Undercurrents

(This represents the last of a three-part series. Part I is here and Part II here.)

In 2005, with Connecticut still smarting from the Rowland corruption case, the State Legislature passed an unprecedented campaign reform bill which restricted donations from special interest groups (completely barring money from current and prospective government contractors) and offered full public financing to candidates. The legislation was nationally regarded as a major stepping stone in the fight to rid campaigns and lawmaking of corruption.But while the law is surprisingly broad and enforceable, it still allows for the corporate-sponsored major parties to dump an unlimited amount of money onto candidates and makes it very difficult for minor parties to access available public funding. All in all, elections in Connecticut are still up for the highest bidder, so long as that bidder filters his money through the proper, “clean” channels.

It’s time for campaign financing to go public. For real, this time. (more…)

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In another show of American bravery, a “violent cult” was destroyed in Najaf, leaving “the bodies of dead cultists still littered [on] the ground.” Religious freedom exists only for those in this country, and for those who aren’t in the wrong sect. But, religion may be forced on others unlucky enough to already be victimized.

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By correspondent CT Hankster, special to the Undercurrent

Declaring the Iraq War an “immoral, illegal war,” Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson greeted the tens (or hundreds, depending on who you believe) of thousands of protesters gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

“There is no morality without a willingness to act,” Anderson said.
“That’s why we are here today.” (more…)

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For those of you who have not heard, or need reminding, the Hartford Independent Media Center will be celebrating its 4th year birthday party on Saturday, Feburary 3 at ArtSpace in downtown Hartford. Party starts at 7pm, there will be free food and drinks (alcoholic and non), an award ceremony and a short talk by Helen Ubinas of the Hartford Courant. If you are not familiar with Helen Ubinas’ work, she writes a rather frequent column for the Courant. She’s one of the few actually giving Hartford’s impoverished a voice. As one of HIMC’s major fundraisers, we’re asking for a $15 donation, but we welcome all regardless of your ability to pay. Come by and show your support. Last year roughly 200 people joined us in the art gallery at ArtSpace, and most had a blast.

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The NY Times examines the renewed willingness for women in Washington to put their motherly and grandmotherly identities upfront in their politics. Still no word on when men in government will also be working on softening their images by playing up their paternal instincts. Does Senator Clinton stand a chance in 2008 if she doesn’t wear a non-threatening pink suit? Can Gov. Rell ever be written about at length without reference to her status as a grandmother?

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I traveled by bus to Washington yesterday with about 200 people from various parts of Connecticut, converging in DC into a crowd that was the biggest one I’ve ever been part of. (more…)

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 See video of event
Every Saturday, folks from Greater Hartford protest in West Hartford Center, at the corner of Farmington Avenue and Main Street from 11:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by the Veteran’s Memorial. Today, the anti-war protest was held in solidarity with those marching in Washington D.C.

Approximately 30 protestors gathered with signs and noisemakers to express disgust with Bush’s current foreign policy. Most passersby responding at all were honking their horns, though there were a few “You suck” and “Where are the support our troops signs?” snarls.

At 12:30, George W. Bush, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, and two secret service agents descended on the center. The Hartbeat Ensemble performance had Bush (played by Steve Ginsburg) delivering his State of the Union address to the people, who could actually respond for a change. Rep. Woolsey (played by Julia Rosenblatt), wearing fetching Steinem-era glasses, heckled Bush from the audience, before chasing him all the way to a neighboring parking lot, tail between his legs. She then took the microphone and took on the President’s challenge for troop escalation opponents to come up with another plan.
Audio of the State of the Union reenactment, along with on-the-spot interviews will be aired on an upcoming edition of RadioActive.

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Heard my friend Nancy Mulroy on the radio trying to defend the aggressive actions of the Hartford Police against my friend Ken Krayeske. She failed. (more…)

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The January 25 edition of Hartford’s weekly so-called “alternative,” the Hartford Advocate, presents yet another example of how the paper continues to fail its readership. “Star Power,” a lauditory waste of paper and webspace, makes disgraced radio host Troi Torain (aka Star, of the Star and Buc Wild show) look like a misunderstood philosopher and enterprising businessman instead of the bigot that he is. Writer Lani Buess gives Torain a free pass and goes a step further: she helps him hawk his new autobiography. How is selling a bigot and his book an alternative perspective? Mainstream press does it all the time. (more…)

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