Author: Mike

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Election roundup

Sadly, Chris Chocola, once South Bend’s Congressman, was defeated in his bid for reelection. I don’t like his politics or his attitude, but his name is awesome.

Count Chocula

Back in my home district of WV, Alan Mollohan won re-election. I first met him back in 1988, and have rooted for him to lose ever since.

Arizona voters chose to ban putting cows in veal crates and pigs in gestation crates. This measure was strongly opposed by Big Agriculture, and it’s a tribute to both activists on the ground and the common-sense compassion of Arizonans that it passed.

John Robb says that, Iraq-wise, we’re just getting more doomed.
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Lecture: “From Beirut to Baghdad: Globalization & Human Rights in the Middle East and Beyond”

Dr. Thomas Abowd, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Wayne State University, will deliver the Faith Zeadey Memorial Lecture on Globalization and Human Rights 7pm, Thursday, November 16th, Eager Auditorium, Sullivan Building, Worcester State College.

“From Beirut to Baghdad: Globalization & Human Rights in the Middle East and Beyond.”

“Professor Abowd is a long time scholar and activist on issues of peace and justice in the Middle East. He recently returned from a trip to the region and will share his experiences and analysis about the problems it faces the possibilities for change. He will also discuss the impact of the United States’ “War on terror” and its impact on these possibilities.”

Presented by the Worcester State College Sociology Dept., and Centers for the Study of Human Rights, Service Learning & Civic Engagement and Global Studies & Media Literacy. Co-sponsored by Saints Francis & Therese Catholic Worker.

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Happy Election Day from Pennsylvania.

Military recruitment: Adam writes:

ABC News found some U.S. Army recruiters telling prospective recruits that the war in Iraq is over and that we’re not sending people to Iraq anymore. For the record, those are both lies.

BBC: “Britain is ‘surveillance society’.” This report comes out as the powers-that-be in Worcester have announced their enthusiasm for widespread video surveillance in the city.
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Saint Kermit podcast #46: Democrats, Democrats Everywhere

[download the mp3 of “Saint Kermit podcast #46: Democrats, Democrats Everywhere”]

After a sleepless night riding the bus, and a long day hanging around a hospital, Mike summons the energy to phone Jim and record a podcast. They mostly complain about the Democrats.

Then Jim interviews Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern, and Anna Burger, the chair of the Change to Win Coalition.

After Mauro DePasquale’s song “In Your Hands,” the sports crew extolls the joys of tailgating.

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Walgreens protest about labor, not needles: Some guys have been holding a protest outside a local Walgreens, with a sign calling them “No better than the neighborhood drug dealer.” Some passersby thought this was about needle legalization, but it’s actually a labor thing. I mentioned this to one of the guys with the sign, and he acknowledged that it is a confusing message.
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More McGovern: Monday night some Worcesterites asked Rep McGovern to ask the State Department to investigate the ongoing violence in Oaxaca. Indymedia and Reporters Without Borders have also called for an investigation.

Talking to the press: NECN had a clip about the opt-out and don’t-opt-out projects yesterday. This is the second interview I’ve done this week about the project. I’ve found myself increasingly describing the workings of the project to reporters, lest they think this is some massive or ambitious effort. And in an effort to explain how such a small project has produced results that look impressive to some, I’ve found myself paraphrasing sections of Getting Real, oddly enough.

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Those supervising the Halloween party at Chandler Elementary included Andy Warhol and Terrie the biker chick.
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McGovern speaks on Darfur, protestor arrested

Last night US Rep Jim McGovern, who was arrested earlier this year for protesting at the Sudanese embassy, spoke in Worcester about Darfur. Telegram:

Before Mr. McGovern’s speech, Clark security police handcuffed and carried from the hall an anti-Zionist demonstrator after he allegedly refused to stop passing out literature. Peter Lowney, 36, of Valdez, Ark., was taken to Worcester Police Headquarters and charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Another anti-Zionist demonstrator, David Rolde a member of the Green Rainbow Party of Massachusetts, agreed to leave the hall. Picketing outside Higgins, Mr. Rolde said they were there to express opposition to a U.S.-U.N.-Zionist invasion of Sudan “for oil and uranium.” A third picketed on Main Street across from Clark, which she described in her placard as a “fascist university.”

The protestors have posted their own account at Indymedia.

The Green-Rainbow Party is mentioned with good reason: the GRP has a statement on Darfur. The statement opposes both military and financial action. Not sure where that leaves you.

Personal observations: I’m not buying the Zionist angle; I’d take the arguments of the protestors more seriously if they were also working to end the violence in Darfur; I wish the GRP would stay away from foreign policy issues, and focus on Massachusetts. I’m currently registered GRP, but this sort of nonsense makes me want to change that.