The UWS Mission

Tampa and the nation brace for the laissez-faire lovefest that will be the RNC : 3 days of mind-numbingly simplistic rhetoric and catch-phrases sure to grate on the most dispassionate observers. Citizen Romney/ Veep Pick and financial backers will congregate fortress-style, walled off from their fellow citizens by the most elaborate security apparatus in human history. Writer David Corn says the only suspense lies in seeing “how low they'll go” motherjones .

Fully capable, armed predator drones are said to patrol the skies over Tampa, while a phalanx of armed forces – barely resembling “the police” as most know them – will secure the perimeter, a virtual blocks long “no-mans land,” surrounding Tropicana Dome on all sides. (Shortly after the story on the drones is released, FAA conflicts the report according to dissenter.firedoglake.com)

The city’s police department receives $50 million from Congress ahead of the convention, purchasing armored vehicles and high-tech surveillance cameras equipped with “behavioral recognition software” democracynow.org

Spooksters Anonymous are purported to release an 8 minute long video, urging RNC protesters to try to overwhelm the massive security force, though as noted, nearly anyone may mask themselves as “anonymous” Tbo.com

For companies that manufacture the unmanned drones, the possibilities are endless. Tbo.com

RNC has armored vehicles and drones on their side. Community activists, students, and grannies have their own terrifying, awe-inspiring arsenal, including dyed hair, fanny packs, and motorized wheelchairs. huffpost

RNC and its security force boast a well-deserved rep for roughing up protesters.In 2008, Reporter Amy Goodman leaves the convention floor to intervene in the arrest of her staff. She asks to speak to a commanding officer and is immediately kettled and tossed in the paddy wagon. The resulting legal suit filed results in a $100,000 settlement and a promise of police “media sensitivity training.” Will there be a repeat performance? (Video, above)

Massive security is a non-partisan affair.The Democratic shindig in Charlotte promises to be every bit of the same, sequestered gathering. . Charlotteobserver.com

Tropical Storm Isaac packs a punch as it heads North, grazing the Keys and veering past Tampa. Delegates and other attendees breathe audible sighs of relief as the storm dampen protests, literally. New Orleans residents stare down the storm now, the memory of Katrina's vast destruction still vivid. reuters

It's a vision of two Americas; the self-congratulatory one percent celebrating inside a climate controlled (publicly-funded) dome while the citizenry gather outside, barely exercising free speech and assembly rights  -  from within their off-site "protester pens." Hard to tell if it's 1972 or 2012. The dichotomy underscores the isolation and detachment of RNC, who, if they wished to display an ounce of PR sense, or genuine concern, would simply walk outside and engage the protesters. Not gonna happen.

RNC will echo, incessantly, the notion that “you too can be a millionaire... some day” - and ask Americans to ante up another round of tax benefits for the super-wealthy, whose $225/hr accountants employ a vast array of tactics and tricks to shift wealth to the same spot they sent middle class jobs : offshore. The grand difference being the funds return to the account holder, in spades.

Having traversed over 4 decades since the US political leadership declared a “War on Poverty,” America thus comes full circle. It's a story largely untold. Except for long-time media mensches like Bill Moyers and Michael Winship who, the week of Citizen Romney's coronation in Tampa, chastise both parties for pushing the plight of the poor off the agenda. truthout


Former NY Times reporter Chris Hedges and writing partner Joe Sacco do their part as well, conducting an “American journey across expendable communities and people,” for their latest work Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt. truthout

The  topic covered in scorching detail here, by Robert Borsage in huffpost

Occupy frequently takes it on the chin in the establishment media. Coverage focuses on cop dust-ups, dwindling encampments, arrests, and the like. Huffpost

The real action happens in the various “working groups,” where citizens focus on projects and people. Fred Allen's sentiment that “Everywhere Outside of New York City, is Bridgeport (CT)” contains a hidden truth : the solutions lie in America's urban areas.

A cliche-laden, text message driven society, synonymous with the attention-deficit-disordered world advertisers have plunged us into. Reading, writing and basic comprehension, threatened with extinction by mass technology, ultimately creating compulsive subservience, or compulsive self-servingness. Both equally insidious. A futurist nightmare.

Subsidies to help less advantaged students eliminated, gone by the wayside in favor of schooling designed to instill obedience and deprive students of critical thinking faculties – the latter reserved exclusively for the one percenters - and those who mortgage themselves to the hilt, victims of endless collateral college loan damage, in search of some sort of economic security, inflicted by Lords Dimon, Blankfein, et al. Sound journalism – fuhgeddaboudit!

Ongoing and unnecessary tensions continue between Occupy LA and the cops. A man alleged to be affiliated with the group gets into it with a private security guard – and ends up going Mike Tyson on him. Not with a left hook or upper cut, but, yes, biting his ear (video above). The incident is said to have taken place in the downtown's Pershing Square, where Occupy LA shifted operations after being evicted from City Hall. The new location has previously been cited as an area of concern over public drinking and narcotics use Laist.com, LA Times

The twitter and blogosphere explode as UK authorities approach and enter the Ecuadorean embassy to begin the extradition of Julian Assange. The wiki leaks founder has been living inside and under the Embassy's protection since June 19, and is wanted for questioning regarding a Swedish criminal allegation of sexual misconduct. Assange claims he is being politically persecuted and requested asylum after his appeal to Britain’s highest court to refuse the extradition was denied.

Today, Ecuador Foreign Affairs Minister Ricardo Patinon announces the decision to grant the globe-trotting Assange asylum. Which he says was reached after consulting with the UK, US, and Sweden in an attempt to procure guarantees for Assange's safety, ultimately not provided. Reuters

Renewed media attention pays dividends. On the heels of Federica Lorca's letter to LA's “Mayor Tony” it looks like City Hall (for once) gets the message and ArtWalk goes off without hitches, in spite of the heavy cop presence, as “chalking” is allowed this time.

Occupy Oakland attends, via chartered bus. prompting security concerns, but appropriate outreach is done with the community ahead of time and ensures a peaceful night. Head of LA Public Works Board Andrea Alarcon mingles with Occupy, and an alternative protest location for the group is discussed.