General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums".... the van to come"
Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come.
Corporation tee-shirt, stupid bloody Tuesday.
Man, you been a naughty boy, you let your face grow long.
I am the eggman, they are the eggmen.
I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob.
-- John Lennon; I am the Walrus
Yesterday, my children and I planned a visit to an area Barnes & Noble, followed by a mid-afternoon lunch. My daughters have a two-week job "house-sitting" for some family friends with three dogs; they drove here in the small car they have use of, and then we took off in my vehicle. On the way to pick up their brother who lives closest to us, we passed a library "book sale." This, of course, resulted in a slight delay.
Eventually, we met up with my younger son, in front of the book store. By the time we left for lunch, we had a total of 48 books, new and used. My sons focused exclusively on Irish history. My younger daughter, soon to enter 10th grade, bought college-level math books; she recently decided she wants to graduate a year early, and is focused on taking as many AP/college courses as possible in the next two years. My older daughter, who just graduated, bought some music bokks (she and a friend just formed a group), and a couple to help her prepare for her next summer job -- teaching a week-long course to college faculty.
I bought a large stack of used sociology and political science books, and two new ones: "The Cornel West Reader," by Cornel West, and "Freedom for the thought that we hate: A Biography of the First Amendment," by Anthony Lewis. Cornel West is, in my opinion, a very high-ranking member of the most important "Thinkers" of recent times. He understands the Power of Ideas, and has a unique ability to translate the complicated into a message that even I can understand. In my opinion, "America" would do well to appreciate that this man is not just a "black intellectual," but speaks to all people.
Anthony Lewis's 2007 book remains as important during a democratic administration as under the Cheney-Bush juanta. The reason "why?" was summed up with perfect accuracy in 1907, by future Supre Court Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes: "We are under a Constitution, but the Constitution is what the (US Supreme Court) judges say it is." At a time when all three branches of the federal government are greater advocates of corporate rights than individual rights, responsible citizens must exercise their constitutional muscles. And that presupposes a knowledge of what exercises are most beneficial.
Not long ago, for example, an area television news station had two reporters interview me, over a period of three days. This was for a series of "human interest" stories; in this instance, to show how an understanding of the Native American 12,000+ years of experience in the northeast relates to the pro-environment, anti-hydrofracking movement. When, after the initial segment of the series played, there was some pressure exerted by a pro-hydrofracking energy executive to squash the remaining segments. And it worked.
In the months that followed, there has been other examples of this same energy executive pressuring other media outlets, thus preventing related anti-hydrofracking articles and interviews from reaching the public. While this is not a "classic" example of an Amendment 1 conflict -- it is corporate, rather than government control of the press -- it is part and parcel of the same general dynamics that has defined Amendment 1 tensions for over two centuries in the USA. Let me explain why I say that.
After the Flood of 2011, the heads of a large "defense" contractor was considering moving their industrial plant from New York's Southern Tier to a southern state. This industry employees a large number of people, and thus contributes to the state economy. In order to convince the corporate heads to keep their plant in the Southern Tier, the governor, Andrew Cuomo, set up a series of meetings involving himself, the corporate heads, and the energy executive who so actively works to control what the media -- television, radio, and newspapers -- reports on hydrofracking. Indeed, this individual contracted with the defense industry to supply a large amount of dirt-cheap "natural" gas for their operations.
This same governor, who had aleady offered to provide the defense industry with a mighty generous, multi-million dollar "grant" of tax-payers money to stay, is the Andrew Cuomo who is preparing to allow hydrofracking in our state. Not the whole state, to begin with, mind you, but in the Southern Tier. Call me a paranoid subscriber to conspiracy theries, but I believe that there is a conflict of interests here, involving corporations and government; and further, I think that one of the primary victims here is Amendment 1.
Last month, when Governor Cuomo okayed a "leak" to the media, indicating his plan to allow hydrofracking in the Southern Tier, I posted on DU an OP in which I discussed a plan to do a hunger-strike in Albany. Part of my plan for 2012 had been to arrange meetings with Robert Kennedy, Jr., NY State Senator Thomas Libous, and Governor Andrew Coumo, with some of the grass roots, ant-ihydrofracking community. In January, I did a hunger-strike that resulted in the meeting with Libous; and in April, we had a good meeting with Robert. Only Cuomo remains.
The governor did meet with some leaders from the "Working Peoples Party" recently. Among the many issues they discussed was hydrofracking. However, Andrew Cuomo cut it short, by saying that the anti-hydrofracking community was driven by "fear and emotion," but not facts. This is the same purposeful lie he has parroted in the media; when I requested that Robert tell his former brother-in-law to stop saying what he knew was a lie, Kennedy said that this is part of Cuomo's strategy for his planned 2014 presidential run.
Letters and phone calls to Cuomo's office go unanswered. Hence, my evaluating both the need for a Capital Hunger Strike, and my ability to do one. I'm not the physically strong and healthy person I once was. A series of medical tests that occupied much of my June revealed more damage and disease than I was consciously aware of .... and while I try to give this stuff room in my mind, I do know that another hunger strike will take a much larger toll on me than the one in January did.
My younger son -- who shares my appreciation of Cornel West -- urged me to at least attempt a few other tactics before doing a Capital Hunger Strike. One that I am finishing up is a "book" on grass roots organizing and political activism. I had thought of having it published, and sending copies to the various anti-hydrofracking groups in the northeast. But some associates convinced me that it would be far better to post it on the internet, to reach an even larger audience. It should be up in a week.
I'm going to include the material from the television station. Not because I am silly enough to think that I am important .... but the Ideas being communicated are ..... or else the energy executive would not have worked to prevent them being aired.
I'm also planning for a possible, even likely, hunger strike. The first one taught me a number of lessons on how to be more effective in preparation for such an event. I'd very much prefer that Governor Cuomo agree to meet with the same general group that traveled to Pace University's Environmental Law Clinic to meet with Robert. We have plenty of facts to present him with. But I do not think he will agree to such a meeting without some "creative tension" being applied.
Next week, I will be asking DUers to call, e-mail, and write to Governor Cuomo, requesting that he agree to such a meeting. Then, during the next few weeks, I will be posting similar requests. And I surely do appreciate those of you who take the time to help me with this effort.
Peace,
H2O Man
bigtree
(85,986 posts). . . not a fan of sacrificing and damaging the excellent vehicle (your body) which is expected to carry all of this advocacy and teaching into the future. I'll try to help with any alternative you choose . . . still, I'm definitely a supporter of preserving and protecting our H2O Man. Stay well.
Much appreciated.
Coexist
(24,542 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)For better or worse, DU seems to be stuck with my contributions.
Raster
(20,998 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)I really do appreciate that. Over the years, I've come to think quite highly of the vast majority of the folks who participate on this forum. So it's nice to hear that others think similar things about me.
immoderate
(20,885 posts)I'll stand by, with at least my keyboard to help as I can.
This fracking is insane. My father, resting in peace for a long time, taught me early in life, "You can't shit where you eat." Governor Cuomo still needs this lesson.
Please be safe.
--imm
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)I find it interesting how this "common sense" truth is grasped by so many people. There is a very similar saying found in Iroquois culture, which dates back to their early contact with Europeans. I'm surprised that so many people -- including Andrew Cuomo -- appear unable to recognize it Or, perhaps they/he do get it, and simply chose to shit in other people's water.
Thank you!
grasswire
(50,130 posts)...in the finest meaning of our Jeffersonian traditions. The citizen as a protector of democracy.
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)That means a lot to me.
I do take citizenship very seriously. I am convinced that it is part of that path that leads to being a better human being, which is my greatest goal. However, I am very aware of my many shortcomings.
I've been re-studying my copy of Erik Erikson's 1969 book, "Gandhi's Truth." Erikson taught, among many valuable things, that each of us has, say, ten burdens; on each of the, say, ten steps/levels of human evolution -- and not evolution in the mechanical sense -- we encounter each of these burdens, or stumbling blocks, in the context of the higher level. That said, I also know that we must be patient -- as much with ourselves as with others -- for we are all sad and weakly human.
Tomorrow, the man who has assisted me .... including while I assisted Onondaga Chief Paul Waterman .... is coming here to do a sweat lodge ceremony with me. He is a top-notch fire-keeper, and he dropped off some colorful large rocks for us. It is in ceremony that I get unique insight not only into my many weaknesses, but also into potential.
Also: I have a somewhat related issue to discuss on DU, that I think you in particular will like. It has to do with the NYS public education system, and the teaching of 5th and 6th grade students about the Revolutionary War, and the Iroquois influence. Also connected are options for a similar high school course. I have the advantage of getting the interest of some top people in state education with this, and they are encouraging me to go with it -- and offering their assistance.
I though about adding it in this OP, which is perhaps the on-going Diary of a Mad Citizen. But it is probably better to keep my OPs merely agonizingly long.
spanone
(135,815 posts)myrna minx
(22,772 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)Here in California a campaign has been started to declare fracking illegal. We will see who owns Sacramento - water/agribu$ine$$ or oil/ga$.
I remember in the late 1970s, when Onondaga Chief Oren Lyons was speaking to a group in Binghamton, NY. He told them that, in a relatively short time, the non-Indian people in the US would begin to experience many of the same problems that Indians were dealing with.
When huge corporations begin exploiting the natural resources in an area -- be it in NY or CA or anywhere in between -- in such a manner that poisons the environment, and causes disease and death among all living things, we see Oren's prediction coming true.
Keep on fighting the Good Fight!
psychmommy
(1,739 posts)They are also doing this in PA. People are ignorant of facts and they are flooding the airwaves with garbage and no dissenting voices nor real discussion is being heard. Disgusting. I am Nanticoke/Lenape out of South Jersey.
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)In a response above, I mentioned a program that I am developing for 5th & 6th grades in NYS, regarding the Iroquois' role in the Revolutionary War.
If successful, I will follow up with a high school program that documents how, under the Articles of Confederation, the Lenape were being considered for the 14th state. I've thought about posting that information on one of the OP/threads on DU over the years, where some folks argue that the Native Americans had no influence on the development of the Constitution; however, as of yet, none of this minority position have been worthy of a serious debate.
panader0
(25,816 posts)zeemike
(18,998 posts)I know I will...I got the time.
I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.
See how they run like pigs from a gun, see how they fly.
I'm crying.
Response to H2O Man (Original post)
kentuck This message was self-deleted by its author.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)but not with the people he is supposed to be representing, then he can forget about asking them to support any plans he has to run for the WH. He's turned out to be such a huge disappointment on most issues.
kentuck
(111,076 posts)He sure is no Mario...
H2O Man, take care of your health. You are not much good if you don't have your health. What you are doing is very admirable in your anti-fracking work. It seems like they are going full-steam ahead without any study or research on how it might affect our water supply and our future?
I think they are blinded by big dollar $$$igns in their eyes...
Anthony Lewis and Cornel West are both brilliant men and should be very interesting reading.
It does appear that Amendment 1 is being stifled. Keep us informed.
kentuck
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)at all.
I have long had a high opinion of Mario Cuomo. I remember, before he was governor of this state, he was honest and very progressive in his dealings with the Iroquois Confederacy. He had a solid understanding for the traditional ways. He treated people with great respect, something that is all too uncommon among non-Indian politicians.
I had the opportunity to meet him a couple of times when he was governor. We discussed a tense situation, where a politically powerful construction family was seeking to destroy Sacred Ground, for the use of gravel to cover a super fund toxic industrial waste dump site. Those meetings, and some in his office, with his personal attorney, were worthwhile. Mario Cuomo was a man of his word. This was frequently difficult, as he had real opposition, and bitter enemies.
I remember Andrew, from when he was one of his father's advisors. There was an intensity about him that I found uncomfortable with. I think that his role model in that period was Robert F. Kennedy, circa 1958-62. Andrew struck me as ruthless.
When he was running for governor, I had an opportunity to be meet him; there was a dinner with him and six others. I turned down the offer, which was a mistake on my part. I didn't see it then, but I do now.
I do talk to a few people around him. All agree that he is a shrewd, even ruthless, politician. None say those things as compliments these days. He is ambitious, in the worst sense of the word.
In 2011, I sent Mario Cuomo an e-mail, asking him to use his influence with Andrew, to urge him to do the right thing per hydrofracking. Of course, it would take great political courage on his part to do so -- something that Mario would have had the strength of being to do. I never did hear back from Mario Cuomo on that one, though.
kentuck
(111,076 posts)to run for higher office? Wouldn't want to be branded a "liberal".
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)his 2016 presidential run has been active for at least 18 months now. Robert told me that "every word out of Andrew's mouth is geared exclusively towards 2016." So you are definitely right, there. But my impression -- which relies in large part upon what Robert and two others associated with Andrew Cuomo -- is that he is indeed a cold-hearted, ruthless political operative, which unlimited ambition. He will sacrifice anyone and anything to reach his goal of becoming President.
There is often a very real downside to politicians who compete with their image of their father -- specifically, of their image of Old Dad's weaknesses. George W. Bush is the ultimate example. It would be tragic if Andrew competed with him for top of the list.
aikoaiko
(34,165 posts)wow, I was way off.
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)i ran out of room this year so i had to give away a several of boxes. so now there`s more room to buy more.
gladly send an email when you furnish address
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)it's a giggle that I rigidly stick to reading at least 300 pages per day. But it is good mental exercise, not to mention a blast. (And yes, they laugh at me for "talking to myself" when some passages get me "talking to the author"!)
xchrom
(108,903 posts)limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)Thank you for your work on the fracking issue. I wish you good health.
Will gladly call, write, email and fax the gov. when you ask.
To defend our water and our communities we will need solidarity among people who care about this.
I would like to see thousands of people across the region join together and surround the seats of state government in our various capitals at the same time and refuse to leave in a mass action of nonviolent civil disobedience, to demand a moratorium on unsafe drilling. We are stronger together. I hope all our various "tribes" will band together to make our voices heard very loud.
The struggle of Ohio for clean water is the same as the struggle of Pennsylvania and New York in my way of thinking. There is also an action in DC at the end of July. (StopTheFrackAttack.org)
Thanks again.
mmonk
(52,589 posts)"I believe that there is a conflict of interests here, involving corporations and government; and further, I think that one of the primary victims here is Amendment 1."
In fact, it is both the heart of the problem and the road block we the people face in presenting the truth to our fellow citizens and have them believe us rather than powerful well financed lies. It is the essence of the disaster that the Citizens United ruling has presented against democracy by this corporatist Supreme Court. It is the glue of darkness.
You can both present your book on activism for the grass roots anti-fracking movement online and have it published as well as an e book. You will kill two birds with one stone in this approach.
Good luck and I will be in touch with you soon.
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)to talking with you soon, Brother Mike.
Gotta get out to the sweat lodge now .... my cousin and I have prepared some rather large rocks, which are now red hot. I came in to grab my towel, and happened to click onto DU to see if there were any new responses.
I appreciate your support, and am honored to have the opportunity to work with you.
elleng
(130,857 posts)and