Cornel West, Philosopher and Activist, to Speak at Occupy Wall Street Tonight At Seven
Posted 13 years ago on Sept. 27, 2011, 5:28 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Cornel West, Philosopher and Activist, to Speak at Occupy Wall Street Tonight
Occupy Wall Street is pleased to announce that noted philosopher and social justice advocate Cornell West, author of the book “Race Matters” among many others, will be speaking at tonight’s General Assembly, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Liberty Square at the intersection of Broadway and Liberty Street. He will be speaking about the circumstances that ultimately led thousands activists to occupy Wall Street, as well as the importance of people power in addressing them.
West has just wrapped up a nation-wide speaking tour talking about generational poverty. We at Occupy Wall Street are grateful to have him here addressing our group.
“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
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.~ Benjamin Franklin
Also, not trying to troll here, but this quote's origins are questionable: http://www.r8ny.com/blog/barry_popik/lunches_with_wolves_the_fake_ben_franklin_quote_on_democracy.html
I'd be interested in really pinning down who said this, or a source for when/where Franklin said it. I love a good quote, but I also love knowing the person behind it.
The earliest known similar statements are:
A democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Democracy is not freedom. Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to eat for lunch. Freedom comes from the recognition of certain rights which may not be taken, not even by a 99% vote.
Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
source: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin#Misattributed
I disagree. I think you say that because you are used to the type of Democracy that was sold to you by your government for too long and that in reality is a Plutocracy. Social Democracy actually works.
So we went from a 2 against 1 democracy to a democracy of 1% vs 99%
See what a little bit of money can do.... err .... I mean trillions of dollars can do?
A majority is 50%, plus one vote. Since 50% of two wolves and a lamb is 1.5 (50% x 3 = 1.5), plus one vote is 2.5, then you'd need a consensus of all three to pass any items, because no such thing as 1/2 a wolf. Therefore the lamb is OK, and there's no need to contest the vote.
--James Ogle [Free Parliamentary] volunteer vote counter
8th USA Parliament http://www.usparliament.org
Great quote, but Jefferson never said this.
http://fakehistory.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/thomas-jefferson-and-the-end-of-democracy/
Jeferson is true founder of democracy . Others that came later are dismantlers.
Ditto
or bangs negro slaves...
Awesome post!!! ^_^
NYC dumps of tons of chemicals, sewage, hazardous waste, and air pollutants into the environment every day and, under the guise of safety, they confiscate generators used to keep you warm. All I can say is US SS US SS US SS US SS. PIGS
We need to get finance out of education, healthcare, housing etc. This is why we saw exponential increases in these segments of the economy over the last three decades. The financial industry has its tentacles through out all the necessary (or basic human rights) areas of the economy. Even food, through the Chicago Merc and Board of Trade speculate and drive up the costs of basic food stuffs (wheat, corn, sugar) making African famines worse and essentially the impetus for the Arab spring - people could not even afford a loaf of bread. Bring back the Glass Steagall Act
the federal reserve also has too much power.
This is just the beginning. Everyone can do their part to help. Since mainstream media won't introduce us to the public, we can do our part to help. Social networking sites are a great way to share the info. Put it in front of the public's faces! They are us, and they are affected just as much. Lets inform them! Post daily on facebook and add links to this website. Use the hashtag #OccupyWallSt on twitter, and type Occupy Wall Street into search engines. Sites such as yahoo and bing have a list of most, and recently searched items. Lets get this where it can't be ignored. We are the 99% and together we cannot be stopped. The beautiful thing of being part of the vast majority is that every small thing counts.
there is a lot more attention today, Fox and MSNBC both had stories as well as some stations in NY. Now that some public figures are starting to show up you guys should get a bunch more coverage soon. Its coming and support is growing around the US and around the world. Just need to strengthen that message and the people will poor in
Excerpted from JFK speech to the Protestant Council (more than 45 year ago) - If the Family of Man cannot achieve greater unity and harmony, the very planet which serves as its home may find its future in peril. For the blessings of life have not been distributed evenly to the Family of Man. The Family of Man can survive differences of race and religion. It can accept differences of ideology, politics, and economics. But it cannot survive the growing gulf between the rich and the poor. The gulf between rich and poor which divides the Family of Man is an invitation to agitators, subversives, and aggressors. It encourages the ambitions of those who desire to dominate the world, which threatens the peace and freedom of us all.
I am brazilian and I am engajed in PSTU, a morenist-bolivarist party; we are indescribably happy to see both Wisconsy strikes and (more than everything) you guys from Occupy Wall Street. Our entire support to your causes - and consequenty - once the global financial system echoes its greed all over the world - to our causes too. I know it is redundant to say, but I think it is never too much to reaffirm: don't give up the fight. The world is finaly facing the collapse of neoliberalism and its financial structures; the left-wing enemies need to be in the center of the discussion, otherwise those who will make decisions (and those who ARE taking decisions - wtf was that austerity package the Republicans were able to approve?) will still be those who actually caused the crisis... "we should remember them: we are democracies, not financial systems." And democracy is only real when it is based on plebiscite, referendums, based on social movements. Democracy is only real without capitalism and its final order: neoliberalism. Summarizing in some words: we are with you in this tiring fight (sorry for my english)
Great words, Edson. Deficit politics is really just another term for defunding the social state and dismantling social programs and protections while providing tax breaks for the rich. I think that most realize this, but need to get more angry about it. This movement has the potential to erupt globally and we must work together in a coherent way to make that happen.
Edson, your English is very fine to express what you mean! I'm sure we understand you. Thank you for a strong and eloquent statement, and for helping everyone to notice how wide-spread is the movement to correct and/or replace what is clearly not working on behalf of ordinary people, or on behalf of the planet - all human future!.
I missed it!!!! no!!!
Alec Baldwin came out and endorsed the cause too!
Sending good wishes from New Zealand for your peaceful protest.
Keep up the good fight against injustice. The world is watching
Hi. I'm probably too old to make the trip to New York, but I have an ongoing VIDEO Journal (web site) trying to make sense of the financial situation on Wall Street... and all around the World. I have tried to group videos into topics and string the topics together into a story. People at OccupyWallStreet might find it interesting.
Site: http://www.just-gov.com
Videos to start out with:
Look at Matt Taibbi's videos on the Wall Street Banks [journalist at RollingStone]
The True Story Behind Goldman Sachs International! [10:52] Matt Taibbi on The People vs. Goldman Sachs [24:24] Why Isn't Wall Street in Jail - Matt Taibbi Democracy NOW (02/22/11) [10:19]
Then see why this is happening on a Global | World scale.
Spend the 90 minutes looking at Joan Veon's videos, they are very enlightening [investigative journalist] When Central Banks Rule the World Part 1 [10:00], Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9
I like William K Black's videos because he is such a straight shooter [worked on the S&L Debacle] Bill Black: Economic Collapse Part 1 [10:00], Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Click on images and links, jump around in the videos, exit the videos at any time. There are 100s of hours of great videos produced by many talented people!
National Debt A collection of truth will help add anger to the fire. Nice Job! I liked this one, well actually it angers me more to know what is really going on behind (enemy lines). Now we all know about the National Debt, and how the 800 Billion dollar bailout added to the debt our children will be straddled with! But what about all the other money that the FED lent out? Click on the image below to find out. http://www.just-gov.com/national-debt/
So exciting! His name is actually spelled "Cornel West." Anticipating a rousing speech and hopefully to see it on livestream as well!
Apologies. We had it right the first time and flubbed the edit.
Please livestream it!
why do politicians raise millions of dollars and waste it to bash their opponents in campain ads. if they really loved this country why not raise money and help people that need it so badly in this country.
They do this because our government is propped up by the economic order...few of our Congress people has the gumption to be farmers as well as Congresspeople. It is ridiculous and wasteful and good for you for noticing the futility. Campaign finance reform is a must. Political ads should be reduced to no frill debates and television stations should host them as a public service.
And the ads should not be allowed to be shown until like a month or two before elections. I'm sick and tired of seeing the shit for a whole year+.
Yes, it gives off a very disingenuous and cult like quality. Campaigns are very much in keeping with the phrase itself, as though it were a military campaign, full of the fictitious bravado. Some people really drink that up, the notion of their being a clear "winner" and "loser" when, essentially, just being able to hold office very much separates them from their constituents. They are beholden the groups and money that get them elected.
exactly
Dear friend,
It's a war out there between liberals and conservatives. If both these groups agreed, we don't need any campaign ads.
Wow... what a concept that is!!! I just wish the politicians would adopt it.
think the president, congress, and the senate need to take a pay cut. they shouldnt cut others pay without starting with theirs. lead by example and listen to the 99%. if they cut their own pay they would still make a ton from side deals and lobbiest. also why do our taxes pay for their office bottles of water, all the supplies in their office, gas in their cars, plane trips, ect. when i have to come out of pocket for anything i need for our office. at the start of a school year my little girls teacher has to pay for the classroom suppiles along with me and my wife who buys almost 100.00 worth of stuff for the class and every parent does the same. how does this add up?? if they really want to start fixing the deficit that we are in because of their spending and corp. greed they need to start with their selfs 1st!! please be my voice in this matter their on the ground and thank you for being the voice of us 99%. im sending suppiles. i wish i could be there to help loudin our voice on the ground. again thank yall so so so much. with love from georgia, david
Pay cuts won't matter georgia99, change must happen at the infrastructure level because no matter how much a president or senator is paid, there will ALWAYS be a lobbyist or special interest group willing to line these government officials' pockets for a few key votes, proposals endorsements, etc.
We need to think OUTSIDE THE BOX because no matter how you look at it, the current government system fails.
Change must occur at the base, the infrastructure in order to truly matter...
agreed. i just wish they would have made effort to make real fixes. i cant belive the games they are playing with our lives. things like saying cant find money for the disater victoms. heres a funny one timothy geithner. hes the treasury secretary that over sees the federal reserve that he was previously the president of. now thats a big conflict of interest. it would be great to have the house and the white house elected full of real americans the 99% of us. i also think a two party system or three or four ect. is a failure its keeps us fighting over a party and not even listing to policy of the person thats running. what do yall think? people around here in my town are so closed minded. its im one or the other and nothing else matters they are in my party so thats who im voting for. good night eveybody yall are in my mind and heart. love connecting with yall and trading thoughts. we are the people by the people
150% agreed @ LordStark. Its time we rethink the fundamentals, our core beliefs about how things should work and see if some better paradigm can't be made. Simply adding congressional term limits and lobbying restrictions is still too narrow-minded for me to be satisfied. I feel we need to think bigger.
Great angle! VERY well said
thats cool hes a great man
Grooooooooooovey, My Brother!
I believe, America needs an amendment to its constitution and change this country into a Social Democracy---Definition of SOCIAL DEMOCRACY 1: a political movement advocating a gradual and peaceful transition from capitalism to socialism by democratic means 2: a democratic welfare state that incorporates both capitalist and socialist practices
As Cornel West would probably know these John Acton (although born into nobility) quotes have great applicability: All power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. "Great men are almost always bad men. "The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks. "Property is not the sacred right. When a rich man becomes poor it is a misfortune, it is not a moral evil. When a poor man becomes destitute, it is a moral evil, teeming with consequences and injurious to society and morality.
I believe the items outline in these economists proposals are sound: http://newamerica.net/publications/policy/the_way_forward I am sure you are aware of their work. Not only the infrastructure called for herein, $1.2T which is still substantially less than what Americas Civil engineers believe is necessary, but a "debt jubilee" is called for.
The entire world is over leveraged but because we now live in an global interlocking financial system, no one country can move to write off debt without repercussions rippling through the world bank and sovereign debt markets. This is the impasse we know see in Europe. But not only do institutions need debt relief, to get demand back, which is ultimately driven by the consumer, individual mortgage and consumer credit needs to be restructured as in "hair cut" .
With so many living US Nobel Prize winners in economics available and I believe eager to help, why not convene the group and ask for recommendations, With the caveat and agreement by both R's and D's that there will be up and down votes, no filibusters, and a minimum of 50% of the recommendations must be implemented.
Additionally, it looks like the Treasury and Obama will have a second chance to get it right since Bank of America is probably technically insolvent again (aside from accounting manipulations). The Dodd Frank authority to seize the banks assets, sweep out the management and subsequent breaking up of the bank (investment/speculation) from traditional banking could be used as model for all the too big to functions.
wall street has lost its moral compass its about time someone show them the way back .loud and fast
wall street has lost its moral compass its about time someone show them the way back .loud and fast
Capitalists always pretend Socialism is Communism.
In reality, Capitalism is closer to Communism than Socialism is.
All socialism is is a free market where enough tax is generated to cater for the greater social need of the people. It is not perfect either but it is a lot fairer.
Imagine living in a country where you can get free health care all your life no matter what condition you have. That is all of Europe and we do it through paying more tax. Not a lot more, just a bit more.
America can have that too but big medical corporations don't want you to have it so that they can control the market for your sickness.
America needs a revolution more than anywhere. You're being enslaved. You need a full and complete revolution. It won't be easy. It may well be tougher for ten years than it is now. But result will be the end of oppression by private enterprises and the dawn of a new age of reponsible business which takes its place in the world alongside (and not above) community, education, health, free speech, family, spirituality, humanity, hope.
Obama Global Supporters Videos!
Occupy Wall Street,
Barack Obama is the M.L.K. of our day & will continue to bring the world together to progress it like never before. In my own way, I want to play a big part in this major place in our history. People need help all around the world. There's one song for everyone & everything! For Obama 2012, I'm inviting you to be in my global video series of celebrities, people of places named after Obama & Obama supporters singing the chorus of Obama For The World (world's Obama tribute song)! ITunes! For Obama's change & America's freedom! 50% of sales go to the finishing of the new World Trade Center, Occupy Wall Street & Obama For America.
http://www.youtube.com/kingdavida
http://mycharitywater.org/p/campaign/?campaign_id=18769
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/2012/davidking
http://www.tunecore.com/music/david-king
It has begun at this point it is the calm before the storm.We the people have grown tired of the taste of the shit our government has been feeding us.It has started in new york and soon will spread across this great nation of ours from coast to coast.And if we can be smart about this and do it peacefully in great numbers through protest the media will have no choice but to cover it.And with that many people the government will have to listen to us.They will try to turn it into violence we cant let them do that it has to remain peacefull yet firm.They have to understand we the poor and middleclass are mad as hell and are not going to take anymore,and we can not give anymore,we have no more to give! We all know what change needs to take place.Stop the aid to other countrys,stop being in cahoots with wall street,and big banks bring our millitary home all of them.worry about and protect our own back yard .our own people. Our government has backed protesters in every country who want change at least the ones rich in oil. They will not back us they will say we are terrorist and mace us in the face beat us with clubs arrest us for doing the same thing they are backing protesters in oil rich countrys (asking for change) and we are the home of the free.Fact is they only back iraq libya and so on so they can place a government in these places so they can get closer to there oil.RISE UP AMERICA enough is enough the revolution has begun
It has begun at this point it is the calm before the storm.We the people have grown tired of the taste of the shit our government has been feeding us.It has started in new york and soon will spread across this great nation of ours from coast to coast.And if we can be smart about this and do it peacefully in great numbers through protest the media will have no choice but to cover it.And with that many people the government will have to listen to us.They will try to turn it into violence we cant let them do that it has to remain peacefull yet firm.They have to understand we the poor and middleclass are mad as hell and are not going to take anymore,and we can not give anymore,we have no more to give! We all know what change needs to take place.Stop the aid to other countrys,stop being in cahoots with wall street,and big banks bring our millitary home all of them.worry about and protect our own back yard .our own people. Our government has backed protesters in every country who want change at least the ones rich in oil. They will not back us they will say we are terrorist and mace us in the face beat us with clubs arrest us for doing the same thing they are backing protesters in oil rich countrys (asking for change) and we are the home of the free.Fact is they only back iraq libya and so on so they can place a government in these places so they can get closer to there oil.RISE UP AMERICA enough is enough the revolution has begun
having michael moore there is a big mistake..Hes a democratic partisan and attention seeker..the more celebrities you have the less sympathy you will get..really turned me off
Have you seen his oscar speech against George Bush in 2004 ? He put his life in danger because of that speech.
The demonstration is key as a symbolic action and in the meantime let us try to imagine what it would be like if we actually got the changes we wanted. If we want government to be more responsive to us, then WE have to be that government. While it is good to have celebrity voices and professors speak, I am equally, if not more so, inspired by the work of people like the mayor of Braddock, P.A. John Fetterman, who has worked tirelessly with the fledgling community to make the quality of life better. Those people are walking the talk of community with access to few resources. So long as the most powerful in the finance and banking industry get paid to.... , I am curious why us little people are expected to work so hard for something that can be taken away from us? This is not what accountable government is about. I want a guaranteed basic income so that I can survive while doing truly vital work, instead of working to be apart of a broken and inequitable hierarchy.
What is so great about this is how it is making people TALK earnestly about what needs to be done to make our government ours again, to make is viable. While we have a very long road ahead, this is the best first step.
Don't send the wrong message. I am concerned about some of the signs I have seen at this protest, in particular the signs saying that capitilism does not work. I am not against capitilism, I am against corporations running this country. Trying to send the message that capitilism does not work I think will harm the movement. It will be branded as socialist and loose some support.
Straight capitalism doesn't work, IMO. A mix of capitalism (regulated) and socialism would work the best.
Don't send the wrong message.
I am concerned about some of the signs I have seen at this protest, in particular the signs saying that capitilism does not work. I am not against capitilism, I am against corporations running this country. Trying to send the message that capitilism does not work I think will harm the movement. It will be branded as socialist and loose some support.
Don't send the wrong message.
I am concerned about some of the signs I have seen at this protest, in particular the signs saying that capitilism does not work. I am not against capitilism, I am against corporations running this country. Trying to send the message that capitilism does not work I think will harm the movement. It will be branded as socialist and loose some support.
Don't send the wrong message.
I am concerned about some of the signs I have seen at this protest, in particular the signs saying that capitilism does not work. I am not against capitilism, I am against corporations running this country. Trying to send the message that capitilism does not work I think will harm the movement. It will be branded as socialist and loose some support.
It's the EMPIRE, stupid
Alan MacDonald Sanford, Maine
Liberty & democracy over violent & "Vichy" empire
The media like the NYT are reducing the protests to a bunch of disorganized, wannabe hippies trying to relive the protest era. I hope that there is a cohesive framework this movement has for getting the underlying message out clearly and, dare I say, professionally, because that desperately needs to happen.
If this movement wants to be taken seriously, take the advice of experience. First of all, erase the word "with free pizza ;)" from your heading. Second of all, use the attention in police brutality to concentrate the public's attention in the issues. Then, concentrate in movilizing masses on Saturday. Organize a rally that exposes the main ideas of the movement and bring more people from other parts of the city to Wall Street. Have a clear goal and unified message. Don't be afraid. Finally, now you have the attention of the whole country and beyond, you have to take the best of this opportunity next weekend.
Well i am up and about to hit the road. got 984 miles to go. if all goes well i will be joining my brothers and sisters in ny in about 18 to 20 days. got a stray to pick up in Nashville, cant wait to get some company.
I'm from brazil, my english sucsk, but what i have to say to you i'm sure you will understand as i was with you, screaming at your ears: GO ON! go on people, I feel very contamplated by what you're doing,I'm felling so much for not be there with you, but I live in Brazil and probably will never have money in my life to go to wall street, but that's not the point, you know what you're doing is not for american people, but to everyone in this world, so i'd like to tank you, tank you and go one, please, persist!
You're English is good enough for us to understand what you're saying. It's not that bad, actually. Thanks for the kind words and the support. I think what you said about not ever being able to afford to go to Wall St. is a great symbol/case for this protest and movement.... that the common citizen in many places can't afford to travel outside of their countries.... and that is a GREAT shame and a crime.
Don't be fooled by American wars that claim to be bringing freedom and democracy to other countries. This is about opening up new markets for the arms industry and controlling supply of oil and other materials. It is nothing to do with democracy or people's rights.
What's happening in America now is encouraging. It proves that the real America that seeks is starting to shine through the cracks. The ordinary people of America, the natives, the blacks, the whites, the asians, the hispanics, the immigrants and all those still to come, are the true guardians of freedom against the evil, greed and lies of the 1%
You are the 99%. We are the 99%. The world is the 99%.
Yes, you are right. Most of us (the ones not drinking the bullshit Kool-Aid) know that when our military and government go into other countries, it's solely to benefit themselves. Not only does that happen to open up new markets for the arms and oil industries, but it also opens those countries up for American retail (food, clothing, other shit) franchises. America is the land of franchises. When I go to other countries, I'm so surprised by how few franchises there are (not just American ones but franchises in general), because that's just about all you see here in most places. Corporations have taken over America, and they want to take over the world.... what I call "corporate communism".
Have you watched rapnews on youtube. It's really cool. He raps about how the American empire wants to conquer the whole world.
I haven't but will check it out. Thanks for the info.
let me know if you didn't find the link, I can dig it.
Change the United States is necessary to change the world. And change the world is necessary to change the United States.
agreed
I'm iranian and I say this by our green movement experience (you didnt support. Remember?) You are going to fail..there will be no gain with occupy anything anywhere
Really? So, are you saying that all the protests that have happened throughout our history, to change something that was unfair, never helped?
Don't accuse the common American citizen for not supporting one of your movements. We are not superheroes. You can blame our government and military, though.
Adam Kokesh's Dance Party at TJ's- http://youtu.be/H4xnORp9wrs
The Soul of Man under Socialism by Oscar Wilde- http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1017
Anonymous: Occupy The Planet- http://youtu.be/Ccazpyz0RyQ
hi guys,cheer up! I am a Chinese, but I am with you all! Hope you will succeed! btw, how can you receive overseas donation? I want to donate, but havn't a US creditcard.
Do you have a Visa or Mastercard credit card? If so, that will work. It doesn't have to be from an American bank.... just so it has the Visa or Mastercard symbol on it.
hi guys,cheer up! I am a Chinese, but I am with you all! Hope you will succeed! btw, how can you receive overseas donation? I want to donate, but havn't a US creditcard.
I am from Serbia (country your administration bombarded) . We are used to protests . You need a unified GOAL , and goal
not tradablein system in existance. Thats all . You have to awake others . All world need new system - no repairing unrepairable. God bless you !I know it doesn't help much, but I apologize on behalf of all Americans about what our administration did to yours and many others' countries. We do not support the things our government and military do in this way. We do protest wars and all kinds of things here, but usually, or government and military don't listen. It's about time they start.
We have a few goals we need to accomplish with this. They have been stated either in this post or under another one.
Yea i understand it , no need to apologize , you need to act. The worst enemy of free people is apathy . Political class in the world is apathy seeder. Then they can
governsmoothly in the name of coorporate big fishes.very true
Keith Olberman reported that this movement largely doesn't have a clear message. Isn't the message "Pay us Back"?
I don't get how people keep saying they don't know what the message is or that it isn't clear. I got it right away. It's not that hard to figure out.
Keith Olberman reported that this movement largely doesn't have a clear message. Isn't the message "Pay us Back"?
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I am so glad this movement gets help and support from known voices, which is highly important. I wish this would happen on this coast as well, and I wish I could support you physically in NY. I am with everyone in NYC all the way.
if possible, try to attend an occupy SF or LA event. I know it's a long way to go but you might enjoy it. :)
I've been there already, but I wish I could be at the epicenter, so to speak:-))
I would demand: 1) The end of the peoplefication of businesses. 2) A complete end to corporate influence on politics. 3) A flat rate, no loop hole, tax rate for corporations and the rich. 4) A salary cap on corporate executives. 5) A minimum wage to $25 an hour; annually adjusted based on the real cost of living.
You have to keep in mind that although large corporations might be able to afford to pay a higher minimum wage, most small businesses I know would never be able to do that and stay afloat and a minimum wage affects ALL businesses of any size. Something else in the system would also have to fundamentally change in order for them to be able to afford to pay their workers so much more. Working out a clear list of needs is a great start, but you also need to think about a plan on how they can actually be executed effectively or no one will listen and take you seriously. It's so exciting to see what is happening. I would just love to see more well reasoned plans and alternatives to the system we have already. We need strong leadership with a strong message and a clear plan on how to execute that plan.
Good ideas. I really like your minimum wage one. Who in the hell can live on $7-$8/hour.... whatever the national minimum wage is?
All night, All week, Occupy WallStreet!
I made a lot of money on MONSANTO and HALLIBURTON today on wall street!
a vagina is much finer in a diner when u doin' a 69'er" -Benjamin Franklin
somebody needs a hug
LOL
DEFINE Democracy YOU PEOPLE DONT WANT THAT! ANYONE WHO PROMOTES A DEMOCRACY IS AN ENEMY TO YOU FREEDOM! WAKE UP
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.~ Benjamin Franklin
Removing the over-populated criminals from countries by selecting the extreme deviant rejects of society i.e. murderers, rapists, or any other violent criminals to fight for their lives as punishment in a modern age and newly constructed Gladiator for the purpose of Entertainment, Gambling, and Justice. ...... WTF?!?!?!
so are you guys against the federal reserve system?
ANYONE ?
trying to find out the best place to stop and unload a van load of blankets, rain gear, healthy high protein snack bars, bottled water and some cold weather clothing for the folks in NY .....
coming from North Carolina to help and not sure about hauling a van load of supplies for blocks and blocks
Discordian -- Try the phone number listed under Important Info at this link: http://nycga.cc/2011/09/17/september-seventeenth/
FREE Occupy Wall Street Posters:
https://www.facebook.com/prager1#!/media/set/?set=a.10150302456577282.333075.680962281&type=1
trying to find out the best place to stop and unload a van load of blankets, rain gear, healthy high protein snack bars, bottled water and some cold weather clothing for the folks in NY .....
Keep the faith! Stay strong! The world is watching!
I caught a good part of Cornel West's remarks on livestream. He spoke very very well!!!
Yaaay...Look what's happening with London Exchange : " Due to operational difficulties the London Gold Exchange is permanently closed for business. Thanks to all of our members. London Gold Exchange - International Digital Currency Trader - 26/09/2011"
http://www.londongoldexchange.com/maintenance/
awesome..
Wow!!
wish i was going to be there
THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE REAL VOICE TO BE HEARD. NEVER, EVER GIVE UP. THIS WHOLE EFFORT IS CRUCIAL TO OUR NATION'S PEOPLE AND THE FUTURE OF THE US of A. DO IT PEACEFULLY. MAKE IT GROW FROM NYC to the WEST COAST ... all over.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I think it is admirable that these protestors have used their vacation time & personal days to demonstrate against the powers that be...
I think it is admirable that these protestors have used their vacation time & personal days to demonstrate against the powers that be...
Just ordered his book. Keep it up guys; the whole world is not only watching, but joining!!
Cornell West for President!!!!!!
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed. I moved to South America a few years ago because people told me "if you don't like America why don't you just leave." whenever I complained about the current state of things or tried to rally my friends and colleagues to do something and now the writing is on the wall. People are FINALLY putting down their joints, cans of bud light and their Playstation controls and waking up to the harsh reality of what's really going on in the United States. Thank you to all of the Americans that STAYED behind and are out in the streets protesting, tweeting and making a difference on behalf of all of those Americans that live abroad and gave up years ago on the country... such as myself. Maybe now Americans will stop renouncing their US Citizenship in record numbers (google it 2010) at embassies abroad and start coming back home again. I will wait out the coming violent riots (london) and pandemonium a few more months/years and consider coming "home" too... be strong. be brave for those of us who are not. It's going to get worse, before it gets better.
Great Video of Cornel West speaking recently about "Truth Telling "at Attica is All of Us event at Riveside Church in Harlem. West says, "the counter-revolution is winning!, the greedy oligarchs and plutocrats are winning."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8s2-Vx9D-s
Bravo!!!
Sweeeet!!
That is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The supporters are coming out, finally!
A few words from Thomas Pain on the necessity of agrarian reform.
http://geolib.com/essays/paine.tom/agjst.html
They don't really make for good pithy quotes, so I'll just post his entire address to the french Convention (ie Congress).
Occupy Wall St. is nothing but a vanity campaign with no teeth and unless it resorts to blocking traffic every week day during business hours it will be nothing but squirrel getting crushed by a Mac Truck on the interstate. I can no longer spend my time or money on a campaign that will accomplish nothing. Good luck on your learning curve but I'm out. LloydJHart 508-687-9153
You were supposed to be out 4 posts ago.
Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm laughing so hard now!!!!!! When I read that, I was thinking something similar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wouldn't be so dismissive. Protest and revolt must begin somewhere, anyway you obviously don't garden or you would know that squirrels are meddlesome beasts precisely because they are so small. No matter what Mac Truck I use they still manage to cause havoc. In the meantime organize what you believe would be more effective and I am sure you will find other's who will join the struggle.
I own and operate a farm who's brand name is Martha's Vineyard Organics. If you feed the squirrels and make a deal with them not fuck up your crop they won't. The squirrels that live with us love us and we love them back. All I see is some scared people sitting in a park organizing a very vain ineffective American protest. The chatter around the world is what's wrong with those Americans, why are they so afraid of the police. You Americans are all talk like the your celebrities who visit the park to keep their cool factor up. Oh and by the way the squirrels along with all of nature are losing the battle.
What would you have them do Lloyd? Tear up the street? Prove to everyone that they are nothing but a bunch of troublemakers? By not confronting the police the attack on peaceful protestors actually has strengthened the movement bringing in more people, more press and garnering more sympathy. I suggest you read 'Rational Irrationality' by john Cassidy in The New Yorker. It seems that indeed Ray Kelly has become their best friend. What you are suggesting is that the group alienate the larger population whom we all hope to galvanize by being so confrontational that no one in the mainstream could possibly identify with group members and we NEED the mainstream, we need for them to see their concerns being addressed in this movement. We need for the mainstream to be so fed up that they join. We don't need them to distance themselves because they believe the groups to be engaged in anti-social behaviour. Let the cops behave like a-holes if they please, the movement needs to keep their dignity, moral and perseverance. And by the way I am not an american citizen, you make a lot of assumptions...even about squirrels.
Wrong, they are not getting more public support they are being co-opted by the democratic party which means the public will turn away.
Unions and liberal groups to join ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protest http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/29/unions-and-liberal-groups-to-join-occupy-wall-street-protest/
And for your information I have publish these civil disobedience guidelines all over this site:
Some Guidelines For Non-violent Civil Disobedient Traffic Blocking.
Never plan where and at what time you will do an action. Create groups of ten to twenty or more activists and have each group elect a coordinator who will pick a time and location for an action and only announce the action moments before it occurs. While waiting for the coordinator to declare an action the group can choose a flash mob approach and receive a text of the time and location allowing the group to disperse locally before the action or the group can just picket on the side walk with the coordinator before the action is called. This approach prevents undercover police from knowing exactly where and when the action will take place. Once the action begins it will also take time for the police to arrive and get organized for the arrests allowing for the greatest impact on the traffic. The more time your are sitting on the pavement the more the traffic will be snarled.
Do not lock arms or go limp when the police begin the arrests. When police reach down to make the physical arrest give them your arms and let them help you up and walk with them to the paddy wagon. This approach allows less injuries to occur to the activists and the police. It is also important that the coordinator does not participate in the action so that he or she can let the police commander on the scene of the action know how the activists are physically prepared to be arrested. This will put the police at ease knowing they will not have risk injury in the arrests.
When doing an action do not step out into speeding traffic. Wait for a lull in the flow of traffic in the street and then walkout remaining in a standing position until the most immediate cars are halted by your action. Once the traffic has clearly stopped because of your blockage then and only the will the coordinator give the ok to sit down. Safety is of the utmost importance in all these type of actions.
Only activists that know and understand that they may be brought up on actual charges and may have to spend some time in jail should take part in these actions. Always give your name to the police so the legal team that will represent you can find you in the system after the arrest
When doing these actions always keep a smile on your face and good cheer in your heart so the police can see your not angry at them. Your traffic blocking is the general symbol of our collective anger but that does not have to translate to anger between you and the police.
Lloyd come on the police (for the most part) are not the problem. they are caught in the middle. they are the squirrels and we're trying to make a deal with them so they won't fuck up our crop. see the bigger picture. we have bigger fish to fry.
Remember to remember ....sunset TONIGHT is a magical time of integral transformation into a new age of Paradise Utopia .... be CENTERED in THE TRUTH... http://mysticalredings.blogspot.com/2009/07/truth-is-awareness.html
Heya,
Sometimes I have to wonder what motivates you all.
I sense that there's an undercurrent of feeling that it's a crime to be successful and wealthy. That's not the crime, the crime is people wanting work, not getting it, and being forced into poverty. I feel that a positive movement for social change should come out of well meaning motives. People should be acting out because they want justice for others, not because they're jealous of others. People should seek victory for others out of suffering, not just blindly cry for vengeance against the haves.
Check yourselves. Are you motivated by compassion and love, or are you driven by hate and jealousy.
Get a new talking point already. "Don't hate the player hate the game." B$. A free market is a good thing, a great thing. This is not a free market. It is a market controlled by banks and Wall St. financiers. It is a market controlled by a few. The fact that a few can create a media blackout on such a big event is testament to the power they unscrupulously wield. No one hates or is jealous of anyone who actually works hard and attains wealth. Get over yourself already, you're not that special.
Wall St. is full of glorified gamblers, it's a world of speculation and fantasy economics in which complexity is used to disguise or to evade the truth. No one on Wall St. "works." They scheme.
No one is protesting success. They/we are protesting the theft of success. Check yourself, Winston, Minitrue is lying to you.
"The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later, is the people versus the banks." ~ Lord Action (1934-1902)
NIL NOVI SUB SOLE
Yes. My company has traders who do the same things as those big time gamblers on Wall St. And they make shitloads of cash doing it.
technically speaking, its a SLAVE market, assorted third world peoples and the poor in this country are all being used as wage slaves.
yep
Can't argue with that.
I HATE everything you just said. I'm JEALOUS you could actually believe everything you just said. I LOVE the outrage which is finally circling The Bull for its balls. These aren't the "Haves." These are the "Takers." If you're honestly successful, you want to give back. If you're honestly successful, you want to pay the bill for 2-Illegal Wars, waged in our name. If you're honestly successful, you're appalled by the behavior of these cocksuckers on Wall Street. Even after after we bailed out their spoiled asses. Especially after we bailed out their spoiled asses. Listen, I promise to LOVE them tomorrow morning. But tonight, I have some GRUDGE FUCKING to do. So get the hell outta my way, with your bullshit, neo5apien.
no, it is not a crime to be successful and wealthy. the crime is to be successful and wealthy and manipulate others through one's position and influence into desperation and poverty. but "the poor" in America are not without a blame. the problem in America is not only with greed, but very muchly with the mentality. the greed didn't just happen yesterday, it was very muchly present through many decades. let's not forget it was "the people" maxing out their credit cards that put America and the whole world into big trouble that we now experience. the situation got so bad that people in America finally, after half of the world had stood up, stand up and speak. the problem however is within and the within, too, has to be addressed and changed: the arrogance, the ruthlessness, the aggressiveness found in an American soul is not to be ignored, because it will sooner or later rot the change, if it even to be accomplished. so let's consider all problems and not just part of it as trying to say - we are not to blame. yes, we are to blame more than we imagine.
Yes, people need to stop maxing out their credit cards, but that's NOT what caused the financial meltdown. Banks make tons of money off people not being able to pay off their credit cards. Why do you think the interest rates on credit cards were so high? Watch "Inside Job", and you will find the truth.
just stop using them. stop living beyond your means. don't give the bankers the opportunity to keep on screwing you
Yes, so true. If any demand comes out of this movement it should be measures taken to reduce the influence wealth has on the political process. It's like dollars mean more than votes now, even more so with the Citizens United ruling. Repealing that needs to happen.
Ummm.. that^^^ ...
AMEN!!!!!
You don't get it. This movement isn't about jealousy it is about social change, equity and justice. Its about not allowing corporations to buy public officials and push through legislation that allows them to do whatever they like at the expense of ordinary people, like Monstanto has done for years and years. This is about large corporations axing american jobs so they can pay a pittance abroad disenfranchising both groups. This is about Dems and Reps working for lobbyists and not their constituency. This is about fair wages, keeping our unions, our jobs, its about universal health care (a right and not a privilege), its about turning the tide against ever growing privatization; to privatize everything is to turn everything into a commodity. This is about not being a serf to a group who's about to own everything...including you neo.
It's always wise to check motivations!!! For me, this is not 'either/or'. The changes that are needed will appear 'radical' but in fact will come closer to what American founders envisioned - with the added wisdom of not "expanding our territory by genocide" while we're at it! The earth actually can support a huge population, and all can live in decency, and all can access all vital resources - from those that sustain life (food, etc.) to those that uplift individual development (education, etc.). But for this to happen, those who have accumulated far beyond even modest luxury, will have to examine their own motivations. If "gathering wealth" is for sake of "the thrill of power", or "the comfort of being in the top crowd", there's a problem. Because such motivation is not oriented toward "common weal", and when it tries to be motivated toward common weal, excessive wealth often is condescending, want to 'run the show' "on behalf of the lesser folk". This is not uplifting to human potential, such as each child born brings to this earth.
Also I believe honest liberals like Bill Clinton and Obama continue to support low taxes for wealthy(30/40% is really low compared to 90%) unfortunately because they don't understand the concept of money.
I'm sure you have read this fabulous comment about money, https://occupywallst.org/forum/money-doesnt-exist-not-really/
Let me tell you an inside truth. Most of the wealth seekers gather wealth because of their internal fear. They fear failure, they fear about they and their family becoming poor in the future, they fear losing the money they already have, they fear the poor masses will come and take away their possessions. This fear is represented as Greed among many of us. This fear is what drives the conservative wealthy to find dumb or crook politicians and support them to protect their wealth.
Yep. The Koch brothers are a perfect example of going way too far. How much money do two people need.... and they want more and more and more???
That is a VERY SERIOUS sickness they have that they need to get taken care of.
As I mentioned in my above comment, the Koch brothers too suffer from this internal fear like most of the conservative wealthy people.
https://occupywallst.org/article/Cornel-west-GA/#comment-9146