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WORKERS' RIGHTS, REVOLUTION, U.S INTERVENTION: A Report Back from the NW Labor Delegation to Venezuela and Colombia Nine PCASC delegates from seven different Portland area unions just returned from Venezuela and Colombia. On Dec. 5th the delegates will present their findings and experiences. The delegation included leadership and members of 7 unions, including the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Locals 4 and 8, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 88, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503, the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW), the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1065 and the Oregon Education Association (OEA). Does Hugo Chavez promote progressive social change and independent labor unions, or is the labor movement just an arm of the government? Is the United States government implicated in the brutal killing of labor leaders in Colombia or is it trying to use its influence to protect human rights? Tuesday December 5th - Doors open/Food at 6:30 PM, Event at 7pm Portland Central America Solidarity Committee | Reclaim The Media Hugo Chavez Holds Commanding Lead Eight Days Before ElectionHugo Chavez holds an insurmountable lead in two late November polls - one by Ipsos Venezuela/the AP-Ipsos Poll and the other by Zogby International-University of Miami. Both were released on November 24 and are the most current and reliable data available and are consistent with most independent poll results for months. This is in stark contrast to several fraudulent US National Endowment of Democracy (NED)-financed oligarch-run ones published to create a false perception of public sentiment in preparation for cries of fraud once the election results are in. Rosales has no chance whatever of even coming close to winning on December 3, and the Venezuelan people know it. They'll never tolerate a result made in Washington that's contrary to the way they'll vote that's pretty obvious from some "real" polling data. Here's what the oligarchs, corporate media and Washington suppress - and for good reason because it's so lopsided in favor of Hugo Chavez.
Here's your chance to let the city know just what you think of this endlessly expensive boondoggle.
This evening's news trumpeted more news about the multi-million dollar, expensive city boondoggle known as the OHSU tram . . . a project that benefits a minority of the population . . . far out of proportion to its cost. May I suggest "Boon" and "Doggle"? The possibilities are endless. Suggestions? One commenter added: The "Name the Tram Cars" contest information is on Commissioner Sam Adams's blog at:  http://www.commissionersam.com
The California Department of Corrections and rehabilitation is conducting a survey to determine how many inmates would be interested in transferring to facilities outside of California. My son is serving a 25 to life prison term in Delano, CA. He just sent me the notice of the survey and has askied me to check out some of the other prisons and see what they have to offer... He has been in prison for 4 years now and but I still don't understand the way they are run. Comments:
I'm beginning to craft a campaign to lower the voting age in Portland or Multnomah County. Here's what I'm thinking: Lower the voting age to 15. Arguments for this age include: many 15 year olds have part-time jobs, pay income tax, can be tried as adults for violent crimes, etc. Draft a resolution and submit it to either City Council or the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). I think both have their benefits. The BCC is generally more supportive of youth causes, but there might be some outcry from East County. Portland is geographically smaller, which would make organizing easier. Maybe shoot for both jurisdictions? I imagine one would adopt the resolution shortly after the other, anyways...
It'd be advantageous to time this right before an election. The officials who vote in favor of the resolution could be persuaded by all of those youth votes that'd be freed up... In 2008, two BCCers (Naito and Rojo de Steffey) are up for reelection, as well as two City Commissioners (Adams, Leonard) and Mayor Potter. So, 2008 seems like a good target year.
My friend and I were driving on Yamhill towards Broadway when we saw cops speeding ahead of us screech to a halt past the intersection and then chase an African-American man wearing a dress across the intersection and in front of Banana Republic. The man was unarmed, and surrendering, he sat against the wall waiting for the cops to come arrest him. When they got to him, they held him down and proceeded to beat him mercilessly.
Rep. Conyers and 88 Congressmen have written to Bush asking for an explanation regarding recent disclosures of a "Downing Street Memo" in the London Times. This memo consists of the minutes of a July 2002 meeting between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his top advisers. These minutes indicate that the United States and Great Britain agreed to attack Iraq by the summer of 2002, well before the invasion and before the president sought Congressional authority to engage in military action, and that U.S. officials were deliberately manipulating intelligence to justify the war.
Any response from the white house yet? No. The next step is to get 100,000 signatures from ordinary citizens to bring to the White House. John Conyers letter to Common Dreams
One of the two Eugene Wild Oats stores is closing. While yes, Wild Oats is a corporation, there are still people behind it, local people, our neighbors, friends and family. Wild Oats national is doing great injustice to the people who slaved for the store to make it a success. For example, some people who worked at the Wild Oats store, some more than 15 years, are getting at most 6 weeks of severance pay! How can it be possible for an individual to put out everythnig for something he/she believes in (natural foods) and get screwed so badly?!?!!! Any information you may have regarding previous legal actions is needed. We can't let the corporations hurt us like this, working is an evil paradox of life, the least we can do is hit the corporation hard so maybe it isn't as bad the next time around.
I was walking home late this afternoon near 39th and hawthorne and saw a middle aged woman lying in the bushes. Got closer and determined that she was native american and drunk smelling of booze and a large beer can by her head. I could see she was breathing and a sensible person would have walked away at this point. But I was concerned about the heat and the fact that she didn't wake up immediately when I came near her space and so I decided I'd wake her up and or see about medical attention, at the least water, if required.
She finnally woke up. I said are you OK, she didnt answer immediately - I said are you sick, she said, yes, sick of life, I want to die, and mentioned something about being assaulted yesterday. She said "who are you" I said "I'm Fred, I was just concerned becuase you were not responsive." She then asked if I had any change and I said no. She got up and we both said something to the tune of I just dont know what to do. And I felt bad for waking her up- but what the hell are you supposed to do? Is it OK to let people just die in the bushes or on the street? I'm certianly not going to call 911 unless it's a true emergency. I'd probably never under any circumstances call the hooper detox place as far as I know theres more dignity in the bushes or gutter.. but maybe I'm wrong on that. Anyways this is becoming more and more common as social services are evaporating. (Thanks Mr. President) Is there a good phone number (left) to call? How about one specifically for the native american folks? [ Some Responses ]
Is there any organized resistance to the anti-PUD "Citizens Against The Government Takeover", PGE-manipulated campaign?
I'm getting more and more disgusted with the giant ads, fliers, and (now) three anti-PUD television spots airing in Portland and paid for by the PGE puppet group, "Citizens Against the Government Takeover". I don't see any organized effort to counter the lies and half-truths, nor anyone speaking out regarding the heavy hand of PGE and its advertising agency, Gard & Gerber, in running the campaign. I have not seen, nor received one piece of pro-PUD literature explaining the situation in a positive way and that it will not cost "millions of dollars" in new property taxes or "add a new layer of government". I have written to the OREGONIAN and to WILLAMETTE WEEK and have not received acknowlegment from either so perhaps individual attempts will be doomed to failure. Hard to publish information countering a group that is buying up full page advertising in your paper . . . especially when the Portland Business Alliance has come out in support of the "Citizens" and against a PUD, I guess. Anyone out there know of a group planning to fight this steamroller? Some Responses: [http://communique.portland.or.us/ | Some Answers ]
"Jake" writes: I'm starting a garden and I know what i want to grow. Does anyone have tips or hints for starting one? Thanks.
Some responses:
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"Nothing's more spiritual or more radical than gardening! Grow your own food, and grow enough to share. Good to hear you're doing this. Sounds like you're off to a good start. And, from what I can see at least, your soil looks like good old NW soil. Compost and poo always improve it. Also, there are combinations you can plant together. Carrots, strawberries and lettuce you say? Cool. Those are all pretty easy. And carrots and lettuce take less sunlight than say, tomatoes. The best way to learn is just to do. Plant according to the seed packs if you're using seeds from packets. Experiment. Let nature do what she does, and all should work well. Don't stress."