!

Confront Racism: Zeitgeist Movement and #Occupy | People Of Color Organize!

Privatization Nightmare: 5 Public Services That Should Never Be Handed Over to Greedy Corporations | Economy | AlterNet

Privatization Nightmare: 5 Public Services That Should Never Be Handed Over to Greedy Corporations | Economy | AlterNet

Five Privatization Nightmares

Here are five nightmares resulting from privatization:

1. Privatized Prisons

Think through the implications of a privatized prison system: if people go to prison it means more profit for the big for-profit prison corporations. This puts corporations, with all of their influence over the government, in the position of wanting more of us sentenced to long terms in jail so they can make more money! Even worse, there is an added corporate benefit: cheap prison labor.

Of course, the result you would expect from these incentives is exactly what has been happening.

For example, you may have heard about the "Kids for Cash" scandal in which Pennsylvania judges pleaded guilty to sentencing kids to privatized detention centers in exchange for payoffs from the profit-making companies that ran the centers. First the judges arranged for public detention centers to be defunded. Then they started sentencing a disproportionate number of kids to private detention centers in exchange for bribes.

The profit incentive to put more and more of us in prison is not just an isolated local problem. This year The Nation looked into prison privatization, in The Hidden History of ALEC and Prison Labor. They found that the notorious, Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), in an effort that is sponsored by the big for-profit prison corporations and companies that benefit from the cheap labor this provides, is helping to pass laws to put more and more of us in jail. According to The Nation,

… prison labor for the private sector was legally barred for years, to avoid unfair competition with private companies. But this has changed thanks to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) .... [and their] instrumental role in the explosion of the US prison population in the past few decades. ALEC helped pioneer some of the toughest sentencing laws on the books today, like mandatory minimums for non-violent drug offenders, “three strikes” laws, and “truth in sentencing” laws.

… ALEC has also worked to pass state laws to create private for-profit prisons, a boon to two of its major corporate sponsors: Corrections Corporation of America and Geo Group (formerly Wackenhut Corrections), the largest private prison firms in the country. An In These Times investigation last summer revealed that ALEC arranged secret meetings between Arizona’s state legislators and CCA to draft what became SB 1070, Arizona’s notorious immigration law, to keep CCA prisons flush with immigrant detainees. ALEC has proven expertly capable of devising endless ways to help private corporations benefit from the country’s massive prison population.

[. . .] Much of ALEC’s proposed labor legislation, implemented state by state is allowing replacement of public workers with prisoners. Read More Here | AlterNet

Robert Reich: "The REAL Public Nuisance" - YouTube

Robert Reich: "The REAL Public Nuisance" - YouTube

Howard Zinn Tribute Video by The People Speak

Occupy San Diego

David M Lande

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgoWZWRAL8w

Howard Zinn Tribute Video by The People Speak

www.youtube.com

A tribute to the late great historian, activist and teacher Howard Zinn. Featuring interviews with Zinn, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, Viggo Mor...