I'm a pretty low-tech guy. I don't have a smart phone of blackberry or even a phone that does emails. But it just occurred to me after I posted last night that some of you may have one and it may just alert you when you have an email and I really don't want anyone getting upset because I'm waking them up in the middle of the night with my blathering.
So, beginning with this post, I will only post during the day regardless of what time I write the post. I do my best work at night, you see. So, sorry if I'm a little late for some of you.
HP
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Wow. Or Rather OWS. Wow.
For those of you expecting a treatise on the perfect Progressive Reform candidate, you'll just have to wait. Sorry, but I'm a little "occupied" tonight.
In just 27 days, a small group of people got together after linking up through social media, the crown jewel of the Shiny Objects Distraction Program, and today it goes global. Yes, global. Demonstrations are to be held all over Europe tomorrow, as well as the Middle East (I hear) in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement. I'm freaking stunned.
Stunned that it has caught on so quickly and so well. And for all the talk of their lack of organization, they sure seem to have a pretty clear understanding of how to protest peacefully. I find it amusing that the media is fond of calling them (us) "hippies" both derisively and even fondly sometimes. And these "hippies" are confronted in Denver with police in full riot gear against a few dozen unarmed, peaceful, citizens. Irony? If that cop hadn't shot the pepper spray at the four girls, this probably would have been over with by now.
More than 1100 cities and towns have Occupy demonstrations going on. Eleven Hundred communities. In 27 days. 951 cities around the world are expected to participate today. Already underway in Japan, Korea, Australia, and the Taiwan. According to MSNBC.com there are about 2000 in Sydney right now. More than 2000 protests worldwide with essentially the same message.
We need a fundamental global paradigm overhaul because what's been isn't what needs to be. Democracy only works when the People are the voice. And no, Virginia, corporations are not people. This democracy is ours as bequeathed to us by the Founders and Framers. We have let it be taken over and as other countries around the world struggle get their democracies functioning, we may yet be able to show them how it's done.
We have an election coming up, and I say it's time for a completely new way of doing things. And to do that, we're gonna need a bunch of new people to do it. The perfect candidate on the next post.
(Circumstances prevented me going up to LA this week, but I am going and sooner rather than later).
Hamster Prez
In just 27 days, a small group of people got together after linking up through social media, the crown jewel of the Shiny Objects Distraction Program, and today it goes global. Yes, global. Demonstrations are to be held all over Europe tomorrow, as well as the Middle East (I hear) in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement. I'm freaking stunned.
Stunned that it has caught on so quickly and so well. And for all the talk of their lack of organization, they sure seem to have a pretty clear understanding of how to protest peacefully. I find it amusing that the media is fond of calling them (us) "hippies" both derisively and even fondly sometimes. And these "hippies" are confronted in Denver with police in full riot gear against a few dozen unarmed, peaceful, citizens. Irony? If that cop hadn't shot the pepper spray at the four girls, this probably would have been over with by now.
More than 1100 cities and towns have Occupy demonstrations going on. Eleven Hundred communities. In 27 days. 951 cities around the world are expected to participate today. Already underway in Japan, Korea, Australia, and the Taiwan. According to MSNBC.com there are about 2000 in Sydney right now. More than 2000 protests worldwide with essentially the same message.
We need a fundamental global paradigm overhaul because what's been isn't what needs to be. Democracy only works when the People are the voice. And no, Virginia, corporations are not people. This democracy is ours as bequeathed to us by the Founders and Framers. We have let it be taken over and as other countries around the world struggle get their democracies functioning, we may yet be able to show them how it's done.
We have an election coming up, and I say it's time for a completely new way of doing things. And to do that, we're gonna need a bunch of new people to do it. The perfect candidate on the next post.
(Circumstances prevented me going up to LA this week, but I am going and sooner rather than later).
Hamster Prez
Friday, October 14, 2011
The 100th Post: What A Real Progressive Candidate Looks Like, or What I've Learned After 3 Years of Obama
Welcome to the 100th post, Hamsters. I'm still working on the FTF posts, so in the meantime, here's tonight's rant.
I've learned many things in the last three years of the Obama presidency. Not all bad, not many good. The one thing I'm taking away right now is the if he has proven nothing else, it is that the office of POTUS is impotent. I've heard many liberals, progressives, and other alleged democrats whining that he's not been tough enough. That he's caved too easily and that they aren't getting what they wanted. And some of that, arguably, is true.
The reality is, they are the ones who have failed. It is the Congress that has the power. So, if they want to bitch about someone, they have only themselves to blame. Well, to be fair, the system is pretty screwed up, too. The Senate has been operating unconstitutionally for some time now, but no one will do anything about that...not even the so called Tea Party people who are supposed to be all about the letter of that set of laws. At least the ones they like.
By a show of hands, who can tell me what every politician's worst nightmare is. Cutoff from money? Scary, sure, but no. Nancy Pelosi? Only if you're John Boehner. No, the worst nightmare of any politician that wants to keep his job is not his opposite party contender, it is to be primaried by his own party. It's what happened in '10 and it scares the bejeezus outta them now.
Richard Trumpka is the President of the AFL-CIO, and he has been talking a really good game of late, and the other unions are starting to join in. He's decided that the union is not going to get involved much in the presidential race, but rather focus their money and attention on state and local races and congressional races. And they are actively seeking Progressive candidates to support.
Because they know as well where the real power lies. And it is the states, not the feds, that are attacking the middle and working classes, the poor, and passing Draconian social issues legislation. Congress is to busy playing games to legislate, and some states are running amok. There is a lot of damage being done, hamsters, and it's going to take a major influx of Progressives to right this ship.
What does a perfect Progressive candidate look like? Well, to be honest, it's a pretty long list. That's going to be tomorrow night's post. It's 1:30 AM and it's time to put the brain cells to bed. So, until tomorrow night, give yourself a round of applause for making it through another day of this crap (Keith Olbermann), and I'll rant at you tomorrow.
Peace,
Hamster Prez
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Plea For Your Help
Whether you are a follower or someone who receives the posts via email, I would really appreciate it if you would get the word out about the site. I would really like to increase my web presence and the only way to do that is if you tell others about it. Link to it on your Facebook page, email it to you friends. Whatever. I will be very grateful.
And, if you are a reader but not a follower, please change your status. There are a lot of you who read the blog, a couple who send emails/post comments and I would like all of you and your friends, regardless of their politics, to follow the blog. Invisible readers are like the silent majority. You know they're there, you just can't prove it.
I would also like this to be more interactive, so please feel free to post comments or send emails on any subject or point of view. If there's something you want my opinion on, you certainly know by now that I will have one and I will respond.
Thanks, and goodnight (for now).
HP
And, if you are a reader but not a follower, please change your status. There are a lot of you who read the blog, a couple who send emails/post comments and I would like all of you and your friends, regardless of their politics, to follow the blog. Invisible readers are like the silent majority. You know they're there, you just can't prove it.
I would also like this to be more interactive, so please feel free to post comments or send emails on any subject or point of view. If there's something you want my opinion on, you certainly know by now that I will have one and I will respond.
Thanks, and goodnight (for now).
HP
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Bummer...
Hello Hamsters,
Well, I wanted to let you know that I did not make it to O-LA today like I had hoped...but may still try for Friday. Regardless, the movement is growing and has a life of it's own. The media is paying attention, DC is starting to pay attention, the world is paying attention and, most importantly, Wall Street is starting to pay attention. No, you won't hear about it on the news much, but trust me, they are.
The thing that I love about it is the thing they fear about it. It has no real cohesive message yet. It has a thousand messages. There are people at these protests who want accountability and transparency. There are those protesting the broken system. People are there for workers rights. Voting rights. Health and medical care. Jobs. The wars. In short, all of the things that are wrong are represented, and this scares the hell outta "them" because they don't know what to do with it.
Another aspect I like about is it isn't a left-right thing, it's an up-down thing. There is no party affiliation (in fact, most of the Occupy groups have not allowed politicians to speak publicly).
There is no corporate funding (unlike the Tea Party), and it cannot be co-opted. It truly is an organic demonstration. It is citizen democracy at its best.
The City Council of LA adopted a measure supporting the movement. DC extended the permit in the park for 4 more months. Except for some occasional over-zealous police, all the demonstrations have been peaceful. Local businesses in and near the protest sites have opened their doors so folks have bathroom facilities when port-a-potties are not provided. Organizations are sending in food. Local hospital and medical personnel are volunteering their services. It's amazing to see this happening right now. It's about time and it's about equality and its about what's right, not who's right.
Yes, we finally got to what I've been preaching here for some time.
Now, if only there was a Democrat running for POTUS, I would be one happy hamster. More on that later. Also, I am postponing my series on First Things First for a bit while I continue to try to organize my list of firsts. I'm keeping an eye on what I think is first as it is an evolving story. So, stay tuned.
Shameless plug: If you're not watching UP With Chris Hayes on the weekends on MSNBC, I recommend it. It's lively and he has had some very good guests on. It's relaxed and conversational and pretty darn good. It's on Sat/Sun mornings at an ungodly hour, so set your DVR and watch it later.
I'm getting my wheel ready for some new rants, so watch you inbox! Until then, as KO now says, "Congratulations on getting through another day of this crap!"
HP
Well, I wanted to let you know that I did not make it to O-LA today like I had hoped...but may still try for Friday. Regardless, the movement is growing and has a life of it's own. The media is paying attention, DC is starting to pay attention, the world is paying attention and, most importantly, Wall Street is starting to pay attention. No, you won't hear about it on the news much, but trust me, they are.
The thing that I love about it is the thing they fear about it. It has no real cohesive message yet. It has a thousand messages. There are people at these protests who want accountability and transparency. There are those protesting the broken system. People are there for workers rights. Voting rights. Health and medical care. Jobs. The wars. In short, all of the things that are wrong are represented, and this scares the hell outta "them" because they don't know what to do with it.
Another aspect I like about is it isn't a left-right thing, it's an up-down thing. There is no party affiliation (in fact, most of the Occupy groups have not allowed politicians to speak publicly).
There is no corporate funding (unlike the Tea Party), and it cannot be co-opted. It truly is an organic demonstration. It is citizen democracy at its best.
The City Council of LA adopted a measure supporting the movement. DC extended the permit in the park for 4 more months. Except for some occasional over-zealous police, all the demonstrations have been peaceful. Local businesses in and near the protest sites have opened their doors so folks have bathroom facilities when port-a-potties are not provided. Organizations are sending in food. Local hospital and medical personnel are volunteering their services. It's amazing to see this happening right now. It's about time and it's about equality and its about what's right, not who's right.
Yes, we finally got to what I've been preaching here for some time.
Now, if only there was a Democrat running for POTUS, I would be one happy hamster. More on that later. Also, I am postponing my series on First Things First for a bit while I continue to try to organize my list of firsts. I'm keeping an eye on what I think is first as it is an evolving story. So, stay tuned.
Shameless plug: If you're not watching UP With Chris Hayes on the weekends on MSNBC, I recommend it. It's lively and he has had some very good guests on. It's relaxed and conversational and pretty darn good. It's on Sat/Sun mornings at an ungodly hour, so set your DVR and watch it later.
I'm getting my wheel ready for some new rants, so watch you inbox! Until then, as KO now says, "Congratulations on getting through another day of this crap!"
HP
Thursday, October 6, 2011
First Things First, an Introduction
Hey Hamsters,
So, I'm back and ready to restart the blog. I have taken 6 months off for mental health reasons, i.e. I was so frustrated by what was going on in DC and the country. It all started to fall apart when the people of Wisconsin failed to recall all of the Republicans responsible for the crisis in that state. My thought then was, what do the republicans have to do before people wake up and see what they're up to? Apparently the answer was "more".
So, First Things First means that we have to prioritize the issues, then take them on one by one. There is no second thing or third thing. In this series, each is the First Thing because we confront and solve each one then move on to the next.
This series will begin tomorrow and will continue as time allots until I either run out of things to say (sure that'll happen) or all of the major issues have been addressed. It's great to be back, and I look forward to feedback from any who care to participate...which I hope is all of you. Also, I would be eternally grateful if you would turn others onto the blog, regardless of their leanings. I always welcome differing viewpoints.
As stated in an earlier post, I am hoping to go to Occupy LA next Wednesday just to see what's going on. If anyone else is interested, get in touch either through the blog, my facebook page, or email me at markv.potter@gmail.com or mvpotter@socal.rr.com
I hope you are all well, and I again look forward to re-engaging with you, my fellow Hamsters.
Nomastay,
Hamster Prez
So, I'm back and ready to restart the blog. I have taken 6 months off for mental health reasons, i.e. I was so frustrated by what was going on in DC and the country. It all started to fall apart when the people of Wisconsin failed to recall all of the Republicans responsible for the crisis in that state. My thought then was, what do the republicans have to do before people wake up and see what they're up to? Apparently the answer was "more".
So, First Things First means that we have to prioritize the issues, then take them on one by one. There is no second thing or third thing. In this series, each is the First Thing because we confront and solve each one then move on to the next.
This series will begin tomorrow and will continue as time allots until I either run out of things to say (sure that'll happen) or all of the major issues have been addressed. It's great to be back, and I look forward to feedback from any who care to participate...which I hope is all of you. Also, I would be eternally grateful if you would turn others onto the blog, regardless of their leanings. I always welcome differing viewpoints.
As stated in an earlier post, I am hoping to go to Occupy LA next Wednesday just to see what's going on. If anyone else is interested, get in touch either through the blog, my facebook page, or email me at markv.potter@gmail.com or mvpotter@socal.rr.com
I hope you are all well, and I again look forward to re-engaging with you, my fellow Hamsters.
Nomastay,
Hamster Prez
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