November 2017

Co-Option Or The Corporatization Of Activism

 
This ugly political phenomenon occurs constantly behind the curtains of some activist organizations and is not specific to Black Lives Matters, the example described here. In fact, most state and national-level public-interest organizations have built a large degree of co-option into their model for success. In this sense, they ape the politicians they constantly seek to rub elbows with.

Westlands' latest designs on the Trinity River

 Westlands Water District's predations against water used by others continue, perversely, and a big water bill in Congress tied to a defense-spending package could be another successful grab by the Colossus of Alkali Flats.  Westlands will take cover wherever it's available, even wrapping itself in the same Stars and Stripes that covers the caskets of soldiers killed in wars in countries their relatives would have a hard time finding on a map.

Don't believe your lying eyes

 “This is typical Obama-era political science,” Bast said. “It’s all been debunked so many times it’s not worth debating anymore. Why are we still wasting taxpayer dollars on green propaganda?” -- Mooney et al, Washington Post, Nov. 3, 2017
Once in power, the shrill pack of lies of rightwing propaganda changes its tone. It casually dismisses a decade of sincere confrontation and effort to cope with global warming as something that you-know-what president did. Now in power, the Right delivers the propaganda of the deed.
-- blj
11-3-17
Washington Post

Go back to where you can be you

 As long as Uncle Sam deems marijuana an illegal, Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, black market demand for Emerald Triangle pot will remain strong, Leo said. -- Nicholas Iovino, Courthouse News Service, Jan. 7, 2017.
Law enforcement’s stance that marijuana causes crime is based on numbers from the black market, according to Will Skaarup, a consultant for Sister of the Valley, a growing cohort.
“We think a regulated market drives the black market away,” he said. -- Thaddeus Miller, Merced Sun-Star, Nov. 7, 2017