There has been a lot of talk about federal receivership for the Oakland Police Department in the past few weeks, and considering much of the readily available content online via YouTube, various blogs, and live streams, many would say that is a well deserved fate for many recorded incidents.
Thinking about all the defensive statements from Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and Police Chief Howard Jordan, one would be inclined to think that the Occupy Oakland protesters are really crazy and/or violent and should be jailed, or forcibly put in mental institutions for their behavior. It’s unfortunate that these same individuals have the power to send out highly publicized press releases that broadcast their damaging statements against people demanding social change and governmental responsibility at the very least.
However, there are some interesting facts that I have yet to see covered on CNN, or other means of Corporate Media....
For More please visit: http://ripperhollow.com/federal-receivership-good-bad-occupy-oakland/
Showing posts with label documenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label documenting. Show all posts
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Infighting - Occupy Obstacles
So I have been thinking of what could be a good blog topic this time around and I landed on the idea that the perceived "infighting" is something that needs to be addressed, especially since Occupy Oakland is very much in the public eye.
Much of the communication between people who support Occupy tends to happen in person, over the phone and... yeah you guessed it online. Twitter, Facebook, various blogs (including mine) as well as many other social networking sites like Ustream, Tumbler etc. provide ways to get messages across. One thing that seems to be forgotten from time to time is the fact that the limited space for expressing yourself accurately through the medium of online forums is not always the most effective to get the full scoop. I say this leading up to the fact that misunderstandings and small disagreements can get blown out of proportion. This does not mean that the people who are talking online harbor resentment for each other or any other negative feelings. This is the dialogue that people are continuing to work towards a solution.
It's the same thing as misinterpreting a text message or anything else where a person is not able to assess the tone that is accompanying the message being read. Interpretation on behalf of readers can change the context of what is being said. It is especially true for people who are just following the publicized conversation and aren't aware of contributing circumstances and motivating factors pertaining to the conversation. Many of you who follow my blog also follow my Twitter and YouTube, some of you may even be my personal friends on FaceBook or family members know that this has happened with me as well as many others. However, what is not often publicized is the way everyone comes back together to still work on the same projects to reach their common goals. Just like with any family (Occupy family included) there are going to be misunderstandings coupled with many ups and downs, this will probably continue to be something that happens when protesting against an abusive and oppressive government (it's very stressful work you know). The bond that is constantly being built by the community is only strengthened when people can have disagreements and come back together. This is the bond that also keeps Occupy alive.
Occupy is a very strong and alive movement across the globe, and the bonds that are forged during these hard (and admittedly sometime joyful) times are the bonds that will keep the movement alive in the face of all types of opposition. In my own personal experience, I have developed friendships that have motivated me to not go home when I saw them unjustly arrested. More motivated for fight for them as my friends now than random people in my community. I am more willing to hear their concerns and my wanting to work with them to resolve problems is intensified. I'm sure that this is happening with more than just me and at many more places than just Occupy Oakland. So much so that I now have people in various states and countries that I now communicate with on a consistent basis. We don't agree on everything and sometimes we need to have a debate over core beliefs so that we can work towards a solution. How else are so many people with so many different perspectives and personalities supposed to work things out if they can't first go through the very difficult challenge of overcoming their differences?
This is the reason why I say the infighting shouldn't have so much of a negative response from the people who see it. The only thing that needs to be done is people coming together to mediate, not help blame and take sides and point fingers. This is counter productive. Nobody is perfect, I've been guilty of the very same actions. This is something that we all not only need to be aware of but also actively work towards employing the mediating tactic instead of allowing ourselves to become the house divided. Remember, we are people united and we will not be defeated. Period. The chant doesn't say that we are people united and when I disagree with you we're going to fight and divide.
At the end of the day, fueling the infighting just sabotages the efforts of people who are trying to help the movement sustain, and as long as this is a movement for the people against an abusive, oppressive and corrupt government and corporate greed spread around like a well traveled flu virus we should all do what we can to make the movement not only sustainable but productive and working towards fixing the problems of the community. Since Occupy is not about the top down approach, it makes sense that cities like Oakland are fighting against major issues, but it has to focus on the local structural inherencies that are blocking access to the issues at the "top" that are actively being used to perpetuate the abuses of the current government.
So the fighting about focusing on certain issues needs to stop, saying that Occupy Oakland and Occupy Wall Street are separate needs to stop (Oaklanders came out in support of OWS originally but were met by the militarization of the police department, thus a local issue needs to be fixed before the two can totally merge, but they are a part of each other), diversity of tactics being a problem needs to stop and the conversation about the diversity of tactics being the solution needs to be the more popular one. I'm hoping this blog can help change the perspective of some as my perspective on this has changed, thus the reason for this blog. Like I said to the Oakland City Council last night: Let's all let go of our own personal agendas and truly work towards a solution (paraphrase).
Much of the communication between people who support Occupy tends to happen in person, over the phone and... yeah you guessed it online. Twitter, Facebook, various blogs (including mine) as well as many other social networking sites like Ustream, Tumbler etc. provide ways to get messages across. One thing that seems to be forgotten from time to time is the fact that the limited space for expressing yourself accurately through the medium of online forums is not always the most effective to get the full scoop. I say this leading up to the fact that misunderstandings and small disagreements can get blown out of proportion. This does not mean that the people who are talking online harbor resentment for each other or any other negative feelings. This is the dialogue that people are continuing to work towards a solution.
It's the same thing as misinterpreting a text message or anything else where a person is not able to assess the tone that is accompanying the message being read. Interpretation on behalf of readers can change the context of what is being said. It is especially true for people who are just following the publicized conversation and aren't aware of contributing circumstances and motivating factors pertaining to the conversation. Many of you who follow my blog also follow my Twitter and YouTube, some of you may even be my personal friends on FaceBook or family members know that this has happened with me as well as many others. However, what is not often publicized is the way everyone comes back together to still work on the same projects to reach their common goals. Just like with any family (Occupy family included) there are going to be misunderstandings coupled with many ups and downs, this will probably continue to be something that happens when protesting against an abusive and oppressive government (it's very stressful work you know). The bond that is constantly being built by the community is only strengthened when people can have disagreements and come back together. This is the bond that also keeps Occupy alive.
Occupy is a very strong and alive movement across the globe, and the bonds that are forged during these hard (and admittedly sometime joyful) times are the bonds that will keep the movement alive in the face of all types of opposition. In my own personal experience, I have developed friendships that have motivated me to not go home when I saw them unjustly arrested. More motivated for fight for them as my friends now than random people in my community. I am more willing to hear their concerns and my wanting to work with them to resolve problems is intensified. I'm sure that this is happening with more than just me and at many more places than just Occupy Oakland. So much so that I now have people in various states and countries that I now communicate with on a consistent basis. We don't agree on everything and sometimes we need to have a debate over core beliefs so that we can work towards a solution. How else are so many people with so many different perspectives and personalities supposed to work things out if they can't first go through the very difficult challenge of overcoming their differences?
This is the reason why I say the infighting shouldn't have so much of a negative response from the people who see it. The only thing that needs to be done is people coming together to mediate, not help blame and take sides and point fingers. This is counter productive. Nobody is perfect, I've been guilty of the very same actions. This is something that we all not only need to be aware of but also actively work towards employing the mediating tactic instead of allowing ourselves to become the house divided. Remember, we are people united and we will not be defeated. Period. The chant doesn't say that we are people united and when I disagree with you we're going to fight and divide.
At the end of the day, fueling the infighting just sabotages the efforts of people who are trying to help the movement sustain, and as long as this is a movement for the people against an abusive, oppressive and corrupt government and corporate greed spread around like a well traveled flu virus we should all do what we can to make the movement not only sustainable but productive and working towards fixing the problems of the community. Since Occupy is not about the top down approach, it makes sense that cities like Oakland are fighting against major issues, but it has to focus on the local structural inherencies that are blocking access to the issues at the "top" that are actively being used to perpetuate the abuses of the current government.
So the fighting about focusing on certain issues needs to stop, saying that Occupy Oakland and Occupy Wall Street are separate needs to stop (Oaklanders came out in support of OWS originally but were met by the militarization of the police department, thus a local issue needs to be fixed before the two can totally merge, but they are a part of each other), diversity of tactics being a problem needs to stop and the conversation about the diversity of tactics being the solution needs to be the more popular one. I'm hoping this blog can help change the perspective of some as my perspective on this has changed, thus the reason for this blog. Like I said to the Oakland City Council last night: Let's all let go of our own personal agendas and truly work towards a solution (paraphrase).
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Transparency of Donations
March 29, 2012 - there is $1587.06 worth of expenses listed and paid for. $177.94 is the amount left in my WePay today. I still need to purchase batteries (hopefully rechargeable ones) for the light I now have so that I can film at night, also still need to be able to get a different wifi device that has better coverage and is cheaper; regardless it will cost money to get a Sprint or Verizon hot spot. Also, the website and current broadband are what I'm raising money for, including gas for the many many many trips downtown and beyond to cover events.
_____________________________________________________________
March 27, 2012 - $22.35 for camera light (no more shooting in the dark and not being able to see!! FINALLY!!!)
_____________________________________________________________
March 26, 2012 - $195.54 Tmobile (I am so unhappy about how much this bill is. Need to keep researching wifi options)
Also spent $30 in gas to go to Redwood City & Back for Mitt Romney protest and $5 for toll
______________________________________________________________
March 21, 2012 - $20.99 gas
______________________________________________________________
March 6, 2012 - $44.63 VistaPrint website recurring charge
______________________________________________________________
March 6, 2012 - $67.00 Tmobile 1st portion of bill
______________________________________________________________
March 5, 2012 - $5.48 coffee & Danish
______________________________________________________________
Feb 29, 2012 - $40 Radio Shack iPad charging cord, screen cleaner, warranty
______________________________________________________________
Feb 27, 2012 - $12.82 Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe
______________________________________________________________
Feb 24, 2012 - $11.75 Radio Shack USB to micro USB cord
______________________________________________________________
Feb 24, 2012 - $23.75 ice cream & dinner (IceCream Bloc 1st event)
______________________________________________________________
Feb 20, 2012 - $25.00 in gas and $5 in toll for Occupy the Prisons event
______________________________________________________________
Feb 9, 2012 - $3.95 lunch at Mr. Pizza Man while at the plaza
______________________________________________________________
Feb 6, 2012 - $45.00 gas (driving back and forth to downtown Oakland gets pretty expensive)
______________________________________________________________
Feb 3, 2012 - $96.79 Website package (approx $40/mth)
______________________________________________________________
Jan 25, 2012 - $196.26 - 3 iSound external battery packs (2 new at $70/ea & 1 used at $40 + s&h)
______________________________________________________________
Jan 25, 2012 - $400 on the iPad (I used $600 of my own money to buy the iPad) + warranty
______________________________________________________________
Jan 21, 2012 - $65.00 on boots. New rain weather boots, the weather got pretty bad (that's an understatement) in the past few days. Those of you who were watching (or have watched since) the video of San Francisco shutting down the Financial District remember me telling you about the boots that filled up with water and I couldn't keep up with the front of the crowd. The new boots are made to endure ALL types of weather. Rain, sleet, hail, snow I will cover Occupy just so you know :)
______________________________________________________________
January 20, 2012 - $31.75 in parking while covering OccupySF shutting down the financial district and taking over a building.
Also bought a bagel and some water for about $10 (sorry we were in the city. NOTHINGS cheap out there!)
** Notice that another external battery is needed after dying and not being able to film the entire day even with taking a couple 10 - 15 minute breaks. Will be buying another external on January 21st or January 22nd in preparation for upcoming events.**
_______________________________________________________________
January 19, 2012 - $109.00 at Best Buy (I couldn't find it at an independent business) for an external charger that lasts for somewhere between 21 - 34 hours for my cell phone when streaming. We will see how long that is in real time. Don't worry I still have one other external that will charge my phone 1 and 3/4 more times. So I should be good for Occupy the Courts and filming Occupy SF shutting down the financial district.
Jan 19, 2012 - $120 down plus an extra $60/month for the max amount of gigs I can buy to ensure I will not be without enough internet to maintain video and audio while streaming. Thank you for your donations! They are what makes it possible for me to continue documenting the Occupy Movement, specifically Occupy Oakland.
________________________________________________________________
Ok so, I realize that I have not put up a list for transparency yet, and the truth is because I've been too busy being out on the scene and I have not actually used any of the money yet. I am new to WePay and so getting all the things set up so that I could even have access to the money just happened yesterday. The money moving was a trial to see if my transfers would go through to my debit card.
In total I have received $460.00 ($443.28 after WePay automatically removed it's fees)
On January 6th, 2012 I initiated a transfer for $200 from WePay to my debit card. The transfer took until yesterday January 12, 2012 to clear. This was my 1st transfer so it took a little while, and I wanted to make sure that everything was set up right.
Right now I am looking at my options as far as portable power and 4G. I am hoping that I can get the Broadband without monthly payments like a 2 year contract, so prepay will be better if I can get that. However, that still leaves me vulnerable to using it all and not having enough service to stream. Those of who who have watched as my screen went blank and all that was available was audio or if both is choppy.
Secondarily I was marching past the Oakland Police Department filming with women from Egypt in solidarity and had water thrown on me and my phone. Unfortunately insurance doesn't cover water damage so I may need to actually pay to get another one. I'm not saying I would expect my donors to fork up that cost but I would need assistance. I do have a job and I am able to do some things. I do appreciate all of the help I get because when I spend hours out there (like 19 hours a day), it makes it easier for me to have supporters as well as resources and be able to document.
_____________________________________________________________
March 27, 2012 - $22.35 for camera light (no more shooting in the dark and not being able to see!! FINALLY!!!)
_____________________________________________________________
March 26, 2012 - $195.54 Tmobile (I am so unhappy about how much this bill is. Need to keep researching wifi options)
Also spent $30 in gas to go to Redwood City & Back for Mitt Romney protest and $5 for toll
______________________________________________________________
March 21, 2012 - $20.99 gas
______________________________________________________________
March 6, 2012 - $44.63 VistaPrint website recurring charge
______________________________________________________________
March 6, 2012 - $67.00 Tmobile 1st portion of bill
______________________________________________________________
March 5, 2012 - $5.48 coffee & Danish
______________________________________________________________
Feb 29, 2012 - $40 Radio Shack iPad charging cord, screen cleaner, warranty
______________________________________________________________
Feb 27, 2012 - $12.82 Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe
______________________________________________________________
Feb 24, 2012 - $11.75 Radio Shack USB to micro USB cord
______________________________________________________________
Feb 24, 2012 - $23.75 ice cream & dinner (IceCream Bloc 1st event)
______________________________________________________________
Feb 20, 2012 - $25.00 in gas and $5 in toll for Occupy the Prisons event
______________________________________________________________
Feb 9, 2012 - $3.95 lunch at Mr. Pizza Man while at the plaza
______________________________________________________________
Feb 6, 2012 - $45.00 gas (driving back and forth to downtown Oakland gets pretty expensive)
______________________________________________________________
Feb 3, 2012 - $96.79 Website package (approx $40/mth)
______________________________________________________________
Jan 25, 2012 - $196.26 - 3 iSound external battery packs (2 new at $70/ea & 1 used at $40 + s&h)
______________________________________________________________
Jan 25, 2012 - $400 on the iPad (I used $600 of my own money to buy the iPad) + warranty
______________________________________________________________
Jan 21, 2012 - $65.00 on boots. New rain weather boots, the weather got pretty bad (that's an understatement) in the past few days. Those of you who were watching (or have watched since) the video of San Francisco shutting down the Financial District remember me telling you about the boots that filled up with water and I couldn't keep up with the front of the crowd. The new boots are made to endure ALL types of weather. Rain, sleet, hail, snow I will cover Occupy just so you know :)
______________________________________________________________
January 20, 2012 - $31.75 in parking while covering OccupySF shutting down the financial district and taking over a building.
Also bought a bagel and some water for about $10 (sorry we were in the city. NOTHINGS cheap out there!)
** Notice that another external battery is needed after dying and not being able to film the entire day even with taking a couple 10 - 15 minute breaks. Will be buying another external on January 21st or January 22nd in preparation for upcoming events.**
_______________________________________________________________
January 19, 2012 - $109.00 at Best Buy (I couldn't find it at an independent business) for an external charger that lasts for somewhere between 21 - 34 hours for my cell phone when streaming. We will see how long that is in real time. Don't worry I still have one other external that will charge my phone 1 and 3/4 more times. So I should be good for Occupy the Courts and filming Occupy SF shutting down the financial district.
Jan 19, 2012 - $120 down plus an extra $60/month for the max amount of gigs I can buy to ensure I will not be without enough internet to maintain video and audio while streaming. Thank you for your donations! They are what makes it possible for me to continue documenting the Occupy Movement, specifically Occupy Oakland.
________________________________________________________________
Ok so, I realize that I have not put up a list for transparency yet, and the truth is because I've been too busy being out on the scene and I have not actually used any of the money yet. I am new to WePay and so getting all the things set up so that I could even have access to the money just happened yesterday. The money moving was a trial to see if my transfers would go through to my debit card.
In total I have received $460.00 ($443.28 after WePay automatically removed it's fees)
On January 6th, 2012 I initiated a transfer for $200 from WePay to my debit card. The transfer took until yesterday January 12, 2012 to clear. This was my 1st transfer so it took a little while, and I wanted to make sure that everything was set up right.
Right now I am looking at my options as far as portable power and 4G. I am hoping that I can get the Broadband without monthly payments like a 2 year contract, so prepay will be better if I can get that. However, that still leaves me vulnerable to using it all and not having enough service to stream. Those of who who have watched as my screen went blank and all that was available was audio or if both is choppy.
Secondarily I was marching past the Oakland Police Department filming with women from Egypt in solidarity and had water thrown on me and my phone. Unfortunately insurance doesn't cover water damage so I may need to actually pay to get another one. I'm not saying I would expect my donors to fork up that cost but I would need assistance. I do have a job and I am able to do some things. I do appreciate all of the help I get because when I spend hours out there (like 19 hours a day), it makes it easier for me to have supporters as well as resources and be able to document.
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