At the confirmation hearing of Jeff Sessions for attorney general, Desiree A. Fairooz said she merely giggled. Prosecutors gave a different account.
See https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/us/code-pink-sessions-laughter-trial.html.
Showing posts with label protest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protest. Show all posts
Friday, May 05, 2017
Friday, April 14, 2017
“How to Stand Up to Trump and Win”
Nicholas Kristof gives several ideas about standing up to Trump in a New York Times article, 2017-04-13. See https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/opinion/how-to-stand-up-to-trump-and-win.html.
When I forwarded the link to my wife, I added the comment "Don’t just hold a sign. Experts share how to resist and get results.”
When I forwarded the link to my wife, I added the comment "Don’t just hold a sign. Experts share how to resist and get results.”
Monday, January 30, 2017
Thousands of phone calls are better than thousands of protestors
I posted the following to the comments section of “The Alt-Majority: How Social Networks Empowered Mass Protests Against Trump”, Farhad Manjoo, New York Times, 2017-01-30
Anti-Trump demonstrations are shedding harsh light on much of Trump’s arrogance, but my big question is what percentage of the protestors voted.
As stated in the article, the protests are getting attention and making Trump nervous. But are the protests going to change the minds of those in Congress who enable Trump?
A better way to make a protest is to call your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives, even if they are Democrats. Calling Democrats will help give them more backbone.
The best way is to call, not send email or a letter. You can find your Senators phone numbers at https://www.senate.gov/ and your Representative’s number at http://www.house.gov/.
Keep your message brief: 200 words or less. Be polite. If you have a another message, don’t hesitate to call at another time.
Also call your state senators and representatives, especially if you live in a gerry-mandered state.
If you voted in the last election, the American people thank you. If you did not make sure to vote in each and every election from now on. And in your phone call, remind the office holder that you intend to vote.
The Trump White House doesn’t list a phone number, but it does have an email form at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact. Gosh, what would happen if every protester filled out this form. Would it bring down one of the White House servers?
Anti-Trump demonstrations are shedding harsh light on much of Trump’s arrogance, but my big question is what percentage of the protestors voted.
As stated in the article, the protests are getting attention and making Trump nervous. But are the protests going to change the minds of those in Congress who enable Trump?
A better way to make a protest is to call your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives, even if they are Democrats. Calling Democrats will help give them more backbone.
The best way is to call, not send email or a letter. You can find your Senators phone numbers at https://www.senate.gov/ and your Representative’s number at http://www.house.gov/.
Keep your message brief: 200 words or less. Be polite. If you have a another message, don’t hesitate to call at another time.
Also call your state senators and representatives, especially if you live in a gerry-mandered state.
If you voted in the last election, the American people thank you. If you did not make sure to vote in each and every election from now on. And in your phone call, remind the office holder that you intend to vote.
The Trump White House doesn’t list a phone number, but it does have an email form at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact. Gosh, what would happen if every protester filled out this form. Would it bring down one of the White House servers?
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
How to protest successfully
Many people are showing up at Trump rallies to show their opposition. However, their actions often just rile up the Trump supporters. A much more effective tactic would be to show up and do nothing. A quiet audience is the worst possible insult to the likes of Donald Trump.
By wearing anti-Trump T-shirts or carrying anti-Trump signs, protesters just energize the Trump supporters. But if a large part of his audience never applauded, never jeered, but just remained quiet, Trump wouldn’t know what to do, nor would many of his supporters.
Passive resistance like this can defuse many situations and make those who are the targets of the resistance feel very uncomfortable and unsure of their own positions.
I was very disappointed when Occupy Wall Street changed from lots of people carrying signs to a few people camping out in public spaces. These squatters generated more antipathy than sympathy.
When somebody is shot, whether by police or by a bad guy shooting a cop, riots or demonstrations are not the answer. Riots reduce the sympathy for the victim, and even distract from getting justice. The best possible response is flowers at the site of the shooting.
Gandhi and King led the way on non-violent protest. We dishonor them by even unduly disruptive behavior.
By wearing anti-Trump T-shirts or carrying anti-Trump signs, protesters just energize the Trump supporters. But if a large part of his audience never applauded, never jeered, but just remained quiet, Trump wouldn’t know what to do, nor would many of his supporters.
Passive resistance like this can defuse many situations and make those who are the targets of the resistance feel very uncomfortable and unsure of their own positions.
I was very disappointed when Occupy Wall Street changed from lots of people carrying signs to a few people camping out in public spaces. These squatters generated more antipathy than sympathy.
When somebody is shot, whether by police or by a bad guy shooting a cop, riots or demonstrations are not the answer. Riots reduce the sympathy for the victim, and even distract from getting justice. The best possible response is flowers at the site of the shooting.
Gandhi and King led the way on non-violent protest. We dishonor them by even unduly disruptive behavior.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Pain for the low, gain for the high
Labor unrest and union activity seem to be gaining. Some workers even they feel they have to sacrifice their jobs so that others may have it better.
"[We] know we will probably lose our jobs, but if we accept these concessions, standards for bakers and other workers will keep going down. We are taking it on the chin for workers all over." - a striking Hostess employee
"Some companies need to make cuts to say alive. Firms don't always have a choice about how to run themselves and closings and concessions are part of business," said Kurtz. ""You can't just have a visceral reaction. Both sides need to be involved in a thoughtful process." - Dave Kurtz, a partner in the Edwards Wildman's Labor & Employment Group.
"And workers are saying to companies, 'why do we have to take cuts when other parts of your business, like suppliers are not. Why is it on our backs?'" - Jim Matthews, a partner at Fox Rothschild and co-chair of the firm's Labor and Employment practice
Have you heard of many cuts in the executive suite? How many $4,000/hour executives are willing to cut their pay by even ten percent. That cut would provide twenty $10/hour jobs (assuming that overhead costs may match direct pay).
The above quotes are from "Beyond Twinkies: Why More Workers Are Striking", Mark Koba, CNBC, 2012-11-16.
The article also has a link to an interview with Colby Harris, a protesting Wal-Mart employee in Dallas.
See also "So you want to join a union", Part I and Part II.
"[We] know we will probably lose our jobs, but if we accept these concessions, standards for bakers and other workers will keep going down. We are taking it on the chin for workers all over." - a striking Hostess employee
"Some companies need to make cuts to say alive. Firms don't always have a choice about how to run themselves and closings and concessions are part of business," said Kurtz. ""You can't just have a visceral reaction. Both sides need to be involved in a thoughtful process." - Dave Kurtz, a partner in the Edwards Wildman's Labor & Employment Group.
"And workers are saying to companies, 'why do we have to take cuts when other parts of your business, like suppliers are not. Why is it on our backs?'" - Jim Matthews, a partner at Fox Rothschild and co-chair of the firm's Labor and Employment practice
Have you heard of many cuts in the executive suite? How many $4,000/hour executives are willing to cut their pay by even ten percent. That cut would provide twenty $10/hour jobs (assuming that overhead costs may match direct pay).
The above quotes are from "Beyond Twinkies: Why More Workers Are Striking", Mark Koba, CNBC, 2012-11-16.
The article also has a link to an interview with Colby Harris, a protesting Wal-Mart employee in Dallas.
See also "So you want to join a union", Part I and Part II.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Quote of the day: Governance
"The big difference is that the protesters don’t believe in governance." "The Possum Republicans", David Brooks, New York Times, 2012-02-29.
Brooks wrote that the protesters of the Tea Party and the professionals may agree on the issues, but that the protesters would rather make a statement of belief than get any legislation passed. He has many more right-on observations in this column on the polarizations within the party creating legislative polarizations.
Brooks wrote that the protesters of the Tea Party and the professionals may agree on the issues, but that the protesters would rather make a statement of belief than get any legislation passed. He has many more right-on observations in this column on the polarizations within the party creating legislative polarizations.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Protesting is great, but voting is better
Google, Wikipedia, and others did a great job of mobilizing people to protest SOPA and PIPA.
It would be even better if they mobilize people to vote in November. Not support any candidate, but just get people to show up and vote.
I sent feedback to Google and Wikimedia about this. I hope you will do the same and encourage your friends to do the same. We have to stop "landslides" of less than half the eligible voters.
Please pass this entry to your friends. It's URL is http://magree.blogspot.com/2012/01/protesting-is-great-but-voting-is.html
It would be even better if they mobilize people to vote in November. Not support any candidate, but just get people to show up and vote.
I sent feedback to Google and Wikimedia about this. I hope you will do the same and encourage your friends to do the same. We have to stop "landslides" of less than half the eligible voters.
Be the demōs in democracy!
Vote!
Please pass this entry to your friends. It's URL is http://magree.blogspot.com/2012/01/protesting-is-great-but-voting-is.html
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Suit with cigar, another update
Was the suit with the cigar at the Occupy Twin Ports demonstration a real counter-protester or was he a spoof? See "Occupy Twin Ports, 12 Oct. 2011" and "The suit with the cigar, an update".
One friend opined that he was a "Colbert", meaning that he was doing a Stephen Colbert skit.
Today another friend said she was sticking her sign in front to the suit whenever she could. She said that he said he had never smoked a cigar before. I guess that clinches that he was spoofing.
BTW, I looked up Stephen Colbert and went to http://www.colbertnation.com. There was a wonderful section with Harry Belafonte. The interview was a good mix of humor and seriousness.
One friend opined that he was a "Colbert", meaning that he was doing a Stephen Colbert skit.
Today another friend said she was sticking her sign in front to the suit whenever she could. She said that he said he had never smoked a cigar before. I guess that clinches that he was spoofing.
BTW, I looked up Stephen Colbert and went to http://www.colbertnation.com. There was a wonderful section with Harry Belafonte. The interview was a good mix of humor and seriousness.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Counter-demonstration or government attack
Al-Jazeera and others seem unwilling to call the "pro-Mubarak" demonstrators for what they are without more details. I think these "demonstrators'" methods speak rather clearly.
If they were counter-demonstrators, they would use the same tactics as the anti-government demonstrators. They would march, hold signs, and chant slogans. They would not come in on horses and camels and beat those of another opinion. They would not drop stones, cement blocks, and fire bombs from buildings.
Proving that these pro-Mubarak people are security police is another matter. But consider that the security police were outmaneuvered and outmanned by the anti-government demonstrators. Maybe they disappeared for a few days to regroup and come back in another guise.
If they were counter-demonstrators, they would use the same tactics as the anti-government demonstrators. They would march, hold signs, and chant slogans. They would not come in on horses and camels and beat those of another opinion. They would not drop stones, cement blocks, and fire bombs from buildings.
Proving that these pro-Mubarak people are security police is another matter. But consider that the security police were outmaneuvered and outmanned by the anti-government demonstrators. Maybe they disappeared for a few days to regroup and come back in another guise.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Change with a carrot instead of a stick
I was wandering around the New York Times and was attracted to a Freakonomics article "How Much Do Protests Matter?" I surprised myself by reading many of the following comments. One comment completely diverted my attention; it mentioned the Carrot Mob.
The about page of the Carrot Mob had a 10-minute video that kept my short attention span attentive. Essentially, they take bids among business for some improvement; in this case, liquor stores in a give area were asked to bid on a percentage of sales they were willing to commit to energy efficiency. The winning bid was 22 percent!
The owner's son said they typically gross $1,000-2,000 per day. He guessed that the partial day sale, I think it was two or three hours, would gross $5,000. It grossed over $9,000 for that short period.
With that money, they made several energy improvements, including new seals on their coolers.
The Carrot Mob idea has caught on in several states and countries. The next Carrot Mob is in Brooklyn, NY on August 23. The Mob will descend on a Deli that bid 21% for whatever. I didn't take much care in reading the rather disjointed announcement. See http://brooklyn.carrotmob.org for your own take on what is going on.
The about page of the Carrot Mob had a 10-minute video that kept my short attention span attentive. Essentially, they take bids among business for some improvement; in this case, liquor stores in a give area were asked to bid on a percentage of sales they were willing to commit to energy efficiency. The winning bid was 22 percent!
The owner's son said they typically gross $1,000-2,000 per day. He guessed that the partial day sale, I think it was two or three hours, would gross $5,000. It grossed over $9,000 for that short period.
With that money, they made several energy improvements, including new seals on their coolers.
The Carrot Mob idea has caught on in several states and countries. The next Carrot Mob is in Brooklyn, NY on August 23. The Mob will descend on a Deli that bid 21% for whatever. I didn't take much care in reading the rather disjointed announcement. See http://brooklyn.carrotmob.org for your own take on what is going on.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Censorship and anti-censorship
There are great leaks in the dam of Iranian censorship.
Where's the wrist with the green band in this picture from Iran's Press TV?
Mohsen Shadi bags Iran 1st world rowing gold
But then the comments include the following:
** beginning of selected comments. Copied 2009-07-29 20:04 CDT
Ghasem
Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:43:42 GMT
Just I came here to see you cut his hand in picture!
The Yellow Blue
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:07:23 GMT
Not only wrists, they can even cut heads, tongues, eyes, ears, etc...!
nndreza
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:17:51 GMT
DO NOT WORRY EVERY BODY!! all comments will be deleted lool
** end of selected comments **
If you would like to see the original picture, go to
Mohsen Shadi Naghadeh Pictures - FIS World Rowing U23 Championships - Day Four - Zimbio
Where's the wrist with the green band in this picture from Iran's Press TV?
Mohsen Shadi bags Iran 1st world rowing gold
But then the comments include the following:
** beginning of selected comments. Copied 2009-07-29 20:04 CDT
Ghasem
Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:43:42 GMT
Just I came here to see you cut his hand in picture!
The Yellow Blue
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:07:23 GMT
Not only wrists, they can even cut heads, tongues, eyes, ears, etc...!
nndreza
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:17:51 GMT
DO NOT WORRY EVERY BODY!! all comments will be deleted lool
** end of selected comments **
If you would like to see the original picture, go to
Mohsen Shadi Naghadeh Pictures - FIS World Rowing U23 Championships - Day Four - Zimbio
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