democracy now article

Omar Ruiz

Soc Movement

 

The NSA issue with Snowden has been going for a while now. It makes one wonder how much can America do? And ho good are they at what they say they are good to do. America having access to million things from spying to codes and other things that we might not know of, and yet America has not been able to bring Snowden to justice. We all are aware that he stole a great deal of information and who knows he might have sold them to other spies or countries but why America is not doing more than it seems they are doing to solve the damages Snowden has caused.  Wondering what is the justice for Snowden? Not that I want him to be let go free but I wonder why we seem not able to do anything?

 

Some people call Snowden a patriot, I know that there are many ways to describe patriot but what was so patriotic that he did? Anthony Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, called Edward Snowden “a patriot,” noting: “As a whistle-blower of illegal government activity that was sanctioned and kept secret by the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government for years, he undertook great personal risk for the public good. And he has single-handedly reignited a global debate about the extent and nature of government surveillance and our most fundamental rights as individuals.” I do not agree with what the government has done that Snowden revealed but there are many ways to fix the system and doing something then fleeing to another country is not the right way to address situations like that. People might say he is a patriot, I would say he is not if he flees to another country and not wanting to face his own consequences.  But again we know that eventually everyone has to face the consequences of his actions and hope that Snowden does what he know is right for this situation other than fleeing.

 

http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2013/12/19/obama_wrongs_the_bill_of_rights

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/14/debate_was_snowden_justified_former_nsa

articles for feb 16

 Oliver Moreno

Social movements 

MW 3:30-4:45

Recently I’ve been hearing on the news about people not being able to vote. From Jail to Law School: Jim Crow-Era Law Bars Florida Man from Voting, Taking Bar, Serving on Jury is an article discusses attorney General Eric Holder is advising the repeal of state laws that prohibit formerly incarcerated people from being able to vote. If general Eric Holder successes this action will result in restoring the right to vote to closely six million people. A huge problem that is stopping holder is the federal government doesn’t have the power to force states to change their voting laws. Advocates and civil rights groups are helping Holder.  A notable fan of Eric Holder is Desmond Meade; he’s the president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Meade

Is one of more than 1.3 million citizens in the state of Florida who don’t have the right to vote due to prior felony convictions. Desmond Meade had to overcome addiction to drugs and homelessness. Now he is finishing up a law degree, but like the right to vote. Florida laws prohibit Meade from taking the bar exam and being able to practice law. Despite the progress many states, felony disenfranchisement laws are still on the books.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/from_jail_to_law_school_jim    

 

In the article Bill Moyers on Dark Money, the Attack on Voting Rights & How Racism Stills Drives Our Politics well-known broadcaster Bill Moyers discusses his latest investigation. Moyers talks about the influence of large, untraceable political donations a.k.a. “dark money” have become the greatest danger to democracy in the United States. According to Moyers democracy is supposed to check the excess of private power and private greed, and if money stops that equilibrium, we as a society are in trouble. While being interviewed Moyers discuses voting rights. In North Carolina African American are restricted. The Juice department is questioning North Carolina voting, but North Carolina voting laws are very restrictive. North Carolina laws are designed to perpetuate the Republican rule and make it harder for the young, and the elderly.

Both articles deal with African Americans are being restricted from being able to vote. It was interesting to read the laws that the State of North Carolina has. For example, learning about how citizens with prior felon don’t have the right to vote. In the United States some laws that should be abolished. Not letting citizens with a felony charges the right to vote should be abolish.

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/1/27/bill_moyers_on_dark_money_the

Democracy Now 2

Tabitha Arambula

2/16/2014

Meteorologist Jeff Masters: Climate Change Affecting Weather Patterns Regardless of Season

            There was a snow and ice storm in the East coast of the U.S. with 13 deaths and over 550,000 people without power. A storm like this hasn’t been recorded since 2000.  Governors have declared states of emergency to the states from Louisiana to New Jersey. With states like Philadelphia getting 3 inches of snow per hour and an inch in New York. You don’t see 10 inches of snow very often in Alabama. The National Weather Service called the storm “an event of historical proportions…” identifying it as “catastrophic…crippling…paralyzing…choose your adjective” With this snow and ice storm going on in the east you can see the affect that climate change has made. Because the west is experiencing massive drought. Climate change patterns are affecting all weather patterns. Which also affects everyone.

 

Drone on Your iPhone: Apple Drops Objections to App Tracking U.S. Strikes Overseas

            Josh Begley made the app, Drones+. Apple had rejected the app about five times. The application notified you every time there is a U.S. drone strike. The app was the same Josh just changed the name to Metadata+ and finally Apple agreed, they rejected it before for political reasons. The app notifies you when drone attacks that the U.S. is conducting in various countries occurs. Waziristan and the tribal areas is where most of the strikes occur. And these places are virtual military occupation by Pakistani Military. There is intense repression, and the military do not treat them as citizens. They open fire, kill them there was a 24-hour curfew for months, and there were polio vaccinations as well. And now a three-year-old girl has polio, since 2001. The population in Waziristan is caught between the Pakistani state, military and militants.  

Elizabeth Jorgensen, Dem. Now 2nd jor.

Elizabeth Jorgensen

2/16/14

1. Obama Administration Considers Assassinating Another American Overseas:

(http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/10/report_obama_administration_considers_assassinating_another) 2/10/14

The report on Democracy Now covers the issue of the White House considering the authorization of using a drone to kill a U.S. American who is suspected of being an active member of al-Qaeda. The U.S. government has used this technique 4 times since 2009, and they are acting solely on the suspicion of what these individuals intend to do, not the actions they have previously committed. The name and country in which this suspected individual is residing is being withheld during these debates until the U.S. government decides whether to pursue lethal action. The guidelines used allow the U.S. government to play god and decide who lives or dies based on assumptions rather than convictions. 

2. Meteorologist Jeff Masters: Climate Change Affecting Weather Patterns Regardless of Season:

(http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/13/meteorologist_jeff_masters_climate_change_affecting) 2/13/14

Director of meteorology at the Weather Underground joins Democracy Now to cover the state of emergencies being declared by governors throughout the U.S. for one outrageous storm crippling places in the south and east of the United States, in places ranging from Louisiana to New Jersey. The Nor-easter storm has caused more than 13 deaths. Jeff covers the varying climate changes or lack there of by the Jet Stream, and questions whether global warming and human activity could be a contributor to abnormal weather patterns. The Jet Stream is stuck on the south part of the U.S., causing the intense ice/snow storm throughout the country, the worst in some places since 2000 causing detrimental power outages affecting more than 550,000 people while places on the west are struggling with a record drought. 

Ashley Holmes Week Summary

Democracy Now Summaries

Nadia Leon

Soc 122 Mon-Wed 3:30-4:45

Democracy Now

            One episode of democracy now that I watched was about an anti-drone activist that was going to speak out about drones and how they are destructive and should not be used. This anti-drone activist’s name was Karim Khan and he went missing on February 5. It was known that he was going to be speaking against drones and it is suspected that he was abducted for that reason. Those who seen him get abducted, stated that there were about twenty people who grabbed him. Some were dressed as cops and others looked like normal citizens. He was against drones because he lost family members to a drone strike and therefore believed there was no good reason for them. The timing of this kidnapping is very coincidental because he was planned to leave to Europe and speak to parliamentarians within the upcoming days. He was also targeted because he was a part of a documentary that was about the use of drones and those who have been attacked. There is hope for his safe return.  

Link: http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/karim_khan_anti_drone_activist_who

The second episode of democracy now that I watched showed the documentary Wounds of Waziristan this documentary had Karim Khan and he tell his story about how family members were killed by a drone. Within this documentary there are others who also tell their stories of how drones have disrupted their life in some way. Within the description of this episode of Democracy now it is stated that after being kidnapped on February 5^th Karim Khan was freed and he tells the human rights group about his experience. He says he was tortured and questioned about his involvement with drones. While being in captivity he was beaten and tortured. Tired in chains in a location that he was not aware of. Although he was gone through this traumatic experience he states that he is still going to travel to Europe and speak with the parliamentarians. He wants to make sure that those who seized him don’t get their way and know that there are people who will continue to fight even considering the consequences.

Link: http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2014/2/11/watch_wounds_of_waziristan_features_anti?autostart=true

 

Discussion 2

Alejandro Aguirre

February 16, 2014

SOC 122 – M/W 3:30 PM

Kubal

 

Weekly Discussion 2

 

In The Day We Fight Back: Activism Sweeps the Internet with Global Action Against Mass Surveillance, the invasion of privacy from the government was met with discontent by the public at large. The public’s response was typically expected considering the various means the government would be able to access if the acts that would ban such personal invasions are not passed. These means include emails, phone conversations, instant messages, etc. The speakers representing the public expressed how many are considering that the majority of “victims” who have been (or will be) invaded have/will not be(en) involved in terrorist-related activity. Many have protested towards acts that will ban these acts of invasion on the public.

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/11/the_day_we_fight_back_activism

 

      The video titled From Jail to Law School: Jim Crow-Era Law Bars Florida Man from Voting, Taking Bar, Serving on Jury, presents the issue of felons (post-incarcerated) not being able to vote, and in the case of Desmond Meade, not being able to take the bar exam. It was documented that 5.8 million Americans fall into this category – 90% of whom are black. Meade provided the shocking report that, in total, a felon must wait anywhere from 11 to 13 years just see if they simply have a chance of voting again. Another surprising bit of information is that this applies to both violent and non-violent felons. What is not surprising, however, is that most felons would vote for a democratic representative. It should also be noted that a party of felons – regardless of size – will not have the capability of legally changing the views of the elected candidates running for president. This same concept is also applied to non-presidential elections. It should be obvious that this issue predates to the issue between the U.S. Constitution and racial discrimination and disenfranchisement. The only difference – which should not exempt such a policy to thrive – is that the subjects are felons – some of which are non-violent.

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/from_jail_to_law_school_jim

Erik Guerra

February 16. 2014

SOC 122 MW 3:30-4:45

Climate change affecting weather patterns regardless of season

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/13/meteorologist_jeff_masters_climate_change_affecting

Democracy Now provided a video about climate change. The video begins by explaining how California is going through one of the biggest droughts in history. I soon learned that a snow storm has already caused damage and death to Eastern United States. On a side note I was introduced to Obama's attempt to properly change minimum wage. He stated that if an individual works full time they should not be living in poverty. As stated by Juan Gonzalez I learned that governors are declaring states of emergencies from Louisianan to New Jersey. This is because of a massive snow and ice storm. It is thought that the storm has already been responsible for thirteen deaths. There has also been a major loss of power due to this ice storm. Jeff Masters goes on to explain that the snow has been falling at three inches per hour in certain areas causing streets to be closed. Jeff continues with the west being in a record drought. This directly affect me since I live in the valley.

Humans are causing largest die-off since dinosaur age

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/11/the_sixth_extinction_elizabeth_kolbert_on

It is being said that humans are the reason for the sixth extinction. The fifth extinction was sixty five million years ago during the dinosaur age. Popular websites are joining in to help spread the word that humans are abusing animals. The massive and dying animal and plants are said to be directly caused by humans. Pollution and and the abuse of fossil fuels are part of the problem. It is also said that us humans are spreading animal species around the world from ocean to ocean causing an imbalance. Invasive species change the way the environment behaves. Carbon pollution has been affecting our oceans as well. This causes carbon to turn into acids changing the chemistry of the ocean. Climate change can be very important to species. Some living things can only survive in specific conditions. As we alter the climate with our pollution we make it harder for animals and plants to survive. The former idea that species become extinct in huge waves. Then it was also found that species go extinct gradually.

chalking rules

1. Chalking must take place on concrete sidewalks, not on buildings, steps or other University-owned property. Chalking is prohibited on all vertical surfaces, buildings, walls, benches, picnic tables, signs, poles, newsstands, columns, bus stops, mailboxes, light poles and trees.
2. The chalking must be on a horizontal surface not covered by an overhang. Chalking must be done in open areas that can be directly washed by rain.
3. Chalking may be placed for a maximum of 10 days.
4. The material used to mark the walk must be water-soluble chalk (sidewalk chalk). The use of markers, paints, oil-based products, or spray chalk is prohibited.
5. Chalking must contain the name or be signed by the name of the organization sponsoring it. 
6. Chalking cannot interfere with another message that has already been chalked

That was from the university of MN

POLICIES, PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES: Smith College Policy on Chalking Smith College allows chalking on campus under the following guidelines: Only erasable chalk may be used (grease-based chalk is not permitted). Chalking may be done only on asphalt roads and walkways. Chalkings should be signed with the full name of the person or group responsible. Other individuals or groups within the community may add to the chalkings or remove them. The administration of the college may remove all the chalkings in any specific area of campus. I have no idea what University of MN #3 means, so that one can be thrown out, but otherwise I hereby apply the combination of all of these guidelines for chalking in this class.  Evidence of your group breaking these very generous rules will result in grade punishment for the whole group, up to and including failing the class for serious infractions like permanently defacing any university property, such as using any paint product, marker product, grease based product, spray delivered product.  Each group needs to come up with a symbol so you can easily and quickly sign your chalkings.  Also, I want to make sure it is clear that you are not to alter the chalkings of other groups, but that it should be assumed that students and administration will alter and/or erase your chalking.  Finally, this is not a rule, but please make sure you know what you are going to write before you start.  Mistakes in fact, logic, and grammar in chalking can help people that already judge the group to further solidify their stereotypes.

Hunger

Education


An Animal Rights Movement (AARM)

President - Tracy
Vice President - Crystal
Secretary - Crystal
Treasurer / Media - Joana


Environmental Movement

President - Ashley
Vice President -- Joseph
Secretary - Liz
Treasurer / Media - Jessica

Sweatshops

President - Ricky Torres
Vice President / Treasurer - David Baltierra
Secretary -- Jatinder Sandhu
Media - C. Ruiz

Citizens Advocating for Pretrial Expansion (CAPE)

President - Andrea Garcia  - yayal@mail.fresnostate.edu
Vice President: Lander Crow and Nadia Leon
Treasurer: Alejandro Aguirre chaos64@mail.fresnostate.edu
Secretary: Evelyn Espinoza evell@mail.fresnostate.edu and Cynthia Davila synthiadaav95@mail.fresnostate.edu
Group Organizer /photographer: Oliver Moreno
Social Media: Colleen Soares beanie8990@yahoo.com

Weekly Democracy Now! Summary

Angelina Garcia

SOC 122 MW 3:30-4:45

2/16/14

The first story I watched this week was titled Death By Metadata: Jeremy Scahill & Glenn Greenwald Reveal NSA Role in Assassinations Overseas. It is about the United States and the NSA using unmanned drones to strike their target.  They do this by metadata analysis, a tactic that usually results in the death of innocent people. One former drone operator talks about being striking the cell phone location without knowing whether the target is with the cell phone. The program is then joined by Jeremy Scahill, the producer and writer of a film called Dirty Wars. Scahill talks about the NSA; he says that the NSA places devices on the drones that allow them to collect data, “piggybacking” to suck up data. They show a clip of Barack Obama talking about drones; in this clip he talks about setting high standards so that no civillians are killed and states, “we are choosing the course of action least likely to result in the loss of innocent life”.  Schahill responds to the clip and informs us that during one drone strike in Yemen, people were killed while attending a wedding. We learn that these drone stikes are not what we are lead to believe; they are still harming innocents.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/10/death_by_metadata_jeremy_scahill_glenn

The second story I decided to watch/read was about the urging of the repeal of a law that prohibits formerly incarcerated people to vote. It begins with a clip of Attorney General Eric Holder speaking on the matter. He talks about how laws in the southern U.S. were used to target and take away African- American voting rights. Holder states, “nearly one in 13 African-American adults, are banned from voting because of these laws”. The president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Desmond Meade, joins the program. He shares his story which includes his journey from being homeless to graduating from law school; he has accomplished so much yet is still unable to vote because he was previously in prison. He is also unable to take the bar exam because of this.  Without the ability to vote, many people’s voices are going unheard and not being represented.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/from_jail_to_law_school_jim

Article Summary

Article Summary

Landon Clow 

2/16/2014

A huge topic within the social movement scene is the on going battle against the installation of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Within this article it covers the story of protesters rallying to urge President Obama against his plan of implementing the pipeline. The major defense given by the government is that studies have shown that the pipeline will have little affect on the environment, but many activist disagree with the Federal governments claim. According to the protesters the 830,000 barrels of oil per day would accelerate global warming, and have a negative affect on the people who would live near the pipeline. The two main social movement groups discussed in the article fighting against the pipeline is 350.org and Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign. The article also states that the final report released by the state department is irrelevant according to the founder of 350.org in that the people against the pipeline know the true injustice regardless of what the government says. After finishing the article two quotes from Bill Mckibbdn of 350.og , the first being when he states, " we are not going to win the battle against global warming by stopping Keystone, but we are going to show that the fossil fuel industry doesn't always get it's way." The other statement that stood out is when his comment on Obama and, "whether they're willing to really stand up when it counts for the commitments they've made about climate change."

After our classes participation of  the support of the One Billion Rising movement on Wednesday, I found an article of an interview with Eve Ensler and Kimberle Crenshaw that gives more insight on the social movement of stopping violence against women. Within the article Eve Ensler states the importance of dance within their social movement. The main reasoning behind having women dance is it is " an action of reclaiming public space with your body, which has been taken away through various acts of violence." Towards the end of the interview Eve Ensler emphasizes that there is no one leader of the social movement but rather the movement relies on each individual and their support. Lastly, after reading the article I was truly moved by the fact that although there is still much work to still be accomplished, One Billion  Rising is one step closer to gender equality. 

http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2014/2/4/video_350org_indigenous_groups_hold_vigil

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/3/one_billion_rising_eve_ensler_kimberle

David BaltierraFebruary 14, 2014 at 9:44 PM
Debate: Was Snowden justified?
Week Of Feb 14
Social Movements

On this week's assignment I wanted to look-up on the article on Snowded.

Accoring to Stewart Baker who is a whistleblower, on this viedo he
actully applueds snowden on his comming out and saying that we the
people and the world needed to find
out how our goverment is spying on us and half of the world. But in a
sense the goverments of the countrys that we help and support with
mililtarty money.
He is also saying that his leaks saved the interest of the free worlds
and this conuntry. Second thing that is says is that are whistleblower
laws, but you to get permition from the certain agencys.

ReplyDelete

ReplyDelete
David BaltierraFebruary 14, 2014 at 10:16 PM
David baltierra
Congress to the Unemployed:
Social Movements

On this week's assignment I wanted to look in to the unemployed.

I first want to say that at this time I am only employed part-time and
attending fresno state as a full-time student. While I a receiving
only about $80.00 per week in unemployment payments. When this amount
doesnot help me very much. How ever I feel empathy for millions of my
fellow americans who are unable to receive any benifits at all.Every
$1 we provide to someone of unemployment benefits yields $1.60 in
economic activity. And that's why the loss of these benefits is going
to rob our economy of $41 billion." People living on the edge
financially spend what they have to get by. Those in the top echelons
of our economy, the top 1 percent, can take their income and hold on
to it, or stash it away into an offshore account. This is want to the
real americans have to live for, then send me back where I came from.



ReplyDelete

Climate Change Debates, NSA Issues

Joseph Abdul

2/14/14

Climate Change debates

NSA Issues

            The latest on Democracy Now is the issue of global climate change. Particularly in the United States, climate change is causing for everyday life to be difficult. Not to mention that at least 13 lives were lost by the violent snowstorms on the east coast. Power outages, airline delays, and car accidents are the major issues. These storms are record breaking! On the west coast however, unusual heat for winter and severe drought is taking place. California farmers are desperate for solutions to save their job and resources. Meteorologists believe that these patterns are cause by CO2 emissions and careless pollution policies. A proposed solution is to remove some of the ice in Antarctica to heat up the Atlantic Ocean and avoid such storms. However, this would pose a bigger threat in the long run. I believe that we should just adjust to those changes rather than try to unnaturally fix the problems we have already caused.

            Following up on last week’s discussion, the topic of NSA and spying on citizens is heating up. Activists are rising against the concept of high level of spying. After 9/11, the NSA made many new policies that threatened the privacy of normal citizens. From phone tapping to text messaging surveillance, the NSA has it covered. One of the ways to protest was that many websites went black for several hours to gain the attention of the government. 6000 websites have petitioned to members of congress. Banners on home pages have been listed to give companies a chance to petition on the issue. The goal is to limit the NSA from invading our privacy. Yet some argue that we need guarded security for the well being of our country.   

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/13/meteorologist_jeff_masters_climate_change_affecting

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/11/the_day_we_fight_back_activism

 

Affordable Care Act, NSA Issues

Joseph Abdul

2/7/2014

Soc122

REVISED

Affordable Care Act, NSA Issues

            On the February 6^th Democracy Now!, the issues of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will relate to unemployment was evaluated. The program presented is that with ACA in place, employees are able to retire early or reduce work hours without worrying about their health coverage vanishing. Is this good or bad for the economy? The unemployment rate would definitely be lower because employees will voluntarily resign from their jobs. However, Why should the ones paying taxes pay insure health coverage to those who chose not to work? It’s possibly the next social movement. The ones working full time are against ACA, of course. On the flip side of the coin, occupation freedom will occur. Employees will not be stuck in dead-end jobs simply because of the health coverage, and uninsured individuals who are living in poverty will have access to the necessary health care they desperately need. Conservative economists foresee rising national debts due to lower actual employment and additional government spending on health care. Unfortunately, we can’t have the best of both worlds, either good economy or good health care system, not both. The side that puts out a better movement will probably win the issue. After all, the general population really holds a significant say in it, not the politicians.    

            On other news, NSA is being accused of spying on U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen since 2009. Erich Pica, president of Friends of Earth Organization had added that he is not surprised to hear that NSA was spying on the talk. The U.S. was not interested in negotiating, only listening to the negotiations was of interest. The organization above was kicked out of the summit for protesting, which could be linked to the U.S. spying accusations. The summit’s talks where about carbon pollutions and figuring out ways to reduce it. Apparently, the United States does did not agree with the idea of helping 3^rd world countries reduce their carbon footprint. Economical reasons come before the environment in priorities.  

Links to videos:

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/6/job_killer_how_media_spin_got

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/3/environmental_groups_shocked_by_reports_of

 

 

Freedom Summer, Pete Seeger News

Joseph Abdul

1/30/2014

Democracy Now: Freedom Summer & Pete Seeger News

REVISED

            The director of Freedom Summer, Stanley Nelson emphasized the role FS workers played in the 1964 elections in Mississippi. Bob Moses was the main activist of the event. He started looking into the issue of African American voting in 1961. Soon enough, he gathered about 1000 white supporters and went to the major towns of Mississippi to protest peacefully. Violence and chaos had erupted. Three of the activists, one of whom was white, were killed after a bombing. In one of the funerals, an activist named Dave Dennis gave an impressive speech that touched peoples’ emotions significantly. This applies to the material we are learning in the classroom. The tactic of powerful speeches is very effective when it comes to drawing the public’s attention to a particular issue. Fannie Lou Hamer, another activist, spoke in Atlantic City at the democratic delegation criticizing the fact that there were no Black representatives on the delegation because Whites did not allow it.

Contributing to 50% of the state’s population, African American votes would make a significant impact on the election. Freedom Summer workers formed safe booths for African Americans to vote safely. The movement would prove to the white population that the black community is interested in voting. It was usually said that Black people did not want to vote.

Less than 50 years ago, certain people were facing tremendous amounts of hardships to be able to vote. Today, everybody can vote safely, yet many don’t take advantage of their right to vote. The Director of the movie hopes that his production would inspire the younger generation to take their role in voting.

In more recent news, Pete Seeger, the long-time vocal activist passed away last week at 95 years of age. He advocated against government policies and Vietnam War. He acquired the attention by his strong words and the beat of his folk songs. Due to his communist ideology, he was black listed during the cold war. College campuses, where free speech is protected, accepted him with warmth. The government’s plan to suppress his movements had backfired. He became stronger than ever. In 2009, Seeger sang for the last time in public, along with Bruce Springsteen at the inauguration of president Obama. Seeger’s legacy will live for a long time. His strong techniques for social movements will not be forgotten.

 

Links to videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7E5wprwJec

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/1/28/we_shall_overcome_remembering_folk_icon

Flyer for Sweat Shops

This is our flyer for Social Movements - Sweatshops

-Jatinder Sandhu

Andrea Garcia SOC 122 Democracy Now assignment

Andrea Garcia SOC 122 Social Movements M,W 3:30-4:45pm 

Democracy Now Assignment

For this week’s assignment we had to look up articles and news on Democracy Now, it was interesting the two articles I found. One of the articles was how Comcast prepares lobbying frenzy over Time Warner merger. Comcast has announced plans to buy Time Warner Cable for more than $45 billion in stock, giving it a virtual monopoly in the 19 of the nations 20 largest media markets. According to the news website Republic Report, at least two officials who oversee antitrust enforcement have close Comcast connections ties. It seems that Comcast a huge corporation is expected to buy out time Warner. Consumer advocates and media reform groups speak out against a planned merger between the cable company and Time Warner. This news brings to my attention that companies like this can literally buy anything they want and I see it as a part of monopoly. The FCC said it could take them a year or so to review the deal.

Another interesting piece of news I found was on GOP lawmakers claiming negative consequences if Tennessee workers unionize. The United Auto Workers are seeking to represent the plants 1,550 eligible employees but there have been Republican lawmakers and outside groups that oppose this unionization. Republican Sen. Bob Corker claimed he had been assured that Volkswagen would reward the plant with a new car to build if the workers reject unionization. What is more surprising is how D.C based Americans for Tax Reform have purchased over a dozen local billboards urging workers to vote no on unionization. I believe Corker should have the workers come together to start unionization with the United Auto Workers, just because they are workers for a foreign company the plant is still in the United States and they are American workers. They deserve to be a part of a union so they have their rights if anther does happen to them, just like any other worker who’s a part of a union.    

Democracy now

Week Of Feb.10

Sara Hernandez

Feb.14 2014

Social Movements

 

            One of the videos was the Kidnapped Anti-Drone Activist Kareem Khan Has Been Freed, Says He Was Tortured from Feb. 11^th. This video was about a movie called Wounds of Waziristan a sort of documentary that shows what is going on with the drones in these countries like Pakistan, how innocent women, children, human beings are murdered and how nothing is taken into justice. The sad thing about this is that those drones are from U.S. Kareem in the movie says that the only terrorist are Obama and Bush who have powerful guns and drop bombs on them when they are on there homes killing innocent people. People interviewed in the movie say that there is no peace that he's always scared and that people go crazy because they can die any minute any day. On the second video called Meteorologist Jeff Masters: Climate Change Affecting Weather Patterns Regardless of Season from Feb 13, they talk about the dangerous environment conditions that are taking place in east coast. People have died and most of the people have been with out power. The amount of snow in the east coast is massive. In the video they say that this dramatic climate change is regardless of season, and the people are the ones suffering for it.

Democracy Now!

Cynthia Davila

Professor Kubal

February 11, 2014

Sociology

Democracy Now!

As I read Democracy Now, I found a couple topics that were very interesting. The first case study that caught my attention I would say was about the 3-year-old girl from Kabul that has been diagnosed with polio, since the last case of the disease in Afghanistan capital since 2001 when the U.S. was invaded.  It was said that the disease paralyzed the young girl. Last year there were 14 polio cases reported all in Afghanistan. There has been a vaccination campaign in Kabul sent out by the Afghan Health Ministry to try to get rid of this disease before it spreads or anyone else gets it. I found this very sad because the girl who was diagnosed with this disease is too young and not only that but doesn’t deserve to be paralyzed at such a young age.

The second topic that I enjoyed learning about was on the OWS (Occupy Wall Street) Activist Cecily McMillan who faces up to seven years in prison for alleged assault of cop. The trial takes place in New York City and is underway from her 2012 arrest due police brutality. She reported that she suffered a seizure while being arrested. When she made an appearance on Democracy Now, she had bruises on her ribs and seemed to be limping. She had a hand-shaped bruise over her right breast. While on the show, she stated, “I ended a 40 hour stay in jail and ended up with all these bruises. I mean, that’s- I have an open case, so I cant talk more about it, I’m sure you can tell that it would be difficult for me to remember some things. But I have these.”

She faces up to seven years in prison being charged for second-degree assault. Police say she hit an officer in the head with her elbow but her attorney, Martin Stolar, pretty much says she was defending herself because someone was grabbing her right breast from behind. She didn’t realize it was an officer. I personally found this topic interesting because I believe it is wrong for her to get such a high sentence for defending herself while someone inappropriately grabbed her.

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Democracy Now! Thursday, February 6, 2014

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/from_jail_to_law_school_jimI viewed the YouTube news broadcast regarding Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, regarding the article,  "From Jail to Law School:  Jim Crow Era Law Bars Florida Man from Voting, Taking Bar, Serving on Jury."

After serving time in prison on a felony charge, Desmond Meade, put himself through rehab, a paralegal course, received a bachelor degree, and currently three months away from earning a law degree.  However, his story does not have a happy ending.  In the state of Florida, where Meade resides, as well as the states of Virginia and Kentucky, he is not able to vote, sit for the bar, or serve on a jury.  Due to his former incarceration, he is restricted from buying a where he wants, is restricted in employment opportunities, and ostracized.

Desmond Meade is 1 in 5 people disenfranchised in Florida, stripped of citizenship for life, stripped of most fundamental rights - banned from voting.  Attorney General Eric Holder call the laws "unnecessary and unjust."  Florida refuses to let go of theses Jim Crow laws.  These laws apply to with a prior felony conviction.   He stresses that it is a matter of human decency to help a person reintegrate into society after they have served  their time, and made amends; to be allowed back in the community to lead a productive life. 

What I hear Florida legislation saying is that - no matter if you were arrested, convicted, sentenced, serve your time, go back to school, earn and law degree - you still are restricted from voting, sitting for the bar, serving on a jury, or practice law if you have a prior conviction.  Why bother sending them to jail, stripping a person their most fundamental rights - democrat or republican - voting, and basically their citizenship, is punishment enough.

Democracy Now! 1

Ricardo Torres Democracy now

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/7/headlines#272

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/7/headlines#272

Elizabeth Jorgensen, Dem. Now 1st journal Soc 122

Elizabeth Jorgensen

2/9/14

1. Kids For Cash: Inside One of the Juvenile Justice Scandals:

(http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/4/kids_for_cash_inside_one_of, 2/4/14)

The interview on Democracy Now covers the corruption behind two judges in Pennsylvania who are being prosecuted for thousand of faulty charges, receiving 2.6 million dollars worth of kick-backs from builders and owners of private prison facilities. The two men: Mark Ciavarella and Senior Judge Michael Conahan are being held responsible for pushing the thousands of naive families into little or no representation and plea bargains at the systems mercy in desperation to avoid lengthy jail times. The children and families who were pushed into the system had their entire lives disrupted, bullying the parents and children into lengthy stays in juvenile detention centers, leading to years of chaos with little appeals met by judge Ciavarella The corruption running deep within the judicial system lead to countless run-arounds for the families who had little knowledge or resources at their disposal for protecting their families. The two men were convicted, one being charged with a 28 year verdict, and the other with a 17-and-a-half year sentencing within a federal prison. 

2.Job Killer? How Media Spin Got Obamacare Wrong — and Why Single-Payer Could Cure Its Actual Flaws

(http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/6/job_killer_how_media_spin_got) 2/

Recent findings on initial media coverage of Obamacare finds that media data covering the Act was misleading in dealing with issues of raising job opportunities and that the affordable care act would actually reduce unemployment over the next few years of development. This act will bring coverage to over 2 and a half million Americans who wouldn’t otherwise have health insurance. The Affordable Care Act helps relieve pressure Americans have retaining health insurance through employers. The ACA (affordable healthcare act) provides a major step towards a single-payer, and in the long run the people will see this through the development of healthcare being taken from private insurers which will provide less costs in the long run for people. 

Democracy Now Art.

Few weeks ago Peter Seeger the American icon passed away and many people do not know how much he impacted the country.  I and my Sociology Movement class saw the documentary of his life; Peter Seeger; The Power of Song and it taught me tremendously on the power of songs, injustices in America, and the tactics of a successful movement. We saw how Peter Seeger stood for what he believed, oftentimes his purposes or resources seemed dubious because of his relationship with the Communists, but his purpose of doing things was just to tell the truth and to make changes for what it was right and to change the injustice. He was stripped from the public life, from the media, music records and from many other places, but he found different kinds of audiences because he believed that there is an injustice that is taught and is believed by the American audience.  He never gave up, and used his music skills to create movements from the civil rights, to schools and to environment movements. Many of the songs that we know come from him,  “We Shall Overcome” the lyrics were created by him and MLK JR used them for his famous speech.

 

Recently I read an article called Where Are They Now?: 7 Protest Songs With Legs

And I checked the lyrics of all of those songs and every song is so powerful in many ways.  Specially the songs like Solidarity Forever, We Shall Overcome, We Shall Not Be Moved and those songs have been used in different kinds of movements. They  give a tremendous fortitude when one feels like giving up on something. There is so much power in the songs because it relates to our own lives and the injustice we face everyday. It is comparable when you visit other countries and you hear the Star Spangled Banner, such strength and inspiration one can feel just with those songs because many things have been conquered with the power behind social movements.

 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2011/10/14/141316750/where-are-they-now-7-protest-songs-with-legs

 

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/pete-seeger/full-film-pete-seeger-the-power-of-song/2864/

Discussion Summary

Discussion Summary

After browsing Democracy Now, I have come upon two articles that I found to be extremely relevant in today's social movements. The first article is about Russia and their stance on gay rights and how it will affect the Winter Olympics taking place currently in Soji. Within the article Dave Zirion gave info on the fact that although Russia is anti gay rights, the United States still has 29 states that allow employers the right to fire anyone for their sexual preference. He also stated that although it is unfortunate that Russia has a strict policy on gay rights, the vast stage of the Olympics allows the gay rights social movement to bring awareness to the social injustice. After reading the entire article a quote that from Dave Zirion stood out most to me when he stated, "Puttin has fulfilled the greatest mandate of the Olympics, I mean,  no matter what your issue, your passion, your desire for social justice, there is a part of thest Olympics that will inflame you."

The other article I found to be riveting is about three activist who could face up to two years in prison for protesting against an oil pipeline that spilled in 2010. The article statated that in a nonviolent manner they tied themselves to excavolters of a construction site. The activists see the possiblity of going to prison as a possitive in that it has brought awarness to the injustice of the oil company. They also found that not only did the oil company have a lage oil spill, they also tried to cover up the whole situation rather than coming clean about the enviormental insodent. After reading both articles I have gained an all new appreciation for those who fight aganist the social injustices in the world. I was truly taken back by the willingness of these individuals to sacrifce their livlhood for what they believe in.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/3/michigan_activists_face_up_to_2

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/5/celebration_capitalism_the_olympics_global_protests

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Joanna Sanchez

Weekly Article #2

Soc 122

               In the "Kids For Cash" video we see how injustice two Pennsylvania judges were being by sending kids to juvenile private prisons for extra money. Owners of the private prison facilities were giving 2.6 million dollars in kickback to two judge who were unfairly sentencing young adolescents to  their juvenile detention centers. The crimes that these kids committed were petty crimes, it was nothing serious that they should have been sent to jail for. One of the kids spend more than 5 years in and out of jail because one of the judges kept sending him back. In the stories that were featured, it seems that the police department had something to do with it as well. They were telling the families that they didn’t need lawyers and that the penalties that they were going to receive were going to be little to none if they cooperated. It's sad that as Americans we all put our trust into people that are  suppose to "serve and protect" our community but sometimes they seem to be shady as well.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/4/kids_for_cash_inside_one_of

               In this second video we learn about three environmentalist that were convicted for non violently protesting construction of tar sands in Michigan last summer. Three women activist tied themselves to excavators at an construction site to hoping to stall work on a pipeline that had dumped 800,000 gallons of oil in the Kalamazoo River in 2010. More than 300,000 people were impacted by the spill and even kids were suffering from seizures along with other people getting sick off the water. Now the activist are facing up to two years in prison for their actions. This is completely unfair, they were protesting non violently, their actions harmed no one and now they are being unfairly sentenced to do time. It's sad that officials are failing to realize that the actions of these women are to raise an awareness of what spilling oil in the water is doing to the community. Rather than focusing on not letting the issue happen again these three women are being punished for their actions. Another activist decided to ride his skateboard deep through the pipelines of the construction site refusing to come out. Although he was not sentenced to jail for his actions he was speaking up for his actions and the actions that these women took to protest the construction site.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/3/michigan_activists_face_up_to_2

Democracy Now 2 Stories

Tabitha Arambula

 

Trial begins in Case of Man Who Murdered Florida Teen Jordan Davis Over Loud Music (February 7th)

            On November 2012, a day after thanksgiving, there was a dispute over loud music at a gas station. Four teenagers were parked next to a man, Michael Dunn, who told them to turn down the volume. Dunn then says that he was being polite and that he overheard them saying something about killing. He felt threatened when he seen one of them reach down for something which he thought was a weapon, so he quickly reached for his glove compartment and grabbed his gun and started shooting. He shot four times and as the teens tried to drive away, he shot another five rounds. In total nine shots were fired and two of them got Jordan Davis. He was killed. Dunn and his girlfriend drove off to a motel 40miles away and ordered pizza. They went home the next day without calling the police. Later Dunn’s attorney stated that they changed the story and they blamed it on his wife, so his wife told him to go to the motel.

            There were witnesses in the gas station who saw it all. A homeless man got the license plate number and gave it to the police. They went to his home and Dunn told the officer what had happened. He was using the stand your ground defense in trial. Jordan’s mother stated how the teens had no weapon and that they were victims of an angry man over loud music. Jordan was her only son, and she will not have those wonderful memories of Jordan going to prom, or going to college. Dunn has not been out from jail since he was arrested because he is considered as a threat. Justice must be served because it all seems to be happening again, and they brought up the George Zimmerman case in this case.

 

 

 

An Olympic Snowden: U.S Athlete on Being Turned Into a Spokesperson for Verizon at 2006 Games (February 5th)

            The story was about an Olympic athlete describing her experience at the Olympic Games in Italy. Samantha Retrosi, was a Luge athlete, which she began from age 11. She was picked by the Verizon-USA Luge Slider Search program. This program goes out and recruits athletes. And she was chosen. Her contract was basically training to become a spokesperson for Verizon. She described the Olympic Games like the hunger games. The division of teams all going after the gold, or the purpose of winning. She stated how her contract told her what she could and cannot say. Apart from the sponsorship, most athletes had to get jobs to have money, because Verizon only paid for all their expenses. She stated how the tracks were made to be the fastest in the world, and how athletes from the place where the Olympics were held had more access to the tracks for practice, so when Samantha was there she only had limited access to it. During the games in Italy, she didn’t want to get through it for the medal she wanted to get through it safely. She ended up crashing and had a concussion, and stitches. She even said how a Georgian athlete died in the 2010 Olympic Games, and she was just happy she didn’t end up like him. She also said that when corporate sponsors pull out and don’t sponsor them anymore the athletes join the U.S Army World Class Athlete Program, which helps with living expenses. Besides the training they do for the Olympic games they also get boot camp, and they can be called to serve and they have to because they are in the army.

Weekly Discussion

Angelina Garcia

2-9-14

The first video that I watched on Democracy Now! was about executions being performed with untested drugs. The story includes a clip of one man, named Dennis McGuire, detailing the death of his father by lethal injection. He recalls his father’s struggling for 19 minutes before his death. The reason as to why states are using untested concoctions for execution is because many drugs companies are pulling their products in opposition of the death penalty. One company called Hospira announced they will discontinue manufacturing of a drug called sodium thiopental, which is used for lethal injections. Due to the drug shortage, many states are considering other methods of execution that they allow, including the electric chair, hanging, and death by gas chamber. Alan Johnson, a reporter from a Columbus, Ohio newspaper, joins the show and confirms McGuire’s details about his father’s execution. Cheryl Pilate, an attorney for a man who had been executed in Missouri, talks about how her client was mouthing words they were unable to comprehend. She talks about how he died fairly quickly, but it is possible he was experiencing the same as Dennie McGuire’s father. http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/7/execution_chaos_witnesses_say_executions_are

 

The next story that I looked at was about a Florida teen named Jordan Davis who was shot as a passenger in the back seat of his friend’s car. The man who shot him, Michael Dunn, claims that the teen looked as if he was reaching for a weapon. This alleged action caused Dunn to use his handgun to fire at the vehicle. He continued to shoot, even after the vehicle retreated. The video begins with a clip of Davis’ mother, Lucia McBath who reveals that Dunn fired a total of nine shots into the vehicle. The video also includes clips of attorney John Guy, who opens his argument with the fact that the vehicle contained no weapons; he goes on to talk about how Dunn failed to inform the police of his deadly altercation. Dunn’s defense attorney, Cory Strolla, says that Dunn was justified in his actions. Strolla claims that every other person in the car ducked and Davis was shot because he was in the action of getting out of the car with a weapon. Michael Skolnik of GlobalGrind.com discusses this particular case in relation to the Trayvon Martin/ George Zimmerman case, stating, “the significance of this case certainly has been heightened since the acquittal of George Zimmerman, when we watched a guy walk for killing an unarmed teenager. And now, once again, we see this play over again.”

 http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/7/trial_begins_in_case_of_man

Democracy Now

Evelyn Espinoza

The first video discussed the controversy over states using untested drug combinations on death row inmates. This has begun a trend as drug companies are refusing to let their products be used for the death penalty. Witnesses have spoke about what is seen on those the drug combinations are used. The chaos stems from the unavailability of lethal injections so states are using untested combinations that are being criticized as cruel and unusual punishment. These two drug combinations are causing immense suffering and are basically being tested on the death row inmates. Witnesses to these executions that use chemical concoctions are describing them as torture. These drugs that are being used are becoming scarce because their manufactures are beginning to deny the use for death penalties. With the shortage of execution drugs states are looking at returning the electric chair for executions.

The second video looks at the recent elections in Latin America that would mark the first time an FMLN candidate succeeds after decades of right-wing governments. It began with the discussion of right-wing President Juan Orlando Hernandez who was sworn into office despite the opposition by many because of the believed election fraud. Hernandez wants to militarize Honduras to join in the fight against drug cartels, and raise concern on human right abuses. The new social movements have created a new party, LIBRE. LIBRE is an organization for resistance and are making strides little by little with a goal to overthrow the dictatorship in Honduras.

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/7/execution_chaos_witnesses_say_executions_are

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/6/in_latin_american_votes_honduran_movements

 

Obama Care

Joseph Abdul

2/7/2014

Soc122

Affordable Care Act

            On the February 6^th Democracy Now!, the issues of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will relate to unemployment was evaluated. The program presented is that with ACA in place, employees are able to retire early or reduce work hours without worrying about their health coverage vanishing. Is this good or bad for the economy? The unemployment rate would definitely be lower because employees will voluntarily resign from their jobs. However, Why should the ones paying taxes pay insure health coverage to those who chose not to work? It’s possibly the next social movement. The ones working full time are against ACA, of course. On the flip side of the coin, occupation freedom will occur. Employees will not be stuck in dead-end jobs simply because of the health coverage, and uninsured individuals who are living in poverty will have access to the necessary health care they desperately need. Conservative economists foresee rising national debts due to lower actual employment and additional government spending on health care. Unfortunately, we can’t have the best of both worlds, either good economy or good health care system, not both. The side that puts out a better movement will probably win the issue. After all, the general population really holds a significant say in it, not the politicians.   

            The issue is a significant topic for debate. Individuals are already forming groups to push for their side of interest. I believe that ACA is a great addition for individuals in poverty and the elders who are forced to work. However, for the working taxpayers, and for the economy in general, it could be a disaster. My opinion is based on how ACA is going to affect me.

Link to video:

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/6/job_killer_how_media_spin_got

movie -- please plan on attending, and bringing a friend

Pete Seeger, a great activist and artist, died last week.  

The social movements class is watching and discussing the award-winning documentary 

Pete Seeger: The Power of Song

and we invite you to join us.  

Time: Thursday Feb 6, 5-7pm

Location: IT 101

The documentary contains interviews, archival footage and home movies, which are used to illustrate a social history of folk artist and activist Pete Seeger.

There will be a discussion after the movie.

Democracy Now Weekly Discussion

Joanna Sanchez 

In this article we learn about a 48 year old male that was killed by border patrol agents near San Diego. A PBS documentary exposed new videos that were not seen by the public and the new videos exposed the truth behind his death. Anastasio Hernandez Rojas was brutally beaten and tazed to death  by several border patrol agents, and according to the police report that was made after his death he was resisting arrest but the videos PBS released proved otherwise. It really makes my blood boil when people in our law enforcement feel they have the power to abuse their authority. This man was killed innocently and nothing was done to stop it. There were 12 border patrol agents surrounding Anastasio and not a single one of them did anything to stop the abuse. All agents including the one that tazed him to death are still working and none of them have had any type of punishment towards them. This is utterly unfair to Anastasio and his family.  They are attempting to seek justice but they have no answers still and two years have passed since his death. No one, no matter where they are from, or what nationality they are deserves this type of death. Instead of being deported back to his country Anastasio was killed with no justice. 

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/4/24/death_on_the_border_shocking_video

In this second article we learn about a young black woman who was killed and shot in the face by an older white male. According to the white male, he thought someone was trying to break into his home.  The young woman was seeking aid after being in a car accident. The man calls police at 4:45 am and an autopsy reveals she was confirmed dead by 2:00am. In addition to that, the man is still free and in his home. Racism is a taboo issue  that makes people uncomfortable, uneasy. If this man had been any other race, he would not be lounging in his home after having shot someone in the face.  It is frustrating and angering that this is being allowed to happen. He was not taken into questioning, even though he called two hours after he had shot her. He has not been arrested and instead of being tested for any type of substances, the young dead woman was tested first. The criminalization of the young woman being black is overwhelmingly disgusting. It hard to comprehend how the handling of this case is in any way appropriate. The article makes reference to a similar case, the case of Trayvon Martin. Both of these stories correlate to each other in showing how unjust our system is. People can easily get away with murder because of the color of their skin or because of the job position that they posses. In the end, it is not the names or the places from which these people came from, it is the fact that these people are  individuals. Individuals who could be our brothers, our sisters, our mothers, fathers, individuals who could be us. Dying in vain and without justice because of the color of their skin and the discrimination they have inherited from the hate of past generations.  

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/11/13/criminalizing_black_corpses_no_charges_filed