Forum Post: News We Can Use

“You need to know this. The Occupy Wall Street Movement just had its most popular week in the media so far – and “likes” of the movement on Facebook are surging. But it may have had its biggest impact yesterday – getting the attention of the Commander-in-Chief. While speaking in New Hampshire – the President was “mic-checked” by demonstrators. He now joins the growing list of other political figures who’ve been mic-checked – from Karl Rove – to Eric Cantor – to Michele Bachmann. After the speech was over – the President was then handed a note by one of the 99% Movement patriots in the crowd that read: “Mr. President, over 4,000 peaceful protesters have been arrested. While the banks continue to destroy the American economy with impunity. You must stop the assault on our First Amendment rights. Your silence sends a message that police brutality is acceptable. Banks got bailed out. We got sold out.” Stories of police brutality are increasing. News broke yesterday that a 19-year-old Seattle woman may have suffered a miscarriage as a result of police brutality. Also yesterday - several students were beaten by police batons outside of City University of New York where they were protesting tuition hikes. Plus – there’s the pepper spray incident at UC Davis – and the beating of an Iraq War veteran in Oakland. It’s past time for the President to speak out against the police violence in the streets – and that America once again becomes an example for young activists around the world of an open society that embraces free speech – and not an example for how to crush democracy for rogue governments around the world.” http://www.thomhartmann.com/the-news