from: William Hughes

On Oct. 29, 2009, a protest action in support of Health Care for All was held at a 17-story tower, in Baltimore, MD, which houses the office of the insurance giant, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield. The demonstrators were advocating for a Single Payer system that puts the patients’ needs before corporate profits. A 15 ft. vampire, “Count Bleed-Ya-Dry,” made an appearance at the spirited rally. He represented the grasping Insurance Industry and he was roundly hooted by the protesters. A few of the activists shared their views on why we need a “single payer” health care system to become the law of the land. For more background, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/

from: William Hughes

Sights and scenes from the protest action of Oct. 29, 2009, in support of Health Care for All. It was held, in Baltimore, MD, at the 17-story tower which houses an office of the insurance giant, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. For background, see: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/

from: William Hughes

On Oct. 29, 2009, four activists, who support a Medicare for All solution to our healthcare crisis, were arrested in Baltimore, MD, for trespassing. They were engaged in a “patients before profits sit-in” at a 17-story tower, which houses an office of the insurance giant, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. In this video, the four: Ms. Patty Courtney, Dr. Margaret Flowers, Dr. Eric Naumburg and Mr. Charles Loubert, explain their decision to choose arrest in order to serve a higher cause--the passage into law of a universal healthcare system that will serve all Americans. For more details on the Single Payer issue, the arrests and the exact charges placed against each defendant, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/

from: William Hughes

On Oct. 29, 2009, four activists, who support a Medicare for All solution to our healthcare crisis, were arrested in Baltimore, MD, for trespassing. They were engaged in a “patients before profits sit-in” at a 17-story tower, which houses an office of the insurance giant, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. It’s located in the Canton area of the city. The demonstration was part of an ongoing national campaign by the “Mobilization for Health Care for All” group. The protest included the staging of a 15 ft. vampire, “Count Bleed Ya Dry,” that represented the Insurance Industry. For more more details on the Single Payer issue, the arrests and the exact charges placed against each defendant, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/ One of the protesters arrested was Dr. Margaret Flowers. She is a member of the “Baucus Eight,” and an unrepentant advocate of a Single Payer System. See: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=liamh2#p/search/0/ncb58qnDyxs Another physician, Dr. Eric Naumburg, was also arrested, along with an 81 year-old retiree, Mr. Charles Laubert, and a school teacher, Ms. Patty Courtney.

from Left Streamed

Caracas, October 30, 2007: Produced as part of Centro Internacional Miranda's Transformative Practice and Human Development, directed by Michael Lebowitz. Posted on: http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/

• Class Struggle Heats Up Over Battle for Wokers' Control by Federico Fuentes
• The Path to Human Development: Capitalism or Socialism? by Michael Lebowitz

from: William Hughes

At a hearing on Human Rights, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22, 2009, Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), recalled a long list of miscarriages of justice in the UK, as they related to the struggle for peace and justice in the north of Ireland. He cited: “Bloody Sunday,” the “Guildford Four Case,” “The Birmingham Six,” the deportation of Joe Doherty, and the killing of the unarmed “Gibraltar Three.” Rep. Neal underscored that facing up to the past was important, and that resolving high profiles cases, such as the murders of Raymond McCord, Jr., Pat Finucane, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright, would go a long way towards “reconciliation.” Rep. Neal has drafted a letter to UK’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to be cosigned by his congressional colleagues, requesting that the Prime Minister meet with Raymond McCord, Sr. He’s the father of Raymond McCord, Jr., who has been fighting tirelessly since 1997, to bring his killers, reputed members of the UVF, to the Bar of Justice. For background, see: http://www.hcfa.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=1122 Check out related videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=liamh2#p/u/1/eDheK0vsrNk
and http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=liamh2#p/u/0/l9ayA0KY9Tw

from: William Hughes

On Oct. 22, 2009, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., the House Subcommittee on Human Rights held a hearing on cases arising out of Northern Ireland, which dealt with “police and state collusion.” The Chairman, Bill Delahunt (D-MA), made this comment: “We are operating in a clandestine world...All too often in this country, there is a...classification system that has no basis in reality.” Chariman Delahunt also knocked the Obama Justice Department for pushing the British government “not to reveal certain information in a case that is [currently] being pursued in the British courts.” He suggested that more transparency, and not claiming “state secrets,” at every opportunity would probably be “welcomed” by the Intelligence Services. See: http://www.hcfa.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=1122 Check out related video: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=liamh2#p/u/1/eDheK0vsrNk

from: William Hughes

Raymond McCord, Sr. is one determined Ulsterman! On Oct. 22, 2009, he got a chance, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., to tell a House Subcommittee his story about his long struggle to bring the killers of his son, Raymond McCord, Jr., to justice. Mr. McCord claims his boy, age 22, was viciously murdered by individuals, in 1997, in North Belfast, who were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). They were also government agents and “police informers,” according to Mr. McCord. As a result, he further alleges that the case “is not about police corruption. It is about police and state collusion with murder.” The hearing was held by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight, in the Rayburn Office Building. It was chaired by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA). I chatted with Mr. McCord after he finished his testimony, along with Father Sean McManus, one of Mr. McCord’s strongest supporters in the U.S. He’s the President of the Irish National Caucus, a D.C.-based lobbying group. See for background: http://www.hcfa.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=1122 and http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0122/mccordr.html and
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=19305

http://gilad.squarespace.com/gilad-with-strings/

Gilad Atzmon’s acclaimed Orient House Ensemble and the Sigamos String Quartet on the road with their new project. This features interpretations of Charlie Parker’s legendary strings recording, as well as new works by Gilad. The combination of Atzmon’s unparalleled bebop virtuosity with stunning strings arrangements promises to create a special performance. The project is a product of a growing collaboration between Gilad Atzmon and Ros Stephen. Back in 2006 Gilad joined Ros’ Tango Siempre for two tours and an album project. They then decided to join forces and to bring 'Bird with Strings' to live. http://gilad.squarespace.com/gilad-with-strings/

from: William Hughes

On Thursday morning, Oct. 15, 2009, in down town Washington, D.C., in a steady rain, about 15 supporters of single payer, Medicare for All solution to our healthcare crisis engaged in a “sit-in” outside a building which houses an office/pr branch of the insurance giant, WellPoint. The demonstration was part of an ongoing and growing national campaign by the “Mobilization for Health Care for All” group. The police chose not to make any arrests, although the protesters were clearly blocking one of the main entrances to the office building. The activists were demanding “real healthcare reform” that puts the needs of the patients before corporate profits, and also that is not scripted by the powerful insurance companies. The CEO of WellPoint, Angela Braly, for example, hauled in $8.7 million in compensation in 2008! For more information, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/ | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxtN19Ug8ew