Today’s issue of Planet Waves considers the astrology behind the laying-bare of group and power dynamics we’re currently seeing around us. Those are the themes linking the latest developments in the Occupy movement and the Penn State sex abuse scandal, with the centaur planets and Uranus square Pluto driving it all forward.
To read today’s full subscriber issue, which includes Eric’s horoscopes guiding all 12 signs through this astrology, please use this link to purchase it individually. Or sign up for an accessible, dependable subscription for three months here.
Norm Stamper was a pretty good chief, but to the rank and file he was an outsider, having been in San Diego before Seattle. He tried to change a lot of things, but the resistance was very passive/aggressive.
One thing to remember about the militarization of the police is that there are plenty of young men and women with lots of military experience, and for them to become a police officer isn’t that hard. On paper that is, but what about the mindset? I think many would find it hard to shift out of the ‘under siege’ mentality when in the thick of a protest, and stick to a more traditional police frame of mind.
Excellent article, sobering and thought-provoking in the best of ways. Was somewhat heartened to see this one today as well – ex-Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper admitting the major errors he made in his “handling” of the 1999 WTO protests and calling for the demilitarization of our police forces.
http://www.nationofchange.org/lessons-police-chief-militarization-mistake-1321627137
ef – what an incredible read. thank you. As Fe says, “Nailed”.
This made me cry:
“Actually that would be worth something: let’s see what power they are willing to bring out in the face of little kids riding piggyback on their parents’ shoulders, young people with their dogs and pet rats, unemployed nurses protesting the lack of jobs, people playing drums and young women holding placards about peace and love.”
I don’t know what the future holds. It is all very exciting and raw, and yes, it can be frightening. What I do know, is that life can change in an instant. Nothing can prepare us for that.
random amusement:
“Startled Deer Becomes New Republican Frontrunner – Inability to Speak Considered a Plus.”
-Andy Borowitz
rob — good point. hadn’t quite thought of it in those terms, but it really is something we can’t afford to lose sight of in the coming days and months and years.
e:
I knew by the title of the piece that this would be a good, sit-down-with-a-cuppa-joe kind of read that should be savored. Not many days or eras like this one, where history is so big we can barely wrap ourselves around it.
This piece was nails, baby. Nailed.
“There are more people than police in New York City and every city in the world.”
Most important mathematical fact of our times.