I'm tired of the GOP already!

I wish I could come up with some new news for anyone who might be reading this, but so far, I can only direct you to keep reading the
http://www.nyc.indymedia.org
website for updates on whatever happens today, which might be quite a bit of civil disobedience.
Sounds like the War Resisters' League die-in folks got arrested in big numbers both at Ground Zero downtown and near the garden.
Based on what I just read on the indymedia newswire, it seems as if the major civil disobedience actions all happened this evening around Union Square and MSG. The police arrested somewhere between 650 and 800 people this afternoon and evening. This is all based simply on following indymedia reports: at least 11 of their reporters were arrested. Large numbers of bystanders were arrested. People were told to disperse from sidewalks. People were penned in with barricades and with the orange plastic fencing that they've been using here and were unable to leave, then arrested in mass numbers.
While this was going on, Arnold Schwarzenegger was giving a speech in which he praised Richard Nixon and described Hubert Humphrey as a "socialist." I don't know if it was his accent, or the virtual sound of jackboots outside, but no one on an American political stage has sounded this much like a Nazi to me.
I wrote this earlier in the day... Based on what I read tonight, I imagine that these folks got arrested.
here's an action that looks OK: "flashmob street party" -- I found this on the indymedia open postings site. I can't do it, because I'll be teaching at that hour. Anyone who goes, write comments here.

EVERYBODY COME OUT FOR THIS PARTY
DETAILS: Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 6 pm
1. Register your cellphone at www.txtmob.com
2. Join the a31streetparty group.
3. Be at midtown at 5:45 PM and watch your phone!BRING confetti costumes instruments drums friends and a whole lotta attitude!Location: Unspecified, will be relayed to activists via text messaging for cell phones at txtmob.com (group name on txtmob is a31streetparty) and it will also be available via the voice mail at 212 561 0746 and we will post it on the web at counter convention. Moving. Bring what you want to see take place at the street party (ie, soccer balls, food, music, whatever you can think of).The theme of this party is celebration of our solidarity as activists, asserting the idea that the streets of Manhattan are public domain, and transforming the space around us to reflect our vision of a better world. While we will not be inviting arrest and will do our best to maneuver around it, we will proceed with the awareness that that 31st is a day of direct action and police may consider the street party a form of direct action. Those who wish to participate but choose to not risk arrest will be accommodated to the best of the abilities of the participating groups and individuals. In following, we ask that the environment of the street party remain chemical and alcohol free. We are committed to recognizing that people of color, trans folks, undocumented people, and people with disabilities are targeted disproportionately and more severely by the police and court systems. We ask that people with privilege step up to deal with police and law enforcement officials and that people with less privilege step up to speak to the media. We are a coalition of musicians, artists, and activists who are calling for a moving street party on the evening of Aug 31, a day of direct action against the RNC. We intend to stay in locations until we come to consensus as a group to move to a new location or until we feel compelled by the situation to move. We will use navigators and bike scouts to help direct the group with regard to demands from law enforcement and requests from other groups performing actions in the area. We will disperse from party locations following our navigators and the music in all directions available, forming smaller street parties which will then move to the next location. Decisions will be made by the group using a three-quarters consensus model: meaning that sometimes we will move forward, despite 25% blocks. However, the actual stopping points will be designated by a committee of roughly ten organizers/navigators who are representatives of the various affinity groups taking part in the action. This is to ensure that fewer police will be involved in knowing what we're doing and to raise our unpredictability factor while providing representation for as many groups partaking as possible. We ask that any direct action that groups/individuals decide to take within the street party is done with careful consideration of its implications upon the whole group. And, that any action is taken in a space designated for such action after notifying the navigators. This will help the navigators coordinate the group activities and provide as much protection as possible for those who can not be involved in other actions. It will also allow navigators to relate the current situation as described by the scouts to those intending to perform an action thereby ensuring that the action is performed with as much security as possible. We are committed to supporting actions that will be taking place throughout the city at the same time. And, hope to be able to lend our festivities and energy to raise the spirits of and provide support for those groups involved in other actions. One additional possibility for an after party is that the street party could, as other actions wind down if they do without all being rounded up, collect those remaining into an even larger street party and perhaps move down towards 1 police plaza to show solidarity with the legal support who will be there. In getting back downtown, depending on how tired people are, we might use a subway and have a subway party on our way downtown. Again, this could all be worked out by navigators/consensus of people still out on the streets.

dime's worth of difference!

My absolutely favorite librarian sent me this link today:
http://www.will.uiuc.edu/am/mediamatters/default.htm

Some of you will find this just terrible, but it's worth listening to Bob McChesney and Alex Cockburn. Did you know, for instance, that Kerry works with Rand Beers ? ugh! There are many callers who argue for the differences between the Republicans and Democrats.

protests are more fun than a lot of things

I Just got back from the big protest from MSG to Union Square. My experience of the march was probably like that of many others. It was VERY hot. It was VERY big. What is it about protesting that creates inhospitable weather? Near-frostbite on F15, near-heatstroke on A29? Since this is my blog, I feel free to talk about what's really important.
I marched with my book-group, We were ready to line up at 18th and 7th avenue at about 10:30 and stood there, looking for shade, using porta-johns, talking to people about their cool signs for about an hour, then lined up to march and stood around and waited some more. The march was really big, and had a happy, festive atmosphere, despite the hovering helicopters. One of the best signs looked as if it had been drawn by somebody's kid: "liar, liar, pants on fire" and had a primitively-drawn picture of George Bush in flaming jeans.
Later in the march, some people behind us chanted: "liar, liar pants on fire...hope you burn your ASS!"
Also, this same group chanted "George Bush"... "Coked-up Cowboy!"
On that theme, saw a sign "George Bush, AA Candidate" which had a picture of Bush carrying a bottle of gin in one hand and holding the globe on a pitchfork w/the other.
Basically, it was like that for most of the day. We got to the Madison Square garden, having added some members to our group and lost some others due to the heat and crowding. It was exciting to be at MSG next to the huge Fox news sign where we did some more chants created by the people around us:
"No Bush, No Dick -- Only the NY Nicks!" and also sang "na na na na, hey... Goodbye."
We saw the crazy Christians after the march turned, a few scattered pro-Bush people, and the "protest warrior" people on the corner. silly, silly. Few bothered with them. Also there was a couple: "men without pants against Bush" and "women who support men without pants against Bush." very funny.
At the turn in front of the grad center, and back down toward Union Square it was more spread out, cooler and kind of leisurely. I got some water and met up w/my librarian pal for some hugging and an important news update, then went downtown. Union square was full of happy protestors, unbothered by cops, shoppers or bushies. I milled for a while, then rode home, chatting w/fellow protestor families all the way.
Now it's off to the brooklyn bbq for more recap and analysis. The only trouble? My friend Chris called from California after he saw (on CSPAN) a black block catch fire to a paper-maiche dragon in front of MSG. According to the indymedia site, WBAI has suggested that the "anarchists" who did this were under-cover cops. We'll see. Keep tuned to your alternative media, folks, and stay awake!

more news sites

http://www.truthout.org/rnc04.shtml
William Rivers Pitt and co. are in town covering the RNC. That's their news page.

don't forget to watch for regular updates on:
http://www.nyc.indymedia.org

and of course, there's
http://www.democracynow.org

and http://www.wbai.org

First notes on the Critical Mass
by NYC Indymedia
28 Aug 2004

The first wave of posts on tonight's Critical Mass have come in. The ride was New York's largest critical mass, with well over 5,000 bikes.Gathering at Union Square in the middle of Manhattan at 7 p.m. and departing at 7:30, oil-free transportation stretched across all horizons around Union Square. First pedaling south down Broadway and then rerouting north on Madison and Sixth avenues, Critical Mass consisted of a 45 block long brigade of cyclists, skaters and pedestrians. The ride lasted about 2 hours, performed its traditional occupation of Times Square and rode past Madison Square Garden (MSG), site of the RNC.Approximately 800 Critical Massers ended up at St. Mark's church in lower Manhattan, sanctuary for the protest and home to much of the organizing for the counter RNC mobilizing. Upon arriving at the church, the Critical Mass riders hoisted their bikes into the air, waving them overhead as they unleashed a long unified victory cry.The celebratory mood at St. Mark's lasted only fifteen minutes though before police moved and began arresting participants. Critical Mass riders elsewhere were caught and arrested by New York City Police along the way. Several riders were taken down after passing MSG, dozens more were arrested at the Lincoln Tunnel.Video of the evening being processed by the Indymedia Center right now shows the regrettably predictable violent nature of the arrests. Caught on tape are images of protesters being thrown off their bicycles, heads beaten into the asphalt, then cuffed with plastic flexi-cuffs. Pedestrians milling about also unfortunately fell victim to the cops, getting pulled off the street and arrested too. The latest reports put the total amount of arrested riders and bystanders at 250 people.for more info, go to : http://www.nyc.indymedia.org
and see
also: http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/082904Z.shtml

it's all starting

It's all starting now. Go here and get yer schedule:
http://www.rncguide.com/
Also, check out
http://nyc.indymedia.org/ and
www.indymedia.org to get updates on what's happening.
Wear your earplugs

more stuff to do during the convention

http://marchonthemedia.org/
just got this in my mailbox from FAIR, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting.

Fox News Tuesday, August 31st 2004 04:00 pmNew York, NY USAThe Official Republican National ConventionFox News “Shut-up-a-thon”Join Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly in shouting, “Shut up!”(his favorite line) in front of Fox’s corporate HQ. You won’t want to miss the spectacular moves of the “Fox News Republican Cheerleaders” – guaranteed to leave you stupefied**An Oct. 2003 study by the University of Maryland found that people who rely on the Fox News Channel as their main news source are wildly misinformed about key issues regarding the Iraq war and that the more they watch, the more misinformed they are.Location: Fox 1211 Ave. of Americas (btwn. 47th & 48th) New York Contact:Jeff Grublersideshowjeff@hotmail.com415-385-5956Sponsored By:Brought to you by CODEPINK, Houston Global Awareness, Ronald Reagan Home for the Criminally Insane, The Tejas Bloc and more. http://www.insanereagan.com/

Oh yeah, at all actions, don't forget to bring your eargplugs.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/082704C.shtml

every day is a bob kaufman day

BOB KAUFMAN
ABOMUNIST MANIFESTO

ABOMUNISTS JOIN NOTHING BUT THEIR HANDS OR LEGS,
OR OTHER SAME.
ABOMUNIST SPIT ANTI-POETRY FOR POETIC REASONS
AND FRINK.
ABOMUNISTS DO NOT LOOK AT PICUTRES PAINTED
BY PRESIDENTS AND UNEMPLOYD PRIME MINISTERS.
IN TIMES OF NATIONAL PERIL, ABOMUNISTS, AS REALITY
AMERICANS, STAND READY TO DRINK THEMSELVES
TO DEATH FOR THEIR COUNTRY.
ABOMUNISTS DO NOT FEEL PAIN, NO MATTER HOW MUCH
IT HURTS.
ABOMUNISTS DO NOT USE THE WORD SQUARE EXCEPT WHEN
TALKING TO SQUARES.
ABOMUNISTS READ NEWSPAPERS ONLY TO ASCERTAIN THEIR
ABOMINUBILITY.
ABOMUNISTS NEVER CARRY MORE THAN FIFTY DOLLARS
IN DEBTS ON THEM.
ABOMUNISTS BELIEVE THAT THE SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS
OF RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY IS TO HAVE A CATHOLIC
CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT AND PROTESTANT
CANDIDATE FOR POPE. ABOMUNISTS DO NOT WRITE FOR MONEY; THEY WRITE
THE MONEY ITSELF.
ABOMUNISTS BELIEVE ONLY WHAT THEY DREAM ONLY
AFTER IT COMES TRUE.
ABOMUNISTS CHILDREN MUST BE REARED ABOMUNIBLY.
ABOMUNIST POETS, CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW LITERARY
FORM "FOOT-PRINTISM' HAS FREED THE ARTIST
OF OUTMODED RESTRICTIONS, SUCH AS: THE ABILITY TO
READ AND WRITE, OR THE DESIRE TO COMMUNICATE,
MUST BE PREPARED TO READ THEIR WORK AT DENTAL
COLLEGES, EMBALMING SCHOOLS, HOMES FOR UNWED MOTHERS, HOMES FOR WED MOTHERS, INSANE ASYLUMS,
USO CANTEENS, KINDERGARTENS, AND COUNTY JAILS.
ABOMUNISTS NEVER COMPROMISE THEIR REJECTIONARY PHILOSOPHY. ABOMUNISTS REJECT EVERYTHING EXCEPT SNOWMEN.
[1959]
Kaufman, Bob, Abominist Manifesto (broadside), San Francisco, City Lights, 1959.

The Republicans Are Coming

Some cool sites related to incipient Republican invasion:

http://www.codepinkalert.org/index.shtml

http://www.greenedragon.org/
we ran into the revere ride. "The Republicans are coming, hide your children!"

http://www.bikesagainstbush.com/
I met this guy earlier in the Summer. He's young and energetic.

http://www.pafny.org/coming-4.htm
Palestine Activist Forum

http://radicalreference.info/
radical librarians rock!

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/24/2111236
Anarchists fighting back

http://www.starhawk.org/activism/activism-writings/activism-writings.html
Starhawk has some interesting plans

too much workshopping

I'm so exhausted after three days of "investigating US history" workshops that I fell asleep three times while trying to read Bush's Brain, and now all I seem to be able to do is watch television. This was not a total waste of time, however, as I saw this new, improved version of Robert Weide's documentary, Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth. You can read all about it on this website: http://www.duckprods.com/projects/lennybruce.html
Weide writes there that he was obsessed by Bruce as a teenager, and so was I. I don't know why, but I checked out a bunch of Lenny Bruce concert records from the Chapel Hill public library, taped them and then listened to them over and over. He was my hero. I loved this documentary mostly because it had all kinds of bits I'd never heard or seen before, including Bruce on Steve Allen's show.

Why am I sleepy? Today I was the only woman in a room full of men, all white and much older than I. I was already feeling good and hostile toward them, because the day before, one guy had described a relatively inocuous comment I made as an example of the hegemonic "neo-progressive" ideology that has overtaken the American historical profession. Since I'd read Novick's That Noble Dream in college and turned in a final paper with "progress" crossed out as the title, I took silent, personal umbrage at this.
This was my day to present my project-to-be to the group and I was unprepared, having spent the previous three days in mind-numbing workshops and the previous weeks desperately trying to use the last weeks of vacation to improve my book.
The workshop's organizer had asked me to design a "course module" on a women's history topic. I was bored by this prospect and had done almost nothing with it.
Today, as I was doing my presentation to the room full of men, speaking to them about the problems of women speaking in public, I realized, "oh the project is still very relevant." I had that feeling I used to have in Love and Rage meetings that almost none of the people I was speaking to could take even my most basic points seriously. This was especially the case when I started talking about corsets and how I was thinking about taking advantage of the web as a visual medium to talk about how women political activists looked, what they wore, etc. - especially, because students are "obsessed with fashion." Clothing might not seem serious, but really, can you imagine how crippling it must have felt to try to speak and go around and do things when wearing something that necessitated "fainting benches" on stairway landings?
People must not think about how much clothing affects the way their bodies feel. I had an intense argument with V. last year after I read an article about the girdle industry and girdle-fitters. The experience with the historians today was not so intense, but I got similarly frustrated. I'm sure that Lenny Bruce would have been sympathetic to the plight of the girdle-wearing, would have had something funny to say about it, at least. He was funny because he took things so seriously.
My plan is to do a web-based assignment using both written documents and photographs to teach intro level college history students about women activists in the 1890s-1900s. I'm not sure exactly yet how it will work, but the large questions will be "what makes something a 'woman's issue' and to whom? How did women both maintain and challenge feminine norms and conventional notions of "respectability" through what they said and how they presented themselves? I'm thinking of using Margaret Sanger, Emma Goldman, Frances Perkins, Ida B. Wells, Alice Paul and Frances Willard.