Because the people of the US are intuitively aware of the faux Republican/Democratic distinctions offered by the two-headed corporate party, and have acquired learned helplessness. This also stops them from exercising their power to form a meaningful third party.

Fortunately for us, we also have some more history between 1886 and now that gives us an option other than violence to deal with this corruption of our government.

*facepalm* The author just spent many paragraphs describing organized action by working people which fed further discontent and action which led to election of a socialist and then eventual labor laws which gave us 8-hour workdays (after much more labor militancy)….and then the author celebrates recalls as a way to avoid that messy militancy.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, and symptomatic of the dog-training of modern US society. Just as in the Progressive Era, working people won’t achieve better lives through an orderly, easy electoral process (of Democrats, much less). Workers’ DEMANDS have to be backed up with action: general strikes, boycotts, mass marches, and constant repudiation and dogging of both of the corporate parties.

You would think that a live animal in paper wrapping would be noticed or set aside at the mail distribution center, and not actually be delivered all the way to Siberia. How did the dog get BACK? Don’t Porky’s apartment building neighbors notice he’s so….porcine, with a tail and all?? I don’t find this credible.

The Portland Police, which have been forceful in handling Occupy protests, have figured out there is a better way. The Oregonian reports the police “will be limiting police presence at Occupy Portland rallies.” Portland Police Chief Mike Reese said in a statement, “Officers will first ask protesters if they need police escort. If they don’t, they’ll be asked to self-police, and officers will respond only if there are complaints.”

You can bet the farm that if protesters try to take down the chainlink/barbwire fence Reese encircled the two Portland public parks with, and peacefully occupy them again, he won’t hesitate in calling out hundreds of cops from here to Salem again, no matter how much overtime or cost is involved. This “nice guy to rallies” routine is sickening. The unstated ground rule in his statement is that the protesters had better not occupy the parks again.

I don’t understand why Snagglepuss returning with the sword in his butt would be evidence of his *defeating* the knight.

Provide source for your claims here, especially since they contradict every report I’ve seen on the case.

Aside from that, if your facts are all true, they still make few of the racial or legal problems with the case go away. The doubt and problems involved in Troy Davis’ case are far, far above the threshold that would make a civilized country take pause. But then, civilized countries don’t enact revenge-murders.

Perhaps a dirtbag I might be responding to still needs years of reflection and growing a conscience.

What’s your source for the vote count? I think Amy Goodman reported live last night that the vote was unanimous. Was that mistaken?

Oh, what typical excuse-making for the current generation of coddled progressives. There has been plenty of time – years, decades – to “start somewhere”. Time is growing short. Much more committed and effective action needs to happen, now already.

And before anyone drearily and predictably tells me to lead by example – that’s what virtually the entire current crop of the left does, dare each other to step forward first – let’s see some coherent, aggressive, effective planning from the left leaders with a big soapbox. How ’bout it?

I don’t get it. The cops and the government are acting repressively, yes. But how is a pre-negotiated deal with the cops – a $100 slap on the wrist – evocative of the great actions of MLK Jr. or DeChristopher? Did those two people negotiate with the authorities over the punishments for their protests and actions ahead of time? DeChristopher even says:

“And, really that’s how it’s been with most social movements that have been advocating for significant change. They’ve had to make major sacrifices.”

This writer now bitches about how McKibben and others might be spending a few days in jail? GOOD! Transparent, severer punishment and repression adds power to the fight back. What do today’s leftist leaders think – that these highly “orchestrated” events with milquetoast sacrifices and milquetoast consequences are going to change anything? They’re like some highly formal English parlor dance, all arrangement and changing places on cue.

So much of what all sides – those in power and the ostensible resistance – do in today’s world is so extremely triangulated and groomed for display that it’s become a grand dodging game devoid of substance.

Advice for the “leaders” of the left:

Quit telegraphing intentions.

Organize to hit hard, mean it, and take lumps.

LOL. and then if you go back and try to get a pro job and have to deal with Human Resources again they are really fixated about why you are working at Arby’s. I good response these days would be “because you wont hire me if I dont have a job”.

keep you head up…remember HR is only reflecting company policy not writing it…good luck

HR *enforces* company policy. People who spend their dismal lives doing that work voluntarily choose to identify themselves with and prostrate themselves to “the company” and to management. They are not innocents only “reflecting” company policy.

And god what an odious career area name, almost as revealing as “Human Capital”. I and the rest of the proles – we’re “resources” for the capitalist grinding machine.

If we don’t hold Democrats accountable for their CHOICES, then we deserve cuts to social security (and more).

The shitty part for me is that, as an un-powerful but aware citizen of the US, I’m stuck with the consequences of the sheer idiocy and cowardice of fellow citizens. I’M going to pay with my skin for THEIR asinine attitudes, votes, and lack of outrage.

Was that too negative???

No, and piss on people who worry about your “negativity”.

Just like every other member of the House and Senate. Did you object to the cancer treatments Arlen Specter or John McCain received? I would imagine there are members of the House who have received the best care money can buy as well. Why single her out? Simply because the leadership pimped her out in front of the world?

Why get sophistic to try to dilute a strong point? What I object to is her vicious, hypocritical vote, which is front and center RIGHT NOW because of their theatrics. The same principle applies to any other wealthy, privileged person kicking common people in the head. Yes, of course, that includes any other recipient of generous government healthcare who voted for this piece of shit.

I called my rep-for-the-moment David Wu (OR). The staffer said he did not indicate how he would vote, but that she would relay any message. I acknowledged his “last vote” and his problems, and asked him to exit gracefully by voting this deal down, since it would cause great hardship for me and millions of other people.

I also went to his office in Portland personally on the Day of Action about 12 days ago, right before his scandal broke, and delivered a letter to a staffer there.

Under the circumstances, I can’t help feeling locals here have about .000001% leverage with Wu, even less than the .000003% we have with any member of Congress. I’m probably overestimating.

I called my rep-for-the-moment David Wu (OR). The staffer said he did not indicate how he would vote, but that she would relay any message. I acknowledged his “last vote” and his problems, and asked him to exit gracefully by voting this deal down, since it would cause great hardship for me and millions of other people.

I also went to his office in Portland personally on the Day of Action about 12 days ago, right before his scandal broke, and delivered a letter to a staffer there.

Under the circumstances, I can’t help feeling locals here have about .000001% leverage with Wu, even less than the .000003% we have with any member of Congress. I’m probably overestimating.

Ah, I remember that one! A dog, bird, and a cat have better medical coverage than I do.

Ok, but that doesn’t explain how Ralph/Wile/whoever can survive falling into valleys or having boulders land on his head, and then come right back for more!?!? Is there a hospital next to the sheep field?