Late last night my wife found an update that Keith Olbermann will be back at Countdown on Tuesday. I am happy Keith is back, not only as a fan, but as a 99er as well. It's not because of unemployment coverage on Countdown. Countdown touches on unemployment and job creation but not nearly enough for my taste. I'm happy Keith is back to work because his suspension no longer monopolizes the newscycle.
Since his suspension was announced on Friday, support has come from multiple sources. A petition with over 300,000 signatures, at least two Facebook pages totaling over 15,000 "likes", a Twitter site with 210 followers, 2 Twibbons (2200+ supporters) and even William Kristol. All this activity in under 72 hours. The unemployed, some without any safety net for over 7 months get this support: preemptive armed guards at unemployment offices, tax cuts for the wealthy to "create jobs" and the usual cut spending from one (safety net) program to fund another (safety net) program.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am a huge fan of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann". I'm glad Keith is back. He gives is "liberal media bias" and I want him on the air. I understand why over 315,000 would mobilize on his behalf in a weekend. Why can't (won't) the same group and more do exactly the same to support millions (and growing each week) of unemployed? More importantly, what can I do to get 300,000+ to spend 10 minutes to advocate for the unemployed?
Showing posts with label Mike Thornton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Thornton. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Organized to help ourselves.
I hadn't planned on posting today. It's Erev Yom Kippur (Yom Kippur, a 24 Hour complete fast begins at Sunset), I have an appointment in a few hours 75 miles away and it's garbage day. I found some good news in my email last night and feel compelled to share the news. Just maybe, yesterday's unjustified optimism is justified.
Cleaning out my email yesterday night 3 great independent sources shared a similar message. Donalee King, Mike Thornton and UWAG all had the same theme: As of today we are all organized, in this together.
It was the lack of any organized effort that made me start this blog. As I found other advocacy forums, I followed their lead because I believe we need to work together. In the name of total disclosure, I had absolutely nothing to do with this aggregation of force. None the less, I would not feel any prouder had I pulled this together myself.
Our task is clear. Unemployment beyond 26 weeks is not funded for anyone beyond Nov. 30, 2010. There is still nothing for anyone beyond 99 weeks. Congress will be in session for 3 weeks beginning Monday and neither of these topics is on the calendar in either chamber. This is unacceptable and must be changed. So along with Ed Schultz, Norman Goldman and other progressive voices support the DC rally on 10/2/10. Whether or not you can attend the rally, get everyone you know involved with the call-in on Wednesday 9/22/10. Spread the word, provide the energy and create the buzz. Our moment has arrived, do not let it disappear.
I wish an easy fast and a Gmar Tov to those that these wishes apply. I wish us all success. Lives hang in the balance.
Cleaning out my email yesterday night 3 great independent sources shared a similar message. Donalee King, Mike Thornton and UWAG all had the same theme: As of today we are all organized, in this together.
It was the lack of any organized effort that made me start this blog. As I found other advocacy forums, I followed their lead because I believe we need to work together. In the name of total disclosure, I had absolutely nothing to do with this aggregation of force. None the less, I would not feel any prouder had I pulled this together myself.
Our task is clear. Unemployment beyond 26 weeks is not funded for anyone beyond Nov. 30, 2010. There is still nothing for anyone beyond 99 weeks. Congress will be in session for 3 weeks beginning Monday and neither of these topics is on the calendar in either chamber. This is unacceptable and must be changed. So along with Ed Schultz, Norman Goldman and other progressive voices support the DC rally on 10/2/10. Whether or not you can attend the rally, get everyone you know involved with the call-in on Wednesday 9/22/10. Spread the word, provide the energy and create the buzz. Our moment has arrived, do not let it disappear.
I wish an easy fast and a Gmar Tov to those that these wishes apply. I wish us all success. Lives hang in the balance.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Good news? At least not bad news.
Like so many unemployed I was alerted to Sen. Stabenow's sponsorship of the "Americans Wants To Work Act" on "The Ed Show" via Twitter. I even claimed TV priority over my kids to watch. All in all I was hoping for more, but I was pleased that benefits beyond 99 weeks were combined with a jobs initiative. After all, as one of the long term unemployed, I would prefer working to unemployment benefits.
The bill is a good start but only a beginning. The bill will pass mid-September at the earliest. 99ers started losing benefits spring, 2010 and they need help today or sooner. Estimates put the number of those without benefits at over 5 million before any help arrives. 20 weeks of benefits are great because it carries through November elections to the lame duck session of Congress. An additional extension will certainly be necessary; the jobs part of the bill will not eliminate rampant unemployment in 20 weeks. Senators and Representatives are more likely to vote "compassion/ common sense" when two years away from an election. Finally, what will be the cost to obtain necessary votes. There are 59 "Democratic" Senators. Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders are independents that caucas with the Dems; Ben Nelson is (your words, try to keep it clean this is a G-rated blog) ???? This bill did not wait until 3 days before recess due to lack or awareness. There was not and has not been enough Democratic support for TierV since May. The jobs creation and unemployment benefits may be vastly different from what Sen. Stabenow is proposing.
What to do? Take the negatives and make them positive. I realize that for 99ers or soon to be 99ers, positives are impossible. These people are not falling through the cracks, they are falling off a cliff. It is profoundly sad. I have no answers, so I return to taking action. Stay aware. Mike Thornton and Donalee King provide daily insightful updates. Stay active. Congress.org has great tips and a full contact list. Stay calm. It's much easier to solicit help if you are strident, not angry. Stay focused. The unemployed want to work. Until sufficient jobs are created unemployment benefits are a safety net. Retribution through voting (or not) will wait. Stay energized. The 99es energy claimed the attention of Ed Schultz. His daily appeal on behalf of the 99ers moved Senator Stabenow. Stay involved. The Wall Street Rally on August 12 needs support. "America's 99ers: The Forgotten" must be shown to more people. Other projects will arise,like this on Facebook UBO21C. If I appear to consistently return to the same theme, I do. Participation is crucial. This is our moment, we can be part of history. If we fail, we are history.
The bill is a good start but only a beginning. The bill will pass mid-September at the earliest. 99ers started losing benefits spring, 2010 and they need help today or sooner. Estimates put the number of those without benefits at over 5 million before any help arrives. 20 weeks of benefits are great because it carries through November elections to the lame duck session of Congress. An additional extension will certainly be necessary; the jobs part of the bill will not eliminate rampant unemployment in 20 weeks. Senators and Representatives are more likely to vote "compassion/ common sense" when two years away from an election. Finally, what will be the cost to obtain necessary votes. There are 59 "Democratic" Senators. Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders are independents that caucas with the Dems; Ben Nelson is (your words, try to keep it clean this is a G-rated blog) ???? This bill did not wait until 3 days before recess due to lack or awareness. There was not and has not been enough Democratic support for TierV since May. The jobs creation and unemployment benefits may be vastly different from what Sen. Stabenow is proposing.
What to do? Take the negatives and make them positive. I realize that for 99ers or soon to be 99ers, positives are impossible. These people are not falling through the cracks, they are falling off a cliff. It is profoundly sad. I have no answers, so I return to taking action. Stay aware. Mike Thornton and Donalee King provide daily insightful updates. Stay active. Congress.org has great tips and a full contact list. Stay calm. It's much easier to solicit help if you are strident, not angry. Stay focused. The unemployed want to work. Until sufficient jobs are created unemployment benefits are a safety net. Retribution through voting (or not) will wait. Stay energized. The 99es energy claimed the attention of Ed Schultz. His daily appeal on behalf of the 99ers moved Senator Stabenow. Stay involved. The Wall Street Rally on August 12 needs support. "America's 99ers: The Forgotten" must be shown to more people. Other projects will arise,like this on Facebook UBO21C. If I appear to consistently return to the same theme, I do. Participation is crucial. This is our moment, we can be part of history. If we fail, we are history.
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