Hard To Port, by Jim Kelly-Evans and Friends

Likes To Look Cute

2012-02-03T15:21:00.002-05:00

On my desktop, right in front of me...I get these roll-overs all day long!

Snorkeling & UW Video St. Barths

2012-02-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

This is video that I took last year while snorkeling in St. Barths. I can't wait to get back there!

Occupy Philly Rocks The Streets

2012-01-30T08:33:00.001-05:00

Photo: Entertainment at the Occupy Philadelphia encampment, Nocember 2011Occupy Philadelphia is alive and kicking! Hundreds of occupiers took to the streets Sunday night in solidarity with occupiers in Oakland who have been brutalized by the police. There were two arrests in Philly last night and one of our medics, Shantay, was roughed up by the cops.

St. Barths FWI Airport Landing

2012-01-28T12:38:00.000-05:00

Fond memories of our trip last March to St. Barths. We'll be stopping there again this year on our cruise in late march.

Enjoyable Tour

2012-01-27T08:41:00.001-05:00

This week we took a guided tour of the University (of Pennsylvania) Museum with a group sponsored by our senior gay men's "Mornings Out." group. Dan took a photo of me in front of the main entrance to the museum after we had lunch in the museum cafeteria.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2012-01-26T11:11:00.000-05:00

We're celebrating because Dan's birthday is today. Later on Dan and I will be joined by friends for a festive dinner out.

A Place To Rest my Head

2012-01-19T07:14:00.001-05:00

Loki Likes Starbucks coffee.

BLOCKED TODAY

2012-01-18T11:19:00.001-05:00

Occupy Philadelphia - MLK Birthday Union Solidarity Rally & March

2012-01-17T08:42:00.001-05:00

Refuse To Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils!

2012-01-16T08:43:00.001-05:00

Obama has continued Bush's attack on our civil liberties. He is firmly in the pocket of the corporations. He refuses to endorse marriage equality even though several states have passed it into law. Voting for him because the other side will be worse merely plays into the hands of the powerful elite who control both political parties. Vote Green Party or vote for someone who opposes corporate control of government, who stands for the Bill of Rights and for full equality for all citizens.

Washington, DC and Alexandria, VA Sights

2012-01-16T08:25:00.004-05:00

The train station at Alexandria, VA., the Washington Masonic Temple, and, of course, the Washington Monumnet...all visible from the train or very nearby druing my trip South on Saturday.

Road Trip South

2012-01-15T08:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to Alexandria, Virginia to attend a toy train seminar. Dan and friends Richard and Mark went to Washington, DC to visit the National Gallery and the Phillips Collection. We all travelled by train, which is relaxing. We had dinner together when we got back to Philadelphia.

A Favorite Luncheon Spot

2012-01-13T08:30:00.001-05:00

Cafe IXX on the 19th floor of the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia ofers a three course prix fixe lunch for $20.00...and a great view of the city!

A Rainy Winter Morning

2012-01-12T09:01:00.002-05:00

Photo: A scene along the Schuylkill River during January 2011...we had snow then, this morning it's a mild 50 degrees and rainy.

My Vote In 2012 Will Go To...

2012-01-11T10:29:00.001-05:00

The Green Party recognizes the equal rights of persons who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, transsexual, queer, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life including equal tax treatment.

From the Green Party Platform

OccupyPhila Protests Back Door Ban On Abortions

2012-01-11T08:16:00.001-05:00

Occupy Philadelphia took to the streets yesterday to protest recent legislation enacted by PA Republicans and signed by PA Republican governor Corbett that could result in the closure of abortion provider clinics statewide. Three OP members were arrested by AMTRAK police Tuesday morning merely for handing out leaflets inside 30th Street Station. Later, OP members rallied outside.

American Totalitarianism

2012-01-10T08:10:00.003-05:00

"Most people think of this as an election, where voters go to the polls and select their preferred candidate. But I believe, and an increasing number of viewers believe, that our political system has become an auction in which the highest bidder wins." - Dylan Ratigan.

It's actually worse than that. Our elections are controlled so that the outcome, no matter which of the major party candidates wins, represents no threat to established corporate and political interests that control the country. The population is manipulated into thinking that elections represent true democracy, while in fact they are not democratic at all...they are planned. As political scientist and philosopher Sheldon Wolin has written, what we have is not democracy, it is inverted totalitarianism. Instead of a dictator we have corporations and controlled elections. It's a sad state of affairs.

Wonderful Birthday!

2012-01-09T07:36:00.002-05:00

Today is my 63rd birthday, and I am certainly having fun. As you age, it's nice (and more important) to get birthday cards, and I received really nice ones from friends Pete and Carole, Richard and Mark, Dan's brother Bob and his partner Bill, and, of course, from Dan. Richard and Mark took us out to dinner in Collingswood, NJ on Saturday, where we enjoyed a delicios Italian dinner. But my big surprise was this morning when I opened my gifts. In addition to some toy train items for my collection, Dan gave me a lovely painting of Loki our Burmese kitten that he painted secretly last summer and had framed. You really know you are loved when someone does something so nice for you!

Winter Thoughts Of A Warmer Paradise

2012-01-08T14:22:00.003-05:00

Even though it hasn't been a particularly cold winter so far, at about this time of year it's nice to remember sunny and warm St. Barths where we spent an enjoyable week last march.

January Last

2012-01-05T07:44:00.002-05:00

While it has been cold the last day or so, we're not getting the snow that we had last winter so far.

Santorum Exposed

2012-01-05T07:42:00.003-05:00

Will Bunch has a great piece on Rick Santorum in today's Inquirer.

Cold Day

2012-01-03T07:59:00.003-05:00

Photo: Fire Island National Seashore...We're finally getting a snap of winter weather with temperatures falling. The mild weather could not hold on forever.

The Beach House In Winter

2012-01-02T11:30:00.000-05:00

About this time of year I occasionally think about our beach cottage...cold, dark and unoccupied until we get a thaw in the early Spring.

Philly Mummers Parade

2012-01-01T14:38:00.000-05:00

Once a year the straight guys from South Philadelphia get to dress up in drag, or kilts, and parade up Broad Street. The parade goes on all day. I'm watching the string bands now. They are actually pretty good as the quality of the performances has gotten better over the years.

Mild Weather For New Year's Day

2012-01-01T12:51:00.002-05:00

Photo: Another scene from the lovely Dickens' Christmas Village at Macys Philadelphia.I don't want the holidays to end. This year has been a bit strange with all of the mild weather. At times it didn't feel like the hoilidays. I celebrate the holidays through my birthday on January 9th. This week we're supposed to get some really cold weather. Thursday is the day 12 of Christmas. There's still time to celebrate.

New Years Eve Tradition

2011-12-31T16:51:00.001-05:00

I spent the afternoon downtown as is my custom on New Year's Eve at the Macy's store. Today is the last day for the fantastic holiday light show, and the organ concert was really good today. After the concert I visited the Dickens Christmas Village display on the third floor. This historic display is made up of animated near life size figures that illustrate the story of "A Christmas Carol." The display was originally at one of the other deparment stores for years and years. Now Macy's is the only department store left in downtown Philadelphia.

A Tough Loss For Our Friends

2011-12-30T13:44:00.004-05:00

Our good friends Pete and Carole lost their beloved feline "Spanky" (brother of "Alfalfa") on Christmas day. It's never easy to lose a pet that you have grown to love, and it's especially tough when the pet dies at a young age, full of vigor. The only comfort we can take is that while they were with us they were well cared for and loved, and their life, however short, was at least a happy one. Carole writes:

We are doing much better. Actually we now are getting to know Alfalfa better, he was always the shy, reclusive one - the hunter, but always around as we have lots of little critters on our property. Not playful [with the children] nor adventurous [like climbing the Christmas tree, which big ol' Spanky had done the last morning that I saw him] so he had been more like Spanky's shadow. Note the Christmas card, Spanky is front and center. Typical. It was strange for a while, but we are slowly getting used to it.

Our sympathy and love goes out to you, dear Pete and Carole.

It Was My Favorite Tree In The Forest

2011-12-30T13:16:00.005-05:00

Here is Bradley back in 2007 in front of my favorite tree in the park near our house. It used to be so beautiful in the Fall when the leaves truned a brilliant gold every year. This Fall the tree fell over and died.

Occupy The Phila. School District HQ

2011-12-29T08:19:00.001-05:00

Demonstration Wednesday, December 28 at 440 N. Broad Street, PhiladelphiaIn a public policy decision right out of of fictional Dickens, the Philadelphia School Board layed off 47 school nurses right before Christmas. As the Occupy movement pointed out, we have money to build sports arenas, engage in foreign misadventures, fix up public plazas, and give further tax breaks to the wealthy, but no money to insure the health of children in our schools.

The Poor Democrats

2011-12-28T08:14:00.000-05:00

Photo: A holiday display in the housewares department at macy's PhiladelphiaThe poor Democrats are crying about conservative senate Democrat Ben Nelson's retirement. I'm glad he's going. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Ben. Another multimillionaire senator retires. Big deal. Nelson was more on the side of the Republicans than he was Democrats, not that the Democrats are all that wonderful...they are not. Both majhor parties suck. They are two branches of the same crappy political party, actually...the party of, by, and for the wealthy and the corporations.

Holiday Show At Comcast Center

2011-12-27T06:04:00.002-05:00

The show has been updated for 2011.

Shoulder Cat

2011-12-26T08:15:00.001-05:00

Burmese cats like to hop up on your shoulder. Loki doesn't need much coaching at breakfast time if there is some buttery spread that he can lick off of your toast!

Fun Xmas!

2011-12-25T12:51:00.002-05:00

This year for the first time we bought each other cards that say "husband" on them!

Busy Doing Fun Things

2011-12-24T14:35:00.000-05:00

Making cookies, working on my antique toy trains, and listening to holiday music!

Holiday Joys:Food & Music

2011-12-22T07:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I spent a few hours downtown soaking in the holiday festivities. I bought a Yule Log cake (photo to the left) and enjoyed a free concert (video below.)

Harriton High School Jazz Ensemble Holiday Concert At Liberty Place, Phi...

2011-12-22T07:12:00.000-05:00

By Train To New York

2011-12-21T07:54:00.002-05:00

Leaving 30th Street Station in Philadelphia the Amtrak trains cross over the Schuylkill River enroute to Trenton, where the tracks cross the Delaware River near the famous "Trenton Makes..." bridge.

Trying To Enjoy The Holidays

2011-12-19T10:02:00.000-05:00

Photos: the holiday tree and toy train layout at 30th Stret Station in PhiladelphiaThis week I hope to try to enjoy the holidays and cast off some of the pressure to do things that one can feel at this time of the year. Thursday December 22 is the winter solstice, and Saturday is Christmas. It's a good time to not let stuff get in the way of a little joy.

Obama Supports NDAA Unconstitutional Detentions

2011-12-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

Photo: Occupy Philadelphia prepares for an action earlier this FallThe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will not be vetoed by Obama even though the detentions provision trashes the Bill of Rights. Obama supports this outrageous unconstitutional act of Congress. Here is the ACLU's take on Obama and the NDAA:

While the government has the right, under the laws of war, to detain prisoners captured on the battlefield until the end of hostilities, no president should have the power to declare the entire globe a war zone and then seize and detain civilian terrorism suspects anywhere in the world — including within the United States — and to hold them forever without charge or trial. But the Bush and Obama administrations have done just that, defining their powers too broadly, and claiming the authority to pick up and detain without charge or trial prisoners from around the globe who they deem engaged in the "war on terror." If there is reliable evidence against a detainee, he should be prosecuted in our federal courts, which are well-equipped to handle sensitive national security evidence while protecting fundamental rights. If there is not enough reliable evidence for prosecution, there is certainly not enough to justify locking them up – possibly forever.

NYC Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows

2011-12-15T08:24:00.000-05:00

Tiffany's has these fantastic exterior canopies that really call attention to their tiny windows. But this year's best windows are at Bergdorf-Goodman. The theme is Carnival of Animals. This is the underwater-themed window.

6th Ave. NYC Holiday Decorations

2011-12-15T08:20:00.001-05:00

Fifth Avenue is fun, but Sixth Avenue is pretty good too!

Hot Chestnuts NYC Style

2011-12-15T08:17:00.001-05:00

Why is it that the chestnuts sold by the street vendors in NYC always come right out of the shell with no bother and no mess? When I cook chestnuts at home I always have a tough time getting them out of the shell and removing the internal "skin."

An Arthur Christmas At Grand Central

2011-12-15T08:15:00.001-05:00

Pennsylvania Station NYC At The Holidays

2011-12-15T08:13:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we visited NYC for the holidays. These two photos were taken at Penn. Station.

Beautiful Public Art

2011-12-14T07:12:00.002-05:00

A sculpture at the Logan Square fountain in Philadelphia.

Road Trip

2011-12-13T10:07:00.002-05:00

Off to the Big Apple to soak up some of the holiday cheer New York City style!

Holiday Light Show

2011-12-11T18:03:00.001-05:00

This is the former John Wanamaker store in Philadelphia where for over five decades holiday shoppers have been treated to the fabulous light show in the grand court.

Death Penalty Defeat In PA.

2011-12-07T15:20:00.001-05:00

Regardless of Mumia's guilt or innocense, it's good that he won't be put to death.

Almost 30 years after after being sentenced to die for the killing of a white police officer, former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal is getting a slight reprieve. According to the Associated Press, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced his decision Wednesday, with slain Officer Daniel Faulkner’s widow standing next to him as prosectors called off their case.

Obama's Words..But Where's The Beef?

2011-12-07T09:49:00.001-05:00

Another blogger, Patricia, isn't buying Obama's new found concern about economic inequality:

"...the people I run into in everyday life, who voted for Obama, NONE of them will vote for him again. They are so deeply disappointed in him. I am in a state of utter disbelief, that he can "act" like he cares about what is happening to the 99%, and at the same time allow the brutality that shut down Occupy in so many cities. Does he really think all those students in debt and people foreclosed upon will vote for him, while he gives us the finger from Hawaii?"

Obama's Game

2011-12-07T08:49:00.001-05:00

A friggin awesome analysis of Obama's game and his speech in Kansas yesterday by a blog commenter:

Obama loves to play basketball, oh yeah. His favorite move is to the right till he damn near runs out the clock, then a slight faint to the left (as in Kansas), followed by turning the ball over once again to the other team. Great moves, zero points for the 99%. Sometimes you have to wonder whether Star Obama isn't the sixth man for the opposing club. Anyone, except a Yellow Dog Democrat, eventually catches on.

Romney And Obama: More Alike Than Not

2011-12-07T05:47:00.001-05:00

Blogger Karen Garcia of New Paltz, New York:

The inconvenient truth is that Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are mirror images of each other. Each panders to his supposed base. Each is a right-of-center fiscal conservative. Their insurance company giveaway health plans are identical. No matter who is elected, each man would serve as apparatchik of Bush's Fourth Term.

Occupy The Future

2011-12-04T11:25:00.001-05:00

Photo: At jail solidarity waiting for the release of arrestees outside the police administration building at 8th & Race Streets in PhiladelphiaA lot of people wonder about the future of the Occupy movement. I think the movement will better utilize the internet and social media to organize, recruit and do outreach. I'm already seeing this on a personal level. My emailbox is filling up daily with Occupy Philadelphia messages since the eviction from Dilworth Plaza.

Occupy Philadelphia Looks To The Future

2011-12-03T08:58:00.001-05:00

Statement by Occupy Philadelphia December 2, 2011:

"The change we seek cannot be evicted. About two months ago, Philadelphia was one of the first cities to join what is now a global movement for economic equity. We were inspired by occupations around the world, from Tahrir Square to Wall Street, from London to Madison, Wisconsin. For 55 days, Occupy Philly transformed Dilworth Plaza into a vibrant, living community from which we launched protests, direct actions, and experimented with exciting forms of direct democracy. We also captured the imagination of the entire city. On November 30, with an overwhelming demonstration of excessive use of force and incidents of police violence against non-violent occupiers, the city destroyed our tents and physical resources. They retook the physical space, but they misunderstood the source of our strength. What propels this movement forward is the power of our ideas, including the ideas that political and economic structures should serve all of us. The change we seek cannot be evicted. This eviction has now given us double the drive, double the energy, to continue this movement. Our terrain has shifted from one public square to the entire city. Before their bulldozers moved in, we had already begun to move on. In the hours just before our eviction from Dilworth Plaza occupiers defended Florence Mason’s family home from a violent eviction. And we will only continue to expand our networks, and to organize more broadly throughout Philadelphia. The power of our ideas is unstoppable. We are stronger than ever. Occupy Everything!"

Gingerbread Goodies

2011-12-02T08:24:00.001-05:00

Gingerbread houses that were recently on display at Liberty Place, in downtown Philadelphia. The large one is Strawberry Mansion, and the smaller one is the Water Works.

Occupy 2.0

2011-12-01T13:57:00.001-05:00

Photo: Last night several hundred Occupy Philadelphia members marched from Rittenhouse Square to the Police Administration building to provide support to their 50 or more arrested comrades.Occupy 2.0 is not about a physical space. The movement is morphing into a strong, flexible and mobile force for justice. During the winter months expect to see many demonstrations and actions. In the Spring there may be more physical encampments. Look for large demonstrations at next year's political conventions - both major political parties. You can't evict an idea!

A Most Enjoyable Tour Of The Philadelphia Museum Of Art

2011-11-30T08:26:00.001-05:00

Photo: Dan discusses "The Crucifixion, with the Virgin and Saint John the Evangelist Mourning Companion paintings Made in Netherlands" (historical name, 15th-16th century) c. 1460 by Rogier van der Weyden, Netherlandish (active Tournai and Brussels), 1399/1400 - 1464Yesterday Dan conducted a guided tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There were 23 people on the tour, all from the William Way GLBT Community Center's "Morning's Out" senior gay men's social group. Dan touched on art from medieval times through the romantic era. The tour lasted almost two hours. Everyone seemed to enjoy it thoroughly.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 56: Eviction, But Not The End

2011-11-30T06:46:00.001-05:00

Overnight police moved against the peaceful occupiers in Philadelphia and Los Angeles...pretty obviousy coordinated from the federal government. Rather than helping peaceful people who are working for a more just society, elected officials are supressing citizens. While the occupiers may no longer have a physical presence in cities where they have been evicted, the ideas and the solidarity developed over the past several months will continue.

Autumn Specialties

2011-11-29T09:16:00.001-05:00

I always place a horm of plenty on our mantle for Autumn. Dan found this lovely and tasty Autumn log cake at the market yesterday. Fall is my favorite season.

More Occupy Philadelphia Photos

2011-11-28T12:02:00.001-05:00

Occupy Philadelphia Day 54

2011-11-28T11:32:00.001-05:00

Occupy Philadelphia was supposed to be evicted from Dilworth Plaza Sunday at 5 PM...at least that was the deadline given to us by the city. So I went down to the occupation to proivde medic support. Hundreds of protesters were there at 5 PM. Some delicious squash soup was served, many signs were created and displayed, and the people's mic was busy with protesters each telling their vision for a better society. The city should help the occupation, not evict us. The photo above is of me with a logn time friend Larry taken at the occupation Sunday evening.

Porter, The Cat

2011-11-27T11:34:00.001-05:00

Here's a photo that our friends Mark and Richard sent to us of their orange tabby Porter. Loki wants to meet6 him!

Visit To The Wharton Esherick House

2011-11-27T10:42:00.001-05:00

Yesterday Dan and I joined our friends Richard and Mark for a most enjoyable visit to the beautiful and unique home of sculptor Wharton Esherick (1887-1970.) The house is nestled on a hilltop near Phoenixville, PA. The house looks small from the outside but it is remarkably spacious inside. It is full of the beautiful works in wood that this remarkable man created during his lifetime. We had a rather long tour that lasted almost two hours!

OP Day 52: The Federal War Against Occupy

2011-11-26T09:13:00.001-05:00

Philadelphia Mayor Nutter has joined the list of U.S. mayors who have evicted peaceful occupiers fronm their encampments under the direct supervision of the federal government. Nutter told Occupy Philadelphia that they have to leave Dilworth Plaza by Sunday afternoon. So we have a federal police state mobilizing the local Gestapo to disperse the occupation. And you thought we live in a democracy? Naomi Wolf writing in The Guardian:

..."when you connect the dots, properly understood, what happened this week is the first battle in a civil war; a civil war in which, for now, only one side is choosing violence. It is a battle in which members of Congress, with the collusion of the American president, sent violent, organised suppression against the people they are supposed to represent. Occupy has touched the third rail: personal congressional profits streams. Even though they are, as yet, unaware of what the implications of their movement are, those threatened by the stirrings of their dreams of reform are not. Sadly, Americans this week have come one step closer to being true brothers and sisters of the protesters in Tahrir Square. Like them, our own national leaders, who likely see their own personal wealth under threat from transparency and reform, are now making war upon us."

Get Your Rainbow Delegation Wristband

2011-11-26T08:53:00.001-05:00

Everyone deserves to be loved and accepted. Rainbow Wristbands say "I am safe & supportive" It is a visible statement that LGBTQ youth are not alone.

Desk Friend

2011-11-25T15:21:00.001-05:00

Loki likes to hop up on my desk and look cute!

Thanksgiving Fact Check

2011-11-24T06:55:00.001-05:00

Photo: Occupy Philadelphia Market Street Bridge ActionTop 5 FOX myths to debunk this Thanksgiving (from MoveOn.org) MYTH #1: The congressional Super Committee failed because both sides refuse to compromise. REALITY: The Super Committee failed because Republicans' number one, non-negotiable priority is to protect millionaires and billionaires from paying even one more penny in taxes. Democrats repeatedly offered to make deep spending cuts—far deeper than most progressives would like—in exchange for raising taxes on the wealthy and closing corporate loopholes, only to be refused again and again. So even though the vast majority of Americans say they want to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits, and raise taxes on the rich and corporations, that won't happen until Republicans put aside their extremist stance. MYTH #2: Nobody knows what Occupy Wall Street is about. REALITY: Occupy Wall Street may not have a formal list of demands, but anyone who's been paying attention understands the core problems that occupiers are protesting—that corporations have far too much power in our political system, that Wall Street banks crashed our economy but were never held accountable, and that the richest 400 Americans have more wealth than half of all Americans—156 million people—combined. MYTH #3: Occupiers should stop protesting and just get a job. REALITY: As anybody who's looked for a job in the last few years knows, there just aren't jobs out there. That's a big part of why occupiers are protesting. In September, there were four times as many unemployed people as job openings. And for those who are lucky enough to find a job, median wages today are lower than they were a decade ago. MYTH #4: Occupy Wall Street is intent on provoking violence, especially against banks and the police. REALITY: Occupations across the country have committed themselves to nonviolent protest, in the greatest traditions of protest movements. Some of their protests have been met with acts of police violence—tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets—but in many cases, protesters have reminded police that the police officers are part of the 99%, too. And in the few cases when people have shown up at Occupy demonstrations and committed acts of vandalism, other protesters have even repaired their acts of vandalism. MYTH #5: The biggest crisis facing our country is out of control government spending. REALITY: The two biggest drivers of our deficit—by far—are the economic crash and the Bush tax cuts. We have millions of people out of work, corporations hoarding cash, and factories sitting idle. If we put all those people back to work—rebuilding infrastructure, educating our children, and researching new technologies—it'll shrink the deficit and make our economy stronger for the long haul. And we can easily afford it if we make sure the rich—who are taking home a larger percentage of income than any time since 1917—pay their fair share.

Occupy Mic Check On Obama

2011-11-23T09:19:00.001-05:00

Yesterday some occupiers interrupted an appearance by Obama, who has kept his distance from the Occupy movement. One protester handed Obama a note chastizing him for his silence on the police brutality against occupy protesters in recent days. This is yet another way that Obanma disappoints those who used to be his enthusiastic supporters.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 47

2011-11-21T10:31:00.001-05:00

Sunday was National Transgender Remembrance Day. Queer Occupy Philadelphia members held their very first direct action Sunday evening...a march through the gayborhood during which they signed up new members for Philadelphia Rage, and organization dedicated to ending violence against transgendered people. The Occupation site in Philadelphia now has fewer tents. Some people have left to avoid having their tents and psssessions confiscated should the city conduct a raid. Dilworth Plaza has the feeling of something coming to an end. Hopefully what ends will only be the encampment, and the movement will continue on and strengthen.There is an excellent article from Forbes available on line today that makes the point that the Bush tax cuts especially capital gains rates is the reason for the expolsion in economic inequality in this country.

Capital gains are the key ingredient of income disparity in the US-- and the force behind the winner takes all mantra of our economic system. If you want to even out earning power in the U.S, you have to raise the 15% capital gains tax...It's crystal clear that the Bush tax reduction on capital gains and dividend income in 2003 was the cutting edge policy that has created the immense increase in net worth of corporate executives, Wall St. professionals and other entrepreneurs...The facts are clear according to the Congressional Budget Office more than 80% of the increase in income inequality was the result of an increase in the share of household income from capital gains...I commend you to the late Justice Louis Brandeis warning to the nation that " We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." We have to make up our minds to restore a higher, fairer capital gains tax to the wealthiest investor class-- or ultimately face increased social unrest.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 46

2011-11-20T11:22:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I attended s full day "Training For Trainers" program sponsored by OccupyPhiladelphia (OP). Perhaps I'll be able to draw on some of my experience and knowledge and do some training of occupiers at some point in the near future. The OP GA (General Assembly) voted Saturday evning to seek a permit to move the encampment across the street to Thomas Paine Plaza in front of the Municipal Services building. However, the OP proposal also calls for the permit to allow for camping, tents, and no end date...all elements not likely to be approved by the city. This makes a confrontation between the city and the occupiers more likely and imminent.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 45: Wells Fargo Bank Action Nov. 18

2011-11-19T07:11:00.001-05:00

Occupy Philadelphia members protest the predatory and racist lending policies of and foreclosures by Wells Fargo Bank.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 44

2011-11-18T08:49:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was an international day of action by various groups working for justice. In Philadelphia several groups joined together to march, demonstrate, and risk arrest. About two dozen protesters were arrested on the 30th & Market Street bridge. This bridge was targeted because it is on the list of structurally deficient bridges. We have plenty of money for wars and to bail out banks, but no money to fix our crumbling infrastructure. Meanwhile OccupyPhiladelphia tried to prempt eviciton by the city by attempting to move accross the street to the Municipal Services building. However, the police prevented the move. Mayor Nutter told OP to just follow proper procedures, whatever they are. Too bad OP just doesn't ignore Nutter. Occupation is not about following the instructions of those who are responsible for the problems we're protesting.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 43: A National Day Of Action

2011-11-17T10:26:00.001-05:00

This is retired Philadelphia Police Captain Ray Lewis, who was arrested near Wall Street this morning as thousands began protesting Wall Street excesses. Later today there will be a march in Philadelphia in solidarity with actions all accross the country.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 42: Societal Problems And The Occupy Movement

2011-11-16T10:44:00.001-05:00

The Occupy movement stands in solidarity with many other economic and social justice movements, e.g. the unions, and the women's rights, civil rights, and GLBT rights movements. A prime example of that was seen on Monday when OccupyPhiladelphia joined with unionized Aramark workers struggling for a fair contract. Occupations have been criticized of late by politicians seeking a reason to shut them down. Complaints about sanitation and crime abound. But these problems exist in U.S. society at large, with our large homeless population and the staggering amount of poverty that we have. Why would these problems not manifest themselves within our occupations? They are not our fault. We're actually trying to provide remedies. Occupations feed and care for the homeless and work to end povery by demanding economic justice. Therefore, it is shameful of politicians like New York City's Mayor Bloomberg to demonize occupations.

Washington Post: How A Police State Begins

2011-11-15T16:17:00.001-05:00

James Downie:

As hard as the NYPD and New York City’s government might try to obscure the truth though, one truth remains: At 1 a.m. this morning, in the heart of New York City, protesters exercising their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly were swept away by the state, while that state also did all it could to preventmedia coverage. No matter what one may think of the occupiers or their cause, nothing they’ve done justifies blockading the press or ignoring court orders. Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and other New York leaders who ordered the eviction should take a long, hard look at their handling of the occupation. This morning’s action may not be what a police state looks like, but it’s certainly how one begins.

In Solidarity: Community College Of Philadelphia

2011-11-15T16:00:00.001-05:00

Photo: Carol Stein and a colleague from CCP at the OccupyPhiladelphia AraMark action Monday afternoon.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 41: Bloomberg Ignores The Law In NYC

2011-11-15T15:13:00.001-05:00

Photo: OccupyPhiladelphia joins with Aramark union workers Monday afternoon to protest for fair wages and working hours for Aramark employees...New York City’s mayor Bloomberg sent the city police in to clear Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protesters under cover of darkness last night. The police trashed the occupation, destroying personal property including 5,000 books that were in the OWS library. Once again, we see Gestapo tactics employed against citizens on the streets of America. By early daylight, OWS lawyers had secured a temporary restraining order against Bloomberg allowing the protesters back into Zuccotti Park with their tents and sleeping bags. However, the city has defied the order as police have prevented protesters from re-entering the park. This is nothing less than official lawlessness on the part of Bloomberg and the police. It will only serve to strengthen the resolve of those of us determined to bring social and economic justice to America.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 40: The Demonization Of Occupiers Begins

2011-11-14T07:59:00.001-05:00

Photo: Reggae entertainment at OccupyPhiladelphia on Saturday...It was difficult to watch the brutal police eviction of Occupy Portland that occurred Saturday and Sunday. One police spokesman didn't even try to hide their lopsided priorities when he stated that they were worried about "the condition of the parks," with no mention of the people in the parks, just the parks themselves. The mayor of Portland proved to be a liar when he stated that there would be no more police activity after the initial raid. The occupoers went back to their destroyed encampment, tried to clean up and re-build. However, they were raided again just as they were having their peaceful general assembly Sunday afternoon and once again driven from their encampment. Police threatened the use of chemical and impact weapons against occupiers who were peaceully exercising their right to assemble. This is what a police state looks like.Now, Philadelphia Mayor Nutter is laying the groundwork for a Portland-style eviction of Occupy Philadelphia by telling untruths about the occupation. In a news conference Sunday, he stated that he had lost patience with OP because "the people have changed." No, Mayor Nutter, we have not changed, nor has the rotten, greedy, corrupt economic system that has led us to occupy and that you are sympathetic to changed one bit. If we have problems within our occupation with sanitation, substance abuse, etc. that is because these problems are rife in your city, Mayor Nutter. We're working hard to address these issues within our peaceful occupation. Help us solve these problems rather then sending in your police enforcers to evict us. There is no pressing need to begin the Dilworth Plaza construction project. There are much more pressing problems that need to be addressed in Philadelphia.Occupy Philadelphia will respond to Mayor Nutter today:

The Legal Collective, with several Working Groups at Occupy Philadelphia, will hold a press conference today at 1PM to address statements made by Mayor Michael Nutter. Individual participants who work on Food, Safety the Women’s Caucus and People of Color Committee will offer a point-by-point rebuttal. Supporting documents will be presented, including attempted email communications with city officials. Legal - “The original members of the Legal Collective have been joined by additional people committed to working for economic and social justice. We have not changed. The mayor's attitude has. We do, however, agree with the Mayor that we can and will continue to maintain open lines of communication to further the work of Occupy Philadelphia. “ Safety – “Occupy Philly’s safety and security members plan to continue de-escalation trainings and being on the front line for creating a safe space at Dilworth plaza. We are dedicated to focusing on survivor centered responses and public safety protocols.” Women’s Caucus - “We are concerned with the contradictory statements that the police and the mayor have made to the media about their support for the occupy movement, while simultaneously withholding support for situations of physical and sexual violence. The recent demonizing and vilifying of the Occupy movement in the media is a scape-goating of the problems and violence that plague our communities and cities daily."

Occupy Philadelphia Day 39

2011-11-13T16:35:00.001-05:00

Saturday at 4 PM OccupyPhiladelphia paid another visit to the Comcast center. No arrests took place this time. The building was closed off and police ensured that no one entered. It was a good action anyway that included a march through much of the downtown area. It was the first action since the vote Friday night to stay at Dilworth Plaza. After weeks of sometimes contentious discussion about whether to stay or move, it was refreshing to see the energy of the movement once again focused on an appropriate target.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 38: We Will Stand Our Ground!

2011-11-12T08:40:00.001-05:00

Last night, during a general assembly (GA) meeting that lasted until about 11:15 PM, those of us who were present for the duration of the meeting participated in the hard work that is direct democracy. The process yielded a positive result, a way forward that is consistent with the overall occupy movement, and one that all can stand in solidarity with if we choose to:

"Occupy Philadelphia will stay at Dilworth Plaza at the 'anticipated start of the Dilworth Plaza construction.' If this proposal is adoped Occupy Philadelphia will issue a public statement and a list of demands. OP will schedule and implement non violent resistance training and eviction preparation."

Some people, especially those who have not been heavily involved directly with the occupation, are unhappy about this outcome. They would prefer to be non-confrontational by moving the occupation as the city wants. Some fear arrest, being gassed or pepper sprayed, or otherwise brutalized by police. Others worry about the union jobs that are connected with planned re-construction of Dilworth Plaza. It's unfortunate that most of these people could not be at the GA last night. While there were good points made by advocates on both sides of the stay vs. move issue, the four hour process yielded an almost unanimous vote to stay at Dilworth Plaza. During the sometimes intense GA, we learned that there actually is no set start date for construction, and that the unions are unaware of any contracts actually having been signed. This is the "myth" of the Dilworth Plaza construction project...that it has a November start date. We also came to the realization that there is no safety in moving to Thomas Paine Plaza or anywhere else, because in actuality, the police could move on the occupation at any time, permit or no permit, no matter the location. The best guarantee of safety for the occupiers is preparedness, and togetherness. Finally, it was pointed out that we are not yet large enough to sustain two locations. Expanding to Thomas Paine Plaza would serve only to dilute the occupation. We were reminded of the words of Ben Franklin: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." In some locations where other occupations have been forcefully evicted, this served to strengthen the occupation and enlarge the number of occupiers.There is anger being expressed by those who are unhappy with this decision. That is not in keeping with the spirit of the occupation movement, which is built on solidarity through concensus. I hope that those who are unhappy can manage to channel their anger at this decision in a more productive direction.

Child Abuse Coverups Must End!

2011-11-11T08:50:00.001-05:00

Photo: our nearby mini-park with Fall colors peakingAs a gay man, that institutions like the Catholic church and Penn State cover up child molesters makes me even more angry because it reinforces the view of some that all gay people are molesters. All at Penn State should wear blue on Saturday...the color of child abuse awareness.

Penn State Meltdown

2011-11-10T10:26:00.001-05:00

Photo: the brilliant colors of Autumn on the Schuylkill River in PhiladelphiaThe shameful developments at Penn State over child sex abuse are incomprehensible, except in the context of sports. Sports are overly highly regarded in this country to the exclusion of other really important concerns. The sports mentality of too many people is proof of the bread and circuses role that sports play in the U.S. Spectator sports keeps the minds of the masses off of illegal wars, torture, corporate ctiminals, excessive greed, income inequality, and a whole host of other maladies that plague our society. The coverup at Penn State is another symptom of an upside down set of American ethics. Paterno should be ashamed of himself. He should also tell the Penn State jocks to stop rioting and go back to their dorms.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 35

2011-11-09T14:41:00.003-05:00

Yesterday a group of OccupyPhiladelphia people went to protest when Obama came to the Philadelphia area. But Obama slipped in and slipped out with police protection using the back entrance to the school where he visited disappointing several hundred supporters who waited for hours to catch a glimpse of him.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 34

2011-11-08T06:56:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's Occupy Philadelphia direct action was a die-in the at the offices of PNC bank in downtown Philadelphia. The huge bank is involved in financing mountaintop destruction mining and fracking.

PNC is the #1 investor in all of America in companies that practice 'mountaintop removal' (MTR) coal mining - companies who have dynamited over 500 mountains and are responsible for thousands of toxic Clean Water Act violations across the nearby Appalachian region, one of the poorest parts of America. Meanwhile, coal from those mines is burning in Philadelphia power plants right now, giving our kids asthma while PNC invests in natural gas hydrofracking right in our own backyard! If we're not united, what has happened in Appalachia can happen here in Pennsylvania.

A Fine Performance!

2011-11-08T06:49:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to our friend Rob Cox for his great cabaret show this past weekend. Rob sang a mix of not often heard songs and standards from the Broadway songbook 1950-present.

Filming The Police Can Be Risky!

2011-11-07T08:34:00.001-05:00

Occupy Philadelphia Day 33: Two-Tiered Justice In The U.S.

2011-11-07T08:10:00.004-05:00

Police arrest occupiers, or worse, beat them, spray them with pepper spray, or use tear gas on them. At the same time, no one who is responsible for Wall Street excesses that led to the Great Recession has gone to jail or even been arrested and charged. It's no wonder why occupiers protest police excesses. Glenn Greenwald:

The police force - the instrument of law enforcement - is being used to protect powerful criminals who have suffered no consequences for their crimes. It is simultaneously used to coerce and punish the powerless: those who are protesting and who have done nothing wrong, yet are subjected to an array of punishment ranging from arrest to pepper spray and other forms of abuse. That's what the two-tiered justice system is: elites are immunized for egregious crimes while ordinary Americans are subjected to merciless punishment for trivial transgressions.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 31

2011-11-05T07:38:00.000-05:00

Friday afternoon we marched from the occupation to Rittenhouse Square where Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was slated to collect big bucks at a fundraiser held at the posh Rittenhouse Hotel. The hotel has three access entriy points on three different streets, so we were unable to intercept Romney and he slipped into the hotel. Romney is a notorious flip-flopper. First he signed off on a fairly progressive health care scheme in Massachusetts but now he wants to repeal the Obama hellth care law. He was in favor of gay rights but now he's against us. He's without principles except what he thinks will do him god in the short term with the rabid Republican right.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 30: Inequality in the U.S.

2011-11-04T06:16:00.002-05:00

Paul Krugman in the New York Times:

We have a society in which money is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few people, and in which that concentration of income and wealth threatens to make us a democracy in name only.

Why OccupyPhilly Is Targeting Comcast

2011-11-03T14:43:00.004-05:00

Corporate greed:THIRD QUARTER REVENUE 2011: $14.3 billion THIRD QUARTER PROFITS 2011: $908 million THIRD QUARTER OPERATING CASH FLOW: 4.6 billion TOTAL OPERATING CASH FLOW FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2011: $13.4 billion TOTAL REVENUE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2011: $40.8 billion TOTAL PROPERTY & BUSINESS TAXES PAID TO CITY OF PHILADELPHIA 2011: 0

Occupy Philadelphia Day 29

2011-11-03T07:56:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, in solidarity with OccupyOakland, OccupyPhiladelphia marched through Philadelphia stopping at Republican U.S. Senator Toomey;s office to protest before continuing on to the Comcast building. Comcast is a poster child for coprpoate greed, mnaking huge profits and paying no taxes. At Comcast nine OP members engaged in non-violent civil disobedience with a sit-in and were arrested. There was significant media converage, the message of the protest was ddelivered, so it was a successful action.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 28

2011-11-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

These ohotos were taken along the banks of the Schuylkill River in the AM. Today is day 28 of Occupy Philadelphia. There is a nationwide general strike called for today in solidarity with OccupyOakland, and the brutal police attack there that sent 24 year old Scott Olsen a U.S. veteran, to the hospital with a fractured skull. In Philadelphia there will be a rally at noon at the occupation site (Dilworth Plaza) followed by a march to the office of Republican Senator Toomey, who stands for the 1 percent.

Fall On Boathouse Row

2011-11-01T09:24:00.007-05:00

Early November is about the peak for autumn colors in Philadelphia. On our morning walks Bradley and I pass by Philadelphia's historic Schuylkill Navy boathouses. They are extra pretty surounded by the colors of Fall.

Asleep For The Winter

2011-10-31T07:42:00.004-05:00

Last week I closed Liberty Bell, our summer cottage on Fire Island, for the winter. It's always a bit sad when I leave the house. In five months it will be time to wake our little house up once again and get it ready for another summer.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 25

2011-10-30T06:53:00.004-05:00

Yesterday an early winter came to Philadelphia. We had rain, wind, sleet and snow, and conditions at OccupyPhiladelphia were difficult. The group went ahead with plans to march to Temple University, where former president Clinton was supposed to give a speech at the kickoff of Philly mayor Nutter's re-election campaign. However, the event was cancelled due to the weather. OccupyPhiladelphia demonstrators had waited in line in the rain and snow for about an hour. After the cancellation was announced, we rallied inside the student activity center before returning to the occupation at Dilworth Plaza. My medic buddy yesterday was my friend Emilia, who is an RN. It was a difficult day to be outside.
While I continue to be fully supportive of OccupyPhiladelphia, I have decided to limit my participation to marches and other demonstrations where a street medic can be of help. I cannot continue to be on staff at the medical tents due to the problem of second hand cigarette smoke. Even though they are medical people, almost everyone smokes, and with the bad weather the smoking moved inside the medical tent. Also in the past few days I have had problems with several homeless people who were abusive. I am not trained to deal with their mental health issues. It has also been difficult to establish friendships and feel like a medic team member. Most of the medical staff are a couple of generations younger than I am and there is ageism to deal with. Finally, I need a break from the seven days a week shift schedule that I have been putting in at the occupation.

Occupy Philadelphia Day 24

2011-10-29T08:15:00.002-05:00

Photo: Protesting at one of the banks

Today is going to be a tough day at the occupation due to the cold, rainy, windy weather. There is a march planned from 15th and Market to the Temple University campus, where Bill Clinton is speaking. That will be a difficult trek!

Occupy Movement Has "Changed The Conversation"

2011-10-28T15:46:00.001-05:00

David Dayen at FireDogLake writes:

"...those aching for a white paper or some kind of action that will result in legislation passing or a voter registration drive need to chill out. I see no reason to question a movement that has already changed the conversation in the country in a little over a month. And the physical occupation does have an importance all its own, as a manifestation of the determination to change the debilitating path the country has been under for so long."

Occupy Philadelphia Day 23

2011-10-28T04:58:00.003-05:00

Photo: Bank Jam Dance Party march last week. The auto had a sound system.
Blogger Andrew Sullivan suggested recently that winter weather will cause many of the occupy movements to dissipate. "Why didn't they do it in the Spring?" Sullivan wonders. We'll see. Tomorrow there will be a march from OccupyPhiladelphia to the Temple University campus where former president Clinton is speaking.

Oakland Outrage!

2011-10-27T15:17:00.002-05:00

This is 24 year old Scott Olsen being carried to safety by fellow OccupyOakland protestors after being shot in the head with a projectile by Oakland police. This should never happen in America!

Occupy Philadelphia Day 22

2011-10-27T05:28:00.002-05:00

Occupy Philadelphia is committed to non-violence. Most or all of the various occupy movements that I know about are also non-violent. However, there is no way for us to prevent violent outsiders or rogue elements from infiltrating our movements and provoking the police. There is some evidence that authorities have placed violent perpetrators into the midst of non-violent demonstrations. The violent clashes in Oakland and Chicago in recent days are deeply troubling. At OccupyChicgago, the police arrested two registered nurses and tore down the medic tent. This seems to be a violation of internationally recognized principles respecting the neutrality of medical personnel. Was this another police riot?

Why I Occupy

2011-10-26T09:04:00.004-05:00

My participation in and dedication to OccupyPhiladelphia (OP) comes from a deep moral association with many of the political and social justice concerns raised by occupy participants. I participated in the anti-war movement of 1960s, and I have for several decades worked for gay rights and progressive political causes, so I am a veteran of the disappointments that remain in the wake of these movements. However, these movements were/are highly ethical and I have no regrets about my own personal participation in any of them. I feel the same way about OP. The hours that I spend at OP on Dilworth Plaza recharge my soul and renew my hope for a better, more just world. Is the deck stacked against us? Probably so. Nevertheless, I have a strong affinity for the people at OP. I need to stand with them no matter the final outcome. Our perceived lack of a set of concrete demands actually appeals to me philosophically, as the context of the occupy movement has an overarching goal of economic and social justice. We are free to embrace any and all specific changes that are consistent with this overall goal. And while America might be able to smother us, history suggests that we should be able to at least alter the conversation and move it in the correct direction, as did social justice movements of the past such as the progressive movement, organized labor, and the civil rights movement. I remain optimistic that occupy movements can have a positive effect on our country. These youth-driven occupations are bottom up cries from the soul of our country for justice and for the future of America from some of our brightest and most ethical young people, and they may, in fact, represent our last and best hope. At the moment, the alternative seems to be a descent into corporate funded Tea Party fascism epitomized by any of the candidates running for president. Unfortunately, this includes the current occupant of the White House, who is totally beholding to Wall Street, the military and corporate America.