In the Shadow (literally) of New Development

It had been awhile since I had visited the Arcata branch of the North Coat Coop.  This afternoon I stopped in to grab some items.  That development across the street – I think it’s senior housing of some sort – has changed the feel of the neighborhood.  The Coop parking lot almost feels claustrophobic.

That’s not to say that I oppose the development.  It’s a perfect location and the building looks like it’ll have a nice appearance.  But the change is quite profound.  If you kind of zone out for a moment while gazing on it from across the street, it almost feels like you’re in Sonoma County somewhere.

I think it’s most noticeable in the late afternoon as it blocks the sun to the west.

Dissent Defends Hippies

Dissent writer Danny Goldberg offers a criticism of “professional progressives,” while defending the “spiritual side” of politics.  The article is a couple of months old, but I’m catching up.

An excerpt:

In a post for the Daily Beast Michelle Goldberg lamented, “Drum circles and clusters of earnest incense-burning meditators ensure that stereotypes about the hippie left remain alive.” At Esquire, Charles Pierce worried that few could “see past all the dreadlocks and hear…over the drum circles.” Michael Smerconish asked on the MSNBC show Hardball if middle Americans “in their Barcalounger” could relate to drum circles. The New Republic’s Alex Klein chimed in, “In the course of my Friday afternoon occupation, I saw two drum circles, four dogs, two saxophones, three babies….Wall Street survived.” And the host of MSNBC’s Up, Chris Hayes (editor at large of the Nation), recently reassured his guests Naomi Klein and Van Jones that although he supported the political agenda of the protest he wasn’t going to “beat the drum” or “give you a free hug,” to knowing laughter.

Yet it is precisely the mystical utopian energy that most professional progressives so smugly dismiss that has aroused a salient, mass political consciousness on economic issues—something that had eluded even the most lucid progressives in the Obama era.

Since the mythology of the 1960s hangs over so much of the analysis of the Wall Street protests, it’s worth reviewing what actually happened then. Media legend lumps sixties radicals and hippies together, but from the very beginning most leaders on the left looked at the hippie culture as, at best, a distraction and, at worst, a saboteur of pragmatic progressive politics. Hippies saw most radicals as delusional and often dangerously angry control freaks. Bad vibes.

Not that there is anything magic about the word “hippie…..”

The arguments aren’t anything new, but they are directed to a younger generation urban-based old left milieu who missed the “Old Left/New Left” debates of the 60s and 70s for whom, believe it or not, the subject matter is fresh.  It provides a great intro to a post I’m working on about the New York democratic socialist old left intellectualism which I’ll post sometime within the next week or so.

A minor point to the article, but so very annoying, is the perpetuation of the myth that Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee” was written in earnest.  People!  It was a joke!  It was satire!  Irony!  Remember my 50 liberal country songs?  Why do you think I included it?  There was actually quite the discussion on it in the thread.

Don’t Use the Kids

I’m completely behind the agenda, and yeah, her response was cold and unprofessional, but don’t use the kids.  If they’re old enough to act on their own initiative, that’s great, but this kid was clearly uncomfortable and it’s not fair to put him in this position.

This kid, on the other hand, is a little bit older and clearly acting on his own initiative.

Scary Pacific Salmon Virus

Submitted by a reader. Video through the link.

And this article contains allegations of a Canadian government cover-up over it, even as they announced that their own tests have come up negative.  The positive tests had been conducted by Simon Fraser University.  The bug is one which has been detrimental to Atlantic salmon as well as Chilean salmon farming.

The problem so far is concentrated around British Columbia, and there are plans to monitor it very closely, but so far no human-origin solutions being offered.

Melinda Ciarabellini event on Wednesday

As always, I am an equal opportunity political event poster. Unless I say so, I am not necessarily endorsing any candidate for whom I post notice of political events. The following was sent to me.

More Economic Reactionaryism or Whatever for your Holidays

I got this e-mail this morning.

For those of you purchasing Christmas [Hannuka?Eid?Kwanza?] gifts this season!

Christmas tradition – This really is a good idea-We can do this!As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans.  There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How aboutgift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants – all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains –this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.Forward this to everyone on your mailing list. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

Slew of Solomon Events in Humboldt County

From the campaign:

Monday, December 5, 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.

KHUM
104.3 FM Eureka & 104.7 FM Garberville
Streaming Online at:
http://www.khum.com/khumstream

Lost Coast Outpost
http://www.lostcoastoutpost.com

Democratic congressional candidate Norman Solomon will be live in the KHUM studio as part of that station’s congressional candidate interview series. Solomon will speak with popular radio host Mike Dronkers.

Lost Coast Outpost, a local news blog, will be running a parallel live chat. Listeners are encouraged to post their questions for Norman Solomon in the chat box on the blog. Questions are also welcome via Facebook, Twitter, email (studio at khum dot com), and telephone: 707-786-KHUM.

….

Lunch Conversation with Norman Solomon

Monday, December 5
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Hot Brew
904 S Fortuna Blvd
Fortuna, CA 95540

Meet Democratic congressional candidate Norman Solomon for lunch at Hot Brew restaurant in Fortuna. Don’t miss this opportunity to chat with one of the leading candidates in the race to represent the North Coast in Congress. Bring your questions and ideas, as well as your appetite.

There is no cover charge, but it is requested that attendees order food and/or drinks from the Hot Brew menu.

RSVP appreciated, but not required. Contact:
shane@solomonforcongress.com or (707) 845-9372.

….

Town Hall Meeting on Job Creation and Economic Policy

Monday, December 5

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Eureka Labor Temple

840 E Street

Eureka

Democratic congressional candidate Norman Solomon will speak with Humboldt County voters about his “Economic Agenda for Main Street,” a bold set of proposals to create jobs and kick-start the economy.

He will draw on his experience as co-chair of the Commission on a Green New Deal for the North Bay to highlight the need for federal investment to create jobs by expanding green technologies, supporting small businesses, improving public transportation and fixing America’s crumbling infrastructure.

Solomon will touch on specific legislation, including President Obama’s “American Jobs Act” and Congressman John Conyers’ “Humphrey-Hawkins 21st Century Full Employment and Training Act,” which would generate $150 billion a year for job creation through a one-quarter of 1 percent transaction tax on Wall Street.

Solomon will also cover related topics including trade policy, taxation, and healthcare.

….

Lunch Conversation with Norman Solomon

Wednesday, December 7

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Good Harvest Cafe
575 US Hwy 101
Crescent City

Meet Democratic congressional candidate Norman Solomon for lunch at Good Harvest Cafe in Crescent City. Don’t miss this opportunity to chat with one of the leading candidates in the race to represent the North Coast in Congress. Bring your questions and ideas, as well as your appetite.

There is no cover charge, but it is requested that attendees order food and/or drinks from the Good Harvest Cafe menu.