[OBupdates] Occupy Boston Update, III

Sun Dec 23 11:05:17 EST 2012

*Greetings!

Three things to talk about in the car:

   - An exception to the frighteningly narrow debate about the Newtown
   massacre (below) courtesy of http://truth-out.org/

   - A hurricane relief center being closed down by the New York Housing
   Authority, see below and at
   http://www.facebook.com/OccupySandyReliefNyc?fref=ts
   - Changing direction and heading to an Occupy the NRA demonstration:
   http://www.facebook.com/OccupyTheNRA<http://www.facebook.com/OccupyTheNRA--don’t>Brooklyn
and Manhatten, 4:15 pm TODAY.
   (Don’t worrry if you missed today’s, there are going to be lots!)

Forward!

Save the Date for the next OB Strike Debt Meeting, Jan. 14. Check the OB
calendar for details as they become available. The Rolling Jubilee sent out
its first debt forgiveness letters this week, talk about your Xmas magic:
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/12/the_rolling_jub.php
http://www.occupyboston.org/
http://strikedebt.org/

http://350newengland.org/ is organzing buses from Boston to Portland ME for
a Tar Sands Free Northeast demo on 1/23 and 1/26.

Occupy Kalamazoo is gearing up to host NAT GAT 13, some time at the end of
August.  I had a nice conversation with Kalamazoo Chris yesterday and
learned a lot about Kalamazoo, its enormous homeless population (I think he
said 7th largest in the U.S.) and the Gandhian techniques that OK uses to
diffuse conflict. Look for the Kalamazoo proposal on the NAT GAT facebook
page and stay tuned for the appearance of an InterOccupy Hub which will
make all the information accessible to FB and non-FB alike.
http://www.facebook.com/OccupyNationalGathering

Occupy Kalamazoo’s proposal:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EtlKB69uYI3QmsA2b1q9fFTdE3GUbs3L2N9L6zj7hO8/edit

Below, an announcement about a workshop on how to form Resiliency
Circlesthat will take place in PA on 1/5. This network has all the
advantages of
microlocal with the power of a network.

OB General Assembly Schedule Change: Consented to 11/25/12: the General
Assembly will meet twice a month starting immediately: the first Tuesday of
each month from 7-9:30 and the third Sunday of each month from 4-5:30. (On
Sunday the GA will be followed immediately by the Strategic Action
Assembly, starting half an hour after its usual 5 p.m. Sunday start time.)

Join the Community Forum List Serv! This is the best way to get keep in
touch with OB. https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/community_forum

A.
http://arialittlhous.blogspot.com/

Jumps!Gun Ownership Is a Hobby, Not a RightTuesday, 18 December 2012 10:20  By
Salvatore Babones <http://truth-out.org/author/itemlist/user/46660>,
Truthout <http://truth-out.org/> | Op-Ed

   -
   <http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/13378-gun-ownership-is-a-hobby-not-a-right?tmpl=component&print=1>
   - Sure, some people can use guns safely. Some people can also smoke
   crack safely, drink and drive safely and handle explosives safely. We don't
   let them because too many other people can't.

In the wake of every horrific school shooting comes the predictable call
for gun control. Just as predictably comes the crazy counter-argument: If
only the teachers had been armed, the shooting could have been prevented.
Shootout at the OK Elementary School.

The simple fact is that guns are not compatible with 21st century civilized
life. We should get rid of them. If we can't get rid of them today, we
should at least start the process of getting rid of them for the future.
The world needs a future without guns.
No one should have guns. Not criminals, not responsible citizens, not the
police. Guns should be safely locked away for use in a serious emergency
and issued to police officers on a limited basis only when necessary. Even
most police don't need guns.
What about criminals? They have guns. Don't we need guns to fight them
with? Sure, maybe for a while. But after a hundred years with no guns, the
supply will dry up even for criminals. We should be planning for the
future, not arming for the present.
What about the Constitution? Gun rights are enshrined in the Second
Amendment to the US Constitution. Well, I have news for Constitutional
fundamentalists: The US Constitution has been changed 27 times. It can be
changed again.
Lest we forget, the Second Amendment was itself a change to the
Constitution. That's why we call it an "amendment." It wasn't there at
first.
In fact, the Second Amendment only prevents the federal government from
infringing "the right to keep and bear Arms." States could have all the gun
control they want if it weren't for the later 14th Amendment that extends
rights under the federal Constitution to apply to state actions as well.
Even this thin reed of gun rights has only existed since 2010. In the 2010
McDonald v. Chicago case, the activist US Supreme Court reversed 142 years
of precedent to extend the meaning of the 14th Amendment to prohibit states
from prohibiting guns.
To read more articles by Salvatore Babones and other authors in the Public
Intellectual Project, click
here<http://truth-out.org/public-intellectual-project>
.
It did so by a 5-4 margin. In other words, the nationwide Constitutional
protection for gun ownership only came into existence in 2010 (not 1791)
and even then by one single vote. So much for the everlasting, inalienable
right to own a gun.
No, the fact that there are so many guns in America has nothing to do with
the Constitution. It has much more to do with lobbying by gun manufacturers
and gun owners. The power of the gun lobby is insane. So is the rhetoric of
gun owners, with all this talk about prying things out of cold, dead hands.
I understand that not every gun owner is insane. Many people own guns to
protect themselves. That's not insane. It's just misguided. Your gun is
statistically more likely to be used to hurt people you love than to
protect them.
Millions of other responsible adults simply like to play with guns, and are
able to do so safely. People like to collect them, hunt animals with them,
or just go shoot them for the fun of it. If that's sanity, so be it. We all
have our hobbies.
But not all hobbies are created equal. Some hobbies are inherently
dangerous, to ourselves and to others. Sure, some people can use guns
safely. Some people can also smoke crack safely, drink and drive safely and
handle explosives safely. We don't let them because too many other people
can't.
Sometimes we have to accept that what's safe fun for us may be just too
dangerous for others, and that we have to make sacrifices for the common
good. Any parent with children of different ages understands this. The
6-year-old can't have a toy with small parts because the 3-year-old might
try to eat one and choke to death.
Gun ownership is a great hobby. It was fun while it lasted. But easy access
to guns is incompatible with daily life in 21st century society. There are
no bandits on the prairie. There are no wolves at the door. It's time to
get rid of guns. If that means a 28th change to the Constitution, so be it.
It's worth it.

2. Join us for a one-day training to start a "Resilience Circle"!

Saturday, January 5, 2013
9am - 3pm
PIttsburgh, PA

Co-sponsored by the New Economy Working Group of the Thomas Merton Center
A Resilience Circle is a small group of 10 – 20 people that works together
to increase resilience during these challenging times. Circles have three
purposes: learning, mutual aid, and social action. Formerly known as
“Common Security Clubs,” these circles promise to move us beyond the good
work we’re doing in our own backyards and into effective group actions that
help us all navigate the future more successfully.
In this one-day session, Resilience Circle trainers will lead us through
the basics of creating and supporting a group, the available materials for
working with a group, and ideas for moving forward. Attendees will go home
with greater confidence in their ability to convene and “hold space” for a
small local group to work together on mutual support and
resilience-building.
Cost is $15 per person for the day but no one is turned away for lack of
funds; contact info at localcircles.org if this fee is a hardship.
------------------------------

Resilience Circles<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=svifh5SAfmmg8eNjYOtwdYP5S6mLcl3N>(also
called Common Security Clubs) strengthen communities, allowing
neighbors to come together to get to know each another, find inspiration,
and have fun while preparing for economic change. Our website is
http://localcircles.org/<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=vTZDB6qgPGwdfW8JRcyJJYP5S6mLcl3N>.

Immediate Action via Occupy Sandy ReliefHurricane Distribution Center being
shut down by New York City Housing Authority!
The 57th Street Action Center has been operating as the central emergency
distribution hub for the Arverne Queens area at the Ocean Bay Apartment
houses since Hurricane Sandy struck the NYC area. The center distributes
food, supplies, medical, and legal services to those still living in
unhealthy environments. There are still 10,000 people living without power
in Rockaway alone and the action center is under the threat of being closed
down by its landlord, the New York City Housing Authority.
Action Center Director Aria Doe met with the New York Housing Authority
yesterday and was told on December 28th “we have to have everything cleared
out of the building so they can do “cleaning”. They won't work around the
distribution, and want us out. We were told to stop taking donations, to
send all that we have to the Mayors programs, to close the medical and
legal clinics and to send our folks to medical units 40 blocks away”
It seems only too obvious that the City is attempting to stop the visual
lines that show continued incompetence in dealing with post Sandy recovery.
NYCHA will not give a clear timeline for when the cleaning is to be over
and when the Action Center volunteers can return. “NYCHA has the
opportunity to drag this out as long as they want to, and hinted in the
meeting that was what was going to happen. They have been known to take 6
months to change a lock.” said Ms. Doe. “We cannot abandon our people now.
It is even more critical that we have a presence in the community with the
cold weather, escalating health hazards, and historically, what takes place
in the dark to the poor, when no one is standing watch.”
The Action Center still has between 600 and 800 residents coming through
their lines on a daily basis. Ms. Doe spent last week surveying the lines
of residents coming for help. When residents were questioned with “why do
you still come to the line day after day” here were some of their answers:
1. I have no gas without the hot food my family and kids will not eat
properly.2. I need follow-up medical care and I can’t get it. 3. I need
bottled water because I am afraid to drink the rusty water in the housing
units.4. I have no heat, the blankets and clothing helps provide it.5. I am
unable to clean my cloths, the kid’s cloths, etc. 6. I constantly need the
cleaning products because no one has come to fully clean the apartments.7.
I cannot afford to make a co-pay of $45 dollars at the clinic and have no
money for medicine and to see a doctor.8. I lost my job and have nothing
without what you are providing.9. FEMA denied my claim and I have nothing
without what you provide me.10. Everyone in my support system was effected
so those I would go to for help need help themselves.11. I work but have
used all my money for transportation, and to replace what was lost I can’t
get what I currently need without you.12. I am old and can’t walk 40 blocks
away to other services. 13. I need help to understand what is going on. 14.
You are the only people who will listen and try to help us
The only train (the H) is not working consistently, most residents who had
cars lost them, and many are sick with small children, and have to stay
close to one another at home. They lack cab fare, and can't transport the
needed supplies on buses.
“I just know our voice, presence and real time relief is still needed so we
can’t abandon our residents. We need to once again make the impossible
possible and show without a doubt we can't be stopped” says Ms. Doe
pleading for help from anyone who can offer it.
Ms Doe and her team of volunteers are tirelessly seeing a new home for
their distribution center and praying that someone at NYCHA can postpone
their imminent shut
down.{RS}.http://theactioncenter.leadev.com/<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftheactioncenter.leadev.com%2F&h=CAQFWnj8zAQFfBFYYkb16q0p1i1OiyeC1ZLmPJWnlBvrLLA&s=1><http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftheactioncenter.leadev.com%2F&h=CAQFWnj8zAQFfBFYYkb16q0p1i1OiyeC1ZLmPJWnlBvrLLA&s=1>Full
Page <http://theactioncenter.leadev.com/>
theactioncenter.leadev.com
The Action Center - Changing Lives in the Rockaway
Community<http://theactioncenter.leadev.com/>
<http://theactioncenter.leadev.com/>

*

-- 
"Our goal is a society that prioritizes the needs of all before the profits
of the few." passed by Occupy Boston General Assembly 11/29/11
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