This is an interesting use of YouTube. Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ is trying to organize security workers at Chase buildings. They have posted a video on YouTube claiming to have found client records in the trash of several bank branches in the city.

Via Crain's New York.

I suspect if someone put a bomb outside a post office, government building, or religious institution, not only would the New York Times write about it, our federal officials would be on TV talking about it. If it's a bomb outside of an abortion clinic, neither thing will happen. There are not a lot of big deal media outlets in the Google News Search on the suspect's name.

Via Reuters.

A 27-year-old Austin man was arrested on Friday and charged with placing an unexploded bomb containing some 2,000 nails outside an abortion clinic in the state's capital.

The explosive device also included a propane tank and a mechanism "akin to a rocket," Austin Police Commander David Carter said.

The device was discovered on Wednesday in the parking lot of the Austin Women's Health Center, police said.

The Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force -- made up of federal, state and local law enforcement authorities -- arrested Paul Ross Evans, who authorities said was on parole for an unspecified crime.

Evans was charged with violating federal laws banning the manufacture of explosives and interfering with access to an abortion clinic. He appeared before a federal magistrate, and was being held without bail.

No further arrests were anticipated in the case. "The threat is over," Carter said.

A robot was used to disarm the bomb after the unmarked clinic building and an apartment complex were evacuated, police said on Thursday.

This was the first bombing attempt this year at an abortion clinic, according to the National Abortion Federation, which tracks violence against abortion providers.

Four incidents of attempted bombing or arson were reported in 2006, the NAF said. More than 40 abortion clinic bombings have occurred since 1977, with the last reported in 2001.

Thanks to Joy Garnett for alerting me to this action two days ago at the Hart Senate Office Building. Note that it barely made the news at all except for some tiny AP stories.

I'm quoting the press release from her post:

via email: WASHINGTON, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS - WE WILL NOT BE SILENT

Multiple actions occurred in the early afternoon today inside the Hart Senate Office Building. Eight New York
activists were among the 15 plus arrested.

TODAY, APRIL 26, 2007, A.R.T.* OCCUPIED THE HALLS OF CONGRESS IN A DRAMATIC TWO-PART ACTION.

First, in a massive distribution, A.R.T. hand-delivered a 20-page tabloid petition to every representative. It contained documentary evidence for indictments, literally putting impeachment back on the table.

Then, at 1PM, in a spectacular visual feat, A.R.T displayed the full text of Article II, Section 4 to the Senate as a 30-foot banner drop in the Hart Office Building atrium. A second 30-foot banner read "YOUR SILENCE YOUR LEGACY". Organizers said, "We must magnify the refusal of Congress to uphold the Constitution. Their silence equals complicity in the flagrant crimes of this administration."

Contact: *A.R.T. (Activist Response Team)
email: stateofemergencyaction@gmail.com

Related: A28, National Impeachment Protests

Care about your first amendment rights? Today is a good day to show it at 4PM at City Hall. James has more details.

I'm a bad activist and can't leave the computer today.

What a scary country this is. This is what happened at a McCain campaign stop yesterday.

Another man — wondering if an attack on Iran is in the works — wanted to know when America is going to "send an air mail message to Tehran."

McCain began his answer by changing the words to a popular Beach Boys song. "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran," he sang to the tune of Barbara Ann. "Iran is dedicated to the destruction of Israel. That alone should concern us but now they are trying for nuclear capabilities. I totally support the President when he says we will not allow Iran to destroy Israel."

He stopped short of answering the actual question and did not say if he supports an invasion of Iran.

[via Huffington Post]

Update:

Here is a post with a video at TAPPED. It's pretty funny that the person asking the question thinks there is only one country (Iran) causing all of the "troubles" in the Middle East. He probably drove an SUV to the event.

I see today that The Civilians are listed in Time Out New York as one of eight Off-Off Broadway companies to watch. This reminds me to write about their benefit coming up on April 18, titled Resurrection Vaudeville. James and I are big supporters, and have seen nearly everything they've done in the last four years in NYC. Join us for some drinks and entertainment!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Arena Nightclub
135 West 41st Street
Between 6th Avenue & Broadway
New York, NY 10036
8pm to 1am, Performance at 9pm

Enjoy drinks and dancing in this new Midtown club, surrounded by The Civilians’ artists, friends, and supporters. Includes complimentary drinks from event sponsors Tequila Corazón, Smithwick’s Ale, and Red Stripe Beer; full cash bar; silent auction; and raffle.

Members of The Civilians will perform songs from the company’s new show about Evangelical Christianity—along with a few favorites by Michael Friedman.

In a lucky bit of timing, they were in Colorado Springs visiting Ted Haggard's church as part of their research when all the excitement broke.

I'm a few days late on this. Is it just me, or does having President Bush make a major speech related to the war in Iraq to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association have "banana republic" written all over it?

Related: Bush was wrong when he said that the spending bills intended to set a withdrawal date contain spending provisions not related to war and security. Of course, the media didn't bother to report that.