OB Rag

Civic Center, 3-6pm

The United Taxi Workers of San Diego (UTWSD) and San Diego taxi workers’ will stage a peaceful protest on Wednesday in response to the murder of taxi driver Mir Sadat Sahou during his shift in La Jolla, CA. This peaceful rally aims to address a malignant problem that has been largely ignored over the past decades. Drivers suffer from 60 to 70 hour back-breaking work weeks and are vulnerable to injury from assaults and accidents at a higher rate than any other workforce. But there are few health and safety protections.

The Occupy Wall Street solidarity actions are indeed spreading across America.

As of today (Oct 4th) there are currently Occupy actions being planned – or are in process – in 148 cities across the U.S. Yes, that’s right, 148. Twenty-one are being planned in California alone. That’s 5 more than there was two days ago.

That’s actions in 46 states plus DC!

For every word I write, there are five on my mind. The sadness associated with the failures of a once promising President has at times crippled my faith in the collective will. My enrollment in a public policy program that focuses – rightly so – on analytical and practical approaches to policy change has forced me to question the usefulness of radical activism and political theater as tools of change. We live at a time when young radicals have been stifled by the apathy brought on by overwhelming wealth inequality, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the ridiculous favoritism granted banks and corporate interests, and the efforts of law enforcement and government agencies to quell the movement for change by any means necessary. Consider the murder of Troy Davis the cherry on top of a disenchantment sundae.

Come inside for video of day 16…

On Saturday, October 2, Ocean Beach celebrated the life of John Kays, a long-time area resident known for his love for his family, his passion for surfing, and his always-friendly personality.

More than 100 of John’s friends joined members of his family on the sand near Ocean Beach’s Avalanche break to remember John. Dozens of surfers also paddled out on to the ocean, forming a circle in John’s honor.

From the event’s program:

“John spent his youth growing up in Texas and at the age of 21, in search of better surf, made the journey out to San Diego… John met his wife, Troy, in Ocean Beach in 1994… John and Troy settled in Ocean Beach and started a family, welcoming daughter Brynn in 1998 and daughter Aidan in 2002.

By Louisa Golden – Special to the OB Rag

Recent neighborhood events have me thinking about some of the challenges I face as the owner of a high-octane Labrador Retriever. Living in the city with a large, energetic dog is daunting. Doing so without making enemies of my neighbors is a greater adventure still.

Last January, Miss Mollie Pink earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate from the American Kennel Club (AKC). The test seemed simple enough, just 10 easy tasks. Mollie had plenty of obedience training and socialization under her belt. Still, the CGC proved to be one tough test to pass.

Editor: We have just received this Statement of Support by the San Diego Labor Council for the Occupy San Diego movement and its efforts.

From Lorena Gonzalez, the San Diego and Imperial County Labor Council’s Secretary-Treasurer, regarding the “Occupy Wall Street” and “Occupy San Diego” campaigns:

“The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO is proud support the “Occupy Wall Street” and associated “Occupy San Diego” efforts. …We will stand with those who seek to bring attention to the real economic problems that regular San Diegans and Americans face.”

The “Occupy Wall Street” movement has definitely spread to San Diego, and local organizers are planning a peaceful occupation of the San Diego Civic Center Plaza this Friday, October 7th. The action – which starts with a march that is to reach the Plaza at 4:30 – will be in solidarity with the Wall Street protesters. (Marchers will gather at First and Harbor at 4pm.) The occupation is viewed as a “protest of the global financial corruption currently invading politics, media and corporations”. They call themselves “the 99%”.

Politics, Poetry, Fiction, and Music and More in the Heart of the City

The 6th annual San Diego City College International Book Fair is this week (October 3^rd to the 8^th), and it offers an impressive line-up of writers, poets, and musicians including:

• Marjorie Cohn, editor of The United States and Torture: Interrogation, Incarceration and Abuse;
• Cris Mazza, author of Various Men Who Knew Us as Girls;
• Zohreh Ghahremani, author of Sky of Red Poppies;
• lê thi diem thúy, author of The Gangster We Are All Looking For;

I am so glad that I have written some positive reviews about local restaurants, because I, once again, just had a terrible meal from one of the standards.

A friend called me and said that he had a coupon for the two for one Sunday breakfast at the “Souplantation” on Midway – close to OB. I hesitated before agreeing to go with him, because I have never enjoyed the lunch or dinner I have had there. (I think they need more variety of salads.)

PARIS, FRANCE. September 27th this year, teachers in France from primary school to high school went on a national one-day strike. They weren’t asking for pay raises–though they certainly deserve them–they were on strike to demand the means to do their jobs.

There were around 150,000 demonstrators, including parents supporting their demands. The current rightwing government has already eliminated thousands of educational posts and proposes to eliminate another 14,000 next year. [Editor: Let’s be clear: France does not have a “socialist” government or education system.]

There is so much going on right now all over the country (and world?) about these “Occupy” actions, it’s getting difficult to keep up. So, for right now, I’m posting links to interesting stuff involving these events.

• 700+ Arrested on Brooklyn Bridge – Saturday Oct 1; most were cited and released. The Occupation at Liberty Plaza continues.

This document was accepted by the NYC General Assembly on september 29, 2011

As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power.