OB Rag

Miami housing activists are organizing homeless people to illegally move into foreclosed homes. “We’re matching homeless people with people-less homes,” Max Rameau said with a grin. Rameau is part of a group of like-minded advocates who have formed Take Back the Land, which so far have moved six families into foreclosed homes, with nine on a waiting list. The organization also helps the new “tenants” with secondhand furniture, cleaning supplies and yard upkeep.

San Diego neighborhoods closest to the shore that are most affected by a beach booze ban soundly rejected Proposition D, despite arguments from supporters that a permanent prohibition was needed to make beaches safer. The restrictions, which also apply to the city’s waterfront parks, trailed in virtually every precinct in Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach, the epicenter of the debate, The San Diego Union-Tribune found in an analysis of the Nov. 4 election results.

The National Retail Federation reports that consumer spending during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend was up 7%. This should spell relief for state and local government who depend on sales tax revenues to provide local services like Police, fire, parks, libraries, schools. But look a little deeper in the report to see why local governments are not breathing easier.

Eight members of the RNC Welcoming Committee were arrested and are awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to commit second-degree riot. They are accused of plotting to shut down the convention by blockading roads. They’re also accused of planning criminal damage to property, including use of incendiary devices. Many allegations are based on reports from the undercover personnel. A deputy sheriff and two others infiltrated the RNC Welcoming Committee before GOP convention.

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai call out to President-elect Barack Obama and his advisors to rethink the signature blunder of George W. Bush’s eight years in office – the so-called War on Terror. As US intelligence reports have made clear, the centerpiece of the supposed campaign against terror, the military occupation of Iraq, has increased the likelihood of more attacks like those in Mumbai, Madrid, London and Manhattan.
by Steve Weissman

At least 34 anti-government protesters in Thailand, who for months have occupied the prime minister’s office in Bangkok, have been injured in a grenade attack. The latest blast comes amid a standoff between police and thousands of demonstrators who have occupied Bangkok’s main airports, crippling the country’s tourism industry.

DAVID WASHBURN at voiceofsandiego has been doing his homework when it comes to library cuts and City Council votes. How would Councilmember Hueson and the incoming members have voted on cutting libraries and rec centers.

Today is going to be a big day for us, today is the day we are going to make the transition to our new format. There may be moments when our site will be inaccessible but I don’t anticipate too many problems. UPDATE: So, still a little fine tuning to do

MARK RUDD: Just the mere mention of the names Hillary Clinton and Lawrence Summers alone conjure up a litany of horrendous right-wingers appointed to top level positions. Betrayal is the name of the game.
But wait a second. Let’s talk about a few things:

Associated Press article : In Franken vs. Coleman Senate race recount – Minnesota board refuses voided absentee ballots but opens way for legal battle – 3,600 ballots remain to be recounted.

We don’t need the “everything sucks” analysis; Obama has mobilized millions of activists and that energy is looking for an outlet.
By Tim Wise

For all the rolling up of sleeves and “everything is going to change” exuberance, however, taking on the Pentagon, with its mega-budget and its mega-power, may be the hardest task he faces.