The big news here isn’t so much that a heckler appeared at a Coakley rally – with passions this high, it would have been news if one hadn’t – but that a series of hecklers threw Obama so far off his stride. It didn’t matter to the people who attended this rally, of course, but it’s a bit strange to see an experienced politician allow a couple of loud voices to interrupt for as long as this goes … and then to ask “Where were we?”
Crowds gather in Boston for a glimpse of Barack Obama, come to save the day. After sagging poll numbers showed Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley even, and in some cases, behind Republican challenger Scott Brown, the US president made a last minute decision to fly in and give her senate campaign the presidential bump.
But then the question remains to be asked, will his branding work? Republican supporter Patrick Keogan doesn't think so.
"I'm hoping he's three for three because he stumped for both Deeds and Corzine, who both lost. So I'm hoping for three for three with them"
"His appearance around the world for the last six months has made no difference whatsoever".
But this is Martha Coakley's shindig and out of the hundreds and hundreds of people that showed up, it would be difficult to say that Obama didn't have any affect.
"The president coming here should draw sufficient attention to this election that I think it will help, yes", Democrat Martha Coakley Supporter Barbara Eskin.
Indeed Obama's star power brought in the numbers, with people arriving well in advance of the 2:30 start time to see him.
"How long have you been waiting here?"
"Since 10am".
"Since 9:30".
"We got here at 9 o'clock in the morning".
"You're not going to get in. The Cabot Center is right back here at 360 Huntington. Sorry about that"
But only Tuesday will tell if Obama's support really worked, when the special election to fill the late Senator Ted Kennedy's seat takes place.Crowds gather in Boston for a glimpse of Barack Obama, come to save the day. After... more
On Sunday Reid Baer heckles Obama in Boston as the president campaigned for the big loser Democratic candidate Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley. The crowd freaks out - goes nutso crazy.On Sunday Reid Baer heckles Obama in Boston as the president campaigned for the big... more
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of government supporters rallied across Iran on Wednesday, swearing allegiance to the clerical establishment and accusing opposition leaders of causing unrest in the Islamic state.
Iran's police chief warned supporters of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi to expect harsh treatment if they joined illegal anti-government rallies, three days after eight protesters were killed in demonstrations.
Hundreds of thousands took part in the government-organized demonstrations, which state television broadcast live, chanting slogans against the opposition leaders -- Mousavi and moderate defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karoubi.
"You should repent ... otherwise the system will confront you as a 'mohareb' (enemy of God)," cleric Ahmad Alamolhoda told a Tehran rally, directing his remarks at reformist leaders, state TV reported. Under Iran's sharia (Islamic law) the sentence for a mohareb is death.
Iran's state news agency IRNA said that two leaders of "sedition" had fled to a northern Iranian province.
"Two of those who played a major role in igniting tension in Iran following the vote, fled Tehran and went to a northern province because they were scared of people, who demanded their punishment," IRNA reported, without naming the two.
The report was immediately denied by a son of Karoubi.
"My father and Mr. Mousavi are in Tehran and IRNA's report is baseless. They are still pursuing the people's demands," Hossein Karoubi told moderate Parlemannews.
In Tehran, crowds burned American and British flags, condemning what they said was interference by Washington and London in Iran's internal affairs.
Police in Copenhagen in Denmark say nearly 1,000 protesters were detained after a huge climate change rally.
The move came after youths threw bricks and smashed windows as more than 30,000 demonstrators marched to demand action at the UN climate change summit.
A police spokesman said "almost all" of those arrested have now been released with just a few facing charges.
Similar marches have been held in cities around the world, calling for decisive action on global warming.
Meanwhile, ministers have started arriving to join other delegates at the UN summit which runs for another week.
Documents prepared by the conference's leaders call on developed nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions by between 25% and 45% of 1990 levels by 2020.
"This week marks the 10th anniversary of the famous Seattle protests, which succeeded in temporarily shutting down World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. The implications of its success were considerable, but I mention it now primarily for irony's sake. For on December 5th there will be nation-wide protests against the policies of the WTO in remembrance of the Battle of Seattle. One of the larger gatherings has been put together in Portland by an organization called D5. Okay...so far, so good.
Now let's take a look at the itinerary:
12pm- Meet under the Hawthorne Bridge
1pm- March to the World Trade Center
2pm- Indoor Rally and Concert at Portland State Univers-
--wait, what!? An indoor concert at PSU? Why would we want to cut our own protest short by having a concert inside a building 10 blocks away from the World Trade Center? What a half-ass attempt at activism. I wonder if we think listening to certain music will directly change the world, or if we've simply given up..."http://itpoliticsnews.blogspot.com/2009/12/odd-d5-world-trade-protest.html
From It!... more
The latest development of not very interesting history of PD (Italian democratic party) is its possible participation in the national demonstration born from the web, the No Berlusconi Day on 5 December. An initiative born from blogs and a facebook page with 350,000 fans. A rally to ask for the resignation of the premier for a number of very good reasons: his pending court cases, his attacks on press freedom, his conflict of interest. http://www.inaltreparole.net/en/whatpoliticiansdo/pdmanifestazioni021209.htmlThe latest development of not very interesting history of PD (Italian democratic... more
11/14/2009 Mike Shanklin Reports From The Anti-Healthcare, Freedomworks Rally in Raleigh, NC. As you can tell, not many libertarians were in attendance, but to those of you I met today who were, thank you for defending REAL Liberty!
***This article has been chosen as a discussion topic on PFP Movement Radio, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pfpmovementradio Friday night at 6pm-8pm. Please Call In To The Show, 347-633-9636. COMMENTS will be included in the show so feel free to discuss or ask questions here on current.com as they will be addressed during the show. This article will also air on Freedom Hour Saturday at 9pm-10pm on Movement TV http://www.peacefreedomprosperity.com/?page_id=36***11/14/2009 Mike Shanklin Reports From The Anti-Healthcare, Freedomworks Rally in... more
The Local Motors Rally Fighter is a milestone for the automotive industry. It's fuel-efficient, wicked cool, crowd-sourced, and designed to be built in micro-factories with owners taking part in the construction of each vehicle. A fuel-efficient BMW clean diesel sits under the hood, along with parts sourced from throughout the automotive industry.The Local Motors Rally Fighter is a milestone for the automotive industry. It's... more
Fox News' Sean Hannity responded to Jon Stewart Wednesday evening after the Daily Show host called out the network for using old footage from a larger September 12, 2009 "Tea Party' protest to illustrate a much smaller health care rally on Capitol Hill last week.
Speaking directly to the camera, Hannity said that it pained him to admit it, but Stewart was correct.
Did a rally geared at saving government resources actually misuse them?
Could be, at least technically. Rep. Michele Bachmann's House home-page shout-out to tea party types for her Nov. 5 rally on the West Front steps may have violated the letter of the administration committee's rules on the use of official, taxpayer-funded websites.
Here are some highlights of Bachmann's e-release, posted on Nov. 2:
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Bachmann Calls on the American People to Bring the Town Hall To Washington
"This is the deciding moment and the people need to make sure their representatives know where they stand."
WHAT: Health Care “House Call” on Washington Press Conference
WHO: Republican Members of Congress
Actor Jon Voight, Radio Host Mark Levin and others.
WHEN: Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 12:00-2
WHERE: West Front of the U.S. Capitol (House Side)
“The American people need to stand up again and make sure that Congress hears them this time. Speaker Pelosi is putting her bill on fast track to a vote — and it remains to be seen if the House will even get a chance to vote on the commonsense Republican alternatives. The people need to make a House Call on Washington this week and tell their Representatives to vote no to a government takeover of one-fifth of our economy. This is gangster government at its worst."
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The Committee on House Administration rules on the use of official resources seem pretty explicit on prohibiting precisely this kind of announcement, presumably because it blurs the line between members' right to publicize constituent town halls and their use of the franking [or Webbing] privilege for party- or movement-building purposes.
Bullet point No. 3 in the Web "Content" section of the rules says member sites:
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May not include grass-roots lobbying or solicit support for a member's position.
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UPDATED: Bachmann's press secretary didn't directly answer my question but wrote: "Rep. Bachmann's website encourages the American people to exercise their right to petition and ensure their voices are heard, what ever their position may be."Did a rally geared at saving government resources actually misuse them?
Could be,... more
He says the government will make your health care decisions for you. This is a baldfaced lie. The plans in Congress offer a public option as a government alternative insurance plan only, like Medicare is right now. That's right medicare is a government controlled insurance plan. Does Boener want to repeal Medicare? It sounds like he does. Then he goes on to call this freedom. He lies that the bill will create more deficits and taxes. It will reduce the deficit and if anyone is taxed it will be the rich.
Yet it's interesting that progressives too are not happy with HR3962. They have been protesting in cities around the country this week in favor of a single payer system. Pelosi has now promised to allow a vote on Weiner's amendment for a single payer system.He says the government will make your health care decisions for you. This is a... more
The last thing youd expect to see zooming through Bemidji, Minn. at the Ojibwe Forests Rally is a 2010 Ford Mustang, or any Mustang for that matter. J.B. Niday, managing director of Rally America, had not yet experienced a 2010 Mustang at any of his Rally America competitions, but that was about to change.
Niday unselfishly chose to unleash his inner Mustang with Fords 10 Unleashed campaign through his two good friends Mike Hurst, technical director for Rally America, and Mark Utecht, one of Rally Americas top two wheel drive competitors.
There are no ovals, pace cars or rain delays in Rally racing. The sport features real cars racing against the clock on closed-off sections of real roads that are usually unpaved and unforgiving. Gravel logging roads, mountain passes, well groomed forest roads are what make up the tracks for rally drivers. Events can last several days and cover hundreds of miles through rain, snow and day or night. A rally car is the ultimate real world sports car: one that is capable of high speed and incredible handling on any road surface and in every weather condition.
Niday organized a head-to-head rally in a 2010 Ford Mustang on four stages of the Ojibwe Forests Rally course winner takes all.
Hurst and Utecht are friends off the track and deadly on it. Their friendly conversation of recent years has been about who is behind the wheel of the 86 Mustang that Hurst reluctantly sold to Utecht several years ago and this challenge would settle their Mustang rally feud once and for all.
Hurst last drove his cherished 86 Mustang in a rally in February of 2004. Utecht has proven he knows how to drive a Mustang in the woods by winning the Rally America Group 5 class in his region ever since he bought the 86 Mustang from Hurst.
To find out who earned lifetime bragging rights and also took home use of the 2010 Mustang for a year, check out the full HD video chronicling Mustang Rally at www.the2010mustang.com.The last thing youd expect to see zooming through Bemidji, Minn. at the Ojibwe Forests... more
The last thing youd expect to see zooming through Bemidji, Minn. at the Ojibwe Forests Rally is a 2010 Ford Mustang, or any Mustang for that matter. J.B. Niday, managing director of Rally America, had not yet experienced a 2010 Mustang at any of his Rally America competitions, but that was about to change.
Niday unselfishly chose to unleash his inner Mustang with Fords 10 Unleashed campaign through his two good friends Mike Hurst, technical director for Rally America, and Mark Utecht, one of Rally Americas top two wheel drive competitors.
There are no ovals, pace cars or rain delays in Rally racing. The sport features real cars racing against the clock on closed-off sections of real roads that are usually unpaved and unforgiving. Gravel logging roads, mountain passes, well groomed forest roads are what make up the tracks for rally drivers. Events can last several days and cover hundreds of miles through rain, snow and day or night. A rally car is the ultimate real world sports car: one that is capable of high speed and incredible handling on any road surface and in every weather condition.
Niday organized a head-to-head rally in a 2010 Ford Mustang on four stages of the Ojibwe Forests Rally course winner takes all.
Hurst and Utecht are friends off the track and deadly on it. Their friendly conversation of recent years has been about who is behind the wheel of the 86 Mustang that Hurst reluctantly sold to Utecht several years ago and this challenge would settle their Mustang rally feud once and for all.
Hurst last drove his cherished 86 Mustang in a rally in February of 2004. Utecht has proven he knows how to drive a Mustang in the woods by winning the Rally America Group 5 class in his region ever since he bought the 86 Mustang from Hurst.
To find out who earned lifetime bragging rights and also took home use of the 2010 Mustang for a year, check out the full HD video chronicling Mustang Rally at www.the2010mustang.com.The last thing youd expect to see zooming through Bemidji, Minn. at the Ojibwe Forests... more
Activists held events around the world to increase knowledge and gain support for the # 350.
The number 350 ... as in parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which scientist say is the safe upper limit.
The atmosphere currently reaches about 390 parts per million, according to research by NASA climate scientist James Hanse cited by 350.org.
This is a statistical point that normal everyday people can understand and rally behind..
This is most likely to increase public attention in the months prior to the summit to be held in Copenhagen in Dec. .Activists held events around the world to increase knowledge and gain support for the... more
A lot of people don't know that Medicare IS run by the government. It is a government program. It is also socialized medicine. If we take the government out of Medicare there is no Medicare. The guy in this video is a prankster making fun of people who are ignorant to these facts.
Don't feel insulted or stupid if you are one of those who didn't know this. The media and especially Fox News propagandizes misinformation to make it appear that the current health care plans will take away Medicare. This is exactly the opposite of what these plans do.
It is interesting that the U.S. is one of the few countries that has a socialized health care plan like Medicare. Most countries like France, Germany, and Japan, have private insurers that are non-profit or are effectively profit limited. Those governments cover every citizen from birth to death and they do it for free or for very affordable rates.
Canada is a country that has a health care system exactly like Medicare, though I think the insurer is private and not the government. But it is one insurer, which is called a single payer. So the U.S. could very easily cover every citizen, remove the for-profit criminal sadistic insurance industry, and fix everything by giving medicare to all citizens.
Several New York Non-Profits and Supporters came together in front of the South African Consulate located at 333 E. 38th St. at 1 pm today calling attention to the Consulate Personnel to bring an end to the attacks against the Abahlali Basemjondolo (The Shack Dweller's Movement) they have been subjected too, the latest attacks happening at Kennedy Road.
The rally organized by Picture The Homeless, The Poverty Initiative and The Domestic Workers United brought the message of the Shack Dweller's demand bringing comparison with the housing crisis and displacement both here in New York City and throughout the Nation.
Abahlali Basemjondolo's (ABM) Demands,
1)- There needs to be an immediate restoration of democracy in Kennedy Road. This includes:
a)- The right of everyone who was chased out of the settlement or displaced by violence to return to the settlement and to be safe in the settlement.
b)- The right of Abahlali baseMjondolo to work in the settlement without fear of attack or intimidation or slander.
c)- The restoration of their office and a guarantee that the office will be safe.
d)- The disbanding of the unelected structures that the ANC has institued in the settlement and the return to authority of the democratically elected organisation that was running the settlement. If the democratically elected organisation (the KRDC) that was displaced in the coup is returned to its rightful plac the next election will be in November.
2)- There needs to be a genuinely independent and credible investigation into the attacks at Kennedy Road (including the demolition of people's houses, the looting, the banning of AbM from the settlement and the ongoing threats to AbM members in and out of the settlement) that includes an examination of the role played by everyone including the police, the local ANC and the comments and actions of senior ANC people in the Municipality and Province after ther attacks.
3)- There must be compensation and support for those who have been injured and traumatised, those who have had to flee the settlement, those whose homes and businesses have been destroyed and those who have lost everything they own.
4)-There must be a crystal clear commitment from the ANC, from the top to the bottom, to the right of all people to organise independently of the ANC government to court.
5)-The ANC must make a public commitment backed up with real action to insure the safety of S'bu Zikode and all other AbM leaders.
6)- There must be genuine and safe negotiation on the way forward between the ANC and AbM. These negotiations should be mediated by someone that we all trust.
Noting that; In yesterday's Isolezwe the Housing MEC said that she will provide housing for those who have been displaced, while welcoming this announcement, demanded that those who have had their homes destroyed and all their things stolen should be at the top of the list, including S'bu Zikode, Mashumi Figlan and the KRDC.
The rally lasted close to about two hours with chants like; "Housing Is A Human Right, This Is Why We Stand And Fight"
You can also take action NOW by calling or e-mailing the South African Consulate and supporting the demands of the Shack Dwellers! Call: 212-213-4880 or e-mail: consulate.ny@foreign.gov.zaSeveral New York Non-Profits and Supporters came together in front of the South... more
Several groups came together in protest of the continued war calling on the Obama Administration :To Bring the Troops Home they met at 12 noon in WALL ST & BROAD ST where they passed out fliers explaining to passerby the cost of the current wars, demonstrating how health care reform can be funded, and gathering signatures to be sent to Sen. Gillibrand and Sen Schumer asking them to lead the movement to fund domestic priorities instead of endless wars. These petitions can be found and signed at http://www.panys.orgSeveral groups came together in protest of the continued war calling on the Obama... more
On Oct. 5th, 2009Outside the Hunter College West Building Students, Faculty, Staff and Supporters came together in protest of a new company called AVI which have taken over Hunter College Cafeteria, Coffee Stand, and all Deli stands earlier this year. It was on September 3rd, 2009 at the height of lunch hour, that the cafeteria workers courageously organized a work stoppage to protest AVI's decision to slash the health benefits and do away with the pension the employees receive under the union contract signed by the previous owner. While demanding these take-aways, the company stated it will give workers no raise at all this year, followed by 15-cent "raises" in the next two years. AVI runs non-union operations at Baruch and at Sarah Lawrence College. Since coming to Hunter, it has jacked food and coffee prices up, sometimes by 100% or more. Like Hunter Students, the cafeteria workers are largely black, latino, women and others subjected not only to this exploitation but to many kinds of discrimination in this capitalist society we live in. The Hunter Internationalist Club has encourage everyone to work with them and all supporters of workers rights to build active solidarity with the cafeteria workers.. Their cause is our cause too!On Oct. 5th, 2009Outside the Hunter College West Building Students, Faculty, Staff and... more
