From the open publishing newswire: Has Portland interest in the human rights abuses in China/Tibet really waned, or are action groups not making themselves apparent? Recently, while combing through Indymedia in search of Portland groups for the liberation of China/Tibet, I was shocked by the absence of (or apparent absence) of such existing movements. There doesn't seem to be much going on at all. I've been organizing a demonstration (set for the first week in August) to protest U.S. involvement in the 2008 Olympics. So far, my search for other groups to network with has been unfruitful. I've found some older posts about events protesting the Olympics (like the Human Rights Torch Relay and the protest that was held downtown April 12) but I was disappointed to find nothing listed on the calendar for the upcoming months. Has interest really waned or are groups just not posting anticipated events? If anyone is interested in coordinating efforts, please feel free to contact me at the e-mail listed, we would love to hear from you.

From the open publishing newswire: let's make it happen! the idea is pretty simple: a network of babysitters banding together to offer free childcare to the community.

my basic vision involves a website and/or hotline that families browse/call, submit a request, and get free childcare. families can view profiles for each of the many many sitters, with info on their experience, certification, childcare style/philosophy, and other info. they choose the sitter they want, and email them directly. probably 72 hours in advance is cool.

the hotline thing is trickier, but not impossible. i have a few ideas, but we can talk about logistics later.

if anyone is interested in maybe helping get this started, in whatever capacity, email me! i'd like to form a formal collective ASAP, get the program going by autumn, and maybe even turn it into a formal 501(c)3 nonprofit if we feel like that's important.

From the open publishing newswire: Siren Nation is a local non-profit that produces a music and arts festival in November (www.sirennation.org for details). We have put on a fundraiser, taking orders for Valentines (card + vegan chocolate) to be delivered around town by bike.

We got so many orders! Yay, awesome for our fundraising, but we need help!! We got so many Valentine Bike-o-Gram orders that we need help delivering them! This week is your chance to costume up and ride your bike, delivering love notes!

Can you help us? Email  valentinebybike@yahoo.com and let me know the days and times you're available this week (mon-thurs), Thank you!!

 http://www.sirennation.org

From the open publishing newswire: CPD Officer Cox was placed on paid suspension over a month ago but no information has been forthcoming!

There have been reports of Officer Cox pulling people over without cause, following people for long distances until the finally make a mistake so he can pull them over, arresting people without cause, and a few reports of possible inappropriate behavior with women during stops. In light of Portland's Finest (Matthew Kohnke) taking a plea over his molestation of several women people are starting to wonder what Cox has been suspended for. Will the CPD be allowed to sweep his misconduct under the rug? The blue wall seems to be up on this one does anyone know what Cox was suspended for?

From the open publishing newswire: My boyfriend was recently driving through Scappose when he noticed at least a dozen signs saying "no garbege factory here" and "biodiesel can explode." The signs were all professionally made in a sign shop. I called a friend who used to work in a sign shop, it musta costed at least $400 for all those signs, just the ones he saw running through town.

We've been using biodiesel99 for years with no problems sofar, and are even working on our own appleseed processor in the backyard.

Who is funding this anti biodiesel fervor?

Somebody feel threatened?

From the open publishing newswire: U.S. and state government officials refused to allow water or food relief into New Orleans. This was a brazen attempt to "starve people out" - a "war crime" under the Geneva Conventions. Hundreds of people died unnecessarily of thirst. And yet, there was no shortage of water or food being sent.

I spoke daily with Les Evenchick, a Green who lives in the French Quarter of New Orleans. I was also in touch with New Orleans residents Malik Rahim and Mike Howell; the areas in which they live were dry and they were holding out as long as they could. The story they tell is shocking: U.S. and local government officials ordered the local drinking water turned off and refused to allow water or food relief into New Orleans. Hundreds of people died unnecessarily as a result.

Where Did The FEMA Money Go? | redballoonbooks.org

From the open publishing newswire: animals in the portland zoo need our help. i and many people i have come to know are deeply concern about the treatment and the care of the animals at the Portland zoo. we have noticed the the cages for the animals are inadequate... ... now i know Portland zoo is a small zoo, but they need to fix their exhibits and take better care for these animals we all come to enjoy and love...there are many things that need to take place to make the zoo better for animals and people a like. please i can't do this myself and i am calling out to you and everyone, please help me help these animals...

From the open publishing newswire: 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
Carpenters Local 247 (2215 North Lombard)

Portland Central America Solidarity Committee | Reclaim The Media

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Hugo Chavez Holds Commanding Lead Eight Days Before Election

Hugo 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.

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From the open publishing newswire: 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

From the open publishing newswire: 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 will forward your question on to a friend of mine who might have some answers. In the meantime, I think we all need to be thinking about how to make prisons better, or nonexistent. I don't know, sometimes I think there are reasons to remove people from general society, if they are dangerous or something. You know, like child killers and rapists. But the criminal justice system is so completely flawed that it's not fair ... (Drug use, for example, is a public health issue not a crinimal issue. Theft is a class issue, not a criminal issue. And all the green scare people are political prisoners, not criminals.)

One concern should be whether they are talking about moving folks to private detention facilities. It seems very likely that would be the case, since moving people to other state-run prisons would just shift the "burden", and most state-run prisons are over-full. Private prisons are hell, from every account I've ever heard. They are profitable due mostly to slave labor of the inamtes, moreso than at state or federal facilities. They are usually very remote, which makes visitation hard. They have ridiculous phone contracts that make phone calls too expensive for most people to afford. I would do some serious checking, and if they are talking about private prisons, I would be VERY concerned. [ Read More ] [ http://prisonplanet.com/ ]

From the open publishing newswire: 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.

From the open publishing newswire: 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.

From the open publishing newswire: 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