Bulletin N° 739
Subject
:
Idealists vs. Materialists: a Dialogue of the Deaf.
15
February 2017
Grenoble, France
Dear
Colleagues and Friends of CEIMSA,
It is an
ancient observation that society, like fish, decays from the head down. Perhaps
untrue in the case of fish, but we can generally concede that we have been
misgoverned over the years and that kleptocracies are now operating in broad daylight, as if to
challenge our very sense of reality. This ‘bad dream’ is not yet over, and the
real cost is yet to be paid . . . .
This is
the fruit of ‘THE BIG LIE’ !
Dialectical
materialism and idealist psychologism are two
distinctly different approaches for understanding the past, as well as our
present life on this planet. The historian Fernand Braudel, one of the co-founders of the famous Annales School of historical analysis, warns
his readers in the second volume of “Civilization and Capitalism,” The Wheels
of Commerce, that the idea of “the capitalist mentality” perhaps
conceals more than it reveals :
Does this mean that we must attribute to our
capitalists a ‘mentality’, to be identified as the source of their superiority,
characterizing them once and for all: a mentality made up of calculation,
reason, cold logic, a lack of normal feelings, all subordinated to an unbridled
appetite for gain? This explanation, once passionately held by Sombart, has lost much of its credibility, as have
Schumpeter’s widely-held views on the crucial role played by innovation and the
spirit of enterprise. Could the capitalist really have united in his person so
many attributes and qualities? In the explanation I prefer, the choice itself
and the opportunity to choose, did not automatically confer an unerring
perception of the right path or the wise decision. Our capitalist, we should
not forget, stood at a certain level in social life and usually had before him
the decisions, advice and wisdom of his peers. He judged things through this
screen. His effectiveness depended not only on his innate qualities but also on
the position in which he found himself, whether at the intersection or on the
margins of the vital currents of trade, near to or far from the centers of decision-making
–which had very precise locations in every period. . . .
[D]id one really need to be a genius to succeed in business, if one had
had the good fortune to be born a Dutchman in the seventeenth century and to
have been placed among those who controlled the mighty machine of Oost Indische Compagnie? ‘There
are . . . stupid men and I dare even say
imbeciles’, writes La Bruyère, ‘who find themselves
good places and are able to die rich without one having any reason to suspect
that they have contributed to this by their labour or
the slightest industry; someone simply took them to the source of a river, or
perhaps mere chance put them in its way; they were asked “Do you want water?
Take it”. And they took it.’
Nor should we believe that the profit
maximization so frequently denounced entirely explains the behavior of
capitalist merchants. . . . Capitalists were human, and like other human
beings, they behaved in various ways. Some were calculating, others ready to
take risks, some were mean, others prodigal, some had a touch of genius, others
were ‘lucky’ at best. . . .
The ‘idealist’, single-factor explanation,
seeing capitalism as the incarnation of a certain mentality was simply the way
out adopted in desperation by Werner Sombart and Max
Weber to escape the conclusion of Marx. We are in no sense obliged to follow
them. Not that I believe that capitalism can, on the contrary, be entirely
explained by material or social factors or by social relationships. But one
thing seems to me to be beyond doubt: capitalism cannot have emerged from a
single confined source: economics played a part, politics played a part,
society played a part, and culture and civilization played a part. So too did
history, which often decided in the last analysis who will win a trial of
strength.
Long-distance trade undoubtedly played a
leading role in the genesis of merchant capitalism and was for a long time its
backbone. This may seem a banal statement, but it has to be reaffirmed in the
face of much opposition nowadays ….(pp.401-403)
Later,
in his conclusion of this volume, Braudel
reemphasizes the importance of historical
context, for understanding human behavior. He takes an example from 18th-century
British colonialism in India :
The only
class of powerful families which had existed in India –that of the merchants,
manufacturers and bankers which had traditionally, father and son, controlled
both the economy and the administration of the trading cities, whether
sea-ports or a thriving textile centre like Ahmedabad—was
to defend itself more effectively and for longer, with the weapon it knew best
–money. This class would corrupt the invader, while allowing itself to be
corrupted in return.
To illustrate this point, let me quote from
the dramatic speech made on 30 March 1772 in the House of Commons by Lord
Clive, who was defending his honour and his life
against accusations of corruption which had piled up against him and which were
to drive him to suicide not long after. He describes the case of the young Englishman
who arrived in Bengal as a ‘writer’ or clerk :
Let
us now take a view of one of these writes [clerks] arrived in Bengal and not
worth a groat. As soon as he lands, a Banyan,
worth perhaps one hundred thousand pounds, desires he may have the honour of serving this young gentleman, at four shillings
and sixpence a month . . . . The young man takes a walk about the town, he
observes that other writes, arrived only a year before him, live in splendid
apartments or have houses of their own, ride upon fine prancing Arabian Horses,
and in Palanqueens and Chaises, that they keep
Seraglios, make Entertainments, and treat with Champagne and Claret. When he
returns, he tells the Banyan what he has observed. The Banyan assures him he
may soon arrive at the same good fortune; he furnishes him with money; he is
then at his mercy. The advantages of the Banyan advance with the rank of his
master, who in acquiring one fortune generally spends three. But this is not
the worst of it: he is in a state of dependence under the Banyan, who commits
such acts of violence and oppression, as his interest promotes him to, under
the pretended sanction and authority of the Company’s servant. Hence, Sir,
arises the clamour against the English gentlemen in India . . . . [Clive asserts that] flesh and blood cannot
bear [the temptations which are put in the way of the newly arrived Englishman.
The Banyan] lays his bags of silver before him today; Gold tomorrow; Jewels the
next day; and if these fail, he then tempts him in the way of his profession
which is Trade. He assures him that Goods may be had cheap and sold to great
advantage up the Country.
This was
special pleading of course, but the general picture revealed is not inaccurate.
An ancient but lively Indian capitalism was struggling against its
‘subordination’ to the new masters, piercing through the new fabric of English
rule.
Can we not say that examples like these . .
. come near the truth . . . ? Europe’s high society was divided into at
least two classes which, despite the ups and downs of history, were able to
develop dynasties without insuperable difficulties, since they were facing
neither a totalitarian tyranny not the tyranny of an arbitrary despot. Europe
thus encouraged the patient accumulation of wealth and the development within
its diversified society of various forces and hierarchies whose rivalry could
produce a variety of results. As far as European capitalism is concerned, the
social order based on economic power no doubt benefited from lying in second
place: by contrast with the social order based merely on privileged birth, it
was able to gain acceptance as standing for moderation, prudence, hard work and
a degree of justification. The politically dominant class attracted hostile
attention as church steeples attract lightening. And in this way the privilege
of the seigneur one more made people forget about the privilege of the merchant.(598-599)
The history of capital accumulation tells a different story than
individual psychology tries to explain. The hardly visible tectonic shifts in
societies around the world have produced contradictions that are resolved often
in unexpected ways. We live in a period of such contradictions, and as the
familiar ground moves out from under us we are challenged to regain our footing
and observe scientifically the changes that are occurring around us. This
requires a measure of energy and alertness, and above all it demands
intellectual honesty and the courage to challenge official lies. No discipline
is better suited to nurture these human qualities than the study of history
--well researched history, rich in full descriptions of sentient reality, unscarred by cross sections of inflicted superficial problematics.
One reviewer of Braudel’s historic research wrote that,
Most
of the usual matter of history –politics, wars, dynastic rivalries, the
conflict of religious beliefs and secular
ideologies—is left out. What is rendered, and that with the eye and
the brush of a master, is the human activity that
underlay, as it still underlies, the whole business of life:
‘Getting and spending we lay waste our powers.’ The bustle
of
the market, the calm of the great manipulators of capital, the labour of the slave, the peasant and the factory worker
of
the early industrial age; the fashions of the rich, the rise of the great
cities and financial centers . . ; the character
and
development of the trade routes that nourish them, the movements of population,
the ebb and flow of wealth,
the
slide into poverty and decay: these are the stuff of the book.(from
inside front jacket of Vol. 3 of “Civilization & Capitalism)
The 16 items below will offer readers an experience in connecting
‘the particular’ with ‘the general’. By closely examining specific events and carefully
placing them in their larger context, a deeper appreciation is discovered. It
seems to be an accepted truism today that all
politics is local and, thus, we are constantly encouraged to think globally and to act locally, to
find the patterns that bring meaning to our lives by looking behind the labels,
at the actual activities which words so often serve to conceal.
Sincerely,
Francis Feeley
Professor emeritus of American Studies
University Grenoble-Alpes
Director of Research
University of Paris-Nanterre
Center for the Advanced Study of American Institutions and
Social Movements
The University of California-San Diego
a.
Freedom & Democracy Conference– Global Issues in
Context
Full Interviews in
Munich, Germany at acTVism.org
with Zain Raza
January 15, 2017
see:
Edward Snowden: 'National Security' Really
Means Protecting the Status Quo
with Edward Snowden
How Corporate Media Made Trump President
with Paul Jay
Military Industrial Complex, US-Airbase in Ramstein & Anti-war Movements
with Jeremy Scahill
Marxism, Capitalism, Corporations, Alternatives & Solutions
with Richard Wolff
The significance and role of political
activism and grassroots movements
with Srećko Horvat
Western foreign policy and Germany’s role
(See section 1h30
above)
with Jürgen Todenhöfer
===========
b.
The Elites Won’t Save Us
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_elites_wont_save_us_20170212
by Chris Hedges
===========
c.
ICE Arrests 600
in US Raids After Trump Order Expands
Criminalization
of Immigrants
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/2/13/ice_arrests_600_in_nationwide_raids
&
California vs.
Trump:
Lawmakers Push
to Become "Sanctuary State" Despite Threats from Washington
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/2/13/california_vs_trump_lawmakers_push_to
===========
d.
50 Years Later, Film on
Algerian War of Independence
Continues to Inspire
Freedom Struggles
Sohail Daulatzai, author of "Fifty
Years of The Battle of Algiers: Past as Prologue," sits down with former
Black Panther Eddie Conway to discuss why the 1966 movie remains highly
influential in the age of the war on terrorism and authoritarian capitalism
===========
e.
TEHRAN BUILDING
COLLAPSE:
Investigators Must
Consider Video Evidence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVZDtsl51dM
Published
on Jan 20, 2017
At approximately 11:30 AM local time yesterday in Tehran, an
iconic 17-story high-rise known as the Plasco
Building tragically collapsed after being on fire for some 3 ½ hours. It is not
yet known how many firefighters and civilians were killed, but early reports
say that anywhere from 20 to 50 are feared dead.
Based on preliminary analysis of many videos of the collapse, Architects &
Engineers for 9/11 Truth (AE911Truth)—a nonprofit that represents more than
2,750 architects and engineers who are calling for a new investigation of the
2001 World Trade Center disaster—strongly urges President Rouhani,
Iranian authorities, and the people of Iran to thoroughly investigate the
possible use of explosives in the Plasco Building’s
shocking demise, and to act swiftly and decisively to preserve the physical
evidence.
Let us be clear: It is impossible to know at this early stage what caused the
structure to suddenly come crashing down. But, as with any proper forensic investigation,
no plausible scenario should be ruled out—especially when the available data
seem to support that scenario.
Here, six separate videos we have compiled (https://youtu.be/_MgJTa7SDaY)
show what appear to be—and in some cases sound like—explosions emanating from
the tower in sequential patterns as it began to crumble. The building’s
tumultuous fall is then accompanied by thick, energetic, rapidly forming plumes
that are reminiscent of what we see in controlled demolitions.
Further, the BBC reported that the fires were nearly extinguished—and that
emergency personnel and occupants had begun reentering the building—when the
collapse unexpectedly occurred. Indeed, videos display very few flames and a
thick black smoke—signs of a low-temperature, oxygen-starved fire. Moreover,
the inferno was limited to the upper floors, yet the entire 17 stories came
down in just a few seconds.
We at AE911Truth are all too familiar with events in which a prematurely formed
narrative makes it harder to subsequently ascertain what truly happened. We
therefore adamantly caution against rushing to any conclusions as investigators
work to uncover the truth surrounding this national tragedy in Iran.
Should the Plasco Building collapse be found to have
been caused by pre-placed explosives, sadly it will not be the first time that
explosives were used to bring down a burning high-rise while people were still
inside.
===========
f.
Iran Hawks Take the White House
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/46422.htm
by Philip Giraldi
Inspired
by fringe theories about Islamic civilization, Michael Flynn is leading Trump
down a dangerous path.
===========
g.
US-Russia
Relations in "Most Dangerous Moment"
Dr. Stephen Cohen tells
host Abby Martin that the real alarming danger today is "a new,
multi-front Cuban missile crisis."
===========
h.
Economic Update: Solving Old Economic Problems
(audio recording)
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39451-economic-update-solving-old-economic-problems
by
Richard Wolff
===========
i.
THE
CORBETT REPORT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0BfPDvUQg&feature=youtu.be
With promises to "drain the swamp!"
still ringing in our ears, we have watched Trump appoint nothing but Goldman banksters, Soros stooges, neocon
war hawks and police state zealots to head his cabinet. Join us this week on
The Corbett Report as we examine the swamp-dwellers with which Trump has filled
his swamp.
===========
j.
Abby Martin Exposes John Podesta
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=17613
In this episode, Abby Martin explores John Podesta's
political rise, his vast network of corporate connections, the think tank
Center for American Progress, and why the Podestas
and the Clintons are a match made in ruling-class heaven. Watch more on teleSUR
===========
k.
Trump’s Ties to the Past
and the Resurrection
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/46419.htm
by James Petras
Everything is to be Doubted
President Trump is deeply embedded in the politics of the deep state
structure of American imperialism. Contrary to occasional references to
non-intervention in overseas wars, Trump has followed in the footsteps of his
predecessors. While neoconservatives and liberals have raised a hue and cry
about Trump’s ties to Russia, his ‘heresies’ over NATO and his overtures to
peace in the Middle East, in practice, he has discarded his market
humanitarian’ imperialism and engaged in the same bellicose policies of his
Democratic Party presidential rival, Hillary Clinton.
===========
l.
The Opinion Pages | NEW
YORK TIMES OP-ED COLUMNIST
When the Fire Comes
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/10/opinion/when-the-fire-comes.html?_r=0
Paul Krugman FEB. 10, 2017
===========
m.
Secretary of Labor Violations? Opposition Grows to the Nomination
of Fast-Food CEO
Andy Puzder
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/2/13/secretary_of_labor_violations_opposition_grows
===========
n.
The Trump
Administration’s Lies About Voter Fraud Will Lead to
Massive Voter
Suppression
by Ari Berman
Twenty-one states are now considering new laws to make it harder to vote.
===========
o.
From: Groucho
Marx
Subject: Weekly
Progressive Calendar for San Diego: February 10-22, 2017
Weekly
Progressive Calendar for San Diego: February 10-22, 2017
February 10, 2017 by Doug
Porter Leave
a Comment
Over Two
Dozen Ways to Get Involved and Make Your Voice Heard
Congratulations, resistees! We have survived 1.4% of
Donald Trump’s (only) four-year term. It’s more important than ever to remember
we’re involved in a marathon, not a sprint.
The latest polling results are out as I
write this, and they offer encouragement for those of us involved in this
movement. Support for impeaching the president has risen from 40% to 46% in the
past week. NBC’s Saturday Night Live comedy now has more credibility than the
man in the oval office.
Congress-critters from around the country, even those in so-called safe
districts are seeing angry voters whenever they appear in public. And when they
won’t appear in public –we’re talking about you, Darrell Issa– congressional
town halls sans congress-critters are being organized.
In the coming week pushback against cabinet confirmations will be winding
down, administration scandals will be winding up, and –most importantly–
attempts will be made to implement reactionary policy decisions.
Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are gearing up
for a crackdown, thanks to an executive order the Marshall Project believes will deport 3
million people. Protests in Los Angeles and Phoenix indicate these roundups
will be opposed at every turn.
The mainstream
media is acknowledging that something is going on. When Politico does
a profile on Indivisible, you
know the movement has arrived.
That alignment of
protesters galvanized by many different issues is a linchpin of Indivisible’s early success. The group doesn’t have a core
policy mission: some chapters protest in defense of Obamacare;
others embrace criminal justice reform or rally against Trump’s controversial
travel ban.
Chapters don’t
even have to call themselves Indivisible. Levin estimated that no more than 40
percent of the 6,200 local affiliates registered on the group’s website use the
name.
Along with the
acknowledgment of the resistance’s existence will come the inevitable pushback. Right now it’s limited to ‘concerned’
establishment (mostly Democratic) types pontificating on how they think things
need to be done. Check their history on Google and if they’re part of what got
us here, ignore them, please.
So what can you
do? There’s plenty of local activism to support. Check out this week’s
Progressive Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming
events of national importance.
Get your event
listed: I try to list the next 10 days
or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of
interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases.
Events on Facebook as ‘private’ or sold out are not listed. In cases where there are competing but
similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list
everything.
Local and Regional
Events
Ban the Border Wall
Friday, February 10, 5pm
San Ysidro (US-Mexico Border Crossing)
This is a Peaceful Protest in solidarity for both sides: USA-Mexico. Let our voices and message be heard. Bring candles, flashlights…anything to send a message of hope. We will be at the bridge over I5 on Camino De La Plaza so cars going by can see us.
Come on out
and join the San Diego Resistance!
The San Diego Progressive Democratic Club is pushing back against this ridiculous POTUS and The incompetence of the Republican Party! Please join us and show your support ! Join us this Friday as we launch the Resist Light Bergade.
This is a Peaceful Protest in solidarity for both sides: USA-Mexico. Let
our voices and message be heard. Bring candles, flashlights…anything to send a
message of hope. We will be at the bridge over I5 on Camino De La Plaza so cars
going by can see us.
Join the Resist Light Brigade
Friday, February 10, 6pm
Clairemont Drive – Mission Bay Overpass
Sierra Club
Film Night
“The Best
Democracy Money Can Buy”
Friday, February
10, 6:30pm
8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #101,
More info:
Jean Costa 619-463-0721 or ellenshively@sbcglobal.net
Greg Palast
and his associates expose the darkest plans of the uber-rich
to steal America’s democracy. Come learn
the appalling details of voter suppression in the United States. Free.
People Over
Profits Presents
“They Call Us Monsters”
Friday, February 10. 7:30pm
Digital Gym Cinema
2921 El Cajon Blvd
For More Information
This film
poses difficult questions about our juvenile justice system: What is our
responsibility to our youth who are incarcerated? Do they have the ability to
change when provided with quality rehabilitation? Do our youth deserve a second
chance?
George Mann
Benefit Dinner Show
Friday,
February 10
Dinner $10
6-7 PM •Concert $10 7-9 PM
Church of the
Brethren, 3850 Westgate Place
Troubadour
George Mann has been producing labor and protest music for more than 20 years
and has worked with such folk music legends as Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger and
Tom Paxton. George brings his experience as a union organizer and educator to
his concerts–stories and songs about real events and the struggle for a better
life. At the February 10 dinner concert he will focus on songs of struggle that
yielded some of our best-known “protest”/”labor” songs, inspiring action and
justice movements and bonding people together.
This benefit concert will be for KNSJ 89.1 FM and Activist San Diego,
networking for social justice. Purchase
advance tickets at knsj.org or activistsandiego.org
El Cajon Planned Parenthood Clinic
Defense
Saturday, February 11, 8am
Planned Parenthood El Cajon
1685 East Main Street, El Cajon
Organized by San Diego Reproductive Rights Defenders
Anti-abortion
protesters plan on protesting outside of Planned Parenthood Feb. 11 from 8 a.m.
on. This is part of a national day of action to defund Planned Parenthood. We
can’t let these bigots get away with harassing women, or worse, keeping them
from accessing the vital services they need. If we don’t show them that we are
the majority, they will only grow more emboldened.
THIS IS, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, AN ALL-INCLUSIVE, INTERSECTIONAL DEFENSE!
It’s up to us
to show that Planned Parenthood has the support of hundreds, thousands, and
millions of people in the US. Please prepare to spend the day peacefully and
nonviolently making it clear that the people want Planned Parenthood, and that
hate will not go unchecked.
We understand
that PP has not endorsed this event and that they do not like counter-protests.
(Ed. – Emphasis added) We are in solidarity with PP and we respect anyone’s
decision to not attend. However, history teaches us that the only way to
guarantee access is to confront the Antis.
Defend
Planned Parenthood March
Saturday,
February 11, 10am
1060 S. Coast
Hwy, Encinitas
Now more than ever, Planned Parenthood needs our help. Join us on
February 11th to show our community the importance of reproductive choice and
health care access! We will convene in the parking lot of the aforementioned
address and march north towards Moonlight Beach. Bring
your friends, family, and of course your peaceful protest signs!
Divest for Standing Rock Sidewalk Parade
Saturday, February 11, 12:15pm
Divest for
Standing Rock Sidewalk Parade
Saturday,
February 11, 12:15pm
Bank of
America
655 West
Broadway, Downtown
Our mission is
to inspire, educate, and encourage the world to divest from the big banks and
their unethical financial investments (NDAP and other fossil fuel projects).
Money Speaks and we DO have a voice especially with our dollar! Let’s encourage
our brothers and sisters to shift their financial investments into banks that
have the people’s best interest in mind (Credit Unions, Green Banks, etc)
What a better
way to ignite the world in a time where arts are being cut from our current
government in America and create a new paradigm, a paradigm where we can come
together as a community and shine through collaboration and expression.
Postcard Making
Picnic
Sunday,
February 12, 1pm
Balboa Park
(Pepper Grove Park)
National’s
effort begins with 10 actions in 100 days. First up… send a postcard to your
representative. https://www.womensmarch.com/100?source=direct_link Let’s enjoy the afternoon making postcards, sharing stories,
and finding ways to stand up together. Bring food or beverages to share! In
addition to staying active, we hope this helps you make connections.
This is an
informal gathering and limited. We’ll be on the grassy area (bring a picnic
blanket) next to Pepper Grove Park at Balboa Park. It’s near a playgound so children can play while we share our cards and
information. We can only provide a couple hundred postcards, please bring
extras, stamps and a pen. We will help with finding your rep and addresses.
We’ll also collect and mail them off for you!
Meet the Valve
Turners
Monday,
February 13, 6:30pm
San Diego
First Church of the Brethren
3850 Westgate
Pl
Meet the 5 Valve
Turners — who “pulled off the most expansive, coordinated takeover of fossil
fuel infrastructure ever attempted in the U.S.” Hear their story and donate to
support their legal defense fund.
October 11th
2016, 5 brave climate organizers turned emergency shut-off valves on the 5
pipelines that carry oil from the Canadian tar sands into the United States. It
was an unprecedented act of nonviolent direct action that shut down 15% of US
crude oil imports for nearly a day. To ensure that the pipelines would be
safely shut down, a call was placed to each company fifteen minutes before
valve turners entered the sites, giving them ample time to shut each pipeline
down.
The five
valve-turners say their actions are not only necessary, but morally and legally
justified, to avoid the catastrophic harm caused to humanity by unprecedented
climactic disruption.
Now, the “Valve
Turners” face Felony charges with sentences of up to 95 years in prison. Hear
Emily, Michael, Annette, Leonard, and Ken discuss why they felt morally
compelled to take this action.
Donation
collection, 100% goes to Valve Turners’ legal fund. Suggested
donation $20. No one turned away for lack of funds. If you can’t be
there, please donate online. Cosponsored by San Diego Greenpeace and the Peace
Resource Cent
The Islam
Effect: UCSD Islam Awareness Week 2017
Hosted by: Muslim Student Association at UCSD
UCSD MSA
invites you to join us for a week of increasing understanding about Islam and
building support towards the Muslim community during trying political times.
Each day from 9am to 3pm on library walk we will have interactive activities
and free Coffee and Donuts! Stop by!!
Sometimes All
You Need is Love
Tuesday,
February 14, 6:30pm
Grassroots
Oasis
3130 Moore
Street
For Valentines Day, take a break from the real world and give
yourself and a special someone (or 2, or 3 …) some gentle time. Jeeni Criscenzo and friends will
be performing poems that celebrate love in its many manifestations, including a
new duet with Jeeni & Juan recounting their great
train adventure (Doin it on the Train!).
In the true
spirit of love, we will be serving up a light vegan dinner and yummy Valentine
dessert — no creatures harmed in the making.
It’s OK if you don’t bring someone to share this wonderful evening –
there will be many like-minded people to enjoy it with.
Suggested donation: $10 for one, $15 for two. Profits
donated to Amikas, which advocates for homeless women
and children and for safe, truly affordable housing. (www.Amikas.org)
Be sure to get your tickets soon so we know how much
food to prepare! Wine, beer and soft drinks with a Donation
basket.
Proposition 215 Party
Wednesday, February 15, 2:15-9pm
Benefit for San Diego Americans for
Safe Access
seedleSs
2229 Bacon St, OB
Food, raffle,
live music
Community
Call
Wednesday,
February 15, 5:30/6:30pm
Alliance San
Diego
Time: Spanish
5:30 p.m. / English 6:30 p.m. RSVP now to reserve your space on the call
Now, more
than ever, we need to stand up for the society we want to create. We must be
the change we want to see. Join us for our weekly calls to Ignite Change. Find
out what decision-makers are doing, how it will affect you, and learn what you
can do to advance your community.
San Diego: Don’t
Just Learn About Zapata, Be Like Zapata!
Wednesday,
February 15, 6pm
Unión del Barrio
Chicano Park
With a new
president in office, now more than ever there is a necessity to build People
Power and a Political Party amongst all sectors of our community. With the
recent victory of Ethnic Studies in the SDUSD, we understand the value and
necessity of having an education that is not poison for our jovenes
in which they
are taught to hate themselves, their communities and to admire the oppressor.
Although Ethnic Studies is a victory, we understand that building our own
institutions, our own curriculum, telling our own stories and preserving the
history of struggle while actively working to build future organizers is the
only way we will achieve liberation. Escuelita Aztlan is amongst these independent schools that are
actively working to build people power amongst youth across San Diego. Join us
for a Dialogue on what Escuelita is and how we can
move away from the oppressive institutions that continue to limit and dictate
what our youth should learn.
General
Strike
Friday,
February 17, All Day
Everywhere
This event is
a SAN DIEGO edition in solidarity with events across the United States. Please
also click attending to the national parent event, so that we have a rough
total count: https://www.facebook.com/events/1756631744665376/
March in
Solidarity with Immigrants, San Diego/
Immigrants
Make America Great San Diego
Saturday, February 18, 11am
County Building
1600 Pacific Highway
Solidarity Info
America Great Info
There were
originally two events scheduled for February 18 (more are occurring
nationally). Each had over a thousand RSVPs on Facebook.
Wisely, they have now merged.
The
organizers of the ‘Solidarity’ event still intend to march to the Federal
Building at some point after noon.
I have
included a snip below from each of their Facebook
pages. There will likely be further revisions to the programs, so be sure to
check the links.
From
Solidarity: We are calling on all people to unite and march in support of Immigrants
and Refugees.
We are
demanding that the republican San Diego Mayor Faulconer
declares San Diego a Sanctuary City. While SD has the busiest border crossing
in the world, Mayor Faulconer has taken no action to
protect immigrants against Trump’s policies.
From America
Great: Please join us at Waterfront Park in San Diego. We will be standing in
solidarity at the same date as our brothers and sisters in Los Angeles and
hopefully in many other places across our beautiful nation!
The time is
NOW. We will stand with those who are afraid and those who have been
marginalized by Trump’s executive orders.Immigration shapes how the world views America.
General
Meeting of Women Occupy San Diego
Sunday,
February 19, 1pm
Art Academy
of San Diego
3784 30th St
(North Park)
Women Occupy
San Diego is hosting a general meeting. If you are an active member or just
interested come by to hear about our work and discuss future work and actions.
Civil Rights
Teach-In: Recognizing Intersectionality
Monday,
February 20, 4:30pm
Jacobs Center
for Neighborhood Innovation
404 Euclid
Ave
FREE Teach-In Part II: All are welcome!
This special event series was born organically when a small group of RISE
Fellows got together to think and dream about what would be needed of us, and
FOR us, in the year ahead in order to be prepared for the changes potentially
coming to our city and our nation.
Emergency Townhall – Vista
Tuesday,
February 21, 6pm
Jim Porter
Recreation Center
1200 Vale
Terrace Dr, Vista
Congressmember Darrell Issa has been invited to join us for this
important event and hasn’t yet responded.
Help crowdsource a full page Union-Tribune ad to invite Issa to
this meeting: https://www.youcaring.com/inviteIssa
Will you or someone you love lose
your healthcare? How will the plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act affect
your current healthcare coverage? How will seniors, small businesspeople, and
people with pre-existing conditions be affected?
What can you do to STOP the plan to
take away healthcare from millions of Americans?
Event Partners: Courageous Resistance Encinitas, Indivisible North San Diego County,
Indivisible Ocean Hills, Indivisible San Diego North District 49, Our Revolution North County San Diego, Preserve
Progress, Together We Will North San Diego County, The Wagon Circle, Service
Employees International Union California (SEIU CA), Service Employees
International Union 221 (SEIU 221), United Domestic Workers of America (UDW),
Organizing for Action (OFA), American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees (AFSCME), San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), Planned
Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest, San Diego Labor Council
(SDLC), San Diegans for Health Care Coverage/CCHI, Health Access.
Climate Change Rally
Tuesday, February 21, 6pm
Edward J Schwartz Federal
Building
880 Front Street (Downtown)
For More Information
San Diegans who believe Climate Change is not a hoax will gather Tuesday,
February 21st at 6 p.m. at the Federal Building. We will call upon the
President, House and Senate to implement a National World War II-scale
Mobilization to transition the U.S. from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
The theme of the rally will be “Climate Change is not a Hoax and Make
Your Voice Heard.” The San Diego Climate Mobilization Coalition is part of the
Climate Mobilization http://www.theclimatemobilization.org/,
a nationwide climate advocacy and environmental action organization based in
New York City.
Speakers include:
Wesley Clark, Jr., Dakota Access
Pipeline Activist and organizer of U.S. military veterans to support the water
protectors of Standing Rock, South Dakota.
Diane Takvorian,
Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition
Ruben Arizmendi,
Chairman, San Diego Sierra Club
Cody Petterson,
Vice President, Impact Assessment
How to Join Your Community Planning
Group
Tuesday, February 21, 6pm
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
1100 Island Ave
Join
Circulate San Diego and our partners for a panel and discussion on how
residents of the City of San Diego can serve on their local community planning
groups.
Community
planning groups are an important mechanism for determining how
San Diego will grow and develop. Circulate San Diego is encouraging a diverse
group of committed San Diegans to participate in the City’s community planning
groups.
Please make
sure you RSVP. We have a LOT of interest, and we may have to cut off attendance
to avoid overflowing the room.
National and
Ongoing Events
The Ides of
Trump – Send the President a Postcard
(March 15)
On March 15th,
each of us will mail Donald Trump a postcard that publicly expresses our
opposition to him. And we, in vast numbers, from all corners of the world, will
overwhelm the man with his unpopularity and failure. We will show the media and
the politicians what standing with him — and against us — means. And most
importantly, we will bury the White House post office in pink slips, all
informing Donnie that he’s fired.
Each of us — every protester from every march, each congress calling
citizen, every boycotter, volunteer, donor, and petition signer — if each of us
writes even a single postcard and we put them all in the mail on the same day,
March 15th, well: you do the math.
No alternative fact or Russian translation will explain away our
record-breaking, officially-verifiable, warehouse-filling flood of fury. Hank
Aaron currently holds the record for fan mail, having received 900,000 pieces
in a year. We’re setting a new record: over a million pieces in a day, with not
a single nice thing to say.
So sharpen your wit, unsheathe your writing implements, and see if your
sincerest ill-wishes can pierce Donald’s famously thin skin. Prepare for March
15th, 2017, a day hereafter to be known as #TheIdesOfTrump
Write one postcard. Write a dozen! Take a picture and post it on social
media tagged with #TheIdesOfTrump
! Spread the word! Everyone on Earth should let Donnie know how he’s doing.
They can’t build a wall high enough to stop the mail.
Then, on March 15th, mail your messages to:
President (for now) Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
It might just be enough to make him crack.
Since Donald Trump
refused to release his tax returns during the campaign, thousands are marching
on Tax Day to protest “the absolute unfairness of a man who is a billionaire
president who might be not paying taxes while working folks are paying their
fair share”, said Gwen Snyder, a community organizer and national organizer of
Tax March.
At least 30 Tax Marches
have been planned in solidarity around the country with several hundred
thousand people expected. The Los Angeles event
page shows 66,000 people who have expressed interest or attending. The New York march
event page has
nearly 40,000 interested or attending, and 37,000 people have said they are interested
in the DC march,
with over 7,000 clicking “attend”.
March For Science (April 22)
The March for Science is a celebration of our passion for science and a
call to support and safeguard the scientific community. Recent policy changes
have caused heightened worry among scientists, and the incredible and immediate
outpouring of support has made clear that these concerns are also shared by
hundreds of thousands of people around the world. The politicization of
science, which has given policymakers permission to reject overwhelming
evidence, is a critical and urgent matter. It is time for people who support
scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a public stand and be
counted. On April 22, 2017 hundreds of thousands of people will walk out of
their lab coats and into the streets of Washington.
San Diego March for Science facebook page!
National People’s Climate March (April
29)
The Sierra Club and other environmental organizations have announced
demonstrations in Washington DC and other cities for April 29, the 99th day of
the Trump administration. Sign up for updates here.
Immigrants March (May 6, Washington DC)
From the Guardian:
“I started organizing for the march the day that Trump … signed the
executive order on the construction of the wall on the Mexican border,” said
Erick Sanchez, whose father is Iranian and great-grandparents are Mexican. That
was also the day a draft of Trump’s travel ban was leaked to the press.
The Immigrants March Facebook event page already
has 163,000 people interested and 25,000 attending.
National Pride March (June 11)
Sign Up For SwingLeft: Control of
the House in 2018 will be decided by a handful of Swing Districts, places where
the last election was decided by a thin margin. Find your closest Swing
District and join its team to learn about actionable opportunities to support
progressives—and defeat Republicans—in that district, no matter where you live.
Check out SwingLeft here.
Sign Up for Indivisible.
Over 35 groups locally, 6000+ nationally. All the cool kids are doing it. (Really!)
Sign Up for The Town Hall Project .
An unfunded, crowdsourced, Facebook-based
project that researches “every district and state for public events with
Members of Congress,” and makes the info available via a Google spreadsheet
in the hope that people will engage their representatives face to face.
Sign Up for #ResistTrumpTuesdays.
A joint project of The Working Families Party, MoveOn, and People’s Action. Its goal is to turn
large numbers of activists out every Tuesday to fight back against a different
element of Trump’s agenda. Go here to find a local action.
_______________
Doug Porter was active in the early days of the alternative press in San
Diego, contributing to the OB Liberator, the print version of the OB Rag, the
San Diego Door, and the San Diego Street Journal. He went on to have a 35-year
career in the Hospitality business and decided to go back into raising hell
when he retired. He's won numerous awards for his columns from the Society of
Professional Journalists in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Doug is a
cancer survivor (sans vocal chords) and lives in North Park.
===========
p.
From: "Andrew Friedman, CPD Action" <info@cpdaction.org>
Subject: #DisneyLetHimGo
Dear Francis,
If you were able to join us for the “Ready to Resist” call last night,
you know that our movement’s strategy to protect our communities and our
democracy involves focusing on the three C’s: Cities, Congress, and
Corporations.
I need to emphasize that third C – Corporations – as we head into some
important local actions this week that help identify who is truly standing with
the people and who isn’t.
With your help, we’ve pressured senators to represent the demands of
their constituents and stand up to Trump’s harmful, unconstitutional policies.
But big corporations like Disney that employ and serve working families across
the country need to hold some responsibility too. That means listening to their
workers and customers, and ending any collaboration with this authoritarian
administration.
While Uber CEO Travis Kalanick heeded
the public cry to drop ties with Trump earlier this month, Disney CEO Bob Iger has refused to step down from Trump’s economic
advisory council.
As we’ve said
before, Disney’s continued ties with Trump only enables what has become the
most anti-immigrant and un-democratic administration we’ve ever seen in this
country. Our communities that are under attack won’t let corporate
collaborators off the hook.
Tomorrow, as part of #ResistTrumpTuesday, Disney
workers across the country will be delivering more than 200,000 petitions
to their CEO, urging him to stand with his own employees, immigrant families,
and people across America by officially quitting Trump’s council. CPD Action
partners will also be protesting in New
York and Orlando to call out Disney’s collaboration and urge Bob Iger to stand on the right side of history.
Disney calls
itself a ‘family friendly’ brand, but its collaboration with Trump is hurting
our immigrant and refugee families. It’s time for Disney to join the resistance
and let him go. Donate now to keep the pressure on.
In
solidarity,
Andrew
Friedman
Co-Executive
Director
________________________________________
CPD Action is building
a rising movement of people fighting for a future of opportunity, equality, and
inclusion. We're working on campaigns that promote a pro-worker, pro-immigrant,
racial and economic justice agenda and win victories to improve people’s lives.
Together, we’ll build a progressive future we can all be proud of.