Saturday Pissed Off Cat Blogging

Lets have a little heart to heart chat. What you didn't know about me is that I was a right-wing republican cat. I always gave Wolf a hard time about his, what I considered radical, left wing views. I have watched this Bush administration screw up time after time. Karl Rove making fun of tearing the heads off of small animals (see story and video below) was the last straw. Wolf has always cared about my health and welfare. We are both saddened that so many of our small friends have died because the screw up by the pet food industry. I guess at heart I am a Socialist, So now I am joining Wolf and supporting his views, Heck I might even join him in his Pagan rituals. Sure wish he'd take me to the next protest, they look like so much fun.
As always your cat blogger
Pook T. Cat

Girl in prison for shove to get released early

Chicago Tribune Update

Teen is first of possible hundreds to be freed from a scandal-ridden juvenile justice system

By Howard Witt
Tribune senior correspondent
Published March 31, 2007

HOUSTON -- Shaquanda Cotton, the black teenager in the small east Texas town of Paris whose prison sentence of up to 7 years for shoving a teacher's aide sparked nationwide controversy, will be released Saturday morning, prison officials confirmed on Friday.

Her release, ordered by a special conservator appointed to overhaul the state's scandal-ridden juvenile prison system, is the first of what could be hundreds as a panel of civil rights leaders begins reviewing the sentences of every youth incarcerated by the Texas Youth Commission to weed out those being held arbitrarily.

"We have no confidence in the system that was in place," said Jim Hurley, spokesman for the conservator, Jay Kimbrough. "And this case is an example of what we expect to happen if something wrong has been done to youths being held inside that system."

Cotton, who is 15, had no prior criminal record when she was incarcerated a year ago under an indeterminate sentence that could have lasted until her 21st birthday. Her case rose to national prominence and became the focus of ongoing civil rights protests after a March 12 Tribune story detailed how a 14-year-old white girl convicted of the more serious crime of arson was sentenced to probation by the same judge.

Cotton's case occurred against a backdrop of persistent allegations of racial discrimination inside the Paris public schools -- allegations that are the subject of a continuing probe by the U.S. Department of Education to determine whether black students in the district are disciplined more harshly than whites.

"When I learned about this case, I thought, this just looks so bad and smells so bad it made me hurt," said state Rep. Harold Dutton, the influential chairman of the Texas Legislature's juvenile justice committee. "I told [prison officials] I wanted her out of there immediately."

The superintendent of the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood, Texas, where Shaquanda Cotton is being held, called the girl's mother, Creola Cotton, Friday afternoon and told her she could come pick up the youth, Creola Cotton said.

But because it is a five-hour drive from Paris to Brownwood, and the weather in the area on Friday was severe, Creola Cotton said she couldn't reach the prison until Saturday morning.

Later Friday, prison officials, who had not told Shaquanda of her impending release, allowed her to call her mother.

'She nearly fell on the floor'

"She thought they were bringing her to the office to tell her I was not going to be able to visit this weekend like I was planning because of the bad weather, so she was already crying," Creola Cotton said. "I said, 'Oh, I'm still gonna come see you tomorrow. But you're going to be coming home with me.' She nearly fell on the floor."

Officials said Shaquanda Cotton was being released on 60 days' probation to allow her to access state health and counseling services. But after that, she would be completely free, they said. Creola Cotton said her daughter would not return to the Paris public schools but would pursue her GED at home.

What effect her release might have on the pending legal appeal of the youth's case was unclear.

Since she has been in prison, Shaquanda Cotton said that she had grown despondent surrounded by other youths who were hardened criminals, and that she had tried to commit suicide. Her sentence, which ultimately was up to the discretion of prison officials, had twice been extended, first because she would not admit her guilt as required by prison regulations and then because she was found with "contraband" in her cell -- an extra pair of socks.

Those sentence extensions drew the attention of Kimbrough, who was confirmed by the state Senate on Thursday as conservator of the youth prison system, which has been rocked by a sex scandal over allegations that guards and administrators coerced inmates for sex.

Kimbrough, a former deputy attorney general, said last week that he was convening a special committee to examine the sentences of all 4,700 youths in Texas juvenile prisons to determine how many might have had their sentences unfairly extended by prison authorities -- and that Shaquanda Cotton's was the first case he intended to review.

Prison officials said it was Kimbrough who personally ordered the girl's release on Friday.

Since the Tribune's first account of Shaquanda Cotton's case, her story has been circulated on more than 400 Internet blogs and featured in newspapers and radio and TV reports across the country. Two protests demanding her release were held in Paris and a third, to be led by Rev. Al Sharpton, was scheduled for Tuesday.

Even before news of her impending release broke Friday, the Lamar County District Attorney's office, which prosecuted her and pressed for her to be sent to prison for up to 7 years, made an abrupt turnaround and said the youth had served enough time and ought to be freed.

Court discrepancy revealed

"Let her out of TYC," said Allan Hubbard, spokesman for Lamar County District Atty. Gary Young. "Hell, she's done a year for pushing a teacher. That's too long."

Hubbard also backed away from claims he and Young made this week in numerous media interviews that the judge in the case, Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville, had had no choice but to send the youth to prison because her mother had testified that she would not cooperate with probation officials had the judge sentenced the teen to probation.

On Thursday, Young's official Web site contained this assertion: "This juvenile's mother (Creola Cotton) told the judge she would not comply with conditions of probation."

But a review of the full court transcript shows no such testimony. In fact, Creola Cotton repeatedly answered "yes" when asked in court whether she would comply with any conditions of probation that the judge might impose.

On Friday morning, after an inquiry about this discrepancy by the Tribune, the district attorney's Web site was altered to read: "Through her actions of non-cooperation, Ms. Cotton told the judge she would not comply with conditions of probation."

----------

hwitt@tribune.com

Public Enemy - Fight the Power

Yeah, I like old school rap. No One does it better than Chuck D and PE!

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED

I first heard this Rap by Gil Scott Heron way back when, it caught my ear, and now almost 40 years later this version by The Soul Rebels still catches my ear.

Not Funny

Rove thinks tearing the heads off of small animals is funny. Hey Asshole, We got over 300,000 dead pets, Karl? Have you been messing with the Pet Food supply?

Shaquanda Cotton is Free tonight

Just got word from Peace-lover on Paltalk that Shaquanda Cotton is at home with her mom tonight. Thanks to all who worked on this story, Hot2Speak, all the refuges on Paltalk -Kate, Spirit, Mits and everyone that read this blog and followed the link Thank You, Will update as soon as I get more info

Link to the Yahoo Site that has all the new Press Releases

Loreena McKennitt - The Lady of Shalott

The Lady of Shalott from The Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson is the tragic story of Elaine of Astolat and Lancelot and it's one of my all time favorite romantic story poems. Loreena McKennitts interpretation is excellent, this video is the short version. I started studying the Arthurian legends when I was a young man. A few movies that I like on this epic story are, 1.The Mists of Avalon, the book is better 2. Excalibur 3. King Arthur - a lot different than all the rest I liked it 4. Merlin - Story all wrong, special effects good 5. First Knight -although it stars Sean Connery and Richard Gere the story line sucks, never saw so much perfect armor in one place at one time.

Here we go again

Witch Trials And Tribulations In The Land Of The Free By Charles C. Haynes First Amendment Center

People accused of witchcraft in America aren't executed anymore (we are 300 years and a First Amendment away from Puritan Massachusetts). These days they just lose their jobs. Don Larsen discovered this the hard way. A year ago, Larsen was a Pentecostal Christian minister serving as an Army chaplain in Iraq. But then he converted to Wicca, whose members are self-described witches, and applied to become the first Wiccan chaplain in the U.S. armed forces. Today Larsen is a former Army chaplain back home in Idaho. As reported last month in The Washington Post, the Army not only denied his request to change religious affiliation, but also removed him from the chaplain corps (despite an outstanding record) and sent him packing. The Army denies any discrimination against Wiccans and cites a maze of Catch-22 bureaucratic reasons for Larsen's dismissal. But earlier attempts by Wiccan groups to obtain a military chaplain have also failed - in spite of there being more than 130 other religious groups on the approved list. True, Wiccans make up only a small percentage of military personnel (around 1,900 by the Pentagon's count, though the real numbers are likely much higher). But other religious groups with similarly small numbers already have chaplains. This isn't the only example of unfair treatment of Wiccans in the military. After nine years of "reviewing the process," the Department of Veterans Affairs still hasn't approved the pentacle - a five-pointed star that symbolizes Wiccan faith - as an "emblem of belief" that can be placed on government headstones of Wiccan soldiers. Despite the fact that the 38 approved emblems include religions of every stripe (and atheism), the VA will not add the pentacle. Does this mean Wiccan soldiers are good enough to die abroad, but not good enough to be buried with respect at home? The military's stubborn refusal to recognize Wicca may have something to do with the firestorm of criticism that greeted news stories of Wiccan meetings on a Texas military base about eight years ago. Then-Gov. George W. Bush wanted the military to bar Wiccan ceremonies, saying, "I don't think witchcraft is a religion." Some outraged Christian conservative leaders called on Christians not to enlist or re-enlist as long as Wiccans were permitted to worship on U.S. bases. Although military officials have continued to allow Wiccan worship (under the First Amendment, they have no choice), they are undoubtedly reluctant to stir that pot again. After all, the governor is now the president. Antipathy towards Wicca isn't confined to the armed forces. Fear of witches, it seems, is popping up everywhere. Last year a group of Georgia parents accused their local schools of promoting Wicca by having Harry Potter books in the school libraries (just the latest battle in the ongoing anti-Harry campaign). In December, the State Board of Education ruled that the books could stay. In February, a Delaware judge upheld a finding of religious discrimination against a department store that dropped a course taught by Wiccans in the store's "campus of classes" program. And this month a former teacher on Long Island, N.Y., testified in court that she was fired after public school officials accused her of being a witch. According to the teacher, who says she doesn't practice witchcraft, the principal was angry because she taught about the Salem witch trials and wouldn't participate in Christian activities that he promoted. As Wicca grows - and it's one of the fastest-growing religions in America - so will conflicts over witches. That's because most of what people think they know about witches and Wicca is wrong. Contrary to popular myth, Wiccans have nothing to do with the "evil arts" or Satanism. Nor do Wiccans conform to the stereotypes rooted in fantasies from "The Wizard of Oz" to "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch." If it isn't what many people think it is, then what is Wicca? Although no religion is easily summed up in a sentence, most Wiccans would probably agree that Wicca is a nature-based religion rooted in a conviction that the Divine permeates all life. For a fuller explanation, Wicca Demystified by Bryan Lankford is a good place to start. For First Amendment purposes, however, it doesn't matter what military officers or school principals or other government officials think about Wicca: It is their constitutional duty to protect the religious freedom of all Americans, including witches. 3-29-07

Think Progress » Rush Limbaugh:

Think Progress » Rush Limbaugh:

Rush Limbaugh:

Don’t fire Gonzales even though he’s incompetent because winning elections is much more important:

More Rush: “USA Today’s got a poll: ‘Do you think something’s wrong about the firing of eight US attorneys?’ 72% said yes. 72% of the American people, a bunch of blithering idiots who have no idea what they’re talking about, but yet they voted, so these polls matter.”

From a Blithering Idiot - FU Rush

Something New

I am trying out a chat program on the blog. This is a brand new program that allows Video, Mic and you can also share your favorite You Tube Videos while you chat. There are a few simple games as well. To enter my room CLICK HERE , you can enter the room below or cut and paste http://www.youcams.com/Wolfdancer in your browser. The name of my room is Wolfs Inn. If I'm on line I'll see ya there.

John Trudell - Look at Us

My friend Spirtoftheruins recommended this video.
One of my favorites too.

BobGeiger.com: The Saturday Cartoons

BobGeiger.com: The Saturday Cartoons

Many good ones, too many to post
Which one is your favorite?

Four Years Later, Still Marching

Thanks go to 2politicaljunkies website for the photo

Stop The War

Thomas Merton Anti-War Committee

Saturday Folk Music Party

Mimi and Richard Farina - Bold Marauder

I love folk music and here is one of my favorite couples. Mimi and Richard are both gone now, Richard in motorcycle accident the night his book "Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me" was published and Mimi of Cancer. I loved their first album "Celebrations for a Grey Day", that was pure folk and "Reflections in a Crystal Wind" that is a mix of folk and protest. I often sing "pack up your sorrows" to myself when things get tuff. I wish there were more Videos of Mimi and Richard. Joan Baez, Mimi's older sister, help make Richards Book into a movie. For more info about them go to their fan site.

Saturday Cat Blogging

If I had an opposable thumb I might be able to work this thing!

Orphans in a Storm II

For the chatters that say I altered txt and are talking behind my back!

See Orphans In a Storm story below

We Got Trouble Right Here in Three Rivers City

Officer allegedly draws weapon on 7-year-old girl: "Mother, daughters stopped on way to Pee Wee League football game"

While working on getting information out about Shaquanda Cotton (see stories below), I ran a cross this one in The New Pittsburgh Courier.

Pamela Lawton of the Hill District said on Aug. 26, she was on her way to Homewood for a Pee Wee League football game with her two daughters, 7-year old Joshalyn, 8-year old Jasmine, and two other children ages 2 and 3. She said she was driving her green, 1998 Ford Windstar and was approaching the intersection at Kentucky Street and Negley Avenue when a Pittsburgh Police cruiser signaled for her to pull over.

“He was flying up behind me and I stopped immediately because I wanted to stay in view,” said Lawton. “I felt like there was something wrong—why would he fly up behind me like that? Plus, I had my kids in the car so it kind of scared me.”

What Lawton said happened next was beyond anything her initial fears predicted.

“I said, ‘What’s the problem, officer?’ and he said ‘Get your hands up,’” wrote Lawton in a prepared statement. “He repeated, pulled out his gun and pointed into the passenger side of the window where my youngest daughter was trying to get her seatbelt off. So, I put my hands up.”

According to Lawton, she and her children spent the next 20 to 30 minutes trying to convince Officer Eric Tatusko to put his weapon down or to at least go to the driver’s side to address the problem with the only adult in the car.

Click the link for the rest of the story

Media Matters - Fox News obsesses over anonymous "1984" anti-Clinton attack ad, prompting smears from Coulter

Media Matters - Fox News obsesses over anonymous "1984" anti-Clinton attack ad, prompting smears from Coulter:

Ann Coulter get a FREAKIN LIFE!
"I don't know how anyone can vote for a Democrat after reading Orwell's 1984."

Hillary 1984

Rageh Inside Iran

A long documentary of what Iran is really like

Orphans in a Storm

I'll admit it most of the time that I have spent on the internet has been in chat programs. During the early days of the net I frequented Moos, Muds and Mushes. Spent years on IRC (Internet Realay Chat). I've mentioned the chat program Paltalk a few times on the blog. Paltalk is different than many chat programs because it allows a lot of people (200 or more) to chat with sound and video in a "Room". There are many different sections of PT on many different topics. Being a Political Junkie I've been hanging out in the political section in Lady Arwens Political room. Untill yesterday that is. Don't get me wrong, I think Lady A is a nice lady but many of her admins suck.

Some Paltalk definitions are needed here: Nic -short for nickname - my nic is wolfdancer (what else would it be), Room owner - anyone who makes a room, Admin -A person with an @ before their name who helps the room owner control the room, Reds - A person who works for Paltalk with a red nickname that may come into a room invisible, Red Dot - what a Room Owner or Admin can do if someone is acting out, going against room rules or breaking TOS, TOS - Paltalks Terms of Service - when you are red dotted you are unable to type txt into the room or use the mic, Bounce - if the chatter continues to act out or disrupted the room they can be bounced out for 24 hours, Banned - kicked out of the room forever. Whew - sounds like a lot of rules an stuff but I thought I would give the non Paltalk users some info so they understand what I'm talkin bout in the rest of this rant.

Hot2Speak brought the story of Shaquanda Cotton (see the post below) to the room less than 24 hours before all hell broke loose in Lady As room. (Thank you Mitsuk for saving the Text) Much of this battle was brought on by the Baning of Wisdom X and the racist attitudes of some of the admins. I've edited the txt by cutting out most of the meaningless chit-chit as well as some of the really racist remarks.

Paltalk: This is an A rated voice room intended for adults only.
Paltalk: Rules No racial slurs..English only..No family talk at all (your own family or other chatters family..No bashing other chatters sexuality..Do not break tos..Red text admins only..4 min mic time..No tapes in room anytime,

peace-lover: i got an even better idea i'll call shaquanda's mom and the principal of the school
Snow Virtual: skally she is in jail for 10 months already
Brizter: we should bear in mind that this is not a US room and one case there is not that earth shattering
skallywack: the paper says UP TO 7 years
Brizter: lol
skallywack: i want to see the case any links?
timewill tell: already been in 10 months Tally
skallywack: IS THIS A BLOODY AMERICAN ROOM
wolfdancer: britz - its a poltical room and we talk about the middle east all the time, please dont tell us what we can or cant talk about, its not your job
Arbuckle Doc: Race is a MYTH, unless you're speaking of the "Human" race!!!! ~ We are ALL EARTH COLORED!!!!! ~ For EVERY skin color, there is a corresponding color of DIRT, therefore, ALL people are EARTH COLORED!!!.
Brizter: wolf I did not tell you what to talk about and dont tell me my job that is rude
wolfdancer: lmfao @ britz
peace-lover: why they do that
wolfdancer: making up new rules in this room every day now
Brizter: wolf I havent made or quoted any rules - you on crack?
wolfdancer: thats right britz - attack me personaly -
Brizter: wolf ok
wolfdancer: admins shouldnt attack people - only saying that cause I never did when I had my hat on
Brizter: wolf people should not tell admins their job either
SpiritoftheRuins: i'm glad it was brought to our attention yesterday...i didnt know about it
Snow Virtual: spirit me too
wolfdancer: lmfao - yeah, we got to kiss up to the admins in this room or they will boot us
eileen7348: So true.Shaquanda Cotton
Brizter: wolf obviously not - you are still here
weetbix101: the problem is how to define racism
SpiritoftheRuins: lol wolf
Mitsuk: not hard to define racism
Mitsuk: it is quite clear what racism is
..Kate on mic
BraveInMyClothes: true point kate, but it isnt a blanket
SpiritoftheRuins: wolf not anymore
Snow Virtual: wolf did you ever had to kiss up to me?
Sweetyscot: well, you don't really need to stay in the room if you don't like how it's run - what's the point in being in a room whose policies you hate?
The possilfossil: kate the only enemy u have in this room , is yourself , think about it
Snow Virtual: wolf please don't generalise abouta adimns lol
SpiritoftheRuins: Snow..you're a refreshing exception
Snow Virtual: *admins
skallywack: RACISM EVERYDAY
Snow Virtual: spirit
wolfdancer: its too bad you cant put some admins on ignore
Brizter: Hot is a racist
weetbix101: wolf piss off
skallywack: HOT IS RACIST
wolfdancer: hot is not racist
SpiritoftheRuins: wolf i do..i ignore them
Sweetyscot: yup brizt, she is
xxxmwxxx: hot is a flaming fucking racist
XN-TricK: THE NAACP is on this case................they have more power than gabbing about it here in ONE ROOM
SpiritoftheRuins: here we go
The possilfossil: about time britz
doppleganger_1: Course she is dont let shared grievances blind u to the fact that Hots as racist as they come
Listener428: Brizter.... You're fucking up the room
Snow Virtual: wisdom started it all
eileen7348: Wisdom started racism?????? OMG!
skallywack: HOT DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT BLACKS
Mitsuk: it is all wisdom's fault looooool
Mitsuk: wisdom was the messenger
XN-TricK: THE NAACP is onto this case in TEXAS..............
Mitsuk: no one likes the message
Mitsuk: doesn't matter who delivers it
weetbix101: eileen wisdom is a racist....some dont see that
wolfdancer: britz - this room talked about jewish atheism for a whole week, wtf - two days of this and your tired of it
noharmnofoul: brizter...if you get tired of talkin about it for 10 days... try livin with it for 53 years
eileen7348: What the hell for? Speaking in this damn white room???????????
The possilfossil: relly sweety kate did ??
doppleganger_1: This is a WHITE room???
Snow Virtual: people, you know wisdom can only talk about racism and nothing else
SpiritoftheRuins: we are now under the patiot act
T4H1R: eileen its not a white room..
Snow Virtual: have you ever heard him talking about anything else?
The possilfossil: hot is a raciststirrer
SpiritoftheRuins: why is kate still dotted?
peace-lover: Congressman Mark Homer is the representative of Paris Texas
doppleganger_1: Its fun Spirit
wolfdancer: it says arwens political room, is this topic political or not?
SpiritoftheRuins: Briz why is kate dotted
Brizter: KATE_AU_1 has been bounced from the group by: Brizter
*** KATE_AU_1 has left the room ***
Brizter: she isnt now
xxxmwxxx: wtg britz
doppleganger_1: She AINT dotted Spirit lol
Snow Virtual: britz ahhhh not that again
Brizter: lol
xxxmwxxx: hahahhaha
Mitsuk: briz that isn't funny
Mitsuk: and you had no reason to bounce her
Still-Here2: it is bloody funny lol
Brizter: Mitsuk
SpiritoftheRuins: britz..you had absolutely no reason to bounce kate..just cuz you dislike her
xxxmwxxx: when a racist supports a racist they need to go
Brizter: Spirit what a surprise lol
weetbix101: spirit stop telling admis what to do
peace-lover: hey me and eileen wanna talk
peace-lover: aboutg the girl
peace-lover: eileen are u gonna talk bout that girl
xxxmwxxx: peace pussy you got nothing to say
wolfdancer: fuck, he booted kate again
SpiritoftheRuins: weet is this room now under the patriot act
Still-Here2: spirt anyone can open a room run how want pick admins want and if they bounce they bounce lol
Sweetyscot: brizt isn't a yank, no patriot act
Still-Here2: hell weet does nothing but bounce me and few others when stand up to kate lmao
Listener428: Britz is a fuckin' drag on the room. Watch how quiet it gets
Mitsuk: kate didn't break tos
peace-lover: don't let others speak for you
Mitsuk: nor did she break the room rules
SpiritoftheRuins: listener..yup
Brizter: Mitsuk don't argue please
Mitsuk: i am not arguing
Mitsuk: i am stating fact brizter
Mitsuk: you dislike kate so you bounced her
Still-Here2: come on mitsuk you laugh when others are bounced for less whats the differance
wolfdancer: 'this room has gone down hill
SpiritoftheRuins: britz are we not allowed to state our opinion when you have a hat on???
wolfdancer: kate didnt break tos
SpiritoftheRuins: britz..are you going to dictate whas is discussed in here?
Brizter: SpiritoftheRuins has been bounced from the group by: Brizter
*** SpiritoftheRuins has left the room ***
Brizter: apparently
eileen7348: Interesting how people can talk about every issue under the sun and this one person gets banned.
wolfdancer: britz - why did you boot spirit?
weetbix101: still i know u get a kick out of that useless cunt...see u later and enjoy ur times off
wolfdancer: she asked you a question
Brizter: wolfdancer has been bounced from the group by: Brizter
*** wolfdancer has left the room ***

Listener428 was also bounced
Kate was red dotted while she was on the mic, and then booted later, I didn't think the txt made that clear.

And thats the way it went, I was invited to Zecoo's room, Spirit opened it after she was bounced. Found myself among friends and we started discussing what do do next. All agreed to boycott Lady As room and Tosca decided to open her room DayDream Politics for all the refugees.

What else can I say. My friends are not racist. They wouldn't be my friends if they were and it seems to me that the ones that were calling us racists in that room were racist. I didn't start the fire in that room, although reading the room text you might think so. It started when Wisdom X was banned and then when Hot brought the Shaquanda Cotton story into the room. Some of our fellow chatters were telling us that we can't do anything about it or let the ACLU and/or The NAACP do something. Thats just it, Together we can do something, many of us have written letters to the Judge, or called him, called or written e-mail to the Texas state reps and hopefuly something will be done. We can not allow Racism to exsist even in its smallest form. It is truely a never ending battle. I think it was said best in the room: noharmnofoul: brizter...if you get tired of talkin about it for 10 days... try livin with it for 53 years

Free Shaquanda Cotton

7 years in jail for pushing a hall monitor--if you're black

What began as a bad day for 14-year-old Paris (Texas) High School freshman Shaquanda Cotton ended up as an apartheid nighmare. It seems that Shaquanda shoved a hall monitor in a dispute over entering the building before the school day had officially begun. She was trying to get to the nurse's office to get her daily dose of medicine for her "attention deficit" disorder. Was this African-American youngster suspended? Kept after school? Sent to a counselor for some anger-management intervention? No.

Shaquanda, who had no previous arrest record, was tried in March 2006 in the town's juvenile court, convicted of "assault on a public servant," and sentenced by Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville to prison for up to 7 years until she turns 21. Just three months earlier, Superville sentenced a 14-year-old white girl, convicted of arson for burning down her family's house, to probation.

Free Shaquanda Cotton Yahoo Group

Burning Down the House - Paris, Texas « Temple3

Burning Down the House - Paris, Texas « Temple3

My Good Friend SpirtoftheRuins suggested this Story!

Daily Kos: Photo Essay: March on Pentagon

Daily Kos: Photo Essay: March on Pentagon

Homeless In Pittsburgh

This is what we do, Operation Safety Net, in all kinds of weather, night and day.
Thanks Doctor Jim Withers, you make it real

Happy Paddys Day

The Pogues with The Dubliners
The Irish Rover

Saturday Night Rock Party

Van Halen - Mean Street '83

Van Halen at their best before all the bs started. They made great music and now they make good fights. Only Mike Anthony showed up to accept their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. David Lee pulled his usual hissy fit over what song he was going to sing and Eddie is stuck in rehab. Where was Alex? Anyway. Let me say this about VH, I got to meet them thanks to G-Force (check out the side panel for a link) and we did party all night. Will we ever get to see them again? I sure hope so.

Saturday Cat Blogging

Pook has been bad so I decided not to let him blog this weekend.
The Whiskas Battle is still raging and I am Winning!
Cats are cool, even if they aren't mine.

War anniversary draws protesters to D.C

And rallies across U.S.

George Bush and Dick Cheney...BRILLIANT!!

GWB Goes To Brazil

More Pictures Here

Is Fox News Racist? - You Decide

Arena deal will keep Penguins in Pittsburgh

Arena deal will keep Penguins in Pittsburgh - NHL - MSNBC.com

YAY!!!!!!!

Crooks and Liars » Cleland to Cheney: “Where the hell were you in the Vietnam War?”

Crooks and Liars » Cleland to Cheney: “Where the hell were you in the Vietnam War?”

Max tells it like it is.

"Where the hell were you in the Vietnam War? If you had gone to Vietnam like the rest of us, maybe you would have learned something about war. You can't keep troops on the ground forever. You gotta have a mission. You gotta have a purpose."

You can't keep sending 'em back and back and back with no mission and no purpose. As a matter of fact, the real enemy is Al Qaeda, it's Al Qaeda stupid, it's not in Iraq.

Crooks and Liars » The Internet’s Longest List of Right-Wing Hate Speech

Crooks and Liars » The Internet’s Longest List of Right-Wing Hate Speech

I too will never forget this one!

I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped [9/11] happen.'"

- Jerry Falwell, September 13, 2001, on The 700 Club

Picture worth 1,000000 words

It really F#&kin BOTHERS ME

That the United States Government and The VA refuse to pay for Pagan/Wiccan head stones for my brothers and sisters that have served in the armed forces. This is a battle that has been going on for more than nine years now. Unknowing friends have asked me "Why are you complaining Wolf? Your going to be cremated when it's your time to go." There are some facts you should know about this issue:

1. The Government pays for thirty eight symbols of other beliefs and even Atheists and Humanists have markers (please don't take it personal if you are a member of those groups, just trying to make a point here). I have been a member of the AREN (Alternative Religions Education Network) e-mail list since they started it and was called the Witches Antidefamation League. AREN has been fighting this battle along with the folks at Witchvox and Circle Sanctuary's Lady Liberty League many years now.Please go to their sites for more info and updates.

2. The Wiccan and Pagan Beliefs are recognized by the US Government as religions. There is a chapter in the US Military Chaplin's handbook as well.

3. I believe one of the problems are that there is no main "church" or leader of the Pagan Paths. Thats too damm bad isn't it? A friend and I had this long chat about this over the phone one night. "Wouldn't be easier if you did have a leader or even a main church," he kept rambling. The answer to that is simple. Most other churches and beliefs have their traditions as well as Pagans. Why should we change ours just to conform and be like the others? Give up years of history just because so the government would do what it should do? I think not.

4. I ran into this one on Paltalk! I'm a Christian and I don't want to be buried next to a Satanic Symbol. First of all take a look at the Pentagram picture above. Do you see those symbols in each of the five points. Most Pentagrams don't have those symbols on them. I chose that picture to explain the symbolism. The Points represent Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit, nothing Satanic about that! Besides, I doubt that a Pagan would want to be buried in a Christian graveyard anyway.

I could go on and on about the misconceptions that many people have about Paganism that have been thrown at us down through history but I'll leave that for another rant. The ACLU has taken up our fight and hopefully Pagans Vets can have their headstones like everyone else.

Saturday Night Rock Party

The Ramones - Rockaway Beach (live)

I am gonna try and put up a different video of some of my favorite bands every Saturday Night. Tonight we have the Ramones and there are a few reasons why I chose them to go first. I sure miss them and I think they died too young but "Hey Gabba Gabba" thats punk. The other reason is because this song is about where I grew up. The Ramones were a big influence on many of the Punk Bands. Check out their site, Ramones .com for more music and videos

Saturday Cat Blogging

I don't care what you say, I like my Whiskas without this Dads stuff mixed in.
Yes Wolf, this will be a test of wills. Me against you.

Roger Ailes Jokes About Obama as Terrorist

MyDD :: Direct Democracy for People-Powered Politics: "by Mat"


Also- Developing: Dems May Drop Fox Sponsored Pres. Debate

The People Speak Radio Show

You can listen to The People Speak Radio Show on Paltalk or Live365 over the net. This is a great internet radio show. I posted a link to their website on the sidebar. Past guests - Jesse Jackson, Howard Zinn, John Conyers, Immortal Technique, Ward Churchill, Pete Seeger, Chevy Chase, Ed Asner and many more. If you go to their web site you can listen to many of the shows that have been archived. The show is on Tuesday Nights starting at 8pm EST. The site also has info on how to listen through Paltalk (which I recommend because you get to chat with other people while you listen to the show) or Live365. See You There.

Random Thoughts

Its been a rough week here and because my mind races sometimes when I get depressed I though I would write some of the shit down while it's flowing through my warped brain.

Mercury is in retrograde, sometimes it doesn't effect me but when it's going backwards through Pisces its unusually bad for me, can't wait for March 28th to get here. Merc Retro is also effecting some of my good friends. I don't feel alone in my misery.

Save The Penguins. Not the kind you see in the zoo or the Antarctic. I'm talkin bout the Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Team. Please all you politicians don't let them fly to K.C. We got a great young team that might make the playoffs for the 1st time in years. Every home game is sold out. Even my Canadian hockey freak friends think we got a chance for the cup and thats saying something.

Save PAT Transit. If they cut bus routes and raise fares again a lot of folks will be screwed. Lets hope they find a long term solution this time so we don't have to go through this every year. Seems like the politicians are more interested in saving the Penguins than fixing the bus system. I'm in a bind about this, I want both fixed.

Why are cats so dam picky? Since Wiskas discontinued the smaller bags of cat food Pook has been pissed at me. I've been mixing his Wiskas fish with Dads fish and you'd think it was the end of the world for the little fellow. He's really trying my patience but I won't cave in. This time.

Sometimes you feel like a hero, sometimes you don't. Doc Andy interviewed me and it's published in the Allegheny Chronicle. I work with Andy on Monday nights going to the homeless camps on the Northside. If I ever get a copy scanned I'll post it here and yunz can make up your own minds cause I sure don't feel like a hero when I get paid for something I love to do.

IBS is a bitch. I'm talking about Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Had a bad attack this week and felt like I was dying. So did my brother Bob.

Paltalk sucks lately. Paltalk is a chat program that I have been on for years. I've been hanging out in Lady Arwens room in the Political section as of late. Over the years I have made many friends on PT but lately myself and a few of my friends have noticed that the masks are coming off some of our friends and they have been showing their true colors. I would love to hang out on IRC with some of my Pagan friends but they have disappeared. If I had a faster net connection I'd hang out in Second Life, seems to be the happening thing ATM.

Myspace. Ok, I gave it a try, didn't like the programing much and I deleted my account when I started getting spam in hotmail from some really pretty chicks. I have no idea who they are and they are wanting to be my friend, LMAO.

Thanks to Ken, Dave and Mr G. (who started a Blog) from Wellspring for the Food.

Guess thats about it for now, except to tell yunz that yunz might be seeing more links like the stories below cause Firefox browser has a neat add on called blog this.

BTW. Yunz is Pittsburghese for You All in case your not from Da Burgh and don't have a clue what I was saying.

Crooks and Liars » More Casualties From Iraq - Nearly 60,000 U.S. Divorces

Crooks and Liars » More Casualties From Iraq - Nearly 60,000 U.S. Divorces

Priests to Purify Site After Bush Visit - washingtonpost.com

Priests to Purify Site After Bush Visit - washingtonpost.com

Saturday Cat Blogging

Always Remember, I am the Cat from HELL!

Two From Ronnie

Be My Baby

When I was a kid I didn't dig Do Woop at all. I was more of a Chuck Berry, Little Richard dude. These three ladies changed my mind. Ronnie Spectors Vocals still blow me away. This year The Ronettes get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Congrats! It's an honor long over due.

I couldn't stop watching this video when it was on MTV. Ronnie is so hot and sexy. Happy Birthday Eddie.

Alinsky Again

I posted a story earlier on the blog about Sol ALinsky "Quin VS Wolf Part 2" in which I responded to an attack on me by our local facist right wing radio trash talker when I said that I called myself an Alinsky leftist. Today on the MSNBC website there is an article entitled "Reading Hillary Rodham's hidden thesis" and guess who it was about? Yep, Sol Alinsky. Quins answer to me was that Alinsky was a "Freakin Communist". The red baiting of Alinsky pops up again in the MSNBC story and not by Hillary -

But at its heart, her mentor says, the Alinsky-socialist-Rodham connection is a falsehood. "My conclusion, she was already thinking in terms of practical politics, what works, what doesn't, more than on ideology," Schechter said. "She wouldn't have paid any attention to whether Alinsky was a Marxist.”

So it seems that the Right Wing will try and use this "This Hidden Thesis" against Hillary Clinton during the 2008 election. Here Is something interesting about Barack Obama -

After attending Columbia University, he worked as an organizer on the South Side of Chicago for the Developing Communities Project. Obama and others of the post-Alinsky generation described their work in the 1990 book “After Alinsky: Community Organizing in Illinois,” in which Obama wrote that he longed for ways to close the gap between community organizing and national politics. After three years of organizing, he turned to Harvard Law School and then the Illinois legislature.

Lets take a look at some of Alinskys Rules for Radicals while we're at it.

ALINSKY's RULES FOR RADICALS

Saul Alinsky's rules of power tactics, excerpted from his 1971 book "Rules for Radicals: A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals"
Personalize it
1. Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.

2. Never go outside the experience of your people.

3. Whenever possible go outside the experience of the enemy.

4. Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules.

5. Ridicule is man's most potent weapon.

6. A good tactic is one that your people enjoy.

7. A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.

8. Keep the pressure on.

9. The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.

10. Maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.

11. If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside.

12. The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.

13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.

Alinsky is gone but his tactics live on - Use Them - Change The World

Rage Against the Machine - Ghost of Tom Joad (Live Korea)

Great News, Rage is back together!!!

If you have never heard Rage, you've missed some of the best protest music ever. You might not like the combination of rap lyrics and metal, you gotta listen to the words. I first heard Rage on a free cassette sampler of their first album and I was hooked. Zak de la Rocha's revolutionary lyrics brings to mind Chuck D from Public Enemy and Tom Morello's guitar playing is so much like Metallica. However, together their sound is original and compelling. Their stage show is something else again. I featured their video Freedom, that they dedicated to Leonard Peltier, earlier on the blog. Its great to see them getting back together. We need revolutionary music now, more than ever.