Happy Land Manifesto

Embrace and Engage: Learning is for Everyone

2009-09-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

After participating in the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center's first I THINK workshop at San Jose State University, my mind was blown away and I was once again reminded of the effective discussion method I learned while serving with AmeriCorps Bridging Borders: small group discussions and creating action plans.

Service learning and service planning makes me reflect on very necessary questions: What is my goal? What is our goal?

As fellow student and community organizer Latu Tapaatoutai says,
"The movement, as what we refer to, is never ending for it has existed before us and will continue after us until humanity is achieved. As you can tell, this is a life long committment and it's always over time. The movement has never died, such is the failed notion that is used to miseducate a generation. We learn from our elders, and take on the shared responsibility to work for humanity."

The ultimate goal is then, sustainability. Sustainability of a movement, of the peoples, of the communities, of the environment that makes up all of us, of the very place we call home, that is home to all other beings...

How do we keep an organization or movement sustainable through different leaders, different generations?

Education then becomes a necessary component for the service we give to humanity--it becomes the very tool for all peoples to desire the resources they need to become the leaders and resources their communities need. Education and service go hand in hand.

There is no discrimination for education. No one can be denied this access.

However, sometimes it is easy to look over the new generation. It is hard to keep biases away--but just as moving forward is important, is very necessary to educate the next generation that is helping creating and being the action that advocates for the movement--for if they do not know the whats and whys, education will not spread....it is about change, not charity. To clarify this point with an example--the Environmental Club this past Earth Day gave away reusable bottles, but before giving them away, had students pledge to use them instead of plastic water bottles. Service then becomes meaningful and critical to the people's survival, "Teach a human a skill and they can use that for life."

Education also comes in different forms--everyone learns and expresses themselves with diversity.

As Tamora Pearson says in her Intellectualism for Everyone essay, it is necessary that we LIVE our education. Education, like the fish market philosophy from yesterday's Associated Student's All Staff- Development Day, must be ALIVE, and we must LIVE it. Stories, politics, and history should be represented for all the people--not just the puppeteers or observers but also namely, the acting crew. That is why I enjoy the Radical Reader (McCarthy), because it highlights the stories of the struggles of radicals of all sorts of movements--not just the ones you will read about in your textbook.

Let your story be heard. Do not hesitate to use a nonconformist way to express yourself. Carthatic release is necessary and sometimes, essays and speeches and reports cannot be that emotional release.

I cannot wait for next week's First Thursday Open Mic with MOSAIC at Market Cafe on campus!

Take Action at San Jose State!

2009-09-07T14:29:00.000-07:00

September hits us with a load of events, as we find ourselves in the furlough-budget cuts' muck. Students at San Jose State find it terribly difficult to add classes, get enough units to be considered full time (and thus unable to received financial aid), not to mention, unable to acquire classes we actually need to graduate when departments will be punished for exceeding the cap of the classes. With a 10% cut to faculty wages, 32% overall increase in student fees at SJSU, and denying thousands of qualified freshmen admission...

See this PAIN Index 2009, compiled by Professor Scott Myers-Lipton, Sociology:
SJSU Pain Index 2009

O. Number of classes students can add in the Department of Sociology.

1.8. Percent of California budget going to higher education in 2009.

3.1. Percent of California budget going to higher education 2008.

9.23. Percent reduction in each SJSU faculty salary (also took away 12% raise from a few years ago).

18. Number of State mandated furlough days CSU faculty forced to take this year.

32. Percent increase to student fees in 2009.

42. Million dollar reduction in State contribution towards SJSU budget.

182. Percent increase in SJSU fees from 2002 to 2009.

200. Number of SJSU faculty terminated in fall 2009.

550. Dollar amount for CSU fees for academic year in 1988.

900. Dollar increase in SJSU fees in 2009.

2,500. Fewer students at SJSU in 2010.

3,000. Fewer students at SJSU in 2009.

4, 827. Dollar amount for CSU fees.

40,000. Fewer students at CSU fees for academic year in 2009.

585,000,000. Dollar reduction in school funding this year in CSU budget.

And yet the Federal Gov. has now given around $2 trillion total to companies like GM and AIG.

If this makes you angry please contact:

Governor Arnold Sxhwarzenegger
email, go to: http://gov.ca.gov/interact
(916) 445-2841

Chancellor, CSU, Dr. Charles Reed
publicaffairs@calstate.edu
(562) 951-4700

State Assembly member Joe Coto
Assemblymember.Coto@assemb

ly.ca.gov
(408) 277-1220

State Senator Elaine Alquist
(408) 286-8318
Senator.Alquist@senate.ca.gov

You can also join the SJSU club Students For Quality Education (sjsu.sqe@gmail.com)
to join together with other students to fight budget cuts.

To take action, join SQE to deliver over 1,000 complaint forms to the Provost office. They are meeting this Wednesday September 9th at the Tommie Smith and John Carlos statues in front of Clark Hall at 2 pm. Also, SQE meetings are Mondays, 4:30 pm at the CFA Office in Building Q, Room #6 (behind the ATM's).

We created a budget cuts timeline for the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center open house last Thursday:

And other upcoming events

Tuesday, September 8

History in the Making: Changes to the Court

Building BB room #203

10:30-11:00 light refreshments

11:00 am watch Live ceremony

View the formal investiture ceremony for 111^th Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor. Community dialogue to follow.

Wednesday, September 9

Community Connections Fair

7^th Street Plaza

10:00am -1:30 pm

Meet local non-profits and learn about different community service opportunities...and get free ice cream from the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center booth!

*co-sponsored by the Center for Community Learning and Leadership

Friday, September 11

9/11 National Day for Service and Remembrance

9:00am -1:00pm

Various locations in the community--working on community garden plots from either 8-12 or 10-2. Email cccac@as.sjsu.edu

Wednesday, September 16

Dr. Reinhold Wagnleitner, University of Salzburg

“The United States and Obama – a World View”

Engineering Auditorium 189

2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Wednesday, September 16

Speakers Series: 40 years of Chicano Movement in San Jose

Roosevelt Community Center

901 E. Santa Clara St., San José, 95116

6:00 pm-8:00pm

Donations NEEDED!!!

We are collecting new and used children’s costumes and Halloween accessories (masks, wings, wigs etc) to be distributed to kids in low-income communities. Our goal for the Center is to collect 100 costumes. Please help us in meeting this need. Donation bins will be

located in the 1^st floor lobby of Building BB through October 14, 2009. (Gift cards and monetary donations also accepted during business hours)

For more information email us at cccac@as.sjsu.edu .

Leaders Needed: Alternative Spring Break

The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Program exposes SJSU students to diversity, cultural immersion, and political and economic differences in an alcohol and drug free environment during Spring Break. Students work side by side with local residents on grassroots projects to address critical, unmet needs on domestic and international service trips during spring break. The intensive cultural immersion and hands-on service exposes students to the realities of community development and promotes fuller comprehension of their place in the global community.

There are hard copy application in the office (BB Building #105). Team leader apps are due Sept 28. Program apps are due Oct 16.

Update of Social-Environmental Justice Events May 10-16

2009-05-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Before we update you on these events, here is a quick shout out to CommUniverCity, AmeriCorps, the Environmental Club, and Environmental Resource Center, SJSU students and faculty volunteers that truly made the SJSU Day of Service a smashing success! The first two pictures are by the amazing Dylan Crutchfield from the SJSU Environmental Resource Center! The latter is from Yan Yin and Mohammad Beheshtaein respectively.

Monday May 11

Veggielution Upcoming Committee Meetings

Our next Resource Development Meeting will be 7pm, Monday, May 11 at Mark and Amie's House. E-mail us if you need directions. Farm Planning Meetings are continuing 1 hour before each workday. Community Outreach and Education Committee times will be announced soon.

Tuesday May 12th

City Hall Tuesday Market / 3-7:30 pm

When: 3-7:30 pm every Tuesday beginning April 21, 2009
Where: 50 S. Fifth Street, San Jose, CA, 95113

(408) 298-6861 - Venue site
Accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Tuesday Market at City Hall will provide a weekly sustainable marketplace to promote greener lifestyles by living/working/buying local, eating organic, using renewable resources, and supporting green businesses. Learn to become energy efficient, reduce waste, and conserve water.

The market will consist of a farmers market of locally grown organic and non-organic produce, unique local crafts, entertainment and food/beverages.

This is an opportunity to adopt new practices and improve the quality of our environment for a sustainable San Jose. We encourage you to walk, take convenient VTA Public Transit, or ride your bike to our free bike-parking area. If you must drive, we have two-hour parking validation for shoppers only.

The Tuesday Market is a "Zero Waste" event. Please bring your own reusable shopping bag or basket.

Wednesday May 13

MASS Student Mobilization to STAND UP for EDUCATION funding! / 9 am May 13- 2 pm May 14th
Who: Bay Area PLAN
When: 9 am May 13- 2 pm May 14
Where: State Capitol at Sacramento, California
Email: cmcdonald@caljustice.org

Join the Campaign for Quality Education (CQE) as hundreds of students, parents, and community advocates gather from across California for a statewide student action. As our nation and state faces the largest economic crisis in recent history, it's vital that we invest in our future by investing in education, health and other human services.

Now more than ever, it's important to advocate for education quality and equity in California’s public schools. The current economic downtown has our leaders cutting and borrowing, with too little focus on raising the revenue that’s needed to provide the kind of education our students need. The budget debates and upcoming Special Election are an opportunity to highlight the continued issues of educational inequality, inequity and funding in the State of California.

On Wednesday, May 13 the week of the the 55th anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, CQE members and allies—students, parents, community advocates and supporters—will converge on Sacramento to oppose the Governor’s budget cuts and demand that California prioritize education for ALL students by fully funding education and by creating an action plan for long-term sustainable funding that targets students with the greatest academic needs.

More information to come, for updates please visit: http://quality-education.org

The Campaign for Quality Education (CQE), a statewide coalition of grassroots, civil rights, policy and research organizations committed to educational equity for all communities in California’s public schools. The CQE engages communities of color and low-income communities to actively develop and support state and local education policy agendas, inspire a public consciousness that genuinely values education, and advance the movement for racial and economic justice.

AB540 Mentoring Program Fundraiser/ 11 am- 5 pm
Who: IDEAS UCLA
Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success (IDEAS) welcomes immigrant students and those who support their struggle for equal opportunity in their university education. When: 11 am-5 pm Wednesday May 13 Where: SAC Lounge at University of California-Los Angelos
Email: ideas@ucla.edu
Come support the IDEAS AB540 Mentoring Program by enjoying a classic root bear, coke, or orange soda float!!!!

Veggielution Community Gardening/ 2:30- 5 pm
When: 2:30-5 pm every Wednesday
Where: Veggielution at Emma Prusch Park in San Jose:
647 South King Road
San Jose, CA 95116
info@veggielution.org

We have workdays at Emma Prusch Park every Sunday starting at 10am and Wednesday starting at 2:30pm. On each workday we do tasks such as planting, weeding, composting, harvesting, and more. You don't have to have any previous gardening experience, we will show you what to do. If you do have some gardening experience, we would love to learn from you! The potluck lunch is a great chance to unwind from the day and get to know your fellow farmers. Please bring something to share - this can be as simple as a few pieces of fruit or a loaf of bread, or as elaborate as you like. All volunteers are encouraged to take home some food.

Work In = Food Out.What to Wear/Bring
For your safety and comfort, it is important that you bring certain things when participating in a workday:
- Closed-toe shoes or boots: Mandatory
- A hat and sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Recommended: Food to eat or to share, Long sleeved shirts and long pants; Work gloves

Film Screening: Ask Not/ 7-9 pm

A striking film on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy followed by discussion with guests with incredible first-hand experience!

Who: GenerationEngage Silicon Valley
When: 7-9 pm Wednesday May 13
Where: MACLA Castellano Theater
510 S. 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Contact: Jaime Contreras or Megan Fluke via 408.278.2280
siliconvalley@generationengage.org

After the film we will have 4 incredible guest panelists:

-Maximillian Guglielmelli, US Army (2004-2008), SJSU student

-Drew House, US Navy (1991-1999), SJSU’s LGBT Resource Center graduate assistant

-Beach Pace, US Army (1987-1998), Executive Director, City Year

-Paul Wysocki, Executive Director, Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center

-----------------------------

ASK NOT is a rare and compelling documentary film that explores the effects of the US military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gay and lesbian soldiers and service members. The film exposes the tangled political battles that led to the discriminatory law and examines the societal shifts that have occurred since its passage in 1993. Current and veteran gay soldiers reveal how “don’t ask, don’t tell” affects them during their tours of duty, as they struggle to maintain a double life, uncertain of whom they can trust. The film also explores how gay veterans and youth organizers are turning to forms of personal activism to overturn the policy. From a national speaking tour of conservative universities to protests at military recruitment offices, these public events question how the U.S. military can claim to represent democracy and freedom while denying one segment of the population the right to serve.

Please RSVP @ http://guest.cvent.com/v.aspx?1A,Q3,0d1e6490-779f-4d18-9270-35e86d286201

On another note, our editor Yan Yin, and writer Evelyn are GenerationEngage ambassadors. We will be there!

Thursday May 14

Peeing in Peace/ 7-8:30 pm
Who: Queers Thoughtfully Interrupting Prejudice
When: 7-8:30 pm Thursday May 14
Where: Ohlone Room, San Jose State University's Student Union
Email: Evelyn, the secretary for QTIP and our newest writer via vyln88@yahoo.com

If you haven't heard, SJSU is turning 15 bathrooms in gender neutral bathrooms over the summer. Recently, there has been some controversy over this issue.
So, QTIP has decided to put together an event to inform the public on why gender neutral bathrooms are necessary. Peeing in Peace is a presentation by the Transgender Law Center about gender neutral bathrooms.

There will be an open forum after the presentation. Please come listen and voice your opinion!

Friday May 15

Freedom Summit 2009/ 4 pm Friday May 15 - 4 pm Saturday May 16
Who: Cardinal Life at Stanford
When: 4 pm May 15- 4 pm May 16
Where:

Abundant Life Christian Fellowship

2440 Leghorn Street
Mountain View, California
Email:info@freedom-summit.org

Conference website: http://freedom-summit.org

About human trafficking:

An estimated 27 million people are slaves today, more than during 400 years of the transatlantic slave trade. The sale of human beings is the third largest illicit trade following drugs and weapons, but is growing faster than both of these. An estimated 50% of the victims are children and 80% are women. Learn more

About the conference:

Our mission is to inform, unite, and engage the Christian community against the global epidemic of human trafficking. Our hope is to gather people from around the Bay Area who will join the modern abolitionist movement.

Register online!
http://freedom-summit.org/register.html

GenerationEngage Environmental Sustainability Committee/ 6-8 pm
Who: GenerationEngage Silicon Valley
When: 6-8 pm Friday May 15
Where: GESV Headquarters
60 S. Market St. Suite 1000, San Jose, California

We will focus on the Plastic and Paper Bag fee / ban that will impact San Jose and possibly more areas in the Silicon Valley. Free dinner as usual! And on another note, our editor Yan Yin is the chair of this committee.

SCU 2009 Benefit Slam/ 7:30-11:00 pm

Who: Santa Clara University MSA
When: 7:30-11:00 pm Friday May 15
Where: The California Mission Room in the Benson Memorial Center,
Santa Clara University
500 El Camion Real
Santa Clara, California

Email: whereismykufi@gmail.com

510.579.9795

Lookin for a way to spice up your Friday night and support a good cause while you're at it?

The SCU Muslim Student Association and SCU United Middle East clubs present our first ever Benefit Slam: A night of music, poetry, and spoken word to benefit the children of Palestine.

Featuring performances by established Muslim artists Five Eighty, Tyson of Remarkable Current, Somalia, and Sam Aljundi, as well as spoken word by local artists and students along with some SNACKS.

Admissions will be $5.00 and all proceeds will go to the Palestinian Childrens Relief Fund. Tickets will be sold at the door.

If you do spoken word or poetry and would like to participate, contact Shereen at whereismykufi@gmail.com.

Saturday May 16
USGS Open House: Menlo Park / 10 am Saturday May 16- 4 pm Sunday May 17
Who: Bay Area Earthquake Preparedness
When: 10 am May 16- 4 pm May 17
Where: USGS Regional Headquarters

345 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park, California

Scientists at the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) Menlo Park campus are leaders in research on earthquakes, water quality, volcanoes, coastal and marine geology, mineral and energy resources, geography, and the San Francisco Bay ecosystem.

The exhibits and presentations at our 2009 Open House illustrate the diversity of projects in which USGS employees are engaged.

We hope that you and your family will take advantage of this unique opportunity to interact with USGS scientists, enjoy hands-on exhibits, and gain a greater appreciation of our connection to the natural systems of our dynamic planet – Earth.

There will also be live music from Duckweed and Left Bank as well as movies, and lots more! This is the same USGS we see on the news everytime there is an earthquake in the Bay Area. Come join us, learn, and have fun!

http://openhouse.wr.usgs.gov/index.html

Update of Social/Environmental Justice Events & The Arts: May 3rd-May 9th

2009-05-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

Monday May 4th

Food Inc/ 7:30-9:30 pm
Who: GenerationEngage
When: 7:30-9:30 pm Monday May 4th
Where: AMC Theatres Aventura
19501 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, Florida. U.S.A.
Email:Daniel.Ruiz@GenerationEngage.org

Film Screening of the Highly Acclaimed Documentary "Food Inc" at the AMC Theatres in Aventura at 7:30pm.

RSVP and see the trailer.

Tuesday May 5th

City Hall Tuesday Market / 3-7:30 pm

When: 3-7:30 pm every Tuesday beginning April 21, 2009
Where: 50 S. Fifth Street, San Jose, CA, 95113

(408) 298-6861 - Venue site
Accessible to persons with disabilities.

The market will consist of a farmers market of locally grown organic and non-organic produce, unique local crafts, entertainment and food/beverages.

The Tuesday Market is a "Zero Waste" event. Please bring your own reusable shopping bag or basket.

Call & Response Action Meeting / 4:30-6:30 pm
Who: Unity in Christ at San Jose State
When: 4:30-6:30 pm Tuesday May 5th
Where: downstairs at Campus Village B at SJSU, San Jose, California U.S.A.
Email: sjsucrusade@yahoo.com

There are more slaves today than at any time in human history. But what can an average SJSU student do about this global epidemic? Come get this question answered and learn practical ways YOU can help.

*** Free Mexican Food (in honor of Cinco de Mayo)

*** Live presentations:
http://www.notforsalecampaign.org
http://www.freedom-summit.org
http://www.sjsuresponse.com

The SJSU Response Coalition is a collection of San Jose State University student organizations standing together against human trafficking.

Men Creating Change · Intervarsity Christian Fellowship · Sigma Lambda Beta · Global Studies Club · Campus Crusade For Christ · The Source · Pulse · Spartans For Israel · ProjectOneLife · Residence Hall Association

Wednesday May 6th

Veggielution Community Gardening/ 2:30- 5 pm
When: 2:30-5 pm every Wednesday
Where: Veggielution at Emma Prusch Park in San Jose:
647 South King Road
San Jose, CA 95116
info@veggielution.org

We have workdays at Emma Prusch Park every Sunday starting at 10am and Wednesday starting at 2:30pm. On each workday we do tasks such as planting, weeding, composting, harvesting, and more. You don't have to have any previous gardening experience, we will show you what to do. If you do have some gardening experience, we would love to learn from you! The potluck lunch is a great chance to unwind from the day and get to know your fellow farmers. Please bring something to share - this can be as simple as a few pieces of fruit or a loaf of bread, or as elaborate as you like. All volunteers are encouraged to take home some food. Work In = Food Out.

What to Wear/Bring
For your safety and comfort, it is important that you bring certain things when participating in a workday:
- Closed-toe shoes or boots: Mandatory
- A hat and sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Recommended: Food to eat or to share, Long sleeved shirts and long pants; Work gloves

Thursday May 7th

SJSU Environmental Club Award Ceremony/ 5-6 pm

Who: Environmental Club at San Jose State University
When: 5-6 pm Thursday May 7th
Where: Student Union at San Jose State University in San Jose, California. U.S.A.
Come honor involved members of the Spring 2009 semester, as well as community partners, faculty advisors, and outstanding officers and volunteers!

MOSAIC Word Poetry Series/ 5-7 pm
Who: MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center at San Jose State University
When: 5-7 pm Thursday May 7th
Where: Market Cafe at San Jose State University in San Jose, California. U.S.A.

408.924.6255

mosaicccc@gmail.com

This is the last MOSAIC Word of the year, we hope to see you all there, this is going to be the best one yet.

If you are interested in performing you are more than welcomed to do so, we will be having open mike like always so come on out and be heard!

Friday May 8th

SJSU Day of Service/ 8 am-4:30 pm

San Jose State University students, faculty, and community members volunteer in areas of need in the San Jose community with various projects from park maintenance to community gardening at Veggielution, to tree planting with Our City Forest, to litter pick-up and paint beautification. Registration is already closed.

Saturday May 9th

Metro Blues Festival at San Jose State University/ 12:30-8 pm
Who: Associated Students at SJSU
When: 12:30-8 pm Saturday May 9th
Where: San Carlos Plaza at SJSU
408.924.6262

info@fountainbluesfestival.com

The Derek Trucks Band will headline the 29th annual Metro Fountain Blues Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 12:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the San Carlos Plaza at San José State University.

In addition to Trucks, (who will begin at 6:30 p.m.), the festival line up includes San José natives The Tommy Castro Band with special guest Chris Cain (who will begin at 4:45 p.m.). Other artists include Lurrie Bell’s Chicago Blues Band (3:35 p.m.), Candye Kane Band with Laura Chavez (2:30 p.m.), The Bay Area Blues Society Caravan of Allstars (1:30 p.m.) and John Wedemeyer (12:30 p.m.)

In addition to great music, patrons can enjoy food and craft vendors, a beer and wine garden, state of the art sound, and a family friendly atmosphere.
The Metro Fountain Blues Festival costs only $5 for all day admission and hosts over 8000 blues enthusiasts throughout the day. SJSU Students may attend for free with a valid Tower Card.
Patrons are encouraged to ride VTA to the festival, and can get a free trip plan by calling (408) 321-2300 or visiting www.vta.org.

Register for the SJSU Day of Service and listen to Cleve Jones speak!

2009-04-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Dear engaged fellows, savers of the earth and peacemakers,

Here are two great things to do:

1) Register for the SJSU Day of Service NOW!

http://sjsu.edu/dayofservice.

DEADLINE TOMORROW APRIL 29!! Earn class credit & service! With Americorps (where Yan Yin will be a project leader with tree planting with Our City Foresti), Environmental Club, Environmental Resource Center, Veggielution, Democratic Caucus,...or more.

AmeriCorps projects include:
1) I-280 11th Street Off-ramp Cleanup
2) 7th and Margaret Tree Planting (with Our City Forest)
3) 6th and Reed: Lowell Science Garden

There is a list of q & a's on the Day of Service website as well as the schedule.

And do invite your friends, professors, and even non-students are welcome too (Open to community members!). Registration ends April 29 (tomorrow!)

-----------------
2) Human Rights Activist Cleve Jones Visits San Jose

http://www.defrank.org/events/2009_04_30_cleve-jones.html

WHEN: 8 p.m. this Thursday, April 30
WHERE Billy DeFrank Center
Grand Ballroom
938 The Alameda, San Jose

COST: FREE

Cleve Jones was Harvey Milk’s campaign manger and later founded the AIDS Quilt. Jones will speak about the gay revolution, AIDS and Harvey Milk.

Eat dinner early at a restaurant contributing to Dining Out for Life, then join us for a provoking discussion.

-------------
Hope to see you at either or both of these events!

In service,
Yanericque Amalia Gandhi
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"

happylandmanifesto@gmail.com
http://HappyLandManifesto.blogspot.com

Update of Events: April 27-May 3rd, 2009

2009-04-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

Monday April 27

Reed Magazine Launch Party/ 4:30-7 pm

When: 4:30-7 pm April 27, 2009
Where: Spartan Memorial Chapel at San Jose State University, San Jose CA

Issue 62 is making its debut! Come and support your school's very own literary magazine--published by SJSU students. Free food and drinks, plus featuring live music from Polyluv.

Mingle with the staff and the authors of the various published works in Issue 62.

Reed Magazine Issue 62 will be sold at the party for only $5 for students and $8 for the general public. Issues from the 60s, 70s, and 80s will also be available! Please invite your friends and family.

Tuesday April 28

Cash Flow 101 Game Night/ 5-8 pm

When: 5-8 pm Tuesday April 28
Where: GenerationEngage Silicon Valley Office

60 S. Market Street Suite 1000,
San Jose, CA 95113

Contact: 4082782280

Email:siliconvalley@generationengage.org

What's your dream? Freedom of time? Unlimited resources to travel the world? Whatever it may be, CASHFLOW® 101 the Board Game teaches you how to get out of the Rat Race and onto the Fast Track, where your money works for you instead of you working hard for your money. Use this game to practice real world investing with play money!

RSVP @ http://guest.cvent.com/SURVEYS/Welcome.aspx?s=b1d1e33c-5bdf-4ced-a7d2-1ab164952ba5

Justin Dillon and Call+Response - LIVE @ SJSU/ 6-9 pm

When: 6-9 pm Tuesday April 28
Where: Barrett Ballroom at San Jose State University's Student Union
Contact: robbyvalderrama@comcast.net

Justin Dillon (producer/director) of Call + Response will be speaking live and sharing his award-winning film at SJSU's Student Union Ballroom.

Call+Response goes deep undercover to where slavery thrives, from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India, to reveal that in 2007, slave traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined. Luminaries such as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer firsthand accounts of this 21st century trade.

The soundtrack features performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli and Five For Fighting.

This event is co-sponsored by an unlikely coalition of SJSU clubs: Men Creating Change, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Sigma Lambda Beta, Global Studies Club, Campus Crusade For Christ, The Source, Pulse Club, Spartans For Israel, ProjectOneLife, and RHA (Residence Hall Association).

If you need posters or fliers, please email Quacy Superville (qatservice@yahoo.com).

Wednesday April 29

SJSU Day of Service--Registration Deadline!
When: April 29
Where: http://sjsu.edu/DayofService

As some of you know, I work with the Americorps Bridging Borders at SJSU and I tutor at 2nd-6th graders at McKinley's after school program.

I am leading a project with Our City Forest and Americorps planting trees at the slope of freeway at 7th & Margaret. However, by all means PLEASE register with the Environmental Club or the Environmental Resource Center. Or even the Democratic Caucus if you would prefer to register voters for the upcoming special election on May 19 (for the state of California). I would be happy if you joined the Americorps team, and it is especially ideal if you want to get to know the Americorps team and program, if you're thinking about being a teacher, would love to get paid for community service, or want to join in the Fall. (Sorry, it seems like we have finished recruitment for the summer).

It is a Friday, yes, but you should get class credit for it!!!!

Also, the deadline is April 29 (this Wednesday!!)

OPEN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS!

SO please REGISTER NOW! Remember, if not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?

True Life: I Have An Addiction.../ 5-7 pm

When: 5-7 pm Wednesday April 29
Where: MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center at Student Union at SJSU

ALCOHOL! DRUGS! Oh my! How do you resist?! What exactly makes one an addict? How does it start? Learn about the underlying cause and effects of addiction and why we sometimes just become one. Also, hear firsthand experiences of previous addicts during our panel. This is an opportunity you DON'T want to miss!

Thursday April 30

Community Engagement Award Ceremony/ 8:30-11 am
When: 8:30-11 am Thursday April 30
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Suite 225) in San Jose, California

One of our very own writers (and tri-founder) Yan Yin was nominated!

8:30am: Sign in, Breakfast, and Gathering
9:00am -- 10:00am: Provost's Awards for Excellence in Service-Learning Begins
10am -- 10:50am: Special recognition

Also, you are welcome to invite family members, friends, and professors/colleagues. The event is open to the community as well.

Dress code? It's a business casual event.
Show up time? We would like for all of our nominees to arrive at 8:30am to enjoy breakfast and to see the power point presentation where their picture and a small description taken from their nominations will be displayed.
Can I take pictures? Yes!

Friday May 1st

UNITE A LA MARCHA CON LOS JOVENES DE F.A.R

Who:FRENTE ALTO A LAS REDADA (FRONT AGAINST THE RAIDS SOUTHBAY YOUTH COALITION)
When: 3-11 pm Friday May 1st
Where: Mexican Heritage Plaza at King & Alum Rock in San Jose, California

Camisa Cafe / Wear Brown
Despues del WALKOUT / After Walk out
Mitin @ 3pm / Meet A 3pm
Mexican Heritage Plaza (King&Alum Rock)
Unirse Despues a la Marcha / Unite after w/ the march

Trabajo no Guerra!
Legalización para Todos!
Crear un verdadero santuario municipal!
Paro de las Redadas &
Cierren los centros de detenciones!
Reunificación Familiar!
Paro del la militarización de jóvenes de color!

Work not War!
Full Legalization for All!
Create a REAL santuary city!
End the Raids! & Close the Detention Centers!
Family Reunification
Stop the Militarization of Youth of Color!

One Voice
SJCC M.E.Ch.A
SJSU M.E.Ch.A
SJSU SAHE
Cochitlehual-li
De Anza SFJ
CopWatch
DEBUG
M.A.I.Z
(Cihuatl Tlatocan, Y.A.V.E., Grupo
Salvadoreno de SJ)

F.A.R. es una coalición de organizaciones juveniles, estudiantiles, y aliados comunitarios en el Sur de la Bahía dedicados a educar, movilizar, y organizar contra las redadas y a favor por los derechos humanos.

F.A.R is a coalition of youth, student, and community organizations in the South Bay dedicated to educate, to moblize and to organize against the raids and for human rights.

After we march,

May 1st Pachanga!
7:30pm @ DeBug
701 Lenzen Ave, San Jose

Musica/Poesia/Hip Hop
Entrada y Comida

Free/Gratis

The Movement Continues...
*********************************************
www.sjfar.wordpress.com
Maiz_Mex@hotmail.com
*********************************************
4 de julio
Protesta Comunitaria
4pm
Detalles porvenir...

July 4th
Community Protest
4pm
Details TBA....

Ambassador Meeting with Motivational Speaker Carlos Cruz/ 6-8 pm

When: 6-8 pm Friday May 1st. Followed by South First Art walk!
Where: GenerationEngage Silicon Valley Office

60 S. Market Street Suite 1000,
San Jose, CA 95113

Contact: 4082782280

Email:siliconvalley@generationengage.org

Coach Cruz will focus on effective action to maximize your time and effort. Identify where you lack discipline and teach you how to build on your strengths.Learn to better articulate your goals and objectives so that you will know when you have achieved them. Reduce stress and create balance in your life or workplace. Please submit a question related to reaching success in your life, this will be answered for you by Coach Cruz. Click here to submit your question.

Please RSVP!

San José May 1st Pachanga/ 7:30-11:30 pm

Who: De Anza Students for Justice!
When: 7:30-11:30 pm May 1st
Where: DeBug Community Center
701 Lenzen Ave and Stockton Ave. San Jose, California
Contact: MAIZ_MEX@hotmail.com

Calling all conscious peoples and youth, activists, organizers, freedom fighters for immigrant rights, those part of the movement and those interested in joining the movement....

The annual May 1st March in San Jose , demanding an end to raids, protections for all workers, and the creation of a just and humane immigration reform, is coming soon!! This year the day will fall on a Friday and as usual will be starting at 4pm at King and Story and marching to City Hall at Santa Clara and 4th St. Now more than ever we have a chance to turn our hope into change - but we must fight for it!

This year join south bay organizations after the march for a special Pachanga event where we can celebrate our movement and build our community with free food, music and poetry.

¡Tamales Gratis! Free Tamales!
Sodas y Bebidas Baratas.
Música, cultura, arte y poesía.

@ DeBug Community Center
701 Lenzen Ave and Stockton Ave
Blocks away from SJ Shark Tank
Doors open 7:30, starts at 8.
All Ages & FREE

Sponsored by: F.A.R. - Frent para Alto a las Rededas/Front Against the Raids, is made up of MAIZ, SJSU MEChA, SJCC MEChA, Cochtlehual-li Evergreen College, De Anza Students For Justice, YAVE and One Voice. Also endorsing are DeBug, FOCUS, SJ Amanecer: For A Popular Anarchism, Socialist Organizer, and Grupo Salvadoreno de San Jose.

If you are from a local organization and literature, we will have a free lit table available.

Engage the Homeless and The Garden movie

2009-04-25T01:11:00.000-07:00

This evening after work, my good friend Amalia and I were walking down South First to the GenerationEngage Silicon Valley's Social Equity committee meeting at Gore Park across from the "black box" MACLA theater that was going to show "The Garden" movie later with Veggielution.

We passed by this homeless man with a beautiful black cat and golden brown dog. We gave him our change and I gave him my apple I got from the Dining Commons. Amalia was so great to say "Thank you" to the man as she handed him her change. She said she was so used to saying "Thank you" and this is one of the many reasons why I love her. As a decade-old Buddhist and graduating from Purple Lotus Buddhist School last year, I have been taught that one must appreciate all we have in life. And I am grateful that we took that step to engage the man with a smile, some change, warm wishes and an apple. Though it was so windy, I really wish I had a blanket to give to him and his cat and dog.

After the movie during the panel, I thought about how lucky I was to be with all these social justice activists and listening to people speak such truth...and I felt guilty.

I thought about the homeless man in the cold wind and with his cat and dog and wondered why the hell I forgot to engage him.

I mean, what did this month's earlier tour with City Year co hosted with GenerationEngage of downtown San Jose's cultural and social justice organisations and venues teach me? After learning about the city's services for the homeless and a program that is starting and continuing to build rapport for the homeless, we were asked to discuss if or how we engage the homeless people we meet. Then we were asked to compare this with how we felt as youth. Do people try to engage us or just brush us off? Point being, we are facing the same issues. We all need an ear. We all need a hand, an arm, a friend, and time and care!

Here is my call to action regarding the homeless people: I will engage them. Especially when they are in dire need of a warm, safe atmosphere. We will give them the time of the day or night..we will give them our time. I will give them my time to my best efforts as a working and commuting student who is paying for her own tuition.

As for The Garden movie, it was so intense, powerful, saddening and maddening. It is about the struggles between the urban farms and the relentless City of Los Angeles and spiteful rich developer eradicating them to build warehouses (and "soccer fields" that were not implemented even two years after bulldozing through this community garden.) This South Central L.A. community garden was the largest in the United States, and in South Central Los Angeles nonetheless!

To see the power of the community despite facing fears being Latin American immigrants, truly moved me. They continued to build and to organise.

This movie made me cry. It made me bawl. It was so profound and in the end, I was just shaken so vehemently by the overseeping hatred of a different community, a spite and vengeance that grew from a lack of wanting to see past racial divisions and media influences.

One of my favorite parts was when they decided to grow and get to know other parts of their community and similar community gardens with other communities. They realised that they even had the same name: South Central Farm.

For my call to action regarding this: I will either volunteer at Veggielution (http://veggielution.org) at Emma Prusch Park in San Jose, California or Full Circle Farm (http://fullcirclesunnyvale.org) in Sunnyvale, California. Join us!

Hopefully I will soon update you with the fantabulous Earth Day, WTF: Where's the Funding?, Drag Show, and much much more!

Update of Events this Week April 20-26

2009-04-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

Monday April 20

Paper and Plastic Bag Fee/Ban Advocacy Training Event/ 7-9 pm

Who: GenerationEngage Silicon Valley
What: The City of San Jose along with the Santa Clara County is currently considering a proposal to place a spending fee on disposable paper and plastic bags, in an effort to reduce litter and pollution of local water systems. Make your voice heard by coming to this advocacy night; training will be provided on how to represent the issue in front of community, county, and city meetings.
When: 7-9 pm
Where: GenerationEngage Silicon Valley Headquarters
60 S. Market Street Suite 1000 San Jose, CA
Contact: 4082782280; siliconvalley@generationengage.org
---------------------------------------

Wednesday April 22 (Earth Day!)

Earth Day at SJSU and Trashion Fashion Show/ 10-3; 7-8:30 pm

Who: SJSU Environmental Resource Center, SJSU Environmental Club, SJSU Associated Students

What: Earth Day has been an important event that encourages the SJSU community to speak with green organizations, vendors and local agencies. They will be tabling along the 7th street plaza giving away neat green things, selling fair trade items, giving information on living a sustainable lifestyle, as well as giving students an opportunity to join the green job industry. The theme this year will be "Sustainable Lifestyle", where students can see the practical value of living green. Aztec Dancers will be performing at 11:45 and 1:15pm. Featuring a Trashion Show at 7pm in the Village Quad.

When: 10 am-3 pm; Featuring a Trashion Show at 7pm in the Village Quad

Where: 7th St. Plaza at SJSU; Campus Village Quad

Contact: 4089245467; info@sjsusustainabilityweek.org

Environmental Resource Center: http://erc.thinkhost.net/
See last year's Earth Day .

headRush: Aliso in Workerland/ 7-8:30 pm

Who: Cesar Chavez Community Action Center

What: Associated Students' Cesar E. Chavez Community Action Center of San Jose State University is bringing headRush to our campus. headRush is a unique rush of psycho-politico spoken word teatro & popular education to ignite critical dialogue &social change. headRush will be performing April 22, 2009 in the Morris Daily auditorium. Suggested "donation" is $5.00 for students $10.00 for non-students,no one will be turned away for lack of funds . This event is open to the community.

For more information about this event including group seating reservations please contact (408) 924-4144 or Visit us on the web: www.as.sjsu.edu/cccac or to find out more about headRush you can visit their website: http://headrushcrew.com//index.php?content=home

When: 7-8:30 pm
Where: SJSU Morris Daily Auditorium
-----------------------------------------------
Thursday April 23

WTF: Where's the Funding? / 6-7:15 pm
Who: SJSU Students for Quality Education
What:

Next year, YOUR tuition will go up more than $200. In addition, the CSU budget will be cut an additional $115 million.

More than 4,000 Students will be denied access to San Jose State next year. More than 10,000 will be denied to the California State University statewide.

Dozens of lecturers are being laid off because of these budget cuts.

Not to mention the fact that there is a Special Election on May 19th which features a statewide proposition (1A) that would make these cuts permanent.

Join Students for Quality Education in a teach-in that will inform students on what THEY can do to help fight the budget cuts.
We will have guest speakers, and will also hold a vigil outside in memory of the "missing" professors next semester.

We hope you join us in this kick-off to a very important campaign.

Any questions?
Please contact SQE at yourvoice_sjsu@yahoo.com
When: 6-7:15 pm
Where: SJSU Campus Village Building B- RAC Rooms C & D

Drag Show!/ 7-10 pm
Who: Queers Thoughtfully Interrupting Prejudice: QTIP
What:
QTIP (Queers Thoughtfully Interrupting Prejudice) is putting on a drag show and you all need to be there!

$5 pre show/ $7 at the door ($5 if you come in dressed in drag)

We'll be selling tickets closer to the event, but if you know you want a ticket, send me a message and ill write your name down.

Also, if you want to be in the drag show or help in anyway, please let me know! Email:

vyln88@yahoo.com

When: 7-10 pm
Where: Barret Ballroom, Student Union, San Jose State University
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Friday April 24

The Garden Movie/ 6:30-10 pm
Who: Veggielution
What:
Please RSVP to the event here:
http://guest.cvent.com/SURVEYS/Welcome.aspx?s=95fd4039-b8cd-49e5-b34f-4aaf568c00a3

We are bringing a diverse coalition of San Jose organizations together to have a dialogue about L.A.'s South Central Farm and talk about local related issues. We hope this forum will galvanize the San Jose Community and get people thinking about urban farming in the South Bay.

You'll have a chance to connect with local orgs like ours and start making a difference!

SPONSORS: Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, Full Circle Farm, Veggielution Urban Farming Project, M.A.I.Z., Los Antepasados, Tau Delta Phi, Generation Engage, and more (BECOME AN AFFILIATED GROUP by contacting us at info@veggielution.org)

*********************************

The fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods. Growing their own food. Feeding their families. Creating a community.

But now, bulldozers are poised to level their 14-acre oasis.

The Garden follows the plight of the farmers, from the tilled soil of this urban farm to the polished marble of City Hall. Mostly immigrants from Latin America, from countries where they feared for their lives if they were to speak out, we watch them organize, fight back, and demand answers:

Why was the land sold to a wealthy developer for millions less than fair-market value? Why was the transaction done in a closed-door session of the LA City Council? Why has it never been made public?

And the powers-that-be have the same response: “The garden is wonderful, but there is nothing more we can do.”

If everyone told you nothing more could be done, would you give up?

* * *

The Garden has the pulse of verité with the narrative pull of fiction, telling the story of the country’s largest urban farm, backroom deals, land developers, green politics, money, poverty, power, and racial discord. The film explores and exposes the fault lines in American society and raises crucial and challenging questions about liberty, equality, and justice for the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
Contact:info@veggielution.org
When: 6:30-10 pm
Where: MACLA Theater 510 S. 1st Street San Jose, CA
-------------------------------
Saturday April 25- Sunday April 26

ENGAGE HER - Inaugural Multicultural Women's Leadership Conference/ Saturday 8 am -Sunday 9 pm

Who: EngageHer! http://www.engageher.org
What:
Conference Opens a New Dialog Among All Women To Create Next Generation of Leaders. Please log onto www.engageher.org for detailed information (schedule, speaker bios, workshops) on the conferrence.

Speakers:
Gloria Steinem, Co-founder of Ms. Foundation and Womens Media Center
Dolores Huerta, Co-founder of United Farm Workers Union and Dolores Huerta Foundation
Aileen Hernandez, Former President of NOW, Coordinator of Black Women Stirring the Waters
Helen Zia, Author, Feminist Activist and Board Co-Chair of Womens Media Center
Marie C. Wilson, Founder of The White House Project and co-founder of Take Your Daughter to Work Day
Maria Teresa Petersen, Executive Director of Votolatino.org
Lesley Pinckney, General Manager of Essence.com

Training Sessions:
"Say No To Mama - Lessons for Leadership", Mable F. Yee, CEO & Founder Engage Her
"Run, Vote & Lead", Erin Vilardi of The White House Project
"Breaking Media Stereotypes", Lesley Pinckney of Essence.com

When: Saturday 8 am- Sunday 9 pm
Where: UC Berkeley

Update: Events happening this week April 13-18

2009-04-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Ongoing: Breaking the Silence Week 2009 at San Jose State University
Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78493417912
For additional information contact:

Michael Amundsen: michaelamundsen@gmail.com

Stephanie Hovsepian: shovsepian@housing.sjsu.edu

Juliet LaMariana: jlamariana@housing.sjsu.edu
--------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, April 15th
--------------------------------------------------------
*Break the Silence and Queer Mixer with faculty, students and staff / 3pm
Location: Campus Village Resident Activity Center at SJSU

*Media Issues of Transgressing / 8:30pm
With presenter D. Chase Catalano
Location: Campus Village Resident Activity Center at SJSU

*Queer Jeopardy / 10pm
Location: Campus Village Resident Activity Center at SJSU

*Community Forum: Stop the ICE Raids and Deportations! Build May 1/ 7 pm

Join us to discuss the following burning questions: How can we organize to stop the ICE raids and deportations? What will it take to win papers and equal rights for all? How can we build May 1st in our schools and communities?

Speakers include: CCSF professor Pablo Rodriguez, Nicaraguan activist Rodrigo Ibarra, and student organizer Kristina Jackson.

(Translation will be provided.)

Location: Rm. 106 of Mission Campus of City College of San Francisco, 1125 Valencia st. (cross street 22nd), near 24th and Mission BART
Event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64841513345
Email: may1protest@gmail.com

*Project Switch & Save: 3 MDC Light Bulb Exchanges/ 10 am
With GenerationEngage
Location: MDC: Wolfson, Kendall, & North
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=63729908897

-----------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, April 16th
-----------------------------------------------------------
*Embrace: Our Cultures, Our World/ 5-7 pm
Location: MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center at SJSU Student Union
There is going to be dancing, clothing and food that represents the cultures of our world.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=59299083717

*Ally Pictionary / 7pm
Location: Campus Village Resident Activity Center at SJSU

*Milk Movie Viewing and Discussion / 8pm
With facilitator Staci Gunner
Location: Campus Village Resident Activity Center at SJSU

*De Anza Student Alliance: Building Bridges FREE Multicultural Mixer / 6-10 pm
Location: Student Council Chamber - Downstairs in the Hinson Center at De Anza
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=62999881942

Contact information: 4087948219.
Email: jakedparent@hotmail.com

-----------------------------------------------------------
Friday, April 17th
-----------------------------------------------------------
*Breaking the Silence March and Rally 4:30pm
Join the Billy De Frank Center for a March at 4pm from the Center to San Jose State. Then participate in a speak out rally!
Location: Campus Village Courtyard at SJSU

*April Ride: Battle of the Helmets/ 8:30-11:30 pm
With San Jose Bike Party
Location: Dick's Center
1400 S. Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA

Decorate your helmet! The best decked out super decorated amazing ridiculous helmet wins a prize!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=82621780995
Email: sjbikeparty@gmail.com

-----------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, April 18th
-----------------------------------------------------------
*Charlotte Clean and Green Films w/ GenGage: Kilowatt Ours, FLOW and The 11th Hour/ 9:30 am- 3 pm
With Generation Engage-Charlotte
Location: CPCC - Overcash Building 304
1201 Elizabeth Ave. Charlotte, NC

* Kilowatt Ours: 9:30 - 10:00am
* Post film discussion w/ Clean Air Coalition
* FLOW (For the Love of Water): 10:30 - 11:55am
* Post film discussion w/ Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation
* The 11th Hour: 12:30 - 2:00pm
* Panel Discussion on Charlotte: Clean and Green: 2:00 - 3:00pm

This exciting event is a collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Council Charlotte Region Chapter, Central Piedmont Community College, the Sierra Club, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Questions? Email us at Charlotte@generationengage.org.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=71090101225

*Spring Swing-a-thon/ 5-10:30 pm
Location: Barrett Ballroom -Student Union at SJSU

Three dance workshops: West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, and Jive: Jack and Jills, performances, and open dancing with a live band!!!

$10 each workshop or
$15 for all three ($10 for BDC members)

Email: bdc@email.sjsu.edu
http://studentorgs.sjsu.edu/sjsubdc/events.htm

Today is Cesar Chavez Day. Tomorrow is the premier for Pedro.

2009-03-31T23:03:00.000-07:00

I apologize. It has been too long since I last updated on Happy Land Manifesto!

Today is Cesar Chavez Day. Last Saturday on March 28, 2009 I did a day of service with Americorps Bridging Borders and Strong Neighborhoods Initiatives. At nine in the morning, we broke into four groups: gardening, painting, landscaping, and litter pick-up.

Residents from the community, and volunteers from the urban farming project Veggielution, CommUniverCity and Sunday Charity joined us in this beautification project in honor of Cesar Chavez.

Ending around 2:30 in the afternoon, it is noted that dedicated members and coordinators such as Jeff, Leif, Peggy, Paul, Lisa, and many more came to set up as early as 7:30 in the morning.

In the end, Veggielution took the weeds to compost, and Theresa, Sharon, and I collected the plastic water bottles for San José State University's Sustainability Week (April 6-10) hosted by the Environmental Resource Center. Next Wednesday on April 8th, Sarah Bronstein with the Associated Students of San Jose State University will put on a Trashion Fashion show at 7 pm in the Campus Village Quad. These bottles will become a plastic bottle wall for the models to walk through. If you still have plastic bottles you would like to donate, please drop them off at the Environmental Resource Center at Washington Square Hall 115, between 9 to 5 on the weekdays. We would be grateful for your contribution!

On the subject of collecting "trash," here is another bit for you...

Perhaps you're part of an organisation focused on service...and you like cleaning the environment too. Perhaps you have friends who smoke, maybe there's an ash tray within your reach, maybe you just love your trash picking-up tool.

Either way, the great and grand Earth Day is coming to YOU at San Jose State University on April 22. Before that your beloved Environmental Club needs to collect cigarette butts for an art project.

If you are picking them up...PLEASE WEAR GLOVES! : )

What: Cigarette butts for art project raising awareness about litter!
When: ASAP before Earth Day April 22!
Who: Give them to me, Environmental Club (we meet Thursdays 5pm at the Student Union ) or Environmental Resource Center @ Washington Square Hall 115 (open 9-5 on weekdays)

(Picture from Deviantart artist Rockie118: http://rockie118.deviantart.com/art/Cigarette-Butts-6079499)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! We really appreciate your contribution and efforts. It's not easy getting stinky!

Back to Cesar Chavez Day... we had today off school. I practiced for our cha cha performance, did some outreaching for social justice events, caught up with my good friend Amalia and Amber whom I haven't spoken to for awhile... I also saw a good but short video on Cesar Chavez. I find this quote memorable, "I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of humanity, is to sacrifice ourselves for others, in a totally nonviolent struggle for justice. To be human is to suffer for others." (Cesar Chavez) Feliz cumpleanos Cesar Chavez!

I also chanced upon this beautiful revelation--a wonderful and amazing insight and epiphany-- another manifesto written by Urvi Nagrani. This eloquent and succinct epiphany on our generation is so truthful.
Here is an excerpt,

"A civil society is not something that can passively exist, it requires active citizenship, and apathy is the greatest danger our generation could possibly face.

So I will stand.
And I will to try to do my part.
And as I stand and plan to take action I know that sometimes I will fail. Sometimes my best won’t be enough. Sometimes I will be tired and frustrated and angry at the things too big for me to change. And that’s okay. Because the alternative to sometimes failing is never trying."

So away with apathy! Tomorrow, which is approaching very soon, is the first of April. Some may know it as April Fool's Day. Tomorrow, Planned Parenthood is putting on a screening of the premier of the MTV movie: Pedro here on campus!

Watch the trailer! It's a movie about the story of Pedro Zamora, an openly gay and HIV positive Cuban-American who was on the 1994 Real World San Francisco season. This premier will be the kick off for a month long campaign to raise HIV awareness and promote testing for the youth! It will be at 8 pm in the Campus Village Building TV Room at San Jose State University! [AND IT'S ON MTV TOO!]
Finally I would like to end with an excerpt from "Love, Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli. It is the sequel to an equally wonderful book "Stargirl." You must read these books! They provide great insight on meditation, life, and finding your inner-self. I do not own "Love, Stargirl" and I know this is a farely long excerpt...I apologize JerrySpinelli! I sincerely hope that you (the reader) will read both books. Borrow them from me if you want.

"April 1

I had promised Dootsie I would take her to Bemus Park today. At the first corner we came to, Dootsie said, "I wanna wear them." She was pointing to my errings, the little silver lunch trucks that my father had a silversmith make for me in Tucson. I took them off. I went to put them on her ears, but she said, "I wanna do it."

"Okay," I said, and handed them to her.
Next thing I knew she tossed them into the nearby sewer, threw up her hands, and cried out, "April fools!"

She was so pleased and proud of her herself, I hated to spoil her fun. But you know me, Leo, I'm not exactly the world's greatest actress. I couldn't cover up my shock and disapointment. She saw it on my face. Her eyes grew wide, her smile vanished. She tugged on my finger. She peeped, "April fools?" I could only stare at the sewer grate. She howled. "I did it bad!" and started bawling.

I hugged her and calmed her down. How do you explain the trickery of April Fools' Day to a five-year old? I tried to tell her how it works. I told her that in the end, the important thing is that the victim feels relieved and happy because things aren't really so bad after all. The look on her face told me she wasn't getting it. But I would soon find out she was getting it all right--just in her own way.

We continued our walk to Bemus Park Along the way I bought us each a pack of Skittles. It was the first warm Sunday of spring. They playground was an ant colony of little kids--swinging, climbing, darting this way and that, sawdust flying. Dootsie stationed herself at the bottom of the sliding board. As each slider landed, Dootsie held out a Skittle and said, "April fools!" Pretty soon every kid on the playground was lined up at the sliding board. When Dootsie's Skittles were gone, she took mine.

When the Skittles ran out, we started for home. We passed people in the park. Dootsie began unloading the rest of herself. To the first person, she gave a Mary Jane from her pocket. "April fools!" To another, she gave a pink quartz stone she had found. To another, a button that said THINK. To another, a paper clip. Each came with an "April fools!" and a giggle. And usually a puzzled smile from the recipient.

When her pockets were empty, she took the red plastic Cracker Jack ring off her finger and gave that way. Then the pink rubber band on her wrist. She panicked when she saw the next person coming and realized she was empty. She reached for my Stone Bowl fossil necklace. "No!" I said.

I gave her the change in my pocket. Dootsie gave away my coins one at a time. I was hoping we would run out of people before we reached her house. We didn't. Dootsie gave away the last nickle and ag ain went for the fossil necklace. I straightened up, keeping the necklace out of reach. She kept jumping, reaching, squeaking, "Gimme! Gimme!"

I gave it. It was gone in a minute, and she was back at me. "Stargirl! More!"

"Dootsie," I said, "I'm empty. There's nothing left."

I was lying. There was one thing left. It was a tiny brown feather of an elf owl. I had seen it clinging to the bird's nest hole high in a saguaro near my enchanted place in the desert. I used a yucca stick to dislodge it. Since the day we moved from Arizona I've carried the elf owl feather everywhere I go.

Dootsie was going for my pockets. I blocked her. The feather had come to mean you. Us. Stargirl and Leo. Blocking my pockets only made her suspicious. She knew I was holding back. "You have something!" she wailed. She was crying. Crying for a lack of something to give.

I had been crying a lot lately too. I remembered Archie's words, the words you told me he said to you once: "Star people do not shed tears, but light."

Dootsie was tugging, "Gimme!"
Give.
And what had those loose change been doihng in my pocket in the first place? Remember how it used to be, Leo? I never had change because as soon as I got some I would toss it onto thet sidewalk to be found.
What happened to that Stargirl?
Shed.
Light.

Tears don't bounce. Light does.
I gave her the feather. She gave it to a man walking his dog. "April fools!"

Upcoming Events

2009-02-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

Just a short update with more to come soon, hopefully:

If you want to be more involved in raising budget cut awareness and fighting this please join Students for Quality Education

They meet Mondays @ 4:30 pm at theCFA Office in Building Q, Room #6 (behind the ATMs). Join the fight against the hike!

More events happening this month. Note that times are subject to change, please email contacts for updates! Information taken from event pages.

*Share your thoughts, ideas and hopes for California's future with Gavin Newsom at the town hall meeting

When: Tuesday Feb. 10, 2009 from 6-8 pm
Where: Roosevelt Community Center 901 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose CA
Contact: 4155161252. Email Conversation@GavinNewsom.com

*Free Film Screening: Arusi Persian Wedding

When: Wednesday Feb.11, 2009 7:00pm-9:00pm
Where: MACLA Castellano Theater 510 South 1st Street San Jose, CA 95113
- Set against the turbulent relationship between the U.S. and Iran, Iranian-American filmmaker Marjan Tehrani captures the struggle and excitement of Alex and Heather as they plan a Persian Islamic wedding in Iran. But when Alex’s Iranian-born parents and Heather’s conservative American father meet for the first time, cultures clash and test the couple to their limits.
- Panel after the film screening.
- Popcorn provided, This event is free!
- RSVP @ www.GenerationEngage.org/state/sv

*Words into Action- Student Activism

When: 5-7 pm Thursday Feb. 12, 2009
Where: MOSAIC, Student Union 2nd Floor
Come out to MOSAIC's first event of the semester and learn about the roots of student activism, how to go about the action, and where to get involved in your local community. Food is provided. Bring a friend!
Contact: heather.lou@students.sjsu.edu

*Activist Summit - Student Activist Network

When: 10 am - 1 pm Friday Feb. 13, 2009
Where: SJSU's University Room
Save the Date! Spread the Word!

Building Coalitions and Resisting Multiple Oppressions:

A SJSU Student Activist Summit

We are student activists at SJSU interested in building stronger coalitions against the affects of multiple oppressions on campus.

The purpose for the summit is three-fold:

1) To share our stories of social justice struggles and triumphs

2) Strategize ways in which we can build stronger coalitions

3) Sharpen our analysis around intersecting oppressions

We are inviting student activists who work on issues that relate to:

Anti-globalization
Environmental justice
Disability rights
LGBTQ,
Gender
Sexual identity rights
Economic
Class disparity
Race
Ethnic
Religious discrimination

Please come for this groundbreaking event!

Lunch and light snacks/drinks provided.

Please RSVP here!

Special Invites:

SAHE, MECHA, MAIZE, BSU, MSA, Akbayan, Gulf-Coast Civic Works Project, Community Change Concentration: Sociology, SAVE, QTIP, Rainbow Connections. DRC, DSA, Environmental Club, Christian Muslim Jewish Coalition, Students for EOP

Sponsored By:

Cesar Chavez Community Action Center
Peace and Justice Center
Veggielution
DeBug

* GenerationEngage Silicon Valley's Economic Empowerment Committee Meeting

When: 6-8 pm Friday Feb. 13, 2009
Where: GESV Headquarters 60 S. Market Street, 10th Floor. San Jose, CA
Contact information:
Phone: 408.278.2280.
Email: megan.fluke@generationengage.org

Economic empowerment is one of the most significant issues affecting the Millennial Generation. More students drop out of college for financial reasons than academic reasons and, on average, Americans have spent more than they earned since 2005.

The GESV Economic Empowerment Committee has taken it upon themselves to solve this problem. Currently, the committee is organizing:

1. IOUSA Film Screenings
2. Game night
3. Video Conference
4. Financial Literacy Workshops
5. Man on Street Interviews

RSVP @ http://guest.cvent.com/v.aspx?1A,Q3,55f51ea7-c96a-46f5-83e1-d87b5a29fd90

*The United States of America and the World: Views from a Distance

When: 3 - 5 pm Monday Feb. 15, 2009
Where: SJSU Engineering Building Room 189
Host: SJSU Salzburg Program, Salzburg Scholars Club
Type: Education-Lecture
Email: mendoogle@gmail.com
A free admission lecture made all the more important as the United States changes leadership and confronts a world ready for change.

At no other moment in recent history have relations between the United States, Europe, and many other parts of the global community been as strained as during the administration of President George W. Bush, at least since 2002. Within less than a decade, the United States - after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 - first enjoyed the solidarity of the vast majority of the whole world. Then, with its preparation for the war against Iraq, the international image of the USA hit rock bottom for seven long years. Now, after the election of Barack Obama, the United States is suddenly surprised to discover that it is (nearly) everybody's darling again.

The Austrian historian Reinhold Wagnleitner, who has researched, published, and taught trans-Atlantic cultural, social, economic, and political influences as well as played (mostly) American music as an amateur musician for most of his life, will analyze the dynamics of these highly complex sets of associations. While no other relationship has ever been more deeply investigated than the relations between Europe and the United States of America, no other interconnection has ever resulted in more abstruse misunderstandings. In order to shed light on this abyss of near-mythical proportions, Wagnleitner will synthesize a vast body of global opinion polls collected during the last decades with a magical history tour through trans-Atlantic perceptions, prejudices, stereotypes, and clichÃ©s, which have been developing since the age of Columbus.

Event Sponsored by:
SJSU Salzburg Program, Salzburg Scholars Club, Associated Students, Department of Anthropology, Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Communication Studies, Global Studies Program, International & Extended Studies, Mosaic Cross-Cultural Center, Studies in American Language.

* GenerationEngage Silicon Valley's Environmental Sustainability Committee Meeting

When: 6 - 8 pm Friday Feb. 20, 2009
Where: GESV Headquarters 60 S. Market Street, 10th Floor. San Jose, CA
Contact information:
Phone: 408.278.2280.
Email: megan.fluke@generationengage.org
Currently, the Environmental Sustainability Committe is organizing the Green Communities Initiative and "greening" the GESV office and their ambassadors. Members of the committe are pariticpating in the public process of the Plastic and Paper Bag Tax in San Jose. They are organizing the March Film Screening: Taking Root.
RSVP @ www.GenerationEngage.org/state/sv

* GenerationEngage Silicon Valley's Social Equity Committe Meeting

When: 6 - 8 pm Friday Feb. 27, 2009
Where: GESV Headquarters 60 S. Market Street, 10th Floor. San Jose, CA
Contact information:
Phone: 408.278.2280.
Email: megan.fluke@generationengage.org

The Social Equity Committe is organizing programs around the issues of

Educational Access
Cross-Cultural Awareness
Race and Ethnicity Issues
Mentorship Program
Open Governnance
LGBTQ issues

Please RSPV @ www.GenerationEngage.org/state/sv

*Elena Klaw - "Mentoring and Making it in Academe"

When: 12-1 pm Tuesday Feb. 24, 2009
Where: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library Room 225/229. 150 E. San Fernando Street, San Jose CA
Host: SJSU University Scholar Series
Contact: 408.808.2193
Dr. Elena Klaw is the Director of the San José State University Center for Community Learning & Leadership, and an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Clinical Division. Dr. Klaw has published in the areas of mutual-help, mentoring, and peer education and speaks widely about issues related to gender equity, and the prevention of intimate violence. Her first book, entitled "Mentoring and Making it in Academe: A Guide for Newcomers to the Ivory Tower" (2008), was written for all students to provide a rich and detailed overview of the steps involved in “becoming a PhD.”

This Series is sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Office of the Provost, and Spartan Bookstore.

To contact the library, call 808-2193. This event is wheelchair accessible. If you need special accommodations, call 924-1838.

* Howard Zinn in San Francisco

When: 7-9 pm Thursday Feb. 26, 2009
Where: Mission High School. 3750 18th Street San Francisco, CA
Email: ToddChretien@mac.com or call: 510.590.6073
Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove will be joined on stage by Josh Brolin, Diane Lane, Benjamin Bratt, Robin Wright Penn, Kerry Washington, Clarence Thomas from the ILWU to perform great speeches from American history. With special musical guests the Stairwell Sisters. More surprise guests TBA!

TICKETS ONLINE via www.peopleshistory.us

Sponsored by: Haymarket Books and Voices of A People's History

Protests Against the Gaza Genocide and Anti-War Walks

2009-01-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

US-aided Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip? Sounds way too much like the Armageddon in Retrospect (Kurt Vonnegut). No matter when, where, or for whatever reason, genocide is not the solution! Aiya, this cycle of violence, hatred, killing...MUST STOP!

Events from Indybay.org...for everywhere in the Bay Area. Continue the anti-war, anti-genocide protests!

Title:	Stop the Massacre of Palestinians: San Jose Demo
START DATE:	Sunday January 04
TIME:	12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location Details:
Corner of Winchester Blvd and Stevens Creek Blvd where cities of San Jose and Santa Clara meet
Event Type:	Protest
Contact Name	Raging Grannies
Email Address	info [at] raginggrannies.com
Phone Number
Address
STOP THE MASSACRE OF PALESTINIANS Show solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza. Demand an immediate end to the murderous attacks carried out by the Israeli military using US weapons against the people of Gaza. SUNDAY, 12PM, JANUARY 4, 2009 CORNER OF STEVENS CREEK BLVD AND WINCHESTER BLVD SAN JOSE CA 95117 ORGANIZED BY South Bay Mobilization San Jose Peace and Justice Center Songs by the Raging Grannies NOTE: length of rally is approximate http://www.ragingGrannies.com Added to the calendar on Friday Jan 2nd, 2009 8:52 PM

Title:

SF Protest of US/Israel Genocide

START DATE:

Sunday January 04

TIME:

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location Details:

Powell and Market, San Francisco

Event Type:

Protest

The US/Israel Genocide Operation continues in Gaza, courtesy American tax dollars to the tune of $15 million a day, $6 billion a year, while we have no housing, education, healthcare or pensions. Come to this protest of the theft our tax dollars and of genocide promoted by 100% of the Democratic and Republican elected representatives at all levels of government to maximize the profits of the capitalist class, the primary reason the war machine exists. Barack Obama is just as much pro-Israel as is George Bush and that has been true of every Democrat and Republican president from Harry Truman to Obama. If you want peace, you must vote for peace, namely Green Party or Peace & Freedom Party. This outrage has gone on for 61 years and must end now if we are to have a future.
http://www.araborganizing.org/

http://www.araborganizing.org/

Added to the calendar on Saturday Jan 3rd, 2009 7:33 PM

Title:	LMNOP Weekly Peace Walk, 3PM
START DATE:	Sunday January 04
TIME:	3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location Details:
Starts at the colonnade between Grand and Lakeshore Avenues at the northeast end of Lake Merritt in Oakland. (Near the Grand Lake Theater).
Event Type:	Protest
Contact Name	Beth
Email Address	lmnop [at] riseup.net
Phone Number	510-763-8712
Address	Box 10491, Oakland, CA 94610-0491
Join Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace on their weekly antiwar walk around the lake in Oakland. Every Sunday at 3, starting at the colonnade between Grand and Lakeshore Avenues at the northeast end of the lake. For more information, directions, and public transportation routes, see http://lmno4p.org/where_when.htm or call 510-763-8712.

The Slutty Paper Campaign, Forwards on Change, and an Update on Events

2008-12-02T18:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Citizens for Change,

On November 24, 2008, a Letter to the Editor titled "Why Slutty" was printed on The Spartan Daily opposing the Slutty Paper campaign...deeming it sexist. This issue about employing sexist terms (or perhaps, what was once considered 'sexist') to social justice and environmental campaigns has popped up before.

This issue has no definite solution, but there have been many areas for forum such as the I heart Slutty Paper event page for the rebuttal, and the Environmental Club's discussion group.

My friend Ariella made some interesting points on the development of linguistics. Language has evolved. What were once negative words now have positive connotations (i.e. sick, wicked, and bitch just to name a few.) However, I feel aligned with the solution she proposed... here's to democracy: we should have the students take a poll if they want to change the name of the campaign. Still, it will be interesting to see the responses readers have once the rebuttal is published.

Of course, this issue will seem ludicrous to all sides depending on the facet from which one is exposed to. Nonetheless, it is important to allow for caucuses. A caucus will propel an exchange of ideas and better communication.

I think the Slutty Paper campaign is an ingenious plan concocted to establish a wide array of supporters. The emphasis is not on reestablishing or recycling derogatory terms but simply to encourage others to save paper and not use "virgin paper" (i.e. paper that has not been recycled before, is only printed on one side...) If there was a failed communication, it is unfortunate. And for the feminists, the advocates for equality among all sexes, it is unfortunate that sex sells. The intellectual idealist will shake their head and mourn that knowledge itself is simply not eye-catching enough. However, I do hope that everyone is aware of these different connotations that come with evolved language.

Here are some forwards for change, including updates on social justice events and organizations.

Veggielution workdays are canceled for the month of December (from Mark Anthony Medeiros' Veggielution email list.)

From Don't Get FCC'd by Big Media's Facebook: "Help Wanted: New FCC chair"
Hey friends,
We just placed a wanted ad in four influential Washington DC publications in an effort to let Obama know that the next FCC chair needs to live up to his campaign pledges to reform the media in America.

Now we want you to help finish the ad by telling Obama what you think the qualifications for the FCC job candidate should be: http://www.freepress.net/wanted

The FCC has been held hostage by corporate interests for too long. Now is our best chance to change course and make real the possibility of universal broadband access, an open Internet, and more locally controlled radio and TV.

The new FCC chair will be charged with bringing American media into the 21st century, which is why Obama must hear from you before deciding.

Take Our Poll: Rank Your FCC Priorities:
http://www.freepress.net/wanted

We'll deliver the results of the poll to Obama's transition team.

Let's speak out to make sure we find the right person for the job.

Onward,
Josh

P.S. Share the link on Facebook to help build momentum and Digg the action here: http://digg.com/politics/What_Will_Your_FCC_Chair_Look_Like

From the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project's Facebook: "Change.org Action!"
I wanted to see if I could get your quick help. I'm not sure if you've heard, but there's a movement of citizens inspired by the presidential campaign who are now submitting ideas for how they think the Obama Administration should change America. It's called "Ideas for Change in America."

I've submitted an idea and wanted to see if you could quickly vote for it. The title is: Pass The Gulf Coast Civic Works Act: HR 4048. You can read and vote for the idea by clicking on the following link:

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/pass_the_gulf_coast_civic_works_act_hr_4048

The top 10 ideas are going to be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day and will be supported by a national lobbying campaign run by Change.org, MySpace, and more than a dozen leading nonprofits after the Inauguration. So each idea has a real chance at becoming policy.

Thanks for the support,

Roberto Garcia-Ceballos
Gulf Coast Civic Works Project
Students for Quality Education Letter Writing Campaign Kick-off
Write, Fax, or Call CSU Chancellor Reed and tell him to stand for Higher Education!

In a time of economic uncertainty, California State University students face a tuition-increase of 10% every year. Since 2002, tuition has gone up more than 100%. In addition, Governor Schwarzenegger proposes $4.5 billion in cuts to the current year state budget, including:

• $132 million in reductions to higher education, which includes a $66.3 Million cut to the CSU
• $2.5 billion in cuts to K-12 education

Even more startling is that CSU Chancellor Reed has handed back more than $30 Million in CSU funds; funds that were ALREADY designated to the CSU.

We are here to tell Chancellor Reed that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Budget cuts and tuition hikes are detremental not only to students, but will cost the state of California jobs and a high-skilled work force.

Please sign a fax/letter/e-mail to Chacellor Reed here:
http://capwiz.com/calfac/issues/alert/?alertid=12133441

Starting on Tuesday, December 2, SQE will be gathering support from students on campus to sign this letter to Chancellor Reed. We'll be outside the Student Union from 9am to 3pm, from Tuesday until Thursday.

We encourage you to pass this link on to all of your friends so we can keep the pressure on Reed to support access to quality education.

Again, the link is:
http://capwiz.com/calfac/issues/alert/?alertid=12133441

Let's end the semester with a bang!

GenerationEngage Monthly Ambassadors Meeting w/ Skylar Porras
RSVP @ http://guest.cvent.com/SURVEYS/Welcome.aspx?s=ebc34d4a-176d-4dd5-bf2c-c8a6f9afc413

This Friday, Skylar Porras will be joining us and sharing her experience as a community organizer and providing insights regarding public service.

Skylar Porras currently serves as the Director of San Jose Office at the American Civil Liberties Union. She has also served as Political Director at Contra Costa Central Labor Council and Latino Outreach Director at Dean for America.

During the second potion of the meeting, we will be discussing the upcoming video conference on December 15 with Madeline Albright, former Secretary of State.

As with all Ambassadors meetings, this meeting will be followed by a walk down South First Street to check out local art and culture. Check out http://www.southfirstfridays.com/ for more information.

Poverty and Victims of Hate

2008-11-20T23:57:00.000-08:00

Here is a short shout out to the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project and Cesar Chavez Community Center... tonight's Tent City America was well put together. When Eric and I got there half way through it did not seem like there were many people. However, there were students rapping about the economic inequality, speakers Ben Henderson (former A.S. President) and other speakers that went to the Dillard Student Conference in New Orleans last week to work on the HR 4048 bill (100,000 jobs for the residents to rebuild their community, a bill that is THREE YEARS LATE!) for the Hurricane Katrina victims. C'mon now, we cannot let this wonderful city that gave birth to so much music and culture be the neglect of our people, the result of American apathy and redirection of funds towards external impractical unnecessary causes like the war...Poverty IS real. As Latu said, we have to put MLK's dream for changing the way income is, or else we fail to truly implement his dream. Go and support and sleep out at the Tommie Smith and John Carlos statues tonight with a tent and sleeping bag. This is how the survivors, as students and GCCW members have noticed, are sleeping. It is sad, it is real. Join the Gulf Coast Civic Works if you can make it to their meetings (on campus or maybe there is a group near you!) Contact them through their Facebook or Myspace.

From the GCCW, How to Support the Gulf Coast Civic Works Campaign

Call on your Congress member to co-sponsor HR 4048 (currently 26 co-sponsors)
Ask Senators Obama and McCain to support HR 4048
Urge your city, county, parish or state to pass a resolution in support of HR 4048.
Have your organization endorse the campaign.
Email smlipton@sjsu.edu to endorse.

We are really sorry we were unable to make it to the Candle Light Vigil walk in honor of Transgender Remembrance Day, but we would like to take a moment to remember the unfortunate victims of these hatecrimes... inequality is a long road of determined status quo, but the individuals together, are resilient and strong against hate, and can reverse the downfall of society and bring about the emotional revolution.

I hear there was not such a high turnout for the Rock for Higher Education Concert by the Students for Quality Education...which says something about the activism and concern that students have not only for issues affecting them now but issues that affect their communities...it is sad.

On another note, the SJSU Recycles Day seemed to go pretty well. We have two articles in the Spartan Daily reviewing the day and the I heart Slutty Paper campaign, which is great! Please give us feedback on how you liked or disliked the event and if you have any suggestions, please feel free to let us know!

Also, in honor of Geography Awareness Week, the Geography Department is having an Open House. Here's the information according to SJSU's Calendar of Events (which would be exteremely helpful if they had a 'subsribe' link to better connect everyone...)

Description

The department's map collection will be open for the first time in six years. Historical maps of California, Gold Country, the Bay Area, and southern California. There will also be a display of authentic WWII maps from the collection. For those with more modern mapping tastes, the GIS lab will be open. Displays of urban growth models, latest GIS and Remote Sensing projects from faculty and students will be on display as well.

Event Details

Start Date/Time:	11/21/2008 10:00 AM
End Date/Time:	11/21/2008 05:00 PM
Location:	WSQ 111 and WSQ 113
Contact:	Maureen Kelley
Email:	maureen.kelley@sjsu.edu
More Info:	408-924-5486
Price:	Free

More Sustainability events, Student Rights events, and Cultural events and Remembrances

2008-11-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

Four Minutes of Mayhem

Who: PWC: Poets and Writers Coalition
When: Wednesday November 12 from 6-8 pm at Market Cafe (near Sbarros, across the Student Union)
What: Bring poetry, or your works to read at open mic (first come first serve).

All forms and genres are welcome. The only two rules is for
1. a work of your own
2. You have four minutes to perform

Be there or miss out on the coolest forum for today's creative writers.
-PWC

Rock for Higher Education
Free concert
When: November 13 (this Thursday) from 5-9 pm at Campus Village Squad at San Jose State University
Who:GenerationEngage Silicon Valley, Students for Quality Education, California Faculty Association. The bands Hunter, Inverness, and April Chase will be rocking out with speakers Joe Coto and Elena Dorabji!

The Rock for Higher Education, the big concert to spread awareness about our rising tuition, cuts to education funding, and what we can
do about it, is this Thursday 5-9pm. It will be in the Campus Village Quad, and will have plenty of great music and speakers, tons of media,
and lots of coalition organizations tabling. In case of rain, the concert will move into the Campus Village RAC rooms (bottom floor of CVB).

We are currently looking for volunteers, not only for the concert but also to help with flyering on Monday and Wednesday, any time from 8am
to 7pm. We will be passing out flyers at entrances to the dorms so no one can get in or out of the dorms without finding out about our concert. If you're interested in helping out, please email yourvoice_sjsu@yahoo.com.

No one will stand up for us. If we don't stand up for our education, we will continue to suffer these atrocious cuts. Come join us as we
make a statement for all of California to hear.

-Julian Rosenberg
President, Students for Quality Education
Office for Students of Quality Education: CFA Office in Building Q, Room #6.
-------------------------------

SJSU Bike to School Day

Ride your bicycle to lessen pollution! Can you hear the earth breathe relief?

"This event is hosted by the Environmental Studies department of SJSU. On Thursday November 13, to Friday November 14, please ride your bicycle to school, work, party, community service, club meeting, project, library, home....you name it!

From 10 am on Nov. 13, to 2 pm on Nov. 14, there will be an Environmental Resource Center Bike Table in Student Union. The Environmental Resource Center will have a table with the Environmental Club's SJSU Recycles Day (Nov. 13). Our table will have bike information and Safety Bike Ride.

If the weather permits it, at 2:00pm - We will take a group ride around Downtown San Jose

See you all there!"

~Environmental Resource Center
---------------
Alternative Spring Break
applications due November 13!

Our Mission
The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Program exposes SJSU students to diversity, cultural immersion, and political and economic differences in an alcohol and drug free environment during Spring Break. Students work side by side with local residents on grassroots projects to address critical, unmet needs on domestic and international service trips during spring break. The intensive cultural immersion and hands-on service exposes students to the realities of community development and promotes fuller comprehension of their place in the global community.

A Collaborative Effort

The San Jose State University Alternative Spring Break Program is a unique partnership between Associated Students' Cesar E. Chavez Community Action Center and San Jose State University’s Center for Service Learning, MOSAIC Cross-Cultural Center, and Student Health Center

Objectives

Service: SJSU students volunteer their time and services, working shoulder to shoulder with citizens in community-driven projects that transform homes, local schools, community centers, and public buildings.
Education: Speakers, workshops, and reading material help students explore and understand the politics, economics, history, and social issues facing particular communities.
Culture: Students travel throughout the country and throughout the world, exposing themselves to various customs, languages, cultures, and ways of life.

Important Dates

Date	Location	Description
Oct 14 - Nov 13	Various Locations on campus
November 3, 2008 10:00 AM	MOSAIC Cross-Cultural Center
November 12, 2008 5:00pm	Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, Building BB #105	ASB Trip Information Session
Nov 13 : 5:00pm	Cesar Chavez Community Action Center, Building BB #105	Applications For ASB trips Due
Nov 14-20		ASB selections committee convenes. Interviews for trips take place on the 17th and 18th.

--------------------------
Video Conference with Alexis Herman on Economy

When: November 14th, 2008 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Where: 60 S. Market Street Suite 1000, San Jose, CA 95113
Who: Generation Engage Silicon ValleyAlexis Herman was named Secretary of Labor by President Bill Clinton, the first African American to be nominated for that position and the fifth woman to be appointed.
Herman will be addressing the state of the economy and the financial empowerment and responsible citizenship of young adu
To register for the event, Click Here
-Generation Engage of Silicon Valley
-----------------------

Interfaith Panel on Women of the Three Abrahamic Traditions

Host: Muslim-Jewish-Christian Coalition

Date:	Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Time:	3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location:	San Jose State Engineering Auditorium
City/Town:	San Jose, CA

Panel discussion made up of a Panelist each form Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will be presented with questions about the roles and the rights of women their faiths, this will be followed by a question and answer session by the audience.

Please come and show your support.
---------------------

Tent City America

Host: Gulf Coast Civic Works Project sponsored by Cesar Chavez Community Action Center


Date:	Thursday, November 20, 2008
Time:	6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:	San Jose State University - Tommie Smith and John Carlos Statues
City/Town:	San Jose, CA


Email:	dianavicta1986@yahoo.com

The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina left many Gulf Coast residence in devastation; leaving thousands of residents displaced and homeless. In response to the homelessness in the Gulf Coast, FEMA provided approximately 250 tents to the residents; creating a tent city. Today, 3 years after Hurricane Katrina, there is still a number of Gulf Coast Residence displaced and homeless. Although, we recognize the issues of New Orleans, the prevailing issue of homelessness and poverty that exist nation wide.

The Gulf Coast Civic Works Project sponsored by the Cesar E. Chavez Community Action Center will be displaying the injustices of poverty and homelessness by replicating Tent City in New Orleans by holding an event called “Tent City America” on Thursday, November 20, 2008-November 21, 2008. The event will feature a number of tents displayed around the statues of John Carlos and Tommie Smith through out the whole day; each tent displaying informational facts about homelessness and poverty. In addition to the display, there will also be a program that will take place at 6pm that will consist of speakers, spoken word, music and a movie-Waging a Living. The students of San Jose State University will also have the opportunity to sleep out in the tents for a night to experience firsthand the lifestyle of the homeless.
-----------------------------

Candle Light Vigil for Transgender Remembrance Day

Host: QTIP (Queers Thoughtfully Interrupting Prejudice)

Date:	Thursday, November 20, 2008
Time:	6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location:	Meet at the LGBT Center and walk over to the Amphitheater by the Student Union
City/Town:	San Jose, CA


Email:	vyln88@yahoo.com

We will be remembering the victims of homosexual and specifically transgender hate crimes with a march with candles from the LGBT Center (BB Building between CVC and the Aquatic Center) to the amphitheater next to the Student Union. Then we will have speakers, an open mic, and present a remembrance wall. Please come out to show your support for the LGBT community and remember those that were hurt by persecution.

-------------------------

A shout out to this blog connecting protests and marches and other resources.
Queers United is "the activist blog uniting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual community & Allies in the fight for equality.

Green Opportunities and Evaluations

2008-11-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Environmental Club presents: SJSU Recycles Day
Thursday November 13th, 2008
10 AM- 3 pm
Student Union

"The Environmental Club at San Jose State University is hosting an event on campus this November. The event, SJSU Recycles day, hopes to alert students of their personal waste impact and than give them the means to help reduce it. We will have a display showing how many plastic water bottles are used on campus in one day. We will also have various tables with organizations who will have information about waste, both reduction and proper disposal.

We wanted to invite you to spend the day with us as we raise awareness get students onto the path to change their daily habits. We will have tables inside the Student Union. The event will take place on November 13 from 10 am to 3 p.m.

We hope you can make it to our event and help us enlighten and further educate the students and faculty at SJSU!

Plus cool free stuff!"

-Environmental Club
------------------------
Green Fest in S! November 14-16 (Fri-Sun): Be a Volunteer!
http://www.greenfestivalvol unteers.org/sf/

Volunteers are asked to commit to atleast one 4.5-5 hour shift, but are encouraged to volunteer for more than one shift.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

* Free access into the festival for the entire weekend.
* An exclusive organic cotton staff t-shirt
* Free/optional memberships to Global Exchange and Co-op America (the co-founders of Green Festivals™)-new members only.
* 10% discount at the Green Festival Store and Global Exchange Store.
* An amazing networking opportunity, and a fun and rewarding experience!

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

* Volunteers under 12 are not permitted to volunteer. Volunteers between 12-16 must volunteer with a parent, guardian or adult over the age of 18.
* Volunteers who are hearing impaired, deaf, or handicapped are encouraged to volunteer. If you have questions or concerns about what volunteer positions will suite your needs best, please e-mail volunteer@greenfestivals.org.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

-------------------

Park Clean up with SJSU Environmental Club

*NOTE* Times are subject to change due to weather
WHEN: 11-16-08 (Sunday!) @ 11:00am
WHERE: at Williams St. Park

-------------------
Amazon Trip
(Taken from a post on SJSU Environmental Club's yahoo group)

Dr. Cleber Ouverney anticipates taking another group down to the
Amazon [Summer 2009]. I am one of last year's participants, and allow me to say with
enthusiasm, it is and always will be one of my fondest life experiences.

Cleber will be having another informational meeting next Thursday November 13th. The meeting will be held in Duncan Hall ROOM 249 in San Jose State University. It will begin at 12pm and will run about an hour.

For more information contact

Cleber Ouverney, DH439
Email: cleber.ouverney@sjsu.edu
--------------------
SAFE and GREEN Halloween Recycling and Composting Management Evaluation
Here ares some pictures from Americorps of the participants, volunteers, and District Three Council member Sam Liccardo:

Last month I mentioned that there was a SAFE (now known as
SAFE and GREEN) Halloween event at Martin Park, San Jose serving the
Olinder and McKinley neighborhoods (although we only expected 500 students, about 1,400 or more or less came, so all the costumes we gave away from Sunday Friends went fast!)

For our recycles and compost team we had Ariella, two other folks (relatives of my CORAL Catholic Charities coworker at McKinley elementary after school program) and the assistance of various Americorps, CommUniverCity and City of San Jose staff.

Just in case this might be helpful to you in the future, I have evaluated this project:
Organization:

* Lack of Trash bins-- the Recycling and Composting boxes were

contaminated.

* Need for Clear, Bigger Signs (Recycle! Compost/Abono!)

* Separation of Recycling Bins/Composting Bins into specific

items: i.e. Paper, Cardboard, etc.

* Need for better understanding of what to be recycled as many people threw plastic bags and other things into the boxes. Again, a need to separate into specific items.

Management:

* Biodegradable Cups--failed to obtain due to misunderstanding (perhaps) of the World Centric (http://www.worldcentric.org/store)'s shipping fee: They followed up with me just a few days before Safe & Green, saying that shipping within the Bay Area was not $229, it was around $80.

* Donation of Biodegradables--these sustainable utensils are expensive, but World Centric gives a general 15% discount for non-profits.

o However, if there was more time, we could look into writing a fundraising/grant/donation letter (I read somewhere that a strategy could be to exchange free publicity for donation of their
goods or services.)

* Better Communication--My dad bought four boxes of apples (as to reduce the amount of waste by providing compostable food rather than snacks with wrappers) we hauled over near the recycling boxes.o Due to my poor management however, by the time a volunteer

and I finished placing the bins at strategic locations, and went back for the apples, two boxes were gone. Supposedly, some people already began to hand out bags of apples.

* All recyclables and compostables mixed with the trash and waste in the boxes were thrown away via dump truck because it was getting late and volunteers were too tired, the truck was coming at that time, and residents of the community and volunteers alike (and even SJSU representatives from the SJSU booth) contaminated the bins with trash.

o Next time: Locate, Monitor, and Empty & Clean Collection Bins consistently throughout the event in order to prevent the cumulation of waste.
o Routinely check for bin contamination.
o Bigger signs for children and parents to throw away trash or recycle in their respective places--half-eaten apple cores, and paper cups resulted in making the area around our Recycling Table
quite messy. This was due to my poor management of not having enough volunteers designated towards Trash Monitoring.
o Running Out Of Cups--some people came by various times retrieving new cups--even some volunteers did so too! Maybe a large sign reminding people to reuse their cup or else they should bring their own cup next time.
o Contaminated Compostables--next time we can give these, if not contaminated, to Veggielution or some other facility that collects compost piles.

Volunteer Recruiting:

* Loss of Volunteers:

o One volunteer called in during the event saying they could not make it due to work
o One volunteer's email bounced and since I was unable to make it to the recent Environmental Club meetings I could not confirm the volunteering information.
o Carpooling--be organized ahead of time! Another volunteer wanted to volunteer but either my reminder emails were not clear enough, she assumed that the event was a week earlier. When I called to confirm the night before, since I mentioned I could find carpooling for the volunteers if needed, and she asked if I could obtain that information but I did not have time to and was not prepared to get the volunteers to carpool (she is from Saratoga whereas the rest of the volunteers are all in San Jose area)

* Directions and Parking: I should have been more familiarized with the McKinley area as I understood that there was parking available at McKinley but did not know the directions to alternative parking at the side of S 22nd and William St. when a volunteer inquired as she was arriving.o Familiarize yourself with the area--landmarks, streets,parking!

Overall

* It was a pretty good turnout, but there are areas of improvement. I understand that it is not entirely our fault as we tried our best with the limited time we had... I think it would have been better if I had more time to prepare and organize (perhaps a month at the least!)

Please let me know any suggestions or comments you have, thanks! In the future I will be posting more on volunteer management
-------------------------
Join the Environmental Resource Center's Slutty Paper Campaign--pledge to use SLUTTY PAPER! (information taken from the brochure, see link.)

The I ♥ Slutty Paper Mission Statement:

To acknowledge, take action, and educate the SJSU community on the full lifecycle of paper.

(1) Eliminate buying virgin paper.

(2) Reuse the backsides.

(3) Recycle the paper when done.

We want to protect and appreciate old-growth trees—which can take thousands of years to regenerate again, reduce our impact on deforestation—which causes 25% of climate change, and reduce our waste—whereas post-consumer paper is 15% of our municipal landfill.

SLUTTY STATISTICS:

§ In a typical year, the United States used eight million tons of office paper (3.2 billion reams). That’s the equivalent of 178 million trees.

§ Old-growth trees in California have been reduced down to 3%.

§ In the United States, we use enough office paper each year to build a 10-foot-high wall that’s 6,815 miles long. That’s more than the distance from New York to Tokyo!

§ It takes 3 tons of wood to produce 1 ton of copy paper.

§ When you use scratch paper, you save 200% (duh!)

§ Production of one ton of copy paper produces 5,690 lbs. of greenhouse gases, which is the equivalent of six months of car exhaust.

15% of San Jose’s landfill is post-consumer paper!

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Students:

§ Encourage your professors to e-mail assignments and post PowerPoint’s on faculty web pages.

§ Tell the staff to buy 100% recycled paper! As of 2008, virgin paper may cost around $5.00 whereas 100% recycled paper costs only around $6.00.

§ Get rid of your homework! We have paper recycle bins in the Student Union now!

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

§ …the A.S. Print shop uses 40% post-consumer paper?

§ …the Spartan Shops are going to have the green version of “Blue book” at 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

…SJSU has recovered 80% of our trash in 2007? That’s trash that would have been in the landfill but instead got recycled, reused, etc.

LINKS

Info on where does your trash go:

http://ciwmb.ca.gov/paper

More cool statistics:

http://www.greenascension.com/quit-paper-four-steps-beating-paper-addiction

Why Recycled paper mills uses less energy than Virgin paper mills:

http://www.environmentaldefense.org/docume-nts/2602_QArecycledPaper.pdf

How to recycle paper in San Jose:

http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/rec_garb.as-p#paper

Sources of statistics on this brochure can be found at:

http://www.erc.thinkhost.net/forum/index.php-/topic,36.0.html

Let us know what you think!

http://erc.thinkhost.net/forum/

CONTACT US

The Environmental Resource Center

San Jose State University

One Washington Square, WSQ 115

San Jose, CA 95192-0136

Feel free to contact us:

Email: erc@email.sjsu.edu

Phone: (408) 924-5467

GOOD: Internet Censorship

2008-11-08T12:54:00.001-08:00

Along with other videos of GOODMagazine, this speaks much truth about tyranny throughout the world (U.S. as well!)

Thank you California--Now we become Second-Class Citizens

2008-11-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

We rejoice that on November 4, 2008, America defied racism and discrimination. We made history with our first black President-elect Obama!

Fortunately, the equality and rights were also protected through California's NO on Prop 4, and Yes on Prop 2.

And yet, I lament today, mourning in all black, that Proposition 8, or Proposition Hate, has passed.

PLEASE sign this petition to our Governor!
We MUST re-open Prop 8!

No on 8,
No on HATE,
No on unconstitutional,
undemocratic,
un-American proposition 8.

Let us join together in a march
against hate,
and against mixing religion with the state!

We shall overcome! Give love a chance! Give equality a chance!

Get Out the Vote: on Prop 8 and Candidates on Service

2008-11-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

There is a ton of hype on voting, but how informed are the voters? Fortunately, there are many avenues of discussion available such as college rallies, caucus on propositions on campus, the Alternative Convention hosted by Generation Engage, and even through email threads... This was my response to a friend's email encouraging a donation for against Proposition 8 (in California.)

As Sodalis

says from "A ramble about some of my complex politics."

'It is unconstitutional to deny one group rights that another group has, and any conservative who truly believes in the Constitution should recognize that the Fourteenth Amendment is applicable in this situation.'

I am taking a Critical Thinking and Decision Making class, and the more I delve into it, the more I am trying to take apart the illogical arguments people use against LGBTs... I have come to conclude that the separation of politics and religion, of the church and the state, is not happening right now.

With all respect to people's diverse spiritual beliefs or none thereof, there needs to be a separation of religion and government... If 'Yes on Prop 8' folk or group are using fallacies such as eventually, 'people will marry animals' or, 'what will they teach the children at school..'. What they should teach, I hope, is to uphold the constitutional rights every single person is entitled to.

However, tonight, proposition of fact was actually used as opposed to being dominated by the proposition of value (value, which is heavily relied upon as support for most arguments) in regard to policy changes.

Just tonight I received a different perspective for Proposition 8 from my friend who regards marriage as strictly religious, being stated or created in the Bible, though she thinks it is alright to give gays a partnership with the same rights as marriage. If the word 'marriage' really tugs onto the people's emotions that much, perhaps we should just create another word.. She claims that is fact that people were created to continue their lineage, and since gays are unable to do so, there is really no point. I beg to differ since this does not necessarily lead to survival of the fittest nor does it bring the human race out of its stagnant state in evolution. However, this is the first time I have ever heard fact being implemented in an argument for Prop 8.

As with anything, there are multiple facets of a situation we must consider before making such a critical decision affecting the lives of other people, and ourselves as well.

Letting pathos (emotion) get the better of your mind without considering credibility and logic is not a balanced, objective way.

Yes, people can be insanely stupid (due to the misconstrued information from the media.) But, the people, if we were to outreach in the most equal way possible, to let the public know objective truth and news...if we were to work at providing social and economic equality, maybe, just maybe, people could have time to think for themselves. People would have time, amidst the hubbub of gang violence and poverty and minimum wage jobs with bundles of children due to the lack of sex education propagated throughout society....

Disregard propaganda, buzz words, and slogans, which are usually filled with fallacies abound. Don't get your brain fried! Even under hard times like these!

I would also like to share Get Out the Vote: Candidates on Service by Change Wire.

Please take the time to consider all sides of an issue, and take into account practicality above pride... being the world police has earned us such a negative image, deeply eroded our economy and diminished the betterment of education and quality of life all around, it is a terrible and unnecessary sacrifice.

In peace,
Yanericque Gandhi

"Fueled by love. Love, not aggression. Love, not hate. Love, not war."
"The people making this world worse aren't taking a day off so why should I? Light the darkness." ~Bob Marley
"With great power comes great responsibility." ~Spiderman
"Be the change." ~Gandhi
" Sometimes we need to erase them, erase our senses. Then--maybe--the earth will touch us. The universe will speak. The stars will whisper..." ~Stargirl
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Update and Armani Cruelty Among Other Inhumane Unjust Acts

2008-10-26T02:10:00.000-07:00

First off, I apologize for yet again, the lack of update. Lately, I have been juggling my studies, midterms, Environmental Club, and work with Americorps Bridging Borders. Just recently, we successfully hosted the SAFE and GREEN Halloween event at Martin Park with the City of San Jose, Sunday Friends, and other community-based organizations where we gave away 1400+ costumes, held games, and had an Energy Efficiency fair for the community residents and their children. I coordinated the recycling and composting for this event, but due to the short notice of two weeks or so, recruiting volunteers and managing the greening aspect was insanely difficult as there were many roadblocks such as finding local sustainable cups from World Centric. We were going to purchase these but unfortunately, due to the high shipping price it was out of our budget. Also, there was the search for obtaining official recycling bins (I do not think composting is as big in cities so there are no free kits available.)

In my search for recycling bins, I was directed by the Environmental Resource Center of SJSU to Bottles and Cans, a project funded by California Department of Education. Bottles and Cans is a great campaign that educates people bilingually with eye-catching posters about CRV and recycling. They did provide recycling bin kits but this has been temporarily disabled.

Here are some of the great posters and stickers from Bottles and Cans:

This was a great opportunity to research and educate myself on the green resources and valuable sustainable-living guides and organizations such as Global Inheritance, which aims to support many different projects using art, music, film, and writing as mediums to educate and provide resources for the youth. Some of their programs includ TRASHed: The Art of Recycling where they have artists design recycling bins, compost bins, bottles, and other canvasses to raise awareness about recycling. Their projects inspires me to continue to think about developing recycling programs, and bigger art, music, drama, film, and writing programs (while literacy is the main focus of CommUniverCity) in our schools. However, the first program--recycling--will most likely have to wait until I can balance everything better and not neglect my dear readers and supporters, and the world and its issues.

Here are some photos from SAFE & GREEN! Thanks to Ariella from Environmental Club, Jesse, and Veronica (not pictured) for being part of Recycles and Compost Team, and the team of Americorps VISTA, CommUniverCity, and the City of San Jose staff of Tom, Leif, Jeff, Chris, Vanessa (super main coordinator!) and others that helped us refill the water, and refreshments!

Even though it was not complete chaos, I could have managed and organized everything better. We neglected to designate some boxes as trash bins spare the ones in the park itself... You can only imagine what is the unfortunate result with the recycling and composting/abono! boxes...

And this being completely irrelevant, but still extremely saddening, is a video from PETA's underground investigation of Armani's supported rabbit-fur-farms. Gruesome and horrific, I lament for the poor rabbits. *Note* Do not watch it if you cannot stand the sight of animal abuse and cruelty.

Here's the short article from EcoRazzi.

Gillian Anderson Asks Armani To Go Fur-Free In New PETA Video

Filed under: animals, campaigns, fashion, not green — parrish @ 1:17 pm

Georgio Armani is one bad boy! In case you haven’t heard the news, Armani got the honor of being added to PETA’s list of fur-free designers after he publicly declared he’d no longer use fur. Then, in the cruelest move of the season, Armani released a new line that included fur coats for babies, floral-printed fur coats, fur-hemmed skirts and fur-trimmed jackets. Well as you can imagine, PETA (and all of us animal-rightsers) felt totally betrayed. I mean WTF, Armani?

And so — because nobody puts baby in the corner — PETA is asking celebrity Armani wearers like Glenn Close and Heidi Klum to boycott the designer until he makes good on his promise. While it hasn’t been released if Klum and Close will indeed help PETA with their mission, there IS one star who’s getting involved.

As Ecorazzi previously reported, Gillian Anderson is super pissed with Armani’s choice and recently rolled up her fur-free sleeves to narrate a video of undercover footage from rabbit fur farms in China and France—countries designer Giorgio Armani is known to purchase from. So watch the video and join PETA, Gillian, Ecorazzi and many others who have all pledged to go fur-free!

Find out more about Armani on peta.org.

I also lament at the hypocrisies, irony, and perpetuating cycle of fallacies some people, who are the problem and solution, have brought upon themselves and others. Fortunately, there are many eco-friendly clothing options, as well as political shoutouts through visual puns via Blend Apparel, Awareables, CertainTees, Clothing of the American Mind and others as well.

As Blend Apparel says,

'We are committed to inspiring. To helping awaken. To showing up as beacons, messengers, and transformationaries. To always choosing the highest path. To listening from within, and to holding love higher than any circumstance. We are completely. Undoubtedly. and absurdly committed to “wear we live.” '

From Blend Apparel:

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change" -Wayne Dyer

And, just as another update on the Breathe of Life Walk and Plastic Water Bottle Collecting:

At the Breathe of Life Walk earlier this warm October, my brother and I collected 50+ (we are assuming, due to the whole box being filled up) plastic bottles since they were distributing bottles to participants. We walked three miles in a rather sunny morning, and then had a surprise pouring as we were collecting disregarded bottles.

On a last note, the California Sustainability Student Coalition is hosting a three-day convergence at San Francisco State. It was ongoing from Friday to today, Sunday.

In peace,
Yanericque Gandhi

"The people making this world worse aren't taking a day off so why should I? Light the darkness." ~Bob Marley

"With great power comes great responsibility." ~Spiderman
"Be the change." ~Gandhi

" Sometimes we need to erase them, erase our senses. Then--maybe--the earth will touch us. The universe will speak. The stars will whisper..." ~Stargirl

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Collecting Plastic Water Bottles for SJSU Recycles Day

2008-09-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends,

*Gasp* Midterms are creeping up! We really appreciate you taking a moment to read this message. We are part of the Environmental Club and one of our big projects this semester is to help host SJSU Recycles Day (November 13 in 7 St. Plaza.)

We are trying to show the amount of plastic water bottles being bought on campus everyday (which leads to about 4,000), so we need YOUR HELP in collecting plastic water bottles. Generally, ENVR club meets every Thursday 5:30 PM in the Ohlone Room or Guadelupe Room in the Student Union. Join 'ec sjsu' on facebook for updates or go to http://sjsuenvclub.wordpress.com/

If you can't bring them at that time, no worries! If you happen to be at SJSU, shoot me an email, and we'll meet up :) and I'll gladly take those plastic water bottles off your hands!

Thank you so much for helping our green campaign :) We really are grateful for your contributions and consideration!

In green peace,

Yanericque Gandhi
happylandmanifesto@gmail.com

"The people making this world worse aren't taking a day off so why should I? Light the darkness." ~Bob Marley
"With great power comes great responsibility." ~Spiderman
"Be the change." ~Gandhi
" Sometimes we need to erase them, erase our senses. Then--maybe--the earth will touch us. The universe will speak. The stars will whisper..." ~Stargirl
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Change Congress!

2008-09-28T17:48:00.001-07:00

As former Governor Jerry Brown said in his keynote speech at the West Coast Green convention yesterday, the automobile businesses were trying to evade making greener cars, and now that the market has crashed, they are begging our bureaucracy to give them $ 700 billion to bail 'em out so they can make green cars, something they could have done before!

Regardless, it is just INSANE that now both presidential candidates have agreed to the $700 billion bailout. There is an interesting article from the International Herald Tribune stating that the bailout is the financial equivalent of the Patriot Act.

I would like to share an excerpt from Change Congress. We definitely need to change the bureaucracy (part of which has already agreed to finalize the bailout.) And yet, we simple WILL NOT wait until tomorrow for Congress to decide on this.

As Al Gore said when he concluded his keynote speech yesterday at the West Coast Green Convention, we can either wait and hold out and keep doing what we are doing, and twenty years down the line, the next generation will ask us, "Why didn't you do anything about global warming, and all the other terrible problems leading to our suffering?" Or, we can make a difference now, and try to change with our "small acts of hopeful resistance" (this is from Russell Bither-Terry, Phd student) and instead, the next generation will ask us, "How on earth did you manage to face such challenges and prevail?"

Do not worry about being viewed as a "moonbeamer" or a crazy weirdo (former Governor Jerry Brown.) Remember, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, "An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

So join Change Congress, and spread the word. We are not settling for less. Do not let yourself be chained. Free yourself from the increasingly tightening shackles of our bureaucracy!

"This financial crisis is a mess. But we wanted to take a moment to talk about the cause of the financial crisis. This financial crisis was caused by Congress-when they turned a blind eye to what was happening on Wall Street.

Now, Congress is poised to bail out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion in taxpayer money-with no strings attached. They can never find the money we need for health care or education, but somehow they can write Wall Street a $700 billion blank check. That's $2,176 from every man, woman and child in the United States.

A friend of mine was ranting this weekend, "I would happily pay an extra $2,000 for health care for poor children. But $2,000 for Wall Street millionaires? What is wrong with our system?" I agree.

This is why we formed Change Congress. There is a problem with the system-too much money from lobbyists, not enough representation for real people and no transparency in how Congress works. We think there are millions of other folks out there who feel just like we do-and this is a great opportunity to find them.

Click below to ask your friends to join Change Congress. You'll also be able to watch a short, helpful video from Lawrence Lessig about the link between Congress and the financial collapse.

http://action.change-congress.org/t/3392/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=1127

We all lead busy lives, but this crisis is opening eyes about the big systemic problems out there-people will want to know what can be done. You can help them by letting them know about Change Congress.

This problem won't go away tomorrow. It will take real organizing and hard work to change Congress. This is just the first step. Change Congress is looking for the folks who care about long-term solutions, not short-term bailouts, the folks who care about the cure and not the Band-Aids. To be successful, these are the kinds of people we need. Can you help us find these folks?"

Cleaner Air Revolution--Breathe of Life Walk

2008-09-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

We are taking part in the Breathe of Life walk next Saturday October 4th. 100% of the proceeds fund Breathe California's various local programs and services to help those suffering from lung disease now, prevent new cases of lung disease in the future and promote lung health research.

By taking part in the Breathe of Life walk, you can help us:

1) teach asthmatic children how to take control of their condition
2) offer education and support to local residents who are suffering from emphysema and lung cancer
3) eliminate asthma-related deaths and raise awareness about this serious health condition
4) keep youth from getting addicted to tobacco and offer assistance to smokers trying to quit
5) improve local air quality to ensure that all Bay Are residents can breathe easier

(Information from the Breathe California of the Bay Area.) Join the Breathe of Life Walk Saturday October 4th, 2008 for a 5K (3.1 mile) walk. The walk begins at 10 am (but registration begins at 8:30 am.)

If you would like to make a donation, please visit my page! Thank you for your time, consideration, and donation!

In peace,
Yanericque Gandhi

"The people making this world worse aren't taking a day off so why should I? Light the darkness" ~Bob Marley
"Be the change." ~Gandhi
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Go for the Main Street Plan NOT the Wall Street Bailout!

2008-09-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Er, so our taxes will help Wall Street bailout? What a load of bullshit! In one year, what is spent on education in one year will never total what the Bush administration, with no hesitation, are calling for $700 billion of OUR MONEY to help Wall Street. It is because of the billion dollar difference and the supply-side economic system and deficit-spending that has undermined our education! Education, which would propel many out of poverty. Education, in health and sex education and academics and art and music and physical education as well, because the well-rounded person cannot possibly progress by trying to pass standardized tests regardless of their language background, and we cannot expect people to just abstain from substances or sex just because we say so. We need to educate people about the consequences and facts that we cannot ignore, and provide free health clinics for the youth! With all due respect to the religious appeals to abstinence, it is important to evolve with the times. We are not in the Dark Ages anymore, where there are plagues and millions of babies dying. We are in an Information era which we should better utilize our global communication resources (the internet is not for marketing, it is for reaching out and helping more people) for education reform, which we are in desperate need of. That does not mean taking No Child Left Behind to another level. We need to stimulate thought and encourage caucus for our society to progress! If we keep evading discussion, our inaction will affect the world in a negative way, crippling ourselves down the road.

Are we going to give up our securities for a 'national emergency crisis' deemed by our President just like years ago as he issued the Patriot Act and others that followed suit which gave complete authority and immunity which lead to inevitable corruption!?! C' mon America! Wake up, America! Do not become an "idiocracy"!

The death of Capitalizm was already imminent the day we already began feeding this system. We cannot be governed by the laws of self interest! The unfettered market will not hold out on these jenga pieces of self-interest that Capitalizm is based upon.

Read Kucinich's Main Street plan, because it is one helluva better plan than the hasty $ 700 billion that will rape us.

KUCINICH'S MAIN STREET RECOVERY PLAN

Dear Friend,

While Wall Street and the Bush Administration try to blackmail Congress into a $700 billion bailout for corporations that have shown zero concern about the plight of the American people through the last decade, I have been working on a comprehensive alternative. Today, I am releasing a plan for economic recovery that will provide not only economic stimulus, but also fairness for everyday people on every "Main Street" in America. The plan is detailed below, and it will also be available on the campaign website www.kucinich.us

Of course, this is a plan that has not only economic implications, but also moral and spiritual implications as well. The social, economic, and political divisions in our nation must be healed. We can make a new beginning, seizing this moment of crisis and transforming it into a moment of rebirth for our nation. I hope you will take the time to read it, consider it, and share it with your friends. I welcome your comments and your support.

More tomorrow.

Thank you,
Dennis
www.Kucinich.us

216-252-9000 877-933-6647

Kucinich’s Main Street Recovery Plan

1. Health Care for All: Insurance companies make money not providing health care. As the co-author of HR 676

, a universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health care system, Medicare for All, I understand millions of Americans want health care that is accessible and affordable.

Medicare for All will help businesses large and small, create jobs as well as save the jobs of thousands of people including those of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who are currently leaving medicine because it is run by the insurance companies. $1 in every 3 dollars of the $2.4 trillion spent annually in America for health care goes to the insurance companies. If we take that money ($800 billion in unproductive wasteful spending) and put it directly into care, we will have enough money to cover everyone. We are already paying for Medicare for all, but not receiving it. HR 676 changes that!

2. Prescription Drug Benefit for Seniors: HR 6800

is the MEDS Act, which provides a fully paid prescription drug benefit, under Medicare, for all seniors. I wrote this bill to help alleviate the economic pressure that comes from the high cost of prescription drugs. We can pay for it by letting the government negotiate drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies as well as by permitting re-importation.

3. Stop the Oil Companies’ Price Gouging: As you know, I was the first one to step up to challenge of the corrupt price gouging and market speculation of the oil companies by proposing a windfall profits tax, on oil and natural gas companies, with revenues put into tax credits for the purchase of fuel-efficient American-made cars. However, it may be that nationalization is the only way to put an end to the oil companies' sharp practices.

4. Protecting the American Homestead: As Chairman of the Domestic Policy Oversight Subcommittee, I am working to protect your basic right to have a roof over your head, whether as an owner or renter. I have investigated and helped to expose the manipulation of mortgage markets, and I am crafting a new federal policy so that neighborhoods with the highest number of foreclosures get the most help.

5. Jobs for All: Congressman LaTourette and I have co-authored the bi-partisan New Deal-type jobs program, HR 3400, "Rebuilding America's Infrastructure." It will create millions of good-paying new jobs rebuilding our roads, bridges, water systems and sewer systems.

6. American Manufacturing Policy: I am drafting the American Manufacturing Policy Act, which for the first time, will state that the maintenance of U.S. steel, automotive, and aerospace industries are vital to our national economic security and must be maintained through integrated public-private cooperation, new trade policies, and investment.

7. Works Green Administration: I am also drafting plans for a green New Deal jobs program, in which the government creates millions of jobs by incentivizing the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution and maintenance of millions of wind and solar micro-technologies for millions of homes and businesses, dramatically lowering energy costs and reducing our dependence on oil.

8. Fair Trade: The U.S. has lost millions of good-paying jobs, and more jobs have been out-sourced. As you know, I have helped to lead the way in opposition to trade giveaways. I strongly urge repeal of NAFTA

We must include workers' rights, human rights and environmental quality principles in all trade pacts. We must also protect the Great Lakes' water resources from the reach of multi-national corporations.

9. Education for All: I know families need help with the rising cost of day care. That is why I introduced HR 4060, a universal pre-kindergarten program to ensure that all children ages 3-5 have access to full-day, quality day care.

10. Protecting Pensions: I am working to change bankruptcy laws so pensioners' claims will be first, ahead of banks, and that corporate executives who misuse workers' pension funds are subject to criminal penalties. I want to fully fund the Pension Benefit Guarantee Board.

11. Social Security: From my first moments in Congress, I have exposed Wall Street's efforts to privatize Social Security and attacked it in the Democratic Caucus when it was being proposed. Can you imagine where seniors would be today if Social Security had been turned over to the stock market? Social Security is solid through 2032 without any changes.

12. Protect Bank Deposits: I will work to make sure the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has sufficient funds to provide for insurance of deposits up to $200,000 at all banks and savings and loans. This is an urgent matter since so many banks are said to be vulnerable.

13. Protect Investors: Bring back strong regulation to Wall Street. As Chairman of the Domestic Policy Subcommittee, I challenged the Wall Street hedge fund speculators as a threat to small investors. I intend to keep active watch over the machinations on Wall Street.

14. Strength through Peace: You'll remember when I led the effort against the ill-conceived Iraq war, which has now cost more than 4,100 US soldiers' lives, cost U.S. taxpayers between $3 trillion and $5 trillion, and resulted in the deaths of more than a million Iraqis. We must bring our troops home and end the war. We must engage in diplomacy. We must reduce the military budget, and we must stop outrageous cost overruns by the likes of Halliburton.

15. Safety in America: I am proud of my work for peace. In July 2001, I introduced a bill, which today is HR 808, that for the first time creates a comprehensive plan to deal with the issues of violence in American society, particularly domestic violence, spousal abuse, child abuse, gang violence, gun violence, racial violence, and violence against gays by establishing a Cabinet-level Department of Peace and Restorative Justice. This proposal has sparked a national movement and when implemented will save tax payers millions of dollars.

16. Monetary Policy: It is long past the time that we looked at the implications of our debt based monetary system, the privatization of money created by the 1913 Federal Reserve Act, the banks fractional reserve system and our debt-based economic system. Unless we have dramatic reform of monetary policy, the entire economic system will continue to accelerate wealth upwards. I am currently working on drafting legislation for an 'American Monetary Act' to address these and other issues in order to protect the economic wellbeing of America.

Pollution

2008-09-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

I would like to speak of the historical pollution of society. As my dear sister says, her experience in transfering to a high school military academy (but still is a public school) is meeting many (though that number does not culminate the entire school population) that only base their friendships or relationships on appearance and do not care for the person's soul.

"We can speak of pollution in terms of the historical pollution of facism, the historical pollution of war, the historical pollution of harm (?) in the world, the historical pollution of murder, the historical pollution that we people, poor suppressed people of the world have been subjected to for too many years. That pollution is the basis of the pollution of the nature of the world, the universe. The only solution to pollution is the people's humane revolution."

Bobby Seale spoke this radical speech with passion. I first saw this clip from "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" documentary. The first forty seconds of this film shows his speech.

Also, I would like to share John Lennon and Yoko Ono's idea of bagism communication:

This transcript is taken from this site, but you are welcome to watch the 1969 interview (complete clip can be found on the documentary "The U.S. vs John Lennon."):

"On the 14th June 1969, John and Yoko were guests on 'The David Frost show’ filmed in London (in colour) for broadcast to the United States, John began by giving Frost “a box of smile“, a small box which contained nothing but a mirror at the bottom, get it? The audience appreciated it, as did Frost, although he was clearly perplexed by John and Yoko’s new concept - Bagism...

Frost : .....There’s that sweet card you sent the other day that I need an explanation for....

John : Do you really need all these explanations?, (to audience) I thought he was clever!

Frost : ...no,no,no, The message I had from John & Yoko the other day - when we were planning the programme - was a message with a nice picture that said "Love + Peace = Bagism". I need to know more John.

John : What’s Bagism? It’s like...a tag for what we all do, we’re all in a bag ya know, and we realised that we came from two bags, I was in this pop bag going round and round in my little clique, and she was in her little avant-garde clique going round and round, and you’re in your little tele clique and they’re in their...ya know? and we all sort of come out and look at each other every now and then, but we don’t communicate. And we all intellectualize about how there is no barrier between art, music, poetry... but we’re still all - I’m a rock and roller, he’s a poet... so we just came up with the word so you would ask us what bagism is, and we’d say WE’RE ALL IN A BAG BABY!

Frost: Well now, you’ve got in a bag, you’ve got in a sack..

John : Well we got out of one bag and into the next, you just keep moving from bag to bag.

Frost : You’ve got a bag there with you, what do you do with it?

John : Well sometimes we get in it, and sometimes other people get in it

Yoko : You know, this life is speeded up so much, and the whole world is getting tenser and tenser because things are just going so fast, you know, so it’s so nice to slow down the rhythm of the whole world, just to make it peaceful. So like the bag, when you get in - you see that it’s very peaceful and your movements are sort of limited. You can walk around on the street in a bag.

Frost : Can you?

John : If people did interviews for jobs in a bag they wouldn’t get turned away because they were black or green or long hair, you know, it’s total communication...

Frost : ...They'd get turned away because they were in a bag...(Audience laughter)

John : Well no, if that was specified that when you interviewed the people that you wanted to employ, and you had this prejudice, and the people had to wear a bag - then you'd only judge them on what they communicated to you, and You wouldn't have to think 'Oh he's wearing black suede is he, don't like it'....

Frost : ...He's Wearing windsor bags!

John : It's like - we did a press conference in Vienna, and they're pretty square over there...

Frost : ..And they all got in the bags?

John : ...No, we were in the bag that time, and all the press came in, sort of, expecting Beatle John and his famous wife, and we were in the bag singing and humming, and all they were asking was "What are you wearing?" (Audience and Frost laughter) and they're all sort of, holding mics to this bag and asking it how it felt, and was it glad to be here, and were you really John Lennon and Yoko.

Frost : Does it have to be a bag big enough so that they can't see you at all or only can't see your shoes...

John : Oh well it depends, for convenience you can have slim bags, and fatty loose bags, you know....

Frost : ..And tell me, how has this thing gone with the sleep-ins you’ve been having. Those are what? to draw attention..

John : We’re trying to sell peace, like a product, you know, and sell it like people sell soap or soft drinks, you know, and the only way to get people aware that peace is possible, and it isn’t just inevitable to have violence, not just war - all forms of violence. People just accept it and think ‘oh they did it, or Harold Wilson(British prime minister at the time) did it, or Nixon (US President) did it, they’re always scapegoating people. And It isn’t Nixon’s fault, we’re all responsible for everything that goes on, you know, we’re all responsible for Biafra and Hitler and everything. So we’re just saying SELL PEACE, anybody interested in peace just stick it in the window, it’s simple but it lets somebody else know that you want peace too, because you feel alone if you’re the only one thinking ‘wouldn’t it be nice if there was peace and nobody was getting killed', so advertise yourself that you’re for peace if you believe in it."

No prejudices--total communication! Is this not a wonderful idea?

An Update on Events

2008-09-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Veggielution
Volunteer at this Urban Farming organization at Emma Prusch Park in San Jose!

Workdays: every Sunday from 9am to 2pm (or later) for planting, weeding, composting, harvesting, and more.

Regular harvest days: Wednesday and Friday mornings 7:30-9:30

Coastal Cleanup Day
volunteer at various beaches, creeks, rivers in California
Saturday September 20, 2008 from 9 am -12 pm
Please visit the site for information regarding the respective sites you want to volunteer at (most likely all require a registration, so please notify your respective site coordinator!)

Day of Action,
Saturday September 27, 2008
Volunteer throughout communities nationwide! Organize an event or visit the site for more information on the events scheduled in your area!

"Now, more than ever, we need to expand opportunities for people to serve. Because we have serious issues to address:

- our education system is failing a significant percentage of our kids
- hunger and homelessness run rampant in our communities
- our parks, rivers, and open spaces need protection
- college has ceased to become affordable to most of us

Service can be a vehicle, to simultaneously address our most pressing unmet societal needs in a real way, for continuing our quest for the American Dream." --Service Nation

West Coast Green Convention
San Jose Convention
Thursday- Saturday September 25-27, 2008 (visit site for specific schedules)
(If you volunteer you can get a full conference pass)
Featured Keynote Speakers include: Al Gore; Sarah Susanka (Author, Not So Big House series and The Not So Big Life); David Suzuki (Author & TV Host, The Nature of Things)

Be sure to check our calendar on the right column!

On Vegetarianism and Individual Liberties

2008-09-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Though I don't know how they calculate this, PETA has a carbon calculator that estimates the amount of CO2 you reduce by not eating meat (or eating less meat).

Although I generally support PETA's campaign for the ethical treatment of animals, they have an informative striptease quiz that some may find controversial. Coincidentally, this is what John Stuart Mill proposed. There is a perpetuating tension between majority rule and minority liberties. Mill believes that it is important for controversial issues to arise. He also believes that it is crucial for your opinions to be questioned in order for society to progress. Your arguments will only be strengthened by finding those with conflicting opinions. However, since this blog is for the social, political, and economical justice and equality for all, situations such as this will be noted because in the pursuit of a democracy, we will face the conflicting need for equality and for liberty.

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If you get a chance, see the documentary "The U.S. vs John Lennon" and listen to "Give Peace a Chance," the anthem of the anti-Vietnam-war movement. Lennon's idea of a free concert tour following Nixon's campaign trail around the U.S. is brilliant! I know Move On Political Action did a Vote for Change concert tour in 2004, but will there be one for this year's election? The people that do vote make up half of the U.S. Of those that voted in the last presidential election back in 2004, only 8% (I really hope this is not the case!) were of the 18-24 year-old demographic.

We should organize a FREE Vote for Change concert tour with all the political artists especially to motivate this demographic! Better yet, (well if the artists were heavily funded) we should have a Give Peace A Chance concert tour. Stars forbid should the war in Iraq spread to the war in Iran, and war on Russia.. It is not a bleak, hopeless future! We can change the world, together!

Take Action: Undercover Investigation Reveals Hormel Supplier Abusing Mother Pigs and Piglets

2008-09-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

Where the shit never ends....this hell hole of a pit needs to be stopped! Fuck!

PETA's undercover investigator reports:

"For more than three months, PETA went undercover at an Iowa pig factory farm, which supplies piglets who are raised and killed for Hormel products. PETA found rampant cruelty to animals - committed by workers and supervisors. The farm changed ownership and management during PETA's investigation, but that made no difference to the animals who were born and confined there: Abuse and neglect were widespread during PETA's entire investigation.

The following are just some of the abuses that were documented:

• A supervisor shoved a cane into a sow's vagina, struck her on the back about 17 times, and then struck another sow.
• Multiple pigs were beaten with metal gate rods, and lacerations were found on more than 30 sows - which is probably evidence of more abuse.
• A worker hit a young pig in the face four times with the edge of a herding board, and investigators witnessed dozens of similar incidents involving this worker and 11 other workers.
• Two men - including a supervisor - were witnessed jabbing clothespins into pigs' eyes and faces. A supervisor also poked two animals in the eyes with his fingers.
• A supervisor kicked a young pig in the face, abdomen, and genitals to make her move and told PETA's investigator, "You gotta beat on the bitch. Make her cry."
• A worker who weighed an estimated 315 lbs. punched a sow on the back three times and said that he sat on a sow's head.
• An employee sprayed blue paint into the nostrils and face of a sow for over 30 seconds. "

Please let Hormel that they should stop this animal abuse! Here are pictures taken by PETA's investigaton:

A mother pig and her piglets severely confined to a small farrowing crate during nursing.

A sow with an open sore on her nose from an apparent beating with a metal gate rod.

Piglets' tails were cut—and males castrated—without painkillers. This is a pile of pig tails and testicles on the floor.

An employee sprayed paint—for over 30 seconds—into the nostrils of a nursing sow.
A piglet born without eyes, shortly before his or her death.

Sow #13319 sustained multiple cuts to her back, likely the result of being beaten and scraped with a gate rod while being moved from the gestation building to the farrowing building.

A worker slammed these piglets' heads against the floor and left them to die in a bin.

Those animal abusers need anger management. Are the employers taking any steps to stop this!?! What does this reflect on our society?

Remember 9/11

2008-09-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I know that this is two days late, but I wanted to post an articulate Op-Ed by Dennis Kucinich,

Dennis J Kucinich

September11, 2008

America must move from the errant, retributive justice of 9/11 to a healing, restorative process of truth and reconciliation.

Before the Congress adjourns, I will bring forth a new proposal for the establishment of a National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation, which will have the power to compel testimony and gather official documents to reveal to the American people not only the underlying deception which has divided us, but in that process of truth seeking set our nation on a path of reconciliation.

We suffer in our remembrance of 9/11, because of the terrible loss of innocent lives on that grim day. We also suffer because 9/11 was seized as an opportunity to run a political agenda, which has set America on a course of the destruction of another nation and the destruction of our own Constitution. And we have become less secure as a result of the warped practice of pursuing peace through the exercise of pre-emptive military strength.

It is not simply 9/11 that needs to be remembered. We also need to remember the politicization of 9/11 and the polarizing narrative which followed, locking us into endless conflict, a war on terror which has wrought further terror worldwide and which has severely damaged our standing worldwide as an honorable, compassionate nation. As we were all victims of 9/11, so we have become victims of the interpretation of 9/11.

Our government's external response to 9/11 was to attack a nation which did not attack us. Indeed on the first anniversary of 9/11, the Bush administration issued a well-publicized stern warning to Iraq which was part of a campaign to induce people to believe Iraq had something to do with 9/11.

The deliberate, systematic connection of Iraq with 9/11 has led America into a philosophical and moral cul-de-sac as over one million Iraqis and over 4155 US soldiers have died in a war which will cost over $3 trillion. Additionally, soldiers from 23 other countries have died in the Iraq war.

We attempt to unite Iraq by further dividing it. We talk about restoring Iraq while taking steps to place control of its vast oil wealth in the hands of US oil giants. And we intend to impose upon the Iraqi people the cost of rebuilding a country which our government ruined, keeping a once prosperous nation lashed to debt and poverty for a long, long time. Iraq has paid for 9/11. We all continue to pay for 9/11.

The heartbreaking loss of the lives and injuries to America troops further binds us to the Administration's illogic of the Iraq war: We remember our troops' sacrifice by demanding more sacrifice; we support our troops by continuing the war.

The dominant color of our new national security since 911 is neither red, white nor blue. Everyday is orange. Everyday reminders of fear of 9/11 become banal.. Yet we no longer hear the airport announcements nor see the orange colored warnings because they have commonplace standards in our new national security state, as is the Patriot Act, wiretapping, and a host of invasions of privacy and diminution of civil liberties. The Constitution has been roundly attacked by the very people who took an oath to defend it.

There is a powerful desire across America for change, not necessarily from control by one political party to another, but a change from living with lies to living with truth.

Over two dozen nations, facing peril within and without, deeply divided by politics and war have travelled down a path of restoring civil society through a formal process of reconciliation. At some point within each of those countries it was understood that the way forward is shown through the light of truth. This process is not without pain because it requires a willingness to study evidence to which eyes had been averted and ears had been closed. But in the process of truth and reconciliation, nations found new strength, new resolve, new commitment.

The South African Truth and Reconciliation enabled that nation to come to grips with its past through a public confessional, bringing forward those who committed crimes and having the power to grant amnesty for full disclosure of crimes against the people. Of course, our path may necessarily be different: High US government officials stand accused in Impeachment petitions of violating national and international law. Our continued existence as a democracy may depend upon how thoroughly we seek the truth. I will call upon the America people to join me in supporting this effort.

The truth can move us forward, as a unified whole, so that we can one day become a re-United States. 9/11 is the day the world changed. It is the day America embraced a metaphor of war. If we are open to truth and reconciliation, we may one day be able, once again, to embrace peace.

P-p-p-Palin

2008-09-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Do we dare to even say her name?

In her interviews with ABC, she is as stone-faced as ever as she continues to reaffirm her beliefs. She opposes abortion rights even those involved in incest or rape, and stem-cell research.

But why her? Yet, it is only expected of the conservative Republicans to pick such a character to represent the women and reaffirm the base votes and attempt to fill in the hearts of devout Hillary Clinton supporters. If anything, she has only aroused disdain (C'mon now, are we going to be represented by potentially the first female vice-president, if not president, if there is an unfortunate chance that McCain would croak during his term?) The fact that she is part of the National Rifle Association makes me think of Jennifer Government, the corporate version of 1984.

One would think that perhaps as a woman herself, she might understand the woman's point of view on situations such as rape and incest. And yet, because our democracy is not purely a democracy, and does not call for strict division of equal representation (i.e. women in the United States have minority representation in the Senate but population-wise, aren't the minority), it is most likely a good thing, that we lack this strict representation. Because we have people that let their religious and prideful views interfere with their decision-making, we have people that do not bother to consider nor to prevent calamities in the critical, impartial, and empathetic way. We have the Bush administration who proposes laws like the Anti-Abortion DHHS Rule.

What is the root of the problem? Yes, we need to consider pro-choice, but at the extent of the mother's life? Illegal abortions kill many women because of these restrictions. And yet, abortion is not the root of this problem. Although this represents only a particular aspect, a good deal of many people that find themselves having to abort the child, is because of the lack of sex education and health centers providing birth prevention. If parents are not willing to talk to their children about sex education, if the schools and the states do not have public health centers or programs because of extreme budget cuts and because in a democracy we must consider the minority--which in California, are the Republicans, who literally go MIA to avoid agreeing on the budget proposals-- we have a stalemate of a situation.

There is a great difference from what we need and what we want. We need to ensure that every life, if endangered, can be helped or saved by medical care, by health education, and safe environments (i.e. not illegal abortion). Some of us want to save the lives of future-humans, and yet we need to create a sustainable living not only for ourselves, but the global generation after us. We need to consider that there is not enough food to go around as the world becomes increasingly over-populated and therefore, there is world hunger. There are socioeconomic advantages and disadvantages and a sense of self-interest that separates human entities from one another, inducing a state of self-isolation that brings no good to our human need for connection. As James Madison says, "[people] are not angels" (Federalist Paper No. 10). At the same time, we are not beasts. We have a heart, though what we particularly care for differs greatly. Also, we need to consider the amount of time we have on our hands. If we have ten children, will we have enough time to raise them? (This is not a sexist question. I am asking this of all parents.) It is important to consider these ethical values as well-- a child that feels unwanted will find a mentor to fill in the gap (i.e. gang initiation.) and in the future, might become passive aggressive or on antidepressants. Happiness is hard to find in the go-through-motions way-of-life of today's society.

What we really do not need, nor want, is the a serf class. As John Stuart Mill says, we need economic as well as political equality. When people hear the word 'equality,' however, they might freeze and turn away, as they associate equality with the sacrifice of individual liberties. There are multiple aspects that we must consider in every situation. For the mutual happiness we all want, a sacrifice might be involved. But why are we so afraid of a sacrificing, if in fact, a little help goes a long way not only for others, but also uplifts yourself and makes you feel all the more important. So it is not even sacrificing, when we simultaneously work for the best interest of others and ourselves (Nash's Equilibrium).

So please, before we consider ourselves as mavericks, radical conservatives, or libertarians, or anarchists, or any other extreme label that we stick ourselves to, let us consider the true root of the socioeconomic and most definitely, political problems so many of us encounter. Before we let ourselves be muddled by strict ethics, let us balance these idealisms and reality. What is more is not always good, nor necessary. Forget about fresh faces, and do not ever, ever accept mediocrity as the solution.

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If you have a chance to be in the San Jose area today, please check out the Alternative Convention hosted by Generation Engage at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. There are free workshops and a dinner where you can meet with city politicians and other students and adults interested in community action planning and current issues. (I has already begun and it ends at 8 pm.)

Lastly, I want to apologize to all the readers for the lack commitment to this blog. Thank you for giving us feedback and encouraging us!

Wake Up America by Rep. Dennis Kucinich

2008-08-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

"Wake Up America" by Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich.

"If there was an Olympics for misleading and mismanaging this Administration would take the gold."

(Watch the video here.)

It's Election Day, 2008. We Democrats are giving America a wake up call. Wake up America. In 2001, the oil companies, the war contractors and the neo-con artists seized the economy, and have added four trillion dollars of unproductive spending to the national debt.

We now pay four times more for defense, three times more for gasoline and home heating oil, and twice what we paid for health care. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, their homes, their health care, their pensions. Trillions of dollars for an unnecessary war paid with borrowed money. Tens of billions of dollars in cash and weapons disappeared into thin air, at the cost of the lives of our troops and innocent Iraqis, while all the President's oilmen are maneuvering to grab Iraq's oil.

Borrowed money to bomb bridges in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. No money to rebuild bridges in America. Money to start a hot war with Iran. Now we have another cold war with Russia while the American economy has become a game of Russian roulette.

If there was an Olympics for misleading, mismanaging and misappropriating this Administration would take the gold. World records for violations of national and international laws. They want another four year term to continue to alienate our allies, spend our children's inheritance and hollow out our economy. We can't afford it America.

Wake up America, the insurance companies took over health care. Wake up America, the pharmaceutical companies took over drug pricing. Wake up America, the speculators took over Wall Street. Wake up America, they want to take your Social Security. Wake up America, multinational corporations took over our trade policies, factories are closing, good paying jobs lost.

Wake up, America. We went into Iraq for oil. The oil companies want more. War against Iran will mean $10 a gallon gasoline. The Oil Administration wants to drill more -- into your wallet. Wake up, America. Weapons contractors want more. An Iran war will cost five to ten trillion dollars.

This Administration can tap our phones. They can't tap our creative spirit. They can open our mail. They can't open economic opportunities. They can track our every move. They lost track of the economy while the cost of food, gasoline, and electricity skyrockets.

They skillfully played our post- 911 fears and allowed the few to profit at the expense of the many. Everyday we get the color orange, while the oil companies, the insurance companies, the speculators, the war contractors get the color green.

Wake up America. This is not a call for you to take a new direction from right to left.

This is call for you to go from down to up. Up with the rights of workers.

Up with wages.

Up with fair trade.

Up with creating millions of good paying jobs rebuilding our bridges, ports and water systems. Up with creating millions of sustainable energy jobs to lower the cost of energy, lower carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Up with health care for all.

Up with education for all.

Up with home ownership.

Up with guaranteed retirement benefits.

Up with Peace.

Up with Prosperity.

Up with the Democratic Party

Up with Obama - Biden

Wake up, America.

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Other than Obama's speech on Racism this year, this is a wonderfully passionate, articulate, and truthful speech. Go Kucinich!

One World, One Dream--Free World, JIA YOU World

2008-08-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

We have been watching from the sidelines.

We were watching when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the Black Power Salute. Listen to Olympic Gold Medalist John Carlos's interview about the 1968 demonstration with sports sociologist Jonathan Brewer.

A sculpture at San Jose State University commemorates the two medalists and alumni. In the city hall of San Jose, you can see the Speed City exhibit, "From Civil Rights to Black Power," which is open until March 2009.

We were watching when it was August 8, 1988, the uprising of Burma. Activists in Berkeley commemorate this event. According to BBC News, "activists estimate nearly 3,000 people died during the crackdown" (see picture.)

We were watching when the torch was abducted, or when the flame was put out.
You can see the picture of turbulent protests in Paris from its respective Huffington Post article.

We were watching when the torch route in the City was redirected at the mayor's decision without the denizens' knowledge. The map of the Olympic torch re-route is from the San Francisco Sentinel.

We watching when the unfortunate Grace Wang, a student of Duke University, whose efforts of being the mediator were backlashed. After trying to get both sides, pro Tibet and pro China, to talk about their differences, her personal information was publicized without her consent, she was threatened online, and her parents in China are on the run because they have received death threats. What free speech? What peace? What a shocking and real story of instigating fear among those that attempt to make peace. New York Times reports that "Grace Wang tries to talk to Chinese demonstrators at a pro-Tibetan rally at Duke."

And now, the Olympics, contrary to various theories on the Olympics being boycotted or shut down, is happening. But not for Joey Cheek, an ex-Olympian whose visa got revoked by China because he wants to urge "China to help make peace in the war-torn Darfur section of Sudan."

There are also reports that Beijing bars are banning "social indesirables" such as blacks and Mongolians from Beijing bars. Read about this ludicrous story via Huffington Post.

The insanity continues unfortunately... up to the last minute, and most likely into the future, China is deporting the protestors .

And as the day passes by, more inconvenient truths unfold. The Spanish basketball team's racist photos of purposely slanting their eyes leaked from Spanish newspaper La Marca, is an atrocity and hurtful action not only against the Chinese, but all Asians as well.

And it seems as if the Olympic's opening ceremony, amidst its appealing aesthetics, the historical and cultural storytelling by the use of high technology and seemingly unsurpassed skill of 15,000 total performers and artists, does have its flaws in the natural course for perfection. The child singer lip synched at the Opening Ceremony because the Olympic officials chose her cute face over the true singer, seven year-old Yan Peiyi.

And just how much does the media love to zoom in as opposed to zooming out? Last night whilst playing the national anthem as the Olympians for men's freestyle swimming was awarded, NBC focused only on the gold and bronze medalists who were conveniently American, while only showing the Korean silver medalist when the anthem was completely over and they leaned in together to take a picture.

I would like to share my Government and Economics teacher's run-down of the history of the Olympics. I am grateful for his guidance and for his inspiration. His lecture is eye-opening, especially for those just waddling in the shallow end of politics. Behold the teachings of Brent Schaeffer,

"[This is] the history of the politicization of the Olympics. Enjoy:

There exists an Olympic precedent. The honor of hosting the Olympics is usually offered to a country straddling immaturity and respectability. It is an invitation into an ancient order, an honored fraternity. The first world countries form a country club. It is dirty money get clean and thug become respectable. It is also a form of initiation, a period of intense preparation as the nation chooses their identity. Would they, hyper-ambitious but morally-questionable second world country, reveal themselves to be an absolute tyranny or a budding superpower?

In 1916, right before World War I, the International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to Berlin, Germany. Then canceled them as Germany invaded France a year later. (This set another precedent that countries could be punished, by the canceling of the Olympics, for violating international law, such as human rights or sovereignty.)

In 1936, right before World War II, the IOC awarded Berlin, Germany. Nazi Germany arrogantly hosted a mediocre Games, highlighted by the heroics of Jesse Owens, and two years later invaded Austria. (This was also the first Olympic torch relay, from Olympia, Greece to Berlin. The Nazis sought to portray themselves, the Aryan Race, as the heirs of Greek culture.)

In 1940, right before Pearl Harbor, the IOC awarded Tokyo, Japan. These games were canceled when Japan revealed itself to be a fascist Axis state.

In 1964, right after the renewing of a contract of cooperation with the United States that initially caused riots and belligerent dissent, the IOC awarded Tokyo, Japan. Japan's economy boomed, calming and encouraging the nation. Japan had cemented its place in the first world club.

In 1980 and 1984, at the hottest moments of the Cold War, the IOC sought peace through games. It awarded Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984. The capitalist half of the world boycotted Moscow, the communist half-of-the-world boycotted Los Angeles.

In 1992, Spain became the last major European nation to host the Olympics. The fascist Francisco Franco from before World War II had ruled it until the 1970's. The eventual transition to democracy, following Franco's death, was rewarded.

The Olympics have never just been games—the event has always been a barometer of political strength and acceptance. For example, the USA has held four of the last fifteen Olympic Games, both Summer and Winter. We will see about 2008."

Earlier this year in April, he went with my former Drama teacher to view the Olympic torch relay alongside pro-Tibet and pro-Darfur groups. While walking there, some Chinese people asked what Darfur was. Despite the incredulity of this, there are people that do not know such a region exists. However, the torch never came, but here are some photos taken by my teachers during the event.

Hearing about this unlikely and unfortunate event, especially liberal San Francisco, but yes, an unjust suppression of free speech, led to my response,

Protesters say, "Zi You Tibet" (Free Tibet) while the supporters say, "China Jia You" (Go Go China).
How about, "Free World, Jia You (Go Go) World?" There are so many more countries other than China in the world that also play dirty, are fascist and are overtly violent towards different cultures or groups...take the Ku Klux Klan, the treatment of the Native Americans, the natives of South America, and so on... It is a global problem, so we should all work together.

The pictures say "Jia You Shi Jie," and "Zi You Shi Jie." They were taken at Carmel Beach this Sunday: "Go Go World, Free World!"

Even more recently, I have been debating online with someone whose extremely conservative views are very much the opposite of what I believe in, politically and economically. However, it dawned on me that he didn't know about Nash's Equilibrium. Without knowing about this very important game theory, one is more likely to accept capitalism because of Adam Smith's three natural laws of Economics.

Watch "A Beautiful Mind," because it will let you know about Nash's Equilibrium. If we were all to work together simultaneously for both our personal goals and the goals of the group, we would receive mutual benefits.

The world and human existence does not revolve around Thomas Malthus and David Ricardo's theories on over-population. Their theories are attempts at justifying of the exploitation of the disenfranchised, and uses war, poverty, and disease as a cap on over-population. The root of the problem is the idealisms of many cultures, not just American society: perfection, facades, deception, lies, corruption, and privatization.

There is a poem by e.e. cummings:

next to of course god america i... (III)

"next to of course god america i
love you land of the pilgrims' and so forth oh
say can you see by the dawn's early my
country tis of centuries come and go
and are no more what of it we should worry
in every language even deafanddumb
thy sons acclaim your glorious name by gorry
by jingo by gee by gosh by gum
why talk of beauty what could be more beaut-
iful than these heroic happy dead
who rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter
they did not stop to think they died instead
then shall the voice of liberty be mute?"

He spoke. And drank rapidly a glass of water

However, the romanticized and beautified glory of war is a truth we cannot run away from. If we run away from the truth, we will prolong progress! Innovation is key, and fear kills the soul, as we have seen with multi-conglomerates that provide virtually the same products because they run by fear of losing market-share. We have also seen that fear kills the soul in George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984, Dan Bern's "Wasteland", T.S. Elliot's "The Waste Land", Allen Ginsberg's "Howl", and Thom Yorke's "Fake Plastic Trees."

We can evolve past the gun despite Marilyn Manson's song "Cruci-fiction in Space," which speaks prominent truth about society, "First came the monkey, the man, and then the gun." We can emotionally evolve, by working together, and not only attempting to intervene because your oil company needs to transfer to United Arab Emirates so that the jurisdiction here does not reach you and you can easily scam all the citizens with your lies and wars that are secret multi-genocides while you reap of the country's supply of oil. If the people and governments can look past their yearn for self-interest, we will actually peacefully spread democracy, human rights, and animal rights and prevent global warming regardless of "are there any resources we can reap? oil? diamonds? gold?" Besides, supply-side economics, also known as deficit-spending, does. not. work!

For some good comic-reading and learning about philosophy, read Action Philosophers, particularly the issue with Marxian economics. It will clear your mind of the misguided beliefs about Communism and you will learn about commodity fetishism--a trick to make the passionate weak for physical sentiments. Watch "The Motorcycle Diaries" and learn about the Spaniards that killed the Incans who had a brilliant civilization because they already knew how to perform brain surgery. Learn about Che Guevara who was assassinated by the C.I.A., sent by the United States. Spy agencies definitely are not as glorious as the media portrays them, just like with almost anything the media portrays.

We will evolve emotionally, if we just reestablish the current lack of humanity society. Have you heard about the new fetish of crushing objects, even living organisms such as kittens with a heel? Animals are so amazing, and you know you do not want George Orwell's Animal Farm scenario to happen, but at the same time, if we just respected them, we would learn so much more. Did you know that they are evolving and are as intelligent as a three-year old?

I lament at the hollow empty souls some of us have become.

Last week, my friend who went to India recently bought a pair of Crocs.

Thanks to my friend, he let me know that there was another atrocity lurking about, this time at Newsweek: "The Case Against Crocs: Make. It. Stop." This is absurd! I can't begin to fathom of a more ridiculous idea, that Crocs "simply aren't for fashion, shouldn't be worn, won't help you get laid..." And this person is teaching his son to call Croc-wearers "dorks." Catch your jaw before it drops! Mine almost rolled off!

When will society stop crumbling into a massive pile of broken pieces, if we don't teach our next generation to have respect? Instead, we have these self-righteous people that think they are so damn funny. The reason why media lacks originality is because there is nothing more that the people give. Shame on them for not giving and asking for something more.

And so, we have these people full of facades, both physically and mentally. To quote "Fake Plastic Trees" by Thom Yorke,

"She lives with a broken man
A cracked polystyrene man
Who just crumbles and burns.
He used to do surgery
For girls in the eighties
But gravity always wins.
And it wears him out, it wears him out.
It wears him out, it wears him out."

It is just like Dan Bern's "Wasteland,"

"I saw the best of my generation playing pinball
Maked up and caked up and lookin' like some kind of china doll

...Broken up in the wasteland
Broken up in the promised land
Broken up in Disneyland
Broken up in the plastic land

... And every single block looked like every single block
Looked like every single block looked like every single block
Looked like every single block but you kept driving

Cause everyone else kept driving and cause gridlock
Is evil and not know your way is evil
And those that had money looked good but weren't too happy
And those who didn't have money didn't look so good...
And I watched as the best of my generation abandoned their dreams
And settled for making a little money"

Society is always about its regulations and idealisms of maintaining facades and images and upholding high class status, climbing the social ladder, and so on. It is up to us to stop their brainwashing and robot manufacturing factories of bullshit!

If these people are so keen on judging others by their appearance, then they might as well be in love with blow-up dolls.

It matters not what a person wears, but what they do to help society progress and not digress from an evolved civilization...

I want to give you an excerpt from this wonderful op-ed that my teacher showed us, Russell Bither-Terry's "An Open Letter to My Infant Nephew" :

"But this time, the government is borrowing your money not to invest in repairing deteriorating bridges and levies, nor to research alternative energy. It will not go to improving health care or to create new jobs. It won’t even give people new job skills, the way the Civilian Conservation Corps gave jobs to at least two of your great-grandparents during the Great Depression.

Instead, President Bush is sending me your money to try to stimulate the economy...

In our small acts of hopeful resistance we quietly proclaim that another world is possible and take small steps toward making that world a reality."

This is an inspirational piece on deep theories about economics. I really should have forwarded this op-ed sooner, but it seemed more relevant now, because this condemnation against the croc-bashing column, is ultimately about choices.

You might be thinking, 'oh no...there she goes again," but really, one person can make a difference. What will be even more effective is unity. Will we continue to be fake plastic people, or will we take steps to emotionally evolve? Will we realize that there lies an entire universe around us, undiscovered because we have been eating their meat, abusing their rights, and acting selfishly? That if Animal Farm could be reversed in a situation where we peacefully co-existed with species that show signs of advancement, we would also evolve instead of the opposite?

It is crucial, because with this information, you have freedom of choice, and one flap of a butterfly's wing could cause a storm.

Think about what is said or done, because it is not something we are taking too seriously of.

Earlier in June, I thought that maybe it would be alright if I took things more light-heartedly. There was a sexist Cinderella play where Cinderella was played by a guy dressed in drag clothes and fake breasts. There were females playing females but because they were not dolled up in makeup and had the implied feminine qualities like long hair or the big tits Cinderella had, they were subservient to Cinderella.

Like any unfortunate cliché storyline, Cinderella had to be beautified, until she was fit enough for the prince's liking. She had to be diminutive and gentle before she could be accepted by her groom.

There used to be minstrel shows, where white people in black facepaint performed belittling shows of minority stereotypes, but mainly African-American stereotypes. Until my teacher referenced this history, I had not fully realized that this play was a sexist minstrel show.

It takes time to realize the inherent injustices but as Stargirl says (from Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl):

"It's really hard to do nothing totally. Even just sitting here like this, our bodies are churning, our minds are chattering. Theres' a whole commotion going on inside us...

The earth is speaking to us, but we can't hear because of all the racket our senses are making. Sometimes we need to erase them, erase our senses. Then--maybe--the earth will touch us. The universe will speak. The stars will whisper...

I imagine myself as a big pink soft eraser, and it's going back and forth, back and forth (first my toes are gone, and then my feet, and then my legs, and then my torso, and then, my arms, my head... and then come the hardest part, erasing) my thoughts, my memories, all the voices inside my head. That's the hardest, erasing my thoughts...

if I've done a good job, I'm erased. I'm gone. I'm nothing. And then the world is free to flow into me like water into an empty bowl...

(And) I see, I hear. But not with eyes and ears. I'm not outside my world anymore, and I'm not really inside it either. The thing is, there's no difference between me and the universe. The boundary is gone. I am it and it is me. I am a stone, a cactus thorn. I am rain."

Just stop, and listen with your heart. Feel the world with your consciousness. Here’s a quote from Anne Frank, "How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now,
start slowly changing the world!"

Walmart Tells Their Workers to Vote Against Obama

2008-08-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, Walmart is intimidating their employees into meetings to vote against Obama because he is for unions, and that would lead to job loss.

What a world! Read more, and hear the full radio excerpt from Free Speech Radio News here.

Support FSRN! Listen to real, unbiased news at KPFA 94.1 fm Berkeley or check their website for sister sites or stations throughout the United States.

Animals Skinned ALIVE at Chinese Fur Farms

2008-08-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

While I was checking the daily news on Peta, I saw the article "A shocking look inside Chinese Fur Farms." While I read it, I was devastated, and mortified. It's a good thing that Peta is telling the world about this. People need to know that these cruelties exist!

Please sign the petition today! It's awesome that people like Amanda Beard are expressing their emotions and thoughts on these troublesome, unfortunate, and yet very real mad acts of atrocity!

No Worries? For Real?

2008-08-02T00:11:00.001-07:00

This shows why Borders or Barnes & Nobles have sections for both "Global Warming Exists and Ways to Combat it" and "Global Warming Does Not Exist--It is a lie."

Huffington Post usually manages to stay firmly liberal, but this really is not right (don't mind the pun). Yes, we need to be less worried about things, and sometimes, just act. But more times than so, it is not a matter of if but it is. It just simply (in no way am I trying to be condescending here) is.

The truth--the facts, are something you can't ignore. It is blatantly written all over and under that global warming is, unfortunately, real.

What perplexes me is why fret and keep lying to oneself if one really believed and began with "donkey economics." (a little dishonesty gets one very far, yes?)

Unfortunately so.

A word of advice for those that are dubious about there really being no worries:

The minutes are ticking by. Time is slipping away. If you have a conscience, don't wreck yourself over every minuscule detail. Just go for it [cleaning up the world bit by bit], and let it become a habit.

-------------------
Today I went to Thrift Center and got a large Target tote that won't be able to fill up all the groceries, but at least some. And now, or in the morning, to dissect more XL shirts for grocery/shopping tote-bags. Yes...

The Ol' McCain Smear Campaign

2008-07-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Whilst checking my daily Huffington just now, I came across this. This makes me think about an earlier unfinished, not published column I wrote on the tyranny of mass media--that the election and the candidates aren't really focusing on the issues but rather, obsessed with projecting certain images of themselves or relentlessly bashing the opposing in many attempts which lead me to think that these political figures are actually rather insecure about themselves. High school drama and childish antics anyone? Aren't these "leaders" suppose to be mature enough to look pass this and focus on the important issues?

Well, rhetorical questions will stop here but take a look for yourself from this excerpt regarding yet another McCain smear ad against Obama, relating him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton,

" In the end, the ad may tell voters as much about McCain as it does the Illinois Democrat. It was not too long ago that McCain's campaign released a memo -- authored by Rick Davis -- saying it was "critical" to "run a respectful campaign focused on the issues," no matter which the Democratic nominee emerged. Since then, the presumptive Republican nominee has launched attacks on Obama's patriotism, has blamed his opponent for high gas prices, and has accused him of willfully snubbing the troops.

Update: Obama himself has responded: "You know, I don't pay attention to John McCain's ads, although I do notice he doesn't seem to have anything to say very positive about himself. He seems to only be talking about me... You need to ask John McCain what he's for and not just what he's against."

--McCain Ad Links Paris Hilton, Britney Spears to Obama (Sam Stein: Huffington Post)

In these remaining three months and a few weeks we hope that both will continue to, or if lacking *coughcough*, maintain their integrity and veer away from Ann Coulter -est hollow accusations. The people should also stop their endless (it has been nearly a year of hearing this, and I quote from some interview from 88.5) empty criticism, "Obama just isn't black enough for me." Or, is he not white enough? Is he Muslim? Is he a celebrity?

He is the democratic candidate this year but people cannot see past the color of his skin or misconstrued information about his preference of religion.

It is about the actions of a candidate, not any other outward appearances. Only the actions of the past and present can tell you how much you can trust this person to lead a country towards progress, unity, and overall success (not voodoo economics--when you really get all that money, it won't be trickling down to the have-nots.)

Anyway, I apologize for the lack of update from our tri-team. It helps if the other two can update once in awhile too, but it's no big deal until things get really busy as fall swings by.

My brother Henry saw a pigeon on the streets in Oakland's Chinatown where it was pecking at a used cigarette. Unfortunately, he forgot his cell phone that day as well so we are unable to show a picture. You get the idea anyway-- reconnecting with the idea of our first post: must people be so lazy as to walk down the block to throw away their cigarette ends into a trashcan (and not a recycling bin or the sidewalk!)

The Federal Dog Abuse

2008-07-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

So an old friend of mine does not really see how humanity can be saved, but I still firmly believe that through our united actions and voices, as long as adamantly refuse to compromise the integrity of our democracy, we will make a difference!

So, do you love beagles? Do you love animals?

What if you found out that federal organizations that are supposedly meant to ensure justice and safety for all, is another Big Brother in a masquerade ball?

Animal testing, especially on beagles, are conducted by chemical, pesticide, and drug companies forced by the F.D.A. and now they are moving their animal testing to China, where jurisdiction (or the lack thereof in America) can not reach them.

"An article in The Boston Globe quoted the head of a pharmaceutical company as saying, "China is a good place to be [for U.S. companies], as it is the world's largest supplier of lab monkeys and canines—mostly beagles." The article states these companies want "to turn China's dogs into global economic assets."

Chemical, pesticide, and drug companies conduct these tests because the FDA and the EPA require them to do so, and they make a profit regardless of what the animal tests show. (If the animals are OK, they claim that their products are safe. If the animals get sick or die, they can claim that the animal test results aren't relevant to humans.)"
--From "Take Action: F.D.A. = Federal Dog Abuse"

Take action now!

On another note, I overheard John McCain state on public television last night at one of his campaigns, saying something along the lines of, "Are you going to vote for someone who puts losing the war ahead of his campaign?" The crowd, with much jubilee, shouts, "No, we won't!" Well, as the aforementioned column two posts before, who are you going to vote for? The man that subconsciously jokes and sings about killing Iranians or the man that is taking steps to communicate with them instead, and reach an understanding?

Apparently, the column has been archived and only available if you have subscribed, so here is a recap through Washinging Post's Michael D. Shear.

hatewords and hateactions

2008-07-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

I saw Dark Knight last night and today I decided to join a group commemorating Heath Ledger, but I saw something that was truly disgusting, completely spurned from hate and ignorance.

Someone who goes by the name of John Calvin began a discussion topic using many hate words condemning Ledger because of his association with the film Brokeback Mountain. Fortunately, there are many that have since repeatedly reported and told to this person that his hate rant was not appreciated, and since then it's been TWO MONTHS, and yet, Facebook still hasn't done something about it. But like one commenter said, kill the root of this tree of hate by focusing the efforts on the true mission of this group, not a hate rant against the actor or some random person. Still, this should not escape us that we never get much media portrayal of the anti-gay messages or actions.

It makes me think of Matthew Shepard, what happened to Lawrence King, and the unfortunate misconception of what Brokeback Mountain really is..

If we cannot peacefully coexist with others regardless of their beliefs or views, we will just be giving into murdering the rest of the world and creating mindless robot-zombies, and we will have no progress, because our diversity is our strength! We cannot be cowards! We need to stand up for these beliefs!

On another note, take action to stop the military from using pigs as part of their trauma training. http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/army_shoots_pigs

Of Candidates and Political Figures... Who Should We Take Seriously?

2008-07-16T13:21:00.001-07:00

Last night Larry King of CNN interviewed Obama on the New Yorker cover of him and asked Obama's take on the satirical cover. He mentioned that Newsweek polls show that a vast number of Americans have misconstrued information about him being Muslim when he isn't ("12 percent of voters incorrectly believe he's Muslim; more than a quarter believe he was raised in a Muslim home." Newsweek Poll). Obama then reassures the people that he is Christian, but why should the religion matter? All this talk about his denomination and his pastor's offensive comments... Have the people not read nor listened to his speech on Racism? Yes, we should care about the beliefs and mannerisms that exude from the associated believers (which the media constantly portrays in their attempts to play with your beliefs and give you false information--make sure you are literate about media), but in this supposed land of the free, should it not be about looking into the words and actions of our candidates rather than pinning them against the wall with other so-called associated specimen? We hire people regardless of their religion, sexuality (well, nearly! it's getting there!), race, gender... Consider the past, and the future, but ultimately, it is the actions of the present that truly matter.

As for the divided views of Obama's rock to his wife... It is not a "terrorist-fist jab"!

If you want something real to look into as an aspect of our political figures, check McCain's stance on the Iranians.

His snide "jokes" that refer to true acts of murder as compared to Obama's willingness to speak with the Iranians on the nuclear subject matter, truly says something about our candidates. Here's an excerpt:

"This wasn’t the first time McCain found humor in the subject of dead Iranians. It will be recalled that last year, when he was campaigning in South Carolina, someone asked him what he would do about Iran if he became president. “That old Beach Boys song?” he replied, “Bomb Iran?” Then he actually sang the phrase, “Bomb, bomb, bomb ...” to the tune of “Barbara Ann,” and he chuckled." -SentinelSource

Let us talk about the personas of political figures. It seems like there are many videos circulating about that show Bush's neighborly friendliness. I call it an void, and empty hole of a persona. If the guy was truly how he was, rather than just something that nearly all political figures feverishly attempt to try to win your better judgement, show us some real valid actions. We are looking for acts of kindness, of humanity, and not just false and empty murders, promises... He knows what he has done. Seriously, we should consider Senator Kucinich's 35 articles to impeach Bush. Bush, who has recently given immunity to the warrantless wire-tapping phone companies and government folk. And who was there to applaud his choice? Read here to see for yourself.

What ever happened to our Constitution? The very ideals are being bargained for an illusion of terrorism. Where is the real terrorism? Who is the real terrorist?

Venture to Find the Answer to These Mysteries

2008-07-15T12:12:00.001-07:00

At first, I was just going to post an awesome powerpoint I received from my good senor and catalyst for this activism! The powerpoint is on the Dangers of Plastic Bags.

Those extra t-shirts, especially overtly large ones, can now be converted into a tote bag, good for books, groceries, and the like, through instructions from many diy sites. It will be a good time to do so.

Another good thing to do is to become a vegetarian. For a complete comprehensive review of the issues as to whether you should consider this, go here. It is not just about the cruelty of animals, but health issues, environmental waste issues, and world hunger just to name a few. It is just a click away! Check Post Punk Kitchen for vegetarian recipes (Eric and I know that it can be really difficult especially when, and if you are not your own sovereign entity, the issue from the concerned caregivers around you will always be if you have enough protein. ) So, thank goodness for things like natto. According to Gochiso Ultimate Japanese Gourmet Magazine (primary edition,) "As long as we eat natto, which is a source of good plant-based protein, we don't have to eat meat." How awesome!

It may seem like a lot to click away, especially when it is summer and television is so much more relaxing to watch, but with all due respect to our need of entertainment, I have been reading this book called Kick Ass in College, and as cheesy or obvious as these guides seem to be, they do have good insight about life. If you choose to venture to find the answers to life's mysteries, you will get information, and with that information, you will have options, and with this comes freedom of choice, which leads to control, and lets you take control of your own life. (paraphrased from Kick Ass in College)

As the book Love, Stargirl says, if you dwell on the past and worry about the future, you will lose the greatness of today and soon it will become tomorrow. Live in the moment, and completely immerse yourself in whatever you are doing. Know that there will be no regrets once you know you have tried your best to make the most of your life. You control your life. Take the reins and Seize the day! Carpe dium!

Our good man Gandhi says, "Be the change." Spiderman says, "With great power comes great responsibility." And Bob Marley says, "The people making this world worse aren't taking a day off, so why should I? Light the darkness!"

Hasta luego mi amigas y amigos,
Yanericque Gandhi

The Mystery of the Waste Land

2008-07-13T22:26:00.000-07:00

So, here's to the first post of our tri team heading towards a better world through our Happy Land Manifesto. We will be posting photos, videos, or essays--anything to unveil the reality of our waste land. This revolution began yesterday and continues forever. It began organically, when Eric and I were walking along the streets of Japantown during this weekend's Obon Festival.

And then, we saw this:

So what was a recycling bin doing, overflowing with trash!? And the four other recycling bins on the same street and its cross street were all covered with garbage bags.. We opened it and saw that it was practically empty! EMPTY! No dead carcasses... Just empty!

What a waste of a recycling bin! There were not many garbage cans but there were some closer to the bigger buildings. We came to conclude that it was a matter of laziness.

That night I went to get pizza and before I left, I realized that the business was pretty bad, but still, there had to be almost 15 tables where the light was left on!

A Random Note:
We are both vegetarian but happened to walk by the fish eggs produce at the supermarket. Why do businesses invest in this if it is killing more potential fish, which destroys market share? (Speaking in the very capitalistic terms, which brings much irony to this blog.) Which comes to our theory-- be a vegetarian and the number of people that get fed doubles! 50 million that get food from meat will become 100 million that can get food from grains!

Buenos noches,
Yanericque Gandhi