Hey FireDogs. Occupy Tucson is back up again. This is the fourth encampment. Today will mark 2 weeks and two days. Already the tent camp at De Anza Park at Speedway and Stone has grown to 47 in number and perhaps 65 overnighters, we are reconnecting with the community in that way that isn’t possible to do without the community and energy that the tent camp brings to the protest. I will post in detail about all that is attendant to this development in the near future.

I see that the Conference of Catholic Bishops has figured out how the Obama Administration has either cleverly or by fumbling finessed the contraception insurance coverage issue while exposing the Bishops to the charge their objections are more using government to restrict women’s rights than violating the moral conscience of a bunch of old men out of touch with their congregations.

While some are calling yesterday’s change of policy with regard to contraception coverage a win-win for both the Catholic church and the Obama administration, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops does not see this as a win. Instead, they see it as one small little step, and they are pressing for much, much more.

The first amendment’s protection of religious liberty is not a license for religious organizations or individuals to disregard any law or regulation they don’t like. If the White House wants to end this fight, that’s the argument they’re going to have to make to the public. Instead, they have allowed the USCCB to set the terms of the debate, and the USCCB is quite happy to continue doing so.

This isn’t over, folks. Not by a long shot.

It is the Catholic Bishops and the GOP politicians exploiting this who are pressing to have government violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment. And that’s the real Constitutional violation at stake here.

The selling and marketing of upcoming G8 and NATO meetings has fully commenced. The slogan has been unveiled for the meetings: “The Global Crossroads.” The meetings will be all about taking the “global stage.” But, as the host committee for the meetings and business organizations, which plan to promote the event, try to convince media to focus on the “benefits,” tens of thousands of people are expected to come to Chicago to protest the meetings that will take place May 19-21.

The House Committee for Oversight & Reform, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa, held a hearing on the presence of Occupy DC in McPherson Square. The hearing was titled “Who Made the Decision to Allow Indefinite Camping?” and called into question the National Park Service’s role in allowing occupiers to have tents and engage in what Issa and other members of Congress believe to be illegal camping.

To help folks separate spin from fact, we’ve put together this analysis to help you understand how local rules have changed in ways that undercut protest and political speech. While these revisions will not deter us from speaking out and protesting, they do change the excuses the police may use to try to prevent us from protesting.

It’s also important that we understand these changes so we can educate our friends and neighbors – and fight for meaningful change that puts people’s rights and the greater good ahead of the fear-mongering and greed that drove Mayor 1%’s push for these changes.

Ah, the confusion that reigns when folks talk about church and state . . . SCOTUS rules in favor of religious freedom on one day, and the next day — the very next day! — religious conservatives come out screaming about the threat to religious freedom.

No one could have anticipated . . .

The city of Chicago has finally awarded a permit to Chicago groups seeking to organize a demonstration during an upcoming NATO/G8 meeting, but the city now claims the parameters of the permit awarded depend on the federal government.

Joe Iosbaker, lead organizer of the NATO/G8 Working Group in Chicago, reports the permit process will be scrutinized by the Secret Service. They may allow a protest in the location and a march on the route approved by the city or they may not. It all depends on the “security perimeter” that is set around McCormick Place, the convention center where the meetings are to be held from May 15 to May 22. And, it also depends on the “security perimeter” set around the five major hotels up and down Michigan Avenue where heads of state and other officials are expected to be staying.

Occupy Tucson during this brief interim has managed to hold two emergency General Assemblies, gather itself, and Occupy yet a third location in which to peaceably assemble and petition their government for the redress of grievances. This new location is also a public park, and this time there is also the added incentive of having been invited by the surrounding Home Owners Associations. This invitation was extended not solely based upon political solidarity, but even more so……..because Occupy Tucson is perceived as a “good neighbor” to have, one that will increase the overall safety of the neighborhood. Makes you proud doesn’t it? This despite constant propaganda from the MSM, and constant persecution by the PTB.