RIP Kevin Callahan: Innocent man killed by Suffolk County Police

Posted on January 5, 2012 by kwilder

Kevin Callahn was killed by Suffolk County Police


Kimberly writes:

Kevin Callahan was killed by Suffolk County Police on September 20, 2011. It is now January 5, 2012. Today is the day that Kevin’s family will erect his tombstone. They bury their son with a heavy heart, and many unanswered questions.

The Suffolk County Police have yet to give the community and citizens of Suffolk County enough information to understand what happened the day Kevin Callahan died. Suffolk County Government needs to come clean, and give a full account to the press and the public. Only then can we know the mistakes made by our police, and know that they have the understanding and fortitude to fix those mistakes for the future.

Members of Kevin Callahan’s family are entitled by law to a copy of Kevin’s autopsy results. Though, the old Suffolk County Government has withheld that report and any substantial information for many months. And, a new request has not produced results.

People who care about Kevin Callahan have set up a FaceBook site for the community to help keep track of this injustice to Kevin, and this important issue to our community. Stand Up For Kevin FaceBook Page.

Here is a plea for help from the FaceBook page: Read more »

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Thoughts on the Bishop’s children…

Posted on January 4, 2012 by kwilder

KW writes: I am not Catholic, and having been brought up Lutheran, I don’t think I have a strong critique of a religious leader having children. Though, when I saw this dramatic story in the news, I just had to relate it back to a poem that one of my college professors really enjoyed…

The news: Read more »

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NY Governor gives State of the State: The People and Occupy gather elsewhere…

Posted on January 4, 2012 by kwilder

If you are interesting in coverage on conservative, old school, Democrat politician Governor Andrew Cuomo has to say, you can find good coverage of his State of the State speech here: www.capitaltonight.com

If you want to see what the grassroots and occupiers think, here are excerpts from an article at The Times Union:

(excerpt from) The Times Union blog
The People’s State of the State? Cold
Posted on January 3, 2012 at 1:36 pm Read more »

Filed under: governor, grassroots democracy, new york, New York State Politics, News, Occupy Wall Street, politics, progressive politics, social & economic justice | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

CNN “drops” as US soldier discusses his wish for peace (and support for Ron Paul)

Posted on January 4, 2012 by kwilder

This is amazing…an amazing coincidence…

Read more »

Filed under: afghanistan, Anti-War, Election 2012, international politics, Iraq, media, News, presidential race, progressive politics, US Politics, war | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Does fracking cause earthquakes?: Expert in Ohio says, yes.

Posted on January 4, 2012 by kwilder

KW writes: I hope that with this admission from Ohio that fracking literally shakes the earth under our homes and feet, more folks in New York will struggle against fracking. I wonder how many people previously believed that man-made activity could cause earthquakes? This is eye-opening news. See links to fracking info for New York and other states at the read more.

(excerpt from) Reuters
Ohio earthquake was not a natural event, expert says
by Kim Palmer / Tue Jan 3, 2012

(Reuters) – A 4.0 magnitude earthquake in Ohio on New Year’s Eve did not occur naturally and may have been caused by high-pressure liquid injection related to oil and gas exploration and production, an expert hired by the state of Ohio said on Tuesday.

Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources on Sunday suspended operations at five deep well sites in Youngstown, Ohio, where the injection of water was taking place, while they evaluate seismological data from a rare quake in the area.

The wells are about 9,000 feet deep and are used to dispose of water from oil and gas wells. The process is related to fracking, the controversial injection of chemical-laced water and sand into rock to release oil and gas. Critics say that the high pressure injection of the liquid causes seismic activity…

There is info about the hazards of fracking
at un-naturalgas.org: here

Related Stories
(Oklahoma, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York): Read more »

Filed under: 3rd party, activism, Ecology, energy, Environment, green, Green Party, nature, new york, New York State Politics, News, politics, progressive politics, safety, sustainability, third party, US Politics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Just Kids by Patti Smith

Posted on January 3, 2012 by wilderside

Maybe I am not the most objective observer.  I love Patti Smith‘s music, and I love her politics.  And now I have to say I love her writing in Just Kids.  Her book was an addictive read.  I usually sit with a book for months.  I finished this book in a week.   Her style of writing in short vignettes, and her straight-forward writing style, makes it easy to move through the book quickly.

The primary thesis of the book is to document her relationship with her friend, lover, muse and subject Robert Mapplethorpe.  She gives the reader entree into the difficult path two young artists forged in order to find their very original voices.  Along the way, they meet, interact with,  and befriend the artists, poets, and musicians that defined the early 1970′s.  The book is a portrait of two emerging artists within a cultural history.

Related posts: Read more »

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Jan 2012: BAN reviews 3 books for political junkies

Posted on January 2, 2012 by wilderside

As hopeless political junkies, we are long-time fans of Richard Winger and his publication, Ballot Access News.  Winger has been a champion of ballot freedom, and has become a recognized expert nationwide.  His is a generous and giving man who holds a nonpartisan mission to grant equal access for voters.  He edits a monthly newsletter called Ballot Access News.  His reviews of legislative actions and court decisions are more incisive than anything you will find in the corporate media.  This months’ edition carries 3 book reviews.

Winger praised No Holding Back: The 1980 John B. Anderson Presidential Campaign highly.  He consumed the book in four days.  The author describes Anderson’s reason for running first as a Republican, and then as an independent as the following:

 Anderson gave up a safe seat in the House of Representatives, a position in the Republican leadership, and a likely nomination for a Senate seat to run what every expert considered a hopeless race for the GOP presidential nomination.  Anderson did so because he was disturbed by many of the same trends in American politics that still exist today: the proliferation of special interests, gridlock on Capitol Hill, and the unwillingness of his fellow politicians to speak honestly about the critical issues facing the nation.

The second book that Winger reviewed is California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It.  Winger describes this as “the first fairly well-read book (in California anyway) to boost proportional representation. ”   The authors describe the solution as:   Read more »

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POPs Pollution info related to all of us, and specific to the people of Akwesasne in New York’s North Country

Posted on January 2, 2012 by kwilder

Minimizing Harm to Human Health Resultant from Persistent Organic
Pollutants Contamination of the Environment: Focus on Akwesasne
(excerpt from) POPS Cancer Hazard website

Contamination of the Global Environment

[The impact of POPs Pollution on all of us...]

During the past 100 years the manufacture and use of certain halogenated hydrocarbons has gradually led to the contamination of the global environment.  These substances are highly resistant to natural break-down processes.  They are also soluble in fats.  Because of these two characteristics, the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulate to the highest levels in organisms at the top of food chains.  Many species of organisms have body burdens of POPs.  Consumption of animal fats is the major exposure route for this group of anthropogenic chemicals.

All peoples of the Earth bear body burdens of POPs, but those who consume relatively large quantities of animal fats have the greatest accumulation of POPs in their fat tissues…

[The specific, increased hazard of POPs Pollution to the people of Akwesasne, an indigenous community, on the Mohawk reserve, located on the St. Lawrence River in New York State...] Read more »

Filed under: activism, Ecology, Environment, Food, green, health, new york, New York State Politics, News, politics, progressive politics, public health, US Politics | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Prez hopeful Jill Stein (G) video message of change, on which real hope depends

Posted on January 1, 2012 by wilderside

In this first video message from Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate addresses the White House’s recent agreements to violate the 6th, 7th, and 8th Amendments to the Constitution, to speed up the timetable on the Keystone Pipeline, and to eliminate the national health care standard.

In the message, Dr. Stein says that, “I’m taking about real hope for deep change — the kind that’s breaking out all over. Because so many people like you are standing up and refusing to accept this unprecedented state of inequality, austerity and perpetual war that we’re in. Instead, you are demanding the peaceful, just, green future we all deserve. And that’s the real source of hope, not only for the holidays — but for every day, going forward to a better future that’s within our reach.”

Read more »

Filed under: 3rd party, activism, Election 2012, grassroots democracy, Green Party, News, presidential race | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Occupy Wall Street update: (Who did NYPD target last night?)

Posted on January 1, 2012 by kwilder

Sunday morning, January 1, 2012: I think this site is now streaming live in NYC:
http://www.livestream.com/occupynyc2
Occupy Wall Street folks were definitely active until 5am on the streets. I think they are still gathered as of late morning, Sunday, January 1, 2012.

Last night was a busy night in NYC. Hundreds of thousands of people were gathered in Manhattan to celebrate the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. Who do you think that the NYPD focused on for crime prevention? Would you guess they focused on possible terrorists? Potential pickpockets? Aggressive drunks?

No, the NYPD was busy trying to secure Liberty Square. And, throughout the night, they were targeting citizen journalists and official, legal observers.

Occupy Wall Street folks tried to gather together in Liberty Square for their own New Year’s Eve celebration. They also planned marches around NYC, such as shouting messages of solidarity outside of jails. The NYPD did not handle it well. And, the NYC police played games, such as ejecting livestream-ers, and moments later making indiscriminate arrests of random pedestrians.

Looks like the Occupy Wall Street folks stayed active until at least 5am this morning! That is some enthusiasm.

Found these updates at www.occupywallst.org. They also have a whole list of Live Streams:

Live Updates from the Ground: Read more »

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OWS on New Year’s Eve: After midnight – some in park, some on the march

Posted on January 1, 2012 by kwilder

Updates and live streaming links at occupywallst.org.

Live Updates from the Ground
(As reported at occupywallst.org on New Year’s Eve):

12:45pm EST: Thousands still in the Square, as a march leaves Liberty. Headed down Broadway, police moving in pursuit.
12:40pm EST: The party continues at Liberty. Cops have backed down for now. The barricades are twinkling, after Occupiers hung lights across the pile that was taken down.
12:00pm EST: Happy New Year from OCCUPIED Liberty Square! Thousands are already here. JOIN US!
11:50pm EST: NYPD riot cops, with batons drawn, mobilizing in formation. Some police mounted on horses seen. More barricades still being taken down, piled in the center of the park.
11:30pm EST: The party continues on top of “Liberty Mountain” (the pile of barricades)…
Read more »

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New Year’s Eve with OWS: Please watch NYC protesters and/or keep them in your thoughts

Posted on December 31, 2011 by kwilder

Update New Year’s Eve at 11:47pm EST:
If you can get to Zuccotti Park/Liberty Square, please go now!
There are about two thousand protesters. The police are steering them and using barricades. But, the occupiers are getting brave and overturning barricades. They may have a big win. Please support by watching on-line or going in person!

Occupy Wall Street folks have decided to gather in New York City this evening. They have spent some time at Zuccotti Park. Though, they are also wandering around the city doing actions such as yelling support messages to folks in jail (through the People’s Mic — Mic Check!)

One place to keep up with Occupy Wall Street is this website: www.occupywallst.org I found good updates there tonight. Though, a Live Stream they linked to before has since gone off-line.

As of 9:57pm: LIVE NOW from NYC occupiers: here.

As of 9:57pm in and out: Streaming LIVE NOW from NYC is the following Live Stream: OccupyWallStNYC Please watch your fellow 99%ers. The police are following them around, so holding vigil with them on-line would be very helpful.

Chant from this evening: “We are unstoppable: Another world is possible!”

At the readmore are updates from tonight, New Year’s Eve 2011/2012, that I found at occupwallst.org: Read more »

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Peace Couple: Peace Song for the New Year

Posted on December 31, 2011 by wilderside

Imagine all the people singing about peace

Imagine There's No Hunger - Strawberry Fie...
Image by asterix611 via Flickr

What song will thousands of people around the world hear tomorrow, as they watch the ball drop in Times Square, NYC?  Probably, John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

Imagine by John Lennon is a featured Peace Song of the Day at our new project, PeaceCouple.com.  Thousands of people around the world sing Imagine together while envisioning a peaceful, New Year.

The song “Imagine” has also resonated with folks from the Occupy Wall Street movement. “Imagine” was one of the tunes sung by the small group of stalwarts who gathered at Liberty Square/Zuccotti Park for Christmas. [See story at DNA Info: here]

Below the first video are links to lots and lot of videos of occupiers singing Imagine.

more

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12/30/2011 – Police kill man in Nassau today (And, update on police killing in Suffolk)

Posted on December 30, 2011 by kwilder

Kimberly Wilder writes:

I hope that the public stays watchful of incidents where police kill citizens. It is so important to all of our rights and safety, that our government strives to exact justice through the courts, not on the streets. Of course, we should not immediately blame police, as they have difficult jobs. And, it is noted that one or two officers were wounded in the Nassau incident this morning.

Still, since the government and police “hold all the cards” as far as after-the-fact information goes,  it is important to watch them very closely, and to demand answers.

In Suffolk County this year, a family called police to check up on a family member with a history of psychiatric problems. The police subsequently killed the man, Kevin Callahan of Selden, NY, in his home. This incident happened in September of 2011, and neither the Suffolk County Police, nor Suffolk County government, have released enough information to explain themselves to the public, and provide comfort and justice to the family. There is an old update here. And, I will be writing more about the case this week, since the family is still waiting on the simple information of the results of the autopsy.

The story from the police killing incident today in Nassau County is below, and at The NY Daily News: here. Read more »

Filed under: activism, local, long island, Long Island Politics, News, politics, progressive politics, safety | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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