Collectivist speech thugs bag UPS, eye other Bigs ... An affiliate of the George Soros-funded think tank and pressure group, John Podesta's Center for American Progress (CAP), is now in the media-bias analysis business. Claiming to be outraged at the aggressive news-gathering techniques of Bill O'Reilly's team, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) lobbying organization that grew out of CAP, rejoiced Friday after getting UPS to stop advertising on "The O'Reilly Factor." Meanwhile, the great Noel Sheppard of NewsBusters noted a few hours ago that chest-beating leftist tool Keith Olbermann of MSNBC hyped the UPS-dumps-O'Reilly story. I regret I missed this anti-Bill O'Reilly campaign until it struck gold. The campaign also claims to have elicited responses from Capital One, AT&T, and Ford. (spectator.org)
Organizing Texas: SEIU energizes Wobblies ... The weekend of January 31st, and February 1st, 2009 was a historic one for the radical labor movement in general, but also for workers in the Rio Grande Valley (South Texas) looking to create democracy on the job. Industrial Workers of The World (IWW) – an international labor union known for its principles of direct action and working class empowerment – held a training for working residents of the Deep South Texas area. Young labor leaders from Laredo, McAllen, Edinburg, and Mission attended the two day event. Space for the training was provided by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 5, which organizes local public employees, including Hidalgo County and Hidalgo County Head Start workers. The training was independently organized by a group of local IWW members whose goal is to establish an officially chartered IWW branch in the months to come. Attendees were able to be part of a very comprehensive and participatory educational experience. By means of role plays, brainstorms, and discussions, participants learned how to talk to their fellow workers about the union, the principles and structure of IWW, essential labor laws relevant to workplace organizing, and a number of other labor organizing nuts and bolts. Put shortly, the attendees - most of whom could be considered leaders at their work place - became labor organizers by the end of the two day session. Everyone seemed energized and excited. (infoshop.org)
Podesta wants to double-up Pay-to-Play ... Dave Adkisson, president and chief executive of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said many of his 2,700 member companies fear the bill will lead to "a wave" of union organizing in the state. "With this bill, an employer would not even be notified that an organizing attempt is taking place," Adkisson said in an interview last week. "A small business could wake up … and suddenly have a unionized work force." Kentucky union membership, now about 10 percent of workers, could reach 21 percent if the bill becomes law, according to a study released by the Center for American Progress. The pro-labor think tank at Georgetown University in Washington is headed by John D. Podesta, chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton. (courier-journal.com)
Obama Dems quickly unify average Americans ... Instead of evaporating as some passing fad, these “parties” will launch a sustainable, nationwide movement: uniting average folks behind common goals; educating currently uninformed or misinformed Americans about today’s terribly complex and difficult challenges. Millions of currently bewildered citizens will find their voices. They will host local get-togethers, nonpartisan political forums, daily Internet communications and perhaps even weekly educational events on national TV. Far too many Americans currently feel disenfranchised. They lack confidence in the reckless pork-barrel spending, bailouts and political vitriol in Washington. They seek a cohesive, ongoing vehicle to replace fear, despair and apathy with an opportunity to participate. They are ready to work together toward a set of broad national goals. (naplesnews.com)
Fat-cat labor-state unions pony up for Dem P2P politics ... Two labor unions and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are continuing to pour money into the race in support of Democrat Scott Murphy. And the Democratic National Committee reported Thursday to the Federal Election Commission it has made its first expenditure on the race, spending $10,000 for television advertising. A new Siena College poll released Friday reported Murphy leading Tedisco 47 percent to 43 percent. The telephone survey of 917 likely voters, which was conducted Wednesday and Thursday, had a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points. The 10-county congressional district seat became vacant when Gov. David Paterson appointed Democratic Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton. the Democratic National Committee reported its first expenditure on the race, spending $10,000 for television advertising. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported Friday spending an additional $17,237 for phone banking for a total of $591,591 spent on the race. And two labor unions have put additional money into the race over the last week. The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees reported Friday it spent $5,148 on phone calls, putting its total spending at $105,359. Local 1199 of the Service Employees International Union filed a report Thursday on $40,563 spent for promotional literature, putting its total at $169,914. (poughkeepsiejournal.com)
Rep. Pete Stark placed on Dirty Money Watch ... WHO: Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka card check) WHAT: Stark received the following dirty money: American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $2,000 in 2006. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $10,000 in 2008, $10,000 in 2006. Service Employees International Union (PAC) $5,000 in 2008 election cycle; $6,000 in 2006 election cycle. WHY IT'S DIRTY: At least eight members of these two unions have been convicted since 2001 of felonies ranging from embezzlement, falsifying official reports to government, and conspiracy. The IBEW has had at least 14 of its members convicted. The amounts of embezzled funds range from over $5,000 to over $100,000. WILL STARK GIVE IT BACK? Stark did not respond to a phone call and email message seeking a response. (washingtonexaminer.com)
Community Organizing update: Anti-socialists exposed ... Millions of Americans see what is happening to their nation. Many saw it coming and did their civic duty, campaigning and voting against it in 2006 and 2008, but to no avail. With the people paralyzed by the post-election prospect of their worst fears coming true, economic calamity, explosive growth of a dangerously abusive power-drunk federal government, a multi-generational future of record breaking taxpayer debt as far as the eye can see, and an administration rushing to confiscate control of private industry after private industry, individual freedom and liberty seem nothing more than lost ideas of the past. Confused by a daily diet of media contrived propaganda supporting leftist Ivy League lies and a global push for international socialism, the average American feels cornered, powerless and alone in their depressed anguish over the loss of the freest, most prosperous and powerful nation ever known to mankind. They are desperate and looking for a leader to organize their march against federal tyranny under Democratic Socialists, soon to leave the freest nation on earth in a third world state of mandatory servitude under a Saul Alinsky – Bill Ayers and Barack Obama version of modern Democratic Marxism by mob rule. (canadafreepress.com)Bonus links:
• Summary of Saul Alinsky's 'Rules for Radicals'
• More Saul Alinsky stories: here
• 'Rules for Radicals' at amazon.com
Labor-state anti-socialists organize against oppression ... In 1773, a small group of dissatisfied American colonists dumped tea into the Boston harbor to protest King George III's taxation without representation.‘ More than two centuries later, at least 300 unhappy local taxpayers gathered on the Buffalo waterfront to protest a variety of similar issues, including generous state pensions and high taxes throughout the state, and to demand government reform in Albany. "Our government has failed us," said Joanne Snyder of Grand Island. "I'm tired of having to eke out a living." Snyder was among hundreds of protesters who attended the "Western New York Tea Party" this afternoon at the Buffalo Harbor. The event was to let Albany know that residents are not happy with the way things are run at the state capital. And when co-coordinator James Ostrowski asked the crowd to make donations that will help the movement distribute fliers and pamphlets to every household in Erie County, dozens of adults, children, and senior citizens — some in wheelchairs — stormed the podium. The group raised $2,000 on the spot, said Jill Sinclair, a co-coordinator. "Absolutely incredible. I did not expect a single dollar today," said Ostrowski, a local attorney. The pamphlet, which is a study of market economics, will be distributed door-to-door beginning next week. (buffalonews.com)
Social justice advocates protest in Panama City, FL ... There were dangerous clouds in the sky Saturday, but the real threat to American citizens is coming from the storm created in Washington, D.C., a group of local protestors said. About 30 people gathered at 23rd Street and State 77 with signs that warned against President Barack Obama's fiscal policies and other changes he is making in the United States. The protests are part of a national trend. Organizers call the events "Tea Parties" after the famous anti-tax event that occurred in 1773 during the build up to the American Revolution. "We have got to stop what is going on in this country," said Tom Knoll, a Lynn Haven resident. Knoll railed against "give-away programs" and AmeriCorps, which he believes Obama is using to "indoctrinate our children." "He's starting a force like Hitler did with the brownshirts," Knoll said. Drivers honked and cheered signs that with messages such as "America is going to hell. Obama is driving the (bus)," "Individual Responsibility R.I.P." and "Born Free. Taxed to Death." For Jill Ward, an Atlanta resident, the protest was about saving America. "Our Country is going to hell right now," she said. Obama wants, "the whole country to depend on the government," Ward said. "People need to get out and do for themselves." (newsherald.com)
Key Dem infuriates union operatives ... Whether you label it the "card check" bill or the Employee Free Choice Act, you can also call it something else -- in deep trouble. Key senators this week appeared to cripple prospects for passing the highly polarizing measure, the labor movement's top priority in Congress, which is aimed at making it easier for workers to join unions. The latest hurdle came Friday, when Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said she would seek alternative legislation that was less divisive. Feinstein, a past sponsor of the act, cited the flailing economy as a reason; other critics of the bill have said it would drive up operating costs for businesses at a perilous time. "This is an extraordinarily difficult economy, and feelings are very strong on both sides of the issue," Feinstein said in a statement. "I would hope there is some way to find common ground that would be agreeable to both business and labor." (latimes.com)
Pro-union politicians want in both ways ... Most disturbing, however, and underreported, is that Specter made it clear he might again support this job-killing forced unionism bill in the future -- especially if the damaging alternatives he is now advancing fall flat. And it is the so-called "compromises" that might be what Big Labor really wants. They include: • quick-snap elections where employees would get to hear only union officials' side of the story • allowing union organizers access to company property and time to pressure employees • and beefed-up intrusion by government arbitrators. Specter no doubt sees himself a Senate powerbroker, negotiating "compromise" amid competing special interest groups. But when it comes to forced unionism, there are no "close calls" and there can be no compromise. A compromise strategy toward forced unionism leaves both economic devastation and forced unionism abuse in its wake. Just ask the Big Three automakers, which themselves started down this path in the late 1940s with the United Auto Workers union hierarchy and have since presided over their industry's inevitable collapse. Whether Specter ultimately gets back on board with the card-check bill -- or simply pursues personal proposals -- his actions would be unacceptable. Pennsylvania's citizens should continue to keep the heat on the senator for as long as he insists on promoting any expansion of coercive union power. The case against the Card Check Forced Unionism Bill is anything but "a close call." The bill would destroy the secret ballot, kill jobs, force hardworking Americans into dues-paying ranks and allow federal bureaucrats to impose contracts on employers and employees. But rather than admitting these truths and facing down the self-interested union brass, Arlen Specter has done what many politicians do -- try to have it both ways. (pittsburghlive.com)International Collectivism
Chávez to apparatchik: Tone it down ... On Wednesday Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez criticized members of his own administration as he signed the Presidential Decree to eliminate superfluous spending, one of the measures announced last Saturday as part of combating the effects of the financial crisis, which has seen the price of oil, Venezuela’s main export, drop. Speaking to pro-government governors and mayors, Chávez criticized a “culture of extravagance” in the government and certain institutions such as PDVSA (the state owned oil company) and in Miraflores (the presidential palace), something that he said that needs to be eliminated. He said the culture in Miraflores had been of lavish and constant parties. “That’s the old culture, lets struggle against it without rest, against the roots of extravagance and irresponsible spending of money that is not ours. It’s the people’s! Right up to the last Bolivar should go towards helping to solve the many problems of social debt that the last neoliberal capitalist government left us.” “All these birthday parties…with bouquets of flowers and everything aren’t necessary. We can organize a simple card and that is enough.” As part of this old culture, Chávez recounted how people had commented that he wears the same outfit in summer and winter and that he wears this suit, that is already out of fashion, to Europe, “and then I saw some suits that … looked like James Bond … you think I’m going to put this on one day?” (venezuelanalysis.com)
Gaza unions to control U.S. bailout booty ... Hamas supporters scored a victory in elections for the school teachers' union of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) that were held in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. However, the rival PLO list won a majority of votes for two other UNRWA workers groups: the employees' and the services' unions. This means that the PLO list has enough votes to form the next Executive Council of the General Workers' Union. The results showed that Hamas won all 11 seats of the teachers' union. The Hamas victory means that Hamas supporters will continue to control UNRWA-run schools and other academic institutions throughout the Gaza Strip. Hamas has controlled the UNRWA teachers' union for the past 16 years. Some 10,100 UNRWA workers participated in the election, with the turnout being estimated at more than 97 percent. The voting was conducted at UNRWA's main headquarters in the Gaza Strip. The PLO list that ran in the election consisted of Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the People's (Communist) Party. The PLO list won five out of seven seats of the employees' union and five out of nine in the services' union. The services' union will have three PLO representatives on the Executive Council, while the employees' union will have only two. A Hamas official in the Gaza Strip expressed satisfaction with the results, saying they were an indication of the "enormous support" that Hamas continues to enjoy. (jpost.com)
Ortega invests in socialist tourism industry ... Authorities of the municipalities of Totogalpa, Telpaneca, Palacaguina and Ocotal in the northern region of the country will create the ALBA Route in areas commemorative of the battles of freedom fighter General Sandino. This effort, backed by the Venezuelan Embassy in Nicaragua, intends to use the route as support for the projects of the development of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) in addition to giving it tourism, cultural and historical values. It will boost production so that these products, in addition to their exchange value be the seeds of an indigenous historical area and its population. According to Bernarda Castillo, mayor of Tepaneca in the Madriz department, this initiative is a demonstration of our integration within ALBA that will represent a benefit for the Nicaraguan people. (plenglish.com)
Communist kiss laid bare ... When Moscow-based artist Dimitri Vrubel visited Berlin this week to attend the opening of a new exhibition at the Foreign Ministry called "Born in the USSR," he got quite a shock when he took a stroll along the East Side Gallery, often dubbed "the world's largest open-air museum." It was here, in 1990, that he painted an image on the 1316-meter stretch of the remaining Berlin Wall that fast became iconic. But the clinch between comrades Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev and the East Side Gallery's erstwhile star attraction has now been reduced to a stretch of bare concrete. For years, tourists have been flocking here to see East Germany's long-time leader smooching the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. 19 years ago, Vrubel was one of 117 artists from 21 countries commissioned to revamp the stretch of wall running along the Muehlenstrasse in the former East Berlin. But to Vrubel's horror, all that is left of the comradely kiss is the Russian title, which roughly translates as "God help me survive this fatal love." (dw-world.de)
