I first heard of Joe Hill listening to Utah Phillips’ music. November 19th marks the anniversary of his execution. Joe Hill was an I.W.W. Activist and fought for worker’s rights. Back in his day workers were literally risking their lives fighting for rights we take for granted today. For the 8 hour day, minimum wage, 40 hour work week and worker’s compensation thanks go to people like Joe Hill and the countless other men and women who fought for worker’s rights.
From AFL-CIO’s site:
“A songwriter, itinerant laborer, and union organizer, Joe Hill became famous around the world after a Utah court convicted him of murder. Even before the international campaign to have his conviction reversed, however, Joe Hill was well known in hobo jungles, on picket lines and at workers’ rallies as the author of popular labor songs and as an Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) agitator. Thanks in large part to his songs and to his stirring, well—publicized call to his fellow workers on the eve of his execution—”Don’t waste time mourning, organize!”—Hill became, and he has remained, the best—known IWW martyr and labor folk hero.”
From Wikipedia:
“Joe Hill, born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund, and also known as Joseph Hillström (October 7, 1879 – November 19, 1915) was a radical songwriter, labor activist and member of the Industrial Workers of the World, also known as the Wobblies. He was executed for murder after a controversial trial. After his death, he became the subject of a folksong.
(snip)
Hill rose in the I. W. W. organization and travelled widely organizing workers under the I. W. W. banner, writing political songs and satirical poems, and making speeches. He coined the phrase “pie in the sky”, which appeared in his song “The Preacher and the Slave” (a parody of the then well-known hymn “In the Sweet Bye and Bye”). Other notable songs written by Hill include “The Tramp”, “There Is Power in a Union”, “Rebel Girl”, and “Casey Jones–Union Scab”.”
Note: While the Wikipedia article claims Hill’s activist role didn’t affect his murder trial, this is disputed. Many believe Hill was framed because of his role in the labor movement.
From Youth for International Socialism’s site:
“In 1914 he was accused of the murder of a Salt Lake City store owner, John A. Morrison, and convicted on circumstantial evidence. There ensued an international battle to prevent his execution by the State of Utah. Hill’s supporters claimed that the business interests of the West, especially the “Copper Bosses” of Utah, had conspired to eliminate him. While there was no direct evidence that this was true, the climate of opinion in the West and in Utah was decidedly hostile to the IWW and to Joe Hill. It is clear that, under today’s laws, Hill would not have been executed on the evidence presented at his trial. President Woodrow Wilson intervened twice in an attempt to prevent the execution, but Hill was executed at the Utah State Prison in Sugar House, Utah, on 19 November 1915.”
Posted by Vixen as Musings, Activism at 11:26 PM CST
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By now most of you will know the results of the election. My thoughts? I’ve had a range of emotions this election.
Tuesday I was in a horrid mood. There have been lots of disturbing stories about vote fraud.
Early Voting Troubles in Florida
Florida ballot terminals favor Republicans
Mr. Radical and I decided to step away from the news and enjoy the day by eating sushi. The sushi, and the sake, helped melt our stress away. When we came home we logged on and read the news.
My first reaction was relief. The Iraq war was a major factor in people’s votes. Finally! Getting rid of corruption, voting against Dear Leader Bush. It’s about time. The bitch slap to the war mongers felt great.
The Antiwar Wave
America has spoken
The Great American Break-Up
In the short term I feel happy. But today I have mulled things over and my feelings are up and down. Will things be different? Will the new Democrat run Congress be so much different?
Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss
Iraqis skeptical Democrat gains will bring change
I think the election results are good but it is only the very beginning. We have to keep the heat on, make our representatives accountable, end the Iraq war, push for voting machine reform…in essence keep up the hard work.
Some activism sites:
Black Box Voting
MoveOn.org
United for Peace and Justice
Posted by Vixen as Political Rants, News, Activism at 11:24 PM CST
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Found via Feministing:
Potlucks for South Dakota
Turn up the heat to fight South Dakota’s abortion ban
Weekend of September 29 - October 1
Potluck House Parties will be held across the country to raise money and build awareness for the campaign to defeat the abortion ban in South Dakota.
For more information on the campaign to defeat South Dakota’s abortion ban, visit www.standupsd.com.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 1:15 AM CDT
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From Den of the Biting Beaver via Boing Boing:
Morality clauses, EC, and broken condoms
“I’m stunned. I’m utterly, completely stunned. I’m shaky and anxious and shocked beyond belief. I live in rural Ohio and I have been denied EC.”
(snip)
“Folks, the condom broke Friday night and I searched all weekend for someone who could prescribe me EC. It is now Monday and I have to report that I have been unable to find anyone who will write me a fucking prescription for EC. None of the hospitals in the surrounding counties would write it for me. I stopped my search at about 100 miles from my home because my telephone book wouldn’t take me out any further than that.”
I’m glad to report that BB has put an update on her blog that she was able to get Plan B. But the hoops she was put through are disgusting. Women should not have to justify their need for emergency contraception. Women should not have to meet “criteria” to prove their worthiness for EC.
We have a right to do with our wombs as we wish. Yes, more money needs to be put towards organizations like Planned Parenthood. But how to be proactive when PP can’t help? When Plan B does go over the counter all women that can buy it should. I’m in a monogamous relationship and my husband has a vasectomy. Do I need Plan B? Technically no but I’ll be buying it anyway. Everyone should. Stockpile the damn things. Make the companies realize the demand is so high for them that they must make more.
Instead of parents standing in line for the next hot Christmas toy I want to see supporters of birth control lined up to buy EC. Back up your Birth Control is a good website to check out.
Also, since my blog is a pro-porn blog I feel I should give a heads up to my readers. Den of the Biting Beaver is anti-pornography. Obviously, I disagree with her. Many of her blog posts I disagree with. However, a person being denied EC or being judged for needing EC is wrong and I felt her story needed to get more press.
Posted by Vixen as Political Rants, Activism at 3:13 PM CDT
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From Unknown News:
Bush steps on flag
“U.S. President George W. Bush (L) and first lady Laura Bush (2nd L) view a mural depicting the September 11, 2001 attacks near a carpet commemorating that date outside Ladder Company 10 firehouse, opposite the site of the World Trade Center in New York September 10, 2006. ”
Bush later steps on the flag carpet with Laura and are photographed. A fitting metaphor don’t you think?
Last night I lost it with a client. When he said he could talk late into the night because he called in sick for work tomorrow (ie he was too emotionally upset to work on 9/11) I knew in my gut this was not going to be a good call.
Racist Fuck is what I’m nicknaming him because as I start typing this story my anger returns. Before I begin I’d like to say that the majority of my clients are good people. Perverted yes, even freaky sometimes. I respect them as people and I hope my “PSO Confessions” portray that.
However RF is not one of those good clients. The call started off fine. He jumped from subject to subject which is typical of him. He wanted to lick my pussy, he wanted to hear about lesbians, he needed to be fucked with a strap on, etc.
Then out of nowhere he started complaining about “them ragheads”. On a side note, it took me several minutes to discern what he was saying. Sometimes it sounded like he was saying “towelheads” instead. Not that that’s any better, but I wanted to be sure of what he was saying before I responded.
I had to respond. I could have remained silent. Or I could have guided the conversation back to sexual matters. But RF just kept spouting hatred. When he said “nothing thrills me more than killing an Iraqi” I lost it. My fingers gripped the chair and I could feel my blood pressure rising.
While I was deciding how to respond RF kept going. He turned his hatred toward Iranians. Apparently in college he knew some Iranians he says hated the US and that is why he now hates all Iranians. It didn’t stop there. He kept complaining about Arabs and how they deserved “everything they were getting.”
During his hate speech I thought about dumping him as a client. RF rarely calls me and when he does he messes around with setting up a call. I’ll set up the billing and then call him back only to get a busy signal. He’ll call later and complain I never called him back. He does this repeatedly. On calls he interrupts, is rude and belittles me. I would not miss him if he never called me again.
He unintentionally gave me a perfect opening. I had been quiet for awhile while he ranted on. He finally stopped talking. When I said nothing he asked “You probably think I”m pretty conservative huh?”
“No, I think you’re a racist.” I didn’t scream. I didn’t curse him out which is what I really wanted to do. I focused on my breathing and kept my voice even.
RF was shocked. His voice sounded like I had sucker punched him. “Sweetie,” he quivered “I’m not a racist.” The “sweetie” bit annoyed me. I haven’t been a girl in many years and his patronizing tone and nickname only irritated me. But I wanted to address his racism instead.
I told him I believed he was racist and that if he used the term “raghead” with me again I was going to hang up immediately. RF justified his beliefs by saying he was raised in the south. WTF?! When that didn’t convince me he tried another tactic. In a whiny voice he told me he just couldn’t “differentiate between them people”. Arguing with him was almost too easy. In a forced calm voice I informed him that not being able to differentiate a race of people is a tenet of racism.
Losing another point he shifted tactics again. He started talking about the tragedy of 9/11. You can guess how different our opinions are on that subject. I don’t think killing innocent civilians in a country that the government admits had nothing to do with 9/11 is acceptable. He thinks Iraq needed “to be put in their place”.
Thankfully the call ended before my forced calm did. At the very end he asked “Am I ok with you now”. All his arguments only resulted in me disliking him more. I replied “as much as you’ll ever be” and hung up. Will he ever call me again? I hope not.
Yes 9/11 was a tragedy. But I do not believe the official version of September 11th. In my opinion there are too many inconsistencies, too many blatant lies, too many instances of people benefiting from 9/11, too many stories that defy logic and physics to make the official version believable. Will we ever know the truth? I hope so.
I encourage everyone to investigate 9/11 on their own. You don’t have to believe what I do. But it is my hope people decide for themselves instead of just swallowing the official story without question.
Below you’ll find links to sites questioning and investigating 9/11. There is so much out there but these links are good places to start.
Scholars for 9/11 Truth
A very good place to begin.
Everyone’s First Reaction Was “Controlled Demolition”
How quickly that story changed.
What Really Happened 911 Archives
An extensive list of articles and links.
Prison Planet’s 9/11 Archives
Another extensive list.
9/11 Kean Commission Report Exposed as ‘Fraud of Historic Proportions’ on 9/11 Fifth Anniversary by Former ‘Star Wars’ Program Director
Posted by Vixen as Political Rants, PSO Confessions, News, Activism at 11:39 PM CDT
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From United for Peace and Justice:
No Peace, No Vote: Sign the Voters for Peace Pledge
“Last March, the ever-outspoken Molly Ivins wrote that she was fed up with “every calculating, equivocating, triangulating, straddling, hair-splitting son of a bitch” in Washington DC. Denouncing the sparseness of antiwar candidates, she proclaimed, “This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one. It is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.”
We couldn’t agree more. It’s time to put every Congressional candidate — incumbents and newcomers alike — on notice that if they want our votes, they must take a clear, public stand on ending the Iraq war and preventing any other unjust, illegal war.”
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 11:42 PM CDT
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From Yahoo News:
Conservatives try to curtail hotel porn
“NEW YORK - Pornographic movies now seem nearly as pervasive in America’s hotel rooms as tiny shampoo bottles, and the lodging industry shows little concern as conservative activists rev up a protest campaign aimed at triggering a federal crackdown.
A coalition of 13 conservative groups — including the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America — took out full-page ads in some editions of USA Today earlier this month urging the Justice Department and
FBI to investigate whether some of the pay-per-view movies widely available in hotels violate federal and state obscenity laws.
The coalition also is trying to draw attention to CleanHotels.com, a directory of hotels and motels nationwide that pledge to exclude adult offerings from their in-room entertainment service.”
-In additional to this disturbing “Clean Hotels” website the article itself upsets me as well. Take the first paragraph:
“Pornographic movies now seem nearly as pervasive in America’s hotel rooms as tiny shampoo bottles, and the lodging industry shows little concern as conservative activists rev up a protest campaign aimed at triggering a federal crackdown.”
Pornography is treated as an invasive species here. The author then criticizes the lodging industry as indifferent and implies the industry is part of the imagined porn invasion. And a federal crackdown? Seriously, what the fuck? There are about a 100, no 1,000 even, more important things the government should be doing instead of cracking down on hotels that allow consenting adults to watch porn on a hotel television.
The most telling bit is about mid way down:
“Both Kathy Shepard of Hilton and Roger Conner of Marriott said the bulk of their hotels are operated by franchise-holders who make their own decisions about in-room programming. They made clear, however, that their companies consider adult movies to be an acceptable option because they can be ignored or blocked out by guests not wishing to view them.”
The porn programming can not only be ignored but can also be blocked out? Where’s the problem? The problem is the anti-porn brigade doesn’t want anyone to enjoy porn. They want to enforce their puritan beliefs on the rest of us. And that is the core reason I’m so pissy over “protests” such as this one. I hate it when people try to enforce their religious views and rules over others.
These so-called activists want to bring publicity to the website Clean Hotels. I checked it out and encourage readers to do the same. On the site you can find hotels who have agreed (or perhaps cowed to pressure) to remove porn programming from their hotels.”
If I turn on the hotel tv I may encounter Pat Robinson spouting some hatred against his newest enemy. That insults me and goes against my morals. Are they removing that type of programming from the line-up? No. I refuse to be silent as puritan crusaders try to enforce the Disneyfication of this country. So what to do? I’m writing to the hotels listed at the site to tell them I won’t be staying there because they are engaging in censorship. If I get an interesting reply back I’ll share it on here. If any of you choose to write and get a note worthy reply email me and I’ll post it.
Posted by Vixen as Political Rants, News, Activism at 11:40 PM CDT
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Hundreds expected to come to Masturbate-a-thon
LONDON (Reuters) - Hundreds of Britons are being urged to attend what is being branded as Europe’s first “Masturbate-a-thon”, a leading reproductive healthcare charity said on Friday.
Marie Stopes International, which is hosting the event with HIV/AIDS charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, said it expected up to 200 people to attend the sponsored masturbation session in Clerkenwell, central London, on Saturday.
“It is a bit of a publicity stunt but we hope it will raise awareness,” a Marie Stopes spokeswoman told Reuters.
“We want to get people talking about safer sex, masturbation and to lift taboos.”
Posted by Vixen as News, Activism at 11:47 PM CDT
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From the National Association of People with AIDS website:
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign produced by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA-US) to encourage at-risk individuals to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing. NAPWA distributes campaign kits to community groups and health departments of all sizes to help create NHTD campaigns and events targeting their local communities.
Want to get tested? Click here to find resources in your area.
Play safe people.
Posted by Vixen as News, Activism at 3:04 PM CDT
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From the Kommandos Project website:
“There was a guy named Jay Lassiter who let us in on a cool idea for a protest. The notion is to place little green army men–you know the ones that you played with as a kid–with banners protesting the war anywhere…everywhere we can think of. And that’s where this all started…”
What a clever idea! I want to do this.
Posted by Vixen as Musings, Activism at 9:14 PM CDT
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