Sunday, November 6, 2011

Batch #118 - Occupy Anonymous Ale

I labeled this Anonymous Ale in moral support of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.  In New York, Occupy protesters have organized themselves in the tiny rectangle of public space called Zuccotti Park, which they have re-dubbed "Liberty Park".  They have a community kitchen, a care station, a public library, sanitary facilities, tents for sleeping a few hundred people, and the entire perimeter a public discussion forum.  The Wall Street camp anonymous calls itself "The NYC General Assembly", and publishes views arrived at by democratic discussion and concensus, at http://nycga.cc

In particular, I am in support of the movement's claim that big business and big government are acting together in ways that dis-serve the vast majority and spoil the commons, if I may excerpt from the Declaration of the NYC GA:
"We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known."  Read the entire declaration: Declaration of the NYC GA

I admire these hardy souls who are resolutely preparing for Winter camping in New York City and elsewhere around the world, to bring attention to the injustices brought to us by corporations and government, and I will support their efforts to push for legislative change, but that may not suffice.

In addition, we must each recognize our support for "BIG" government and business in the choices we make every day.  STOP choosing to support "BIG".  Take our money out of the big banks and invest in our communities.  Buy local.  Know your Farmer.  Barter.  Press government to shift management of everything possible from the Federal level to the State and Local levels.  Press government and industry for regulations to outlaw pollution of the commons - including Nature AND the Economy!  And until these regulations have been achieved, I personally urge everyone to boycott "BIG", and choose "small".

The mask we are beginning to see used by the Occupy movement is from the film "V is for Vendetta", and is apparently based on a 16th century Englishman named "Guy Fawkes", who was arrested for trying to blow up the House of Lords, in order to assasinate King James I, in 1605.  His failure to accomplish the deed is celebrated in England on November 5 every year since, known as "Guy Fawkes Day".  His image has been used as a symbol of protest of oppression ever since.

Batch #117 - American Pale Ale

Bicycle touring adventures stir my soul, I readily admit, so please indulge me while I dedicate a second label to the Oregon tour, and my intrepid pals, Paul Andersen and Charlie Gillis.

Read Paul's essay in the Aspen Times Weekly,

Download a "Google Earth" map of our tour, and have a look at the 3D terrain:
"Oregon Bliss and Euphoria Bicycle Tour 2011"