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G_j
G_j's Journal
G_j's Journal
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March 10, 2012
Ohio: Fracking set off a dozen earthquakes
Published: March 9, 2012 5:32 PM
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A dozen earthquakes in northeastern Ohio were almost certainly induced by injection of gas-drilling wastewater into the earth, state regulators said Friday as they announced a series of tough new rules for drillers.
Among the new regulations: Well operators must submit more comprehensive geological data when requesting a drill site, and the chemical makeup of all drilling wastewater must be tracked electronically.
Both could mean extra costs for gas drillers looking for new wells and ways to get rid of wastewater — much of which is taken in by Ohio.
The state Department of Natural Resources announced the tough new brine injection regulations because of the report's findings on the well in Youngstown, which it said were based on "a number of coincidental circumstances."
For one, investigators said, the well began operations just three months ahead of the first quake
..more..
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Ohio: Fracking set off a dozen earthquakes
http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/ohio-fracking-set-off-a-dozen-earthquakes-1.3592002Ohio: Fracking set off a dozen earthquakes
Published: March 9, 2012 5:32 PM
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A dozen earthquakes in northeastern Ohio were almost certainly induced by injection of gas-drilling wastewater into the earth, state regulators said Friday as they announced a series of tough new rules for drillers.
Among the new regulations: Well operators must submit more comprehensive geological data when requesting a drill site, and the chemical makeup of all drilling wastewater must be tracked electronically.
Both could mean extra costs for gas drillers looking for new wells and ways to get rid of wastewater — much of which is taken in by Ohio.
The state Department of Natural Resources announced the tough new brine injection regulations because of the report's findings on the well in Youngstown, which it said were based on "a number of coincidental circumstances."
For one, investigators said, the well began operations just three months ahead of the first quake
..more..
[IMG]
[/IMG]
March 9, 2012
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Today Is Different
I am embarrassed
Looking here and there—
What to write first?
Words, smile, tell me,
Send me first!
I don’t know—should I
Write a letter to my mother
Or call Masha?
Today is different
It is the 8th of March
I am looking for a gift
To send to Afghan women
In a small package of love
I send you love and strength
My pen desires, my poem smiles
That I should write you,
Women of my country
Congratulations this 8th of March
History is witness, I swear
Every day can be a bright day
Every day can be your day
By Norwan
The Afghan Women's Writing Project celebrates International Women's Day
http://awwproject.org/2012/03/today-is-different/[IMG]
[/IMG]
Today Is Different
I am embarrassed
Looking here and there—
What to write first?
Words, smile, tell me,
Send me first!
I don’t know—should I
Write a letter to my mother
Or call Masha?
Today is different
It is the 8th of March
I am looking for a gift
To send to Afghan women
In a small package of love
I send you love and strength
My pen desires, my poem smiles
That I should write you,
Women of my country
Congratulations this 8th of March
History is witness, I swear
Every day can be a bright day
Every day can be your day
By Norwan
March 8, 2012
Revealed: The best and worst places to be a woman
An Independent on Sunday investigation to mark International Women's Day unearths some surprising results...
When more than half of the world's population wakes up on Thursday – the 101st International Women's Day – it will be hard to know whether to celebrate or give in to despair. A British woman will face the prospect of at least 14 more general elections before women equal men in the Commons. But a woman in Qatar will be six times more likely to go to university than the man next door.
The global gender gap defies simple solutions. Eighty-five per cent of countries have improved conditions for women over the past six years, according to the World Economic Forum, but in economic and political terms there is still a long way to go.
"From London to Lahore," says Oxfam, "inequality between men and women persists." Here The Independent on Sunday explores the best places to be a woman today.
1. Best place to be a woman: Iceland..
...more..
Revealed: The best and worst places to be a woman
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/revealed-the-best-and-worst-places-to-be-a-woman-7534794.htmlRevealed: The best and worst places to be a woman
An Independent on Sunday investigation to mark International Women's Day unearths some surprising results...
When more than half of the world's population wakes up on Thursday – the 101st International Women's Day – it will be hard to know whether to celebrate or give in to despair. A British woman will face the prospect of at least 14 more general elections before women equal men in the Commons. But a woman in Qatar will be six times more likely to go to university than the man next door.
The global gender gap defies simple solutions. Eighty-five per cent of countries have improved conditions for women over the past six years, according to the World Economic Forum, but in economic and political terms there is still a long way to go.
"From London to Lahore," says Oxfam, "inequality between men and women persists." Here The Independent on Sunday explores the best places to be a woman today.
1. Best place to be a woman: Iceland..
...more..
March 8, 2012
Dogging Mitt RomneyBy GAIL COLLINS
Published: March 7, 2012
I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this, but Mitt Romney once drove to Canada with the family Irish setter on the roof of the car.
Seamus, the dog-on-the-roof, has become a kind of political icon. You cannot go anywhere without running into him. There are Seamus T-shirts and endless Web sites. This week, the story was a New Yorker cover, with Rick Santorum playing the role of the Irish setter.
<snip>
At some point — possibly in response to the excitement about being passed by tractor-trailers while floating like a furry maraschino cherry on top of the car, Seamus developed diarrhea. And Romney, who had designated all the acceptable rest stops before beginning the trip, was forced to make an unscheduled trip to a gas station. Where he kept the family in the car while he hosed down the station wagon and the dog, then returned to the highway.
<snip>
People, does any of this sound appealing? Elect Mitt Romney and he will take the nation on the road to the future. Some of us will be stuck on the roof. The rest of us will be inside singing camp songs and waiting for the day when the master plan lets us stop to visit the bathroom. Plus, anybody who screws up on the way to the future gets the hose.
Anyhow, we are now at a post-Super-Tuesday lull in the campaign, and I am ready to answer Seamus questions.
..more..
Seamus, the dog-on-the-roof, a political icon
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/opinion/collins-dogging-mitt-romney.html?_r=2&hpDogging Mitt RomneyBy GAIL COLLINS
Published: March 7, 2012
I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this, but Mitt Romney once drove to Canada with the family Irish setter on the roof of the car.
Seamus, the dog-on-the-roof, has become a kind of political icon. You cannot go anywhere without running into him. There are Seamus T-shirts and endless Web sites. This week, the story was a New Yorker cover, with Rick Santorum playing the role of the Irish setter.
<snip>
At some point — possibly in response to the excitement about being passed by tractor-trailers while floating like a furry maraschino cherry on top of the car, Seamus developed diarrhea. And Romney, who had designated all the acceptable rest stops before beginning the trip, was forced to make an unscheduled trip to a gas station. Where he kept the family in the car while he hosed down the station wagon and the dog, then returned to the highway.
<snip>
People, does any of this sound appealing? Elect Mitt Romney and he will take the nation on the road to the future. Some of us will be stuck on the roof. The rest of us will be inside singing camp songs and waiting for the day when the master plan lets us stop to visit the bathroom. Plus, anybody who screws up on the way to the future gets the hose.
Anyhow, we are now at a post-Super-Tuesday lull in the campaign, and I am ready to answer Seamus questions.
..more..
March 1, 2012
On Feb. 28th, 100 million workers in India went on Strike! http://bit.ly/zvPlp7
100,000,000 workers grind India to a halt in one of world's biggest strikes ever
One of the world's largest ever strikes began at midnight on Monday 27th Feb and will end at midnight tonight. Up to 100,000,000 Indian workers from different sectors and industries are calling for a national minimum wage, permanent jobs, and much more.
As reported by libcom blogger working class self organisation in January:
Quote:
Over a dozen of India’s largest trade unions have called for and signed up to the strike. The strike will affect many sectors, including public sector banks, ports and docks, railways, insurance, road transport, energy workers, miners, and aviation workers.
“Recent months have seen a mounting wave of militant worker struggles in India, strikes for union recognition in India’s expanding auto sector, including a two-day occupation of a Hyundai plant, a wildcat strike by Air India personnel, and walkouts by telecom workers and coal miners against the central government’s privatization plans.”
The different unions have a variety of different demands, they include gaining the same rights and protection for temporary and contract workers that permanent workers have, raising and extending the minimum wage, resisting the attacks on trade unions, stopping price rises, the creation of a national social security fund, increase in pensions, and combating corruption.
..more..
and, Massive Student Protests and Occupations in Spain: http://bit.ly/yhPGhl
Student protests erupt across Spain
By Jas Chohan
29-F as it has already being termed saw mass student protests around the Spanish peninsula. The latest marches took place in the almost immediate aftermath of those against the passing of new Labour Reform Laws, which have made it easier and cheaper for companies to sack their employees with little forewarning.
The student strikes were focused on cuts in education but also in the public sector among other areas that face austerity measures. The Spanish student movement has made it clear it very much sees itself as part of the globally ‘lost’ generation, doomed to earn little if anything. Barcelona made the biggest headlines yesterday, with estimates of some 70,000 students having taken to the streets. Seven public Catalan universities and the ‘United Platform in Defence of Public Universities’ called the strike there, which shut down the centre of the city for hours. Large banners reading ‘We Will not Pay for their Fraud’ and ‘We Will Save Public Universities’ led the demonstration. Strong police aggression faced protestors in Barcelona though, the city whose riot police are famed nationally for their frequently heavy handed policing tactics.
In the whole region of Valencia some 134,000 secondary students alone supported the education strikes, which comparatively were more peaceful. However, only last week student protestors there faced strong police repression in protests against austerity measures in education. The events of the past week undoubtedly spurred on and strengthened yesterdays marches around the country, which took place in solidarity with those in Valencia and against police forces that increasingly seem to enforce law through brute force.
The momentum of protest looks to continue in many of the cities, with the students of the Autonomous University of Barcelona having called another day of strikes for Thursday. All across the country, demonstrations have taken place within the context of cuts facing the nation as a whole. Yesterday once again calls for another general strike reverberated on the streets, with students and workers uniting against the criminal measures being proposed by the conservative Popular Party (PP). The protests have been carried out with strength in numbers and with a spirit of societal solidarity before a cutting government, which faces mounting pressure on all fronts
Today, a National Right to Education Day of Action in the US: http://bit.ly/z7FT9s
http://occupywallst.org/
100,000,000 workers grind India to a halt in one of world's biggest strikes ever
From Occupy Wall St. (FB)On Feb. 28th, 100 million workers in India went on Strike! http://bit.ly/zvPlp7
100,000,000 workers grind India to a halt in one of world's biggest strikes ever
One of the world's largest ever strikes began at midnight on Monday 27th Feb and will end at midnight tonight. Up to 100,000,000 Indian workers from different sectors and industries are calling for a national minimum wage, permanent jobs, and much more.
As reported by libcom blogger working class self organisation in January:
Quote:
Over a dozen of India’s largest trade unions have called for and signed up to the strike. The strike will affect many sectors, including public sector banks, ports and docks, railways, insurance, road transport, energy workers, miners, and aviation workers.
“Recent months have seen a mounting wave of militant worker struggles in India, strikes for union recognition in India’s expanding auto sector, including a two-day occupation of a Hyundai plant, a wildcat strike by Air India personnel, and walkouts by telecom workers and coal miners against the central government’s privatization plans.”
The different unions have a variety of different demands, they include gaining the same rights and protection for temporary and contract workers that permanent workers have, raising and extending the minimum wage, resisting the attacks on trade unions, stopping price rises, the creation of a national social security fund, increase in pensions, and combating corruption.
..more..
and, Massive Student Protests and Occupations in Spain: http://bit.ly/yhPGhl
Student protests erupt across Spain
By Jas Chohan
29-F as it has already being termed saw mass student protests around the Spanish peninsula. The latest marches took place in the almost immediate aftermath of those against the passing of new Labour Reform Laws, which have made it easier and cheaper for companies to sack their employees with little forewarning.
The student strikes were focused on cuts in education but also in the public sector among other areas that face austerity measures. The Spanish student movement has made it clear it very much sees itself as part of the globally ‘lost’ generation, doomed to earn little if anything. Barcelona made the biggest headlines yesterday, with estimates of some 70,000 students having taken to the streets. Seven public Catalan universities and the ‘United Platform in Defence of Public Universities’ called the strike there, which shut down the centre of the city for hours. Large banners reading ‘We Will not Pay for their Fraud’ and ‘We Will Save Public Universities’ led the demonstration. Strong police aggression faced protestors in Barcelona though, the city whose riot police are famed nationally for their frequently heavy handed policing tactics.
In the whole region of Valencia some 134,000 secondary students alone supported the education strikes, which comparatively were more peaceful. However, only last week student protestors there faced strong police repression in protests against austerity measures in education. The events of the past week undoubtedly spurred on and strengthened yesterdays marches around the country, which took place in solidarity with those in Valencia and against police forces that increasingly seem to enforce law through brute force.
The momentum of protest looks to continue in many of the cities, with the students of the Autonomous University of Barcelona having called another day of strikes for Thursday. All across the country, demonstrations have taken place within the context of cuts facing the nation as a whole. Yesterday once again calls for another general strike reverberated on the streets, with students and workers uniting against the criminal measures being proposed by the conservative Popular Party (PP). The protests have been carried out with strength in numbers and with a spirit of societal solidarity before a cutting government, which faces mounting pressure on all fronts
Today, a National Right to Education Day of Action in the US: http://bit.ly/z7FT9s
http://occupywallst.org/
February 29, 2012
We got some disturbing news this morning that Dennis Kucinich's opponent, Congresswoman Kaptur, has gone to a new low in attacking Dennis. Her latest misleading ad tries to tie Dennis to Jimmy Dimora's corruption trial -- a false smear attack that's straight out of the Republican, Karl Rove playbook. It is character assassination and pure GOP Swift-boating.
Anyone who knows Dennis or his record knows he has the absolutely highest level of honesty and integrity. This is an attack not just on Dennis but on our entire movement and what we stand for -- a politics that boldly attacks the issues we face, not each other.
We will respond honestly and forcefully set the record straight. We urgently need to raise $50,000 to get an ad up and push back.
Click here to donate , https://donate.kucinich.us/page/contribute/120228 and let's defend our campaign and movement, and help keep Dennis' voice in Congress.
For decades the Republicans and special interests have tried to get Dennis out of Congress -- to silence his leadership in forging peace, supporting unions and industry, protecting our most in need, and defending our liberties and Constitution. It's disgraceful that our opponent, a fellow Democrat, would use thousands in defense industry campaign money trying the same smears and false attacks the Republicans have used.
On the issues, Dennis wins hands down -- we know that. Dennis has fought against the Patriot Act, the Keystone Pipeline, the expansion of nuclear power, and funding for the Iraq War -- every single time. He's led on the Dream Act, marriage equality, and a woman's right to choose. Congresswoman Kaptur was on the wrong side of every one of these issues.
It's a shame she's trying to distract from her record by sinking to the Republican playbook and smearing Dennis -- one of the most bold, honest, and thoughtful leaders we have. Please join me and let's not let her get away with this.
One week to go! Let's win this race, and let's keep Dennis voice in Congress.
With respect,
Dave Kelley
Re-elect Congressman Kucinich Committee
..
Smears on Dennis go to a New Low
http://kucinich.us/media/smears-dennis-go-new-low#.T004KnAtYbY.facebookWe got some disturbing news this morning that Dennis Kucinich's opponent, Congresswoman Kaptur, has gone to a new low in attacking Dennis. Her latest misleading ad tries to tie Dennis to Jimmy Dimora's corruption trial -- a false smear attack that's straight out of the Republican, Karl Rove playbook. It is character assassination and pure GOP Swift-boating.
Anyone who knows Dennis or his record knows he has the absolutely highest level of honesty and integrity. This is an attack not just on Dennis but on our entire movement and what we stand for -- a politics that boldly attacks the issues we face, not each other.
We will respond honestly and forcefully set the record straight. We urgently need to raise $50,000 to get an ad up and push back.
Click here to donate , https://donate.kucinich.us/page/contribute/120228 and let's defend our campaign and movement, and help keep Dennis' voice in Congress.
For decades the Republicans and special interests have tried to get Dennis out of Congress -- to silence his leadership in forging peace, supporting unions and industry, protecting our most in need, and defending our liberties and Constitution. It's disgraceful that our opponent, a fellow Democrat, would use thousands in defense industry campaign money trying the same smears and false attacks the Republicans have used.
On the issues, Dennis wins hands down -- we know that. Dennis has fought against the Patriot Act, the Keystone Pipeline, the expansion of nuclear power, and funding for the Iraq War -- every single time. He's led on the Dream Act, marriage equality, and a woman's right to choose. Congresswoman Kaptur was on the wrong side of every one of these issues.
It's a shame she's trying to distract from her record by sinking to the Republican playbook and smearing Dennis -- one of the most bold, honest, and thoughtful leaders we have. Please join me and let's not let her get away with this.
One week to go! Let's win this race, and let's keep Dennis voice in Congress.
With respect,
Dave Kelley
Re-elect Congressman Kucinich Committee
..
February 28, 2012
I'm still upset that they killed off the "Golden Compass"
whatever the reason, it's a shame, I thought the Golden Compass was a wonderful film.
I also enjoyed the book "The Last Temptation of Christ" and although the movie wasn't great in my opinion, many people were deprived the possibilty to see it for themselves, because of church pressure.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/dec/15/golden-compass-sam-elliot-catholic-church
Who killed off The Golden Compass?
Sam Elliot believes the Catholic church killed off any chances of a sequel to The Golden Compass, but the truth may be far simpler
After the success of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy looked a dead cert for epic fantasy book franchise success. In 2007, when first installment The Golden Compass was released, it looked to have all the right ingredients: moppet actors, spectacular battles, a sexy baddie, Ian McKellen, snow. But no sequels were made. Why?
Actor Sam Elliot thinks he knows. According to an interview in the Evening Standard, Elliot – who basically played himself in The Golden Compass – is pinning the failure of the series directly on the Pope, saying: "The Catholic church happened to The Golden Compass, as far as I'm concerned. It did incredible at the box office. Incredible. It took $85m (£52m) in the States. The Catholic church … lambasted them, and I think it scared New Line off."
He could have a point. The Golden Compass was the subject of a prolonged attack from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, who proclaimed it to be "atheism for kids", and Fox News's Bill O'Reilly who, with typical restraint, apparently called the film a "war on Christmas". The attacks shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. Pullman has always been impressively vocal in his atheism, plus writing a book about some children literally murdering God is probably as overt an anti-Catholic statement as you can get – but there's something about Elliot's argument that doesn't quite ring true.
..more..
February 24, 2012
Cop Identified in Scott Olsen Incident?
Video and police records indicate that Oakland Police Officer Robert Roche threw a stun grenade at protesters trying to help the injured Iraq War vet.
By Ali Winston
One of the most indelible images of the Occupy movement to date is that of Marine veteran Scott Olsen being carried away from a skirmish line of riot police at 14th Street and Broadway on October 25 in Oakland. Stunned and bleeding from an ugly gash on his forehead, the 24-year-old Wisconsin native had been struck in the head by an unknown projectile during the first salvo of tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and less-than-lethal munitions fired at hundreds of Occupy Oakland supporters facing off against Oakland police and several other Bay Area law enforcement agencies called in on mutual aid.
Video from the tear gas-soaked night of the 25th shows a prone Olsen lying in front of metal barricades and police in riot gear. As several protesters ran to Olsen's aid, someone from the cluster of police appears to lob a flash-bang grenade into the crowd gathered around the young veteran. The stun grenade explodes amid a cloud of tear gas and deafening noise, scattering Olsen's rescuers.
The footage of the flash-bang grenade exploding practically on top of Olsen and his rescuers, as well as dramatic video of a stunned and bloody Olsen being carried away from the intersection, went viral within hours, propelling Occupy Oakland to international attention and setting the stage for the November 2nd General Strike.
In the weeks and months afterward, rumors and accusations flew about the identity of the officer who fired the projectile that wounded Olsen, and the one who threw the concussion grenade on top of him. Rumors circulated on the Internet that either a San Francisco sheriff's deputy or an officer from the Palo Alto Police Department was responsible. Members of Anonymous even went so far as to publish pictures and the personal information of a San Francisco sheriff's deputy they believe tossed the stun grenade at Olsen.
..more..
Cop Identified in Scott Olsen Incident?
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/cop-identified-in-scott-olsen-incident/Content?oid=3131933Cop Identified in Scott Olsen Incident?
Video and police records indicate that Oakland Police Officer Robert Roche threw a stun grenade at protesters trying to help the injured Iraq War vet.
By Ali Winston
One of the most indelible images of the Occupy movement to date is that of Marine veteran Scott Olsen being carried away from a skirmish line of riot police at 14th Street and Broadway on October 25 in Oakland. Stunned and bleeding from an ugly gash on his forehead, the 24-year-old Wisconsin native had been struck in the head by an unknown projectile during the first salvo of tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and less-than-lethal munitions fired at hundreds of Occupy Oakland supporters facing off against Oakland police and several other Bay Area law enforcement agencies called in on mutual aid.
Video from the tear gas-soaked night of the 25th shows a prone Olsen lying in front of metal barricades and police in riot gear. As several protesters ran to Olsen's aid, someone from the cluster of police appears to lob a flash-bang grenade into the crowd gathered around the young veteran. The stun grenade explodes amid a cloud of tear gas and deafening noise, scattering Olsen's rescuers.
The footage of the flash-bang grenade exploding practically on top of Olsen and his rescuers, as well as dramatic video of a stunned and bloody Olsen being carried away from the intersection, went viral within hours, propelling Occupy Oakland to international attention and setting the stage for the November 2nd General Strike.
In the weeks and months afterward, rumors and accusations flew about the identity of the officer who fired the projectile that wounded Olsen, and the one who threw the concussion grenade on top of him. Rumors circulated on the Internet that either a San Francisco sheriff's deputy or an officer from the Palo Alto Police Department was responsible. Members of Anonymous even went so far as to publish pictures and the personal information of a San Francisco sheriff's deputy they believe tossed the stun grenade at Olsen.
..more..
February 24, 2012
Punishing Protest: Patrick Shea and
Heidi Boghosian Discuss Law and Civil Disobedience
February 23, 2012
Summary: What is the justice system for? Activists from the Occupy movement to climate justice camps are regularly made examples of by courts while bank and oil company executives avoid prosecution for real crimes. During Orion's latest live web event, Patrick Shea, a lawyer who defended climate justice activist Tim DeChristopher (see "What Love Looks Like" in the January/February 2012 issue of Orion), and Heidi Boghosian, director of the National Lawyers Guild, discussed what activists engaging in nonviolent protest can expect from the justice system.
www.orionmagazine.org
Orion is a bimonthly, advertising-free magazine devoted to creating a stronger bond between people and nature.
-------------
Punishing Protest, Policing Dissent: What Is the Justice System for?
Monday 20 February 2012
by: Erik Hoffner, Truthout | News Analysis
http://www.truth-out.org/punishing-protest-policing-dissent-what-justice-system/1329418798
This year promises to be another historic year of people calling for change worldwide. Citizens took to the streets for a wide variety of reasons, from the Wisconsin Capitol to DC, which hosted many actions last year, including the highly visible civil disobedience of activists seeking to halt the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The resulting mass arrests, totaling over 1,200 by early September, surely played a large role in President Obama's decision to delay approval of that climate- and water-supply-threatening project.
The climate justice movement also experienced a low point this year, though, when its most visible young leader, Tim DeChristopher, was sentenced to two years in prison for disrupting a federal oil and gas lease auction by peaceful means. Even though the auction was later shown to be illegal, DeChristopher's case proceeded in a manner that made it clear that the government's prosecutor sought to make an example of an activist who showed no remorse.
For his part, Tim saw it as a necessary action to protect his future from runaway climate change, and seemed ready to prove that his movement is unafraid of such retribution when he refused to apologize or take a plea deal. As he told Terry Tempest Williams in Orion recently, "... it's important to make sure that the government doesn't win in their quest to intimidate people ... They're trying to make an example out of me to scare other people into obedience." The punishing protest is not unusual, and can result in long-term victories for those targeted, but that didn't comfort Patrick Shea, DeChristopher's lawyer, who said in a recent post that he'd witnessed "a miscarriage of justice, fairness, and what I believed America stood for."
Occupiers, though, have racked up many more detentions, with 6,526 arrested in 110 US cities so far, according to OccupyArrests.com. This wave of action and reaction has kept National Lawyers Guild (NLG) chapters and members very busy working to protect demonstrators' constitutional rights. Founded 75 years ago to use the law to advance social justice and support progressive social movements, NLG coordinates attorneys, legal workers and law students, and provides legal briefing, case law research, legal strategy and tactical advice to activists. Over the past several months, its members have filed constitutional rights challenges, represented protesters in criminal court, trained and acted as Legal Observers®, and often provided 'round-the-clock legal advice to Occupy encampments.
..more..
Punishing Protest
http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/audio-video/item/punishing_protest_patrick_shea_and_heidi_boghosian_discuss_law_and_civil_di/Punishing Protest: Patrick Shea and
Heidi Boghosian Discuss Law and Civil Disobedience
February 23, 2012
Summary: What is the justice system for? Activists from the Occupy movement to climate justice camps are regularly made examples of by courts while bank and oil company executives avoid prosecution for real crimes. During Orion's latest live web event, Patrick Shea, a lawyer who defended climate justice activist Tim DeChristopher (see "What Love Looks Like" in the January/February 2012 issue of Orion), and Heidi Boghosian, director of the National Lawyers Guild, discussed what activists engaging in nonviolent protest can expect from the justice system.
www.orionmagazine.org
Orion is a bimonthly, advertising-free magazine devoted to creating a stronger bond between people and nature.
-------------
Punishing Protest, Policing Dissent: What Is the Justice System for?
Monday 20 February 2012
by: Erik Hoffner, Truthout | News Analysis
http://www.truth-out.org/punishing-protest-policing-dissent-what-justice-system/1329418798
This year promises to be another historic year of people calling for change worldwide. Citizens took to the streets for a wide variety of reasons, from the Wisconsin Capitol to DC, which hosted many actions last year, including the highly visible civil disobedience of activists seeking to halt the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The resulting mass arrests, totaling over 1,200 by early September, surely played a large role in President Obama's decision to delay approval of that climate- and water-supply-threatening project.
The climate justice movement also experienced a low point this year, though, when its most visible young leader, Tim DeChristopher, was sentenced to two years in prison for disrupting a federal oil and gas lease auction by peaceful means. Even though the auction was later shown to be illegal, DeChristopher's case proceeded in a manner that made it clear that the government's prosecutor sought to make an example of an activist who showed no remorse.
For his part, Tim saw it as a necessary action to protect his future from runaway climate change, and seemed ready to prove that his movement is unafraid of such retribution when he refused to apologize or take a plea deal. As he told Terry Tempest Williams in Orion recently, "... it's important to make sure that the government doesn't win in their quest to intimidate people ... They're trying to make an example out of me to scare other people into obedience." The punishing protest is not unusual, and can result in long-term victories for those targeted, but that didn't comfort Patrick Shea, DeChristopher's lawyer, who said in a recent post that he'd witnessed "a miscarriage of justice, fairness, and what I believed America stood for."
Occupiers, though, have racked up many more detentions, with 6,526 arrested in 110 US cities so far, according to OccupyArrests.com. This wave of action and reaction has kept National Lawyers Guild (NLG) chapters and members very busy working to protect demonstrators' constitutional rights. Founded 75 years ago to use the law to advance social justice and support progressive social movements, NLG coordinates attorneys, legal workers and law students, and provides legal briefing, case law research, legal strategy and tactical advice to activists. Over the past several months, its members have filed constitutional rights challenges, represented protesters in criminal court, trained and acted as Legal Observers®, and often provided 'round-the-clock legal advice to Occupy encampments.
..more..
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Member since: 2003 before July 6th
Number of posts: 40,366
