Nicely said.

I saw on a stream earlier, a group of 'protestors' verbally abusing police officers. Saying "you are the scum of the earth"

They're just doing their jobs! they're not the enemy.

I saw on a stream earlier, a group of 'protestors' verbally abusing police officers. Saying "you are the scum of the earth"

They're just doing their jobs!

 

If I had a nickel for every time the "just doing their jobs" line was uttered throughout history...

 

http://www.copblock.org/5559/just-doing-their-job/

 

I'll side with someone who deficates in the streets over someone who dons riot gear and viciously attacks non-violent protestors.

If I had a nickel for every time the "just doing their jobs" line was uttered throughout history...

 

http://www.copblock.org/5559/just-doing-their-job/

 

I'll side with someone who deficates in the streets over someone who dons riot gear and viciously attacks non-violent protestors.

 

Are there crooked cops? Undoubtedly. The fact of the matter is, cops do more good for the community than bad.

 

Guess what? The media doesn't report every single time a cop does something beneficial. It's only the cops' bad behavior that's reported in newspapers and on internet blogs, part of their sensationalist agenda.

The 1st Amendment does not allow public urination or defecation. Nor does it allow the harassment of business owners and the destruction of their property. Mayor Bloomberg was right to clear Zuccotti Park, especially after the increased number of reports on rape, sexual abuse, drug-dealing, theft and deaths among the demonstrators (among other things that I have not yet listed).

>> To deal with citizens on an individual basis is appropriate I believe, and to permit time to clean things up and deal with the criminal types within the scene makes sense, but to blanket all with the same cover of blame is to scapegoat any who are peacefully protesting, as we have the right to peaceably assemble and petition for a redress of grievances. This shouldn't be a permanent ban, it should only go on long enough to set things back in order. I believe it was Bloomberg's desire to get rid of the occupy movement, as it was with the governor pressuring Mayor Jennings of Albany, to break up the demonstrations there, not even his city, and Mayor Jennings refused! Kudos to Mayor Jennings. Is there not a legitimate reason for the protests, and how else to really get people's attention, or to empower citizens to organize and demand reform and accountability? Consider our history - the gatherings of citizens in protest of unfair policies placed upon their shoulders was one of the principal driving forces for the revolution, this right to peaceably assemble and ask for a redress of grievances was paid for with the blood of patriots. The economic inequities of the mid 1700's were not so different from today's.

Before chuck kottke comes in with his usual spiel about the "liberty bell," I have just one question to ask: how exactly does setting up tents in parks and playing drums bring any change? I raised this question a while back and it was conveniently ignored. Probably because the reality is, these protestors' actions won't bring any change at all.

>> How do you build a sense of solidarity and strength in the face of a system which has allowed such injustices to go on? Thomas Paine's writing which stirred the spirit of the revolution was written on a drum head. :drummer: "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." I missed it last time, but I am responding this time to you. One doesn't rally the troops with whispers and papers blowing in the breeze, one does so with drums and the voice of reason spoken loud and clear, as we have seen on the streets and in many a meeting recently, as the voice of justice is spoken en masse- "this is what democracy looks like."

This isn't going away any time soon, I will guarantee that to you. Until reform become reality and a redress of grievances is made real, assemblies will continue on.

 

 

Reform and accountability:

Tell Your Senators: Confirm Richard Cordray to Lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Help add some teeth the the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. ;)

If I had a nickel for every time the "just doing their jobs" line was uttered throughout history...

 

http://www.copblock.org/5559/just-doing-their-job/

 

I'll side with someone who deficates in the streets over someone who dons riot gear and viciously attacks non-violent protestors.

 

Sure, there have been reports of attacks, but these officers weren't doing anything like that. They were just standing there, doing their job while trying to ignore the hateful comments being thrown at them.

Seen a lot of police being much more peaceful than these 'peaceful protestors'.

One quote from a participant in Occupy Wall Street,

"This is an idea who's time has come. You can't evict an idea."

You Can't Evict an Idea Whose Time has Come | Common Dreams

the more I hear about the movement the more I have a problem with it.

 

I am all for changing the status quo, and making a difference. But I don't feel that the movement is really getting anywhere. I mean occupying wall street and the surrounding area... but is it really making any members of government or wall street actually want to change? I don't think so.

 

I can understand more how protesting in Washington would be more effective in sending a message to change the government.

 

 

Regardless I would hope that people in power will realize that people's unrest of the direction of the current state of affairs is not just going to disappear. As things get worse people will be more angry and uprise (as seen in various countries around the world). So personally if I was them I would try to rethink things.

 

...however I'm not a smug greedy bastard who couldn't give two shits about the next person down the street.

I don't understand this. If you want change, you have to have the plan out there and ready to go. Changes are needed in the banking system. You need the change in place before the revolution.

Hello Mike!:)

 

the more I hear about the movement the more I have a problem with it.

 

I am all for changing the status quo, and making a difference. But I don't feel that the movement is really getting anywhere. I mean occupying wall street and the surrounding area... but is it really making any members of government or wall street actually want to change? I don't think so.

> I understand what you're getting at, and I think the movement is going right to where the financial misdeeds took place, and to where the money and influence flows from, as a spotlight. It makes a bold statement to protest in the heart of the financial district, and more importantly Occupying Wall Street acts as a rallying point for citizens who want reform. It's more about gathering all who's hearts and minds are focused on the problem and drawing the attention of the public to a place and a gathering which cannot be ignored. It's not about trying to convince members of Wall Street's establishments to change directly, or politicians directly, but to embolden citizens to organize, become aware, believe in themselves, and press for reform and accountability, by going right into the heart of where the problems arose. Would Washington be better? Both are places where the corrupt and complicit got their way in what had happened with the financial crisis, both are where the revolving doors spin through the corridors of power, both are involved in the buying of elections, and the like. But here is a chance to point out that not just Washington but many of Wall Street's biggest firms have done harm to the nation and to the world. Protests in Washington often are ignored, protests on Wall Street of this magnitude are a historical first, and focus attention right on one end of the problem.

I can understand more how protesting in Washington would be more effective in sending a message to change the government.

> Hm, well I think about the million man marches, and there wasn't hardly an ounce of coverage in the mainstream press. Makes one wonder about our press.. Washington might see a mass mobilization yet, one that can't be ignored, but as with those million man marches, I have to wonder what it takes to call attention to the problems in our nation's capitol. :thinking:

Regardless I would hope that people in power will realize that people's unrest of the direction of the current state of affairs is not just going to disappear. As things get worse people will be more angry and uprise (as seen in various countries around the world). So personally if I was them I would try to rethink things.

 

...however I'm not a smug greedy bastard who couldn't give two shits about the next person down the street.

> I hope so too Mike, since it seems like the elephant in the room which they keep side-stepping. But often those in power blind themselves to that which they are afraid to see or realize, or are blinded by their own hubris and believe their own lies. They think things will go on as business-as-usual, long after the citizens rise up and will no longer tolerate the abuses of power. Perhaps though some will come to their senses, I would much rather see that than a full-blown revolution. What more than anything politicians want is simply to get re-elected, and with enough organized people-power, I believe we can drive home the main points to be put into law, and pass new amendments to clearly define our rights, for in time those written rights become rallying points for change, and the legacy we leave for our children: a blueprint for fair representative government and a protection of our rights as citizens, as human beings.

And I'm glad you're not a smug greedy bastard :laugh3:. Sadly there are some who are, they are the types who provided ample material for the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Most of us are Who's living in Whoville, which is one step from Hooverville these days.:hat:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rphHFWZHRL0]Lew Rockwell on "Crazy Keynesianism" and the Police State - YouTube[/ame]

I had a Dork ask me if I wanted to go to Occupy LA, and he acted giggly and in glee state of mind toward me. He said he was going to dress like a reptile and hold up a sign that said "I am a reptile protester". I told him to go to the David Icke site and make a poster of his message of how to change the banks, and that should work better. He kept laughing at me, and kept asking me to come.

I wish I could get a better guy to ask me out.

I had a Dork ask me if I wanted to go to Occupy LA, and he acted giggly and in glee state of mind toward me. He said he was going to dress like a reptile and hold up a sign that said "I am a reptile protester". I told him to go to the David Icke site and make a poster of his message of how to change the banks, and that should work better. He kept laughing at me, and kept asking me to come.

I wish I could get a better guy to ask me out.

 

Well, there's a place for caricatures of the alligators running the economic system without a doubt, but you're right - with something real to say!;) Maybe you've convinced him to make better sense?

Hang with a better crowd maybe, make better connections I would suggest - you'll do fine if you have patience, better guys are out there.

 

Occupy Wall Street has moved into music!:cool:

 

These words are taken from the preamble of The Declaration of The Occupation of New York. Free and for the people. Take it! Use it! Forward it! SING IT.

Credits

 

Words by Occupy Wall Street, song by Nehemiah Luckett and Laura Newman

lead vocal Laura Newman

Reverend Billy & The Stop Shopping Gospel Choir

Recorded at Theater for The New City, NYC by Jason Candler

 

 

Lyrics

 

As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

 

We Are The 99% (as we gather together) | Reverend Billy & The Church of Earthalujah!

The Declaration of the Occupation of New York City:

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City | NYC General Assembly # Occupy Wall Street

 

And this has a lot to do with Coldplay. Make Trade Fair anyone? Sustainable Ecosystems anyone? OXFAM for aiding those in the developing world, and who's going to make the economic system fair if not us? We are the 99%!:sunny: It's all connected

Dispatches from the front lines in the global velvet revolution, this side of the Atlantic:

 

From Those Inside Of Central Booking

 

Posted 6 hours ago on Nov. 16, 2011, 5:24 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

While we've been imprisoned here we've held Assemblies and Mic Checked corrections officers to attend to urgent medical conditions, some of which were the result of police brutality during the raids. There is no food except for bread, no cleanliness, no hygene, no waters, no showers. There are non-occupiers who are suffering here as well.

We do not know what we have been charged with.

We want freedom!

This message was consensed upon by a group of occupiers imprisoned by Billionare Michael Bloomberg and his private army, and relayed to members of the Legal Working Group of #ows.

 

212 Comments

#N17 Global Day Of Action!

 

Posted 7 hours ago on Nov. 16, 2011, 4:40 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

Sixty days into the struggle #OccupyWallStreet was violently evicted by the NYPD, who leveled our homes at Liberty Square to the ground. Our movement, however, is stronger than it has ever been. In these sixty days we have brought about a massive awakening, perhaps the largest one in the country since the Civil Rights Movement fifty years ago, and certainly the first global one in modern history. People around the world, from Spain to Australia, from Chile to the U.S. have opened their eyes together to the decadence and injustice of the common system that exploits us. This is what we mean when we say with the deepest significance: you cannot stop an idea whose time has come.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-F_QF1XTXI]Those damn short sellers.... - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3SOlXxUBLk]Ron Paul's Greatest Interview - Gold & Silver With Mike Maloney - YouTube[/ame]

One of the articles in today's Care2Causes:

 

http://www.care2.com/news/category/political/politics with link to:

 

http://rebuildthedream.com/blog/2011/11/08/call-to-action-november-17th/

 

Call to Action: November 17th

 

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Sandra

 

On November 17th, people are coming together all over the country for a huge day of action. We will demand an end to measures that benefit the 1% at the expense of the 99%.

 

Find an event near you.

http://pol.moveon.org/event/weare99/

 

 

Or organize your own event!

http://pol.moveon.org/event/create.html?action_id=260

 

 

More and more of us are demanding accountability from Wall Street, but lawmakers in Washington DC are slow to respond. Over the past month, Congress has failed to pass a jobs bill or any other plan that could turn our failed economy around for the other 99% of us. (The Wall Street tax just introduced is a good start — we need to pass that and much more.)

 

It’s clear that Wall Street doesn’t understand–or doesn’t care–that we face an economic emergency.

 

And far too many in Washington are listening only to the 1%. Our homes are being taken by greedy banks that we bailed out. Job prospects for the unemployed, students, and veterans are practically non-existent. And at all levels, politicians are looking to make even deeper cuts to our schools and vital health and human services.

 

That’s why we will all take to the streets for “We Are The 99%” day—a mass action on November 17 to declare an “economic emergency” in every corner of the country, in all 50 states. We’ll gather in front of bridges that need work, understaffed schools, and other community sites that highlight our failed economy. Wherever you are, this is the day to declare an economic emergency in your community.

 

The past months have been awe-inspiring. All over, Americans are fighting back against a system rigged for the 1%. But many of our elected officials continue to sit on the sidelines–or worse, do the bidding of the 1%. Until we start to see our economy transformed, we’ll keep taking to the streets to amplify our voices.

 

Join us.

 

Find an event near you. At the time of writing this post, there were 196 events planned across the country, and counting.

http://pol.moveon.org/event/weare99/

 

 

Or organize your own event!

http://pol.moveon.org/event/create.html?action_id=260

 

 

Pick a place in your community that exemplifies how our failed economy has manifested on your block, neighborhood, or city –a crumbling bridge, a school facing cutbacks, a foreclosed home. Mobilize those who are impacted daily by the greed and corruption of the 1%.

 

Let’s join the rest of the nation to make November 17th a historic moment of power and solidarity.

Isn't MoveOn.org the organization that tried to get Democrats elected?

 

Aren't the Democrats receiving campaign donations from Wall Street banks, and didn't they bail out the banks using taxpayer money?

 

Until MoveOn.org and other leftist groups explicitly state they are against all bailouts, they are merely a tool of the elite to control opposition.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15784439

 

17 November 2011 Last updated at 19:19 GMT

 

Occupy Wall Street Protesters are preparing for new demonstrations after an attempt to close the New York Stock Exchange earlier in the morning.

 

 

Arrests on Occupy Wall Street 'day of action'

 

A solidarity protest in Los Angeles saw 20 people arrested for sitting in a street as hundreds marched downtown.

 

City officials in Dallas evicted the protesters' camp there, arresting 18.

 

In New York, demonstrators plan to occupy 16 subway stations on Thursday afternoon and march from City Hall across the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

Most of the arrests in New York happened at a rally to mark two months of protest. City officials had expected "tens of thousands" of protesters throughout the day.

 

Police blocked streets and protesters massed at junctions on the edge of the city's financial district.

 

Scuffles broke out, with police dragging some protesters away.

 

Later on Thursday, protesters in San Francisco occupied a branch of Bank of America, holding signs including one that read: "Make Banks Pay".

 

A police department spokesman told Reuters that 95 demonstrators were arrested at the bank, most on suspicion of trespassing.

 

'Bad guys'

 

"You do not have a parade permit! You are blocking the street!" a police officer told protesters through a bullhorn during the morning's protests.

 

Some protesters were arrested after they sat down in an intersection, while others were arrested as they tried to get closer to the stock exchange.

 

"All day, all week, shut down Wall Street!" the crowd chanted.

 

Gene Williams, a bond trader, joked to the Associated Press that he was "one of the bad guys" but said he empathised with the demonstrators.

 

"They have a point in a lot of ways," he said. "The fact of the matter is, there is a schism between the rich and the poor and it's getting wider."

 

Lost camps

 

Thursday's demonstrations were before Tuesday's surprise pre-dawn raid of Zuccotti Park, where demonstrators had been camping.

 

Police allowed them to return but banned them from setting up camp again. Numbers dwindled to fewer than two dozen overnight.

 

Some of the 200 protesters detained during the eviction appeared in court on Wednesday.

 

A number of similar encampments have been removed in US cities in recent days.

 

Scores of arrests were made as police removed tents in Oakland, California and Burlington, Vermont.

 

But evictions went peacefully elsewhere, including Atlanta, Georgia; Portland, Oregon; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Gene Williams, a bond trader, joked to the Associated Press that he was "one of the bad guys"

 

He is!

 

Anybody who buys government bonds is a bad guy, because they are buying the future productivity of taxpayers, and in the process loaning money to governments so they can continue their nefarious activities around the world.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjDHQ16MyKY]Shooting Cops - YouTube[/ame]

http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/17/patriotic-millionaires-demand-higher-taxes-but-unwilling-to-pay-up-video/#ooid=9qcG4wMzqAYp0d-USgHvosm1FKEyxk0t

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTnWfZ4izEU]The Euro Crisis - Debt By Design - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdob6QRLRJU]Farage: What gives you the right to dictate to the Italian people? - YouTube[/ame]

Bah, false economics.

 

Wealth doesn't come from "cash". If someone hoards money, that only serves to increase the value of the money remaining in circulation.

 

Goods and services are real value, money is only representative of value.

 

EDIT: Also, if someone has money they legitimately earned (voluntarily traded to get), it means they must have created something of greater value than the money they earned. Otherwise, nobody would have made that trade with them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/17/monti-prepares-italy-for-more-pain

 

Ahh, socialism.

 

What a high price to pay for "free" services.