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Monthly Archives: April 2017

Climate March – Kansas City – April 29, 2017 – Sergio Moreno

30 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

#resist, climate change, Kansas City, march, missouri, protest, rally, Sergio Moreno

“…You know, people of faith are often also people of prayer. I believe in prayer. I am a person of prayer. And I believe in prayer in a way I am sure you’re familiar with. I believe that we pray for the hungry and then we feed them. That’s how prayer works…”

On Saturday the Climate March for Kansas City took place on the Plaza with a march around the Plaza in the rain and a following rally at Unity Temple. Over a thousand people attended the rally.

Several speakers at the rally addressed climate change.

Sergio Moreno.

Sergio Moreno’s remarks at the rally at Unity Temple:

Sergio Moreno: When I heard earlier today about all of the things that have happened, some of the things, just a few of the things that have happened in the first one hundred days I was with you in that pain, that despair, and also that anger, that anxiety. It’s important to feel these feelings, to be angry, to be upset, and to stand up.

It’s also possible to be, to despair, to feel distress and perhaps even grow indifferent. And that’s when I’m reminded that I am surrounded by people like you. And I’m reminded of the power of music and song and the power of poetry and spoken word and dance [voice: “Yeah.”] and signs and art. Look at those beautiful banners. They’re not just beautiful, they’re powerful. I look at your signs. I want to see your signs again. Let’s see those signs. [applause, cheers]

This, this is the human spirit. And it is the human spirit that creates change for good. It’s the same spirit that creates change for bad. We are the ones who are responsible for the mess we’re in. And we are the ones that can get ourselves out of this mess. [cheers, applause] And this is the same spirit that has informed our faith, our spirituality, our communities for millennia.

From his holiness, Pope Francis, and his holiness, the Dalai Lama, spiritual and religious leaders, all around the world from every faith have raised their voices and have sounded the alarm for climate change. There is no time to waste. The time is now, the time is yesterday. Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, all manner of religious communities have urged their faithful to become involved, to become concerned, to become educated and to take their part in this environmental responsibility that belongs to all of us.

But that’s not enough. It’s a good start. It’s a great start, but it is not enough. It’s not enough until people like you and people like me start taking action. This planet as we’ve heard, as we know for the foreseeable future, is our only home. The earth is what we have in common. We share it. Whether you’re Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, an Atheist, a Humanist, maybe a Pastafarian, it doesn’t matter [laughter], we don’t need to agree on a whole lot to see that we are interconnected. We’ve heard this theme over and over again. Why do we have people representing so many different areas of life? Because it’s all interconnected. We are related. I am because you are. Because what we do here [applause] has an effect on what happens there. We are interconnected.

It’s [unintelligible] to see. And here’s something we don’t hear about enough. We’ve heard about it today, but we don’t hear about it enough. And it should be a great concern to people of all faiths and no faith alike. And it is that the poor of the world are the first to feel the devastating effects of climate change. [voice: “Right.”] There’s no question about it. [applause] The more fortunate, the wealthy, the privileged, people like you and me, we can manage to live and we’ll be fighting. But it is those who are already more than oppressed, more than burdened, who are the first to suffer the consequences of our communal disregard for our environment.

Science has shown this, a very long time. Uh, this is a frightening reality, climate change. There’s no question about it. But what we should also realize is that climate change goes beyond the environment. Beyond clean water, beyond clean air, clean energy, sustainable practices. Climate change has a direct impact on our society. On people, on economic and social issues, on wealth disparity, health, peace, war. It is all interconnected.

Now, today all over our nation, perhaps all over the world, I am not sure, I know that there are thousands of people marching and gathering at rallies across the nation, coming together to make this urgent statement. This is wonderful. Very encouraging. I’m so encouraged. I’m filled with hope and joy to be a part of this movement.

But the real work begins tomorrow. The real work begins as we leave this place. When we go back to our homes, our schools, our work, our communities of faith, our neighborhoods. You know, people of faith are often also people of prayer. I believe in prayer. I am a person of prayer. And I believe in prayer in a way I am sure you’re familiar with. I believe that we pray for the hungry and then we feed them. That’s how prayer works. [applause, cheers] I believe that we pray for the environment and then we take action, we effect change. [cheers, applause] We pray for our government, we pray for our leaders and then we make our voices heard in the ballot box [cheers, applause] with our representatives. With our e-mails, and our phone calls, and our Tweets, and our hashtags. That’s how prayer works.

So, I want to thank you today for the work that you’re engaging in. Not just today, but in the days ahead and the years to come. And I thank you and I hope that you will feel encouraged as you look around and you see all of these people who may not have a whole lot in common with you, but are here for the same purpose. To take care of this place that we share, to take care, ultimately, of one another.

Thank you. [cheers, applause]

A sign from the march and rally:

Sad!

Previously:

Climate March – Kansas City – April 29, 2017 (April 29, 2017)

“Forget your hopes. They were what brought you here.”

30 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, Donald Trump, Sarah Kendzior

Sarah Kendzior, in The Globe and Mail:

Want to survive another 100 days of Trump? Don’t get complacent

….Americans are very tired, and exhaustion with the ongoing administrative horror show has led to two popular fantasies. The first is that Mr. Trump will magically change and become presidential, as he was briefly proclaimed to be after his address to Congress and after he bombed Syria, before a new disaster shook pundits from their delusions. The second is that the so-called deep state will oust him through the Russian interference investigation, which the administration is actively trying to impede. The first scenario is an illusion; the second – with so many administrative officials implicated – is no guarantee.

These fantasies spring from the same wishful thinking and denial that got Mr. Trump elected. For over a year, citizens refused to accept that the unthinkable was not only thinkable, but probable. His win was a lesson in the dangers of complacency. The 100 days have shown Mr. Trump’s failures to be not a natural result of incompetence, but of vigilance that citizens and officials must continue to apply if they want to keep their republic.

A new translation of Dante’s The Inferno bears the lines: “Forget your hopes. They were what brought you here.” This is good advice for those living in Mr. Trump’s special hell. The era of hope and change is over. The era of resistance and resolve is now.

Go. Read the whole thing.

#resist

Climate March – Kansas City – April 29, 2017

29 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

#resist, climate, Kansas City, missouri, protest

Kansas City’s contribution to today’s climate marches across the nation took place this afternoon on the Plaza with a march around the Plaza in the deluge of rain and a rally with a number of speakers inside Unity Temple. At noon over 200 individuals marched through the Plaza. The rally that followed inside Unity Temple started at 1:00 p.m. and ran for over two hours. Over one thousand people attended the rally.

In the rain:

The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.

Orange doesn’t know (unintelligible) about being green.

The master of ceremonies for the rally:

Manny Abarca IV.

Resist so we can all exist.

There are no jobs on a dead planet.

Terrence Wise.

We’re the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and last generation that can do something about it.

On labor and the Fight for $15:

Terrence Wise.

Poetry on privilege:

On connections:

John Reyna.

On faith:

Sergio Moreno.

I wish people cared about the earth as much as they do about who they think created it.

Our children are watching.

Yes, they are.

Campaign Finance: that’s a fine mess he’s gotten into

29 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, Eric Greitens, fine, governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, violation

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

(Everybody else seems to like this photo.)

Yesterday the Missouri Ethics Commission fined Governor Eric Greitens (r) and his campaign $1,000.00 for a campaign reporting violation. According to the Missouri Ethics Commission at some point [pdf] in early 2015 the Greitens campaign received a donor list which it did not initially report and which was used by someone in the campaign to contact potential donors.

If the respondents pay 10% of the fine ($100.00) within forty-five days and there are no further violations within two years that will end the matter.

Something wicked this way comes…

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

This evening in west central Missouri:

Soon, rain.

And, the sun is in there somewhere.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): pray tell

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist, social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, 4th Congressional District, ACA, health care, missouri, prayer, social media, Twitter, Vicky Hartzler

Yesterday, via Twitter, from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):

Rep. Vicky Hartzler‏ @RepHartzler
2/2 I was blessed to share a prayer for our nation, along with @SpeakerRyan and many more of my colleagues at the event.
[….]
6:29 PM – 26 Apr 2017

Some of the responses:

Did you pray Trump’s tax plan passes so you get a tax cut? Or are thankful for no townhalls?

Quick question – do you support the new @HouseGOP healthcare bill that exempts you and your staff? My folks in #Columbia want to know?

Who are they praying to? The god of money, greed, white supremacy, nationalism …….?

Oh word. An absolutely shining example of the separation of church and state.

Keep religion out of government.

Please pray that we are delivered from greed and malice.

With a psychopath as @POTUS our country needs a prayer.

More than prayer, we need competence, compassion, and courage, all of which are sorely lacking amongst our leadership in the WH and Congress

As a minister, I feel the need to call out your #hypocrisy….
Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV)

so when do we get the same insurance you guy have????

@SpeakerRyan needs to pray as his approval rating is lower than 45. How do you plan to vote on the healthcare/death plan? #PartyofDeath

Your “righteousness ” is appalling

Let’s say a prayer for the Muslims you want to ban, the immigrants you want to deport, and the millions you want to deprive of health care.

You wouldn’t have to pray so much, if you weren’t actively trying to destroy it

Isn’t that precious. Maybe u and the other Mgs need to pray for a little compassion and common sense.

I’m praying for our nation because of the Christian hypocrisy in the government. Shame on you.

Separation of church and State. All republicans think they can just do what they want under the guise of being good Christians. PHONY!!!

A nice christian prayer I assume. Don’t want to upset the fundamentalist base who are supporting a top down theocracy now do we?

Jefferson’s wall. Excellent idea. Look it up.

Do you praying for the Americans who will lose healthcare? Do you even care?

Thanks for screwing us over every single day and then praying for us!!! Bless your hearrrrrrrrrrrrt, hypocrite!

And they did.

America!

26 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist, social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, Donald Trump, Puerto Rico, social media, Twitter

Immigrant goes to America,
Many hellos in America;
Nobody knows in America
Puerto Rico’s in America!

Donald J. Trump‏ @realDonaldTrump
Democrats are trying to bail out insurance companies from disastrous #ObamaCare, and Puerto Rico with your tax dollars. Sad!
6:06 PM – 26 Apr 2017

Donald Trump is trying to pad corporate profits with your tax dollars. Sad!

What a dick.

Previously:

Falling asleep in geography and civics classes – We’re number one! (September 12, 2009)

Inquiring minds want to know

25 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, sarcasm, social media, Twitter

Somebody won the Internets yesterday (and today):

Tom Ceraulo‏ @tceraulo
Can we also remove the Confederate monument that’s currently serving as Attorney General?
11:27 PM – 24 Apr 2017

Good question.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) – April 2017 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report

24 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

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Tags

campaign finance, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, Nicole Galloway, State Auditor

The April quarterly campaign finance reports are in.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) [2016 file photo].

At the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C111091: Nicole Galloway For Missouri
Committee Type: Candidate
Party Affiliation: Democrat
[….]
Established Date: 04/20/2011
[….]
Information Reported On: 2017 – April Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $252,089.22
Monetary Receipts + $152,136.00
Monetary Expenditures – $22,563.11
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal $129,572.89
Ending Money On Hand $381,662.11

[emphasis added]

The State Auditor race will be on the 2018 ballot.

Some of the contributions:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED
13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $3,558.00

[emphasis added]

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL
4/17/2017 NICOLE GALLOWAY FOR MISSOURI
Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local Union 518 PAC 301 S Main St Independence MO 64050-3810 2/15/2017 $250.00
Labor’s Educational & Politicla Club Independent PAC 4501 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd Kansas City MO 64130-2368 2/15/2017 $250.00
United Steelworkers District 11 Non-Federal 527 Account 3433 Broadway St NE Minneapolis MN 55413-1761 2/15/2017 $1,000.00
Pipe Fitters Local Union 533 Volunteer Political Fund 8600 Hillcrest Rd Kansas City MO 64138-2880 3/16/2017 $2,600.00
Iron Workers Local No. 10 PAF 1000 E 10th St Kansas City MO 64106-3096 3/22/2017 $1,000.00
Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council Political Education Committee 400 S Main St Independence MO 64050-3835 3/31/2017 $1,000.00
Missouri AFL-CIO COPE 227 Jefferson St Jefferson City MO 65101-2901 3/10/2017 $1,000.00
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local No. 15 MO/KS 632 W 39th St Kansas City MO 64111-2910 2/15/2017 $250.00
Plumbers Local Union 8 PAC 8600 Hillcrest Rd Kansas City MO 64138-2781 2/2/2017 $1,000.00
UAW Region 5 (Midwest States Political Action Committee) 721 Dunn Rd Hazelwood MO 63042-1740 3/31/2017 $2,600.00
Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 562 12385 Larimore Rd Saint Louis MO 63138-3806 3/16/2017 $2,600.00
CWA – COPE PCC 501 3rd St NW Washington DC 20001-2760 3/28/2017 $2,350.00
IUPAT Political Action Together Political Committee 7234 Parkway Dr Hanover MD 21076-1307 2/23/2017 $500.00
Missouri State Council of Machinist PAC 12365 Saint Charles Rock Rd Bridgeton MO 63044-2503 3/31/2017 $500.00
Electrical Workers Voluntary Political 5850 Elizabeth Ave Saint Louis MO 63110-2804 12/7/2016 $1,000.00
Greater KC AFL-CIO Project 2000 1021 Pennsylvania Ave Kansas City MO 64105-1322 2/2/2017 $1,000.00
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local #3 5916 Wilson Ave Saint Louis MO 63110-2725 2/2/2017 $500.00
Roofers Local #20 PAC 6321 Blue Ridge Blvd Raytown MO 64133-4809 3/31/2017 $500.00
UFCW Local 655 Elect Political Fund 300 Weidman Rd Manchester MO 63011-4433 1/9/2017 $2,500.00
Gas Workers Local 5-6 Voluntary PAC 7750 Olive Blvd Saint Louis MO 63130-2043 2/2/2017 $275.00
Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union #36 2319 Chouteau Ave Saint Louis MO 63103-3053 2/2/2017 $2,000.00
IBEW Local 53 Voluntary Political Fund 1100 Admiral Blvd Kansas City MO 64106-1554 2/23/2017 $500.00

Working people.

They’ve got no where else to go these days.

The expenditures are mostly about fundraising. What else is new?

Floating in the wind

24 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

missouri, Spring

This afternoon in west central Missouri:

Spring.

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