Dr. Napier has been a guest on our radio show. You can hear her interview from August 23, 2010 on this page.
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College of Business and Economics professor Nancy Napier has been awarded Vietnam’s highest award for contributions to education in the Southeast Asian country.
As is obvious to anyone who follows this blog, I support the #Occupy movement. But the most important thing to Occupy is the Ballot.
Statistically, more Americans identify as Democrats than as Republicans (Republicanians?). However, GOP voters are more likely to show up at the actual polls on election days.
Change begins at the ballot box. #OccupyTheBallot. Don’t let a majority of less than 10% of the electorate choose your Council members!
I received and email today which has most of the information that a Houston resident will need. (I have slightly revised it.) It is posted below the jump.
Continue reading
If I turn out to be right on this, remember you probably read it here first.
I’m beginning to suspect that the GOP nominee for the 2012 general election may well be, “None of the above“. I.e., some dark horse candidate who’s either at the margins (like a Huntsman or a Roemer), or someone totally out of left field.
It involves two words which we haven’t used in about 70 years: “Brokered Convention“. 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 first section below the jump is a simple meeting schedule for Nov. 24-28. Below that are listed planned events, then informational postings.
The last section includes downloadable posters/artwork donated by artists for the cause. Note the included disclaimer.
SCHEDULED ACTIONS (Click links or see below the jump for more details):
Solidarity Protest for Egypt – Fri., Nov. 25:Friday November 25th, 2pm-5pm 5718 Westheimer Road , Suite 1350 Houston, TX 77057
Black Friday Action (Fri., Nov. 25): Mic Check at the Galleria Friday November 25th 5:30pm, Westheimer and Post Oak…
OccupyHouston Calendar
COMMENTARY: THOUGHTS AFTER THANKSGIVING
Workgroups NEAR THE BOTTOM, BELOW THE JUMP.
OccHou’s Guide to General Assembly <–CLICK HERE, OR SCROLL DOWN AFTER JUMP
Over the first few days of accepting contributions, we are so heartened by the generosity of folks who have brought us water, food, and several other items that made our first overnight in the park much more comfortable. …
http://www.thenation.com/blog/164700/dispatch-occupy-harvard
Philip Cartelli on November 18, 2011 – 1:40pm ET
On Wednesday, November 9, a group of approximately one hundred Harvard students and supporters gathered in front of the statue of the University’s eponymous founder for our first Occupy Harvard General Assembly.
Unfortunately, administrators had decided to close Harvard Yard several hours earlier to all but those with Harvard ID cards, excluding members of the community, worker’s families, visitors and students at Harvard’s Extension School, who are not given official ID cards. In response, Continue reading
Tell Target to Save Thanksgiving! <- Click here for the petition!
This is what I wrote:
Opening earlier doesn’t increase seasonal gross sales. It a competitive one-upmanship game that businesses play at the expense of their employees’ lives.
If necessary, mandate that no store opens before 10am on Black Friday. In the end, it all works out the same. Stop treating your employees like Bob Cratchett.
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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Upcoming Events:
Nov. 17, “We are the 99%” March
When: Saturday, Nov. 19th at 2 pm Where: Houston Public Library Central Branch, 4th floor conference room, 500 McKinney
Other news and information:
Two photos from the 11/15 police action.
ANOTHER HOUSTON OCCUPIER ARRESTED – NOVEMBER 15, 2011
More details below the jump.
This article was revised 6/11/2012: Contact information for the Harris County Tax Office was added at the bottom. ~ Mike
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Back in February of 2011, I posted this tidbit about the Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT) headquarters televisions suddenly becoming Fox News-centric after John Kasich was elected governor. You can read that bit here: “You watch, we decide what” (Cleveland.com, Posted on February 4, 2011)
Don Sumners, Houston Tax Assessor-Collector
Apparently, similar affliction of Fox News on innocent (and helpless) government office patrons has now come to Harris County, Texas.
Continue reading
“The Harvard iteration of the Occupy protests is ironically, appropriately, and unwillingly now the most exclusive Occupy protest in the country.” ~ Harvard Keeps Occupy Harvard Harvard-Only, by Adam Clark Estes, The Atlantic Wire
I have often discussed the Occupy Movement with my step-daughter, Grace (to whom I sometimes refer as my daughter, so don’t get confused). So you can imagine my interest and excitement (and I think hers, too) when she told me that there was going to be an #OccupyHarvard. 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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Please note that these summary and report posts are not a substitute for visiting the #OccupyHouston home site. I present them as a digest of what’s available there. – Mike
Upcoming events and meetings (with more details below the jump or directly on the #OccupyHouston site, via links):
* OCCUPY HOUSTON MOVES TO SWEEP UP DOWNTOWN: The group is currently asking for seventy upright “lobby-dustpans” and brooms to fulfill their ongoing “Clean Sweep” project on November 13th.
* REPORT: [Next] Women’s Group Meeting, Tues. Nov 15th 5:30 PM
* Occupy Houston Study and Strategy Discussion: Nov. 19th from 2-4:45pm in the Program Room of the Houston Public LIbrary
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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LOTS OF NEW NEWS!
GA Minutes Nov. 7th, below the jump
Women’s Group Meeting, Tuesday, November 8th, 5pm: [Details below jump]
1) to take an informal survey on each person’s PoV regarding gender balance/imbalance…
2) talk specifically about the homeless population issues….
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 are below the jump.
Occupy Houston Study and Strategy Discussion: Nov. 19th from 2 – 4:45pm in the Program Room of the Houston Public Library
Come out to this discussion where we will be addressing 3 main items:
1) Causes of the economic crisis
2) Finding concrete solutions
3) OccupyHouston – what comes next? – sustainability of the movement
More info below the jump
ARTICLE: OCCUPY HOUSTON MOVES TO SWEEP UP DOWNTOWN, Nov. 13th <==Click here to read: Occupy Houston wants to clean up your city…and yes, this means you. Occupy Houston is the local observance of the ongoing Occupy Wall Street movement, which was hatched by the Canadian magazine Adbusters, and while the campaign has certainly ruffled the feathers of municipalities across the United States, the Houston chapter seems to have it’s sights set on more sustainable actions. One of their directives is a city-wide invitation to help them sweep the downtown streets on a monthly basis. [Rest of article here.]
ARTICLE: Asheville (NC) under attack with snatch squads <==Click here to read: Police snatching Occupy Asheville participants in retaliation for Oakland solidarity march by occupy Sunday Nov 6th, 2011 2:24 PM [Rest of article here.]
“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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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.
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 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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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.
