The Democrats have it far tougher to 'get out the vote' in the year 2010, than 2008 or 2006.

Social services for tent city; some move to E. Providence  (click title to entry - thank you)

5:33 PM Mon, Jul 27, 2009 


I probably don't have to write much here so much as mention the obvious. 

The 2010 Census may very well reveal a very 'morphed' country's populous.

No one can deny there has been a huge demographic shift in income and wealth in the USA.  There are people displaced in the USA and may be struggling with 'where to vote' or 'if they are allowed to vote' even though they sincerely have the desire to participate in the 2010 elections.


I am an apprehension to state, the 2010 Census will be a bit ludicrous compared to the 2000 Census, but, it isn't as though the USA hasn't sustained such dynamics before.  As a matter of fact the USA has a history of four significant economic implosions, but, none with the dynamics of 2008.


The democratic leadership in any district in the country needs, literally, to beat the bushes to find out whom is where and ask them to vote.  I think by the end of the day, there may be some very interesting surprises as well.  


Social Service Offices and Police Departments can be real resources to 'finding voters' or perhaps the circumstances of Americans have improved far more than we know and this dynamic is a minimal impact.  Let's hope that is the reality in the year 2010.  

Let's face it the constituency for the Republicans clearly won't have these issues.

The 'Sugar Coated" Politician wants to blame WHOM for Baliing out Wall Street?

Scared?  Mr. Bohner (H is silent and pronounced Boner.  There is no A with an e in Boner.  He is scared of his own name.) was scared?  He is still?  I could understand it then;  he had Republicans running up debt without paying for it just like his tax cuts for the wealthiest of citizens of the USA.

There are no jobs being created by the wealthiest of Americans.   They are as scared as Boner is.  They simply want to horde more money, that is all that is.

There is no EQUITY in the tax cuts for wealthy Americans.  The Bush Tax Cuts are DISPROPORTIONATELY large for the wealthiest of Americans compared to the rest of the country.  Either this is a democracy or it is a Plutocracy.  Which is it?  Because all I hear from Republicans is their extremism and how they love the original documents of this democracy.  So, either they are adhering to the 'idea' of EQUAL UNDER THE LAW, or they aren't.  It is a PRINCIPLE of our democracy.  The Republicans don't care about principles.  They are unprincipled?  Yeah, come to think of it, they are completely unprincipled when you look at the underhanded and ludicrous tactics of their campaigns.

That weirdo in Arizona, what's her name?  No, no, not Arizona, Nevada.  Oh, yeah, Sharron Angle.  Does she have an angle or what?  The woman doesn't even know how to spell her first name.  And she turns around and states, '...there are domestic, what?"  What was that she said?  Something like 'domestic influences' in the government that was going to undermine our democracy.'

She needs to get for real.  If you want to know what is going to undermine the government, it is cowards like Boner and her that are scared of their own power and give it away to 'wealth merchants.'

"...DOMESTIC ENEMIES..."

Yeah, like her and Boner.

..."Come on,"(click title to entry - thank you) the narrator in the Reid ad says. "Sharron Angle's the one who opposed Wall Street reform, wants to protect tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, and says it's not her job to create jobs."...

Oh, then she starts in about the Second Amendment.  She said the Second Amendment is about owning personal arms and NOT about military arms.  Really?

 Does she know how to read because she can't spell her name.  These are the words of the Second Amendment which isn't going to matter if someone can't read.  But, here they are anyway.

Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified.  12/15/1791.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. 

That's it.  Fairly straight forward.   If you can read.  If one can't read then it can be confusing trying to do that phonetically.

A well regulated Militia....


Was Daniel Webster around when the Constitution was written?  Let me see what the bio says.  Have to be accurate, you know?  He wasn't.  He was born in 1782.  I'll be darn, so maybe we need to look at the Oxford English Dictionary.  Is that online?  It was around then.  Have you ever seen the size of that dictionary?  It is something to see.   That isn't helpful because it wasn't begun until 1857 when folks became disgruntled over the use of the English language in current dictionaries.  Well, that is interesting.  This is interesting, the Oxford English Dictionary began with "..."Unregistered Words Committee" to search for unlisted and undefined words lacking in current dictionaries...."

Let's see, the Declaration of Independence was authored by Thomas Jefferson and he was a well esteemed essayist of his day.  See, when one starts to interpret the WORDS of the USA Constitution it gets really tricky and why it takes JUDGES to interpret the law.  Back in the day, CITIZENS of the colonies never 'hung their hat' on WORDS.  They placed huge definition on the 'meaning' of writing a TEXT / ESSAY.  Which, by the way, is the way it should be.  WORDS are simply 'tools' to diction and ALONE have no real purpose.  You may as well grunt if one is simply using a single word for a purpose.

OH! is an expression of amazement or surprise or urgency, but, that is understood in the definition and USE of the word.  


So, if I may.  About the Second Amendment.

This is a well recognized statue of a Minute Man.  Minute Man is two words by the way.  It is at "Minute Man National Historical Park." 

That statue 'embodies' the meaning of the Second Amendment.   It is a symbol of a colonist TURNED militia MEMBER.

One has to recall that the 'citizens' that were composing the USA Constitution were doing so to form their government and give it definition.  There were men and women that died during the Revolutionary War.  They were remembered in the USA Constitution as the 'backbone' to the freedom from England's Kings and Queens.  That is what the 'signators' of the USA Constitution were IMPRESSED with at the time of the authorship of that document. 

Now, the First Ten Amendments are very interesting.  The application of those amendments 'over time' have been interesting as well and reveals a society 'interested' in being correct and competent for the time of the application of those writings.  So, for anyone to say the Second Amendment is about personal weapon possession is taking the ENTIRE meaning of the Amendment out of context.  


AND.


Quite frankly, to have citizens believe they need to be armed against their democratically elected government is nothing short of paranoid.  But, it goes on and THAT is the meaning of Ms. Angle's angle on the Second Amendment.

The 'idea' that a democratically elected government that prides itself on COMPETENCY to its citizens is a DANGER to them is hideous and outrageous.  If any of the signators of USA Constitution were able to speak from the grave they would denounce this ludicrous use of their writings. 

Do I have to say it?  I mean people HUNTED their dinners, okay?  They owned guns.  Guns put meals on tables for families.  THAT was the purpose of the gun being held by the Minute Man in this statue.  The 'gun' is the subject of the Second Amendment, not the man.  The gun was what secured their freedom, not simply the man or the willingness to die for the cause, although, let's not diminish the 'character' of the Minute Men either. 

The Second Amendment clearly states, right in the first words of the writing, A WELL REGULATED MILITIA.


Hello?

It doesn't say 'any bozo with a gun' can have one.  NO WHERE in the writings of the USA Constitution does it even IMPLY the citizens should have enough 'fire power' to destroy themselves.  So much for the role of the lobbyists for the NRA, okay?  

THAT is why the USA Constitution has a provision for a 'Constitutional Convention.'  The authors of the USA Constitution had extreme reverence for freedom and the PURSUIT of happiness.  So much, that they humbled themselves before their CITIZENS yet to be born and provided a way to change that document SHOULD it ever prove to be an impediment to a citizen's freedom.  That was 'CITIZEN' in the singular.  They weren't interested in a Constitutional Convention, they just took great pains to write the document.  The Amendments were to add freedoms not EXPLICIT enough in the Constitution.

At any rate, THAT is the issue with Ms. Angle's angle on the Second Amendment.  The 'CONTEXT' of the writing of the original signators of the USA Constitution CLEARLY AND CONCISELY states the use of guns are to INCLUDE a 'Well REGULATED militia..."

Regulation of weapons in the USA society in order to protect citizens from criminals and to some extent themselves is not only allowed under the USA Constitution, it is MANDATED.


End of discussion.

"Why at Ground Zero?"

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, executive director of the Cordoba Initiative, poses at a hotel in Abu Dhabi Monday.

What kind of a question is that?  That is the question of 9/11 families?  I am astounded.

"Why at Ground Zero?" is a question that deeply reeks of bigotry.  The 9/11 families don't hear that in those words?

It is very troubling these family members are asking such a harsh question of a legitimate Muslim community.

Implied in that question is the 'idea' that somehow a Mosque built near the former site of the World Trade Center and nearby buildings somehow represents Al Qaeda.  The 9/11 families don't hear that?  They don't hear how they have branded themselves with bigotry in those words?

Wow.

The USA and New York, out of respect for those that perished that day,  have treated these family members well and with deep abiding respect.  I think it is time they show some as well.

It is interesting to realize how a man of faith such as the Imam is so in tune to the 'real message' in those words and the actions of so many that seem to believe this is some kind of sacrilege of the 'DOWNED' buildings.

I happen to agree with his point of view as quoted in this article in the "New York Daily News."  I sincerely appreciate his insight and wisdom in speaking 'the truth.'

Imam of proposed Park51 mosque near Ground Zero says opposition is for benefit of elections.  (click title to entry - thank you)

BY Corky Siemaszko
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Originally Published:Monday, August 30th 2010, 11:16 AM
Updated: Tuesday, August 31st 2010, 2:40 AM

Politics are fueling the furor over the proposed mosque near Ground Zero, the imam behind the controversial project said Monday.

"There is no doubt that the election season has had a major impact upon the nature of the discourse," Feisel Abdul Rauf told The National, an English-language paper in Abu Dhabi.

The debate over whether the Islamic cultural center should be built in lower Manhattan has been hijacked by "radical voices" on all sides, he said....

The Republican Party in its fervor of extremism is implying this 'real estate' is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.  THAT is nonsense.  Nothing is further from the truth and everyone knows it.  It is about time the 9/ll families that are finding this such an abomination apologize to the country and seek counseling with their spiritual leaders, whomever that may be.  Religious Freedom in the USA allows them to seek whatever spiritual leadership they choose.

Honestly !  How could they be lead around by the nose like this?

It is all 'old baggage' and if they haven't dealt with it yet, then it is time !  Nine years.  At least the Muslim community that is building the Mosque allowed plenty of time to pass before they sought comfort in their new community center at this location.

Secretary Clinton joins Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullens in concern over National Debt,..."...it makes us appear weaker..."

Following a speech today, Secretary Clinton stated the current National Debt tends to inhibit the activities of the USA when it comes to acting in our own behalf and it makes the USA appear to be weaker internationally.  Secretary Clinton never stated any assistance to foreign areas was ever in question.

Clinton Says Obama Foreign Policy Beginning to Yield Dividends (click title to entry - thank you)

David Gollust | State Department

08 September 2010

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Obama administration's foreign policy strategy of rebuilding alliances and applying so-called soft power is beginning to yield dividends.  But Clinton warned that mounting government debt is beginning to erode U.S. power abroad.  

Progress report

Clinton's address to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington amounted to a foreign policy progress report, a year and a half into the Obama administration.

She said the administration's approach of rebuilding traditional alliances and acting multilaterally, as opposed to the Bush administration's reliance on military power is beginning to show dividends.

Clinton declared that U.S. global leadership remains essential and that the United States "can, must and will" lead in the new century, even if it must do so in new ways.

Perceived threats

But in a question and answer session, Clinton also acknowledged that U.S. national security and global influence are being threatened by a debt burden she blamed on Bush-era unfunded tax cuts and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan waged on borrowed funds.

"It undermines our capacity to act in our own interests and it does constrain us where constraint may be undesirable," said Clinton. "And it also sends a message of weakness internationally.  It is very troubling to me that we are losing the ability to not only to chart our own destiny, but to have the leverage that comes from this enormously effective economic engine that has powered American values and interests over so many years."...

This was a provoked attack. Just so it doesn't happen again anywhere.

While this seems spontaneous, it is not.

BOZEMAN, Mont., Sept. 8, 2010

Vegas Lion Attack Caught on Tape by Honeymooners  (click title to entry - thank you)

Animal Turned on a Trainer; He Escaped Close Call; Newlyweds Got It All on Video

(CBS)  Most couples never forget their honeymoon.


But Titus and Drew Ellis have a special reason theirs will always stand out.


The newlyweds, who live in Montana, were in Las Vegas on Sept. 1, and decided to check out the lion habitat at the MGM Grand Hotel.


Titus was videotaping the lions and their two trainers, when all of a sudden one of the lions lunged at one of the trainers.


A struggle ensued, and he managed to free himself with the help of his colleague.


Titus and Drew told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith what it was like to witness the attack: 

At the beginning of the video it is noted the lions were calm and not the least bit interested in anyone else.  Either of the lions never moved to any aggression toward the first trainer.

It was only after the second trainer entered the 'territory' of the two lions that the male felt threatened.  The First Trainer was never in danger.  The Second Trainer was a threat because he was not 'accepted' into the pride.  The male lion was naturally protecting its territory which included in 'the pride' a female and the First Trainer. 

The First Trainer was instrumental in calming the lion as he was an accepted member of 'the pride' and had 'influence.'   

The female acted 'in influence' against the male when the First Trainer reacted to stop the aggression.  Between the female and the First Trainer, the male clearly received the 'signal' he was inappropriately moving against a potential 'pride member.'  The male has his 'own self will' and while he broke from his aggression, he clearly felt threatened and apprehensive about the Second Trainer's presence.


If the appearance of the Second Trainer was better 'introduced' and he was 'accepted' by 'the pride members' this would never have been an issue.

If hotels are going to have live animal exhibits they should have handlers and caretakers for those animals whom know what they are doing !  None of these animals should be adversely effected by this incident.

It isn't enough to get folks to agree on the agenda of the talks, but, there has to be bigots in the USA to complicate it all.

 

Netanyahu and Abbas in Washington (Photo: AP)

I am quite certain the 'agenda' will be reviewed by more than the leaders of Israel and Palestine.  Jordan, Egypt and the USA have sincere interests in the outcome to this process.  I am sure the rough edges will be worked out.

\

Dispute in peace talks: Borders or security first?

Palestinian sources tell Ynet Israel trying to 'play for time until US elections,' admit will be forced to accept certain resumption of settlement construction

Ali Waked

Published:  09.07.10, 13:24

The direct negotiations have just been launched, and the parties are already in disagreement over the order of the talks: Palestinian sources told Ynet on Tuesday that Israel was insisting on starting the negotiations with the security issue, while the Palestinian Authority wanted to begin with the border issue. The negotiating teams are expected to meet in the coming days, and possibly as early as Tuesday, and to try to reach an agreement on the basic guidelines of the talks….

Perhaps Mr. Beck and Ms. Palin will learn their hate mongering actually costs soldiers their lives.

When are charges going to be levied against responsible parties in the USA?  When  is the FCC going to put a lid on the level of hatred allowed to be conducted on the airwaves of the country, when all our commanders are dead?

2 U.S. troops shot dead in Iraq  (click title to entry - thank you)

Nine others are injured as they come under fire from a man wearing an Iraqi army uniform. The troops were part of a security detail for a U.S. commander meeting with Iraqi officers in Salahuddin province.

...The soldiers were members of a security detail protecting a U.S. company commander who was meeting with Iraqi security forces, according to a statement issued by the U.S. military. It wasn't clear whether the assailant actually was an Iraqi soldier; Iraqi police said the shooting occurred after an altercation between the American soldiers and an Iraqi soldier.

The two deaths are the first U.S. casualties in Iraq since Obama's Aug. 31 address to the nation on Iraq. But it was the second time that U.S. troops had been caught up in violence in the last week....

Rev. O'Neal Dozier is an interesting example of 'opposition' to 'elements' within the Islamic faith that a community might find 'undesirable.'   Whether they are or not is another question, but, opposing the 'elements of violence' in a community is quite different than slamming an entire faith for doing nothing more than carrying out its worship.  

 And Bloomberg is wrong.  A USA General is asking an entire community to stop their demonstration of hatred.  That is far different than building a mosque that will serve the community in New York.  The two events do not equate.  One is an issue of national security and the other is a matter of community preference.

Anti-Islam Pastor Condemns Qur'an Burning by Gainesville Church

By Thomas Francis, Tue., Sep. 7 2010 @ 2:51PM

There are few pastors in America more extreme in their opposition to Islam than the Rev. O'Neal Dozier of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach. In 2007, Dozier sued to prevent the construction of a mosque in the city, claiming that the Council on American-Islamic Relations had ties to terrorist groups.

Asked whether he supports the right of the Dove World Outreach Center to burn copies of the Qur'an, Dozier said, "Absolutely not. I don't think the we need to provoke Islam in that sense. I think that there are other ways to express our protest against Islam."...

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/juice/2010/09/burning_quran_dove_world_outreach_islam_dozier.php

The USA is serving no purposeful role in Iraq for training anyone if they are chronically under attack due to Americans behaving badly.  Bring the troops home now. 

NATO chief: Please don’t burn the Quran in Florida

Posted By Josh Rogin

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 - 12:03 PM

..."I strongly condemn that. I think it's a disrespectful action and in general I really urge people to respect other people's faith and behave respectfully. I think such actions are in strong contradiction with all the values we stand for and fight for," said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "Of course, there is a risk that it may also have a negative impact on the security for our troops."
Rasmussen's comments came just one day after Afghanistan commander Gen. David Petraeus issued a statement criticizing the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, which plans to burn copies of Islam's holy book for 10 reasons they explain on their website....

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/07/nato_chief_please_don_t_burn_the_quran_in_florida

Neither Rasmussen or Petraeus are Muslim.  The 'mood' in the USA is so completely hideous.  Who do Americans think they are anymore?  


Attacks by international criminals have happened to many other countries and while there have been issues in regard to other buildings and the like there hasn't been this level of hatred rendered in any other country.


There was that hole mess awhile ago about soldiers desecrating the Quran, too.  So, this is just adding fuel to the fire. 

Even Indonesia is calling up protestors.  After all the good will, it only takes a small match to light the fire of unrest.   The USA will end up with embassies on fire and all sorts of stuff.

Isn't it wonderful to have a country that stands solidly behind the peace process in the Middle East, huh?

...About 3,000 members of a hard-line Islamic group marched Saturday to the U.S. Embassy in downtown Jakarta, waving banners and posters condemning the plan. The group organized similar rallies in five other cities across Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation....

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100904/ARTICLES/100909740/1002

 

It is called Freedom of Speech.

Just because the ad appears on the internet doesn't mean it is real.  If the Attorney Generals, whom are outside the ability to legislate, what to run "Craigslist," whom is a highly successful Wall Street firm into the ground for political purposes, doesn't mean they are the ones to elect into office.

Why aren't the Attorney Generals doing their job and picking up the prostitutes? 

Tell me that, rather than making a spectacle of themselves?

These ads might be real, but, they could be a fabrication or stunt.  But, the ultimate resolve is that this is an easy arrest and if "Craigslist" were viewed by Attorney Generals and police as a real place to look for arrests I guarantee you it would stop.

The complaining is a political stunt and a sorry one at that.  See, Attorney Generals don't have legislative records, they simply have arrest and prosecution histories when they run for office, so when they say something people want to hear it is a 'gimme' for the Republicans.  That is all this is really.  People like what they hear and they 'want to give 'em a chance.'  Temptation in every sense of the word.  They should be prosecuting these women and if minors they should be prosecuting their pimps.

A quote from the Prophet Muhammad...

... “Adhere to truth, for truth leads to good deeds and good deeds leads him who does them to paradise. Falsehood is wickedness and wickedness leads to hell.”


"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." John 14:6

The USA Karzai. This is corruption and the constituents are getting kick backs, only they think it is a family charity.

This is the face of American political corruption.  This is outrageous.  A Congressman solicits Wall Street for money so he can stay in office to protect their interests while duping the public.

It doesn't get worse than this, except, maybe if you have your own bank that goes belly up.

Representative Joe Baca

Where are the ethics investigations here?  This is profound cronyism and conflict of interest.  There isn't much difference between this and putting money in a freezer.  Seriously.

This is nothing short of influence peddling on both the electorate side and the legislative side.  They are buying their votes and deceiving the public all the way to the bank ! 

No.  No.  This is not honest dealings and it certainly isn't honest government. 

Unless one is corrupt, DISCLOSURE isn't all that has to take place here.  This is outrageous.  Disclosure has become the 'latest' and 'greatest' American scam, huh?  I don't think so. 

...“It’s great,” (click title to entry - thank you) said Laura Goodloe, 36, as she watched her 8-year-old son, Jordan, play at the arena in San Bernardino, Calif., where the Baca Foundation offered a free basketball clinic last month. “He is giving back to the community.”

But unlike most private foundations, Mr. Baca’s gets little of its money from its founders’ pockets. Instead, local companies and major corporations that have often turned to Mr. Baca’s Washington office for help, and usually succeed in getting it, are the chief donors.

A review by The New York Times of federal tax records and House and Senate disclosure reports found at least two dozen charities that lawmakers or their families helped create or run that routinely accept donations from businesses seeking to influence them. The sponsors — AT&T, Chevron, General Dynamics, Morgan Stanley, Eli Lilly and dozens of others — contribute millions of dollars annually in gifts ranging from token amounts to a check for $5 million...

The tropical season continues. But, why where did Earl and Fiona finally end their reign.

September 6, 2010

1217 gmt

Mexico Satellite

Now that Earl and Fiona have resolved their heat in the Arctic Circle, the increase in heat activity in the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific is picking up.

Looks like the Atlantic season is waning somewhat.  True to form the Gulf season makes up for the loss.

The Atlantic still isn't absolutely quite yet.  There is plenty of activity off Africa.

The nation's weather (click title to entry - thank you)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

The Associated Press

...There was a high chance of this system becoming a tropical cyclone as it trekked northwestward at 5 to 10 mph throughout the day. Regardless of further development, heavy rainfall was expected along the western Gulf Coast. This area was encouraged to monitor the development and progression of this system throughout the day....

The weather at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Crystal Wind Chime) is still plenty warm.:

Summer of 2010 was hottest ever in Tri-Cities - so far  (click title to entry - thank you)

By Michael Buettner (Staff Writer)
Published: September 6, 2010

PETERSBURG - Everyone in the Tri-Cities already knows that the summer of 2010 was hot.

How hot was it?

According to figures from the National Weather Service, it was the hottest ever recorded in Central Virginia. And because it followed the warmest spring on record, it means 2010 as a whole stands a fair chance of being the hottest year ever for the region - for now.

James Byrd of Petersburg took advantage of the relatively cool weather on Friday to make a visit to the U.S. Post Office in downtown Petersburg. Byrd, who said he wasn't surprised to hear that this summer was the hottest on record, had been staying home a lot over the summer to avoid the heat.

"I used to do construction, masonry work," Byrd said. "We had some hot days, but not like this."...

Weather at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Local Time: 5:51 AM AKDT (GMT -08)

 Lat/Lon: 58.8° N 137.0° W

Elevation  ::  33 feet

Temperature  ::  48°F 

Current: Partly Cloudy

Wind: N at 0 mph

Humidity: 93%

Dew Point  ::  46 F

Wind  ::  Calm

Pressure  ::  29.87 inches ( Steady )

Visibility  ::  10 miles

UV  ::  0 out of 16

Clouds  ::  9500 feet

                  (Above Ground Level)

"Morning Papers" - Its Origin

The Rooster

"Okeydoke"

Of course, everyone knows this American sweetheart.

This is our Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis.

She is Labor through and through.  It doesn't come better than this.  She can speak for herself.

Hilda take it away, honey.

Celebrating American workers and progress on Labor Day

Posted Sunday, Sep. 05, 2010

By Hilda L. Solis

Special to the Star-Telegram

These are tough times for American workers. There are too many parents out there who have lost a job and are choosing between losing their home and sending their children to college. There are too many workers who are desperately searching for employment and just can't seem to find an opening or even get an interview.

The unemployment rate in the Fort Worth area may be holding steady, but it clearly needs to start dropping -- and quickly. As we stem the loss of jobs, we must accelerate growth in all sectors of the economy, from tourism to manufacturing, so that everyone who wants a job can get a good one.

Fortunately, there are positive signs that the tide is turning. The country was losing a staggering 800,000 jobs a month when President Barack Obama took office 20 months ago. Now, we are adding jobs -- almost 100,000 every month. That's not nearly enough, of course, but we are moving in the right direction. The administration's efforts are effectively preserving jobs for the middle class, fostering business start-ups and helping companies expand. The jobs are beginning to come back.

So on this important day, when our nation celebrates the American worker, we have an opportunity to take stock of who we are and what is ahead.

Look around your community and you will find people just like you, who believe in playing by the rules and working hard to get ahead. Our families, our neighbors, our fellow Americans: They are the country's greatest resource. They are the reason I remain optimistic and committed to serving workers. They are also why I believe in extending a hand when a worker becomes unemployed and offering a leg up when one is looking for a new job.

I also believe in efficiency and looking ahead. So not only is my department helping to ease the transition during economic down times, but we are also preparing workers for in-demand jobs and high-growth industries -- from high-tech and healthcare to wind and solar power. We have already invested $2 million in five communities -- including Arlington -- to upgrade the renewable energy skills of 500 ironworkers and place them on wind turbine projects. That makes good sense in Texas, already a leader in wind power and energy. The grant will help ensure not only that workers have the skills they need to get these good jobs but also that businesses have the trained workers they need to succeed. It's what I call win-win.

Those and many other examples point to one clear fact: Our economy is changing quickly, one community after another. And, despite challenges, the nation is also growing stronger. So we have a choice before us. We can dwell on today's problems and repeat the mistakes of the past. We can miss golden opportunities for progress and let benefits be perks for the privileged few at the expense of the working many. Or we can look forward and seize opportunities in growing industries and thoughtful undertakings that will benefit entire communities.

I believe that now is the time to ramp up, to build on the progress we've already made in getting Americans back to work. Now is certainly the time to remember our workers. After all, they have always played a key role in revitalizing our economy. They surely will again. At the Department of Labor we know that well, and we intend to support them every step along the way.

Hilda L. Solis is U.S. secretary of labor. www.dol.gov

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/09/05/2447065/celebrating-american-workers-and.html#ixzz0yiM7qcnC

The birth of the United Auto Workers. "The Flint Sit Down Strike of 1936-37"

Why a sit down strike?  Silly, don't you think?

Well, they the laborers at the GM Flint plant didn't have a choice.  They received word that GM was about to remove the 'dyes' from Fisher plant #1.

To protect their jobs, they occupied the plant and invoked a strike.

While occupying the plant the laborers maintained the plant in good working order.  Elected a mayor and civic leaders to organize the community that was not living inside while sympathizers carried out protests outside.

The laborers were supported by the community.  THAT is an integral part of the union movement.  Communities that 'gather' around the unions help a great deal to support their right to work and their right to a decent wage.  Communities would provide support because it also insured their existence.  As an example, grocers would supply food to strikers and their family on credit.  Store credit.  When the strike was over, the grocer was assured to have his clientele and his income while the laborers, now back to work, paid off their credit accounts.

It worked well.  It worked out well for local governments that were successful in keeping their tax base.  A tax base that included the plant and its profit margin once it was anchored in a contract with the union.

It was Americana through and through.  It was an enforced 'jobs structure.'  Companies stayed and towns did well.  FDR was no fool.

The Labor Movement gets 'relief' from FDR.

Unemployment During the Great Depression

The Great Depression of 1929-1930 was a massive economic downturn, worldwide. The implications of the largest economic depression in the 20th century, included unemployment to an unprecedented scale...

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/unemployment-during-the-great-depression.html

 We have all seen this picture. 

Dorothea Lange's Migrant Mother depicts destitute pea pickers during the depression in California, centering on Florence Owens' Thompson, a mother of seven children at age 32, March 1936.

FDR saw the Dust Bowl.  He had his environmental issues as well.

But, he was the People's President.  He wanted the USA 'back.'  And of course the much maligned "New Deal."  Will Social Security ever be safe under Republican influence?  Why would the citizens of the USA ever trust a Republican with that again?  Makes no sense.

At any rate, besides all the great legislation of FDR which was backed by a supportive Congress, he passed the National Labor Relations Act.

There it was.  The one federal law that would bring collective bargaining and union clout to a pinnacle. 

The Great Depression. How could a union survive this?

The stock market crash of October 1929 would leave the USA with an unemployment rate of 25%.

Besides lost union members, the members that remained fell on hard times trying to support more family than they had before and could not afford to pay their union dues.

Oddly enough, the unions did not rally behind the extremist that was over taking the populous movements.  They stood by until 1932 when "The Norris - La Guardia Anti-Injunction Act was passed.

President Herbert Hoover recognized the need for unions to protect workers more than ever and passed stringent laws against injunction laws during labor disputes.  These new laws would apply to the federal courts, but, many states would follow.  It gave a reassurance to the labor movement which gained the confidence of the American public and a nod from government to protect its laborers.

The Boston Telephone Strike of 1919

The cost of living was rising.  The average telephone worker's income was half that of a government clerk and about 65% of the average female industrial worker.

The 'thing' was this.  The New England Telephone Company had just raised it rates for what seemed no other reason, except, profit driven ambition.

Imagine that.

Julia O'Donnell, President of the Boston Telephone Operators' Union proposed a new wage scale.  Well, guess what?  It was rejected.

Go figure.

6000 Boston operators walked off the job, followed by 3000 operators throughout New England.  They shut it down.  The entire New England Telephone system was out.  Their strike was accompanied by every male plant worker as well.  Support was offered by the Cook and Waiters Union when they refused to serve any 'student' strikebreaker that was injured due to angry strikers.

Julia O'Donnell went on to become a national leader that was instrumental in bringing about fair wages for all telephone workers throughout the country.

Oh, the men that accompanied the women operators?

They received a thirty cent per day increase.  Remember now, this was 1919.  

Now that is the way to run a union !

Women, I am tellin' ya.  Women !

Not to be minimized. As time went on Public Education would become an integral part of the 'worth' of American Labor.

Horace Mann.  Of course, everyone has heard of him.  But, in case you haven't.  He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1827 to 1833.  He then was elected to the Massachusetts Senate in 1834 and hung out there until 1837.

He was the brother-in-law of Nathaniel Hawthorne.  (click here)  You'll remember him.  He wrote that racy romance novel called, "The Scarlet Letter."

But, Horace was an interesting guy.  He served as the Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education.  In 1848 he would enter the US House of Representatives.

Today, Horace is called "Father of the Common School Movement." 

His Massachusetts model would be adopted all over the country as a method to educate children into responsible citizens.

Oh, yeah.  The guy wasn't some 'knee jerk' reformist.  His first schools were to educate teachers.  Imagine that.  Before he could educate children he knew he had to have the teachers to do it.

With a Public School education the American Laborer would become the most valuable and most productive worker on Earth.