Magic Anti-Greed Drum Circle
I don’t like to talk about politics on this blog, but I’m interested in your perspectives on what has been going on in our cities, and primarily in New York the past two months. Until yesterday, I was sort of rooting for the OWS movement, though I thought their message was unclear and wondered what their objective was. I was all for the finger-pointing at Wall Street greed, which is what the movement seemed to be about, but this hysterical Daily Show clip, sort of summed up what I thought was wrong with the movement. There was no leadership, and no clear message.
Now I’m just pissed-off.
Yesterday, as many of you know, Mayor Bloomberg ordered the New York City police to close down the camp in Zuccotti Park where the protesters had been camping out for the past two months, and so the protestors took to the streets, clogged the subways and ultimately managed to close both side of the Brooklyn Bridge. Twitter was alive with all the outraged tweets of these protestors reporting supposed police brutality, but whenever I clicked on links to the videos, I never saw a single police officer randomly strike out at a citizen. What I saw were foolish individuals who shoved or pushed and in one case, hit an officer, and then, of course they were tackled to the street and sometimes bloodied.
You can’t push or hit cops. How do you get to be an adult in the USA and not know that? Keep your hands off the cops. They’re trained to defend themselves for good reason, and when they are in groups, they’ll protect each other. The cops have somehow become the target of the OWS movement and I’m really sick of watching footage of 20-year-old hipsters shouting at 40-year-old cops, “You’re part of the 99%!” Guess what, NYU sophomore guy with the $130 sneakers – cops don’t need you to explain politics to them.
I also saw many other incidents of people taunting cops, like this humorous video of a woman who decided that the best way to show support of the movement was to stand topless in the freezing cold. This video reveals a lot:
The topless woman explains that a cop asked her to put on her shirt and she informed him that she was fully within her rights to stand there with her shirt off and then the cop left and she felt that she had triumphed somehow. Perky breast girl? What you are doing is degrading to yourself and police officers. They are not there to argue with you about your right to show your breasts, they are there to protect citizens who are trying to get to work. They are trying to keep streets open for emergency vehicles. Sure, you may be within your rights to stand topless, just as I might be within my rights to stand there and shout obscenities, but why do that in the middle of a movement that is supposed to about Wall Street greed?
In the same video, a guy with a NORML t-shirt started shouting at passersby, “You are the 99%! You are the 99%!”
No, Weed Guy, those were mostly tourists. Many of the 99% of workers in Manhattan and Brooklyn couldn’t get to their jobs yesterday, because you guys with your drum circles and your weird ideas that Wall Street prevents women from removing their tops, KEPT THEM FROM WORKING! The bankers and other Wall Street workers all had IDs that got them past police barricades. The waitresses, bartenders, teamsters, shop workers, housekeepers, students, teachers and many others were delayed and, in many cases, prevented from working by you OWS protesters.
The thing that bothers me most is that I consider myself a liberal and I suspect that these people do as well, but I’m mortified by their behavior. Their message has been completely lost. They appear to just want to disrupt order and prevent people from doing their jobs. How will that help the 99%?
My friend Dan used the following analogy when we were discussing this issue recently and I thought it was a great one. There was a terrible crime here in Connecticut a few years ago in which two men broke into a home and robbed and killed a woman and her two daughters in front of the husband/father, before burning the house down. The murderers were caught and convicted. But, Dan said, “What if there were special laws in place that protected the robbers/murderers? That somehow made them exempt from the laws that the rest of us must abide by? Would people aim their protests at the offenders? No. They would protest against the government that enacted and enforced laws that protect criminals.” His point was that people should be protesting the government, not the corporations.
The corporate greed that the OWS people are supposedly protesting (by preventing working, non-Wall Street people their days’ wages) took place because our government supported it and provided special laws that exempted them from the laws under which the rest of us must abide, such as paying taxes and making good on our debts. Why are the OWS people not aiming their protests at Washington?
So that’s my take on the situation. I’d love to hear your views. I’m sure many of you disagree with me, so feel free to express your views but let’s not attack each other here, please.
Here’s the thing about the OWS message – it’s HUGE! I completely understand why most people don’t get it, and even a lot of the protester’s are only scratching the surface when they try to explain. The bottom line of the message should be about Globalism, and these, so-called, bankers, as well as Washington, as the main actors facilitating this ideology (soon to be reality). With that said, aside of RT News, I don’t beleive that the protestor’s have gotten a fair report, and what you’re seeing on the regular news is certainly influencing, if not altoghter, manipulating the message. You may want to dig a little deeper – perceptions ARE being manipulated.
For those who just can’t for the life of you figure out what OWS is all about because you can’t be troubled to make the slightest effort to educate yourselves, here’s a concise video from The Young Turks that can E-X-P-L-A-I-N it to you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x4ly3Gr3kw
I know, but again, he’s explaining what the people are protesting, but not what the protesters are hoping to achieve.
Your post, and response to this reply, are EXACTLY how I feel, Ann. NO ONE thinks Wall Street is “virtuous,” but protest in a park without points of direction other than condemning the status quo undermines what they (I believe) are hoping to accomplish and reinforces what many feel (and there’s little evidence otherwise) that these are folks who’d rather complain and party and re-live (or live for the first time) hippie dissent.
Our local Occupy movement on their website (which has since been modified) asked for donations of blankets, batteries, cell phones (really? mine’s a dumbphone, and I work HARD to pay for it) and CONDOMS. Nice. Occupy or Orgy…unsure what the original intent was….
While I would LIKE to be sympathetic, the lack of compassion for others (the rest of the hard-working 99%!
), the lack of direction and the rationalizing of poor, poor behavior under the umbrella of “freedom to assemble” is REALLY starting to get to me…..
Nicely stated. Mostly this “movement” seems childish and self-aggrandizing.
OK, Ann, I must admit you’re confusing me. You ask for a “clear and concise” explanation. When I provide it, you complain that:
“your statement of intent is to challenge economic and other injustices by occupying the park. You have no other plan of action that I could see. There’s no schedule of speakers, links to community leaders for outreach, etc.”
Then when I provide more details you tell me it has to be able to “be stated in a few sentences” to be effective. Stop changing the target, OK? That’s not discourse; that’s establishing your own view and then refusing to change it at all costs.
I agree the message has become lost. But not because it isn’t there. Rather, it’s being systematically obscured by the media.
And JohnO’s comment #2 is right on target. The movement has everything you ask for, but you can’t expect it to be “groomed” to the same level as the work that comes out of institutions in place for centuries. You simply can’t hold a fledgling movement to the same standards as established institutions, particularly when some much of that establishment is what the problem is. It’s ridiculous to ask such a protest to play by rules that have been designed to thwart and marginalize them. But I stress, EVERYTHING you’ve mentioned that would legitimize the cause is there. If you choose not to see it, I can’t make you.
PERFECT, Ann! People don’t realize that the ones who are affected daily by these demonstrators are NOT the ones making the rules and abusing the system. These are hard working people who trying to do their jobs. Protest with your vote, not your naked body and misspelled t-shirts, and you have a chance at affecting change, not negatively impacting the lives of innocent bystanders.
The biggest problem is that OWS has no mission, it has no focus and without any form of leadership has just become a conglomerate of every whacko with a cause (and bull horn) jumping on the band wagon. Sadly in the beginning I was all for this movement but as of late, all they seem to be doing is pissing off the hard working people they claim to represent and looking for a new place to set up their tent cities. Perhaps it’s time they set some sort of agenda, announce it or go home.
Once again, here’s the mission and the focus in a nice, concise, neat little bow for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x4ly3Gr3kw
Whoa..alot of different opinions here.Hey everyone! Well….here in the wonderful Blackstone Valley of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we have Occupy Boston, which is occupying the once beautiful park dedicated to Rose Kennedy. The protesters have gotten a restraining order so they may not be evicted from this spot, It’s been warm here so, we have had the Happy Campers on a vacation out in Boston. For the most part well behaved. In Worcester, the Occupy Movement was at the Park (near Buffone’s Arena), then they attempted to Occupy the park (The Common)in this area at City Hall, that didn’t work, so now we have Occupy Worcester at Lincoln Square. I think they are back at the park at night….Sorry to be so geographical here but, I am trying to make a point. They are Occupying SPACE, screwing up traffic, and just overall confused…is my take. Ann you eloquently hit the nail on the proverbial head. Which is why you are the author par excellence…and I wipe ass. But this why America is great, you have the Right to have a different opinion. Off my soap box now. Thanks Hope Everyone is well
This is from the website of goals of the movement, along with a business mans (myself) answer.
They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.
NO WAY – A mortgage is a legal and binding contract. While some of the reviews were improper. They do indeed withstand scrutiny. In Ohio the banks have stopped taking the houses. Looks bad on the balance sheet. Sadly saying it is wrong to take a house someone has stopped making payments on, is easy. The reality it is honorable to do so.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.
-Not a problem. It prevented a depression. During a depression the rich become far richer, the 99 percent eat out of soup lines. In history class. The auto industry is still around, thinks to the bail out that saved it. All money repaid.
They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex,
gender identity and sexual orientation.
-Please. Only in the ivory tower. Corporations have anti discrimination laws. The largest are the most stringent. Please come out into small business. Where the minority business owner services and hires mostly minorities. Their is virtually no protection in the sole-proprietorship.
They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.
-BS. Yes lots of people are dying from the food supply. But yet life expectancy is increased each year. Show me a double blind study. The farming system is changing due to the free market system. Efficiency kills inefficiencies. Been this way since the founding of the country in reference to the changing economy (yes the farming system is a business).
They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless animals, and actively hide these practices.
- I love that they use animals. Testing on humans is and should be outlawed. Been to a lot of funerals for humans. None for a lab mouse or animal.
They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.
-Google union struggle. This also has existed since the start of the country. The working conditions are better now than at any time in the history of the nation. Except for that period when kids could work in the factories, black lung and asbestos affected workers. lol a joke.
They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.
-Do not go to college. A colossal waste of money for most. Start a service based business instead. Hire your fellow American. WE DO NOT NEED MORE COLLEGE EDUCATED UNTRAINED WORKERS> STOP THE MADNESS. WE NEED ENTREPRENEURS.
They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.
- Free enterprise at its best. Efficiency again. Don’t like the benefits and pay. Become an ENTREPRENEUR. Your country needs you.
They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.
-Complete BS. Because you are just becoming educated does not make it a new influencing of the courts. The corporation as a stand alone entity was established in Old English Law and adapted in this country at its founding. The opposite of this has happened. Class action lawsuits have represented the common good numerous times.
They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.
-Health insurance is rubbish. A guaranteed profit for a medical corporation. I lost track are insurance corporations evil or good. lol. Doctors will cut a deal, based upon income, outside of the insurance racket.
They have sold our privacy as a commodity.
-Always have. Direct mail pieces were directed to you from information collected and sold.
They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.
-Not true. Document the case. Lots of coverage for this goofy movement. Lots of coverage for the Tea party nuts. False.
They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.
-Wrong. They get it right eventually with the help of government inspectors. When mistakes happen, there is legal recourse. For a percentage an attorney will take your case.
They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.
-The elected official determines economic policy. The largest economy on earth. Catastrophic failures?
They have donated large sums of money to politicians, who are responsible for regulating them.
-The government agencies regulate. Politicians are elected and liable to their constituents.
They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.
-BS. Grow up. Follow the money. When green becomes profitable in the market place. Change will occur. Ethanol with government subsidies. A renewable energy has increased food shortages in third world countries. Al Gore and others make a fortune in real dollars do to others naivete when it comes to business and energy.
They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives or provide relief in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantial profit.
-LOL. Who dictates when something I have designed has generated enough profit and needs to be handed over to my competitor. Ivory tower logic at its worst. It worked great for recording artists and the internet. lol
They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.
-All corporations pursue profit. lol. When found guilty of wrong doing they are forced to pay up.
They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.
-Wrong. The media loves ratings. A nonsensical listed diatribe such as this movements website is not good for ratings. Maybe if you could dance with a star or have a 2 and a half man visit.
They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.
-Law and order. Crime. Time. Death Penalty…etc… I heard the McDonalds Corp is now killing kids at the playpen. lol
They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.
-Impossible at home. It worked great when we set up limits to our markets during the last depression. A joke. We are part of one big interconnected world. It has lifted the standard of living of workers in China.
They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.
-The 1 percent have. I saw Donald Trump doing that on The Apprentice. No. lol. Dictators overseas torture and murder many more.
They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.*
-The government has all kinds of contracts. The small mom and pop carryout typically cannot make a weapon of mass destruction. These vendor corporation tend to be huge.
Ann, I totally agree with your view on OWS. Most of the 99% tried to go to work yesterday to contribute to our economy and pay the taxes required to pay extra police to protect ourselves from from and clean up after this anarchy being created by the few. And hey, can someone explain to that genius in the video that in order to have a 401K you need to leave our public park that the working 99% are paying for and get a job.
I know it’s hard for people who haven’t lost a job or been downsized, to believe but there are MANY people in this country that are unemployed and cannot find work. Many of those people have now lost everything they worked so hard for over their lifetimes. The range of jobs that have been lost is wide and it’s still happening, so I would wipe that smirk off my face and come to the realization that having a job in this economy is not an entitlement, it’s a blessing. You are not special, you are fortunate.
I am very aware now Fortunate I am and I appreciate your comments – except the “wipe the smirk” bit. I have one question, how does sleeping in a park, standing topless, chanting in the streets for 2 months, disrupting the subways, stopping those others fortunate enough to have jobs from getting to their work, blocking little children’s school entrances, and generally disrupting the economy even further actually fix anything?
Ann, you are another of many who has taken the time to go and spend
Time with the OWS Neanderthals. They are just occupying space to be
Perfectly honest. They DON’T have a clear message and they are making
The rest of the individual’s who do have something intelligent to offer
Look like morons. I agree with your summerization and I really dont
Give a fig who is offended by it. I have always loved your husband and
His humor and direct take on life, and it’s plain to see why he thinks
You hung the moon.. By association I love you too. Rock on sista!!
After reading all the comments, I hope I can be as articulate. To bring about change requires effective communication. This communication can be loud and passionate, but it has to be clear and directed toward the entity which can institute the change. To spout a vague message like “economic inequality,” while clogging the streets outside the banks and investment firms, is ineffective. I understand the comments about previous movements being messy, etc., but have we not evolved. We have far better ways of getting a message out in 2011 than we did in the 60s and 1700s. With Twitter and Facebook, a Flash Mob can assemble on a moment’s notice and perform a full Michael Jackson routine to Thriller for God’s sake. Surely we can demonstrate in a better way.
Crowding the streets on Wall Street does nothing but place people in jeopardy. The fact is the people in those buildings are worker bees, just like the rest of us. No one in the Org Charts at those places can effect real change.
The Wall Street and banking industry mess began in the 80s with deregulation. Those who were part of that movement (under Reagan), or who were since educated in the spirit of deregulation, are now in the positions of power. They are President Obama’s economic advisers. They are also Economics Professors at our best universities.
As such, I wish the OWS movement would direct an effective demonstration with clear communication toward President Obama, Congress, their local governments, and those somewhat shady professors who get paid on the side to effect economic policy to the advantage of those who are paying for it.
Ask for specific things (more than “economic equality” and less than three internet links of gibberish). Organize nationwide petitions calling for the reinstitution of the Glass-Steagall act, the repeal of which was the first domino. Flood your local government representatives with written documents expressing your concerns/demands. And vote. Vote in elections and vote by moving your money to credit unions.
Effective communication does not require an advanced degree, but it will require more than 140 characters. And it will require organization and cooperation. Like it or not, organization and cooperation only happens if someone (or a group of someones) leads.
Regarding the damage of land and property at the OWS camps/demonstration sites…who do the protesters think will be paying for the cleanup and repair? The rest of us 99%-ers will be doing that through our taxes.
And Naked Girl can taunt the cops, but you bet your ass she will expect a cop to help her when the drunken frat boys try to molest her. And you know what? A cop will be there to help her.
I will stop now…
Excellent points Catherine!
Very well said. Catherine.
And while I am not saying the Tea Party is correct (or incorrect) by any means, when our city’s group “occupied” our downtown, they paid for permits, security and porta-potties and more —per the usage of public areas protocols.
Do not think they are unfounded in now approaching the city courts now for a refund of their financial outlay …. it’s in progress now and will be interesting to see how it shakes out. The Tea Party is no more financially “solvent” than those in our local Occupy movement. One of the most vocal local occupiers is an employee of a friend (small business) that provides her with a more than average salary for her work PLUS benefits. For so many, this is more of an “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” movement. No visible, viable goals….
Once again, here’s the mission and the focus in a nice, concise, neat little bow for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x4ly3Gr3kw
And what about all those other NON-NAKED people that are participating in OWS? I guess they’re to be ignored because they don’t fit your preexisting negative stereotypes. I guess it’s true what they say: man isn’t a rational animal, just a rationalizing one.
You da boz, Cat.
Where are all the other comments? Did this blog hog knock out all the other comments?
Hi Candy. His the link to “Older Comments” below…
his = hit (oops)
How cold could it possibly be? Perky bare-breasted girl’s puppies aren’t even barking.
: D
I think you hit the nail on the head…and that’s coming from one of those evil conservative types.
The fact is, the message is muddled and is buried under a ton of bullshit that really has nothing to do with what they’re ostensibly protesting about.
A corporation exists to maximize profit. Getting upset because they do that to the best of their ability is like getting pissed at a tiger because he gets blood on the ground when he eats. It’s the nature of the beast.
This is the problem I’ve had with OWS from its inception. They want to “do” something, but haven’t got any solutions. They’re mad at people for having “too much” profit but can’t even define what too much means. And for the most part, they’re horribly uneducated and/or ill informed about how the system works and why things are the way they are.
The perfect example comes from the repeated use of GE’s tax return from 2010. They paid essentially no tax, despite having a $14B profit for the year. Sounds really nasty unless you take a look at why. Of the $14B, only $5B was money made in the US. In addition, they had $1.5B in deferred tax losses from 2008 applied to 2010′s taxes. Well if any of the rest of the 99% realize a loss equal to 30% of their total profits, they’re not going to pay any taxes either…whether they’re a mega corporation or a sanitation worker.
Basically, you’re friend’s example is right on the money. It’s the government who’s let this get out of hand, and the ones we should be giving the boot…not the people on Wall Street. Congress has progressively dismantled the protections that allowed the middle class to flourish, for the last 30 years. We shouldn’t be hauling Wall St execs to criminal court. We should be hauling Frank, Dodd, Graham and Cox into court.
Thanks Ann. This is a great response. I’m a police officer in a Midwest city and I appreciate the support. The city I work in also has an Occupy ……. going on, but they have been peaceful. I’ve stopped and talked with them and they are very nice people and I understand their message. I agree with you that the problem is the government and their regulations, rules, and laws. Everybody, to include regular citizens, takes advantage of loopholes because they can. Why don’t they expect corporations to do the same?
I think the OWS message has been hijacked. I’ve seen this before. People start a protest intending to be peaceful, and they mainly are, and then other groups whose sole intent is to be violent and cause disturbances take over. Of course the violent factions get all the press.
I want to thank everybody who has participated in this discussion, today. I have learned a few things and I hope others have as well. Mostly, I’m really impressed by the respect and consideration people have shown each other here in these comments. While many have disagreed, nobody has made personal attacks and the conversation has been very enlightening on many levels, at least to me. I think what I am left with now, is a sense of frustration that while we understand that there’s a problem, and it is largely based on a fractured economy and unregulated corporate practices that are unfair to the majority, the OWS message so far, has been mired in the problem, without offering much of a vision in terms of a solution. So maybe there needs to be another movement that’s more pro-active. Some kind of nationwide effort to improve America though volunteerism, political activism, etc.
But anyway, I do respect you all, and admire your respect for others and thank you so much for your thoughts and opinions that you have expressed here (and are welcome to continue to express).
See: my comment above where I list numerous very, very specific solutions proposed by the OWS movement, such as these:
-close the loopholes that allow corporations to shirk paying their fair share in taxes
-stop corporations from bribing our government officials. Elected officials are elected to represent the people who elect them, not just the donors who give them money.
-Remove the overarching effect that big business has on our government. Reverse the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which decided that corporations are people. Take corporate money out of the election process and eliminate the super-political action committees that have turned our elected officials into myopic, self-serving zombies. Reform the business of lobbying our elected officials so there are no more meetings between elected officials and lobbyists at private retreats or expensive restaurants–and let everyone know what the conversation is about by doing it out in the open.
-Reform the tax code so it’s understandable and fair to everyone who contributes to the economy.
-Provide incentives for companies to create jobs here in the U.S.
I know they’re all incredibly inconvenient to the “La, la, la, I can’t hear you” argument you seem to find so compelling but I guess as long as you can divert attention away from the substance of the movement and over to the two naked hippy women, we can all just laugh and pretend your commentary was insightful instead of the intellectually dishonest straw man that it is.
In the mean time, when can we expect you to start this much “more pro-active” movement that targets politicians instead of their corporate bosses?
Skepacabra, all of your solutions make perfect sense and I have been following several politicians who embrace these changes and support them.
And I will vote for them
Skepacabra,
All of your points are valid ones, and in light of them, I think the protesters should all be in Washington, which seems to be the root of all of the problems you have presented. I agree with all of them.
The beauty of democracy is that we all have a say in who sits in office, and if we don’t like the way things are run, then we get another chance to change it. The OWS protesters all have a right to vote. We all have a right to vote. We can change Washington, one vote at a time.
Attacking the messenger or denigrating your opponent in a debate when you don’t agree just weakens your own argument and is one of the essential problems with our government these days. Somewhere along the way, it became about getting a veto proof majority and telling the other side to go screw themselves, rather than working for a compromise. When you do that, you basically tell almost half the country that they can go to hell, you’re going to do what you want.
That’s not what democracy is supposed to be about, nor is it what the founders envisioned. I honestly disagree with the majority of the way most liberals think, but that doesn’t make them bad people nor does it mean they want to destroy the country, as most conservative pundits make their living telling everyone they do.
What it means is that while I disagree, I know that I will have to bend in order to accommodate some of their beliefs just like I need to try to get them to accommodate some of mine. Somewhere in the middle is what we should work together to accomplish, not just sling mud and try to block everything the other side wants regardless of whether or not it has some merit.
I can respect my opponent without agreeing with him. I expect my opponent to do the same for me.
BRAVO… I couldnt not have said it better. You have put the whole OWS into perspective. I am the wife of a retired police officer and the mother of a firefighter. When i was growing up if a cop told you to move and you were sitting on your stoop you MOVED. These people just look like a bunch of new age hippies with no respect for people. I admire your outspokeness and insight.
thank you
Of course, when out of thousands of people, Ann only focuses your attention on the two (count ‘em, TWO) naked, hippy women yelling at a cop, it’s understandable that you’d get the impression that the movement is just “a bunch of new age hippies with no respect for people.”
Of course, having been down there numerous times now, I’ve found most of the movement to be fully dressed, non-new age, normal people with legitimate grievances and who treat the NYPD as well as many others around them with respect.
I’m curious though. Which of the following OWS goals do you disagree with?
-close the loopholes that allow corporations to shirk paying their fair share in taxes
-stop corporations from bribing our government officials. Elected officials are elected to represent the people who elect them, not just the donors who give them money.
-Remove the overarching effect that big business has on our government. Reverse the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which decided that corporations are people. Take corporate money out of the election process and eliminate the super-political action committees that have turned our elected officials into myopic, self-serving zombies. Reform the business of lobbying our elected officials so there are no more meetings between elected officials and lobbyists at private retreats or expensive restaurants–and let everyone know what the conversation is about by doing it out in the open.
-Reform the tax code so it’s understandable and fair to everyone who contributes to the economy.
-Provide incentives for companies to create jobs here in the U.S.
Keep fighting the good fight, Skep. There are none so blind as those who will not see.
Great points, Ann. Briefly:
Yeah–the ultra-liberal drum-circle/wiccan/anarchy crap is very tiresome. The messengers are in danger of corrupting the message.
The police are NOT the enemy. They’re solidly middle-class, and they risk their safety every day for yours. I thank every one I see. (No, I’m not one of “them”. I grew up in the projects and have been arrested and hauled off to jail numerous times.)
That said, if you’re not pissed off, you’re not paying attention. We have a government-rigged system that is not anything like capitalism. The entire economy is swaddled in smothering rags of grants, loans, tax loop holes, subsidies, trade agreements, and tarrifs. If you’re not a huge multinational, you’re on your own.
The parties don’t help. The republicans have taken the gloves off, somehow co-opted a huge amount of middle class people who should know better, and sold themselves out. The democrats cry and moan and try to give as much as they can “to the children”, which only serves to keep the ghettos standing and the out of work out of work.
All that said, I hope the protesters stay there a year. The longer they’re out there, the more people will talk–like this.
Thanks for posting.
Bret
“every major revolution in history was understood by the majority”
I’m calling BS on that. Unless you have some data?
As I read this intelligently put article and many of the news reports and other items about the movement, I am struck by a strange absence. There are many divergent opinions about this movement, from the super-conservative “Go get a job, hippy” perspective, to the above mentioned drum-circle forming, shirtless liberal side. What strikes me about the whole situation is that while these people are protesting…well, whatever it is they think they’re protesting…no one seems to be suggesting any actual SOLUTIONS. Thousands of people marching, making signs, holding up traffic, etc…but I haven’t read about one person actually offering a definitive answer of what to change. Everyone WANTS something to change, but few seem to know exactly what NEEDS to change, or how to make that happen. Fixing an economy as messed up as ours is going to be a very lengthy and complicated process, I guess I’m confused as to why everyone thinks that there is some magic wand that the government can wave that will fix everything overnight. We’re currently fighting two wars and we spend billions of dollars every year maintaining our military presence all over the world in an attempt to preserve the very freedoms that these people are exercising (and taking for granted in most cases). While I’m sure it’s come up in some of these movements, I haven’t seen a lot of “Bring home the troops” or “Make a balanced budget, not war” signs. If all of these people want to stage a sit-in somewhere and demand change, fine…how about sitting down with the thousands of pages of tax codes and budget papers that our politicians are trying to sort through to fix the mess? The so-called 1% and the government are not some evil conglomeration of villains trying to screw the little guy, and the 99% are not a bunch of intrepid heroes fighting oppression. Personally I think both sides are a bunch of idiots, but that’s mostly because I don’t have time to develop an informed opinion. My shipmates and I are currently deployed in the Middle East conducting anti-terrorism and counter-piracy operations and won’t be home until the middle of next year sometime. I’m really hoping somebody comes up with a solution by then…
So true, all of what you said, Officer Barker. Thanks to you and your shipmates for your service, please stay safe and we’ll try to have the country all sorted out by the time you return!
Again, here are some of the solutions proposed by the OWS movement:
-close the loopholes that allow corporations to shirk paying their fair share in taxes
-stop corporations from bribing our government officials. Elected officials are elected to represent the people who elect them, not just the donors who give them money.
-Remove the overarching effect that big business has on our government. Reverse the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which decided that corporations are people. Take corporate money out of the election process and eliminate the super-political action committees that have turned our elected officials into myopic, self-serving zombies. Reform the business of lobbying our elected officials so there are no more meetings between elected officials and lobbyists at private retreats or expensive restaurants–and let everyone know what the conversation is about by doing it out in the open.
-Reform the tax code so it’s understandable and fair to everyone who contributes to the economy.
-Provide incentives for companies to create jobs here in the U.S.
It’s also explained in this video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x4ly3Gr3kw
wow! lots of interesting opinions, all ‘twirling around in my haaaaayd.’
i don’t think i could possibly add anything to the mix, but i have to ask…. where the h*ll is uncle sull? can’t believe he wouldn’t weigh in on this!!
I too have a “girl” crush on you and truly respect who you are and what you do to make your corner of the world better. I have read your blog from the start so felt very conflicted on posting my feelings.
I watch the Daily Show and The Colbert Report for entertainment every day which is what it is there for… not to base my world view on. The protesters you mention are trying to be on TV. They are no different than the naked cowboy in Time Square or any other performance weirdos that need attention. Whenever there is camera opp there will be throngs of misguided people wanting their one moment of fame. Frankly I put Palin, the Kardashians, Cain, Perry, Newt and a whole slew of other people in the same category.
I am as guilty as anyone for personally going for the easy joke. It is simple and does not take as much time as understanding another person’s plight. I commend you for sharing what you saw first person but hopefully you will see it is just a piece of the puzzle.
Many people are upset with their reality. I can’t make an accurate percentage of who your readers are but maybe they are part of the 30% and for that they should be grateful. The country and this protest has no real leaders and solutions,problems and missions can’t always be expressed to everyone’s liking in a few sentences or a nifty soundbyte. My local group in LA, CA. is not as colorful as your NYCers although some do think it is a stage for performance art. FYI I hate drum circles.
I deeply believe you and your husband to be part of the good folks of the 1% who do/create positive things or I would not read this blog. I love poetry, animals, books and think this was a can of worms that appears that should have not been opened because it saddens me to agree with Todd. I think you know what a wicked good life you have and I believe you have compassion for those that through no fault do not experience life the way you do
Whoops…. just remembered there is another person who posts as KC so please do not confuse any difference there may be in out views
Ann, suggest you watch the Keith Olbermann show today and get back to us on that claim of the protesters starting the violence.
I don’t know what media you’re watching but it’s pretty one sided, or else your viewpoint is.
Too bad. I usually enjoy reading your blog.
Right on!
It is very important we all respect each others views because there are no easy answers. There is no reason to post my comment which is just one perspective.
It was just meant to remind people the media loves sound bites and comedy is meant to make us laugh and think about things…
The one thing we can agree on is Anne is great gal
Hi KC2, sorry that your posts didn’t appear right away. They were sent to my “approval” bin, I guess since you hadn’t posted in awhile, but now your posts should appear when you post them. No need to apologize for your feelings and I hope my comments didn’t offend you.
Lisa, i just read the whole post tonight and I was also thinking where the heck is uncle Sul? Ann is he OK?
You are 100% dead on the mark. I’m a conservative
And per what you state you are a liberal. But I can tell
You this conservative agrrees with your “Liberal” view on this
1000%. Great observations. Let’s hope peace is kept
And no one gets hurt. God bless you. Happy Holidays.
Thanks for replying Ann and the explaining why my post was moderated. I usually post as Kathy C but felt conflicted about sharing my feelings because I sincerely have learned to admire you so over the years and felt awkward expressing my feelings and tried very hard not to make what I was saying appear to make you wrong. I was not offended.
I think an open forum is healthy but as Heinlein says in “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” that if you get more than 2 people in a room chances are no one will agree. That might be a good book for us to read some time.
I have not posted for awhile because my Dad died and with Mom gone too it made me look at life and how precious the time we have here is. I have always known that but feel it even deeper with each passing year.
The most fundamental need all of us have is to live a happy and comfortable life. I guess I look at so many people who just want that for themselves and join this kind of movement because they are just so frustrated and don’t know how to fix what is wrong…they just know it hurts.
It’s like an animal with a thorn in its paw and they don’t know how to remove it themselves so they cry out. Someone need to hear this cry without blame. The government is not big Daddy here to fix things but many wish it was..
So sorry about your dad, Kathy, and thanks again for your very kind, thoughtful posts.
Dear Kathy C, I’m so sorry to hear that your dad passed away. I know this time of year can be especially difficult with the holidays coming. My sincere condolences.
Ann is correct. Protest the Congress member who made it possible to make more tax loopholes to ship the 99% jobs out to child labor 3rd world places. WARNING this may require effort like oh…. reading boring shit and time to make sure what you read is true. Ever watch CSPAN? I have not riveting until someone like Grayson got worked up. If you know who that is you get bonus points.
The corporations are the smaller part. They are part of it but you have to fight fire with fire. if YOU REALLLLLYYY care you will protest AND (super important) you will also put YOUR MONEY where your mouth is..hire a lobbyist, add money to an organization that mostly supports what you SO VERY Strongly believe or at least buy some blankets, bring some soup for the OWS but just do more than COMPLAIN.
[...] apparently she’s got a blog. This second thing I learned today when I discovered a piece she wrote attacking the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. Now once again, I’m delving into political territory here, but really my response to Ms. [...]
Ann said: “Twitter was alive with all the outraged tweets of these protestors reporting supposed police brutality, but whenever I clicked on links to the videos, I never saw a single police officer randomly strike out at a citizen”.
Well young lady, perhaps you should watch MANY of the clips shown on Keith Olbermann’s tv show.
I’ve seen many of them there.
Not to mention the lady that was there as a legal observer recounting that she witnessed another lady inquiring about her daughter. The second lady was thrown to the ground and physically beaten for trying to check on her daughter.
It breaks my heart that you have a difficult time getting from one side of town to the other (boo fricken hoo).
Perhaps they can take a break just long enough to accommodate your travel schedule.
Weather you folks like it or not, protests have brought much needed change in our history and will continue to do so.
For those of that don’t understand what the movement is about, here it is, as presented by Keith Olbermann. This was sent to him to read to the masses. MANY of you commenting here will NOT understand it, even after it has been presented in it’s most basic form.
Sorry Ann, I too now feel insulted and pissed off!
Part of the message is that the Wall Street folks can stay home and the world will work just fine. Sure, the work-a-day individuals on Wall St didn’t *cause* the financial crisis, but their bosses most likely did. If you work for the guy who developed toxic mortgage backed securities purchased at 30-1 leverage and insured with uncollateralized credit default swaps, then you are an enabler. And if you don’t know what your boss is doing then you should take a few days off and research it and find out.
Wall Street is a black hole that takes our tax revenue, our talented workers, our human resources and kills our national soul and we’re all broke. Granted, the message from the demonstrators isn’t written clearly in perfect prose, but that doesn’t make the message any less valid. It’s poetry. Bad poetry, maybe, but that’s the imperfect nature of the human condition. The destruction of our social fabric is occurring and these young people are telling you about it if you will listen. Laugh at them at your own peril. Help them if you care; help them make the message more coherent, more effective. Or not.
And they don’t care that you judge them…from your debt-free, fully funded, upper-middle class McMansion.
Ann,you said it all. Thank you.
Stupid immature people are everywhere in our society. It’s a shame that the OWS movement drew so many of them to one place at one time. Going topless, antagonizing cops and dressing like vikings isn’t going to do much to solve our problems. I wish we could focus on the intelligent protesters for a change. Idiots who shove cops or damage personal property deserve to be arrested. I’m sick of stupid people who are ruining a legitimate movement.
Dear Ann,
My father-in-law from my only marriage is a retired Massachusetts State Trooper and he’s one of my favorite people on the planet. Having said that, I think I can safely say, he would never pepper spray an unarmed female of any status nor would he beat someone until they bleed profusely from the head just because they were protesting the corporate greed and corruption that has been going on in our country and the reason we’re circling the drain when it comes to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Here’s another point of view on the WSO. It reminds me of Kent State:
http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/153134/caught_on_camera:_10_shockingly_violent_police_assaults_on_occupy_protesters/?page=2
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/151135/american_banks_%27high%27_on_drug_money%3A_how_a_whistleblower_blew_the_lid_off_wachovia-drug_cartel_money_laundering_scheme/?page=entire
Ann, with sincerest respect, I believe that you and your friend, Dan are tea party supporters whether you know it or not. Your message and his is precisely what the tea party is about and came about to express.
(Just to be clear, this post is meant to be affirmative of your position and an expression of solidarity.)
Ann, you make sense, I am a conservative, who says the 2 twains shall never meet. I, for the life of me cannot figure out what protesting at Wall Street is going to do, this whole financial meltdown happened because bad mortgages were bundled and sold to Wall Street, so I get their part in it, but they only have a part in it, it would be like blaming me for someone dealing drugs because I bought the drugs. Basically I think the bill of goods that has been sold in this country is class warfare, rich people are bad and their money must be taken from them, we blame the corporations for our problems, we blame capitalism for our problems, people are desperate, they need jobs. Frustration is coming out and manifesting itself at what people perceive to be the problem.
Juanita, It appears you don’t have an understanding of Wall Street investment banks’ role in the crisis: from buying assets they knew were risky then leveraging assets 30-1, paying off Congress to change the rules, extorting bailout funds, preserving their paychecks, etc. Read a book. Michael Lewis’ Big Short, Barry Rotholtz’ Bailout Nation, Matt Taibbi’s Griftopia, Bethany McClean’s All the Devils are Here, and others. These are not ultra-liberal screeds (except maybe Taibbi’s). The angst the young people are showing is completely justified, the targets may seem tangential and their tactics might look laughable, but their point is crystal clear… way more clear than the Tea Party’s.
Thought provoking quotes from good ole Thomas Jefferson:
“I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.”
― Thomas Jefferson
“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. ”
― Thomas Jefferson
“The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations.”
― Thomas Jefferson
Here’s the link that didn’t show up for some reason (assuming it shows up this time). —> http://current.com/shows/countdown/videos/special-comment-keith-reads-first-collective-statement-of-occupy-wall-street
*** whenever I clicked on links to the videos, I never saw a single police officer randomly strike out at a citizen. ***
You’re not going to find the police beatings just by watching YouTube. Here’s a good place to start that will demolish that assumption.
http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/153134/caught_on_camera%3A_10_shockingly_violent_police_assaults_on_occupy_protesters/
Here’s another group of protesters starting shit with the police.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmJmmnMkuEM&feature=youtu.be
Re: the fools fighting with police. They do not represent OWS. Don’t paint the OWS movement with a broad brush please.
It’s not all anarchists, etc. OWS comprises business men and women, labor unions, laid-off workers, the working poor, mothers and fathers, and people who worked hard all their lives but cannot get by because of greed.
Yes, there are fools out there doing dumb stuff. But don’t get their actions confused with those who are acting non-violently and responsible. They are in the majority. They are the 99%.
Ann, how do the actions of Wall Street not affect you? What are you going to do to change things? This is where it starts. Democracy comes from those who show up. Not from those who blog about something they don’t like. Be pro-active. Contribute to the solution to hold Wall Street accountable. OWS is trying.
Thanks for all the comments and links everybody. I was only looking at the Occupy Wall Street footage because I had only been to Zuccotti Park. I didn’t see the awful police brutality going on in OccupyCal, Portland and other cities and I agree, based on the links, that was brutality at its worst.
Moving the Occupy movement to Washington…and a honing/defining of the goals is the ABSOLUTELY correct way. As is your point to simply voice your protest with your VOTE. Perfect assessment to my view.
Skepacabra, maybe that could be a “next step?”
Again I want to share with you these thought provoking quotes from good ole Thomas Jefferson:
“I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.”
― Thomas Jefferson
“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. ”
― Thomas Jefferson
“The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporation’s.”
― Thomas Jefferson
Please note the 3rd quote from the top: “when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations” part. Who is the culprit here? The government is the victim.
Just too much to comment on in the article and in all of the comments. Suffice it to say that folks need to research — don’t let the information come to you, go seek it out. And try filmsforaction.org for educating yourself via the many excellent documentaries out there. We’ve been apathetic too long.
Just so there’s no misunderstanding, if you please: the person named Alan whose several posts appear prior to this one (and perhaps even after) is not the same Alan that you regular readers of Ann’s blog may be familiar with, i.e., the charmingly funny guy with the snarky sense of humor and friend of Aislinn, Arliss, Ann, KC, Cynthia, Colleen, Lisa, Barbara, Bev, et al.
Thanks.
So glad you clarified that – but, I really didn’t think he sounded like you
Hi my friend Alan……….I was starting to wonder!!! I have no opinions to offer; I am truly trying to educate myself clearly on the matter. I’m really not quite sure how people can think the banks and corporations are innocent in this ugliness. And the comments, links, etc are helping. But I must say–I have always been a fan of Jefferson.
Alan, so glad to hear that you are not pissed off at our dear Ann!
I waited a few days to comments because it didn’t want to do it out of anger. Let’s agree that minds are not going to be changed, no matter the insults. We are all allowed our own opinions. I was offended by your stereotyping . . “NYU sophomore guy with the $130 sneakers.” What is that suppose to mean?? It kind of sounds like you think OWS is just for ‘poor” people. I am 45, married, college educated and enjoying MY “wicked good life.” I am also very supportive of OWS. I am happy that noise is being made. There is plenty to be pissed off about in this country. (Me, personally? I’m still pissed off about Prop B in Missouri!) The message may not be cohesive enough for you but the bottom line is that “business as usual” is no longer going to be accepted. I’m thrilled to see the age of apathy winding down.
Hi Alan, pleased to meet you. Love your name. (and it’s spelled properly)
Yep, sure enough, we are two different Alans.
I’m the one that will tell it like it is, even if it steps on a few toes along the way.
I can’t/won’t speak for the other Alan in any way, shape or form.
I’m a 99%er and a liberal with an open mind on most things in the world.
Take care of you and yours!
LOVE…PEACE…HAPPINESS… Alan
Wow, new Alan, you’re rather charming after all! I hope you’re not still pissed off and insulted by me. If you are, though, can you please not tell it like it is again?