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

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"

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

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.

99 Report Awopradio Sunday December 18th....."The Bush Depression"

My Question for the Week:
Why Aren't we calling this Bush's Depression. ? Bush spent two years pretending we were not in a Recession , ignoring it , and then bottom fell out in Summer of 2008. ( Remember the Reporters were not even allowed to say the "R" word). Meanwhile Bush gave Many corporations and rich individuals tax breaks, all of this contributed to this Economic Situation. And yet in the Debates Bush or his Damage are not mentioned. And yet it's Christmas and we have kids sitting on Santa's Lap asking for a "Home" or a "Job for Daddy? "

And these are the Numbers for the Wars that the Bush Regime waged:
Cost of Operation Iraqi Freedom: $806 billion Projected total cost of veterans’ health care and disability: $422 billion to $717 billion.

Business Insider has more stats about Vets, from Prison rates to Suicide. ( Suicides are at 18 /day, 600,000 Vets Sleep on the Street per night, 29% Unemployment Rate, 236,000 Vets home from Warzones Jobless, and 26,000 Military serving lost their homes last year in foreclosure. The Wars have hurt this country, especially Our Own Military and their families.

One in Two People are Low Income....NPR...good read.
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Update on #OccupyCleveland
(1) How they helped to try to stop an Eviction in Orwell ( and it did get media coverage via Newsnet5 and MSNBC).
I was going to go and take photos and video , even had press passes ready, but got sick as a dog all week. ( Post will be up later tonight).
(2) They are now looking to occupy an empty office building downtown ( there are plenty, I am still putting together my photo montage, if anyone can help me do a Video for Youtube I really need lessons).
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More on Another aspect of the Bush years : Bank Failures
(1) Really Interesting Article on the Bank Failures and what led to them in the last decade, and how it's a bigger under reported mess than we know. 88 Billion Dollar Mess....yet why aren't we seeing Banking Regulations examined , reinstated ? and why aren't there JD investigations about these Banking 's Behaviors ?
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Who in the 99 Percent can we Help this week ?
(1) I have a post up below about the Fuller Family down in Kentucky and their battle with cancer, AJ is nine and they really are battling it, for over 4 years. Dad serves our country and is for now stationed in KY. Please help me help them have a Christmas, driving to Nashville for AJ's cancer care is really hurting their budget, read more here how you can help. They are a really wonderful Family.
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Other #99 Reports :
(1) Foreclosures And Homelessness and Displaced families really are a bigger problem than we can truly appreciate.
(2) Stats to Share with Family Over Holidays and the Stats really tell the story of Working Poor, and our vanishing Middle Class. We need to really educate people.
(3) Poverty ( especially Children) Is another aspect that needs our focus as the Economy has really effected our Children. This Christmas do try to give to Charities that are really working with Children. Salvation Army and Feeding America.
(4) Suicide Prevention tips, I mention this as it has been helpful on Twitter. Sadly due to the economy the Suicide rates are up, and also Vet Suicide rates are at 18 /day.
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FDR talking about People who didn't support his efforts on Social Security and Care of the Poor.....really interesting Parallels to the Republicans of today and their lack of concern for the Poor and Middle Class in this country...food for Thought.
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"Merry Christmas Here's your Orange" a story about the Christmases during the Great Depression in the Plain Dealer in 2008
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My Video..."Another World is Possible"

Another World Is Possible - how to make a free slideshow

99 Report AwopRadio Sunday December 11th : Foreclosure Stats

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(1) First I am going to highlight the Numbers from Last week Poverty Numbers and UnEmployment Numbers as combined with the FoodStamp Numbers they tell the story of America and the 99 Percent and why OWS is fighting for the 99 Percent. There are huge numbers of People Impacted. I watch these GOP debates and they talk of their God given rights and family values and I would just like to ask them, even one Why they think it is Acceptable for them to let their neighbors live like this ?

And if someone has lost their job, you can bet that they are either on Foodstamps or living in their car, or buying Catfood for dinner or having to send their Kids to School Hungry. And While Real Americans, Millions of them are facing these Living Conditions GOP is Gutting Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, Planned Parenthood. And I have seen these Republican Candidates say well let them seek Charity and Churches for help. Well news to them, in many of the poorer Cities the Churches are even closing due to lack of funds. All of these folks are our Brothers and Sisters, they are Americans and they are the 99 Percent. So I say give what you can and Occupy The Vote and do what you can to help : Salvation Army and Feeding America do stellar work and do Support the Occupy Movement.

The Stats that Tell The Story of the 99 Percent
29 Million UnderEmployed and UnEmployed
46 Million Living in Poverty
49 Million as of this Month on Food Stamps and SNAP
22 Million ( or 12 Million depending on sources) Of our Elderly living in Poverty or eating catfood
On In Four Children going to bed hungry
22 Millon Children living in Poverty, this includes living in shelters,or hotels, and Hunger Issues
8 Million Foreclosed Homes 2008-2010, 4 Million More so far for 2011, and 2 Million facing foreclosure next 90 days
( Example for Cleveland that is 25,000 Empty Homes. Water Depts. have the Best Records on this)
Commercial buildings the Foreclosure Rate is even higher over 9 Percent ( which explains the empty buildings downtown)

****** THIS NPR MAP has imagery that shows the Economic Mapping, so you can examine your area and see UnEmployment and Foreclosure Issues Mapped.Really raises questions were the Banks Targeting Certain Neighborhoods and areas ?

*** Meanwhile here in Cleveland where there are 25,000 Empty Homes, The City Council Here passed an Emergency Resolution in support of the Occupy Movement, it is four pages long and beautifully written and describes the movement as related to the Economic Distress of our times, it was passed 18 to one. You can read more here, and see the Resolution.

(2) Occupy Is moving their focus to Homes and Empty Buildings, trying to save Homes from Eviction,
as well as reclaim homes for homeless families and also reclaim Empty Structures for use for shelters.
( Some folks would say that this is encouraging "Squatting", I would like to point out in parts of Europe Squatting is actually legal and that folks are allowed to squat as long as they keep structures clean, don't burn anything, or mis use fuel, and
they leave the Water on so that people can keep themselves and the structures clean).

(3) Residential Foreclosures 2008 to 2010 = Over 8 Million ( yet not all the numbers have been fully disclosed).This year 4 Million so far and another 2 Million are facing it in the upcoming 90 Days. Commercial Real Estate is over 9.1% which explains many of the empty urban regions.What I did start examining are Regional Maps ( from NPR) that I am including in the Post on Foreclosures that clearly show that only certain areas of larger cities had Foreclosure Issues, and the neighborhoods with certain middle class jobs and incomes were indeed targeted, and the JD should be investigating those banks that targeted those Hoods. ( IE. In Washington State Washington Mutual which sold their debts to Bank of America should be scrutinized). And another article also explained that the FDIC did know that 1: 200 Homes were starting to face Foreclosure in 2005. ( Some articles also pointed out that some of these homes were VA Loans and possibly related to change of employment due to war Serving). So even in 2005 the Foreclosure rate was rising to 250,000 per quarter, and it kept rising per year.

********Here are some of the Stats::: from the FDIC.

(4) The Occupy Stats are explained more here in the Thanksgiving 99 Report, and are great for explaining the 99 Movement to folks.

(5) The Post On Poverty and Children in America from last Sunday is a Must Read and has more information.

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To Folks who say " I Don't Understand the 99 Percent Issue, or the Occupy Movement" I say "Which Side Are You On?"
It's about Americans being being Attacked by the GOP under 8 Years of Bush and the Current Congress, So Do Occupy the VOTE, but also do talk to your Neighbors, Know your Neighbors. And to President Obama I say, you do need to Acknowledge the 99 Percent, many of us Voted and helped get you to the Whitehouse, and are now facing Homelessness, Hungry Kids and Joblessness, and yeah, Millions of Us VOTE.The Occupy Movement is truly about the Middles Class being destroyed, and the Republicans and Tea party continue to be hell bent on destroying working class jobs and also taking away any efforts to help the Economic recovery.

99 Repot Help Zone Dec 11, 2011

(1) First please do head over to Rump Roast and learn how you can help with the fundraiser for Strangeappar8us , it's a serious situation and if we all help it will make a difference.
(2) Do send good thought s, prayers and Light to Xeni Over at Boing Boing as she is newly diagnosed and battling Breast Cancer.
(3) Please Do check back I have information about an Situation of a Family who has been helping their child battle Cancer ( AJ) and we need to find ways to help them. ( Twitter friend @ohthesweet forwarded this info) This is the Family's Homepage, where you can learn more about how to help the Fuller Family.
(4) Salvation Army is really helping families in need this Christmas from food to warm clothes to bedding to Christmas Gifts for children and families, please do support their work. And then there is Feeding America DO contact them in your area they do so much with so little, and every little bit helps.

99 Report for Awopradio Sunday December 4th : Focus on Poverty in America and How it is Effecting Our Children and Youth

"I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?"~~Mother Teresa
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Numbers Tell The Story...MIC CHECK:::
22-29 Million Children Living in Poverty....in America
8 Million Foreclosed since 2008 and 4 Million more due to Foreclose...In America
49 Million People on Foodstamps....In America
46 Million Living in Poverty....in America
One in Four Children go to Bed Hungry....In America
You can listen to the Full 99 Report here at Beginning of AWOPradio show 7PM EST.
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If we are to talk about the 99% that the Right would love to paint as Losers, Worthless Hippies, try redirecting their focus. Explain to them that the past ten years have not been kind to Our Children or our Youth. That we now have more children living in Poverty then we have had in over 80 years. They also are growing up in Poverty, facing issues such as Homelessness, Joeblessness. This Holiday Season Store Santas are now being trained as to what to say to Children that are asking for a Job for Mommy or a Home. For People who don't understand the 99 Percent or the Problems that the 99 % and Occupy are trying to Highlight, need a Wake Up Call. They need to be told the Numbers and the Truth.

The Mortgage Crisis has made living conditions for Children a nightmare with no security and no permanance. One Crisis that has not been properly dealth with is that many of these displaced families have nowhere to go, they don't have the money or the credit rating to even rent. They are forced to live in their car or flea bag hotels because most Homeless Shelters do not allow families, they are divided by genders. They often don't know where they are sleeping that night or what or if they will get to eat.

Food Insecurity is the new Fancy Term the Government is using for HUNGER. The Numbers are staggering. 49 Million Americans now on FoodStamps. 40% of those are Children.

From News Change.Org ( who is monitoring and measuring Poverty in America), They have more on the shocking stats of Children in Poverty.

SNIPPET:::
And that's only those who technically live in poverty — at or under the U.S. poverty line, which is $22,050 for a family of four. But a study from the Economic Policy Institute shows that families need more than twice that, at least $48,778, to meet basic living expenses. When we take into account all the families who are struggling to meet these basic needs — defined as low-income families — the number poor children jumps to 29 million, or 41 percent of all American children.The poverty rate is higher for children than any other age group. Children make up 26 percent of the population, but they are 39 percent of the people who live in poverty. Every day, 2,660 children are born into poverty.

While many still think of homeless people as single adult men, children and families are actually the fastest growing group among the homeless, making up 40 percent of the homeless population. One in 50 children in the U.S. is currently homeless.
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LEARN MORE HERE:::
(1) National Center for Children in Poverty.
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(2) Feeding America has more about WHO is Hungry and how you can help, and the Actual Stats of Hunger.
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(3) CBS has been doing an amazing series about Children Living in Poverty
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(4) Current GOP plans would shove 50 Million more into poverty, read more here and remember to VOTE...
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(5) Read more about Poverty in America and Learn more here, about how extensive this hidden crisis is...
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(6) DO Read this excellent Daily Kos post by Erika , or @BeautyVault on how OccupyCleveland is bringing focus to Foreclosures and it's impact, on working class families and why it needs more attention...and why it is a Crisis in America.

(7) And then there is this from Miranda Leitsinger ( with MSNBC and Rachel Maddow, and the Maddow Blog ) , Miranda included in her story the Foreclosure Mess in Cleveland and how the Occupy Movement is trying to spotlight this deplorable issue...her story includes how OccupyCleveland came to help a single mome fight for her home...incredibly moving. ( In October I canvassed so many hundreds of homes, and seeing so many empty homes and notes left on the doors and toys in the yard...it was heartbreaking, I am glad that this issue is finally getting Media coverage.)
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If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

99 Report for Awopradio Sunday November 27th : Letter from NYC Protester's Mom

#OccupyCleveland NEEDS: Videocam and laptop ( theirs was stolen), also more winter wear, and they need visits, books, and company and do go down, they are wonderful folks. Every Sunday I give a 99 Report on Awopradio, this is the summary of that 15 minute report.::
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(1) Best Video ever about Occupy called "One More Step" so beautiful, inspired by 84 yr old Dorli Rainey activist of Seattle.
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(2) Letter by Protester's Mom Lorli Vest to Mayor Bloomberg and NYT about the Police Brutality. Please share this as of Nov27th still NO Newspapers have shared or printed this beautifully written letter.
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(3) 99 Percent Blog has more to share about Occupy.
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(4) #WhyWeOccupy : Sharing the Stats of the economic pain.
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(5) The Full Length Video of "INSIDE JOB", narrated by Matt Damon has been making the rounds, and is a stunning film explaining the Economic Collapse and how the Corporate Greed and Ominous manuverings of the past 30 years brought us to this economic precipice, One of the finest documentary films I have ever seen.
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(6) Please do help the OWS Zucotti Park Occupy as their Library was destroyed, learn more about where you can send books.
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