Saturday, October 25, 2008

Egypt in the middle

Hamas kidnapped Gilad Shalit in 2006. Hamas is now demanding Egypt release prisoners that Hamas claims is innocent. Egypt was in a moderator role in the Shalit talks, now Hamas is demanding a prisoner from them. Not to mention hundreds from Israel as well. Hizbolla's media wing reposted an Al-Jeezera report on Hamas' demands. Egypt's push to bring Hamas and Fatah together is becoming tricky and could fail. I wish the candidates would address this.



Thursday, October 23, 2008

WARNING: Liberal Blog Post

WARNING: Liberal Blog Post. I didn't want to post this but, you know its in the consitution of the liberal bloggers of America.

Salem Police

Salem is in full Halloween mode. I live walking distance to the down town area, and every year it out of control. Over the summer I watched a bar brawl break out in the middle of the street, about 20-30 people were in the "riot." Recently there have been serveral more of these "last call brawls", I'm not worried about this shit. It comes and goes... no need to panic I think.

The Wind

I am offically sick of the election

In these waning days until November the 4th, I have become sick of this campaign. Nothing talked about has any bearing in the real world. Its all a wash right now. Vote Obama. That's all I have to say. Obama Obama Obama... then I can go back to reality and not how much money somebody spent on a dress or whose on Saturday Night or whose sucks at bowling, and idiot definitions of socialism, Joe the mother fucking plumber, BBQ's and men named Hussein.... I'm sick of it right now... burnt out... I want to think about things again, not just react to various crazy gibberish....

Chomsky on Obama

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Duck and cover.

Read in the Middle: Another Million Iraqi demonstrators: Get out of our country

Read in the Middle: Another Million Iraqi demonstrators: Get out of our country

Raed in the Middle: U.S. Iraqi Agreemnt: Final Draft leaked

Raed in the Middle: U.S. Iraqi Agreemnt: Final Draft leaked

More Racism in the Race for the White House


This is a Billboard put up by some idiot. First off McCain has about the same stand on abortions as Obama. Second, Obama has been very clear he does not support gay marriage; he supports civil unions (same as McCain.) Third, new taxes are coming regardless (remember Bush Sr. "read my lips.") Fourth, McCain supports gun regulations as well (maybe not as much as Obama.) And last but not least, OBAMA is NOT a MUSLIM! Hussein is one of the most popular names in the Middle East and Africa. Saddam is not the only Hussein in the world.

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Black McCain's



Well, it turns out that way back when, a man named McCain owned slaves. His great great great great grandson is running for president. I guess they have invited McCain to family reunions but "Johnny don't like no parties" (I'm paraphrasing the statement released.) I bet he wish he had gone to those over the years, considering the unique opportunity. I think it would be a good experience, I mean no harsh feelings right. Johnny didn't do it, why not meet them, maybe even say "sorry, for my forebears injustices upon you." Why not? He can BBQ some ribs, get some boozes, and party hardy. I know Johnny boy McCain loves a party, and potential voters.


Don't believe me its in the Wall Street Journal.
Click ME

The Plumber's Union endorsement.

The Plumber's Union endorsement.
Here's to you Joe, here's the endorsement and a bit of history of the plumber union. Which Joe is not a member of, and does not have a license. Joe actually doesn't need a license, I don't know anything about plumber's unions, but that's what Joe claims. So, I went to their website. Well, turns out the majority of the plumber's in the country support Obama, (at lest they do with their union dues.) Interesting, I wounder if the plumber's union allows worker's to opt out of paying for political campaigns. I know, I had that option when I was in the Teamsters (3 years) and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (1 year). I liked the Unions frankly, they do a lot of good work for workers safety, health insurance and steady raises.




UA Endorses Barack Obama for President
Dear Brothers and Sisters:

On January 9, 2008, the United Association became the first International Union to endorse Senator Barack Obama as its candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. This endorsement was discussed with the General Executive Board and they concurred.

Barack Obama is the choice of the UA because he has always fought for working people throughout his career and will do the best job of bringing badly-needed change to Washington. Obama will help us keep existing jobs and work to develop new, higher paying jobs here in America, reform our health care system, fix our ailing schools and make sure that the pensions of our retirees are safe.

I have had a long-standing, working relationship with Barack. The UA was one of the first unions in Illinois to endorse him as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Barack Obama has personally reached out to the UA to request our support for his presidential candidacy, and he has solicited our views on the issues that are important to our union and its members. No other candidate, of either party, has requested our support or solicited our views!

One of the keys to our endorsement was that Senator Obama backs a strong energy and industrial construction policy, which is very important to the future of our union. He is in favor of nuclear power, the construction of new refineries, fossil fuel power plants and chemical plants. He has also endorsed innovative energy initiatives, including ethanol plants, coal gasification and biodiesel production. He also clearly recognizes the need to upgrade all of our current industrial plants to comply with clean air and water standards. Barack realizes we have to become less reliant on foreign oil and gas and develop an energy program that we self-sustain here in the United States.

To meet the challenges of clean water, he recognizes the need to replace and/or upgrade our water treatment and wastewater systems. His support of our position on all of these issues more than justifies our endorsement. We need to support Barack Obama because he provides more than lip service to our concerns.

We remain a bi-partisan organization. However, our best hope for clear direction and responsible change in our national government calls for our support of Barack Obama. The economic indicators show a weakening national economy and we need someone to both invigorate our economy and provide hope for our country.

Fraternally yours,

William P. Hite
General President

About The UA


The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada or "UA" as it is commonly known is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation and servicing of piping systems. There are approximately 326,000 highly-skilled United Association members who belong to over 300 individual local unions across North America.

Founded in 1889, the United Association is one of the most respected and influential building trades unions in the U.S. and Canada today. It serves as a collective voice for workers through negotiation and collective bargaining with employing contractor groups, such as the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, and the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors. The UA is also a key member of the Building and Construction Trades Department, the AFL-CIO, and the Canadian Federation of Labour.

The United Association has been training qualified pipe tradesmen longer than anyone else in the industry. The UA boasts the premier training programs available in the industry today, including five-year apprenticeship programs, extensive journeyman training organized instructor training, and certification programs.

Two Nations, One Union

The bonds of brotherhood recognize no political or geographic boundaries when it comes to United Association membership. Ours is truly an international organization with more than 35,000 UA brothers and sisters located in Canada. Working with the same pride and determination as their fellow members in the U.S., our Canadian brothers and sisters continue to demonstrate the high degree of quality craftmanship necessary to construct the homes, schools, office buildings, refineries, power plants and industrial facilities necessary to a strong and vibrant national economy. At the same time, our fellow members north of the border play an important role in helping to maintain and promote United Association solidarity as we join together to reap the benefits of unionism and pride in our united cause.

How Does The United Association Operate?

The United Association is led by a group of General Officers who are elected by the delegates at a convention held every five years. Members who attend these conventions as delegates are elected by their fellow members at the local union level.

The General Office has many departments and functions, including Jurisdiction, Organizing, Training, Legislative and Safety. Each General Officer pledges to uphold the United Association constitution and to protect the interest and welfare of all members.

How Many Locals and Members Are In The United Association?

Currently there are over 300 local unions in the United Association, with in excess of 300,000 members.

The local unions are located in all of the 50 states of America and every province of Canada. Members are free to travel from one local area to another to satisfy the needs of local work conditions.

UA History

The birth of the United Association dates back to the year 1889, when a Boston plumber named P. J. Quinlan addressed a brief letter to Richard A. O'Brien, a plumber in Washington, D.C. "Dear Sir and Brother," the letter began, "I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to you to obtain your views as regards the formation of a United Brotherhood…"

The author of the letter would become the first General President and its recipient the first General Secretary-Treasurer of the United Association.

Prior to 1889, plumbers, steamfitters and gas fitters who were organized were members of independent local unions with either no affiliation, or affiliation with a variety of trades.

By 1889, however, with existing organizations declining or becoming devoted to only one craft, local union leaders began to consider other ways to unite national pipe trades journeymen to deal with mutual problems, including how to treat traveling members, build apprenticeship, and provide strike aid.

In response to these issues, the United Association was officially born on October 11, 1889. The original name of the organization was the United Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters' Helpers of the United States and Canada.

The Early 1900's

At the turn of the century, early UA leaders faced new challenges and were forced to make numerous controversial and revolutionary decisions. Among these was establishment of a mechanism that would allow UA members to travel to jobs throughout the United States and Canada. The clearance card system was created to enable unemployed journeymen in one locality to travel to work in another.

This "mobility" became especially important during the early 1900's, when the construction industry entered a period of tremendous expansion. From 1898 to 1914, the UA quadruped its membership.

During these years, under the leadership of General President John S. Kelley, steps were taken to strengthen the UA on a national basis. One of those was establishment of the stamp system of dues collection. This move dramatically improved the UA's financial stability and provided a means of compiling a reliable list of affiliated local unions and their membership.

Significant progress toward a sound, modern union came in 1902 in Omaha, Nebraska, when delegates to the UA convention approved a plan to provide a comprehensive system of sick, death and strike benefits.

The UA's nationalization efforts were further strengthened during the general presidency of John R. Alpine from 1906 to 1919. His term in office was marked by extraordinary executive skills that resulted in the implementation of many important reforms and changes in an atmosphere of harmony.

The Great Depression

During the first two decades of the 20th century, the UA moved boldly into the forefront of the American labor movement. Landmark accomplishments included the creation of a formal five-year apprenticeship program, the expansion of UA influence to include construction of industrial plants and public utilities, and a growth in membership to 60,000 by the year 1929.

Then disaster struck in the form of the Great Depression. With the stock market crash of 1929 and the failure of many banks, the U.S. and Canadian economies could not sustain the level of growth that had been experienced following World War I. As a result, construction came to a standstill, UA membership dropped to less than 35,000, and no conventions were held between 1928 and 1938.

The Depression took a heavy toll on the UA. Members who had worked all their lives suddenly found themselves without jobs, suffering economic deprivation and a loss of pride. Nevertheless, these years were marked by courage and sacrifice, with members helping members so that all might survive.

With the advent of the New Deal under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the UA went back to work. UA members throughout the United States and Canada undertook the extensive projects we now recognize as lasting monuments to perseverance in the face of adversity.

Through the Public Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration, the UA helped build the dams, roads, libraries, schools, public buildings and housing projects that are an enduring legacy to the craftsmanship of UA workers and other members of the building trades.

World War II

By 1941, UA membership had reached 81,000. That number soared to 210,000 during World War II. Thousands of UA members enlisted in the armed forces and served bravely in conflicts all over the world. Back home, UA members were put to work in shipyards, weapons plants, aircraft factories and other facilities. Some members also served in military construction units overseas.

During these years, the UA grew in both membership and prestige. Wartime construction contributed to this rise, but other events also enhanced the strength of the UA. One of those was the development of national agreements between the UA and large, national contractors. The landmark UA-NCA (National Constructors Association) National Construction Agreement was signed in 1941.

The post-war years were also marked by the rise of one of organized labor's most prominent leaders -- George Meany, the first president of the newly-formed merger of the two principal labor organizations (the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations) into the AFL-CIO. A plain-spoken man of great courage and dignity, he was perhaps the most influential figure in shaping the American labor movement from the mid-1950's until his death in 1980. George Meany was also a proud member of United Assocation Local 2 in New York City.

The ties between the UA and the AFL-CIO have always been strong. The UA became an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor in 1897, and the United Association General Office in Washington, D.C. was originally built by Samuel Gompers in 1915-16 to serve as AFL headquarters. Today, the UA is one of the strongest forces within the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO.

A New Millennium Of Pride Through Excellence

In 1989, the UA proudly celebrated its 100th anniversary. As we move into the new century, the UA remains a strong, vital organization comprised of thousands of highly skilled men and women who have joined together for a common purpose. Today's UA members use their skills in commercial, industrial and residential arenas. Among the many projects on which UA members can be found are single-family homes, garden and high-rise apartment buildings, large and small office complexes, power plants, refineries and factories.

The pipe trades industry provides water supply, waste and sewage services, water treatment and sewage treatment systems. In addition, the UA's jurisdiction includes heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, along with automatic-sprinkler and fire-protection systems.

To ensure that there remains a steady supply of tradesmen skilled enough to meet the challenges of today's diverse and expanding construction industry, the UA has shaped a superb training program. In fact, the UA's commitment to training is unsurpassed among trade unions worldwide. The journeymen produced by this training program over the years are the backbone of the United Association.

From humble beginnings of 40 delegates representing 23 independent unions in 10 states and the District of Columbia, the United Association has grown to a powerful, international union representing over 300,000 members in more than 400 local unions throughout the United States and Canada.

The UA has been at the forefront of the fight for worker's rights for over 100 years. Now, as we move into a new millenium we are faced with many new and imposing obstacles. To prepare our membership for the rapid advancements in technology and the way business is conducted, the UA has developed one of the most extensive training programs of any union in the world, spending more than $1 million dollars a week ensuring that our members are prepared for the future.

Funny News Story



I could not stop laughing at this photo and had to post it. Its from the Salem News. His name is Popeye! and he's dressed as a biker.
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Of Rocks and Men

Okay, allow me a little tongue and cheek analogy. I'm fresh from a lecture on rock deformation, and couldn't help to think about it in terms of the election. When rocks are brittle and shallow, then are exposed to tension; they create a dip slip fracture. When rocks are deep and heated they fold rather then crack. So lets say the economic crisis is the tension put on our rocks (Obama and McCain.) McCain is running a shallow campaign, and is very ridged to change. His campaign has cracked under the pressure, he is our dip slip. Obama is running a deep campaign, and he has been exposed to some real heat (the Bill Ayers relationship.) Obama's campaign has shifted and folded, but has maintained its original makeup. Obama is our anticline fold, which is a fold that has an upward thrust.

McCain-Dip Slip











Obama- Anticline

Racism on the Campaign Trail

Colin Powell endorses Obama and people immediately demiss it as "of course he's black." Its sad that racist are still numerous in this country. I don't want to say it is racist to support McCain, not at all. There are very good, well thought out arguments against Obama. Him being Muslim, a socialist or a terrorist are not valid arguments. But McCain is using these as his MAIN argument against Obama right now. Its race bating, and totally shameful on McCain's part. I like McCain in some respects, and rooted for him in 2000. I would probably would have voted for him over Gore; but he really isn't doing enough to stop this crap. Frankly, he's contributing to it, and using it to his advantage. "who is the real Obama?"; "whats the real relationship with Bill Ayers?" its crap. McCain you know who Obama is, you know he's not a terrorist and you know that he's not a socialist. Yeah yeah Obama knows your not George Bush too. But he's likening you to a President of the United States that you endorsed and who endorses you, its totally different! arg!