"The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" has been on MSNBC since September 27, 2010. It airs at weekdays at 10 PM EST between the 1st nightly airing of "The Rachel Maddow Show" and the 1st nightly rebroadcast of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann". On December 16, 2010 O'Donnell announced the inception of the K.I.N.D. Fund. The fund's purpose is to provide over 46,000 desks for children in Malawi. Most schools in Malawi have no desks. To date the fund has raised over $1,700,000, or 35,400+ desks. In less than 3 weeks the fund is over 75% towards reaching it's goal. Wow.
Imagine, a show that's been on a little over three months raising $1.7 million in under three weeks. That's fabulous. I am with this effort 100% in spirit but current unemployed circumstances preclude me from participating financially. What Mr. O'Donnell is doing is amazing but I must ask: Mr. O'Donnell could you please give the 99ers the same nightly exposure you are giving the K.I.N.D. Fund? The 99ers need help and the energy of those that gave the $1.7 could go a long way. Mr. O'Donnell, will you please help?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
112th Congress: 99ers Preview
As we approach the onset of the 112th Congress, 99ers have one goal: survival. The path to survival is not easy to find nor easy to traverse. How many (former?) 99ers will see the 113th Congress? Only time will tell.
Mike Thornton gives a realistic glimpse into the rosy employment predictions of 2011. Frankly the analysis is uglier than the 2011 Tea Party Swimsuit Calendar (Yes, that's a mean-spirited unfair cheap shot and I'm proud of it). Donalee King gives a review of the (unsuccessful) strategies of the 99ers in 2010 and starts to detail the plan for 2011.
I am not criticizing the activism for Tier V in 2010. I'm proud of all that was attempted on behalf of the 99ers and honored to be considered a colleague of all those that fought for the 99ers. Unfortunately all the hard work resulted in exactly zero floor votes on extending unemployment benefits beyond 99 weeks; the late September kabuki theater for S3706 doesn't count for squat.
I wholeheartedly agree that 99ers need to spend quality face time with our elected officials. I also think it's imperative to involve not yet 99ers and non-99ers. Reaching not yet 99ers will be most easily achieved by keeping the plight of the 99ers front and center. A graphic similar to the Doomsday Clock with the growing number of 99ers reflected weekly, daily, hourly (said graphic design is currently beyond my pay grade) until...
As for non-99ers, hopefully many will join those gainfully employed or voluntarily retired that 99ers count as friends. Other non-99ers may need to be brought along in more aggressive (no violence, never violence) manner. Blocking highway access or government buildings at starting/quitting times comes to mind immediately. Given time, I'm sure other non-violent forms of public education will surface. Perhaps even the Tea Party and union advocacy groups will become staunch supporters of the 99ers.
Eliciting support from the Tea Party is simple. An explanation of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" in The Declaration of Independence in conjunction with "provide for the common defense/promote the general welfare" from the preamble to the Constitution should be sufficient to garner Tea Party backing. I suggest an illustrated format with lots of pictures and short sentences in a large font. (Another mean-spirited cheap shot and I'm still proud).
Obtaining stronger labor union support is also simple. Union history along with a reminder that unions don't organize at D.C. cocktail parties should provide for stronger support for the 99ers. This union history need not be illustrated, at least for now.
I apologize for my cynicism and hope you appreciate my snark. Time to get it in gear. Tier V (for many) to survive.
Mike Thornton gives a realistic glimpse into the rosy employment predictions of 2011. Frankly the analysis is uglier than the 2011 Tea Party Swimsuit Calendar (Yes, that's a mean-spirited unfair cheap shot and I'm proud of it). Donalee King gives a review of the (unsuccessful) strategies of the 99ers in 2010 and starts to detail the plan for 2011.
I am not criticizing the activism for Tier V in 2010. I'm proud of all that was attempted on behalf of the 99ers and honored to be considered a colleague of all those that fought for the 99ers. Unfortunately all the hard work resulted in exactly zero floor votes on extending unemployment benefits beyond 99 weeks; the late September kabuki theater for S3706 doesn't count for squat.
I wholeheartedly agree that 99ers need to spend quality face time with our elected officials. I also think it's imperative to involve not yet 99ers and non-99ers. Reaching not yet 99ers will be most easily achieved by keeping the plight of the 99ers front and center. A graphic similar to the Doomsday Clock with the growing number of 99ers reflected weekly, daily, hourly (said graphic design is currently beyond my pay grade) until...
As for non-99ers, hopefully many will join those gainfully employed or voluntarily retired that 99ers count as friends. Other non-99ers may need to be brought along in more aggressive (no violence, never violence) manner. Blocking highway access or government buildings at starting/quitting times comes to mind immediately. Given time, I'm sure other non-violent forms of public education will surface. Perhaps even the Tea Party and union advocacy groups will become staunch supporters of the 99ers.
Eliciting support from the Tea Party is simple. An explanation of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" in The Declaration of Independence in conjunction with "provide for the common defense/promote the general welfare" from the preamble to the Constitution should be sufficient to garner Tea Party backing. I suggest an illustrated format with lots of pictures and short sentences in a large font. (Another mean-spirited cheap shot and I'm still proud).
Obtaining stronger labor union support is also simple. Union history along with a reminder that unions don't organize at D.C. cocktail parties should provide for stronger support for the 99ers. This union history need not be illustrated, at least for now.
I apologize for my cynicism and hope you appreciate my snark. Time to get it in gear. Tier V (for many) to survive.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Good news and bad news
The onset of the 112th Congress brings good news: The sponsors of HR 6556 from the 111th Congress plan on continuing the fight. More than anything (except for jobs), 99ers need a constant voice advocating the common sense of a safety net until jobs are available. Perhaps a push from the Black Congressional Caucus will provide the voice of reason.
The onset of the 112th Congress also brings bad news: In addition to a large Republican majority, any new bill must contain a statement citing the constitutional authority to write the bill. Then the Rep. that wrote the bill must show their birth certificate and out three communists.
It's hard to soar with eagles when you walk with bat-shit crazy cretins.
The onset of the 112th Congress also brings bad news: In addition to a large Republican majority, any new bill must contain a statement citing the constitutional authority to write the bill. Then the Rep. that wrote the bill must show their birth certificate and out three communists.
It's hard to soar with eagles when you walk with bat-shit crazy cretins.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Years Eve (Yesterday)
I have lived in the Midwest my entire life. I have spent every New Year's, as far east as Cleveland and as far west as Rockford, in the Midwest. Yesterday (New Years Eve) was rainy and in the 50's. I have seen New year's with bitter cold or heavy snow or something in between. I have never seen rain on New Year's Eve in the Midwest. I think God (if you prefer nature, or the elements, or random that's okay but I prefer God) was shedding tears for the lost year for the 99ers.
Ancient civilizations also saw rain as a symbol of good luck. I like that.
Peter Yarrow - Weave Me The Suns...
Ancient civilizations also saw rain as a symbol of good luck. I like that.
Peter Yarrow - Weave Me The Suns...
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