Oak Grove Update #2
by thenick
on Jun 19, 2008 10:01 PM PDT
[Ed Note: TheNick gives a solid run down with fotografias of what is going on at the Grove. Bee Tee Dubya, "Ayr" was the "Authority Challenging Leader" from Saturday's Defensive Drills]
Continuing from my previous post ...
So after finding out that there might be something going on up at "hippie-land", my friends and I rushed up there to see what might be going on.
From a distance we could see that the "pod" was still there, though no one was inside.
We arrived to find, as I had said before, an expanded barrier that went all the way to the median:
"Why do you get a hardhat and I don't?"
The hippies had been, for the most part, relegated to the opposite side of the street. There were far fewer students and other onlookers around by the time we got there though.
"We claim this lawn for all hippie-kind."
The excitement in the air was palpable. As you can see from the photo above, people seemed to really be reveling in their absolute victory. One guy (not pictured) shouted "Impeach the Regents". This dog is an example of just how exciting it was.
"I shall not be moved until capitalism has fallen."
We were about to leave when we learned that there was going to be a group shower, no wait, a press conference... by the hippie leaders. We figured why not wait and see what they have to say. I won't go into too many details about what they actually said. Frankly, I don't want to repeat most of it, but it consisted mostly of hippie rhetoric and outright lies. The leaders attempted to gather a bunch of hippies on the median across the street from the video camers, thus creating an environment where cars were continually going through the background of the video frame, in between the speakers and the "backdrop" people. They were, as has been previously noted, very distrustful of anyone telling them what to do and were incredibly disorganized.
The first speaker claimed to be a "former" student at the university.
"Did I graduate? I don't remember!"
Next up was Doug Buckwald, though I don't have a picture of him speaking. Third was one of the people organizing this whole thing. He said his name was "Ayr" (he spelled it) and that he had been there from day 1. He also introduced himself in the third person, took a step back, took a deep breath, and then apparently switched personalities or something into Ayr.
"Breathe..."
Lastly, Dumpster Muffin climbed back up near, but not in, the "god pod" so that she could make a call on her cell phone to Ayr, who was holding another cell phone up to a megaphone so that everyone could hear it. She read a prepared statement and then answered a few questions. The best part is that Ayr first tried to put the cell phone up to the wrong side of the megaphone. I'm not making that up.
"Is this the right side??? I'm so high right now... I have no idea what's going on..."
Note the random bicyclist behind him that was in the video frame. He had just decided to stop by and be on the news, apparently. After each speaker finished or when they said something particularly hippie-ish (perhaps mentioning the spirit of the trees or mother Earth or something) everyone would cheer, howl, whoop, etc. The whole time another guy was walking around blowing and inhaling on what may or may not have been incense.
"But I did not inhale... Oh wait."
The guy who shouted "Impeach the Regents" did so several more times. He also compared the situation to Nazi Germany and the removal of Jews from their houses (I'm not making that up either, Twist).
Random hippies blocked traffic (you can see about a dozen cars were backed up here) and the police would occasionally shuffle people out of the way and let the cars go through the video shoot. Usually it wasn't too much of a problem but several cars tried to speed through and very nearly clipped a hippie. They would have TOTALLY earned themselves 10 points, and 50 for someone without shoes, but alas, no one did.
Some of the few remaining tree hippies looked on from their perches and wiggled branches while the speakers talked or while Dumpster Muffin read her prepared statement. You can barely see this guy clinging to the telephone pole, since he apparently chose the "Evil Mogwai" camoflage. Maybe somebody splashed water on him or fed him fried chicken.
The best part, in my opinion, was that throughout the entire debacle, you could hear chain saws coming from the trees and see arborists collecting small branches and carting them away.
As we were leaving, I spoke with a UCPD officer and asked him about the jurisdiction of the area. He was kind enough to answer my questions and told me that the stretch of Gayley Rd / Piedmont Ave from the International House to the "fire hydrant at the stop sign" is actually city property, and thus the City of Berkeley is currently okay with the blocking of the northbound lane of traffic...currently.
If you see these crazies on the news, take it with a grain of salt. Unless the university comes out with something else, the media will only get one side, and it's not a very good one.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
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Good stuff, good stuff. I love the caption for the dog.
Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism. That’s my new favorite slogan.
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Jun 19, 2008 10:09 PM PDT 0 recs
thanks for the report- it really allows those of us who can’t be there in person to soak up some of the crazy.
by Itchy25 on Jun 19, 2008 10:19 PM PDT 0 recs
holy cow it was crazy…
without other students and anti-hippies, we were afraid to do a GO BEARS after they cheered for something lest we be trampled by dirty dirty feet.
by thenick on Jun 19, 2008 10:29 PM PDT 0 recs
You could have said you were doing the classic GOB EARS chant. Hippies love Gob Ears!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 19, 2008 10:31 PM PDT
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How dare you defame anyone associated with, or blackballed from, the Magicians’ Alliance!
by thenick on
Jun 19, 2008 11:52 PM PDT
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Are you defaming me, who is associated with and/or blackballed from the Magicians’ Alliance?
HOW DARE YOU, SIR!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 9:40 AM PDT
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My own blogger, TwistNHook. My own, selfish blogger. TwistNHook.
by Spazzy Mcgee on
Jun 20, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
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"City of Berkely"
I think the tree hippies have gotten to you. The first sign is spelling Berkeley wrong!
by OskiWeeWee on Jun 19, 2008 10:32 PM PDT 0 recs
I just fixed it… Thanks for the heads-up and I’ll watch out for any other signs of hippie-ness… I don’t yet thirst for brains and communism.
It’s late, and today is my first foray into blogging. sigh
by thenick on
Jun 19, 2008 10:38 PM PDT
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'tis ok
don’t beat yourself up. Once you do it once, you’ll never do it again. (“That’s what she said!”)
More emails from Save Oaks. All completely true. (Damn blockquote isn’t working correctly)
June 18th, 11:43pm
Subject: [save oaks] Arrests Made: Please donate for Bail fund now!
Special flash request from the Oaks Arrestees Defense Committee:
“UC has stepped up their attacks on the Oaks Treesitters and their allies.
At least 3 people have been arrested already, and UCPD has threatened all those outside with arrest for aiding and abetting.
As more sitters and supporters are arrested, we will need money to pay for bails, fines, and other court costs. Please, visit:
and click on the “Donate” button to make a contribution through PayPal.
We need your help now! Please donate whatever you can – bail bonds and legal expenses are very pricey.
Thank you,
Tristan Bunner
Oaks Arrestees Defense Committee”
Thursday, June 19th, 5:20pm
(apparently so urgent they couldn’t finish their thought)
(they also haven’t realized that it’s Thursday)
Subject: Urgent! Come to the Grove NowPolice Attacking and Removing TreeSitter’s, Wednesday5pm,
June 19th, 5:43pm:
Subject: berkeley grandma’ ask
everyone to bring lots food and water to the grove at 545 pm today, Wednesday, ASAP!
Yeah, it’s not Wednesday anymore. Bummer. I missed it. :)
by OskiWeeWee on
Jun 19, 2008 10:50 PM PDT
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ABC News
abc7news.com, while confusing and poorly designed, seems to have a fairly impartial (and thus pro-university like all rational people) stance in their video clips.
by thenick on Jun 19, 2008 10:40 PM PDT 0 recs
Channel 2 (KTVU FOX) also has some good clips.
One of my favorite quotes is that the police said the arrested protestors didn’t resist very much… that it was like they didn’t have very much energy.
Great.
by thenick on
Jun 19, 2008 11:35 PM PDT
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Call the tree sit cell phone!
The number is 510-938-2109 (Courtesy of a PhD from Scouts.com) If too many people call, it could jam up their communications, so please act accordingly! I’m calling in a few minutes!
by Jan K Oski on Jun 19, 2008 10:47 PM PDT 0 recs
wonder if she gets text messages?
I wonder what kind of cell phone plan she has for all these midday/midweek calls. Those minutes are killer! I hope she has a good text plan.
by OskiWeeWee on
Jun 19, 2008 10:51 PM PDT
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overload?
If you call enough you can get them maybe to turn off the phone…
However, regardless of whether or not the phone is off, text messages go through and cost the receiving party money.
Sounds like a good opportunity for a classic TEXT BOMB!
by thenick on
Jun 19, 2008 10:57 PM PDT
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Yeah!! What gives?!?
Solar? Dumpster Muffin looked pretty sunburned too. I don’t think Mother Oak makes organic suncreen.
by thenick on
Jun 19, 2008 11:26 PM PDT
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I called it!
I didn’t say anything for fear of cracking a rib laughing so hard.
It went like this:
“Sup! .....
Helloo?
Hey man, if you’re gonna prank me, at least say something! I mean, you can hate on me, or love on me, or whatever, but…”
I hung up before I fell of the couch.
I called them again, and it went like this:
“Hey, watsup?”
He hung up after five seconds w/o a response.
What will I do for entertainment after they come down?
by RollOnYouBears667 on
Jun 20, 2008 11:16 AM PDT
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Masturbate furiously?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 11:25 AM PDT
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If it makes you feel any better masturbate furiously is my answer to most questions.
It can get…...........awkward in the Court room.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 1:38 PM PDT
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lol cell phones. these hippies are fucking sell outs. they should be using smoke signals.
by Itchy25 on
Jun 19, 2008 11:00 PM PDT
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hahahaha
I just called that number….some dude answered and here is how it went down:
phone dude: ”...ya we just got it on camera”
me: “who is this?”
dude: “uhhh I just got a call from this number”
me: “no u didnt”
dude: “uhhhhh ok”
me: “shut up u stupid hippie”
dude: “uhhhhhh whats that?”
me: “you’ve been hung-up-upon!”
end of conversation
by NorCalLonghorn on
Jun 19, 2008 11:01 PM PDT
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i just sent a text...
...asking if they texted me. stay tuned.
by mwpfoot on
Jun 20, 2008 11:21 AM PDT
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Wow, thanks for the update complete with pictures. I really can’t believe the nerve of the hippies. To compare what is happening to them to Nazi Germany is really pretty disgusting if you ask me. If it were Nazi Germany the hippies would all be in concentration camps awaiting execution. I just don’t understand how the hippies could possibly be so stupid. These hippies really, really make me sick!
by CaliSeth on Jun 19, 2008 10:53 PM PDT 0 recs
I’m pretty sure that guy was not with the “official” protest supporters (he had shoes), but it was still, in my opinion, really, really offensive.
by thenick on
Jun 19, 2008 10:58 PM PDT
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Still, I’m impressed with their resolve. If only they could channel it into something more productive.
Stanfurd Delendum Est.
by Olsonist on
Jun 19, 2008 11:01 PM PDT
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I was thinking that if they could have channeled their considerable energy into getting rid of Longshore, we’d be done with him by now. It isn’t too late. I’ll speak with them directly.
Stanfurd Delendum Est.
by Olsonist on
Jun 20, 2008 7:34 AM PDT
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Hitler killed Jews
so imagine what he would have done to these people…..
by RollOnYouBears667 on
Jun 20, 2008 11:18 AM PDT
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yeah, I can only imagine if:
a. they were productive members of society… finding a cure for cancer, building 50 foot platforms into the Stanfurd Tree, or something of that level.
or
b. they were protesting something more worthwhile.
The speakers (the former student and Doug, mostly) kept on comparing themselves to MLK and Gahndi.
I seriously think MLK and Gahndi would be incredibly insulted to be lumped into a group like that… though I can forgive Gahndi for his lack of shoes.
by thenick on Jun 19, 2008 11:33 PM PDT 0 recs
Oh my
Wow, if they are comparing themselves to such timelessly iconic figures as MLK and Ghandi, they truly are delusional. They have a very self inflated sense of importance and entitlement. I honestly think most of these folks suffer from severe mental illness.
by CaliSeth on
Jun 19, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
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Pretty funny comment
considering your avatar or icon or whatever . . .
by oaktownmario on
Jun 20, 2008 12:21 AM PDT
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Well, technically speaking, both the treesitters and MLK are/were mammals. So…there’s that.
by Spazzy Mcgee on
Jun 20, 2008 12:10 PM PDT
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Well, to be fair Ayr has been to known to plagarize his speeches.
And I think Dumpster Muffin took to sleeping (and ONLY sleeping) next to underage girls, often.
So, maybe those comparisons aren’t as bad as you might think.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 6:46 AM PDT
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That Doug Buchwald guy is a joke. Anytime there is a camera around he crowds in and tries to be the center of attention. It’s really sickening to watch. MLK he is not.
by CaliSeth on Jun 19, 2008 11:39 PM PDT 0 recs
and as far as I can tell none of the news stations that were there have shown any footage of him from tonight, and any footage of the other guy seems to be from earlier and not from the “press conference”. I have a feeling that the microphone’s weren’t picking up quality audio and the news people junked it all. the most the hippies will get are random stock footage shots of them milling about and possibly dancing
by thenick on Jun 19, 2008 11:45 PM PDT 0 recs
The media are just as bad as the treesitters. They search for the most ridiculous, outlandish people and literally give them microphones and a platform, as though Ayr and Doug Fuckwald have any perspective on the actual legal situation beyond their psychotic paranoia and pathetic exaggerations. Then they show 4 seconds of Dan Mogulof saying something official sounding.
KGO was the worst one tonight, they interviewed a mother who was “caught” in the protest and didn’t move her car, even after police told her to. “Her elbow was hurt in the confrontation,” said the news report. Because that factoid is so important… In all 4 news reports tonight (I channel flipped), I never once heard “Arquist-Priolo.”
by Spazzy Mcgee on Jun 19, 2008 11:54 PM PDT 0 recs
this really puts into perspective the importance of the internet when it comes to spreading, discussing and reporting factual information while siphoning out bias. one can only imagine how poorly informed the masses were about the real issues before said internet existed. or am I exaggerating and has the news media just fallen that far in recent years…
by PolarBear on
Jun 19, 2008 11:58 PM PDT
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It is a double-edged sword.
I think television and print journalists have become a lot more sloppy. They think that they need to get something up on their website as fast as they can so they don’t worry about it being too accurate. They know that they can change it later and most people won’t notice.
Before the Internet, they had to be more careful about what they said because it would be printed thousands of times over. When they were in error, they would issue a retraction instead of being able to silently change things with no accountability for being wrong.
by thenick on
Jun 20, 2008 12:33 AM PDT
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both ktvu fox 2 and cbs 5 mentioned AP in their online video, which seemed to mirror their TV broadcast reports…
They were talking in the “conference” about the mother that you mention. They claim the police were instructing her to drive over protesters who were laying in the road. From all of the experiences that I have had with the UCPD, they have been nothing but professional and rational people. They are being VERY understanding in all of this and very polite and respectful. I cannot imagine them directly telling ANYONE to drive over another person.
Also, you can be charged for “refusing to obey the lawful orders and directives of a police officer who was performing a duty authorized by law”. Whether or not you agree with the duty is irrelevant. Take it up with the court at your hearing.
by thenick on
Jun 20, 2008 12:04 AM PDT
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Me too! If a cop orders me to run them over, well I would follow the order! Who am I to argue with law enforcement? I’m not a hippie after all. I would consider it an honor, and think of the wonderful crunching noise it would make! Oh man that was bad, I know. However, several of the hippies have mentioned that if they could just get some cars, they would gladly run over all jocks. As it stands now their attempts to run people over with bikes just hasn’t worked very well.
by CaliSeth on
Jun 20, 2008 12:55 AM PDT
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HOLY CRAP HE IS STUPID OR ILL-INFORMED
Jimmy Kimmel just said that “student protesters” are trying to prevent the oaks from being cut down.
by thenick on Jun 20, 2008 12:17 AM PDT 0 recs
Damn you, Jimmy!
See, stuff like that really pisses me off. And to think, I used to really like his show. What a shame. I can’t see myself ever watching it again unless he apologizes. Stuff like this makes Cal look bad. Only a few of these psycho hippies have actually been students, and most are probably on academic probation by now if they haven’t flunked out altogether…
by CaliSeth on Jun 20, 2008 12:50 AM PDT 0 recs
This reminds me of a song...
No junk food, just earthly goods
I ate weird berries in the woods
Now Im seeing colors, Im getting higher
I think Ill start a forest fire
The problem: Didn’t Cal have a big hand in creating the whole hippie phenomenon? The rest of the world in return says “Thank you! Enjoy your smelly hippies.”
by Bruins102NCAA on Jun 20, 2008 2:39 AM PDT 0 recs
Isn’t Karl “King Of The Hippies” Dorrell the one to blame for all the hippies, ever? I dunno, you do the math! I’m sure we can shoehorn him in here somehow.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 6:49 AM PDT
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KD is busy plotting ways which he can continue to ‘ruin’ ucla football. he is doing so with a thin, tight lipped facial expression.
by Itchy25 on
Jun 20, 2008 10:08 AM PDT
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That’s the sort of facial expression that just screams “The valuation of the Memorial Stadium should be low!”
Damn you, Karl Dorrell. WILL YOUR REIGN OF TERROR EVER END?????
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 10:08 AM PDT
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you just better pray KD never teams up with Dumpster Muffin…
by Itchy25 on
Jun 20, 2008 10:13 AM PDT
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Has anyone ever seen KD and DM in the same room together?
He does have a lot of free time lately.
Hmm…
by CalBandGreat on
Jun 20, 2008 10:16 AM PDT
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DUMPSTER DORRELL!
Or would it be DORRELL MUFFIN????
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 10:17 AM PDT
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Dorrell Muffin is hot. That sounds like a transvestite showgirls stage name.
by Itchy25 on
Jun 20, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
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YOU'RE RIGHT!
This whole Karl Dorrell fiasco was a giant conspiracy put on by our communist Nor Cal brethren. HERE, I FOUND THIS CLUE RE-ARRANGING THE LETTERS IN HIS NAME:
Karl Dorrell = KAL DROLL ERR!!1
GET IT? GET IT?
by Bruins102NCAA on
Jun 21, 2008 1:56 AM PDT
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Actually, I don’t get it. Could you use more bold, all-caps, and question marks to explain it to me further?
Thanks!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 21, 2008 6:55 AM PDT
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The cause of and solution to all the world’s problem.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 21, 2008 2:40 PM PDT
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Great Coverage!
Thanks thenick. I live in Oakland and can easily go check out the haps but am afraid I’ll become so enraged by all the nonsense that I’ll turn into the Incredible Hulk, rip the godpod tree out of the ground and use it like a golf club to drive ground hippies into the bay.
Where was Runny Dub in all this?
by CalBandGreat on Jun 20, 2008 9:31 AM PDT 0 recs
Running Dub was over at my house....
we were making babies!
by Carolyn Jones on
Jun 20, 2008 10:20 AM PDT
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Press Release -- Hippies are not from Cal
Seriously, maybe the Golden Blogs should issue a press release. Their news reporting is just as good as KTVU (especially Twist), and let me just say this website is immeasurably better. I’ve got the text right here:
Press Release—Degenerate Hippies not from UC Berkeley.
Berkeley, CA.
Although difficult to discern between dirt-crusted, hemp-sewing, hemp-smoking grandmothers and world-renowned Nobel Prize winners, the California Golden Blogs feel it is import to clarify that the Hippies who have taken residence on UC Berkeley property are in no way affiliated with the University - or really any type of education at all. This is clearly displayed by their general ignorance of property rights, new technology, historical perspective, forestry health, and basic hygiene. Members from the local “Lets Protest Anything” community - if in fact you can call a group of anarchists a community—have decided to move from sitting in their own filth to sitting on top of trees. We believe they have some vague reasoning that is unintelligible to outsiders.
Once again, well educated engineers of the Cal community -as anti-social as they may be- are NOT DIRTY HIPPIES.
Thank you,
California Golden Blogs.
by AndBears on Jun 20, 2008 10:13 AM PDT 0 recs
Except that the biting hippie (a particularly dangerous type) was enrolled last year.
by CalBandGreat on
Jun 20, 2008 10:17 AM PDT
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a failed attempt to join society. Do we really count all failed students as Cal community? ...wait, I just remembered Adam Duritz… hmm..
by AndBears on
Jun 20, 2008 10:19 AM PDT
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excellent!
we totally need to send this to Jimmy Kimmel. the masses must be informed!
anyone here know how to issue a press release?
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
by ragnarok on
Jun 20, 2008 10:19 AM PDT
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i think you get a megaphone and a cell phone, hold the cell phone to the megaphone (little end) and have someone start yelling?
by Itchy25 on
Jun 20, 2008 10:22 AM PDT
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I sent a message to a friend of mine who works in the PR business. We’ll see what the requirements are to issue a press release and go from there.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 10:24 AM PDT
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Easy
There are plenty of free services to issue press releases. AND you can just email them directly to the managing editors of newspapers and the assignment editors at TV stations, info of which can usually be found on their websites.
Here’s a couple free press release services (you have to register)...
PRLog – www.prlog.org
PRLeap – http://www.prleap.com/
Oh ya, Jimmy Kimmel’s contact:
Tracy Brawley (323) 860-5900
(I knew being in PR would eventually come in handy)
by CalBandGreat on
Jun 20, 2008 10:25 AM PDT
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My friend is slow and useless compared to you, CalBandGreat. And you love the band, even better!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on
Jun 20, 2008 10:27 AM PDT
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Associate Producer
Sarah Robe has a direct line listed: (323) 860-5726
by CalBandGreat on
Jun 20, 2008 10:27 AM PDT
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Thanks, Twist.
I’d do anything for CGB. ANYTHING.
Oh wait, where was I? So, all you have to do is format the release in a standard way (which I’m happy to do) and provide press contacts. I’d suggest other than just saying the hippies are not from Cal, we need something more newsworthy to actually get coverage.
Like, “hippies being used by rich homeowners to do their dirty work” or “Dumpster Muffin actually out of work actress looking for publicity” and then some supporting evidence.