News From The Front

We finally approved a mission statement. And then as it turned out, right after it was approved, a meeting was called by another working group of the NYC general assembly. Of course I wanted as many people from our group to attend, to get a hand-bill out--a single sheet with the mission statement and rationale/basis for it:

Mission Statement:

Whereas recent court decisions and federal laws enable corporate and special interests to drown out the voices of United States citizens; whereas elected representatives are dependent on corporate and special interests to fund political campaigns; whereas two entrenched political parties have rigged the electoral system to insulate themselves against challenge from other parties; whereas our voting rights are under attack; whereas Congress is unlikely to propose amendments to reverse these trends fatal to self government by the people. We resolve to work with all like-minded individuals and organizations, setting aside those debates which traditionally divide us and undermine our strength in numbers, to unite the voices of the 99% in calling for the Article V Convention so that such amendments may be proposed, debated, and ratified to secure and strengthen democracy for the people of this nation.

Rationale/Basis:

As our mission statement articulates, we as a group within the larger NYCGA, do not believe systemic problems of the electoral process will be reformed by legislation or amendment arising out of Congress--the body actively perpetuating the status quo of politics as usual, the two-party duopoly, and all symptoms which follow. We believe OWS currently has the opportunity to lead America into a new era of transparent elections and representative government by directing focus to the solution: a convention for proposing amendments.

Groups such as OWS and Tea Party Patriots and others are displaying displeasure with the status quo. While these groups may perceive problems differently, the overall level of dissent is sufficient, making the time ripe for fundamental change. Americans from across the political spectrum are ready to exercise the ultimate right--that of Alter and Abolish. In our constitutional republic we are meant to alter and abolish by convoking a convention of state delegates.

As it's Politics As Usual which provides cover for institutional corruption and the two-party system, a convention will stop PAU dead in its tracks as it's a three-part national discussion which politicians and media do not currently have to address and/or react to. Therefore, logically, simply holding convention, and going through the processes it necessitates, in and of itself will alter the current state of affairs while at the same time putting the entire nation through a grand lesson in civics.

OWS is composed of many groups, and beyond it, many cities. Throughout all these groups/cities are individuals who profess to have amendment language which should be the top priority of the nation. What OWS as a movement must become collectively conscious of now, is that there is no chance any one of these ideas will be proposed to the states for ratification without first holding a non-binding deliberative assembly on the authority of the Constitution.

We invite you to join us Saturday, December 3rd, to launch OWS into the next phase in its goal to break the status quo, that fundamental electoral reform may be debated in order to be ratified.

Then we had some e-mail discussion, which led to my reply:

Our group has the solution--not for us alone, but the nation. Millions of Americans are unaware of what OWS means, millions could give [beep] what we think. OWS is now being demonized. The solution our sub-group of NYCGA has identified is a non-partisan idea, indeed the founding principle of our high law--we're meant to alter untenable status quo via convention. If so, it seems common sense the task is to sell that principle to Americans who are either 1) unaware of it, or 2) unaware how it works. I worked with Occupy Santa Barbara for over two weeks, I know first-hand not everyone's opinion holds the same weight. By this I mean some have extensive knowledge which can and will aid the larger group if given the chance.

It seems plot-points of events are fortuitous: our group drafted/agreed to language and then a meeting emerged via Ed Brady. Why would we be shy about what our group's been working on? Why not print a page of our mission statement and its basis?

I do not see this having to do with unilateralism, it's about being a good dog and barking on point. Our dog has identified the solution, right there in our high law. I spoke with Ed Brady today and he inspired me to say what is true: we all have better things to do with our lives than fighting against a tyrannical government. If so, let's cause a convention, trust in the people and the process, so we can all go back to pursuing happiness. And if we don't trust the people, the principle of a convention and its three-part process, guess who we're back to trusting? We need a convention, we needed it 1960s, and here we are today half a century later. Let's put the problem to rest for another hundred years or more. We can do it.

Just hoping things will come together sooner than later....

I have been out there selling the Translations, and really, really want to get to the next book--Othello/Romeo & Juliet. And I also want to get to the sequel to the novel. And I want to write some original plays. And I want to create some sculptures. Sometimes the way I feel is that I'm a sculptor trapped in a crazy poet's body. Oh--and then there's the documentary--trying to get funds together to edit. So much to do, so little time. And last but not least, it sure would be nice to take a walk with someone special--on the beach, a hike in the mountains--maybe a special kiss? That really would be nice. I wonder if that will ever happen. Time will tell--for now, work. 

Time Will Tell--Nice To Throw Stuff At Walls

"Whereas, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of corporate and special interests over the interests of United States citizens. Whereas, unlimited private financial contributions within public elections have corrupted the electoral system. Whereas the Congress is unlikely to propose amendments to reverse trends fatal to representative government, it is now self-evident that we, the people of the United States, must utilize the convention clause of Article V in order to propose amendments which affirm and add to rights expressed in the Constitution. We, the Political and Electoral Reform Group of Occupy Wall Street, working with other groups and individuals, shall coordinate actions toward this goal, compelling state representatives and legislatures to call for a convention on the authority of Article V."

Latest language of mission statement--shaped by what others in the group said. I lifted “self-evident” from the DOI, trends/fatal/rep/gov phrase from a President Eisenhower speech.

“Why disregard the Declaration of Independence as the foundational statement for establishing government or fomenting revolution? Corrupt government should be 'altered or abolished.'  What more could a non-violent revolutionary hope for? The DOI sanctions orderly revolution--institutionalized by Article V."

Dear Planet Earth I Love You

God’s blood this storm passing cross California--wintery, the temp/smell causing profound wistfulness. Dear Planet Earth I Love You.

Took a job today on the set of a commercial--make a whole month’s rent in a day. That’s a relief. Yes I have had help recently and certainly at points in the past, but it’s true I really do make colorfield art, and I’ve written a novel, a book of translations, good amount of poems, photography--and I’d be a sculptor if I could--which is really what I am, a sculptor; and a sculptor who fails to make it in the world in terms of being able to have access to a yard with metal and tanks for wielding, and blocks of stone and hardened-metal instruments and hammers, is a very, very strange individual--plain and simple. The people who have helped me over the years really are patrons of the arts. We’d all like to be patron of the arts, right? We all want to be comfortable enough we start scholarship programs we wanted. If you’re human being that’s the coolest thing to be, one who made it out there in the world, then funds the arts.

Anyway, running low at present because all the political science: takes time to answer/make/calls/e-mails--as opposed to out selling books. Time-wise--the time it takes to fight to live another day. It’s funny how selling books and writing time are same in that if you put in an eight hour effort you’re guaranteed profits.

It’s touch and go with the NYC general assembly Article V group. I hope they adopt the latest language. I remembered some language from back in 2005, the “reverse trends fatal to representative government…” language. Love that--from President Eisenhower at commencement, a college in Defiance, Ohio. Such a righteous piece of history.  

Late Notes

Proposed language for mission statement, sub-group, NYC general assembly:

"Whereas, the Congress has become occupied territory of corporate/special interests. Whereas, the Congress and Supreme Court have deregulated/overturned laws meant to protect the people and society as a whole indicates a non-binding deliberative assembly of state delegates is sorely required at this time. We hereby advocate/call for the Article V Convention in order to propose amendments the legislative branch has failed to. We trust the talent of the American people to offer common sense solutions to various problems evident today, the ratification process shall in due time reveal what proposals they deem worthy."

Haven't been smoking cigarettes since October 3rd. Feels good, back feels good, means surfing this winter. I'm weird when it comes to tobacco, cannabis, or beer. Can turn it on and off depending when it's time to get work done, or enjoy fruits of labors. Tonight I ran down to the store to grab a six-pac of beer so that by the time I was on the second or third, hopefully I flowed with words on a local radio show, talking convention. People say it went pretty good.

Will I ever get back to original creative works? Or at least translation of Othello/R&J? Life :)

Late News From The Front

I’m an active member in the subgroup of a subgroup of the NYC General Assembly of OccupyWallSt. Each Occupy city has a General Assembly (GA) once a night round six or seven, where everyone there at that time votes things up or down. Our group is addressing the convention clause. We’ve all been e-mailing and decided to create a working document. Almost impossible to follow on a cold reading, but if you want to see it: http://piratenpad.de/4zz0uxb4tQ


The following are today’s e-mails/replies after getting back from political activity at De La Guerra Plaza, most beautiful Santa Barbara....

First reply is to someone asking if I was at the Harvard conference:

"Yes Ben, was lucky enough to have attended. More content from more attendees and hope to make a comprehensive documentary piece soon. I came away with the impression that the Tea Party Patriots on the one hand and progressives on the other, both perceive something is terribly wrong about current affairs but would articulate it differently. Both sides want to express our ultimate right as Americans--that of Alter and Abolish. Convoking and convening a federal convention is in essence a three-part national discussion which in and of itself alters and abolishes the status quo. I have complete faith in We The People, that we have the talent to carry off a convention, which with time and ratified amendments, will set humanity on a course different than the one we are currently on."

The next e-mail I responded to was from another newcomer, talking about the ERA:
http://www.equalrightsamendment.org/era.htm

My reply:

"Anne, thanks for the link. One thought that has occurred to me is that although the ten year struggle to get the ERA ratified did not succeed then, I believe America would be ready for such an amendment today, and the Article V Convention would be the best way to revive the issue. I imagine that if someone like yourself ran to hold office of delegate, that you might platform your campaign on such an amendment."

The next e-mail asked: “What exactly is the proposal for starting a convention? And what would the concept be and goals of any amendment?”

To which I replied:

"The proposal, based on what we're talking about, would be that this group formulates the salespitch to the NYCGA of why we should redirect all focus to calling for a federal convention; it dawns on NYCGA that in fact it is the right thing to do, and they put the call out to all other occupy cities to begin calling for the Article V Convention. Congress and media will pick it up and the call would be issued shortly thereafter. Once issued the concept and goal of most Americans would be an amendment which prohibits proprietary source code in voting machines, and removes corporate funds from public elections."

Late Notes

Guess it’s happened, finally gone mad. All I can do is talk convention. If aliens came to Earth, beamed me up, they’d spit me back out not wanting to hear any more. Fourteen months till the end of a 5,200 cycle and the beginning of a new one? A lot can happen in fourteen months. Great time to be alive :) I'm feeling like we'll pull it off. Time will tell.

I really can’t believe what’s happened. Tonight I did a local access cable show where I squared off with a local political person. I told him, the Tea Party Patriots and OWS are two ends of the American political spectrum both expressing the same thing: a dissatisfation with the status quo. The one side sees the problem as an overreaching government, the other as a corporate government.

Well, as it turns out, if you live in America and you’re upset with the status quo (for whatever reason), you tell your state rep you want a convention. Then if a enough people in the state say they want a convention, the state legislature casts an application for a convention to the Congress (Congress: the legislative branch--the first branch, representing the people, who government on these shores exists to serve). That’s the way it’s supposed to work here in America.

Will things change? I don’t know--all I know is that for the narrative of humanity to be romantic there has to be at least one madman running around talking convention. Requirement met, now just a matter of making sure key people take the torch, carry it forward.

In case you didn't see them, two videos: one I made, one I paid to get a copy of in case it was important (probably most important to me--I have proof I tried).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-7ikbvu0Y8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=VuO6Q0R5vVE

News From The Front

I’m here at a Denny’s in one of the nicest places, hoping my compatriot has the hacking savvy to break into my own forum on my own website. What happened is, back in 2009 I had joined a group pushing for a convention and wound up with a domain and forum. Someone from the group, who I talked with over the phone, and who helped set it up, is now nowhere to be found and the passwords are messed up.

This last month was intense. Is OWS going to morph into a convention? That would be great. I’m on the subgroup of a subgroup of the general assembly. Their thread is to discuss the convention clause.

Tea Party Patriots or OccupyWallSt or something else, 80-90% of us are ready for change, to exercise the ultimate right--Alter and Abolish. We want to change the status quo, and a convention on authority of the Constitution is designed to do just that. If we want to leave where we are now, and Article V is the vehicle to get us out of here, why would we not lay down whatever else we were working on and begin working for the Constitution? The state applications on record have satisfied the call, it’s now just a matter of us wanting it enough.

A convention is dangerous to the status quo because discussion is opened up, and delegates backed by corporations will be exposed for who they are by what they say--nothing significant--because the whole show is about how to shift power and they currently control it all. A convention is unicameral, not bi-cameral, and all proposals are voted 2/3 up or down.

How much altering and abolishing would the country do? The ratification process will tell us. What proposals will achieve seventy-five percent approval? Already 90%+ desire removing private money from public elections, so we know we can count on electoral reform coming out of a convention.

However you characterize the status quo, based on information you’ve processed in amount of time lived, the overwhelming majority want to leave where we currently are--where multinational corporations write their own legislation with unlimited funding of elections.