THE INDYPENDENT Issue #159, December 15, 2010 - January 11, 2011 A FREE PAPER FOR FREE PEOPLE
Carving up the Elderly OBAMA’S PLAN TO DECIMATE SOCIAL SECURITY, P10
LUCY VALKYRIE
GLOBAL WARNING, p11
LIVING WAGE, p3 STEALING THE RAINBOW, p12
INDYPENDENT.ORG 2 DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 THE INDYPENDENT INDYPENDENT.ORG! AT DAY EVERY BLOGGERS OUR FOLLOW AND US ONJOIN FACEBOOK, MYSPACE & TWITTER, CONTRIBUTORS: VOLUNTEER NYC IMC is an open publishing website website publishing open an (nyc.indymedia.org.) is IMC production, NYC media to grassroots dedicated and is fostering that to movement, network Indymedia international global an the of part which is Center, Media Independent City York Indypendent The and content length, clarity. for articles edit to right globally. and locally people of lives the affect — social and political economic, — power of systems exploring how lens, critical a through culture and look that at We news submissions tising. accept adver donations, and benefits sales, reader merchandise grants, subscriptions, by funded awards, Community Alliance York Media New 50 than more of ner Win project. this in media participated have and activists artists journalists, 650 than more 2000, Since management. website provide and fundraise distribute, photos, take draw, design, edit, write, report, who volunteers of network on a by year produced is It reader 200,000. than more of ship online a and print times our for Wednesdays 16 free published York-based New newspaper a is Indypendent The Lucy Valkyrie, Steven Wishnia and Amy Wolf. Amy and Wishnia Steven Valkyrie, Lucy Tarleton, John Tarkela, Mikael Sperling, Deb Ragsdale, Sophie Noor, Jaisal Niemiec, Mike J, Nelson, Michael McDonald, John Ashley Marinaccio, Dondi Laquer, Julie Kane, Alex Mary Ivanova, Joyce, Alice Irina Garcia, Heglar, Leo Seth Annaïse Forbes, Eichelberger, Sophie Erika Fisher, Davidson, Ellen Baumer, Bennett Arnerich, Steven Alcoff, Sam Ellen Davidson, Anna Gold, John Tarleton Tarleton John Gold, Anna Davidson, Ellen SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS: AND SUBSCRIPTIONS [email protected] Ryan Dunsmuir, Anna Gold Anna Ryan Dunsmuir, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION: AND ADVERTISING IndyKids SUBMISSIONS AND NEWS TIPS: NEWS AND SUBMISSIONS ILLUSTRATIONS COORDINATOR: ILLUSTRATIONS [email protected] 500 SUITE BROADWAY, 666 [email protected] [email protected] indypendent.org/donate THE INDYPENDENT, INC. INC. INDYPENDENT, THE PHONE: [email protected] Elizabeth Henderson Elizabeth EDITOR/COORDINATOR: NEW YORK, NY 10012 NY YORK, NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS: OF BOARD [email protected] READER COMMENTS: READER GENERAL MANAGER: GENERAL GENERAL INQUIRIES: GENERAL reserves the the reserves Indypendent The Frank Reynoso Frank Arun Gupta Arun VOLUNTEER: DESIGNERS: , a children’s newspaper. newspaper. children’s a , INDYKIDS: is affiliated with the New New the with affiliated is 212-904-1282
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PLEASE SEND EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS TO [email protected]. community calendar 212-614-0505 • bowerypoetry.com Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery nate to NY Food Bank or $10 admission. burlesque. Bring three cans of food to do their own reflection in the art form of women of color dedicated to creating you a few tales! BGB is a collective of Burlesque (BGB) has a few tails to tell you want to ride out 2010? Brown Girls PERFORMANCE: THE FEAST. 10pm • $10-$15 212-352-0255 • livingtheatre.org The Living Theatre, 21 Clinton St from Wed.-Sat. through the desert. Performances run during the Israelites’ 40-year journey the leader of a rebellion against Moses Korach, who is described in the Bible as Judith Malina, this play tells the story of ANARCHIST PLAY: KORACH: 8pm • $15-$20 WED DEC. 8- MON FEB. 28 reader comments PARTY: DVD RELEASE. 7pm • Free MON DEC 20 times-up.org Manhattan Bridge. across from the bicycle entrance to the Brooklyn. Riders will meet in Manhattan lights and decorations in Dyker Heights, to see the “miracle mile” of Christmas Times Up! for a fun and leisurely ride RIDE: LIGHTS IN THE HEIGHTS. 4:30pm • Free SUN DEC 19 2 W 64th St • 212-874-5210 • nysec.org New York Society for Ethical Culture turned away for lack of funds. States’ longest war. No one will be Afghanistan war becomes the United year’s concert focuses on peace as the conscience Christmas show. This their 10th annual feel-good-with-a- Life After Shopping Gospel Choir for ON EARTH. CONCERT: REVEREND BILLY’S “PEACE 7pm • $10-$15 deceit of the highest order. highest of the deceit and Fabrication Intellectual is we claiming failure of because close to then have and it ing not support up to a fail, school Setting it’slocked. and cabinet, one is there now — books with overstocked were that centers resource had We School. High Dewey of graduate ’74 a am I 17: Nov. Begins,” Pushback Closings “School to Response FAIL TO UP SET ” Join Rev. Billy and the —Bunji Fromartz —Bunji . Written and directed by
THE BIBLICAL Come celebrate
How do Join
- - NO BORDERS &SECURITY BORDERS NO lence,” Nov. 17: Nov. lence,” Vio “Reclaiming to Responses of us. forall security and safety improves this for pating, be soon partici will state entire the hope I status. someone’s immigration regarding decision to its rightful make government federal the enables This nities. Commu Secure in participates county my that now safer, I’m solutions. great heard haven’t just I lems, prob the of aware pretty I’m borders. open completely with happen would what investigate you Maybe should at all? status whythen have alien, that illegal an deport to deplorable is it If 17: Nov. tions,” NYC Deporta Target More for Immigrants Feds munities: Com “Insecure to Responses TO ‘DETERMINED RESISTANCE’ FROM ‘DIFFICULT ORGANIZING’ Post your own comments online at the end of each article or email [email protected]. email or article each of end the at online comments own your Post early, seating is limited. theme of homecomings. Please arrive StorySLAM!, which focuses on the hear ten different stories at this month’s housingworks.org 126 Crosby • 212-334-3324 Housing Works Bookstore Cafe 212-691-3345 • revolutionbooksnyc.org Revolution Books, 146 W 26th St screened. Refreshments will be served. Lee. A short excerpt from the film will be a Communist says and Discusses Human Nature With Believe In,’ Wally Shawn Reads From Es the release of video blogging to computer literacy. range from television production and Center for Media Education. Courses upcoming classes at the Brooklyn comeresidents, Brooklyn learn about CLASSES. MEDIA ORIENTATION: 6pm • Free TUE JAN 4 [email protected] 240 E 123th St • 212-348-5547 Crystal Room at the Taino Towers food and a full bar. exclusive raffle.$25 donation includes to the U.N., music by DJ Carlito and an appearance by the Cuban ambassador the New Year. The festivities include an cas and the July 26 Coalition to ring in REVOLUTION. PARTY: CELEBRATE CUBAN 8pm • $25 FRI DEC 31 EVENT: THE MOTH STORYSLAM! 7pm • $8 THU DEC 23 Julian Assange and the media. gle to stop the persecution of WikiLeaks, discussion of what’s at stake in the strug TIONS. DISCUSSION: WIKILEAKS REVELA 7pm • Free TUE DEC 21 212-691-3345 • revolutionbooksnyc.org Revolution Books, 146 W 26th St Join Andy Lee and Carl Dix for a , featuring Shawn and Andy
After ‘Change You Can
Join Casa de las Ameri
—Magyart
—Powel6
Come - - -
------walls of police and barricades barricades and police of walls behind hide to world the of ers rul the forcing for bloc black to the Thanks point. the missed always “violence” as framed issue the debates the which in wayThe over period. a ten-year protests major all essentially criminalized that models licing po in changes at with looking out politics party” “riot rise of the understand can’t We issue. the isn’t se per Violence or bloc black theatre. bit every it’s but two… a in been I’ve iln t g otie their others. with to unite to try outside subculture go activist-lifestyle to willing people serious, by organizing require How difficult these strikes. ever, as such effec tive, direct very be can that nonviolent action of other are forms There theatri protests. alternative cal symbolic, only purely riot the to that is — ing pose choice to false a appears book This 718-683-5645 • bricartsmedia.org 718-683-5645 Brooklyn Street, Fulton 647 not be admitted. Please arrive promptly, latecomers will is mandatory to enroll in classes. free. an Attending session orientation Classes are andlow-cost many are Bay Area for decades, where he is peace movements in the San Francisco and hascountry been at the center of Fromer’s special blend of bluesfolk, ements of classical, rock, jazz and pop. spices his folk and el gospelwith style musical heritage of Philadelphia, Harris AND JON FROMER. REGGIE HARRIS PERFORMANCE: 8pm • $15 Suggested SAT JAN 8 451 West Street (btw Bank and Bethune) and Bank (btw Street West 451 UPCOMING —Ink-Stained Wretch —Ink-Stained BUILDING A MOVEMENT MOVEMENT A BUILDING
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Sliding scale: $6/$10/$15 economic crisis and its consequences. will focus on the evolving global capitalist society in the United States and abroad. We economic trends shaping politics and and their contexts within the longer-term major economic events of the last month Join Professor Wolff for an analysis of the MONTHLY UPDATE RICK WITH WOLFF. GLOBAL CAPITALISM, A DISCUSSION: TUE JAN 18 • 7:30 PM nary, 3041 Broadway at 121st St. Special location: Union Theological Semi Forum subscribers. number of seats are available for Brecht of Volume III of Marx’s reading of the text of Volume II and some sor David Harvey, will focus on a close This semester-long class, taught by Profes VOLUME II. MARX’S READING CLASS: THU FEB 3 • 6-8PM as 1949.as late as 1938 so do to as continued and early as ceremonies and Indian American at attending sketching was that Rothko proving developed been has evidence and well-documented new example, move For this ment. in played culture Indian American role large and historic the of grasp any to have seems critic NYC one Not 17: Nov. cism,” Politi “Abstract to Response Respect is due. is Respect determined bastards. those to up and resistance visible real, some put it least at but lution revo the not carve It’s world. the up to meet they whenever INDIAN CULTURE INDIAN &AMERICAN ROTHKO or 212-242-4201 brechtforum.org TICKET RESERVATIONS FOR INFORMATION AND peoplesvoicecafe.org Esalist, St 40 • 35th 212-787-3903 Church of New York Unitarian Univer Peoples Voice Cafe at The Community bluesy rhythmic, guitar. known for his rich soulful voice and INDYPENDENT. ONLINE CALENDAR VIA EMAIL AT SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY DEADLINE: FRI JAN 28 APPLICATION. [email protected]. 7. For an application, email internship program, which begins on Feb. cepting applications for its winter/spring Director, Mark Rothko Rothko Mark Director, Project / Rothko with with /Rothko Project —Noah G. Hoffman G. —Noah Southwest History History Southwest INDYPENDENT
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THE INDYPENDENT DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 3 - - - - LOCAL Continued on page 4 In December 2009, the City Council voted 45-to-1 to re This in turn catalyzed a citywide movement for living STRAIGHT FROM THE BRONX Thecoalition hard-foughtemergeda from battle against the Bloombergadministration’s converttheKingsbridgeplan to Armory, a hulking 575,000-square-foot northwest Bronx, structure into a poverty-wage in shopping mall. the The project’s lead developer, the Related Companies, was slated to receive more than $60 million in taxpayer subsidies millionfor the $310 project. ject the planned redevelopment of the Armory after Mayor Michael Bloomberg refused to allow Related withcommunity to andthelaborComleadersterms a over of negotiate munity Benefits Agreement,jobs, which local hiring, includedcommunity and recreation living space, money wage for affordable housing, the exclusion of a big join box to retailworkers of rightthegrocery protection the of and store, a union without intimidation. wage jobs at city-subsidized developments. Withtum momen from the struggle Oliver in Koppell (D-WFP-Kingsbridge) the and Bronx, Annabel Council(D-WFP-Parkchester) Palma introduced Members the Fair Wages for New Wholesale and Department Northwest Store Bronx Community Union and Clergy (RWDSU),Coalition (NW the BCC), and the Micah Institute at Seminary. New York Theological - - - - - DAVE SANDERS DAVE (Left) Higher Education Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez (D-WFP-Washington Heights) speaks steps Citythe of on Faculty, rally 8 Hall. Dec. a at New of University City the from staff and students Bloomberg’s Mayor protesting (CUNY) were York budget mid-year cut of $13 million to CUNY’s six community colleges. The schools serve than 80,000 more students, 75 of percent whom come from households earning less than $40,000 per year. CUNY supporters worry cuts student shrinking will sizes, class lead in to increases further services and layoffs of Standing part-time next instructors. to Rodriguez members Charles are Barron (left, City D-FP-East Council New Williams York) and (right,Jumaane D-WFP-East Flatbush). All three are graduates of the CUNY system. PHOTO: Living wage backers march on City Hall Nov. 17 in show a of support for a proposed ordinance before City ANDREW lion in city tax breaks from 2004 to 2009 and is rated is2009 and2004taxcitybreaks fromin to lion as one of the most 10 profitable malls in the country. he QueensCenterMallhe Elmhurstin milreceived$48 “The amount I’m making is not enough to support my Workers like Larry may not have to worry much longer. Leading members of this coalition include the Retail, Council that would boost the wages of workers at projects that have received more than $100,000CHARLES in public subsidies. FOSTROM/LIVING PHOTO: WAGE NYC SUPPORTING LABOR: By Diane Krauthamer T It’s bustling withactivityIt’s againseason,thismost holiday yet of the 3,100 workers in the mall’s 70 stores earn at or near the minimum wage. family,” said Larry, a 48-year-old father who full-time works sales as a associate at a JC Penney earning$8.96 an hour store after his healthcare in costs are deduct the mall, ed. Larry, who asked that his real name beenworking JC Penney at not sixfor years and lives bein smalla used, has apartmentin Lefrak Queens. City, His earnings support his wife, who is unable to findwork, and his 8-year-old child. “I have to pay for their basic needs, like food and rent, and always a struggle.”it’s Labor, community and religious groups from achievecoalitionall to NYC,a Livingformed Wage oughshave five bor throughecocreatedare jobs whose workers for wagesliving nomicdevelopment subsidies tax— breaks and other forms of city assistance that supports development projects simi lar to the Queens Center Mall. Implementing higher wage standardsinsubsidized developmentssignificantwill a have impact on retail and food workers throughout New York.
(Right) Also on Dec. 8, parents and employees of the city’s day-care Bowling Green to system City Hall to speak marched out against from the Bloomberg administration’s plan to close 16 day-care centers and eliminate 3,650 slots toddlers for despite receiving $29 million in federal stimulus money to keep the centers open. “This administration ignores the for with regard no programs slashes and families pleas of working community or parents of budgets the effecton its stability,” said Mabel Everett, president of Local 205 District Council 6,000 1707, day-care which represents workers centers throughout the city. in PHOTO: more HINDERAKER than 350
FIGHTING FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES FIGHTING FOR ESSENTIAL Living Wage Battle Spreads Across City Across Spreads Battle Wage Living 4 DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 THE INDYPENDENT BELOW 14 LOCAL 451 St. West Forum Brecht St. Ave. &9th Sixth Branch Market Jefferson Library YorkNew Public St. Mercer 206 Books St. Mercer Place Mark’s St. 130 Bakery Earth Whole St. 156 Rivington No Rio ABC St. Crosby 126 Works Housing St. 172 Allen Bluestockings St. Barclay 125 37DC Headquarters floor 10th St., Wall 120 -99.5FM WBAI policy analyst at the Drum Major Institute for publicassistance,”urban Petro, Johnansaid city, and fewer costs associated the with for dollarsproviding tax economy, more local the Du as Minnesota. small luth, as and Angeles as Los cities as large covered study job CAP The harming growth. without de projects economic velopment into standards wage incorporated living successfully have cities that showing (CAP) Cen Progress the American and for ter Justice for Center Brennan the by studies including evidence continues ignore to administration Bloomberg The laws. wage of living critics nation’s vociferous most the among are Daniel who and Hamermesh, Neumark of David pair a the by economists, of headed study ordinance a for proposed million by $1 campaign wage allocating living the to sponded Union.” Soviet the was That anymore. exist doesn’t that tried that government last The that. doing of business the in be not should News Daily the told he wages,” the set place mount to communism. argues that establishing a living wage is tanta whose fortune climbed to $18 billion last year, appearsto like it that way. In fact, the mayor, ers who labor in them. And Mayor work serviceBloomberg the to wages living provide to required not are that sidebar) (see buildings office and stadiumssports shoppingcenters, to subsidies and breaks tax in billion $1 of upwards provided has city the 1999, Since RED SEES BLOOMBERG wages.” pay living developers these that Wagefair only “It’s member. Living coalition NYC a (FUREE), Equality nomic Eco and Racial for United ofFamilies rales Mo Maisha said poor,” us keeping they’re and us displacing They’re communities. our attacking are that mega-developments these $11.50 per hour without benefits. at least$10 payhourperplus healthcare benefits or that jobs provide to support city in $100,000 receivethanmore projectsthat all posedordinance. measureThe would require CityCouncil members now supports the pro for New Yorkers Act in May and a majority of WFP-Parkchester)introducedWagesFairthe 3 page from Continued GroupsReligious MobilizeforLivingWage WHERE DO I GET MY COPY OF THE INDYPENDENT? “Higher wages leads to more spending in in spending more to leads wages “Higher re has administration Bloomberg The market the let to wanted always “I’ve is funding city this dollars, tax our “With in September. “Government “Government September. in
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(btwn 81st and 82nd) 81st and (btwn Ave Amsterdam 444 Library Branch Agnes St. W. 209 St. 23rd Branch Muhlenberg Library YorkNew Public 537 W. St. 59th Network Neighborhood Manhattan Ave &9th St. 23rd Restaurant Square Chelsea Ave St. &10th 6th LIbrary Market Jefferson 14 155 First Ave. 155 First City New the for Theater St 4th 58 E. Co-op Food Street 4th TH TO 96 New York New
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of poverty and off public assistance.” other hand, does nothing to move families out Public Policy. “Creating low-wage jobs, on the ment Store Union. Union. Store ment Depart and Wholesale at the Retail, sistant as a communications is Krauthamer Diane it would hour, make a huge per difference $10 for all of least us.” at make could York our families,” said Larry. “If everyone forin table New the on foodput and rentpay bills, our pay to able be would we benefits, with world. the in ence differ the all make would job wage living a kids, their and themselves for necessities sic for and barely provide can years - in ba retail 1968. in Memphis in workers sanitation for wages living for struggle the in leader a as legacy King’s Dr. honor will event 13. The on Jan. Harlem in Church tist Bap Convent at event Day Jr. King, Luther Martin a with starting 2011 in mobilizing date. to non-committal remained has Quinn vote. a to comes ultimately ordinance Speaker proposed the Council whether controls who over Quinn Christine win to need also will They supporters. 34 of majority veto- proof a gain to working are coali members and tion bill the support now members added. he communities,” of our for all ev to and erybody would the raise wage standards important is legislation wage living this “Passing coalition. NYC Wage Living of Church the in leaders one and of faith the Brooklyn, Baptist Antioch the of Wa terman M. Robert Dr. Rev. said destroyed,” is community the it, of enough have don’t support for the living wage ordinance. delivertoHall thousands cardsofexpressing Nov.17, clergysilentled a procession toCity their Councilmembers to sign onto the bill. urging cardsOn sign to askedwere and services during messages wage pro-living heard city atmore than80 houses of worship across the season. holiday this message Scrooge-like Bloomberg’s ing counter are leaders religious of local Scores JUSTICE SOCIAL PREACHING
I m c-okr ad hd go job good a had I and co-workers my “If worked have who Larry like workers For continue will supporters wage Living Council City 51 of out Twenty-eight you when education: like are “Wages congregants 10, Oct. of weekend the On
Douglass Blvd. Douglass &Frederick St. 124th Books Hue-man St. 150 W. 100th Library Branch Bloomingdale &Amsterdam 156 St. Books Sister’s Uptown 503 W. 145th St. Branch Grange Hamilton Library YorkNew Public St. 9 W. 124th Harlem Library YorkNew Public W.526 St. 112th Culture Book 518 W. St. 125th Branch Bruce George Library YorkNew Public ABOVE 96 Branch Branch
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Tillie’s of Brooklyn Brooklyn of Tillie’s Ave. Lafayette 30 BAM Pkwy. Eastern 200 Museum Brooklyn BROOKLYN 308 Bedford Ave. Bedford 308 Videology St. 5th N. Ave. & Bedford Verb Café Ave. Seventh 57 Ave.249 5th & Shop Coffee Ozzie’s Ave. 310 Seventh Gallery Video Ave. &Seventh St. Union Tea Lounge Ave. DeKalb 248
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the city heard pro-living wage messages. PHOTO: PHOTO: messages. wage pro-living heard city the across mosques and synagogues churches, 80 than more at congregants weekend, That 10. Oct. on aservice during wages living of importance the on congregants to preaches Queens, wood, INITIATIVE BASED FAITH Some people benefit morethan others from the city’s economic development subsidies:
SUBSIDIZING POVERTY WAGES The average wagestarting is anestimated to hour.be $8.80 like. theandBeyond,and Bath Buy, Bed BJ’s,Best suchTarget,asDepot, Homestores hasreceived workersmillionmorearethanemployed$10 subsidies.in at Roughly 1,300 Located 10 blocks south of Yankee Stadium at the former Bronx Terminal Market, MALL this GATEWAY mall BRONX seasonalmostly stadium’s 4,400 employees make an average anof $9 hour. The site. theon taxes payproperty everhavingteamtofrom the loopholeexempts that Yankees will also save hundreds of millions of dollars in the future thanks to a friendly tax the United States and has received $1.2 billion in city, state and federal tax subsidies. The billion baseball this$2.3 palace Openedstadiumexpensiveisininthe most 2009, sports STADIUM YANKEE hardball tactics to prevent its workers from unionizing. using forcriticized heavilybeenalso has Direct Freshwage.minimum at start workers more than 1,600 employees earn less per than year.$25,000 More than its 75 of millionmost percentmore,receive$12decade to pastslated is andtheover of city thethese from Island City. While Fresh Direct has received million$2.8 in income and property tax breakslowtemperaturesthewages onlinethe at Low gogrocer’s with hub inLong distribution WAREHOUSE DIRECT FRESH Project, Fiscal Policy Institute, Good Jobs New York and the NYC Economic Development Corporation. Outpost Café Café Outpost Rd. 43 Lincoln Buggy &Dune K-Dog Ave. Fourth 25 Branch Street Pacific 43 Underhill Ave. 43 Underhill Diner Purity Ave. 315 Fifth Café ’sNice Ave. Bedford 197 Café Blackbird 1014 St. Fulton Hardware Hardware Community Sisters Ave. 505 Myrtle Café Pillow Brooklyn Public Library Library Public Brooklyn St. Fulton 900 Sources: fieldofschemes.com, Sources:NY fieldofschemes.com, DailyDrum Employment News, NationalLaw MajorInstitute,
: Rev. Ruby Wilson of Safe Haven United Church of Christ in Ridge in Christ of Church United Haven Safe of Wilson Ruby : Rev.
indypendent.org list: distribution acomplete For [email protected] E-mail: Phone: 212-904-1282 A FREE PAPER FOR FREE PEOPLE Ave.141st &Brook St. Park Brook Ave. Woodycrest W. & 168th St. Library Branch Bridge High Ave. Alexander & St 140th E. Library Branch Haven Mott BRONX 496 Franklin St. 496 Franklin Branch Bedford Library Public Brooklyn CHARLES FOSTROM/LIVING WAGE NYC WAGE FOSTROM/LIVING CHARLES
208 Bay St. St. Bay 208 Café Book Goes Everything St. 75 Bennett Library Branch Richmond Port Ave. 5 Central Library George St. ISLAND STATEN 18 Bedford Park Blvd E. Blvd Park 18 Bedford Cafe Casa Mi
—D.K. - THE INDYPENDENT DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 5 Our City. Our Lives. Our Future. Our City. 1, A, C, B, D, to 145th St. -Martin Luther King Jr., 1968 King Jr., -Martin Luther www.livingwagenyc.org In 1968 King gave his life supporting Dr. Living Wage NYC LivingWage Convent Avenue Baptist Church, Baptist Church, Convent Avenue a living wage for Sanitation Workers in Memphis, TN a living wage for Sanitation Workers 420 W. 145th St (@ Convent Avenue) 145th 420 W. time for City Hall to taketime for City and honest. is just for that which a position Thursday, January 13th, 6:30 PM Thursday, to make an adequate income a reality for all God’s Children. Now is the Children. for all God’s a reality adequate income to make an NoWIS TheTIMe Mass Meeting for Living Wages Mass Meeting This MLK in NYC! This Wages the Fight for Fair Day Join
------When NDLON organizer, Sarahi Uribe, “We’re in the thick of it,” said Uribe. ICE released a small portion of the re lit been has there it, understand I as far “As about identified have they said lawyers ICE But the judge dismissed this request, say “15,000 is a tiny set of said documents,” She also refused to let the government set “I don’t think the government should She set a date of Feb. 25, 2011 as the ted. The total has since grown to include 35 programnaexpandthe to wantsstates.ICE tionwide by 2013 andhasforcedcounties 2013 tionwide by to participate against their will. took the stand during the saidcountiesshe Dec.andstates wishing resist to 9 hearing the program would face irreparable harm if ICE did not release information about how opt-out.to “We’re trying to figureout our nextinformationtheneed.” have steps, we don’t we but cords requested on Aug. 2, 2010. torneys estimate ICE they have at responded to 30 percent the of requests. Schiendlin. Judge said compliance,” no or tle and far, so documents related opt-out 15,000 them through sift to time needed they argued released. be could what determine to ing she was familiar with records requestsand knew this amount promptly. could be handled the by searched be could “It Schiendlin. Judge technology.” proper the with week the of end the stop date for its document search at the time when the original records request was thebemade.orderedthatShe Oct. 2010 13, cut-off date. be rewarded for its own delay,” said Judge Schiendlin. deadline for ICE to release a second set documents of related to other topics in the re cords request, and noted several times that ICEdocumentsproducefailsif to two thein upcoming hearings they will face contempt sanctions. possible This article was originally published on DeportationNation.org. ------
s it possible to opt-out of the controver sial Secure Communities program shares that local arrest data with immigra
The public may know as soon as Janu On Dec. 9 lawyers for Immigration and “I’m somewhat confused. The defense previousSincedeadmeetitsICEfailed to “This is serious,” said Judge Schiendlin. Almost everything known about Secure The program has a mandate to target Fourteen states were enrolled in Secure tion agents? ary whether the program is mandatoryvoluntary. or Customs Enforcement (ICE) tried to argue before Judge Shira Scheindlin District in Court the for U.S. the Southern District that they needed timemoreNew re York of to spond to an emergency injunction to release opt-out related documents. But she was out patience.of agreed to do this back in July and here we are in December,” said Judge Scheindlin. “I think the government is dragging its feet.” line, the judge set Jan. 2011 as 17, the new dateICEfor release to the documents exor plain why they must be withheld. Lawyers who made the request will have two weeks and then to comply, ICE will one have more week answer. to Communities has been released by ICE as a result of the ongoing records request made in February on behalf of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network The (NDLON). attorneys representing the from group the Center are for Constitutional Rightsand the Immigration Justice ClinicBenjamin N. Cardozo School Law. of of the “criminal aliens” who are a threat to pub lic safety. But documents show releasedmost of thoseso deportedfar arewith charged low-level offenses, some as minortraffic as infractions. About a quarter arenocent in and just have a violation.civil immigration Communities when the request was submit By Renée Feltz I SECURE COMMUNITIES DOCUMENTS COMMUNITIES SECURE RELEASE GOV’TJUDGE ORDERS TO ICE on Feds 6 DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 THE INDYPENDENT an instrument. show,learn a come for us Join instruments andcommunity. music, live music appreciation,education, offering arts community center, a is Jalopy Visit us at www.jalopy.biz Pat Conte,JoeBellulovich, Sugar ShackBurlesquew/ Evie LadieandKeith Terry, Della MaeandOldSledge The Brooklyn HonkyTonk The Peculiar Gentlemen Doug HattandFriends Family Show Reunion 315 ColumbiaStreet Red HookBrooklyn Blue RailroadTrain The LittleBrothers WED DEC22 Paul Geremiaand Sweet Soubrette, SAT DEC18 SAT JAN 15 Roots &Ruckus Roots Rana Santacruz Katie Dixonand SAT JAN 8 August 28 August 20 August 27 August 13 August 21 August 14 718.395.3214 August 7 Ann Rabson Ari Eisinger 9 pm•$10 9 pm•$10 9 pm•$10 8 pm•$10 Yarn
NYC SCHOOLS more than1,000 veteran teachersinlimbo Ed Department’s self-inflictedcrisisleaves EXPERIENCE BEDAMNED! col acrig o h ata slre of their teachers. salaries actual the to according schools budget to decision Klein’s came schools of downsizing the with alongWell,ask? might have a tough time landing a new position, you INCENTIVES PERVERSE employee. an to fire order in process due have Youto have workers. tion sanita and fire police, for protections vice it most respects is no from ser civil different In sinecure. lifetime a not is teachers school public for Tenure crisis. self-created Klein’s the better is this because be served, will public the interest with dispensed are staffing in my school. what is occurred precisely this because know I teacher. studies social a to teacher, his is music while program assigned studies social absent an for classes covering ing the limbo world of the “ATR.” ber of teachers would findthemselves inhabit got to give. In fact, it’s only logical that country,has somethingathe numin systemschool the largest methodimposeon ofthisstaffing are a new hire or a 20-year veteran. When you time,you losecan your position whether you schools. new small the in placed than rather packing, sent and “failed” are too teachers the takeover, a “hostile” is closing the Since schools. high small with them and replacing enterprises “failed” them declaring pro grams, more with schools of high policy large Klein’s closing from stems job a of are out teachers many so reason primary The CLOSINGS SCHOOL sinker. and line hook, tive narra Klein’s bought has she that date indicate to statements public her All out. ried car to be slated is closings of school dozens of round another in yet as just mess will this herit Black Cathie Chancellor Schools featherbedding. union old-time of case a facing simply are we als, editori newspaper and statements his from judge To them. seek fire to to wants He lazy positions. too or incompetent as Klein Joel Chancellor by Schools labeled outgoing teachers. substitute as working selves them find often they Instead areas. licensed their in students instructing of not are numbers ATRs Large reserve. the teacher or absent ATRs, as to teachers referred of collectively group is This salaries. collect to full-time continue but position, teaching assigned no have whom of many teachers, thousand a than more of fates overthe pute have in mired found a themselves (UFT) dis Teachers of Federation United the and tion swamp. the to create laboratively W Epstein Marc By o wy hud n xeine teacher experienced an should why So, about public the sooner myths school The world limbo findThis acan musicteacher wrongyoutheplaceinIfare wrongatthe incoming resolved, isn’t problem the If been have teachers these times various At Educa of Department City’s York New t ok w pris okn col working parties two took it that assume policy, safely you can hen there is of evidence bad public ------voyage, Klein launched an assault on teach on assault an launched Klein voyage, the small-school Gates funding and Bill sails to ones? preferable experienced are in firefighters young that experienced claim critics system? the these Would within job new a finding for responsible are depart firemen the ment, the move by reor ganization a closed of because is a if that firehouse suggest ure damned! be experience while virtue, a become ries sala lower and inexperience universe Klein’s In expensive. too are who ones, more experienced the avoid to and teachers lower-paid younger in hire to centive every have they budgets, into their teacher each of salary real the so-called “open” hiring market. placed were in available needed longer slots no were without whoteachers going into the of the 80,000 teachers in the system. averageresentthe compensatingpriceof one wasthesame. Theteacher “unit” would rep mostly rookies, the cost or for a teachersstaffingthe experienced school of had lots with youschool whether meant a which as “unit,” counted teacher school high in a 2002, instituted was trol claim that he was being strangled by union union by strangled being was he that claim Klein’s So took overschools. the Bloomberg when system the throughout spreading been the rejected. be could they in system, time except them for going else ing noth had and job a for applied seniority of loads with someone faculty If collegially. new members select administrators and ers being strangled and agreed to the ATR was pool. (SBO), Plan Transfer and Staffing tion by when a good policy, the School Based Op statement. under an is years seven past chan the over cellor the from and press the in pounding a to taken has UFT acquiesce the that Tosay ATR? union the teachers the did why yourself, asking be now,might you Around UNION TEACHERS THE aball to wrecking the whole place? playing easier, Tom Silva is on role which yourself Ask zeal. great with schools high large and ers and less experienced teachers. and less Principals now have incentive every to hire lower-paid With the press providing the wind for his his for wind the providing press the With ten of critics Would to forced are figure principals When Ifaschool closed, or its population declined, con mayoral Before The SBO was already in place and had had and place in already was SBO The The SBO had a ofteam cooperative teach In typical New York fashion, the UFT stood This Old This House - - - - - , or just taking ------of this article originally appeared on The The Post. on Huffington appeared originally article version this of longer A Queens. Jamaica in at School High history teaches Epstein Marc the of idiots. sides were table both on negotiators the that conclude would they that case likely a it’s as study, class management business a to diminished. further are process cation edu the in component vital the who remain teachers and improved, been hasn’t process mil lions of of dollars have been wasted. The Hundreds hiring half. by clever too been public. the to teacher rank-and-file the for case its make to failure union’s the fired. be to records performance satisfactory with teachers unassigned allow and laws service civil the arbitrator nowouldoverturn them; that knows no matter how UFT much ink the is spent reviling likelihood all In question. fatally new this andfighttheforSBO? process hiring flawed against campaign PR a why didn’t itclaim, block or wage itorialists amyth. simply was rules seniority If this self-inflicted “crisis” were given given were “crisis” self-inflicted this If have union the and DOE the end, the In by diminished is discourse public Yetthe There’s no way to divine the answer to that If the were union as as the omnipotent ed JULIE LAQUER JULIE
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THE INDYPENDENT DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 7 - The The Pornography of Power: How rest in London in a case involving his per sonal behavior. Abandon Assange and you abandon the bedrock of our rightpublic’s republic: know. to the Robert Scheer is the author of nine including books Weakened and 9/11 Hijacked Hawks Defense . America A longer Truthdig.com. on version appeared originally of this article - - - Julian Assange’s work is essential to the functioning of a free press. PHOTO: ESTHER DYSON/FLICKR ------the It is unconscionable to It is outrageous for any journalist, or re has claimed is our inalienable, right a to free press, not jointo in God-given Assange’s defense on this issue, as distinct from what increasingly appear charges that led to to his recent voluntary ar be trumped-up to discredit and destroy As destroy discreditand to sange, who dared let public in the on the depths of official deceit — a that deceit they hide behind making their claims pro of in tecting national Claims security. mocked by released cables that show that our puppets in Iraq ghanistan and are Af deeply cor rupt and anti-democratic, and that Al Qaeda contin ues to findits base of sup port not in those countries but rather in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Emirates.Arab the United target Assange lishing for documents pub on the internet that mainstream mediaoutlets attested have had legitimate news value. As in the historic case whichDaniel Ellsberg in gave The New York Times Pentagon Papers exposé of the official lies justifyingthe Vietnam War, Assange is acting as the reporterhere,thushisandactivities bemust shielded by the First Amendment’s guaran tee journalistic of freedom. specter of what every American president - - - - goes to press, more than 1,800 That is why U.S. governmental leaders will leaders governmental U.S. why is That It is preciselyis Itthat agitation alarmsthatso posed the by WikiLeaks documents. now employ the massive power of the state both political parties, that now stands ex excoriated by a vicious press that would make would that press vicious a by excoriated the anarchist-inflectedofcomments Assange seem mild in comparison. years afterlater, having More suffered many more than 35 his reiterated attacks,Jefferson press vitriolic the as vagaries, its allin press, free a in belief foundation of a democracy. In an 1823 let only “The warned: Jefferson Lafayette, to ter security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when per mitted to be freely expressed. The agitation be must It is produces submitted it necesto. pure.” waters the keep to sary, INCONVENIENT TRUTHS Feinstein, for the inconvenient has concealed in truths her Senate role would have she indeed shocked many of those for who her. She knew in real voted time that Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attack, yet she voted to send young Americans to kill and be killed based on what she knew to be lies. It is her duplicity, along with the leaders of MIRRORING THE TRUTH ------and , Fein documents to Wikileaks, see couragetoresist.org. As Indypendent The the case of U.S. Army Private Bradley Manning, who is a full listing, see wikileaks.ch/mirrors.html. For more on websites around the world are mirroring WikiLeaks. For accused of providing hundreds of thousands of government - - - The New York Times Pursue meaningful work in the fields of labor rights, rights, labor of fields in the work meaningful Pursue Classes taught by a distinguished faculty of scholars, scholars, of faculty a distinguished by Classes taught Examine the critical issues facing workers and their and their workers issues facing critical the Examine government service, non-profits, and public policy and non-profits, service, government practitioners and social activists practitioners organizations in today’s economy in today’s organizations The Wall Street Journal For more information: more For www.sps.cuny.edu/murphy 212.642.2050 call or I I MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE: ARTS OF MASTER STUDIES LABOR I sange’s value as a crusading journal ist is that ll you needll you know to Julianabout As
Writing in Feinstein represents pre In the 1787 Inletter inthe 1787 which he wrote those SPS_MALaborStudies_10125x69_Indypendent 10/5/10 10:18 AM Page 1 most of the world’s other leading newspa pers have led daily with stories based on his WikiLeaks releases. All you need to knowabout the collapse traditionalof support for the constitutional protection of a free press is that Dianne Feinstein, the centrist Demo chairsSenateIntelligencethewho Com crat mittee, has called for Assange “to be vigor ously prosecuted for espionage.” stein, who strongly supported the invasions IraqAfghanistan,and of audacitythehas to call for the imprisonment of the man who, thanothermore individual,any allowedhas the public to learn the truth about those di sastrous imperial adventures — facts known long to Feinstein as head of gence Committee the but never Intellishared with the public she claims represent. to cisely the government that Thomas Jefferson mind had when he in said, in fense de of unfettered freedom of the press, “[W]ere it left to me to we decide should have whether a ment govern without or newspapers newspapers without government, a I should hesitate a moment not to prefer the latter.” reflectingwas Jefferson words, deepthe wis dom of a political leader who often had been had often who political leader a of dom A FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JULIAN ASSANGE JULIAN TO JEFFERSON THOMAS FROM By RobertScheer Wiki Lockdown Wiki 8 DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 THE INDYPENDENT cuts, preferably for owners of capital. The The capital. of owners for preferably cuts, tax is recession a during stimulus economic acceptable only the reality, of version their In debt. national the and deficit budget eral on fed the entirely almost focused attention have kept Washington’s to tions Wall Street, connec strong with many lawmakers, tive conserva and wonks, policy economists, of from itself. system capitalist the saved arguably and but half in it cut unemployment perfect, and get the economy It moving again. wasn’t services, and goods for demand revive jobs, create to programs of host a launched ton Washing 1930s, the in bad, this got it time last The down. figure this bring to enough quickly recovering percent, not is economy 10 the and near remains continue, unemployment foreclosures Home recession. a in mired remains States United the lapsed, col bubble estate real the after years Two LIVING OF STANDARD A DECLINING T Laursen Eric By BACK TO REAGANOMICS THE ECONOMY levels should be afraid — very afraid. —very afraid be should levels de the in to come. cades Security Social damage fatally could that provision a includes Republicans congressional with agreement cut tax cent re Obama’s President addition, In least. at generation next the for States United the for direction economic new a dangerous in lock could These policy. tax in threatening changes together massive are — cuts tax Bush 2001 ofthe extension the other, the decade; next the over debt national the raise tically dras to threatens that crisis fiscal perceived steroids.”on proposal. the on ment compli possible highest his bestowed then He increase.” tax than reduction tax more get we’re gonna dynamically, that youscore “If Coburn. said increase,” tax versus tion of income. level every it In fact, would ing taxes. rates slash tax for rais not spending, reducing from came cuts of deficit its majority vast the was that posal to wanted reform. tax about talk Crapo and Coburn — Reform Fiscal on Commission National the of goal ostensible the — reduction deficit on views their of offering instead But commission. cit defi Obama’s President of members as vote would how they 2 to announce Dec. on Capitol Hill on room a over took Idaho, of po union hall at 216 West 14thFor Street. more information, see strengthensocialsecurity.org. Teamsters237 Localthe at noon to am10 Decemberfrom Friday17held be will SocialSecurity mantle or privatize it. The next meeting of the New York City chapter of the Campaign arecallingthat andHouseprotecttoexpandtoonCongress andSocial White disthe not Strengthen Security Strengthen Social Security is a coalition made up of more than 200 national and state organizations SECURITY SOCIAL FOR FIGHTING This time, however, an influential group influential an however, time, This Americans in the or middle- Americans lower-income a one, — forces related but Twoseparate yes. vote would Crapo and Coburn “is Reagan said, plan,” Coburn tax “This reduc tax percent 92 about at “We’re pro the about liked especially they What Coburn of Oklahoma and Mike Cra Mike and Oklahoma of TomCoburn senators, Republican two far-right when full was section press he ------next 12 months the biggest yet for these two yet two for biggest 12 these the next months congressional deal down the make could cuts, tax nail Bush the extend to to and the trying now are Republicans administration with the coupled commission, lowest-in more. pay relatively households come the but all and class middle the while taxes, in income smaller their of a proportion pay individuals high-net-worth and Corporations taxation: in to a vast shift led has combination The cuts. tax lost the from revenues lost the things, other among by, — necessitated people help working that low spending or it even for cutting programs breaks keeping on tax insists other the and affluent; the for cuts tax bigger and more through pushes tag One Washington. tax-and-budgetary in team of kind a formed hawks have and deficit conservatives market free- the — administration W. Bush George the through. cuts pushed conservatives free-market and hawks ofdeficit alliance uneasy An growth. economic explosive generating and jobs ing that creat to invest, them to spur supposed were affluent the for cuts tax of set drastic a Congress through pushed administration adopted in the when early 1980s policies the it. describes about just II,” Americans. living richest but the forall in standards decline serious a short, In water. above help heads their keep that households working credits tax known less of host a of reduction, drastic least at or elimination, and program; domestic important other ery ev about just and Medicaid Medicare, rity, Secu Social in cuts severe wealthy; the and corporations for taxes lower far be will sult recently House worked Republicans. out with congressional White the benefits that and extensions cuts tax of package the does so part, most the For philosophy. this flect re recommendations commission’s deficit adopt a less-generous inflation adjustment adjustment inflation less-generous a adopt would Security Social and hiked be would premiums Medicare workers. their to plans de for employers healthcare who offer ductions and households low-income for credit tax income earned the including people, ing work benefit these of “tax Many of expenditures.” host a of elimination and cuts ing spend drastic of form the take would this of Three-quarters reduction. deficit tril in $4 lion to close for calls — Simpson Alan and Bowles Erskine co-chairs, the of report the just really it’s so vote, a for Congress to 14 to the to get sent itbe failed needed votes actually, — report commission’s deficit The RICH THE FOR CUTS TAX factions. Washington The report issued by Obama’s deficit deficit Obama’s by issued report The the during particularly and — then Since of set the was course, of Reaganomics, “Reaganomics or steroids,” on “Reagan re likely the through, go changes these If —INDYPENDENT STAFF —INDYPENDENT ------into the country. the into on taxes foreign profitswhen they thembrought back pay and longer percent, no would 28 to companies percent 35 drop, from would too, taxes Corporate percent. to 22 percent 28 from drop rate top their see for would $210,000 to rate up making those tax while percent, 28 top to percent 35 the from individuals lower to Simpson and propose Bowles cuts. a tax actually of is package reduction, deficit on politics as to attempt a focus courageous announced was it when elite policy Washington the by retirees. future and current both for benefits lowering formula, LUCY VALKYRIE LUCY fatally damage Social Security. could that provision a includes Republicans Obama’s cut with agreement tax congressional Bowles and Simpson say this generosity generosity this say Simpson and Bowles hailed plan, the of centerpiece the But Obama Obama and extend will the McConnell Bush between deal the Democrats, congressional economy. flagging the late stimu to way a as it packaged Instead, McConnell deficit. the to leader Mitch Republican and Senate Obama add would mean — it taxes ing other spending in by increases offset or it cuts of none for years, next two the over calls billion $900 leaders some spending Republican with agree ment handshake The direction. opposite the in go to seemed that deal a announced and overseas. compete companies businesses” help U.S. building and starting for place best the States United the “make will Assuming it a survives wave Assuming of anger from House White the later, week a than Less - - -
rbe wt te egr akg o mea of package meager the with problem Permanently. world. the in rates tax of sets lowest the of one them give would that plan reduction cit and ofwant, a they the kind system defi tax getting to road the down further nificantly sig Republicans the moves that leadership Republican the and president the between it. to spend likely less are who earners, high to savings bigger much provide would credit tax payroll the workers; lower-income and middle- targeted help to was Pay Work Making year. last Congress through pushed Obama package stimulus the in Work credit Pay tax Making the replace But would reduction billion. temporary this $120 of tune the to economy the stimulate and people’s in pockets money put to meant is This Security. Social funds which tax, payroll the in reduction percent TAX PAYROLL THE REDUCING WHAT DEFICIT REDUCTION TAX AND REFORM REALLY FOR WORKING AMERICANS. MEAN thing Bowles and Simpson are proposing: proposing: are Simpson and Bowles thing same the did act reform tax 1986 partisan bi the recently, Post pointed Huffington the in out organization, pro leading a gressive-Democrat Future, America’s for tute Washington. abit of in afool’sbeen game always has “loopholes” of rid getting that is reality the lower rates, for those exchange in breaks tax of lot a eliminate would plan Bowles-Simpson the the while And temporary. in get would deal is that they are Obama-McConnell very people working sures things in the bill for working people. working for bill the in things to credit tax best the are new These help covertuition. college a create and credit tax income earned the increase credit, tax child the extend would It it. get to leadership can Republi the by up held being to vulnerable again and election another for ready getting at end when they’re year, tension ofthe next ex have tofor another push will the Democrats that means which months, 13 another benefits unemployment extending for calls sought. had than Democrats level lower much a at but — tax tate es the back bring would it And years. more — for rate two tax top income the half than —less of 15 percent at amaximum income, their of most receive rich the how is which dividends, and gains capital for rate tax the keep also would It affluent permanent. which most Americans, cuts, the the benefit make to overwhelmingly bill a House pass White the and in own their of one put to them for hope, Republicans the enough, long That’s years. two another for cuts tax commission report.’ deficit the percent,”in appear1 nottop do “the and wealthiest,” “the “fairness,” like ‘Words Are there any silver linings here? The The here? linings silver any there Are deal tentative a is then, have, we What 2 provide a one-year, would also deal The s o Brsg, rsdn o te Insti the of president Borosage, Bob As To this balance — sort of — the agreement ------and Medicare. and “entitle mention Security Social means which does reform,” ment he But increases. form that so our country needs.” desperately re entitlement and for spending the catalyst a achieving as serve will effort this that hope my is “It said, McConnell capitalists. the United the States possible safest place for make to is purpose explicit The percent.’” 1 and ‘the top ‘the wealthiest,’ clude ‘fairness,’ in nowhere draft in commission’s the deficit Journal year. next early proposals budget their in recommendations those of some use will they say both leaders Republican and Obama passed. McConnell with deal his get to enough Democrats gry an has mollified the president once dations, recommen its of some up take won’t gress Con mean doesn’t that and But unworkable.” the “unbalanced calls plan Levin commission deficit Sander chair Means and Ways House Outgoing reduction. deficit le tack to attempt any postpones deal tax-cut 1970.” in did they lower than one-third fully rates pays $15million) about of worth (averagenet Americans of percent 1 top the and “byback, 2006, came dodges and other loopholes The not.” were them created that lobbies the eliminated, were deductions the while “Only deductions. and egregious loopholes tax eliminating while rates lowered to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. and Security Social to Preserve Committee National the of president nelly, Ken Barbara says it,” know we as Security of would re the be end “the of beginning Social That self-sufficiency. further program’s the ducing permanent, made and extended eventually be won’t break tax payroll percent 2 “temporary” a that chance little independence. fiscal of its program the robbing does, government the else everything with Social competition in Security place would that But revenues. tax other with gapthe to fill government for the calls deal Obama-McConnell The past). the in move a such suggested have lawmakers to projected of why may (which Republican be a number currently it’s than a benefits earlier pay lot to money of out run could program the means That fund. trust curity Se Social the into going money the significantly reduce would deal president’s the in 2 payroll holiday percent tax The temporary SECURITY SOCIAL UNDERMINING Note that McConnell never mentions tax tax mentions never McConnell that Note of Henninger Daniel the that saying are insiders Washington Reaganomics. That’s eie, n oa’ Wsigo, there’s Washington, today’s in Besides, notes, tellingly, that “words found found “words that tellingly, notes, Continued on page 14 page on Continued The Wall Street Street Wall The ------might increasingly for substitute it.” mandatory. The Isystem envision would initially supplement Social Security — and over time accountsbeshould personalretirement of system managed,portable andprivately funded, through. In 1996, he wrote in a magazine article, “I have concluded — reluctantly toSecurity fiscal— solvency,that But it. every now a not destroy and then intention peeks fully a different free staffers of charge to help keep the commission’s expenses down. deficit commission’s recommendations. the of adoption considers and Republicans the with deal tax-cut perhaps the leading role as Congress works through the president’s play will ReidSenate, the commandof in year. Still next the gress pavingDemocratswaydefeat,theforthe regain to Con of control humiliating to down Security Social privatize tocampaign Bush’s Presidentsending in instrumental was — PelosiNancyleader ity As Senate leader minority Reid —in along 2005, House with minor REID HARRY an October debate2008 with Republican candidate John McCain. quickly,”doit andwe’vethinktoIgot hesaid inentitlements on take to have to going“We’re program. the cutting rejected itly explic never campaign,he presidential his during privatization against Security Socialdefended Obama While Medicare.and reduction scheme and a full-fledged planto slashSocial Security entitlement spending.” It went thanfurther that, proposing a tax- of growth the address to changes including outlook, fiscal run mendationsthePresidentto meaningfullythat improve thelong- ance the budget over the next five years and recom“propos[ing] Hecharged his deficit commission with developing a planto bal OBAMA BARACK transactions. financial on tax a was consider didn’t commission his that deficit a year. One widely $335,000 discussed idea for reducing the federal a director of Morgan Stanley & Co., for which he reportedly receives entitlements. Bowles has spent most cutting of his career and as reduction an investment banker deficit and is for pushed he where secondadministration, theClintonin staff chiefwasofhe Reform, and Responsibility Fiscal on Commission National the of Co-chair BOWLES ERSKINE Peterson generally uses conciliatory language, stressing that he wants to restore Social restore to wants he that language,conciliatorystressing usesgenerally Peterson MEET THE SOCIAL SECURITY MEET THESOCIALSECURITY term president.” thing important we want toachieve is for President Obama tobe a one- every major Obama Earlierinitiative. this year, he said, single “The most opposeto organized ashashe consistently hisparty Congress2006, in of control retook Democrats thesince steadily grown licanleaderhas ended in a deal to extend the Bush tax cuts. His importance as a Repub chief also negotiator in the was talks thewith Obama he leader,administration that recently minority Republican and Kentucky from Senator MCCONNELL MITCH Security “a milk cow 310with million tits.” callingbycompoundedlaterdaysheSocial few people,” a gaffe a lesser the of care take to trying “We’re activist, an told he when Hestatements. ran into trouble early in the commission’s existence, insulting off-the-wall, maketo tendshe whereWashington, in ure fig populara is Simpson AARP. the assuch program, the defend Security in He1995. has also campaigned against organizations that Social privatize partially and cut to bill first co-sponsoredhis who Bowles’ co-chair was a longtime Republican senator from Wyoming SIMPSON ALAN WRECKING CREW the Peterson Foundation and the CRFB supplied two seniorsupplied two FoundationCRFB andPetersonthethe another, commission sinceis deficit president’s The rolled. tersonFoundation are just a few of the groups he has bank Pe G. Peter own hisand sponsible(CFRB) BudgetFederal Re a for Committee the Coalition, Concord Medicare.The to cut the deficit, principally by slashingSocial Security and private equity firms.For nearly30 years, he has campaigned world’slargestBlackstonethe theGroup, ofone at fortune A Wall Street legend, Peterson co-founded and made a large PETERSON PETE - - - - -
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9 INDYPENDENT THE JANUARY 11, 2011 2011 11, JANUARY – 2010 15, DECEMBER 10 DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 THE INDYPENDENT POLITICAL ECONOMY and U.S. Treasury monies, Wall Street has has Street Wall monies, Treasury U.S. and Reserve Federal of advantage Taking basis. hit annual history,”an on trillion $1.66 in of record a ting rates fastest at the of quarters, some consecutive seven for grown Times York widening the to According chasm. severely economic the is which crisis, current muchtizing of the state pension system. privaby wentfurther butthey Clinton, and Reagan as punch one-two same the formed of$1,072Tony andmonth. Thatchera Blair be 50 percent higher than the current average cost-of-livingthat adjustments, shouldbenefits in resulting suppress to understated was der Clinton, claim some economists, inflation to pay 100 percent of payroll taxes. Then un self-employed the forced and benefits claim disabledthemadefor ers, it moreto difficult - earn higher-income of benefits 67, taxed to age retirement future the raised justments, ad cost-of-living froze temporarily Reagan president, As era. Reagan-Thatcher the ing dur originated pensions the on 1935, attack modern in enacted was it since Security the right has While stridently opposed Social GRANDMA ROBBING A Gupta Arun By Back tothePoorhouse? overall increasing).and inflation declining be may spending these social countries within (though years recent in sions of haveold-age funding pen increasing been Venezuelaand China Bolivia, as such others pensions, state-run squeeze to trying or ting key, Poland have Spain, and Latvia cut been Tur Ireland, Greece, France, Japan, States, orbit. So while countries including the its United to close countries those and West the in arebenefits slashed moreand more. up and higher corporate profitsas wagesand choppedis sector social the as cuts tax from super-wealthy the both be who gain will ries beneficia main The wages. down drive and increasebenefitswill the pool ofunemployed social cut to efforts successful, If capitalism. gap. budget government any close to off-limits are profits corporate record and super-rich the of wealth the and funding, and powers their metastasizing are agencies spying and police ser starved, are vices social While services. these fulfill that unions public-sector decimate to and them, social state or privatizing by eliminating either services, reorganize to effort pronged solidarity. and ganizing or rights, labor on attacks frontal and tion deregula production, by industrial off-shoring itself with competition into back labor putting by accomplished was This sub mission. into unions private-sector hammered and economy capitalist the reorganized ago 30 years Thatcher and ald Margaret Reagan pensions, andhealthcare education. state-provided namely benefits, middle-class strangling now are elite political and nomic years, especially in the United States, the eco ing decimated aid to the poor over the last 30 the remnants of the social welfare state. Hav the andhistorical geographical conditions. The second historical component is the the is component historical second The The The attack on pensions is mainly occurring to superfluous are elderly the put, Simply two- a is attack current the Similarly, Ron under assault neoliberal initial The economic The tocrisisis used being batter year-long capitalist crisis, particularly three- the with begin must pensions onassault global the of nydiscussion , U.S. corporate profits “have profits corporate U.S. , New New ------118 percent income. of after-tax is at 17 percent, and household debt stands at rate,”“U6 the rate,unemployment real The decade. last the over percent 13 by dropped employer has their through insurance health receiving people of percentage the closure; fore or delinquency in are mortgages home 14.3 is the highest since of 1994; rate 13.5 percent poverty of official the 2009; and 2008 family income shrank more than 4 percent in began. recession the 7.5od, leaving fewer jobs when than million peri workers state this jobs lost their during 260,000 some and growth, population with up keep to enough not 2010, of months 10 first the during created were jobs 874,000 Only product. domestic gross ofthe percent 3.7 at is deficit trade The crash. the before percent 80 above level a to compared cent, per 75 below is — capacity use productive of measures which — rate utilization capac ity all-important the it and where 2000 in to was back is production industrial of 2009. end the by wealth the of share their creased two in actually last percent one top the the And years. over profits record notched drop for the global assault on pension plans. back the isWest,which throughoutthevail driveeconomy.the theseconditionsAnd pre sir,Please Ihave can some more? The conclusion is stark: there is no engine to grimmer: even is picture household The dire: is picture economic overall The ------But, as But, economy. capitalist a revive only government can falter, all speculation and debt trade, 2012. in chances electoral their hance en will decline economic continued believe they because this oppose Republicans points out, Krugman Paul as But, competitive. more exports U.S. make to dollar weaker a require would which trade, increased is ity possibil One funk. its of out economy the drag to enough consumption increasing of incapable are they unemployed, of army the lost joining fearing and Having wealth in trillion costs. $15.8 healthcare rising with smacked getting and debt in drowning are Americans money. away throwing invest is business ment capacity, spur to productive breaks tax idle giving much so With FUNK ECONOMIC calls for deficit spending to spur business business spur to spending deficit for which calls economics, Keynesian of limits the and services attack. now under are workers state up, drying With funding budgets. this local and state in shortfall and much of that was in useless tax breaks. meager $787 billion over more than two years, economy,the planofferedbuttherelativelya was sapping a staggering $1 trillion a stimulusdownturnthewouldyearknewThefail. from administration Obama the 2008, December hn uies netet consumption, investment, business When The failed stimulus was also premised on on premised also was stimulus failed The the of some covered only stimulus The
The IndypendentThe first pointed out in pointed out first PHOTO: BBC PHOTO: - - - can create positive change. positive create can Party Democratic the of steer tomb the that of clear movements left only than and Hoover FDR, Herbert more far inescap is Obama it: admit is to unable are liberals conclusion if even able The depression. a economy. and shrinking revenue tax less unemployed, more means also workers public crush to eco trying lower with this means all combining And activity. nomic this services, medical and transportation food, away, on housing, Because right benefits their to spend retirement. tend elderly the as delay workforce workers the older in also people This more group. means this in women for cent per 50 nearly and of 65 over income population the the of percent 40 for accounts Security Social health. economic long-term debt. and Security over Social panic the echo-chamber and amplify increase, will deficit the means This treasury. general the from revenues by back paid be supposedly will which estimated fund, trust the from $120 billion an pilfer will points percentage two by tax payroll reduce to deal Obama’s bondholders. off pay to it raid to is plan 2037,the through tions obliga ALL meet can and fund trust its in trillion $2.6 nearly has which Security, cial not that’s course, of So case in the So, works. Of how capitalism risk. the took they because haircut a take should bondholders portunity to profit offthe same crisis. choppingblock would give them afourth op to pay for the bailouts. Putting pensions on the outs and from government bonds sold to them the crisis: from the bubble itself, from the bail upward. wealth more to transfer all benefits, and services rise, social squeezing unemployment and letting wages, down driving labor, weakening involve that cies it. torched they after economy global the rebuilding for pay to rich the ing tax by and directly or power) wages bargaining labor up shore would (which grams indirectly pro jobs of financing either debt-driven through redistribution have would required this because re- of industrialization program a considered never tration moneythis is literally because lying around. consumption crimp to little doing while trillion $1.56 of deficit budget federal 2010 entire the eliminate would tax wealth ex cludes the value of homes. their A 13 which percent assets, investable in trillion $12 around have Americans “high-net-worth” nancing. According to economist Rick Wolff, the tax fi debt-driven of to instead elite, the of wealth be would solution simple The RICH THE TO IT STICK federal debt payments even more onerous. further economic contraction. This will make anddeflation ofworst-casescenario a create endorsedmayhas Obamawhich— — taxes cies such as austerity and cutting spendingpoliRight-wing and WWII. of outcoming debt U.S. huge the to happened as inflation, and wayreducetothrougheconomic itis growth best the but matters Debt debt. federal the it’s adownturn. when in It all adds up to a recipe for a long-term long-term a for recipe a to up adds all It to disastrous be will pensions Cutting That’s why a is manufactured. crisis being then problem, a is debt government If off times three profited have wealthy The poli for fought consistently has Obama adminis Obama Street pro-Wall The hs ly i te ih-ig ytra over hysteria right-wing the in plays This ------THE INDYPENDENT DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 11
------The The NEWS ANALYSIS NEWS Continued on page 14 noted that noted in the yearsfive Obama’s Obama’s other priorities include “clean” In contrast, the Interior Department has The only other tangible result was an Internationally, the Obama administra Can Russia, by flanked States, United The DRILL, OBAMA,DRILL Domestically, the Obama administration is the as fuels fossil developing committedto as Bush administration was. On Oct. 28, TimesNew York prior to October 2010 the Interior and oil 73,000 Departthan more approved had ment gas leases. Last March, Obama announced seaboard Atlantic the of much of opening the - en safe a was drilling, claimingit offshore to spills. to prone longer no deavor coal technology — a technology that doescurrentlynot exist; the development and ex nuclear pansion“clean” power— “safe,” of a technology that will never exist; a new oil pipelinetarfromCanada’s sands; continued subsidies for ethanol from corn; and a large expansionethanol of production fromagro- fuels. And the White House may soon offshoreap prove drilling in the Arctic. green-lighted only one offshore wind proj ect and not a single solar project. A plan to build, for a mere $5 billion, a 6,000-mega- watt offshore wind farmCoast with morea efficient power transmis along the East sion grid, will be financed by corporations if the project can amount of energy is clear equivalent to five large regulations. Thenuclear smallplantsa for but fraction the of mentionradioactivity. to not Despitecost— this, there is no money forthcomingthe federal government. from Even as the U.S. cannot develop government renewable energy domestically because it is supposedly too expensive or unreliable, the is Pentagon ramping up capac its renewable ity. According to the New Times, York U.S. over see to come “have commanders military and liability, big a as fuel fossil on dependence Degradation (REDD) despite opposition. A widespread Friends of the Earthon REDD released on the reporteve of the confer ence described how corporations were be ing financially rewardedfor ransacking and burning forests and converting monoculture them plantations while allowing de into veloped countries receive to carbon credits. agreement on technology transfer nances — though there was and no specificplan fi for funding. tion is bent on derailing climate internationallybinding talksonly deregulating the and climate treaty — the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. ThisUnitedthatfactthethedespiteStatesis never signed on, and the Kyoto weak Protocol’s limits on reducing the rate of up build- of greenhouse gases in the are atmosphere incapable of preventing change. rapid climate binding Kyoto’s turn to wants Japan, and ada vary controls emissions voluntary into limits this ing Under countryfrom new country. to deregulated regime, no onus will be placed on the industrialized nations historically re willan nor crisis, ecological the for sponsible global emissions overall target be enacted. A direct confrontation in Cancún was avoided only by punting the decision to extend the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in talksinclimate 2012, of round 2011 to November the Africa.Durban, South ------Y o u d o n ’ t have have to be a wild-eyed . revolutionary to AFTER CANCÚN AFTER conclude that the United States is intent on remaining the world’s only superpower and discards all other considerations, even the pos The never-ending competitive drive for couldnegotiators way Cancún,only Inthe As Greenpeace International Climate sibility of precipitating lapse. As the tectonic civilization’s plates of world power col shift, the governing U.S. and corporate elite arelocked inzero-sum a game with the oth er major economic players that are trying to planetarydeath.a indance themof supplant profit and the imperial machinationsflow fromit dictate that the chronic inabilityof leadersworld to cobble together any serious deal arrest to planetary ecocide. reach a “fairly “do[es] not modest” require the broad agreement changes that thatscientists say are needed dangerous to avoid climate change” was by ignoring their own rulesdecisionon making andoverruling the objections of countries like Bolivia, accord ing The to New Times York Policy Director Wendel Trio “Cancún may commented, have saved the process but it did not yet the save climate.” THE WORD FOR WORLD IS PROFIT Capitalismanisexploitative global simplifi cation project. For example, it is difficultto efficiently extract profitfrom a forest teem ing with plant and animal life. However, if that forest is replaced by fast-growing euca- lyptus trees, then profit extraction is greatly facilitated. Hence, at Cancún, concretefew outcomesenshrining was one anas of the “achievement” the U.N. scheme known as Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and - - - - “The U.S. diplomatic cables reveal how the U.S. nations seeks dirt opposed on to to tackling its global financial approach warming; and other how aidcountries is to used gain by political how backing; distrust, broken promises creative accounting and dog negotiations; and how secret the global U.S. to diplomatic overwhelm offensive mounted controversial opposition a ‘Copenhagen to accord,’ theunofficial document emergedthat the from the ruins of climate the Copenhagen change summit in 2009.” Cancún Cancún was therefore perhaps a perfect It’s always been difficult to pinpoint where pinpoint difficultbeento always It’s the small Alaskan village of Kivalina, who the keepdesperatelyerecting arewalls to sea Chukchi Sea bay. at location and metaphor for the on Convention Framework Climate Change, 16th U.N. slides slowly Cancún As 10. Dec. ended which be slipped conference the so abyss, the toward low low the radar mainstream and media’s other coastal regions around the globe are left to drown and we all climate. stifle business-as-usual as the under globalcontinues warming the truth ends and the lies begin with inter national climate conferences, but thanks to WikiLeaks we have a much better idea. In Copenhagen,duringhigh-profile climate ne gotiations in 2009, bribery, blackmail, bul lying, threats and spying were the order of The Guardianthe day. reports: ------
ancún is slowly Caribbean slipping Sea. into A the climate change, combination natural weather pat of mac mcgill mac Gargantuan hotel complexes built too The next dredge and restoration won’t But it comes at the expense of massive The defense of Cancún contrasts mark terns and disastrous, hell-for-leather tourist developmentalongthenarrow Mexstrip of ican coast is dragging the resort town back whence came. it near the shore and the eradication of coast al vegetation that held the beach together, along with rising sea hurricanesmeantmillion $70 levels spentwas last and stronger year to replace the sand swallowed similarmillion by a of $19 top sea.Thison was the beach restoration in 2006. be long coming. Unlike the global environ ment, Cancún is so profitable to and Mexican foreign capital — income is estimated at $3 billion a year, Mexico’s entire about tourist one-fourth economy — of that it must be saved. undersea devastation from lions dredging of cubic yards of sand and milthe impact when all that sand washes back and buries coral reefs that are the breeding grounds of myriad oceanic species. edlywithsituationthearchian Vanuatu,in relocatebeing to forcedisthatnation pelago hundreds of people from encroaching South Pacificwaters. Or plight the of the people in By Chris Williams C 12 DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 THE INDYPENDENT Community Church of New York Unitarian-Universalist augmassagecollective we arehighly-experiencedNY-state licensedtherapistswhobelieve 276 www.augmassagecollective.com Massage TherapyCollective Feb 5:Pamela Drake &Mercy Van Vlack; bodywork isintegraltowellness&shouldbeaccessibleall doors open 7:30; space is accessible www.peoplesvoicecafe.org we offer reducedratesfor series, sliding-scalefees, contact ustolearnmoreabout&ourtreatments prospectparkwestat Jan 8:ReggieHarris; Jon Fromer barters, communityclinicdays&otherstrategies Feb 19:Church Ladies forChoice; 40 E. 35th St. 35th E. 40 Saturdays at 8p.m.
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he introduces the usual lineup of black men, of men, black lineup usual the he introduces the what To cost to counterparts. female do their this, matter no men, black humanize characters. male introduces of all, worst perhaps and, poems rearranges Goldberg), Whoopie by played White, in lady (the ter charac female one new creates He at whim. text original the from deviates He intended. shange as women, black empower to desire benevolent any by motivated was Perry that Show ( Rashad Phylicia melodic. ingly ( Rose’s Noni ( Newton loved Thandie Im talented. respected. Well mensely cast. beautiful a has hope. of glimmer a had I has been a man in a dress. far thus womanhood black on commentary Why Did I Get Married busters as block such includes canon whose man the daresay, I and, shaped by the rainbowbeautiful she painted. touched profoundly was the varied hues of feminism. and blackness of shades many the for room rainbow of self-affirmation,there was infinite abuse, poverty,sexuality and the fight for respect. withAnd in this dealing monologues through voice a it giving — it exposing by victimhood,healing the pain of black women liberation,newclareda fromand shamefree de boldly she self- it, a In choreopoem.described — motion in poetry literally, quite was, It1970s. the inwomanhood American black of performance cohesive a into them wove and dance with them infused poems, homicide. ting Enuf Is Rainbow the When Suicide Considered Have Who Girls W Lionsgate, 2010 Directed by Tyler Perry For ColoredGirls Rainbow Stealing the REVIEWS About halfway in, I figured out his goal: goal: his out figured I in, halfway About believe not do I film, the viewing After enuf. was of none that But movie, the for billboard the saw I When Tylercomesis alongPerry. thenThis And life my that say can I woman, black a As these wrote shange explain. to me Allow ) could act out the phonebook. Anika Anika phonebook. the out act could ) ) could bring grace to a catfight. to acatfight. grace bring ) could Diary ofDiary a Mad Black Woman of ntozake shange’s shange’s ntozake of version film a direct to plan ry’s Per Tyler about heard first I hen Dreamgirls LEO GARCIA LEO , I considered commit considered I , — whose most salient ) voice is captivat is voice ) For Colored Girls Colored For For Colored Colored For The Cosby Cosby The and Be ------
Tyler Perry walk off wid alla alla wid off Tyler walk Perry you Did year! away got wid almost somebody know the of treasure ripped-off anonymous the is stuff stuff….My my alla ex she wid off walked almost when “Somebody claimed, her believe actually before. could was I voice her rhythmic how ticed no never had I script. schizo the into mixed phrenically still was that poetry the of most have to seemed she because but cliché, from free was character her that Not speak. y oet Dvn ( Devine Loretta by like literary rape. police officer, played byHill Harper, recount brother” “good the hear to bitter especially was It voices. male in poetry shange’s hear lines. those delivered she when ten the taste slapped out of her mouth, it was should havea Rashad moment got in which was there ever If responsibility.” some take is woman told she that “has to grief-stricken and children a surviving suicide attempt, this home. to go back kids the havenot allowed (Phylicia Gilda should and babysitter, neighbor the Rashad) time; in kids the rescue to failed she because complicit is Kerry Washington, by played Kelly, worker, social The mother. the beyond spread even has blame the window, fifth-floor the from them ping drop by children the murders finally Ealy, anyway. him loves she but as victim, his only exists She order. restraining a gets and Willie, Beau children, her of father the where play original out kicks Elise) by (played Kimberly Crystal shange’s in part the a of the mother her all agency. strips He omits Perry of violence, men. domestic of story black over-performance mother’s for the story Throughout attempt this his “reclaim” in to choice of strategy Perry’s blame rests with her. audience can’t help but think that some of the (ofcourse),the contractsHIV shewhen that so much so renderedimmaterial, isJackson, bitch. The story of his wife, Jo, played by Janet all-too-commonthe cold,emasculating black to marriage his in himself assert to struggle Perry goes out of his way to emphasizeapplies,since title that Frank’sif sure not I’m again, Frank(played by OmariHardwick). But then fiercely closeted, self-hating bisexual husband, offers Perry bones, cliché asacrifice. as vision shange’s these to flesh bring To nigga.” “low-down the brother,” “down-low the nigga,” “crazy brother,”the “good the cardboard: thin such of made all The wholeThe spectacle of tim’s statement. He was also taking her voice. theexperienceing ofrape heastakesvichis Maybe that was because I was watching watching was I because was that Maybe I found myself waiting for Juanita, played for Juanita, waiting myself I found t a hatraigy iepwrn to disempowering heartbreakingly was It her save to nail and tooth fighting After Michael by played father, the time the By be to proves victim the blaming Indeed, the was place of out most the Perhaps — Mary Annaïse Heglar Annaïse — Mary atn t Exhale to Waiting For ColoredFor Girls stuff. my me , to ), felt ?” ------
THE INDYPENDENT DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 13 - Weekly —Publishers “This sober and sober “This unflinching analysisshould and read be with reckoned anyone by with concerned practicable the changein long-suffering region.” Haymarket Books.org New at at New
16
$ Reflections on Reflections Against War Israel’s Palestinians the
, Noam Chomsky and Ilan and Chomsky Noam , bluestockings Ilan Pappé Ilan Gaza in Crisis in Gaza tanding occupation of Palestine. of occupation tanding fallout from Israel’s conduct in Gaza and disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate, and In In Described by a UN fact-finding mission as “a deliberately terrorize a civilian population,” Israel’s Operation Cast Lead thrust the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip into the center the into Strip Gaza the in crisis humanitarian the thrust Pappé, Pappé, two of the issue’s most insightful and prominent critical voices, survey the place it into the context of Israel’s long- s of the debate about the Israel/Palestine conflict. Israel/Palestine the about debate the of Noam Chomsky VISIT BLUESTOCKINGS.COM VISIT by theby shop and support a small business for your all feminist and radical gifting needs. Gift certificates (for long-distance friends!) are alsoavailable at online bluestockings.com. And the in mood if you’re forknitting or poetry, check out: FREE • 4PM 19, DEC SUN MEET-UP: DYKE KNITTING CIRCLE. Come and in knit, make new friends, drink some tea and learn a craft group. at a self-help The and member-led Dyke Knitting Circle is open to levels all of queer experience and levels all of knitting proficiency. Bring yarn and needles. DEC 28, 7PM • $5 SUGGESTED READING: WOMEN’S/TRANS’ POETRY JAM & OPEN MIKE FEATURING MARIA MAZZIOTTI GILLAN & LAURA BOSS. Gillan weaves a tapestry life of a woman’s herin collection “In With What Pass We her book On.” Boss “Flashlight,” wields candidness,irony, and a vulnerable-fierceness. Hostedby Vittoria Repetto - the hardest working guinea butch dyke poet on the Lower East Side. Come out and deliver to) eight (up minutes of your poetry, prose, songs and spoken word. CARD GIFT A PURCHASE TO OR EVENTS DAILY OF LIST COMPLETE A FOR bluestockings radicalbookstore activist | centerfair trade | cafe ALLEN172 • 212-777-6028 ST. bluestockings.com Bluestockings doesn’t host many events but December, in don’t forget to come ------Heroic , and —Mike Newton Guerrillero Heroico has been reproduced into reproducedbeen has But the But main the of focus exhibi hauntingA series Brian by Mos to to be a conspicuous lack violence of in these real images of a vio per Discordant yet revolution. lent (who Figueroa José by photos sonal began his career as Korda’s assis tant) tant) show young Cubans reveling in banned rock’n’roll, and the ex hibit ends with the Cuban govern unauthorized on crackdown ment’s photographs — twin reminders of can sour. revolutions how tion, of course, is Che and Castro: the show finds themspeaking with foreign dignitaries, gazing out of hagiographic portraits, and playing even baseball, which looks a bit here imagery The beautiful strange. The Cu by chance. happen did not ban understood the revolutionaries power of a good photograph and spun they their deliberately histori cal moment into an aesthetic — a why are reasons (there even fashion cool). so were outfits their er shows the crowds around Che’s corpse right after he in was Bolivia killed in bearded, 1967 beatific — face, it’s with all un mistakably his Christ-like. If Guerrilla near-nothingness, perhaps a that’s natural consequence of turning men into symbols. Symbols, as we canknow, be erased.
------in front of his famous snapshot Indeed, Indeed, the revolution drew in The astute photos of Constan holding a 3 Cuban Peso banknote, which also bears his photo. PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS. ALBERTO KORDA ist domination there was now the sense of possibility for progressive social change — not just in Latin Americathroughout but the devel oping world.” from filmmakers and photographers in the the exhibition globe; around Cu native of work the just not cludes by images bans, also Brit but great photographers. French and U.S. ish, tino Arias, which document in life pre-revolutionary Cuba the 1940s from to 1950s, show drunk en tourists and lavish oil industry fêtes in vast ballrooms — doomed dor. Those photos are countered with harsher shots showing the charging a even minedand soldiers cavalry — propaganda, naturally, but still gripping, paganda as often is. good There are pro some harrowing photos but there seems was for young Latin Americans.After a century of brutal imperial dances of archaic, opulent splen realities of the period, people including struggling in less slums lot a feel (these unfortunately,images, archaic). The exhibit then moves into the thick MartinezTirso by and of photos with the revolution Andrew Saint-George scruffy guerrillas depicting in jungle camps in the Sierra Maestra. Elsewhere, we findpublic celebrations, deter ------Heroic Heroic Guer Shadows, Spec , 1960. (CAVALRY) CABALLERIA LA : “From the vantage revolution? , taken by AlbertoKorda, by taken , ou’ve ou’ve seen it on buttons T-shirts, and even bobble- heads: the high-contrast, La Coubre explosion. Fifty
, is at the center of “Cuba in
This photo, titled The exhibition stretches from the from stretches exhibition The Cuba’s communism still gener As filmmaker Jeffrey Skoller PHOTO: © The Corrales Estate, Havana, Cuba. Courtesy The International Art Heritage Foundation. RAÚL CORRALES, cropped image of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, radiating hardscrabbleidealism and a This image higher is so ubiquitous that it purpose. has become something of a ready- made parody: it’s a symbol seems that to symbolize When the only image itself. does earnest, appear though, in it appears as the badge of a revolutionary mindset, whichbut rilla Revolution,” a exhibition photojournalism at Center the of Photography International that vintagetures thanworks 180 more fea by 30 photographers. Guerrilla shows Che attending a memorial service in March 1960 for victims of the years later, it’s one of the most re produced photos in the world. 1940s through the 1959 uprising, cadre a and Castro Fidel Che, when of armed intellectuals then-President overthrew Fulgencio Batista’s brutal dictatorship. The ends show sixties. idealisticlate less the in ates heated debate — there are ar dent fans and bitter exiles. Look ing at these photographs, though, one can imagine that in that mo mentous burst, in rewriting of history, that it must have sudden been tremendously exciting. puts it in his book
ters, Shards point of the cynical 21st century, it is hard to understand just how romantic and full of meaning the victory of the Cuban Revolution Y
Looking at Che Looking “Cuba in Revolution” Center International of Photography 2011 9, Jan. Through Here’s Here’s 14 DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 THE INDYPENDENT age? Bowles and Simpson recommend cre recommend Simpson and Bowles age? retirement after on working keep labor can’t and physical hard at careers whole their keep low. wages helping workforce, casual and wage net minimum the of The ranks the swell to is result positions. often demanding temporary, physically low-wage, for have settle frequently to jobs find can who Those costs. insurance health boost possibly and money more demand will they fearing ers, work older shun employers many But ets. skyrock while seniors for eroding healthcare is of cost the benefits of value Security the the Social in because staying already, that are workforce be elderly wouldn’t More it simple. past But working age. keep retirement to moti by Americans — the vating benefit retire, lifetime you your later smaller the — So of Security cost cial long-term the is lower to objective The partly age. retirement gradually the would raise they feature, inflation protection Security’s Social eroding Besides 9 page from Continued Reaganomics And what about workers who spend spend who workers about what And further. even go Simpson and Bowles k press [email protected] * ak www.akpress.org book the by revolution tive! If you’re already a Friend, refer someone else and you’ll both get totes. Keep totes. get both you’ll and else someone refer Friend, a already you’re If tive! Coopera- Artists Justseeds the of MacPhee Josh by designed logo AK of Friends new the featuring bag tote stylish a get and program AK of Friends our for up Sign 20% discount on featured EVERYTHING in the AK Press Distribution catalog and on a to entitled also are and membership their of theduration for title Press AK new our publishing account. In return, Friends automatically receive a FREE copy of every into period, month three minimum a for month, per $25 of minimum a pay Friends thought findsitsrightfulplaceinourcommunities.Your contribution isintegralto our missionofcirculatinganarchistideasinaworlddesperatelyneedthem. The Friends of AK program helps ensure that anarchist history and contemporary andcontemporary The FriendsofAKprogramhelpsensurethatanarchisthistory Support AnarchistPublishing! AK Pressisoneoftheworld’s largestandmostproductiveanarchistpublishing working long hours for short money,working longhoursforshort newbooks andpublishingclosetotwenty on referring: for every additionalFriendyousignup,you’llgeta$20AKPress on referring:forevery houses. We’reentirelyworker-runandcollectivelywemanaged.Ninepeople Be ourfriend! the website, on ANY and EVERY ORDER. the website,onANYandEVERY gift certificate! each year! - - - - - age 65 at with a 2050career-average wage a in of $68,934 retires who Bowles-Simpson, worker 25-year-old under that calculates Washington, in group advocacy and search their lives in theypoverty than used to be. ending of danger more much in are ployers, longer enjoy pensions fromlifetime emtheir money. Members of the middle class, who no significant save to order in class middle the wage”would have to deepdownextend into “higher of definition the progressive, sound might that While workers. higher-wage for benefits cutting Security, Social means-test they eligible. if are out find to just ordeal face years-long a often disability for applying that workers overwhelmed so logical are they the But Disability be choice. would the program administer Insurance that other and agencies Administration Security Social The this? do would who And col to benefits? lect allowed being before to have evaluated be individual every and each Would defined? be work demanding” “physically How would work. would out how this accord spell don’t they But benefits schedule. current the to receiving ing start allowing to exemption,” them “hardship a ating For instance: Social Security Works, a re aWorks, Security Social instance: For to propose also Simpson and Bowles - - - - cans. On the road to extinction, that is. its way to irrelevance for a great many Ameri that generous a system to with. notbegin is Security Social one-third. than more by cut benefit Security Social her see would Such measures could include: could measures Such of living. standard healthier better, a creating and atmosphere the up cleaning jobs, of toward millions economy providing U.S. the redirect to how outline to hard not It’s one. technological a not problem, political and social a energy is future clean low-carbon, a toward world year. every manufactured cars million 80 the to it pare com you until lot a like sounds This years. large in 20 panels solar and 90,000 turbines wind million 3.8 building by renew sources from able come could energy global of percent 100 that claimed report American percent 62 recent more by A 2005. to compared emissions dioxide carbon U.S. reduce would alone This year. one in agencies intelligence and military on spend we what of half than less years, 40 next the over billion $420 of input the with 2050 by alone energy solar from needs electrical its of 69 percent obtain could States United the sources? energy renewable a campaign to force through real change? ditch fossil fuels? How are we going to mount possible?haverenewablewe Can andenergy environmentprotectingtheseriously, iswhat decade.” next over the use their expand rapidly to plan leaders military but forces, armed the by used power small the of a percentage only for account now energy able renew of po types a new These providing answer. as tential — years few past the over expensive less and reliable more come be have which — technologies renewable 11 page from Continued Cancún for way the clear would deal McConnell resistance. of least path appears same the it follow will and Democrats many began, it before fight that ducked Obama But billionaires. for breaks tax gain to hostage Americans ordinary of cuts tax the emphasizing holding were by Republicans that opinion public for battle the win to impossible been it have shouldn’t suffering, economic of time concessions. this minor During for return in measure the to opposition their end would they that signaling are Pelosi, Nancy Speaker including House Democrats, leading other press, As filibuster. a staging including proposal,” this defeat to can I “doeverything would he that said initially Vermont of Sanders Bernie Sen. deal. their concluded House White the and cans Republi while deliberations the of out left being at mad are Democrats Congressional AHEAD ROAD THE hifting • he e-regulating • nding • reating • Atthat rate, the program would be well on These examples indicate that moving the the moving that indicate examples These that in 2008 reported American Scientific from energy our all obtain we can First, take to refuse leaders elected our if So, the ofpassage Whatever case, the Obama- and toward renewables toward and S R immediately troops all withdrawing and E and infrastructure grid power electricity energy new a build C environment of the and protection safety of ests health,
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THE INDYPENDENT DECEMBER 15, 2010 – JANUARY 11, 2011 15 at 8PM and 9AM on MNN Channel 34 GRITtv Watch
------cov EXCURSIONS —Irina Ivanova The New York Times Times York New The As much as the items on display, the visit “Forgotten City Lights” runs through The City Reliquary is at 370 Metropolitan Metropolitan City The Reliquary 370 is at To reserve a spot for the Atlantic Tunnel
PHOTO:COURTESYFORGOTTEN-NY.COM OF PHOTO: FRANK REYNOSO FRANK PHOTO: floorapartment, still retainsits commend unpretentious ably aura. itself feels like going through someone’s at tic.On display is an entire wall photos of of the Statue of Liberty, a cornucopia of New City York tap water in a variety of contain ers and geological tidbits that tell the story Newof York. January and will be followed by an exhibi tion about pizza slices. HOW TO GET THERE: Ave.; Ave.; you can find them at (when they’re 718-782-4842 open) or at cityreliquary.org. accepted). are donations (but free Always The next two call tours tour, 718-941-3160. will take place Dec. 19 and Jan. 9. The tour costs $15, which goes to the Brooklyn His nonprofitcre the Association, toric Railway (visit tunnel the promote and preserve to ated flashlight. own your Bring brooklynrail.net). by more is created Project” Underbelly *“The than 100 street artists at an un undisclosed to believed location derground be the never- urban from interest of surge the show, the ered a surge prompted in explorers parallel police at presence the site, who have trespassing. since arrested for visitors 20 than more completed South completed 4th Street station in South After Williamsburg. ------to fund and
National Geographic he underground has minds been a on lot our lately, by spurred the “Underbelly largely Project” — the
Some of the old stations are well known. But there’s also at least one opportunity They show up to explore the Atlan Bob Diamond rediscovered the sealed-up Each tour is a unique experience; on a re theCity Inother NewstoriesYork: old of an overlooked often “show The lampposts Below the Street the Below street art exhibit staged in an unbuiltinaccessible and subway station, whose massive media coverage has reignited interest in ex ploring other unused, abandoned and out- of-the-way city property.* For an easy one, stay on the train downtown after 6 the last stop — Brooklyn Bridge aroundloopsthrough it as watchand the — old City Hall Station, which 1904 was and built closed in in 1945. The 18th station Street on the Lexington line and the 91st Street station on the Seventh were each Avenue closed linedown after the platforms of neighboring subway stations (located at Union Square and 86th Street, respectively) were lengthened in the 1940s can stillYou see them from and a passing train. 1950s. see to an abandoned station subway onfoot in downtown other Sunday, Every — legally. Brooklyn, hundreds of people line up by one a one, down in descend, manhole the and Avenue. Atlantic of middle tic Avenue tunnel, one of the most bragged- about, mythologized the also and lore, Transit York New in places and misunderstood world’s oldest subway tunnel 1861). until 1844 from (operational ever tours leading been has and 1982, in tunnel the about information includes tour His since. as well as tunnel, the of creation and discovery in faith your lose you make that’ll stories other wander you as again over all government city that underground damp slightly warm, the in tracks. train of impressions bears still cent December afternoon we heard stories of river pirates, German World War saboteurs, I-era Manhattan poison mountain gas ranges, and people five-foot-tallbelieve that the hidden far the endof rats. Many tunnel holds an abandoned steam locomo tive. Last year Bob announced madehe’d a deal with film the excavation, but the project iscontingent still on city approval. Reliquary, repository of all things endear inglyismusty,in the last month “Forgot of ten City Lights: A Photographic Archive of StreetwhichNYC’s Lampposts.” Theshow, is curated by Kevin Walsh, the blogger and webmaster of forgotten-ny.com, drawings,takenphotographsblueprintsand features by MTA employee Bob Mulero, beenwho’s photographing lampposts since the 1970s. history of the city that Herman, Dave residents andpassersby,” the is available to all museum’s founder, told me. Unlike many of the city’s community spaces, the Reliquary, which was founded in 2002 in a ground- fun and avoid the usual crowds.usual the avoid and fun the the holidays — do something T For those staying in NYC over ❆❆❆❆❆❆❆DONATE NOW❆❆❆❆❆❆❆ THE INDYPENDENT Help us reach our fundraising goal of $20,000. More than 250 people have already given over $13,000! ❆ ❆ ❆ Here is what some of our SUPPORTERS ARE SAYING: “The Indypendent has an utterly unique perspective. Locally, it takes readers into fierce community-based struggles for everything from affordable housing to food justice to immigrant rights. It also brings that same crusading grassroots perspective to national and international coverage, reporting on the whole world as a collection of neighborhoods, all struggling for justice — from Arizona and New Orleans to Bolivia and Afghanistan. I’ve been subscribing since the very first issue and it just keeps getting better. Please join me in supporting The Indypendent in whatever way you can.” —Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine
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