We Got 99 Problems...

...and the rich is one.

These last few weeks spending time with my parents has been wonderful and while my dad habitually reads at least two newspapers every morning, I feel like I have been living under a rock. Today was the first day that I really became caught up in and captured by the Occupy movement. I vaguely recall my dad saying something about Adbusters shutting down Wall St. weeks ago, but somehow haven't really tuned in until today.

How inspiring. How timely. How necessary.

The protestors of Occupy Wall St. and the thousands of other Occupy Together movements around the world are coming together to remind all of us, not just the Wall St. i-bankers, that we cannot simply forgive and forget that the country's wealthiest 1% controls 34% of the nation's wealth. Without delving into this movement's staying power, goals and tactics, as advised by Eve Ensler, I choose to simply admire the truly beautiful thing that is happening right now.

The testimonials, tweets and tales coming out of the Occupied territories simply tells of people coming together to recognize each other, be heard and spread the word. They're reminding us, the people still got the power.

At the moment, there are still many questions to be answered. What are the protestors going to do? Can they do anything? Will they make a difference? What do they want? What about the bottom line?

The bottom line is simply that the bottom 99% each have a voice, and we're not afraid to use it either.

Check out this great photo essay, by Jacob Blickenstaff for Mother Jones (his photo above). Another interesting image via Mother Jones - this graph of economic inequality in America:

What are your thoughts on the Occupy Movement? Do your fingers wiggle up or down?

Infinity and Beyond?

Today's successful launch of Atlantis marks the beginning of the end of the United States' 30 year old shuttle program, causing some mixed feelings about the program's discontinuation. It has been a roller coaster ride from the beginning. From its highs to its lows, it has never been short of breathtaking.

Check out these stunning photos of Earth taken from space. 

(clockwise from left: Time Magazine; Unknown; NASA ; Guy Laliberte)

America's Riches

The Fourth of July holiday is usually a time to be outdoors with some buddies, catching up over BBQ and beer, perhaps go tubing or catch a fireworks show. I’ll certainly be enjoying some of these things this weekend, but I’ve also been thinking about what it means to be a U.S. citizen.

The word “America” draws to mind many things – privilege, power and prosperity come to surface in my mind more prominently than others. While I’ve never been one to join patriotic rituals (not for nation, nor any school*), I do inherently believe that America is a land of freedom and opportunity.

I attended 2nd grade at an elementary school in northern Virginia. From my class, I can remember only one fellow student. Hussein was a shy, skinny kid. His family was Muslim and so every morning, he sat at his desk quietly scribbling while the 25 kids surrounding him stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance. At the time, I thought, no biggie. Now I’m awed at the integrity and bravery of this 7 yr. old boy who said, no thanks, I’ll sit this one out.

I also remember Kesha (no dollar sign), who joined our 4th grade class after his family moved to the VA suburbs from Russia. Where in Russia I don’t know – it was just an expansive, snowy place somewhere far away. He was pudgy with short, spiky hair and I remember him being incredibly polite. A lot of boys teased him for his thick Ruski accent. Then, the summer before 8th grade, Kesha hit puberty. Soon, all the girls were after him and the boys started asking him to join their pick up basketball games.

These memories are among many that have led me to always cheer diversity over division. I find the recent “coming out” of children of illegal immigrants living and working in the U.S. such an important movement, especially at this time when certain states are pushing forth regressive immigration policies. We need more Americans to understand that immigrants are not a strain on resources, they are resources - resources making America a richer and more enriching nation. To quote the wise words of Cher Horowitz, “By the end of the day, it’s like, the more the merrier… And may I remind you, it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty!”

My friend Steph introduced me to the awesome photo essays of Mother Jones. The mosaic below was plucked from Matt Slaby's photo essay entitled, "Can You Spot the Future Americans?"

* that marching band stint in 9th grade was mandatory. No, really.