Community | February 25, 2011 | 46 comments

from Cairo to Columbus,& from Madison Wis. to Libya , Hope & Solidarity are Alive!

source: http://figrd.blogspot.com/2011/02/blog-post.html

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figgdimension
Looking around at the capitol building that was starting to show the wear and tear from housing thousands of protesters, I had mentioned that in Cairo the activists were constantly scrubbing the square, determined to show how much they loved the space they had liberated. A few hours later, in Madison's rotunda, people were on their hands and knees scrubbing the marble floor. "We're quick learners," one of the high school students told me, smiling as she picked at the remains of oreo cookies sticking to the floor.
I heard echoes of Cairo in the Capitol hearing room where a nonstop line of people had gathered all week to give testimonies. The Democratic Assemblymembers have been giving folks a chance to voice their concerns about the governor's pending bill. In this endless stream of heartfelt testimonies, people talk about the impact this bill will have on their own families--their take-home pay, their healthcare, their pensions. They talk about the governor manufacturing the budget crisis to break the unions. They talk about the history of workers' struggles to earn living wages and have decent benefits. And time and again, I heard people say "I saw how the Egyptian people were able to rise up and overthrow a 30-year dictatorship, and that inspired me to rise up and fight this bill."
Solidarity is, indeed, a beautiful thing. It is a way we show our oneness with all of humanity; it is a way to reaffirm our own humanity. CODEPINK sent flowers to the people in Tahrir Square--a gesture that was received with kisses, hugs and tears from the Egyptians. The campers in Madison erupted in cheer when they heard that an Egyptian had called the local pizza place, Ians Pizza, and placed a huge order to feed the protesters. "Pizza never tasted so good," a Wisconsin fireman commented when he was told that the garlic pizza he was eating had come from supporters in Cairo. Egyptian engineer Muhammad Saladin Nusair, the one whose photo supporting Wisconsin workers went viral, now has thousands of new American Facebook friends. He wrote in his blog that many of his new friends were surprised by his gesture of solidarity, but he was taught that "we live in ONE world and under the same sky."
"If a human being doesn't feel the pain of his fellow human beings, then everything we've created and established since the very beginning of existence is in great danger," Muhammad wrote. "We shouldn't let borders and differences separate us. We were made different to complete each other, to integrate and live together. One world, one pain, one humanity, one hope." From the trenches of Madison's State Capitol Building, hope--and solidarity--are alive and well.
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46 comments // from Cairo to Columbus,& from Madison Wis. to Libya , Hope & Solidarity are Alive!

  • purplecows
    • 0
      purplecows  

    • Government workers, unite!

      Stand up for your right to keep your teeth firmly clamped onto the government tit!

      The Governor is only your boss, he can't tell you what to do!

    • 1 year ago
  • crystalman
  • Camille_Jackson
  • Jack_Reich
    • 0
      Jack_Reich  

    • Today (Sat. 2/26) is the day for solidarity rallies in all 50 states. I bet it'll be the biggest spontaneous outpouring of popular support in U. S. history. How marvelous that people in places such as EGYPT are expressing support for working people in Wisconsin, USA. Now, wouldn't it be nice if the voters in Wisconsin precincts would do the same! Let's start planning NOW for the drive to recall Scott Walker, which must wait 'til he's been in office a year. Meantime, here's a Jeopardy answer and question: Ans: All the teachers in Wisconsin have at least one - that's one more than Gov. Walker. Q: WHAT IS A COLLEGE DEGREE? I'll be adding a blog-post on this at http://bit.ly/weebly. :^J

    • 1 year ago
  • KSirys
  • Milieu
  • samthesixth
  • COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM
  • hindotka
  • Tim_Patrick
    • +7
      Tim_Patrick  
    • hindotka:

      You sir are nothing more than a hateful, hypocrite. Your posting reminds me time and time again that you know nothing about these people, and you lack any and all compassion for others. Why do you even bother showing the world how self-centered you are? You don't care about freedom, and you don't care about morality in general. You have nothing constructive to add to the debate, and you are wearing blinders to the real fact that the politicians in Wisconsin are owned by big business bureaucrats who want to end workers rights for a better bottom line.

      These are teachers, educated people with very demanding jobs, asking for nothing but the right to collectively bargain. They already cut their own wages and pensions in a deal they negotiated with the Government. Walker manufactured this budget crisis, and he already has what he needs to end the manufactured budget crisis. This isn't about a budget crisis. This is all about crushing the American Worker.

      If you know this, and are okay with this; you aren't conservative. Your fascist.

    • 1 year ago
  • artemis6
  • figgdimension
    • +1
      figgdimension  
    • hindotka:

      Boy your one to talk about vision ...geez when you "LOL" does it make a creaking noise and spider webs fall out your ***. Silly Hind-o tricks are for kids run along now !! bedtime for grumpy ones

    • 1 year ago
  • COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM
    • +4
      COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM  

    • WAR? WAR! Can we not distill nearly every point of contention between the forces within our country down to one basic question? Do the People of the United States merely exist exclusively for the benefit of Business, or, does Business in the United States exclusively exist for the benefit of the People? From the answer to this question, we can wade through volumes of issues and words to arrive at a sensible conclusion. If the People exist for the exclusive benefit of Business, then Business is justified in their continued efforts to keep the people in chains on short leashes, extracting all that they possibly can from us, while giving back the absolute minimum in renourishment. They are then justified in abusively treating us like beasts of burden which they anticipate having short productive lives.

      If, on the other hand, and as our Constitution predicated itself upon the notion of, business is merely the tool and instrument of the people, with which to meet it's needs, desires and objectives, then what has insidiously evolved to date, is a case of the tail, (business), wagging the dog, (the people). If we agree that Business is merely a tool and instrument for the use of the People, then with sufficient pressure, and despite the "Robert's Court", the chains of bondage can be taken off of the People, and put back onto Business, the true servant.

      The principles and features of our Constitution are much like a newly made hot air ballon. At times, it lays flat on the ground, useless. But, when the (force) of air and heat are provided, it fills and rises to fulfill it's purpose, in a glorious way. Our Constitution also requires force to uphold and enforce it's principles and features of the rights and "supremacy" of the individual. That force required by our Constitution to fuel it's fulfillment of purpose, is YOU!

      The catch in J.F.K.'s remark; "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what can you do for your country", ignores the preliminary fact that WE are our country! Without us, there is no country, nor any need for business or government. Could not a more salient question be; What can we do for ourselves? If government and business are merely our tools, then how do we use our tools to our best advantage?

    • 1 year ago
  • hindotka
  • Ya_Yletayo
  • Danny_Mcstotts
  • 2warsoffbooks
  • the1union1man2organize
  • espressobeans
    • +4
      espressobeans  
    • the1union1man2organize:

      if you are a wisconsin resident, there is a website out there that you can visit to indicate your intent to sign up for a recall just as soon as you legally can to at least send that message. And if you aren't a wisconsin resident, it at least registers that you've viewed the page and you can like it for face book so the word gets around.

      I don't have the link but you can google and find it, I suspect.

    • 1 year ago
  • telcod
    • 0
      telcod  

    • While applauding people of conscience and conviction, I would counsel some restraint. Zealots are zealots. Morons are morons. And false gods are false gods. Overthrowing corrupt and self serving regimens is a worthy goal. Let us begin at home in earnest. There will need to be blood. And the liberals will bale on that notion and the fascist right will shed the wrong blood, as usual.

    • 1 year ago
  • littlwarrior
    • +7
      littlwarrior  

    • We should not fear our governments, but rather our governments should fear us. Stand strong and tall people of the world, we stand together the common man.

    • 1 year ago
  • hindotka
  • hindotka
  • littlwarrior
  • littlwarrior
  • theknopfknows
    • +3
      theknopfknows  

    • History a nightmare i have yet to wake from, J.Joyce! Any who. USA treaty of tripoli Nov.4, 1796, President John Adams. Morocco, ten years before, 1786, Algiers 1795, Tunis 1797 Consul-general Joel Barlow.
      The Treaty was broken by the Pasha of Tripoli over President Jefferson refusal to pay the Pasha´s demand for increase in payments, treaty renegotiated 1805,
      THINK ABOUT IT YOU AMERICAN TAXPAYER HAS BEEN GIVING MONEY TO THESE DICTATOR COUNTRIES FOR THREE HUNDRED AND 25 YEARS. HA HA TAXPAYERS MONEY 325 years giving away american cash!
      Know your history AMERICA!

    • 1 year ago
  • littlwarrior
    • +4
      littlwarrior  
    • theknopfknows:

      Umm not to be nockin, but we haven't even been a country to give our money away for 365 years, and the concept of foreign aid didn't really come on the scene until the early 1900's. Its our new way of controlling the world and trust me its cheaper than occupation. I'm just saying.

    • 1 year ago
  • theknopfknows
    • 0
      theknopfknows  
    • littlwarrior:

      CHECK OUT HISTORY GIVING AWAY ARE MONEY BEFORE WE EVEN HAD A NAVY. Google Tripoli, I´m sure you will get the history of our secret foreign policy, THEY DO NOT TEACH YOU THIS, you have find out for yourself little warrior, I used to be the peaceful warrior!

    • 1 year ago
  • samthesixth
  • littlwarrior
    • 0
      littlwarrior  
    • theknopfknows:

      Im not disagreeing with what you say just pointing out that your time frames are a little skewed. 1776 was only 235 years ago, and yes when teddy was developing a navy his administration also introduced the concept of building an economic empire, in the early 1900's, about 100 years ago, controlling the world with our money. Its cheaper and fewer Americans die. Its not ideal but its better than invading Uganda to protect human rights, instead we just have to say we will stop writing that check.

    • 1 year ago
  • figgdimension
    • +6
      figgdimension  
    • Image

    • This kinda puts it in perspective we are all fighting for basic rights and Freedoms this is not the Victorian age or the 50's the world is different we are different we want Peace and Freedom and that's universal that's what the old guard cant get and what the elites and ogliarch's want to keep believing the same old lies but the curtains been pulled back they got too greedy too stupid and we .. well we got smarter against all there best efforts but believe me now we know there is no going back SOL:IDARITY WORLDWIDE PEACE NOW ! Or chaos for the rich...You can't re-brainwash the re-programmed

    • 1 year ago
  • espressobeans
  • figgdimension
  • bailey78
    • +4
      bailey78  

    • If only the Governments of the World could bond togeather as easy as the People of the World. Well besides to kill the People of the World. I will tell Ya'll what. This is to the Governments of the World. We the People of the World are tired of being treated like Slaves and being told that Ya'll (the governments) of the World what is best for us. We (the People of the world ) are going to revolt and take back what is true freedoms. We will stand as one when proved We will stop.

    • 1 year ago
  • figgdimension
    • +3
      figgdimension  
    • Image
    • bailey78:

      These bonds we are making around the world will not and must not be broken we must let there stories be our stories and vice versa we will stand together world people for peace a true brotherhood of man (damn where the hell are you John Lennon:(?) If this isn't your struggle it was your fathers and grand fathers and great grand fathers struggle and it has come full circle its where we draw the line in the sand... This madness ends NOW!
      WE DEMAND TRUE DEMOCRACY of the PEOPLE for THE PEOPLE period !

    • 1 year ago
  • reddjoiowa
    • +5
      reddjoiowa  

    • It is so amazing to see people really standing up for their rights. I mentioned to a friend a couple of years ago, that, I thought (no great wisdom on my part) if our government continued to say and do things that were no longer in the interest of the "average" American, people might get their fill of these so called elected "by the people" poiticians, just ignoring the law and civil rights, that one day we might see our United States in a revolution? So, finally we the people, (not me, personally) have had their fill of the arrogance and calling union worker's "bastard's" and a blight on their states, wow!! Wisconsin's governor, just said he would start laying people off, if he didn't get his way???????? Funny, that is the kind of thing that takes place in countries that do not have democracy.....and here in America, we are supposed to be the model for all countries who do not have democracy!!!! OOOOPPPS! I wonder what all the world watching what is happening here, view our country as democratic, free to pursue happiness,and enjoy the fruits of our work ethic??? How can we be an example, when one of our Supreme Court Justice's (Scalia) said blantantly on a CSPAN interview, "the constitution has NOTHING to do with the way we follow the law today." No wonder we have one of the worst Supreme Court's ever!!!!! I do see hope through all these American's, who have picked themselves up and are fighting the good fight. Also, I have been recieving many "grassroots organizations" invitations, that are joining together to make their voices heard." I feel sort of out of the loop, liviing in such a small mid-western town, where people seem to be ignorant of what is happening all around the U.S.??!!! I finally have had, an invitation to a rally in a larger town, that I could at least attend, and feel part of what all American's that care, are joining in to help in anyway possible.

    • 1 year ago
  • chew_chew
    • +3
      chew_chew  

    • The similarities of the Wisconsin fiasco, and the struggles of people around the world for freedom from tyrannical rule, continue to find the light of day.

      Bravo!

    • 1 year ago
  • figgdimension
    • +3
      figgdimension  
    • chew_chew:

      Bravo to the People !!! Saturday is Solidarity day no work no unions no nothing lets give them some medicine!!!! Just like Egypt our bros& sis. in the struggle all capitals to be rallied and marched ...Who's the boss? The people POWER to the PEOPLE!!! share disseminate info buy pizzas send letters stop services to the rich all elites no service!!!!!! workers Poor women minorities old young hippies Unions elderly disabled Immigrants Hackers students peace lovers everywhere time to give Wall street a taste of just dessert SHUT DOWN WALL STREET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      SHUT DOWN GOVT>!!!!!!!!!!
      Enough is enough!

    • 1 year ago
  • figgdimension
  • ejasun
    • +7
      ejasun  

    • I don't want to watch ROME burn?

      They talk about the history of workers' struggles to earn living wages and have decent benefits. And time and again CEO's & BANKERS WALL STREET - Make Millions, I heard people say "I saw how the Egyptian people were able to rise up and overthrow a 30-year dictatorship?

    • 1 year ago
  • bailey78
  • figgdimension
  • kennymotown
  • Progresshiv
  • arigg
  • figgdimension
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