Open Thread – Statement from Zucotti Park
A statement issued from the General Assembly at Occupy Wall Street on the night of their eviction from Zucotti Park. More coming tomorrow from Zach Roberts in New York.
December 18, 2024
Thursday, August 3, 2023
The Quitter Returns! -Monday, March 21, 2022
Putting the goober in gubernatorial -Friday, January 28, 2022
A statement issued from the General Assembly at Occupy Wall Street on the night of their eviction from Zucotti Park. More coming tomorrow from Zach Roberts in New York.
The attacks on occupy sites around the country were coordinated with federal agencies. http://www.examiner.com/top-news-in-minneapolis/were-occupy-crackdowns-aided-by-federal-law-enforcement-agencies
And that is a very horrible turn of events for this country.
They definitely appear to have been coordinated. By whom, is the big question?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/16/1037069/-Occupy-Seattle-Message-From-Minister-Who-Was-Pepper-Sprayed?via=siderec
words from pepper sprayed priest
So, Michelle Bachmann wants America to model itself after Communist China, does she? When I heard she thought it was just swell that they didn’t have odious, unnecessary things like, oh, say, FDIC, Medicate, Medicaid, Social Security, I started fuming.
Why? Well, the reasons are too numerous to address here, but if you read the following you can see what happens when people lose faith in their country’s court system and what happens to their protests when the government doesn’t want the press to cover them.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peterfoster/100117856/tiananmen-square-self-immolation-where-truth-is-swept-away-into-a-dustmans-cart/
Michelle Bachmann is an odious, ignorant and cruel woman who doesn’t deserve the right to represent Americans. She is so ill-informed, small-minded and hard-hearted that I hope she gets reincarnated into just the kind of society she says she wants this to become. Maybe in a future life she will understand the need for compassion.
Very interesting article on vulture capitalism:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/nov/15/call-action-vulture-funds-preying-poor
“Before turning to the Jersey loophole, Grossman’s company had tried unsuccessfully to seize the DRC embassy in Washington as a downpayment on the debt.
“The bid was turned down by the US authorities, but FG Hemisphere tried once more in the US before moving on to Hong Kong. Both actions were unsuccessful.
Despite previous success for FG in the English courts, winning $30m from the DRC in 2007, the new Debt Relief Act in effect on the mainland meant Jersey became an attractive breeding ground for vulture funds as it did not apply there.”
Um, that should be – I didn’t want to BE maced. . .
me neither. i don’t want to be maced, beaten, knocked down, stomped upon, arrested or abused in any way because that will make me mad and i would have to have revenge after i got out the hospital and off life support.
đ
It’s unfortunate that most of those who are policeman now are too young to remember the horrific images of the cops in full riot gear beating citizens who were protesting in the 60s. I didn’t want to me maced or beaten to a pulp or thrown in jail so I didn’t join any of the protest marches, even though my sympathies were increasingly with those who did.
And what did the police gain by that thuggish behavior? Nothing except the contempt of many law-abiding citizens. It was hard to see them as someone who should be respected or admired. If this kind of action against protestors continues, then the police will find themselves in much the same place as they were after the riots in the 60s. And no amount of heavy-handedness by the mayors will improve their tarnished image. It will take years to rebuild what they will lose if they keep attacking students, 84 year old women, and people who want to have a dialogue about our country’s problems.
I kind of get the point that they can’t have tents there in the parks. However, the police moving in and destroying tents and confiscating people’s belongings, especially in the dead of night, is just wrong. Anyone who had a tent should have the right to be reimbursed by the city for the destruction of their property. I hope they all saved their sales receipts and sue the city for damages.
Taking of the books reminds me so much of other times throughout history when a government thought they could end a movement by taking or destroying books.
I’m also reminded of Hermione in Harry Potter smiling when the despicable Prof. Umbridge bans a certain magazine with an article that tells the truth about Harry and Voldemort. Why? Because nothing but that could ensure that everyone would find a way to read it – and she was right. (Rowling got so many of those social and politcal issues right in the Harry Potter books, btw.)
What the mayor is trying to do is ban free speech under the guise of public safety and all he is doing is ensuring that more people will join in to make sure that right isn’t taken away. Banning the press was even worse – they won’t go quietly, nor should they. It’s just too bad that there weren’t more videos or pictures of the disgusting actions by the police.
why do you think the poilcw were called “Pigs” back then ??? …. it wasn’t because of all the doughnuts they ate !
Exactly! I was trying not to go there, but I think we’ll be there soon if the police keep it up. One of my favorite books that I read to my second graders in the 70s was “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble”. It’s a really neat story about a little boy who thinks no one loves him and finds out that isn’t the truth. But the part that made me chuckle was that all the characters are animals (the illustrations were great) and the police are . . . . . . pigs. Hmmm, think maybe the author had a point to make? I don’t think my class thought anything of it and I didn’t make the point for them.
Some day I’m going to buy a copy of that book, just because we should all get it’s main message and the subliminal ones as well–just so we remember what can happen when the police are out of control.
There is a great summary of our experience in the 1960’s and 1970’s on Keith Olbermann’s program last nite (15 Nov 11, Tuesday pm).
nem
Well stated. Now, how are these goal going to be served by Occupying; how will advancement of these goals be measured? In other words, how will we know we are making progress; how will we know when we win?
Step by step. Got a local group in your area? Become a part of it and let your voice be heard.
here are the words of a Texas Dominionist preacher who has endorsed Bachman for President> oy vey:
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Christian Right Wing Pastor And Endorser Of Michele Bachmann Admits That The Religious Right Wants Dominionism And âWorld Conquestâ (VIDEO)
November 15, 2011
By Stephen D. Foster Jr.
Meet Dr. George Grant. He is an evangelical educator and a Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) pastor from Texas. He reportedly supports executing homosexuals and he has also publicly endorsed Michele Bachmann for President. In a video that had been featured on the website of the Bachmann campaign, Grant admitted that dominionism exists and that dominionism is exactly what the religious right wants. Basically, Grant is saying that the Christian Right seeks to declare America a Christian state and replace constitutional law with Bible law. He also said that the aim of the religious right is âworld conquest.â
âChristians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ-to have dominion in the civil structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness.
But it is dominion that we are after. Not just a voice.
It is dominion we are after. Not just influence.
It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time.
It is dominion we are after.
World conquest. Thatâs what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish. We must win the world with the power of the Gospel. And we must never settle for anything less.
If Jesus Christ is indeed Lord, as the Bible says, and if our commission is to bring the land into subjection to His Lordship, as the Bible says, then all our activities, all our witnessing, all our preaching, all our craftsmanship, all our stewardship, and all our political action will aim at nothing short of that sacred purpose.
Thus, Christian politics has as its primary intent the conquest of the land â of men, families, institutions, bureaucracies, courts, and governments for the Kingdom of Christ. It is to reinstitute the authority of Godâs Word as supreme over all judgments, over all legislation, over all declarations, constitutions, and confederations.â
any questions? what say the Mudpups?
What say I? Over my dead body.
He should first seek dominion over his pitifully inept reading comprehension skills:
1 John 4:8 âWhoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.â
Whoever does not love does not know God, and therefore should not portend to speak on her behalf. The saddest part for me is that these purveyors of fear and hate in Godâs name are worse than Bernie Madoff: their pulpit is nothing more than a tax-free Ponzi scheme in which the only âreturnâ the âinvestorâ can expect is a one-way trip to heaven. Keep the flock fearful and they’re willingly fleeced of their $$ or $$$ or $$$$$$$$.
Way too scary, bubbles. But a valuable reminder to all of us for vigilance. nem
A new way to select a Presidential ticket? It’s online. Have a look. I think this is verrrrry interesting.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/2011/1116/Don-t-like-how-we-elect-a-president-Americans-Elect-offers-alternative
Kind of goes with OWS, to my way of thinking.
And here’s a link to their website:
http://www.americanselect.org/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Americans+Elect&utm_term=americans+elect
It’s not that I don’t like Obama, but I’m really bummed by the way we pick our slate of candidates.
Congress has the greatest control over the economy. And Congress is failing the American people. So we the people have to elect a better Congress.
We missed our chance in 2010 with the Senate race. Perhaps we can do better in 2012 with Don Young’s seat???
This “Americans Elect” is worthy of more research. My personal bug-a-boo is the Electoral College. These are very difficult ambitions/goals. I support any better method that returns the rights of living, breathing, covered with skin, holds a heart and a brain to human Americans.
nem
Well, it’s a lie that the property of Occupiers will be returned, at least when it comes to the library:
http://peopleslibrary.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/update-state-of-seized-library-items/
and the magnificent Olbermann replies to Bloomberg’s attack on OWS.
go Keith!
http://current.com/shows/countdown/videos/keiths-special-comment-why-occupy-wall-street-needs-michael-bloomberg
What would we do without Keith in our times??
It is my conviction that governments are developing their best efforts to incite a violent response from protestors. I entreat the gods to protect those who continue to speak for the 99%, and continue to give them strength to withstand any provocations.
Excellent! I miss Keith. I can’t get his show in our area, so thanks for the link.
That is a powerful statement of principles.
I am upset that the national media is not covering the oppressive over-reaction of the Mayors in the cities where major OWS encampments have formed. More coverage of the violent police suppression needs to come to the foreground. It is the only way to avoid an escalation of fear and anger on both sides. Meeting nonviolence with violence is unacceptable. Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are foundational rights. They are not always neat and tidy, nor are they convenient for business and politicians, but these freedoms, if exercised in peaceable fashion, are essential safety valves for perceived injustices.
To suppress them is to put a too-tight cover on boiling water, the pressure that builds under oppression will eventually seek an outlet and that blow-out will not be acceptable to anyone. Have the authorities and their counselors learned nothing from history?
People locking arms to protect one another is not a violent act and should not trigger baton-swinging, mace-spraying, property-destroying police actions. To meet nonviolent protest with unnecessary force is an abuse of power and an ill-conceived reaction to constitutionally protected citizen protest.
I have been following the tragic decisions of the Mayors of NYC, Oakland, Portland and other cities that apparently have been coordinated to clothe their actions in secrecy by blocking press coverage. It is somehow appropriate that their police actions are done at night, in darkness. To me, it reflects the fear of public opinion, the fear of free and unfettered speech, and the fear that the peaceful opposition is catching hold and could make a difference in the status quo.
I support this movement’s spirit and energy. As Robert Reich told the thousands listening to his Mario Savio lecture on Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley last night “The for apathy is over, folks.”
If we stand aside as observers, then we are no better than those who would quash a desire for truth, a desire for a better world, a desire for peaceful change. If we allow suppression, particularly violent suppression to continue, we are not as good, as moral, or as kind as we’d like to think we are. How we respond is a mirror of our soul, both as individuals and as a society.
Correction: Robert Reich said, “The time for apathy is over, folks.”
I have backpacked the Appalachian Trail across the Smokies and fell in love with the place. My car club attends a national event in the Smokies every year. Hmmmm Occupy The Smokies sounds like a good idea. đ
So this Thanksgiving is going to be different and fun. My brother’s girlfriend is from Iraq and she has asked me to help her prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. My oldest son, his wife and the baby are coming down and this is my brother’s year to have his kids for the holidays. Alyaa, my brother’s girlfriend, has friends and relatives who will be there for their first American Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to sharing this tradition with new people and having a good time.
Sharing traditions with others is always an adventure. A number of years ago, my husband and I were set to spend Thanksgiving alone — it was too far to travel from Lawrence, Kansas, to Longmont, Colorado, where my mom had moved. So we invited out Dutch friend to join us for the day. Ton ate so many things that day that he had never had, and loved all of it. It was a lot of work for me, as I did all of the cooking and clean up, but it was so worth it to spend the time with a friend and explain the traditions and why we have them. đ
I, too, have hiked the Smokies via the AT. Lovely.
Lovely, too, are your Thanksgiving plans. Enjoy, and I wish you and yours health and peace.
I read this book about two years ago and it just broke my heart. I love the GSMNP and have ridden through there many times, but I am sad at what cost it came to us. The government was very heavy handed in its treatment of the people who lived there and who loved their land and way of life. It could have been done better I think.
http://www.amazon.com/Cataloochee-Novel-Wayne-Caldwell/dp/0812973739/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321446805&sr=1-1
Ezra Banks, an ambitious young man seeking some land of his own, arrives in Cataloochee in the 1880s. His first order of business is to marry a Carter girl, Hannah, the daughter of the valleyâs largest landowner. From there Ezraâs brood grows, as do those of the Carters and the Wrights. With hard work and determination, the burgeouning community transforms wilderness into home, to be passed on through generations.
But the idyll is not to last, nor to be inherited: The government takes steps to relocate folks to make room for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and tragedy will touch one of the clans in a single, unimaginable act.
We are here because we believe a better world is possible.
~~~
You cannot evict an idea whose time has come.
…a better world is possible…
Occupy my dreams?
Here’s a glimpse of the Great Smokey Mountains, home of my heart.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
“Money to buy the land that became Great Smoky Mountains National Park was raised by individuals, private groups, and even school children who pledged their pennies.”
Excellent, thatcrowwoman.
Well, three down, one to go!!!
Powerful.
How does that go?
First they ignore you.
Then they ridicule you.
Then they attack you.
Then you win.
It seems like the cities around the nation are starting to ramp up the pressure on the protests.