May 12
1968
The Poor People’s Campaign, organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) began when contingents of the poor, mainly from the south, began pitching tents in a “Resurrection City” near the Lincoln Memorial. It was dismantled by police on June 24.
1975
Gonzalo Arias chains himself to Spanish gate in protest of closure of Spain/Gibraltar frontier.
1985
Amy Eilberg is ordained in New York as the first woman rabbi in the Conservative Jewish movement.
Tonight members of Utah groups participating in the May 28 action at the Nevada Test Site, along with other citizens, joined in a vigil to voice opposition to the Divine Strake Test being held next month at the test site. Channel 4 ABC News showed up and interviewed a few of the participants and filmed sign-holders and the Radical Cheerleaders.
Here are some photos:
National Geographic has come out with Car-Free Days Bring Quiet to Communities, Advocates Say. “Car-Free Days” are going to be held throughout the world on September 22. Additionally, cities around the world are holding their own “car-free days”.
While accounts and rumors of a delay in the Divine Strake Test are being circulated, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) wants pledge that the test will be “safe”, and Rep Jim Matheson (D-Utah)is “satisfied” with a delay.
It seems that Greens are among the few demanding that there BE NO TEST AT ALL.
Today’s Salt Lake Tribune has an article on the hazards of such a test/blast.
An environmental consultant who has studied the Nevada Test Site says there is likely radioactive contamination at the location where the Pentagon plans to conduct a major explosives test, potentially dispersing the contaminants.
But Darwin Morgan, a spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which operates the Nevada Test Site, said extensive tests have shown the Divine Strake test site is not contaminated.
Like, I really believe the Defense Department.
Enough “stuff” already. Nevada Test site experiments are NOT SAFE! There is no reason for our elected officials to be even waivering on this! This is another example of our politicians holding out instead of making a concrete statement and decision. DEMAND A CANCELLATION.
Other articles in today’s news
May 11
1894</b.
Beginning of Pullman Railroad Strike, Chicago, Illinois. The largest industrial strike to date in US history, eventually broken by federal government troops.
1973
Charges against former Pentagon analyst Daniel Ellsberg for his role in the release of the Pentagon Papers (a comprehensive classified study of the origins and conduct of the Vietnam War) were dismissed by Judge William M. Byrne, citing government misconduct.
1975
80,000 turned out in New York City’s Central Park to celebrate the end of the Vietnam War.
1996
March against black on black violence, Birmingham, England.
Cost of the War in Iraq – entire U.S.
Cost of the War in Iraq – See the cost in your community (drop down menu)
Iraq Body Count
Action Alert for ALL Bloggers:
I am organizing a STOP THE DIVINE STRAKE blogswarm for Tuesday, May 16th. I hope you all will participate in an effort to stop this test.
Whenever I find myself feeling really uptight about politics and frustrated over Greens seemingly pitting other Greens against each other, I go for a long walk or bike ride if I can – to clear my head and think a little. Tonight was one such occasion. I went for a long bike ride, first to run an errand and then for a ride along the river.
Lately it has become obvious, and very likely, to me that there are greens outside the party to which I belong pitting greens within the party to which I belong against each other. It’s being done subtly and via discreet communications, but it’s happening. Locally….and nationally. Text and words from blogs and emails and other forms of communication are being twisted and sent to other people with commentary that results in uproars. I just can’t believe that people actually spend their time thinking of ways to put so much negativity into the political atmosphere. It’s really, really sad. And worse yet, it’s not green at all to be engaging in this type of activity.
So I have to remind myself why I’m green from time to time.
Since my March 5th why I’m green post, I have learned that I will be a grandmother. This has strengthened my resolve to push green values in my living and my life’s platform for living. Why I’m green has a greater, renewed statement for me. Suddenly my lineage is going to be extended. Suddenly, I feel stronger about the statements I make. Suddenly I realize that I don’t have to put up with petty BS and don’t have to be hesitant to stand up to it. Suddenly I connect with my own grandmother’s courage and resolve. Suddenly I realize more than ever that what I do now really will make a difference – even if it isn’t noticed for several generations.
I remind myself that the values of Grassroots Democracy, Social Justice, Ecological Wisdom, Non-violence, Decentralization, Community-based, Economics, Feminism, Diversity, Responsibility, Future Focus are what I strive for in my life and in my activism. The earth….and my grandchild…..depend on it.
No one can ever take that away from me – regardless of how hard they try.
This is a longer response to “El Critical One” in my post on Why Vote Green
Greens did not cost Al Gore the 2000 election, a whole lot of other folks did.
The Supreme Court Spoiled:
Continue reading
Recently I was criticized for being open about my support for Julian Hatch for U.S. Senate because I was “wasting my time”. Then I was criticized for saying nice things about Pete Ashdown in the recent blogswarm with insinuations that because I said nice things about him I was defacto a supporter of the democratic party, when in fact I was being “gracious”, as a friend, also a green, recently told me about my remarks. The last I checked, our constitution still gives me the right to say nice things about people regardless of what political party they align themselves with, although our constitutional rights are coming more and more into question, no thanks to the Republicans and the sellout Democratic Party (see my disclaimers in the lower left side bar). So does this mean that if I say nice things about members of my family, who are (sadly) Republican and some of the most life-loving people I know, that I support the Republican Party?
Nonsense.
FOR THE RECORD
Disclaimer: I support Green Candidates only. During this election cycle, 2006, I support:
Julian Hatch for U.S. Senate
Tom King, Utah State House District #43
Deanna L. “Dee” Taylor, Salt Lake County Council, District 5
Chuck Tripp, Salt Lake County Council at Large
Kathy Dopp, Summit County Clerk
I am sad to say that there are people in all political parties who criticize anyone who openly says anything positive about a candidate or member of another political party, maintaining a “holier-than-thou” attitude – including some in the Green Party. Not befitting of a green, in my opinion.
Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 