TheWordsmithCollection.org

Please Support the Portland Alliance (& KBOO) this weekend...

2011-11-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Save the Alliance!

https://sites.google.com/site/theportlandalliance/

Speaking Truth to Power Since 1981! Support local media!

Of, by, & for the people!

Here is a new Alliance Interactive Calendar: add your own events! We are a 501C3 Nonprofit for Public Benefit. (NAAME)

Gossip or News? The decline of journalism...

2010-08-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Those who like gossip... about Mel Gibson, Oliver Stone, or

whomever else... can buy a gossip rag, scandal sheet, or whatever other

drivel they may choose. The world is full of racism, ignorance, and shallow
|people. One can wallow in the obvious... or find real news, problems, issues,
and events to investigate, consider, and discuss.

Top 10 Gossip Magazines

Globe Magazine,

In Touch Weekly Magazine,

National Examiner Magazine,

OK! Magazine,

Star Magazine,

Sun Magazine,

The National Enquirer Magazine,

US Weekly Magazine,

Missbehave

Tatler

Yellow Journalism

Yellow journalism, in short, is biased opinion masquerading as objective fact. Moreover, the practice of yellow journalism involved sensationalism, distorted stories, and misleading images for the sole purpose of boosting newspaper sales and exciting public opinion. It was particularly indicative of two papers founded and popularized in the late 19th century- The New York World, run by Joseph Pulitzer and The New York Journal, run by William Randolph Hearst.

It all started, some historians believe, with the onset of the rapid industrialization that was happening all around the world. The Industrial Revolution eventually affected the newspaper industry, allowing newspapers access to machines that could easily print thousands of papers in a single night. This is believed to have brought into play one of the most important characteristics of yellow journalism - the endless drive for circulation. And unfortunately, the publisher's greed was very often put before ethics.

Although the actual practice of what would later become known as yellow journalism came into being during a more extended time period (between 1880-1890), the term was first coined based on a series of occurrences in and following the year of 1895. This was the year in which Hearst purchased the New York Journal, quickly becoming a key rival of Pulitzer's. The term was derived, through a series of peculiar circumstances, from a cartoon by the famous 19th century cartoonist, Robert Outcault called "The Yellow Kid" (see second from top). The cartoon was first published in The World, until Hearst hired him away to produce the strip in his newspaper. Pulitzer then hired another artist to produce the same strip in his newspaper. This comic strip happened to use a new special, non-smear yellow ink, and because of the significance of the comic strip, the term "yellow journalism" was coined by critics.

Sadly though, this period of sensationalist news delivery (where the so-called yellow press routinely outsold the more honest, truthful, unbiased newspapers) does stand out as a particularly dark era in journalistic history. The demand of the United States people for absolutely free press allowed such aforementioned newspapers, which often appealed to the shorter attention spans and interests of the lower class, to print whatever they so desired. This means that they could easily steal a headline and story directly from another paper, or simply fabricate a story to fit their particular agenda.

One of the more disturbing features involved with the former practice of yellow journalism, and the period in which it was most active in is that there is no definite line between this period of yellow journalism and the period afterwards. There only exists evidence that such practices were frowned upon by the general public - by 1910, circulation had dropped off very rapidly for such papers. But regardless, does this mean that yellow journalism simply faded away, never to return? Or did it absorb itself into the very heart of our newspapers, where it will remain forever? One thing is for certain - after the late 1800s, newspapers changed drastically, and still show no sign of changing back. The modernly present newspaper appearances of catchy headlines, humorous comic strips, special interest sections, intrusive investigative reporting, et cetera serve as a constant reminder that one must always stay skeptical when examining our news sources.

What is the remedy to yellow journalism? Simply double- and triple-checking one's sources and reading between the lines. If one disregards the obvious marketing that is used to hook readers, newspapers may actually prove to be reliable sources of information.

Here are some resources for reliable journalism:

American Society of Journalists and Authors - Provides a variety of services for nonfiction freelance writers, including market search, conferences, and information on contract negotiations, copyright, intellectual property, and similar issues.

American Society of Newspaper Editors - Directing editors of daily newspapers and editors of major sources of news for daily newspapers throughout the Americas are eligible for membership.

American Sportscasters Association - Provides current and aspiring sportscasters with vital information, advice and support.

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication - Dedicated to promoting high standards in journalism education and research, and to promoting diversity of race and culture in journalism classrooms.

Association of Health Care Journalists - Independent, non profit organization offering resources, tools and training aimed at improving the quality, accuracy and visibility of health care reporting, writing and editing.

Association of Israel Journalists, Haifa and the North - Information for Israeli journalists and foreign correspondents, working in Israel. Links and membership listings.

Association of Young Journalists and Writers - An organization for journalists younger than 35.

Australian And International Freelance And Independent Press Association - The current homepage of the Association for professional freelance journalists from Australia and around the world.

Australian Society of Travel Writers - ASTW - A non-profit organisation, dedicated to reporting on the travel industry and serving the interests of the travelling public. Information about the ASTW and its Constitution and Code of Ethics, as well as list of members and details about how to join.

Azerbaijan Free Speech Foundation - Seeking to enlighten journalists and society in freedom of speech. [Azerbaijan, English, Russian]

Black journalism - This Web site contains articles and information about black journalists and their profession.

British Guild of Travel Writers - Serving professional travel journalists, guidebook writers, photographers, broadcasters and travel editors. View directory, yearbook and calendar.

The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) - A national non-profit advocacy and professional development organization consisting of 1,500 active journalists from all media, including print, radio and television. The association publishes an annual compendium of contacts for journalists and maintains an active listserv. The purpose of the CAJ listserv is to provide a forum for Canadian journalists on issues pertaining to journalism, ethics and media.

The Canadian Centre for Investigative Reporting - Mission statement and resources to assists in the independent investigation and reportage of items in the public interest.

Casey Journalism Center for Children and Families - The Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families is a resource center for journalists who cover the social issues, policies and institutions affecting children and families in America.

Caucasus Journalists Network - Platform for journalists, researchers, publishers and media of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Database on professional journalistic organizations in the region.

Center for Media Literacy - Promotes media literacy education as a framework for accessing, analyzing, evaluating and creating media content.

Chartered Institute of Journalists - Lists history and services. Group seeks to represent its members' interests in the workplace, promote industry standards, and campaign to protect journalistic freedom.

Chartered Institute of Journalists - The Institute of Journalists, the world's oldest organisation for journalists, was founded in 1884 and granted a Royal Charter in 1890. One hundred years later it became the Chartered Institute.

Committee of Concerned Journalists - A consortium of reporters, editors, academics and others focused on the future of journalism.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) - An independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the global defense of press freedom. Features international news alerts and resources from non-partisan international organization of journalists.

Commonwealth Press Union - An association whose members are newspapers and news agencies from 49 countries in the Commonwealth. News, issues, membership details, forums, conferences, awards, and contact information.

Council for the Advancement of Science Writing - Organization of journalists and scientists committed to improving the quality of science news reaching the general public. Information about CASW activities, careers in science writing, and grants and fellowships for students.

Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma - A resource based at the University of Washington for students and working journalists seeking current information on the intersection of journalism and trauma.

Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards - Recognise and reward journalists providing high quality coverage of the business environment in Africa. Objective, awards, news and links.

Editorial Freelancers Association - Search the membership directory by skill, specialty, location, or name. Members include editors, writers, indexers, proofreaders, researchers, desktop publishers, and translators.

Ethics & Excellence Journalism Foundation - Investing in the future of journalism by building the ethics, skills and opportunities needed to advance principled, probing news and information. Provides news, history and grant information.

Euro Correspondent. - A network of freelance journalists writing on European, and EU affairs. Members work independently for a range of media.

Foreign Correspondents Association - Professional association representing foreign journalists working in Australia and the Pacific.

Free Voice - Dutch foundation which supports independent media in countries in development. Profile, projects and annual report.

IFRA online - Idea forum for publishing companies and suppliers to the publishing industry. Conference information, recent publications and newsletters. Also provides training services.

Institute for Interactive Journalism - An incubator to promote interactive journalism in the 21st century using new media. Promotes innovative journalism through awards.

Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA) - Consortium of policy researchers seeking to broaden public discourse by gaining media access for those whose perspectives are commonly drowned out by corporate-backed think tanks and other influential institutions.

Inter American Press Association - IAPA - Heavily involved in press freedom issues in North, Central and South American countries. Features releases, organization, member, and contact information.

International Center for Journalists - Dedicated to promoting free, independent press arould the world. Explores journalism ethics and other issues that face the profession.

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) - A working network of investigative reporters conducting investigative reporting projects across nation-state borders. ICIJ connects them via the Internet, conferences and through an institutional support structure.

International Federation of Agricultural Journalists - A non-political, professional association for agricultural journalists.

International Federation of Journalists - Organization that aims to push governments to promote social justice and rights for journalists.

International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association - IFWTWA - Offers press credentials and other membership services to qualified print, radio and TV broadcasters and photo journalists.

International News Safety Institute - Media safety network promoting the provision of safety training, materials and assistance to journalists and media staff. Mission statement and a list of supporting organisations.

International Press Association - Promotes quality story-telling through photography and writing.

Investigative Reporters and Editors - Investigative Reporters and Editors is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting within the field of journalism.

Journalism Ethics at the University of British Columbia - News, expert analysis and essential background on ethical and legal issues, with a special emphasis on global journalism ethics.

Lithuanian Journalist Union - Lists activities and membership guidelines for journalists, media workers, correspondents and reporters.

National Association of Black Journalists - Has a mission to strengthen ties among African-American journalists, promote diversity in newsrooms and honor excellence in the media industry.

National Association of Hispanic Journalists - National organization dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry.

National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada - Archive of meeting minutes, press releases, and media links. NEPMCC is a non-profit group urging mainstream Canadian society to consider the economic, social and culture interests of ethnic communities.

National Federation of Press Women - Includes organizational information, news, networking ideas, and member services. A nationwide organization of professional communicators, both women and men, working in any form of the media.

National Union of Journalists (UK and Ireland) - Trade union for journalists in UK and Ireland, with information on pay and conditions, legal advice, membership benefits and training.

Native American Journalists Association - Details about programs designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures. Includes history, profile, events, awards, news, and related links.

NECJOGHA: Network of Climate Journalists of the Greater Horn of Africa - Seeks to aid in the distribution of climate information and to advance relations between the press, government and public. Constitution, members list, blogs and forum.

Newspaper Association of America - Supporting continuity and change in the newspaper industry by focusing on strategic issues such as marketing, public policy, diversity, industry development, and newspaper operations.

The Newspaper Society - UK organization providing national and local newspaper information, with links to national and regional press websites.

Online News Association - Committed to providing a community for online journalists, and to promoting fairness in online journalism.

Organization of News Ombudsmen - An international association of professional journalists who serve as internal watchdogs, monitoring accuracy, fairness and ethical practice for their newspapers and broadcast media.

Overseas Press Club of America - Provides resources, internships, and details of forthcoming social events for journalists throughout the world.

Pew Center for Civic Journalism - Centerpiece of The Pew Charitable Trusts' initiative to stimulate citizen involvement in community issues.The project partners major print and broadcast news organizations, helping them reconnect to their communities in ways that help engage their citizens in dialogues that can lead to problem solving.

Poynter.org - Helps journalists do their jobs better and to serve their communities. Updated daily, it provides journalists with reliable information, useful tools, and provocative suggestions.

Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Committee of Concerned Journalists - An initiative by journalists to clarify and raise the standards of American journalism through research and education.

Public Journalism Network (PJNet) - A global professional association of journalists, educators and citizens interested in exploring and strengthening the relationship between journalism and democracy. Charter declaration and weblog.

Radio and Television News Directors Association and Foundation - Professional journalism organization dedicated to electronic journalism. Provides networking opportunities through professional or student membership. Find chapters online.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press - Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal help to reporters and news organizations.

Reporters without borders - An organization that struggles for press freedom. News, petitions and membership form.

RIAS Berlin Kommission - Binational organization for the promotion of German-American understanding in the field of broadcasting. Bilingual site (German and English).

The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education - Dedicated to training journalists of color and helping the news media reflect the nation's diversity in staffing, content and business operations.

SARTMA (South Atlantic Remote Territories Media Association) - Official site of the newspaper association which covers Ascension Island in the North to South Georgia and parts of Antarctica in the South.

Society for News Design - SND is an international professional organization dedicated to improving design and graphics in newspapers, news magazines and news-related web sites.

Society of Environmental Journalists - The organization's aim is to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of reporting on the environment. Searchable calendar of environmental events and SEJ conferences, issues, jobs, awards and fellowships.

South Asian Journalists Association - A professional networking group for journalists of South Asian origin based in North America. Organization and membership information, events, and articles.

UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. - A community for minority journalists that seeks to improve minority parcipitation and representation in media.

World Press Institute - WPI journalism resources and a four-month fellowship program for international journalists that includes travel throughout the U.S. as well as on-site experiences with media outlets and educational seminars.

The World Security Institute's Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - Sponsoring independent reporting of global affairs.

Disinformation is Dangerous

2010-07-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

http://sites.google.com/site/constitutionalrightsresource/disinformation

The "pajama party" is not a "news" service.

This collaboration represents studious disinformation.

Pure and simple. Their product might more accurately

be called info-tainment.

Their various contributors

aim at the lowest common

denominators of ignorance and fear.

We must depend on proactive journalists

to debunk their junk.

Timothy Flanagan, editor at The Wordsmith Collection

Facts still matter.

Take a look at this offering from http://newsjunkiepost.com/

"The top 50 conservative websites are a fascinating compilation that seems to be dominated by disinformation. That is, false information promoted in order to influence public opinion or the government. They demonstrate a high degree of alarmism coupled with a serious lack of journalistic integrity, which can be a noxious mix that helps ignorance grow."

1. Fox ‘news’

Let us examine some of these to demonstrate, starting with the mother of all propaganda outlets: Fox ‘News’. The website is ranked 236^th in world traffic by updated figures (37^th in the US), and has millions of nightly viewers. The fact that Fox is biased in undeniable, despite taking a page from the neocon book of ironic slogans with the phrase: “Fair and Balanced.” Fox has even taken talking points directly from Bush, sometimes via Murdoch.

Their assault on real journalism has been well established on the documentary Outfoxed [watch it here]. There are numerous photo collages revealing their tactics of labeling anyone in trouble as a Democrat. One can also check out watchdog site Media Matters for 6000+ pieces of evidence that prove Fox ‘News’ spreads disinformation. The point however, is that they are deliberately spreading ignorance to a very large audience, and that is dangerous and contagious. A recent Pew poll found Fox ‘News’ viewers came in last regarding their comprehension of national and international affairs.

This is perhaps most evident recently during the debate about health care reform. “72% of self-identified FOX News viewers believe the health-care plan will give coverage to illegal immigrants, 79% of them say it will lead to a government takeover, 69% think that it will use taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions, and 75% believe that it will allow the government to make decisions about when to stop providing care for the elderly.”

5. WorldNet Daily

The WND has to be the king of all right wing conspiracy sites on the internet. Their dissemination of ignorance runs from suggesting the 911 attacks were due to America turning its back on god, to their involvement in the treasonous Valerie Plame scandal, to FEMA concentration camps, to theories about the North American Union. However, their greatest achievement in terms of conspiracy theories is undoubtedly their persistent attention to the birthplace of Obama. Much of their traffic comes from Drudge, Fox, and Breitbart (no surprise there).

6. Newsmax

This website is one of the most right leaning on the web according to Skewz.com. In addition to this, “Criticism of NewsMax has focused on its distribution of false information. NewsMax has been accused of being a hub for conspiracy theories about Democrats, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.” Newsmax recently made headlines by suggesting that a Honduran style military coup to “resolve the Obama problem” was not unrealistic. This post was scrubbed from their website within 2 days, but a good screenshot was captured by ProgressiveNation first.

7. The Free Republic

This website consists of a messaging board with painfully ignorant, intolerant, and incendiary commentary. The users, called Freepers have pushed for violence, rigged online polls, been sued by major newspapers for copyright infringement, and been openly racist. Their crown jewel was having an article written by the right wing terrorist James von Brunn posted on the site, the racist who went on the murderous rampage at the Holocaust Memorial recently.

37. Conservapedia

This one is rich. Since reality has a well know liberal bias, many on the right needed something else to get their ‘information’ from, so they created that place. “Conservapedia is an encyclopedia project written from an Americentric, conservative Christian, and predominantly young earth creationist point of view.” They have been in the headlines recently for rewriting the Bible to cut out passages that are deemed too ‘liberal’. There are some real gems of ignorance found in Conservapedia, including the following:

“An apparent Muslim, Obama could use the Koran when he is sworn into office.”

“Liberals support the legalisation of marijuana and other drugs, which are major causes of psychiatric illnesses”

“studies have long indicated that homosexuals have a substantially greater risk of suffering from psychiatric problems”

“…pairs of each dinosaur kind were taken onto Noah’s Ark during the Great Flood and were preserved from drowning”

“All the prevailing, atheistic theories of the origin of the Moon were completely disproved by the lunar landings and studies of the lunar rocks afterwards.”

Others

Although there are a far too many on the list to go into detail about each one, a clear pattern has already been established. Other websites include conservative commentators like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and Michelle Malkin, think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation and Cato, and a random assortment. StormFront curiously didn’t make the list. It should be noted that the list below was actually compiled by a website called Right Wing News and the rankings were determined by using Alexa.

The next time you run into someone on a forum board or social media website that starts going off about how Obama has a fake birth certificate, the health care plan is to euthanize the elderly, or other nut-flavored conspiracy theories, you can bet they just came from one of the following places.

1) Fox News: 260

2) Wall Street Journal: 383

3) The Drudge Report: 748

4) New York Post: 888

5) WorldNetDaily: 2,692

6) Newsmax: 3,264

7) Free Republic: 3,988

The Washington Times: 4,717

9) TownHall: 5,986

10) The Rush Limbaugh Show: 7,624

11) Real Clear Politics: 7,957

12) National Review: 10,346

13) Hot Air: 11,517

14) Michelle Malkin: 12,871

15) Glenn Beck: 13,153

16) Human Events Online: 17,538

17) The Heritage Foundation: 20,746

18) Newsbusters: 21,452

19) Lew Rockwell: 24,677

20) The Weekly Standard: 25,565

21) News With Views: 27,352

22) Sean Hannity: 28,086

23) Pajamas Media 28,969

24) The Ludwig von Mises Institute: 29,116

25) Atlas Shrugs: 29,548

26) The American Thinker: 29,980

27) Cybercast News Service: 32,348

28) Neal Boortz: 32,857

29) Reason: 33,254

30) Lucianne: 34,135

31) Ann Coulter 36,864

32) The Cato Journal: 39,187

33) Daily Paul: 41,465

34) The Volokh Conspiracy: 42,021

35) Bill O’Reilly: 42,533

36) Redstate: 42,655

37) Conservapedia: 43,866

38) Power Line: 44,542

39) Jewish World Review: 44,765

40) Front Page Magazine: 48,645

41) Daniel Pipes: 49,692

42) Little Green Footballs: 49,844

43) Campaign for Liberty: 50,638

44) The American Spectator: 52,377

45) Commentary: 55,447

46) GOPUSA: 58,771

47) James Lileks’: 60,536

48) Right Wing News: 63,097

49) Wizbang: 63,427

50) Day by Day: 63,455

Here is an interesting blog list:

Is anyone paying attention?!

2010-06-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

They say the average person,
when provided accurate information,
will do the right thing.

The most unfortunate part of this equation,

is that so few souls dare to pay attention.

This may not be from ignorance or apathy...
the truth might just be
"too much information."

The facts on the ground are more than
many Americans really want to know.

When confronted by wars of choice, corruption,
cronyism, failing schools, foreclosures, lost
jobs, pestilence, and hunger... huge pluralities
actively choose to ignore, deny, or avoid making
the hard choices...

For some, these hobgoblins
are more than they can bear.

We will be faced with difficult decisions
during the runup to the elections in November.
In many ways our job is much tougher this
time around.

Hopefully, those who are "paying attention,"
will write letters, contact legislators, contact
local progressive news outlets, call in to join
in conversations on the Radio, and talk to
neighbors, friends, and family about how much
is at stake and how we can make a difference.

Do we really want an endless cycle of corporate
aggression and body bags? We must not settle for
this kind of defeatism and surrender. We can rebuild
this nation, restore the peace, and regain our strength.

Hope inspires, but courage conquers fear.

"I believe that unarmed truth
and unconditional love
will have the final
word in reality.

This is why right,
temporarily defeated,
is stronger than
evil triumphant."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Amen...
Tim

No to Ethnocentrism

2010-06-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 29th, in Portland, Oregon and across the nation...

people gathered to express grassroots opposition to the new Arizona
SB 1070 Immigration Legislation. Here in Portland, more than two hundred
people showed up for a National Day of Action Against SB1070.

The rallying cry was Stop Arizona! At SW 3rd and Madison,
around 5pm, the gathering crowd enjoyed music, speeches, and street
theater. After the entertainment and speeches, the crown marched to
the First Unitarian Church at 1011 Southwest 13th Avenue, Portland.

The rally was coordinated by the Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition and
the Portland May Day Coalition. There were volunteers from local groups,
unions, schools, and churches. Many who gathered claim the law which
inspired this day of protest makes “walking while Hispanic” a crime.

They pointed out serious constitutional concerns: state laws cannot
overshadow federal statutes, the fourth amendment protects people from
unlawful search and seizure, and the fourteenth amendment requires that
all people (citizens or not) have equal protection under the law. Senator
Lindsey Graham (R) of South Carolina, Karl Manheim of Loyola Law
School in Los Angeles, and Erwin Chemerinsky of UC Irvine Law agree
the Arizona law is “unconstitutional.” Portland activists addressed these
difficult issues with compassion, humor, and mutual support.

After a spirited march to the Unitarian Church, the crowd gathered in the
basement for snacks, music, and to discuss what can be done. Everyone
introduced themselves and explained why they were concerned about the
Arizona law. The group then planned strategies for making certain that
ethnocentrism and fear do not inspire any such wrong-headed legislation
in Portland, Oregon… or anywhere else.

This was not an angry crowd. Just some neighbors who got together to share
mutual concerns while lending support to those in Arizona who may be
subjected to intimidation, harassment, arrest, or violence if this law
is allowed to prevail. The organizers, church members, union activists,
immigrants, students, teachers, and everyday people took heart from the
gathering and vowed to continue the struggle for freedom and justice as
they attempt to build bridges instead of walls on US borders.

They vowed to keep the issues of immigration and civil rights in the news.
A member associated with Jobs with Justice indicated that if legislators won’t
listen and hate radio continues to cater to peoples’ fears, “we’ll be back.”

What's Up With The Alliance?

2010-05-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Top news at The Alliance

1. http://portlandalliancenews.blogspot.com/
2010/05/whats-up-with-portland-alliance.html
2. http://sites.google.com/site/theportlandalliance/
what-s-up-with-the-alliance

       The Portland Alliance had a good meeting on Sunday, May 16th 2010
The Alliance rummage/bake sale is still in the planning stages.
Details will follow on the location!
      The Portland Alliance Newspaper is located at
2807 Southeast Stark Street in Portland, OR 97214-3048
(503) 239-4991

At the last Board Meeting, it was decided that the current board must
1. create a more functional and adaptive board of directors
    with regularly scheduled dates, goals, plans, and agenda2. make arrangements for bookkeeping and fiscal concerns
3. Do Fundraising
6. Make Organizational Changes to streamline publication
7. Facilitate the Publication of a June Issue

Andrea

       We agreed to have a follow-up Community meeting on Sunday,
5/23, at 2:30 pm at the Alliance office. Future meetings will be held
during the week in the evening. We need all hands on deck right now
to see us through to brighter days. If folks are available to take shifts
selling stuff either Friday or Saturday we can definitely use the help.
And if you know people who have stuff they can donate to the sale
that would be amazing.
       Thanks for all your work!

Anne Feeney on Tour

2010-04-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

http://sites.google.com/site/unionresourceorg/

These wonderful hi-res photos were taken by my friend Connie Canney in Gainesville during our 2006 mini-tour in Florida, and may be reprinted with proper credit to Connie.
Anne...

The Race for a New Oregon Governor

2010-03-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

Labor Split In Oregon Governor's Race
OPB News
BY CHRIS LEHMAN
Labor plays a pivotal role
in Democratic party politics.
But unions are split in the
Democratic primary race for
Oregon governor. ...

The OEA's Hanna Vaandering says Bradbury
was a clear winner over John Kitzhaber.
“He won the heart and soul of our members,
and the support of Bill in this campaign is strong.
Our members believe in what he stands for," she said.

The teachers' endorsement gives Bradbury a boost
heading into the final two months of the primary season.
Bradbury now has more political credibility in a race in
which some saw Kitzhaber as the obvious front-runner.
Bill Bradbury on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BradburyforOregon?ref=mf

Bill Bradbury "I am honored and pleased to receive the support of
Letter Carriers who have been fantastic partners in Oregon’s Vote
by Mail system. "

Support BlueOregon on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BlueOregon/103199897730

Here are some numbers from Blue Oregon:
Kitzhaber Favorable:33% Unfavorable:33%26%
Neutral:26% No Opinion: 15%

Kulongoski
Favorable:31%   Unfavorable:40%
Neutral:21%   No Opinion:8%

Bradbury   Favorable:21%   Unfavorable:20%   Neutral:33%   No Opinion:26%

Alley Favorable: 8% Unfavorable:10% Neutral:31% No Opinion:51%

Allen Alley just finished a statewide campaign for Treasurer in 2008.
He did a walking tour of the least populated parts of the state.
Not even his own party members seem to know who he is.

Kulongoski's unfavorables are high. Republicans don't like him.
Independents aren't in ove with him either.

Kitzhaber is relatively popular among liberals and Democrats,
but lags behind with younger voters.

Bradbury is gaining support from Unions and working people.
He is gaining. He ran for the U.S. Senate (2002) and has been
out of the Secretary of State position for a few months.

Poets, Writers, and Opportunities in PDX

2010-02-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

Inside Powell's Bookstore in Portland, Oregon ...
http://www.powells.com/ppbs/28969.html

http://www.pw.org/content/inside_indie_bookstores_powell_s_books_in_portland_oregon

Even readers who've never been to
Portland, Oregon, know about the store....
Many have been recommending poetry
to customers while writing it...
Return to http://www.WritingResource.org/

Slideshow http://www.pw.org/content/powell039s_books_in_portland_oregon
Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon.

PDX Activism Update...

2010-01-29T15:44:00.000-08:00

For trade unionists
already frustrated and
disappointed with Obama,
the collateral damage of the defeat in Massachusetts
plus the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Corporate
"personhood" could be catastrophic: the end of labor
law reform for another generation. We need a "Plan B." http://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2010/01/
labor-needs-new-survival-plan%E2%80%94now

Daily Comics!
http://feeds.comics.com/comicsdaily/?UserID=540358

© Copyright 1995-2010
The Wordsmith Collection:
www.WritingResource.org/ , all rights reserved.

Resourceresource.org

2010-01-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

Resourceresource.org

Get Active... End no-bid, cost-plus, corporate welfare

2010-01-28T10:22:00.000-08:00

End the Occupation and Exploitation:
The Bush Agenda is Bankrupt... Tell Obama he is on the wrong track.

Please urge your representatives to co-sponsor the "Stop Outsourcing Security" legislation that Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL) will soon introduce in the House and the companion bill Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) will introduce in the Senate.
Military contracting is out of control. Contractors far outnumber the U.S. military in Afghanistan, making it the most contracted out war in US history. Poor oversight of contracts has led to billions of taxpayer dollars being wasted in what Congress's own Commission on Wartime Contracting has called "fiscal hemorrhaging." This week the U.S. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction issued a report saying that $2.5 billion in U.S. funds paid to DynCorps to train Iraqi police are vulnerable to waste and fraud because of "long-standing weaknesses in State Department oversight."
CCR has been representing Iraqi plaintiffs in litigation against U.S. contractors since 2004. Despite allegations of grave human rights abuses at the hands of U.S. private military contractors in Iraq, former Iraqi detainees who have been tortured or otherwise abused have yet to have their day in court. Over the last five years, contractors' arguments that they should be granted immunity or that lawsuits brought against them are somehow improper have stalled efforts by CCR and co-counsel to hold these contractors accountable.
In fact, just two days ago the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia refused our request for the full court to review the dismissal of our case Saleh v. Titan. This is a lawsuit against private military contractors CACI and Titan/L-3 for their alleged role in the torture and other abuse of more than 250 Iraqi plaintiffs at Abu Ghraib and other detention centers throughout Iraq. As Representative Jan Schakowsky said in her appeal to other members of Congress to support the legislation, "Legal jurisdiction over civilian contractors remains murky, leaving the very real possibility that we cannot punish contractors who commit serious crimes while serving the United States government overseas."
We need to send a strong, united message to our representatives to support this legislation to defend the human rights of all people from contractors, to protect taxpayer money from fraud and waste, and return core governmental functions to the government. Please click here to call or write to your House members and your Senators and urge them to co-sponsor this critical legislation.

Thank you for your action.

Sincerely,

Annette Dickerson
Director of Education and Outreach

Vote Yes on Measures 66 and 67!

2010-01-15T16:37:00.000-08:00

When it comes to Measures 66 & 67,
all you need to remember are two numbers:
$10 and $250,000.
$10 is the amount most big corporations have been paying
in Oregon's corporate minimum tax since 1931.
As for $250,000, if your family makes less than $250,000,
you won't pay a penny more.

Ballots were mailed on January 8th.
Vote "YES" on Measures 66 & 67.
Hold Corporate Partners accountable.
They must pay their fair share.

If the Fortune 500 corporations in Oregon paid their
share, we would not have to shortchange our schools.

“Together we make a difference”

Eddie Lincoln of PCCFFAP reminds us to vote!

Winning on January 26 will depend on getting supporters to turn out
and vote YES. Contact AFT-Oregon today to find out how you can
get involved to make sure that January 26 is a night for celebration.

Here are three ways you can make a difference for schools and services
in the January election:

Sign up NOW for what could be the LARGEST canvass in OREGON HISTORY!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Canvass – Monday, January 18, 2010 – 10am at these locations:

Benton County: OSU Memorial Union "Journey Room" (2nd floor), Corvallis

Deschutes County: SEIU Local 503 Office @ 925 SE 2nd Ave, Bend

Jackson County: SEIU Local 503 Office @ 1257 N Riverside Ste 7, Medford

Lane County: SEIU 503 @ 448 E. 11th Ave., Eugene

Marion County: SEIU Local 503 Office @ 1730 Commercial St SE, Salem

Multnomah County: Vote Yes for Oregon's Office @ 411 NE 19th, Portland

Make phone calls alongside Oregon’s most influential leaders:

January 20 at 5:30pm in Portland
(Featuring Rep. Michael Dembrow and Rep. Tina Kotek)

January 21 at 5:30pm in Portland
(Featuring Sen. Diane Rosenbaum and Rep. Mary Nolan)

Join the final efforts to Get Out the Vote and protect funding for education:

Canvass on January 23, 24 & 25 in Portland – All Day

Canvass on January 23, 24 & 25 in Eugene –All Day

Click here to volunteer for these or additional
Get-Out-The-Vote activities, or call: (503) 595-3880.

What happens in Salem and on Capitol Hill directly
affects members and their quality of life, and AFT-Oregon
President David Rives is working to connect with our state
and national election officials to share the issues important
to members. He recently met personally with Representatives
Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader to thank
them for their efforts to reform health care, and specifically
their work on the Bill passed by the House of Representatives this fall.

"I was struck by convictions held by all three. I felt they all were
trying to do the right thing for the American people,” said Rives.
“I know they continually hear from a vocal minority that strongly
opposes health reform. It’s important to let them know how
middle-class Americans appreciate their efforts to improve our
health care system and to increase access for all.”

Rives said the Employee Free Choice Act was also a topic of
conversation, and all three said they will support any efforts for
passage in order to prevent barriers for workers to organize in the workplace.

“My impression of all three is that these Representatives
are really supporting our issues,” said Rives.

Rives was joined in the meetings by AFT Local 6732
(OSEA) President Merlene Martin.
AFT-Oregon and OSEA will be conducting joint
candidate interviews on February 6, for the 2010 election.
For more information about the interviews, contact
AFT-Oregon’s Political and Legislative Affairs Director Robert Wagner.

Get-Out-The-Vote on Facebook

Have you already voted in the January election
regarding Measures 66 and 67? Spread the word on
Facebook as a reminder for others to return their ballots
by making this graphic your profile picture on your
Facebook page.
Click here for instructions:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/UpzrbV418a_8/

MLK Demonstration

2010-01-14T16:35:00.001-08:00

On the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join us in a demonstration

Friday, January 15

12:00 Noon 1:00 p.m

The Mark O. Hatfield

United States

Courthouse

Third Avenue & Salmon Street

RELEASE PATRICE LUMUMBA FORD

In prison since October 4, 2002

for having made a legal trip to

China

Enough is Enough!

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Martin Luther King Jr.,

Letter from Birmingham Jail

visit my website www.michaelmunk.com

Dr. King’s Global Impact

2010-01-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

http://worldoregon.org/more/council.php

Daljit Dhaliwal Anchor, Worldfocus

Most Americans know Dr. Martin Luther King as the moral leader of our
civil rights movement—the man who challenged us to judge others ‘not by
the color of their skin, but the content of their character.’
But what has his impact been beyond our borders?
How have Dr. King’s words and deeds influenced human rights
around the world? What leaders and movements have turned
to him for inspiration?

Daljit Dhaliwal has covered world events from a range of angles.
She is a seasoned broadcaster and has worked for some of the
world’s most respected news organizations including
CNN International and BBC News.
She hosted PBS’s Foreign Exchange for six seasons and
was named the anchor for WorldFocus earlier this year.
Dhaliwat has interviewed a wide range of newsmakers and
personalities ranging from the late Palestinian leader Yasser
Arafat and Pakistan’s assassinated opposition leader,
Benazir Bhutto to the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart.

Dhaliwat was born in London, England to Punjabi Sikh parents
who emigrated from India.
She holds a Masters in politics, history and economics
from the University of London.

More information:
Date and Time:   Thursday, January 21st , 7:00 p.m.
Location:            Smith Center Ballroom
                          1825 SW Broadway On the Campus of PSU
                           Portland, OR 97201
Register for this event:
$10 (Free to students with valid ID). Lecture and choral performance
Tickets can be purchased at the PSU Ticket Office, 1925 SW Broadway
(503-725-3307)
Seating is limited. For more information call (503) 725-5342
This is one of several events that comprise the
PSU Tribute Week to Martin Luther King.
More information on other events.
620 SW Main Suite 333
Portland, Oregon 97205
503-274-7488
help@worldoregon.org
http://worldoregon.org/images/bottombar2.gif

KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE

2010-01-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

KEEP ALIVE THE DREAM

Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 18, 2010 11:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Highland Christian Center 7600 NE Glisan (map)

The entire program will be simulcast live on KBOO
Radio and tape delayed on Portland Community Media
(channel 11) and Portland Public Schools Television
Services (channel 28)

A production of World Arts Foundation, Inc.

Writing Tutor

2009-09-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Writing Resource: Tutoring, Editing, Writing, Communications

Friday, September 04, 2009

Add events Bookmark Contact Fair Use Jobs Links Multi-Search Site Map Search Write letters Blog

www.WritingResource.info www.Writingresource.org
Friday, September 4th, 2009

Hello,

If you or anyone you know may require tutoring,
editing, or assistance with writing for high school,
college, graduate school, professional assignments,
articles, or book manuscripts. Please contact us!

We also provide training for Microsoft Office Suites,
preparation for the SAT, skills with Adobe In-Design,
Computer Training (how computers work), and/or
Web-Page Creation with a variety of builders.. Clients come to us to communicate more effectively.

If you are a new or existing client, working
on a special project, or are just curious...
Please call Tim and schedule a session
in your part of town and at your convenience.
Telephone: 503-697-1670
or e-mail at Tim@writingresource.org
http://www.writingresource.info/writingtutor.html

Hourly Tutoring Rates:
Students $25-35/hr
Others $35-45/hr
Home tutoring $30-60/hour
Commercial $60/hr Click here for flyer

The above rates include the creation of an individual resource for writing which
includes an interactive dictionary, specialized tools, and a unique set of resources.

Editing Quotes: We edit for grammar, style, substance, and content.
Copy-editing: $30.00/hr or for In-depth editing ($1.00 to $5.00 per page).
This fee covers overall review of transitions & rhetoric. Minimum order: $15.
For longer work, send first five pages, for precise estimate. contact Tim@writingresource.org

"The Pen is Mightier than the Sword, and Considerably Easier to Write With"
.......... Marty Feldman (1934-1982)

Word of the Day

impuissance discuss
Definition:	(noun) Powerlessness revealed by an inability to act.
Synonyms:	helplessness, weakness
Usage:	She stood frozen, in a state of impuissance, as her friend was mauled by the escaped tiger.

Word of the Day provided by The Free Dictionary

Quote of the Day

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is love.
Sophocles
(496 BC-406 BC) Discuss

Quote of the Day provided by The Free Library

Super-fast resources for writers , editors, researchers, professionals, teachers, stud ents, etc:

ActiveResource.org AlternativeNewsResource.org ComputerResource.org
WritingResource.info WritingResource.org WritingResources.org

Host your Web Site with PowWeb Develop revenue streams!

Labor Radio Tonight!

2009-06-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

KBOO Fifth Monday LABOR RADIO HOUR
at 6pm March 30, 2009
Lane Poncy and Tim Flanagan
hosting a radio show on
Monday, March 30 2009
at 6pm on
KBOO Labor Radio: 90.7fm
Call in and join the conversation!
Studio Line (503) 231-8187

Michael Morrow will
be in the studio.
Michael is the VP
for Political Education
with the Portland Community
College Federation of Faculty
and Academic Professionals

Working People deserve Free Choice and Healthcare!

Anne Feeney,

Labor Activist
& Musician,
will call at 6:05
from her
SING OUT

FOR SINGLE-PAYER

ROAD SHOW!

Bob Bussel with LERC
at the University of Oregon
will call in
at 6:15 to talk about
the Employee Free Choice Act
and remind listeners about
The AFL-CIO Summer School
in Eugene (August 7-8th)

Call in and join the conversation!
Studio Line (503) 231-8187

"Public-Option" is NOT Single-Payer.
We want everybody in and nobody out

Lane is with the Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans,
CWA Local 7901 -
Communications Workers of America Local 7901 in Portland.

and Tim is the Publicist and JWJ Liaison for
Portland Community College FacultyFederation
/ AFT-Oregon / & Oregon AFL-CIO --
Oregon's labor federation / Local 2277

Liberal American Traditions

2009-06-16T10:27:00.001-07:00

Americans are liberal people
who want to conserve what is best,
while providing for such necessary
healthcare and education as are required
to create and support a robust infrastructure
of libraries, roads, utilties, ports, rail,
transporation services, as well as such
public buildings, services, and accomodations
as might be deemed prudent by variable states
of our union.

Such necessities cannot be recklessly abused
according to the fickle or viral whims of cornered
and severely-wounded markets. Putting people
before profits is a more accurate listing of
expenses, and it pays dividends...

Conservative Democrats and Rockefeller
Republicans are no breed apart. They are
all heartfelt Americans who love this nation and
will see to it that their children, progeny, and all citizens
are damn-well never refused access to professional healthcare
or ample opportunities for advanced education regardless of age,
gender, or socioeconomic variables. This is the American way.

Those who seek to deny our people healthcare and education,
have (as my grandfather used to say) "got another think comin'."

In the next eight years, seeds will be planted for a healthier and
better-informed nation. This investment in national security is
incalculable. We invest in ourselves, yet embrace the crippling
sadnesses: war, profiteering, death, destruction, corruption,

wiretapping, torture, rape, and murder... and in our making of

reparations, these golems blossom into joy, faith, hope and

veritable garden of lush, fertile, and vital American dreams.

Slippery polls, twisted logic, fear, fear-mongering, amoral
situational ethics, or simple stubbborn intransigence will

not pose unsurmountable problems for the ship of state.
(Even if Cheney holds his breath and wishes we were the Titanic)

We have turned the ship, plotted a new course, and all of
us will navigate new waters together as we mend wounds,
secure the peace, create new opportunities and jobs, and
build a better place to live..

We will endure, survive, and prevail over these circumstances.
Negativity and cynicism provide nothing useful in this endeavor.

We can all get along... Patience and courage will move

mountains and vanquish fear.

Tim

Labor Radio and other newsupdates...

2009-06-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 01, 2009 01:54:49 PM

Jobs with Justice Steering Committee
Meeting Tonight...
Our monthly steering committee
is coming up--come help us plan
and mobilize!
Monday, June 1, 5:30pm
/ AFSCME Office--
6025 E Burnside
On the agenda:
Justice for Janitors
DayD5 - 10th Anniversary of the WTO protest in Seattle
United for Oregon March, June 7
JwJ Economic Recovery Plan
much more...

Single Payer Healthcare
THE POLITCS DON'T

Join host Bill Zimmerman as he interviews
Single Payer Healthcare activists on the national and the local level.

That's Labor Radio, Monday June 1 at 6 PM on KBOO 90.7 FM

Behind the Headlines: The Wordsmith Collection
A Town Hall on Healthcare on
Friday, June 5.
Gov Howard Dean &
Rep Earl Blumenhauer
Health Care Town Hall
Start Date:
June 5, 2009 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Please join Congressman Earl Blumenauer
and special guest Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
at a Town Hall Meeting on the topic of Health
Care Reform from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on
June 5, 2009 at the Moriarty Auditorium
on the Portland Community College Cascade Campus.

Caring About Health
Is US Healthcare a Constitutional Right? by Tim Flanagan
see The Article in the Current Issue of The Portland Alliance...
Tonight at 5:30 pm...

MayDay!

2009-04-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Mayday!

A celebration of workers' rights.
We have economic issues on the table,
and this is a critical forum.
Things to bring:

Yourself, your friends and family,
your organization or union, posters,
puppets, music, banners, information,
and inspiration.

For more information:
email MayDayOutreach@gmail.com
or call 503-236-5573.

Organizing meetings are Tuesdays, 6:30pm at Voz,
1131 SE Oak(in the St. Francis office)
best regards,Tim

Mayday!
PDX May Day: May 1st 2009
May Day 2009 Friday,
South Park Blocks,
downtown Portland!
1:00 PM - Posters and Party!
4:00 PM - Rally (speakers and entertainment)!
5:00 PM - MARCH!Help us get the word out!!!
Color Flyer1 -download, print out,and hit the streets
and your favorite cafes!
ColorFlyer2, Colorflyer3 !
http://activismnewsletterat.blogspot.com/
-leaflet those movie lines, grocery stores and the roller derby!
More information at http://www.peaceresource.org/
To download a handbill click here.
or visit http://www.thewordsmithcollection.org/

KBOO Labor Radio

2009-04-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

Al and Deborah have a next show topic they want
to share with the Portland community.

Banks Vs. Working People:
On May 11, Al Bradbury and Deborah Schwartz
will explore the campaign to tax banks
benefiting from the bailout and talk
to a former bank worker about her
experience laboring in the financial sector.

PS. This is the audio from their show on Monday, April 13th.
They always welcome feedback: http://kboo.fm/node/13369

KBOO 90/7 FM presents: Labor Radio! 6:00pm .. Every Monday Night!"
Good Evening, Welcome to Labor Radio, the only program of its kind in
Oregon and Southwest Washington!"

For the Working Class by the Working Class

Calling all Jobs with Justice New Pledgers, Volunteers, and Activists

2009-04-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

http://wordsmithcollection.blogspot.com/

We invite you to join us at our getting to know
Portland Jobs with Justice Dinner and Orientation.

If you have recently joined one of our active committees,
have started to come to Jobs with Justice actions or events
or would like to find out more about how to get involved in
an ongoing way this event is for you.

This event is a great opportunity to meet other pledgers,
volunteers, and activists and learn more about all of the
ways that Jobs with Justice fights for workers rights by
fighting for economic justice, immigrant rights, health
care and global justice.

Please Join us on Thursday April 16th at 6:00pm at
AFSCME (6025 E Burnside) This event is free but space
is limited to 25 people so please
RSVP to Eliana at 503-236-5573
or by email at eliana@jwjpdx.org

in solidarity & with best regards,
Timothy Flanagan
Box 22 / Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034-0003
phone: 503.697.1670
e-mail: unions@peaceresource.com
work: tflanaga@pcc.edu
Activism Resource Alternative News Books
Blues Computers Human Rights Resource
Impeach International Peace Issues
KBOO Peace Peace Resource Union Resource
Women's Resource http://www.writingresource.org/
P C C FFAP /A F T-Oregon /AFL-CIO /Local 2277

Turning the Ship of State...

2009-03-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

The right-wing, mean-extreme
care only about corporate hegemony.
Their mean-spirited, immoral, and
illegal policies have hurt America,
small businesses, schools, libraries,
children, seniors, students, and
American working families.

Our military readiness, intelligence capability,
and economic security has been
undermined or compromised.

Most corporate transnationals are more
interested in their bottom line than in
America.

Neo-fascist occupation or misusing
our military to enforce no-bid, cost-
plus, corporate welfare contracts
is tantamount to treason.

We do not need a "truth commission."
A special prosecutor must indict and imprison
war-profiteers, corporate criminals, and public
officials who protected and enabled them.

All must be held accountable.
Without constitutional supremacy
and rule by law, we have lost our freedom.

It is time we took it back.

Peaceresource.org/ March 15: A National Reminder.
TheWordsmithCollection.org/ May 1st: International MayDay
WritingResource.info/ActivismNewsletter.html See PDX Peace Portal

Did FDR "Act like a Republican?

2009-02-01T16:15:00.001-08:00

There are some who would claim that, according
to various RSC talking points, FDR, fromn 1933
to 1936, acted forcefully, opposed by corporate
CONs, and pulled this nation out of Republican Great
Depression I. Then, after winning a landslide in 1936,
he started acting like a Republican, backed off, and
the nation slid back into recession in 1938.

Progressives, enabling the RSC misinformation machine
are claiming (erroneously) that it is a "Simple fact-
-when he acted like a PROgressive, the economy recovered.
When he acted like a CON, it slid.

But the facts contradict this thesis.

The con game is played by pretending Roosevelt only served until 1938.....
and that HE, rather than Hoover put us in a recession.

This is bass-ackwards regarding the facts of history and is flat false.
Roosevelt served from March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945
His programs pulled us out of the Hoover Recession
as well as the Great Depression.

What you are repeating are Repubican talking points.
They are simply not true. There is nothing to back them
up. They are a misrepresentation of what happened.
There is no event between 1936 and 1938 to indicate that
Roosevelt "backed off," or that anything he did created the
Hoover recession. And this time period is arbitrary and
misleading. When he was reelected in 1936, his term
ran from 1937-1941. World War Two happened.
The cons are ignoring that reality.
(The pretense that he "backed off" is simple innuendo)

Between 36 and 38 (from the endo of his first term
to 1/4 of the way thru his second) FDR did nothing
which could be construed to be acting "like a Republican."
Pretending FDR was responsible for Hoover's failure, is
like Blaming Obama for the Bush recession. It is simply
wrong. (The timeline is below.)

The history contradicts the Republican talking points.
I realize these talking points are ubiquitous, but the fact
that they have been repeated ad nauseum in the corporate
press does not make them true. (see below)

Sincerely and with best regards,
Tim
Post Script:
Here is the timeline....

1932
Nov. 8
Franklin Delano Roosevelt wins the presidential election

1933
• Adolf Hitler becomes the chancellor of Germany

March 4
President Roosevelt is inaugurated, proclaiming in his address, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”

March 5
A special session of Congress summoned by Roosevelt passes a weeklong national bank holiday, containing a spreading bank panic

May 12
Congress creates the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to distribute relief funds to states

May 27
Congress creates the Federal Securities Act, making corporate issues of stocks and bonds subject to U.S. government approval

June 16
Congress creates several new agencies: the National Recovery Administration, to regulate industrial competition; the Public Works Administration, to create new jobs on infrastructure and community maintenance projects; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, to protect bank accounts of consumers; and the Farm Credit Administration, to extend financial aid to troubled farmers

Nov. 9
Roosevelt creates the Civil Works Administration for further public works employment

1934
• Huey Long of Louisiana proposes the “Share our Wealth” program
• Father Charles Coughlin forms the National Union for Social Justice

Feb. 15
Congress passes the Civil Works Emergency Relief Act, continuing funds for relief and employment programs

May
Massive dust storms on the Great Plains spark westward migration by farmers to California

June 6
Roosevelt signs a bill creating the Securities and Exchange Commission, regulating the trading of stocks and bonds

June 19
Roosevelt signs a bill creating the Federal Communications Commission, regulating all electronic media

Aug.
A group of big business executives form the Liberty League to oppose the New Deal

1935
May 6
Roosevelt creates the Works Progress Administration to create additional jobs on infrastructure projects

May 27
The Supreme Court invalidates the National Recovery At, ruling it an unconstitutional intrusion on private commerce

July 5
Roosevelt signs a bill establishing the National Labor Relations Board, protecting workers’ rights to collective organization and bargaining

Aug. 14
Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act, establishing pensions for persons aged sixty-five and over

Aug. 23
Congress passes the Banking Act, which restructures the Federal Reserve System

Nov. 9

1936
• Charlie Chaplin’s film, ‘Modern Times’, appears in theaters
• Douglas Aircraft introduces the DC-3, a passenger plane that makes commercial air service consistently profitable for the first time
• The Spanish Civil War begins (1936-1939)

Jan. 6
The Supreme Court invalidates the Agricultural Adjustment Act

June 29
Congress passes the Merchant Marine Act, granting new subsidies to the U.S. shipping industry

Nov. 3
Roosevelt wins election to a second term

1937
• Japan invades China

Jan. 20
Roosevelt is inaugurated for a second term

Feb. 5
Roosevelt announces his “court-packing” plan to increase Supreme Court membership; legislation dies in the Senate

May 1
Roosevelt signs the Neutrality Act, limiting U.S. commercial dealings with nations at war

July 22
Congress passes a law creating the Farm Security Administration, providing financial aid to farm laborers

Aug.-Oct.
A major slide on stock markets signals a worsening of the Depression

1938
• Kristallnacht – Anti-Semitic violence throughout Germany

May 26
The House forms the Un-American Activities Committee, chaired by Martin Dies of Texas

May 27
An emerging anti-New Deal coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats passes a tax reduction for corporations

June 15
Congress passes the Fair Labor Standards Act, requiring overtime pay and establishing a minimum wage

Dec. 24
The Conference of Western Hemisphere Nations agrees to security cooperation against possible threats from Axis powers

1939
• Judy Garland stars in ‘The Wizard of Oz’
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is published

Jan. 25
Columbia University physicists achieve nuclear fission in the U.S. for the first time (German scientists have already accomplished such a feat), leading Albert Einstein to warn President Roosevelt that an atomic bomb is now feasible

Sep. 1
Germany invades Poland, opening the Second World War

Sep. 21
Roosevelt calls a special session of Congress in response to European hostilities, urges revision of the 1937 Neutrality Act to allow arms exports to combatants

Nov. 4
Congress passes a revised Neutrality Act, allowing arms sales to combatants so long as they pay in cash and use their own ships for transportation

1940
June 15
Roosevelt establishes a National Defense Research Committee, one of whose aims is to examine the feasibility of an atomic bomb

July 31
Roosevelt halts the export of aviation fuel to Japan; in September, the president embargoes steel and scrap-iron exports

Sep. 3
The United States donates obsolete naval vessels to Britain in exchange for leases on British bases in the Caribbean, beginning the Lend-Lease program

Sep. 16
Congress passes the Selection Service Act, the first peacetime draft in U.S. history

Nov. 5
Roosevelt wins the presidential election

Dec. 29
In a Fireside Chat, Roosevelt calls for the United States to become “the arsenal of democracy”

1941
• The Nazis begin the Final Solution – genocide of European Jews

Jan. 6
In his annual address to Congress, Roosevelt outlines “Four Freedoms” as the basis of a post-war world

Jan. 20
Roosevelt is inaugurated for a third term

March 11
Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease bill, creating a formal system for the transfer of U.S. military equipment to the Allies in return for goods and services as payment

Dec. 7
Japanese aircraft bomb the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor; Japanese sea and air forces attack U.S. ports at Guam, Wake Island, the Philippines, and British bases at Malaya and Singapore

Dec. 8
Congress declares war against Japan

Dec. 11
Germany and Italy declare war on the United States, prompting the U.S. Congress to respond in kind

1942
Jan. 12
Roosevelt creates the War Labor Board to settle labor disputes

Jan. 16
Roosevelt establishes the War Production Board to coordinate industrial production

Jan. 30
Roosevelt signs the Price Control Act, giving the Office of Price Administration the power to dictate all nonagricultural prices

Feb. 19
Roosevelt orders the removal – and subsequent internment – of more than one hundred thousand Japanese-Americans from the West Coast

June 4-6
The U.S. Navy inflicts a major defeat on the Japanese at the Battle of Midway

June 13
Roosevelt creates the Office of War Information to supervise U.S. government propaganda and the Office of Strategic Services to coordinate military intelligence

Dec. 2
Scientists at the University of Chicago achieve the first sustained nuclear chain reaction in human history

1943
April 17
The War Manpower Commission bans twenty-seven million workers in essential defense jobs from leaving their position

May 27
Roosevelt establishes the Office of War Mobilization to coordinate all domestic aspects of U.S. military effort

Sep. 3
The Allied invasion of Italy begins

Oct. 19
A conference of U.S., British, and Soviet diplomats in Moscow agree to cooperate on war aims and to form an international peacekeeping organization after the conflict

Nov. 9
The Allies establish the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration to coordinate aid for refugees

1944
• Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent of France

June 6
D-Day; Allied forces under Dwight D. Eisenhower land at Normandy beaches in France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe

June 22
Roosevelt signs the GI Bill of Rights, providing a broad array of educational and other benefits for World War II veterans

July
A Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, conference of Allied economic advisers establishes the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank

Aug. 21
U.S., British, Soviet, and Chinese officials create a framework for the United Nations organization in a conference at Dumbarton Oaks near Washington, D.C.

Nov. 7
Roosevelt wins election to a fourth term

1945
April 12
Franklin D. Roosevelt dies of a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs, Georgia

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