Greetings from the voice of the 99% in rural America!
It must be tough, at times, to be a celebrity in this country, but most of us would like to try it at least once. Imagine your every move being under scrutiny and laid bare for all to see and snicker over, while you are left to deeply regret your moment of indiscretion.
We haven’t heard much from Hollywood regarding SOPA, NDAA, ACTA, or the Occupy Movement for good reason.
They’re afraid of alienating their fan-base which could also have a direct effect on their bank accounts. Most “stars” and “star athletes” are content to be like a significant portion of the population, and sit back waiting until they can determine which way the wind is blowing.
Also, they realize their opinions can have a significant impact on peoples lives (I don’t know why), and that a lot of crazies out there will use those words to either stalk the celebrity, or to commit crimes to impress a certain star. Remember Manson and the Beatles? Remember the guy who wanted to impress Jodie Foster?
But, not all of them will sit back. Some are not afraid to speak up and then accept the consequences of their actions.
Case in point?
From WHDH Washington, DC
Thomas a no-show at White House, releases statement
WASHINGTON — “Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas declined to attend the White House ceremony with President Barack Obama honoring the team for its 2011 Stanley Cup Championship. “I know you’re all wicked happy to be here,” President Obama greeted the Bruins.”
“But not all were there. The MVP was missing as President Obama praised his performance. A team spokesman said in an email statement that Thomas opted not to attend the event. Thomas later posted a statement”
Stanley Cup Champion Tim Thomas: “I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.
Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL. This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic.”
Calico Blackie says:
Wouldn’t it be refreshing if all of our Hollywood stars and big-time sports figures came right out and said what was on their minds? Even if you didn’t agree with their stance, at least it would give us a chance to either reject their opinions, or to follow them even more. But, no. Most choose to remain silent.
Speaking of entertainment news……….
From The Huffington Post:
Oscar Nominations 2012: Academy Award Nominees List
“The nominees for the 2012 Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday morning, and as expected, films about films led the way.”
Link is here:
Anyway, enough with the entertainment business.
There’s a whole real world out there beyond the glamor and glitter.
From CNN
Romney made $42.7 million in 2 years
Yes, Mitt Romney paid far less than the maximum tax rate on his millions.
But he’s not alone — 80% of Americans have an effective tax rate below 15%.
A big part of those deductions were charitable contributions.
The reason Romney’s rate is so low — despite having one of the highest incomes in the country — is because his income was derived almost entirely from capital gains and dividends from his extensive portfolio of investments.
And that form of investment income is typically taxed at just 15%, well below the 35% top tax rate for high earners.

Ask anything? OK Mitt. How much is a loaf of bread at the store? How much would you contribute to charity if it wasn't tax-deductible?
Another reason: He had extensive itemized deductions, which lowered his overall tax liability.
Romney and his wife, Ann, gave away more than $7 million over the past two years — or about 16% of their income. Of that, $4.1 million went to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which they belong.
Link is here:http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/24/news/economy/Romney_tax_return/index.htm?hpt=hp_t1
Calico Blackie says:
Charitable contributions? Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t Mormons required to give the church a certain percentage of their “earnings?”
Another reason he didn’t pay so much in taxes is because he has extensive offshore holdings which are not subject to our tax laws.
But, CNN apparently forgot to mention that.
So, see what they’re saying? He is just like 80% of us in that he falls into the same tax bracket as most of us.
Bullshit. He’s filthy rich and protects his money from the American Government by using offshore accounts and “charitable” contributions.
Ultimately, he is as unAmerican as the 1% Wall Street banker that screws their country in the name of the dollar bill. Yet, people will still vote for him. Why? Because they think he’s less of a lying sack of shit than his main opponents are. It’s sad when those are your choices.
Meanwhile, have you seen this story?
From wired.com:
Judge Orders Defendant to Decrypt Laptop
A judge on Monday ordered a Colorado woman to decrypt her laptop computer so prosecutors can use the files against her in a criminal case.
The defendant, accused of bank fraud, had unsuccessfully argued that being forced to do so violates the Fifth Amendment’s protection against compelled self-incrimination.
“I conclude that the Fifth Amendment is not implicated by requiring production of the unencrypted contents of the Toshiba Satellite M305 laptop computer,” Colorado U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn ruled Monday. The authorities seized the laptop from defendant Ramona Fricosu in 2010 with a court warrant while investigating financial fraud.
The case is being closely watched by civil rights groups, as the issue has never been squarely weighed in on by the Supreme Court.
Link is here: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/judge-orders-laptop-decryption/
Calico Blackie says:
This is definitely a Fifth Amendment issue. If, rather than being on an encrypted hard drive, her journals were written in a code (twin-language, say), should she be required by the government to translate it?
She should have the freedom to not assist in her prosecution, including not handing the DA the evidence against her.
Rest In Peace 5th Amendment, we haven’t known you for a while.
The 5th Amendment states:
“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
But wait! If not “The Land of the Free,” at least it’s still “The Home of the Brave” and there are brave people fighting to preserve “Liberty and Justice for All .”
From networkworld.com
U.S. government online security website hacked
Hackers under the AntiSec banner appeared to have hacked the website ofonguardonline.gov , the U.S. federal government’s online security website, in protest against controversial legislation.
“In a message on the OnGuardOnline website and on Pastebin, the hackers threatened “a relentless war against the corporate internet”, destroying what it said would be “dozens upon dozens” of government and company websites, if the Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA), Protect IP Act (PIPA) and Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) are passed.”
“The FTC confirmed Tuesday that OnGuardOnline.gov had been hacked and said it takes the malicious act seriously. “The site has been taken down and will be brought back up when we’re satisfied that any vulnerability has been addressed,” the FTC said in a statement.”
Link is here: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/012412-us-government-online-security-website-255230.html
Calico Blackie says:
Watch out, you Anonymous heroes. Bullies don’t like it when they get slapped down.
Speaking of heroes….What’s new with the Occupy Wall Street Movement?
We’re still out there, and we’re not going away!
See these links:
http://paper.li/greendoula/1325289545
http://paper.li/occupymanhattan/1317517749
AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS MORE!
On that note……….
Spring is just around the corner!
BE READY.
FIGHT THE MACHINE.
FIGHT THE 1%
Keep occupying!
AND:
Don’t forget about Officer Pike of the UC Davis PD. Let’s never forget how he and other police officers have treated peaceful protesters. He should be arrested and tried for assaulting the public.
We are the 99%
Calico Blackie








































































