moominmuppet

Well, I managed to get through to every office except the White House during my break (didn't have time to stay on hold, so I guess they're getting an email). The staffers in the various dem offices sound every bit as excited about the world as I am right now. I didn't make the repub staffers argue with me, just politely expressed where I stood on the issues as a constituent and wished them a nice day. Still, at least Kasich's heard from me now, fwiw.

50-State Mobilization to Save the American Dream
From MoveOn.Org:
We call for emergency rallies in front of every statehouse this Saturday at noon to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. Demand an end to the attacks on workers' rights and public services across the country. Demand investment, to create decent jobs for the millions of people who desperately want to work. And demand that the rich and powerful pay their fair share.

More action from People For the American Way:
Gov. Kasich and his right-wing allies in the state legislature have a plan very similar to Gov. Scott Walker's in Wisconsin ... one that falsely uses the guise of addressing budget shortfalls to take a meat axe to public employees' rights and benefits.

Senate Bill 5 is moving through the committee process and it's time for Ohioans to stand up for their rights. Thousands have already begun to rally in Columbus against SB 5. Please join labor, clergy, community leaders and ordinary citizens from across the state tomorrow in Columbus to show that Ohio cares about workers' fundamental right to organize and bargain collectively.

When: Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 11:00am
Where: The Teamsters Bldg. at 555 East Rich St., Downtown Columbus, OH 43215

If you have any questions, email [email protected].
Link to PDF flier for distribution

Union protesters locked out of Statehouse, according to Democrats, who call on Kasich to let them in

Does Ohio really hope to save itself by turning its public labor unions into the enemy? Phillip Morris

Thousands of public workers expected Tuesday to protest Republicans' plan to overhaul collective bargaining law

Ohio Union Protests Gear Up as Vote Nears in Wisconsin Assembly

Indiana Democrats Stage Walkout; Thousands Protest in Ohio

Ohio Statehouse locked amid union protest

Thousands Gather to Protest Bill in Ohio

Ohio Unions Protest Bargaining Bill

Ohio Unions Protest Collective Bargaining Bill

Public Worker Protests Spread From Wisconsin to Ohio

US union protests: Demonstrations move beyond Wisconsin

Labor supporters plan big Statehouse rally today

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

When Matthew Wisniewski created an incredible video about what’s been taking place in Wisconsin over the past few days, he said, “Please pass on this video if you like it. It needs more publicity. People need to see why we’re protesting.”

I’m not sure having the AFL-CIO send this video out to our entire e-mail list is quite what Matthew had in mind—but our staff loved this video, and we think you will, too. Matthew’s video shows the unbelievable people-powered energy behind what’s happening in Wisconsin.

Public employees, not taxpayers, will pay for changes to the state's five pension systems under House bill

Crowd descends on Ohio Statehouse to protest changes to collective bargaining

The Last Time Scott Walker Went Union Busting, He Was Overruled And Wasted Taxpayer Dollars

New Poll Sees Walker's Number Slipping

Ohio workers rally to defeat anti-worker SB 5

What's Going on in Wisconsin? Latest Developments and Analysis on the Democratic Uprising Against Gov. Scott Walker

The Coming Shutdowns and Showdowns: What’s Really at Stake

Wisconsin roundup 2/22

This is getting ridiculous: Is Scott Walker Cutting Off Internet Access To Thwart Protesters? I mean the comparison of the strike in Wisconsin to the protests in the Middle East only holds up so far before it’s strained, but if this is what’s happening at the moment:

From Cairo to Madison: Hope and Solidarity are Alive

Indiana Democrats Flee Statehouse; Gov. Daniels Won't Support GOP's Anti-Union Bill

Madison Protests Hit Largest Numbers On Saturday

Wisconsin Protests Draw Thousands Of Workers Fighting For Key Union Rights

AFL-CIO Polls Show Wisconsin Supports Protestors, Opposes Walker

Jon Stewart: 'Wisconsin Union Protest Is The Bizarro Tea Party' (VIDEO)

Wisconsin Legislature Shuts Down Comment Line After Too Many Complaints

OK, anything further is going in general linketies; I want to get this info out before the end of the night.

There will be some flow-over of Wisconsin/Ohio news since I keep getting new updates. I'm also getting progressively more headachy and brainfogged, though, so this may not be a very long linketies collection. I'm feeling more than a bit overwhelmed by the world at the moment.

Kadafi's last refuge, fear, is collapsing

Government Shutdown: Who Wins -- or Loses?

John Thune Won't Run For President In 2012

Wisconsin workers’ rights are a feminist issue

Exodus: Dems trigger Statehouse showdown in Indiana

Mikhail Gorbachev lambasts Vladimir Putin's 'sham' democracy

Chattanooga Zoo is happy to announce the arrival of a tiny Snow Leopard cub.

In search of an African revolution: International media is following protests across the 'Arab world' but ignoring those in Africa A great deal of the Arab world IS in Africa BTW

Alaska state rep refuses TSA grope of her mastectomy scars, drives home from Seattle

Open Thread: Revolution in Libya

Capitol Defense: tower defense game illustrates lobbying pressure on Congress

CBR News has learned that comic writer, animation producer and respected industry veteran Dwayne McDuffie passed away. He was a voice in the industry for diversity, particularly fighting against stereotypical portrayals of people of color on the comic book page.

9 Easy Languages for English Speakers to Learn

Congresswoman Giffords is alive and well and tweeting photos of birthday cake -- Hoorah!

Milky Way Over Switzerland

Google App to help locate people in Christchurch quake - UPDATED

The Great Gatsby rendered as a NES era video game.

Bug eating in the Wall Street Journal

Iran warships sail via Suez Canal amid Israeli concern
What does it really mean that Iran sent ships through the Suez Canal?

Google faces new complaint in anti-trust probe

GOP art critics are at it again: Connie Schultz

Identifying the victims of a 100-year-old tragedy
The final unidentified victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire a 1911 tragedy that had a huge impact on the creation of American labor laws and building codes have finally been matched with names.

My son, the pink boy

Amazon Prime Now Includes Free Instant Videos -- I'm not entirely pleased that I use Amazon as much as I do, so I'm sure not giving up Netflix for this.

What happens when you stick your head in a particle accelerator

US Uncut is about taking action against unnecessary and unfair cuts to public services across the US.

David Cameron: End state monopoly over public service

Montana House approves bill to repeal anti-discrimination ordinances in Missoula, Bozeman

A brief follow to my earlier post about independent bookstores reclaiming ground from failing corp-chains, here's a really impressive effort to list independent bookstores that are near (and therefore a handy alternative to) failed, formerly Borders Books locations.

LIVE POST: GOV'T VIOLENCE IN NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST PART 3

UK: Demand for fairer benefits tests as two die

The great migration from black to white: an overlooked chapter in the history of African-Americans

Why was the Christchurch Earthquake so destructive?

How Anonymous decides: inside the lulz-sausage factory -- As I've mentioned before, I have mixed feelings about anonymous; they can do a lot of good, they can do a lot of harm, and they seem to spend a good deal of time on both. As a social phenomenon, though, they're absolutely fascinating.

Saif Gadaffhi, plagiarist - UPDATED

Free dial-up ISP for Libyans

To Talk With Aliens, Learn to Speak With Dolphins

Newest member of the dinosaurs discovered

Westboro Baptist Church attempts to lure Anonymous into attacking it?

Saved by Chinese social media

Realtime analysis of Libya tweets

Black History Month With radiovolume, Day Twenty-One

Hoor Hussain, 6, holds a poster with other anti-government protesters at the Pearl roundabout on Feb. 21 in Manama, Bahrain. Demonstrators continue to fill the square in a daily protest while opposition leaders hold talks with the government on the weeklong uprising.

Overcome information overload by trusting redundancy -- I still struggle with this to some extent, given my obsession with completism and interesting stuff, but I'm gradually taking this same tack, and I have generally found it to be true.

Private Sector Workers Pissed Because Public Sector Workers Haven't Signed Away Their Rights Yet -- One of my biggest frustrations -- why do we want to pull down the successful workers? Why aren't we all fighting for that kind of success?

Black History Month With radiovolume, Day Twenty-Two

Black couple educate about open relationships

Ancient Britons were not averse to using human skulls as drinking cups, skeletal remains unearthed in southwest England suggest.

Journalist Returning from Abroad Has Notes, Computer and Cameras Searched and Copied by US Authorities at Airport

Flawed Study Dismissing Job Bias Thrills Media

In celebration of George Washington’s 278th birthday on Feb. 22, 30,000 high school juniors and seniors across Rhode Island will receive free copies of a renowned letter the first president penned to Touro Synagogue during a visit to Newport. In it, Washington famously assured the Jewish congregation in 1790 that the fledgling United States of America would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Germany is so desperate to encourage people to have more children that the government is proposing a bill allowing citizens under 6 to laugh, shout and play at any volume.

The things in the city that are beautiful are always melting away

R.I.P. Nicholas Courtney, Doctor Who’s Trustiest Companion -- I'm very sad to hear this; he was marvelous.

New research reveals that planets don’t need stars to be habitable

10 Everyday Foods That Can Affect You Like Drugs

Rahm Emanuel projected winner in Chicago

Honduras law lets police be called on home smokers

Rivals Auburn, Alabama united in disgust of tree poisoning
More: Auburn tree poisoning at Toomer's Corner leaves Alabama-Auburn rivalry at toxic crossroads

Helping Soldiers Trade Their Swords for Plows

Women In War: 'I've Lived Out There With The Guys'

Jury decides on death penalty for woman who headed vigilante squad -- As I've stated before, I'm anti-death penalty in all cases. I'm very glad about the conviction, though.

A fine weave of family, work
Lowell firm’s mission: jobs, day care for single mothers