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Chaz Valenza is writer and small business owner in New Jersey. He earned his MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business. His current feature film project is "Single Point Failure" an insider's account of how the Reagan Administration caused the greatest tragedy of the space age based on Richard C. Cook's book "Challenger Revealed." He is a former Director of Public Information for Planned Parenthood of NYC. His website is: www.WordsWillNever.com
(72 comments) SHARE Thursday, August 11, 2011 America's 14 Most Ready to Riot Cities
Could a Tottenham happen here? And, if so where? Here's a list of 14 large American cities that may be ready to erupt.
(25 comments) SHARE Sunday, January 1, 2012 It's Official: Gov Stats Shows the Middle Class is Dead
It's offical, the middle class is dead. Recently released US Bureau of Labor Statistic and Federal Reserve data show the "average American family" can't afford the average single family house... depended on their employer for health care insurance or went without... were in debt with no way out... didn't pursuing further education... saved nothing... and slashed their food budget to the bone.
(25 comments) SHARE Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Top Ten Twitter "so I pepper sprayed him" Jokes
Trending Now! (Not really. Twitter won't let it trend.) At hashtag #soipeppersprayedhim, the best jokes using this punch line.
(30 comments) SHARE Sunday, September 25, 2011 Occupy Wall Street: Day 9 - 200+ Arrested - MSM Finally Wake-up
Yesterday between 121 and 200 protesters were arrested when a peaceful march of approximately 2,000 headed to Union Square to spread the word about their occupation for emancipation from a corrupt economic and financial system. The events made news in many national MSM publications.
(9 comments) SHARE Saturday, September 24, 2011 Occupy Wall Street Day 8: 100+ Arrested for Peaceful, Legal Protest; Nets & Pepper Spray Used.
In the next few days Occupy Wall Street will have more and more going for it and be better prepared for inevitable MSM close-up and scrutiny. No confirmed arrests yesterday and signs of improved relations with the NYPD as Occupy Wall Street protesters end their first week of occupation and settle into Zuccotti Park a.k.a. Liberty Plaza in NYC.
(9 comments) SHARE Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Occupy Wall Street: Day 4 - NYPD 2 Step: Stomp Ankle & Hop
At 10:30 last night a spokesperson for a working group of Occupy Wall Street General Assembly announced plans for a rally on Thursday, September 22, 2011.
(15 comments) SHARE Monday, September 19, 2011 13 Things You Can Do to Support: Occupy Wall Street
Here's the good news -- you can help, right now today -- no matter where you are to support Occupy Wall Street. Here are 11 simple things you can do.
(4 comments) SHARE Wednesday, September 21, 2011 Occupy Wall Street: Day 5 - Two More Violent Arrests
Yesterday, Tuesday, September 20th was hump day for Occupy Wall Street. It was a tough one. The word came down from on high: Use some intimidation and get these assholes out of Liberty Plaza and out of the city.
(16 comments) SHARE Monday, September 19, 2011 Occupy Wall Street - Day Three: 8 confirmed arrests
What is happening in NYC is embryonic, democratic and authentic. Here's the good news: you can help, right now today, no matter where you are. Believe me when I tell you nobody, but nobody knows this is going on!
(8 comments) SHARE Monday, September 26, 2011 Occupy Wall Street: Day 10 - Legal Cloud Over Occupation Remains
Those arrested on Saturday reported the following: Innocent bystanders were caught in the police drag net and detained. Employees and owners of several businesses harbored marchers to save them from arrest. And, a number of sympathetic NYPD officers treated those arrested with respect and extraordinary leeway, some expressing support.
(14 comments) SHARE Thursday, September 29, 2011 Occupy Wall Street Day 13: Top Cop - It's OK Occupation Can Stay
Today, a Precinct community council is being held regarding NYPD Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna the officer caught on video pepper spraying marchers bound for Union Square this past Saturday. Despite rainy weather, lack of shelter and increasing illness due too exposure, the Wall Street overnight occupiers numbers have grown 33% from 200 on the first day, September 17th to over 300 according to Time Magazine.
(24 comments) SHARE Thursday, September 10, 2009 Heckled Woman in Wheelchair has a Message: An Exclusive Interview
You may have seen this event on MSNBC or You Tube: At one of the many notorious August town hall meetings, a woman in a wheelchair ignores a barrage of heckling and stoically reads a brief statement in favor of health care reform. I wanted Ms. Hoynes to have a real chance to speak her mind. She has a lot to say and her story is timely. Please take a few moments to hear her out.
(23 comments) SHARE Saturday, November 28, 2009 A Simple Plan to Screw Big Banking. Use Cash.
Use Cash: a low-tech, easy, effective, and unstoppable way to fight Big Banking abuse. Every cash transaction snatches a dime, a dollar, thirty-five dollars, a hundred dollars or more out of the greedy, blood soaked hands of Big Banking. Each transaction denied is a cut. Together it's death by a billion cuts daily.
(30 comments) SHARE Friday, September 2, 2011 It's Time to Break Up Public Enemy #1: Goldman Sachs
Until Goldman Sachs is decimated American democracy will remain comatose and few Americans are safe. Destroying Goldman Sachs is the key to getting our free, fair markets and our representative government back.
(2 comments) SHARE Wednesday, December 22, 2010 The Hunger Game
There's no reason anyone should ever starve to death in America. But, more and more working Americans, many earning what were once middle class incomes, are spending their time and scarce money to find their next meal. The necessity of food will be the last thing you'll spend your limited funds on as wage stagnation, the cost of energy, housing and other mandatory expenses drive middle class family budgets to the brink.
(4 comments) SHARE Wednesday, September 21, 2011 Occupy Wall Street - Day 6: Revolution is Tweet
Yesterday was another rough day for those here in Liberty Plaza, but much better than Tuesday when the police harassment was a definite attempt to nip Occupy Wall Street in the bud.
(17 comments) SHARE Monday, January 16, 2012 Greyhound Driver Evicts OWS Fares with Texas Police Support
Thirteen OWS protesters are discriminated against. Who is at fault? The local authorities missed a chance to enforce the law and send a clear message to the perpetrator and his employer.
(3 comments) SHARE Saturday, September 10, 2011 The Outrage Begins: Wall Street - September 17th
On Saturday, September 17, 2001 U.S. Day of Rage has called for peaceable assemblies of people in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
In New York City, the plan is to occupy Wall Street and target the root of your political and social problems: Money.
(10 comments) SHARE Friday, September 30, 2011 Occupy Wall Street Day 14 - NYPD Arrest 400 in Brooklyn Bridge Trap
The fire that is the peoples' movment known as Occupy Wall Street is now burning and fuel is being added. It's at the point where nothing can stop it. Today a Declaration of the Occupation of New York City was released. Those on the balcony of Harry Cipriani on Wall Street will sip champagne and chuckle just a little less than they did the day prior. Here we go! Let the ride begin.
(2 comments) SHARE Friday, September 23, 2011 Occupy Wall Street Day 7: One More Arrest - Three Unions Locals Join
Box Score - Arrests: Occupy Wall Street protesters: 21 - Wall Street Banksters: 0. Each morning reinforcements show up from the metro NYC area. These daily participants swell the occupation from a few hundred into the thousands, growing as the day progresses. After working hours yesterday the crowd grows to well over 4,000.
(16 comments) SHARE Thursday, November 17, 2011 OWS Day #N17 - There will be blood & tens of thousands
Over 30,000 protest in NYC on the second anniversary of the birth of OWS. One hundred and seventy-seven were arrested. One Occupier badly beaten in Zoccotti Park.
(9 comments) SHARE Thursday, July 23, 2009 9 Things You Can Do to Stop Big Greed
Big corporations are destroying our lives, but what can we do? Here are some ways to begin to deprive Big Greed of a little bit of the lifeblood that keeps it so damn strong.
(7 comments) SHARE Saturday, August 21, 2010 The New Normal: A Lot Like Now Only Worse
How bad, how disenfranchised, how weird will the New Normal America be?The future New Normal is not so difficult to divine. I believe it will be the same as now, and both worse and different.
(13 comments) SHARE Tuesday, November 23, 2010 Bank Run Protest Spreads to USA
Finally, the idea of direct economic protest against Big Greed is gaining traction in America.
(10 comments) SHARE Friday, December 10, 2010 THE BIG BANGA THEORY: Americans Ditch Credit Cards Stick It to Wall Street
Eight million Americans told Amex, Visa, MasterCard and Discover to Stick It! last year. Some have had enough of too-big-to-fail business as usual on Wall Street and are sending a message. Meanwhile, at least one credit card company is developing the next financial WMD to part you from more and more of your money.
(11 comments) SHARE Wednesday, August 18, 2010 How to Fight Against the "New Normal"
There is nothing normal or new about the "new normal." It is the imposition of a two tiered caste system: Upper Tier -" The Privileged Uber-wealthy. Lower Tier: Grateful Obedient Servants.
(2 comments) SHARE Sunday, September 18, 2011 Occupy Wall Street - Day One
Protesters Occupy Wall Street: Day One reporting from the event. On Saturday, September 17, thousands of protesters took to the streets of lower Manhattan to mount a sustained effort to organize against a financial system that they say favors the wealthy and powerful at the expense of 99% of Americans.
(6 comments) SHARE Thursday, August 5, 2010 Your New Job is Coming - Pucker Up America!
That's right, don't lose heart, the new jobs are on their way. The current 5 to 1 job to seeker ratio will soon be history. That is as soon as you are ready.
SHARE Thursday, November 12, 2009 Six Reasons to Screw Wall Street Now
You and I, and people like us that must work for a living, have no business in the equities markets. Not in individual stocks. Not in mutual funds. Not even in a broad index fund like the S&P 500, which is most likely the best way to “invest†in equities.
(5 comments) SHARE Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Top Ten Reasons Obama Should Fire Treasury Secretary Geithner
The president has called for tougher laws on financial fraud. If President Obama intends to take action on these words, his first action should be to remove a major obstacle to banking reform and the eventual implementation of his will: Secretary Tim Geithner. It's certainly not everything he'll need to do, but it may be a necessary first hurdle.
(2 comments) SHARE Saturday, September 3, 2011 Fortune Magazine's Colin Barr Suggest Goldman Sachs May Break Up
In his parting shot from Fortune Magazine and CNN Money, Colin Barr, Senior Writer, suggests Goldman Sachs may break-up. The reason, they are losing money. Why are they losing money? We may never know but my best guess is they were earning it the old fashioned way: stealing.
(32 comments) SHARE Thursday, September 2, 2010 Election 2010: Progressives in a Pickle
Progressives have a Sophie's choice come November. Drag yourself to the polls to vote for a milk-toast Democrat, or stay at home and watch the congress go bye-bye to the now extreme right party of no?
(2 comments) SHARE Tuesday, August 10, 2010 America - An "Undeveloping" Country?
The realization that America is in a slide, on a trajectory of decrease, "undeveloping" if you will, is dawning on Americans and it's a rude awakening. Who did take it and what can we do about it?
(5 comments) SHARE Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Pearls of Wisdom from the 1% - stupid is as stupid says...
Here are some of my, and I hope your, favorite quotes from those in-the-know, about those of us who would change things and support the efforts of the Occupy movement.
(5 comments) SHARE Monday, November 30, 2009 'Use Cash Movement' to Ignite a Monetary Revolt
Transaction by transaction, we can deprive Big Banking of their lifeblood: fees, penalties and interest. Join the movement: USE CASH. It's a first step to banking and monetary reform.
(9 comments) SHARE Tuesday, November 15, 2011 OWS: Bloomberg to Court Order "Drop Dead!" Returning Protesters Arrested
Today, even though a court restraining order was granted to allow OWS protesters back into the Park eye-witnesses report the NYPD currently arresting those that try to return.
Late in the day, a new court ruling permitted the city to ban overnight camping by protesters.
(1 comments) SHARE Saturday, November 19, 2011 AFL/CIO Plans Massive December 1 NYC March
Pre-Press Announcement: The NYC Central Labor Council (NYC/CLC)- AFL/CIO will organize a massive march from Herald Square down Broadway to Union Square on December 1, 2011.
(7 comments) SHARE Friday, January 22, 2010 New York Times Takes Aim at Use Cash Movement
The New York Times seeks to "reframe "the issue as a "consumer" ethical dilemma. Any positive force, fairness in pricing, trade and payment options is ignored. The argument of credit card non-use as a protest with a financial weight behind it ignored.
(11 comments) SHARE Thursday, January 28, 2010 Why political action is not working and what to do about it
Corporatocracy is its own animal. Once in power this perversion cannot be defeated through democratic means as it has control of the roots of government. As we have witnessed, petitions, letter writing, emails, phone calls and even our votes are worth so little they are now ineffective.
(3 comments) SHARE Monday, October 3, 2011 Take My Backyard, Please! That's funny, Occupy Wall Street has gone national.
A local occupation aimed at horrifying the crooks in the mythical land of "we bet both ways and always win," also known as Wall Street, is coming to a town near you right now! That's right, at last count there were occupations to end economic tyranny operating or forming in 45 states of the union in over 130 towns and cities, plus the District of Columbia, and 28 more in 15 foreign counties including you Canada!
(5 comments) SHARE Monday, December 7, 2009 Join the Posse: Main Street's Billion $$$ Revenge Against Big Banking
Main Street is mighty piss-off and itching to string up a few bank robber barons in the concrete canyons of Wall Street.But, there's a more effective, legal means at our disposal. With this plan, it's easy to easy to imagine putting a hurt on Big Banking to the tune of a billion dollars a year.
(2 comments) SHARE Tuesday, October 12, 2010 Capitalism is Dead - Long Live the Mighty Con
Capitalism is Dead - How the System was Worked to Death in easy to understand terms. Throw away your calculator. Here's how the Big Greed Boy & Girls make the big bucks.
(5 comments) SHARE Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Must Read Photos - Does this make any sense?
A picture is worth a 1,000 and with the right words explaining the picture... priceless. This type of communication is very effective and reaches people. How about some ideas about how the OWS movement can do more of this and reach greater numbers of people?
(1 comments) SHARE Wednesday, December 7, 2011 Experts stumped by ancient Manhattan markings
In this photo taken on Dec. 1, 2011, Bloomberg Antiquities Authority archeologist, Timothy Geithner, sweeps marks carved in the bedrock in an archeological excavation in the city of Greed near the New York Stock Exchange.
(13 comments) SHARE Friday, September 17, 2010 Obama Gets a Big Fat F for Leadership
President Obama may be a great leader. I don't know if he is or isn't. But I do know this, up to this point he has not taken any viable leadership actions. He has forgotten that the number one thing the President of the United States must do to be successful is to lead the nation, not to react, not to compromise and certainly not to follow the dictates of the opposition into oblivion.
(7 comments) SHARE Friday, September 4, 2009 ACLU to Separation of Church & State: DROP DEAD!
It may be your taxpayer $$$, but to them it's God's beach and off limits to you. Welcome to Sunday morning in Ocean Grove, NJ. Did the ACLU - NJ care? Nope.
(9 comments) SHARE Sunday, September 5, 2010 Three Ways to Put America Back to Work Now!
President Obama says there is very little the government can do to create jobs. We can't do anything to create jobs? Really!?
(1 comments) SHARE Saturday, July 18, 2009 Obama's Trickle Down Stimulus is Failing
President Obama chose a trickle down, politically correct attack on the economic crisis--that isn't workin--and the natives are not buying it. Bold, bottom up actions are required now.
(5 comments) SHARE Monday, January 25, 2010 Let's all welcome CorPersons to the human world!
On Thursday, January 21, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court slapped the CorPerson on its fat butt, cut the umbilical cord and, the heir to a zillion-zillon dollar fortune, wailed with joy! In the spirit of taking things way too far, I suggest a number of human attributes be bestowed upon the new humanoid immediately.
(3 comments) SHARE Sunday, October 25, 2009 Obama's "Grab a Mop" Speech Grabbed Me By the...
President Obama's "Grab a Mop" speech grabbed me by the... I'm not going to agree with everything our current President says or does, but I have to agree with him that it's time to grab a mop. Allow me to elucidate.
(1 comments) SHARE Saturday, December 12, 2009 We the People Must Punish Big Banking & Finance
Mr. & Mrs. America, your money and jobs are going, going... gone. So, what are you going to do now? We need to force change. Here's a swift, legal, crafty action you can take today, tomorrow and forever until we get change. If we can not take direct actions like Use Cash, what will we tell our children?
(3 comments) SHARE Wednesday, July 29, 2009 What won't be said at the Gates/Crowley/Obama beer.
Wonder how much discretionary power the police have over you? Plenty. They expect deferential treatment and unless you're among the elite, you best be nice.
(1 comments) SHARE Tuesday, September 13, 2011 FDIC Demands Banking Break Up Plans: Why Wait?
According to the Associated Press, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) voted today to approve a rule requiring banks with over $50 billion in assets to plan how they would break up if they are in danger of failing. Why not just break them up now? That way all American's can sleep a little easier knowing the "systemic" risk has been preempted.
(2 comments) SHARE Sunday, September 18, 2011 Occupy Wall Street - Day Two
September 18, 2011 - 7:42 PM The police are starting to get annoyed. They are trying to enforce little things like sitting on a low wall in the park. This is happening after a blocked attempt to get on the public street in NYC called Wall Street.
(5 comments) SHARE Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Big Greed's Dream
How, why and what to do about the tyranny of Big Greed, the corporate power that is decimating the American working class.
SHARE Thursday, August 27, 2009 The Putrid Stench of Private Health Care Insurance
Nearly everyone recognizes something is terribly wrong with private health care insurance. The crux of the problem, obscured by a a massive school of red herring, is rarely identified though it infects the entire medical services system. Once exposed all arguments in opposition to reform crumble.
(2 comments) SHARE Sunday, August 23, 2009 I Know the Barter Secret: It's a Rip-off
Barter brokers would like you to think that they are the solution to many business problems. According to them, trading your services for everything from advertising to medical care to vehicle maintenance is easy and fair. Learn from my experience, it stinks.
(5 comments) SHARE Thursday, July 2, 2009 Excuse me, but is that change backpedaling?
At an Organizing for America, Obama's grassroots support campaign, the rank and file object to the Administration's lack of leadership and support for the so-called "public option" in health care reform.
(1 comments) SHARE Saturday, August 15, 2009 Wall Street vs. Small Farms: Put Your $$$ Where Your Mouth Is
Our priorities are inverted when it comes to two commodities: food and money. We reward Wall Street and stiff the local farmer. This upside-down situation is driving us toward a dystopian future.
(1 comments) SHARE Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Are You Doing Your Part to Support Big Business?
Review this simple check list. Now is the time to ask not what Big Business can do to you, but what you can do to screw yourself for Big Business.
SHARE Thursday, October 15, 2009 King Making in New Jersey: In Support of Chris Daggett
The thrid party candidate in New Jersey deserves your vote and has a chance to win. Mr. Daggett did slay two dragons at once. He won the first election debate and proposed a plan to get New Jersey back on fiscal track.
(2 comments) SHARE Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Wall Street Gets It! The President Doesn't.
The people on Wall Street are out to steal every last dollar they can, as fast as they can, and as long as they can get away with it. Are you willing to do something to save you and your children from the people of Wall Street? Might I suggest you at least stop giving the banks your last dollars?
(1 comments) SHARE Saturday, June 27, 2009 Jobs, Mr. President, jobs.
Creating jobs in a frozen credit market where most Americans are not creditworthy is now job one. President Obama should work to create jobs that will add homegrown economic vigor.
(4 comments) SHARE Friday, August 14, 2009 Vicious Lie: Small Businesses Side with Big Greed on Healthcare
It's a vicious lie when behemoth corporations and their minions claim small businesses side with them in opposition to healthcare reform. Here's why small businesses share no common ground with the medical and insurance cartel.