May 9, 2010 archive

May ’70: 9. Violent Backlash

I was there when the reactionary “white terror” kicked in.

After the Kent State shootings, a New York City-wide demonstration had called for Wall Street on Friday-that was 40 years ago today, on Friday, May 8, 1970. I have no idea who called the demo, though it targeted the financial center of US capital and was around the three demands: US Out Of Southeast Asia, End Campus Complicity With The War Machine, and Free Bobby Seale And All Political Prisoners.

A small crew of us from NYU Uptown were there-I can’t swear to it, but I think it might have been Lon E. Bich and maybe Jim Bean. I remember the big banner for Bobby, and I remember how many high school kids seemed to be in the crowd of a couple thousand, crammed into the narrow streets of downtown Manhattan.

Suddenly, just before noon, as Wall Street types on lunch further crowded the area, there was a big stir about 20 feet from us. A tight column of dozens of guys wearing construction helmets with a couple American flags was wading through the crowd. Almost immediately it became clear that they were not just pushing protesters out of the way, but slugging them, beating them to the ground and kicking them. (Some Wall Streeters helped the injured. More joined the attacks.)

Photobucket

Crap in the Box – Gas Frozen in Oil Catch Dome

Remember Blue Popsicles ?

  Environment,tragedy,Oil Spill,Climate

 The Pipes on the Outhouse Froze.    photo, Navy.  color, ARC.

Changing Seasons: Van Cortlandt Park Photos

Cross-posted at Firefly and deleted from DailyKos.

I have posted fourteen Van Cortlandt Park photo diaries at DKos and a few might think I’m posting photos over and over. These photos from yesterday may look the same but sadly after a harsh winter there are many trees missing from my favorite walk.

But my favorite for photos and probably the most abused tree in the park still stands. This is Van Cortlandt Park (last stop on the Broadway local) in transition from spring to summer.

I had not taken my lakeside walk and forest stroll there for over two weeks, a long time for me. Surprised by how rapidly the transition from spring to summer views occurred the forest is shady and the last of spring flowers can be seen floating on the surface of the lake. Everything went so green and lush so quickly.

Below the fold is another photo walking tour of my favorite slice of nature in New York City. Just a walk in the park.  

Saturday Sundown

“Here’s to the land you’ve torn out the heart of …”

The polls seem to indicate that a majority of Americans support the Arizona anti-immigration crackdown.  But there’s something happening here, and what it is ain’t exactly clear.  They are 12 million of us.

The picture we’ve grown accustomed to is that of a rabid and hysterical right wing, albeit a minority, lashing out at a cowering and cringing pack of pseudo-progressive surrender monkeys.  But today we see an enraged, energized and righteous outpouring, albeit a minority, telling Arizona “find yourself another country to be part of!”

Conservatives are a bit stunned.  They find themselves trying to be reasonable.  “We’re only trying to enforce the law,” they cry.  (This is a lie.  Arizona law would jail legal immigrants not carrying their papers for 6 months, federal law mandates a $100 fine and sentence up to 30 days.  Question:  Would a European basketball star playing against the Suns in Phoenix have to carry his papers while on the court?)  Stone racists are bending over backwards to insist they’re not racist.  Meanwhile, Arizona sports owners and players denounce the laws.  City councils are calling for boycotting Arizona.

The Latino community has come into the streets (boots on the ground).  So who is the liberal establishment listening to?  The anti-immigrant bigots.  “Arizona proves we have to pass immigration reform,” they lament.  Obama has proposals and Congress is scurrying to patch together some kind of package.  So how might this all play out?  What’s a progressive to do?

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