“When facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” ~ Sometimes attributed to Sinclair Lewis, from his writings. (Other interesting possible attributions here. More information at bottom)
After you read that quote, this video — already horrible — takes on a whole new meaning.
Read below this note to learn about the background of this disturbing video.
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Teach-ins are being conducted all over!
You can find one near you by clicking here: http://rebuildthedream.com/teachin.
I received this email today, and am posting it for anyone in Houston who might be able to attend.
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For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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OccupyHouston’s next big scheduled event will take place on 11/11/11 – DAY OF SOLIDARITY. More details of this and other events and news details are below the jump.
Women’s Group Meeting, Tuesday, November 8th, 5pm:
1) to take an informal survey on each person’s PoV regarding gender balance/imbalance…
2) talk specifically about the homeless population issues….
Also below the jump, updates on the latest posted GA minutes (11/4-5/11) and some other agenda details.
Click on this link for List of 
Accepted Proposals, as of November 5.
Click here to learn how to Contribute.
For those of us outside the pop culture loop, a frequent question related to the Occupy movement is, What’s up with the mustachioed mask?
The LA Times has provided a brief, cogent explanation. Click here to read the article.
This artist's concept shows NASA's two Voyager spacecraft exploring a turbulent region of space known as the heliosheath, the outer shell of the bubble of charged particles around our sun. After more than 33 years of travel, the two Voyager spacecraft will soon reach interstellar space, which is the space between stars.
TRIUMPH THE INSULT COMIC DOG at #OWS
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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The OccupyHouston site had problems last night, limiting my ability to extract information for you here. It appears to be back up now.
Sadly, Michael Moore (aka @MMFlint) has so far been unable to appear at OccupyHouston, in spite of tentative promises that this might be possible.
Well, perhaps another time. What we do, we do for our city, state and country, anyway.
OccupyHouston’s next big scheduled even will take place on 11/11/11 – DAY OF SOLIDARITY. More details below the jump.
Also below the jump, updates on the latest posted GA minutes (11/3/11) and some other agenda details.
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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The main announced event this week is The OccupyHouston Divestment March, which will take place on Friday, November 4 from 9:00am – 12:30pm, with a tentatively scheduled guest appearance by renowned activist, commentator, donor and documentary film maker Michael Moore! (ETA uncertain as of 4 AM.) Click here read below the jump for more details.
Also below the jump, tentative summarized schedules for OccupyHouston through Sunday the 6th.
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For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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Today, WED, NOV 2 Scott Olsen / Oakland Strike Solidarity March at 11:30 AM. Details below the jump and here.
Also on November 2, at 6 PM in Tranquility Park, there will be a candlelight vigil held for Scott Olsen, injured in the ‘police riot’ that occurred #OccupyOakland. Details at OccupyHouston.org.
The main announced event this week is The OccupyHouston Divestment March, which will take place on Friday, November 4 from 9:00am – 12:30pm, with a tentatively scheduled guest appearance by renowned activist, commentator, donor and documentary film maker Michael Moore! Click here or here for more details
Posters, announcEments, FORUM news, ZOMBIE FLASHMOB PROTEST VIDEO schedules and other details after the jump.
When I was at ApolloCon XI in Houston this past summer, I attended a panel discussion(1) entitled “Zombies, Vampires and Werewolves, Oh my?” It posed an interesting question:
What the big deal? Why are we obsessed with part human monsters? Do we see a part of our own humanity in them? A discussion of the fascination with these myths, also why they aren’t new trends, just old ones revised. Do they take on different forms based on society’s current issues?
That last question was the one that got me curious (that, and an old Con friend, Derly Ramirez, was on the panel), so I dropped in. Continue reading
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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The main announced event this week is still The OccupyHouston Divestment March, which will take place on Friday, November 4 from 9:00am – 12:30pm, with a tentatively scheduled guest appearance by renowned activist, commentator, donor and documentary film maker Michael Moore! Click here or here for more details.
As of just past midnight on November 1, the announced schedules for November 1st and 2nd below the jump.
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Below is a copyrighted article from Mother Jones Magazine, printed in its entirety. I don’t normally do that (I’d normally excerpt and link to it), but I hope they’ll forgive my lapse of legal protocol in order to ensure its widest dissemination. – Mike
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—By Adam Weinstein | Fri Oct. 28, 2011 6:30 AM PDT
“Maalox is a must.” That’s one of the many tips to be found in “Defending Against Tear Gas,” a fascinating flier making the rounds on the internet today (and shown in full below—click to embiggen) Continue reading
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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The #OccupyHouston web site is very much a work in progress. I search for bits and sources of information every time I go to it, and sometimes find new sections or capabilities. What I try to do on this blog is consolidate and point out these pieces of information, and direct you to them. I also make small editing changes in an attempt to emphasize or clarify some details. Any errors or misinterpretations in that area are mine.
They’ve been busy bees down at Tranquility Park. Getting ready for the Halloween weekend appears to have really consumed the time they might otherwise have been dedicating to information updates. Tonight (Oct. 30), there is the HauntHouston Open Mic Night Party & Protest, from 5-8PM.
Now, it appears that the folks of #OccupyHouston are catching up on some admin work and looking ahead, planning new protest demonstrations.
The OccupyHouston Divestment March will take place on Friday, November 4 from 9:00am – 12:30pm, with a tentatively scheduled guest appearance by renowned activist, commentator, donor and documentary film maker Michael Moore!
Details on the November 4th protest, as well as the minutes of the last several days, are posted after the jump.
There is a new “Upcoming Events” section on the right-hand side of #OccupyHouston’s Home Page. You have to scroll down a bit to see it. Some details are posted at the bottom, after the jump. Some of the on-site links there are ‘hot’; mine here are not.
Details of the OccupyHouston Divestment March, and recent updates of General Assembly minutes are posted below the jump.
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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Is anything scarier than corporate over-reach and Koch-power? Maybe the CORPORATE HOUSE OF HORRORS! See details below!
It is my intention for all links from OccupyHouston.org to be live. If they don’t work, it’s my head-scratcher, and I apologize. Let me know.
This weekend’s OccupyHouston agenda is below the jump.
I had intended for this to post on the 26th, but it somehow didn’t happen. I’m now belatedly posting these videos to have something representative of this horror on the blog.
This video was shot by John Osborn of Mission Local during the initial part of the police raid on the Occupy Oakland campsite in downtown Oakland, from around 4:30 am to 6:30 am Tuesday morning. It depicts footage of several hundred police officers dressed in riot gear and armed with helmets, batons, plastic hand cuffs, and megaphones evicting the protesters from the tent city they have been living in since October 10 in front of Frank Ogawa Plaza by City Hall.
This video is a rough cut and has not been edited. There are gaps and changes in the sound level, and it is not entirely in chronological order. This video also contains strong language. Additional footage provided by guslto99.
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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It’s 2 AM Thursday. OccupyHouston’s planned events for the Halloween period look really cool, fun and educational and everyone should really enjoy it. [I’m afraid that “educational” might scare some folks off – Mike] You can learn all about it here: HAUNT (aka, OCCUPY) HOUSTON: News of October 26th, 2011, At TRANQUILITY PARK (Bagby/Walker, or Bagby/Rusk. Maybe later, something will be reported, and I’ll update today’s Occupy news but, sadly, I currently have nothing to add to yesterday’s post
I have tried to blog about OccupyHouston every day almost since the beginning at Hermann Park. I’ve been down there four or five times. Once, I even brought my wife.
My step-daughter goes to school in the Boston area, and I’ve encouraged her to learn about, and participate in, OccupyBoston.
I believe in this movement.
In Houston, visibility is THE key issue. We absolutely don’t want to be in the news for violence, but the problem is that OccupyHouston doesn’t seem to be in the news at all. Our so-called hometown newspaper does stories on OccupyWallStreet/Portland/Oakland/etc., but the Houston Chronicle doesn’t mention OccupyHouston unless they’re practically forced to. I can’t even find any mention in the Chronicle of OccupyHouston at City Hall, and from the OccupyHouston blog it sounded pretty successful. This is true, even though I’ve done a moderately time-consuming search of recent Chronicle articles. And the simple fact is, if I have to HUNT for news of OccupyHouston, than our local part of the movement is missing the point.
I have what may be a bold suggestion: Occupy The Houston Chronicle! Not necessarily the building itself, since that would be trespassing, but certainly the protest can make itself visible outside the Chron.
Can a newspaper ignore a protest against itself? Would the TV or radio stations in Houston cover a story protesting the Chron’s failure to cover its own homegrown protest movement? Would the Chron’s failure to report a protest against itself (if such should be the case) become its own story?
Things that make you go, “Hmmmmm.”
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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As of 12:30 am Wednesday, no minutes are posted. I’ll try to update later.
Greetings boys and ghoulssssss,
Occupy Houston is proud to announce its first ever Corporate House of Horrors! On October 29th, 7:00pm-10:00pm, Tranquility Park will be transformed into a spooky, eerie, freaaaaky haunted house – with one catch! Info below the jump.
Come to “Haunt Wall St.,” Occupy Houston’s open mic poetry night this Sunday, Oct. 30th from 5:00-8:00pm! Info below the jump.
The #OccupyHouston FAQ can be found here: F.A.Q.
You can also find forums (technically ‘fora’) here: Forum.
It is my intention for all links from OccupyHouston.org to be live. If they don’t work, it’s my head-scratcher, and I apologize. Let me know.
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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#OccupyHouston will be appearing at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Details below the jump.
The #OccupyHouston FAQ can be found here: F.A.Q. You can also find forums (technically ‘fora’) here: Forum.
It is my intention for all links from OccupyHouston.org to be live. If they don’t work, it’s my head-scratcher, and I apologize. Let me know.
GA Minutes below the jump. Today, the GA Minutes for the 24th were posted same-day. No question about it, the folks at Occupy Houston are working hard and really getting up to speed.
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For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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The #OccupyHouston FAQ can be found here: F.A.Q. You can also find forums (technically ‘fora) here: Forum
GA Minutes below the jump. Two impressively punctual days in a row. Obviously hitting the Zone! :)
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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It’s only 2 am on the 23rd, and the meeting Minutes for the 22nd were online over a half hour ago. Nice work, guys.I’m impressed!
Minutes posted after the jump.
Below the minutes, I’ve added links to a couple of other articles on the OH blog, as well as a list of “passed proposals”. The list, posted as of this a.m., may be several days out-of-date.
See my OPINION PIECE: Like some commentors I’ve read at the OH site, I, too, am concerned about a loss of focus for our #OccupyHouston movement.
Remember, you can support #OccupyHouston without participating in specific demonstrations with which you do not agree! (Read: OPINION: #OccupyHouston and the Energy Day Protest (Oct. 15) Just bringing your warm body (and any other warm bodies you can rustle up) represents support for the movement.
As much as possible, I’ve tried to leave original OH links live. If they don’t work, I apologize. – Mike
More stuff after the jump.
One of the things on this site of which I’m most proud are my links to various counties’ voting information. If you live anywhere near Houston, TX, you may be able to find your info at one of the links here: https://thinkwingradio.com/political-information-and-resources/. If you don’t live near Houston, but are in Texas, you can go to the Secretary of State by clicking here: https://thinkwingradio.com/political-information-and-resources/texas-state-of/. Voting information is also available here: votexas.org.
I received this from the Texas Democratic Party, but it applies to all Texans, regardless of party affiliation:
Dear fellow Democrat,
Early Voting for the November 8, 2011 elections begins on Monday, October 24th and runs through Friday, November 4th. There are a few things we thought you should know before heading to the polls.
If you have additional questions about voting in this year’s election, check out votexas.org.
Thank you,
Sondra Haltom
Political Director, on behalf of Your Texas Democratic Party
OPINION PIECE: Like some of the commentors I’ve been reading at various places on the OccupyHouston.org website, I, too, am concerned about a loss of focus of our #OccupyHouston movement.
The diverse support for OCCUPY seems to coalesce around one basic premise: The out-sized influence exercised by large corporations and the rich — the 1% — on our nation’s politics, policies, and destiny.
At the risk of mixing metaphors, diverse support splinters when you start ‘goring’ an increasing number of different ‘oxen’.
Popular support for the OCCUPY movement has crossed virtually all ideological and philosophical lines. In spite of pundits’ criticism that there is no coherent message, there actually is a very clear message of sorts: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
That’s a message! Read our angry lips!
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EARLY ADDITION: I hope to update after midnight at some point.
Updated 3 am, Oct. 22
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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In addition to the previously announced clean-up day (Clean Sweep!, Saturday, Oct. 22), there is now an official announcement of a demonstration schedule for Saturday the 22nd at 3 pm. details here (National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality, Oct. 22) or below the jump. There are some relevant reader comments (as of 7 pm, Friday) which I’m including.
See my OPINION PIECE: Like some of the commentors I’ve included below the jump, I, too, am concerned about a loss of focus for our #OccupyHouston movement.
Remember, you can support #OccupyHouston without participating in specific demonstrations with which you do not agree! (Read: OPINION: #OccupyHouston and the Energy Day Protest (Oct. 15) Just bringing your warm body (and any other warm bodies you can rustle up) represents support for the movement.
More stuff after the jump.
Continue reading
For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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Some interesting new items on the OccupyHouston site.
On the home page, there’s an article called Made Sustainable by Occupy Houston, wherein OH announces that it has secured a 1999 Lincoln Navigator, with the object of using it as a testbed for various, undesignated pollution-lowering technologies. I’m not prepared to criticize (I wasn’t at the GA where this decision was taken, after all), but I am concerned about ‘muddying the message’. I’m also curious how OH tends to proceed with this project.
The GA Minutes are being kept more current. The GA Minutes for Oct. 20th posted below are from Thursday. Nice job, guys!
In addition to the previously announced clean-up day (Clean Sweep!, Saturday, Oct. 22), there is mention in the GA Minutes of Oct. 22nd as a day to “Protest against police brutality”. The Minutes (posted below) provide some more details, but I’d like to see an actual announcement on the site. There’s also some question about how this event will dovetail with the clean-up event, time-wise.
Remember, you can support #OccupyHouston without participating in specific demonstrations with which you do not agree! (Read: OPINION: #OccupyHouston and the Energy Day Protest (Oct. 15) Just bringing your warm body (and any other warm bodies you can rustle up) represents support for the movement.
More stuff after the jump.
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