Editor:
I am enthusiastically in support of the Occupy Movement (“Concrete Activists,” Feb. 16). Occupy Wall Street has fundamentally shifted the nature of public policy discourse. Finally, the focus is on the super rich who are killing the poor and devastating the middle class.
I have become increasingly disturbed by the tactics of Occupy Eureka. I am excruciatingly aware that many of the members of Occupy Eureka are homeless, addicted, victims of abuse, physically and/or developmentally disabled, mentally ill and understandably enraged. Society has failed them. However, the vast majority of the homeless in Humboldt County fall into these categories, and most are kind, civil people who do not harass others and do not vandalize small businesses.
More importantly, I believe that those with the most influence in Occupy Eureka are lying to raise hell with the legal system. I do not like being lied to. I am outraged about it. The Occupy Eureka movement has alleged that the Eureka Police Department deprived a homeless man of his survival equipment and that he subsequently died of exposure behind the mall. In checking with Acting Police Chief Harpham, I learned that the gentleman in question died of an overdose. He died on Jan. 23, 2012, and he claimed his backpack on Nov. 17, 2011. I suggest to Occupy Eureka that it might be better utilizing its time fighting for better emergency shelter options and permanent, safe, affordable housing for the homeless.
The left should hold the left accountable. This was done by more than 100 members of the 99 percent demonstrating against Occupy Eureka. Similar compassionate interventions have been done in Oakland and throughout the country. Occupy Humboldt Village led the way in cleaning up the Loring home — and promoting expanding affordable housing at the same time. Another example — the left should be vociferously demanding more community and law enforcement action against grow houses (which attract dangerous criminals, use abominable amounts of energy, and deplete the affordable housing market).
Occupy Eureka! I strongly suggest you reevaluate your tactics. You’ve lost the support of the middle, and you’re losing the left.
Susan McGee, Eureka
Editor:
We progressives should be calling Occupy Eureka to account, as well as challenging the know-nothings who refuse to immunize (ignoring how corrupt and wrong the research was linking it to autism). And you Republicans should be agitating to get Rush Limbaugh off the air. After all, what if it were your wife, daughter, or sister who was called a slut and a prostitute for advocating for contraception?
Limbaugh’s apology is meaningless. It was prompted by one thing only — the imminent loss of his livelihood as nine advertisers pulled their support.
The Republican response was disgustingly partisan. Only George Will had the cojones to challenge Limbaugh. Speaker Boehner said the comments were “inappropriate.” Will said inappropriate was a word used when one utilized the wrong fork.
Limbaugh is known for his attacks on Jews, Muslims, LGBTQ folk, and for racism and sexism. This is not the first incident. This is the very same Limbaugh who in 1993 cruelly mocked then 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton on his television show by holding up her picture and asking his viewers whether they knew that there was “a White House dog.” He once told a female African-American caller to “Take that bone out of your nose and call me back.”
Fluke herself stated the obvious — these are the very words used to silence women. And it is no coincidence that these are the words domestic violence assailants use to control their partners.
And there is also little doubt that the right is seizing the chance to roll back women’s rights. Setting the issue of choice in terminating pregnancies aside, bans on funding for mammograms and contraception are severely limiting women’s health options, and are actively hurting women medically, particularly poor women and middle class women with no access to health care.
Karen L. March, M.D., Eureka
Editor:
How ironic that Ryan Burns acknowledges that Occupy Eureka has been forcibly displaced to a narrow strip of concrete — the sidewalk directly in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse. Vilifying leaders of change has been the norm all through history — whether it be Martin Luther or Martin Luther King or Leonard Peltier. Assassinating the character or the flesh of those who place the welfare of others before their own is a sign that the leader under attack is a great one, who sacrifices everything for a purpose greater than one’s self, holding steadfast to their beliefs. Such leaders are driven by pure motives of the heart and cannot be bought, bribed or controlled.
What kind of an impact the Peace Movement’s Love-ins would have occurred in the ’60’s if Peoples’ Park had erected an Iron Curtain and restricted those assembled to a strip of sidewalk?
Have we forgotten that this same strip of concrete, the sidewalk, houses mentally ill patients, homeless citizens and all displaced peoples, like those of us who are tribal members?
Cher’ and Edward Keisner, Piercy
This article appears in Fight at the Museum.
Unbelievable.
Every race, sex, age, and movement has been divided by class, where one’s sensibilities are offended by the righteous outrage from those with less than nothing. If you don’t like the company at OE, then go down there and change it by adding your body to it.
If you don’t like poverty, crime, drug abuse, and homeless PTSD, then join the outrage over all the foreclosures and other empty homes and buildings in a community with a disgraceful 25% home affordability rate!
Whining about the worst victims of today’s corp/gov collusion, corruption and bailouts, is pathetic.
At least the republicans know how to open their arms wide, welcoming Eureka’s impoverished, unwashed voters who they’d otherwise have nothing to do with!
Its a welcome so warm that half Eureka’s voters fall for it every time, no matter how much the republican agenda excludes them.
In response to Susan McGee’s letter. Please don’t believe Murl Harpham, about anything, and in this case, about Occupy Eureka. He has not told the truth.
We have not seen our friend “Roach” in a while. Many people have confirmed to us that he died. Yesterday (March 8), the Eureka Police Department told us that they needed his signature because they still have his property. We told EPD, “He died” and were told by EPD “No, actually he is not dead. Harpham checked with the coroner and that was someone else.” So, as with everything, the story from EPD changes again. That’s what happens with lies- the story changes again and again. We are trying to find out (from honest sources) about OUR FRIEND (who I miss). Certainly, I don’t want to talk about someone as if they are dead- if they are alive. But, we have been told by caring people (not lying officials) who know him that he died. And we know that he did NOT get his survival gear back from EPD. Indeed, EPD confirmed that fact yesterday. I do not wish to address the other lies from Harpham who has been a crook- lying and involved in the abuse, slander, and murders of many over several decades. I only now wanted to address the talk about our friend- who is not a “tactic,” but someone’s son, father, brother. The police DID take his gear four months ago (and many other peoples’ belongings) and haven’t cared one bit how that affected any of us. But, then Murl was quoted a few years ago in reference to houseless people: (paraphrase) ‘We just have to make it uncomfortable for them.’ Don’t believe Murl Harpham. Support Occupy Eureka.
Solidarity! Verbana’s comments are spot on! Her work alone is a testament to the power of one individual consistsntly and constantly fighting for the rights and dignity of the underprivileged in this County. Continue on the good works and keep the heat on EPD! I will try to, in my own way! Thank you verbana, for your articulate and specific comments, bustin out the police; they MUST be accountable for what they did (murder, stereotyping, and tactically targeting the poor and houseless) and do daily. All Power to the People!
So Susan McGee, how does the “kill the poor and devaste the middle class” ?
This is nothing more than repeating nonsense and cliches. The top 1% pay something like 37% of all income taxes paid and only earn around 19% of the income.
They are the ones who fund the programs for the poor. They are the ones who provide the jobs for the middle class.
For a generation the Democratic party has bought trickle-down economics.
When they return to fighting for the least among us, (the only way to actually benefit every class that rests upon the poor), then the other half of America might register to vote.
The rich don’t create jobs.
http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-12-12/news/30500948_1_entrepreneurs-and-investors-capital-gains-and-income-jobs
By the way, I have been down at the courthouse, several times, showing solidarity and demonstrating. Since you didn’t sign your name, I, of course, can’t tell whether you were there when I was…..
You fundamentalists of the Left are just as bad as the fundamentalists of the Right…where is your commitment to dialogue? Why not try to talk with me rather than attack me? I saw the documents that I reference in my letter.
Either you are one of the people who is being misled or you are being dishonest and manipulating others…which one?
Susan McGee (who expected to be trashed by all sides)
Sorry, Ms. McGee, but it’s a black and white world for the minorities that don’t live in life’s vast gray areas.