dirty fist!
suprise guest -- tin tree factory
a paper cup band (..they danced around a lot...)Monday, December 22, 2008
what you missed...
dirty fist! suprise guest -- tin tree factorya paper cup band (..they danced around a lot...)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
dirty fist! and a paper cup band tonight
banjo-pluckin' accordian-squeezin' chelseas of dirty fist!
and
6PM-???
vegetarian potluck (we're making a pot of potato soup...)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Dec. 21st -- A Paper Cup Band and Dirty Fist!
Franklin House will be hosting two bands, Sunday Dec. 21st, 6pm-???.
A Paper Cup Band, with Hayduke Lives! member Kyle (a.k.a. Ellsworth Toohey) and Dirty Fist! , the return of the chelseas with some banjo pluckin' accordian squeezin' bliss.
Vegetarian potluck @ 6pm and music soon after.
**collective meeting and cooking will be at 4pm, bring ingredients for chili**
IF ANYONE NEEDS A RIDE FROM ST. LOUIS
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US
TO SET UP A RIDESHARE
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Greek-inspired protests spread across Europe, Coming to a town near you!
Greek-inspired protests spread across Europe
By PAUL HAVEN – 5 hours ago
MADRID, Spain (AP) — The unrest that has gripped Greece is spilling over into the rest of Europe, raising concerns the clashes could be a trigger for opponents of globalization, disaffected youth and others outraged by the continent's economic turmoil and soaring unemployment.
Protesters in Spain, Denmark and Italy smashed shop windows, pelted police with bottles and attacked banks this week, while in France, cars were set ablaze Thursday outside the Greek consulate in Bordeaux, where protesters scrawled graffiti warning about a looming "insurrection."
At least some of the protests were organized over the Internet, showing how quickly the message of discontent can be spread, particularly among tech-savvy youth. One Web site Greek protesters used to update each other on the locations of clashes asserted there have been sympathy protests in nearly 20 countries.
More demonstrations were set for Friday in Italy, France and Germany.
Still, the clashes have been isolated so far, and nothing like the scope of the chaos in Greece, which was triggered by the police killing of a teenager on Saturday and has ballooned into nightly scenes of burning street barricades, looted stores and overturned cars.
Nevertheless, authorities in Europe worry conditions are ripe for the contagion to spread.
As Europe plunges into recession, unemployment is rising, particularly among the young. Even before the crisis, European youths complained about difficulty finding well-paid jobs — even with a college degree — and many said they felt left out as the continent grew in prosperity.
In Greece, demonstrators handed out fliers Thursday listing their demands, which include the reversal of public spending cuts that have brought more layoffs, and said they were hopeful their movement would spread.
"We're encouraging nonviolent action here and abroad," said Konstantinos Sakkas, a 23-year-old protester at the Athens Polytechnic, where many of the demonstrators are based. "What these are abroad are spontaneous expressions of solidarity with what's going on here."
Across the continent, Internet sites and blogs have popped up to spread the call to protest.
Several Greek Web sites offered protesters real-time information on clash sites, where demonstrations were heading and how riot police were deployed around the city. Protest marches were arranged and announced on the sites and via text message on cell phones.
In Spain, an anti-globalization Web site, Nodo50.org, greeted visitors with the headline "State Assassin, Police Executioners" and told them of hastily called rallies Wednesday in Barcelona and Madrid.
"We stand in solidarity" with the Greek protesters, the site said.
Elsewhere in Europe, reports about the clashes in Greece were quickly picked up online by citizen journalists, some of whom posted details of confrontations on Twitter. At the Independent Media Center, photos and video of the demonstrations were uploaded and plans were listed for "upcoming solidarity actions" in London, Edinburgh and Berlin.
One writer on the site london.indymedia.org exhorted people to follow the Greek example and "reclaim the streets. Burn the banks that robbed you ... It is a great opportunity to expand the revolution in all europe."
"What's happening in Greece tends to prove that the extreme left exists, contrary to doubts of some over these past few weeks," French Interior Ministry spokesman Gerard Gachet told The Associated Press.
But, he added, the coming days and weeks would determine whether "there's a danger of contagion of the Greek situation into France."
In cities across Europe, protests flared in solidarity with the demonstrations in Greece.
One rally outside the Greek Embassy in Rome turned violent on Wednesday, damaging police vehicles, overturning a car and setting a trash can on fire. In Denmark, protesters pelted riot police with bottles and paint in downtown Copenhagen; 63 people were detained and later released.
And in Spain, angry youths attacked banks, shops and a police station in Madrid and Barcelona late Wednesday. Some of the protesters chanted "police killers" and other slogans. Eleven people — including a Greek girl — were arrested at the two rallies, which drew a total of about 200 protesters.
Daniel Lostao, president of the state-financed Youth Council, an umbrella organization of Spanish youth groups, said young people in Spain face daunting challenges — soaring unemployment, low salaries and difficulty in leaving the family nest because of expensive housing.
Still, he said he doubted the protests in Spain would grow.
"We do not have the feeling that this is going to spread," Lostao said. "Let's hope I am not wrong."
In France, protesters set fire to two cars and a garbage can filled with flammable material outside the Greek consulate in Bordeaux Thursday and scrawled graffiti threatening more unrest, Greek Consul Michel Corfias said.
Graffiti reading "solidarity with the fires in Greece," was scrawled on the consulate and the word "insurrection" was painted on the doors of neighboring houses.
"The events in Greece are a trigger" for French youth angry by their own lack of economic opportunity, Corfias said.
Associated Press reporters Matt Moore in Berlin, Daniel Woolls in Madrid, Ariel David in Rome, John Leicester and Jamey Keaten in Paris, and Elena Becatoros in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.
On Chicagoland Resistance and Our Next Move
This weekend, nearly 300 workers took over their factory at Republic Window and Door in Chicago. This type of Direct Action is not new, but has not been seen in the U.S., the hq of capitalism, since 1937. Oddly enough, it was the workers of GM who staged that event in '37, and who are now on the brink of collapse in Detroit, but it was the United Electrical Workers Union who took action in Chicago. Six members of the collective here took the charge and went to Chicago to be in support and solidarity with these workers. What we found when we arrived was simultaneously inspiring and enraging.
Upon arriving at the factory, we were greeted by a hundred or so workers of Republic, carrying signs and passing out hot Chocolate to the supporters, which consisted mostly at that time of local union #105 Construction Union, a few marxist/socialists and us. The anarchist response in Chicago was not to be found.
We left out after a couple of hours in the freezing rain, to head over to find the Weiser House, an anarchist collective living space in Chicago. After finding the collective, and being welcomed in with food and smiles, we were told of a radical library in town hosting a weekly radical thought meeting. We left the space and went to the factory again, where we stayed for another couple of hours, talking with workers and watching the media have a fit over the conditions. The rain began to pour down and the major media outlets were told that if they were going to get a statement from local congressman Guittierez (sp?) they would have to move the set-up inside. They whined and pouted as I laughed, being that I was obtaining media coverage on a cellphone, to be broadcast internationally that night, and their millions of dollars of equipment was being rendered useless as the make-up ran on the faces of their "in the trenches" reporters. They won and the conference was held outside the building where we learned that nothing was changing and the bank had pushed off meetings to the next day. Same story, "we'll work on our terms, not yours".
So we headed off to meet up at the leiken radical library, where we encountered around a hundred anarchists, gathering for food and to watch a film about a factory take-over, called "The Take". It is a great film by Naomi Klein which covers the take-over of factories in Argentina. Problem here is, none of these anarchists were at the factory, but gathered to watch a film about the taking over a factory instead. I addressed the crowd and felt that there would be a critical response the next day.
Later that night, we returned to the Weiser house for some great conversation nd critique, and wonderful hospitality of the folks there. Thanks to them for that.
We were woken in the morning by a desperate plea for help, the factory was being raided! the report said. We quickly mobilized to the factory where there was no police raid, rather a gathering of interfaith church goers, there for a program they had organized. Problem here is, there is a factory take-over and these people had gathered for a program with THEIR agenda. I rose to speak at this gathering and was quickly silenced by the church. Nothing changes, these groups have historically come out for the cameras and pray holding hands at actions, then abruptly leave when the cameras are turned off. This is a vulture tactic used to appear to be in solidarity, but to remain safely removed from any movement that is there. Not only was I censored by the church, but the church had some other support....the local anarchists.
I was told that I was inappropriate for speaking "out of line" and that I was exerting "white male privilege" by speaking. No other resistance came against those claims, only bowed heads and silence from the small, very small group of anarchists that came. The person that called for the gathering under the distress signal of "raid" wasno whjere to be found, and the locals all split when the church group left. This is not to say that local wobblies were not there, they were, and Neil, a local wob, radical and seasoned veteran of action, brought drums, black flags and energy, but was not met with much support from anyone else.
This is meant to be a critical analysis of our lack of cohesion in movement today. This is not to say that anarchists are not doing good things, rather that when there is a calling for action, there does not seem to be much support if it is not within their realm of what is "good action". This is ridiculous. These workers started the flame and said repeatedly that they hoped this would be the catalyst for more action, and they were left hanging. They ended with recieving payment fromt he banks and bosses, and the action has, as of yet, been left to be singular. There was scattered action around the country that took place, ranging from strike lines at banks and actions against them, but mostly it is still unseen as being what it could have been, the beginning of real shift in power structure and worker/non-worker revolt.
This Saturday, at 5 PM, there is an emergency meeting in St. Louis, at Black Bear Bakery, where we will discuss how to move this forward. I would implore all who can, to be there.
www.blackbearbakery.org
Meanwhile, Greece has been in upheaval since a pig killed a kid last week. The events there are an inspiration and a call to arms for the world over, to begin to finally stop asking and start taking back our lives. With these events taking place, both Greece and Chicago, I feel that there is a calling to take action here, and up the fight against capitalism.
Our inability to mobilize, with all of the technology we now have, is sickening. In 1886, there was an incident at a small factory in Chicago, where pigs killed a few workers, and overnight thousands of fliers were printed and distributed and the nex day whousand of workers showed up to incite what we now know as "the Haymarket Affair". Without further action by us, this latest activity in Chicago will be seen as a small blow for labour, but a victory for capitalism. Let's not let this stop here.
Upon arriving at the factory, we were greeted by a hundred or so workers of Republic, carrying signs and passing out hot Chocolate to the supporters, which consisted mostly at that time of local union #105 Construction Union, a few marxist/socialists and us. The anarchist response in Chicago was not to be found.
We left out after a couple of hours in the freezing rain, to head over to find the Weiser House, an anarchist collective living space in Chicago. After finding the collective, and being welcomed in with food and smiles, we were told of a radical library in town hosting a weekly radical thought meeting. We left the space and went to the factory again, where we stayed for another couple of hours, talking with workers and watching the media have a fit over the conditions. The rain began to pour down and the major media outlets were told that if they were going to get a statement from local congressman Guittierez (sp?) they would have to move the set-up inside. They whined and pouted as I laughed, being that I was obtaining media coverage on a cellphone, to be broadcast internationally that night, and their millions of dollars of equipment was being rendered useless as the make-up ran on the faces of their "in the trenches" reporters. They won and the conference was held outside the building where we learned that nothing was changing and the bank had pushed off meetings to the next day. Same story, "we'll work on our terms, not yours".
So we headed off to meet up at the leiken radical library, where we encountered around a hundred anarchists, gathering for food and to watch a film about a factory take-over, called "The Take". It is a great film by Naomi Klein which covers the take-over of factories in Argentina. Problem here is, none of these anarchists were at the factory, but gathered to watch a film about the taking over a factory instead. I addressed the crowd and felt that there would be a critical response the next day.
Later that night, we returned to the Weiser house for some great conversation nd critique, and wonderful hospitality of the folks there. Thanks to them for that.
We were woken in the morning by a desperate plea for help, the factory was being raided! the report said. We quickly mobilized to the factory where there was no police raid, rather a gathering of interfaith church goers, there for a program they had organized. Problem here is, there is a factory take-over and these people had gathered for a program with THEIR agenda. I rose to speak at this gathering and was quickly silenced by the church. Nothing changes, these groups have historically come out for the cameras and pray holding hands at actions, then abruptly leave when the cameras are turned off. This is a vulture tactic used to appear to be in solidarity, but to remain safely removed from any movement that is there. Not only was I censored by the church, but the church had some other support....the local anarchists.
I was told that I was inappropriate for speaking "out of line" and that I was exerting "white male privilege" by speaking. No other resistance came against those claims, only bowed heads and silence from the small, very small group of anarchists that came. The person that called for the gathering under the distress signal of "raid" wasno whjere to be found, and the locals all split when the church group left. This is not to say that local wobblies were not there, they were, and Neil, a local wob, radical and seasoned veteran of action, brought drums, black flags and energy, but was not met with much support from anyone else.
This is meant to be a critical analysis of our lack of cohesion in movement today. This is not to say that anarchists are not doing good things, rather that when there is a calling for action, there does not seem to be much support if it is not within their realm of what is "good action". This is ridiculous. These workers started the flame and said repeatedly that they hoped this would be the catalyst for more action, and they were left hanging. They ended with recieving payment fromt he banks and bosses, and the action has, as of yet, been left to be singular. There was scattered action around the country that took place, ranging from strike lines at banks and actions against them, but mostly it is still unseen as being what it could have been, the beginning of real shift in power structure and worker/non-worker revolt.
This Saturday, at 5 PM, there is an emergency meeting in St. Louis, at Black Bear Bakery, where we will discuss how to move this forward. I would implore all who can, to be there.
www.blackbearbakery.org
Meanwhile, Greece has been in upheaval since a pig killed a kid last week. The events there are an inspiration and a call to arms for the world over, to begin to finally stop asking and start taking back our lives. With these events taking place, both Greece and Chicago, I feel that there is a calling to take action here, and up the fight against capitalism.
Our inability to mobilize, with all of the technology we now have, is sickening. In 1886, there was an incident at a small factory in Chicago, where pigs killed a few workers, and overnight thousands of fliers were printed and distributed and the nex day whousand of workers showed up to incite what we now know as "the Haymarket Affair". Without further action by us, this latest activity in Chicago will be seen as a small blow for labour, but a victory for capitalism. Let's not let this stop here.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A found desire.
Hello everyone, this is Michael. I recently posted about the death of the Franklin House, and laid out, what I felt, part of the reasons for the ceasing of activity here. I was wrong in some ways, and mostly reacting out of a space of hurt and confusion. I was hurt that yet another thing I was a part of building, was seeming to fall around me. I was confused at the lack of outrage from people at this prospect. I have decided though, after many days of meditation on this, that I am not willing to let go of these ideas so easily. I would very much like to see what we have built here grow and expand, making use of what we have learned to be negative aspects, and eliminating those things, but not eliminating any energy we have.
If anyone is interested in becoming collective members and taking the living space of those who are leaving, let us know and we can sit down and discuss all that this entails. If no one is interested in living here, but would like to see this place continue to grow and reshape our landscape, then let's find ways you can be involved.
There must be healing done here, that is for sure, and it must be done on all accounts of anything that has helped to bring us to a point of despair that led into the near dissolvement of all activities here. The next incarnation will hav eto be a core group of people that are aware of all of the aspects of a collective, and will probably require a period of learning about one another, and understanding each of our varied wants and needs in this community. The bottom line is, there are things that should bind us together beyond the small things that will tear us apart, and we must realize those things, and actualize them, mending along the way, the scrapes and bruises that will occur.
I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of building this place, and owe a debt to all of you, and that debt will be paid in persistence. I hoep that you can find it in yourself to become a part of this move, this energy, and add to it. I owe this rebirth of energy to our comrades, Jack Klatt, Sabyre, and the crew of the Catalyst info shop, in Prescott, AZ. Without speaking to the Catalyst, I am still reminded that we must, even if low in numbers and support, do what we feel is right. And this place jsut feels right to me.
If anyone is interested in becoming collective members and taking the living space of those who are leaving, let us know and we can sit down and discuss all that this entails. If no one is interested in living here, but would like to see this place continue to grow and reshape our landscape, then let's find ways you can be involved.
There must be healing done here, that is for sure, and it must be done on all accounts of anything that has helped to bring us to a point of despair that led into the near dissolvement of all activities here. The next incarnation will hav eto be a core group of people that are aware of all of the aspects of a collective, and will probably require a period of learning about one another, and understanding each of our varied wants and needs in this community. The bottom line is, there are things that should bind us together beyond the small things that will tear us apart, and we must realize those things, and actualize them, mending along the way, the scrapes and bruises that will occur.
I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of building this place, and owe a debt to all of you, and that debt will be paid in persistence. I hoep that you can find it in yourself to become a part of this move, this energy, and add to it. I owe this rebirth of energy to our comrades, Jack Klatt, Sabyre, and the crew of the Catalyst info shop, in Prescott, AZ. Without speaking to the Catalyst, I am still reminded that we must, even if low in numbers and support, do what we feel is right. And this place jsut feels right to me.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thanks,But No Thanksgiving -- Nov. 28th
"The Human Race" -- Paleo
Thanks, But No Thanksgiving
with...
Judson Claiborne (Chris Salveter)
Paleo (David Strackany)
Matt Dill (...Matt Dill)
Vegetarian Potluck 3pm
Music all day long!
**if you need a ride, email us and we will try to find you a ride!**
franklinhousecollective@gmail.com
636-493-1239
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Franklin House
is dead.
As of January 1st, the Franklin House will no longer be operated as a collective or a community open space. It saddens me deeply, probably more deeply than I could ever convey, that this is the reality of the situation. The bottom is this:
A collective must maintain a high level of organization and communal involvement. We have severely lacked in this realm, and therefor suffer the consequences. This is not to say that people have not given a lot to the space, many of you have, and I know this will come as a loss to you as well. This is to say, though, that we appear to face the truth that "life-style" and "life" are very different ideas. I never had the intention of being a life-style based collective. We were not founded on the idea that there is an inherently better life-style choice to make, rather that we can make a better life, for ourselves, and for the world. We embraced ideas of change and experimentation, but fell in the follow through of committing to each other.
In many cases, we have seen the joys and beauty that can develop, and also have felt the pains of growth and of the demons of our former lives creeping in. We gave into our self motivated wants without taking into account the damage or lack of inclusion that this creates. There is not one person in this house that is not guilty of this unfortunate quality, but what is much more unfortunate is there is not a strong group of people here than help each other to overcome these ideas. We simply feel that conflict resolution means speaking out about your grievance and apologizing for your indiscretion. There is not sort of change of life involved, there is simply resentment built and trust destroyed.
We have tried to become something that none of us could support. I am sorry for this. I really do have a great amount of love for most of the people that either come here on a regular basis, or those that have found their way here but once and left a lasting mark in my life, and I am sure in the lives of others here. I am grateful for this. What I think is not understood by many people, is the difference between participating and dedicating.
Some of the people here have found the option of removal from the situation. Angela, Fair, Whitman, and myself have never had this option, and therefor have been pushed into full blown dedication. There is a vast amount of difference in perception here. Some perceive this house as something that is a fun thing to try. Others of us have found that this is our last hope for the world. Both were wrong, of course, and neither can reconcile that difference without a great amount of disappointment or anger.
If I were to take the time, in this post, to go over, line by line, the joys we have felt and the pains we have felt, it would read on forever. I will not put either you, as the reader, or myself, as the author, through this sentimental roller coaster. I will say, simply, I am exhausted. I will most likely lose some close friends in this, or those who I feel were close. I am resigned to accept this. It is nothing new, or shocking, when this happens. It is hurtful, yes, but I, having lived a lot of life in this small world, am aware that this happens. If it were not for this, there would be no gauge for the love I have felt before. Being a demanding person, I am often confused as being an asshole. That is understandable, but I defy anyone to find me to be more demanding than I am giving. I have given my life to this "idea". I have been proven to be a sucker for the dreams of better, and I do not apologize for that.
"I just wish we could have done more" - Bill Ayers
There were many things that I would have liked to create here, that now will never be. We had Howard Zinn and Derrick Jensen, Mark Rudd and a gang of poets ready to come here in person and lead a class or two in our "free university". That will not happen.
We have a collection of bikes that were to become the first ever St. Charles free bike program. They will be for sale in the spring, as an attempt to raise money for our move to Portland. If they do not sell, they will be free.
Angela's great idea of collectively made hand bags and fashions, that have potential buyers and supporters around the world, will never be.
The many bands and performers who found this space to be an oasis on their tour, will now be booked at a capitalist institution, likely to be drowned out by cash registers and cappuccinos. My deepest apologies for this.
These are but a few of the things that we were working on, that will not happen. This post is not meant to guilt people, rather to give a level of understanding as to what we failed at. This, at the very least, will be a great learning experience for some.
We will maintain our schedule through December, but as of January 1st, we are back to being a family home. This does not mean that you cannot come by and visit, but it will be a while before I will be ready for guests, I know that.
Let's try to make the best out of the next month, and I will do my best to focus on the positive. I promise that. Thanks again to all who have given and taken from this space. I will love that, forever.
As of January 1st, the Franklin House will no longer be operated as a collective or a community open space. It saddens me deeply, probably more deeply than I could ever convey, that this is the reality of the situation. The bottom is this:
A collective must maintain a high level of organization and communal involvement. We have severely lacked in this realm, and therefor suffer the consequences. This is not to say that people have not given a lot to the space, many of you have, and I know this will come as a loss to you as well. This is to say, though, that we appear to face the truth that "life-style" and "life" are very different ideas. I never had the intention of being a life-style based collective. We were not founded on the idea that there is an inherently better life-style choice to make, rather that we can make a better life, for ourselves, and for the world. We embraced ideas of change and experimentation, but fell in the follow through of committing to each other.
In many cases, we have seen the joys and beauty that can develop, and also have felt the pains of growth and of the demons of our former lives creeping in. We gave into our self motivated wants without taking into account the damage or lack of inclusion that this creates. There is not one person in this house that is not guilty of this unfortunate quality, but what is much more unfortunate is there is not a strong group of people here than help each other to overcome these ideas. We simply feel that conflict resolution means speaking out about your grievance and apologizing for your indiscretion. There is not sort of change of life involved, there is simply resentment built and trust destroyed.
We have tried to become something that none of us could support. I am sorry for this. I really do have a great amount of love for most of the people that either come here on a regular basis, or those that have found their way here but once and left a lasting mark in my life, and I am sure in the lives of others here. I am grateful for this. What I think is not understood by many people, is the difference between participating and dedicating.
Some of the people here have found the option of removal from the situation. Angela, Fair, Whitman, and myself have never had this option, and therefor have been pushed into full blown dedication. There is a vast amount of difference in perception here. Some perceive this house as something that is a fun thing to try. Others of us have found that this is our last hope for the world. Both were wrong, of course, and neither can reconcile that difference without a great amount of disappointment or anger.
If I were to take the time, in this post, to go over, line by line, the joys we have felt and the pains we have felt, it would read on forever. I will not put either you, as the reader, or myself, as the author, through this sentimental roller coaster. I will say, simply, I am exhausted. I will most likely lose some close friends in this, or those who I feel were close. I am resigned to accept this. It is nothing new, or shocking, when this happens. It is hurtful, yes, but I, having lived a lot of life in this small world, am aware that this happens. If it were not for this, there would be no gauge for the love I have felt before. Being a demanding person, I am often confused as being an asshole. That is understandable, but I defy anyone to find me to be more demanding than I am giving. I have given my life to this "idea". I have been proven to be a sucker for the dreams of better, and I do not apologize for that.
"I just wish we could have done more" - Bill Ayers
There were many things that I would have liked to create here, that now will never be. We had Howard Zinn and Derrick Jensen, Mark Rudd and a gang of poets ready to come here in person and lead a class or two in our "free university". That will not happen.
We have a collection of bikes that were to become the first ever St. Charles free bike program. They will be for sale in the spring, as an attempt to raise money for our move to Portland. If they do not sell, they will be free.
Angela's great idea of collectively made hand bags and fashions, that have potential buyers and supporters around the world, will never be.
The many bands and performers who found this space to be an oasis on their tour, will now be booked at a capitalist institution, likely to be drowned out by cash registers and cappuccinos. My deepest apologies for this.
These are but a few of the things that we were working on, that will not happen. This post is not meant to guilt people, rather to give a level of understanding as to what we failed at. This, at the very least, will be a great learning experience for some.
We will maintain our schedule through December, but as of January 1st, we are back to being a family home. This does not mean that you cannot come by and visit, but it will be a while before I will be ready for guests, I know that.
Let's try to make the best out of the next month, and I will do my best to focus on the positive. I promise that. Thanks again to all who have given and taken from this space. I will love that, forever.
Monday, November 10, 2008
MayDay Orchestra Wrecks Shit....Historically Speaking.
On May 2nd this year, St. Louis was introduced to the May Day Orchestra. An allstar group of sorts, composed of St. Louis' pioneers of what could be dubbed the St. Louis Folk sound. Members of Bad Folk, Theodore, and Rats and People came together with a full night of musical review, capitulating the story of the Haymarket Martyrs to verse that is worthy of that surrender.
They are back again, to perform the piece, in the day of the execution of some of the Martyrs of the anarchist revolt of 1886. Come on down to Black Bear Bakery, on Cherokee Street, in St. Louis, Tuesday, November 11th, at 7:00 to hear the sounds of our dead. This event is also a fundraiser for the RNC 8.
There is an eery conection to the RNC 8 and the Haymarket Martyrs. Both number eight individuals, all of which being anarchist or anarchist affiliated, both groups framed up on ridiculous charges by the state, and both garnering the wide spread support, internationally, from the anarchist community.
Monday, October 27, 2008
In Case You Missed It....
Here is a list of links to some "best of" guests and moments on my radio show, Rabble Rouse Radio, which still airs live every Monday Night at www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE .
David Graeber - anarchist anthropologist, author, professor, agitator.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/04/01/Rabble-Rouse
Jim Green - anarchist professor, author of the book "Death In The Haymarket" a definitive portrait of the Haymarket Martyrs. Also joined by...Mark Damron, Secretary Treasurer of The IWW.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/04/21/rabbkle-rouse-interview
Mark Rudd - co founder of the Weather Underground, 60's Radical, 70's Fugitive, modern day liberal....what happened? find out here.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/05/27/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Shane Claiborne - as far as christians go, this on is one of the good ones.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/06/17/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Amy Goodman - Host of Democracy Now! True badass.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/07/04/amy-goodman-of-democracy-now
Camp Coldwater Resistance - A report from the Dakota People's resistance at Camp Coldwater.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/09/05/SPECIAL-RESISTANCE-REPORT-Dakota-Peoples-Reclamation
Wobbly Barristas, the Starbucks IWW - calls from fellow workers from the Starbucks Unionized workers.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/09/09/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Seth Martin - great folk singer, activist, songwriter, and great guy. This is a really good show!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/09/23/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Listen to the oldies and join me every Monday Night at 9:00 PM Central for a lively discourse.
David Graeber - anarchist anthropologist, author, professor, agitator.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/04/01/Rabble-Rouse
Jim Green - anarchist professor, author of the book "Death In The Haymarket" a definitive portrait of the Haymarket Martyrs. Also joined by...Mark Damron, Secretary Treasurer of The IWW.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/04/21/rabbkle-rouse-interview
Mark Rudd - co founder of the Weather Underground, 60's Radical, 70's Fugitive, modern day liberal....what happened? find out here.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/05/27/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Shane Claiborne - as far as christians go, this on is one of the good ones.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/06/17/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Amy Goodman - Host of Democracy Now! True badass.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/07/04/amy-goodman-of-democracy-now
Camp Coldwater Resistance - A report from the Dakota People's resistance at Camp Coldwater.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/09/05/SPECIAL-RESISTANCE-REPORT-Dakota-Peoples-Reclamation
Wobbly Barristas, the Starbucks IWW - calls from fellow workers from the Starbucks Unionized workers.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/09/09/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Seth Martin - great folk singer, activist, songwriter, and great guy. This is a really good show!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE/2008/09/23/Rabble-Rouse-Radio
Listen to the oldies and join me every Monday Night at 9:00 PM Central for a lively discourse.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Louis Ledford and the Return of Adam Lee....with Chili!
Louis LedfordHey All,
We are having a chili cook on Sunday with music provided by New Orleans' own Louis Ledford and the return of Adam Lee and the deadhorse sound company!
www.myspace.com/louisledford www.louisledford.com
the chili cook is an ingredient potluck, so bring over a vegetarian ingredient and we will all pitch in to make a big ass pot of chili!
Chili cook starts at 5:00 with food and music and a campfire after dark.
Please bring a couple bucks for the musician, he is on tour and gas is fucking pricy.
Sunday Oct. 19th
5:00 PM - 12:ish
320 Tompkins
St. Charles, MO
63301
636-493-1239
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
All Sorts of New Trouble to Get Into!
So, we have been a little busy here picking banjos and figuring out the mystical world of Accordion playing, and have neglected the updates. Here is a really brief update. 
David before, then there is a good chance you
This film tackles the 2004 tour that Moore pulled together as a last ditch effort to defeat GW in the last elections. It failed, and that is the basis for the film and for our discussion. Will mass youth voting movements work to creat change, or do we need to find new venues for democratic action? Be here for the music, the film and the discussion.
COMING UP:
Friday Oct. 3rd - 5:00 PM meet-up at the franklin house with your bike to gear up for the first ever St. Charles Critical Mass at 6:00 pm at Picasso's on Main Street. Critical Mass is an international bike ride, taking place in cities all over the world, traditionally on the first Friday of each month. Come take back the streets with us for an hour or two. Bring noisemakers and dress in a festive manner. Then at 8:00 head back to Picasso's for Virginia Harold's art opening!
Sunday Oct. 5th - Eddy Burke will be gracing our Sunday Potluck with his folk music sensibilities. http://www.myspace.com/thelegendofeddyburke Come on out for the regular veggie potluck and enjoy the musical guest.
Saturday Oct. 11th - This is a big ass fucking day. Get the Folk Up 1-9 pm Sat, Oct 11On the Quad(In case of rain, 3-9 pm, Grant Gym)A student-run, social-activist festival. Bands, booths, & more.A Year of International Human Rights event. Featuring David Rovics, the Riot Folk collective and some incarnation of holy!holy!holy! All of this at Webster University. We are hoping it runs until 8:00 instead of so everyone can make it on over here for the after party also featuring David Rovics. If you have never seen
David before, then there is a good chance you
have not been to many franklin house events, as he is our honorary house musician, even
though he hails from Portland OR, and spends a
great deal of his time flying around the world to play at all the best riots.
I believe the Riot Folk crew will be joining us for this evening as well, and we will be hearing more songs and doing a jam session until around 10:00 or so when we will be holding a very special premiere for Michael Moore's new film, Slacker Uprising. Right here in the back yard of the franklin house, we will be rolling out the red carpet to have a true blue film premiere, and for free to top it off. We will be asking for donations to help us recover from the vast amount of expenses we racked up this summer running this collective, no to mention all the hookers, booze and gambling we do!
This film tackles the 2004 tour that Moore pulled together as a last ditch effort to defeat GW in the last elections. It failed, and that is the basis for the film and for our discussion. Will mass youth voting movements work to creat change, or do we need to find new venues for democratic action? Be here for the music, the film and the discussion.Monday October 13th - Klatt, Midas & Barnett. Join us on this Monday for an evening of your cool uncle's favorite music. Folk was once the voice of the people, as frog like as that voice may have sounded, and it sprang up from the Beat generations seedy cafe's in plenty. Jack Klatt, Bryce Midas, and Gabe Barnett have harnassed that raw energy and jumbled it up with some punk influenza to give us the raucus folk of today that we hip kids dig so much. Get your ass on out here and support this Minneapolis 3, and foloowing their performance, we may be showing a film. Or just picking banjos till the neighbors start shootin'.
So there is the next few weeks of your life, planned out for you courtesy of the Franklin House.
Oh, and by the way, check out the artical in Sunday's paper about a couple of us here: http://stcharlesjournal.stltoday.com/articles/2008/09/21/news/sj2tn20080920-0921stc-neigh0.ii1.txt not bad for small town journalism.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
This Tuesday Night, Here!
This Tuesday, as an addition to our Casino*Town Poet's night, we will be featuring Dirty Fist!, live for you all. Check them out at: www.myspace.com/dirtyfist or at the franklin house myspace, www.myspace.com/thefranklinhouse . this should be a rad show, so fucking be here, and if you can, bring some money for these travelling musicians, you cheap bastards!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
The Case For Violence
Derrick Jensen is arguably the most contraversial author and speaker concerning the defense of the earth at all cost, and also possibly the most effective. In his two part epic manifesto, Jensen lays it out as clearly as possible, using plain english (or Finnish, Hebrew, Dutch, German or Danish if you prefer) that civilization, as we know it, can never sustain itself. This, Jensen points out, is not unlike the "great civilizations" that now line the oceans floor or the walls of a museum, and is also unique, in that the enemy we have now created is not an outside force waiting to invade and enslave the civilization, but is in fact ourselves, crumbling from the inside. He also points out the ominous truth that those who are profiting from this demise, will not stop on their own, and therefore, as reason follows, must be stopped.
Do not get me wrong, Derrick is not volleying for the salvation of this civilization, rather, a more expiditious decline. His belief is in the soil and waters of the Earth that we have inhabited since day one of our existence, and have destroyed over the past few thousand years. He lays out, clearly, the manmade deconstruction of the ecology of our living space, the vast abuse of resources by our cities, the greed driven raping of the rivers and wetlands, and the for profit depletion of entire populations of wild animals, and unlike liberal environmentalists, does not simply stop with the outline of our destruction. He procedes to make the most sane and logical case for violence that I have ever heard.
He is not talking about random, unjustified violence, like that used by the state in the form of police or military. Jensen speaks concisely of a bottom up defensive measure that is always shunned by a culture that is used to only one type of violence that is accepted, that being violence from the top down.
Do not get me wrong, Derrick is not volleying for the salvation of this civilization, rather, a more expiditious decline. His belief is in the soil and waters of the Earth that we have inhabited since day one of our existence, and have destroyed over the past few thousand years. He lays out, clearly, the manmade deconstruction of the ecology of our living space, the vast abuse of resources by our cities, the greed driven raping of the rivers and wetlands, and the for profit depletion of entire populations of wild animals, and unlike liberal environmentalists, does not simply stop with the outline of our destruction. He procedes to make the most sane and logical case for violence that I have ever heard.
He is not talking about random, unjustified violence, like that used by the state in the form of police or military. Jensen speaks concisely of a bottom up defensive measure that is always shunned by a culture that is used to only one type of violence that is accepted, that being violence from the top down.
in an excerpt from Endgame: “We must keep in mind that the capitalist regime in Washington continues to harbor journalists, military leaders, politicians, and CEOs who have put in place and praised U.S. military and economic policies that kill millions of people annually.”
Anytime an act of defensive measure is reported on, of that defensive measure is carried out against "our" people, it is always, and without fail, reported as criminal and since 9/11, terroristic. Jensen inverts that upon the state, and points out it's bias and it's ludicrousy.
Anytime an act of defensive measure is reported on, of that defensive measure is carried out against "our" people, it is always, and without fail, reported as criminal and since 9/11, terroristic. Jensen inverts that upon the state, and points out it's bias and it's ludicrousy.
I do not want to paint him as a stern faced revolutionary though, well not always. Jensen is quite possibly the funniest and most enjoyable person to listen to in modern day journalism. Whether he is rewriting Star Wars, or mocking nearly every single group on "the left", or telling simple schoolyard jokes, he has the charm and wit of a Lenny Bruce. Derrick will be joining us on my radio show, Rabble Rouse Radio, on Monday September 29th, at 9:00 PM to listen to Derrick speak and have a chance to call in with a question.
www.blogtalkradio.com/RABBLE
Monday, September 1, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
CJ Boyd and Bird Baker -- Sept. 2nd
"A man’s maturity consists in having found again the seriousness one had as a child at play."
--Nieztsche
...this is childsplay for the experienced listener.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Now is the time!
I have heard it said, as I am sure you have also, that "Now is the time to fight!" Well, my comrades, that is not the whole truth. You see, the fight has always been here. The fight has been in the homes of every person alive, at the check out lane, at the work place, at the school houses and churches, at the unenmployment lines and welfare offices across the country, the fight has been against us. The weapons used have been the destruction of workers unions, the scapegoating of public assistance, the copyright of god the churches and preachers have taken to control our spirit, the influx of drugs into our neighborhoods, the shark tacitcs of Slave-mart (wal-mart) and BigBucks (starbucks) McDeadly food for our children, television that does not inform but distract, the selling of sex and condemning of sexuality, the gentrification and stripping of culture of our neighborhoods, and the littany goes on and on.The fight was not over at the end of the Civil Rights movement, a time that many look back on as a great victory. To assume that this was a victory and not merely a launching point for a greater battle is to deny the ghettos and prisons of today, both being a breathing ATM for the wealthy in the form of drug trafficking and forced labor of corporate prisons. Our schools have been racially integrated, yes, but has there been a fair and equal distribution of funding? No. Black americans gained the right to vote, but has there not been voter fraud and a complete deletion of real black voices from the political sector of the world? Yes. The greatest movements of social change have not taken place in the voting booths, but by those who did not have the vote to rest upon. The minute that all americans could vote, the system adapted to make voting a ridiculous and crule joke, allowing for corporate america to buy off candidates and create wars for profit, despite the voice of the people in the streets screaming for justice and peace. This should tell us that there is not a concern by the those who control and profit as to what we believe. This should tell us that our vote and our anger are for nothing so long as we pay for the existence of these vultures. There has to be a new way to fight.If you are new to the idea of this fight, then I welcome you, and charge you to learn from those who are experienced in tactics of survival and promotion of a more just society. If you are not new then I charge you step up your game. Recently, a group called Move-On has celebrated 10 years of being in existence. This is no cause for celebration. This is cause for mourning and anger, that a group founded under the pre-suppositon that we must end war and corporate control has turned ten years old and we are in the midst of the most privatized corporate war for profit ever, and it is not over. We need to step up our game! The tools of our slavery have gotten heavy and we have allowed for it to happen in the name of our security, or in the belief that "I am comfortable, so everyone can be too". It is time we turn the tides and shake off the shackles together.Recently on blogtalkradio, there has been a harsh reminder that corporate interests do not coincide with the voice of the people. This is not a new notion to some of us, and a bitter awakening to others. Let us stop criticizing those who have been fighting, let us no longer say that "radical" is a bad word. Let us now learn the roots of our very rebellious nature and suck the sweet milk from them to nurture our branches of dissent into great flowers of revolt. Let us come together now to learn from one another, and have no shame for our ignorance, rather a yearning to mend it and irradicate it. Let us not rely upon the historical movements as proof we have existed, rather creat a new movement that is inspired by our past and nurtured by each others beauty and creativity.Stop asking and start taking. Take back our labor, our lives, our spirit, our streets and our voices from those who would rather see us numb and complacent. Turn off your television brothers and sisters, because the streets are alive and in full color, high definition, surround sound glory and they are ours. OURS! Stop working on the assumption that there are some people in power that are good, and start working on the notion that good people have the power to change the world right now, without political endorsements or fundraising campaigns. Leaders do not need votes, they need bodies in the movement all around them. Leaders do not need signs bearing their names, but signs declaring our demands. Leaders do not require acceptance from the status quo, and will rarely find it. Leaders teach, learn, cook, clean, change diapers, raise children, stay child-like and playful, join together with all people of struggle, and most importantly, leaders are not extraordinary people, just regular people with large dreams and larger ambitions. Let us all become the leaders we are crying for.We must understand that the fight has been against us for our whole lives, so now is the time to FIGHT BACK!We may not win today, but that must not stifle us. We may not win tomorrow, but that must not scare us, if we choose not to fight, we will never win, and that should move us into action more than anything else. We Must Fight Back!
Listen to independent voices on www.blogtalkradio.com/Rabble and www.blogtalkradio.com/fightincockflyer and read independent writing on www.fightincockflyer.blogspot.com and www.democracynow.org www.indymedia.org and start your own radio show, blog or protest, today!
what you missed...
barbara evoking the goddess and angela's amazing light sculpture.--photo by virginia--
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
F.U.
The Franklin House is pleased to offer, as a service to the community, and to ourselves, Saint Charles’ first ever, FREE University!The FREE University, or F.U., is a community sustained and operated school, for children of all ages, ranging from youth to our prized elders.
Classes will range from knowledge sharing to skill sharing, and pretty much anything that you can ever wish to know or share. For thinkers of the abstract to purists of the most high levels, this school is place for growth within our community. All of this is offered for FREE!
Participation is the only requirement to attend. Classes are limited for space, to allow for more direct conversation. The best person to learn from is not always one holding a degree, but often times the one willing to teach without benefit.
What exactly is a free school?
It is just as it sounds, and a little more than it implies. A FREE school is a school that requires no money to attend and offers no money to lead, yes, that is true. What it also offers is a freedom from arbitrary constraints placed upon other schools in the interest of the moral sanctity of the people. What I mean to say is, we do not tolerate any sort of censorship of information, whether it is what you want to hear or not. There is no agenda to be met and no lobbyist to please. We are FREE from accountability to any body of people or corporations that wish to delete segments of truth.
For instance, you will learn the truth about Columbus, how he ravaged and pillaged and murdered, and you will also hear the truth about Che Guevara, how he too murdered to reach his goal. Nothing is sacred outside of the truth. You will learn, also, that there have been amazing and beautiful people all along the road to this enlightened state. Ever heard of Eugene Debs? Emma Goldman? Arthur Rimbaud?
There are countless examples of the ways that our schooling, whether private or public, has served to disenfranchise us from our nature. We say enough. We are willing to recognize when we may be wrong, and will constructively hash through the years of subservient crap to find what we will come to understand as a better knowledge of self and others.
That, and we will learn how to make a kick ass dinner as well. Or how to sew your own handbag, or make paper from the trash which fills our rubbish bins weekly. We will learn the ins and outs of coffee, beer and wine. The possibilities truly are as endless as there are ideas.
The classes are led by the students, each taking turns at sharing skills or knowledge and having serious discussion about ideas, with the presupposition that most concrete ideas are weights on our creativity and must be ground into a fine powder before being reformed. We are not relativists, however, nor are we purists. We are contradictions and glowing examples of confused puzzles.
Each of us has something valuable to share, or at least a yearning to understand something a little deeper. Let this be the forum for that understanding.
Classes will be held based upon schedules of the leaders of the particular classes and the students schedules. This will be something you should make time for though, as classes will not resolve in one sitting and building ideas and communities will take time. Be willing to commit yourself to the class if you are interested.
Classes so far in the works are:
Art History - a study of lives of select artists throughout history that have shaped the way the world sighs. Class led by Angela Franklin, including field trips.
History of Rebellion – Making use of the works of Howard Zinn and the information of independent media, we examine the forgotten or deleted history of revolution.
Class led by Michael Franklin with a special messages from Howard Zinn through out.
The Romance of Dying – A class on how not to write poetry, rather how to read and embrace poetry. Ranging from Rimbaud to Whitman, Rumi to Kaufmann, Class leader Sean Arnold will take you on a poetic odyssey.
The Art of Making It All Up – After years of being pestered, Michael Franklin will welcome you into the kitchen for a crash course in throwing together delicious, healthy meals, with little or no money.
These are just a few examples of the classes offered, and the list will only grow with your participation. Please consider taking six to eight weeks of your life back and attending the classes. Child care will be available for certain classes.
This is happening in your own community, so you really have no reason to miss out on a opportunity to build ties to one another and to your self. Nothing reclaims the soul like heuristic living, and nothing can be free unless it is given away.
If you would like to get more information on F.U. or would like to enroll, email the franklin house at franklinhousecollective@gmail.com or just come on by the house on a Sunday evening for a vegetarian potluck dinner. Be Well – the Franklin House
Barbara Arriaga -- Tuesday Aug. 19th
the franklin house welcomes back BARBARA ARRIAGA for a solo cello performance. her style is both classical and teeters on the avant gard. barbara played for us last with the cj boyd sexxxtet. it was a life changing experience for many and we are excited to have such a talented and beautiful musician gracing us once again. tuesday nights are casino*town poetry open-mics, so we will have poetry dispersed throughout the evening. vegetarian potluck begins at 6pm and as always we ask for you to bring donations, if you can...no one will be turned away. Barbara is also playing in south city at mic boshan's house the night before she comes here, so make two nights of it!
Monday, July 28, 2008
holy!holy!holy! sunday aug. 3rd
the boys are coming home!!! holy!holy!holy! is making their way back to st. charles and will be closing their tour with a house show, here at the franklin house. it's james birthday and a franklin house-get out of tour debt benefit show. come enjoy road stories, food, music and the last performance with ian before we ship him off to europe.sunday, aug. 3rd
6pm-???
bring vegetarian food, if you can and a chair if you want to sit... but the rest of us will be dancing!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
no horror stories in front of users
he
has playing on his myspace profile ANGELFUCK, a Misfits cover by World Police,
a band of fat drunk bastards from St. Lou donning lucha libre masks.
the whole thing
still doesn't seem real
more like an eloborate social satire
we play along with.
we
watch rambo with old friends
he is on leave for a few days
he tells me lately he's been looking up murders and suicides on youtube
as the blood splatters so well on the big screen that it pretty much explodes off of the telivision and onto our laps.
this is the only war movie he's watched since he's been in the service.
ourfriend talks about snorting H
I tell them about my girl's best friend who died of a heroin overdose, tell him to be careful.
dude
he says
no horror stories in front of users
I guess that's how it goes.
I tell him I can find him a place to hide in the woods in Kentucky if he doesn't want to go back
he says he only has one more tour of duty.
We
talk about the Misfits
Bad Religion
war movies
fucking
and he casually mentions he killed 3 men
we
go back to catching tags and drinking 40s in the suburbs
in the daytime
backdropped by the useless luxuries
unknowing hit men
send him to murder and be murdered for.
-sean arnold
_(fuck work, write poetry)_
has playing on his myspace profile ANGELFUCK, a Misfits cover by World Police,
a band of fat drunk bastards from St. Lou donning lucha libre masks.
the whole thing
still doesn't seem real
more like an eloborate social satire
we play along with.
we
watch rambo with old friends
he is on leave for a few days
he tells me lately he's been looking up murders and suicides on youtube
as the blood splatters so well on the big screen that it pretty much explodes off of the telivision and onto our laps.
this is the only war movie he's watched since he's been in the service.
ourfriend talks about snorting H
I tell them about my girl's best friend who died of a heroin overdose, tell him to be careful.
dude
he says
no horror stories in front of users
I guess that's how it goes.
I tell him I can find him a place to hide in the woods in Kentucky if he doesn't want to go back
he says he only has one more tour of duty.
We
talk about the Misfits
Bad Religion
war movies
fucking
and he casually mentions he killed 3 men
we
go back to catching tags and drinking 40s in the suburbs
in the daytime
backdropped by the useless luxuries
unknowing hit men
send him to murder and be murdered for.
-sean arnold
_(fuck work, write poetry)_
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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