Oakland to Punish Cops for Handling of Occupy Protesters Over the Last Year

Oakland to Punish Cops for Handling of Occupy Protesters | OccuWorld:

Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan said today that he wants to discipline 44 of his officers for misconduct in their handling of Occupy Oakland protesters at three major demonstrations in the past year. Jordan said at a briefing at City Hall that his Internal Affairs division has received 1,127 complaints about alleged officer misconduct at Occupy Oakland protests in the past year. Jordan also revealed that one of his officers – not an officer from an outside agency – fired a beanbag that critically injured Iraq war veteran Scott Olsen on Oct. 25, an incident that galvanized the Occupy movement.

'via Blog this'

Video: The Week in Political Spending

Video: The Week in Political Spending - Sunlight Foundation Blog:

Sunlight kicks off today a new Election 2012 video series called the Political Weather Report. Even if it's dark money clouds in Ohio or a monsoon of super PAC ads in Nevada, our weather report provides you with two minutes of "sunshine." Watch this week's episode and get the forecast for the cities with the most political ads and the accumulation of outside money so far this month.

New update video every Friday until General Election Day.

'via Blog this'

Not just about abortion: The reproductive rights issues missing from the debates

Not just about abortion: The reproductive rights issues missing from the debates - Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer // Current TV:

“What I think was also missing from last night was not just making this about abortion and personal morality — although abortion rights are extremely important — but also pointing out how much Republicans have tried to limit access to contraception, which we can scientifically agree is the best way to limit unplanned pregnancies”

'via Blog this'

No Mention of Record Inequality in the debates

No Mention of Record Inequality - The Demos Blog - PolicyShop:

With the flood of corporate money elevating the deficit as the most important challenge facing this country, it's worth reiterating that economic and political inequality form a vicious cycle, prioritizing the policy preferences of the rich.

'via Blog this'

Why isn't anyone talking about climate change in this election?

Why isn't anyone talking about climate change in this election? - Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer // Current TV:

“It would be great if a member of the media actually asked even one question on what most of us think is the story of the century: which is that we are in the process of ruining this liveable climate of ours. And we can still solve the problem if we act now, but obviously if no one talks about it, it’s very hard to solve the problem”

'via Blog this'

Big donors give far and wide, influencing out-of-state races and issues

Big donors give far and wide, influencing out-of-state races and issues - Open Channel:

An analysis by the Investigative News Network of contributions by wealthy individuals in seven states shows that their giving is greater than any one cause or race reveals -- with millions flowing into state, federal and even local campaigns, parties and committees far and wide.

'via Blog this'

Court System’s Independence in Crosshairs of Special Interests, Rightwing Lawmakers | ACS

Court System’s Independence in Crosshairs of Special Interests, Rightwing Lawmakers | ACS:

Whatever independence the state courts still have, Cohen writes, is being threatened by “special interest groups, by radical politicians, and even by some of their own – judges who trade both in honor and integrity and by begging for votes (and campaign contributions) from the very litigants before them.”

'via Blog this'

"To the candidate," a poem

To the candidate
by David Weller

promises made are
not promises kept
listen to the voters
those who have wept
those who have lived
all problems, except
those voters solve

remember who's boss
the voter decides
listen to the voters
take on their side
take on their concerns
all solutions, no pride
the candidate resolves