Sorry Beau I already done it. There was a pothole at the top of the hill at my house. I asked for the city to fix it three times. Then I replaced my cars front end and hit it the next day. Like your story I said this will take 30 minutes and 30 dollars to fix and my car just cost me 1200. It was an easy calculation. I figured if the city had a problem with it they would talk to me. As I was packing the last of the patch in the hole my neighbor came by with his truck and offered to roll over it a few times for me. I said thank you kindly and we finished the job.
Oakland, CA has a group that calls themselves the ‘Pothole Vigilantes’ that fills potholes around the city. The city won’t do it, and these folks have to sneak around and do it, because the city doesn’t want them doing it, either.
@@BeauoftheFifthColumn We got a small city but I think it is still forbidden to fix the potholes even here. It is both a union and insurance issue. Our little hill community problem was a fly in their big/small city ear. The pothole is fixed, the fly stopped buzzing, everybody's happy.
Many years ago, I had a Commodore 64. Several magazines had type-in programs for it, most in Basic and some in machine language. One ML game had a City Council member going around and digging potholes in the streets to make sure that there was work for the repair crews. The goal of the game was for you, the public spirited citizen, to fill in the potholes faster than they were dug. At the time I thought it really weird. But I was reminded of it by the discussion here.
In certain areas of the UK, potholes are spray painted to look like a c@ck and balls. The local council very quickly get them filled in and resurfaced!
My favorite Mark Twain quote goes something like this: "Government is a servant. A temporary one. It's function is to obey orders, not originate them".
For in a republic, who is "the Country"? Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. Who, then, is "the Country"? Is it the newspaper? is it the pulpit? Is it the school superintendent? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command. They are but one in a thousand; it is in the thousand that command is lodged; they must determine what is right and what is wrong; they must decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Who are the thousand--that is to say, who are "the Country"? In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country; in a republic it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catch-phrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country--hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of. - "Papers of the Adam Family" in Letters from the Earth
I don't think it would be to smart lets say in down town NYC to have a rando start filling in potholes on heavily traveled streets. Having to block off the road to do so. Even if the police didn't get involved. That would just piss off the people living their because some rando not the government blocking the road. They don't like it when a street has to be shut down due to it causing more traffic issues than they all ready have.
@@jannegrey593 Beau is saying to break the law in some areas. After he said you shouldn't go and just do... do it after you build up reputation for your group. Still is breaking the law, since the laws wasn't change. That is what he said with that playground thing.
We have more community groups than I can count. After our State park burned up, I went through the Friends of the Park group to do trail restoration and ended up leading a regular work days for several years. I bet most places have some kind of community group already in existence that you could go through for different things you want to see done. Just find the one that fits best and start a project through an existing group.
@@DubhghlasMacDubhghlas Listen to the video again. Add to that the fact that Beau liked my comment that it "ISN'T WINK-WINK VIDEO". Read Carefully: "It would take 3 hours to fix this, We're going to Hang out here for 3 hours and have a press conference"...."When you were standing there, with the stuff to fix it and demonstrated that you would have put the time you would get attention" That means he wants you to show how easily it could be done, but government doesn't allow it - so you have public opinion on your side to change the law. He even suggest how to change the law. And in previous video he pinned the comment that said "it would be illegal to do so in NYC" in which he responded "That should probably be one of the first laws you change". He also very specifically says to not even attempt this press conference thing with potholes. Adds at the end: "Again, I wouldn't actually advocate doing things directly in defiance of local ordinances" Only at the end he comments that you need to have that public support to create something parallel to government (in context of video this is to basically force government to either act and do those things themselves or change the law) so you can act when government fails. I am not sure that advocating help when you're in situation of failed state is bad. It might technically break the law, but so did many people when government wasn't there to help it (I did emergency tracheostomy, when ambulance couldn't arrive in time, because of traffic jam - and I didn't have certification to practice medicine). Depending on the country those are extenuating circumstances, justifiable crime or doctrine of higher necessity. And they are written into law. You can break the law if certain conditions are met. I think you're misunderstanding the message of this video. You don't seem like a troll, so I will say that probably unintentionally you've misheard something, assumed it was about breaking the law and then heard it. Something akin to confirmation bias, but not sinister. Stay Safe!
Theres a good point... why do we call the police for EVERYTHING. "Someone's making noise!" "People are outside my house!" - "Someones painting in the park!" - "Someone took my parking spot and called me a beeotch!" Control... let's try to remember the US is SUPPOSED to be a "free" country. Less laws, not more. If I like purple... and I want my house to be purple, I should be able to do that. In many other countries you can. I feel more free in Ecuador than I did in the US, and this is a ... dare i utter the word... "Socialist" country. I miss the USA. Not the one that exists today... but the one i thought it was when i was a naive kid.
@@dawnoceanside7300 we are buying a house specifically NOT in a HOA. Because if I want a purple house I'm going to paint it purple. As long as what I'm doing on property I've paid for doesn't endanger public health, it's my business.
This concept is finally starting to sink in. The less we rely on and need the government, the less power they have which is the only way they are going to be more concerned about our needs. Ball will be in our court instead of theirs.
In my town i'm not even allowed to build a shed without pulling a permit. I looked on the website for permit prices but it has been removed. I did find that the budget for this year is just shy of 12 million dollars and the amount spent on salaries is just shy of 9 million dollars. I'm thinking of running for city council to find out where our money is going.
You realize outside of salaries you still have supplies that are need for the job. there is other expenses that just salary, such as gas for the building inspectors to go out and check up on the building projects and the upkeep of government vehicles. They still use some paper need money for that. Need money for computers, printer ink etc. If you really think budget only covers salaries you are fooling yourself and not informed as you think you are. And if you have 9 million dollars in salaries you have to have fair amount of government employees, there would fair amount spent outside of salaries. And you can freedom of information that information.
There is a report in the Seattle Times that a single police officer has logged the equivalent of 80 hours per week and at least 3 days of over 24 hours of paid time. His compensation was $438,000 last year. That might have something to do with it.
There are many ways to fill a pothole, so to say. I once saw that someone started growing flowers in the potholes. Didn't last long until the local government fixed those potholes after first pictures of a very flowery street appeared in the local newspaper...just sayn'...🤷♂️😏😆 Howdy Beau, it's one of the german internet people again. Greetings from Germany 🙋♂️
Sam Fetter I LOVE this solution. I can just see the headline if I could find flowers that would germinate and bloom before the cars killed them: "Snapdragon Sniper Strikes Civic Circle: Cops Organize Taskforce, "We WILL Bring Down This Terrorist!""
1. Form a neighborhood association. 2. Get it recognition. 3. Write a community development block grant application. 4. Get a grant. 5. Call Channel 8. 6. Fix the playground.
Beau, in a different world, or maybe just a different time and place, I could imagine the philosophy and insight you could give us all, if you did not have to cover this topic so urgently... Your valiant effort and expertise is greatly appreciated.
Beau of the Fifth Column I want to be involved, but my time is limited for caring for a paralyzed husband. How can I get involved and say in the Group B and how would I find an organization in my community.
@@tracey7825 Beau did a video on community network participation. Maybe your contribution involves working from home, in support of the group, while your husband is napping. Computer work, phone calls, mail-outs, desktop publishing. You know your skill set, and, like most modest people, you might 'undervalue' the importance of that skill set, to a network which might lack those same skills. Even small contributions of time and effort further the project, and advance the cause.
Don't know until you try it. I fought a subdivision rezoning. We didn't stop it, but we did get limits put on it that wouldn't have been there otherwise. Sometimes it just takes being noisy. Be a squeaky wheel!
Run for local office? The easiest way to remind them is to vote but in some cases, like Kentucky, the people just keep voting in the same familiar slag & they need new blood. I backed Amy but I'm on the wrong side of the country. People in Kentucky need to get other people excited instead of compliant. That applies everywhere.
I consider myself lucky, I live in a city that allows the public to submit workorders directly to the public works department. We've had the fortune of the city actually responding to reported parks problems within a few days to a few weeks depending on the nature of the problem. We've gotten literally tons of sand added to one playground, along with a spinning fixture toy's bearings replaced. At another park we reported a cracked slide and they came out and trimmed down slide at the end to remove the cracked end and stop the spread of the crack. At a third park we observed a piece of community art, a bunch of tuned tubular bells, with broken welds to the chains so some of the tubes were in danger of coming down, and the city responded by realigning and rewelding the breaks to fix the supports. At the last park we observed the pour-in rubber on the playground was slumping, they came out, cut out the bad spot, and refinished with fresh. But my city seems actively interested in improving itself. They're installing a streetcar system and have actively been improving the parks, going through two or three a year.
I squealed with excitement when you said you were putting out a book! I don't know if I can put together a network myself, I've got mental health and social issues that might make that real tricky, but I do know someone that probably could build such a network. I think I need to go have a cup of tea with the fella, show him these videos and see what he thinks.
In my experience, in terms of their level of strangeness, Generation Z could almost be considered extraterrestrials, relative to virtually every other generation born before them; and yet, distressingly, they actually think that it is they who are normal, and the rest of us who are strange.
@@petrus4 To be fair, Generation Z is also growing up with technology that would've been considered magic or witchcraft to virtually every other generation before them so maybe it's a bit stupid to take what was once considered "normal" and apply it to today.
@Lost Hero If you don't know how something works, it might as well be magic. But seriously, I think if I saw a smartphone from today in the year 2000, I would have freaked out.
Don't give up. Forget what others say and do what is right. Read, read, read, learn, then AGITATE!!! The young of this country is the future. Most founders of this country were under the age of 30.
It's very uplifting that you addressed some of the comments in a previous video in this video. You have more accountability than any of our leaders, whom we pay with our taxes.
Can't help it, got this mental image of small bands of gardeners roaming the alleys and suburbs, waiting to strike with their clippers, tines, and razor sharp gardening trowels to weed unsuspecting gardens and harvest the tomato plants of the bourgeoisie... I think I need a beer.
@@thehellyousay Greetings Internets friend! And to all of the above I completely love the phrase "Gorilla Gardening"'; it totally appeals to my long forgotten rebellious side! And to you Carl, thank you for the visual of 'marauding' gardeners! I giggled, I did. But, to be clear, there are no weed, just Misplaced Plants! Stay safe and sane y'all!
I've always thought that part of 'Question Authority' is to find out WHY the rules are as they are. Sometimes there are issues you haven't thought of. Sometimes it's 'Because I said so'--THAT'S when you need to work on getting rid of that rule.
Beau, I have to tell you this: I'm glad that there are people like you, out there, doing what you do and putting out ideas and constructive comments like this... You're a good man, Beau... Keep it up! And do take care of yourself, now, ya hear?
Liability would be my guess too. So there are two competing schools of thought here: keeping the city's from facing future lawsuits (volunteer worker gets hurt on public land, amateur repair causes accident later, etc.) and actually getting stuff done. So how to avoid this issue? Engage with city hall. Contact your alderman, councilwoman or other city representative. Tell them what you want your group to do and go to the meetings and be patient while waiting for their response. You'll probably find the city is pretty open to the idea and they also see it as a win-win with good press for your group and the city, and the stuff gets fixed. Because at the end of the day, its about helping the community and building camaraderie, not ideological performance art. One last thought. Sometimes people say "city ordinances" but what they mean are Home Owners Association rules. That's a completely different set of issues.
I can't believe a government would do this, but I live in Australia. For 3 years I worked for an organisation, that was partially funded by the local government that helped co-ordinate volunteers. We not only did repairs and upgrades to local parks etc (even had a group of building apprentices build a wheelchair accessible children's playground at one point); we also did home modifications for people with disabilities, garden work and home maintenance for the elderly..... We made sure that things we done properly, we had insurance for the volunteers, we did background checks for the people who were going into people's homes.... Rather than stand in people's way they figured out a way to contribute.
In our county, one of the Supervisors was busted for Sole Source, contracting to his buddy. Then he was re-elected. He didn’t want common folks to take away his buddy’s inflated revenue stream. Even when it saved the county money. That is politics. To clearly define politics, it is what is done, when people can’t be honest about their position. There you have it in a nutshell...
Beau, I watch every video every day because I learn so much from you each time I watch. I know a lot about crocheting. If you ever want to learn, let me know. I will share my expertise with you just as you do with me. Thank you a million times over!
Yes it is, you just were unaware of the measures and mass communication and information-dissemination platforms (such as this), didn't exist in the form they due, presently.
I saw it. There was once a time where we could talk to people reasonably that have different opinions. Not anymore. Anyone else here tired of being labeled a communist for believing Americans deserve human rights.
I’m sure Beau can’t stress enough that the unity in coming together regardless of political views because united while creating, building, improving & leading will positively impact all while setting an example for others.
A lot of those ordinances were also put into place to swing business and benefits towards certain groups(including unions). This is a great way to start rooting out corruption while promoting the common welfare.
What we need is groups of people,with like minds, to run for offices and support each other and campaign together on issues that actually affect our daily lives. Just a thought
I think the people running our government and law enforcement agencies have forgotten that they are actually supposed to be employees of ours.... not rulers, as you've often reminded us. Thank you for helping us to keep our eyes open and head down (head down out of the fray, I mean).... please remember to take good care of yourself, Beau... you're important to us ♥️
I hope you and your family are well! I think the workbook is a great idea! I'd purchase one,because I trust you! Thanks for sharing your time and intelligence with us!🗽
Parents at my son's public elementary school raised $60,000 to install a new playground. The new principal (nicknamed the Ice Princess by some parents) wouldn't let the kids play on it. Some people should never be in a position of authority... They think that makes them a dictator.
I think a better strategy than that would be to form a relationship with the workers whose job it is to do the task you’re trying to accomplish and collaborating with them. I bet you they have far more things they think should be improved than your network is even aware of and want to be an active part of fixing them.
You better get that book out by the beginning of next year because I'm going to be looking for it then. Ever since I found you three years ago I thought you might be the most sane person in the US and I absolutely can't wait to read a book written by you!
I'm from the time and place (70's and 80's) NYC where street gangs cleaned up the areas we frequented (parking lots, arcades etc) and essentially the younger members weren't out making trouble, they were learning how to do public relations and community care
I will buy that book Beau please make a big event of it when it comes out thank you for all you do some days you get me up some you get me down some you get me worried and some you calm me down so please don’t stop talking because most days you give me hope
I actually love that you specifically mentioned fixing playgrounds because I offered to completely redo my towns playground 2 years ago and cover all costs and they wouldn't let me.
I love that you’re going to put a workbook together on this. I will definitely purchase it. Funny you mentioned the paint and the unions. Those were the reasons I would think the cities would fight you. And I think people should have someone that knows what they’re doing or these efforts would backfire if there is a botched job. Might even be someone trying to sue you.
For those interested in creating community networks, I have created something called "The Fifth Column Network". It is a Discord Server where people from Beau's community can connect, and identify others who may live in their local area. I have created a group for people in Baltimore City, but we also have other locations like Southwest Michigan, Southeast Michigan, Northern Indiana, Krakow, Central Massachusetts and Tampa Bay. I have enabled the server settings so that anyone who joins can create their own channel based on where they live. Let me know if you have any ideas/questions. Thanks! The link is: discord.gg/jA6NbJK
Thanks for sharing your community networking ideas with us. Wish we had more of you in communities. Me/you 2020 America go out and vote this Nov as if your life depended on it because right now it does! Vote blue and put country before party
I've been watching you for a while, I agree with you on almost everything. I saw your video when you were in Cincinnati! I grew up here! With information you have we're all better off!!!
i get where this comes from. a guy put in new stairs on a beach thing around here, but it didnt have disabled access, or proper hand rails, so it couldnt be there, to much liability. it was a nice gesture, but it cost more than the purposed stairs the govt was going to put in, to get a crew to come out on and remove a thing that left the municipality open to litigation on the quick. i also agree there should be a way to do this, and have it work. like you call and ask for plans to a project, and then if you can do what is says, do it yourself, and an inspector or something can come give it the go ahead.
I loved my way into my Southern neighbors hearts. I was the Stimulus Update person to people who have never voted. Used my android to get all of us free money.
Thank you so much for this and the last video’s advice on networks in denser urban areas. The virus and some disapproving parents means I can’t implement these tactics, but hopefully next year, when I go off to college, I can begin to put this into practice.
Beau, you need to talk to people about running for office. No candidate should run unopposed in a general. We have state reps and state senators getting elected by default. This shouldn't happen. Making your community better also needs to mean running for office.
David Tucker - Hmmm, Dude: chill! I know: That was not a shot at Beau, rather a shot at the US government (and, don’t worry: If Beau is truly attacked: He can defend himself pretty well) ✌️
Very important to have designated press people, decide ahead of time, together, who will engage with the press and what your main points are. Encourage people affected by the particular problem to speak, share the impact on them. Ask for time on local public TV stations, radio shows, etc ahead of time. Develop contacts within local unions!
One of the most effective ways to affect change is to engage the local officials. Call with a legitimate concern and make sure you communicate what it would take to "fix the problem". You also need at least 2 other people or a known group to communicate the same thing.
Hey Beau, I'm glad you mentioned the unions because that's what I thought about when you talked about communities repairing certain areas in neighborhoods. I thought those are probably union jobs which is why some areas don't allow local residents to perform repairs, other than using what's considered improper materials. The bottom line is our government has failed us and we MUST unite together to help one another!
I've started saying 'howdy' to everyone and I blame you 😂 thank you for this video in particular, I hadn't realized it was a question I had until you answered it!
Thank you for share the same thought I've been saying on line forever it seems>Our Government Officials ARE OUR EMPLOYEES & & WE NEED TO REMIND THEM OF THAT FACT IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS & PROVE THAT POINT AT THE POLLS BY FIRING THEM ON NOV.3rd!
At my children’s school the PTA bought a desk for the principal and after it sat in a box for a couple months, a couple dads put it together. The custodian made us take it apart because of union rules.
Build a positive reputation with the community, especially one focused around improving/helping said community, and they'll likely have your back when you get in trouble for doing so.
I belong to my local community group in a small rural town in NSW Australia, we wanted to get the toilets on our oval opened. We spent 5 years mowing, planting and generally beautifying the oval with consultation with the council. After 5 years we got more than we had initially asked for, they tore the old infrastructure down and we got a wonderful environmentally friendly amenities block. We also involved the small local primary school in plantings so that the local youth would feel a part of the project and be less likely to vandalise the work. Our time was logged and it was given a monetary value which the council met 2 for 1 and so we got what we needed and have since had new covered play equipment installed. I don't have huge respect for our local council but in this instance our community worked well with them for the betterment of our area.
I worked for many years and found that doing something different was resisted and hindered by those in power. I made change just the way you described. I brought people together and talked to them. Once they understood what the idea was and how it would help and benefit everyone, I gained cooperation and support. We made the change. When the supervisors came down to shut me down, they were met with an involved and supportive community They weren't fighting me; they were fighting a group. Many times I felt I was conniving, but I wasn't. I made sure the change benefited the stakeholders and they were part of the solution. My job was to listen closely to both their concerns and advice. As doers, we find talking a waste of time. However, when there is an issue, you need several types of people to help The first ts the rabble-rousers who bring the problem to light, then the politicians to get the resources,, and lastly, the media to keep the problem in the foreground. The most important ones are doers because these are the people who actually take on fixing the problem They come up with the ACTION PLAN and work up close and personal. They know it is not a one-man show and bring in others to work on the solutions. It is done just the way you describe. Doers lose patience with those that don't "get to it" and get the job done. Doers lose patience with talkers.
We don't exactly have playgrounds here. We have horses and the children usually have ponies and other animals. One young local teen has ducks she takes swimming with her, some geese and a couple horses, for example. Some people in the area are unfriendly and just angry in general but most are friendly and happy to lend each other a helping hand when we are able or leave our immediate area to help out in emergency situations.
Sorry Beau I already done it. There was a pothole at the top of the hill at my house. I asked for the city to fix it three times. Then I replaced my cars front end and hit it the next day. Like your story I said this will take 30 minutes and 30 dollars to fix and my car just cost me 1200. It was an easy calculation. I figured if the city had a problem with it they would talk to me. As I was packing the last of the patch in the hole my neighbor came by with his truck and offered to roll over it a few times for me. I said thank you kindly and we finished the job.
To be clear, this is completely normal here to fix small stuff in this manner. But I guess some larger cities have prohibitions against it.
Oakland, CA has a group that calls themselves the ‘Pothole Vigilantes’ that fills potholes around the city. The city won’t do it, and these folks have to sneak around and do it, because the city doesn’t want them doing it, either.
@@BeauoftheFifthColumn We got a small city but I think it is still forbidden to fix the potholes even here. It is both a union and insurance issue. Our little hill community problem was a fly in their big/small city ear. The pothole is fixed, the fly stopped buzzing, everybody's happy.
Many years ago, I had a Commodore 64. Several magazines had type-in programs for it, most in Basic and some in machine language. One ML game had a City Council member going around and digging potholes in the streets to make sure that there was work for the repair crews. The goal of the game was for you, the public spirited citizen, to fill in the potholes faster than they were dug. At the time I thought it really weird. But I was reminded of it by the discussion here.
In certain areas of the UK, potholes are spray painted to look like a c@ck and balls. The local council very quickly get them filled in and resurfaced!
Hello Mr. Sir. * Daily reminder and well-wishing: care for yourself with the same devotion with which you care for others.
Very kind. 💐
Very well said. Thank you. ❤
You have spoken before of certain movements being a PR campaign with violence. Now this is a PR campaign with community self-reliance.
My favorite Mark Twain quote goes something like this: "Government is a servant. A temporary one. It's function is to obey orders, not originate them".
For in a republic, who is "the Country"? Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. Who, then, is "the Country"? Is it the newspaper? is it the pulpit? Is it the school superintendent? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command. They are but one in a thousand; it is in the thousand that command is lodged; they must determine what is right and what is wrong; they must decide who is a patriot and who isn't.
Who are the thousand--that is to say, who are "the Country"? In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country; in a republic it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catch-phrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country--hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of.
- "Papers of the Adam Family" in Letters from the Earth
@@creesenebeker5686 Thank you. It's been a long time since I read, "Letters From the Earth".
It's not a wink-wink video people. Don't do stupid things, when doing it smart will yield better results.
I don't think it would be to smart lets say in down town NYC to have a rando start filling in potholes on heavily traveled streets. Having to block off the road to do so. Even if the police didn't get involved. That would just piss off the people living their because some rando not the government blocking the road. They don't like it when a street has to be shut down due to it causing more traffic issues than they all ready have.
@@DubhghlasMacDubhghlas If it was done legally. But yes, you're correct. That's why Beau pointed that out. And that's why I agreed.
@@jannegrey593 Beau is saying to break the law in some areas. After he said you shouldn't go and just do... do it after you build up reputation for your group. Still is breaking the law, since the laws wasn't change. That is what he said with that playground thing.
We have more community groups than I can count. After our State park burned up, I went through the Friends of the Park group to do trail restoration and ended up leading a regular work days for several years. I bet most places have some kind of community group already in existence that you could go through for different things you want to see done. Just find the one that fits best and start a project through an existing group.
@@DubhghlasMacDubhghlas Listen to the video again. Add to that the fact that Beau liked my comment that it "ISN'T WINK-WINK VIDEO". Read Carefully:
"It would take 3 hours to fix this, We're going to Hang out here for 3 hours and have a press conference"...."When you were standing there, with the stuff to fix it and demonstrated that you would have put the time you would get attention" That means he wants you to show how easily it could be done, but government doesn't allow it - so you have public opinion on your side to change the law. He even suggest how to change the law. And in previous video he pinned the comment that said "it would be illegal to do so in NYC" in which he responded "That should probably be one of the first laws you change".
He also very specifically says to not even attempt this press conference thing with potholes.
Adds at the end: "Again, I wouldn't actually advocate doing things directly in defiance of local ordinances"
Only at the end he comments that you need to have that public support to create something parallel to government (in context of video this is to basically force government to either act and do those things themselves or change the law) so you can act when government fails. I am not sure that advocating help when you're in situation of failed state is bad. It might technically break the law, but so did many people when government wasn't there to help it (I did emergency tracheostomy, when ambulance couldn't arrive in time, because of traffic jam - and I didn't have certification to practice medicine). Depending on the country those are extenuating circumstances, justifiable crime or doctrine of higher necessity. And they are written into law. You can break the law if certain conditions are met.
I think you're misunderstanding the message of this video. You don't seem like a troll, so I will say that probably unintentionally you've misheard something, assumed it was about breaking the law and then heard it. Something akin to confirmation bias, but not sinister. Stay Safe!
Theres a good point... why do we call the police for EVERYTHING. "Someone's making noise!" "People are outside my house!" - "Someones painting in the park!" - "Someone took my parking spot and called me a beeotch!"
Control... let's try to remember the US is SUPPOSED to be a "free" country. Less laws, not more. If I like purple... and I want my house to be purple, I should be able to do that. In many other countries you can. I feel more free in Ecuador than I did in the US, and this is a ... dare i utter the word... "Socialist" country. I miss the USA. Not the one that exists today... but the one i thought it was when i was a naive kid.
Same here!.
I agree with you but you or them being possibly confrontational could end up with someone getting hurt.
Please be careful.
Unbundle the police.
Purple houses bring real estate values down. 🙄
@@dawnoceanside7300 we are buying a house specifically NOT in a HOA. Because if I want a purple house I'm going to paint it purple. As long as what I'm doing on property I've paid for doesn't endanger public health, it's my business.
This concept is finally starting to sink in. The less we rely on and need the government, the less power they have which is the only way they are going to be more concerned about our needs. Ball will be in our court instead of theirs.
In my town i'm not even allowed to build a shed without pulling a permit. I looked on the website for permit prices but it has been removed. I did find that the budget for this year is just shy of 12 million dollars and the amount spent on salaries is just shy of 9 million dollars. I'm thinking of running for city council to find out where our money is going.
Do it.
Go for it, hold them responsible from their own platform!
Why not?
You realize outside of salaries you still have supplies that are need for the job. there is other expenses that just salary, such as gas for the building inspectors to go out and check up on the building projects and the upkeep of government vehicles. They still use some paper need money for that. Need money for computers, printer ink etc.
If you really think budget only covers salaries you are fooling yourself and not informed as you think you are. And if you have 9 million dollars in salaries you have to have fair amount of government employees, there would fair amount spent outside of salaries.
And you can freedom of information that information.
There is a report in the Seattle Times that a single police officer has logged the equivalent of 80 hours per week and at least 3 days of over 24 hours of paid time.
His compensation was $438,000 last year.
That might have something to do with it.
Good luck with the writing Beau. Get that pen back out...
Love from Belgium
There are many ways to fill a pothole, so to say.
I once saw that someone started growing flowers in the potholes.
Didn't last long until the local government fixed those potholes after first pictures of a very flowery street appeared in the local newspaper...just sayn'...🤷♂️😏😆
Howdy Beau, it's one of the german internet people again. Greetings from Germany 🙋♂️
Sam Fetter I LOVE this solution. I can just see the headline if I could find flowers that would germinate and bloom before the cars killed them: "Snapdragon Sniper Strikes Civic Circle: Cops Organize Taskforce, "We WILL Bring Down This Terrorist!""
1. Form a neighborhood association.
2. Get it recognition.
3. Write a community development block grant application.
4. Get a grant.
5. Call Channel 8.
6. Fix the playground.
Dan Kolar As long as it’s not a HOA! You wanna talk about fascism that’s the very premise of an HOA!
Thank you. I'm excited to put this plan on track🤗
My neighborhood is full of real estate investors looking for another property to acquire. No way would I trust them in a neighborhood association.
The term Neighborhood Association makes me cringe.
@@pktdbgnzwl Those HOAs people talk about with their absolute rules for everyone give me the creeps. So much for individuality.
Beau, in a different world, or maybe just a different time and place, I could imagine the philosophy and insight you could give us all, if you did not have to cover this topic so urgently...
Your valiant effort and expertise is greatly appreciated.
Wow you're engagement is awesome!
I try. My main goal for the channel is to create change. If I propose a solution, I've got to answer the questions.
Agreed on the engagement. I couldn't help but notice that I was both agreed with and also corrected in response. Keep up the good work, Beau.
@@BeauoftheFifthColumn accountability for what you put out there, so that's what it looks like!💚
Beau of the Fifth Column I want to be involved, but my time is limited for caring for a paralyzed husband. How can I get involved and say in the Group B and how would I find an organization in my community.
@@tracey7825 Beau did a video on community network participation. Maybe your contribution involves working from home, in support of the group, while your husband is napping. Computer work, phone calls, mail-outs, desktop publishing. You know your skill set, and, like most modest people, you might 'undervalue' the importance of that skill set, to a network which might lack those same skills. Even small contributions of time and effort further the project, and advance the cause.
Yay! Workbook 2021 - Neighbored Revolution, here we come!
"The government is our servant, not our rulers"
Good luck convincing them of that.
Don't know until you try it. I fought a subdivision rezoning. We didn't stop it, but we did get limits put on it that wouldn't have been there otherwise. Sometimes it just takes being noisy. Be a squeaky wheel!
"Rights are not given, rights are taken" Maxim Gorky
Problem is, most people probably see governments as the rulers and not the employees they are.
Run for local office? The easiest way to remind them is to vote but in some cases, like Kentucky, the people just keep voting in the same familiar slag & they need new blood. I backed Amy but I'm on the wrong side of the country. People in Kentucky need to get other people excited instead of compliant. That applies everywhere.
I consider myself lucky, I live in a city that allows the public to submit workorders directly to the public works department. We've had the fortune of the city actually responding to reported parks problems within a few days to a few weeks depending on the nature of the problem.
We've gotten literally tons of sand added to one playground, along with a spinning fixture toy's bearings replaced. At another park we reported a cracked slide and they came out and trimmed down slide at the end to remove the cracked end and stop the spread of the crack. At a third park we observed a piece of community art, a bunch of tuned tubular bells, with broken welds to the chains so some of the tubes were in danger of coming down, and the city responded by realigning and rewelding the breaks to fix the supports. At the last park we observed the pour-in rubber on the playground was slumping, they came out, cut out the bad spot, and refinished with fresh.
But my city seems actively interested in improving itself. They're installing a streetcar system and have actively been improving the parks, going through two or three a year.
I squealed with excitement when you said you were putting out a book!
I don't know if I can put together a network myself, I've got mental health and social issues that might make that real tricky, but I do know someone that probably could build such a network. I think I need to go have a cup of tea with the fella, show him these videos and see what he thinks.
Beau! You are the PATRIOT!! You make a difference in how people think. I know this because you have educated me.
When you hear, “Why do you talk to people? You’re so weird.” It’s sort of discouraging but I don’t really care anymore.
In my experience, in terms of their level of strangeness, Generation Z could almost be considered extraterrestrials, relative to virtually every other generation born before them; and yet, distressingly, they actually think that it is they who are normal, and the rest of us who are strange.
@@petrus4 But you are the strange one. Re-read your "about" section, my confused dude.
@@petrus4 To be fair, Generation Z is also growing up with technology that would've been considered magic or witchcraft to virtually every other generation before them so maybe it's a bit stupid to take what was once considered "normal" and apply it to today.
@Lost Hero If you don't know how something works, it might as well be magic. But seriously, I think if I saw a smartphone from today in the year 2000, I would have freaked out.
Don't give up. Forget what others say and do what is right.
Read, read, read, learn, then AGITATE!!!
The young of this country is the future. Most founders of this country were under the age of 30.
It's very uplifting that you addressed some of the comments in a previous video in this video. You have more accountability than any of our leaders, whom we pay with our taxes.
"Guerrilla gardening" has been going on in the UK for a while.
I grow medicinal tomatoes in my shed
Can't help it, got this mental image of small bands of gardeners roaming the alleys and suburbs, waiting to strike with their clippers, tines, and razor sharp gardening trowels to weed unsuspecting gardens and harvest the tomato plants of the bourgeoisie...
I think I need a beer.
@@hippiehillape medicinal... tomatoes...😏
Yes it has .
.. gorilla gardening
@@thehellyousay Greetings Internets friend! And to all of the above I completely love the phrase "Gorilla Gardening"'; it totally appeals to my long forgotten rebellious side!
And to you Carl, thank you for the visual of 'marauding' gardeners! I giggled, I did.
But, to be clear, there are no weed, just Misplaced Plants!
Stay safe and sane y'all!
I've always thought that part of 'Question Authority' is to find out WHY the rules are as they are. Sometimes there are issues you haven't thought of. Sometimes it's 'Because I said so'--THAT'S when you need to work on getting rid of that rule.
Helping the elderly has always been worth bonus points.
Can do attitude. I really liked this.Thank you for your wise words. We all need attitude adjustments to be helpful.
I was waiting for this one after reading the comments on the last one.
Beau, I have to tell you this: I'm glad that there are people like you, out there, doing what you do and putting out ideas and constructive comments like this... You're a good man, Beau... Keep it up! And do take care of yourself, now, ya hear?
Austerity plus overconcern for liability is the general block.
Liability would be my guess too.
So there are two competing schools of thought here: keeping the city's from facing future lawsuits (volunteer worker gets hurt on public land, amateur repair causes accident later, etc.) and actually getting stuff done.
So how to avoid this issue? Engage with city hall. Contact your alderman, councilwoman or other city representative. Tell them what you want your group to do and go to the meetings and be patient while waiting for their response. You'll probably find the city is pretty open to the idea and they also see it as a win-win with good press for your group and the city, and the stuff gets fixed.
Because at the end of the day, its about helping the community and building camaraderie, not ideological performance art.
One last thought. Sometimes people say "city ordinances" but what they mean are Home Owners Association rules. That's a completely different set of issues.
I can't believe a government would do this, but I live in Australia. For 3 years I worked for an organisation, that was partially funded by the local government that helped co-ordinate volunteers. We not only did repairs and upgrades to local parks etc (even had a group of building apprentices build a wheelchair accessible children's playground at one point); we also did home modifications for people with disabilities, garden work and home maintenance for the elderly..... We made sure that things we done properly, we had insurance for the volunteers, we did background checks for the people who were going into people's homes....
Rather than stand in people's way they figured out a way to contribute.
I want to move to Australia
In our county, one of the Supervisors was busted for Sole Source, contracting to his buddy. Then he was re-elected. He didn’t want common folks to take away his buddy’s inflated revenue stream. Even when it saved the county money. That is politics. To clearly define politics, it is what is done, when people can’t be honest about their position. There you have it in a nutshell...
Beau, I watch every video every day because I learn so much from you each time I watch. I know a lot about crocheting. If you ever want to learn, let me know. I will share my expertise with you just as you do with me. Thank you a million times over!
Did you see Secular Talk about the woman being evicted, while in the hospital with Covid-19? This is not the country I grew up in.
Yes it is, you just were unaware of the measures and mass communication and information-dissemination platforms (such as this), didn't exist in the form they due, presently.
Yeah, that stuff happened before.
You're probably touching yourself right now Do you live in the US?
Yes, I did. This is far from the America I grew up in too.
I saw it. There was once a time where we could talk to people reasonably that have different opinions. Not anymore. Anyone else here tired of being labeled a communist for believing Americans deserve human rights.
ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, ASK IF YOU WILL BE ARRESTED FOR HELPING YOUR COUNTRY.
I’m sure Beau can’t stress enough that the unity in coming together regardless of political views because united while creating, building, improving & leading will positively impact all while setting an example for others.
A lot of those ordinances were also put into place to swing business and benefits towards certain groups(including unions). This is a great way to start rooting out corruption while promoting the common welfare.
Changing the world, one day at a time.
Beau you have some haters out here. You must be doing something right. Keep speaking...
What we need is groups of people,with like minds, to run for offices and support each other and campaign together on issues that actually affect our daily lives. Just a thought
I think the people running our government and law enforcement agencies have forgotten that they are actually supposed to be employees of ours.... not rulers, as you've often reminded us.
Thank you for helping us to keep our eyes open and head down (head down out of the fray, I mean).... please remember to take good care of yourself, Beau... you're important to us ♥️
I hope you and your family are well! I think the workbook is a great idea! I'd purchase one,because I trust you! Thanks for sharing your time and intelligence with us!🗽
Ahh! You got to it with the unions. The government lawyers are probably involved also.
But, as you say, do something.
Along with your workbook, you should make a companion "Anarchist Coloring Book" !!!
Parents at my son's public elementary school raised $60,000 to install a new playground. The new principal (nicknamed the Ice Princess by some parents) wouldn't let the kids play on it. Some people should never be in a position of authority... They think that makes them a dictator.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for ALL YOU DO!!!
You are amazing, thank you for sharing your intelligence, you are the only man in my life🥰
A workbook is a great idea!! I’m feeling more inspired than cynical- that’s a miracle!
I think a better strategy than that would be to form a relationship with the workers whose job it is to do the task you’re trying to accomplish and collaborating with them. I bet you they have far more things they think should be improved than your network is even aware of and want to be an active part of fixing them.
You better get that book out by the beginning of next year because I'm going to be looking for it then. Ever since I found you three years ago I thought you might be the most sane person in the US and I absolutely can't wait to read a book written by you!
I'm from the time and place (70's and 80's) NYC where street gangs cleaned up the areas we frequented (parking lots, arcades etc) and essentially the younger members weren't out making trouble, they were learning how to do public relations and community care
I will buy that book Beau please make a big event of it when it comes out thank you for all you do some days you get me up some you get me down some you get me worried and some you calm me down so please don’t stop talking because most days you give me hope
Look forward to your book Beau! Thanks again for your posts.
I actually love that you specifically mentioned fixing playgrounds because I offered to completely redo my towns playground 2 years ago and cover all costs and they wouldn't let me.
I love that... They are our employees not our rulers.
I love that you’re going to put a workbook together on this. I will definitely purchase it. Funny you mentioned the paint and the unions. Those were the reasons I would think the cities would fight you. And I think people should have someone that knows what they’re doing or these efforts would backfire if there is a botched job. Might even be someone trying to sue you.
For those interested in creating community networks, I have created something called "The Fifth Column Network". It is a Discord Server where people from Beau's community can connect, and identify others who may live in their local area.
I have created a group for people in Baltimore City, but we also have other locations like Southwest Michigan, Southeast Michigan, Northern Indiana, Krakow, Central Massachusetts and Tampa Bay. I have enabled the server settings so that anyone who joins can create their own channel based on where they live.
Let me know if you have any ideas/questions. Thanks!
The link is: discord.gg/jA6NbJK
^This is how the alphabets do it.
That’s so cool!
@@sarakhaldi5085 Thanks, we have a lot of states at the moment. We are hoping to get as many people as possible!
You sir , are an extremely dangerous individual. Bless you!💐
yo you inbmore im in dc
Thanks for sharing your community networking ideas with us. Wish we had more of you in communities.
Me/you 2020
America go out and vote this Nov as if your life depended on it because right now it does! Vote blue and put country before party
I've been watching you for a while, I agree with you on almost everything. I saw your video when you were in Cincinnati! I grew up here! With information you have we're all better off!!!
I am looking forward to this workbook. Thank you for all you do!
i get where this comes from. a guy put in new stairs on a beach thing around here, but it didnt have disabled access, or proper hand rails, so it couldnt be there, to much liability. it was a nice gesture, but it cost more than the purposed stairs the govt was going to put in, to get a crew to come out on and remove a thing that left the municipality open to litigation on the quick. i also agree there should be a way to do this, and have it work. like you call and ask for plans to a project, and then if you can do what is says, do it yourself, and an inspector or something can come give it the go ahead.
But did they put in the “correct” stairs after removing his?
@@evilsharkey8954 it took a few years, but they did.
Beau is throwing heat right over the plate internet people a voice of reason
Thank you Beau, appreciate your thoughts
Thanks for all your hard work.
Thank you for these videos!
Looking forward to the publication of your workbook. Will be ready to pre-order.
Are you compiling a list for pre orders of that workbook?
I loved my way into my Southern neighbors hearts. I was the Stimulus Update person to people who have never voted. Used my android to get all of us free money.
I want your book! Maybe several!
Thanks! You do so much.
I would imagine the basis was stopping the public from undercutting work that would go to a contractor who has officials on the payroll.
More great advice, AND, Beau is writing a manual...YEAH!!!
Thank you so much for this and the last video’s advice on networks in denser urban areas. The virus and some disapproving parents means I can’t implement these tactics, but hopefully next year, when I go off to college, I can begin to put this into practice.
Thanks Beau! Looking forward to the workbook.
I am biden my time while I wait for Beau’s Workbook!
Beau, you need to talk to people about running for office. No candidate should run unopposed in a general. We have state reps and state senators getting elected by default. This shouldn't happen. Making your community better also needs to mean running for office.
The US government? Educating the people? Rather than arrest them? Beau... *’tsk’* You’re so cute!
David Tucker - Hmmm, Dude: chill! I know: That was not a shot at Beau, rather a shot at the US government (and, don’t worry: If Beau is truly attacked: He can defend himself pretty well) ✌️
Guerillia Playground repair. With tacticool masks and all ^^
Guerrilla gardening everywhere!
Very important to have designated press people, decide ahead of time, together, who will engage with the press and what your main points are. Encourage people affected by the particular problem to speak, share the impact on them.
Ask for time on local public TV stations, radio shows, etc ahead of time.
Develop contacts within local unions!
One of the most effective ways to affect change is to engage the local officials. Call with a legitimate concern and make sure you communicate what it would take to "fix the problem". You also need at least 2 other people or a known group to communicate the same thing.
Fun day 👍
Hey Beau, I'm glad you mentioned the unions because that's what I thought about when you talked about communities repairing certain areas in neighborhoods. I thought those are probably union jobs which is why some areas don't allow local residents to perform repairs, other than using what's considered improper materials. The bottom line is our government has failed us and we MUST unite together to help one another!
Great idea on the workbook. I'll start saving now.
I've started saying 'howdy' to everyone and I blame you 😂 thank you for this video in particular, I hadn't realized it was a question I had until you answered it!
Should they ask a lawyer? See what can be done, or help change the laws?
Thank you for share the same thought I've been saying on line forever it seems>Our Government Officials ARE OUR EMPLOYEES & & WE NEED TO REMIND THEM OF THAT FACT IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS & PROVE THAT POINT AT THE POLLS BY FIRING THEM ON NOV.3rd!
e-book or a real book :p .... great channel .. g'day from a land down under :)
Real book.
Very well said!
Can't wait to read your book!
At my children’s school the PTA bought a desk for the principal and after it sat in a box for a couple months, a couple dads put it together. The custodian made us take it apart because of union rules.
e paved 200 yards of our dead end street LOLOL ..... then they installed a street sign we had none before that
That shirt is amazing. I can dig it
That book sounds good, looking forward to it
Build a positive reputation with the community, especially one focused around improving/helping said community, and they'll likely have your back when you get in trouble for doing so.
Very excited about the book.
I belong to my local community group in a small rural town in NSW Australia, we wanted to get the toilets on our oval opened. We spent 5 years mowing, planting and generally beautifying the oval with consultation with the council. After 5 years we got more than we had initially asked for, they tore the old infrastructure down and we got a wonderful environmentally friendly amenities block. We also involved the small local primary school in plantings so that the local youth would feel a part of the project and be less likely to vandalise the work. Our time was logged and it was given a monetary value which the council met 2 for 1 and so we got what we needed and have since had new covered play equipment installed. I don't have huge respect for our local council but in this instance our community worked well with them for the betterment of our area.
Heck yeah, looking forward to the book bro
Definitely a lot of ways to help people with your ideas though Beau!
Excellent ideas, well thought out, DO-ABLE!!! Thank you!
I worked for many years and found that doing something different was resisted and hindered by those in power. I made change just the way you described. I brought people together and talked to them. Once they understood what the idea was and how it would help and benefit everyone, I gained cooperation and support. We made the change. When the supervisors came down to shut me down, they were met with an involved and supportive community They weren't fighting me; they were fighting a group. Many times I felt I was conniving, but I wasn't. I made sure the change benefited the stakeholders and they were part of the solution. My job was to listen closely to both their concerns and advice.
As doers, we find talking a waste of time. However, when there is an issue, you need several types of people to help The first ts the rabble-rousers who bring the problem to light, then the politicians to get the resources,, and lastly, the media to keep the problem in the foreground. The most important ones are doers because these are the people who actually take on fixing the problem They come up with the ACTION PLAN and work up close and personal. They know it is not a one-man show and bring in others to work on the solutions. It is done just the way you describe. Doers lose patience with those that don't "get to it" and get the job done. Doers lose patience with talkers.
Looking forward to that workbook.
Thank you
We don't exactly have playgrounds here. We have horses and the children usually have ponies and other animals. One young local teen has ducks she takes swimming with her, some geese and a couple horses, for example. Some people in the area are unfriendly and just angry in general but most are friendly and happy to lend each other a helping hand when we are able or leave our immediate area to help out in emergency situations.