I was in Madison, Wisconsin when the citizens took over the statehouse and it was one of the most amazing events I've witnessed. I saw firsthand the power of regular people coming together in unity to fight back against corrupt politicians and corporate influence. I'm honored to add my voice to this historic campaign to recall Scott Walker and rebuild Wisconsin.
"You're Fired" was directed by Paradise Gray and stars Silas Russell as "Scott Walker"
LYRICS
Yeah, it's time for a Recall
Untied we stand divided we fall
We tired of being treated like we small
You forgot you work for us and we the boss
So let's tell Scott Walker you're fired
Go clean out ya desk cause you're fired
Cash that last check cause you're fired
You don't wanna show us respect now you're fired
[Editor's Note: Please read through to the end to learn how you can win a pair of free tickets to see "Heist."]
For those who are still wondering what fueled the Occupy Movement and just what is it they're protesting about, those questions are easily answered once you’ve seen the movie Heist: Who Stole The American Dream?. In just under an hour and a half, the film brings the Occupy Movement to life in cinematic form, and all the ills of our society are made clear, revealing both greedy corporate executives and politicians bent on destroying the middle class.
Structured as a political thriller, the documentary from Donald Goldmacher and Frances Causey explains how powerful special interests have worked to derail American worker's rights and protections since the implementation of Roosevelt’s New Deal. Thom Hartmann narrates, and with observations of the featured experts including Media Matters for America’s David Brock, American Airlines former President and Chair Robert Crandall, Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist David Cay Johnston, Rebuild the Dream’s Van Jones, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and others, Heist details the assaults committed against American workers, and the gutting of the U.S. economy, the result of 4 decades of deregulation, massive job outsourcing, and tax policies favoring mega-corporations and wealthy elites.
More than a recounting of history and documenting the atrocities, Heist is a call to action. To rise up against those who’ve used deregulation, like the repeal of Glass-Steagall to victimize the masses. It sounds an alarm on the need to restore the Fairness Doctrine, repealed by Ronald Reagan, which led to the current slew of airwave liars and hatemongers. You'll come to understand the need to safeguard and strengthen unions and workers’ rights as Koch funded Governors like Wisconsin’s Scott Walker and Ohio’s John Kasich work to systematically destroy them. You will be outraged as you watch a panel of Human Resources professionals provide training on bypassing American workers in favor of lower wage foreign workers, and again as Bill Gates testifies unopposed before Congress on the merits of H1B legislation to import foreign workers under the guise that not enough American workers have the skill to do the jobs.
Heist is the rallying cry of the 99 percent, who can take this moment in history and transform the American economic and political landscape through information-sharing and direct action. Heist is a warning as well as a vision of a new future. Viewers will come away from the film feeling that they understand who broke the economy and how, and knowing what is needed to fix it.
Thanks to the great group of folks who put this film together, I've got 10 pairs of Free tickets for our readers. They're for the New York City premiere at the Quad Cinema - opening day is March 2nd - and runs for one week. You have your choice from March 2 - 8 and from any screening time. Note the special screening dates and times with the question and answer sessions after the film that sound really interesting.
Now, all you have to do to get the free tickets is be one of the first 10 people to email me at "crooksandliars@gmail.com" with your name, choice of date and show time, and tickets will be available for you at the Quad's "Will Call." Please use "HEIST TICKETS" in the subject line of your email.
HEIST: WHO STOLE THE AMERICAN DREAM?
EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT | MARCH 2 - 8, 2012 | ONE WEEK ONLY!
at NY’s Quad Cinema 34 West 13th Street, NYC
Nightly Q&A’s Following 7:10 & matinee shows featuring: Filmmakers, Local & National Experts, Labor Leaders, Academics & Actions!
A few have already been organized:
* MARCH 4 @ 7:10p | Special screening sponsored by DEMOS featuring ROBERT KUTTNER
* MARCH 6 @ 7:10p | Special screening featuring DAVID CAY JOHNSTON & MORE!
* MARCH 8 @ 3p | Special screening featuring ERIC KINGSON, co-director of Strengthen Social Security
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray (from "Oleoresin Capsicum"), OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness) that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defence, including defense against dogs and bears. Its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, taking away vision. This temporary blindness allows police to more easily restrain subjects and permits the person(s) using pepper spray an opportunity to escape.
Although considered a non-lethal agent, concerns have been raised concerning a number of deaths where being pepper sprayed may have been a contributing factor. An ACLU report (pdf format) documents 27 people in police custody who died after exposure to pepper spray in California alone since 1993. However, admittedly the ACLU report counts any death occurring within hours of exposure to pepper spray. In all 27 cases, the coroners' report listed other factors as the primary cause of death, though in some cases the use of pepper spray may have been a contributing factor.
An updated report (pdf format) from the ACLU detailed even more fatalities tied to the use of pepper spray that raised even more questions concerning the safety of its use.
The U.S. Army concluded in a 1993 Aberdeen Proving Ground study that pepper spray "is capable of producing mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, sensitization, cardiovascular and pulmonary toxicity, neurotoxicity, as well as possible human fatalities."
