Occupy Rapid City Continues

Occupy Rapid City has been gathering on a street corner in downtown Rapid City in public protest of issues of concern to the members of the group.   The focus for the every Saturday protests is a discussion that persists at the group’s first and third Monday meetings each month.  Some members believe that we should try to align the focus with the major issues of the original Occupy Wall Street group.  Others believe that many other issues are related to those original protests and therefore it is appropriate to bring these issues to the public’s attention.  Bringing issues to the public’s attention has always been a major objective of Occupy protests everywhere.

A local group consensus does exist about the necessity to continue the protests, even if we can’t agree on how we could narrow their focus.  Observers that stop by to engage us in conversation or argument often share curiosity that indicates a desire on the part of these observers to classify and or categorize the protest participants as members of groups that the observers have established opinions about.  The people that want to label the group are generally missing a point that our group has an established a consensus about.  We believe that we represent not just ourselves, but a majority of Americans, the 99%, in our concern for the need to address the issues stated or implied on the signs we display each weekend in protest.

We do not mean to suggest that the 99% are in agreement on these issues.  We do try to draw attention to issues that affect the majority of our fellow citizens.  Our goal is to get people to think about these issues and how they came to be issues.  Another consensus within the group is with regard to the relationship of many issues of concern in the United States and the ever increasing economic inequality.  We aren’t talking about getting hand-outs and freebies as some people might imply.  We are talking about the political and societal environment that has been manipulated and changed over time to favor a small portion of the population. 

The following two books are recommended reading for greater understanding and insight into the positions of the Occupy movement:

The Price of Inequality: How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future

Joseph E. Stiglitz

New York: W.W. Norton & Co., ©2012

Debt: the first 5,000 years

David Graeber

Brooklyn, N.Y.: Melville House, ©2010

Governor misinformed or misleading?

I heard and interesting story two weeks ago while engaged in the weekly Saturday Occupy Rapid City protest on a corner along Main Street in Rapid City.  The story was being related in a casual and conversational way, similar to discussing the weather or some other interesting incident of a less than cataclysmic importance.  When hearing this type of recounting of a seemingly innocuous happening some my reply, “That doesn’t surprise me.”

A delegation of visiting members of British Parliament and other British officials were visiting South Dakota in the early part of June.  On June 6 they were in Pierre where the story has it that one of the members of the group asked Governor Daugaard about the Occupy Movement in South Dakota.  In the story, the Governor’s reply was something to the effect that “we don’t have that in South Dakota.”   The Governor must get his news from Rapid City news sources where the activities of the Occupy Movement are not reported on unless it offends an entity like Duhamel Broadcasting.  In addition to the every Saturday protests in Rapid City, members of Occupy Rapid City have given their support to and participated in the protests by several groups in Rapid City since their local beginning in October of 2011.

It is a little hard for outsiders to track the local Occupy Movement since it does not have a hierarchical structure or an official organizational membership list.  However, there are several South Dakota Occupy Movement group websites that list members numbering from seventy or so to nearly on hundred.  There are also quite a number of people that post on these sites that appear to think of themselves as members of the Occupy Movement even if their names don’t appear on a group page membership list. 

It is obvious that participation has waned considerably from what it was during the first exciting days when it was new concept for a lot of people with, perhaps, less than realistic expectations.  Still it is less than accurate for the Governor to tell our British guests that “we don’t have that in South Dakota.”

Note:  Here’s a few other Occupy websites to check out http://occupyrapidcity.org/, http://www.occupybrookings.com/, http://www.facebook.com/OccupyOfRapidCity, and http://www.facebook.com/groups/occupyblackhills

South Dakota Peace and Justice hosts Occupy Rapid City panel

By Greg Olson with editorial and memory help by Clay Uptain

Tuesday night the monthly meeting of the Rapid City chapter of the South Dakota Peace and Justice organization hosted a panel of Occupy Rapid City members.  The focus of this meeting was ‘The Significance of the “Occupy” Movement in Contemporary America: A Discussion.’   The panelists were volunteers and each of them spoke from their own point of view regarding the Occupy Movement.  The panel was comprised of three noteworthy members of our Occupy Rapid City community and yours truly. Each panelist spoke from the heart about the Movement with emphasis on particular aspects that spoke specifically to them.  While these panelists generally share similar views they did not speak as representatives of the diverse membership of the Occupy Movement.

Clay Uptain spoke of his background as a criminal justice system professional and how the Occupy Movement’s worldwide significance and his interest in the spiritual and social aspects of what that means, not just for Rapid City, but for all of humanity.

Jim Petersen shared that he is a Veteran pilot and feels that the Defense budget is way out of proportion and that it needs a significant reduction. He also listed other issues that he felt continued to be of specific relevance to the Movement.  He elaborated on each of the items that he referred to and how they related to the essential central issues of the Movement’s Occupy Wall Street beginnings. One of the key issues he mentioned was that our country has slowly degenerated into a plutocracy. We are no longer a democracy. He also discussed the National Defense Appropriations Act that eviscerated the Bill of Rights and has put our nation under indefinite martial law.

Peggy Detmers related how her background made many of Occupy’s central causes important to her.  She has a background in biology and is currently working with a biochemist identifying toxins in our environment. She issued several challenges to the listeners to join in the activism of the Occupy Movement.  This call to action was well understood and has been historically shared by most if not all of those in attendance of this gathering of the local South Dakota Peace and Justice group.

For my part, I tried to express how the Occupy Movement provides a venue or outlet for the “frustrated” majority or for the percentage of the population that should be able to associate with the movement, “the 99%.”  At the same time the Movement has avoided the partisanships of political parties.  The Occupy Movement provides the bridge between many groups on issues that are important to all of us, regardless of political, religious, or other divisive group definition.

All of the panelists seemed to agree that the Occupy Movement was a continuing catalyst for activism as well as for civic and social responsibility.  Evidence of this belief can be observed in action; two Occupy Rapid City members are serving on a task force formed by the Rapid City Council that was successful in getting the City of Rapid City to formalize and update its procedures for where it keeps its money.  The effort deemphasized the reliance on big banks and financial institutions and focused on the city including more small and locally owned banks and credit unions.

Public announcement from Occupy Rapid City

Event Schedule:

The demonstration on Saturday May 12 will focus on the income disparity and corporate malfeasance that initially sparked Occupy. These issues have not gone away. From banks foreclosing on families by using fraudulent documents to Wall Street speculators creating a bubble in oil futures to the one percenters continue to lie, cheat, and steal in order to further enrich themselves. Meanwhile more and more Americans are struggling just to survive. There really is “too much month at the end of the money.”

Come on out this Saturday and stand with us. You will be glad that you did.


http://occupyrapidcity.org/

Occupy Rapid City to highlight Miss Representation

Guest post from Occupy Rapid City:
This Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 12:45 pm Occupy Rapid City will walk from Main Street Square to KOTA in order to shine a light on the role of the media in disempowering women. KOTA continues to broadcast Rush Limbaugh in spite of his documented attacks on women. He has repeatedly and infamously referred to any women who are politically active on equality issues as “femi-nazis.” He seems to think that the only appropriate role for women in the 21st Century is to remain barefoot and pregnant.
Not only does KOTA continue to broadcast Rush Limbaugh, but it also aligns itself with the one percent corporate interests in this country, rather than the ninety-nine percent of the rest of the population. The more general role of the corporate owned and controlled media locally and nationally in marginalizing and disempowering women was exposed in a recent showing in Rapid City of Miss Representation. This film highlighted the many ways that women are sexualized and distorted on a daily basis in our media culture. It is a documentary film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom and features interviews with Condaleezza Rice, Katie Couric, Nancy Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Geena Davis, Rachel Maddow, Margeret Cho, and Rosario Dawson. It documents how the media only wants to focus on trivial and sexualized aspects of women, instead of having an honest discourse on the issues that women are raising. One example in the film was the media’s focus on Sarah Palin’s legs and physical appearance instead of the substance of her political stances on the issues.
The recent local showing of this film was sponsored by PROJECT RESPECT.ORG, an organization that “works to combat sexual and gender based violence amongst South Dakota’s Native American youth by promoting healthy, responsible and respectful relationships.”
Proceeds from the event went to WAVI-Working Against Violence, Inc., an organization that “works to create a community free of domestic abuse and sexual assault through advocacy, education and support services.”


The following statement is by Jim Peterson of Occupy Rapid City:
As you may or may not be aware, the Occupy Rapid City group has weekly demonstrations every Saturday, beginning at noon at Main Street Square. The overarching theme is always corporate control of every facet of our lives, but a weekly emphasis is chosen based on a timely issue currently in the limelight. This Saturday, April 21, we will try to bring to the attention of the public/media the concerns depicted in the recently shown movie Miss Representation. More specifically we will try and connect the dots between the media and the objectification and degradation of women. We will meet as usual at the Square, at noon, with appropriate signs and then around 12:45 walk the two blocks to the KOTA studio to once again shine a light on Rush Limbaugh’s disgusting behavior, vis-à-vis women. The previous demonstration at KOTA was an appropriate response to a specific episode, but the bigger issues pointed out by Miss Representation need to be addressed also.
We would encourage every woman you know (and men !!) to join us for an hour or so this Saturday. The reality is that one short demonstration is not going to affect significant change, which is why Occupy groups step up continuously…. PLEASE take the time to join us and encourage all your friends and group members to do likewise. Signage which speaks to the points raised in the Miss Representation film would be most helpful and appropriate. If anyone has any questions have them call me at (605) 342-6245. Thanks for all that you do to make our community a better place……..Jim Petersen
###

For More Information:
Mary Ellen Uptain 605.341.0724
Jim Peterson 605.342.6245
Occupy Rapid City occupyrapidcity.org

Protest made latest local news in Rapid City

Today Democracy in Action sponsored a protest in front of the office of KOTA in down town Rapid City.  Here is a post from the Occupy Rapid City Facebook page:

Due to the requests of participants at today's rally in front of KOTA, the scheduled Occupy Rapid City rally for tomorrow, Saturday, March 10th will continue the theme of holding Rush Limbaugh and KOTA accountable for their actions. It is an open forum. All are welcome. The protest will begin at Main Street Square at 12 Noon, and then we will march over to the KOTA station on St. Joseph Street. There were at least 60 people at the KOTA protest today. Their management appears to be placing greed over any sense of integrity. What Rush said is offensive and unacceptable. He must be held accountable. Please come out and protest this horrible stance taken by Rush Limbaugh and KOTA Radio.

KOTA Radio’s web page reported that there were between thirty and forty protesters.  The photo accompanying the report on their website showed five protesters from an angle that did not include the much larger group.

The Rapid City Journal’s website includes an option to see the most commented on recent articles published on their website.  As of seven o’clock on Friday, March 09, 2012 the most commented article was Locals petition to take Limbaugh off air with 190 comments.  The third most commented on article was Limbaugh comments overshadow GOP contest with 37 comments.  Also today, the Journal’s website included a survey poll question that readers could vote on:

Do you think Rush Limbaugh should be taken off the air for the inflammatory comments he made last week on his nationally syndicated radio talk show?

After voting the cumulative results were displayed. The cumulative votes as of this writing were 2,334. The results showed the distribution of votes to be 49% yes and 51% no. This is the same distribution percentage that the poll results showed earlier in the day when the total votes was at 2,008. Obviously, quite a few voters had an opinion on this question, but the distribution was completely static for much of the polling period. That happens all the time, right?

Tonight in perusing the various local television news broadcasts, it appears that the protest efforts weren’t news worthy. Even the Rapid City Journal ignored what appears to be considerable local interest in this issue relating to what the general manager of Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises, Ted Peiffer refers to as “the most listened to radio program in America.”

Update 11 pm 3-9-12:   KOTATV and KEVNTV did report on the Limbaugh protest today.  KEVN Fox News report put the number of protesters at seventy and KOTA TV did a much better job of showing the whole group than the picture posted on the radio website.  Mr. Peiffer says the calls supporting Limbaugh on the air were three to one in favor keeping the program.  Perhaps he is using the same scientific data collection methods that will be used to evaluate teachers for the new merit pay system.

Update 3-10-12:  Today's Rapid City Journal included a picture of the Friday afternoon protesters with a large caption.  Their online poll vote count had increased to over 2,639 by 8:00 a.m., but the distribution was still stuck at 49 % yes and 51 % no.  For comparison sake consider that according to the data base section of the RCJ website shows that 13,640 votes were cast for mayoral candidates in the 2011 election.  The poll vote count is equal to slightly over 19 percent of the number of votes cast for mayor in scheduled election.  The online poll drew nearly twenty percent of that number votes without being an publicly announced event like the mayoral election.  If Mr. Peiffer got as many callers as the Journal got poll voters, then he must have had a very busy phone day.

BAD BILLBOARD BILL Guest Editorial

GOVERNOR DAUGAARD; PLEASE VETO SB-157

By Tom Katus*

The BAD BILLBOARD BILL, SB 157 has passed and will go into law.  The vote:  42 to 26.  It took 10 BILLBOARD Lobbyists, being paid tens of thousands of dollars by the BIG BILLBOARD CORPORATIONS to get this vote!  We had 0 dollars and the people to represent.  You now know what runs your State Government!

A sad day for the citizens of South Dakota, and local control of its municipalities and counties...

--Lisa Modrick

Scenic Rapid City Committee, Inc.

SD LEGISLATURE BOUGHT BY SIGN COMPANIES

-- Sign at Occupy Rapid City Rally, March 3rd.

The people of Rapid City and West River are livid about the majority of East River’s Legislators’ arrogance to override a local initiative, for which scores of us circulated petitions to have a vote on billboard control. That vote of 6,000 + was more than 2/3rds majority of the people.  I am certain that citizens of Brookings, Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Watertown, Mitchell, and Pierre would feel similarly affronted if an initiated measure in their city, securing more than 2/3rds of the vote were overturned by the Legislature.

The undue influence of moneyed interests in the federal government has lead to widespread cynicism of the people and a Congressional approval rating of 11%.  Now the East River majority in the SD Legislature is acting equally irresponsibly and thwarting the will of the people.

We have many divisions in this State, including age, gender, race and partisanism.  However, the greatest division remains the split between East and West River.  When I served in the Senate and when I ran for State Treasurer, my major theme was to work hard to overcome these East/West Divisions and bring ALL South Dakotans together.

Last month, I lead a delegation of Legislative Fellows selected from throughout the US by our State Department to visit Nepal. We spent a week meeting with political leaders and non governmental organizations (NGOs) assisting them with their constitutional review.  Nepal is transitioning from an authoritarian centralized government to a federal democratic system. I was asked to address their National Lawyers Association, on behalf of our group, on the US Constitutional review process culminating at Independence Hall in Philadelphia in July, 1789.  I stressed that perhaps the greatest strength of our federal system is extensive LOCAL CONTROL.  A fellow delegate who is a Councilman from Concord, New Hampshire reinforced this view.  The Nepalese were very impressed with LOCAL CONTROL, and are hopeful they can institute it in their country.

Thus, it is particularly disheartening to return to SD to find that a majority of our East River Legislators has overturned the people's will.   Governor Daugaard has made some excellent strides in reaching out to ALL our people. His positive decisions on Valhalla and the Black Hills Playhouse are commendable. Vetoing this onerous legislation, would certainly reinforce his strength in the Republican Heartland of West River.  While such a stance may irritate the deep pocket sign companies, it will definitely make him more popular with 6,000+ Rapid City voters and the tourism industry. Tourism has much greater economic impact on the State than three wealthy sign companies and their 10 paid lobbyists!.

 But regardless of the politics of any such decision, a veto would be the right thing for ALL the people of South Dakota.  I am hopeful that he will once again rise above politics and do the right thing. I urge Governor Daugaard to veto SB 157.  I am confident that we would have sufficient strength in the SD House of Representatives to sustain his veto.

*********

Tom Katus served as a State Senator (2007-08), is a member of Scenic Rapid City and Occupy Rapid City. 

SOUTH DAKOTA ELECTED OFFICIALS SUPPORT GOLIATH WHILE CITIZENS SUPPORT DAVID

The following guest post is a public news release:

SOUTH DAKOTA ELECTED OFFICIALS SUPPORT GOLIATH

WHILE CITIZENS SUPPORT DAVID

Citizen Protest Against Private Foreign Companies Use of Eminent Domain

(Rapid City, SD) South Dakota elected officials including Senator Thune, Representative Noem, Governor Daugaard, and the SD Legislature continue to support TransCanada, a foreign corporation, over South Dakota landowners. Even after the Presidential permit for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline has been denied, TransCanada continues to move forward with eminent domain court proceedings against local landowners.

This Saturday, February 25, 2012 at noon, citizens of South Dakota will come together at Main Street Square in downtown Rapid City to protest TransCanada’s continued bullying of landowners and our elected officials who continue to repeat false statements about the proposed project. Citizens will speak up against their elected officials ignoring their constituents. Members of groups supporting this action include Occupy Rapid City, Dakota Rural Action, and SD Peace and Justice. We believe the Davids of our country should be represented when the Goliaths, like TransCanada, do not play fair.

While a construction project will bring short-term jobs, long-term growth for SD depends upon the health of our soil and water and the families who have spent their lives as stewards of these resources. Why would private property rights be given away to a foreign company that has not proven they can care for the land, its resources, and water?

Dakota Rural Action, a grassroots organizing non-profit, recently introduced HB 1111 into SD Legislation. This bill aims to create an even playing field for both landowners and private organizations and define a clear process for good faith negotiations where eminent domain is used as a last resort in the development of railroads and large transmission pipelines for hydrocarbons. Unfortunately, the bill failed on the House floor last week with a 35 to 35 reconsideration vote.

“According to The New York Times, the company has at least 34 eminent domain actions against landowners in Texas, and 22 in South Dakota.2 And their threats to landowners in Nebraska3 helped spark massive public opposition and a special legislative session that were key in the decision to consider a different route.” -Credo Action

South Dakota landowners have proven and earned their right to private property rights over multiple generations through their responsible stewardship. Why are we letting the Goliaths continue with condemnation proceedings on a project that offers little public benefit? 

For More Information:

Clay and Mary Ellen Uptain

Occupy Rapid City

605.341.0724

dcu777@rushmore.com

occupyrapidcity.org

Jessica Miller

Dakota Rural Action

605.716.2200

jessicam@dakotarural.org

dakotarural.org

Jim Peterson

SD Peace & Justice

petersen100@cs.com

1. "Keystone XL Pipeline: Texas Farmer Wins Temporary Restraining Order Against TransCanada," Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
2. "Eminent Domain Fight Has a Canadian Twist," New York Times, October 17th, 2011
3. "TransCanada Keystone XL Eminent Domain Threat Letter ," Dirty Oil Sands
4. "Texans rally against Keystone XL oil pipeline easement," LA Times, February 17, 2012

Free Speech and the Influence of Money on Democracy

If you like to pass along false rumors and innuendos about the President -- any president -- and the President’s policies, you can be reasonably confident you’ll never be called out for it by a member of your own political party.  In my opinion, the Republicans excel at this ability, but the Democrats cannot be far behind with this flawed sense of party loyalty.  The news media helps to perpetuate the concept, by ignoring any responsibility for fact checking much of what it passes along to the public.  Nothing new here I suppose, but there are some journalistic accounts of the media exercising its supposed position as “watchdog for the public.” 

The lure of advertising dollars has corrupted the “eye of the public” function of many media outlets in the world today.  The need to maintain large readership/viewership numbers in order to entice advertisers is too strong a need for corporate media businesses.   Unfortunately, the general public has been all too willing to let this undesirable development come about.  Reporting the news is more about money than journalism.  

While we’ve been sleeping, the people that benefit the most from this situation have been quietly solidifying their power over our society.  Numerous examples exist of this constant struggle to promote favor for the few at the expense of the majority.  Some of these examples include eliminating protections for workers and the public safety.  Alarm at this development is small since only a minority of people is able to relate to the overall negative trend.  Far too many people belong to the group of trusting voters who believe their political candidates will become their trusted representatives in power once they get into office.  The truth -- for those willing to seek it -- is less than encouraging with regarding elected representatives and who they represent when they get into office.  Representing the people in public office is more about money than civic duty and protecting the interests of the public.

The Tea Party claims to be an organization that evolved from public dissatisfaction with the political process in this country.  That may or may not be true, but regardless of the virtue of the party’s origins, some observers believe that the Tea Party has been co-opted or corrupted by powerful moneyed interests.  The two major parties seem to be controlled by the people within them that are more concerned with continuing their careers than with promoting ideology to benefit the public welfare.  

Assume for the sake of discussion that you are qualified in everyway to hold an elected office.  What are the chances that you could win an election to an office outside of the state you live in?  Then ask yourself how much money has to do with your answer.   Now ask yourself, who controls the money?

The press and other news media used to hold the upper hand with its ability to gather information and report that information to the public and the public had to rely on them for news information.  Now days many people carry camera phones and other small recording devices.  This is a scary development for entities that would like to filter, disguise, or block knowledge of their activities from the prying eyes of the public.   Even without the official press doing its job, in some ways it is harder today to hide questionable activities from the public.  Some of the responsibility for exposing these questionable activities has been taken over by people involved in demonstrations of public dissent.   Organized dissent worries those entities that don’t want close public scrutiny of their activities. 

Motivated opinion comment/letter writers continue to send their opinions to newspapers and other media outlets in the hope that those letters will be posted and read by others.  Some of those comments and letters do get posted or published and the Internet has made it easier for people to make public comments.  However, compare the impact of any single letter or comment writer’s efforts with the impact of well funded groups or large corporations.  Both are expressions of free speech, but are they equal?

Occupiers attend Oglala Lakota Nation sponsored Rally on XL Pipeline

Yesterday was a very interesting day.  It started out the same as most Saturdays.  I read the paper and some other things online.  Several people called on the phone and we talked about the stuff we usually talk about.  Then at about eleven thirty, I went down town to join the other Occupy Rapid City protesters for what has become our standard activity for mid-day Saturday.

One of the Occupiers is a semi-retired professor and writer, Elisabeth Cook-Lynn.  She is a very interesting lady.  She told me that she intended to go to the Mother Butler Center at one o'clock for a gathering organized by the Ogalala Sioux Tribe Vice President Tom Poor Bear to discuss stopping the Keystone XL pipeline.

Marvin Kammerer had told me earlier during our phone conversation that he intended to go to that gathering and asked me if I would like to go.  Since Elisabeth had reminded me, I decided that I would go.  Several other members of Occupy Rapid City decided to go check out the gathering at the Mother Butler Center.

What an experience that turned out to be.  People were still arriving when I got to the gymnasium at the Mother Butler Center at about ten minutes after one.  A table was set near the door with some documents that looked like there were there for anyone that was interested, so I helped myself.  Next to that table was another table with jewelry on display and for sale.  The kitchen appeared to be in operation also.  The middle of the gym had several rows of chairs that would provide seating for around a hundred people. 

Behind the chairs, was a large drum and several drummers were seated around it.  A podium and tables were arranged near the west end of the gym which allowed for an open area in front of the chairs for the audience.   About ten people were seated at the tables, facing the audience.  It looked as though if everyone were to sit down, the audience seating would be at full capacity.

A friend of Marvin's that I recognized was at the podium, Alex White Plume.  He proceeded to introduce several of the people in attendance and to explain what the gathering was for.  He then introduced his cousin who opened the gathering with a prayer in Lakota.  Many of the speakers spoke in the Lakota language for a portion of their speeches.  

                  Figure 1 Vice President Tom Poor Bear seated and Deb White Plume speaking

Several members of the tribal council were in attendance.  Vice President Poor Bear introduced the grandson of Chief Red Cloud, who is a chief himself.  Chief Oliver Red Cloud was the first speaker to address the assembly.  The senior attorney for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Steve Emery, was one of the speakers.  He was followed by several people with special knowledge about the various aspects of the pipeline project, such as the potential for pollution, emanate domain proceedings, ongoing legislation, employment claims, tax revenue considerations, and more. 

There were people there from several states including Colorado, Minnesota, and Nebraska; there may have been more states represented, but those are three that I remember hearing mentioned.  There were several ranchers and farmers that were being directly impacted by the plans for the XL pipeline to cross their property.  Two ranchers, John Harter from the Winner area and Paul Seamans from Draper South Dakota talked their personal involvement with emanate domain proceedings.  There were environmental activists that were concerned about the impact of Tar Sands mining and refining.  There was a young musician there that had written songs about the Tar Sands and Pipeline.  She sang two of her songs and accompanied herself on the guitar.

All this was interspersed with music.  At one point, the speaker, Steve Emery, introduced his Auntie, Madonna Thunderhawk.  He invited her up front and then invited everyone to come up and shake hands with her or give her a hug.  It didn’t take that long to do and everyone appeared to enjoy the opportunity.

Figure 2 Steve Emery speaking and seated to the right Chief Red Cloud, Alex White Plume, and an un-named participant

Marvin was asked to speak and it appeared to me that he didn't know they were going to do that.  He had been taking some notes when others were speaking.  His notepad was an inch and a half by two inch piece of paper he had in his pocket.  Marvin really shines in settings like that and he said he had quite a bit to say.  He spoke for about thirty minutes and during that time he had the audience applauding, voicing their approval, and emotionally involved.

I'm glad I went.  Unfortunately, I did not take notes while I was there and just the two pictures.  For anyone that was there, if my memory is off a little in my account, please forgive me.  Forgive me too all those wonderful people that participated in this event and that I should have identified in this article.  Apparently, the Rapid news media didn't consider it news worthy event.

Naming Rights and Financial Contributions

Some Republicans I know are Republicans because they are loyal to the only political party they have ever been members of.  They can’t conceive of not being Republicans.  A few others have realized that they are disenchanted with the direction of the party and they have made a partial step away from it by claiming to be independents.  The same things can be said for numerous Democrats.  It’s like growing up in a religious denomination and being told that every other denomination is wrong; it’s scary to think that the group you are a member of might not be all that righteous.

In truth, what appears to be happening is that certain factions within groups have ascended to dominance while the other members have languished in their complacency.  The attitudes of society have overtaken the idealism's of the groups we thought we knew because we grew up in them.  One reason for this is that there are professional people who are paid to devise ways to make these groups more effective political tools.  Those professional manipulators have expanded their abilities at an accelerating rate with the assistance of technology and money.  The more willing these individuals are to “sell out” their own group’s core ideology for the sake of other agendas, the more money they can attract.  While you were sleeping, your religion and/or your political party changed into a tool for people with money that want to be powerful.

In western South Dakota, there are lots of good people that have belonged to one political party all of their lives.  They are good neighbors, good citizens, and the kind of people that you would like to have watching your back for you when times get tough.  They sort of shake their heads when they learn that T. Denny Sanford makes another large contribution to help fund some organization and, in appreciation, that organization changes its name to include Mr. Sanford’s name.  It seems harmless enough and it isn’t as though T. Denny invented the practice.

On January 21, 2010, the US Supreme Court assisted the manipulators with the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision.  The Supreme Court decision appears to be confirming what has been happening slowly for a long time and at a much faster rate during the last eleven years.  Money trumps everything else, if you have enough of it.  If things weren’t lopsided enough already, one group is looking to make it more so.  This group wants to eliminate the continuing restriction against direct political contributions by corporations.  Perhaps the Republican and Democrat parties are in for name changes in the near future; judging by their actions they are already sold out to or beholding to their moneyed and corporate contributors.

Occupy Rapid City joins national protest of Citizens United ruling

Guest Post

For immediate release

On Friday January 20, 2012, Occupy Rapid City will participate in a national protest: 
Occupy the Federal Courthouse: 

On the second anniversary of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited undisclosed amounts of corporate money in political campaigns there will be occupations of Courthouses around the country. This effort is being promoted by the national group Move to Amend, which is organizing for an amendment to the US Constitution denying person hood to corporations. The effect of so-called "Super-PACS" may already be seen in the current election cycle. Our country continues to have the best politicians that money can buy. This is a concern in South Dakota as well as in national elections. We believe that when the voices of the 99% of the American population are ignored in favor of the 1%, then it is past time to implement public financing of elections.

We will meet locally at the Rapid City Federal Courthouse (9th and Main and St. Joe) at 4:30 pm. All are welcome. This is not solely an "Occupy" event. It is an open citizen protest against the Supreme Court Citizens United ruling.

Occupy Rapid City shows no signs of slowing. With weekly consensus-based meetings continuing, the activists are still reaching out for new ways to support the nation-wide effort for the promotion of social, economic and political change. On January 15th a candlelight vigil has held in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. in downtown Rapid City.
The next ORC teach-in will be January 31 at 5:30 pm at the RC Public Library Room B. Lilias Jarding will present on corporate energy–coal, oil, nuclear–with emphasis on uranium mining in and around the Black Hills. Karen Hall will talk about how to lobby the SD Legislature effectively and the online tools available.

Group participants still show enthusiasm for continuing their weekly Saturday demonstrations in downtown Rapid City, in support of the greater movement.

For further information on Occupy Rapid City please see:

http://occupyrapidcity.org/

Contact:
Clay Uptain
605-341-0724
dcu777@rushmore.com

The Future of Occupy Rapid City

            A recent acquaintance of mine gave me an article to read that discussed what drives some corporate decisions to seek profits over more socially responsible alternatives.[1]  This relates directly to what it is that drives the future of the Occupy Rapid City group.  Our group and our society are faced with numerous important issues that merit our attention and activism.  How do we decide which issues we will address?  How do we decide the methods we will use to address the issues?

            Back in October, 2011, Representative Barney Frank was interviewed by Rachel Maddow.  Rep. Frank wanted to know where the members of the Occupy Wall Street movement two years prior when he could have used their energy in fighting for regulations that may have averted the economic crisis.  He implied that the members of the Wall Street Movement had not voted during the previous election.  The following is an excerpt from that interview, Rep. Frank said:

“. . .  I welcome the Wall Street energy. I don’t agree with everything some of the people say. I agree with the general thrust of it. It’s not self-executing. It has to be translated into political activity if it’s going to have the impact. . .”[2]

            It would be very difficult to determine with accuracy whether members of the Occupy Wall Street Movement did or did not vote in the previous election.  However, it quite easy to observe their willingness and ability to engage in civic minded public dissent and the exercise of free speech.   Further, it appears that their dissent and exercise of free speech does have a political impact.

            During general assembly meetings, Occupy Rapid City members discuss issues that are of concern to the members locally and nationally.  How the group will respond to these issues is discussed and plans are made.  The importance and relevance of the issues are considered and focus issues are identified.

            In accordance with decisions made during the general assembly meetings, the Occupiers protested to raise awareness of the negative impact of large banks on society.  The Occupiers urged consumers of banking services to move their money out of the large, corporate institutions and into smaller, local banks and credit unions.  This campaign was followed by protests focusing on buying from local businesses not just during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday period, but through out the year. 

            Teach-ins were held to provide information to movement members.  A variety of articles, videos, and books were circulated among the members to improve the general understanding of the issues.  Discussion groups met and conversations took place among the members help in the self education of the members of the group

            At the January 3, 2011, meeting of the Rapid City Common Council, members of Occupy Rapid City were in attendance.  Twelve members of the group took to the podium to encourage the Council members to consider using locally owned financial institutions for the officially designated depositories for the City’s money.  The council voted unanimously to create a task forced to consider the protocol that is used to select the designated depositories.[3]  Clearly, the activities of the Occupy movement have an impact.

            Other positive actions taken include activities like the Cash Mobs.  Members of the Occupy group gather together to shop as a group at local businesses instead of buying from large corporate chain stores.[4]  During the Bank Transfer Day or Move Your Money Day campaigns the members of the organization and the general public were successfully encouraged to move their money out of the large corporate financial institutions and into local banks and credit unions.[5]

            Currently, the national Occupy Movement is focusing on the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.[6]  This decision treats corporations the same as individuals allowing them to make unlimited political contributions.  Protests are being organized that will focus public attention on this issue.   Efforts are being made to propose legislation to effectively overcome the Supreme Court’s decision.  There is lots of support for this effort and not just from the Occupy movement.  Move to Amend,[7] Senator Bernie Sanders,[8] and Public Citizen[9] are just three examples of efforts focused on reversing the personhood status of corporations resulting from the Supreme Court’s decision on the Citizen United case.  Society seems to be catching on and picking up some of the energy that invigorates people when they begin to exercise their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly. 

            The National Defense Authorization Act[10] as it relates to the issue of indefinite detention is also a topic of discussion and planning at general assembly meetings.  How the Occupy Movement responds to this legislation has not been decided.  However, the concern over this issue by individual members is already being displayed during public protests.

            There are those within the Occupy Movement that don’t believe that voting does any good, they say the system is broken.  Others in the group hold voting in the very high regard and they cherish the right to vote, while also considering voting a civic duty.  In today’s party politics voting is encouraged and the great campaign battles are fought in the effort to win the most votes.  However, once the votes have been cast the political parties of today would prefer that voters stay home, don’t talk to the opposition, and send money.  In the interest of securing these three objectives, political parties have learned to use fear, decisiveness, and deception to accomplish their goals.

            Education, discourse, and action should be the objectives of the people, voters and non-voters alike.  These are elements of the core principals of the Occupy Movement.  Learning about the issues leads to understanding the issues.  Understanding the issues allows for discussion of the issues.  Discussion can lead to consensus on the issues.  A consensus can lead to a clearer course of action to take to resolve issues.

            Through education, people become knowledgeable regarding issues facing society.  This knowledge helps to overcome fear.  Overcoming fear and ignorance helps to promote more considerate and productive discussion relating to issues.  When the people can discuss the issues they do not have to rely on politicians to tell them what to think.  Therefore, it should be easier to tell which politicians work in the interest of the majority and which work in the interest of the economically powerful minority.

            Two Occupy Wall Street organizers/protesters were interviewed on the new Bill Moyers and Company program.[11]  These two individuals represent their own views and should not be considered to be national leaders.  However, they expressed their views about the movement and what they would like to see.  Whether their views represent consensus remains to be seen.

            In summary of my opinion, the future for the Occupy Movement lies in continuing to build on the core principles of its beginning. 

• Continue to use peaceful methods to express dissent focusing on raising awareness of issues that impact the 99%. 
• Promote broad based non-partisan consensus building. 
• Provide educational opportunities to improve the general understanding of the issues facing society.
• Take action whenever possible to promote the positive impacts upon society.

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[1] Look Who Demands Profits Above All, by Robert Reich, Los Angeles Times, Friday, September 1, 2000 http://www.wilpf.org/docs/ccp/corp/X-read4%5B1%5D.pdf

[2] Barney Frank To Occupy Wall Street: Where Were You During The Last Midterms? by Colby Hall, 8:17 am, October 18th, 2011 http://www.mediaite.com/tv/barney-frank-unhappy-with-occupy-wall-streeters-who-blame-me-for-consequence-of-their-not-voting/

[3] Council to look at keeping city bank accounts local, Journal staff, Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 5:30 am, 

[4] Occupy Brookings Organizes 'Cash Mob', by Hailey Higgins, Keloland.com, Published: December 3, 2011, 9:56 PM

[5] Move Your Money Day a Success; Over $50 Million Withdrawn From Big Banks, by Sarah Jaffe, AlterNet.org, November 8, 2011

[6] Wikipedia contributors. "Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2012.

[7] MovetoAmend.org

[8] Sanders Files ‘Saving American Democracy Amendment', Senator Bernie Sanders, sanders/senate/gov, December 8, 2011

[9] Democracyisforpeople.org

[10] Wikipedia contributors. "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2012. 

[11] Two Occupy Leaders on Goals of the Protest, BillMoyers.com, January 13, 2012

Occupy Rapid City Council

Members of the Occupy Rapid City group gathered outside city hall this evening.  The group had an objective that they hope will help to improve the local economy and stimulate local job growth in the future.  The group assembled inside the council chambers after a brief protest gathering on the sidewalk outside.  About ten members of the group registered to speak publicly before the council.  Each speaker approached the topic from their own unique prospective, but the common theme was to encourage the council members to reconsider the makeup of the officially designated depositories for the city’s money.  Occupiers want to see the list limited to locally owned banks, local investment companies, and local credit unions.

The current list includes numerous large national institutions and some foreign companies.   Two additional institutions wanted to be included in the list and this was the reason the resolution was up reconsideration at tonight’s council meeting.  The resolution on tonight’s agenda included the following financial institutions:

A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.

BankWest Inc.

Black Hills Community Bank

Black Hills Federal Credit Union

Capstone Asset Management Company

Dougherty & Company, LLC

Edward Jones Investment

First Interstate Bank

First National Bank

First Western Federal Savings Bank

Great Western Bank

Investment Center of America, Inc.

KT Investments

Merrill Lynch

Pioneer Bank and Trust

RBC Wealth Management

US Bank

Voyageur Investment Management

            Wells Fargo

The council passed an amended motion to approve the list and create a committee to review the criteria for choosing the institutions on the list.  The issue is to be revisited by the council in sixty days.