This weekend I’m traveling to Florida to help beat Bush on Tuesday, November 2nd. I’ll be volunteering with America Coming Together, one of a number of nation-wide organizations that has mobilized thousands of volunteers to convince undecided voters in critical swing states to vote against Bush.

Notice that I haven’t said I’m going to work on the Kerry campaign. I’m not a big fan of John Kerry, or the Democratic Party for that matter. I wanted to be in Boston in July to protest the Democratic National Convention, where war-mongering speeches drowned out the few voices of dissent allowed inside (the Mainers for Kucinich, for example), and a massive police presence squelched protests outside. I disagree with Kerry’s stance on the war in Iraq (he voted to give Bush the authority to wage war, and he now wants to “win� an unjust war), the so-called war on terrorism (he doesn’t address the root causes of terrorism, instead spouting violent rhetoric about “rooting out� and “destroying� the “enemy�), and military aid to Israel (he does not oppose the Apartheid Wall and ongoing oppression of Palestinians). I wish I could vote for a candidate I feel good about, and I firmly believe in the importance of breaking out of a two-party system controlled by corporate interests (yes, I voted for Nader in 2000). But this time around, there is too much to lose. Yes, I have joined the “anybody but Bush� campaign.

Miami Journal [ Why I'm going to Florida (10/30/04) I Touchdown (10/30/04) I One City, Many Worlds (10/31/04) I Mounting Frustration (11/1/04) I Why the long face? (11/3/04) ]

see related: Florida's Palm Beach County Bracing for the Electoral Storm

While American airwaves are crowded with talk of a new war – narrated by generals and filmed from the noses of bombs – the human face of war is rarely seen. THE FOURTH WORLD WAR is a powerful new film from the makers of 'This Is What Democracy Looks Like', 'Zapatista', and 'Black & Gold'. It weaves together the stories of movements against empire from Palestine, Iraq, Chiapas, Argentina, South Africa, South Korea to Quebec City and Genoa.

The product of over two years of filming, The Fourth World War is a new kind of film for a new world. The intensity and immediacy of its images are beyond anything the mainstream media can shoot, the intimacy and passion of its stories are beyond anything it can feel. Directed by the award winning New York-based Big Noise Films, and narrated by Tony Award winner Suheir Hammad and Singer Michael Franti of Spearhead, it is a radical story of hope and human connection in the face of a war that shatters and divides.

[ The Fourth World War - a big noise film I VIEW TRAILER ]

"I think THE FOURTH WORLD WAR should be the center-piece of all political education for left activists in the present period. It really is that good."
-- Van Jones, National Executive Director - Ella Baker Center For Human Rights

I asked my ridiculously well informed friend to write this article for me according to this prompt:

"David, no one gives a fuck about voting. So what the hell do you tell someone? I know I could rave on about women's rights/human rights and issues pertaining to that, but what the hell do you tell some overprivileged, unaware, probably half-drunk probably white probably male college kid who has probably never had to work or earn his way... how do you stoke something in that person, to vote?"

This is what he so eloquently replied with: Read the full reply...

see related articles: [ Why I'm not voting for Emily Reilly I Anyone going out on Nov. 3rd? I Liberation News Voter Recommendations I FRSC and Critical Mass Radio Network - sElection 2004 I Election Special: Behind California's Proposition 66 I Old Enough to Care, Too Young to Vote I Mark Fogel hates the homeless I Dump the Kennedy Council I City Council candidates interviewed on FRSC! I 16 propositions, 1 ballot. Confused? Last-minute links and info for voters. ]

Critical Mass in Santa Cruz this upcoming friday! Post flyers around, tell your comrads, inflate your tires! You guys know the routine - gather around the clocktower (downtown, off of pacific) at 5 p.m., depart at 6. Hope to see you all there!

went last time comments: "so is the ride going to be like the last critical mass? there were only about twenty people, they took up the both lanes on mission, and then tried to start fights with motorists. it was my first CM here and it did not make me (or the people i was with) want to go again. i thought CM was about bikes getting together to acomplish a common goal or just to have fun, not be a dick to people and try to piss them off, but maybe i'm wrong?"

see also: NYC Files Lawsuit to Stop Critical Mass

[ critical-mass.org ]

see related: Free Radio Santa Cruz and Critical Mass Radio Network - sElection 2004

Santa Cruz Radio Access Movement (SCRAM) is acting autonomously and in support of Free Radio Santa Cruz (FRSC).

SCRAM was created to liberate the airwaves for the people of Santa Cruz. Our first action has been the liberation of 101.1 FM for Santa Cruz and neighboring communities. SCRAM is broadcasting Free Radio Santa Cruz's web stream 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SCRAM encourages other people to take action! Free the airwaves by broadcasting alternative media sources such as Free Radio Santa Cruz. If you can't hear SCRAM where you live, then start a Radio Access Movement in your community.

A candlelight vigil to honor and protest the lost lives in Iraq will be held on Tuesday, October 26 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM in the Watsonville Main Plaza.

The event will be attended by family members of Victor Gonzalez, a local Marine just killed in Iraq last week. Also present will be Fernando Suarez Del Solar, father of Jesus Suarez Del Solar, the first GI killed in Iraq.

After the vigil, at 7:30 Mr. Suarez will be giving a talk about his experiences and the realities of the military enlistment and recruitment for Latino youth. The presentation will be in the Brown Beret Office located at 406 Main Street.

[ Military Families Speak Out ]

At present, the Free Radio Santa Cruz collective is reviewing all options to move forward with our news, music, and artistic programming. We are streaming on the web and encourage you to listen in. We are actively asking for help from our community of friends and supporters. We are only able to remain on the air because of the commitment by our collective members and the help of our community. If you are a listener of Free Radio Santa Cruz, please help us maintain the public airwaves by making a donation. At this time money and free legal help is needed to secure our future so that we may continue to meet the diverse needs of our community.

FRSC is part of a growing micro-radio movement, supporting the work of other independent media and other pirate and noncommercial web and broadcast stations. Our city councilmembers passed a resolution in support of our radio as a vital community resource and Congress member Sam Farr has written a letter to the FCC/congress opposing their misuse of funds and energy. Letters in support of us to the FCC, and local media outlets are much appreciated.

Mike Ruppert founded the print newsletter and website From the Wilderness in March 1998. FTW is now read by more than 16,000 subscribers in 40 countries. Since 9/11/01, he has been the point man in breaking major stories involving government foreknowledge, corruption, and violations of the Constitution. He has also pioneered the effort to educate the world about the consequences of Peak Oil - the fact that the world is running out of hydrocarbon energy and what this might mean for human civilization.

On Wednesday, October 20, Mike Ruppert gave a presentation on The Truth & Lies of 9/11 and The Consequences of Peak Oil.

Audio: Recording of Mike Ruppert at the Vets Hall in Santa Cruz

related audio: Indymedia interviews Mike Ruppert - transcripts (April 2002)

[ From the Wilderness I Peoples Investigation into 9/11 ]

Family get-togethers nowadays can comprise many different diets. Often vegetarians and vegans present special challenges to family members who are not familiar with those dietary preferences. This article is for those family members. A vegetarian does not eat meat, but will eat dairy products and/or eggs. A vegan will not eat anything with meat, eggs, or dairy products. So a vegetarian can eat anything a vegan can eat, but not vice versa. With just a little forethought, these dietary preferences are not hard to accommodate. And your vegetarian/vegan guests will appreciate the efforts that show you cared. Often vegans and vegetarians resent the fact that no one cared about them having access to food that they can eat at family events, and with this little preparation, you can set the tone to be one of inclusion.

Watsonville, CA October 18, 2004 --- Copwatch, a nonviolent group to observe and monitor police activities is being formed by Watsonville citizens concerned about police misconduct and abuse of power in the Watsonville community. Following examples set by other Copwatch groups across the nation, members of Watsonville Copwatch, concerned with the lack of police accountability, will launch observation patrols and "Know-Your-Rights" trainings in order to increase the community's oversight of police activities.

see also: Santa Cruz Copwatch

related audio: Andrea Prichett on Community Justice and Police Alternatives