This community looks like it's getting it right.

I know you're all probably sick of this, but... we must not let the pressure off the "Merchant of Death," as Wal-Mart has been called. Every day, people are getting wiser to this most evil retailer's antics, and it is showing in their actions. Here and here are a couple more examples which prove that the citizens of America aren't as stupid as Wal-Mart thinks they are.

I don't know if this is true. However, it made me think, if it is true and the media ignores it will "the general public" know? Worse, will they care?

Well, in America, Thanksgiving is over, and so is the biggest shopping day of the year. Did YOU participate in Buy Nothing Day on November 24th? As we head into this frenzy of consumption we call "The Holidays," let's try to remember just how effective the intangibles of life are. Read more about the impact of BND here.

Bad news for Ben and Jerry. It seems that yet again consumers are at the mercy of a large corporation. Let us hope Unilever sees how important the company's social policies are and upholds them.

Opensewer 7 is over! It was a great little event that took place in - this time - three cities. Photographs and summaries of the discussions are available here.

Hi, welcome to Opensewer. We're a happy little company that sells a maximum-quality product called "Thinking for Yourself." We are proud to announce that the price for this product is zero. Thank-you. Now, much happiness to all as we share and enjoy!

International Buy Nothing Day is November 24!

Violence is a tool of the weak.

Hey, look... we're ranting again!

A pretty good article on how districting makes your vote more powerful.

Opensewer 7 Cleveland was last night! Look for info and pictures soon. Don't forget... OS NYC and OS Ithaca are next week. More info >>

Perot, Nader... two different presidential races, two very different viewpoints, but they do indeed share at least one similar goal: the breakdown of the two-party system. "You can't spoil a system spoiled to the core," says Nader. An extremist viewpoint? Or is it more insightful than we're willing to admit?

GO VOTE NOW

I want to raise a bit of criticism against liberals and progressives who warn against voting for Ralph Nader because it could hurt Gore's chances of getting into office. As an American, you have a responsibility to vote in accordance with what you believe. You must not cast a vote as a "strategy" that attempts to stop the greater of two evils, when indeed a third option exists that more accurately matches your world-view. If you believe in what Nader says and stands for, you must vote for him. While there is little chance of his victory, a 5% vote will qualify the Green Party for federal campaign funds in the 2004 election. Even if Bush is elected (a horrible thought to Greens and Democrats alike), federal funding will be the greatest victory that true progressives can ask for in 2000. This article provides some additional information.

Following up on Rosie's entry yesterday, recently released census data indicate that suburbs are growing at triple the rate of center cities. Now, this probably isn't big news to anyone. But how long are we going to let this momentum continue? Until the entire U.S. is one big suburb and soccer moms rule the country? Perhaps a few more cities should be as forward thinking as Portland.

If you read this story notice that they were warned in advance and it's happened in the past -- however that didn't stop 250 million gallons of coal mining waste from being spilled into the Big Sandy, being called the Appalachian version of the Exxon Valdez. Why wasn't anything done after the spill in 1972?

I love it when people are up-front and honest with their intentions.

Now that the Kursk is back in the news I realize how quickly we (myself included) forget. Of course I might just be getting that feeling because the newscasters always introduce the story as "The Kursk is a Russian submarine which was damaged in an explosion..." as if no one had ever heard of this story before.

Just a thought... "Model" - an imprecise abstration of reality. Model = model = model.

Did you know that Gore is an oil man too?

Information for all three upcoming Opensewer Gatherings is now available. Want to come? Find a meeting in your 'hood...

Yay! Car sharing looks like it's coming to San Francisco. According to this story, this program is similar to pilot programs in Boston and Portland. I'll keep you updated to how it goes.

Sprawl update: How does your state rank?

The world is beautiful. It needs to be accessible to everyone.

Industrial Workers of the World is an organization which strives toward creating a "world in which production and distribution are organized by workers, not merely a handful of exploiters". Yay!

Yes, our server has been down for three days and yes, we're back up and running now. Very, very sorry for the inconvenience, everyone...

"For the second time in a week, the FCC has raided a free radio station in Austin, seizing its equipment. Coming immediately before the Fortune 500 Forum and the protests planned against it, one has to wonder ... why now?" Read about it.

Past winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. Do you see any names here that you also see in the news today? Has the prize become more of a gesture of encouragement?

Ok class, remember: America is founded on the mistreatment of indigenous peoples.