On Our Way

So already before the actual convention there have been nonstop reports coming from all over the media about the hundreds of thousands of protesters in Manhattan and around Madison Square Garden. On friday evening the Times Up organization assembled their "Critical Mass" and swarm the streets with thousands of bicyclists. About 250 were arrested for various charges, one in particular threw a beer can at an officer. United for Peace and Justice and their 250 to 300 thousand followers marched through Manhattan today, and yesterday several events were carried through. All before the first speaker.
Many more protests and marches will take place throughout the week. Tuesday has been called the by some activists as a day of unrest and civil disobediance, so watch out for some real fireworks from the protesters that day. All leading up to the arrival of the *President on thursday for his evening speech to his delegates.
I am on my way this early morning and will be bringing my first post from the convention tomorrow afternoon or early evening. See ya there!

Learning More On Blogging

In the last few days I have been spending some of my time online trying to figure out more about this blogging stuff. I find it to be very facinating, seeing how I have been online for about ten years now and have not done this before.
I have been surfing around through the other blogs out there and have come across many interesting sites. I have contacted those who have been what I would call outstanding. I hope that those who have heard from me will check in to see what is going on in NYC this next week.
I have been trying to fiqure out the photography part of this blog and by the end of the week I should have it set up, then everyone can see what I look like. I will also be bringing my digital camera and computer along with me to the convention and will be there to talk to protest groups and photograph the happenings at the convention. Then I will be getting online as many times as possible through the day and report what is going on, and maybe a little on the city and what I have seen.
Hopefully with a little advertising I will be able to get some people to come along for this trip. Then after that on to the election. I also hope that through this experience I will be able to meet people who are also concerned with whats going on.


Next on "the Faction" - Protesters or Terrorists?

Can These Attacks Keep Going, and Where Are the Issues

I am really getting appalled at the attack on Vietnam Vets through presidential candidate John Kerry. My father and two of my uncles served during the Vietnam War they also volunteered during times of the draft. They didn't wait for their number to be called. I just don't believe that these people on the right want to question what John Kerry did.
What we know of the two candidates is that during the war, one went to the National Guard and avoided the war, and the other volunteered to serve, ask for his assignment in Vietnam, and saved a fellow soldiers life.
When they want to discuss what John Kerry did during the war they are talking against anyone who volunteered to go to and I have to take offense to this. Just another example of why we are heading in the wrong direction. If we are willing to go after someone (who at one time they relied on to save their life in a dangerous situation) and deface their service then we are willing to not recognize this persons conviction in going to war to save people and fight for our country.
Let's face it, when a person goes to war they are their to help ensure the safety of their fellow soldiers, as well as their fellow soldiers are there to ensure their safety. John Kerry saved a fellow soldiers life, this person has came out to the public and testified to this and the fellows on the right want to say that there are other things to look at. Not the obvious things about this mans service.
George Bush during his nomination bid in 2000 went after John McCain a fellow republican over his military service, and we all know what that man did for this country. Just how can someone with the military record that they have go after other soldiers (real soldiers) for what they did during their service. Especially when the public know what they did.
The *President came out to talk against 527 ads, saying that he has been opposed to them. What we know is that he has been associated with these groups himself, and others in his administration have been associated and even stepped down from their positions because of their connections.
I just hope that we can get away from this kind of politics, it is much better to see that the democrats campaign is orchestrated around issues that we as Americans are concerned about. Issues, like health care, jobs, the environment, and education are among the topics you will hear about from the stump at any Kerry rally. All I see from the other side is explanations for why things are the way they are and attacks on the other side.
Now what can be seen as attacks on the *President by the Kerry campaign, as far as I have observed have been on how he has handled the issues that are important to average Americans. Attacks on issues like national security, the war on terrorism, and the war in Iraq by the campaign have been seen or construed as personal attacks. But when you are the President of the United States you have to answer to the mistakes and misinformation as the Commander-In-Chief and take responsibility like any leader should. We have not seen this in this administration and when they are called on it they take offense and call it an attack. It also seem that they are just willing to let those lower on scale than them pay for mistakes, or has Donald Rumsfeld resigned yet?

The Mounting Numbers - RNC Activism Grows

Just as I have said before the convention in New York will be profound. It looks as though the number of non-supporters of the Bush Administration, will out-number the supporters and Delegates. This to me shows that this country is ready for change and are willing to show up and say so. As I take my voyage to the Big Apple I hope to be able to provide for any readers of my blog a report of the state of activism at the RNC. I hope to make my mark on the city and the people and hopefully anyone who wishes to attend through my weblog.
I am currently trying to get the picture thing working hopefully it will be up and going in time. I will also be experimenting with the audioblogging feature, so that as things get going I will be able to post audio from my phone. I also will be posting at all chances to keep up with the happenings. I also hope that anyone who comes upon this blog that they spread the word to their friends and anyone interested.
Hopefully some organizations will get with me to lend a hand to the reporting. There are many issues that will be taken to the streets from many good people all over our country. It is here that we find the people who have taken their time to go to this event and help tell the country through numbers and media coverage that we ARE heading in the wrong direction.

Now I would like to hand out some more links to some organizations that will be at the RNC:

RNC Not Welcome,
http://www.rncnotwelcome.org/media.html

CounterConvention,
http://www.counterconvention.org/

United for Peace and Justice,
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=sub&sub=31

Indy Media,
http://nyc.indymedia.org/

Times Up!
http://www.times-up.org/

Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campain,
http://www.marchforourlives.org/

NYC Summer,democracy in action,
http://www.nycsummer.org/

And let's not forget the city and their wonderful welcome to the activists, thanks I appreciate it.
http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=1270

Blogging, Minimum Wage, and Job Loss

I would like to welcome my first blogging friend bigclumsyoaf and his blog http://bootsblog.blogspot.com. His blog is one of a grand proportion 1,001 reasons to not vote for Bush, I especially like the recent posts #'s 91,92,93, and of course #97. I just hope Boots that you can reach the final number by Nov. 2nd. Oh and don't forget reason #? Was owner of the Texas Rangers.
During my time before going to work this afternoon I came upon a blog by a soldier in Iraq, also from what I understand he is not a proponent of the Bush administration. Even though, he has been and continues to post a really great read for anyone concerned with soldiers over in Iraq. Seriously read this blog http://cbftw.blogspot.com. There should be some publishers looking at this one.
Now on to something very close to me, minimum wage, I had a discussion with a co-worker, a business student, about this issue and it was explained to me that her understanding is that minimum wage increases cause job loss and other economical problems.
My argument to this is first she hasn't used water in her cereal when she grew up like I did, I watched my mother work two jobs in order to keep up with the expenses of a three person household. This during the Regean years when the republican party wouldn't raise the minimum wage (from 1981-89 it remained at $3.35).
In the mid-nineties the Democratic party worked toward minimum wage hikes never before seen, and still were able to create the best economical standing for our country, I mean, look, they created over 22 million jobs, always over the estimates for that time.
In fact I would argue that not making markable increases in the minimum wage to compete with inflation and poverty levels causes job losses, during the last couple years this country has only seen about a $0.25 raise in the minimum wage and we have seen the biggest job loss and down turn in economy. And if 911 is an excuse for these problems with the economy, I would have to say that this issue should only enforce jobs in this country.

Here is an article for the thought check it out:
http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/issueguides_minwage_minwagefacts

You Cant Tax the Rich - Says W.

Yesterday during a speech *President George W. Bush said to his constituants present and all voters in TVland that John Kerrys tax roll back plan won't be able to pay for the policies he describes. W says that you can't get enough money from taxing rich Americans and that if his (Kerrys) tax plans go forward that the middle class would foot the bill.
Now I say isn't that what happened with the Bush tax cuts, didn't the top 2% of Americans get their taxes cut more than the other 98% of Americans, which means that the majority of Americans (not the rich ones) are currently footing the bill.
So wouldn't it make more sense to get some of that burden lifted on those who pay more by getting more from those who can afford it?
One more question, if 98% of americans are not being represented by the current administration then why is the presidential race at a dead heat? Does this mean that 48% of Americans can't figure out what is going on? Alright I know that was really two more questions.


Don't you just love the way George W. always smiles and looks at people after his statements just like someone trying to convince you to buy something you don't need. Really he does it constantly check it out if you haven't noticed next time you catch him speaking. It really amazes me how so many people fall for those simple salesman techniques.

RNC Activism Drawing More Attention- NYC Mayor announces benefits to peaceful protesters

The Mayor of New York City Micheal Bloomberg offers perks to the protesters gathering for the Republican National Convention. The move is to entice those who might get violent at the event to curb their enthusiasm. I believe this is a good move, I certainly don't want to be caught up in a bunch of chaotic protesters path while I am there. I will be looking for my button.
Here check out these articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-GOP-Convention-Protests.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5746145/
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/news/gopcon/wabc_081704_discounts.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,129294,00.html

These are a must read about the RNC and the FBI:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-GOP-Convention-Protest.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,129102,00.html

the Faction-A Community of Misguided Journalism, Vol.I

Welcome to my first small installment of "the Faction-CMJ" doesn't that have a Law and Order kind of sound to it? I like it.

Now to the point-On the Fox News Channel (which should actually be dubbed Fox Entertainment News Channel) they put a lot of money and advertising into a program that likes to distort information toward their conservative traditionalist ideas known as "The O'reilly Factor". I know there are more than one program on this channel that plays to the right side, but this is one I like to watch and critique.

So why would I like to watch this stuff? Well in order to be objective for myself and others I should analyze all the media I can, so that I can see all the information in whole and can come to my own opinion. I also enjoy Bills show because he likes to play to the lower side of my conscience and what American doesn't enjoy some sort of entertainment like that, even if sometimes it makes your blood boil. And as a bully Bill likes that idea, I know you do. A bully? Yeah, a bully, like I say just watch and you will see that this Irish man would love to tear someone's head off. Like on Tim Russerts show, an interview with New York Times writer Paul Krugman and Bill O'reilly, you could absolutely see that he needs anger management after that one. He nearly tosses the cup and paper off the table in what looks like a move to remove his jacket. Even Dennis Miller a man on the right expressed those sentiments about Bills behavior on his show on CNBC when he had Paul Krugman as a guest. He also told Krugman at the end of the interview that he couldn't disagree with him more but didn't want to get into it like Bill O'reilly, as he jabbed at Mr. Krugman like he was boxing.

Bill it would be alright to push all of your opinions like you do if your show wasn't trying to be "objective" or "fair and balanced", and you didn't shut out most all of your guests who differ from your opinion. A show like this should be on network designed for entertaining people instead of informing them. I also find it interesting how this show can also be regarded as a "No Spin Zone" when this is what goes on show after show. Seriously watch it very objectively and you will see that there is more spin than a Kenmore washer and dryer. For those who would like to look into "spin" check out this essay http://www.rsu.edu/faculty/khicks/Essays/Spin.htm .

Now my concern for this post: On a show about a week ago or so (sorry for not having the date, I will get better at this stuff) but on this show Bill spent the first half hour of the program talking about John Kerry and the swift boat controversy, interviewing people and going over the facts that he thought would make this a serious issue for the Kerry campaign. Then thirty minutes into the program with Newt Gingrich being interviewed, Gingrich makes the comparison that the left wing has its F911 and the right wing has the swift boat controversy, and then asks which do you want to be a part of and Bill says that he doesn't want anything to do with either one of them. Then I ask why did he spend the first half hour taking part in covering the controversy, and trying to find some truth in it?

I Made the Prediction, So Let the Record Show

Alright I want it known that I did predict that activism at the RNC in NYC will predominate the DNC in Boston. I told my father, brother, and have had discussions with friends after the DNC talking about how the protesters were not that prevelant. And it was not that the media wasn't trying to cover it, I saw many programs showing and covering different groups who were there to protest their causes. It's just that the groups didn't gather in the large crowds that are common to these conventions, and the arguement that they had the protesters stored away in a cage or whatever they had dubbed the area would make more sense if there were enough protesters to overcrowd the place. That just wasn't seen.
So now on to NYC, the shear numbers of people involved in gathering for these rallies will be so much larger that the media will have their stories, and the administration will have to take notice that people will organize to tell them that they are not welcome in controlling our countrys destiny anymore. So I predict that when this convention gathers in NYC the main story won't be Arnolds, or the former Mayors, or Dick Cheneys, or even the *Presidents speeches, it will be about the numbers of people gathered all over the city to unite to tell the country that there are more people opposing their policies than supporters. Just like in Boston when the opposite was seen, hardly anyone showed to oppose Kerry and thousands showed in support.
Oh and on that note, did anyone see the nearly 50,000 person crowd that showed to support John Kerry in Oregon on the last stop of his tour of America. If you haven't check out the Kerry/Edwards weblog (http://blog.johnkerry.com/blog/archives/week_2004_08_08.html and scroll down to Photo Finish - Aug. 13th, it's an awesome sight to see all the support. Now they call Oregon a swing state.
Just a reminder that I will be in New York City to cover the activism at the convention (as well as a not so simple vacation) So I do encourage anyone who reads this blog to tune in for on location coverage of whats happening outside the convention.

So why are so many Americans still on the right with all that we really know?

So what’s going on with our country? Are we really heading toward a better economy? Are we really getting safer? Will our relationships improve with the rest of the free world? The current administration and all of the people benefiting from the policies want us to take from all of the information out on the economy, our security, and our alliances that the direction we are heading in is a better economy, a safer country, and a more cooperative relationship with our fellow democratic countries. There are too many out there endorsing this façade when what we know about the position our country is in does not show that we are heading in the this direction.
As an average American I watch the television programs that many like me watch, and what I continually see is the programs bending in directions to endorse “conservative” or “traditional” ideas, while calling themselves “fair and balanced” or saying they are objective journalists, show after show follows this trend. They gain fame by being the bullies they are and feeding on the “Springer” mentality of their viewers, pushing their ideas and not fairly representing stories in order to prove their point, when all it’s their own opinions. I thought that journalism is suppose to tell stories to people so that they can derive their own opinions, and people can’t do this when both sides of a story cannot be told because an interviewer won’t allow for an interviewee to tell his side of the story because his opinion is different than the interviewer. This is seen everyday on news networks like Fox who continually play to this type of journalism. Like the Springer show people are tuning in to watch this stuff, shows that are merely entertainment.
Pushing these ideas in their direction and bending opinions of viewers in their direction, these programs then take information that they know are effecting most Americans and turn it toward their advantage. Now I know I should also be having an argument about Americans who take to this but let’s face it the people watching the shows are not the gatekeepers of that information.
So you have to be careful when you are taking in information from a news network not just Fox either all channels, because they are all “programs” anyway. Programmed information by Networks who are owned by companies that have a lot invested in this country. Meaning their pocketbooks are affected by the changes in our country and have an interest in pushing an agenda that benefits them, therefore endorsing and throwing money toward programs that hail to their interests.
To finish my point from the opening paragraph, our country by what we know about job growth, a 400 plus billion dollar deficit, continually rising gas prices, rising tuition rates, higher health care costs, budgets all over the country running in deficit, less police officers on the streets, our relationships with other countries becoming more divided by decisions over the Iraq war that we are not heading in the right direction. We have seen times not to long ago when the American people were more cared for and decisions weren’t made for personal interest. We need to get back to that.
One more thing, I know John voted against the $87 billion, but that bill past overwhelmingly and that money was spent. I just want to know why I am being asked to send boots and supplies to soldiers in Iraq? Why do they not take care of their soldiers and supply them with the things they need instead of soldiers having to ask their family members and friends for these things.
I highly recommend this speech http://www.dems2004.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=luI2LaPYG&b=125919&ct=158734 check it out!

A Message to Friends and Countrymen

I recently sent this message out to my email address book and decided that it was good enough an argument to post to my blog.
This year in 2004, we as Americans face a vital decision that will impact the future of our children and our country. On November 2nd we will go to the polls and elect our next president who will lead our country in the direction of their respective party.
What we need to understand is that the direction that these candidates want to take our country in must have our best interests involved. We must go into a direction that will enhance the lives of all Americans. Education, Health Care, Security are some of the many issues that face our country, and the leadership must uphold the integrity of our country and the care of our citizens.
I send this message because I believe that the majority of Americans are not being represented by the leadership of our country. I believe that our country has been lead in the wrong direction. I believe that those in command of our country are taking us in a direction that will only separate us further from the world. We have been a country that has harnessed the differences in people and have developed one of the most diverse social systems in the world. We have lead the world in the ideas that have shaped its landscapes and its people.
I ask all who read this message to look at themselves and this world and ask yourself if you feel that we are a people who stay committed to differences that make up our communities or are we a people who will be to afraid to do as we do as Americans and grow from our differences and develop strong relationships with all neighbors.
Our leadership wants us to separate from each other, calculate our differences and not to strike a balance between us and everyone else. To the point that recognizing what goes on in the world is going to be all up to us, or that we can take from our children to plan and facilitate these actions.
When you plan for the future you have to plan "for it", not "on it," Our leadership wants us to spend billions of dollars that we don't have. Their plan is for our economy to grow over a period of time that allows the next generation to have enough money to pay back the money that we spend. Now I ask you, would you have your child pay for your college education, or your house payments, or would you ask your child to pay for anything for that matter?
We have to have fiscal responsibility in our country, we have seen times not to long ago, when we as Americans took the call as the next generation to pay back the debts of the past leadership of our country. In the 90's we were able to pay back the national debt and create a budget surplus, as well as fund higher and lower education, put more police officers on the streets, create 22 million new jobs and have the most private business ownership, we created smaller class sizes and spent more money on education, we took more dangerous weapons off our streets and lowered the crime rates...
I could continue but the point is that we have seen a more responsible America and since the change of leadership in 2001 we have seen a more separatist America and a country that has moved itself away from responsible leadership. Our country hasn't been concerned with our social welfare and has moved away from the values that most Americans have.
Now I ask you to consider the consequences of not being responsible with our future. Lets not ask our children to pay for our spending, lets not let corporations take over our social policy, lets not continue to separate ourselves from the rest of the free world and take the steps to remove those in office who perpetuate an American demise.

I am ronn g. and Love this country
Vote Democrat 2004

Disclaimer

In the header it states that I am objective, although this is true with most conversations I take part in and it really annoys many people, I do have to state that I am objective like Fox News is objective. Therefore I am very objectively subjective, make sense anyone?
I plan to write in this blog a commentary on the times we are living today, the times we have seen in our history, and where we might end up spending our time. However, I do plan on giving my complete opinion on the matter, hopefully people will see that I do look at both side of the story before I come to a conclusion. Really, what I am trying to say is that sometimes I will sound a lot like Bill O'reilly, except I will admit when I am wrong, I am on the other side of the political spectrum, and I got more hair.
Oh and watch out Bill I got plenty more for you...
Watch for installments of "the Faction" a take on the O'reilly Factor community of misguided journalism.

Welcome to the tool_shed

Hello and welcome to all of you visiting this blog.
This is my first attempt at a weblog and I am hoping for successful use of this site to allow myself to get a message out. I will try to update my profile to allow people a little more insight into who I am. I hope that those who check into this site will send feedback to my email address, I would love to hear any comments or criticism. tool_shed3030@yahoo.com