Saw this on FB this morning (looks like it's from Politico) - (Image)

Just when I thought I couldn't be more disgusted with things that folks do in Washington we have this. Out of all the things they need to be doing - this is the bill that manages to get passed? (Image) Author: madeline bernstein Published: November 28, 2011 at 2:52 pm Horse slaughter plants are legal again in the United States. Restrictions on horse meat processing for human consumption have been lifted. In a bipartisan effort, the House of Representatives and the United States Senate ap...

For those who don't understand the protests in the middle east, europe, or occupy here in the US, this should enlighten: (Image) The world economy may still be in the doldrums, but global wealth continues to grow, hitting an all-time high this year of $231 trillion, according to a new global wealth report from Credit Suisse. And more than ever, that figure is concentrated at the top of the pile. A mere 0.5% of the world's population owns an eye-popping 38.5% of its total wealth. (Link)

1. Because I could. That’s why. 2. Two weeks ago I became so frustrated I spilled Dom Perignon on my foie gras. 3. Someone has to represent the 1 percent, aside from the cops, the courts, the media and, if necessary, the National Guard. the remainder are here: (Link)/ And please feel free to add your own!

Have you noticed these the past few days? My guess is that the folks posting them are the same ones trolling this board trying to disrupt our brave OWS protesters. I decided it was time to respond. Here is my status update for the day: Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

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(Image) From the top 10 George Carlin quotations - #02 - AMERICAN DREAM "Forget the politicians. The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice . . . you don’t. You have no choice. You have owners. They own you. They own everything. They own all the important land. They own, and control the corporations. They’ve long since bought, and paid for the Senate, the Congress, the state houses, the city halls, they got the judges in their back pockets and they own...

Thoughtful article about the Penn State situation - from a writer who was also abused at a young age - That is the tragedy of this story—not Joe Paterno’s firing, not the blemish on the university, but the very real physical and emotional pain inflicted on at least eight, and now possibly nine or more, young boys... The game of passing the buck seems to have ended with the firing of the head football coach and the university president, but it’s got to go further than that. It should land on...

This young man has his head on straight, or at least is being advised by sensible folks. He has contacted Penn State to let them know he will be looking for a different football program next year. Now we'll see if the Trustees at Penn State realize they need to shut down their program, thoroughly clean house, and prepare to come back next year or at a later date. Best wishes to you Mr. O'Connor, you are showing better behavior here than many adults, especially with your thoughts for the victi...

Usually this time of year I'm thinking of my dad, Viet Nam war veteran, who came home injured. I have been living with his disability my entire life, knowing first hand what sacrifice for your country is about, as opposed to the flowery banners I see floating around Facebook, posted by idiots who have no idea what it is to serve, or to lose their loved one, or to live with the injuries - both physical and mental. While fools glorify war I would like to say thank you to one special veteran thi...

I love this chart - found it on the "Political Loudmouth" Facebook Page. George W's tax cuts and especially the capital gains cuts were so large that I believe this is true, but I'd like to find more info. on it. Does anyone have any idea where it originated? In the notes it says "thanks to Jon Epstein for this image", but I wondered if anyone else had seen it somewhere along with commentary. It's a pretty powerful chart so I'd like to distribute it with back-up if possible. (Image)

From Keith Olbermann's facebook page ... (Image)

I'm curious as to where folks are on economic systems - now that we have spent 7 weeks Occupying. Has the Occupation changed your outlook (particularly after viewing the income gap charts)? Feel free to explain your choice as well and whether your outlook has changed due to the Occupy protests. If I've left something out please feel free to comment on that as well. I believe I fall into the libertarian, syndicalists arena (direct worker ownership of means of production).

and check out the protester's sign! (Image)

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This is an excellent article I found that explains the derivatives crisis for non-financial types (like myself). Bank of America is again forcing regulators to bail them out with tax payer money as they did in 2008: FDIC To Cover Losses On $75 Trillion Bank of America Derivative Bets Posted on October 20, 2011 in Bank Failure, Banking News, Biggest Banking Failures, Dodd-Frank Act, Failed Banks, FDIC, featured, Mega Banks, problem banks, Too Big To Fail Banks Potential losses on Bank of A...

I have been doing some searches this evening to pinpoint who exactly is in the top 1%. I think assets vs. debt play into this (and especially into lifestyles and wealth over the long term), but this calculator at least gives you the gist based upon income. "The Occupy Wall Street movement seeks to speak for the bottom 99% of the population by income, which includes pretty much everyone who makes less than $500,000 a year." At this WSJ link you can plug in your own household income to find o...

Reports vary currently from 50-70K in downtown Athens. Solidarity, workers of Greece, thank you for showing us how it's done. Greek unions have begun a 48-hour general strike, as parliament prepares to vote on new austerity measures designed to avoid a default that could trigger a crisis in the eurozone. The biggest protest in years has shut government departments, businesses, public services and even providers of everyday staples, such as shops and bakeries. The strike will culminate in m...

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This was posted today on Occupy Wall Street's FB page. I may not agree with all elements of it, and you may not either, but I thought it was pretty brilliant as a whole: Why should you listen to us? In short, because we’ve been at this a long time already. We’ve spent decades struggling against capitalism, organizing occupations, and making decisions by consensus. If this new movement doesn’t learn from the mistakes of previous ones, we run the risk of repeating them. We’ve summarized some of...

(Link) and abc13 footage - you can see many awesome signs: (Link) Today's big activity: Come One Come All For The Feast! October 8th, 2011 · Kevin · Announcements, Events 2 comments Good news, everyone! The Hare Krishna temple is providing a vegan feast for the occupiers of Houston, TX! Come on out to our occupation of Eleanor Tinsley Park on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 6:00pm and bring your appetite! They’re expecting hungry people, so let’s not disappoint them! Thanks for your support for ...

(Image) Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998) was a student at the University of Wyoming who was tortured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming, in October 1998. He was attacked on the night of October 6–7, and died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, on October 12 from severe head injuries. During the trial, witnesses stated that Shepard was targeted because of his sexual orientation. Shepard's murder brought national and international attention to the cont...

Y'all know this in an uphill battle in Texas - but if we can protest here we can protest anywhere! Day One Statistics October 7th, 2011 · Kevin · Blog No comments Here’s some interesting numbers for y’all concerning day one of our historic occupation of downtown Houston. On Thursday, October 6 we had: 800 people marching towards City Hall 300 attendees of the first general assembly in occupied Hermann Square Plaza. 65 people occupying Hermann Square Plaza overnight This is nothin...

This is a list one of my friends did a few years ago, and I posted it here maybe a year ago. I got quite a bit of criticism the first time around, but I'm curious as to whether folks have changed their mind on some of these. Feel free to put up your own list as well. TPTB and M$M want to know what we want, we'll tell them: DEMANDS: 1) Universal Single Payer Health Care 2) Promotion/Development of Local Food Systems 3) Government subsidized heating programs 4) 90% Reduction In Military Bu...

I'm not a part of this group, but will try to check it out at some point on Thurs. They look pretty organized, with a definite plan for the day. Here is their website: (Link)/ (Also posted in the Texas forum, the site has been updated since then)

I found this great pamphlet created by the NLG (National Lawyers Guild). Very helpful information for citizens and non-citizens alike. Whether or not you’re a citizen, you have rights under the United States Constitution. The Fifth Amendment gives every person the right to remain silent: not to answer questions asked by a police officer or government agent. The Fourth Amendment restricts the government’s power to enter and search your home or workplace, although there are many exceptions and n...

(Image) Cuba declares that nothing can justify the murder of innocent people. The Foreign Ministry demands the immediate end to NATO bombings, which continue to claim lives, and reiterates the urgent need to permit the Libyan people to find a peaceful negotiated solution, without foreign intervention, in exercise of their inalienable right to independence and self-determination, to sovereignty over their national resources, and to the territorial integrity of that brother nation. (Link)

I know Texas isn't always the most popular place to talk about on DU, but wild fires have done a tremendous amount of damage this weekend (particularly in the Austin area where we do have many DUers). Please take a moment to think of them tonight and maybe a prayer if you are so inclined. Current map of fire activity in Texas: (Link)

I am thrilled to hear this morning that Hurricane Irene has weakened down to 85 mph. For those in low-lying areas, however, please continue to prepare/evacuate as this storm makes its way up the coast. Tropical Storm Allison, with winds of only 60 mph arrived in Houston and drenched the city for days. The underground tunnel system (lots of shops/restaurants are underground in downtown Houston!) and parking garages completely flooded. Please heed the warnings and stay safe - this is likely wh...

Down here in Brazoria County TX (Gulf Coast) we are in an area that is often mandatory evacuation. We are sent evacuation guides each summer that include county specific evacuation information. Some of the general information may also be useful to those of you not used to dealing with these storms - If you evacuate take with you: Your driver's license or ID Medications for 10 days Toiletries, snacks, a few days' clothes Non-aggressive household pets in sturdy plastic or metal cage Travel g...