Westlake Saturday - 04/09/2011

Two demonstrations were held at Westlake Center this afternoon. Peace Activists held an "art in" and open mic in support of jailed whistleblower Bradley Manning. Representatives from PETA and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society also gathered to protest the opening of the annual Canadian harp seal hunting season.

Pamphlets:

Canadian Sea Hunt
Free Bradley Manning

SPD Rally and Counter Protest - Southwest Precinct - 04-08-2011

Approximately 50 pro-SPD demonstrators gathered outside the Southwest Precinct at the corner of Delridge and SW Webster on Friday evening in the third of a series of rallies organized by the families of SPD officers. A small group of counter protesters, supporters of the October 22 Coalition, were also in attendance.

Noise was the weapon of choice on both sides. A large number of the pro-SPD supporters had brought their children to the event. Give a pack of grade schools shiny new whistles, and they'll make noise -- even if they don't know what they are supporting. The counter protesters made up for their small numbers with generous use of the bullhorn.

The more of these rallies I attend, the more convinced I am that the SPD supporters have miscalculated in organizing them. It's hard to argue that the Seattle Police Department should "keep up the good work, " as one sign announced this evening, with stories detailing incidents of police brutality and mishandled cases piling up in the press. Assuming a contrite tone and waiting for the public's attention to shift would be a safer public relations approach for the SPD. These rallies represent another opportunity for the press to rehash the abuse allegations and SPD's critics to take to the street.

October 22 Coalition pamphlet.

The Week in Review with Lady Paula Merry

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Lady Paula gives her option on the Libyan no fly zone and watches some game shows.

Direct Mail Craziness

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Received the following mailing from Saint Matthew's Churches the other day telling me all about the miraculous power of their "prayer rug." A poster, included in the mailing, that has brought physical healing and financial blessings to the thousands who have used it.  If you believe that, there's a friend my mine I'd like you to meet. He's a Nigerian prince and he's having some trouble securing his inheritance.

Saint Mathews does not operate churches (plural) or even a church (singular). It's direct mail operation founded by James Eugene "Gene" Ewing.  In the 1980s, Ewing's former church-by-mail enterprise was ruled as a "for profit" organization by IRS and there's evidence that Ewing routed millions from evangelical activities to purchase real estate in Beverly Hills.  Saint Matthews has managed to retain it's tax exempt status, despite using the same tactics and providing no accounting of how funds are used.

The mailing utilizes all the cheesy direct mail devices -- fake underling, handwritten fonts, testimonials from past donors that would be impossible to verify. This mailing serves as phase one of the Saint Mathews fund-raising strategy. Individuals who reply to this mailing receive follow-up letters indicating the specific monetary donations required to see their "prayers" answered.  I'm tempted to mail it in, just to behold the craziness of phase two and learn how much salvation is going to cost.

The Hydra and other Mythical Beasts

International Day of Action / US Uncut / 03-26-2011

Supporters of US Uncut gathered outside the Westlake Bank of America branch to protest the billions of tax revenue lost every year via offshore tax shelters utilized by multi-national corporations. Through foreign holding companies, corporations such as Google and Amazon perform tax dodges known as the "Double Irish" and "The Dutch Sandwich" to move income off-shore and avoid paying U.S. corporate taxes. These tax maneuvers are the chief cause of the austerity measures depleting the budgets of social welfare and education programs nationwide, according to US Uncut. 

The Bureau of Economic Analysis released a report Friday showing U.S. corporations experienced all-time record earnings in the forth quarter of 2010 (Huffington Post: Corporate Profits At All-Time High As Recovery Stumble).  With last year's decision in the Citizen's United case, corporations now have more power to lobby and influence the results of elections than ever before.  With more money to spend, and a greater ability to spend that money however they choose, the embodiment of "corporate person hood" in U.S. law and legal precedent becomes increasingly problematic when considered against the interests of the average voter.

Behold that great behemoth: the corporation. A monster of our own creation, it's thick skin and writhing heads making it impossible to kill.

Fresh Air Story on "the Double Irish."

US Uncut - Seattle Facebook group

USA Uncut Pamphlet

Photos via flickr:

Seattle Clinic Defense / U-District / 03-26-2011

Coming on the heels of last weekend's Planned Parenthood rally in Capital Hill, a small group of protesters gathered outside the former location of Life Choices Pregnancy Center in the University District this afternoon to raise awareness of misleading practices at Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs). These centers, many operated by religious and pro-life groups, attempt to divert young pregnant women away from Planned Parenthood and other clinics that offer abortions by disguising themselves as medical clinics.  Clients walk in the doors expecting a free pregnancy test and professional medical advice, only to receive biased and often false information on the physical and psychological side-effects of abortion from pro-life advocates. The Stranger recently ran a feature that demonstrated some of the more deceptive practices found at CPC's in the Seattle area (Six Pregnancy Tests in One Week by Cienna Miller).

Unfortunately, the moment to bring this issue to the public's attention may have already passed - at least for this legislative session. Earlier this year, the Washington State legislature debated HB 1366 and SB 5274, legislation that would have required Crisis Pregnancy Centers to fully disclose all services offered (or not offered) and supply written results for any pregnancy tests performed.  It now seems clear that the House bill lacks sufficient support for a floor vote (Seattle Times: State House unlikely to take up pregnancy centers bill.)  The fact that Life Choices no longer operates a center at this location somewhat diminished the effectiveness of today's protest.  Seattle Clinic Defense, organizer of the event, plans to hold additional rallies in the near future.

Seattle Clinic Defense website

Seattle Clinic Defense on Facebook group

Seattle Clinic Defense pamphlets

Photos via flickr:

5Oth and Roosevelt / 03-26-2011

Photos of the current incarnation of NE 50th Street and Roosevelt Way NE in the University District  Here's a story from the Seattle PI detailing how this former tanning salon / spa became a semi-permanent showcase for street art: "City can't clean up notorious graffiti hub." With no definitive plans to demolish the building in place, it will be interesting to see how this develops as new tags cover old ones.