Athens, July 3rd 2011. The "Indignados" vowed to continue protesting in Athens despite the violent incidents that took place this week. Today, there was one more pan European mobilization against the austerity measures. However, in Athens there has been a significant change in the atmosphere compared to last Sunday. With anti-police slogans chanting through the air and new banners that vary from harsh criticism to comical, thousands gathered again in Syntagma. Once again, peddlers were everywhere selling from flags to hotdogs. People were the same "Indignados", "the angry ones". Angry at the banks. Angry at the labour market. Angry at the main political parties but most of all angry at the police. What were apparent in this gathering were the lost enthusiasm and the excitement of the previous Sundays. The participants, people of all ages including children, were skeptical while heavy riot police presence around Parliament was not only evident but very active. Tear gas was used around half past nine at the beginning of Ermou Rd while the square was packed and “the people's assembly” was taking place. The tension progressively reduced as people continued with a sit-in protest outside the parliament.
Need to Know: May 25th 2011 the Syntagma "Indignados" joined for the first time the rallies in Puerta del Sol square in Madrid.
Athens, July 3rd 2011.
Photo 1: Police Force guarding the parliament and the monument.
Photo 2: Photo Banner showing last Wednesday’s hostilities against citizens.
Photo 3: An Indignado stating that we live moments from the Apocalypses
Photo 4: People coming out from the Metro.
Photo 5: Sit in Protest
Photo 6: Syntagma at 21:30
Source: ireport.cnn.com
Happy Birthday, USA!
New Bern, NC - What would our “Founding Fathers” think if they could see how far we’ve come since July 4th, 1776?
Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Americans celebrated their freedom, there have been countless milestones - especially those “Made in the United States of America”!
Sure, we have some “Naysayers” in the crowd, but you’ll have to excuse my optimistic outlook, especially on our Nation’s Independence Day!
Can you imagine how life would be back in 1776 without the following inventions made by Americans? Here are only some of countless innovations to think about:
Cotton gin, windshield wiper, airplane, can opener, electric streetcar, dishwasher, sewing machine, incandescent light bulb, mechanical reaper for harvesting crops, telegraph, blue jeans, Braille typewriter, 800 strains of plants, potatoes, plums, prunes, berries, trees, and flowers; products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, pecans, and soybeans; rubber substitute, adhesives, foodstuffs, dyes, pigments; mechanical cash register, celluloid, Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola, cotton candy, phonograph, carbon telephone transmitter, motion-picture projector, elevator brake, escalator, hot dogs, electric iron, metal zipper, motorcycles, potato chips, pushpin, revolving door, tractor, typewriter, vacuum cleaner, first conveyor belt-based assembly-line in a car factory, BAND-AID, bar codes, blood bank, automatic commercial bread slicer, cellophane, chocolate chips, Crayons, disposable diaper, etc.!
The above invention information was found on the Enchanted Learning website. Please visit this website for more details on the Inventors information and dates.
These luxuries are wonderful, but can't even come close to the fact that Slavery is over and the days of discrimation have long past. After spending 21+ years in the military, all colors, religions, etc. were my family. I believe one day, our Nation will unite like our forefathers expected when referring to us as the "United States".
I know I take things for granted; perhaps today is a day to reflect on how fortunate we are for those who fought for our freedoms and invented the luxuries that we have today.
I wish everyone has a fun-filled and safe Fourth of July, 2011!
Wendy Card
Source: ireport.cnn.com
