We will be showing the film FRESH at the Franklin House on October 3rd. All are welcome to join us in the back yard for an outdoor showing of this super informative and inspirational film about farmers who strive to give back more to the earth than they take from it. Monsanto haters and earth lovers alike will love this film!
There is a potluck starting around 7:30, depending on when the Webster University Get The Folk UP! Fest is over.Holy!Holy!Holy! is reuniting and the Folk Fest at Webster is set to be our first show back! Also playing that show is David Rovics, Al Baker and The Garden Plot Jackals (holy members new hip hop project). After the show at Webster, let's all go back to the Franklin House for a potluck and film. Please try to push yourself to bring a small dish made of locally grown foods, or perhaps just grab a couple of veggies from your garden or some fruit from a neighbors fruit tree and potluck the ingredients for a great salad or stir-fry!
FRESH the movie | Screenings
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
some thoughts on community and love and life
starts with this:
i probably know everyone who will ever read this. and i don't know why i started or what i will say. not a declaration, a manifesto, not even claiming to be a coherent thought in this entire blog. just stream of consciousness as anyone who knows me (or especially anyone who has gotten to know my not self) has gotten used to by now. or rather, in most cases, come to love about me. my motive is simply the fact that i haven't written any sort of non-art piece in quite sometime and i wanna shake some of the cobwebs out (or is it 'off', shit it's coming back to me how stressful writing for a non-audience can be at times).
ive been really taking a good, hard, long (yes!) look into my life and personal relationships lately, and this has brought me nothing but pure joy. like, really. that Ecstasy, the IS, the real shit. one concept i have certainly embraced, and i'm not sure the exact point in which i coerced it from someone else's mind or body of work, is the idea (uh-oh!) of full accountability and responsibility of my actions in a situation. another is the idea (OH SNAP!) of destruction of false ego and embracing what i (and i'm sure others, but fuck them) have been calling the not self. what i mean by false ego is conscious (or rather unconscious masked as conscious) action that may hurt a member of my community. what i mean by embracing the not self is simply said dismantling of that false ego and replacing it with conscious, autonomous action that benefits both my not self and my community. it is my humble opinion that these two concepts, when put into action with each other, and put into context of action by members of a community, bring about certain levels of happiness and changewecanbelievein(sic) unattainable in my adult life until now. in order to have proper context, i must now define what i mean when i say community. community, in this setting, will be defined as a group of people (3 or more) who love, care for and have vested interest, no, no scratch that . a community is defined as a group of people (3 or more) who love, care for, respect and take the action necessary to create a healthy environment (be it artistic, anarchic, living space, whatever) for one another.
in these communities, it has been my assertion all along, that we need (we need! we need!) a more pure, open communication with one another. open communication has rolled off of my lips hundreds of times in meetings, be it with one or all the members of my community. open communication takes work. it takes knowing each other very well, and being able to process when someone in the community has a change (of heart, of mind or of action). open communication allows for this constant change to occur, without too much judgment or nitpicking in the process. open communication allows for us to talk about whatever it is that is on our minds (joyful, painful and especially all that gray void in between the two) at whatever time it is needed (or possible). open communication can be secretive, but need not be kept from anyone (in the community) with a want-to-know, as it is open, and therefore not to be hidden forever. open communication is not necessarily always full disclosure, as this can create rifts in groups that will undergo so many little battles with one another that we need not divide on who i had sex with last month. and if we do need to talk about it, we can, openly, without judgment but in a solution-oriented way. open communication is not just an idea, it is an action. an action we are all capable of using, in full force against the status-quo-top-down-oppressive-authoritative-rich-white-male state and the minions doing the state's work for them (not just cops, but this plain-clothed being called a 'productive member of society). not an easy action to take. the first step necessary is an open mind. when we open our minds to the endless realms of endless possibilities we have as free people, we have one the first battle in the war waged on us by the powers that be. the next, immediate step, is to open our mouths when we have something to say. be empowered by your community. and empower others. always got a strong statement to say? maybe try shutting the fuck up (i need to follow this advice more often) and allow a friend to speak up on what they think. fell your not 'radical' enough to contribute? fuck that. neither am i. neither are they. otherwise, we'd be there already. the third step to work on is surely the hardest. DROP THE FUCKING EGOS. just drop the ego. image? weak. human drama? worse. no one likes any of these parts of our selves (including and especially the divine not self within us) that wears this and says that. eats this and drinks that. that's a consumerist mindset that will have to go sometime. 'but all humans consume!', says the false ego from the back of the room. yes, this is true. but what YOU personally consume need not be representing who YOU truly are. this all applies just as much to me as to anyone. that's what this is. some cleansing of ego. tap into that inner infinite. the IS. and this isn't just some metaphysical bullshit. get real. calling someone 'out' for what they 'really are' is just as much egoism needing to be dismantled as anything. don't like my suggestions? don't take them. already got it all figured out? good. great. grand wonderful. but let's all agree that egos have gotten in the way of our free ways than they've helped. this is not an excuse to freeload off of your friends. this is not to say i know shit about shit (although i do it enough with the crohn's that i probably SHOULD-- the worst word in the 'radical' community). this is to say we need to unite. as communities. large and small. throw theme-based parties and potlucks and put a smile on our faces. tell one another how much love there is in the room. stop just fucking joking comfortably about topics like sex and responsibility. but don't be afraid to joke and have fun. realize that with strong communities and affinity groups using open communication without ego, we can rage on this system of hate and oppression. kill the oppressor inside (ego) and direct the angst, madness and rage you've used in an argument with a friend against one of the many arms of this putrid state. don't fight globalization by yelling at a friend (or usually behind their backs) for shopping at this place or that, skillshare a different way or let them be. these tiny cracks are letting too much water in and some of us can't swim. don't just assume your community will float through this murky fucking swampwater. go on a metaphor a couple sentences too long. have some fucking fun with all this serious work. take into account, not just the class war, but the ongoing fights against racism, sexism and all the other isms. try not to use oppressive language, but don't be politically correct. smile. be in love. be loved. don't possess anyone. ever.
let's open our minds, our hearts and our communication, comrades.
love,
jake
i probably know everyone who will ever read this. and i don't know why i started or what i will say. not a declaration, a manifesto, not even claiming to be a coherent thought in this entire blog. just stream of consciousness as anyone who knows me (or especially anyone who has gotten to know my not self) has gotten used to by now. or rather, in most cases, come to love about me. my motive is simply the fact that i haven't written any sort of non-art piece in quite sometime and i wanna shake some of the cobwebs out (or is it 'off', shit it's coming back to me how stressful writing for a non-audience can be at times).
ive been really taking a good, hard, long (yes!) look into my life and personal relationships lately, and this has brought me nothing but pure joy. like, really. that Ecstasy, the IS, the real shit. one concept i have certainly embraced, and i'm not sure the exact point in which i coerced it from someone else's mind or body of work, is the idea (uh-oh!) of full accountability and responsibility of my actions in a situation. another is the idea (OH SNAP!) of destruction of false ego and embracing what i (and i'm sure others, but fuck them) have been calling the not self. what i mean by false ego is conscious (or rather unconscious masked as conscious) action that may hurt a member of my community. what i mean by embracing the not self is simply said dismantling of that false ego and replacing it with conscious, autonomous action that benefits both my not self and my community. it is my humble opinion that these two concepts, when put into action with each other, and put into context of action by members of a community, bring about certain levels of happiness and changewecanbelievein(sic) unattainable in my adult life until now. in order to have proper context, i must now define what i mean when i say community. community, in this setting, will be defined as a group of people (3 or more) who love, care for and have vested interest, no, no scratch that . a community is defined as a group of people (3 or more) who love, care for, respect and take the action necessary to create a healthy environment (be it artistic, anarchic, living space, whatever) for one another.
in these communities, it has been my assertion all along, that we need (we need! we need!) a more pure, open communication with one another. open communication has rolled off of my lips hundreds of times in meetings, be it with one or all the members of my community. open communication takes work. it takes knowing each other very well, and being able to process when someone in the community has a change (of heart, of mind or of action). open communication allows for this constant change to occur, without too much judgment or nitpicking in the process. open communication allows for us to talk about whatever it is that is on our minds (joyful, painful and especially all that gray void in between the two) at whatever time it is needed (or possible). open communication can be secretive, but need not be kept from anyone (in the community) with a want-to-know, as it is open, and therefore not to be hidden forever. open communication is not necessarily always full disclosure, as this can create rifts in groups that will undergo so many little battles with one another that we need not divide on who i had sex with last month. and if we do need to talk about it, we can, openly, without judgment but in a solution-oriented way. open communication is not just an idea, it is an action. an action we are all capable of using, in full force against the status-quo-top-down-oppressive-authoritative-rich-white-male state and the minions doing the state's work for them (not just cops, but this plain-clothed being called a 'productive member of society). not an easy action to take. the first step necessary is an open mind. when we open our minds to the endless realms of endless possibilities we have as free people, we have one the first battle in the war waged on us by the powers that be. the next, immediate step, is to open our mouths when we have something to say. be empowered by your community. and empower others. always got a strong statement to say? maybe try shutting the fuck up (i need to follow this advice more often) and allow a friend to speak up on what they think. fell your not 'radical' enough to contribute? fuck that. neither am i. neither are they. otherwise, we'd be there already. the third step to work on is surely the hardest. DROP THE FUCKING EGOS. just drop the ego. image? weak. human drama? worse. no one likes any of these parts of our selves (including and especially the divine not self within us) that wears this and says that. eats this and drinks that. that's a consumerist mindset that will have to go sometime. 'but all humans consume!', says the false ego from the back of the room. yes, this is true. but what YOU personally consume need not be representing who YOU truly are. this all applies just as much to me as to anyone. that's what this is. some cleansing of ego. tap into that inner infinite. the IS. and this isn't just some metaphysical bullshit. get real. calling someone 'out' for what they 'really are' is just as much egoism needing to be dismantled as anything. don't like my suggestions? don't take them. already got it all figured out? good. great. grand wonderful. but let's all agree that egos have gotten in the way of our free ways than they've helped. this is not an excuse to freeload off of your friends. this is not to say i know shit about shit (although i do it enough with the crohn's that i probably SHOULD-- the worst word in the 'radical' community). this is to say we need to unite. as communities. large and small. throw theme-based parties and potlucks and put a smile on our faces. tell one another how much love there is in the room. stop just fucking joking comfortably about topics like sex and responsibility. but don't be afraid to joke and have fun. realize that with strong communities and affinity groups using open communication without ego, we can rage on this system of hate and oppression. kill the oppressor inside (ego) and direct the angst, madness and rage you've used in an argument with a friend against one of the many arms of this putrid state. don't fight globalization by yelling at a friend (or usually behind their backs) for shopping at this place or that, skillshare a different way or let them be. these tiny cracks are letting too much water in and some of us can't swim. don't just assume your community will float through this murky fucking swampwater. go on a metaphor a couple sentences too long. have some fucking fun with all this serious work. take into account, not just the class war, but the ongoing fights against racism, sexism and all the other isms. try not to use oppressive language, but don't be politically correct. smile. be in love. be loved. don't possess anyone. ever.
let's open our minds, our hearts and our communication, comrades.
love,
jake
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Black Death All Stars -- Friday June 19th
Franklin House presents a night @ Spice 12 with:
The Black Death All Stars
8pm -- FREE, but please donate if you can!!
Spice 12 is our favorite hookah bar and indian/pakistani restaurant. The owner, Nadeem, has been beyond amazing to the Franklin House and we are going to be using his place as a venue, instead of having sparsely populated house shows. After-show gathering at the house will more than likely occur, so if you can't make the show drop by the house later on!
Spice 12
100 N. Kingshighway
St. Charles, MO 63301
8pm -- FREE, but please donate if you can!!
Spice 12 is our favorite hookah bar and indian/pakistani restaurant. The owner, Nadeem, has been beyond amazing to the Franklin House and we are going to be using his place as a venue, instead of having sparsely populated house shows. After-show gathering at the house will more than likely occur, so if you can't make the show drop by the house later on!
Spice 12
100 N. Kingshighway
St. Charles, MO 63301
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
TONIGHT!! Wed. June 3rd
Saturday, April 18, 2009
We Support Pirates!
From the seas of Somalia! Somali Pirates are lashing back at merchant ships and commercial fishers who have been stalking the sea of Aden, off Somalia's coast since the civil war began there. Despite the few of them that were killed by America and India (asia's America) they have harmed very few of their captive capitalists, generally treating their hostages well to the point of hiring caterers on the shores of Somalia to cook spaghetti, grilled fish and roasted meat that will appeal to a Western palate. They also keep a steady supply of cigarettes and drinks from the shops on shore. their purpose as stated by various pirates is one of revenge for the stealing of Somalia's food and aid, and the embargo on weapons for Somali people's while using Somalia as a virtual highway for American gun running. Right on mates!
The Pirate Bay!!! Freedom's just another word for no packaging on overpriced music from underpaid bands. We all know that downloading Metallica is not going to take away any of their Benzos (but hopefully take away their barber money), and "stealing" sound is pretty much impossible. If intellectual property were real, couldn't AC/DC be looking at 20 to life for stealing the same fucking song from themselves for the last 30 years? Oh wait, intellectual property requires...intellect. Free the Pirate Bay 4! and while you are at it, download our music for free and share it as much as you can.
Bottom line is this, whether you bought it or not, it was stolen from somewhere. There is nothing that we have that was taken from the earth by permission and I type this on a plastic keyboard that will never decompose, made by slave wage workers in a country that doesn't even have internet available by a worker who could never afford the keyboard, let alone the computer. Everything is stolen, at least pirates share the bounty!
Historically speaking, pirate ships were rogue contractors for the elite of Europe, whose crew recognized the thievery they were sent to do for a a pittance of nothing, and decided that they would take it back. They are documented as being extremely egalitarian (if even because the threat of sure death hung over their heads if they fucked each other over) and ran mostly on consensus. Of course not all crews worked this way, but let's not let hollywood tell us that piracy is a history of dark origin, and let's not let Fox news tell us that Somali Pirates or Internet Pirates are our enemy.
The Pirate Bay!!! Freedom's just another word for no packaging on overpriced music from underpaid bands. We all know that downloading Metallica is not going to take away any of their Benzos (but hopefully take away their barber money), and "stealing" sound is pretty much impossible. If intellectual property were real, couldn't AC/DC be looking at 20 to life for stealing the same fucking song from themselves for the last 30 years? Oh wait, intellectual property requires...intellect. Free the Pirate Bay 4! and while you are at it, download our music for free and share it as much as you can.
Bottom line is this, whether you bought it or not, it was stolen from somewhere. There is nothing that we have that was taken from the earth by permission and I type this on a plastic keyboard that will never decompose, made by slave wage workers in a country that doesn't even have internet available by a worker who could never afford the keyboard, let alone the computer. Everything is stolen, at least pirates share the bounty!
Historically speaking, pirate ships were rogue contractors for the elite of Europe, whose crew recognized the thievery they were sent to do for a a pittance of nothing, and decided that they would take it back. They are documented as being extremely egalitarian (if even because the threat of sure death hung over their heads if they fucked each other over) and ran mostly on consensus. Of course not all crews worked this way, but let's not let hollywood tell us that piracy is a history of dark origin, and let's not let Fox news tell us that Somali Pirates or Internet Pirates are our enemy.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Paleo House Show CANCELED
Due to travel complications, David had to cancel his show with us, but he will be back again!!!!
listen to his music here.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Ides Of March potluck showing Obama Deception Film by Alex Jones
So this Sunday we are showing Alex Jones' new film, The Obama Deception, as part of our weekly potuck. Food is regular time with film showing around 7:45.
Read up on your past Empires and how they fell in the meantime! Every Ceaser needs a Brutus, every Jesus needs a Judas...and this is the way to Dooms Day!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Meander and Mark Trecka MONDAY JAN 26th
and...
TONIGHT
vegetarian potluck starts @ 6:30
and music shortly thereafter
IF YOU NEED A RIDE FROM THE CITY CALL US TO GET A RIDESHARE
636-493-1239
vegetarian potluck starts @ 6:30
and music shortly thereafter
IF YOU NEED A RIDE FROM THE CITY CALL US TO GET A RIDESHARE
636-493-1239
Monday, January 19, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Tonight at the Franklin House
Tonight, here at the house, Mike Cannon,
of "This Week In Radical History" and "The Mike Cannon Show", both available on Radio 4 All, will give us a presentation on Aftershock Action Alliance, a collective based in New York that focuses on Community Response to emergency situations.
from their website:
September 11th wasn’t first and Katrina wasn’t the last. Capitalism, Nation states and a culture of consumerism have conspired to make our planet more and more unstable. The fear inspired by disasters plays into the hands of those destroying people, animals and the planet for profit. Our governments (technologies, religious leaders, etc.) cannot protect us but they can certainly get us killed.
Come on over and eat with us at 6:30, and catch the presentation at 8:00. It is, as always, FREE, but donations to the collective are more than welcomed.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Another Perspective on Facism and Freedom
On Sat. there was a protest and march on Delmar against the State of Isreal's oppressive and murderous acts against the people of Palestine. Between 400-600 marchers were there and here is one protester's reflection on the action.
From the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 58:
"Shout it aloud, do not hold back.Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the
commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it?Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?'
Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,only a day for people to humble themselves?Is it only bowing one's head like a reedand for lying in sackcloth and ashes?Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to YHWH?
From the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 58:
"Shout it aloud, do not hold back.Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the
commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it?Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?'
Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,only a day for people to humble themselves?Is it only bowing one's head like a reedand for lying in sackcloth and ashes?Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to YHWH?
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of YHWH will be your rear guard.Then you will call, and YHWH will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.YHWH will guide you always;he will satisfay your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations;you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
I read this before going to a march this past saturday. The march was to speak out against the horrible violence going on in the middle-east between Israel and Palestine, specifically to protest the gross bombings that Israel is undertaking, and the US support of them. According to a USAToday article I just checked, which was supposedly posted an hour ago, "Medical officials said the Palestinian death toll in the offensive Israel began 17 days ago had risen past 900 and included at least 380 civilians. Israel says three Israeli civilians, hit by Hamas rockets, and 10 soldiers have died." 900 people! That is too many for me. According to this article, 13 Israelis have been killed by Hamas rockets. I could go on about what's going on there, but I'd rather talk about what's going on here. For info about the Palestine/Israel conflict, go here: http://www.ifamericansknew.org/
I read this before going to a march this past saturday. The march was to speak out against the horrible violence going on in the middle-east between Israel and Palestine, specifically to protest the gross bombings that Israel is undertaking, and the US support of them. According to a USAToday article I just checked, which was supposedly posted an hour ago, "Medical officials said the Palestinian death toll in the offensive Israel began 17 days ago had risen past 900 and included at least 380 civilians. Israel says three Israeli civilians, hit by Hamas rockets, and 10 soldiers have died." 900 people! That is too many for me. According to this article, 13 Israelis have been killed by Hamas rockets. I could go on about what's going on there, but I'd rather talk about what's going on here. For info about the Palestine/Israel conflict, go here: http://www.ifamericansknew.org/
So saturday, I went down to the Loop with some friends of mine to protest this violence and the US support of it. I read the chapter in Isaiah before going, and prayed. To me, this was a very spiritual act. It was heartbreaking to read Isaiah's words, knowing that Israel is now using much oppression and violence, and to know that so many Christians want to support the oppression and violence being perpetrated by the US and Israel (I understand fully that there are many worse governments than that of the US, but that doesn't absolve them). Incdentally, the friends I went with were neither Arab, Jewish, or Christian. But they were humans who will not be fooled that this disgusting violence is acceptable.
We ended up being late to the march. But they were passing us as we got out of our cars, so we were able to join up pretty quickly. We brought drums and a tambourine and banners, reading "St. Louis Economy is Bombing" (with the words Raytheon and Boeing written on two bombs) and "US Economy is Tanking" and "Support Resistance" with the image of a palestinian kid using a sling shot to fling a rock at a tank.
I was holding the "Support Resistance" banner, along with a girl named Ellen. There were approximately 200-400 people (I'm horrible with estimating things)marching down the sidewalks of Delmar. There were plenty of cops. I'm guessing there were as many as 100 in the area, but maybe 40-50 out and about, in full riot armor, holding bats, with guns on their belts. Some were holding mace sprayers.
But the march was good. There were so many palestinian families there. There was a mother with three of her daughters (one in a stroller) walking next to me for most of the march. There were also many elderly people in the crowd, way more than I expected, especially because it was very cold that day. Everyone was rather excited. We were banging drums and chanting things like "We want Justice, We want Peace" (with an occasional "we want justice, not police" tossed in), "free gaza", "free palestine" (and even "free falastin", the palestinian word for the their own country), "stop the occupation now".
Did I mention is was really cold?
We turned down skinker, and as we did, Ellen said her hands were too cold to keep holding the banner, so I asked aloud if anyone wanted to help hold a banner. A young palestinian girl, maybe 13, said "I will!", and so she did. Eventually, we stopped outside a house to listen to some speakers. At this point, my hands were too cold, and my friend Angela said she'd hold the banner, and the Palestinian girl's mom helped Angela hold it. This was my favorite part of the march, because I really got to see the faces of the Palestinians, to see how excited they were to be out, voicing their disgust of the violence. There were many flags and signs. Whenever a car honked in support, cheers would erupt. At one point, a group of Palestinian boys were taking turns running a Palestinian flag across Skinker.
After the speakers were finished, we made our way back up Skinker. A lot of people were showing and voicing a desire to march in the street. Now, I know this may sound pointless, but it's not. I myself had very mixed views of the idea of taking to the streets before we went. But when you're there, and you see the faces of these people, and you see the cops, with their weapons and armor, you get the feeling that they're letting you have you're little march. That they, the ones with the force, are allowing you to excercise your right to speak out against violence, to gather together, to even walk on your sidewalks. And it's hard to just watch all the cars buzz by, knowing they're heading to stores and restaurants, unaffected by the 900 dead. So we went into the street, taking up a hardly used lane. When we got back to Delmar, the cops starting letting us know that we shouldn't be in the street. We let them know that we didn't care (we were barely in the street, walking mostly in a turn lane and around parked cars). I remember the look on one lady's face, in her SUV with her daughter. She was very angry that we were blocking her way, violently gesturing toward the sidewalk. Apparently, she was offended that she had to wait 5 minutes for all these mourning and celebrating free people to walk past her car.
The cops starting getting more adamant, and I simply said, "Walk around them." and so we did. One of my friends attempted walking in the street, maybe a foot or two out from a parked car, and cops (bats in hand) pushed up against him. He tried to continue, and they threw him to the ground.
At this point, an interesting thing happened. In my mind, I saw myself diving on top of him. Unfortunately, I thought too long. Fortunately, they weren't beating him. Michael and I ran up to the cops, who had already formed a line, holding their bats out to the crowd, and starting yelling at them to let him go. I was very angry, which was odd, because I'm rarely angry, especially like that. The crowd stopped, and we all started shouting "Let him go!!!" After a few minutes, they released him. One cop foolishly told my friend Michael to make sure everyone stayed on the sidewalk, and Michael rightly said "I can't promise that."
We continued down Delmar, meeting more and more cops as we went. But spirits were up. Since I was no longer carrying the banner, I had been banging on a small drum. Which gets tiring. But I found the drumming to be very important. It makes us more visible, and encourages everyone to keep marching and keep chanting.
We made our way back to City Hall (which wasn't the smartest place, as it is right next to a jail). While we were waiting for the crowd to cross the street, some friends and I, with drums and a bugle, waited in the street til everyone got across. The cops kept telling us to get on the sidewalk, and we kept telling them we were waiting for everyone to get across. Eventually, we packed the sidewalk, the steps, and the lawn, and were still occasionally pouring out onto the curb. An 80-year-old lady spoke to the crowd, and after, we continued our drumming and chanting. My friends Ryan and Amanda started dancing with each other on the curb. The cops didn't like this very much. They told them to get off the street (apparently, they were oblivious to the dozens of cops standing in the street blocking traffic. Personally, I'd much rather be blocked by two young people dancing than by two dozen large men with bats and guns). Now, the sidewalks were packed. As Ryan and Amanda tried to dance back to the sidewalk, a cop threw Amanda down, and then threw Ryan down, one shoving his knee in the back of Ryan's head. I was about 5 feet from them when this happened. They were immediately surrounded by cops, again holding their bats to the crowd. Michael and I again started screaming at the cops to let them go. I noticed that they don't look you in the eye in these situations. As they took them to the jail, some of us attempted to follow them, but cops and "peacekeepers" (a group of people who apparently were trying to keep the march peaceful, but really just ended up being as useless as the cops, and pissing us off) were blocking our way. Jake (the one who was arrested earlier) had gotten past them, and then turned to come back (the whole time being on the sidewalk). As he walked back, a cop yelled at him that he was under arrest, and he told the cop that he had the right to walk on the sidewalks, at which point the cop tackled him to the grass. I saw this, too. Again, we started yelling. Trying to keep everyone chanting "let them go" was pretty hard at this point. I was tired, and I think everyone felt done, and were probably afraid of all the large men with bats, guns, and mace. Someone tried changing the chant from "let them go" to "we want peace". The cops, again for some reason thinking Michael was the head of something, told him to get the crowd to disperse, and they would let them go. Someone tried to get people to chant "Let them go, and we will go", but that lasted maybe 20 seconds.
I felt absolutely horrible asking people to leave so that my friends could be released. I felt like a traitor. That I was simply encouraging the bullying taking place. But many of the people felt they had achieved what they came to do, and so left. One Palestinian woman, however, started yelling in the megaphone that we shouldn't leave, that this was exactly what they came to speak out against, the State bullying people, forcing them to stay in their place. She was so right. I was so thankful for her. But I still wanted my friends out of jail.
So we packed up our drums and banners and walked to the jail (it was just right next door to the city hall). The cops were trying to block us from coming near the jail, being so ridiculous as to tell us to cross the street, despite the fact that there was a perfectly good sidewalk right there. Eventually, we crossed back over. After about twenty minutes, some guy, who we're all pretty sure was a cop, came out and told us that they have to process them, and that they'd let them go in 30-45 minutes. About 20 of us stuck around. Did I mention it was very cold? Sean didn't have a coat, so I let him wear mine for a bit. Eventually, someone got him one from their car. The people that stayed were our group, some of the peacekeepers and members of Instead of War, and a group of young Palestinian women who had met Amanda from a previous action.They let them out one at a time, with about 10 minutes in between. Ryan's face was scuffed up and swollen. Jake came out in his boxers and tights (which I'm hoping he was wearing to keep warm) because they told him he could only have one pair of pants on. Then we went to a friend's apartment for tea and peanut butter sandwiches.
So that's what happened. That is what happens here when incredibly peaceful people want to cry out against the perpetration and support of violence. I felt bad for the Palestinians, who found that they are neither free at home or here. That they are being forced to stay in lines, being watched by armed and armored men. It was disgusting to me that the cops would display bats, guns, and mace in front of children and elderly people, especially ones who are crying out against oppression.
The thing that really bothers me is that when telling this story to people, they start to defend the cops, saying that they need to be there, they had reason to be paranoid, that that is what happens when you don't do what the cops tell you to, that we can't be in the street without a permit, that some people are looking for a fight. The cops were useless. They weren't protecting us. They were there to arrest us, beat us, mace us, or shoot us if any of us got out of line (the majority of the "us" being families). And they weren't there to protect the people on Delmar. We weren't attacking them. This was a very peaceful and celebratory march.
According to dictionary.reference.com, fascism is "a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism." Now, what happened wasn't strictly that, but it looked and felt way more like that than like freedom.I love reading the book of Isaiah, although it can be hard, especially at times like these. I hate that so many look to force and oppresion, to robbing people of life, freedom, and homes in order to make a more perfect world. That people want to perpetuate what is going on. Want to defend horrible actions like cops throwing dancers to the ground, or manufacturing bombs to be used on civilians, or want to continue shopping and living in luxury while so many are being robbed of a home. Obama was promising change, but he and so many other people in power just want to continue doing things as we have been, saying that more money and more force will fix the problem, blaming the victims for the pain in their lives. We're all ignoring Isaiah's words, that the way to freedom is by breaking every yoke, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, sharing our homes, setting the oppressed free. Then, and only then, will our healing quickly appear, will our light will shine in the darkness.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Anarchy NOW! #4 Featuring Noam Chomsky
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/31062
This sedition features an interview with Noam Chomsky, and is dedicated to the Resistance fighters in Palestine, and the world over, resisting the agenda of murder and greed. Fuck Zionism, Fuck Militarism, Fuck Nationalism, Fuck Americanism, Fuck Israel.
This sedition features an interview with Noam Chomsky, and is dedicated to the Resistance fighters in Palestine, and the world over, resisting the agenda of murder and greed. Fuck Zionism, Fuck Militarism, Fuck Nationalism, Fuck Americanism, Fuck Israel.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Monday, December 22, 2008
what you missed...
dirty fist!
suprise guest -- tin tree factory
a 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!
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