Hate Crime Days Before Senate Vote

10/14/2009 Washington

“Source:Human Rights Campaign– Days before the United States Senate is set to vote on federal legislation to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community from hate violence, a shocking new security camera video was released this morning showing the brutality of hate violence. The video, aired exclusively this morning on the local NY ABC affiliate, WABC, shows a Queens, NY gay man being horrifically beaten last Thursday in what New York police have classified an anti-gay hate crime. The video can be viewed on WABC’s website at http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7062514.

 “Literally days before a Senate vote, this video is a shocking reminder of why hate crimes laws, like the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Act, are crucial law enforcement tools for combating violence,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “A federal hate crime law not only ensures police are provided with the tools they need, but also sends a message from the highest level of our government that we as a country will not tolerate this type of brutality against our neighbors. It is my hope that every Senator watches this video and understands that far too many LGBT Americans live with the daily fear that it could have just as easily happened to them.”

Last Thursday, 49-year-old Jack Price, an openly gay man living in Queens, New York was attacked right outside of his home by two individuals yelling anti-gay slurs. The assailants brutally beat Price, causing him to suffer a broken jaw, fractured ribs, collapsed lungs, lacerated spleen and had to be placed in a medically induced coma.

New York police have categorized the attack as an anti-gay hate crime. Daniel Aleman, 26, of New York and Daniel Rodriguez, 21, of Norfolk, Virginia have both been arrested in the case. Aleman has already been arraigned on charges of Assault and Aggravated Assault as a Hate Crime.

New York is one of 31 states with hate crimes laws that protect individuals based on sexual orientation. Only 12 states have laws that protect on both sexual orientation and gender identity. Although New York has a state hate crimes law on the book, the federal hate crimes legislation known as the Matthew Shepard Act, if passed, would allow New York state officials to appeal to the U.S. Department of Justice for additional assistance in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.

If this crime had occurred in any state regardless of existing a hate crimes laws, or lack thereof, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Act, if passed, would not only allow local law enforcement to appeal for additional assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice, but it would also ensure that the Department could step in when local authorities turn a blind eye to violence against the LGBT community.

Openly gay, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, along with other state officials gathered in Queens on Monday to speak out against the attack.”

is wondering...

…WHAT IF I somehow get some help through therapy or whatever and all my issues like anger, bitterness, depression, flightiness, low self-esteem, insecurities, etc all go away and I feel better about everything in my life… I have healed in every way possible… EXCEPT I still am attracted to women???  What do I do then???  If it proves that my pains and fears and so forth have nothing to do with my sexual desires and sexual identity like so many people say it does???  Am I supposed to just keep ignoring it, lock the closet door and throw away the key???  What if in doing that I am then forced back into anger, bitterness, depression, etc???  Is that right???

It’s hard being a Christian and having the beliefs I do and then having these so real feelings inside of me.  Sure it is easy for people to dismiss something when they don’t see how real it is.  But someone has said that homosexuality is not any different than anger.  If someone is naturally inclined to anger and can’t control it and busts out on someone, we will not condone it just cuz- well, he was born that way.  No, we would arrest him and make him take anger management classes or something.  We would expect him to learn to control himself and not act out on his feelings; to get rid of his anger and so on.  So we who struggle with SSA are supposed to do the same thing; understand that it is wrong, no matter how it feels to us inside, and control ourselves and force ourselves into a life that is right.  or something like that

He's gay, I'm a fag hag, so what?

I swear to Hades that breeders are some of the dumbest people on Earth. (Yes, I’m a breeder too). I am so sick and fucking tired of all of the stupid ass stereotypes that come to play when someone comes out of the closet. I hate hearing that it’s disgusting, or morally wrong.

First of all, no one CHOOSES to be gay. Who in the world would chose a life where they can’t be themselves? Where they are judged on a day to day basis, not only by society but by the people that are supposed to love them unconditionally? Being gay is not contagious. It’s not a disease. There is absolutely nothing the fuck wrong with gays, lesbians, pansexuals, transexuals, bisexuals, trysexuals, asexuals, ambisexuals, heteroflexible, homoflexible, or any other sexual being out there.

Oh, and let’s get a few things straight. First of all, not all gay people are prancing pink princesses. And the ones who are, just have really kick ass personalities and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that either.

Second of all, just because someone is gay, it does not mean that they are attracted to you. I’m so sick of hearing people say that they are fine with gays as long as they don’t hit on them. What makes you think you’re so hot? Believe it or not, the gay world has taste too. Trust me, mot of them have really good taste. A few of my  gay guy friends have like superpowers to find the hottest men! I’m so jealous.

Third, not all gay people have random sex. They are not all sluts. Gays are just as capable of being in a committed relationship as you are. They laugh, cry, love and hate just like the rest of us. They want happiness, they want a life where they can love and be loved. No different than you or me.

Fourth, not all gays like Brittany Spears, or glitter. They do not all want to become your shopping buddies, they do not want to make floats and prance around in lingerie. And to the ones that do: I admire your confidence and only wish that I was that comfortable in a corset!

Fifth, someone who is gay does not have to have had sex with the same sex to know that they are gay. Did you have to have sex to know that you were straight? Well? Yeah, that’s what I thought dickwad.

So stop being such assholes. A wonderful person, who I will call S.I.A.B., once said “I’m so far in the closet, I’m having adventures in Narnia”. This should never happen. Why are we so fucking harsh, so cruel? Why can’t we just accept that there are cocks that prefer cocks and pussies that enjoy pussies? That people should be able to  live the way that they want to live without judgement from us? It broke my heart to find out that S.I.A.B. won’t come out of the closet. But I can’t blame them. I don’t know that I would either if all there was out of the closet was a bunch of close minded assholes.

Grow up. Realize that not everyone can be like you (or wants to for that matter). Embrace the differences that we all have. Embrace the rainbow.

I am a total fag hag. Through and through. I love all of my friends, although honestly, I’m pretty damned partial to my gay friends. I can always count on them being honest with me, I can count on them calling me out when I’m being stupid, and dammit, gays bars are just a hell of a good time.

You’re missing out on some pretty amazing people when you close your mind. You will never know the utter awesomeness of some, because you’re too busy judging them to really open your eyes and see who they are. Try taking the blinders off. Give each person a chance. Judge them by what they do to you. How they treat you. Don’t judge without ever having talked to them. Without having spent time with someone.

Don’t make a painful life worse. You have no idea how important a friends acceptance can be. It can honestly be the difference between life and death for some. But that’s for another day.

the way sex can be and would be...

*I have not reread this, it was written and posted in its pure RAW form… I am posting on this site, even though it was sent to Mandy via email, so I can keep my thoughts and ideas and visions in one place. Having these here, allows me to take from my own experiences and use them in future fan fiction stories.

Last night, our little escapade began in the bathroom. Yes, I know have some performance issues with people in the bathroom with you. I peeked in the door and saw you just resting there with your eyes closed. You looked peaceful and sleepy. I quietly opened the door and came in. It startled you, but I didn’t leave. I walked in front of you as you sat on the toilet, you have your shirt off with your pajama pants around your ankles. I leaned over you and put one of my legs between yours and pushed into you, leaning down with my arms wrapped around your neck and going down your back. I kissed your forehead and nuzzled you close.Your eyes closed and soft whimpers came from you. You liked it a little too much. So I left the room and went to he bed room.

I was standing in front of the bed when you came in. You shut the door behind you and walked in front of me. We hugged and passionately kissed, nibbles on each others neck, but you couldn’t wait… You pushed me down on the bed. My legs hung over the edge, you climbed on top of me and grinded your pelvic area into mine. You knew you couldn’t do anything to me cause I had started my period earlier that day, but a little grinding action would get you and I going and I would take you once I was frustrated enough. After grinding became too much for you, you needed to slow down or you would have came from just that alone. You flipped off me and laid on your side while I laid on my back. You didn’t want to stop torturing me, you rubbed my sex outside of my pants and I told you to stop. Your puppy dog face begged for me not to make you stop and I could not resist your begging, I said okay only if you would actually bring me to my orgasm. You smiled and kissed me and began rubbing me some more.
You slid your hand underneath my pajama bottoms and cupped my sex continuing to rub me with the palm of your hand. My breathing was heavy but i was relaxed. Wanting to give me what I was craving for, you slid your finger down to find my clit and as it did, but hips raised greeting you with welcoming moan. Slowly you massaged me, my sex moving with you in perfect harmony.Slowly building up to a hard and faster circular motion that made want to fuck your finger. Not stopping you continued until I thrusted my sex into your finger and lost the ability to breathe. Even the smallest of movements from your finger caused sudden jerks from my body, I couldn’t take it anymore and I needed you out of me and you knew it but want me to savor your touch just a tad bit more.
When you could see in my movements that I was done, you rested next to me. I needed a moment but you just devilishly grinned knowing what was still left to come and that was you. I turned on my side to see you, you looked so beautiful and mischievous. We kissed but you were careful not to touch me as the slightest of caresses made my body continue to spasm from the post orgasmic state I was still in. I touched your arms with soft sensual touches using just my finger tips, not rushed there was nothing but the night ahead of us. Kissing various parts of your arms, wrists, inner elbows… your closed your eyes to fill me studing your soft skin, noticing what makes you move, what makes you smile and what causes heavy breathing. A skill that has made me know every inch of your body like it was my own. I turned you over on to your stomach to massage your back with light caresses that were more relaxing than stress relieving. I even forget that I was massaging and began to tease you with my finger around your neck and just next to your breast and underarm. After your back, I turned you over exposing your breasts to me. My middle finger circled around your nipple making it asked to be sucked and bit. With little force, but lots of strength I took your nipple to my mouth and slowing bit down digging deeper into with my teets. Your eyes closed tight as it was almost unbearable. Keeping the same pressure, I flicked the tip of it with my tongue making you beg with your moans and whimpers for more.
I let you go and got off the bed. Your eyes opened to look at me and you smiled thanking me for what was coming next before it even had happened. I stripped off your pajama bottoms leaving you naked on my bed. I layed back down next to you with my head close to your thigh, your legs were closed and my fingers teased the outside of your sex instead of just going for what you were burning for. Touching your thighs and your slit, your hips tried to find my fingers but I was not read to take you there yet.
I rubbed up and down your legs, giving your sex time to miss the touches making it want me more. Once I was ready, I lifted your leg over my head, spreading you naturally. My finger graced the inside of your folds teasing it some more. You were so ready and so wanting me inside you, I could see your juices making their way down your leg and met my fingers without even being inside you once. The warmth radiating from you let me know that I should take you at that moment and I did. I inserted two fingers into you finding a pool of excitement waiting for me, my thumb gravited to your clit massaging it as my fingers went in and out… over and over… you begged for a third finger and I gave it to your harder and deeper finding your pelvic bone with my fingers. You pushed against me over and over… You knew you might not be able to take it any longer, you asked for a fourth. My pinky delightfully entered you making your come almost instantly from being filled to your breaking point. Your walls gripped by hand almost crushing it as i continued to hit your magic spot over and over untill your moan turned to a load muffled scream of ecstasy. Spasm after spasm I let your grip my motionless hand until your were completely satisfied. Once your body completed its journey, you rested and I pulled out my hand to see that nice and delicious cream you gave to me. Knowing we both would need to shower our selves afterward, I took my wet hand and placed on my sex combined our love even if it was just for a brief moment.
As I closed my eyes and placed my wet hand on my own sex I sent myself into a whirlwind of orgasmic delight as you kissed my lips while your essence took control over my mind and body. We rested in each others arms until we feel asleep forgetting about our much needed showers. My plan for a quick and easy thank you turned into almost 2 hours of grawesome love making that may not every be able to be duplicated by us again.

And that was sex last night… And as I wrote this out, I sit and get myself frustrated thinking if it is, has been or could be this way with him. Because this is us, this is me… and if this is how you want your life to be or how you dream your life can be… it can be. And so much more. I wish I knew what it is about him, or what I can do to be like him and give you whatever it is you are lacking that makes you not want to give him up for me. I wish I could be everything you need in life… God I wish I could. But… apparently I’m not and I know I may never be.

Pam and Ann Part 2

Pam and Ann continue sharing their coming out stories and the process that their families went through as they came to terms with their sexualities. Although it took some time, both Pam and Ann have the full support of their families and have started one of their own. Over 23 years, they have built a solid, supportive, and loving family unit including two amazing kids, two dogs, some cats and fish. Pam and Ann share why they love being moms, and their spectacular kids talk about why having two moms is the best! They are all truly fantastic people! Enjoy!

Centre for the Study of Education and Work - Update 30th September 2009

Unemployment

CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF EDUCATION AND WORK – UPDATE 30th SEPTEMBER 2009

 

OUR MANDATE: The Centre for the Study of Education and Work (CSEW) brings together educators from university, union, and community settings to understand and enrich the often-undervalued informal and formal learning of working people. We develop research and teaching programs at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (UofT) that strengthen feminist, anti-racist, labour movement, and working-class perspectives on learning and work.

Our major project is APCOL: Anti-Poverty Community Organizing and Learning. This five-year project (2009-2013), funded by SSHRC-CURA, brings academics and activists together in a collaborative effort to evaluate how organizations approach issues and campaigns and use popular education.

To change your subscription settings, visit http://listserv.oise.utoronto.ca/mailman/listinfo/csewbroadcast

For more information about CSEW, visit: http://www.csew.ca

+++++

FORUM: SOLIDARITY, RESISTANCE, CHANGE: ORGANIZING WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES

Public forum featuring: Steve Williams, Co-Director and co-founder of the California based group “People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER)” and co-author of the book “Towards Land, Work and Power”.
Join us to hear Steve Williams speak about POWER, and organizing working-class communities in the current context of the economic crisis.

Introductions and opening remarks will be made by Sam Gindin, CAW (Retired), and Stephanie Ross, York University. With Q & A.

Friday October 2, 2009
7pm
Ryerson Student Centre
55 Gould Street, Room 115
Toronto

Directions: http://www.oakhamhouse.com/pages/directions.php

In 1997, in the wake of Clinton’s historic attack on social assistance, welfare and public support measures for the poor, activists in the San Francisco area formed POWER: People Organized to Win Employment Rights. Since its inception, POWER members have waged more than twenty campaigns to improve the living and working conditions for welfare workers, domestic workers, low-income tenants and other working class people of color.

Co-sponsored by Socialist Project and Centre for Social Justice
Endorsed by Black Action Defence Committee (BADC), No One Is Illegal (NOII) and Ontario Coalition against Poverty (OCAP)

+++++

STUDENT-LED CONFERENCE PUTS THE PRIDE BACK INTO HEALTH RESEARCH

Research with Pride
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
University of Toronto
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
155 College Street, Room 610

In partnership with The 519 Church Street Community Centre, this unique forum will offer the opportunity for students, community members, academics, and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two spirit, and queer (LGBTT2Q) communities to come together to discuss relevant health research, with a specific focus on community-based research (CBR) strategies.

Free. Lunch and snacks provided.

For more information or to register:  http://researchwithpride.org/index.html

+++++

MAKING MUNICIPAL VOTING MATTER

Thursday, October 1
9 am to Noon
89 Chestnut Street
Toronto, Ontario

Elections in Toronto are not meeting our expectations. Voter turn-out is surprisingly low. New faces on City Council are uncommon. And perhaps most importantly, our City Council does not reflect the evolving demographic of Toronto’s population. What are options for renewal?

Join other community organizations and individuals in a discussion about the changes we need to make municipal elections matter in Toronto.

RSVP for this event: http://www.facebook.com/l/2617e;tinyurl.com/lgcywd

+++++

BUILDING THE FUTURE WE WANT: FINDING OPPORTUNITY IN ADVERSITY

Friday, October 2, 2009
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
New College, University of Toronto
$50.00 (includes lunch and refreshments)

The Symposium will bring together a broad range of individuals and organizations to explore the ways in which the current economic and social crisis may provide opportunities to rethink how government, the non-profit sector and business can renew our social safety net for the 21st century.

Panels:

* Ending Poverty
* Social Infrastructure
* Good Jobs
* Social Security and Economic Stabilizers

Register online at http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/symposium

+++++

SHOVEL READY IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY: OPTIONS AND PRIORITIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE GTA

Public Forum on Housing

Presented by The Older Women’s Network (OWN) and The Centre for Women’s Studies in Education at OISE, University of
Toronto

Sunday, October 4, 1:30 to 5 pm
OISE Auditorium
252 Bloor Street West (St. George Subway)

Panel Members:

* Heather McGregor, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Toronto
* Angela Robertson, Executive Director, Sistering – A Woman’s Place
* Michael Shapcott, Director, Affordable Housing & Social Innovation, Wellesley Institute

The Older Women’s Network (OWN) – A Voice for Mid-Life and Older Women – is a not for profit organization incorporated in 1988. In 1997 OWN was instrumental in building a 142 unit Housing Co-op in the St. Lawrence Market area of Toronto.

For more information:  http://www.olderwomensnetwork.org

+++++

A SERIES OF LEARNING CIRCLES: IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF ALAN THOMAS

By the holders of the Alan Thomas Fellowship
of the Carold Institute
In Celebration of the Life and Work of Alan Thomas

Date: Monday October 5, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Place: Concordia University
Hall Building 7th Floor
Room H-762
1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
Montreal

RSVP: 514-848-2424 (2036)
For more information: qaal@alcor.concordia.ca
Admission is FREE
Light Refreshments will be available

+++++

FIRESIDE CHAT ON RACE, GENDER, INCOME VIA TELEPHONE/INTERNET

A special invitation to:
Public health planners and practitioners, policy makers, public health evaluators, community partners working with public health (e.g., NGOs, community health centres, school boards and educational institutions)….

A Fireside Chat – free pan-Canadian discussion via telephone/internet

Thursday October 8, 2009
1:00pm-2:30pm (Eastern Time)
Using an Online Toolkit to Address Social Determinants of Health through Multiple Intervention Programs

For more information and to register:  http://www.chnet-works.ca

Race…gender…income…All of these affect our health. In fact, considerable evidence exists that unequal social conditions contribute significantly to the persistent inequalities in the health of populations, internationally and in Canada.

How can public health programs address these, and other, social determinants of health? How are ’social determinants’ understood and defined? What information can we draw upon to identify the determinants that we might be able to address? What kinds of interventions might be effective? How can we assess the impact of health interventions on social determinants? Is there any evidence that the social determinants can be altered through public health programming?

If you have ever asked yourself these questions, please join us on October 8. This Fireside chat will focus on using elements of the Multiple Interventions Program Tool Kit, an on-line resource for public health planners, to take into account social determinants of health when planning, implementing, and evaluating multiple intervention programs.

CHNET-works! hosts weekly fireside chats re: community health issues a project of RRASpHIRN, University of Ottawa Population Health Improvement Research Network – Réseau de recherches d’amélioration de la Santé de la population

+++++

WOMEN TOGETHER: ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO TAKE A BIGGER PART IN POLITICS

An evening with:

* Andrea Horwath, Ontario NDP Leader
* Peggy Nash, President of the Federal NDP
* Cheri DiNovo, MPP Parkdale-High Park & ONDP Women’s Critic

Monday October 5 2009
CAW 1285 Hall,
23 Regan Street, Brampton
(McLaughlin & Bovaird– easily reached from the 401, 407 & 410)
6:30PM reception, 7:00PM start
Dinner will be served.

Tickets are $24 or five for $100
$15 for students, or on layoff
Make cheques out to CAW 1285, write Elect Women Together in the memo area, and mail to CAW 1285, 23 Regan Road, Brampton, ON L7A 1B2

All are welcome to attend.

Introducing potential candidates, Party members, supporters, friends and others, to the nuts and bolts of getting elected.

Women Party members who have run for office are asked to share their experience and knowledge.

To order tickets, for more info, or to volunteer: ondpwomen@gmail.com

+++++

DIVERSITY: STRATEGIES FOR A CHANGING WORKFORCE

The Toronto Training Board in partnership with Working Skills Centre and Working Women Community Centre is holding a one-day forum entitled “Diversity: Strategies for a Changing Workforce”.

The Forum is intended to gather “promising practices” related to creating a robust, multi-generational, diverse workplace, something that is essential to Toronto’s ability to attract and retain skilled workers.

If you are unable to attend, please consider finding another representative of your workplace.

Friday Oct. 16
Metro Hall
55 John Street, Room 308
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Registration: $35 before Oct. 1 and $50 after Oct. 1 (including at door)
Includes breakfast, light lunch and snacks.
To register:  Carmen@ttb.on.ca
For more info:  416-703-7770 x. 519

+++++

FOOD ISSUES PANEL: BROKEN SYSTEM

In conversation with Matt Galloway

How do we rethink our food distribution and quota systems along with various other antiquated food policies in order to rebuild our food systems so that we can help support a model that is based around small-scale local producers, while we ensure that we can provide nutritious and affordable food for all of our diverse communities.

Panelists:

* John Rowe, Farmer
* Debbie Field, Food Activist, FoodShare Toronto
* Ruth Klahsen, Artisan Cheese Maker
* Nick Saul, Food Activist, The Stop Community Food Centre

Tuesday October 20
Hart House, University of Toronto
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Free Event

+++++

RISK MANAGEMENT FOR NONPROFITS: NO COST & LOW COST WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE AND REPUTATION

October 15, 2009
8:30am – 12:30pm
Centre for Social Innovation
215 Spadina Ave.
Alterna Boardroom, 4th floor
$73.50 (inclusive of GST)
Coffee and light breakfast will be provided

We’re pleased to announce that the Centre for Social Innovation will be hosting a half-day workshop on effective risk management! Every organization needs to take risks in order to grow and reach the next level, but learning to do it smart is key. Presented by David Hartley, this workshop will help guide you to that place and is geared towards staff members, board members, and key volunteers of small and medium nonprofit organizations.

To register: http://socialinnovation.ca/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=8

For questions, please contact Yumi Hotta, Community Animator at yumi@socialinnovation.ca

+++++

FREE FILM FEST SHOWCASES LABOUR

Source: rabble.ca

The Canadian Labour International Film Festival is close to its goal of screening films in 100 communities across Canada. The movies will screen in cinemas, labour halls and living-rooms. There’s still time to get involved. CLIFF board member Raj Virk explains how.

http://rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/redeye/2009/09/free-film-fest-showcases-labour

+++++

MULTI-UNION COALITION AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA STRIKES BACK AT DEVASTATING CUTS

By Jack Gerson, Tanya Smith, Labor Notes

Students, faculty, and staff at the University of California’s campuses walked out Thursday to protest hundreds of layoffs, cuts to academic programs and research centers, a staggering 32 percent tuition increase, and the stripping of any pretense of shared governance by placing “emergency” dictatorial powers in the university president’s hands. Photo: andydr

A coalition of unions, faculty, and students gave a sharp rebuke to cuts and corporate giveaways at the renowned University of California system on September 24—the first day back for most UC campuses.

Organizers called picket lines, rallies, and teach-ins on each of the 10 campuses to protest a wave of layoffs, tuition increases, and academic and research program cuts—all steps toward the decimation of public education in California.

To read more: http://labornotes.org/node/2459

+++++

UNIONS MUST MOVE LEFT, THEY HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE – MONTHLY REVIEW

David Bacon (dbacon.igc.org) is a California writer and documentary photographer. He was a union organizer among immigrant workers for two decades. He documents the changing conditions in the workforce, the impact of the global economy, war, and migration, and the struggle for human rights.

To read more: http://www.monthlyreview.org/090928bacon.php

+++++

VIDEO: NAOMI KLEIN VS. ALAN GREENSPAN ON CRONY CAPITALISM IN THE US

Source: http://www.youtube.com
Except from September 24th 2007 Democracy Now! Naomi Klein and Alan Greenspan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09zvzzCOB2M

+++++

CANADA MUST FORGE ITS OWN ECONOMIC FATE

Source: murraydobbin.ca

The SPP is dead. Let’s keep it that way.

With virtually no fanfare or media analysis, one of the most transformative agreements ever signed by Canada and the U.S. (and Mexico) is officially dead. The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), the formal expression of a corporate lobbying campaign called deep integration, is no more.

To read more: http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2009/09/24/EconomicFate/

+++++

VIDEO: FIX EI TOWN HALL – JUDY REBICK – SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

Source: www.youtube.com
Author and social justice activist Judy Rebick addresses the “Fix EI” Town Hall Meeting held at Ryerson University in Toronto – September 21, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK5rOQpQxVA

+++++

UNION RIGHTS AS HUMAN RIGHTS: BUILDING THE LABOUR MOVEMENT IN MANITOBA

By Errol Black

The Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) is holding its annual convention in Brandon October 2 – 4, 2009. There are many important issues to be dealt with however the one issue that should be on the agenda and should be the focus of discussion is the spectre of eroding memberships in trade union organizations, evident in all jurisdictions in Canada.

To read more: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/reports/2009/09/article2314/

+++++

ONTARIO FACULTY RELEASE REPORT ON UNIVERSITIES AND THE RECESSION: PAPER FINDS SERIOUS FINANCIAL IMPACTS ON INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENTS

TORONTO , Sept. 29 /CNW/ – The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) today released a research report, written by Hugh MacKenzie, analyzing the impact of the recent recession on Ontario’s universities. The report, commissioned by OCUFA, indicates that the economic downturn highlights fundamental problems with how the province funds higher education.

“This paper reveals serious cracks in Ontario’s funding model,” said Professor Mark Langer, President of OCUFA. “The recession starkly illustrates how our institutions are seriously under-funded, and how this under-funding puts serious financial pressure on students and their families.”

The negative effects of the recession are due to policy changes that began in the mid-1990s. After huge cuts to public university funding, institutions were forced to turn to private sources of income such as endowment funds and higher tuition fees. Now, 14 years later, the global financial crisis has significantly reduced the value of endowment funds and pension plans, hurting university revenue. Moreover, record student unemployment has made it even harder for students to pay for Ontario’s already expensive tuition fees. The Government of Ontario’s current tuition policy will allow fees to increase by an average of five per cent in the 2009-10 school year.

OCUFA has recently launched the Quality Matters campaign (http://www.quality-matters.ca) to raise awareness of the need for greater public funding in the university system. This investment will help mitigate the effects of the recession while improving educational quality and controlling tuition fees.

To read the report, please go to http://www.ocufa.on.ca/Publications.researchreports.gk.

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represent 15,000 faculty in 24 faculty associations across Ontario. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at http://www.ocufa.on.ca

+++++

PODCAST: NAOMI KLEIN INTERVIEWS MICHAEL MOORE

Source: Common Dreams

On September 17, in the midst of the publicity blitz for his cinematic takedown of the capitalist order, Moore talked with Nation columnist Naomi Klein by phone about the film, the roots of our economic crisis and the promise and peril of the present political moment.

To listen to a podcast of the full conversation:  http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091012/moore_podcast

To read an edited transcript of their conversation: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/09/25

+++++

VIEWS: MUTUAL AID SOCIETY – INSIDE HIGHER ED

Source: http://www.insidehighered.com

Did humanity evolve with selfish genes? Scott McLemee looks into an alternative theory.

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/mclemee/mclemee260

+++++

JOB POSTING: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SISTERING, TORONTO

You will foster learning, innovation, research, and philanthropy across the organization while promoting collaboration throughout Sistering and within the wider community. You will represent our organization to the broader community, build and maintain strong relationships, and ensure our financial health and sustainability. A ‘big picture’ thinker and inspirational leader, you have a graduate degree in a human services field or the equivalent, a proven five-year track record of success as a senior manager, ideally within a diverse, non-profit organization serving marginalized communities, and experience working with a Board of Directors. You have five years of experience in the social services or not-for-profit sectors, strong government and community relations expertise, and advocacy skills to effect change in social policies.

You may be required to work occasional weekends, provide periodic on-call support for weekend drop-in shifts, and travel within the city.

We offer excellent compensation and benefits. Please apply to:
962 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M6H 1L6
tel: 416-926-9762
fax: 416-926-1932
e-mail: jkali@sistering.org

Sistering has anti-racism/oppression and employment equity policies and especially encourages Aboriginal women, women of colour, immigrant and refugee women, and women from other disadvantaged groups to apply.

+++++

JOB POSTING: PROGRAM COORDINATOR, MAYWORKS, TORONTO

Deadline: 6:00 p.m. on October 13, 2009

Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts seeks a Program Coordinator for the festival events.

For more information on this position: http://www.mayworks.ca/

***END***

 

Posted here by Glenn Rikowski

The Flow of Ideas: http://www.flowideas.co.uk

MySpace Profile: http://www.myspace.com/glennrikowsk

The Ockress: http://www.theockress.com

Rikowski Point: http://rikowskipoint.blogspot.com

Lady Gaga: From Tragic to Fabulous

This is for all you Lady Gaga fans out there (and I know there are hordes of you). I found this little gem over on Towleroad. Ever wonder what Lady Gaga looked and sounded like before all the glam, glitter and fashion? Y’know… the days when she went by Stefani Germanotta and had tragic hair? Or when she actually played instruments and maybe even wrote her own lyrics (le gasp, right?)? Well now you can see it in all it’s terrifying glory thanks the the wonders of YouTube. Make sure to check it out, after the jump.