Spread cheese, not war
I guess absurd politics deserve an absurd response. My dad’s strip club are subverting the capitalist paradigm with creative direct action in commercial spaces. Also, check out Whirl-mart along these lines. Here’s an effort to Buy French. Looks like I missed the “buy-in” on March 5. Fortunately, there’s plenty of time to enjoy “French Trade Month” in Carrboro!
Not very absurd, in my opinion: an effort to impeach “President” Bush.
Orange alert
I’m having trouble functioning right now. I’m not sure why since I’m used to living in a state of constant resistance. I’ve known the government lied to the world and massacred people for many years. But the current height of the doublespeak is mind-boggling, and the public acceptance of it is beyond my worst Orwellian nightmare. I have been fighting exactly this kind of imperialsism for over a decade, I don’t know what else to do.
In the past I have been able to pretty much go on, as if the entire world was not either ignorant or insane, but I can’t stand it anymore. I just want to cry. Go head, Get Your War On
Go Chatham County!
I’m kinda impressed this huge music festival is setting up shop in my neck of the woods. Interesting that they are somehow trying to combine “peace and justice” work with entertaiment. I wonder if that works.
I probably won’t go, not because I’m not interested, but because I’ll be at the ncyt retreat that weekend.
Chapel Hill news gets it
In an editorial today, the Chapel Hill News said that “Panhandling ordinances miss the problem.”
The greater issue here really is whether Chapel Hill is willing to abide in its midst “the least of us” – those afflicted by poverty or mental illness or just bad luck. We aren’t so naïve as to think there aren’t some manipulative individuals begging for money, or that their proceeds don’t go for alcohol or drugs.
But we also should not lose sight of the bigger problem – that we’re in a recession, that unemployment is high, that funding for mental health and social services is being reduced, that volunteer agencies are closing. The real issue is not how to keep undesirable people off the streets; it’s how to provide the underprivileged with the services and resources they need to cope with a darkening economic landscape.
Rather than figure out ways to sweep our problems out of sight, let’s focus on how a caring community can address the needs of those in real distress.
And by the way, what the hell is up with University Mall kicking out Contstant Cravings, the nice snack bar that’s been there since I was a kid? Did Cary invade Chapel Hilll while I was out of town?
Y’down with O.P.B.*?
Yeah you know me. I’m headed to Ohio for a few days, so why not visit the enchanting blogs of my friends?
Sarah writes her dreams, which sound like beautiful surrealist screenplays. Pinky writes about the agony and ecstasy of daily life as a hip, thoughtful gal trapped in the body of an office drone. Doc Searls writes about the Internet and life as a dotcom guru. (OK, I haven’t seen him in over ten years but I grew up with him, and his daughter is my very good friend (even though I never see her either) so he counts!)
* Other People’s Blogs
Them’s my boyz
The Beastie Boys have released an anti-war song called “In a World Gone Mad” for free download on their website. Yes yes y’all! Those B-Boys do me proud. I’ve been listening to them for over 15 years, it’s like we grew up together.
Check it out, or read about it at the New York Times.
Very scary christians
![[christian]](cc.jpg)
Holy shit, that woman is whiter than white! She’s the President of the Christian Coalition, and she has a special message for you about child pornography.
Also, check out these birds of a feather: Concerned Women for America, with “a rich 22-year history of helping our members across the country bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy.” Here are a their thoughts on sexual orientation, pagans, and – of course – so-called partial-birth abortion.
Ready to fight back yet?
Chamber: 1, Po’ folks: 0
For those keeping score: the Chapel Hill Town Council last week passed a ban on soliciting money in highway medians, but they did not have enough votes to ban begging after dark. The issue will come back at to them on March 24, so it’s not too late to let them know how you feel.
There has been a full-court press from the Chamber of Commerce to bring out business owners and shoppers who think that the presence of poor people downtown is hurting their business and keeping consumers away. (Can you say, “it’s the economy, stupid?” I knew you could.) These are the same people who have been trying to get the shelter and soup kitchen moved to the outskirts of town on the same premise.
The Council needs to hear from people who don’t mind going downtown, even – gasp – at night! E-mail them or contact them directly by phone (contact info). Be sure to thank Bill Strom, Jim Ward, Mark Kleinschmidt and Ed Harrison for voting against the nighttime ban. You may also want to mention that they should try enforcing the current law against “aggressive panhandling” before they create more restrictions that will only be selectively enforced, if ever.
By the way, the Chapel Hill News web site’s current “speak out” topic is panhandling. The questions have been up for a few days, but I just entered the first post. Go there now and we can show them that the Chamber doesn’t represent everyone’s public opinion.
Hey, I know them!
Keep an eye out for some dedicated Chapel Hellions and Carrborators taking off their clothes for peace TODAY at 5 pm. Here’s a local article about it, and here’s CNN coverage of the larger movement they’re a part of. (Yes, they’re part of a movement!)
Ban homelessness?
Once again, the Town of Chapel Hill is trying to deal with poverty and homelessness by BANNING it. This proposal has *just* showed up on the Council’s agenda, and yet the Chamber of Commerce is already officially lobbying for the tightening restrictions. Read about it at the Chapel Hill Herald, or read the proposal on the Council’s agenda.
The Town Council has been getting letters from people continually complaining that they won’t go downtown for FEAR of being asked for money. Of course those of us who live and work downtown don’t contact the Council to tell them that we daily enjoy downtown, and everyone in it.
If you can’t come out to the Town Council this Monday night, please e-mail them and ask for a PUBLIC HEARING on the panhandling proposal and a little compassion for people who need our help.
Here’s what I had to say to them:
To: mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.orgI am surprised to once again see a proposal on your agenda with no public consideration. I know that you sometimes hear from citizens who are afraid to come downtown because they feel threatened by what they consider to be “aggressive panhandling.” I hope you remember that there also many thousands of us that live and/or work downtown and see no need to complain to you about the fact that we get to interact with a wide range of people on a daily basis.
I believe that the Town’s current regulations on “aggressive panhandling” are already very restrictive. If enforcement of them is a problem, creating additional rules will not help. The idea that our residents should have different rights based on the time of the day or where they are standing seems quite absurd to me.
Should I remind you that I am 5 feet tall and live in what is considered by many to be the most high-crime neighborhood downtown? I am frequently walking home alone after midnight, and have never felt afraid for my person (since I was in college). Perhaps some people are threatened by what they do not understand, or feel uncomfortable at being reminded of their privilege in the face of poverty.
I urge you not to pass either of the ordinances before you, but to instead call a public hearing to give the entire town a chance to comment on how we can best help some of our most needy and vulnerable neighbors. With laws like this, it is no wonder that Chapel Hill is tarred by a reputation as elitist armchair liberals. Let’s take this chance to prove that wrong by showing how a thoughtful and compassionate community treats it’s citizens in need.
= Ruby