Sunday, January 29, 2012
99 Report for Sunday January 29th, 2012 for @Awopradio Show : Truthtelling and Focusing on Hunger In America and Food Stamps
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."~~
Mother Teresa
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Educating the GOP Leaders and each other about Our Economic Challenges: Today's Focus : Food Stamps and Food Insecurity:: ....
In Recent Debates Newt and Other Candidates have been calling the President the Food Stamp President, they have been bashing President Obama and his administration for the Current Food Stamp Program ( which has been improved under this President). They are not only bashing the President, they also are bashing those on Food Stamps. Now it needs to be pointed out that in the 30's Most people did reach out to their fellow neighbors, it opened up the rise of Soup Kitchens and also even ordinary housewives began to pay workmen , "Hobo's " with food. Now we are living through another era of Economic Struggle, and the GOP insists on degrading those that are Hungry ? Let's Look at the Facts:
(1) 1 in Six is on Food Stamps today ( the Numbers vary from 48 to 49 Million). ( The Disparity occurs if Military Families and WIC families are added to the Numbers). 1:4 Children go to bed hungry. The Rise in Food Stamp Recipients rose during the Last 2 years of the Busb Presidency, and is directly driven by the Job Situation in this country. The Real Story is that most on Food Stamps are suffering Food Insecurity not because they are NOT working, but because they are working low wage jobs. If anything it is an indictment of our Minimum Wage Structure that does not cover ANY necessities from food to shelter. And if you examine the Service Sector there are many that serve this country, as teachers, waiters, and at grocery stores who are on Food Assistance. 70% of those on Food Stamps are Working,Working hard, and are Working Poor.
Originally the Food Stamp Program was set up to SUPPLEMENT diet, it was never to be used as the SOLE source of food. Yet today most people on Food Stamps have no other source of food. And another thing to note is that the Food Stamp Numbers do not include WIC Numbers. Another population that is sorely lacking proper nutrition is our Elderly. And another section of the population that is Food Insecure is our College Students, and I know this as I see them frequently at Food Banks and also at the Dollar Store.
(1) Really astoundingly well written article about WHO is on Food Stamps in this Country from Washington Post, and I encourage folks to share with GOP reps and take to debates and Town Halls and educate our Leaders this Election Cycle.
(2) Mother Jones took it a step further and graphed it out, WHO gets Food Assistance. Now please note that this chart is about Non Institutionalized Civilian Assistance. It does NOT recognize the Military families that get assistance.
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Feeding America is working hard to remind people to give to their local food banks, as giving drops off after the holidays. Matt Damon has done this new video on Hunger in America. 1/ 6 are hungry, 1/4 children are hungry. 49 Million Are still on Food stamps, and contrary to the Republican foolishness, many are working poor. Many that work at grocery stores and restaurants are on Food stamps.
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Things all of us can do to work on the Food Insecurity Issues...and also take care of our own families.
(1) If you and your family are really struggling to meet food needs. Do Check the SNAP program in your state and see if you qualify. Especially if you have children under the age of 5 see if you Qualify for WIC which does supplement Protein and Vitamins in diets. IF you have an elderly neighbor that you know is not eating right, do check out Meals on Wheels for them ( the meals are economical and nutritionally sound and are delivered.) Also do check the Food Banks in your area and see if you can get basic food stuff items ( ie Rice, potatoes, some fresh food as well).
(2) Do check for stores that can save large amounts of cash per month. IE. Aldi where such items are on sale like frozen foods, TP and basic items at much lower rate than some of the nicer markets. Also Dollar Stores are full of good deals, from TP and Hygiene products to pasta, rice,beans and dried goods and baking goods.
(3) IF you live near a local market and you know that your neighborhood is facing economic challenges ( ie high foreclosure rates), do go to that market and advocate on behalf of families and elderly and ask that they set up a dollar section or reduced Produce Section. ( I did this at two local markets and I know it can make a huge difference , it also keeps aged fruits and vegetables from being tossed). Also encourage that they set up Food Bins so that food can be donate to Local Food Banks.
(4) Encourage your local market to have Farmer's Markets in the Summer, it provides local farmers a place to share and also encourages better eating and better food for lower prices. ( It tends to be very fresh as well).
(5) Do have a garden if possible, even hanging gardens and container gardens can supplement a diet. On the top of this page is my garden from last summer, and yes, for very little money I made that garden. I found all the containers and painted , repaired them. I grew all kinds of vegetables and herbs and spent very little with 5-6 months of food from that garden. ( would have been more except neighborhood critters got greedy). But anyone can have a garden, and I encourage roof top and neighborhood community gardens.
(5) "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."~~Mother Teresa I encourage alot of Large Soups...because you can feed your neighbors too. ( and do take fresh food and Soups to your Occupy Site...they need it.)
(7) Lastly I am setting up a Dollar Store Cookbook and blog and I will try to Post a new Recipe every week as part of the 99 Report. And if anyone has a Recipe to Contribute please find me on Twitter or on Facebook or leave a message here on this blog or Watergate Summer.
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Food for Thought....About Our American History.....
If we look at our own History of our Country, in times of War and Economic Hardship we still managed to Create Jobs, Infrastructure and take care of our own. This is the First time in our History, due to Gross Greed and bloated Corporate Profits that the Rich have been so coddled by Government Leaders ( GOP etc) and the Media. And it is time to start Truthtelling. Do read this Telegraph Article that has photos from the 30's and 40s showing growth in spite of Economic Plight.
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(Video made in 2008) Homelessness.... I made this with Agit-Diaries Mandt in 2008, after years of watching Bush Pillage our Economy.At this point it bears repeating we don't just have Hungry People we have Homeless people and people who need Shelter. 600-900,000 VETS on the street per Night. We also have up to 3.5 Million Homeless per year in our Country, while 18.5 Buildings and Homes are EMPTY.
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Something Beyond Awesome that Needs to be Shared.
Chimes of Freedom by Bob Dylan....ALL Proceeds go to Amnesty International's Work.
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And Finally a Message to all that follow the #99Report. I am taking the 99 Report one step further. It will still be part of the Awopradio Show, but I am also adding a 99 Report Show on Friday Afternoons on Blogtalkradio, it will still focus on all the same issues that I bring here. I will also be adding More Occupy Updates from Occupy Sites, and interviews with the sites. I need to again acknowledge that all that I bring to these reports are issues of the 99 Percent that Occupy has helped highlight. I will also have Interviews and shared reports from other 99 percenters, so that stay tuned for that evolving part of the show. The First official 99 Report Show is this Friday February 3rd at 2PM.
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I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?~~Mother Teresa
99 Report EXTRA REPORT ::: OCCUPY OAKLAND AND MASSIVE ARREST ACTION BY POLICE ON SATURDAY JANUARY 28TH
Cops fully masked up and in riot gear and gas /smoke visible in background....
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Hundreds Kettled, then arrested and lined up against wall of YMCA waiting to be processed.
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First An Update on What The Hell Happened in #OccupyOakland Last Night
This Photo is a Still Photo taken from @Oakfosho's Live Stream last night. These are actual arresttees lined against the wall waiting to be processed. Oakfosho again managed to get to a site where he could film the action, but going across the street and hanging out a window. People were lined up ( estimates are 200-300). The rule is that each arresstee must have an arresting officer with them to process. ( So it would seem that The Mayor had gotten 300 extra cops on a Saturday Night as an planned arrest action ? Occupy Oakland had a Planned Action yesterday that included a Planned March and an occupation of an Abandoned Building. According to Oakfosho and other Streamers they never reached the Building, and by the time they reached the YMCA , the Police began Kettling and other Tactics including Flash Guns ( not sure that is the right term) and also deployed Tear Gas. I have the photos of the Tear Gas I will add to this post later.
They did Kettle approximately 200 people by the YMCA alone ( arrests estimate 200 to 300 ? total). The Kettling made no sense and according to the Streamers there was NO initial Dispersal Order given. And then announcement was made to disperse while Kettling was occurring and they were back against a wall, so there was Nowhere to go. And why the Chemical Agents were used on people peacefully assembled and marching remains Questionable. On another Front the police were pretty much arresting who ever they kettled, including Journalists.
(The Photo above is the Arrestees lined up by YMCA at about 10PM last night. Thousands were watching the Streams last night. Oakfosho's stream had about 5000 and Elle had over 1000 and Pirate had about 900 and Global Revolution had about 3000. So On a Saturday Night 6- 3am East Coast, they had thousands bearing Witness Watching through most of the Night.)
The Watchers included people from the UK, South America and Japan and Ireland and Down Under. There was also OccupyTV and TRWBL. Some of the Livestreamers that were arrested wisely hand their cameras and equipment off to other people. The Police did not set up zones for the reporters or citizen journalists. ( There are questions about what happens to people arrested when cameras and phones are with the Arrested). Also the Main Medics were arrested last night as well, and it is unclear whow as left to take care of other people during this situation. ( Medics with the Red Cross Armbands and NLG Legal Observers the Green caps are not to be arrested.)
While the Police Action was ongoing by the YMCA another showdown was ongoing at 14th and Broadway, this is the same infamous corner where Scott Olsen was injured earlier this fall. Hundreds of cops descended and gave Dispersal Warning ( saying that Chemical Agents would be used) and yet all of us watching the Streams were puzzled as there was literally less than 50 people there, it made no sense.
There was a handful of protesters that broke free and went to city hall and broke in and supposedly took and burned a flag. There are a couple of versions of the story, some Occupy People say that those were anarchy people , NOT occupy, and not part of the planned Occupy Action ( This was a dispute that was discussed On Twitter and the Streams). Also that the flag they burned was not City Halls' that they brought it with them. But again this was a handful of about 8-10 people.
There were officers and units and equipment and Buses seen from the State, the County and other towns and cities, including Union City, Newark, Santa Clara etc. ( Whose funds are paying for all of this, hundreds of cops used against a peaceful protest, leaving other areas of California without protections and services ? And the equipment - Chemical Agents are not cheap, and the armored vehicles ? It just seems that this is wasting Tax payer funds and resources ?)
Tweets re. Journalists Kettled /Arrested included ::
(1) Gavin Aronsen @garonsen
I got kettled by OPD along with 300 or so #oo'ers by the YMCA. I was in a back corner with reporters @vivianho and @KristinHanes.
(2) ReallyRick @TheReallyRick
Reporter @KristinHanes of @KGO Radio in San Fran placed in zipties because she does not have Oakland press pass. #J28 #OccupyOakland
Twitter Coverage ::
(1) Occupy TV. Thanks to @OaktownPirate and @BellaEiko
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If you are inclined to write or call Oakland Authorities ::: MT @Occupy_Police PD Chief Howard Jordand (510) 238-3365 Oakland PD (510) 238-2384 (510) 777-3333 OAKLAND Mayor phone: (510) 238-3141 #OcPo
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More Resources and Information:::
(1) Greg Mitchell of The Nation has a complete Weekend Report that is much more detailed than mine....
(2) TIME even did report and carry OakFoSho's feed ( did not credit him, but might have been trying to protect him at the time ? as Police were photographing photographers and streamers). According to their report it was 300 arrested.
(3) Another Website called Right Now compiled the Tweets and photos of the night. Pretty stunning collection.
(4) Mother Jones Josh Sterns Arrest Reports go back to September but also includes last night in Oakland
This Post is more about the Militarized Police Vehicle being used at Oakland last night. ( Pretty Pricey for use against Peaceful Marchers.)
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PHOTOS::::
Officers Kettling against Buildings wearing Gas Masks....So Plan did include Chemical Agents.
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Tear Gas ? Or Smoke Bomb? used in Afternoon ( against small number of marchers ?)
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While Hundreds waited hours to be processed the Cops handed out water to each other and also ate off the back of the cars, Carryout, chinese and burritos mostly. ( and yes we watched all of this on USTREAM).
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Police with Rifle and full riot gear and gas mask look for the "flag burners " by City Hall. ( Over reaction ?)
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#opd is attaching smoke grenades (bottom) to CS grenades (top) #oo #j28 pic.twitter.com/tTIWjjfm { Photo by a Medic}
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Girl taken away on stretcher after being knocked down , batoned. ( Was taken away via ambulance). The Girl was actually a Cancer Patient that is being denied care by her Insurance Company, and joined the OCCUPY movement, her story is in the Guardian and her story is compelling . She is an Oregon Cancer patient that has joined the Occupy Movement in California. On Twitter Miran Istina @MiranIstina ( Amanda Chappell is Legal name ). ( I have reached out to her to check on her , and offer her the chance to tell her story and share about her Medical Situation either on Awopradio or the 99 Report.
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Mom and Daughter in Afternoon came to the March, clearly confused after gas and trying to figure out where to go
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Closer look at the Cannisters used for Chemical Agents
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Full Riot Gear with Chemical Protecters and Firing What ? Unclear what kind of rifle this was, this is an afternoon photo off twitter.
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Armored Vehicle used by the Y, unclear why it was needed against unarmed Peaceful Protesters ? Show of Force ?
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Lines and Lines of Cops over by 14th and Broadway ( less than 40-50 people there per Ustream) unclear why the show of forces there
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
99 Report for January 22nd, 2012
As Part of the 99 Report, the focus is what is effecting the 99 Percent, and what problems are feeding the Occupy Movement, but the Occupy Movement is leading to not just spotlighting problems but it is also planting Seeds of Solution. So below I present both Some of the Ongoing Problems but also Some of the Works in Progress and Solutions and Problem Solving. This week we saw OccupyTheDream, but I feel certain that MLK would want this to be an ongoing effort, not just a Long Weekend Holiday.
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(1) The Fuller Family and raising money for Texas.... Ann and Adam are a Military Family and their little boy AJ has been fighting a very rare Brain Cancer for over 4 years, and Awopradio folks helped give this family a Christmas, I am speaking up on their behalf again as the pursue a New Treatment down in Texas. ( This link is to the post I wrote about them in December, it has links to the Mom Ann's post about this treatment. )
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(2) Thanks to John Clark ( @JohnClarkBaker ) I learned that the OccupyTampa site does now have a Library, and you can see their face page. Please do donate books and children reading materials and also they need a Fire Extinghuisher as they got cited already.
(3) #OCCUPY #SF Was occupying Hotels on Friday Night. Remember that most of the Occupy Sites are starting to occupy Buildings and Homes to show the need and the Lost Purpose of having Empty Buildings with so many Homeless. ( Remember a few weeks back I brought up the Crooks and Liars Article by Sweet, and 3.5 Million are Homeless per year while there are over 18 Million Empty Buildings.) So if you watch their stream this weekend, please do as they rain into some difficulties with the Police. They are trying to Highlight a Real problem.
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(4) Suicide rate among active service men, Truthout Article has the details.... But my question is , if Service Members are serving over seas, and they know when they return home it makes sense that Suicide rates in war zones are now rising......
(A) Wounder Warrior Project is also working hard to take care of our Returning Vets ( new website) and offering more connections, care and services. "The Greatest Casualty is being forgotten" is their motto. This group works hard to teach VETS and their families about PTSD, and they actually have VETS teaching and working with each other.
(B) Honor Vet.org they also have added much to their site, including Honor Vet Radio and community section, they are working hard to make a community for returning vets as well as offer services and care.
(C) Homes for Our Troops building Adapted homes for our Injured Troops.
Please do read the article in the Rolling Stone about Scott Olson the Occupy Marine....really well written.
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(5) Via @LibertySqGA
Joe, Education and Empowerment, tells us about "Occupy University!" Website: University.nycga.net. Working to get it rolling. #nycsc #ows
Here is more about the People's University, will offer a stellar Online Education.
DO Check out the Khan Academy For Schooling Needs...and MIT....
Do read the Khan Academy 's website about their work to provide a Free World Class Education. And then there is Occupy has helped encourage MIT, to add Accreditation to their Free Course Program.
Khan Academy explains SOPA and PIPA::
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(6) According to the Brennan Justice Center there is a call upon Albany to restore Foreclosure Funding.....
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(7) And this from @occupyeugene
FREE MEDIC CLINICS IN #EUGENE!! bit.ly/sHboZb Mondays 12pm – 2pm @ #OccupyEugene Building Located at 1274 W 7th (7th & Polk) #OE // If you have Medical Supplies to Share or Donate , or Skills please do get in touch with them and help out....
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Feeding America is working hard to remind people to give to their local food banks, as giving drops off after the holidays. Matt Damon has done this new video on Hunger in America. 1/ 6 are hungry, 1/4 children are hungry. 49 Million Are still on Foodstamps, and contrary to the Republican foolishness, many are working poor. Many that work at grocery stores and restaurants are on Foodstamps.
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And to Inspire you through the Week #OccupyMusic ...Mash Up of "What It's Worth"
Friday, January 13, 2012
99Report for Awopradio for January 15th,2012
If you have never seen this speech, you must see it, it's just 2minutes from March 25th, 1965.I think if MLK would alive he would embrace the Occupy Movement.
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MLK // Occupying the Dream, http://owsnews.org/its-time-to-occupy-the-dream-african-american-faith-community-joins-forces-with-occupy-wall-street-first-day-of-action-on-mlk-day-jan-16-at-federal-reserve-banks/,
Black Churches to Energize Occupy::
By Scott Galindez, Reader Supported News
05 January 12
The mission, which is being called "Occupy the Dream," will start on Monday, January 16, 2012, in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday holiday. On that day, Dr. Ben Chavis announced recently during a press conference at the National Press Club, pastors who are part of the Occupy the Dream movement will connect with the well-known Occupy Wall Street group to hold protests at Federal Reserve banks in 10 cities around the nation.
The strategy will be to raise the consciousness level of African-Americans, starting in church pulpits, by spreading the message of income equality, economic justice and empowerment, leading up to the January 16 events. "It starts in the pulpit and then we're going to go to the community at large," he said.
Led by Dr. Ben Chavis, civil rights leaders announced the formation of Occupy the Dream, an organization to mobilize Americans around the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who sought to wage war on poverty, unemployment and economic injustice. Dr. Chavis announced that the first major march of Occupy the Dream would also take place on Martin Luther King Day, January 16, in Washington, DC.
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Van Jones Site, ( supporting Occupying the Dream raising money for #occupy sites) and New site, Rebuild the Dream,Do go to his website and see the work he is doing supporting and advocating for causes that are being voiced by Occupy. There is controversy,but to be honest I personally am grateful that Van Jones is recognizing the Occupy Movement....
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Bill Burton's Priorities Action.Org
Bill Burton, http://www.prioritiesusaaction.org/, Priorities Action.Org, is really spotlighting alot of issues that so many Occupy Sites have brought up.....worth checking out. ( Bill Burton was formerly with the Obama Administration Press Office, and his work now with Priorities.Org is inspiring and worth watching and supporting.
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#OccupyingChurches, has begun in NYC, 150 people now being housed at churches WSJ is covering this, Jessica Firger's article on this newest developement shows that Compassion in Action is making a difference, and the churches are now stepping up to help the Movement and the protesters, showing wisdom and courage and compassion.
Herb Miller, the pastor at Park Slope United Methodist, opened his small church to protesters about two weeks after they were ejected from Zuccotti on Nov. 15. About 30 have slept there each night since. "I mapped out with my administrative assistant how many bodies we could fit on the floor," said the 51-year-old pastor.
He said he has the full support of his congregation and called the effort "radical hospitality." "You have this sacred space cordoned off, but it's also made sacred by the people," Pastor Miller said.
West Park's pastor, Robert Brashear, said the church had a long tradition of supporting activism, having launched a program for gays, bisexuals and transsexuals and founding the charity God's Love We Deliver.
"Occupy Wall Street is simply carrying on the tradition of what this church has been for decades," said Mr. Brashear, the church's pastor for 15 years.
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Update from Occupy Tampa, Show the Video of the New Camp, Donated land,http://www.occupytampa.org/, they have a dog that is injured and they need help, So please do go to their site if you can and help. On another note we learned from John Clark. This week that they have now set up a beautiful encampment with Tents at a donated site that is very organized and clean with walkways, meals and services to meet the needs of those there. Really inspiring...do watch the Video.
VIDEO:::
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#Report from #OccupyLouisville KY from @OlToughDude
He says that the 99% are very United at the Encampment at 5th adn MuhammedAli, heart of Downtown, Do See the OccupyLouisville.Org Site for info. and ongoing work.They also are at @OccupyLou and they now have a Media Tent, Kitchen, Cook, GA indoor and Outdoor. and Education Forums-in a City Buiding, and University of Louisville, and also Direct Action at Banks and restaurants.They now have 20 tents and working groups. The also are working on Foreclosures ( do see their web Forum Board for more information.
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Matt Beiber Arrested at Romney Event , Matt's Post, his post, is really quite chilling as he was first removed from a Romney Event, and then proceeded to be arrested. There are many questions as to why this happened this past Monday January 9th. Matt is a Divinity Student of Harvard. When you read his account, ask yourself are Candidates allowed to hire on Duty Police for their own security ? Are they allowed to have citizens arrested ? Matt is going to be on the show to discuss his situation, and what happened. If anyone knows Lawyers that might be interested in this case, please do have them listen in as well.
His Letter to Mr.Romney is very well written and should be shared far and wide.
His Reflections really are worth reading to better understand his perspective and questions about this arrest.
About Matt , he studies politics, religion, and public discourse at Harvard's Kennedy and Divinity schools. He's drafted speeches for Vice President Biden and crafted communications strategies for NGOs in East Africa. He also spent two-and-a-half years in the corporate sector.
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Occupy Congress is This Week on January 17th . Thousands are trying to get to DC this Week for Occupy the Congress and the Courts.
Huge Shout Outs to @OccupyNH @OakfoSho @FluxRostrum @Greg Mitch ( Greg Mitchell has been doing amazing job covering Occupy) and @OccupyPhilly @OccupyCleveland @OccupyPitts @OccupyLA @M_shocked @JohnClarkBaker
Saturday, January 7, 2012
99 Report for Awopradio Show January 8th, 2012: Occupying Foreclosures, Homelessness, VET Issues and #FreeUniversity Due to Student Debt....
As Awopradio moves to it's new Home on USTREAM and it's new format, 99 Report will be expanding in the next month to a full half hour at the beginning of the show. As the Occupy Movement really starts focusing Actions on Problem Solving and Increased Attention on Issues affecting the 99 % I am grateful to Kim the Host for allowing more Coverage. My goal is to cover Occupy Actions, WHY these actions are happening, but also the Data and Background of Different 99% Agonies that are not getting News Coverage and Should be. I also will always try to include What Help is Available to ease Situations and What Occupy Sites are working on Which Issues. I am also covering these 99 Issues, because the Media and the GOP Debates are not talking about them at all......
This Week's 99 Report is focusing on 3 Areas ::
Vet Issues related to Foreclosure & Homelessness& Jobless
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(1) VET Issues : Homelessness and Foreclosure Issues ( and Help that they need to know about and needs to be shared). Many of the Occupy Sites are focusing on Homelessness and the Foreclosure Crisis. Some of the Sites are also looking at the Questionable Tactics being used against Homeowners in the Foreclosure Process. I am bringing up an Added Insterest to share with Occupy Sites that needs Closer Scrutiny, including Our Military Members Serving overseas facing Foreclosure and coming home to Lost Homes. One of the first Occupy Cleveland people I met was a Vet who had lost his home while serving Overseas. So tonight I am presenting some data on this issue, as it needs closer Examination and News Coverage.
According to the Data and Articles located the stats vary widely,but 25,000 Serving Vets lost their homes due to Foreclosure in 2010,and of that Number 5,000 while serving, meaning they came home to NO HOME. The past five years 10-25,000 lost homes per year. That means during the last 5 years of Battles being fought in 2 war zones, that anywhere from 90-120,000 Vets lost Homes during the Foreclosure Crisis. I have included the Links at end of this post about the Congressmen that have launched an Investigation into this situation. And I think it is fine that Congress should be aware and working on this situation, but I am clueless why the DOJ and Holder are not working on it. I encourage folks to write to BOTH for the sake of our Military serving and VETS, and their families.
Homelessness ( since it is Wintertime and is part of the Foreclosure Crisis and Why Occupy is taking Care of Thousands of Homeless....)
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(2) Homelessness
This This Crooks and Liars Article will take your breath away, but is a Must read.... 3.5 Million Homeless and 18.5 Million Vacant Homes in the US. ( And if the Homeless Stats are correct, that also does mean that the 600,000 to 900,000 Vets Homeless on the Streets at night may indeed be accurate.) Do read the Crooks&Liars article by Diane Sweet, it is sobering....And if OCCUPY in in your town is working on Foreclosure Issues, or Occupying Banks etc, give them a hand. Or also give help to your local Homeless Shelters....and Soup Kitchens. As my neighbor said, " This is like the 30's only there should be Soup Kitchens."
(3) Crushing Student Loan Debt
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I have included links to articles below about the Crushing Student Loan Debt, and as we have Default and Student Loan folks coming on the show later in the month, I think it helps to start reading up on it now. On another note many of the Occupy Sites are focusing on this issue and have started giving Teach Ins about the Debt and what to do. They also have acknowledged that many are not able to go to college right now due to the Loans Situation and The Student Loan Situation ( as well as Cuts in PELL Grants). So Different Occupy Sites including Berkley,Phoenix, and Philly and Others are adding Occupy #FreeUniversity to their Schedules, we need to support this effort and spread the word, and hopefully as it gets more organized we can invite them on the show.
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MORE INFO AND RESOURCES:::
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(1) Help for VETS is availabled at this site, National Coalition for the Homeless VETS, the stats on this site are not accurate, but there is help listed there, as well as workshops, job fairs etc.
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(2) More than 8% of all Homessless are Vets, and the stats may even be higher as the VETS are not known for accessing services, from food to shelter, and PTSD also may be limiting who is getting services and care. This PDF does have some worrisome numbers though.National Homeless Org is trying to track their numbers.
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(3) More from Think Progress on Homeless VET, again more analysis of the growing numbers needs to be examined.
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As of Saturday Night...will be adding more stats/links/articles......
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IMP ADD::::
(1) It's been One Year since Tuscon and Gabby Giffords Shooting, and 12,000 more dead.....Please see this site about Fixing our Gun Laws, Do Write and Call DC......and Honor Gabby....
(2) Oakfosho is headed to NYC 1/13 and DC do keep pestering the Young Turks Show and Keith and Current about his West Coast Reporting of Occupy...and huge shout out to him for his reporting last nite as well. On another note he is going to DC after NYC to Occupy Congress on the 17th.
(3) Please keep supporting the Fuller Family in KY with cards, prayers, money and hope....thank you. The Fuller Family are an amazing family who are coping with more challenges for AJ and even just a little extra money goes a long way to help with medical expenses and more trips to the hospital for AJ as they have to drive to Tennessee for care.
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