It seemed like the “in” joke for speakers at the Republican National Convention this evening was “Community Organizer”. Sarah Palin used it to poke fun of Barack Obama’s experience during her acceptance speech this evening. Rudy Giuliani (who miraculously kept his mention of 9/11 down to one instance!) used the “Community Organizer” dig with gusto to attack Obama’s experience and bolster Palin’s so-called “Executive” experience (another catch prhase for the evening).

It should come as no surprise that the Republicans are opposed to community organization. If they are going to keep their base, they have to disable the grass roots apparatus that can get past the media they own and get the word out to the working poor that they are voting against their own economic interest each time they vote Republican. (For an excellent analysis of this, please read Deer Hunting with Jesus by Joe Bageant. An excellent book.)

It should also come as no surprise that in the run up to the Republican Convention, the police were rounding up and arresting activists and protesters and suspected protesters. Employing classic intimidation methods to discourage potential protests, they rounded people up, charged them with nothing, and released them without returning personal items such as journals, computers, and even a child’s shoes.

Take that community organizers! Nyah!

NLG Attorney explains the series of raids

Organizers gather in the street after being ejected during police searches

Journalist Amy Goodman caught up by overzealous police and arrested while covering protests

And, finally, police confiscate the bus/home and personal belongings of a group of sustainable living hippies… including the dangerous child’s shoes! (But let them keep their dogs and chickens, apparently underestimating and overlooking the potential risk of biological warfare via avian flu.)

Join us for the first-ever
CITIZINE MUSIC SHOWCASE!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
SPIDERHOUSE - Outdoor Stage
2908 Fruth St. // Austin TX 78705
Map to venue

DOORS OPEN AT 8 PM

Featuring The Black Irish and
special guests The McMercy Family Band

PLUS! DJ Skooley spinning psychedelic,
soul, and experimental music till 2 am!

Enter CITIZINE

Ron Paul rings the Liberty Bell at his University of Texas rally — February 23, 2008.

Footage courtesy of CITIZINE News.

Interviews with American soldiers from Iraq.

Reasons to vote for Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Not paid for by the Committee to elect John McCain.

By Thom White
CITIZINEmag.com

AUSTIN January 23, 2008 - On Tuesday, recently-appointed Austin police chief Art Acevedo announced to the media a proposed police surveillance camera system that would attempt to record all public activity in the Sixth Street district in order to reduce the likelihood of crime. The cameras’ recordings would be reviewed in secret by police personnel who would use the footage as evidence in prosecutions against individuals they identify committing crimes on video.

Chief Acevedo said if there is no public opposition to the installation of the public spy cameras, the equipment will be installed and begin recording around 6th Street in a few months.

According to news reports, Chief Acevedo told reporters, “As I travel around the city, I have been approached by residents in high-crime areas who are not only asking, but who are really starting to demand the use of technology.” Acevedo said. “People in this community want us to do everything we can to keep them safe. This is one of those strategies.”

According to KEYE-TV, Chief Acevedo said, “This is to put people on notice: criminals, the community, and the cops — that, yes… You’re in an area to be surveilled that’s out in the open. So, guess what? Before you start fighting with somebody, before you start stabbing somebody, before you start trying to victimize somebody, your action may be caught on tape, and you may be prosecuted and convicted, because we’ll have the best evidence.”

Read more »

By Thom White
CITIZINEmag.com

On the afternoon of November 14, 2007, computer consultant Joe Horn, 61, shot and killed two men that had burglarized his neighbor’s home in Pasadena, Texas, near Houston.

When Mr. Horn looked out the window at two o’clock in the afternoon and saw a couple men breaking into his neighbor’s home in broad daylight, he first called 911. When he saw the thieves then come out of the house with a bag of loot, and still no squad cars had arrived, he went outside with his shotgun to confront the men himself.

During his 911 call, Joe Horn identified the two burglars as “black,” and when the news story was first blasted across the airwaves, it was portrayed as another episode in Americans’ ongoing “black/white conflict.” However, in today’s America, nothing is that simple. Read more »

By Thom White
CITIZINEmag.com

AUSTIN, Tex. January 12, 2008 — Opponents of the Wal-Mart Supercenter that is planned for Northcross Mall gathered together yesterday at St. Louis Catholic Church for a town hall meeting. Responsible Growth for Northcross (RG4N) leaders proposed their next steps after a recent court ruling effectively gave the developer, Lincoln Property Company, a green light to begin construction of the giant retail store.

According to a December 21, 2007, report by the television station News 8 Austin, “District Court Judge Orlinda Naranjo ruled that the site plan in question complied with ordinances and that it did not require public hearings.”

Responsible Growth for Northcross leaders remarked in a written statement that, “In December, the 200th Judicial District Court of Travis County issued its ruling on our lawsuit. RG4N is disappointed with the verdict, but we are not done fighting yet.” Read more »

Thieves elude police despite SWAT team action

AUSTIN November 25, 2007 – It’s now been more than ten days since a bizarre SWAT team “standoff” around McBride’s Guns in central Austin ended with police searching the building only to discover the thieves had gotten away. Robbers absconded with $5,000 to $10,000 in jewelry and gold coins, but did not steal any weapons.

Read more »