Sunday, January 1, 2012

Occupy Hahamongna

I snapped these pictures of Tommy on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena just after Occupy Wall Street started in September.


At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the Occupy movement. It seemed vague and directionless. What was it trying to accomplish?

But as the movement evolved I began to empathize with the sense of outrage that sparked it.


Our society puts a high value on free speech, as it should, but what is the point if that speech falls on deaf ears? What is the point if those in power ignore it, no matter how loud the collective outcry?


Tomorrow Occupy protestors will march at the tail end of the Rose Parade. Joining them will be people against the massive, devastating tar sands project in Alberta, Canada.

I'm excited that the movement against environmental destruction is joining forces with the movement against economic injustice.

So why Occupy Hahamongna?

Pasadena plans to build soccer fields in the Hahamongna watershed, despite years of eloquent, passionate opposition from the community.

The majority of Pasadena City Council members seem unmoved by the many voices raised to save Hahamongna. Maybe it's time to take it to the streets.

41 comments:

  1. Tommy is sooo funny!!! You make many good points, and they are all well taken. Hard to focus on them with Tommy smiling in every picture, he is so adorable!!!

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  2. TT, so you're saying Tommy is a scene stealer? I know it's true.

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  3. Ok. I know I should focus on your deep and intelligent thoughts, but, I got a say: love the Tommy shots! Tommy is also so deep and intelligent. Power to Tommy!

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  4. Tommy looks so happy in every scene ~ he seems to be taking a philosophical approach to the situation. All the very best with saving Hahamongna ~ I can understand the frustration. While the pen is mightier than the sword {or a marching crowd of protestors}, it can be more easily pushed to the side of the desk and ignored.

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  5. Tommy looks happy and sounds he is your great companion for sure!

    One more time, a Very Happy New Year!

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  6. Tommy could sell me absolutely anything. These photos are fabulous. He's kind of like a Zelig.

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  7. Margaret, Power to Tommy! An excellent slogan.

    Shell, I just returned from Occupy the Rose Parade and now I have my doubts. We may have to stick to the pen.

    Happy New Year, dear sonia. Tommy is always good for a laugh, and that does indeed make him a great companion.

    Hiker, that is so funny. I'm going to keep Zelig in mind for the next Tommy photo shoot.

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  8. I don't get the movement either

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    dogisgodinreverse.com

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  9. Soon you will get what the Occucryers want. They want four more years of the Obamanation of Amerika. Stay tuned.

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  10. Kari, I understand why it came about but I'm not sure about the approach.

    Anon, thanks for stopping by. It's interesting to get your perspective. We could have a heated discussion but I don't think Tommy would approve.

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  11. Hmm, so you went.... I'm curious. As soon as Bob and Steph finished with the last float, the broadcast was immediately cut. Never saw any occupation.

    Looks to me as if Tommy is breaking through the barricades of Free speech by the way he's loosened that contraption you've got on his head.

    btw: Are those part of a agit pop art piece?

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  12. I like your idea. It's amazing that when the City Council met to discuss soccer fields at Hahamongna, not one person spoke in favor of them. Over several hours, hundreds of citizens spoke out against them, yet the council voted to build a soccer field in the watershed, in a time when scientists predict years of drought in our future.

    There are people who want soccer fields, and that's fine, but the distinction is NO ONE wants them at Hahamongna.

    I don't know if the Occupy model is the best one. I think the human microphone is laughable (pathetic, if you prefer the word). But yes, we need to protest this thing that no one wants except perhaps three or four council members and a few staff. Recently Tim Brick, head of the Arroyo Seco Foundation, publicly accused Pasadena City staff members of lying about their behind-the-scenes moves in trying to secure funding for this field.

    It ain't over.

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  13. I was at a west side party over the weekend with a few (very very) powerful Pasadena insiders (no names here). Victor Gordo stories were swapped. It was unanimous. General conclusion - the guys an idiot.

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  14. Maybe, maybe not. But he has a vote on the City Council which gives him more power than I have. And for some reason I can't figure out, he wants that soccer field even though his constituents don't. I wonder what that reason could be.

    Oh, how interesting: my word verification is "tograb."

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  15. PA, I missed the occupiers in the parade. Here's a clip: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/02/occupy-the-rose-parade-pr_n_1179519.html

    And here's info on the art:
    http://www.playhousedistrict.org/publicart/index.html

    You mean you don't know that that contraption is a snoot loop? It must be time for a lesson.

    I'm very interested to hear more about your powerful Pasadena friends and their opinions of VG.

    Petrea, are you in his district?

    I was at the meeting where Tim Brick made those accusations. It was a fiery presentation. I agree it most certainly ain't over.

    "tograb" - how apropos

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  16. I'm in Chris Holden's district. He voted against soccer fields in Hahamongna.

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  17. OH! This is my all time favorite post anywhere anytime no offence I need a snoot loop real bad!


    I wanna pitch a pup tent on certain lawns alá haha. Finger wagging...help! I can't stop finger wagging.

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  18. I don't know why politicians have responded to your council speeches the way they have. Maybe they can't hear your voices, or can't see your green

    Sometimes it takes a couple of dogs to see or hear things humans can't.

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  19. Thank you, PI. I have an extra snoot loop! But I don't think you need it.

    That leadership clip is hilarious. If you pitch a tent on a lawn to save haha, I will follow. Maybe...

    Cafe, you are very wise. I'm thinking about bringing Tommy to the next council meeting. Maybe he'll open up council members ears and eyes and minds.

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  20. What made you change your mind about the Occupy people at the Rose Parade? I looked at some videos and saw a very diverse group with diverse demands. Those of us against the Hahamongna soccer fields all have the same demand - don't build it. But we're still overruled. The City Council baffles me. We have a simple case of a T-mobile antenna booster to go on a pole at the corner of Grand and California. Permission was granted immediately last April, until a small group of objectors filed an objection. Although only our local council member, Steve Madison, has taken their side (for reasons beyond me), the City council has sent the issue back for review meeting after meeting, while we continue to have almost zero cell phone reception. There may be many good men and women on the City Council but a lot of them seem to take the path of least resistance - in this case acquiescing without argument to Madison's suggestions. It's made me very cynical about the way our City operates. Terry Tournek had to recuse himself from the issue, alas. He would have been sensible, I'm sure.
    Love your photos with Tommy in the forefront, by the way. He could be the main spokesman for our Stop the Soccer Field movement.

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    1. Bellis, I didn't see the Occupy people marching in the parade, only at the rally afterwards, but I agree, there were a lot of different demands. And even though I agree with many of those demands, it's hard to imagine they're going to be met in any significant way. Also, there just weren't enough people to have a big impact.

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  21. At the City Council meeting last night, I actually plucked up courage and spoke. Not that it did much good. Cllrs. Madison, Holden and Gordo still wanted to start all over again with the search for a place to put the small T-Mobile antenna, despite the advice of the City staff. But other Council members prevailed, so the vote narrowly went in favor of allowing the installation - just (hurray!). If this is how Council business is done, I'm not hopeful about Hahamongna.

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  22. Actually, in the case of Hahamongna, I would be thrilled to see the Council vote against the recommendations of the misguided (to put it mildly) city staff.

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  23. Bellis, first, sorry for the delay in responding, and second, hurray! I'm glad you'll have better cell reception in your future. Good for you for speaking out at the council meeting. Perhaps you convinced one of the other council members to vote your way?

    It is maddening that a few council members refuse to be moved by the public, particularly regarding Hahamongna. I was going to suggest we show up en masse at an upcoming meeting to speak out against soccer fields, as we did in July 2010, but we all know how that turned out so what would be the point? We need to consider other tactics, perhaps writing to the group that funded this project (IRWMP?) so they know the community is so against it.

    Petrea, yes, me too.

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  24. Susan, it might be fine to go before the council again. There's some new blood.

    But your question, "what would be the point?" does plague me. I often receive press releases from the public information office. Some invite public participation and input in things such as future city planning, public policy, etc., and I think, "what's the point?" The City Council ignores the public when they deem it convenient to do so. Why would I waste my time providing input when it's likely to be ignored?

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  25. P.S. I thought the Occupiers made a good showing in the parade. The TV stations didn't show them, but Huffpo did.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/02/occupy-the-rose-parade-pr_n_1179519.html

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  26. I'd forgotten that, Petrea. Maybe we would be able to influence the new members if enough people showed up and spoke against soccer fields. Maybe.

    Thanks for the Huffpo link. I'm having computer problems and can't access the page right now but I'll try again.

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  27. My recent experience with the City also makes me think What would be the point? My local council member never bothered to acknowledge my emails, and ignored all the comments bar those of the handful of people he had decided a year ago to support.
    Last time there was a ridiculous plan for Hahamongna involving a boating and fishing lake and many intrusive developments, the City was presented with a lawsuit and dropped the whole idea instantly. I dislike lawsuits but they seem to work.
    Happy birthday today. Hope the dogs bake you a cake.

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  28. Right. It took a lawsuit to make them rethink the plans for developing a behemoth building at the corner of El Molino and Colorado--a building that violated codes they themselves had put into place.

    I wonder if these things are the rule. I hope we're only noticing them because they're the exceptions.

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  29. Bellis, that's bizarre. You would think the council member in your district would at least try to keep up the appearance that he's listening to you.

    So, two successful lawsuits to stop the city from ridiculous plans. I hope it doesn't come to that with Hahamongna but it may be our last resort.

    Thanks for the birthday wishes. No cake from the dogs yet but the day is still young so there's hope.

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  30. By the way, I'm thinking of sending printed copies of this post to all the council members, revising it first so that it focuses solely on Hahamongna. If there were a petition or some action we want the public to do, I'd add that and distribute it around town. If nothing else, Tommy is an attention grabber.

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  31. It is frustrating to feel that the protests have fallen on deaf ears. Are we heading towards another French Revolution? New Years kisses to Tommy!
    Thanks so much for your comments on my posts - they are always so insightful and well-stated. One of your last made me cry (in a good way)!

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    1. ForPetsSake, I usually get a little teary when I read your posts (definitely in a good way!), so I'm glad I can return the favor.
      Happy New Year to Arwen's Pack!

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  32. It's your birthday? I should really spend more time on Facebook.

    Happy birthday! You are wonderful.

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  33. Awww, thanks, Petrea. Right back at ya.

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  34. Love these pictures! I had the same thoughts about "occupy" when it first started too... as it started to evolve, I agreed with it. Freedom of speech is so important in our country! What an inspiring post :)

    LizAnn
    All4UrPet Representative
    http://all4urpet.com/

    Check out the App store for Android and iPhone to download our mobile application! Simply search All4UrPet.

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  35. Susan - Happy New Year to my sweet friend. So glad to see your first post of 2012. You so eloquently express your passion for these important environmental issues through your words and artful display of Tommy in the foreground as poster boy for Occupy Hahamonga! I just love it. Environmental issues are just as important as economic ones and all voices must be heard. If our earth is trashed, we have nothing. We need to speak up in any way we can. And Tommy knows it, too.

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  36. LizAnn, thanks so much for stopping by! Pardon my belated reply. We'd have a different country without freedom of speech, wouldn't we?

    Thank you, Liz. So eloquently said. You and I are kindred spirits about these issues.

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