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.

x

test

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.