How Many Brownies (and Alaskan Jobs) Did Lisa Murkowski Just Give Away?
Friday afternoon, the offices of the AFL-CIO in Anchorage were hopping. Look at the sinister faces of all those “union thugs.” That’s one thing I’ve never understood. How can any Alaskan, in a state with the second-highest union density in the country, think of unions as “thuggery.” Union men and women are your neighbors, your friends, your kids’ soccer coaches, your fellow church members – people who work hard, and enjoy good jobs with benefits that let them enjoy life and give back to their community by volunteering, putting money into the local economy, sending their kids to college… all…
Murkowski Votes Against Jobs, Deficit Reduction, Veterans, Teachers, and Taxing Millionaires. (Rally!)
The Constitution. We’ve seen it wrapped around buses, misspelled on Tea Party signs, hailed and praised by the “back to basics” Republicans who tell us that if we just went back to the wisdom of the founding fathers, life would be good again. It’s been waved like the flag, held up like holy writ, and revered as the greatest document ever written. Yes, the right loves them some Constitution – unless of course it means that they don’t get their way. It’s kind of like the Bible. Just don’t pay attention to all that healing the sick, and taking…
The Golden Calf and the Bronze Bull – What Would Moses Do?
~Photo by Zach Roberts By Shannyn Moore I remember wondering what gold tastes like. As a child sitting in Mrs. Harris’ Sunday school class, I listened raptly to her recount the biblical tale of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai armed with the Ten Commandments. He’d spent the last 40 days and nights meeting with God. Moses unleashed his fury when he saw what his people had been up to: drinking, partying and worshipping a golden calf made from melted jewelry. Moses smashed the tablets carved with God’s handwritten laws, ground up the idol and made them drink it. Those…
Occupy Anchorage!
This afternoon in Anchorage, several hundred people gathered in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protesters. A crowd this size was a fantastic turnout for an event that was promoted largely on Facebook and by word of mouth. The weather cooperated beautifully. It was a gorgeous sunny autumn day in the 50s, and spirits were high. The crowd was full of families with kids, and dogs, young adults, and seniors. There was a great contingent from the Native community as well. Anyone who wanted to could sign up to speak, but the main event was former Mayor of Sitka and…
Mudflats on Wall Street (Video of Arrests at Protest)
The Mudflats’ New York Bureau Chief, Zach Roberts, has been doing an outstanding job covering the movement known as Occupy Wall Street. He has been our boots on the ground since the protests began, recently putting himself in harm’s way to expose the latest happenings. We’ve posted his photos before, but his current shots, and some outstanding video footage show a decidedly different mood than his earlier coverage. The following videos show some of the arrests that happened Wednesday night in the Wall Street area. A quick email from Zach said: People need to see this stuff… They threw…
Oyster Roundup – Rats, Scented Candles, Pebble Mine and more…
~Thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more, and more… A half-dozen slurpable stories for your consumption. All titles are links. Eat up! Westboro Baptist Church to Picket Jobs Funeral Yes, apparently the most hateful, vicious, mean-spirited group of “religious” wingnuts, who made famous the “God Hates Fags” slogan, will be picketing the funeral of Steve Jobs. Why? Because he “served self, not God” and “encouraged his neighbors to sin.” How do we know they will be doing this? (Wait for it) Because they tweeted it from an iPhone. Yes, really. No worries about Westboro appreciating this…
OccupyWallStreet Issues Declaration Through Mastery of the Human Mic
~Photo by Zach Roberts The OccupyWallStreet movement, through consensus, has issued its first official statement. The process took two weeks. It may seem like a long time, but a fascinating article by Richard Kim of The Nation explains why this statement is a Herculean achievement, and it may not be for the reasons you think. Microphones, speakers, and even bull horns are prohibited from the site of the demonstration. If you use one, it can mean 30 days in jail. That means that all communication must rely on “the human mic.” So despite all the attention given to how Twitter,…
The Good Old Labor Days
By Jim Wright You ever stop to wonder what you life would be like if it was 1911 instead of 2011? Imagine. Imagine what it was like to be your great grand parents. In 1911, the United States was in the middle of the Second Industrial Revolution. It was a time of wonder and ever advancing technology. It started in the 1860’s and would last right up until the beginning of World War I. It began with steel, the Bessemer process to be specific, a cheap and easy way to mass produce strong and reasonably lightweight metals. Strong lightweight steel…
Open Thread – Which Side Are You On?
I think this is far and away the best labor song ever written. Natalie Merchant sings with an intro clip sung by Florence Reece, the songwriter. I look at these images and wonder why anyone believes that if the unions are broken, we will not end up here again. Human nature endures – the good and the bad – and we haven’t changed that much. Happy Labor Day, Mudflatters. Go find a union member and give ’em a hug. Remember to support and vote for pro-labor candidates who are taking a stand for the middle class, for decent jobs with…
Open Thread – Finest Worksong
A little Labor Day weekend music from the mighty REM. Stay safe, have fun, and remember to thank a union and remember those who had the bravery to organize. The time to rise has been engaged You’re better best to rearrange I’m talking here to me alone I listen to the finest worksong Your finest hour Your finest hour Another chance has been engaged To throw Thoreau and rearrange You are following this time I beg you not beg to rhyme (blow your horn) Your finest hour (blow your horn) Your finest hour Take your instinct by the reins Your…