When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Monday, September 22, 2003
If we go forward, we can also go back. For a good look at workers' history in this country, check out Allen Lutins' 'Eclectic list' of labor events.
A small sample:
This sort of thing was going on all over the country, and sometimes the workers fought back. Workers fighting was all that made it to the papers and the history books, for the most part.
If we go forward, we can also go back. There are plenty of signs that Repubs want to roll back the clock to days when workers were desperate and wages too low to live comfortably on.
There are Americans then and now who believe the purpose of liberty is to make money unfettered by law or simple humanity.
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
Progress is not a one-way street
If we go forward, we can also go back. For a good look at workers' history in this country, check out Allen Lutins' 'Eclectic list' of labor events.
A small sample:
- 3 July 1835: Children employed in the silk mills in Paterson, NJ went on strike for the 11 hour day/6 day week.
- 21 June 1877: Ten coal-mining activists ("Molly Maguires") were hanged in Pennsylvania.
- 11 July 1892: Striking miners in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho dynamited the Frisco Mill, leaving it in ruins.
- 4 October 1887: The Louisiana Militia, aided by bands of "prominent citizens," shot 35 unarmed black sugar workers striking to gain a dollar-per-day wage, and lynched two strike leaders.
- 21 September 1896: The state militia was sent to Leadville, Colorado to break a miner's strike.
This sort of thing was going on all over the country, and sometimes the workers fought back. Workers fighting was all that made it to the papers and the history books, for the most part.
If we go forward, we can also go back. There are plenty of signs that Repubs want to roll back the clock to days when workers were desperate and wages too low to live comfortably on.
There are Americans then and now who believe the purpose of liberty is to make money unfettered by law or simple humanity.
Palema
4:47 AM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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